If you’re reading this, you’re definitely trying to decide which is better for you; the Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead. And we’ve definitely got you covered. But first, a little background check.
The Dyson V series is a collection of a number of vacuum cleaners all having the cordless and bagless feature.
They have other similarities, but those are the basic defining similarities all the vacuum cleaners in the V series share.
Furthermore, the V series consists of 4 mini-series: the V6, V7, V8 and V10. The V8 and V10 have about three models of stick vacuum cleaners that can be converted to handheld devices.
On the other hand, the V6 and V7 are further divided into 2 what we can call mini mini-series each: the stick and the handheld vacuum cleaners.
The focus cleaners in our discuss today, the Animal and Motorhead, are actually models of the stick version.
Table of Contents
Comparison Overview — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Overall Rating Of The Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Considering that both the Animal and Motorhead in this review are in the V6 series, it is pretty easy to deduce that they share a lot of similarities.
Well, in the hierachy of things, the Motorhead is considered the more budget friendly model and so contains a few less interesting features. And that is basically the only difference.
As far as similarities go, both cleaners use the same digital motor (V6), run time, suction power and even the same dust bin capacity. The Animal is slightly heavier, though.
Furthermore, they both can be transformed to handheld cleaners just by deciding not to add the cleaner stick.
That said, both the Animal and the Motorhead are good cleaners. They can compete favorably in the market.
Granted, one is slightly better than the other. However, this is not exactly in quality but in the number of accessories each comes with.
Price/Value Ratio — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Dyson vacuum cleaners are usually pretty high end and neither the V6 Animal nor the V6 Absolute is exempted.
The Animal does cost a bit more than the Motorhead and as a result, we consider either one of them good value for what they cost.
Comparison Table — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Dyson V6 Animal | Dyson V6 Motorhead | |
| Run Time Without Motorized Tool | 20 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Run Time With Motorized Tool | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Motor Technology | V6 digital motor | V6 digital motor |
| Dimensions | 9.8 by 8.7 by 46.4 inches | 8.3 by 46.6 by 8.1 inches |
| Weight | 5 pounds | 4.5 pounds |
| Charging Time | 3 hours and 30 minutes | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.4 liter | 0.4 liter |
| HEPA Filtration | No | No |
| Suction In Max Mode | 100 Airwatts | 100 Airwatts |
| Cleaning Tools | Direct drive cleaner head, combination tool, crevice tool, mini motorized tool and soft dusting brush. | Direct drive cleaner head, combination tool and crevice tool |
Which Is Better Under Which Circumstance? — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Dyson V6 Animal | Dyson V6 Motorhead |
| The Animal is your best bet if you are a pet parent. The reason is, it comes with a tool that is specialize for taking care of stray pet hair. | On the other hand, you could go for the Motorhead if you think you can do without the mini motorized tool. |
| You could also go with this one if you really need a special brush for light dusting. | Also, if you are planning on saving a few bucks, the Motorhead is definitely your best bet. |
V6 Animal Video — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Common Features — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
1. Structure
When it comes to how the cleaners are structured, the Dyson V6 Animal and the Dyson V6 Motherhead are exactly alike. They have the same basic features: the head, the cleaner wand and cleaning tool.
All these basic features are positioned in the exact same way without any difference at all. The only difference that could help you spot which is which at first glance is the color.
So, Dyson has this color scheme thing where it produces the different models in different colors.
Hence, while the Animal is typically purple, the Motorhead is typically fuchsia.
2. The Head
This refers to everything at the top of the cleaner and it comprises the handle, the dustbin and the connection point. Let’s start with the handle.
It isn’t difficult to infer that the handle is what you’ll hold as you work with the vacuum cleaner. However, there’s more to this handle than meets the eye.
On the inside of the handle is a strategically placed power button. Now, the reason the power button was placed on the inside of the handle is so that you can conveniently and consistently hold it down as you use the cleaner.
The thing is, both vacuum cleaners will only work when the power button is held down.
The reason for this, instead of the regular power button you click and leave, is so that one does not accidentally click the cleaner on, thereby wasting precious battery time.
Now, while this is a laudable idea, it poses another different problem. Imagine having to hold down the power button for 20 minutes (assuming you’ll be using the cleaner for that long a time).
Your fingers are bound to get tired. This could even be more of a problem for people who have fragile fingers or arthritis.
Anyway, aside the handle, there is the connection point. Both these cleaners are flexible and can be disassembled without hurting anything.
