Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum

Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum Review

Brand: Dyson
Released: June 1, 2015
Updated: 1 week ago
4.4
Consolidated expert score
121
Review insights
46
Scored features
9
Expert reviews

Bottom Line

Choose the Dyson Big Ball if you want powerful corded suction, pet-hair pickup, easy tools, and long cleaning sessions. Skip it if heavy canisters, thick rugs, or large hard-floor debris are dealbreakers.

Best for

Best for homes that need strong corded suction, pet-hair cleanup, low-pile carpet performance, and flexible above-floor tools. It also fits users who value long cleaning sessions without battery concerns.

Not for

Not for users who need a lightweight vacuum, regularly clean thick small rugs, or expect the main floorhead to swallow large hard-floor debris without switching to the hose.

Verdict

Across the reviews, the Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor comes across as a powerful, highly usable canister vacuum with especially strong suction, pet-hair pickup, low-pile carpet performance, easy tool changes, and clever self-righting behavior. Its corded design also removes runtime anxiety and helps ownership costs by avoiding battery replacements. The tradeoff is physical and debris-related: reviewers repeatedly call it heavy, and tests show the main floorhead can struggle badly with large hard-floor debris such as cereal. Handling is mostly praised, but the canister format takes adjustment and can be awkward in tight hallways or on thick small rugs.

Compared in Reviews

Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.

Bissell Zing

  • Better: weight The Dyson is framed as much heavier than lightweight canister vacuums such as the Bissell Zing.

Miele Classic C1

  • Similar: weight The Dyson’s weight is described as within about one pound of the Miele Classic C1.

Multi Floor 2 upright vacuum

  • Similar: suction power The canister model is described as matching the Multi Floor 2 upright vacuum’s 250 AW suction.

Feature Scorecards

Summary

46 reviewed features
  • Very positive 4.5-5.0 70% 32 features
  • Positive 3.5-4.4 13% 6 features
  • Neutral 2.5-3.4 11% 5 features
  • Negative 1.5-2.4 7% 3 features
  • Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features

