Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaners are two very similar corded, bagless upright vacuum cleaners with flexible cleaning hoses. They are large and heavy units but also very strong and durable.

Thanks to Dyson's Ball Technology, swivel mechanism, and general design, they are also very maneuverable vacuum cleaners.

The main cleaning nozzle can't reach deep under beds and sofas, but a flexible hose and available cleaning attachments help the user clean surfaces from the floor to the ceiling.

Updated: September 13, 2022.

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Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Features and Specifications Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean vs. Dyson Ball Animal 3, Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean vs. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Upright Vacuums Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean vs. Dyson V8 Animal Upright Vacuums Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Few Final Words

 

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Features and Specifications

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Animal 2 Total Clean weigh 17.5 pounds (~7.9 kg) and are far from being light units to carry around, especially in homes with stairs.

The center of gravity is very low, and most of the mass rests on the floor itself.

Unit's physical dimensions are (H x W x D) 42.1 x 15.4 x 13.4 inches (~107 x 39 x 34 cm).

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Animal 2 Total Clean are powered using 35 feet (~10.7 m) long power cord, giving the units a rather large cleaning radius using just one wall socket. To increase the range even further and to clean elevated surfaces as well, units come with flexible cleaning hoses which increase total reach up to 50 feet (~15.2 m).

Due to the specific design, Animal 2 doesn't come with an automatic power cord rewind system - the power cord is wrapped around cable hooks for storage.

The maximum suction achieved by these units is impressive 306 Air Watts, and they are one of the strongest vacuums in their class.

The dirt bin capacity is 0.55 gal (~2.1 liters) and is more than large enough for vacuuming large homes and apartments without interruptions required for emptying the dirt bin. Also, the dirt bin is transparent, and it allows the user to see the type and amount of cleaned dirt. The dirt bin is emptied easily from the bottom.

Air filtration is achieved using cyclonic dirt-air separation and with the use of mechanical air filters. Air filters are washable and designed to last the vacuum's lifetime.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Animal 2 Total Clean are true HEPA vacuum cleaners, capturing at least 99.97% of dirt particles 0.3 microns or larger, ensuring that the units exhaust practically only the clean air - the units capture almost 100% of various allergens, dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles.

Note: when washing filters, always let them dry thoroughly - never assemble the unit with wet air filters and never vacuum wet or moist dirt.

An ergonomic handle is at the top of the unit, allowing the user to easily maneuver around the various floor obstacles and objects, including walls, furniture, beds, sofas, etc.

Since these are large, expensive, but also very versatile vacuums, be sure to read the manual/instructions thoroughly and get accustomed to your new vacuum. 

 Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean are two very similar vacuums - their main difference is in color and in the available attachments. The following table lists their similarities and differences:

Model	Dyson Ball Animal 2	Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean
Photo
Color	Purple	Blue
Power Cord	35 feet (~10.7 m)
Suction Power	306 Air Watts
Total Reach	50 feet (~15.2 m)
Physical Dimensions (H x W x D)	42.1 x 15.4 x 13.4 inches (~107 x 39 x 34 cm)
Weight	17.5 pounds (~7.9 kg)
Air Filtration	HEPA
Warranty	5 Year Limited Warranty
Combination Tool	Yes	Yes
Stair Tool	Yes	Yes
Tangle-Free Turbine Tool	Yes	Yes
Reach Under Tool	No	Yes
Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush	No	Yes
Tool Bag	No	Yes
Mattress Tool	No	Yes
Multi-Angle Brush	No	Yes
Articulating Hard Floor Tool	No	Yes
Amazon Link	Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum	Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean

Note: Amazon affiliate links open in the new windows; feel free to check them for the most up-to-date prices and offers.

As one can see, the most important difference is in the list of available attachments.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuum comes with several important cleaning attachments, but Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean comes with practically all attachments one may need when cleaning a home or apartment - hence the name "Total Clean."

Both units come with a Combination Tool, Stair Tool, and Tangle-Free Turbine Tool, while additional tools and attachments include Reach Under Tool, Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush, Tool Bag, Mattress Tool, Multi-Angle Brush, and Articulating Hard Floor Tool. These extra tools help users with tough tasks, even when trying to clean hard-to-reach and awkward spaces.

