Shark Upright Vacuum Cleaner -

🧹 Full Review: Shark Upright Vacuum Cleaner — Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360

Keeping your home clean and fresh doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. For many homes, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 is known as one of the most versatile, powerful, and affordable Shark upright vacuum cleaners available today. Whether you’re dealing with carpet, bare floors, pet hair, or allergens, this vacuum packs a lot of punch for its price. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this model special — and where its trade-offs lie.

🔍 Key Features and Specifications

1. Lift-Away Pod for Versatility

One of the standouts of this vacuum is its lift-away functionality. With a simple detach, you can remove the canister from the main body to clean stairs, upholstery, curtains, or any hard-to-reach areas. This makes the NV360 not only an upright vacuum but also a semi-canister model if needed.

2. Strong Suction Power

Equipped with a 10-amp motor, the NV360 offers strong suction to tackle a variety of surfaces. In a test on low-pile carpet, it picked up 92% of debris, and on hardwood floors it achieved 96% – a strong performance for a vacuum in its class.

3. Anti-Allergen Complete Seal + True HEPA Filter

If you or your family are allergy-sensitive, this vacuum’s filtration system is a big plus. The complete-seal system works in conjunction with the True HEPA filter to trap about 99.9% of dust and allergens, preventing them from being reintroduced into your room.

4. Swivel Steering for Maneuverability

With its swivel steering design, the NV360 is easy to push and maneuver around furniture, tight corners, and obstacles. The narrow cleaner head helps it navigate around chair legs or under low furniture.

5. Brushroll On/Off Switch

This vacuum has a switch to turn off the brushroll — useful when transitioning from carpet to bare floors. Turning off the brushroll reduces debris on difficult surfaces and helps you clean more efficiently.

6. Large Dust Cup Capacity

The NV360 has a 0.9-quart dust cup, which allows you to vacuum for longer periods of time without having to stop to empty it frequently.

7. Cord Length and Additional Features

The vacuum comes with a long 30-foot power cord, which helps when cleaning larger rooms without having to constantly unplug it.
There’s a suction control ring to modulate power as needed; especially useful on delicate or low-pile surfaces.
A small but smart indicator light near the brushroll glows green when working normally and turns red if there’s an obstruction.

📊 Performance: How it actually cleans

Carpet cleaning

In practical tests, this Shark upright vacuum cleaner did a good job on low-pile carpet — picking up most of the debris with solid efficiency. However, on deep or high-pile carpet, the vacuum head sits much lower and some larger or more stubborn debris requires a second pass. Tech Gear Lab

Hard Floors

On hardwood, tile, or linoleum, the NV360 performed strongly. The ability to turn off the brushroll is especially useful here, preventing the brush from spreading debris and ensuring that the suction picks up fine dust. vacuum-cleaner-advisor.com+1

Pet Hair

The vacuum picks up pet hair fairly well, especially on low-pile carpets. But some users note that the hair can wrap around the brushroll, meaning you’ll have to stop occasionally and clean the roller manually. Tech Gear Lab

Above-Floor Cleaning

Thanks to the lift-away pod, it’s easy to use the wand and hose for stairs, curtains, or upholstery. But some reviews note that the hose is relatively short and stiff, which can drag on the main body and make it feel a bit unstable. vacuum-cleaner-advisor.com+1

Allergen Control

Thanks to its sealed system and HEPA filter, the NV360 is a good choice for allergy sufferers. During tests, very few particles escaped through its filtration system, earning it high marks for air quality control. Tech Gear Lab

👍 Benefits

Excellent value for money – strong suction and features for less than many premium vacuums. Tech Gear Lab+1
Versatile lift-away function for different cleaning situations.
True HEPA filter + sealed system for superior air filtration.
Swivel steering makes it easy to navigate around furniture.
Power control ring lets you dial in suction when needed.
Large dust cup means less mess.

Cons and Limitations

The vacuum is heavy and can tip over when the hose is extended or if you pull on it — stability is a common criticism.
The short and somewhat stiff hose limits reach when used in lift-away mode.
Brushroll hair tangles: Pet hair or long human hair can get wrapped around the brushroll, making maintenance a hassle.
The pre-motor foam filter requires frequent washing; drying times can be long, which can interfere with regular use.
While the suction is strong, some tests found it less effective with fine debris (especially on high-pile carpet).
No motorized hand attachment — The lift-away pod is not powered, which limits its cleaning ability in handheld mode.
Crevice cleaning isn’t the best: The head has a hard time getting very close to walls or baseboards.

Real User Reviews

According to BestBuy customers, users really like the vacuum’s strong suction, lightweight feel, and performance on carpet. But many cite the length of the power cord as a negative.

On Reddit, one user says:

“The suction power is impressive … the lift-away feature is convenient for cleaning stairs … the HEPA filter traps dust and allergens.”

Another Redditor shared a durability issue:

“My 14-month-old Navigator … just snapped … the plastic bit broke … I might try an off-brand replacement piece.”
Some users struggle to fully clean the dust cup, especially after messes like pet accidents.

Maintenance and Care Tips

Clean the filter frequently: Rinse the pre-motor foam filter when it gets dirty, but give it plenty of time to dry (up to 24 hours).
Separate the brushroll: Regularly remove hair or lint from the beater brush to maintain efficiency.
Empty the dust cup carefully: Use the bottom-release mechanism slowly to avoid creating a dust cloud.
Unplug and wind the cord: Since the cord does not slide back, wind it neatly to prevent damage.
Use the suction control ring: If you are vacuuming delicate carpets or surfaces, reduce the suction for more control.

Should you buy this Shark Upright Vacuum Cleaner?

If you’re looking for a reliable, high-performance Shark upright vacuum cleaner, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 is a great option that offers the following:

Great cleaning performance on carpets and hard floors
HEPA filter and sealed system for allergy control
Versatility thanks to its lift-away design
A large dustbin to reduce the amount of time you have to wait

However, if you often struggle with very high-pile carpets, have long pet hair, or want a powered hand tool, some of its limitations may be more noticeable.

Final Verdict

For its price and feature set, the NV360 offers exceptional value. While it’s not perfect — especially when it comes to stability, hose reach, and hair pick-up — its cleaning power, filtration system, and usability make it a strong contender in the upright vacuum category.

If you want a vacuum that balances performance, versatility, and affordability, this Shark Upright Vacuum Cleaner is a smart investment for most homes. Its strong HEPA filtration means you’ll have to clean less often, get more efficiency, and breathe easier.