Pros

  • 5.0
    based on 3 reviews
    Comparative performance: 5.0, based on 3 reviews
    Comparative performance is very strong in the reviews, including better carpet dirt removal than typical vacuums and pet-hair performance comparable to top uprights.
  • 5.0
    based on 3 reviews
    Cord management: 5.0, based on 3 reviews
    Cord management is a strength, with reviewers liking the retractable cord and describing it as effortless or a favorite feature.
  • 5.0
    based on 3 reviews
    Storage footprint and upright-stand stability: 5.0, based on 3 reviews
    Reviewers like the self-righting and anti-topple behavior, and one owner also found the vacuum easy to fit into a small closet.
  • 5.0
    based on 3 reviews
    Tool-change simplicity: 5.0, based on 3 reviews
    Tool changes are repeatedly described as fast and simple, with parts snapping apart or into position with very little effort.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Build quality and durability: 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Build quality is strongly praised, with reviewers calling it top-notch and comparable to other well-built Dysons.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup: 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Low-pile carpet pickup is excellent in the scored reviews, with near-perfect test results and praise for easy pickup.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Cord length: 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Cord length is praised because it supports multi-room cleaning and is called a favorite feature by one owner.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Hair Pickup — Carpets: 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Carpet hair pickup is excellent, with one lab result above 98% and an owner saying it handled dog hair flawlessly.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Innovation compared to competitors: 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Innovation evidence centers on the self-righting and hassle-reducing design, which reviewers frame as clever and efficient.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries): 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Ownership-cost evidence is favorable because reviewers emphasize the washable lifetime filter and corded design that avoids battery replacement.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Pet-Ready Features: 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Pet-related evidence is very positive: reviewers say it handles pet hair and broader pet messes well, with one review explicitly recommending it for pet owners.
  • 5.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Runtime: 5.0, based on 2 reviews
    Runtime is a non-issue in the positive evidence because reviewers treat the corded design as letting users clean as long as needed.
  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors): 5.0, based on 1 review
    Crevice and corner pickup receives positive owner feedback, mainly because the vacuum’s power improved performance in corners and crevices.
  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Cyclone performance: 5.0, based on 1 review
    Cyclone performance is praised in one review for improving airflow and capturing fine dust very well.
  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Hose length: 5.0, based on 1 review
    Hose/reach feedback is positive but limited, with one lab review impressed by the reach of just over 33 feet.
  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Low-profile design: 5.0, based on 1 review
    Low-profile design is praised because the head can get under furniture more easily.
  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Noise level: 5.0, based on 1 review
    Noise feedback is limited but positive, with one reviewer surprised by how quiet the vacuum sounded during use.
  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Stair Cleaning: 5.0, based on 1 review
    Stair-cleaning evidence is limited but positive, centered on the stair tool being easy to attach and push along stair surfaces.
  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup: 5.0, based on 1 review
    Above-floor cleaning is positive, with the extension arm praised for reaching vaulted ceilings and higher dust without difficulty.
  • 4.9
    based on 4 reviews
    Emptying and Mess Control: 4.9, based on 4 reviews
    Emptying is praised for pushing debris out, reducing mess, and allowing longer cleaning before trash-emptying becomes a concern.
  • 4.9
    based on 7 reviews
    Suction and Airflow: 4.9, based on 7 reviews
    Reviewers consistently praise the vacuum’s strong suction, describing it as potent, extremely powerful, and able to pull dirt, dust, and even carpet upward.
  • 4.8
    based on 3 reviews
    Maintenance requirements: 4.8, based on 3 reviews
    Maintenance is generally light and straightforward, helped by washable filters and removable components.
  • 4.8
    based on 3 reviews
    Under-Furniture Pickup: 4.8, based on 3 reviews
    Under-furniture cleaning is a strength thanks to the low-clearance head, articulating handle, and nearly flat cleaning position.
  • 4.8
    based on 5 reviews
    Versatility: 4.8, based on 5 reviews
    Versatility is a clear strength, with reviewers praising all-floor use, attachment swaps, hose-and-tool cleaning, and broad household-surface coverage.
  • 4.8
    based on 4 reviews
    Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup: 4.8, based on 4 reviews
    Fine debris pickup on hard floors is consistently strong for sugar, kitty litter, flour, rice, and ordinary dust.
  • 4.8
    based on 2 reviews
    Aesthetic design and finish: 4.8, based on 2 reviews
    Design impressions are positive, with reviewers calling it sleek enough for a modern home and one of the coolest vacuums they had seen.
  • 4.7
    based on 3 reviews
    Accessories and Tools: 4.7, based on 3 reviews
    Included tools are seen as useful, especially for moving between messes, stairs, and specialty cleaning tasks, though the evidence is stronger for usefulness than variety.
  • 4.6
    based on 7 reviews
    Ease of use: 4.6, based on 7 reviews
    Ease of use is a broad strength across reviews, though it coexists with canister handling and weight caveats.
  • 4.6
    based on 8 reviews
    Overall opinion: 4.6, based on 8 reviews
    Overall opinion is strongly positive across most reviews, though the higher-level praise sits alongside repeated caveats about weight and large debris.
  • 4.5
    based on 3 reviews
    Bin and Bag: 4.5, based on 3 reviews
    The dust bin is viewed positively for its debris-pushing design, larger usable capacity, and convenient 1.6L size.
  • 4.5
    based on 1 review
    Overall durability/longevity: 4.5, based on 1 review
    Longevity evidence is limited to one owner connecting likely durability to an older Dyson that was still working after seven years.
  • 4.5
    based on 1 review
    Suitability for heavy-duty use: 4.5, based on 1 review
    Heavy-duty suitability is supported mainly by one reviewer saying the vacuum works well for large spaces and offices.
  • 4.4
    based on 7 reviews
    Maneuverability and Handling: 4.4, based on 7 reviews
    Handling is generally strong, with praise for gliding, turning, following, and flat head movement, but canister drag and small hallways create a learning curve.
  • 4.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Filtration / Dust Containment: 4.3, based on 2 reviews
    Filtration and dust containment receive positive but limited support through praise for the washable lifetime filter, hypoallergenic framing, and dirt-ejecting design.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Hair-removal channel issues: 4.0, based on 1 review
    Hair-removal channel evidence is limited but positive, with the owner describing excess hair removal as easy.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Surface safety with attachments: 4.0, based on 1 review
    Attachment surface safety is supported by one reviewer using distance and airflow to clean delicate fabric without pulling on it.
  • 3.6
    based on 4 reviews
    Price and Value: 3.6, based on 4 reviews
    Value is mixed-positive: reviewers often say performance justifies the price, while still repeatedly noting that Dyson pricing is high.
  • 3.5
    based on 4 reviews
    Floorhead design: 3.5, based on 4 reviews
    The floorhead earns praise for self-adjustment and roller-speed control, but several reviews say the main head struggles with larger debris.

