Dyson has become synonymous with powerful, versatile cordless vacuums. The V8 series in particular packs robust suction power into a lightweight stick design. But within the V8 line, Dyson offers different models suited for different needs.
The Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Motorhead are two of the most popular V8 variants. Both offer the same overall performance and design. However, the Animal includes extra tools tailored for homes with pets.
Below we’ll compare the Dyson V8 Animal and Motorhead models in detail. We’ll cover everything from suction power to included accessories. By the end, you’ll know exactly which V8 vacuum suits your cleaning needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Dyson V8 Animal | Dyson V8 Motorhead |
| Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.75 lbs |
| Battery Life | Up to 40 mins (non-boost mode) | Up to 40 mins (non-boost mode) |
| Suction Power | Up to 115 air watts (boost mode) | Up to 115 air watts (boost mode) |
| Filtration | Whole machine HEPA filtration | Whole machine HEPA filtration |
| Direct Drive Cleaner Head | Yes | Yes |
| Soft Roller Cleaner Head | Yes | No |
| Mini Motorized Tool | Yes | No |
| Docking Station | Yes | Yes |
| Combination Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Crevice Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Mini Soft Dusting Brush | Yes | No |
| Additional HEPA Filter | Yes | No |
| Best for Pet Hair | Yes | Moderate |
| Best for Hard Floors | Yes | Moderate |
| Colors Available | Iron/Purple, Iron/Fuschia | Iron/Blue, Iron/Red |
Key Similarities Between The V8 Animal and Motorhead
Before diving into the differences, let’s look at what the V8 Animal and Motorhead have in common:
- Cordless design: Both V8 models are cordless stick vacuums. They offer the freedom to clean anywhere without being plugged into an outlet.
- Up to 40 minutes of fade-free power: A fully charged V8 Animal or Motorhead will run for up to 40 minutes on the non-boost mode. Suction remains constant during this time.
- Whole-machine HEPA filtration: All exhausted air passes through a HEPA filter, trapping 99.97% of microscopic particles. Great for allergy sufferers.
- 2 Tier RadialTM cyclones: Dyson’s patented cyclone technology separates dust from airflow efficiently, preventing suction loss.
- Hygienic dirt ejector: Simply push the button near the cyclone pack to release the dust cup’s contents without getting your hands dirty.
- Weight: Both models weigh exactly 5.75 lbs, making them easy to maneuver and carry.
Key Differences Between The V8 Animal and Motorhead
Now let’s look at what sets the V8 Animal and Motorhead apart:
Suction Power and Performance
The V8 Animal and Motorhead have equal suction capabilities:
- Up to 115 air watts on max/boost mode
- Up to 28 air watts on regular mode
In boost mode, the V8 can match an upright vacuum’s power. But battery run time drops to just 7 minutes in this max suction setting.
Performance-wise, the Animal and Motorhead handle all dry debris equally. From cereal dust to pet hair, their suction power won’t disappoint.
The V8 brush heads capture both large debris and microparticles. Many users report the V8 removing pet hair and dander where past vacuums failed.
Hard floors or thick carpets, the V8 Animal and Motorhead will clean with the same vigorous suction. The only limitation is battery life when running max suction.
Included Accessories
The key difference between the V8 Animal and Motorhead lies in the additional tools provided:
Dyson V8 Animal
- Direct drive cleaner head
- Soft roller cleaner head
- Mini motorized tool
- Docking station
- Combination tool
- Crevice tool
- Mini soft dusting brush
Dyson V8 Motorhead
- Direct drive cleaner head
- Docking station
- Combination tool
- Crevice tool
As you can see, the V8 Animal comes with 2 extra accessories suited for pet owners.
The mini motorized tool is ideal for removing pet hair from upholstery.
Its spinning brush grabs and pulls out fur with ease.
The soft roller cleaner head provides superb hard floor cleaning. Its soft woven nylon bristles gently sweep up large and small debris.
So the V8 Animal adds accessories specially designed for homes with pets and their unique cleaning demands.
Filtration
The V8 Animal includes one more filter than the Motorhead:
- Pre-motor filter
- Post-motor filter
- HEPA filter (Animal only)
Both models trap 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size. But the Animal’s extra HEPA filter provides thorough filtration, ensuring no allergens recirculate into your home.
