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Dyson Ball Animal 3, Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Based on the previous Dyson Ball Animal 2 group of corded, bagless upright vacuum cleaners, Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright vacuums are intended as the main vacuum cleaners in large homes and apartments and are engineered to clean various types of dirt from the floor to the ceiling.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums feature very strong suction, true HEPA air filtration, and a long list of additional cleaning tools and accessories - at the moment, Dyson offers three different models, differing only in color and the list of available cleaning tools.

Published: September 14, 2022.

dyson ball animal 3 1

Dyson Ball Animal 3, Extra and Complete Vacuums Features and Specifications

At the moment, Dyson Ball Animal 3 is offered as:

  • Dyson Ball Animal 3: base model, nickel/silver in color, comes with 2 cleaning tools.
  • Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra: mid-range model, copper/silver in color, comes with 4 cleaning tools.
  • Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete: top-range mode, gold/silver in color, comes with 10 cleaning tools.

Also, every model also comes with a tool-carrying attachment, allowing the user to carry one more tool with the unit; hence, some sites mention that these units feature 3, 5, and 11 tools and accessories, respectively.

Note: for short, each model is practically the same vacuum cleaner, differing only in color and the list of available tools that can be ordered later, if required.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are based on Dyson's improved "Ball" Technology; hence the name - suction motor and other important parts are placed into the ball, very low above the floor, with the transparent dirt cup being above the ball.

Such construction ensures a low center of gravity and good maneuverability and places the suction motor very near the main cleaner head.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums feature excellent suction of 290 Air Watts, which is enough even for the toughest cleaning tasks.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are not small and lightweight units - their physical dimensions are 42.2 x 15.5 x 11.02 inches (~107.2 x 39.4 x 28 cm), and they weigh 17.3 pounds (~7.83 kg).

But, they also come with a very long power cord of 35 feet (~10.7 m), and in combination with ~15 feet (~4.6 m) long flexible cleaning hose, Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums feature 50(!) feet (~15.3 m) cleaning range, allowing the user to vacuum large area using just a single wall power socket.

dyson ball animal 3 h400px

However, Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums, just like their predecessors, Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuums, don't feature a power cord automatic rewind system - the power cord is manually wrapped around power cord wrap hooks on the back of the unit.

main cleaner head

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums come with a multi-floor main vacuum cleaner head featuring a motorized brushroll, suction regulator, and hair de-tangling vanes which automatically remove wrapped pet and human hair, lint, and fibers, greatly helping with the maintenance.

The suction selector features three positions, one for bare floors, the second for carpets, and the third one for high-pile carpets and similar surfaces.

Note: Suction selector regulates air pathways and increases and decreases the vacuum's suction above the cleaner area while the suction motor operates at full power all the time. This is required because Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums depend on the strong airflow to thoroughly filter the air in their 14 cyclones which spin dirt particles up to 100,000g. More on air filtration later.

When the Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are turned On but still upright, the brushroll doesn't spin, and the suction is redirected through the cleaning hose, allowing the users to clean elevated surfaces.

When the unit is reclined, the brushroll starts to spin, and the suction is redirected through the main cleaner head.

Also, Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums feature the brushroll On/Off button, allowing the users to turn off the brushroll when vacuuming sensitive floors.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums feature a swivel neck, allowing them to be rather maneuverable despite the size and weight of the unit.

And when the unit can't reach to clean certain areas, a long cleaning hose with a specialized cleaning tool can do the job easily.

Note: If the unit is too difficult to push/pull, check the suction and, if required, decrease it. This was (and still tends to be) an issue with older Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuums which don't feature suction control. Also, today Dyson offers the so-called "Easy-to-Push Cleaner Head" (Part no. 972421-01), which can be ordered later if required.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 Air Filtration System

dyson ball animal 3 pre filter

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums feature a multi-layered air filtration system consisting of:

  • Cyclone action in the dirt bin where centrifugal forces separate larger dust particles and other dirt.
  • A metal mesh air filter features a large number (precisely 57,882) of holes filtering out anything larger than 0.4 mm (400 μm).
  • Fourteen powerful cyclones separate remaining airborne particles by generating huge centrifugal forces (up to 100,000g).
  • Pre-motor air filter captures anything that passes 14 cyclones and protects the motor from any possible damage by vacuumed dirt.
  • Post-motor air filter captures 99.97% of 0.3 microns or larger particles, ensuring that the vacuum's exhaust is practically air only - Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are true HEPA vacuum cleaners.

