Compare Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum vs Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Commonly described as coming with a practical set of basic tools (crevice and upholstery/wide upholstery tool; some variants add pet tools). Lift-Away makes these tools more useful for stairs and above-floor cleaning.

Included tools (combination/crevice, stair, turbine/pet tools, and variant-specific extras) are generally seen as useful, though at least one review finds the turbine tool underpowered.

Area rug handling can be challenging: several reviewers note the vacuum may stick, pull up mats, or feel overly aggressive on certain rugs due to strong suction and head design.

Assembly is consistently described as straightforward with a few click-in parts and minimal setup time.

Bagless dust cup is generally considered easy to empty; some sources highlight an open/easy-to-clean canister design that supports long-term upkeep.

Bagless bin capacity is described as large (roughly 0.48–0.55 gal / about 2L), supporting longer sessions; sealing is generally good, with occasional minor leakage notes in lab testing.

Build quality is often described as robust with durable plastics, but a minority of comments call out cheaper-feeling hose/handle plastics.

High-pile/shag performance is a recurring weak spot: fixed height and head geometry can struggle to get on top of larger debris or can be harder to push on thick carpet compared with uprights with height adjustment.

High-pile carpet results are mixed: suction is strong, but several reviews report it can be difficult to push or it may struggle to capture larger debris sitting high in the pile.

Low-pile carpet pickup is consistently strong in testing-style writeups, often above average for the upright category at its price.

Low-pile carpet performance is a consistent strength, with strong debris and hair pickup reported across both consumer and test-focused reviews.

Medium-pile carpet deep cleaning is often a highlight, with at least one lab-style comparison giving it top-tier embedded debris results in its price segment.

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Debris flow is generally reliable, but a narrow wand/tube can clog if large items are picked up, and hair tangling around the brush can add periodic clearing.

Often framed as outperforming many budget uprights and competing surprisingly well against pricier models in certain tests, but it generally trails modern premium heads on high-pile and specialized hard-floor pickup.

Comparative discussions often place it among the most powerful uprights tested, though some reviewers prefer newer or less expensive competitors depending on features and value.

Controls are generally simple and include a brushroll on/off (or brush control) to transition between carpet and hard floors; lack of height adjustment is a repeated limitation for thick rugs/high pile and some large-debris situations.

Controls are simple and functional, commonly including suction-level selection and brush control; most feedback is positive with few learning-curve complaints.

Cord length is generally reported as adequate/good for the class, with some comparisons noting premium or competing models can be longer; exact length varies by variant in sources.

Cord length and reach are strong for a corded upright (often cited around 30–35 ft cord and extended total reach), reducing outlet changes during cleaning.

Cord wrap and basic cord management are mentioned as straightforward and adequate for storage.

Crevice/crack pickup is repeatedly described as a limitation versus newer designs; some tests show below-average removal in crevice-style trials, making the wand more important for edges/cracks.

Crevice and groove pickup is often called out as a strong point thanks to high suction, though fine powder in floor gaps can still require extra passes or tool use.

Cyclone system is repeatedly credited for strong, consistent pickup and maintaining performance room-to-room, with only occasional notes that floorhead design (not suction) limits large-debris pickup.

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Reviews mention this area with mixed to positive feedback overall (average score about 4.20), with performance varying by flooring, settings, and user expectations.

Edge/baseboard performance is variable: some sources say it cleans edges well head-on, but others note it can miss a small band near edges or struggle on parallel passes along walls.

Edge and baseboard cleaning is repeatedly rated near the top, with strong edging tests and effective side channels at the floorhead.

Emptying is commonly described as quick and hygienic (one-button or point-and-shoot style), with minimal need to touch debris.

A key strength: sources describe a sealed system paired with HEPA filtration/Complete Seal-style containment, which improves dust/allergen containment compared with many budget uprights.

Whole-machine HEPA filtration and washable filters are praised for allergen control, though one lab-style review noted the system can be only partially sealed over years of use.

Self-adjusting floorhead design improves sealing and surface adaptation, but multiple reviewers say it can sit too close and push larger debris or reduce usability on some rugs.

Hair pickup on carpets is generally solid for typical pet hair, but some testing notes clumping and that not all hair makes it fully to the bin in tougher trials.

Carpet hair pickup, especially pet hair, is repeatedly rated excellent and aligns with the product positioning for homes with shedding animals.

Hair pickup on hard floors is generally described as effective for everyday pet hair, aided by strong suction and above-floor tools.

