The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away is a nice upright vacuum that does a fine job of cleaning pet hair and other messes around the house. It’s an old, entry-level model that we’ve recommended since 2014, and it doesn’t seem to get knocked off the line easily.
As part of Shark’s extensive lineup of ‘Lift-Away’ bagless uprights, it remains an affordable yet reliable vac, even more popular than newer, pricier models like the Shark IZ462H and Shark Stratos Upright, but it has a simpler floorhead, but not as sturdily built. However, its self-cleaning ‘Zero-M’ brushroll isn’t as tangle-prone as most other brush rolls and includes useful features like a HEPA filter.
If you’re in the market for a brush that’s very good to use on low-pile carpets, cleans pet hair perfectly, and does an excellent job sucking up fine and large debris, the Shark NV352 is money well spent.
What We Like
Very easy to use, with lots of maneuverability
Among the best features of the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away vacuum is its streamlined design that makes cleaning efficient and enjoyable. As the name says, with just one click, the vacuum lifts away from the brush head, taking the cord and arm with it to offer a more portable and lightweight vacuum pod.
With the conveniently placed handle, this pod is very portable and can be carried around to different areas of your house. It is just a smaller and lighter version of the bigger vacuum, which makes it ideal for use in smaller spaces like your stairs or pantry room.
While in this form, you can use the extendable arm and the accessories – including a wide upholstery tool and a crevice tool – with the same powerful suction as the vacuum offers in its upright form. The accessories easily click on the arm of the vacuum, making for easy storage and seamless maneuvering. The lift-away feature is especially useful when vacuuming pet hair from tough, hard-to-reach spaces around the home.
Good cleaning performance, with powerful suction
The Shark NV352 vacuum does a fine job sucking both natural and artificial dog hair from almost all surfaces. It’s able to lift everything from carpets, hardwood, and shag carpets with no issue. One of the reasons that makes it very efficient is that this vacuum features bare floor cleaning and a mode for deep carpet cleaning.
Switching between the two is very easy – just flip the clearly labeled red button to your desired mode and get vacuuming. When set in the bare floor mode, the brush does not roll – which is great if your hardwood floors are prone to scratches from stiff brush heads.
Surprisingly, this vacuum has some of the strongest suction of any machine we’ve tested at this price point. Thanks to strong suction, it’s able to perfectly pick up both natural and artificial hair from surfaces and carpets. When set in carpet mode, the vacuum head switches to a stronger, deep cleaning spinning motion so the bristles can access even the most dug-in pet hairs. The brushroll doesn’t get tangled, and both artificial and natural hairs are sucked up easily.
Its extra-wide upholstery tool helps get dog hairs out of your couches, and it can suck stubborn hairs out of decorative stitching that’s typically not easy to spot, and that’s where pet hair tends to accumulate.
What we don’t like
Some parts feel a little flimsy
The Shark NV352 feels well-built overall, but to reach that inexpensive price point, a few cost savings had to be made. In that regard, parts like the handle aren’t very sturdy – it has some play where it’s supposed to connect to the cleaner, and you can feel it during use. Also, the dirt holder clamps require some effort to get unlatched and constantly feel like they might snap off.
The pet brush is also a little flimsy. It’s designed to detach for easy cleaning, but instead, it falls apart pretty easily. Even when you’re able to get it working properly, it prefers to wrap pet hair around the brush rather than send it into the dirt chamber.
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Review : Verdict
The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away is a nice-looking, capable, and inexpensive upright. While it doesn’t top any performance charts, but for its price, it’s a great entry-level vacuum. We especially like how easy it is to push around, and it’s capable of reaching just about everywhere.
If you’re in the market for a decent vacuum with above-average maneuverability at a below-average price, the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away is an easy choice to recommend. Should you need something with more design features, like a body that’s easy to disassemble and swivel steering, the Dyson v15 Detect is a great alternative.
Recommended Configuration
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender
$174.99 in stock
23 used from $130.92
The Review
Shark NV352
The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away is a great vacuum cleaner for sucking pet hair from hard floors and carpets, and it offers excellent maneuverability to clean even hard-to-reach surfaces.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Cleans carpet well
- Picks up pet hair with ease
CONS
- Some parts feel flimsy
Review Breakdown
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ARS SCORE