In order to keep the maintenance costs to a minimum, air filters are washable.

Note: Despite their size and features, Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are easy to use and maintain. But, when they arrive, be sure to read the manual/Owner's Guide thoroughly to get accustomed to your new vacuum. And keep the Owner's Guide close to the unit, just in case.

After washing, air filters should be air-dried until completely dry, after which they can be assembled back into the unit - using the vacuums with moist air filters or not filters at all can damage the unit and render the 5-year limited warranty void.

Obviously, Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are intended for dry dirt only, and moist dirt and liquids should NOT be vacuumed!

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums feature a transparent dirt bin with a maximum capacity of 1.7 liters, which is more than enough in most situations.

The dirt bin features a bottom emptying system, allowing the user to quickly and easily dump the dirt into the trashcan.

Also, the dirt bin features the so-called "Max Fill Line" - the dirt bin should be emptied when the amount of dirt reaches the "Max Fill Line" or after each vacuuming task.

The Difference Between Dyson Ball Animal 3 Vacuums

The main difference between the Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are in color and the list of available cleaning tools and accessories:

  • Dyson Ball Animal 3: base model, nickel/silver in color, comes with Combination Tool and Stair Tool.
  • Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra: mid-range model, copper/silver in color, comes with tools that come with Dyson Ball Animal 3, plus Tangle-Free Turbine Tool and Pet Groom Tool.
  • Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete: top-range mode, gold/silver in color, comes with tools that come with Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, plus Reach Under Tool, Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush, Tool Bag, Mattress Tool, Multi-Angle Brush Tool, and Articulating Hard Floor Tool.

At the moment, Dyson Ball Animal 3 and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra are available in various online stores, while Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete can be purchased from Dyson's official website.

Note: if later required, additional cleaning tools and attachments, just like spare parts, can be ordered from online shops.

dyson ball animal 3 complete h300px

 

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Vacuums Comparison Chart

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean and Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are visually very similar units, differing in a few but very important details.

The following comparison chart lists some of their most important features and specifications:

Model Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Dyson Ball Animal 3
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete
Photo dyson ball animal 2 total clean h200px dyson ball animal 3 h300px  dyson ball animal 3 extra h300px  dyson ball animal 3 complete h300px 
Color Blue Nickel Copper Gold
Power Cord  35 feet (~10.7 m)   35 feet (~10.7 m) 
Suction Power 306 Air Watts    290 Air Watts
Adjustable Suction No Yes
Total Reach 50 feet (~15.2 m)    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) 
  42.2 x 15.5 x 11.02 inches
(~107.2 x 39.4 x 28 cm)
Weight 17.5 pounds (~7.9 kg)    17.3 pounds (~7.83 kg)
Dirt Cup 2.1 liters   1.7 liters
Air Filtration true HEPA   true HEPA
Warranty 5-Year Limited   5-Year Limited 
Main Cleaner Head De-Tangle Technology No Yes
Combination Tool Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stair Tool Yes Yes Yes Yes
Tangle-Free Turbine Tool Yes No Yes Yes
Reach Under Tool Yes No No Yes
Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush Yes No No Yes
Tool Bag Yes No No Yes
Mattress Tool Yes No No Yes
Multi-Angle Brush Tool Yes No No Yes
Articulating Hard Floor Tool Yes No No Yes
Pet Groom Tool No No Yes Yes
Amazon Link Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Dyson Ball Animal 3 Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra -

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 main differences are:

  • Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean features somewhat stronger suction (306 vs. 290 Air Watts), but the suction can't be regulated.
  • Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean comes with a somewhat larger dirt bin (2.1 vs. 1.7 liters).
  • Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean main cleaner head doesn't feature hair de-tangle technology.
  • Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean comes with all cleaning tools and accessories that come with Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete except the Pet Groom Tool, which can be ordered later if required.

