Head-to-head · Best Upright Vacuum

Dyson Ball Animal 3 vs Shark S3500 Lift-Away Deluxe

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Dyson Ball Animal 3 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about pet owners seeking high-performance cleaning — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Upright Vacuum

Dyson Ball Animal 3

4.3

$410.99as of Jul 1

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 delivers exceptional cleaning performance with a 99.4% debris removal rate, according to review tests. Its adjustable cleaning head and advanced motorbar system make it highly effective on different floor types and pet hair. Reviewers noted its ability to automatically detangle long and pet hair, making it particularly suitable for homes with pets. However, some users find the dustbin capacity slightly reduced compared to its predecessor, and availability is limited at many retailers. This vacuum is best for pet owners seeking high-performance cleaning but may not suit budget-conscious buyers or those needing wider retailer access.

Strengths

— 99.4% removal rate in cleaning tests
— Adjustable cleaning head enables effective cleaning on varied floor types
— Handles pet hair easily with automatic tangle-free operation

Watch-outs

— Slightly smaller dustbin compared to previous model
— Not available at many retailers

$410.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Upright Vacuum

Shark S3500 Lift-Away Deluxe

4.2

$149as of Jul 1

The Shark S3500 Lift-Away Deluxe offers solid value with its Lift-Away feature, washable filters, and decent performance on various floor types. Reviewers noted it's well-built for its price range and effective at picking up debris, though it lacks sharp turning capability and has a short power cord. Some users found the brushroll tangling with pet hair to be an issue, and the vacuum's balance makes it somewhat unstable when upright. It's best suited for users seeking an affordable, multi-floor vacuum with good filtration but may not appeal to those needing superior edge cleaning or sharp maneuverability.

Strengths

— Solid build quality for the price point
— Lift-Away feature allows for easy access to stairs and vehicle interiors
— Three washable filters including a HEPA filter

Watch-outs

— Poor balance and tendency to topple over
— Short power cord at 25 feet

$149 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Dyson Ball Animal 3

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 stands out with its 99.4% debris removal rate and automatic tangle-free operation for pet hair, which the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV351 struggles with due to hair tangling issues. Unlike the Kenmore BU1018, it avoids major reliability concerns and offers superior performance on varied floor types, though it has a smaller dustbin than previous models and limited retailer availability compared to the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252.

Shark S3500 Lift-Away Deluxe

The Shark S3500 Lift-Away Deluxe offers better build quality and washable filters than the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252, but it's less maneuverable than the Dyson Ball Animal 3 and lacks the tangle-free operation of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV351. Compared to the Hoover WindTunnel Max Pet Power Drive UH72600, it provides quieter operation and better filtration, though it has a shorter power cord and less powerful suction.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Dyson Ball Animal 3	Shark S3500 Lift-Away Deluxe
Cord Length	35'	25 feet
Weight	17.3 lb	12.5 lb
Filter Type	HEPA	Washable HEPA + Foam Filters
Cleaning Head	Adjustable	Swivel Head
Dust Capacity	0.45 gallon	1.2 dry quarts
Motor Power	—	1200W, 10 Amps, 120V

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