Rankings
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra delivers the same 290 AW suction as the standard model while adding a richer accessory kit, making it ideal for pet-hair heavy homes. Its plastic-heavy construction and manual cord handling detract from the premium feel. Best for users who want maximum tool variety and can tolerate the weight.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away ZU503AMZ is a corded upright with strong suction, HEPA filtration and a self-cleaning brushroll, making it great for pet owners. Its main drawbacks are the heavy weight and relatively short 25-ft cord. Best suited for medium-sized homes where maneuverability and allergen control are priorities.
The Bissell 2254 is a corded upright with automatic cord rewind, a triple-action brush roll and five height settings, delivering strong pet-hair pickup and convenient storage. It lacks a brush-on/off switch and variable suction, which can reduce flexibility on hard floors. Ideal for pet owners who value easy cord management and adjustable height for different floor types.
The Eureka NEU181D is a lightweight, corded upright vacuum with a 960 W motor, pet turbo tool and a large dust cup, offering strong multi-surface cleaning. Its main drawbacks are a loud noise level and lack of HEPA filtration. Best for pet owners and small-to-medium homes where portability and power are prioritized over cordless convenience.
The Kenmore Elite 31150 combines a beltless 3D Inducer Motor, triple HEPA filtration and a 35-ft cord for powerful, allergen-free cleaning across large homes. Its 20-lb weight, bagged system and louder 70 dB noise make it less ideal for lightweight or quiet-focused users. Perfect for pet owners and allergy sufferers needing strong suction and extensive reach.
The Hoover UH77400V is a bagless upright vacuum with strong WindTunnel suction and convenient automatic cord rewind. Its higher noise level and bulky size can be drawbacks in tight spaces. Ideal for pet owners in medium to large homes who prioritize suction power and cord management.
The Kenmore BU4050 Intuition is a bagged upright with a detachable handheld canister, Hair Eliminator brushroll and HEPA filtration, offering solid pet-hair performance. At 14 lb it feels bulkier and its average suction and ongoing bag costs limit its appeal for deep-cleaning tasks. Best suited for pet owners who value convenience over maximum power.
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1,200 Wbest | 960 W | — | — | — | — | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 95.9 cm | 113.03 cm | 116.8 cm | 86.36 cmbest | 116.21 cm | 107.1 cm | 111.76 cm |
| ↓ lower better | 6.8 kg | 4.54 kgbest | 6.19 kg | 6.35 kg | 9.07 kg | 7.86 kg | 6.44 kg |
7.62 m | 7.62 m | 8.23 m | — | 10.67 mbest | — | 7.62 m | |
— | 2.6 Lbest | 1 L | — | 1.5 L | 1.7 L | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 80 dB | 88 dB | — | — | 70 dBbest | — | — |
— | 5best | 5best | — | 5best | — | — | |
120 Vbest | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Build & Design(2) | |||||||
Height (cm) | 95.9 cm | 113.03 cm | 116.8 cm | 86.36 cm | 116.21 cm | 107.1 cm | 111.76 cm |
Weight (kg) | 6.80 kg | 4.54 kg | 6.19 kg | 6.35 kg | 9.07 kg | 7.86 kg | 6.44 kg |
Filtration(2) | |||||||
Filter Type | HEPA | Washable | — | HEPA | Triple HEPA | — | Multi-cyclonic |
HEPA Filter | true | false | — | true | true | — | — |
Features(3) | |||||||
Lift‑Away Capability | true | — | false | true | — | false | — |
Dust Cup Capacity (L) | — | 2.6 L | 1 L | — | 1.5 L | 1.7 L | — |
Noise Level (dB) | 80 dB | 88 dB | — | — | 70 dB | — | — |
Power & Performance(3) | |||||||
Cord Length (m) | 7.62 m | 7.62 m | 8.23 m | — | 10.67 m | — | 7.62 m |
Wattage (W) | 1200 W | 960 W | — | — | — | — | — |
Motor Type | — | — | — | Dual Motor | 3D Inducer | — | — |
Accessories(2) | |||||||
Accessories Count | 5 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Tools Included | Upholstery tool, Pet crevice tool | Pet Turbo tool, Crevice tool, Upholstery brush, Dusting brush, Accessory holder, Power cord, Dust cup, Filter | Extension wand, Crevice tool, Pet TurboEraser Tool, Pet Hair Corner Tool, Dusting brush | Pet HandiMate, Upholstery tool, Dusting brush | Pet HandiMate, Crevice tool, Combo brush/dusting tool, Extension wand, Adjustable wand | Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright vacuum unit, Motorbar™ cleaner head with 364 bristles, Stair tool, Tangle‑free turbine tool, Articulating hard‑floor tool (180° pivot), Combination tool, Carbon fiber soft dusting brush, On‑board tool storage compartment | Pet Turbo Tool, 8-foot hose, Quick-release wand, Floor brush tool, Upholstery tool |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers note that the ZU503AMZ (via the similar ZU560) delivers respectable airflow of 66.3 CFM and scores well for portability thanks to its Lift-Away pod, but its suction power trails behind premium Shark uprights. The HEPA filtration and anti-allergen seal are praised for indoor air quality, while the corded design is seen as a limitation for quick, cordless-style clean-ups.
