Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal Comparison

The Dyson V8 Absolute and Animal vacuums are both super popular cordless options. But it can be difficult to know which to go for when, from the outside, they both seem so similar.

We’ve put together a helpful comparison, outlining the main features of each, pros, cons and how they stack up against each other.

Keep reading to find out, when comparing the Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal, which is best for you.

Product Overviews

How does the Dyson V8 Absolute compare to the Animal? Let’s check out summaries of each vacuum.

1. Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum

Best for Hard Floors

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The Dyson V8 Absolute is a great choice if you have both carpets and hard floors. One of the only big differences between the Absolute and the Animal is that this vacuum has an additional cleaner head. This includes a soft roller cleaner which makes it great for gently cleaning hard floors and removing bigger debris.

Another thing you should know is that this is a cordless lightweight vacuum. It only weighs 5.75 pounds! This makes it a breeze to maneuver around the home, in tight corners and even on ceilings.

The powerful suction and the direct-drive motorhead make this super powerful at cleaning up debris from all floor types. Even if you have thick fluffy carpets or delicate hardwood, this is a fantastic option.

Pros

• Ideal for both hard floors and carpets.
• Transforms to a handheld option which is ideal for furniture and stairs.
• HEPA filtration system traps allergens and other particles, ensuring cleaner air.
• Up to 40 minutes of battery life — enough to vacuum the whole house.
• Ejecting the dirt from the bin is hassle-free and hygienic.
• Max power mode for difficult stubborn tasks.

Cons

• Battery needs to be replaced once a year or so, and is very expensive to buy.
• On a higher power mode, the battery lasts between seven and 25 minutes which isn’t enough for some people’s entire houses.
• Dust bin fills very quickly if you have dogs that shed.

Product Specs

Surface Recommendation	Hard floor and carpets
Power Source	Battery-powered
Wattage	350
Battery Life	7 minutes on Max, 25 minutes with motorized floor tool, 40 minutes on normal
Weight	5.75 pounds
Cleaner Head	Direct drive with soft roller
HEPA Filter	Yes
Motor Type	Dyson Digital Motor
Dust Bin Size	0.54 liters
Cleaning Modes	Normal and Max Power Mode
Tools Included	Combination, crevice, mini motorized and dusting brush
Good for Pet Hair	Yes, but be careful if your pets shed excessively
Dimensions	9.9 x 8.9 x 49 inches

2. Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Best for Carpets

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If you don’t have any or much hard flooring in your house, then the Dyson V8 Animal vacuum might be a better option for you. This works great on carpets and is over $100 less than the Absolute. So we don’t recommend forking out the extra cash just to have something you don’t need.

In terms of this vacuum, the Animal has a direct drive cleaner head, just without the fluffy brush. It also has a Max power mode that provides eight minutes of intense power. This pushes stiff nylon bristles deep into your carpets to suck out even the most embedded dirt.

As well as working as a lightweight cordless vacuum, it also transforms into a handheld option. This is great for carpet cleaning and cleaning furniture. If you have pet hair stuck in these crevices, this vacuum will help spruce up your home once and for all.

Pros

• Better for carpet but still works on hard floors.
• Whole machine filtration system traps allergens and provides cleaner air within your home.
• No need to touch the dirt with the hassle-free emptying mechanism where you can empty dirt with one click.
• 15 cyclones capture fine dust, including tiny particles such as sugar.
• Included washable lifetime filter is easy to maintain.
• Instant release trigger which saves battery life when you’re not engaging the power of the vacuum.

Cons

• Battery life is advertised to last 40 minutes, but most customers don’t get more than 20 minutes, even on the normal suction setting.
• Badly designed handle that vibrates and may cause blistering.
• Battery is not dependable and after about a year, you may need a replacement which is expensive.

Product Specs

Surface Recommendation	Carpets mostly, but also does work on hard floors
Power Source	Battery-powered
Wattage	Not specified
Battery Life	8 minutes on Max, 25 minutes with motorized floor tool, 30-40 minutes on normal
Weight	5.64 pounds
Cleaner Head	Direct drive
HEPA Filter	Yes
Motor Type	Dyson Digital Motor
Dust Bin Size	0.54 liters
Cleaning Modes	Normal and Max Power Mode
Tools Included	Combination, crevice, mini motorized and dusting brush
Good for Pet Hair	Yes
Dimensions	8.2 x 9.8 x 49 inches

In-Depth Feature Comparison

Now you know most of the features of the Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal. But it’s helpful to see how specific features compare.

