Dyson V8 Animal Cord Free Vacuum, Iron/Titanium, 229602-01

Product Information

Clearly, clearing up pet hairs on carpets and fabrics is more about tool and floor head design that sheer suction power. Both motorised heads are truly outstanding at pet-hair cleaning over carpets and fabrics, and the easy to remove bars make for the simplest cleaning out afterwards too. Soft dusting brush (Not included with V8 Origin, V8 Animal (Updated), or V8 Absolute (Updated) variants) Note: There are multiple versions of the Dyson V8 available, including the Animal and V8 Absolute. This review focuses on the Animal version, although most of the information applies to all V8 vacuums. Dyson V8 Animal Appearance, Features & Design A power-boosting “MAX” slider switch sits on top of the motor housing, and in front of that is a big red catch. Position the cleaner over the bin, pull the clip and the whole cyclone assembly pulls up out of the bin. As it reaches about half way out, the flap at the bottom of the bin opens to dump the contents. This is particularly handy for those with pets, as fur balls have a tenacious ability to become wedged in bagless cleaner bins between the cyclone and the bin itself.

Despite the seemingly top-heavy design, we think Dyson has done a decent job of balancing the body of the V8. It feels comfortable to hold and the battery placement balances the weight of new V8 motor.One thing to note is that the V8 series uses Dyson’s trigger system. The trigger must be held when vacuuming, which increases run-time but can get tiring during long cleaning sessions. My verdict on the V8 Animal is much the same as the one my colleague, Nathan, reached on the Absolute. It’s brilliant, combining the thorough carpet-cleaning power of a regular upright vacuum cleaner with the flexibility of a handheld cordless cleaner. We’ve written an in-depth comparison of the AirRam Mk2 and V8 series here. In short, the V8 is the better vacuum with more suction power and greater versatility. The AirRam Mk2 is cheaper and effective for floor cleaning though – but we don’t recommend it for pet hair. What About the Vax Blade 2 Compared to the Animal? In standard mode the area was cleaned in 8-10 seconds, and on MAX power mode it was closer to 6-7 seconds. That’s a spectacularly good result, and up there with some of the very best mains-powered pet-specific vacuum cleaners. The V8 is an evolution of the brilliant V6 cordless vacuum cleaner, which saw cordless cleaners rival mains-powered models for the first time. The V8 built on that with more power, better filtration and a longer run-time, which is now up to 40 minutes on standard power. Along with easier emptying and updated tools, what’s not to like?

The “MAX” power mode provides a boost in suction for stubborn patches of dirt or hair. This is useful, but reduces run-time to around 7-minutes, so it’s an option to use sparingly. The “MAX” mode also increases the noise of the vacuum – although the extra power is instantly noticeable. Carpets Turbo brush: You can remove the brushroll in the miniature turbo brush just like the brushroll in the floorhead. You should remove debris and tangled hair from the turbo brush when necessary. Newer versions of the V8 come with a conical turbo brush attachment that doesn't get tangled as easily. The cleaner head is also great for edge cleaning, as the strong suction power and wide brush bar allow the vacuum to clean right up to walls or skirting boards. Hard FloorsAs you would expect from a portable cordless vac, the V8 Animal is mobile and lightweight. Weighing just 2.6kg, it’s one of lightest cordless models we’ve reviewed and considerably lighter than an upright or cylinder. We also like that the tools are also easy to attach when needed.