So buyers with allergies or asthma may want to choose the V8 Animal for its superior filtration.
Color Options
Dyson allows you to customize the look of your V8 vacuum with different color options:
V8 Animal: Iron/Purple or Iron/Fuschia
V8 Motorhead: Iron/Blue or Iron/Red
The Animal gives you a choice of two metallic purple-pink shades. The Motorhead sticks to darker blue and red accent colors.
If matching your vacuum to your home’s style matters, keep the color selections in mind.
Which Is Better For Pet Hair?
The V8 Animal is specially designed for homes with pets. Its two extra tools focus on removing pet hair quickly and easily:
- The mini motorized tool excels at removing hair from furniture, stairs, and other upholstery. Its spinning brush actively pulls up stubborn pet fur.
- The soft roller head creates a smooth hard floor cleaning experience ideal for collecting pet hair and dander. Its soft bristles won’t scatter fur and allergens like a stiff brush can.
Meanwhile, the Motorhead is missing these two specialized pet hair cleaning tools. You must constantly change attachments if cleaning both floors and upholstery.
So the Dyson V8 Animal is certainly the better choice if you need to constantly battle pet hair. Its extra accessories provide more effective and efficient pet hair removal throughout the home.
Which Cleans Carpets Better?
For carpets, the V8 Animal and Motorhead offer equal cleaning performance. Both come with the direct drive cleaner head engineered for carpet cleaning:
- Stiff nylon bristles dig deep into carpet fibers to dislodge trapped debris below.
- Its brushes spin at up to 75,000 rpm for thorough dirt and dust removal.
- The cleaner head lowers to seal suction onto carpeted floors.
Users mention the direct drive head pulling up debris other vacuums missed in carpet. Many say their carpets look freshly cleaned after a pass with the V8.
So on carpeting, the Animal and Motorhead will scrub and lift away dirt with the same vigor and effectiveness. The direct drive cleaner head accounts for their equal carpet cleaning abilities.
Which Is Better On Hard Floors?
When cleaning hard floors, the V8 Animal has a clear advantage: the soft roller cleaner head.
This tool is specifically designed for hard floors. Soft woven nylon bristles gently sweep up debris instead of pushing it around.
The soft roller creates less friction and manages dust better than a stiff bristled brush. Large and small particles effortlessly roll into the vacuum instead of sc scatttering.
Meanwhile, the V8 Motorhead relies on its direct drive cleaner head for all floors. Although it works on hard floors too, the stiff bristles are less ideal at managing fine debris.
So buyers who need to vacuum mainly hard floors should lean towards the Animal. The soft roller cleaner head ensures a superior hard floor cleaning experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The key differences are the accessories included. The Animal comes with a mini motorized tool and soft roller head for improved pet hair and hard floor cleaning. It also has an extra HEPA filter.
Yes, the Motorhead has strong suction power to lift pet hair. But the Animal is even better for pet hair removal thanks to its specialized mini motorized tool.
Yes, the V8 Motorhead works great on carpets. It comes with the direct drive cleaner head made specifically for deep cleaning carpets.
Absolutely. The direct drive head can vacuum hard floors as well as carpets. But the V8 Animal’s soft roller head is more ideal for gently cleaning hard floors.
Final Thoughts
For most users, the Dyson V8 Animal makes the better buy. Its accessories are versatile enough to handle all cleaning jobs.
The mini motorized tool provides superior pet hair removal from furniture and cars. And the soft roller cleaner head optimizes the V8 for gentle but thorough hard floor cleaning.
Plus, the Animal has better filtration to capture allergens. Unless you strictly need to clean carpets, the Animal is the way to go.
But the Motorhead still packs the excellent suction power Dyson is known for. If your floors are primarily carpet, the Motorhead may suffice. It cleans carpets and hard floors well for a lower price.
Overall, we recommend the Dyson V8 Animal for its extra tools and versatility across all floor types. But pet-free homes can certainly get by with the more affordable yet powerful Motorhead.
Whichever you choose, the V8 stick vacuum makes cleaning floors and carpets refreshingly simple. Ditch the cords and enjoy powerful yet portable cleaning throughout your home!