Shark Navigator Lift-Away Models: A Detailed Comparison

Specifications

• Dimensions: 14.96’’ x 11.4’’ 45.5’’
• Weight: 13.7 pounds
• Hose length: 5 feet
• Power cord: 30 feet
• Canister capacity: 2.2 quarts
• Voltage: 120
• Filtration: HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology
• Warranty: 5 years

If you’re looking for a light, powerful, and easy-to-maneuver upright vacuum, the Shark Navigator Lift Away Pro NV356E won’t disappoint you. I’ve used a few other models of top brands that cost me more, and after 15 months using this Shark, I have come to realize that it outperformed any previous vacuums that I’ve had.

At first glance, this Shark Navigator Lift Away might look like a heavy vacuum as it weighs 13.7 pounds. However, it is exceptionally lightweight with a design that’s been well thought out. Once the canister is detached, you’re left with a portable machine to vacuum various surfaces with little effort.
 
With its tremendous suction, users can actually hear it picking up dirt and debris. You might be surprised seeing how much dust and dirt it sucks up compared to others vacuums. Shark knows that pet hair is a headache for many pet owners, so they have made this vacuum a pet-friendly device that allows you to pick up pet fur effortlessly. Even though you have to occasionally stop and de-fur the brush roll to prevent it from getting clogged from built-up hair, this drawback is not really a big deal given its excellent suction power.

Changing from upright to  handheld mode is a snap, as you only need to press a little button to lift the pod away. This feature allows easy cleaning of hard-to-reach corners, stairs, or other off floor surfaces. Most homeowners of big apartments or large dwellings use two vacuums: a full-sized like a canister or an upright and a handheld. While the former works on intensive cleaning tasks, the latter is used for quick touch ups. Now, thanks to the 2-in-1 machines like the Shark NV356E S2, the use of two vacuums like that might not be necessary anymore, as you can always turn a heavy device into a lighter one for sofa or stairs cleanups.

My floor is a mix of carpet, area rug, and tile. So a versatile machine that allows quick transition from one floor type to another is a must. This Shark vacuum is outfitted with a brush roll on/off control, allowing me to deep clean carpets and switch to a more gentle cleaning setting for hard floors in a split  second. Whenever I turn it on with the powerhead going, it just glides across my area rugs, and I do not need to push at all. Also, pulling it back was a snap! User convenience is certainly what Shark engineers care about when designing this machine.

Lastly, its attachments are perfect added-on tools to make our cleaning tasks on multiple surfaces much more doable. The pet power brush lets pet owners tackle pet hair on upholstered furniture effortlessly, while the crevice tool makes getting into tight spots a breeze. I am a big fan of its detachable wand. Since it comes with a dusting brush, the tasks of cleaning blinds, window sills, and ceiling fans has become enjoyable.

The unit’s waste receptacle is a bit small, so it fills up quickly. Even so, it is easy to dump and keep going. I would normally use rubber gloves to empty the dirt chamber as its design doesn’t allow emptying dirt and hair without getting your hands in there. Besides this, its top-heavy design is a minor hindrance to note here for homeowners with small kids. Since it is unstable, it might fall over if left unattended for a few seconds.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 15’’ x 11.4’’ x 45.5’’
• Weight: 12.5 pounds
• Power cord length: 25 feet
• Dust cup container: 1.1 dry quarts
• HEPA filter
• Cleaning path width: 12.4 inches
• Motor watt: 1,200
• Warranty: 5 years

This Shark Navigator Lift Away bagless upright vacuum cleaner comes with somewhat similar specs to the NV360. Equipped with the “Never Loses Suction” technology, it has consistent suction strength to pick up all kinds of dirt and debris on multiple floor types.

This feature facilitates a smooth and quick transition from timber floors to carpets and rugs. Aside from its advanced suction technology, the 1200-watt motor ensures unsurpassed cleaning capabilities. Regardless of any types of debris this machine has to deal with; it doesn’t fail to impress you.

Traditional uprights are usually heavy, and this Shark NV352 is not an exception. However, it is a 2-in-1 machine that allows users to lift away the pod and clean any surfaces above the floor. Thanks to this detachable canister, vacuuming off-floor surfaces doesn’t require another portable device like a handheld vacuum.

The Shark Navigator Lift Away NV352 is also equipped with a swivel steering head, giving it the maneuverability to navigate through hidden corners of the house. This cleaner head allows a thorough clean to even the hardest-to-reach spots where our naked eyes can’t see dust and debris. If your wrists have suffered from soreness due to using a traditional vacuum before, you will appreciate this function of the NV352. Even after working on intensive vacuuming tasks in a big house, you won’t experience pain in your hands, back, or wrists.

