So I was in my local Costco today and I noticed they were selling the Dyson Ball Animal 2 for $350. Which seems like a good deal considering most places list it at $400-$500. I'm thinking of buying this as a gift to my parents, any major concerns?
Background: I feel like the internet needs this review of the Animal 2 vs the Animal 2 Origin. (I was unable to find much information online when I was making my own buying decision). In fact, I created this reddit account to get this information out there, and to potentially help others who have the same question.
My vacuum of 7 years is just about ready to die. In preparation for its death, I began researching vacuum cleaners. It seemed pretty clear from multiple online sources that the Animal 2 is the current vacuum king (especially for high pile carpet).
Recently, as I was shopping at Costco, I noticed a Dyson Animal 2 Origin (which was also ~$150 cheaper). Upon a brief visual comparison to the Animal 2 online, and after finding a reddit post by hankventure83 called ‘Ball Animal 2 vs Ball Animal 2 Origin’ it seemed as though the only difference between the two vacuums was the colors and the tools. So I purchased the Animal 2 Origin at Costco.
When I got home, I assembled the vacuum, and began using it. The Animal 2 Origin, as advertised, has great suction! However, after only a few seconds of being on carpet, the brush bar completely stopped spinning (which made it very difficult to move the vacuum around). On a low-pile rug I felt as though the brush was going to tear it up. Overall I was confused and disappointed. Was the Animal 2 Origin the same thing as the famed Animal 2 I had read about online? Short answer: No. The Animal 2 and the Animal 2 Origin are NOT the same machine.
I am NOT a professional vacuum cleaner reviewer, but here is how and why I have my above-mentioned opinion.
I decided to go get an Animal 2 from Target. The tools appeared to me to be identical on both models (same three tools: tangle-free turbine tool, combination tool, stair tool) despite what was mentioned in the reddit post I had read. However, when I assembled the vacuum I immediately noticed Physical differences on the machine:
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Color. As expected, the colors were different. The Animal 2 has the complete purple color scheme, whereas the Origin has a purple brush, a bluish cyclone with a red handle (similar to the Dyson DC65 Animal color scheme).
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Bin size. The Animal 2 bin is larger than the Animal 2 Origin bin. I measured the perimeter (cylindrical circumference?) as well as the height of each bin. The Animal 2 bin is 50.5cm around and 26cm tall. The Animal 2 Origin bin is 44.1cm around and 25cm tall.
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Cyclone/Filter size. The Animal 2 cyclone/filter is much larger than the cyclone/filter on the Animal 2 Origin.
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Ball size. The Animal 2 main ball is larger than the ball on the Origin. The main ball on the Animal 2 measured 70.2cm in circumference. The main ball on the Animal 2 Origin measured 64.3cm in circumference. I did not take the ball apart, but the larger ball makes me wonder if the interior guts (motor, etc) are also larger on the Animal 2...?
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Power Cord Length. The Animal 2 power cord is 4ft 4in (52in) longer than the Animal 2 Origin power cord.
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Bin connector. The connector piece that attaches the bin to the tubes on the rest of the machine is very different. The Animal 2 Origin connector is a small rectangle, whereas the Animal 2 has a larger curved connector that hugs the bin when in place.
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Weight. The Animal 2 is actually slightly heavier (1.8 lbs heavier) than the Origin. This is likely due to all the differences mentioned above (the longer power cable, the larger main ball size [possible motor difference?], the larger bin, etc).
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Handling. Even though the Animal 2 is slightly heavier than the Origin, the Animal 2 felt (to me) easier to maneuver on the high-pile carpet (and especially easier on the low-pile rug). Additionally, I did not experience any problems or issues with the brush bar stopping (as I experienced with the Origin). In an attempt to get a more non-biased opinion, I had my 6yr old son test them both out. He chose the Animal 2 over the Animal 2 Origin, saying that the Animal 2 was “easier to push”.
On hardwood floors both vacuums felt the same to me. The suction overall on both vacuums felt similar to me as well (I have no way of measuring this metric, but they both seem to equally pick up a bunch of dust and dirt) but I wouldn’t be surprised if there are actually suction differences here as well.
Verdict: the Animal 2 and the Animal 2 Origin are NOT the same vacuum. The Animal 2 Origin is just a Costco knockoff (which also explains the significant price difference) that carries ‘Animal 2’ in its name to try and get you to buy it. The Animal 2 also seems to operate and handle better (no brush bar or suction issues so far). Needless to say, I returned the Animal 2 Origin to Costco, and am holding on to the actual Animal 2.
Thank you for this! Answered most of my questions and confirmed my suspicions that it wasn't the same.
Great review by ALLFost! I wonder why Dyson allows an inferior model (Animal 2 Origen) to be sold by Costco? Costco has a great return policy, but why have a lessor model from a great company?
