Compare Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum vs Kenmore Bagless Upright Vacuum Lift

The Extra bundle's pet-focused tools (pet groom and turbine tool) and core tools (crevice/brush, stair) are widely viewed as useful. Value depends on how often you will use the specialized pet attachments.

Most reviews mention a useful kit including a 3-in-1 combo tool (crevice/dusting/upholstery) plus a powered or rotating pet handymate tool for stairs and furniture.

At least one long-form review explicitly calls the vacuum stylish, and the design is generally treated as premium-looking. Color and trim differences are also noted between package variants.

A recurring minor complaint is blowback or scattering with certain large debris, including spitting kernels or pushing round objects. Changing the head setting or vacuuming path is often described as reducing the issue.

Strong suction can make small/thin rugs harder to vacuum and may drag them around, but the adjustable gates/air-bleed settings help. Homes with heavier rugs or more carpet generally report smoother handling.

Assembly is generally described as tool-free and quick, with parts snapping into place. One reviewer found setup slightly tricky because the manual relied on photos, but still completed it in about 12 minutes.

Assembly/setup is described as straightforward in an unboxing-style review, with quick connections for wand and hose and minimal fuss.

The bagless bin is repeatedly described as large (about 0.5 gallons / 1.7 liters in reviews) and easy to monitor as it fills. Capacity helps longer cleaning sessions between empties.

The bin is described as adequately sized and easy to remove, with users noting it can capture surprising amounts even after a recent cleaning with another vacuum.

Reviews characterize the vacuum as dense and premium-feeling, with sturdy components and a removable brush roll design. The same build contributes to the heavier carry weight.

Build quality impressions are mixed: several reviewers describe the unit as solid and well-built for the price, but at least one owner reports cracked hose components.

Reviewers say the head design and gate/vent settings help it work on thick or deep-pile carpet without stalling. It can still feel grabby in deeper-clean modes because of the high suction.

High-pile performance is described as good but more situational; at least one user notes using the brushroll on very high pile despite some carpet guidance against it.

Low-pile carpet pickup is consistently rated strong, with lab-style tests and user demos showing thorough debris removal.

In controlled sand tests on medium-pile carpet, the vacuum scored at or near the top, indicating excellent embedded-dirt pickup. Reviewers also note it avoids bogging on thicker carpet when the head gates are opened.

Medium-pile pickup is a standout, including at least one report of a 100% deep-clean style test and other tests in the high-90% range.

Most reviews emphasize strong clog resistance and fewer mid-clean stoppages, even with heavy pet fur. However, very large or round debris can sometimes lodge in the head until cleared.

Across comparative reviews, the Ball Animal 3 Extra is portrayed as outperforming cheaper uprights in deep-clean tests and improving on earlier Dyson uprights for hard floors and hair tangles. Some comparisons still highlight tradeoffs like weight, noise, and occasional large-debris scattering.

In head-to-head comparisons, reviewers often rank Kenmore favorably versus similarly priced uprights for suction, usability, and pickup, while conceding competitors may offer longer warranties or different conveniences.

Controls include multiple cleaning modes, brush-roll control, and head gate/air-bleed adjustments that help tune performance by surface. Reviewers sometimes mention a short learning curve in figuring out the best setting.

Controls are generally simple and intuitive, including floor-type switching on some models and suction-control vents on the hose/wand in at least one review.

Multiple reviews cite an extra-long 35-foot cord, giving a large room-to-room cleaning radius. Cord length is consistently positioned as a strength.

Cord length is repeatedly called out as generous (around 30 ft), improving room-to-room reach without frequent outlet changes.

Cord hooks and rear storage are mentioned as straightforward for wrapping and quickly releasing the cord. No one highlights a rewind feature, but basic cord handling is described as manageable.

Cord management is functional but not premium; wrapping is often manual, and retractable-cord convenience is referenced as a feature competitors may offer instead.

Crevice testing and reviewer feedback indicate excellent groove pickup, with the Dyson scoring at or near the top for lifting sand from a deep crevice. This aligns with its high sealed suction.

Crevice/groove pickup is a reported weak spot on some versions, tied to design choices that reduce sealing at the floor for better large-debris intake.

Cyclone performance is generally credited for maintaining strong suction and helping prevent clogs. One reviewer felt the newer cyclone setup lets filters get dirty faster than older Dyson designs, suggesting more frequent checks.