If you intend to purchase a corded vacuum cleaner, the power cord is one of the most important factors to consider. Most users like a long cable, because the longer it is, the more extended reach you can have. Also, a long power cord sets you free from constant plugging and unplugging when moving from one room to another.

The NV352 has a 25-feet power cord, while its older sibling, the Shark Navigator Lift away NV351 has a slightly shorter cord. With this long cable, the NV352 gives you sufficient reach to vacuum a large section of your floor without thinking of changing the power outlet. However, this cable is not retractable, meaning you’ll need to manually roll the cord after finishing your cleaning task. While this is inconvenient, I do not think it’s a big drawback given its outstanding performance on various floor types.

Even though accessories are not must-have items for all vacuums, they significantly add to user convenience. This machine includes a comprehensive upholstery tool to handle pet hair on the sofa, chair, and other furniture. It also comes with two crevice tools of different lengths, offering easy access to tight spaces.

Aside from suction power, a reliable vacuum cleaner should have a well-built filtration system. Filters work as barriers that allow air to pass through while trapping dust particles and debris, ensuring clean and fresh air for your living space.

Owing to the specific cleaning purposes that they’re designed for, most new generations of vacuums are fitted with two (or three) filters, allowing better air filtration. While the primary filters collect dust, the secondary ones filter air. Many vacuums are equipped with a HEPA filter, and the NV352 is one of those. So if you’re allergic to pollen or contaminants, pay close attention to the secondary filter when buying a vacuum.

Having a HEPA filter alone is not enough. Shark understands this and has bolstered the filtration system of this vacuum with the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system. True to its name, this technology traps 99.9% of dust and pet dander while keeping them from entering the air you breathe. So if you are pet owners and have newborns or toddlers, the NV352 is undoubtedly worth your investment.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 14.96’’ x 11.4 x 45.5’’
• Weight: 12.5 pounds
• Wattage: 1200
• Cord length: 25 feet
• Dirt cup capacity: 1.2 dry quarts
• HEPA filter included
• Hose length: 8.5 feet
• Warranty: 5 years

The Shark navigator lift away deluxe is also called the Shark NV360 or the blue Shark vacuum. While other Shark Navigator 360 reviews only briefly mention its features, we’ll go deeper into its performance. This model is probably the best-known model among all Shark Navigator machines. It generates strong suction power, providing effective cleaning capabilities to pick up dirt and debris on both carpet and hard floors.

This Shark Navigator Lift-Away vacuum features a swivel steering head, making it easy to maneuver around furniture and obstacles. Thanks to a small cleaner head, it only takes a twist of the wrist to change direction. Getting into tight and cramped corners of the house is a breeze, so no corners of the house are left untouched. However, its drawback is you’ll need to take a few passes to have a spotless surface, especially in large areas. 

As the name implies, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away dlx is equipped with a detachable canister, allowing users to press a button to lift the canister away for better mobility. Cleaning stairs or other hard-to-reach corners is a piece of cake. You won't have to drag along a bulky machine up and down the stairs and suffer from back pain after each cleaning session.

To further boost its versatility, Shark includes the brush roll on/off control. Users only need to turn it on or off to vacuum carpeted or bare floors respectively. This button is an excellent add-on feature, making this upright an ideal choice for homes of multiple floor types. So if you have timber, tile, carpeted, or area rugs having a versatile vacuum like the Shark NV360 would make your vacuuming tasks much more manageable.

Pet owners would love this Shark upright as it can pick up pet hair flawlessly, especially on carpets. Our lab test results have shown that it can gobble up pet fur on high-pile carpets with little effort. However, pet fur might leave you with a tangled brush roll, which annoys most users.

Even though this blue Shark vacuum is not a high-end model, it has a top-notch filtration system. The unit comes with three filters: 2 pre-motor and one post-motor. All of them are washable for re-use, helping users to save maintenance and replacement costs. After washing, owners should always leave them to dry completely for at least one day before putting them back in.

The post-motor filter is an easy-to-use HEPA filter; you only need to tap it over the dustbin to remove dirt and debris. Shark recommends you clean this filter every two years. However, how often you should clean it would largely depend on how regularly you vacuum the house and whether you have pets. The better you take care of your home appliances, the longer they will last, and a vacuum cleaner is no exception.

Aside from three filters, this Shark vacuum is also outfitted with the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology, ensuring the machine’s body is completely sealed so that unfiltered air does not have a chance to escape from cracks. The exhausted air from this vacuum has always gone through three filters, making it an excellent option for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

What is more important, you can have a fantastic cleaning device with all of these outstanding features for only $169.99. So if you’re looking for the best vacuum cleaner to take care of your floor and other off floor surfaces, look no further: the Shark NV360 should be your machine.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 30.7'' x 13.5'' x 13.1''
• Weight: 15.2 pounds
• Power cord length: 25 feet
• Wattage: 1140 watts
• Hose length: 6 feet
• Cleaning path width: 12 inches
• Dust cup capacity: 2.4 quarts

Shark vacuums come at a competitive price range when compared to others made by big brands. Still, it offers users epic performance. What is more important, they are highly functional and innovative, ensuring minimal repairs required. The NV586 is a typical example of Shark’s innovation. It minimizes bending with an ideal height, making it the right choice of vacuum for tall people.

