Dyson V8 Animal Review: Is it the best value Dyson?

Our Dyson V8 review

If you’ve been wrestling with pet hair or struggling to reach those tight spaces and corners in your home, your search might end here with the Dyson V8 Animal Handheld Vacuum Cleaner. As a potential game-changer in your cleaning routine, the Dyson V8 could make cleaning less of a chore and more of a satisfying accomplishment.

Dyson V8 highlights

Great Suction Power:

As a pet owner, you’ve probably waged numerous battles against stubborn pet hair embedded in carpets or upholstery. If you’ve had your fair share of losing battles, the Dyson V8 Animal offers a game-changing solution with its powerful suction. Unlike other handheld vacuums that can sometimes struggle with pet hair, the Dyson V8 doesn’t just promise to tackle this issue – it delivers.

Empowered by the Dyson digital motor V8, the vacuum spins at up to 110,000rpm. This high-speed operation translates into an impressive 115 Air Watts of suction power, more than enough to handle pet hair, dirt, and other common household debris. The V8’s powerful suction has been consistently praised in other Dyson V8 reviews, and our first-hand experience can confirm this.

Through our trials, we’ve found the Dyson V8’s suction to be superior to many cordless vacuums we’ve tested before, efficiently picking up pet hair and ground-in dirt from carpets. The power is immediately noticeable and makes a significant difference in the cleaning results. The Dyson V8 not only sucks up visible debris but also effectively removes allergens, ensuring a cleaner and healthier home environment.

Cordless Vacuum Runtime:

Vacuum cleaners, especially cordless ones, are often limited by their battery life. The Dyson V8 Animal, however, packs a reasonable punch with up to 40 minutes of runtime. While this might not sound groundbreaking, it’s more than enough for most small to medium-sized homes or apartments. Our tests found this claim to be accurate, with the vacuum running just under 40 minutes on a full charge in standard power mode.

However, the battery life can drop significantly when using the Max power mode or motorized tools. When vacuuming high-pile carpets or tackling stubborn dirt, using Max power mode might be necessary, and the runtime could drop to around 7 minutes. For larger homes, this could require some strategic planning to get all your cleaning done in one go.

In comparison to other cordless vacuums on the market, the Dyson V8’s 40-minute battery life is quite competitive, falling within the average range for cordless vacuums. However, if your cleaning requirements are heavy or your living area is large, you might want to consider a vacuum with longer battery life.

Despite these limitations, the benefits of going cordless cannot be overstated. The freedom to move around without being tethered to a power outlet significantly improves the ease and efficiency of cleaning. As such, the Dyson V8’s runtime delivers a good balance between power and freedom.

The Dyson V8 Animal clearly stands out in its class, offering powerful suction and reasonable runtime. Its features seem well thought out to cater to real-world cleaning challenges, especially those faced by pet owners. Stay tuned for more insights on the product’s additional features and how they enhance your cleaning experience.

Vacuum Cleaner Tools and Accessories:

The Dyson V8 Animal comes fully equipped to handle a variety of cleaning challenges. Included in the package are five key tools: a motorized brush bar, a mini soft dusting brush, a soft roller cleaner head, a combination tool, and a crevice tool. Each of these plays a unique role in making your cleaning tasks easier and more efficient.

The motorized brush bar is a godsend for carpet owners. It agitates and loosens embedded dirt and pet hair, making them easier for the vacuum to suck up. Then there’s the mini soft dusting brush, which is perfect for delicate surfaces where a softer touch is required. It’s also great for picking up fine dust particles.

As cordless vacuum cleaners go, the Dyson V8 has an edge with its soft roller cleaner head. Unlike conventional vacuum heads that can sometimes push larger debris away, this tool is designed to pick up both larger chunks and fine dust from hard floors.

The combination tool is a versatile asset, working as a two-in-one tool for switching between surfaces with ease. Finally, the crevice tool comes in handy for cleaning tight and narrow spaces, like between cushions or car seats. The ease of switching between these tools makes the Dyson V8 one of the best cordless vacuums for versatility.

Dyson Digital Motor V8:

At the heart of the Dyson V8 Animal is the Dyson Digital Motor V8. This high-speed motor spins at up to 110,000 rpm, generating powerful suction that puts many other handheld vacuums to shame. The V8 motor also powers the mini motorized tool, a smaller version of the motorized brush bar for spot-cleaning stubborn dirt or pet hair.

One notable feature of the V8 is the Max mode, providing even more suction power for those challenging cleaning tasks. But be warned, using Max mode will significantly reduce battery life.

Despite the power it packs, the Dyson V8 motor also ensures efficient energy usage. This efficiency, coupled with the vacuum’s cordless design, gives you the freedom to clean anywhere without worrying about power outlets.

Lightweight and Ergonomic:

The Dyson V8 Animal ticks another important box for cordless vacuums: being lightweight. Weighing just 2kg, the V8 is designed to make your cleaning tasks as comfortable as possible. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, whether you’re vacuuming floors or reaching up high to clean ceilings and light fixtures.