Furthermore, the connection point is typically where you attach the vacuum wand (if you want to use the cleaner as a stick cleaner) or the appropriate cleaning tool (if you want to use the cleaner as a handheld cleaner).
3. The Dustbin
You probably already know that the dustbin is in the general area of the head. However, we had to discuss it separately because there is a bit to talk about.
First off, with both cleaners, the carrying capacity of the dustbin is about 0.4 liter. So, prepare yourself to make a couple of trips to the trash can before you’re done with your cleaning.
Furthermore, disposing of the content in the dustbin isn’t exactly the most sanitary thing.
Now on the bin, you’ll see a sign that tells you the recommended maximum limit for dirt and it is tagged ‘max’.
However, if you happen to exceed that limit, you run the danger of having some dirt and debris stuck on the inside of the bin.
And sometimes, this could happen even without having exceeded the maximum limit.
You’ll then have to use your fingers to pull some things out or even disassemble the dustbin.
However, Dyson has since improved on the dustbin, capacity and convenience, and you can check this out in our Dyson V7 vs V6 comparison or the V10 vs V8 comparison.
Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead — V6 Motorhead Video
4. Max Mode Button
Since we are still on the topic of the components of the head, let’s look at the max mode button. On the back of the head is a button that is used to switch between modes.
Both the Animal and the Motorhead offer two operation modes. There is the normal mode that offers about 24 Airwatts suction and then the max mode that offers 100 Airwatts.
However, you might have an issue with the button seeing as there isn’t exactly a way for one to know what mode one is on.
Thankfully, there has been an improvement on this as you will see in the V7 Animal and the V7 Motorhead.
5. Battery
This is another thing that is exactly the same with the Animal and the Motorhead without any variations. With both cleaners, the battery lasts for a maximum of 20 minutes without a motorized tool.
If you add a motorized tool, you’re looking at about 10 minutes and using the cleaner on the max mode, with or without a motorized tool, affords you just 6 minutes.
In most situations, 20 minutes is not enough time to get all the cleaning done. Especially seeing as you only get 20 minutes if you do not use a motorized tool.
However, to fully understand the inadequacy of the 20 minutes that both cleaners offer, you’ll need to factor in the fact that that they need to be charged for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
3 hours and 30 minutes of charge does not seem proportionate to 20 minutes of delivery time to us.
6. Docking Station
Both the Dyson V6 Animal and the Dyson V6 Motorhead come with a docking station each. Now what is the docking station?
It is basically the provision made for you to store your cleaner without having to disassemble it.
You’ll need to attach the station to the wall and then hang your cleaner on it. The docking station has that one space for your stick vacuum and then two dockets for the cleaning tools.
As a result, only the Motorhead will be able to fit (tools and all) at the same time.
The Animal, on the other hand, has more than two extra cleaning tools (as you’ll see soon), so you might need to find some other space for the others.
Furthermore, it would be great if you positioned the docking station close to an electric socket, so that you can charge the cleaner as it hangs.
7. Cleaning Tools
Finally, we talk about the cleaning tools. These are those accessories that do the actual dirty work of picking up dirt and debris.
Direct Drive Cleaner Head
This is what we could call the primary cleaning tool. It has 75% more brush bar power than its Dyson V6 Cord-Free counterpart. What this means is that it generally performs better than the cord-free.
This further translates into the direct drive cleaner head on both the Animal and the Motorhead being good cleaners for hardwood floors, especially.
It does well on carpets and some other floor coverings. However, you’ll have to run it over whatever you want to clean up a number of times.
Furthermore, the direct driver has an issue with picking up large debris like cereal. So, you’ll probably have an issue with that.
Combination Tool
This tool is basically a combination of two cleaning tools. One is a small brush while the other is a kind of nuzzle for sucking up stuff. You basically just have to slide up whichever tool you want to use at any point in time.
Crevice Tool
This one is a nozzle too but is slimmer than what you have on the combination tool. The crevice tool is actually designed to be able to get into corners, crevices and generally hard to reach places.
Another V6 Animal Video — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Unique Features — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
1. Mini Motorized Tool
This is basically a small sized direct drive and is used for more delicate debris like hair and yarn.
The mini motorized tool is better suited for picking up your pet hair and even your own hair that could be lying about.
Unfortunately, this tool does not come with the Motorhead but does come with the Animal.
Thinking about it, the reason this model is referred to as the Animal could be because it comes with a tool that can take care of pet hair, who knows?
2. Soft Dusting Brush
This brush is a bit bigger and has more surface area than what you have on the combination tool.
