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:

• 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).

• 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.

• Cyclone/Filter size. The Animal 2 cyclone/filter is much larger than the cyclone/filter on the Animal 2 Origin.

• 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...?

• Power Cord Length. The Animal 2 power cord is 4ft 4in (52in) longer than the Animal 2 Origin power cord.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.