Dyson V8 Animal vs Dyson V8 Absolute: Who is the Winner?

Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Absolute are both excellent and reliable cordless vacuum cleaners.

Both are convertible with the option to use them as either stick vacuums or as handhelds. They are very capable cleaning tools being able to vacuum floors and elevated surfaces with ease. 

The lightweight nature of both vacuum cleaners is outstanding and one of the many reasons they have become so popular with users around the world.

Whether you have a larger home or an apartment, the Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Absolute are designed to combat all kinds of spaces.

Although these vacuums are very similar units, there are some differences between them. If you can’t decide which one to opt for, we are going to help you.

Check out this post where we will find out the similarities and differences between these two vacuum cleaners and which one is the best overall.

Is your current vacuum collecting dust but from not being used? Let’s dive straight in with the battle of Dyson V8 Animal vs Dyson V8 Absolute.

Check out the current prices of the Dyson V8 Animal here

And

The Dyson V8 Absolute here

Dyson V8 Animal vs Dyson V8 Absolute Comparison

The Dyson V8 vacuum’s design is based on the previous Dyson V6 and Dyson V7 vacuum cleaners. They are currently the basis of the newer Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 Models.

Although these are very similar units, there are some striking differences. Let’s take a look at these below.

Portability

The Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Absolute vacuum cleaners are both stick vacuums with a simple, slim design that is very light in weight. This means they are easy to vacuum around an array of spaces with easy portability.

However, the Dyson V8 Absolute is somewhat lighter in comparison with the V8 Animal model.

Dyson V8 Absolute vacuums weigh 5.64 pounds while the V8 Animals weigh 5.75 pounds. As you can see, the difference is minuscule and you may not even feel the added weight of the Animal if you were to compare yourself.

Fortunately, both are so lightweight, they can be lifted easily to clean ceilings and be carried around with absolute ease.

The floor cleaner head

One big difference between these two vacuum cleaners is the floor cleaner head. The Dyson V8 Animal doesn’t come equipped with a soft cleaner head but it does come with a direct-drive floor head. 

Soft cleaner heads are designed to work best on hard flooring with a construction made up of stiff carbon fiber and soft nylon.

This helps the vacuum cleaner pick up finer dust particles as well as larger pieces of debris. The fact that it is soft also prevents the head from damaging any surface it comes into contact with.

While the Dyson V8 Animal is lacking a soft roller cleaner head, it doesn’t mean it can’t be used on vinyl floors or hardwood surfaces. Its direct-drive cleaner head is designed to work well with hard floors so you shouldn’t have a problem using it on such surfaces.

Both have swivel mechanisms found at the cleaner head that allows for easier maneuverability around varying obstacles so you can clean under the bed and around furniture with added convenience.

Other cleaning attachments

Both models come with an array of helpful tools to make vacuuming easier. These include:

  • A mini motorized tool
  • A mini soft dusting brush
  • A combination tool
  • A crevice tool

The mini motorized tool includes a motorized brush roll that picks up various pieces of dirt such as human or pet hair, dust, and other fibers.

This can be used for cleaning the stairs, car seats, sofas, and different surfaces that require a vacuum now and again. This will need to be maintained properly as debris such as hair can easily clog up inside the brush roll.

The mini soft dusting brush is ideal for dusting delicate surfaces that are high up. These surfaces can sometimes be too sensitive to clean with the motorized tool so having a safe alternative is very beneficial.

The combination tool is a 2-in-1 cleaning tool. It allows you to switch between different tools quickly for easy and convenient use.

The crevice tool is intended for narrower and tighter spaces. Its long, thin design is perfect for cleaning hard to get corners, edges, and those spaces between car seats or sofa cushions. 

Dyson does offer extra cleaning tools which can be ordered after the purchase of your vacuum cleaner. These various tools include a stubborn dirt brush, a mattress tool, a quick-release extension hoe, and more.

The runtime

There is no difference between the V8 Animal and V8 Absolute’s runtime. Both can last up to 40 minutes when using non-motorized tools.

As the average runtime of a vacuum cleaner is around 30 minutes, these offer a good amount of power.

If you use the direct-drive cleaner head, both vacuum cleaners can give up to eight minutes of fade-free power. This means the battery’s power doesn’t drop off dramatically but only gradually declines as you use it.

The battery

Both models are powered by the same type of lithium-ion battery with a voltage of 21.6-volt.

Charging time can be quite long taking around 200 - 210 minutes to fully charge before being able to use it. Compared to most models, however, this is about average.

It is worth noting that lithium-ion batteries do not feature memory effects so do not have to be fully discharged before being charged again.

Once you have finished vacuuming, simply place the vacuum cleaner back on the charging station for the battery to charge automatically.

Once the battery is fully charged, the Dyson V8 models can still remain connected to the docking station without having to worry about overcharging or damaging the battery.