Dyson's ball steering is frequently praised for tight turns and easier navigation around furniture. A few reviewers say it takes getting used to, but most find it maneuverable once familiar.

Ease of use is boosted by strong cleaning performance, ball steering, and versatile attachments. The main usability negatives are the heavy body, occasional hard-to-push feel on carpet, and loud operation.

Ease of use is repeatedly framed as a highlight due to swivel steering, lift-up/away versatility, and simple emptying, with only under-bed access and weight as recurring friction points.

Edge cleaning is generally good on the sides, but multiple tests note weaker pickup at the front edge or centerline near walls, sometimes needing an extra angle or pass. It is solid but not the strongest point.

Hygienic, no-touch emptying is a consistent positive, with reviewers noting you can eject debris without handling dust or fur. This is frequently paired with praise for the large bin.

Emptying is commonly described as quick and low-effort with push-button release, though routine upkeep (filters/brushroll) matters for maintaining performance.

Whole-machine HEPA filtration and sealed dust containment are frequently praised, especially by pet owners and allergy-focused reviewers. Washable filters are seen as a plus for long-term ownership.

Multiple testers call out a sealed HEPA air path that keeps fine dust and allergens contained, and smoke/leakage style tests are reported as passing well for the price tier.

The redesigned floorhead with adjustable gates is frequently credited for better large-debris pickup and improved thick-carpet glide compared to older Dyson uprights. Tradeoffs mentioned include occasional spitting/pushing of bigger pieces and less effective reach at the very front edge for some debris.

A few reviewers report that hair or round debris can snag in the hair-removal comb/vanes and may require pulling it off or opening the head. It is not constant, but it is the main tangle-related annoyance mentioned.

Hair pickup on carpet is repeatedly described as excellent, with pet owners reporting noticeably better results than prior vacuums. Lab-style tests show near-complete hair collection in a few passes.

On carpet, testers report very high pickup performance (often high-90% results) and strong pet hair removal, especially in medium/low pile situations.

Hard-floor hair pickup is generally described as effective, helped by strong airflow and floorhead design; some versions emphasize better performance than similarly priced rivals.

Detangling features (hair-removal vanes/active combing) are a standout, with multiple tests showing virtually no brush-roll wrap even with long hair. Some reviewers still mention occasional hair catching at the comb area.

Tangle resistance is mixed: some tests show hair wrapping on the brushroll (especially longer hair), while other variants include hair-eliminator features that reduce buildup.

Reviews describe strong fine-dust pickup on hard floors, helped by high suction and floorhead details intended to capture small particles. It is commonly positioned as one of the better Dyson uprights for hard floors.

Fine dust pickup on hard floors is described as above average, supported by strong suction/airflow measurements and visible debris capture with headlights.

Adjustable gates help it take in larger debris on hard floors and carpet, and many reviewers see strong pickup overall. Some tests still show it can initially spit or push items like popcorn kernels or plastic balls until the setting or approach is adjusted.

Large debris intake is noted as unusually capable on some variants due to wider front gates, improving chunky pickup versus many uprights at similar prices.

LED headlights are mentioned as genuinely helpful for spotting debris in darker areas and along typical cleaning paths.

A long hose and wand (15 feet cited in reviews) enables above-floor cleaning and helps reach stairs and furniture. Reviewers often highlight this reach as a practical advantage versus typical uprights.

Hose durability is specifically criticized in one report that mentions cracking and snapping, suggesting the hose can be a weak point if stressed or used heavily.

Maintenance is often described as easy thanks to washable filters, removable brush roll, and accessible inspection points. Some users still report periodic cleaning around the comb/mesh and more frequent filter attention than expected.

Maintenance is emphasized for bagless performance: multiple reviews mention regular filter cleaning and occasional brushroll hair removal, with outcomes (tangles, suction consistency) improving when upkeep is done.

Handling is generally praised with responsive swivel steering and easy navigation around furniture, though the weight can still feel cumbersome for carries.

Noise is a common complaint, with descriptions ranging from loud to screaming if powered on while upright. Measured sound levels in one test place it on the louder side of comparable uprights.

Noise is commonly described as loud for a corded upright, with test numbers around the high-70 dB range and user notes that it can be noticeable at higher power.