Thanks to decent suction strength, this Shark navigator lift away upright vacuum works exceptionally well in sucking up dust and debris. Equipped with the Never Lose Suction mechanism, the vacuum generates consistent power throughout the whole cleaning process, ensuring no clogging or energy waste. This powerful source of suction is capable of blowing away dirt and debris on varied floor types. Besides, it is easily adjustable on hardwood and rugs, giving users flexibility when vacuuming different floor types.

The NV586’s ability to deal with hair is superb. Given this, if you are pet owners of heavy-shedding dogs or cats, keeping your carpet, hardwood floors, or other above-floor upholstery areas fur-free is totally manageable. However, when cleaning high-pile carpets, you might need to slow down a bit so that it can thoroughly clean the carpet.

The Powered Lift-Away technology lets you lift the canister up to deep clean hidden corners while still delivering sufficient power to keep the brush roll spinning for optimal performance. Its detachable canister is lightweight, compact, and convenient to vacuum stairs, binds, or under the furniture. This innovation turns your cleaning tasks, no matter how intensive or extended they are, into a walk in the park.

Another feature that makes this Shark Navigator lift away more functional is its powerful LED lights. Though it sounds strange to many, when you need to vacuum dimly lit rooms, these little LED bulbs on the cleaner head can help you spot hidden debris, allowing you to have a more thorough clean. They literally shed light on the debris that we may not even realize existed until your vacuum picks up. That means you rarely leave any areas untouched.

Even though this Shark vacuum weighs more than 15 pounds, you shouldn’t let its weight discourage you. Users can hardly feel the weight as the unit comes with a swivel steering head. It has a pull effect that helps you vacuum more effectively. While some users might prefer self-control rather than being pulled across the floor, this feature is a significant advantage for the elderly, the petite, or those with weak wrists that need support.

The filtration system is an essential contributing factor to the overall performance of your vacuum. With HEPA filters, the Shark NV586 traps 99.97% of pollutants. Besides this, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology ensures that no pollen, contaminants, or mold can be released back to the air of your house. All filters of this machine are washable, but periodical cleaning every three months is recommended. Otherwise, you might end up diminishing its suction power.

The unit has a dust container of 2.4 quarts, allowing non-stop vacuuming, so you do not have to empty it halfway through your cleaning session. Though Shark claims that it can hold dirt and debris for more than one cleaning session, I recommend you empty it after each use to retain the suction strength. Also, long and thin pet hair tends to stink if left in the dirt chamber for too long, and I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want that.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 15’’ x 11.4 x 45.5’’
• Weight: 13.7 pounds
• Wattage: 1200W
• Cleaning path: 9.5 inches
• Dust cup container: 2.4 dry quarts
• HEPA filter
• Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology
• Detachable canister
• Included accessories: 8’’ crevice tool, pet power brush, dusting brush
• Comprised of the Dust-Away hard floor attachment
• With washable microfiber pads
• Warranty: 5 years

If you’re an allergy sufferer who lives with carpets and has pets, this Shark navigator lift away vacuum cleaner is the right choice for you. Carpet vacuuming is usually your worst nemesis, so does dogs' and cats' hair. Your problem might be worse if you have Yorkies or Australian Shepherd like my brother does. No matter how much he loves his four-legged friends, these long hair and heavy-shedding dogs are what make his allergy problem worse.

Since he bought the Shark NV358 to clean his carpet-covered floor, his symptoms do not flare up when actively vacuuming anymore. The vacuum’s performance on  carpets is fantastic, capable of lifting dirt, debris, and pet hair from area rugs and dense types of carpets. When I asked him for feedback he mentioned that he was surprised at seeing how much debris this vacuum collected. The machine seems to redefine his perception of what a clean carpeted floor should look like.

What if your house is a mix of carpet, timber, and tile? The Shark NV358 can make short work of picking up all sorts of dirt and debris on various floor types. Its Dust-Away hard floor attachment can gobble up dirt and debris on bare floors. Moreover, changing the brush roll setting to move from carpet to hard floors is also a snap. Shark made that very simple - just twisting a color on the neck of the machine.

The HEPA filter coupled with the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology do their job perfectly well. They work fantastically in catching allergens that would normally escape a lower-quality filtration system, leaving your house feeling fresh and clean. More importantly, the filters are washable, but you’ll need to replace them every six to eight months to ensure optimum performance. However, some homeowners with pets might need to replace them more regularly, depending on their vacuuming intensity and frequency.

