(NEW!) Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum

Let me just start by saying I poured over a ton of reviews of different Dyson models before buying, and on finally deciding on this one (Animal 3), was *hoping* the negative reviews weren’t huge red flags. I’ll get specific with my skepticism in this review as it would’ve helped me when shopping. The listing I purchased from was for Animal 2, Animal 3, and Animal 3 Extra models, and comparing basically ALL reviews for the 3 models, I chose Animal 3 and I’m glad I did. First: the bad reviews stating this vacuum won’t go on thick carpet ALMOST had me convinced not to buy it. Even Dysons site has multiple bad reviews stating the same, more bad than good on their own website! I’m happy to report I have zero issue with this with my shaggy, thick, plush carpets. If it’s on either of the carpet settings it moves just fine. Adjust your vacuum and go. I’d had a ball Dyson in the past, and I didn’t love it. This was another hesitation. The swivel/ball mechanism on my previous one was loose and flowy, but this meant the thing would curve around just when I was trying to push it straight. This Animal 3 does not do that. It’s a bit tighter, it stays straight but is easy to curve when you want. My previous Dyson also toppled over anytime I was tugging at the hose and this one, probably because it’s a little heavier, stays up even when the hose is really extended and being jostled around. PROS: excellent suction, it moves well. I really like how it gets all the way to the edge when you run the side of the vacuum head along the baseboard, not leaving a 1/2 inch gap like my last vacuum. So far I’m really stoked about how the rotating brush clears hair in this Animal 3-we only have one shorthair cat, but I have long hair and so does my daughter, and between the two of us shedding, I’ve done my fair share of cutting the tons of hair that was wrapped around the vacuum beater bar with a utility knife and yanking it out with previous vacuums! So far I have vacuumed my entire house a few times with this Dyson and not a single hair wrapped around the bar in the vacuum head. To my extreme surprise, I LOVE the little stair tool!! Vacuuming carpeted stairs has been the bane of my existence for years (that’s only a slight exaggeration) and this little tool that looks like it should be meant for hard floors does a killer job picking up all the dirt and bits, while fluffing the carpet nicely, including the carpeted edge and the little vertical part under each step where it fits in just right (the wand even swivels at the end of the hose so you can change your angle with ease while vacuuming your steps). Finally, I’m not lifting a heavy upright vacuum in a ridiculous way and hurting my back to make the stairs look nice!! So far I’m very pleased with this vacuum especially considering my hesitation about buying another Dyson after not really liking my old one. If things change, I will definitely update this review. Not many cons to this vacuum…but… CONS: it’s kinda heavy, but not much different than my last vacuum (a Hoover windtunnel) or my previous Dyson. The weight is not a huge issue for me. The plastic parts that seem very breakable are disappointing in such a pricy vacuum. The hooks to wrap the cord look like they could snap, and worse, the thin plastic mechanism that extends down the tank and opens the lower flap to empty it seems very delicate and if that breaks, it could be a real PITA. For several hundred dollars I would hope things would be more durable, but I was aware of this complaint going in—and this is why I give it just below 5 stars. When I have the hose wand out and am putting it back in, it’s a little sticky at the very last part of sliding it back into place at the top of the vacuum. Sometimes it really does NOT want to slide into place, and I have to use a little force. A couple of times it went right in easily. I’m unsure if this is just an issue with my unit or an issue with other Animal 3’s. I don’t like how there’s not a release to tilt the vacuum, and that you must just *crack* the sucker down to tilt it and start vacuuming. However this on Animal 3, that is easier to do and not nearly as harsh of a crack as the Dyson I had before. All in all, I was extremely skeptical buying this vacuum and I’m quite thrilled at how much I like using it and how well it works. Especially vacuuming my stairs, it is really a game changer!