The Shark Navigator NV22 and Lift-Away series vacuums are both popular choices for homeowners seeking powerful and versatile cleaning solutions without breaking the bank. Both target the mid-range vacuum market, offering bagless convenience and features designed to tackle various floor types and above-floor cleaning tasks. The Navigator NV22, an earlier model, established Shark’s reputation for strong suction and affordability. The Lift-Away series builds upon this foundation, adding a detachable canister for enhanced portability and maneuverability. Consumers often weigh these options based on their specific cleaning needs, budget, and preferences for features like swivel steering, HEPA filtration, and specialized attachments.
Choosing between the Shark Navigator NV22 and a Lift-Away model requires careful consideration of your home’s layout, flooring types, and cleaning habits. If you prioritize simplicity, strong suction, and value, the NV22 remains a viable contender, especially for smaller homes with mostly carpeted surfaces. However, for greater versatility, ease of use in tight spaces, and advanced features like HEPA filtration and specialized tools, a Lift-Away model offers a compelling upgrade. Ultimately, the best choice depends on finding the right balance of features, performance, and price to suit your individual cleaning requirements.
Table of Contents
- Quick Verdict
- Short Review of Shark Navigator NV22
- Short Review of Shark Lift-Away
- Key Differences at a Glance
- Specifications Comparison
- Price Comparison
- Design and Build Quality
- Performance Face-Off
- Special Features Comparison
- Usability and User Experience
- Maintenance and Longevity
- Who Should Buy Shark Navigator NV22?
- Who Should Buy a Shark Lift-Away?
- Final Recommendation
Quick Verdict
- For Budget-Conscious Consumers: The Shark Navigator NV22 is the more affordable option, offering good basic cleaning performance.
- For Versatility and Above-Floor Cleaning: Lift-Away models excel due to their detachable canister, making them ideal for stairs, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas.
- For Allergy Sufferers: Choose a Lift-Away model with HEPA filtration for better allergen capture.
- For Homes with Mixed Flooring: Lift-Away models with brushroll control offer superior performance on both carpet and hard floors.
The Shark Navigator NV22 is a bagless upright vacuum known for its strong suction and lightweight design. It’s designed to be maneuverable, with swivel steering that makes it easy to navigate around furniture. The NV22 is particularly effective on carpets, where its motorized brush roll can dig deep to remove dirt and debris. It also includes a stretch hose and attachments for above-floor cleaning, such as upholstery and crevices.
One of the key benefits of the NV22 is its simplicity and ease of use. It has basic controls and requires minimal maintenance, with washable filters that eliminate the need for replacement bags. Its compact size and light weight also make it easy to store and carry. While it lacks some of the advanced features of newer models, the NV22 offers a solid cleaning performance at an affordable price, making it a good choice for smaller homes or those on a tight budget.
Short Review of Shark Lift-Away
Shark Lift-Away vacuums are known for their versatility and convenience. The key feature is a detachable canister that allows you to convert the upright vacuum into a portable cleaner for stairs, upholstery, and other above-floor surfaces. Lift-Away models often include features like swivel steering for maneuverability, HEPA filtration for allergy relief, and brushroll control for optimal performance on different floor types.
Lift-Away vacuums are designed to be user-friendly, with easy-to-empty dust cups and washable filters. Many models also come with a variety of attachments, such as crevice tools, dusting brushes, and pet power brushes, to tackle a wide range of cleaning tasks. While Lift-Away models typically come at a higher price point than the NV22, their enhanced versatility, features, and performance make them a popular choice for homes with diverse cleaning needs.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Canister Design: The Lift-Away series features a detachable canister for portable cleaning, while the NV22 is a traditional upright.
- Filtration: Lift-Away models often include HEPA filters, providing superior allergen capture compared to the NV22’s standard filtration.
- Brushroll Control: Some Lift-Away models have brushroll on/off switches, allowing for optimized cleaning on hard floors and carpets. The NV22 does have a power nozzle on/off.
- Weight: The NV22 is generally lighter than Lift-Away models.
- Price: The NV22 is typically more affordable than Lift-Away vacuums.
