Shark Navigator Lift-Away Swivel Steering Upright Vacuum
Last updated: October 26, 2023
This upright vacuum is the top overall recommended pick because of its reasonable price point and multiple tools, including two sizes of crevice tools. The removable handle doubles as an extension wand. It's also extremely efficient at removing any embedded dirt and dust from the floor.
We looked at the top Upright Vacuums and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Upright Vacuum you should buy.
Product Details
Key Takeaway: With tons of tools and an extension wand, this upright vacuum can get dirt in all those tiny crevices and corners.
In our analysis of 65 expert reviews, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Swivel Steering Upright Vacuum placed 3rd when we looked at the top 14 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.From The Manufacturer
NV360 Features: -Never loses suction Technology for consistent suction power . -Lightweight, portable canister with premium pet tools and patented under-appliance wand. -Swivel steering and smooth-gliding wheels promises easy maneuvering around furniture . -Vacuum Attachments: Brush Tool, Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool, Long Reach Hose. Dimensions: -25′ Power cord. -11″ Cleaning width. Overall Height – Top to Bottom: -45.47″. Overall Width – Side to Side: -11.42″. Overall Depth – Front to Back: -14.96″. Overall Product Weight: -15.96 lbs.
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
Highs: Excelled at removing embedded dirt from carpets - Performed well when cleaning bare floors, ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and hardwood floors. - Excelled at capturing all the dust it picks up, important if you have allergies or other respiratory issues. - Has suction control, which helps protect drapes when using tools. - Has a brush on/off switch, which safeguards bare floors and prevents the scattering of dust and debris.
The Shark Navigator has more tools than most of the comparable vacuum cleaners, including two different crevice tools.
After our look at more than 525 vacuums over hundreds of hours, our favorite vacuum for most people is still the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352.
The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away is a compact upright vacuum with a removable handle that doubles as an extension wand. It's especially unique in that the top half of the vacuum can detach from the floor brush for portable cleaning. It weighs just under 14 pounds, too, easily gliding across bare floors and short carpets.
- Reviewed
Powerful, lightweight, and an overall value, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional claims the top spot for vacuum cleaners and is ideal for most families. What’s great about this model is that it’s easy to assemble and use, plus it maintains powerful suction whether you’re using it on carpet or bare floors.
The Shark Rotator Pro Lift-Away is a veritable master of versatility. It comes with so many attachments and accessories that you are pretty much guaranteed to have the right brush for the job at hand.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 is a strong all-around vacuum, but the reliability and durability are what put this model above its competitors (and some pricier options). It needs less maintenance than other vacuums at this price, and it has essentially no ongoing costs of ownership thanks in part to a nearly comprehensive five-year warranty that’s easy to make a claim on. That near-guaranteed longevity alone puts the Navigator Lift-Away ahead of most cheap vacs. It’s a very capable cleaner, too, able to pick up any debris (including pet hair) from almost all kinds of flooring. Handling is smooth and light, emptying it is easy, and its owners tend to love it, often comparing it favorably to their old vacuums—even models that were much more expensive.
- Forbes
Quite a few Navigator reviewers came back years after their first review to update potential buyers about their experiences with the brand. From what we can tell, the Navigator is like a fine wine. It ages well over time and keeps performing year after year like it did on day 1. Many switched from more expensive and better known vacuum models to this little vacuum that could. Many also say that this is the best vacuum that they’ve used in years. Don’t let the price deceive you. Reviewers bought this vacuum because of the price, but kept it around because of its dependability.
The "Lift-Away" portion of the name refers to the option of lifting the canister and hose right off the base for easy vacuuming of stairs, underneath furniture, tight corners, and those pesky cobwebs dangling from the high reaches of your ceiling. You won't need super-strength to lift the vacuum up to those high corners, either.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum (NV352) was a solid purchase due to its lightweight design, swiveling head, and impressive suction power. The ‘never loses suction’ technology is extremely powerful, allowing you to easily transition from bare hardwood floors to area rugs and upholstery, ensuring you of optimal floor contact and consistent suction the entire time.From the first few moments to the very last ones, your vacuum will never lose suction power, meaning that its performance will never have to suffer.
Great suction power, easily absorbing both debris or dust particles, and pet hair. Surprisingly, the vacuum cleaner has a quiet working mechanism. The on-off brush power is very good when you are handling hardwood or tile floor surfaces.
What reviewers didn't like
Lows: The on/off switch is inconveniently placed. Requires manually emptying the bin, which is messier and sometimes presents problems for those with allergies or other respiratory issues. Lacks a manual carpet-height adjustment, which is better than automatic systems at matching the brush to the surface.
This vacuum is more expensive than most budget options, at over $100.
Though the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away makes a lot of promises, many of them on late-night television, it largely fails to deliver. The lightweight and maneuverable vacuum has a very ergonomically-friendly extension wand, but the whole setup gave the impression that it was poorly constructed from inexpensive materials.
- Reviewed
It didn't lead during performance testing. Then again, it costs $450 less than some of its competition -- and in many cases the results were only marginally worse.
On the downside, owners wish the electrical cord was longer, and some said the vacuum cleaner was a bit top-heavy. Hose is a bit short at 5 feet; electric cord is short at only 25 feet.
There are a few aspects I should probably insist on. First of all, there is a good chance that your vacuum will fall down and spill the contents of the dust can over since the support is not the best. The same will happen if you position the vacuum so that it leans against the wall – the dust can might spill over. When used for longer than 20 minutes at a time, the vacuum gets very hot, which might result in damage if left alone like this for too long.
It happens to be too top-heavy and can easily tip over as a result. The cord and hose are both short so it can be challenging to reach certain surfaces in the house.
View our Upright Vacuum buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.