Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your home can often feel like a daunting task, akin to navigating a complex maze filled with countless options. The market is saturated with a plethora of brands, each boasting unique features and varying price points, making it challenging to pinpoint the perfect fit for your specific needs. If you’re currently seeking a versatile and powerful cleaning solution that offers exceptional value without emptying your wallet, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum NV350 series might be a compelling option to consider. These vacuums have steadily risen in popularity, largely due to their innovative design and impressive performance capabilities, but the crucial question remains: are they truly worth the hype and investment?
This comprehensive review takes a deep dive into the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum NV350 series, meticulously examining its key features, performance capabilities, and overall user experience to provide you with a clear and unbiased assessment. From its signature Lift-Away functionality, which allows for effortless above-floor cleaning, to its powerful suction and impressive maneuverability, we’ll explore every aspect of this vacuum to equip you with the information needed to make a well-informed decision. Whether you’re a pet owner constantly battling stubborn fur, an allergy sufferer seeking relief from airborne irritants, or simply someone who desires a reliable and efficient cleaning tool, this review will help you determine if the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV350 is indeed the right vacuum to meet your unique requirements and preferences.
Table of Contents
Design and Features
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV350 series, encompasses a range of models including the NV352, NV356, NV380, CU510, and NV360, and distinguishes itself through its thoughtfully engineered design and an array of features meticulously crafted to streamline the cleaning process. These features work in harmony to deliver a user-friendly and efficient cleaning experience.
Lift-Away Functionality
The defining characteristic of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away lies in its innovative Lift-Away functionality, a game-changing design element that sets it apart from traditional upright vacuums. This clever design enables you to effortlessly detach the main pod of the vacuum from its base, instantly transforming it into a portable cleaning powerhouse, ready to tackle a variety of surfaces and spaces. Detaching the pod is a breeze – simply press the conveniently located side button, and you’re good to go. This feature proves incredibly useful when cleaning above-floor surfaces such as stairs, upholstery, and even the often-neglected interiors of your vehicles. The wand swivels and conveniently doubles as a handle, providing extended reach and enhanced maneuverability, allowing you to navigate tight spaces with ease. In essence, it’s like having two vacuums seamlessly integrated into one – a traditional upright for efficiently cleaning floors and a lightweight, portable unit designed for tackling everything else.
Cord Design
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away comes equipped with a generous 25-foot power cord, providing ample reach for cleaning most rooms without the constant need to switch outlets. The upper cord hook swivels, allowing for easier and more convenient cord management, while the lower hook remains fixed to provide stability. One potential drawback to consider is the cord’s exit point, which is located near the bottom of the unit, potentially leading to accidentally running over it during use. To mitigate this issue, Shark thoughtfully includes a cord protector and clips, designed to help keep the cord safely out of the way during operation.
Sealed System and HEPA Filter
For individuals who suffer from allergies or sensitivities, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away’s sealed system and HEPA filter offer significant advantages, providing a cleaner and healthier home environment. The sealed system is designed to ensure that dust and allergens are securely trapped within the vacuum, preventing them from escaping and being released back into the air you breathe. Complementing this, the HEPA filter captures an impressive 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, effectively removing allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander from your home. However, some users have noted that reattaching the HEPA filter after cleaning can be a somewhat tricky process, requiring a bit of patience and attention.
Power Switch
The vacuum features a simple and intuitive three-position power switch, allowing for effortless control and customization based on your cleaning needs. The switch offers three distinct settings: off, bare floor, and brush roll on. This allows you to easily adjust the cleaning mode based on the type of flooring you’re tackling, optimizing performance and preventing damage. The brush roll is intelligently designed to activate only when the vacuum is reclined, preventing potential damage to delicate surfaces and furniture.