- Attachments: Lift-Away models often come with a wider array of attachments for specialized cleaning tasks.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Shark Navigator NV22 | Shark Lift-Away (varies by model) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Upright | Upright/Lift-Away |
| Bagless | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | ~15 lbs | ~12-16 lbs |
| Dust Cup Capacity | Varies | Varies, often larger |
| Filtration | Standard | HEPA (on some models) |
| Brushroll Control | Yes | Yes(on some models) |
| Swivel Steering | Yes | Yes |
| Attachments | Crevice tool, upholstery brush | Varies, often more extensive |
| Cord Length | 30 ft | 25-30 ft |
| Motor Power | Varies | Varies |
| Lift-Away Feature | No | Yes |
Price Comparison
The Shark Navigator NV22 is generally positioned as a budget-friendly option, typically found at a lower price point than the Lift-Away series. Lift-Away models vary in price depending on their features and included attachments, with higher-end models commanding a premium. When considering the cost-to-feature ratio, the NV22 offers good value for basic cleaning needs, while Lift-Away models provide a better return on investment for those seeking versatility and advanced features.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark Navigator NV22 features a straightforward, upright design with a focus on functionality. It is constructed primarily of plastic, which contributes to its light weight. The Lift-Away models share a similar aesthetic but incorporate the detachable canister mechanism, adding to their overall complexity. While both series are generally durable, some users report that the Lift-Away models can feel slightly less sturdy due to the multiple moving parts. Ergonomics are similar across both series, with comfortable handles and swivel steering for easy maneuverability.
Performance Face-Off
Carpet Cleaning
Both the NV22 and Lift-Away models excel at carpet cleaning, thanks to their strong suction and motorized brush rolls. The NV22’s brushroll is particularly effective at agitating carpet fibers and lifting embedded dirt. Lift-Away models with brushroll control offer an advantage, allowing users to turn off the brushroll on delicate carpets to prevent damage.
According to vacuumwizard.com, the Shark Navigator NV22L upright vacuum cleaner has great suction and cleans very well on both hard surfaces and carpeting. The ability to activate or shut off the vacuum brush is an excellent option. On hard flooring, you keep it off so the brush doesn’t kick away any large particles. It also tested very well for edge cleaning. The carpet and hard floor was cleaned nicely even to the edge of the floor.
Hard Floor Cleaning
The NV22 can struggle on hard floors, as its brushroll can scatter debris. Lift-Away models with brushroll control offer a distinct advantage, allowing users to turn off the brushroll and rely on suction alone for gentle and effective hard floor cleaning.
RTINGS.com notes that the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is a decent option for bare floors, easily clearing bulky debris, though fine debris poses a challenge. However, there isn’t a brushroll off switch, so it can scatter around larger chunks of debris on hard floors.
Pet Hair Removal
Both series are capable of removing pet hair from carpets and upholstery, especially when equipped with specialized pet hair attachments. The Lift-Away models’ detachable canister makes it easier to target pet hair in hard-to-reach areas.
RTINGS.com states that the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pet does a fantastic job of handling pet hair on carpeted floors, and the included straight-suction upholstery tool is also great for dealing with pet hair on couches or chairs.
Above-Floor Cleaning
The NV22’s stretch hose and attachments allow for basic above-floor cleaning, but the Lift-Away models’ detachable canister provides greater portability and maneuverability. This makes Lift-Away vacuums ideal for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and other elevated surfaces.
Edge Cleaning
The Shark Navigator NV22L cleans the edge of carpeting and hard floors with ease.
Special Features Comparison
- Shark Navigator NV22:
- Simple on/off brushroll control
- Lightweight design
- Shark Lift-Away:
- Detachable canister for portable cleaning
- HEPA filtration (on some models)
- Brushroll control (on some models)
- Advanced Swivel Steering
Usability and User Experience
Both the NV22 and Lift-Away models are designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive controls and easy-to-empty dust cups. The NV22’s simplicity makes it particularly appealing to novice users, while the Lift-Away models’ versatility and advanced features cater to more experienced users who demand greater control and flexibility. The Lift-Away feature enhances usability by allowing users to easily transition between upright and portable cleaning modes.
Maintenance and Longevity
Both series require minimal maintenance, with washable filters that eliminate the need for replacement bags. Regular cleaning of the filters and brushroll is recommended to maintain optimal performance. While both series are generally durable, the Lift-Away models’ more complex design may make them slightly more prone to mechanical issues over time. The Shark Navigator NV22L has a limited five-year warranty from the manufacturer, and lifetime foam and felt filters are washable.
- Budget-conscious shoppers seeking a basic, reliable vacuum
- Users with smaller homes and mostly carpeted floors
- Those who prioritize simplicity and ease of use
- Individuals who don’t require advanced features like HEPA filtration or a detachable canister
Who Should Buy a Shark Lift-Away?
- Homeowners seeking a versatile vacuum for diverse cleaning needs
- Users with stairs, upholstery, and other above-floor surfaces to clean
- Allergy sufferers who benefit from HEPA filtration
- Those who value convenience and portability
- Pet owners who need effective pet hair removal
Final Recommendation
The Shark Navigator NV22 is a solid choice for budget-minded consumers who need a basic, reliable vacuum for carpet cleaning. However, for greater versatility, advanced features, and superior performance on hard floors and above-floor surfaces, a Shark Lift-Away model represents the better overall value. The Lift-Away feature, combined with HEPA filtration and brushroll control (on select models), makes these vacuums a worthwhile investment for those seeking a comprehensive cleaning solution.