Core tools like the crevice/brush and stair tool are stored on the vacuum, which reviewers find convenient. Some pet accessories are not stored onboard and may need separate storage.

Ongoing costs come up mainly via filters, with one complaint that replacements feel expensive; multiple reviewers stress routine filter cleaning to preserve bagless performance.

Durability/longevity is the most polarized theme: some short-term impressions are positive, while a negative owner report describes early motor failure within months.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with multiple reviews rating it around 9/10 or calling it a top Dyson upright, especially for pets and carpets. The recurring negatives are price, weight, and noise.

Overall sentiment skews positive in test-focused and owner demo reviews, but there is at least one strongly negative experience centered on early failure and repairability.

Pet-focused performance is a highlight: strong hair pickup, detangling design, and HEPA filtration are repeatedly called out for reducing fur and dander. The pet grooming tool is polarizing, with one reviewer disliking the stiff bristles and others finding it intriguing or useful.

Pet capability is repeatedly highlighted via the included pet tool and strong carpet pickup, though brushroll hair management varies by model and user cleaning habits.

Multiple sources call it expensive, and one comparison suggests the Extra bundle is not always worth the full premium versus the base model. Reviewers who prioritize pet hair and deep cleaning are more likely to view the cost as justified, especially on sale.

Value is a consistent strength: reviews frame these Kenmore uprights as delivering near-premium pickup and sealed HEPA features at a notably lower price.

The long hose/wand helps with stair reach, and it can clean stairs effectively with the right attachment. However, several reviewers caution that the heavy upright body can make stair cleaning awkward, especially for limited mobility or narrow stairs.

Stair cleaning is a strong use case when leveraging lift-up/away mode and the pet tool, making the weight less of a barrier than a traditional full-unit carry.

Despite being a full-size corded upright, reviewers describe it as relatively slim/short and easy to tuck into a corner. One note: turning it on while still upright can be jarringly loud.

Repeated testing and reviews describe extremely strong suction and airflow, including top crevice and embedded-dirt results. The upside is deep cleaning; the downside is that the power can make it harder to push and may tug on thin rugs.

Across reviews, Kenmore’s Lift bagless uprights are described as very strong for a corded upright, with suction readings around the low-20 kPa range in testing and noticeably aggressive pull on carpet in home use.

Reviewers describe it as a heavy-duty, industrial-strength option for shedding pets and embedded dirt, suited to larger or carpet-heavy homes. The heavy weight and loudness are the main heavy-duty tradeoffs.

A narrower cleaning path and tight turning help it maneuver in tighter rooms compared with bulkier uprights. The heavy body remains a consideration for small-space storage and carrying.

Support is referenced via a 5-year warranty and mentions of Dyson customer support. No review flags major reliability failures, though long-term durability claims are mostly implied rather than proven.

Reliability and warranty confidence is mixed, with comparisons noting shorter warranty terms than some competitors and at least one report of repeated shutdown/no-power issues.

Tool changes are generally described as simple, using quick-release buttons to swap between wand, hose, and attachments. Reviewers note a short learning curve, but day-to-day changes are straightforward.

Tool changes are described as easy, with combo tools that switch modes quickly and attachments that lock into place without much effort.

One review notes it can reach under a bed a little and handle awkward angles thanks to ball steering. It still will not replace a low-profile design for deep under-furniture cleaning.

Under-furniture access is a common tradeoff: the main head may not fit under low beds, but lift-up/away plus hose/tools can partially compensate.

Above-floor cleaning is repeatedly praised, with turbine and upholstery tools pulling hair from couches, car seats, and pet beds. One review notes suction remains strong even when using attachments.

Above-floor performance is supported by long reach wands and the included tools, with upholstery and ceiling reach called out as practical benefits.

Versatility is frequently emphasized: multiple head settings, strong hard-floor and carpet performance, and long-reach above-floor tools support whole-home cleaning. Its limitations show up most on stairs, thin rugs, and edge-front pickup.

Weight is consistently flagged as a drawback at roughly 17 pounds, affecting carrying and stair use. The heft is often framed as the tradeoff for strong power and a dense build.

Weight is consistently in the mid-teens (about 14–15 lb), which is manageable for a corded upright but noticeably heavier than cordless options.