Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs Shark Navigator ZU62: The winner is the second one, although it is cheaper.
The Shark ZU62 is a good-for-value vacuum cleaner with impressive suction power, a self-cleaning brush roll with Zero-M Technology, and a big dust canister. The biggest minus, to my mind, is its heavy weight. If only it had a longer power cord and could be used in the “Lift-Away” configuration.
It can be said that the crazy strong suction of the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is both a selling point and a deal breaker. It can suck up everything on the bare floor easily, but pushing it on the carpet is a pain in the ass! For its price tag, it would be better if it was equipped with some nifty features, such as LED headlights and automatic cord management.
Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs Shark Navigator ZU62: Comparison Chart
Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs Shark Navigator ZU62: Differences
The ZU62 wins 2-1 and ties twice against the Dyson Ball Animal 2. Personally, I find the ZU62 easier to maneuver, though its suction is no joke. In addition, it is ideal for pet owners as it boasts a self-cleaning brush roll with Zero-M Technology.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark ZU62
The ZU62 is not as powerful as the Dyson Ball Animal 2, but its suction is strong enough to capture a good amount of dust on both carpets and hard floors. Of course, I had to do two passes to remove debris of all sizes during testing.
It was a bit difficult to maneuver on my carpet, but I was able to solve the problem by opening the suction adjuster on the handle. This will make moving the machine easier but will sacrifice suction power.
I was impressed by how it pulled up the hair off my floor and carpet and kept the brush roller clean. The reason is that it is equipped with a self-cleaning brush roll with Zero-M Technology, which is appearing on more and more Shark upright vacuums.
This technology worked, but it wasn’t perfect. My tests showed it threw over 90% of the hair sucked into its dust tank. That said, some hair still got tangled in the roller, and I still had to de-clog a bit.
As for the Dyson Ball Animal 2, it has unparalleled suction power and won’t degrade as its dust cup fills. It gave my hard floor a clean look after just one pass. However, its suction power is not adjustable, so pushing and pulling it on the carpet really requires a bit of muscle.
Maneuvering the Dyson Ball Animal 2 on the carpet wasn’t really challenging for me since I’ve built up a bit of strength after testing countless vacuums. But if you are an elderly person, a girl, or a non-workout guy, it can make you sweat.
The brush roll of the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is not designed for “self-cleaning.” So I was not surprised when it was killed by the particularly long hair.
Weight and Maneuverability
Winner: Tie
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 weighs 17.2 lbs, while the weight of the ZU62 is approximately 16 lbs. There’s not much difference here, and they are generally pretty heavy.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is one of the heaviest uprights I’ve tested. Combined with its strong, non-adjustable suction, moving it on the carpet is a daunting task for many users. Dyson advertised that “the ball” made maneuvering it as easy as pie, but I think that’s an exaggeration. Unless you are a big and strong guy, it is still challenging for you to move this model around.
The Shark ZU62 is one of the heaviest Shark’s upright vacuums I’ve ever laid hands on. One thing that I think is a deal breaker for this model is that it lacks the “Lift-Away” feature. That means it can’t transfer into a portable vacuum like many of its siblings. I asked myself, “Why did the manufacturer omit one of its hallmarks, despite the fact that this model is quite heavy?”
Range
Winner: Tie
The ZU62 has a 25-foot power cord, which wraps up between two hooks on its pod’s side. This cord is too short, and I could reach the whole house from one outlet. I bought a 15-foot extension cord to reach everywhere with the ZU62. Over the years of reviewing upright vacuums, I’ve seen many users dissatisfied with 25-foot cords and happy with something at least 30 feet long.
As for the Dyson Ball Animal 2, it delivers better coverage since it comes with a 35.17-foot cord. I have nothing to complain about its length, but how can such an expensive vacuum not have a retractable cord? Wrapping a 35-foot power cord manually is somewhat tedious and time-consuming! I think both models would be better if their cords would retract!
In terms of hose length, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 comes with a 9.22-foot hose. Meanwhile, the Shark fitted the ZU62 with a 12-foot hose, one of the longest, to compensate for the lack of a “Lift-Away” feature.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a longer power cord but a shorter hose than the Dyson Ball Animal 2, and vice versa. So I call this round a tie!
Dust Cup Capacity And Filter
Winner: Shark ZU62
The dust cup on the ZU62 has a capacity of 3 liters. With such a big cup, you can vacuum for long periods without stopping in the middle and emptying it.
The dust tank of the Dyson Ball Animal 2, on the other hand, can only hold up to 1.2 liters of dirt. It is not small, but it cannot be considered one of the selling points of this model.
Regarding the filter, both the Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs Shark Navigator ZU62 have HEPA filters, which can remove dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, and more. This type of filter is especially great for someone who suffers from asthma or allergies. It is removable and washable and only needs to be rinsed once a year.
Surface-Type Setting
Winner: Dyson Ball Animal 2
I liked how the Dyson Ball Animal 2’s head automatically adjusted its height as I moved from carpet to hard floor and vice versa. All I had to do was press a button to turn its brush roll off or on when I needed to vacuum my hard floors or deep clean my carpets.
The ZU62 offers two settings: “Hard Floor” and “Carpet.” You can switch between them by bending over and pressing a switch on its body. I think this is a bad design because it can worsen the back pain situation of many people. It seems that Shark has known this and has put a slider on the handle of newer models like the AZ1002.
Quick Rundown Of Shark ZU62
- Dust cup capacity 2. 8 quarts; The vacuum that deep cleans now cleans itself; The zero m self cleaning brush roll delivers nonstop hair removal
- Powerful upright vacuum suction to pick up embedded debris, stubborn pet hair, and more
- Lightweight design allows for easy maneuverability and portability
- 3XL capacity for long cleaning sessions with fewer interruptions to empty the dust cup
- Anti allergen complete seal technology and a hepa filter trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner
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:
- Dyson Ball Animal 2: https://www.dyson.com/vacuum-cleaners/uprights/ball-animal-2/iron-silver
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.