Compatibility With Different Surfaces

Both vacuums do work well with both carpets and soft floors.

The Dyson V8 Animal is great for carpets. It can sink deep into the carpet fibers to pull out even the most ancient of dirt. If you have pets in the home or kids that drop their snacks all over the floor, you will love the power of this vacuum’s suction. However, it is not specifically designed for hard floors. If you don’t have many hard floors, then you can get away with this vacuum. But if you have large areas of hard floors, then the Absolute may be better for you.

The Dyson V8 Absolute has the added feature of a soft roller head which gently but powerfully cleans debris from hard floors. It also works on carpets, giving you the best of both worlds. If you have half and half, hard floors and carpets, or a fully hard floor house — this is the vacuum for you.

Lightweight and Easy to Maneuver

Both of these vacuums are cordless and weigh less than six pounds. That’s super lightweight! This makes it easy to move around your whole house quickly and without stress. In our home, we have a super heavy vacuum, and cleaning the whole house is definitely a workout.

But with a lightweight cordless stick vacuum like these — vacuuming has never been easier.

The Dyson V8 Animal is ever so slightly lighter, weighing 5.64 pounds compared to the Dyson V8 Absolute. However, despite this slightly lighter weight, the Dyson V8 Absolute is more ergonomic. Customers found that the Dyson V8 Animal handle was hard to hold due to the excess vibrations. Some people even got blisters.

40 Minutes of Battery Life

Both vacuums are advertised as having a maximum battery life of 40 minutes on a normal suction setting. At the start, your battery may be capable of this. However, some reviews for both vacuums state that the battery, even on a normal suction setting, may not last this long.

Some reviewers for the Dyson V8 Absolute say that the battery was lasting around 25 minutes on normal.

The Dyson V8 Animal had customers reporting that the battery lasted between 15 and 20 minutes on normal.

Overall, they both underperform in terms of battery life after the battery has been used a few times. But on the whole, the Dyson V8 Absolute is slightly more reliable.

Goodbye Pet Hair

If you have fur babies in the house, you’ll know the drama that ensues when they shed. Sometimes you can try every vacuum on the market before finding something that can clean up their hair.

With both of these vacuums, you’re in luck. They are both suitable for vacuuming pet hair so you can say goodbye to these little hairs and hello to your floor once again.

The Dyson V8 Animal is a bit more reliable for pet owners, though. If you have animals that shed excessively, like Golden Retrievers, the Dyson V8 Absolute may not be able to get it all.

Stand Out Features

Let’s quickly look at some stand-out features that one Dyson V8 has that the other doesn’t.

Soft Roller Head

The Dyson V8 Absolute has a direct drive cleaner head, like the Dyson V8 Animal but with an extra feature: soft rollers.

These soft rollers on the head are specifically for gently cleaning hard floors, working on picking up all sizes of debris. If you have hard floors, you’ll know that everything from tiny specs of dirt to big cereal spills shows up on the floors — especially in sunlight.

A vacuum like the Dyson V8 Absolute will effectively clean up without scratching your precious hard floors. The best thing about the soft roller head? It works on carpets, too.

The Dyson V8 Animal, on the other hand, works really well on carpets but not as well on hard floors. So if you have a combination of both, or mostly hard floors, in your home, then the Dyson V8 Absolute is definitely going to be more effective than the Animal.

This includes a soft roller cleaner which makes it great for gently cleaning hard floors and removing bigger debris.

Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal Conclusion

When comparing these two Dyson vacuums, what’s the bottom line?

Dyson V8 Absolute Verdict

The Dyson V8 Absolute, while pricey, is effective on both hard floors and carpets. If you have both these floor types in your house, then this is a must. The soft roller head will protect your hard floors while picking up every last bit of debris.

With up to 40 minutes of run-time per charge, you should be able to get around your whole house before the battery runs out.

Dyson V8 Animal Verdict

If you only have carpets in your home, then the Dyson V8 Animal may be right for you, especially when you hear it’s about $100 less than the Absolute.

The battery life, however, may not be as generous. Still, it is ideal for pet hair. If you have fur babies that shed excessively, then this lightweight vacuum will be your new best friend.