Dyson Ball Animal 3 vs Shark Stratos Upright
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Quick take: The Dyson Ball Animal 3 costs $8 less.
| Spec | Dyson Ball Animal 3 | Shark Stratos Upright |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$490 | ~$498 |
| Type | Upright | Upright |
| Suction | 290 AW | Not disclosed |
| Battery | Corded | Corded |
| Navigation | — | — |
| Filtration | Whole-machine HEPA-sealed | Anti-Allergen Complete Seal with HEPA |
| Cordless | No | No |
| Bagged | No | No |
| Noise | — | — |
| Dustbin | 0.45 gal | 1.5 qt |
| Water tank | — | — |
| Self-empty dock | No | No |
| Auto mop washing | No | No |
| Hot water washing | No | No |
| Obstacle avoidance | No | No |
| Carpet detection | No | No |
| Auto mop lifting | No | No |
| Multi-floor mapping | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Dimensions | — | 11.81 x 14.96 x 46.06 in |
| Weight | 17.28 lbs | 22.71 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
Pros & cons
Dyson Ball Animal 3
- ✓Class-leading suction and carpet agitation — routinely tops deep-clean tests
- ✓Motorbar cleaner head de-tangles hair automatically
- ✓Whole-machine HEPA seal keeps allergens in the machine
- ✓Big 0.45-gallon bin with hygienic point-and-shoot emptying
- ✓35 ft cord covers large rooms without replugging
- ✓5-year parts and labor warranty with lifetime support
- ✗Heavy (17+ lbs) and tiring to push on plush carpet where suction seals down
- ✗Ball steering feels wide and awkward in tight spaces
- ✗Hose and wand are clumsy for above-floor cleaning versus a lift-away design
- ✗No headlights or LED illumination
- ✗Loud at full power
- ✗Expensive for a corded upright
Shark Stratos Upright
- ✓Deep-clean performance rivals uprights costing $150+ more
- ✓Dual-roller DuoClean head works on hard floor and carpet without switching
- ✓HairPro self-cleaning brushroll genuinely resists long-hair wrap
- ✓Powered Lift-Away keeps the brushroll spinning off the main body for stairs
- ✓Sealed HEPA system for allergy households
- ✓LED headlights reveal fine dust on hard floors
- ✓Large 1.5-qt easy-empty dust cup
- ✗Heavy at 16.7 lbs and bulky to store
- ✗Suction drops in Powered Lift-Away mode
- ✗Odor-neutralizer cartridges are a recurring cost (or a feature you ignore)
- ✗Short hose reach compared to a true canister
- ✗Frequently discounted — MSRP is not the real price, so shop around