Dust Cup
The dust cup boasts a 0.9-quart capacity, which is generally adequate for handling most standard cleaning tasks without requiring frequent emptying. It features convenient openings on both ends, making it remarkably easy to empty collected debris and thoroughly clean the interior. The design also allows you to access and remove any stubborn debris that may become stuck, all while the dust cup remains securely attached to the vacuum. Over time, the dust cup may accumulate minor scratches and exhibit signs of wear, but these are primarily cosmetic imperfections and do not compromise its functionality or performance.
Swivel Steering
Swivel steering stands out as another key design element that significantly enhances the Shark Navigator Lift-Away’s overall maneuverability and ease of use. This feature allows you to effortlessly navigate around furniture and maneuver through tight spaces, transforming cleaning from a chore into a more manageable and efficient task.
Brushroll Shutoff
The brushroll shutoff feature is essential for seamlessly transitioning between carpet and bare floor cleaning, protecting your floors and ensuring optimal cleaning performance on various surfaces. By turning off the brush roll, you can effectively prevent scattering debris on hard floors and safeguard delicate rugs from potential damage caused by the rotating brush.
Performance and Usability
Beyond its innovative design features, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV350 series has earned a reputation for its robust performance and user-friendly design, making it a popular choice among homeowners.
Suction
The vacuum boasts powerful suction capabilities, making it remarkably effective at deep cleaning both carpets and bare floors, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive clean throughout your home. For more delicate surfaces such as drapes or upholstery, a suction relief valve allows you to reduce the suction power, preventing any potential damage or snagging.
Brush Roll
The brush roll features its own dedicated motor and an intelligent obstruction indicator, designed to optimize performance and prevent damage. If the brush roll encounters an obstruction, the indicator will illuminate red, alerting you to the issue. Clearing the obstruction and restarting the machine will reset the indicator to green, ensuring that the brush roll operates at its optimal performance level.
Airflow and Dust Buildup
One common issue reported by users is the accumulation of dust at the bottom of the dust bin, which can potentially impact the vacuum’s overall performance. This phenomenon is often attributed to airflow patterns within the vacuum itself. Regular filter cleaning is crucial to maintaining optimal airflow and preventing dust buildup, ensuring that the vacuum continues to operate at its peak efficiency.
Floor Nozzle and Maneuverability
The floor nozzle swivels and can lay flat, allowing you to effortlessly reach under furniture with ease, cleaning those often-neglected areas. However, the large base can sometimes make it difficult to maneuver in very tight spaces, requiring a bit more finesse. The edge cleaning performance is generally effective, particularly on one side of the nozzle, which features teeth that aid in picking up larger debris on carpets.
Tipping
Due to its relatively narrow design, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away can be prone to tipping, especially on uneven surfaces or thick carpets, which can be a minor inconvenience. This is something to keep in mind, particularly if you have challenging floor surfaces or frequently encounter uneven terrain while cleaning.
Handle
Some users have reported issues with aftermarket replacement handles, noting that air can escape through loose seams, potentially reducing suction power. This issue can be more noticeable on the Zero M model, which relies on strong suction for optimal performance. It’s generally recommended to use genuine Shark replacement parts whenever possible to ensure a proper fit and maintain the vacuum’s performance.
Accessories and Tools
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV350 series comes equipped with a variety of accessories and tools designed to enhance its versatility and cater to a wider range of cleaning needs.
Included Tools
The purple models (NV352, NV356, NV380, CU510) typically include a small dusting brush, a small crevice tool, an extra-long crevice tool, and an upholstery mattress tool, providing a comprehensive cleaning solution for various surfaces and spaces. However, it’s worth noting that only the two smaller attachments can be conveniently stored onboard the vacuum, which may require some additional storage planning. The blue Walmart variant (NV360) comes with an upholstery tool and a crevice tool, offering a more streamlined selection of attachments.
Turbo Brush
The blue Walmart variant (NV351) includes a turbo brush, which is particularly effective at picking up fine dust and debris thanks to its integrated felt strips, ensuring a thorough and detailed clean. However, the turbo brush may slow down when pushed against furniture, and the belt may slip under excessive pressure.
