We ended up re-testing the vacuum on the other flooring surfaces and it then began performing very well. While the Navigator series is now one of Shark’s more basic lines in terms of advanced features, this model still has a removable dust bin and plenty of cord length for cleaning average-sized rooms. An 11-foot-long extension hose also makes it easy to clean drapes or steps without lugging the entire unit with you.
The wand is already bulky and the tool clip, with tools attached, just makes it more so. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). After our pet vacuum tester’s lackluster experience with his own Miele – Calima, though, we thought long and hard about how to qualify value for a general review. If you’re seriously considering the less expensive Eureka – 3670h without the $40 filter, look closely at the Bissell – Zing first.
The foam and felt filters reside under the dust canister and are very easy to access. They can also be rinsed in water when dirty (Shark says do this every 3 months or so). It is designed to be pulled out through the bottom of the dust canister and you will sometimes have to clean it off. Accessories shouldn’t be an afterthought when shopping for a Shark vacuum, because shark canister vacuum the right tools can help you complete your cleaning tasks more quickly and easily. This vacuum’s anti-allergen seal and HEPA filter effectively trap dust—a major win for families with pets and allergies. You’ll also enjoy the clear dust bin that allows you to see what you’re capturing in real time, and it releases very easily with the help of built-in latches.
When it is time to empty the dust bin, keep in mind that it’s a little tricky to pull apart. We found that if we didn’t properly place the two pieces together, the vacuum lost suction power once restarted. We also had to pull some hair out of the dust cup from crevices that did not initially empty.
If you’re looking for the powerful suction of an upright vacuum but the convenience of a cordless stick vacuum, this is the one for you. And with such a long battery life, you could vacuum your apartment multiple times or clean an entire two-story house before having to charge it. For all of these reasons, plus the easy three-minute assembly time, this is our top pick. Canister-style vacuums are less common than uprights in the US and Canada, but are popular in Europe.
We then compared all of the Shark vacuums to provide a variety—including handheld, stick, upright, and robot options—that will perform well in any home. We plan to try out the Airsign bagged canister vacuum, a design- and environmentally- focused model, and the Sebo Felix Premium, one of Sebo’s most shark robotic vacuums powerful (and most stylish) upright models. But the evidence we’ve seen leads us to believe that the Navigator Lift-Away is actually more reliable than most vacuum cleaners in this price range. Thanks to the long-lasting geared belt and reusable filter, performance shouldn’t decline much over time.
After testing dozens of robot vacuums, he is neither worried about AI nor holding his breath for self-driving cars. He enjoys visiting factories and learning about regulatory loopholes, and has flooded our testing area only three times. To check the efficacy of the vacuums’ filters, we needed a test chamber that registered only what was in the air after it had been filtered by the vacuum. It also needs very little maintenance and has essentially no recurring costs. That’s because its parts are made to last the lifetime of the machine, whereas most affordable vacuums need fresh filters and belts to keep running well. Most of Shark’s accessories have a handy storage spot, but the various model numbers (we tested the AZ1000W) may include accessory brushes that don’t have a home.
We tend to recommend the NV360 because it’s typically the best value at our favorite retailers. We’ve found that the Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 is the easiest to nab for a good deal these days, and it’s the same as the NV352, except for the shape of the handle and the placement of the power button. The NV351 is the same as the NV352, without the handheld motorized shark robotic vacuums brush. The NV356 is the “pro” model with a slightly larger dust cup, and the NV370 is the “pro” model with the different handle and placement of the power button. The ADV LA322 is a new version of this great vacuum, a little bit lighter and better-looking, but with essentially the same performance in our tests as the classic Navigator Lift-Away models.
And compared with a $600 Miele canister vacuum, the Dyson might last half as long (10 years), if you’re lucky. Dyson makes good plug-in vacuum cleaners that cost way too much money by current standards. We’ve tested several Dyson upright vacuums over the past few years, including the Ball MultiFloor 2, and haven’t found a great reason to recommend one over our other picks. The main reason we love Miele canister vacuum cleaners is that they’re impressively sturdy, without feeling clunky.