When you first look at its specs, the vacuum might look big and heavy, but it’s actually very nimble and easy to move. This lightweight upright vacuum features a detached canister, offering portable cleaning power. There are usually awkwardly tight places in the house that we might need to clean with a broom, but you can now forget about that. The lift-away feature makes stairs, sofas, couches, and bed frames very easy to clean. Also, this machine is light enough that you can maneuver it around the house without hurting your back.

Besides this, dust bunnies and pet fur have no chance to hide. A complete set of accessories offers versatility and ease of use when navigating through hidden corners like under furniture or beds. Getting rid of spider webs on walls, corners of windows, or vacuuming dust from ceiling fans is no longer difficult.

The Shark NV358 is a serious machine, leaving almost nothing to gripe about. Even though its power cord is not retractable, I do not consider this a big con. Overall, the vacuum is well-made with a simple design and can handle pet hair on both carpet and hard floors. So if you are on the fence, not knowing if it’s worth your investment, take the leap and go for it. It is undoubtedly worth every penny because of its terrific performance.

   ➜ RELATED: Best Shark Vacuum On The Market? 9 Best Shark Vacuums

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 13’’ x 12’’ x 45.5’’
• Weight: 13.8 pounds
• Cord length: 25 feet
• Dust cup capacity: 1.2 quarts
• Hose length: 5 feet
• Cleaning path: 9.25 inches
• Included tools: upholstery tool, crevice tool, hair removal multi-tool, pet power brush, under appliance wand
• Warranty: 5 years

Stairs are one of the most high-traffic areas in our house, and if you have carpeted stairs, they have the unfortunate tendency of accumulating dirt that can’t easily be seen.

As a result, stairs covered with carpet are easily ignored when vacuuming. If left unmaintained for too long, they can become unsightly and lose their aesthetic value. We usually pretend that those areas that we don’t easily reach or see are immaculate. Sometimes we put off vacuuming the stairs just because our vacuum cleaner is heavy. There are bulky models that we can’t imagine hauling up the stairs. With a Shark Navigator Lift Away like the UV650, carrying it up and down the stairs is not a burden anymore.

This machine has a perfect combination of power and portability. It features a detachable canister, offering heightened portability. With the push of a small button, you can detach the pod to vacuum hard-to-reach places effortlessly. Even though the machine is not equipped with Duoclean technology, it still has sufficient suction strength to provide deep cleaning of carpets and bare floors like tiled or wood. Besides this, it is also equipped with Suction Control, offering variable suction settings based on your varied cleaning needs. You can slide to MIN to reduce suction and increase maneuverability on carpets and slide to MAX to increase suction for bare floor cleaning.

Moving from carpet to hardwood floors is a breeze, thanks to the brush roll’s on/off button. The brush roll is designed to agitate carpeted surfaces more to get rid of ground-in dirt. To prevent damage to this brush roll, Shark included a brush roll indicator light in the Shark Navigator Lift Away UV650. When the light is in solid green, the brush roll is spinning and working properly. Red is an alerting signal that there is a jam and the brush roll is blocked. Flashing red means that the motorized floor nozzle is overheating, so you might want to turn the vacuum off and wait for about half an hour to 45 minutes for it to cool down.

With a dust cup container of 1.2 quarts, users can have uninterrupted cleaning sessions, as they won’t have too many trips to the dustbin to empty the collected debris. Once the dust cup is full, you can easily slide up the release tabs on both sides of the dust cup handle and tilt it forward to remove it. Simply press the release button to open the bottom of the dust cup, then place it back into the pod for re-installation.

Vacuum cleaner owners usually only consider their accessories as nice-to-have items. However, these tools are significant contributing factors to the overall versatility of any vacuums, and the UV650 is not an exception. It comes with a set of 5 accessories that can make short work of your vacuuming tasks.

• A crevice tool is a 2-in-1 tool that provides you extended cleaning reach to tight spots, while its soft dusting brush can help you vacuum a multitude of surfaces.
• The upholstery tool has a wide cleaning path, helping users to remove pet hair and all sorts of debris on above-floor areas like mattresses, couches, lampshades, curtains, not to mention other delicate upholstered surfaces.
• The Hair Removal Multi-Tool is a pet-friendly tool that works in two ways: use the stiff bristle brush to remove stubborn pet hair from carpets, or take the bristles off to reveal an upholstery tool - ideal for couches and bedding cleaning.
• The Pet Power Brush is another tool that makes the UV650 a pet-friendly vacuum. It is designed to remove pet fur and accumulated dirt from carpeted stairs and upholstered surfaces.
• The Under-Appliance Wand, true to its name, allows you to clean under hard-to-move household appliances and furniture thanks to its adjustable 36’’ tool. Simply flip the extension piece over to clean the underside of your devices.