The capacity of the dust bin

The Dyson V8 Animal and V8 Absolute come with a generously sized 0.14-gallon dust bin. This is more than big enough for a cordless vacuum cleaner and you will benefit from not having to empty it that often.

These vacuum cleaners also come with a state-of-the-art dirt emptying system. Instead of using gravity to remove any dirt or dust from the vacuum’s canister, the waste inside will be pushed out, saving you from manually doing this yourself.

Cleaner, easier, and helpful. There’s not much more you could want!

The filtration system

There is no difference in this department with both models sporting the same filtration system. Both of these vacuum cleaners are engineered with whole machine filtration technology.

This filtration system works by spinning air in two levels of cyclones to remove dirt, dust, and pieces of debris.

Both models are designed to prevent unfiltered air from leaking through. A post-motor filter is also included with the Animal and Absolute models. This catches very small particles, as small as 0.3 microns. 

The filters are easily washable so you can save on maintenance costs. It is important the filters are thoroughly dried before being assembled back onto the vacuum, however. Operating a vacuum with damp filters can damage the machine immeasurably.

Maximum power

Both the Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Absolute come with a maximum power mode. This is in place to add more suction power when dealing with stains or tough marks on various surfaces.

When the vacuum cleaner is in this mode, the battery’s life will significantly decrease quicker. However, this is a common occurrence with models that are equipped with this mode and it means you can work on stubborn stains more easily.

The design

Yet again, there is little difference between the designs of these vacuum cleaners. Both are light in weight and use state-of-the-art technology. They both sport an array of superb features that make vacuuming more of a delight than a chore.

The main benefit of these Animal and Absolute vacuums is their cordless design. No more tripping over and hauling cables anymore! This doesn’t only make vacuuming easier but it also makes it safer.

Both vacuum cleaners are like transformers. They can be converted into handheld units with ease. You can also remove the hand from these models too to make it easier to clean harder to reach or higher areas.

The biggest design difference between the V8 Animal and V8 Absolute is the color. The V8 Animal is available in a metallic silver color only while the V8 Absolute is available in an attractive orange/ sunset color. It is down to personal preference which one you like the most.

The physical dimensions of these Dyson V8 models are the same measuring 9.8 x 49 x 8.8 inches or 24.9 x 124.5 x 22.4 cm).

The price

There is some difference between the V8 Animal and V8 Absolute when it comes to price. The V8 Absolute is a little more expensive than the V8 Animal so it may not be the best option if you are on a tighter budget.

As there are more similarities than differences between these vacuum cleaners, spending more on the Absolute model may seem pointless for some but it does have the added bonus of a soft cleaner head.

Side by Side Comparison

Dyson V8 Animal

Dimensions: 49.2 x 9.8 x 8.8

Weight: 5.75-pounds

Motor: V8

Air watts: 115

HEPA filter: Yes

Battery life: 40 minutes

Charge time: 5 hours

Dustbin size: 0.14-gallon

Docking station: Yes

Multiple power modes: Yes

One-click bin emptying: Yes

2 tier radial cyclones: Yes

Accessories: Wand Charger, Wall Mount, Combination Tool, 

Mini-motorized Tool, Crevice Tool, Fluffy Cleaning Head

Dyson V8 Absolute

Dimensions: 49.2 x 9.8 x 8.8

Weight: 5.64-pounds

Motor: V8

Air watts: 115

HEPA filter: Yes

Battery life: 40 minutes

Charge time: 5 hours

Dustbin size: 0.14-gallon

Docking station: Yes

Multiple power modes: Yes

One-click bin emptying: Yes

2 tier radial cyclones: Yes

Accessories: Wand Charger, Wall Mount, Combination Tool, Crevice Tool, Mini-motorized Tool

As you can see, there is very little separating the V8 Animal and V8 Absolute vacuum cleaners. While both are lightweight and cordless for easy vacuuming, the accessories are a little different.

If you were basing your decision on price alone, the Dyson V8 Animal will come out as the cheapest option but it is your choice to make.

In Summary

The Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Absolute are essentially the same core product. As you can see above, there are very few differences between the two.

However, you can make a decision on which is best for you by considering your home and how many hard floors you have. If your home has only hardwood floors, you should opt for the Dyson V8 Absolute because of the added fluffy cleaning head.

On the other hand, if your house is entirely carpeted, your best option is the cheaper V8 Animal with its direct-drive cleaner.

Although there are newer models of these Dyson cordless vacuum cleaners available, the V8 models are still very reliable and powerful convertible machines.

Their versatility is exceptional with strong suction and outstanding air filtration systems. If you want an easy vacuuming experience, there aren’t many better than these two models.

Check out the current prices for the Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Absolute today so you can start vacuuming with ease as soon as possible.