The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal vacuum cleaner cleans effectively on a variety of floor types. The base turns easily as you change directions. It can even correct itself when it tips over with just a slight tug. The large wheels on the base move well, the canister is easy to empty, and the bin is large despite the vacuum's lightweight design.
To read about other models we've reviewed, head to our Dyson V11 Torque Drive review (opens in new tab), or read our full guide to the best vacuum cleaners (opens in new tab).
Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal: Features
The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal provides true HEPA filtration and an efficient filter that you don't need to wash or replace. This means fewer allergens in your home and cleaner air as well as flooring. Other vacuums have low-maintenance filters, but the Cinetic is the only canister vacuum that doesn't even need to be washed. You pay more up front for this vacuum, but you'll never have to buy another filter or bag for the life of your ownership.
Despite having a larger base than some other lightweight canister vacuums, the Cinetic is easy to move around. The wheels reach almost up to the roof of the base, meaning larger wheels that glide more easily over heavy carpet or rough surfaces. As you move in different directions, the canister naturally follows the wand around without extra effort on your part. The vacuum has a solid handle on the top of the bin for moving it up and down the stairs.
The Dyson Cinetic doesn't require a lot of extra maintenance – its filter never needs to be cleaned, and the bin is easy to empty and holds a lot of dirt. The bin has a 2-liter capacity, but larger capacities are available in different models, and the vacuum still manages to be one of the more lightweight canister vacuums. The bin clicks off and on with an accessible button and has clear walls that show you when the vacuum is full.
The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal has a large assortment of accessories and tools, including additional extension wands, combination tools, and crevice tools. We were impressed with its tangle-free turbine tool, which is made specifically for picking up pet hair. The turbines on this attachment move in a circular motion, making sure the hair doesn't stick and tangle within the brush. If you are a pet owner who has had to constantly clean the head of your vacuum, this is a neat extra.
One concern we have is that the attachments aren't actually attached to the vacuum. They need to be stored separately in a small bag. This isn't nearly as convenient as accessories that clip to the base or wand of the vacuum. Overall, the Cinetic's attachments are better designed than those of other vacuums, but you might find it an additional burden to have to carry the bag around wherever you clean in the house.
Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal: Performance
The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal vacuum provides great suction, thanks to the cyclonic tips on the top of the base that continually move back and forth while the vacuum operates. These tips clear dust particles as you clean. This is one of the best canister vacuums available for cleaning carpet. In our vacuuming test using flour in place of fine dust, the Cinetic cleaned the entire area in a short four passes. No vacuum was able to clean the area quicker than that. The head of the vacuum had a little more trouble on hardwood, but it still performed better than most canister vacuum cleaners. We were impressed with how well it picked up large pieces.
Our biggest complaint about the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal is how loud it is. At its maximum volume, we measured it at 81 dB. For comparison, the quietest vacuum we tested was only 71 dB. To put this in perspective, consider that every 10 dB doubles the volume of an appliance. A conversation is about 60 dB, making this vacuum three times louder than talking at a normal volume. You get a powerful vacuum with the Cinetic; the only problem is that you can hear the power, too.
While this vacuum does provide great suction and clever attachment tools, you will pay more than average for it. For a more affordable option, check out our Shark Navigator Lift Away NV352 review (opens in new tab).
Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal: User reviews
User reviews for the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal praise the strong suction power, and the fact that there isn't a filter that you need to clean.
However, more negative reviews criticize the buttons, saying they begin to stick quite quickly. Users note how this Dyson vacuum is pretty noisy and it's frustrating that the attachments can't be stored on the vacuum itself.
Should you buy the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal?
If you need a vacuum cleaner that provides fantastic suction and is easy to maneuver, then the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal will be ideal.
It is, however, expensive compared to other models and its attachments have to be stored separately. To read about another powerful canister vacuum, head to our Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction SCAE0 review (opens in new tab).
