Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum
Overview of Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is a versatile corded upright vacuum with a similar design to newer models like the Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV. It features Shark’s patented ‘Lift-Away’ technology, which allows you to uncouple its canister from its body, making it easier to clean stairs, cars, and other tight spaces. While it has a less powerful suction motor than most other Shark uprights, like the flagship Shark APEX Upright, its floorhead does offer good surface agitation, resulting in reasonably strong debris pickup performance on carpeting.
This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum. We will examine its key features, usability, performance, pricing, and customer support and compare it to other top competitors in the upright vacuum market. By the end of this review, you should clearly understand whether the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum is worth investing in for your cleaning needs.
Key Features of Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum
Lift-Away Technology and Multi-surface Cleaning Abilities
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed features Shark’s patented ‘Lift-Away’ technology, which allows you to detach its canister from its body, transforming it into a semi-handheld vacuum. This feature makes cleaning tight spaces, stairs, and cars easier. It also has a two-level surface type adjustment, allowing you to adapt to different surfaces on the fly. Its suction power can be adjusted with a sliding suction gate, making it versatile for use on low-pile and high-pile carpets, bare floors, and upholstery.
Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and HEPA Filter
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed has an anti-allergen complete seal technology and a HEPA filter, trapping 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum. This feature is beneficial for pet owners or those with allergies as it prevents the release of allergens back into the air while you clean.
Powerful Suction and Brushroll Control
While it has a less powerful suction motor than most other Shark uprights, like the flagship Shark APEX Upright, its floorhead does offer good surface agitation, resulting in reasonably strong debris pickup performance on carpeting. Its self-cleaning ‘Zero-M’ brush roll is less prone to tangling than most other brush rolls, making maintenance much more accessible.
Versatile Attachments and Accessories
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed comes with several attachments and accessories, including a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool. These tools make cleaning tight spaces, delicate surfaces, and furniture more accessible.
Usability and User Experience
Assembly and Setup Process
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is easy to assemble and set up out of the box. Most users should be able to put it together in under 10 minutes. The instruction manual is straightforward to follow.
Maneuverability and Ease of Use
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is not the most maneuverable vacuum on the market, but it’s still reasonably easy to use. Its ‘Lift-Away’ technology makes cleaning tight spaces, stairs, and cars easier. However, its bulky design and lack of swivel steering can make navigating furniture and corners difficult.
Noise Level and Cord Length
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is a relatively quiet vacuum compared to other uprights. It produces around 70 decibels, about as loud as a normal conversation. Its power cord is 25 feet long, which is average for a vacuum of this type.
Performance and Efficiency
Cleaning Power and Effectiveness on Different Surfaces
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed delivers good performance on multiple surfaces, including low-pile and high-pile carpets, bare floors, stairs, and cars. Its suction power can be adjusted with a sliding suction gate, making it versatile for use on different surfaces. Its floorhead has a two-level surface type adjustment, allowing you to adapt to other characters on the fly. It also has excellent pet hair pickup capabilities and an allergen-trapping HEPA filter.
Dustbin Capacity and Emptying Process
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed has a dustbin capacity of 1.2 quarts, which is average for an upright vacuum. The dustbin is easy to remove and empty, but it can be messy if you’re not careful.
Energy Efficiency and Overall Power Consumption
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed consumes around 5.5 amps of electricity, which is relatively low for an upright vacuum. This makes it a more energy-efficient option than other vacuums on the market.
Pricing and Value
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is a relatively affordable vacuum, typically priced around $200. It offers good value for the price, considering its versatility and performance on multiple surfaces. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is a significantly better value than the pricier yet quite similar Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe.
When compared to competitors like Dyson, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much in terms of cleaning power. While Dyson vacuums are objectively better in cleaning power, they are also notably more expensive.
Pros and Cons
Advantages of Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum
- Versatile cleaning performance on multiple surfaces
- Lift-away technology for easier cleaning in tight spaces
- Anti-allergen complete seal technology and HEPA filter for allergy sufferers
- Easy-to-use attachments and accessories
- Affordable price compared to competitors
Disadvantages and Limitations
- The bulky design and lack of swivel steering make it less maneuverable.
- The dustbin emptying process can be messy.
- It is not as powerful as some other upright vacuums on the market.
Ideal Use Cases for Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum is perfect for those needing a versatile and affordable vacuum to clean multiple surfaces, including low-pile and high-pile carpets, bare floors, stairs, and cars. It’s also great for pet owners and those with allergies, thanks to its excellent pet hair pickup capabilities and allergen-trapping HEPA filter.
Final Verdict
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum offers versatile cleaning performance on multiple surfaces, Lift-Away technology for easier cleaning in tight spaces, and an allergen-trapping HEPA filter for allergy sufferers. However, its bulky design and lack of swivel steering make it less maneuverable, and the dustbin emptying process can be messy.
We recommend the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum for those who want a versatile and affordable vacuum for cleaning multiple surfaces, including low-pile and high-pile carpets, bare floors, stairs, and cars. It’s also great for pet owners and those with allergies, thanks to its excellent pet hair pickup capabilities and allergen-trapping HEPA filter.
Is Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum Worth Using?
In conclusion, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum is a reliable, versatile, and affordable vacuum cleaner. Its Lift-Away technology, multiple surface cleaning capabilities, and allergy-friendly features offer good value for the price. While it may not be as powerful or maneuverable as other options on the market, it still delivers solid cleaning performance for most users.