Personally, for homes and apartments that need a good floor vacuum cleaner with occasional vacuuming of elevated surfaces, Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a recommended unit.

For homes with pets, Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra comes with two very useful pet cleaning tools: Tangle-Free Turbine Tool and Pet Groom Tool, which can save plenty of time and effort.

And for homes that require a total cleaning system, Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete or Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean units are recommended - Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete is a newer unit, but Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean has already been tried and tested by countless users in the real-life situations.

Note: When choosing your new vacuum cleaner, always choose according to your own needs and requirements.

 Dyson Ball Animal 3 Cleaning Tools and Attachments

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums support the use of various cleaning tools, attachments, and accessories.

Here is a short description of each one:

Combination Tool

combination tool

Combination Tool is a 2-in-1 tool, hence the name. It combines a dusting brush and crevice tool in one tool and allows the user to clean elevated, hard-to-reach areas.

By default, the tool is used as a dusting brush, but it converts into a crevice tool easily, allowing the users to clean edges, corners, and other narrow and tight places.

Stair Tool

stair tool

The stair tool is designed to deeply clean carpeted stairs, sofas, beds, and other elevated surfaces.

Tangle-Free Turbine Tool

tangle free turbine

Tangle-free turbine tool is one of the pet owner's favorite cleaning tools. The tool features two brushes angled in a way to prevent hair tangles.

An air turbine powers the tool.

Although often advertised as a maintenance-free tool, it does require occasional maintenance by cleaning and removing hair, lint, and other dirt from the moving parts.

Note: if the surface is too sensitive to be cleaned using the tangle-free turbine tool, go for the stair tool.

Reach Under Tool

reach under tool

Reach under tool is a long and very narrow cleaning tool with a flexible middle section, allowing the user to reach even under certain appliances and clean under and behind them.

Since the tool is so narrow, when the first time using it on areas that weren't cleaned for a long time, expect clogs and blockages - this is NOT a design flaw of the tool, but the result of the tool's ability to reach and clean awkward places that are not cleaned often.

Carbon Fiber Soft Dusting Brush

carbon fiber soft dusting brush

Carbon fiber soft dusting brush features rows of soft carbon fibers that agitate the surface dirt, mostly dust, which is then vacuumed using strong suction.

Tool Bag

tool bag

Since not all cleaning tools can't be carried on the Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums, the tool bag is used for storing cleaning tools, attachments, and accessories.

Mattress Tool

mattress tool

The mattress tool is intended for deep vacuuming of mattresses, beds, sofas, and similar surfaces.

The main cleaning method is strong suction - the mattress tool doesn't feature a vibration bar, UV light, or hot/warm fan, which are often used in dedicated mattress vacuums.

Multi-Angle Brush Tool

multi angle brush

The multi-angle brush tool is used for dusting flat elevated surfaces like doorways, bookshelves, and similar ones.

Articulating Hard Floor Tool

articulating hard floor tool

The articulating hard floor tool is used for vacuuming both small and large particles from large areas of bare floors. Also, it features a swivel neck, helping the user maneuver around and under the most common floor objects and obstacles, like walls, stairs, sofas, beds, furniture, etc.

Pet Groom Tool

pet groom tool

The pet groom tool is a great pet hair cleaning tool because it picks up the pet hair while they are still on the - pet.

Note: pets that are not used to pet grooming tool or a vacuum cleaner must be introduced to them gently and slowly. But, most dogs accept pet groom tool quickly as a type of cuddling and spending some time with their owner.


Long Story Short: Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are large, powerful, and rather versatile cleaning systems that don't come cheap. But what You pay is what You get.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vacuums are based on tried and tested Dyson Animal 2 vacuums, keeping what was good and improving on several key details that could be better.

If You are looking for a such upright vacuum cleaner, consider one of these units.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum and Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum Amazon links (links open in the new windows).





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