Bottom Line
Choose if you want extreme suction for carpets and pet hair; Skip if you need a lighter, easier-push upright for plush rugs or tight spaces. Expect great cleaning power, but also noticeable weight.
Best for
Homes with lots of carpet and shedding pets that want maximum suction and strong edge cleaning, plus a long hose for stairs and upholstery.
Not for
Small homes with limited storage, anyone sensitive to heavy uprights, or households with plush rugs where strong suction can make pushing difficult.
Verdict
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is repeatedly described as a suction monster that excels on low- and medium-pile carpet and is especially strong on pet hair. Most reviews also like the long reach for stairs and above-floor work, plus hygienic bin emptying and solid filtration. The tradeoff is physical: it is heavy, bulky, and can feel grabby or hard to push on thick carpet and some area rugs. A few test-focused reviews also note weaker large-debris pickup in certain situations and long-hair tangling on the main brush. If you prioritize raw cleaning power over weight, price, and finesse in tight spaces, it remains a compelling corded upright.
Pros
-
Reviews consistently describe class-leading suction that deep-cleans carpets and pulls embedded debris, but the strength can make the vacuum feel grabby on plush carpet and some rugs.
-
Cyclone system is repeatedly credited for strong, consistent pickup and maintaining performance room-to-room, with only occasional notes that floorhead design (not suction) limits large-debris pickup.
-
Edge and baseboard cleaning is repeatedly rated near the top, with strong edging tests and effective side channels at the floorhead.
-
Above-floor and upholstery cleaning are frequently praised when using the turbine and combination tools, especially for furniture and blankets with hair.
-
Low-pile carpet performance is a consistent strength, with strong debris and hair pickup reported across both consumer and test-focused reviews.
-
Assembly is consistently described as straightforward with a few click-in parts and minimal setup time.
-
Carpet hair pickup, especially pet hair, is repeatedly rated excellent and aligns with the product positioning for homes with shedding animals.
-
Bagless bin capacity is described as large (roughly 0.48–0.55 gal / about 2L), supporting longer sessions; sealing is generally good, with occasional minor leakage notes in lab testing.
-
Whole-machine HEPA filtration and washable filters are praised for allergen control, though one lab-style review noted the system can be only partially sealed over years of use.
-
Emptying is commonly described as quick and hygienic (one-button or point-and-shoot style), with minimal need to touch debris.
-
Tool swaps are typically described as quick click-on/click-off, making it easy to move between floor cleaning and above-floor attachments.
-
Hose and wand reach are frequently praised for above-floor work (stairs, corners, behind furniture), though one reviewer notes the wand/tube can feel narrow for larger items.
-
Pet-focused performance is a highlight, with strong pet-hair pickup and useful pet tools, though tool effectiveness can vary by included kit and expectations.
-
Stair cleaning is a standout: the long hose/wand reach lets users clean many steps from one position, reducing the need to carry the main body upstairs.
-
Cord length and reach are strong for a corded upright (often cited around 30–35 ft cord and extended total reach), reducing outlet changes during cleaning.
-
Onboard storage for key tools and brackets is appreciated for keeping frequently used attachments accessible without a separate bag.
-
Overall sentiment trends positive on cleaning power and results, with the most common drawbacks being weight, high price, and occasional usability quirks on rugs/tight spaces.
-
Crevice and groove pickup is often called out as a strong point thanks to high suction, though fine powder in floor gaps can still require extra passes or tool use.
-
Included tools (combination/crevice, stair, turbine/pet tools, and variant-specific extras) are generally seen as useful, though at least one review finds the turbine tool underpowered.
-
Reviews mention this area with mixed to positive feedback overall (average score about 4.20), with performance varying by flooring, settings, and user expectations.
-
A few comments suggest kid-friendliness via safety behavior when parked upright (rollers/brush not spinning), though overall usability still depends on handling the unit's weight.
-
Maintenance is viewed as simple: wash filters on a schedule, empty the bin, and occasionally clear hair/debris from the brush or airway.
-
Controls are simple and functional, commonly including suction-level selection and brush control; most feedback is positive with few learning-curve complaints.
-
Comparative discussions often place it among the most powerful uprights tested, though some reviewers prefer newer or less expensive competitors depending on features and value.
-
On hard floors, fine dust pickup is generally strong, but multiple tests note residue can remain in cracks/crevices (e.g., flour between boards) depending on technique and settings.
