Shark NV501 vs Dyson Ball Animal 2: The winner of this match is the first one, which is also the cheaper model.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the Shark NV501 is a godsend because it has good cleaning performance, is feature-rich, and is affordable, even cheap. It is among the ideal choices for everyone, including budget-oriented users.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2’s suction is really great, but it does not allow you to adjust the suction and is too heavy. These cons may be enough to deter many people from investing in this model.
Shark NV501 vs Dyson Ball Animal 2: Comparison Chart
Shark NV501 vs Dyson Ball Animal 2: Differences
Shark NV501 wins 2-1 and draws once against the Dyson Ball Animal 2. I could rave about the NV501 all day since it has so many advantages: powerful suction, quiet operation, an appealing design, numerous accessories, versatility, ease of use, and a 5-year warranty.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark NV501
‘The Shark NV501’s suction power is also incredible. On my bare floors, it could pick everything, from fine dust to pet hair, with ease. Moreover, I was amazed at how much gross dirt lived on my carpet.
The NV501’s mighty suction is good, but it’s not always fun. I did find it hard to push this machine on the dense carpet at times, and I had to turn a ring on the handle counterclockwise to reduce suction.
The amount of hair it picked up was also amazing, but I wish it were easier to access the brush for cutting away tangled hair. This seems to be the case with many upright vacuums. I found a lot of hair on the roller, which might obstruct it from turning at full speed at the end of the day. Fortunately, my scissors easily took care of this problem. You might consider an upright with a self-cleaning brush roll, but just note that it won’t work great with really long hair.
I thought the Shark did slightly better at capturing small dust in the carpet, but the Dyson shone on hard floors. This workhorse actually captured dirt out of tiny cracks between floorboards that even mopping couldn’t get clean. I really felt how clean my floor was after making a single pass with the Dyson, while the Shark required an extra pass to get everything up.
This model also lifted and fluffed my carpet with strong suction, so it looked and felt new quickly. After just one pass over my carpet, its dust cup was filled with a good amount of dirt and pet hair. But so much suction made this Dyson vacuum hard to move on some thicker carpets. It might literally just suction itself to the carpet to the point where it wasn’t possible to push.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 was amazing for hair removal on both the floor and the carpet. but there was a bunch of hair wrapped around the roller after my cleaning test, and I had to remove them manually, or the roller would slow down and stop spinning one day.
Both generally have good cleaning performance that is commendable, but the score comes to the Shark NV501 as its suction can be adjusted.
Design and Usability
Winner: Tie
Weight and Maneuverability
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is on the heavy side. The ball made it surprisingly maneuverable but pushing it was still an extreme cardio workout. I love a good workout, but I prefer to sweat in my own way, not from vacuuming. So I wouldn’t recommend it for infirm people, elderly people, or people with slender builds. Even if you’re strong enough to handle this Dyson machine, avoid showering or dressing up before doing this vacuum-cardio workout since you will sweat and stink the rest of the day.
The Shark NV501 is neither particularly heavy nor light. It’s light enough for me to lug it around without using too much strength. The advanced swivel steering feature makes maneuvering and getting into tight areas more effortless, but it has a learning curve, and you’ll need some time to get used to it.
Cord Length
The NV501 features a 30-foot cord, long enough for me to plug it into an outlet or two to clean my entire house. But it would be better if this cord were self-retractable.
The Dyson’s cord is longer, at 35 feet. It is a nice quality cord but is attached to the unit’s bottom for some moronic reason. So every time I move this vacuum, you must bend down and pick the cord up off the ground and hold it with one hand to avoid running it over. This cord also doesn’t retract into the unit, and you need to wrap it around the hooks at the rear of the handle instead.
Dust Cup Capacity And Filter
Winner: Dyson Ball Animal 2
The dust cups of the Shark NV501 vs Dyson Ball Animal 2 have a capacity of 0.88 quarts and 1.28 quarts, respectively. They aren’t small, and emptying them is very easy. All you need to do is press the release button to pop the bottom and ensure the cup is on top of the trash. Some large debris or hair may get stuck inside the cup, and you may need to remove them with your hands, which is very uncomfortable and inconvenient for those with allergies.
Both have a HEPA filter and a sealed system to keep allergens and dust from getting back into the air. These filters are all washable, so once they start to get too clogged with dirt and dust, just rinse them under the faucet and let them dry completely before reuse.
Special Features
Winner: Shark NV501
LED Lights
There is no denying that the Shark NV501 has a wealth of bells and whistles. It has some LED bulbs on the base, which will be a game changer whenever you need to vacuum in dimly lit areas. In addition to being useful like that, it also gives the machine a modern and futuristic look. I love this nifty feature so much, and the Dyson has left me a bit disappointed due to the lack of it.
Alternate Configuration
Some describe the Shark NV501 as a 3-in-1 machine for a reason. First, thanks to the Lift-Away feature, you can switch it from its upright mode to a semi-handheld configuration, which is useful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
For another, by dropping its pod on a caddy, a roll-around base, you can use the NV501 as a “carry-along” vacuum. Then, its body will roll behind you instead of being held by one hand.
As for the Dyson Ball Animal 2, apart from the default vertical configuration, you can use its wand/hose to reach tight areas. Deploying the hose isn’t difficult, but it isn’t delightful or easy either.
Suction Adjustment
As mentioned, the Shark NV501 allows tweaking its suction by turning a ring on the handle. If you find it difficult to push this machine on the carpet, rotate the ring counterclockwise to reduce suction, and vice versa. In addition, there is a switch on the body that allows you to switch between two surface-type settings: hard floor and carpet.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2’s suction isn’t adjustable, and all you can do is turn the roller off or on to vacuum hard floors or deep clean carpets, respectively. Its hallmark is its head can automatically adjust the height.
Quick Rundown Of Shark NV501
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
- LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
- WIDE UPHOLSTERY TOOL: The wide cleaning path helps remove pet hair, dust, and large debris from mattresses, couches, curtains, lampshades, and other delicate upholstered surfaces.
Quick Rundown Of Dyson Ball Animal 2
- Strongest suction of any vacuum; Even more power for tough tasks
- Self adjusting cleaner head seals in suction across carpet, wood, vinyl, and tile floors
- Tangle free turbine tool, stair tool, combination tool included
- Whole machine filtration ensures that allergens are trapped inside the machine, not expelled back into the home.
- Hygienically empty the bin with the push of a button
Product Video
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References:
- Shark NV501: https://www.sharkclean.ca/products/shark-rotator-professional-lift-away-upright-vacuum-zidNV501
- Dyson Ball Animal 2: https://www.dyson.com/vacuum-cleaners/uprights/ball-animal-2
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.