Shark - Navigator Lift-Away XL Multisurface Upright Vacuum Cleaner, CU512

I agree. I think their lack of parts availability also hurts them. But for someone that doesn't want to repair their vacuum or doesn't know how or can't, I don't see the problem with them. The nv352 is rock solid. Like you said, their bagless uprights are, for the most part, great. I don't want to spend hundreds on a vacuum. I don't want to buy bags. I got two sharks from Walmart on sale this month. I got the cu512 and cu530. Both were originally around $200. I got them both for $35 each. My nv352 lasted almost 12 years, and it still was working, but the wheel broke off due to my own negligence. 6 I did was filter changes and a belt change.

You said what was on my mind. That is exactly how I feel. I am not a Miele or Sebo hater at all. But I just can't justify spending $1500 on a vacuum or even $400. My last NV352 lasted 12 years. I just bought the Shark cu512 from Walmart on clearance for $35, and while I was there, I found the SharkCU530 on sale for $35 bucks, too. I was very close to pulling the trigger on a Kenmore Featherlite but waited and glad I did. One day when I have a need for a Sebo or Miele, I'll probably do what you did. I live in an apartment that is 95% hardwood, so I don't really need the Miele or Sebo. If the next place I buy is carpeted, I'll maybe look into it.

I have the Shark Performance Lift-away. Best purchase that I ever made. I wish that I would have made the investment much sooner in life. It was gross to see how little my previous vacuum(s) was doing. It took probably 5 separate vacuuming sessions before I got everything up. It was less and less each time, but it was a lot lol.

Second vote for Shark. I had the very first Dyson, and later a Dyson Animal. I’ve since had a Shark Navigator Lift Away, and another Shark, whose model name I can’t remember. Give me some grace, I’m old! Both Sharks were FAR superior to either Dyson, and FAR cheaper! They picked up EVERYTHING, including tons of dog hair, the brush rolls rarely tangled, and when they did, they were easy to clean. A bonus on the Lift Away is that it comes apart so that you can use the top part as a (comparatively) lightweight canister vac, which is great for stairs, overhead cleaning, etc. I’ll never buy another Dyson. If you tried to give me one, I’d ask if I could have another Shark instead.

I have a Shark that I bought in 2018 that's still going strong. I've taken it to a local repair shop twice, each time spending less than $100. It's worth it to care for what we already have.

Dyson handheld is great for small tasks especially after the battery died and I put on an adapter for my Dewalt power tool batteries, lasts a lot longer now! We have an corded Shark convertible upright for around the house but it’s awful in so many ways. Tries to do lots of things and does none of them very well. When it dies we’ll get a sebo or a miele. We have a hetty for any DIY stuff but we’d never use it around the house as it’s filthy!

Dyson Animal stick vacuum and a Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum that runs every day. I also have an older Shark Navigator upright that still works great and was reasonably priced.

A stick vacuum will never pickup as well as a plug in vacuum. I have a shark navigator which is an upright plug in and I love it.

Hey everyone, Just wanted to share some thoughts on my recent vacuum upgrade in case it helps anyone else out. After deciding between the Sebo E3 and Miele C3, I recently made the switch from a Shark upright (bagless) to the Sebo Airbelt E3 Premium canister, and I’m honestly blown away. This is my first bagged and canister-style vacuum, as I’ve used uprights my whole life. I didn’t really care much about vacuums until I had a baby—so I decided to do some research. ⸻ My situation: • 3 dogs (1 of them double-coated 🙃) • An 8-month-old baby • Mostly hardwood floors, with some rugs and low-pile carpet • Coming from a Shark Navigator upright – which I cleaned and maintained regularly, but it always smelled gross and struggled with hair ⸻ Why I switched: The constant dog smell from my Shark was driving me nuts, even with frequent washing of the dustbin and filters. I was also tired of the nonstop filter maintenance and the hair clogs. After a ton of research (and lurking here), I pulled the trigger on the Sebo E3 Premium. ⸻ My thoughts on the E3 Premium: ⭐ Hair pickup is insane The ET-1 powerhead is a beast. It pulls up hair I didn’t even know was there—especially on rugs. My carpets legit look fluffed up after vacuuming. And no more wrapping hair around the brushroll every session. ⭐ Odor is non-existent The sealed bag + multi-layer filtration system is a dream. I don’t smell anything when vacuuming anymore. The air actually smells cleaner afterward. This alone makes it worth the price, IMO. ⭐ Super convenient handle controls One thing I love is the slide suction control and power switch for the brushroll right on the handle. No more bending down or fiddling with buttons on the canister. I can easily lower suction for curtains or hard floors and turn off the brushroll for delicate rugs—all without stopping. ⭐ Much quieter than I expected It’s super quiet. I can run it while the baby naps and not worry. My dogs still run and hide (or bark at the vacuum lol), but it’s noticeably quieter than my Shark. ⭐ Build quality feels bulletproof Everything feels premium, even though the shell is plastic. German-made, smooth hose, easy-click accessories, and the canister glides like butter. I didn’t expect to care about things like bumper padding or telescopic wands—but now I do. ⭐ The bagged system just works I was skeptical about bags at first, but honestly, it’s been a relief. No dust clouds. No emptying a nasty bin. The bags hold a lot, and the hygiene cap makes disposal clean and easy. ⭐ Better warranty and more competitive pricing than the Miele C3 I bought mine through a local vacuum store that carries both Sebo and Miele. I got the 10-year non-wear and motor part warranty, plus 7 years on labor—which edged out Miele’s standard offering. ⸻ Minor Cons: 👎 The hose is a bit bulky, especially coming from an upright 👎 No headlights on the powerhead (not a dealbreaker, but I sometimes miss it). I ordered a green LED to attach to the head—will report back on that. 👎 Pricey — I paid $999 before tax, which was cheaper than most online prices ($1,050–$1,100). After tax, I paid $1,075 total. Still not cheap, but absolutely worth it for how much better it performs and how solid it feels. ⸻ TL;DR: If you’re in a multi-pet household and tired of the smell and hair clogs from a bagless upright, the Sebo E3 Premium is 100% worth checking out. It’s quiet, powerful, clean, and feels like it’ll last a lifetime. The handle controls for suction + brushroll on/off are an underrated upgrade. Happy to answer any questions if you’re on the fence. Thanks to this sub for helping guide my decision—y’all rock.

we have a shark navigator lift away vacuum and it’s fantastic. easy to use, easy to clean (you can wash the parts easily), and not an overly limiting profile for storage. definitely a top pick in my opinion

Shark navigator lift away does the job, and will have more power than a stick vacuum to suck up pet hair. I have had two of these vacuums in 20 years, vacuuming dog hair weekly or bi-weekly.