Cons

  • 3.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Carpet — High-Pile Pickup: 3.3, based on 2 reviews
    High-pile carpet pickup is mostly good for smaller debris, but cereal remains a recurring limitation.
  • 3.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Clogging and debris prevention: 3.3, based on 2 reviews
    Debris-prevention evidence is mixed: one lab review criticized larger debris pickup, while an owner said the vacuum rarely clogged.
  • 3.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Suitability for small spaces: 3.3, based on 2 reviews
    Small-space suitability is split: articulation helps tight spaces, but a canister layout can be problematic in a narrow hallway.
  • 3.0
    based on 1 review
    Controls and UI: 3.0, based on 1 review
    The handle trigger and suction controls help surface transitions, but one reviewer disliked needing to hold the trigger continuously.
  • 3.0
    based on 1 review
    Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors): 3.0, based on 1 review
    Edge and baseboard cleaning is only average to slightly above average, with one test noting it did not remove all edge debris.
  • 2.3
    based on 3 reviews
    Weight: 2.3, based on 3 reviews
    Weight is a consistent drawback, with reviewers calling it heavy and potentially too much for children or older users to carry.
  • 2.0
    based on 1 review
    Area Rug Handling: 2.0, based on 1 review
    Area rug handling is weak for thick small rugs, where suction can lift the rug and the release feature may not help enough.
  • 1.9
    based on 4 reviews
    Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake: 1.9, based on 4 reviews
    Large debris intake on hard floors is the clearest weakness, with cereal and other thick debris repeatedly pushed, missed, or requiring direct hose use.

Compared With Category Average

Compared with other Canister Vacuums, this product is above average in Storage footprint and upright-stand stability, Stair Cleaning, Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries), below average in Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake, Area Rug Handling, Weight.

Summary

8 compared features
  • Above average 0.4+ pts higher 63% 5 features
  • Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
  • Below average 0.4+ pts lower 38% 3 features
Attribute This product Category average Difference
Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 1.9 3.6 -1.8
Area Rug Handling 2.0 3.8 -1.8
Storage footprint and upright-stand stability 5.0 3.4 +1.6
Weight 2.3 3.8 -1.5
Stair Cleaning 5.0 3.6 +1.4
Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries) 5.0 3.6 +1.4
Hair Pickup — Carpets 5.0 3.6 +1.4
Hose length 5.0 3.6 +1.4

FAQ

Is the Dyson Big Ball good for pet hair?

Yes. Review evidence is strongest here, with one test reporting 98.20% pet-hair pickup and another owner saying it handled dog hair flawlessly.

How does it perform on hard floors?

It does very well with fine debris like sugar, flour, dust, kitty litter, and rice in several tests. Large debris is the weak spot, especially cereal, which multiple reviews say the main head struggled to collect.

Is it easy to use?

Most reviewers say it is easy to use, with simple tool swaps, a self-righting canister, and a retractable cord. The main caveat is that the canister format and weight can take adjustment.

Does it work well on carpet?

Low-pile carpet performance is very strong in the reviews. High-pile carpet is more mixed because smaller debris cleaned well, but cereal remained a problem.

Is it lightweight?

No. Reviewers repeatedly describe it as heavy, though some note that much of the weight sits in the canister rather than in the hand.

Are maintenance costs high?

The reviews suggest maintenance costs are low because it has a washable lifetime filter and corded design, so there are no bags or battery replacements highlighted as routine costs.

Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed

These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.

Video Reviews

Article Reviews

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