In this debate between Shark Navigator Lift Away vs Dyson Ball Animal, I will review and help you choose the better one. Note that I refer to the Shark Navigator ZU62 as the representative of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away vacuum line.
The Shark Navigator ZU62 works great and is easy to maneuver, and you don’t have to cut hair out of the roller since it is self-cleaning. Very worth it! With a price tag of around $200, it’s a steal!
The Dyson Ball Animal, on the other hand, is considerably more expensive, but the only big plus you get is the insanely strong suction power that can’t be adjusted. It is heavy, bulky, and lacks special features.
Shark Navigator Lift Away vs Dyson Ball Animal: Comparison Chart
Shark Navigator Lift Away vs Dyson Ball Animal: Differences
The Shark ZU62 wins 2-0 and draws once against the Dyson Ball Animal. The first one is ideal for a wide range of users, especially pet owners, because it has a self-cleaning roller. It also has a large dust cup and is easy to maneuver, thanks to the swivel steering feature.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark ZU62
My test showed that this model shark ZU62 has plenty of power to clean hard floors and rugs alike, and this machine blew my mind at how much dust this one sucked up from your carpet. Switching from floor to carpet was a breeze using the added suction control on the handle, which was very convenient for going over small rugs.
The ZU62 is better at picking up hair than the Dyson with just one pass. Its roller is specially designed to be self-cleaning, so it can automatically discourage the hair from wrapping. If it does wrap, it will be automatically removed.
Of course, nothing is perfect, and if some longer hair wraps itself around this brush roller, just let the vacuum run for a few minutes, and tangled hair will be removed and sent into the dust cup. If a small amount of uncooperative hair tries to stay, you can remove the base and cut that hair off the roller with pointy scissors, which is a bit tedious but essential.
The suction of the Dyson Ball Animal is incredible, which you usually only get in a first-class vacuum. I was confident it picked up all, if not most, dirt and hair in my house. But that alone isn’t enough to beat the ZU62. I still struggled to get the tangled hair out of its roller at the end of the day since it’s not self-cleaning.
The ZU62 sports a smaller floorhead than Dyson. Although I like the larger head, there’s no denying that the smaller one can fit easily into some tight areas.
Design and Usability
Winner: Tie
Weight and Maneuverability
The Shark ZU62 weighs about 16 pounds, which is somewhat heavy. But maneuvering it is easy thanks to the swivel steering feature, which allows the mechanical coupling between the pod and the base to pivot forward, backward, or sideways. This feature initially seemed a bit awkward, but you’ll soon appreciate its utility. By slightly twisting the handle to one side or the other, the roller will aim off to one side or the other relative to the unit itself, which is handy when cleaning around objects and furniture.
The ZU62’s weight distribution is a minus. Shark seems to want to ensure this model has a low profile for reaching under furniture, so all of the weight is put in its center. It didn’t significantly affect normal vacuuming, but I was upset when I used the hose. The vacuum fell over when I pulled it hard, so I had to fix it or hold it with one hand while trying to reach somewhere with the detached hose, making cleaning a kind of pain.
The Dyson Ball Animal is a bit heavier at 17 pounds and is heavy too. It may require some arm strength to lug it for an extended period. The ball-shaped mechanism is expected to make maneuvering more effortless, but it might make you sweat initially. Still, I think you just need more time to get used.
Cord Length
Both of these vacuums share a 25-foot power cord. This is a minor annoyance since I had to switch outlets to cover all the areas I needed to vacuum. Not a big problem! I purchased a 15-ft extension cord, making it 40 feet total, which could reach everywhere until my task was done.
Dust Cup Capacity and Filter
Winner: Sark ZU62
Dust is the enemy of those having asthma triggered by allergies. Fortunately, these vacuums are all equipped with several filters, including HEPA one, to remove at least 99.9% of the sucked dust before blowing the air back into the room. Better yet, all these filters are washable, so once they start to get too clogged with dust, you should rinse them under the faucet, let them dry completely, and reuse them.
All sucked dirt/dust/objects will end up in a “dust cup,” which is an easily removable container with a handle on its top. The ZU62’s dust cup has a capacity of 2.8 quarts, while Dyson’s canister is slightly smaller at 1.68 quarts. These cups are made from clear plastic, allowing you to see how full they are and whether they need to be emptied.
Removing them is easy, and all you need to do is push the release button and ensure the cup is covered in the trash can. Then the dirt and dust will fall straight into the trash.
Control
Winner: Tie
The ZU62 has a switch that can be used to change from hard floor to carpet setting is located on the canister pod rather than on the handle where you can switch with your thumb. In my opinion, this is a minus because suppose you are vacuuming something with the wand and suck in a curtain. Instead of turning the machine off with a thumb flick, you must drop the wand and press the switch on the body.
When in the carpet setting, the roller runs except when the machine cleaner is completely upright. When you tilt it back when moving it around on your carpet, the roller will begin spinning. There is a large green indicator lamp on top of the roller that will illuminate when the brush roll is spinning. Alternatively, you can adjust its suction power by rotating a collar on the handle.
As for the Dyson Ball Animal, you cannot change its suction. The only thing you can do is turn the roller on or off by pressing a button on the body.
Quick Rundown Of Shark Navigator 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
- Radial root cyclone technology captures more dirt and microscopic dust
- Self-adjusting cleaner head Seals in suction across carpets and hard floors
- Rides on a Ball and steers easily into difficult places
- Whole-machine filtration ensures that allergens are trapped inside the machine, not expelled back into the home.
- Includes Extra tools for pet Owners, including the tangle-free turbine tool
Product Videos
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References:
- Shark Navigator ZU62: https://sharkclean.com.au/products/shark-navigator-self-cleaning-upright-vacuum-zu62
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.