Which is better for pet hair?

Both are rated for pets. The Shark adds a HEPA filter and its DuoClean Detect head, which helps on mixed carpet and hard floor. The Dyson's ball design and motorized brush are proven on pet hair for less money.

Is the Shark worth the extra money?

Only if you want HEPA filtration and the newer cleaning head. At $444.00 to $499.99 it costs $144 to $200 more than the $299.99 Dyson, and the Dyson already handles pet homes well.

Which is easier to push around?

The Dyson. Its ball pivot steers around furniture with less effort, and at 17 lb it is a pound lighter than the 18 lb Shark.

Which has better owner ratings?

The Shark, at 4.9 out of 5 from 38 ratings. The Dyson sits at 3.5 out of 5 from 207 ratings, though that is a much larger sample.

Does either one filter allergens?

The Shark has a HEPA filter. The Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean is not listed with HEPA filtration, so the Shark is the safer pick for allergy sufferers.

There is no reliable lifespan data for either. The Dyson has far more owner ratings, which gives a broader picture of how it holds up over time.

Shark PowerDetect Transformer Upright Vacuum vs Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean

Buy the Shark PowerDetect Transformer if you want the newest cleaning tech and the stronger owner ratings; buy the Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean if you want proven pet-hair performance for less money. The Dyson is $299.99 at its listed store as of November 5, while the Shark has ranged from $444.00 on October 31 to $499.99 on November 5. That is roughly $144 to $200 more for the Shark.

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