-
Cord wrap and basic cord management are mentioned as straightforward and adequate for storage.
-
Self-adjusting floorhead design improves sealing and surface adaptation, but multiple reviewers say it can sit too close and push larger debris or reduce usability on some rugs.
-
Build quality is often described as robust with durable plastics, but a minority of comments call out cheaper-feeling hose/handle plastics.
-
Large-debris pickup is inconsistent: some reviewers get solid results with the correct head setting, while others report the self-adjusting head can push cereal/large bits instead of ingesting them.
-
High-pile carpet results are mixed: suction is strong, but several reviews report it can be difficult to push or it may struggle to capture larger debris sitting high in the pile.
-
Noise impressions vary by test: some measurements place it in the high-60s/low-70s dB range while others find it louder; overall it is not silent, but generally within typical upright ranges.
Cons
-
Versatility is good for an upright via wand and tools, but it is not a true convertible handheld and can feel less flexible than lift-away or cordless designs.
-
Price is a frequent criticism: many reviewers call it expensive, recommending it most when discounted or when maximum suction matters more than cost.
-
Area rug handling can be challenging: several reviewers note the vacuum may stick, pull up mats, or feel overly aggressive on certain rugs due to strong suction and head design.
-
Debris flow is generally reliable, but a narrow wand/tube can clog if large items are picked up, and hair tangling around the brush can add periodic clearing.
-
Bulky storage footprint and upright-stand behavior show tradeoffs: some users report an finicky click/lock into the upright position and overall size that can be harder to store.
-
Under-furniture reach is limited for an upright; bulk and the ball housing prevent cleaning far under low-clearance furniture without moving items or switching to the wand.
-
Long-hair management is a weak spot on the main brush in some objective testing (notable tangling reported), even though pet-hair pickup is strong and some turbine tools resist tangles.
-
Multiple reviewers flag the unit as heavy (roughly 16–17.5 lb), which can add arm strain during whole-home cleaning or when carrying it between floors.
-
Multiple sources note the floorhead lacks LED headlights, which can make it harder to see debris in darker spaces.
FAQ
Is the Dyson Ball Animal 2 good for pet hair?
Across multiple tests and user-style reviews, pet hair pickup is a standout strength, especially on carpet, and the included pet-focused tools help on upholstery and blankets.
How does it handle high-pile carpet and thick rugs?
It can deep-clean, but several reviews note it can be hard to push and may struggle to grab larger debris sitting high in the pile, sometimes pushing it instead.
Does it clean hard floors well?
Reviews generally report strong pickup on hard floors, but fine powder in cracks and some larger debris can take extra passes or the right floorhead setting.
Is it loud?
Noise results vary by tester, but most measurements and impressions place it in a typical upright range; some reviewers call it louder, while others measured it as relatively quiet for its class.
What maintenance does it need?
Reviewers commonly recommend regular bin emptying, washing the filters on schedule, and periodically checking the brush and airways for hair or clogs.
Reviews we analyzed
Video Reviews
Article Reviews
Best Upright Vacuums
#1
4.4
Choose the Shark Stratos for deep-cleaning power and a lift-away style body that's handy beyond the floor; Skip if you need a lightweight...
#2
4.4
Choose the Shark PowerDetect when you want an upright that crushes debris and pet hair on most floors; Skip it if you need...
#3
4.2
Choose Dreame H14 Pro for strong wet-dry pickup, lie-flat reach, and quick self-drying; Skip if you need very dry floors immediately or dislike...
#4
4.2
Choose Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra for deep-clean power and pet-hair pickup on carpeted or mixed-floor homes. Skip it if you want something...
#5
4.1
Choose the Kenmore Featherlite Lift-Up for a featherweight, budget upright that shines on carpets and pet hair while keeping dust contained with sealed...
#6
4.1
Choose the Shark NV752 for strong carpet cleaning and versatile Powered Lift-Away reach; Skip it if you mainly vacuum hard floors with large...
#7
4.1
Choose the Dyson Ball Animal 3 for top-tier carpet deep cleaning and low-tangle pet-hair pickup. Skip it if you want a lighter, easier-to-push...
#8
4.1
Choose the Eureka OmniVerse if you want corded, high‑impact cleaning with QuickShift under‑furniture reach for the price. Skip it if you want cordless...