The Dyson DC25 Animal Ball is a variant of the company’s regular DC-25 – but aimed at pet owners. People with pets that shed have great need for a good vacuum, and the DC25 fits that bill.

The only problem is that there doesn’t seem to be much different from the regular version. Differences between the two DC25 vacuums made by Dyson are small, if they exist at all. The only real unique feature we could find of the Animal is that it includes a mini turbine head, which is great for sucking pet hair off furniture.

The Animal does represent a reasonable value if you want the mini turbine head, as the attachment costs $70 by itself, but the Animal vacuum costs only $5o more than the regular Dyson DC25.

If you have pets that shed, you know how hard it is to keep the carpets clean. The Dyson DC-25 is a strong performer, perfect for this situation. If you also want to clean hair and dirt off upholstered furniture – the Animal variation is a good buy. You can check out its pricing at Amazon or eBay, or read our regular Dyson DC-25 Ball vacuum review.

Retailing for ~$60 as of the time of this post, the 4700D has an attractive price tag. Whether it represents a good value depends on what you want in a vacuum.

The Eureka Maxima is a bagless, canister-style vacuum. It features a 12 amp motor and weighs a reasonably svelte 14 pounds. Onboard tools include a dusting brush, crevice tool, and extension wand.

For someone vacuuming only on carpet, without extraordinarily high standards, the Eureka is a great value. If you don’t fit this category, or have a few more dollars to spend, the Hoover U5140 is close in cost but has significantly better performance. The Eureka 4700D’s  biggest downfall is that air exits near the front of the vacuum, blowing dust around as you attempt to pick it up. This is frustrating, but if you are on carpet that is not too dirty, it may not be noticeable.

For details and pricing information, check out the Eureka’s page at Amazon and eBay.