Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal: What is the difference?
Choosing the Dyson V8 as your home vacuum is a good move. Dyson has built a reputation for high-performance cordless stick vacuums with the V8 being no exception. For carpets, hard floors, elevated and car cleaning, the Dyson V8 is a highly effective lightweight model. The two main versions of the Dyson V8 are the Absolute and Animal. Whilst each of these versions has the same core vacuum, the V8, there are a few differences that may influence your purchasing decision. This article will compare the Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal and explain what the differences are between each product and help you decide which version is the better choice for you. If you are thinking about another getting another Dyson model take a read of our articles of the V8 compared to the Dyson V10 and Dyson V11.
Contents
Comparison Chart
| Model | Dyson V8 Absolute | Dyson V8 Animal |
|---|---|---|
| Design |  |  |
| Dimensions (inches) | 49.2 x 9.8 x 8.8 | 49.2 x 9.8 x 8.8 |
| Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.75 lbs |
| Motor | V8 | V8 |
| Airwatts | 115 | 115 |
| HEPA Filter | ✔ | ✔ |
| Battery Life | 40 Minutes | 40 Minutes |
| Charge Time | 5 Hours | 5 Hours |
| Dustbin Size (Litres) | 0.54 | 0.54 |
| Multiple Power Modes | ✔ | ✔ |
| One-Click Bin Emptying | ✔ | ✔ |
| Docking Station | ✔ | ✔ |
| 2 Tier Radial Cyclones | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accessories | Wand Charger Wall Mount Combination Tool Crevice Tool Mini-motorized Tool Fluffy Cleaning Head | Wand Charger Wall Mount Combination Tool Crevice Tool Mini-motorized Tool |
| Availability | Check Price | Check Price |
Dyson V8
The Absolute and Animal versions of the product both include the same Dyson V8 vacuum. This cordless stick vacuum is part of the range that James Dyson has called “the upright vacuum killer”. These vacuums are known for how lightweight and maneuverable they are whilst having very strong suction power and long battery life. They really are a feat of engineering and that is exactly why Dyson is market leader.
The Dyson V8 has a digital motor that spins up to 110,000 times a minute and has a maximum power of 115 airwatts. There are two cleaning modes; Max and Powerful. The Max mode is used when dealing with the toughest clean dirt, debris or hairs on the most challenging surfaces such as carpets. Depending on which power mode you use, the battery life can last for up to 40 minutes. Then once it is out of battery it will take around 5 hours to fully charge again. Like the most recent other V models, the V8 has a HEPA filter for catching the finest particles such as pollen and dust, down to the size of 0.3 microns.
As we already mentioned, a key selling point of these stick vacuums is their lightweight and portable design. The vacuum just weighs 5.75 lbs despite being 49.2 inches long, allowing the user to reach any spot in the home. In addition to this, the dustbin is 0.54 litres, which is large for a stick vacuum. The Docking Station is the home of the vacuum for when you aren’t using it and this can be installed into a wall.
An important part of the Dyson V8 is the range of accessories that come with it. Whilst a few of the accessories vary between each the Absolute and Animal versions different, there are many which come with both:
- Wand
- Charger
- Wall Mount
- Combination Tool
- Crevice Tool
- Mini-motorized Tool
Differences of Dyson V8 Absolute vs Animal
As the overview of the Dyson V8 has been done, we will next explain the main differences between the Absolute and Animal versions of each vacuum.
Cleaning Head
The main difference between the Dyson V8 Absolute and Animal is the inclusion of the Fluffy cleaning head with the Absolute. This is designed for hard floor cleaning as the soft head prevents the scratching of these floor types. You could actually go for the Animal version and purchase it later on. This wouldn’t make sense for homes with lots of hard floors, it is worth purchasing it for a relatively cheaper price as part of the Absolute version.
Colors
The color scheme of each version of the V8 is slightly different, as the Absolute is mostly yellow whilst the Animal is mostly grey. This difference may or may not matter based on how much you value the appearance of the vacuum and if it will be stored in an obvious place.
Price
A final difference is that the Dyson V8 Absolute retail price is higher than the Animal. This just reflects the addition of the Fluffy cleaning head.
Final Word
As the Dyson V8 Absolute and Animal are the same core product, there is very little difference between them. When deciding which one you should get, the decision is should be based on if your home has many or any hard floors. Clearly, if you home is all hard floors you should go for the Absolute as it comes with the fluffy cleaning head. If your home is all carpeted you don’t need to worry about the fluffy cleaning head and should purchase the Animal.
