Dyson V8 Animal vs. Absolute vs. Motorhead
If you are looking for the best stick vacuum on a budget, the Dyson V8 series is a good place to start your search. But there are three models in the series, so settling for the best could be a hurdle.
In this Dyson V8 Animal vs. Absolute vs. Motorhead comparison review, we have detailed everything; from the similarities to the differences, and who each model is best suited for.
We will also be shedding light on two models you will find online – the Dyson Animal+ and Dyson V8 Total Clean.
Before we go any further, here are the highlights of the features they share and what sets apart the three stick vacuums.
What’s Similar?
- Design – All the Dyson V8 stick vacuums have the same 2-in-1 design, meaning they can be used as handheld vacuums, and stick vacuums as well.
- Battery and runtime – Dyson used the same nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery pack for all the models, so they all have the same runtime.
- Filtration – Even though the dust cup capacity varies from one model to the other, the filtration system is the same across all boards.
- Swivel head– All the V8 stick vacuums come with swivel cleaning heads which guarantee effortless turning and maneuverability.
- Usability – The operation, and maintenance of these vacuums is more or less the same with very negligible difference to the Animal+.
What’s Different?
- Aesthetics – Dyson V8 vacuums have the same design but have been finished in distinct colors.
- Accessories – Besides color, the accessories supplied in each model vary, so make sure you have all the tools you need in the package you want to buy.
- Suction power – The motor is also the same for the Animal, Absolute, and Motorhead, but the Animal+ has a less powerful motor, and hence lesser suction.
- Weight – The Dyson V8 vacuums have different attachments, and this leads to a negligible difference in the weight.
- Dust cup capacity – The Absolute, Motorhead, and Animal variants have the same dust cup capacity, but the Animal+ has a smaller one.
- Costs – Now that the four stick vacuums in the US market have different features, and accessories, there is a price difference.
1. Dyson V8 Animal
The Dyson V8 Animal is the only Dyson V8 in production, after the discontinuation of the Absolute and Motorhead models.
It is the cheaper model compared to Dyson V8 Absolute but, of course, for a reason.
This stick vacuum comes with a direct-drive cleaning head only, so it’s ideal for homes with carpets.
We like the two-speed motor that delivers a maximum of 115AW in max mode.
The runtime has also been enhanced to a cool 40 minutes.
2. Dyson V8 Animal+
The Animal+ is a cheaper version of the Animal and is available in the US market.
The compromise here is the suction power, and bin capacity.
The Dyson V8 Animal+ delivers a maximum of 100WA compared to the 115AW delivered by the other models.
Second, its dust cup is 0.4L, while the rest have a 0.54L dust cup.
Otherwise, all other features are standard and above all, it is the only model in the US that comes with the quick-release up-top adaptor.
3. Dyson V8 Absolute
This is the best choice if you have homes that have carpets and hard floors.
Dyson V8 Absolute comes with two cleaning heads – a soft roller cleaner head and the direct-drive cleaner head.
The former is tough on dirt and gentle on fragile hard floors while the latter guarantees deep carpet cleaning.
4. Dyson V8 Motorhead
The Motorhead is the cheapest model, and it isn’t available in the US market, but you can order it internationally.
This model comes with the least accessories – direct-drive cleaner head, combination tool, and the crevice tool.
Otherwise, all the other features are standard – suction power, usability, battery, e.t.c.
5. Dyson V8 Total Clean
The Dyson Total Clean is a model exclusive to the UK and Europe in general.
Unfortunately, there is no single model in the US that can be likened to it as it tags along with some unique features; quick-release up top adapter, flexi crevice tool, and the tool bag.
Dyson V8 Animal vs. Absolute vs. Motorhead Face to Face Comparison
Now, let’s get to the finer details. In this segment, we are going to look at how these vacuums compare in light of the factors considered when choosing a stick vacuum.
Design and Aesthetics
There are a few things in common as far as the design of these stick vacuums is concerned. In the same token, there are some differences when it comes to aesthetics.
2-in-1 Design
The Dyson V8 Absolute, Animal, Motorhead, Animal+, and Total Clean have three main components.