Long-hair wrap is a consistent drawback across tests and reviews; owners should expect periodic brushroll clearing, especially with longer hair and heavy shedding households.

Long-hair management is a weak spot on the main brush in some objective testing (notable tangling reported), even though pet-hair pickup is strong and some turbine tools resist tangles.

Fine debris on hard floors is generally good but not best-in-class; at least one test notes it can leave fine sand behind, requiring extra passes.

On hard floors, fine dust pickup is generally strong, but multiple tests note residue can remain in cracks/crevices (e.g., flour between boards) depending on technique and settings.

Large debris on hard floors/rugs can be mixed: it can handle many everyday pieces, but multiple mentions note pushing/scattering crummy or larger particles in some scenarios without height adjustment or a more modern head design.

Large-debris pickup is inconsistent: some reviewers get solid results with the correct head setting, while others report the self-adjusting head can push cereal/large bits instead of ingesting them.

Multiple sources note the floorhead lacks LED headlights, which can make it harder to see debris in darker spaces.

Hose/wand reach is a common nit: multiple writeups mention wishing the hose were longer or the wand had more reach, which can limit above-floor range compared with some alternatives.

Hose and wand reach are frequently praised for above-floor work (stairs, corners, behind furniture), though one reviewer notes the wand/tube can feel narrow for larger items.

A few comments suggest kid-friendliness via safety behavior when parked upright (rollers/brush not spinning), though overall usability still depends on handling the unit's weight.

Maintenance is straightforward (wash/replace filters, keep bin empty), but brushroll hair wrap and periodic clearing are repeatedly mentioned as the main ongoing chore.

Maintenance is viewed as simple: wash filters on a schedule, empty the bin, and occasionally clear hair/debris from the brush or airway.

Maneuverability is often a plus (notably swivel steering), though some testing notes it can feel stiffer than premium uprights and may require a bit more effort under strong suction conditions.

Noise is frequently described as relatively quiet for an upright; at least one test set places it among the quietest in its comparison group.

Noise impressions vary by test: some measurements place it in the high-60s/low-70s dB range while others find it louder; overall it is not silent, but generally within typical upright ranges.

Onboard storage for key tools and brackets is appreciated for keeping frequently used attachments accessible without a separate bag.

Overall sentiment trends positive on cleaning power and results, with the most common drawbacks being weight, high price, and occasional usability quirks on rugs/tight spaces.

Pet-focused performance is a highlight, with strong pet-hair pickup and useful pet tools, though tool effectiveness can vary by included kit and expectations.

Repeatedly positioned as a standout value in the $100–$200-ish budget upright space, with performance and sealed filtration that often beat cheaper uprights and compete well for the price.

Price is a frequent criticism: many reviewers call it expensive, recommending it most when discounted or when maximum suction matters more than cost.

Lift-Away is repeatedly called out as making stair cleaning and above-floor cleaning meaningfully easier than standard uprights, though hose/wand reach can be a limiting factor depending on variant.

Stair cleaning is a standout: the long hose/wand reach lets users clean many steps from one position, reducing the need to carry the main body upstairs.

Bulky storage footprint and upright-stand behavior show tradeoffs: some users report an finicky click/lock into the upright position and overall size that can be harder to store.

Suction and airflow are frequently described as strong for the price and consistent over time when maintained; several comparisons treat suction power as a primary reason it remains popular.

Reviews consistently describe class-leading suction that deep-cleans carpets and pulls embedded debris, but the strength can make the vacuum feel grabby on plush carpet and some rugs.

Support expectations are helped by commonly cited multi-year warranty coverage and broad parts availability; durability is often described as adequate but plastic-heavy.

Tool swaps are typically described as quick click-on/click-off, making it easy to move between floor cleaning and above-floor attachments.

Under-furniture reach is limited for an upright; bulk and the ball housing prevent cleaning far under low-clearance furniture without moving items or switching to the wand.

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Above-floor and upholstery cleaning are frequently praised when using the turbine and combination tools, especially for furniture and blankets with hair.

Versatility is a defining feature due to Lift-Away mode and above-floor usability; it’s commonly recommended for stairs, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas relative to basic uprights.

Versatility is good for an upright via wand and tools, but it is not a true convertible handheld and can feel less flexible than lift-away or cordless designs.

Usually described as lightweight for an upright and easier to carry than many competitors, supporting its budget-all-purpose positioning.

Multiple reviewers flag the unit as heavy (roughly 16–17.5 lb), which can add arm strain during whole-home cleaning or when carrying it between floors.