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The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 is 2024’s Best Budget Upright Vacuum – Here’s Why

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 has been a household name since it burst onto the scene in 2010. Vacuum Wars recently named it the Best Budget Upright Vacuum for 2024, so it’s worth revisiting in detail what has made this vacuum cleaner one of the most beloved and best-selling models worldwide and how it fared in our own evaluations in the Vacuum Wars studio. Let’s delve into the features and performance that continue to make it a favorite among consumers.

Our 2024 Budget Upright Pick
Shark Navigator Lift Away
$199.99 $149.99
We think that the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 is a triumph in budget vacuum design, demonstrating robust suction and versatile cleaning capabilities. Its well-designed swivel steering and light weight make it incredibly user-friendly, while the HEPA filtration and seal technology ensure that it effectively keeps dust and allergens contained. The Lift-Away feature adds significant versatility, allowing easy transition to cleaning stairs, upholstery, or other challenging areas. With its commendable performance on both carpet and hard floors, combined with a thoughtful attachment set, the NV352 offers exceptional value and functionality, standing the test of time as a beloved model in the vacuum cleaner market.
Pros:
  • Strong suction across the vacuum
  • Effective on carpet and hard floors
  • Lift-Away feature enhances versatility
  • Excellent HEPA filtration system
  • Lightweight, only 13 pounds
  • Superb handling with advanced swivel
  • Includes useful attachment set
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Impressive deep cleaning performance
Cons:
  • Lift-away is not powered
  • No active hair removal
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12/04/2024 11:52 am GMT

Unmatched Filtration

One of the standout features of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 is its exceptional filtration system. This vacuum boasts a HEPA filter combined with Shark’s Complete Seal Technology, ensuring that all the dust and allergens stay inside the vacuum and don’t escape back into the air. This is a rare quality, especially in vacuums at this price point, which often require spending more to achieve similar filtration performance.

Vacuum Wars evaluating filtration on the Shark Navigator NV352
We use a fog machine to evaluate vacuum cleaners’ filtration. © Vacuum Wars

Lightweight and Maneuverable

Weighing in at just 13 pounds, the NV352 is significantly lighter than the average upright vacuum. This lightweight design, paired with one of the best swivel steering mechanisms in any price range, makes it incredibly easy to handle. Its superior maneuverability means navigating around furniture and tight corners is a breeze, outperforming many of its competitors.

Vacuuming with the Shark Navigator at home is an easy experience.
Vacuuming with the Shark Navigator at home is an easy experience. © Vacuum Wars

Versatility in Cleaning

The NV352 shines in its versatility. Thanks to the brush roll on/off switch, transitioning from carpets to hard floors is seamless. Many budget vacuums lack this feature, making the NV352 stand out. Additionally, the Lift-Away mode allows users to detach the canister from the floor nozzle, transforming it into a portable unit ideal for stairs, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach areas. The vacuum also comes with a well-designed set of attachments, including a brush tool, upholstery tool, and two crevice tools, enhancing its above-floor cleaning capabilities.

Shark Navigator NV352 has a detachable hose.
These Shark Navigator has a detachable hose. © Vacuum Wars

Easy Maintenance

One of the most underrated innovations of the NV352 is its open canister design. This makes it not only easy to empty but also simple to clean and maintain. There are no closed or hard-to-reach areas, and as long as you keep the metal grate and components free of debris, the vacuum maintains its suction power throughout its lifespan.

Releasing debris from a Shark Navigator upright vacuum cleaner.
Releasing debris from the dustbin is easy and straightforward. © Vacuum Wars

Powerful Suction and Airflow

In our tests, the NV352 demonstrated impressive suction and airflow, outperforming many upright vacuums, even those at higher price points. For example, it surpassed commercial upright vacuums in suction tests and held its own in airflow measurements.

Shark Navigator NV352 Measuring Sealed Suction
Measuring sealed suction. © Vacuum Wars

It also excelled in the crevice pickup test and achieved a perfect score in carpet deep cleaning, where we embedded sand into medium pile carpet and measured the amount removed. This performance is due to its powerful suction, well-designed stiff bristles on the brush roll, and gear-driven belt, making it excellent for removing deep-down dirt from carpets.

Shark Navigator vacuuming carpet.
Vacuuming small cereal with the Shark Navigator Lift Away NV352. © Vacuum Wars

Effective Debris Pickup

The NV352 is highly effective at picking up both fine and larger debris on carpets and hard floors. It handled fine debris with ease and even tackled larger items like Cheerios on hard floors. The only limitation we found was with Fruit Loop-sized debris, but even then, it performed admirably. The ease of using the hose and wand for larger debris adds to its convenience, making it a time-saver compared to other models.

In the box

  • Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum
  • Wide Upholstery Tool
  • 12″ Crevice Tool
  • Manual and warranty

Durability and Warranty

While the NV352 features mostly exterior plastic construction, which some may see as a drawback, it contributes to its lightweight and affordability. Over the years, some parts have worn out, but the availability of replacement parts online, both from Shark and third parties, makes maintenance straightforward. Additionally, it comes with an impressive five-year warranty, adding to its long-term value.

Various parts of a Shark Navigator upright vacuum.
Various parts of the Shark Navigator. © Vacuum Wars

Minor Drawbacks

No product is without its flaws. The floor head, while well-designed for getting under furniture, can occasionally bump into overhanging objects. This issue is not unique to the NV352 but is worth mentioning. The mostly plastic construction, while contributing to its lightweight, can wear over time, though replacement parts are readily available.

The Shark Navigator Lift Away vacuuming under furniture.
The shark navigator could not reach fully under our chairs. © Vacuum Wars

Conclusion

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 has stood the test of time, and for good reason. Its combination of powerful suction, exceptional filtration, lightweight design, and versatility makes it one of the best budget vacuums ever built. Despite a decade of advancements in vacuum technology, the NV352 remains a reliable and efficient choice for households around the world. Whether you’re looking for a vacuum for carpets, hard floors, or above-floor cleaning, the NV352 remains a top contender.

 

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Home Shark Reviews The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 is 2024’s Best Budget Upright Vacuum – Here’s Why

Christopher White

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Christopher White CEO
Christopher White is the CEO of Vacuum Wars, the premier YouTube channel dedicated to vacuum cleaner reviews. Over the past eight years, Vacuum Wars has become a trusted resource, meticulously reviewing hundreds of robot vacuums, cordless vacuums, carpet cleaners, and various floor care products. Known for their comprehensive in-house testing, Vacuum Wars has built one of the most extensive databases of vacuum cleaner metrics available. Under Christopher’s leadership, the channel has maintained a strict no-sponsorship policy, ensuring that all reviews remain unbiased and trustworthy. This dedication to integrity has garnered a loyal following of over 300,000 subscribers who rely on their expert advice. Christopher is also a recognized authority on robot vacuums, boasting one of the largest private collections of these devices worldwide. Learn more.

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