Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal: Which Is Better?

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

I’ve put together a helpful comparison of both vacuums, outlining the main features of each, the pros and 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? After studying each vacuum in-depth and comparing specific details, customer reviews, and certified tests, I put together these detailed product overviews. Now, you can compare exactly what each vacuum has to offer and make a more suitable choice for your home.

Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum

Best for Hard Floors

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The Dyson V8 Absolute is an excellent choice if you have both carpets and hard floors. The most significant difference between the Absolute and the Animal is that this vacuum has an additional cleaner head attachment.

With this vacuum, you’ll receive a direct-drive motorhead, which is fantastic for removing embedded dirt from carpets. But you’ll also get a soft roller cleaner, which is best for removing debris from hard flooring.

Another feature that customers love is the fact this is a cordless, lightweight vacuum. It only weighs 5.75 pounds! It’s 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. So, if you have thick, fluffy carpets and delicate hardwood, the Dyson V8 Absolute is a fantastic option.

Pros

• Works on both hard floors and carpets.
• Transforms to a handheld option, which is great 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 cleans stubborn dirt and big messes.

Cons

• You may need to replace the battery yearly, which is expensive.
• Battery lasts between eight and 25 minutes on higher suction modes.
• 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	8 minutes on Max, 30 minutes with motorized floor tool, 40 minutes on normal
Weight	5.75 pounds
Cleaner Head	Direct drive motorhead and soft roller cleaner head
HEPA Filter	Yes
Motor Type	Dyson Digital Motor
Dust Bin Size	0.12 gallons
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

Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Best for Carpets

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If you primarily have carpets, the Dyson V8 Animal vacuum might be a better option. This works great on carpets and is slightly cheaper than the Absolute. So you don’t need to fork out the extra cash just to have the extra cleaner head that you don’t need.

In terms of this vacuum, the Animal has a direct drive cleaner head, which works well on both flooring types. It also has a Max power mode with 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 being a lightweight cordless vacuum, it transforms into a handheld option. This is great for cleaning upholstery and stairs.

Also, if you have fur babies that shed like crazy, this vacuum can 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.
• Hassle-free emptying mechanism where you can empty dirt with one click.
• Fifteen cyclones capture fine dust, including tiny particles such as sugar.
• 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 may only last 20 minutes, even in normal settings.
• Badly designed handle that vibrates and may cause blistering.
• Battery may need replacing after one year, 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 with stiff nylon bristles
HEPA Filter	Yes
Motor Type	Dyson Digital Motor
Dust Bin Size	0.14 gallons
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 Dyson V8 Absolute vs. Animal features. But it’s helpful to see how specific features compare.

Compatibility With Different Surfaces

Both vacuums work well with both carpets and soft floors.

The Dyson V8 Animal is great for carpets. It can sink deep into carpet fibers to remove even the most ancient dirt.

If you have messy pets or kids who drop their snacks all over the floor, you will love the vacuum’s powerful suction when cleaning carpets. However, it doesn’t have a designated cleaner head for hard floors. If you primarily have carpets, this vacuum will be a great option. But the Absolute may be better for you if you have large areas of hard floors.

The Dyson V8 Absolute has the added feature of a soft roller head, which gently but powerfully cleans debris from hard floors. It also has a cleaner head specifically for 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. This makes it easy to move around your whole house quickly, without stress. In my home, we’ve been using a lightweight cordless vacuum for two years, and it actually makes vacuuming fun.

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

The Dyson V8 Animal is slightly lighter, weighing 5.64 pounds, compared to the Dyson V8 Absolute, which weighs 5.75. However, despite this slightly lighter weight, the Dyson V8 Absolute is more ergonomic.

Customers found the Dyson V8 Animal handle hard to hold due to excessive 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 standard suction setting. When you first purchase your vacuum, the battery may be capable of this. However, some reviews for both vacuums state that the battery, even on a standard suction setting, may not last this long over time.

Some reviewers for the Dyson V8 Absolute claim the battery lasted around 25 minutes on standard settings with no attachments.

The Dyson V8 Animal customers reported that the battery lasted between 15 and 20 minutes on standard settings.

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. It can be expensive to buy and test vacuums that might not even make a dent in your pet’s hair trail.

But you’re in luck with either of these vacuums. They are both suitable for vacuuming pet hair, so you can say goodbye to dander and fluff, and say hello to your floor once again.

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

Stand Out Features

Let’s quickly look at one of the stand-out features that the Dyson V8 Absolute has that the Animal doesn’t.

Soft Roller Head

The Dyson V8 Absolute comes with two cleaner heads. This includes a direct drive cleaner head that the Dyson V8 Animal also offers. But it also has an extra cleaner head specifically made for hard flooring.

This soft roller cleaner head is gentle on hard floors while picking up debris in various sizes. If you have hard floors, you’ll know that everything shows up on your flooring, especially in the sunlight. You can suddenly see tiny specs of dirt as well as larger food messes, and it ain’t pretty.

The Dyson V8 Absolute will effectively clean messes without scratching your precious hard floors. The best thing about this vacuum? The direct drive motorhead works on both types of floorings, meaning this vacuum works anywhere in the home.

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 flooring in your home, the Dyson V8 Absolute is definitely going to be more effective than the Animal.

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 slightly pricier, is effective on both hard floors and carpets since it includes two cleaner heads. This vacuum is the better option if you have both of these floor types in your house. The soft roller head will protect your hard floors while picking up every last bit of debris, and the direct drive cleaner head will work on carpets and transition to hard flooring.

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 (or mostly) have carpets in your home, then the Dyson V8 Animal may be right for you, especially when you hear it’s slightly cheaper than the Absolute.

The battery life, however, may be less generous, with some reports that it only lasted around 25 minutes on standard settings. Still, it is a fantastic choice for cleaning pet hair. If your fur babies shed excessively, this lightweight vacuum will be your new best friend.