   ➜ RELATED: 10 Best Vacuums for Stairs, From Handheld to Stick Models

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 12’’ x 9.5’’ x 45.6’’
• Weight: 17.41 pounds
• Lift-away canister
• Wattage: 800
• Voltage: 120 volts
• Amps: 6.7
• Cord length: 25 feet
• Dust cup capacity: 0.9 dry quarts
• Cleaning path: 12 inches
• Hose length: 6.6 feet
• Included accessories: Duster Crevice Tool, Hair Removal Multi-Tool, Wide Upholstery Tool
• • Warranty: 5 years

A tangled brush roll is probably one of the biggest problems most vacuum users have to deal with. Once hair gets stuck in a brush roll, you have no choice but to use the scissors to cut them off. While vacuuming is a time-consuming task, getting rid of tangled hair is frustrating and annoying. Sometimes this tedious job can take us even more time than vacuuming an apartment. This mess will now be a thing of the past if you use the Shark ZU561.

Upright vacuums tend to be powerful, but most of them are heavy. Thanks to being a lift-away canister, the ZU561 offers full-sized vacuum users the much-needed portability they always seek. Instead of relying on lightweight stick models just because they’re portable, you can enjoy the astounding amount of suction strength of an upright or canister without straining your back because of the weight.

While other Shark navigator lift-away vacuum reviews put a strong focus on the unique detachable canister of best-selling models, our review will include at least one model that can tackle the age-old problem of wrapped hair on the brush roll.

Affordability was the main thing that used to be associated with Shark vacuums. However, innovation is where this manufacturer recently shines and the thing that now sets it apart. The company’s Zero-M self-cleaning brush roll is a typical example of this company’s innovative technology and it's equipped in some of its latest upright and corded stick vacuums, like the ZU561.

With powerful suction strength, the machine first pulls in debris and hair. Then, its bristle effectively separates hair from the brush roll while tossing it into the inlet, where the integrated comb actively removes hair from the bristles. The motor will then effectively collect the whole furball. This entire process results in a hair-free brush roll, while offering capabilities for deep cleaning. So if your family members have long hair, or your pets' hair is long and unruly, dealing with hair buildup is no longer a challenge. The ZỤ561 is undeniably the best vacuum for pet hair!

Even though this unit does not come with the DuoClean technology, its suction strength is impressive due to the Never Loses Suction technology. Users can have the consistent suction power to suck up dirt, debris, and pet hair from various floor types. No more clogged filters mean better overall performance and little maintenance required.

Its swivel steering head provides excellent maneuverability. Cleanups at hard to reach areas like tight corners, obstacles between tables, chairs, and sofa becomes easy. Also, it lets you take out maximum dust with quick-moving action. More importantly, a rotating neck coupled with multiple types of tools ensures effective removal of dirt and debris.

With a HEPA filtration system, the machine captures 99.97% of tiny particles, preventing allergens, dust mites, and pet dander from passing through the system, ensuring clean air for your house. Since the filters work the best for about three months, it’s best to keep a few spare HEA filters for a replacement to maximize the machine’s performance.

   ➜ RELATED: Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair: Best Products to Buy in This Year

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 14.96’’ x 11.4’’ x 45.5’’
• Weight: 13.7 pounds
• Lift-away canister
• Wattage: 1200W
• Included tools: Hard Floor Hero, Pet Power Brush, Dusting Brush, and 8” Crevice Tool
• Dust capacity: 1.0 dry quarts
• Hose length: 8.5 feet
• Warranty: 5 years

If you’re in the market for a new vacuum or you’re a first-time buyer, do not ignore this Shark navigator lift away. It works wonders at picking up dirt, debris, and pet fur. If you used to wiggle the beater head of your old vacuum back and forth on high traffic areas and hope it would pick up dust as I did, you would notice a big difference using this NV370. With just one pass, all sorts of debris will be gone. You rarely have to go over it again!

I have two Maine Coon cats traipsing through my house, shedding and carrying cat litter wherever they roam. I also have one Afghan Hound that lives outside in his own little house in the backyard but just comes and goes in my house at will, dropping leaves, twigs, and whatever else trapped in his fur. Needless to say, I constantly vacuum, and my partner usually says that vacuuming is my favorite sport! I’ve used a few vacuums before, and none of them stayed with me more for more than six months. The NV370 is a different story! It effectively picked up dog and cat hair and also left my carpet looking close to new.

