Two major differences...price (the animal is at least $200 more) and the Dyson stick vacuums have an IN-BUILT rechargeable battery. So when the charge wears down, you have to plug the entire vacuum into the charger for several hours. The Hoover LiNX also uses a rechargeable battery, but it pops out and goes onto a separate charger--which means, if you buy a spare battery, you can always have power. Just pop in the fresh battery and keep going! I love Dyson products and have two of their upright vacuums. But when it comes to a light-weight, cordless vacuum, Hoover has won this challenge!