There is the handle, that houses the motor and battery, the wand, and the cleaning head. While they are primarily stick vacuums, they all transform into the handheld mode in one click.
In the stick mode, you can vacuum the floor, and the high up areas. On the other hand, as a handheld, you can clean upholstery, baselines, and even use it as a car vacuum.
Aesthetics
The Dyson V8 Animal is available in iron, while the Animal+ is available in sprayed nickel purple. On the other hand, the Motorhead is iron, while the Absolute is sprayed yellow.
The colors mentioned above are highlighted on the wand, cleaning head, and also the main unit.
Accessories, Tools and Attachments
Dyson stick vacuums are very versatile, courtesy of the attachments and accessories they tag along with.
But one thing to note is that the main difference between the Dyson V8 stick vacuums, as well as the rest of the models in the V series, is the accessories and attachments included.
Below is a rundown of the available accessories and attachments for the V8, and most importantly, which model comes with what accessory.
- Extension wand – This is the main tube that extends the reach of the vacuum for use in the stick vacuum mode with non-motorized attachments.
- Direct drive cleaner head – This is a motorized brush bar that features stiff nylon bristles, and when it rotates, it agitates the stuck-on dirt. The motorized cleaning head is ideal for deep carpet cleaning.
- Soft roller cleaner head – This is a brush bar with soft woven nylon bristles and anti-static carbon fiber filaments. As the name suggests, this is a tool that has been specially designed to clean the hard surfaces, for example, tile floors, hardwood, linoleum, e.t.c.
- Mini motorized tool – This is a compact version of the direct-drive cleaning head and comes in handy when agitating the embedded dirt on fragile surfaces, for example, the car interior, upholstery, and fixtures among others.
- Mini soft dusting brush – This specialty brush has soft bristles that makes it ideal for cleaning the soft surfaces like car interior, leather sofas, lampshades, e.t.c.
- Combination tool – The combo tool combines a brushing attachment and mini-upholstery, too, for cleaning the delicate surfaces.
- Crevice tool – This is a tool that comes in handy when cleaning the tight spaces between sofas, between car seats and other hard to reach areas.
- Quick-release up-top adaptor – This tool twists and locks at different angles to allow for easy cleaning on the high up places.
- Flexi crevice tool – This one flexes to reach the tight corners, and behind appliances where the standard crevice tool can’t reach.
- Toolbag – This one is for storing all the attachments to prevent misplacement or loss.
The above are the primary tools and attachments that Dyson V8 tag along with. Now, which model comes with what accessories?
The Dyson V8 Absolute
- Extension wand
- Soft roller cleaner head
- Direct-drive cleaner head
- Mini motorized tool
- Mini soft dusting brush
- Combination tool
- Crevice tool
The Dyson V8 Animal
- Extension wand
- Direct-drive cleaner head
- Mini motorized tool
- Mini soft dusting brush
- Combination tool
- Crevice tool
The Dyson V8 Animal+
- Extension wand
- Direct drive cleaner head
- Mini motorized tool
- Mini soft dusting brush
- Combination tool
- Up-top adaptor
- Crevice tool
The Dyson V8 Motorhead
- Extension wand
- Direct drive cleaner head
- Combination tool
- Crevice tool
The Dyson V8 Total Clean
- Soft roller cleaning head
- Direct drive cleaner head
- Mini motorized tool
- Soft dusting brush
- Combination tool
- Crevice tool
- Quick-release up top adapter
- Flexi crevice tool
- Toolbag
From the above, you can tell that the Dyson V8 Absolute is the best choice as it has the most accessories, and is available in the US. Please note that you can buy any other tool or accessory separately. Make sure what you are buying is compatible with the Dyson V8.
Cleaning Performance
As mentioned above, the Dyson V8 offers 2-in-1 cleaning, meaning it is ideal for use as a stick vacuum or a handheld.
Now, how about cleaning performance? Below is an overview of all the important components that determine the cleaning performance of the vacuums, and most importantly, our exclusive cleaning test results.
Suction power
The Dyson V8 Animal, Motorhead, Absolute and Total Clean all come with a Dyson digital motor that spins at an impressive 107,000rpm.
This is a two-speed motor that generates up to 115AW when in max mode and 28AW when in low power.