The main cleaning head is self-adjusting and designed to clean bare floors and carpeted areas. Rotating brush penetrates deep into the carpets and helps remove dust, pollen, pet hair, and other stubborn dirt. Over time hair, lint, and other fibers can wrap around the brush, which must be cleaned. The brushroll is positioned under a transparent cover allowing the user to see it in action and react if required. For cleaning sensitive and delicate bare floors, the brushroll is turned off by the user to prevent any damage.

The stair tool is much smaller than the main cleaning head, allowing it to easily clean stairs, upholstery, smaller carpeted areas, under the beds, etc. It can be used on the wand or the hose, providing the user with great flexibility when cleaning the most common surfaces found at home.

Tangle Free Turbine Tool is an excellent tool for cleaning hair and similar dirt from upholstery, stairs, furniture, etc. It is powered using a 'clean air' turbine, and it consists of two angled brushes - as the brushes spin, they pick the hair off the surface, and then the strong air stream strip the hair off the brushes. This is a very valuable tool, not only for pet owners.

Combination Tool is a 2-in-1 cleaning tool. It combines a dusting brush and a crevice tool - the dusting brush is used for cleaning dust and other small particles from sensitive surfaces, while the crevice tool is used for cleaning dirt from tight and narrow spaces, including edges, corners, gaps between seats, etc. When being used attached to the wand, it can easily reach ceilings and other elevated surfaces.

Reach Under Tool is a low-profile tool designed for cleaning under appliances, furniture, sofas, etc. When cleaning for the first time with this tool, don't be surprised by the amount of dirt it cleans from hard-to-reach areas.

Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush uses densely packed soft carbon fibers, which prevent static and help the unit to pick up fine dust from sensitive and gentle surfaces.

Tools Storage Bag is used for storing cleaning attachments when they are not in use. For faster cleaning, some tools can be carried onboard the unit, for example, the Combination Tool or some other commonly used cleaning tool, but it would be almost impossible and very impractical to carry them all onboard the vacuum.

Mattress Tool is designed for cleaning mattresses, upholstery, and similar surfaces. During operation, the tool is pressed gently onto the mattress, allowing the strong suction to pull out deeply embedded dirt and bed bugs. However, to thoroughly clean your mattress, consider getting a good mattress vacuum cleaner. Nonetheless, Mattress Tool does its job well.

Multi-Angle Brush is designed for cleaning elevated, hard-to-reach, often awkward areas. Cleaning dust and other debris from the top of the doorways, high bookshelves, ceiling fans, and similar surfaces is much easier using a Multi-Angle Brush mounted on the wand than using any other tool.

Articulating Hard Floor Tool is used for cleaning tiles, hardwood floors, laminate, and other bare floors. It is designed to easily pick up various dirt off the floors, while strong suction removes the dirt into the vacuum. Thanks to the swiveling mechanism, Articulating Hard Floor Tool can reach under and around floor objects and obstacles with ease.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean come with a 5-year limited warranty - a very nice warranty, even for more expensive vacuums.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean vs. Dyson Ball Animal 3, Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete

Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are very similar units - Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums follow the same design philosophy, keeping the best features of the Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuum and improving a few little but important details.

The following comparison chart lists the most important features and specifications of Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean, Dyson Ball Animal 3, Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete upright vacuum cleaners:

As one can see, the main differences are:

• Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean has somewhat stronger suction than Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums.
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean doesn't have adjustable suction. On the other hand, adjustable suction on Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuum cleaners is a 3-position slider on the main vacuum cleaner head that regulates the airflow - the suction motor still operates at full power, which is required for the cyclonic part of the air filtration system.
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean main cleaner head doesn't have de-tangle technology, which is very helpful in removing tangled pet and human hair, lint, and fibers from the main cleaner head's brushroll.
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean has a somewhat larger dirt bin.
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean doesn't feature Pet Groom Tool - if needed, Pet Groom Tool can be ordered from online shops.
• Dyson Ball Animal 3 and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra lack many cleaning tools and attachments that comes with Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete, which is, at the moment, offered only on Dyson's official website.

