Quick answer

Replacing the Dyson Ball Animal 3 pre-motor filter is a DIY job of about 10 minutes. Replace it Every 3 months under normal use. Full step-by-step below.

The Ball Animal 3 pre-motor filter is washable foam-and-fleece. Replace it only when it won't rinse back to clean, tears, or goes limp. Pet dust loads it faster, so check it more often than the general guideline.

Compatible Pre-Motor Filter for the Dyson Ball Animal 3

“OEM” is a genuine Dyson part; the rest are tested aftermarket options.

PartType
Lemige 2 Pack Post Filters & 2 Pack Pre Filters Replacement for Dyson DC41 DC65 DC66 UP13 UP20 UP30 Animal, Multi Floor and Ball Vacuum Ball Animal 2 Ball Animal 3, Compare to Part 920769-01&920640-01 Aftermarket Buy on Amazon
3Pack Pre Filters Replacement for Dyson - Vacuum Filter Compatible with Dyson V6 V7 V8 DC59 DC58 Replaces Part 965661 01 (3 Pack) Aftermarket Buy on Amazon
Replacement Filter for Dyson DC40 UP16 UP19, Post-Motor Filter and Pre-Motor Filter for Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Vacuum Light/Slim Ball Animal Vacuum, Part# 923587-02 & 922676-01 Aftermarket Buy on Amazon
2 Pack Pre-Motor Filter & Post-Motor Exhaust HEPA Filter Replacement for Dyson DC33 Multi Floor, DC33 Total Clean, and DC33 Exclusive Vacuum Cleaners, Replace Part # 919563-02 & 921616-01 Aftermarket Buy on Amazon
Filter Replacements for Dyson DC41, DC65, DC66, UP13, UP20 Multi Floor, Ball and Animal Vacuum, 2 Post Filters & 2 Pre Filters, Replaces Part # 920769-01 & 920640-01 Aftermarket Buy on Amazon
Filter Replacement for Dyson DC41 DC65 DC66 UP13 UP20 UP30 Hepa Post-Motor Filter & Pre-Motor Filter, Multi Floor, Animal and Ball Vacuums Ball Animal 2 Ball Animal 3. Part#920769-01 & 920640-01 Aftermarket Buy on Amazon

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About the Dyson Ball Animal 3

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the latest corded Ball upright for pet homes. Its pre-motor filter is the washable purple unit at the top of the machine — the primary filter to keep clean for steady suction.

Step-by-Step: Replacing the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Pre-Motor Filter

1
Power off and unplug
Disconnect the Ball Animal 3 before opening the filter lid.
2
Open the filter lid
Lift the lid on top of the machine to reveal the purple pre-motor filter.
3
Remove the old filter
Lift the purple filter out and away from you.
4
Insert the new (dry) filter
Seat the new filter flat; if reusing a washed one, confirm it's dry.
5
Close and test
Click the lid shut, plug in and confirm suction.

⚠ Common mistakes on the Ball Animal 3

The Ball Animal 3 mistake that harms the motor is refitting the filter damp — air-dry a full 24 hours. The second is mixing it up with the separate post-motor filter.

✓ OEM vs aftermarket for the Ball Animal 3

Genuine Dyson gives a guaranteed seal; aftermarket purple filters are cheap and fine when the listing names the Ball Animal 3 (its filter can differ from the Ball Animal 2, so check). A spare keeps you cleaning while one dries.

🔁 How often to replace

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 pre-motor filter should be replaced Every 3 months under normal use — sooner with pets or daily heavy use. Signs it's due: Reduced suction.

How we made this page: the steps are written for the Dyson Ball Animal 3 specifically; the compatible-part list comes from our own compatibility data for this model. We are not showing prices at the moment — check the current price on Amazon.