The unit also comes with a swivel head, allowing you to get around virtually every corner and under most furniture. As the cleaner head is slim and petite, users can push the entire sweeper to clean under couches, chairs, coffee tables, cabinets, beds, and sofa with ease. This swivel steering head basically makes a broom and dustpan almost obsolete, so after using this Shark, you might find that they’ll end up collecting dust in the corners of your house.

Because the main cylinder can be detached from its base and carried around via the handle on its top, this machine gives you lots of mobility when taking around. So it works pretty much like a mini vacuum head with rotating bristles. Ease of movement plays an essential role in the overall performance of this lift-away upright vacuum.

Aside from a dusting brush and an 8’’ crevice tool, this NV370 vacuum's most helpful attachment is the wood floor duster with washable pads. It works so well in picking up all the dirt, hair, and dust off the wood floors without scratching them. No more tumbleweed fur balls on both carpeted and hard floors for all animal lovers. Since the machine is fitted with a brush roll-on/off button, I can easily switch the suction over to the bare floor when not in motion, saving the timber floors from any possible damage.

This upright vacuum is a bagless machine, making it a significant cost saver. The dirt chamber is also tremendously easy to empty, leaving nothing to complain about. I honestly have to nit-pick to find one minor con: it is a bit top-heavy. With that said, if you drag it from the tub, it easily topples. But I’ve learned to carry the cylinder with my left hand and the tub with my right hand. So the top heavy problem is pretty much nothing to complain about.

Best of all, the compartment is completely sealed, so if you or someone in your home suffers from a respiratory condition, this vacuum is a must. All in all, it’s a good value for money with less than $200.

➜ RELATED: Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors: Discover Top Models for 2024

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 29.5’’ x 13.5’’ x 12’’
• Weight: 12.3 pounds
• Wattage: 960
• Amps: 10
• Cord length: 25 feet
• Hose length: 6 feet
• Cleaning path width: 9.5 inches
• Included tools: Upholstery Tool, Pet Power Brush, 8" Crevice Tool
• Warranty: 5 years

Most Shark navigator lift away reviews put a strong focus on powerful models, and more lightweight options tend to be neglected. This review is different. We carefully picked a wide range of machines to meet various users’ needs. There are sturdy and well-made models and lighter options like the LA322 so that vacuuming doesn’t feel like a chore. 

This Shark LA322 is surprisingly light for its size. While most other Shark Navigator Lift Away vacuums weigh around 15 pounds, this machine weighs a little more than 12 pounds, making it probably one of the lightest vacuums among all Navigator models. Besides, it is also an energy-efficient device. Since it has a wattage of only 960 watts, its power consumption is low compared to other vacuums.

Even though this machine does not possess powerful suction like other Navigator Lift-Away models, it is still strong enough (powered by a 10 Amp motor) to grab all kinds of debris out of the carpet and hardwood floors. With a well-built brush system made of thick bristles, it can remove dirt from both carpets and hardwood floors, ensuring even the tiniest dust particles can’t escape.

Thanks to a detachable pod, removing the canister to vacuum stairs, sofas, and other off-floor surfaces takes only seconds. Simply step on the foot pedal to detach the main canister and clean areas that would otherwise can’t be reached with the whole machine. This extraordinary lift-away system offers excellent mobility and versatility, making vacuuming multiple surfaces less of a burden, especially for the elderly.

The advanced swivel steering feature of this vacuum significantly enhanced its mobility. Users can easily twist the cleaner head without moving the body’s frame. This swivel head allows you to turn corners, get under small space and navigate around furniture with little effort. Vacuuming is now a lot more fun as you don’t need to use lots of time or energy.

Pet owners know too well that pet fur can be found anywhere in the house. Our four-legged friends also play hide and seek under furniture, leaving these places with anything trapped on their back and head. So if you have a garden, they can bring mud into your living room, hiding dust or dried leaves under the couch. So a vacuum equipped with LED lights the nozzle like the LA322 would be a lifesaver. It illuminates hard-to-see places and helps you pick up debris that naked eyes can’t usually see.

Even though we’ve come across a few comments saying that its power cord is short, we reckon that it is long enough to vacuum a large apartment without plugging and unplugging. On top of that, the wand also offers an extended reach, allowing you to vacuum ceilings, fans, window edges, and the likes.

One drawback that’s worth mentioning is the lack of suction adjustment. Since it features a binary switch, you either get MIN or MAX suction and even when it’s in min mode, it’s too strong to clean delicate surfaces like upholstered furniture without potentially damaging them.

➜ RELATED: 14 Best Lightweight Vacuums That Won't Tire You Out

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Specifications

• Dimensions: 27.4’’ x 14.8’’ x 12.3’’
• Weight: 16.5 pounds
• Included tools: air-driven pet brush, dusting brush, 5,5’’ crevice tool, 16’’ extension wand
• Swivel steering head
• Multiple mode switches

The Shark UV540 is packed with a lot of power, offering ample suction to effortlessly glide over the carpet and bare floors. Its Never Loses Suction technology provides consistent suction strength so you can intensively clean multiple floor types.
 
