Let’s talk about the Dyson V8 and its difference with the V8 Animal.
What is Dyson V8?
With the rise in popularity of all things cordless, making one of the most notoriously annoying household appliances without a cord was a no-brainer for vacuum manufacturers.
Gone are the days of tripping over the cord or figuring out what it’s caught on and why it won’t extend anymore.
Dyson has always been a pioneering company when it comes to vacuum cleaners, therefore it’s unsurprising that their products are so sought after and highly rated.
Customers generally trust the Dyson brand. Even so, the variety of choice can be overwhelming and many of us don’t know where to start when buying a new vacuum cleaner.
If you’re wondering whether to purchase a V8 or V8 Animal vacuum we’ve done the research in order to help you make the right decision.
Purpose
Although the technology is essentially the same for both vacuums, they come with different tools and attachments to fulfill different needs.
The V8 functions as a general household vacuum cleaner which can turn into a minivac to clean upholstery, stairs, cars and more.
The ultimate difference between the two as you can probably guess from the name is that the V8 Animal is designed to better pick up pet hair regardless of the surface type.
Physical Appearance
Comparing the vacuums side by side there are no noteworthy differences. As they are from the same series, this is expected.
When looking at each product specification there are differences in length and width which are a matter of millimeters.
Technology
Power
All models in the V8 range use the digital V8 motor which is claimed to be their most powerful spinning at up to 110,000 rpm. The motor allows you to switch between two different settings: normal and MAX.
Battery
When vacuuming on MAX the battery can only sustain the higher power for up to seven minutes. Using standard settings the battery life is estimated at around 40 minutes.
Charging the V8 battery takes approximately 5 hours compared to 3.5 hours with the V8 Animal, which could be an influencing factor for some.
Filtration
The inbuilt filtration system in both models traps 99.99% of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns².
Allergens and dust are captured in the filter from the air that is sucked in which can be highly beneficial for those with allergies.
Dust Bin
Both models use a 0.54-litre dust bin which is an average size for a cordless vacuum. A more hygienic method of emptying the dust bin is featured in V8 technology.
An ejection mechanism drives out the dirt and dust from the canister removing the need for you to touch any leftover debris.
Many of us dread emptying a vacuum bag as it can lead to more mess than you started with, this feature is a great way to eliminate dust particles being ejected back into your home.
Tools And Attachments
As a nation of pet lovers, we know how much pet hair can accumulate in our homes, no matter how much we clean it.
The V8 Animal has a number of tools that are specifically designed to remove pet hair more efficiently. Attachments that come with this model include a low-reach adaptor, a mini soft dusting brush and a quick-release mattress tool.
Low Reach Adaptor
Dust and debris can reach all corners of your house, especially underneath areas which are in constant use such as under the couch or coffee table.
This tool adjusts the stick angle of the vacuum up to 90° for easy maneuverability when cleaning under furniture.
Mini Soft Dusting Brush
This is a quick-release tool which makes dusting a lot quicker and easier. The soft nylon brushes mean you can clean delicate surfaces without the fear of scratching anything.
Having pets in the house can increase the amount of dust and debris getting on the upholstery; this tool is also great to use on fabrics.
Mattress Tool
Another quick-release tool that can be used to remove dust and dirt from upholstery and the floor is the mattress tool.
This aids in evenly distributing suction power with its flat surface to remove pet hairs, dust mites and allergens that settle on your mattress, cushions and other soft furnishings.
Certain tools come as standard with both vacuum models: Motobar™ cleaner head, mini motorhead, crevice tool and combination tool. Let’s look at these in more detail:
Motorbar™ Cleaner Head
Mainly designed to tackle hard floors and surfaces, the main cleaner head features detangling technology in addition to providing a deep clean. But it works very well on carpets too.
Mini Motorhead
The mini motorhead is a smaller, more concentrated version of the main brush head, whose brush bar tackles really ground-in dirt in smaller spaces making it ideal for stairs and muddy cars.
Combination Tool
To switch between cleaning and dusting you can use the combination tool which is a brush and a wide nozzle in one.
This is perfect if you’re wanting to do a quick clean all over or are cleaning something with multiple surfaces such as a car.
Crevice Tool
Crevice tools are fairly standard tools for narrow and hard to reach places like down the side of the couch.
What Is The Difference?
So to answer the question, what is the difference?
The main difference is the V8 Animal vacuum comes with a range of extra attachments that make picking up pet hair easier, especially on upholstery and carpets where it is more likely to get ground-in.
Another consideration is the fact that the V8 Animal vacuum takes less time to charge.
Price can be a big influential factor when purchasing a household appliance, comparing the prices of these two models there is little between them.
Obviously, if you shop around online retailers you may find a better price for both. There is a difference of around £30 when buying directly from Dyson, with the V8 Animal coming in cheaper.
Which Vacuum Is Right For Me?
One isn’t better than the other in this situation, it is dependent on the individual’s needs. As the basic technology is the same across the V8 series, choosing the right model for you rests on the attachments.
The standard model Dyson V8 is ideal for all households that have both hard and soft flooring. Despite coming with fewer attachments the V8 is still equipped to tackle common problem areas like upholstery, stairs and cars.
The Dyson V8 Animal vacuum is ideal for pet owners. The extra attachments included with the V8 Animal enable you to tackle a variety of surfaces to remove unwanted pet hair.
Although the vacuum works well on hard floors, switching to the handheld form the tools work especially well on carpets and upholstery.
We hope this has given you a better understanding of how these vacuums differ and which one is right for you. Happy cleaning!