Also worth mentioning is the 2-Tier Radial cyclones that generate powerful g-forces to pick up dirt and fling it into the bin.
For the record, the Animal+ generates a maximum of 100AW in high power mode and is still based on a two-speed motor, with low power mode delivering 28AW. That’s among the differences between Dyson V8 Animal+ vs. Animal, and the rest of the V8 variants.
Operation noise
We were also interested in the operation noise of the vacuum, and we are glad there’s an improvement compared to the Dyson V7.
In low power mode, all the Dyson V8 vacuums will run at an average of 65 decibels while in high power mode, the noise peaks to 72 decibels.
Unfortunately, the Dyson V8 Animal+ is different as the motor used isn’t optimized for quiet operation and operates in the same noise levels as the Dyson V7. In low power mode, the noise was at 73 decibels while in high power, it hit 78 decibels.
For the record, there are times you may experience high noise levels, and this is a clear sign that something is amiss. We noticed increased sound levels when the brushroll is jammed, as the vacuum tries to compensate for the inefficiency.
Cleaning head
The Dyson V8 line of stick and handheld vacuums come in two main cleaning heads; one for the bare floors, and another for carpets.
All the Dyson V8 variants come with a direct-drive cleaning head making them ideal for vacuuming carpets and embedded dirt. It pushes the stiff nylon bristles into the carpet pile, flushing out the hidden dirt, and dust particles.
When it comes to the fragile surfaces, and hard floors, for example, hardwood, go for a Dyson V8 that tags along with the soft roller cleaner head. It has been designed with soft woven nylon, which is tough on the dirt and gentle on the floors. With this cleaning head, you can eliminate the large dirt debris while the anti-static carbon fiber filaments trap the fine dust and pet hair. Only the Dyson V8 Absolute has this attachment, but you can buy it separately if you need it.
Filtration
What is the bin size of the Dyson V8 stick vacuum, and are the filters true HEPA? That’s what we want to ascertain in this section.
Dyson V8 Animal, Absolute, Motorhead, and Animal+ all come with a fully sealed body that ensures the captured dirt isn’t released back to the atmosphere. But then, there is a difference when it comes to the dust bin capacity. The Dyson V8 Animal, Absolute, and Motorhead all feature a 0.54 L bin.
From all the V8 vacuums, only the Dyson V8 Animal+ has a different bin capacity. This one is smaller at 0.4 L, but then, the hygienic bin emptying system is standard across all the models.
When it comes to filtration, the vacuums have been designed with two washable HEPA filters – a pre-motor filter in the middle of the cyclonic system, and a post-motor filter behind the motor. While these filters ensure that air is free from dust, bad odor, and allergens, they enhance the durability and efficiency of the motor. Unlike other models, this one doesn’t clog at all.
Cleaning test results
As usual, we test all the vacuums we review, and the Dyson V8 was no exception. We tested only the models available in the US, and these are the Dyson V8 Animal, Animal, and Absolute.
Some of the dirt we used include pet hair, kitty litter, fine dust, flour, sand pebbles, and cereals.
Battery and Runtime
The Dyson V8 line of stick vacuums are cordless, meaning they have batteries. The best choice should have a large battery offering the longest runtime.
There is no difference between Dyson V8 Animal vs. Absolute vs. Motorhead when it comes to the battery and runtime. They all tag along with a non-detachable 2800 mAh 7-cell nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery pack. It offers varying runtime depending on the cleaning mode, as well as the attachments in use. We ran several tests and found the following results.
With non-powered tools, the Dyson V8 runs for 42 minutes in low power, and 7 minutes when in high-power mode. When it comes to the powered cleaner head, the runtime was much shorter, with 26.5 minutes in low power mode and 7 minutes in max power.
When it comes to recharging, it takes around 5 hours for the battery to recharge fully. This is quite a long time, and unfortunately, you can’t have a spare battery, as Shark did with the Shark IONFlex 2X. The vacuum has three charging lights, which indicate a low charge level, medium charge, and full charge.
Usability
How easy is it to use the Dyson V8? In this section, we are going to discuss aspects like the controls, maneuvering, ergonomics, handling, and maintenance.