The machine features a DuoClean floor head, allowing owners to deep clean any surface, pick up small particles to large debris on both carpets and hard floors, leaving no hair wrap. Even stuck-on dust has no chance to escape a powerful and versatile Shark Navigator Lift Away vacuum. Thanks to two motorized brush rolls (soft and hard), you do not need to switch the nozzle when transitioning from one-floor type to another.
 
While the bristles in most standard vacuums tend to leave gaps in your cleaning path and wrap hair in the brush roll. Shark innovated them with more well-made and flexible silicone PowerFins, engineered to eliminate cleaning gaps while leaving no hair wrap. These bristle-free Power Fins provide non-stop cleaning contact on any surface, while its soft roller pulls in all kinds of debris, leaving your floor with a polished look.
 
The lift-away technology allows you to lift the canister away with just a push of a switch, so you can easily clean hard-to-reach areas. If you’re keen on machines with long power cords, the Shark UV540 is a perfect fit for your needs. It boasts a cable of 35 feet long, giving you extended reach for bigger homes with lots of carpets, pets, and kids.
 
This Shark corded upright comes with a complete set of accessories, offering users the optimum flexibility when cleaning off-floor surfaces:
 

• A dusting brush makes getting into slightly tight corners like window blinds, shades, padded furniture pads easily.
• A crevice tool is designed to get into crevices. It also allows you to reach extremely thin in-between sofas or cracks with a slim and narrow-angle.
• An air-driven pet brush - made of finer bristles and a motion-aligned rotator, helps pet owners tackle stubborn pet hair and embedded dust on furniture and upholstery, keeping their house clean and clear.
• A firm handle with a stretch hose gives you extended stretches to 10 more feet, making your cleaning sessions much more convenient. More importantly, the hose automatically reels back into place, so you don’t have to worry that it can entangle.
• An extension wand makes short work of vacuuming farther corners like ceiling fans, cabinets, crown moldings, and high-up light fixture frames. Capturing dust and spider webs on these items won’t be too hard anymore, thanks to an extendable handle.

 
What is more important, all of these tools can be easily attached and detached, making them convenient to use.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Shark Navigator Lift-Away vacuum buying guide

By now, you’ve got some idea of  the ten best Shark Navigator Lift Away models. You’ve learned what I like and dislike about each model. But how to pick the right one? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as we all have different vacuuming frequency, habits, floor type, and house size.

A 15-pound machine might be a perfect fit for your brother’s house but might be a bit bulky for your apartment. By the same logic, a vacuum with a dust-attachment tool for a hardwood floor is exactly what your parents need because 80% of their floor is timber. However, most rooms in your apartment are covered in carpet, and you also have pets, so you’ll need the one designed for carpeted floors and pet fur.

The most expensive models with all of the bells and whistles are not necessarily the best ones. So don’t get lured into appealing discount deals or ads. Careful consideration of your specific needs and budget will help you make a wise choice. I’ll delve a little deeper into the Shark Navigator Lift Away models to provide you with more insights.

1. What are the different Shark Navigator series?

Since there are many Shark Navigator vacuums, I put them into five main groups to avoid confusing you:

• Shark Navigator models are the main product line in this series. They do not have HEPA filters and advanced filtration systems like the others.
   
• Shark Navigator Lift-Away models feature the lift-away canister, providing excellent mobility. The ones reviewed in this article are the best models of this Navigator group.
   
• Shark Navigator DLX Professional models differentiate themselves from others with a large dust cup capacity, allowing users to perform uninterrupted cleaning tasks. The Shark Navigator Lift Away Professional (NV356E) reviewed above is a typical model in this group.
   
• Shark Navigator FreeStyle models are cordless machines with a slim, modern design with a recharge battery, letting you carry it around without hassle. Two vacuums in this line are the SV1106 and SV1100. They’re reasonably priced while still providing acceptable performance.
   
• Shark Navigator Light models are probably the lightest among all five groups reviewed here. Most of them are powered by a 700 watts motor, hence the weight. These compact vacuums are perfect for the elderly or those with a small apartment. However, they do not come with a HEPA filter.
   

2. What features set Shark vacuums apart?

Each vacuum brand has its own strengths, so does Shark. The company has continuously innovated its products using the latest technology. Below are a few features that set Shark products apart:

• DuoClean technology frees the user from the hassle of changing different attachments to work on various surfaces. It is a Shark patented technology that features two counter-rotating brushes in the main cleaner head, capturing large debris and fine dust.
   