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Hello! New to this sub. I'm hoping to buy a new vacuum cleaner on black Friday. I have two large dogs with long hair, and a cat. Safe to say I'm constantly vacuuming. I currently have the Bissell Powerlift Swivel Pet which isn't cutting it anymore. I'm looking for something with good suction, attachments for furniture, under $500 and not super heavy. I had my eyes on Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the Shark Vertex Upright. Does anyone have a preference or another suggestion? TIA
If you have animals I would not buy either of those. The shark is poor quality and high maintenance. Typically sharks last about a year.
The Dyson slightly better built but not appropriate for homes with animals as you'll go through filters and require lots of maintenance.
Typically good vacuums don't go on sale for Black Friday.
For the price you would be in SEBO Dart /CV300 territory which would be a much better decision for a household with animals . Your yearly maintenance costs would also be less as well. Here's a video on the Felix which is the deluxe version of the dart. https://youtu.be/AmEZb39TjmM
Shark is regarded very poorly on this sub because of subpar reliability and atrocious after sale support/customer service. As for the Dyson, while it’s at least a reliable machine and the company has good after sale support, it’s known to be quite hard to push on medium or high pile carpets, struggles to pick up slightly larger debris from hard surface floors, and is poorly sealed around the filter causing dirty air to leak back into the room.
I’ve heard some friends and family complain about their dyson vacuums, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some complaints on here as well. I’m just trying to figure out why? I’ve had my dyson “animal” (the purple one) ball vacuum for about 7 years or so, and I use it weekly on hard surfaces and carpet. And when I say carpet, I mean carpet in our cars, house, mats etc. I’ve had to change the filter and that’s it. Still sucks like it’s new and hasn’t changed it’s “futuristic” styling. Have they changed their quality since?
I too have a Dyson animal ball. Not sure which edition, exact model or anything but it's purple too.
I've only had it about 4 years but we have 2 cats and frequently have other animals visiting. Haven't had an issue yet. I'm always amazed at the amount hair that I can't visibly see that it picks up. Hell just last week after 4 years I finally vacuumed the basement steps which at that point, looked like more cat than step. Perfectly clean after that.
My only real gripe with it is the hand attachment. It's not really useful since the end of it is a 3 foot solid tube. Makes trying to use it for couches and stairs a real pain in the ass.
They need to take their Dyson apart and clean it and replace the filters or brushes that are supposed to be replaced. Dysons are great but they don't last magically and without maintenance. I would ask your family if they are doing routine maintenance.
I am about to take advantage and get a Ball Animal 2 for $240 from their site. However I saw Costco sells the Ball Animal Pro. Is there any different or is it just a Costco exclusive model but still the same machine?
I will be getting a new vacuum this Black Friday. Best Buy has the Dyson Animal 2 for $300 and also has the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal + Allergy for $500. I will be owning a dog within the next 6 months I would presume. Most of my house is carpet except the kitchen area and bathrooms, which are vinyl flooring I believe. I don't have any allergies, but my girlfriend is allergic to pets (though usually fine with medicine). I'm leaning heavily towards the Animal 2 just because it's hard for me to justify spending $500 on a vacuum.
If you could let me know which is the best choice in my situation, and give a brief reasoning, that would be greatly appreciated. I've never used anything better than $50-100 vacuums before.
My previous Dyson upright crapped out on me, so I'm looking at new uprights on their website. They list two options for the Ball Animal 2: "Ball Animal 2" and "Ball Animal 2 Total Clean." The Total Clean looks to be the same machine just with more attachments. Both are $499 USD. However, I was looking to see what it would cost at Costco, and they have a third option that is not on Dyson's website: the "Ball Animal 2 Origin" listed for $349 USD. I can't find anything different in the specs other than the Origin is listed at a little less than 2 inches wider. Does anyone know anything about the Origin, and how it could be $150 less than the normal Animal 2?
This vacuum is specific to Costco. I’ve had to exchange it twice this year. Once for the beater bar stopped working. Once for a burnt up motor smelling. Now for the third time my vacuum is omitting that smell like the motor is burning up. Am I the only one that keeps getting a faulty vacuum?
I picked up the animal 2 for a good deal from amazon warehouse deals. It is great on hard wood but it feels like im pushing a sled when I use it on my carpet and the brushes keep getting shut off every 5-10 seconds im guessing because it gets stuck. The carpet is your standard brown medium pile as far as I know but I am no expert. Is there a way to raise this a bit or is this vacuum never going to work?
Looking in the $200 price range, could maybe stretch a bit if it's really worth it. This will only be used occasionally for deep cleans as we already have a couple Roombas and a stick vacuum for basic daily cleans. Mix of hardwood and various levels of carpet (including a cheap shag-ish rug).
