Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe

I am poor and this is the best vacuum I’ve ever owned. My first one lasted like 7 years through 5 kids and dozens of dogs and cats. It had duct tape up and down the hose. It only died because I got water in the motor while attempting to clean it up a bit….and I’d just bought a new hose for it too.

My Shark Liftaway is phenomenal. Not only do they last for years with abuse, they have replaceable parts from Amazon. I used a Lift Away for 6 years of heavy pet care (a 5 dog/5 cat household), foster kids of multiple ages, 4+ adults with long hair, and a century-old poorly kept house with a ton of dust. The hose was wrapped in duct tape until I had the money and brain space to just buy a new part that literally clicked into place—no screws or tools needed! More parts were listed for so cheap when I went looking. I could buy replacements for the three different filters easily and rinse them all in the sink! It was narrow enough and dropped low enough to get under furniture! I could take it apart so it was lighter, so I could lift it up to easily do stairs or reach high to the ceiling! The only reason it died is because I moved and wanted to clean the dusty, dirty parts in the tub before using it in my new apartment. I accidentally got water in the motor. Whoops. I replaced it with the same model immediately. This thing is less than $300. The only thing I hate is the hollow cylinder within the dirt container. It catches pet hair in a really obnoxious way, making it hard to empty. Still worth it!!

I have \*serious\* allergies. I need to have a HEPA air purifier running 24/7. When I've used most vacuums, I end up coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. Even brand new ones cause this. Last year, I got a Shark Navigator Professional NV360, and it's been great. No coughing, sneezing, or wheezing. Consumer Reports rated it as one of the best vacuums for allergy sufferers. It's got a HEPA filter, and unlike other vacuums with HEPA filters, it seals the dust inside the vacuum instead of leaking it back into the room. You can detach the canister and use it like a hand vacuum. And it's the only upright in that Consumer Reports category that's under $200. Here's info from the Shark site. Lots of stores carry it. You may want additional upholstery attachments, however. I have a carpeted bedroom, and tile floors elsewhere. [https://www.sharkninja.com/shark-navigator-lift-away-deluxe-upright-vacuum/NV360.html](https://www.sharkninja.com/shark-navigator-lift-away-deluxe-upright-vacuum/NV360.html)

I have two recommendations for you. If you're ok with a bagged vacuum, I’d go with the Kenmore BU4050 [https://amzn.to/3ULrUBD](https://amzn.to/3ULrUBD) It has great suction on carpet, keeps dust sealed in HEPA bags, and comes with a powered pet tool that works well for hair on stairs and furniture. If you’d rather go bagless, the Shark Navigator [https://amzn.to/4mnnuwA](https://amzn.to/4mnnuwA) is my go to choice for under $200. It’s powerful, has a switch to go between hard floors and carpet, and the lift away canister makes it great for stairs and tight spots. Both work well for pet hair and carpet.

I agree with the elitism. And I'm a huge Shark fan. Have been for 15 years or so. My nv350 went on for 12 years....only died cause I dropped it down the stairs. I got two Sharks from Walmart on clearance, one for $85 (zu561) and one for $65 (nv360). Those two will probably last me the next 20 years. But I also have three cats and wanted to see what the hype was about. I found a two year old Sebo D4 Premium for basically $480. That is way more than I'd ever want to spend on a vacuum. I can afford it by all means but like you I could never justify it. The other side of me loves electronics and wanting the best of the best. And I do have to say.....the Sebo is incredible. Value is subjective so for me I do see a difference in the amount of dust and cat hair left over after a week of vacuuming with each. And the difference on carpet and what it pulls up. But its also a whole different ball game using a canister vacuum vs plugging in a vacuum and just going. Not having to worry about what suction level or head and attachment I'm using. So I do have some respect and awareness of the other side.

I found this comment looking for a replacement for my Shark navigator lift away lol It just died after maybe 4-5 years and it has been terrible at getting hair off our rug for about 2.5 years now. Replaced the roller brush and everything but it never improved. Loved it when we first got it! But now my partner hates it and wants to replace with something else.