All other features are the same or almost the same - personally, if You don't need the full list of cleaning tools found at Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean, go for one of the Dyson Ball Animal 3 models.

But, if You do, consider either Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean or Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete upright vacuum cleaner.

Note: if required, all these tools may be ordered later.

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 Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean vs. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Upright Vacuums

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean and Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal upright vacuums are large, strong, and durable vacuums, with a few very important differences:

• Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a somewhat lighter vacuum - 17.5 vs. 19.2 pounds. However, both units are of a similar "Ball" design, have a very low center of gravity, and most of the weight rest on the floor - thus, they are easy to push/pull along the floors and are very maneuverable.
• Both units have the same reach - 35 feet long power cords, with a maximum reach of 50 feet thanks to the flexible cleaning hose.
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a somewhat smaller dirt bin - 0.55 vs. 0.57 gal. Obviously, both units can vacuum large areas without stopping to empty the dirt bin.
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 has much stronger suction - 306 vs. 180 Air Watts. This is because these units use different "Cyclone Filtering Technology." Dyson Ball Animal 2 uses "Radial Root Cyclone Technology", while Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal uses "Dyson Cinetic Cyclone Filtering Technology."

Thanks to the "Dyson Cinetic Cyclone Filtering Technology," Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal doesn't have filters that must be periodically washed, unlike Dyson Ball Animal 2, which comes with a washable lifetime mechanical air filter.

Note: 180 Air Watts of suction is still excellent suction.

• Both units are true HEPA vacuums, which can be very important not only for people having issues with asthma and allergies!
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 comes with the same set of cleaning tools as the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal: a self-adjusting cleaner head for carpets and hard floors, a high-reach wand, stair tool, combination tool, and tangle-free turbine tool. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean comes with additional attachments, including Reach Under Tool, Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush, Tool Bag, Mattress Tool, Multi-Angle Brush, and Articulating Hard Floor Tool.

Also, all three units come with 5-year limited warranty period.

So, Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal, which one to buy? If you don't like the idea of washing air filters, then choose Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal.

It is a slightly heavier machine with weaker suction, and it is also a slightly more expensive vacuum - when found on sale, the price of both of these units can be very similar.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean costs more than Dyson Ball Animal 2, but it comes with an impressive list of cleaning attachments, well worth the price difference, especially for people with large homes.

For the best offers, check Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Upright Vacuum Amazon link (link opens in the new window). 

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean vs. Dyson V8 Animal Upright Vacuums

There is a big difference between Dyson Ball Animal 2/Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean and Dyson V8 Animal upright vacuums.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a 'classic' bagless and corded upright vacuum with an extension cleaning hose, while Dyson V8 Animal is a convertible bagless and cordless 2-in-1 upright/stick and handheld vacuum cleaner.

Although they differ significantly in design and in end, performance, they both can be used as the main vacuum cleaner in homes and apartments, especially Dyson Ball Animal 2.

• Dyson V8 Animal is a cordless unit powered by a power fade-free lithium-ion battery. The maximum operating time is 40 minutes in normal mode and 7 minutes in maximum suction mode.

Although Dyson V8 Animal doesn't depend on the power cord for operation, its operating time is limited by the fact that it is battery operated unit. Dyson Ball Animal 2 operating range is limited by the power cord, but as long as there is mains power present, it can work almost indefinitely.

• Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a much stronger maximum suction: 306 Air Watts vs. 115 Air Watts. Note: these 115 Air Watts are achieved in "maximum suction (burst) mode," and in this mode, its battery doesn't last long ("only" 7 minutes).
• Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a much heavier unit - 17.5 vs. 5.63 pounds. Dyson V8 Animal can be easily carried around, even up and down the stairs.
• Dyson V8 Animal has a much smaller dirt bin - 0.14 gal vs. 0.55 gal. When cleaning heavily soiled floors, its dirt bin must be emptied more often.
• Both units are true HEPA vacuum cleaners with cyclonic dirt-air separation in combination with washable mechanical air filters.
• Both units come with a similar set of cleaning tools designed to clean various dirt, including pet hair, from most common surfaces found at home. However, Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean comes with much more cleaning attachments than Dyson V8 Animal.