Part Availability and Replacement
Maintaining your vacuum and replacing worn parts is essential for ensuring its long-term performance and extending its lifespan.
Hose
Replacement hoses are readily available and relatively inexpensive, typically ranging from $5 to $10, making it easy to address any hose-related issues without breaking the bank. Aftermarket options are also common, providing a wider range of choices and price points.
Dust Cup and Filters
Replacement dust containers are available if needed, allowing you to replace a damaged or worn dust cup and maintain optimal performance. The vacuum utilizes two washable filters (sponge and felt) that should be cleaned every three months to maintain optimal airflow and filtration efficiency. These filters tend to get dirty quickly, so regular cleaning is essential to prevent dust buildup and maintain the vacuum’s suction power.
General Part Availability
While Shark’s part availability can sometimes be limited, major components like the wand handle, dust cup, filters, and cleaner head assembly with the hose are generally available, especially for models that have been on the market for a while, ensuring that you can keep your vacuum running smoothly for years to come.
User Experience and Opinions
Real-world user experiences provide valuable insights into the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV350 series, offering a glimpse into its strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of actual users.
General Satisfaction
Despite initial reservations, many users express overall satisfaction with the Shark Navigator Lift-Away series, praising its versatility, powerful suction, and convenient Lift-Away feature as key benefits that enhance their cleaning experience.
Common Issues
One common issue reported by users is the accumulation of dust and dirt on a peg inside the hose, which can reduce suction power and impact the vacuum’s overall performance. Worn clips that don’t latch properly are another potential problem, which can affect the stability and functionality of the vacuum.
Comparison to Other Models
Compared to older models, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away has a shorter hose, making it better suited for carpets and short-reach tasks, while potentially limiting its versatility for some users.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your Shark Navigator Lift-Away in top condition and ensuring its long-term performance. It’s recommended to use a toothbrush or sponge to clean the dust bin and to clean the filters regularly to avoid dust buildup and maintain optimal suction power.
Pet Owners
Pet owners particularly appreciate the included attachments, such as the upholstery tool, which make cleaning pet hair much easier and more efficient, tackling a common challenge for pet-friendly households.
Pricing
The purple models of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away typically retail for around $150, offering a compelling balance of features and affordability. The Shark Upright Vacuum Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe with Large Dust Cup Capacity, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Crevice Tool, Blue, NV360 costs $129.99, providing a slightly more budget-friendly option.
Pros & Cons
To summarize, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV350 series:
Pros
- Lift-away functionality for enhanced maneuverability and versatile cleaning
- Powerful suction and deep cleaning capabilities for effective dirt removal
- HEPA filter for allergen control, promoting a healthier home environment
- Swivel steering for easy maneuverability around furniture and tight spaces
- Effective edge cleaning for thorough cleaning along walls and edges
- Affordable replacement parts, ensuring cost-effective maintenance
Cons
- Tendency to tip on uneven surfaces, requiring careful handling
- Dust accumulation at the bottom of the bin, potentially affecting suction
- Potential issues with aftermarket handles, impacting performance and durability
- Large base can make it difficult to maneuver under furniture in tight spaces
Final Verdict
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum NV350 series offers a compelling combination of versatility, power, and affordability, making it a strong contender in the vacuum cleaner market. Its Lift-Away functionality, powerful suction, and HEPA filter make it a great choice for a wide range of users, from busy families to allergy sufferers. While it has some drawbacks, such as its tendency to tip and potential issues with dust buildup, its overall performance and user-friendly design make it a worthwhile investment for many households seeking an effective and versatile cleaning solution.
For pet owners, the included attachments make cleaning up pet hair a breeze, tackling a common challenge with ease. Allergy sufferers will appreciate the HEPA filter and sealed system, which help to trap allergens and improve air quality, creating a healthier and more comfortable living environment. If you’re looking for a vacuum that can handle both carpets and bare floors, and that can easily transition to above-floor cleaning, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV350 series is definitely worth considering as a reliable and versatile cleaning companion.