This tool was added to the Animal for it to be used for cleaning such delicate surfaces as window panes, screens and even keyboard.
The bristles are soft so that in dusting, you don’t leave marks on delicate surfaces and yet are able to get all the dust off.
Unique Pros — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Pros Of The Dyson V6 Animal
- We like that the animal comes with a tool that can neatly and conveniently take care of pet hair. It just makes things easy for pet parents.
Pros Of The Dyson V6 Motorhead
- The Dyson V6 Motorhead costs significantly less vs the Animal. However, you should know that this is because the Motorhead comes with a few less tools than the Animal.
Unique Cons — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Cons Of The Dyson V6 Animal
- The Dyson V6 Animal costs significantly more vs the Motorhead. However, you should know that this is because the Animal comes with a few more tools than the Motorhead.
Cons Of The Dyson V6 Motorhead
- The Motorhead doesn’t come with as many tools as the Animal does. And, depending on what you want to use the cleaner for, those extra tools could really come in handy.
Common Pros — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Dyson V6 Animal | Dyson V6 Motorhead | |
| 2-In-1 | When we say the Dyson V6 Animal is a 2-in-1 device, we basically mean that it can serve as either a stick cleaner or a handheld cleaner. And the difference between these two is the vacuum wand. If you attach it before attaching your cleaning tool, you have a stick cleaner. If you decide to attach the cleaning tool directly to the head, then you have a handheld device. | Same as the Animal. |
| Flexibility | The Dyson V6 Animal is designed in such a way that it can reach beneath furniture. You don’t need to lift things as you clean. Furthermore, this same cleaner can reach high up on ceilings and walls. | Same as the Animal. |
| Convenient Storage | The Animal comes with a docking station that allows you conveniently store your cleaner without it taking up too much space. You can also charge the cleaner while it hangs there in storage. | Same as the Animal. |
Another V6 Motorhead Video — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Common Cons — Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Dyson V6 Animal |
Dyson V6 Motorhead | |
| Direct Drive Cleaner Head | The direct drive cleaner head is something that could definitely be improved on. Now, while the direct driver cleaner head on the V6 Animal has 75% more brush bar power than what you have on the V6 Cord-Free, it still needs to be passed over the area to be cleaned a couple of times for the perfect clean. Additionally, the cleaner head is not awesome at picking up large debris. | Same as the Animal. |
| Battery | The battery is another thing that needs to be improved on. 20 minutes without a motorized tool, 10 minutes with a motorized tool and 6 minutes on the max mode will probably not be enough to get all of one’s cleaning done. In addition to this, the cleaner requires a 3 hour and 30 minute charge. Comparing this to the running time points out the problem. | Same as the Animal. |
| Dustbin | The dustbin on the V6 Animal could be unsanitary. This is because debris could get stuck inside, forcing you to use your fingers to dislodge them. | Same as the Animal. |
What People Think About The Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Dyson V6 Animal | Dyson V6 Motorhead |
| This seems to be a favorite for pet owners seeing as it comes with a tool that is specialized for getting rid of pet hair on floors and floor coverings. The other tools the Animal comes with work efficiently enough and people seem to be really OK with it. | The Motorhead, on the other hand, comes with a few less cleaning accessories which seemingly already puts it at a disadvantage. However, we think you could find good use for the cleaner, especially if you do not have a pet. |
| However, the fact that the main cleaner head, which is the direct driver cleaner head, doesn’t do a good job on the first take, looks to be an issue. Additionally, the battery life is something that a lot of people wish could be improved on. Aside these though, the Dyson V6 Animal seems to be doing well as regards reception. | However, just like the Animal, there are complaints about the Motorhead’s drive head not being able to take care of large debris. There is also the issue of the battery not lasting as long as is really necessary. However, some people favor the Motorhead over the Animal because it costs a bit less. |
Our Take On The Dyson V6 Animal Vs Motorhead
Dyson V6 Animal | Dyson V6 Motorhead |
| We think the Animal comes with a decent enough variety of cleaning tools that should be able to take care of a decent enough variety of platforms. We won’t deny the fact that there are some issues, after all, we’ve pointed them out already. | We also do like the Motorhead. Maybe not as much as the Animal, but we think it has its uses. Of course, there are issues with this, from the battery life to the direct drive cleaner head. |
| However, we think the issues are things that can be worked around. If you are interested in getting the Dyson V6 Animal, you can get it here. | However, the fact that it costs a bit less is enough to make us swing this way, especially if we do not have pets. Interested in this one instead? Click this to get it now. |