I like that the intuition has the lift up feature for stair cleaning, as even our stick vacuum is not very great for stairs. I know Dyson isn't great but I've heard the refurb is decent at $180. But I'm also concerned with how hard these can be to push, I've used an older model before but not positive which it was.
Any thoughts or other options in the lower end price range?
I’ve been fighting with dyson since March to get my problem fixed. I purchased the Animal origin from Costco right before a move. It did great at our old house but the new houses carpet is too thick. The brush bar stops almost immediately when on the carpet. I emailed them multiple times with no response. Finally I chatted with some one and they got back to me. They’ve sent me a new floor tool, and I sent the original vacuum back twice. They replaced it with the Animal 2 but it has the same problem. I even told them I didn’t want the animal 2 because I was afraid that would happen since it wasn’t a repairable issue and more of a design flaw. I’ve been trying to get ahold of a supervisor for 4 days. First I waited the 24-48 hours for someone to contact me. No one did so I chatted with dyson and they said someone would contact me in 1 hour. No one did. So I called today and have been on hold for 2 1/2 hours. My husband called an hour ago to see what was taking so long and they told him that supervisor wait times are 2-3 hours and offered him to replace it with the animal 3. Im still on hold. Has anyone had an issue with the animal 3? I really just want this whole ordeal to be over with. Thanks for the help!
I am looking to get a used one in my local area, and they are both selling for $80. Which one should I buy?
This vacuum is a waste of money. I’ve never been more dissatisfied with a product. Especially an expensive product that I need to use frequently.
I don’t even know where to start:
The vacuum head leaves weird lines in carpet and doesn’t suck evenly after 6 weeks. The cord is in the absolute worst position. It just tangles. Notice how they don’t show the cord in many site pictures. The vacuum weighs a ton. I’m 6’3” and 200lbs and I find moving it around to be a cumbersome task. Most of the attachments are poorly designed. The hose is almost useless if you have the handle on because it crimps. The hose is also too short. Get ready to pull your vacuum to you constantly, and then it will just fall over. I could go on. I can’t stand this vacuum and I think Dyson stinks for making it.
It’s clear Dyson is nothing but a marketing team. They have a great name, but the Animal Ball 2 is trash. I actually like to vacuum and since I got the Dyson I’ve avoided it until the dog hair is too much.
DO NOT BUY.
Also have this vacuum. Also don’t really like. I’ve had it about six months. And a couple weeks ago bought a v15 and holy shit is that one amazing.
The animal ball is very heavy and has too much power. The hose is rigid, inflexible, and near impossible to use. The machine bungies right back to you. It sucks TOO hard and is incapable of vacuuming anything more than the shortest of carpets. No settings to adjust height or flow. Noisy. Impossible on stairs. I regret buying it. I did like the little animal hair brush attachment but my dog is scared of it and the noise. I don’t recommend this vacuum.
I've had a Dyson Animal Ball for 11 years. 2000 sq ft, 2-story home. 2 cats. Hardwood + half carpeted.
It's heavy. It sucks - HARD. It cleans hard. It gets the job done. I use the small rotating head on wand to clean stairs. It works. Always replaced the filters (both) once per year, every year.
Recently took advantage of the QVC special on the new slim V12 detect. Holy crap! Talk about light (and fun) to use!
So now, I completely serviced my Animal (total tear-down, etc) and cleaned it up. I was gonna sell it, by I do believe since it works like new I'll keep it and use it in my basement until it dies. (Whenever that is) So yeah, it's a BEAST, but it works. Also, I'll never go back to corded after using one of these V12's. Maybe I shoulda got a V15? Nah, I hate triggers. (the V12 is a nice button)
I also found an aftermarket place that sells an adapter that lets me use all my Animal attachments (like that long blind cleaner) on my V12. Just doubled my attachments! Boo-yaaaaah!
https://youtu.be/O42VksVOrHw
The last time I tried to use one I tweaked my shoulder giving it the beans to get it to move on my carpet. I think their newer uprights actually clean decently provided it can be moved on your carpet without needing to put on some Pantera and go full Hulk mode… and if one can look past the build quality, bagless mess, price-for-quality ratio, lack of height adjustment, and everything else you pointed out.
Great video as always - thank you! 🍻
The fact that its not designed so that you can clean the cyclones is a hard no. It's just a stinking time bomb.
I've always been the kind of person that is totally ok with paying for quality.
Yesterday, Home Depot was doing a sale on a Dyson vacuum. About half price. I decided to spring for it.
I know it's a little too late to change my mind, but I just wanted to get some feedback on the brand. Are they really that great? I bought a ball allergy model (plus extra attachments) for ~$275. Is it really worth that much? I've never paid over $100 for a vacuum, so this is all new to me.
I can most likely return it if someone can vouch for a better value. What do y'all think?