Dyson Small Ball Animal Vacuum Cleaner

Product Information

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 (not to be confused with the Dyson Small Ball Animal 2 – see below) is a pricier alternative to the Small Ball Allergy. One of the big differences is that it has a pet tool, making it a better choice for people who need to vacuum lots of hair. It also has a wider cleaning radius, due to the longer power cord and hose. As you would expect from a vacuum cleaner called “Allergy,” the Dyson has excellent filtration for a bagless vacuum. It comes with Dyson’s efficient whole-machine filtration system and washable lifetime HEPA filter to capture the vast majority of allergens. It’s also been certified asthma and allergy friendly by Allergy Standards Limited. There’s no internal collar, however, which means that hair and other debris can sometimes need to be pulled out by hand. We also think that the buttons for removing and emptying the bin are surprisingly stiff, which is a strange oversight from Dyson. Dyson Small Ball Allergy Tools & Accessories

Like the Sebo cleaners, these slim appliances are suitable for a range of surfaces and offer fantastic performance. They’re also perfect for getting into tight spaces and corners, so you can do a more thorough clean. While the floorhead isn’t as flashy as those found on Dyson uprights (there’s no Soft Roller, for example,) it does a good job on all surfaces. The corded design also provides more suction than a cordless vac, which is why the floorhead doesn’t need to be as advanced. Other Tools and Accessories

The Dyson has a 9.4-metre cord and a 13.8-metre maximum cleaning radius. This is a bigger range than most uprights we’ve reviewed and provides plenty of freedom to vacuum multiple rooms. In fact, there aren’t many vacuums with longer power cords, aside from the Vax Air Stretch series which is specifically designed to have a wide cleaning radius. Unlike some cheaper uprights, which rely on suction power to turn the brush bar, the Dyson has a direct-drive motor in the Epicyclic floorhead. This powers the brush bar and allows it to dig deeper into carpet fibres.

How does this vacuum compare to other upright models? And is it really an allergy-friendly vacuum cleaner? Keep reading our Dyson Small Ball Allergy review to find out. Overview of the Dyson Small Ball Allergy’s Key FeaturesLet’s take a closer look at how it performs at some of the most common house cleaning tasks compared with other corded cleaners. Carpets We have a range of models, from compact upright vacuum cleaners to vacuums with a little more power, meaning you can choose one that's right for your home. It also has three airflow modes, adjusted via a slider on the floorhead, allowing you to reduce the suction on carpets and rugs so it’s easier to push. Vacuuming stairs is often cumbersome with an upright, and that’s the case with the Dyson. The hose isn’t quite long enough to reach up stairs, so you’ll need to clean from the top and bottom. There’s also no motorised miniature tool, which means you need to rely on suction alone. Dyson calls this model a “lightweight” vacuum, although we don’t completely agree with this statement. At 6.9kg, it’s a bit below average for an upright, but certainly not the lightest on the market. On the plus side, it’s lighter than the Dyson Ball Animal 2, which is one of its closest competitors, and the Ball technology greatly improves manoeuvrability compared with many uprights.

Not everyone wants a bulky upright vacuum cleaner. That’s why we also specialise in cordless, lightweight models from Bosch. These models come with a rechargeable lithium battery so they can be used without being plugged in – so there’s no more getting tangled up in trailing cables. We don’t recommend this vacuum for pet owners though. As we mentioned earlier in this Dyson Small Ball Allergy review, there’s no pet tool included. Instead, look for a model with a mini motorised tool, as this is essential for removing hair on furniture, stairs, and car interiors. Dyson Small Ball Allergy Price & Value for Money Unfortunately, this model doesn’t come with a motorised pet tool. This makes the vacuum less efficient at removing hair from upholstery, stairs, and car interiors. There’s onboard storage for one or two tools, but you’ll need to store the others separately. Dyson Small Ball Allergy Suction Power & Cleaning Performance We still think bagged vacs are a better choice for allergy sufferers, however, as they are much easier to empty without releasing allergens into the air. If you have allergies, make sure you ask someone else to empty the Dyson into an outdoor bin. Emptying & CleaningThinking of buying the Dyson Small Ball Allergy? Make sure you read our in-depth review to find out whether it’s the right vacuum for your household!

It might not be the most popular chore, but when it comes to vacuuming, you need a reliable product from a brand you can trust. A useful feature is that you can switch off the rotating brush bar bristles when on hard floors. This is handy for avoiding scattering and preventing delicate floors from being damaged. Stairs There are also four non-motorised tools included. These are a combination brush (which is both a brush and crevice tool attachment,) stair tool, mattress tool, and a soft dusting brush. The combination tool is probably the most useful, but we like that Dyson has included tools that don’t usually come with upright vacs. For this reason, we don’t think the Small Ball Allergy matches the best carpet vacuums on the market, although it’s certainly no slouch. Hard Floors While cylinder cleanersare very popular with our customers, many people like the sheer power that comes with an upright model.The Dyson has a simple hygienic bin emptying system. You just detach the dirt canister, hold it over a bin, and press a button to release the dirt.