Everyday users appreciate the strong suction, easy maneuverability, and hassle-free dust cup emptying, while also noting the acceptable noise level. The most common complaint is the relatively short 25-ft cord, and some find the unit heavy for prolonged use.
“Great suction, maneuverability, easy emptying, and acceptable sound; sole complaint is needing a longer cord”
“a powerful vacuum designed for both carpet and hard floors”
“punches well above its weight class”
Direct comparison data not provided; BU4050 offers unique Hair Eliminator and HEPA sealed system, while Bissell models may differ in suction and bagless design.
Direct comparison data not provided; Dyson typically emphasizes higher suction and cordless operation, whereas BU4050 focuses on bagged filtration and pet-hair handling.
Professional editors, while not providing full reviews, emphasize the NEU181D's combination of low weight, strong suction, and versatile height adjustments as key strengths for everyday multi-surface cleaning.
Consumers generally praise the vacuum's portability, pet-hair handling capability, and large dust cup, noting it makes routine cleaning less tiring. The most common criticisms revolve around its louder operation and the bulkier packaging weight.
Professional reviewers compare the Bissell 2254 favorably to the PowerLifter Swivel Rewind Pet, citing near-identical performance, identical swivel steering, five height adjustments, and efficient top-mounted filter placement, while noting the design is slightly updated with a cyclone housing.
Everyday users consistently commend the vacuum's pet-hair pickup, easy cord management, and effective edge cleaning, while the lack of a brush-off switch and the corded nature are occasional points of criticism.
Professional reviewers acknowledge the BU4050's solid build, effective pet-hair handling, and convenient bag-disposal system, but they note its suction is only average for its class and the unit feels heavier than advertised. The corded design and limited accessory storage are also cited as drawbacks, though its HEPA filtration and swivel steering receive praise.
Everyday users consistently praise the vacuum's lightweight feel, pet-hair performance, hands-free bag system, and maneuverability, especially on mixed flooring. Recurring complaints focus on its bulk in tight spaces, modest suction power, and the ongoing cost of replacement bags.
Professional reviewers praise the Kenmore 2031150 for its beltless 3D Inducer Motor that sustains suction power, its triple HEPA filtration that captures virtually all airborne particles, and its long 35-ft cord that facilitates cleaning large areas. They also highlight the dedicated Pet HandiMate tool for tackling stubborn pet hair. However, they point out the vacuum's relatively heavy 20-lb build, the outdated bagged system, and a louder 70 dB operating noise as notable drawbacks.
Everyday users consistently commend the vacuum's strong pet-hair pickup and effective HEPA filtration, noting that the long cord makes cleaning large spaces easier. Recurring complaints focus on the unit's weight, the inconvenience of disposable bags, and the higher noise level compared with quieter models.
Professional reviewers consistently praise the Dyson Ball Animal 3 for its industry-leading 290 AW suction, innovative de-tangling motor bar and generous 0.45 gal bin, calling it the strongest corded upright for pet hair. They also commend its 50 ft total reach and whole-machine filtration. The main criticisms focus on its 17-plus-pound weight, largely plastic construction and the lack of automatic cord rewind, which diminish portability.
Everyday users echo the professional praise, highlighting the vacuum's powerful suction, long reach and large bin as major conveniences for pet-heavy households. While explicit complaints are scarce, the few comments that appear revolve around the unit's heft and the manual cord-coiling requirement.
Professional and retail sources highlight the Hoover UH77400V's efficient pet-hair pickup, powerful WindTunnel suction, and the convenience of an automatic cord rewind, positioning it as a reliable, budget-friendly option for families with active pets.
Everyday users consistently commend the vacuum's strong suction, ease of use, and effective cord management, while noting drawbacks such as higher noise levels, bulkiness, and occasional concerns about cord length for very large spaces.
