Lint screen: Depending on your usage, you need to brush off any debris on the lint screen inside the dirt compartment, as necessary. Suction power isn’t something the V8 Animal is short of. Even in standard mode the suction is impressive for a cordless cleaner and, when combined with the motorised tools, makes for very effective floor cleaning. The V8 Animal isn’t too noisy either, running at around 75dB or about the same as a quiet mains-powered vacuum cleaner. The “MAX” power mode provides a boost in suction for stubborn patches of dirt or hair. This is useful, but reduces run-time to around 7-minutes, so it’s an option to use sparingly. The “MAX” mode also increases the noise of the vacuum – although the extra power is instantly noticeable. Carpets We’ve written an in-depth comparison of the AirRam Mk2 and V8 series here. In short, the V8 is the better vacuum with more suction power and greater versatility. The AirRam Mk2 is cheaper and effective for floor cleaning though – but we don’t recommend it for pet hair. What About the Vax Blade 2 Compared to the Animal? Direct Drive cleaner head, Mini Motorized Tool, Mini Soft Dusting Brush, Combination Tool,Crevice Tool

We've added a comparison to the Shark Cordless Pro in the ' Pet Hair Furniture Performance' box to provide an alternative that's more effective in clearing away pet hair on furniture.Here’s a complete list of the cleaning accessories that come with the Dyson V8 Animal, just for your reference: While the V8 Animal’s name indicates it’s designed for pet owners, the vacuum doesn’t provide additional hair-cleaning performance compared to the V8 Absolute. Both models have the direct-drive floor head and pet turbo tool, so the “Animal” and “Absolute” names are slightly misleading. In the North American market, three different variants of the Dyson V8 are available: the Origin, the Animal, and the Absolute. We tested the 'Animal' variant, and you can see its label here. The only difference between the three is in the included attachments. It's also worth mentioning that all trim levels of the V8 were slightly updated and come with a slightly different set of attachments, which we've included below. Model Name

Despite the seemingly top-heavy design, we think Dyson has done a decent job of balancing the body of the V8. It feels comfortable to hold and the battery placement balances the weight of new V8 motor. Fluffy cleaner head, Direct Drive cleaner head, Mini Motorized Tool, Mini Soft Dusting Brush, Combination Tool,Crevice Tool As you would expect from a portable cordless vac, the V8 Animal is mobile and lightweight. Weighing just 2.6kg, it’s one of lightest cordless models we’ve reviewed and considerably lighter than an upright or cylinder. We also like that the tools are also easy to attach when needed. Dirt compartment: You can open the dirt compartment by pressing the red release valve at the top of the vacuum's body. It's fairly small and needs frequent emptying. Unfortunately, while it's very easy to dismount from the body or to open up and empty, debris can spread while you're shaking it over a trash bin.

My verdict on the V8 Animal is much the same as the one my colleague, Nathan, reached on the Absolute. It’s brilliant, combining the thorough carpet-cleaning power of a regular upright vacuum cleaner with the flexibility of a handheld cordless cleaner. It’s this combination of mobility and lightweight design that makes the V8 such a joy to use. It’s far less hassle to start cleaning with the V8 Animal than a regular upright, yet you get a similar level of performance.