• Lift-Away canister: As thoroughly reviewed above, this feature makes it convenient and easy to attach and detach the canister away, providing mobility and versatility to enable overall cleaning efficiency. The detached canister is designed to work in tandem with the machine’s impressive suction.
   
• LED headlights come in handy for an effective cleaning process.  They enable you to spot bits of dirt and debris when vacuuming, especially in dark corners and crevices.
   
• Anti-tangled brush roll: If your brush bar is tangled with hair, it reduces suction and is a hassle to clean. This feature uses a comb at the back of the floor to extract hair from the brush bar when vacuuming, minimizing wrapped hair in the brush roll.
   
• Detachable and see-through dust cups make it easy for users to access for emptying and cleaning. The dirt chamber capacity varies, but most models come with a decent dust container size.
   

3. Shark Navigator versus Shark Rotator

Shark Navigator and Shark Rotator are the two most popular upright vacuum series of this company. This quick comparison guide will help you decide which model is more suitable:

• Appearance: Even though they’re both 2-in-1 machines that can be used as uprights and handhelds, their appearance is quite different. While the Navigators have a more traditional look with a bigger unit body, the Rotators have a modern, sleek and streamlined body.
   
• Ease of assembling: Both Shark Navigator and Rotator machines come with four components: cleaning head, canister, wand, and attachments, making them easy to assemble.
   
• Weight & Suction power: With a classic design, the Navigators provide slightly more weight to carry around. When used as handheld canisters, the Navigators’ and Rotators' weight difference is negligible, as they both come in at a little more than 8 pounds. In terms of suction strength, Navigators' and Rotators’ power are comparable since most of their models use the same 1200 watt motor.
   
• Ease of use: Both products feature wide cleaning heads, large see-through dust bins, and many models of these two products are outfitted with HEPA filters. The swivel steering head makes the maneuverability of both product series similar. Navigating them through furniture and corners of the house is pretty straightforward. Their ability to get into tight spaces is about the same as both vacuum series have 12’’ wide and 3’’ height cleaning heads.
   
• Dust container and cleaning path: Most Shark Rotator machines have larger dust containers, but their cleaning path is only slightly wider than Shark Navigator models.
   
• Cleaning capabilities on high-pile carpets: The Rotator vacuums’ performance on thick carpets is better, as our lab tests have shown that they’re more capable of picking up ground-in debris and pet fur. However, their performance on hardwood and low carpet are not much different.
   
• Accessories: While Navigator models usually come with standard tools, Rotator vacuums are designed with added-on features to enhance usability. Also, the crevice tool of Rotator devices is longer, and their handles also have better grip.
   

4. How to prolong the lifespan of your Shark vacuum?

Shark vacuums are affordable, easy to use, and durable. As with any other home appliances, proper maintenance will prolong their lifespan. In this section, I’ll share with you a few tips to add years to the life of your Shark vacuum.

• Do not overfill it

Letting the bag or bin filled to its brim will affect the motor operation. Even worse, dust and dirt will get back to the air you breathe. Most Shark Navigator Lift Away vacuums are bagless, and some of them have large dust cup containers, allowing users to have multiple vacuuming sessions before it’s full. However, it’s best to get into the habit of emptying its dirt bin after each use.

• Keep the filters clean

When the filters are clogged, airflow will be limited, leading to poor performance. Your vacuum can pick up less dirt and debris. If filters are left unmaintained for too long, dirt will build up and eventually clog the parts to the extent that they can’t properly function.

Most full-sized vacuums have two or three filters. One of them is a pre-motor filter that can protect the motor from dust, dust, preventing particulates from releasing back into your house. Though most filters are washable, check the user's manual carefully before washing them. After washing, let them air dry for 24 hours before reinstalling them.

• Clean the brush rolls regularly

If you have long-haired pets, hair can quickly get wrapped in the motorized brush rolls, putting additional stress on the motor and hampering your machines’ cleaning performance. So it’s best to inspect the brush every two weeks, and remove the debris and cut through the hair with scissors.

Even though some vacuums are equipped with a tangle-free brush roll, they only minimize the hair wrap and do not eliminate hair from the cylinders. Given this, a regular inspection of the brush roll is always recommended, regardless of how well-built your vacuum is.

• Take care of the cord

We usually pay little attention to the power cord of our electrical appliances until it’s broken. However, most damage is preventable., Always hold the plug when unplugging and avoid yanking the cable. Also, wrap the cord loosely to prevent coiling.

The bottom line

I hope this thorough and unbiased review has provided you with some suggestions on the best Shark Navigator Lift Away models, useful insights into Shark vacuum product lines and how to keep them last longer.  If you’re still unsure which model to purchase, go with our editor’s pick: the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E. It’s a perfect combination of design and functions in a lightweight machine, offering optimal usability.

What is more important, it features an advanced filtration system and is easy on your wallet.