Controls
Dyson V8 Animal, Animal+, Absolute, and Motorhead all come with easy and accessible controls. However, there’s no trigger lock, so you have to hold it down to keep the vacuum powered.
We noticed that at first, you have to grip the handle trigger too hard, and this hurts a little, but upon a bit of relaxation, you can reduce the stress. There’s also an easy to use switch for selecting the power mode – either high or low.
Maneuvering and ergonomics
The Dyson V8 Animal, Animal+, Absolute, and Motorhead all bear the same features here except for the slight difference in the dimensions and weight.
The Dyson V8 stick vacuum measures 9.8 x 49 x 8.8 inches. When it comes to weight, it all depends on the attachments used.
We measured the Dyson V8 Absolute when with a mini-motorized tool without the wand, and it weighed 4.1lbs. However, when in the stick mode with the bare floor cleaning head, the weight is 5.75 lbs.
The handling is superb courtesy of the ergonomic and comfortable handle, as well as the equal weight distribution. It has been perfectly balanced using Archimedes’ principle to make it easy for homeowners to clean the high up places, and the floor without much strain.
Maintenance
The hygienic dirt ejection which drives the dirt and dust in one action. There’s a collar that pushes the dirt and dust down the chemically etched steel shroud, meaning you won’t come into contact with the dirt.
The cleaning head requires manual cleaning, as well as the filters. Besides the maintenance, we also liked the wall-mountable charging dock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dyson stick vacuum is the best for pet hair?
Does Dyson V8 Absolute use motorized cleaning head?
Can I use my Dyson V8 for car vacuuming?
Dyson V8 Motorhead vs V8 Total Clean: which stick vacuum has longer run time?
Dyson V8 Animal vs. Animal+ vs. Absolute vs. Motorhead
Now, we are almost coming to the end of this Dyson V8 Animal vs. Animal+ vs. Absolute vs. Motorhead face to face comparison review.
As you have seen, the main difference between the Dyson V8 Animal vs. Absolute vs. Motorhead is the accessories supplied though there are a few structural differences between Dyson V8 Animal vs. Animal+.
The Dyson V8 Absolute is the best choice as it is equipped with cleaning heads for both hard floors, as well as carpets.
But then, if you don’t have bare floors to vacuum, the choice will be between Dyson Animal vs. Animal+ and here, it’s a dilemma as well.
Buy the Dyson Animal if you want the highest suction power and a large bin. But for those buyers on a budget, the Animal+ is still a great choice, and in fact, it tags along with the unique up-top adaptor.
Richard Harrison
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Rafael Bates
What does the 2-in-1 function mean for Dyson vacuum cleaners? Can they mop?
Richard Harrison
Thank you for your interest in Dyson robot cleaners. All V8 models can be transferred from stick vacuum cleaners into a hand vacuum with one push of a button – two vacuum cleaners in one. It is convenient for cleaning furniture, cars, and other surfaces on the hand level. Unfortunately, all these cleaners have only vacuum functions.
Sun
Has the Dyson V8 model changeable parts?
Swartzcop Kennedy
Thank you for the question. All filters in vacuum cleaners should be replaced once a year. A brush roll should be changed in a year or two. All other parts can last for the whole service life of the cleaner if they are not damaged– at least for four years.
Micheal Le
40 minutes of working time is very limited time for a full cleaning of my large home. It is not enough for my 3-level country house! Is it possible to extend this time?
Richard Harrison
Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, all V8 vacuum stick cleaners do not have a detachable battery. So, you cannot buy an additional one and change it when required. In 40 minutes, the cleaner works in low power mode, while in high-power, it only works for about 10 minutes. With battery indicators on the cleaner, you will see the 2800 mAh 7-cell nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery status. The recharge time is about five hours. I can propose you to split the cleaning into days, to avoid interruption because of low battery.
Blanca B
Why is the Dyson V8 Motorhead the cheapest model? What disadvantages does it have?
Richard Harrison
Thank you for your interest in Dyson robot cleaners. The Motorhead has a minor number of accessories in the stand package – only the combination tool and the crevice tool and has two working modes and one cleaner head. Other characteristics are mainly the same.