Note: The price of the Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson Ball Animal 2 is very similar. Dyson V8 is one of the best cordless units in its class - we are comparing here a top-of-the-line cordless unit with a top-of-the-line upright vacuum cleaner. There are just a few cordless vacuums on the market that can be compared with such uprights, Dyson V8 Animal being one of them.

So, Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs. Dyson V8 Animal, which one to buy? If you need a main vacuum cleaner for a larger home and apartment, go for Dyson Ball Animal 2 or Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean upright vacuums. If you need a cordless unit that can be used as the main vacuum cleaner in smaller homes and apartments and can be used in emergencies, go for Dyson V8 Animal.

For the best offers, check Dyson V8 Animal Cord Free Vacuum Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

Note: Dyson V8 is being slowly replaced by newer Dyson cordless vacuums, which come with even more impressive performances, at least for the cordless vacuums. For more about these units, check our Dyson V6 vs V7 vs V8 vs V10 vs V11 vs V15 Cordless Vacuums article. 

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most common Frequently Asked Questions about Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean upright vacuums.

Is the Dyson Animal Ball 2 worth it?

It depends - both Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean are large and expensive units that are worth their price.

If You are looking for vacuums that are going to be used only occasionally, then both units are overkill. However, if You are looking for the main vacuum cleaner intended even for large homes and apartments, both units are an excellent choice, worth their price.

Personally, due to the much longer lists of cleaning tools and accessories, Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean is a more expensive, but IMHO, a better choice.

What accessories come with Dyson Ball Animal 2?

Both Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean come with Combination Tool, Stari Tool, and Tangle-Free Turbine Tool, while additional tools and attachments that come with Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean include Reach Under Tool, Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush, Tool Bag, Mattress Tool, Multi-Angle Brush, and Articulating Hard Floor Tool.

Can you use Dyson Ball Animal 2 on hardwood floors?

Yes, both Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean can be used on hardwood floors - when transitioning from the carpets to hardwood floors, turn off the brushroll using easily accessible brushroll controls.

Why has my Dyson Ball lost suction?

There may be several reasons for lost suction, including clogs, blockages, and similar.

Also, if the dirt bin is full, it may affect both suction and air filtration. Dirty air filters may also cause the vacuum to lose suction.

If something like this happens, be sure to check the Owner's Guide for exact troubleshooting and maintenance procedures.

How to empty Dyson Ball Animal 2?

When the dirt cup is filled up to the Max Fill Line (or after each cleaning task), take the dirt cup from the vacuum, place the bottom of the dirt cup in the trash can and press the button on top of the dirt cup - this opens the bottom of the dirt cup, releasing the dirt directly into the trashcan, without making any additional mess.

For exact maintenance procedures, check the Owner's Guide.

Is the Dyson Ball Animal 2 discontinued?

Last time we checked, Dyson Ball Animal 2 was not discontinued, despite Dyson Ball Animal 3 being introduced. Actually, due to the arrival of the Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuum cleaner, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 may be offered at a cheaper price.

Which Animal Dyson is best?

Many Dyson vacuums feature an Animal sub-model, which usually features tools required for successful cleaning of pet and human hair and other tough and stubborn dirt.

Which is the best? It is hard to say since it depends on the personal needs and requirements of every user.

Is the Dyson Ball Animal 2 good on hardwood floors?

Yes, it is - its brushroll can be turned off to avoid scratching very sensitive bare floors, it features very strong suction, and for vacuuming bare floors with many obstacles, the unit comes with Articulating Hard Floor Tool, optimized for sensitive bare floors.

Is Dyson Ball Animal 2 good for high pile carpet?

Yes, it is - its brushroll is designed to pick up deeply embedded dirt like pet and human hair, lint, fibers, dust, pollen, and similar, which is then vacuumed into the unit using extra-strong suction.

And thanks to the true HEPA air filtration, all that dirt stays captured in the dirt bin. 

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Few Final Words

Dyson Ball Animal 2 is one of the best uprights in its class and worth every cent one has to pay for it.

It has excellent suction, long reach, various cleaning tools, and maneuvers easily as it traverses different floor types.

Despite their size and large number of cleaning tools and accessories, both units are rather easy to use and maintain.

For the best offers, check Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum and Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Amazon links (links open in the new windows).