The ergonomic design doesn’t stop with its weight. The vacuum’s centre of gravity is located towards the grip, making it easier to lift and manoeuvre. This thoughtful design feature truly shines when you’re using the vacuum to clean high places. Combined with the included tools, the Dyson V8 allows you to reach every corner of your home with ease.

In our next section, we’ll conclude our Dyson V8 Animal review and give you our final thoughts on whether this vacuum could be the cleaning companion you’ve been looking for.

Conclusion:

The Dyson V8 Animal Handheld Vacuum Cleaner offers a compelling argument for switching to a cordless vacuum, especially for pet owners and those dealing with a variety of surfaces in their homes. Its suite of tools, formidable suction power, and user-friendly design combine to make cleaning less of a chore and more of an accomplishment.

Among other cordless vacuum cleaners on the market, Dyson cordless vacuums tend to stand out for their high performance and thoughtful design, and the V8 Animal is no exception. One of its standout features is the Direct Drive Cleaner Head, which provides 150% more brush bar power than its predecessor, the Dyson V6. This improvement translates to more efficient cleaning on carpets where the bristles drive deeper, removing more dirt and pet hair.

Another commendable aspect of the Dyson V8 is its versatility. It can transform from a stick vacuum to a handheld one in just one click, allowing for quick and easy spot cleaning or reaching difficult areas. When used as a stick vacuum, the cleaner head glides smoothly over different floor types, maintaining its impressive suction power. On the other hand, the handheld mode is perfect for cleaning stairs, upholstery, or even your car.

We also appreciate the hygienic bin emptying system, a feature that might seem minor but enhances the overall user experience. It only takes a single action to eject the dirt, minimizing the user’s contact with the dust and debris.

Compared to other cordless vacuums, the Dyson V8 Animal might sit at a higher price point, but the investment can be justified by its superior performance, versatility, and durability. Dyson vacuums have a reputation for long-lasting quality, and our tests suggest that the V8 Animal is built to the same standard.

Finally, while the battery life might not be sufficient for larger homes, the 40-minute runtime of the Dyson V8 is ample for most homes. Furthermore, it provides the advantage of not being tethered to a power outlet, allowing you to clean with fewer interruptions and more mobility.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a cordless vacuum that packs a punch in power, offers a range of useful features, and brings a new level of convenience to your cleaning routine, the Dyson V8 Animal could be your top choice.

FAQs:

Q: Is the Dyson V8 outdated?

A: While newer models have been released since the Dyson V8 Animal, it remains a popular choice among cordless vacuum cleaners. It packs robust features and powerful suction that keep it competitive on the market. Plus, it has the added advantage of a reduced price compared to some of the latest models.

Q: What’s the difference between the Dyson V8 and V8 Absolute?

A: The key difference lies in the accessories that come with each model. The V8 Animal and the V8 Absolute have all the same accessories except for one – the Soft Roller Cleaning Head. This tool, included with the V8 Absolute, is designed specifically for hard floors.

Q: Can you use a Dyson V8 on carpet?

A: Absolutely! The Dyson V8 Animal comes with a Direct Drive Cleaner Head, which excels at deep-cleaning carpets. During our cleaning tests, we found this tool to be highly effective at removing ground-in dirt and pet hair from carpets.

Q: Is the Dyson V8 Animal being discontinued?

A: As of our last update, the Dyson V8 Animal is still available for purchase. However, we recommend checking the official Dyson website or authorized retailers for the most current information.

Q: What is the lifespan of a Dyson V8 Animal?

A: While the exact lifespan can vary depending on usage and maintenance, Dyson vacuums are generally known for their durability. With regular cleaning of the dust bin and HEPA filter, your Dyson V8 Animal should serve you well for several years.

Q: Can the Dyson V8 Animal be used on hard floors?

A: Yes, the Dyson V8 Animal can clean hard floors effectively using the included Combination Tool or the Rigid Crevice Tool. However, for optimal results on hard floors, you may want to consider the V8 Absolute, which comes with a Soft Roller Cleaning Head designed specifically for hard surfaces.

Q: Can I use the Mini Motorised Tool on upholstery?

A: The Mini Motorised Tool is perfect for upholstery, stairs, and other smaller areas. It has a powered brush bar that agitates and lifts pet hair, dust, and dirt, making it an excellent tool for spot cleaning.

Q: Does the Dyson V8 Animal come with a HEPA filter?

A: Yes, the Dyson V8 Animal is equipped with a HEPA filter, which captures allergens and expels cleaner air. This makes the Dyson vacuum a great choice for those with allergies or sensitivities to dust.

Q: How long does the battery last on the Dyson V8 Animal?

A: The Dyson V8 Animal provides up to 40 minutes of runtime in standard mode. However, the battery life might be shorter when using motorized tools or Max mode.

Q: Can I use the Dyson V8 Animal on different floor types?

A: Yes, the Dyson V8 Animal comes with a Direct Drive Cleaner Head for carpets and a Soft Roller Cleaner Head for hard floors, making it versatile for different floor types.

Q: How do I maintain my Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner?

A: Regularly emptying the dustbin and cleaning the filter will help maintain the performance of your Dyson V8 Animal. Dyson recommends washing the filter with cold water at least once a month.

Ready to embrace a cleaner, healthier home with the Dyson V8 Animal?