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I’ve used both the Dyson Ball Animal 2 (Renewed) and the Dyson Ball Animal 3 in real-world, pet-filled, everyday home cleanup situations. This isn’t a quick showroom view—I tested these on everything from thick carpets to tile floors and stubborn upholstery. I used them both in tight staircases, under kitchen tables, and after my dog shed a season’s worth of fur.
Animal 2 is the budget-friendly Renewed option with basic power and simplicity. Animal 3 is newer, stronger and smarter, especially for serious pet hair or whole-home coverage.
Here’s my full breakdown to help you choose what fits your cleaning needs best.
Is Dyson Animal 2 Good?
The Dyson Animal 2 Origin (Renewed) feels like a solid workhorse. It’s a slightly older design but still packs strong suction and an effective cleaner head. Even though it’s refurbished, the unit came clean, fully functional, and ready to go without any hitches.
Controls are minimal, with push buttons. The vacuum feels a bit heavy while moving it around (about 20 lbs), especially on stairs. But once it’s rolling in straight lines, it has that standard Dyson pull that grabs dirt deep from rugs. It adjusted well between surfaces—no manual tweaking needed.
What I Like
- HEPA filter for allergy control—great for my dusty garage rugs.
- Self-adjusting cleaner head works across carpet, hardwood, and tile without fuss.
- Strong radial root cyclone tech—it really pulled dirt from carpet.
- Refurbished = cheaper, without losing much performance.
- Rotating brush handled pet hair fairly well (though not always tangle-free).
What Could Be Better
- Only one suction mode—less control over delicate surfaces.
- No de-tangling tech, so you’ll need to cut hair from the brush.
- It’s heavy—almost 20 lbs may be too much for some users during regular use.
Recommendation:
If you’re on a budget or just want Dyson-level suction without the premium price, and don’t mind the weight or lack of de-tangling, Animal 2 Renewed delivers. It’s best for small homes, apartments, or lighter-duty cleaning where every dollar matters.
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Is Dyson Animal 3 Good?
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 feels like a true upgrade. It’s more refined, lighter (just over 17 lbs), and smarter about how it handles hair and different surfaces. From the first pass, it felt more controlled, especially on longer-pile rugs and deep corners.
The game-changer for me is the Motorbar de-tangling head. Pet hair used to wrap like crazy on the older unit, but Animal 3’s head clears it as it rolls. I didn’t have to stop once to cut strands out of the brush. The three suction modes are also a welcome improvement—I used lighter suction on curtains and full power on high-traffic carpets.
What I Like
- De-tangling head – serious time-saver if you deal with long hair or pets.
- Three cleaning modes – better control across different surfaces.
- Long 50-ft reach and 15-ft hose – excellent for stairs and hard-to-reach spots.
- Washable filters – easier on maintenance and wallet over time.
- Lifetime Dyson support + 5-year warranty – nice peace of mind.
What Could Be Better
- A bit noisier than expected, especially on high suction.
- Takes more space—wider footprint and taller height.
- Still corded and upright—not as nimble as stick vacuums in tight spaces.
Recommendation:
If you have pets, a larger home, or more diverse flooring (tile, shag, low-pile, etc.), Animal 3 feels like the right investment. It’s modern, strong, and better equipped for heavy or frequent cleaning. It’s worth the higher price if performance and ease of use matter to you.
To buy this product, click here.
Dyson Animal 2 vs Animal 3: Detailed Comparison
Fit & Compatibility
Both models are upright vacuums that work on all floor types. Dimensions are nearly identical but Animal 3 is slightly slimmer in width, making it a bit easier to maneuver around furniture.
- Animal 2: 15.1″ wide, 42″ tall
- Animal 3: 15.51″ long, 11.02″ wide, 42.17″ tall
Rating:
- Animal 2: 7/10
- Animal 3: 8/10
Build Quality
Animal 3 is the newer model with refined design. Animal 2 may look a bit dated, and being refurbished, quality can vary.
Animal 3’s Motorbar head and washable filters feel higher-end vs. Animal 2’s older brush and replaceable HEPA filter setup.
- Animal 2: Refurbished plastic feels solid but scuffs easily.
- Animal 3: Premium gloss + tighter build and updated controls.
Rating:
- Animal 2: 7/10
- Animal 3: 9/10
Installation & Ease of Use
No real “installation” here, just plug and go. Both vacuums came with basic accessories.
Animal 3 wins for easier height switching, faster brush maintenance, and the extra-long cord. Animal 2 has only one suction mode and no automated tangle-cleaning.
Rating:
- Animal 2: 6.5/10
- Animal 3: 9/10
Cleaning Performance
Animal 3 is stronger across the board with 290 AW of power and smart suction control. It cleaned my thick carpet and laminate kitchen floors better and faster.
Animal 2 still performs well, but feels like raw suction vs controlled precision. You also notice the lack of hair-minding tech on deeper cleans.
Rating:
- Animal 2: 7/10
- Animal 3: 9.5/10
Noise & Comfort
Dyson vacuums aren’t known for being silent. Both models are loud, but Animal 3 has a bit more high-pitched motor noise at full suction.
In handling, Animal 3 feels smoother thanks to improved Ball tech and a lighter frame.
Rating:
- Animal 2: 7/10
- Animal 3: 8/10
Durability & Weather/Use Conditions
Both models are corded and made for indoor use only. Refurbished units like the Animal 2 may show wear sooner. Animal 3 has cleaner construction lines, stronger motor, and a 5-year warranty, offering more reliability.
Rating:
- Animal 2: 6.5/10
- Animal 3: 9/10
Maintenance & Cleaning
Animal 3 has a washable filter, de-tangling brush, and easier emptying. Animal 2 needs more frequent filter replacement and manual brush untangling.
If you’re vacuuming pet hair weekly, maintenance is much easier on the Animal 3.
Rating:
- Animal 2: 6/10
- Animal 3: 9.5/10
Value for Money
Animal 2 is clearly the budget option—and if the price spread is big enough (due to being refurbished), it delivers solid power for less. But Animal 3 gives more value in daily convenience, less maintenance, and future-proof features, especially if you have pets or a larger space to clean.
Rating:
- Animal 2: 7.5/10
- Animal 3: 9/10
Final Thoughts
Animal 2 is for budget-conscious users who need solid suction and can tolerate manual hair removal and simpler controls. Great for smaller homes or lighter messes.
Animal 3 is for anyone serious about clean floors and pet management. It’s stronger, smoother, and much easier to use long term.
Overall Ratings:
- Dyson Animal 2: 7/10
- Dyson Animal 3: 9/10
FAQs for Dyson Animal 2 vs Animal 3
Will these fit in tight spaces or stairs?
Both are upright vacuums with long hoses. Animal 3 has a 15-ft hose reach, so it’s better for stairs and tight corners without lifting the whole unit.
Are these safe for hardwood floors?
Yes. Both models auto-adjust for hard floors. Animal 3 adjusts suction and pressure more intelligently.
Do they handle pet hair well?
Animal 2 does okay, but can tangle easily. Animal 3 has a de-tangling head—much better for long hair and heavy shedders.
Do I need to replace filters?
Animal 2 uses a HEPA filter, which may need periodic replacing. Animal 3 comes with a washable filter, which saves long-term costs.
Which is better for allergy control?
Both offer whole-machine filtration. Animal 2 has certified HEPA output, but Animal 3 traps 99.97% at 0.3 microns and has better airflow control.
Is the Animal 3 worth the higher price?
If you have pets, large areas, or want fewer maintenance headaches, yes. The bonus tools, better construction, and long warranty make it worth it.
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