As a company, Shark is not afraid of comparisons with other brands. In fact, they’ve made a point of comparing themselves to vacuum giant Dyson in their advertising materials, claiming an equally high or even superior level of performance at a significantly lower cost. The question, of course, is whether they live up to this self-made hype.
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We’ve picked out two models from their Lift-Away line of three-in-one bagless vacuum cleaners Shark NV751 vs NV752 and compared them side-by-side to answer this question. Both proved to be very effective at handling a lot of different areas, surfaces, and kinds of mess, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to upgrade their current vacuum. For more details, check out the full reviews below.
Quick Comparison Table
Let’s start out with the NV751, which gives you a lot of impressive features you’re not going to find on just any vacuum, making it one of the most versatile vacuums you can find on the current market.
Features
The idea of a convertible vacuum isn’t new, but the Shark Lift-Away Deluxe takes the concept to the next level. A simple button push allows you to transform the vacuum from an upright to a canister caddy to a pod with a powered brush roll—basically making this three different machines in one.
The attachments are also extensive, and can be maneuvered either through the wand or directly with the handle for more control.
In terms of what surfaces it can clean, the Shark Lift-Away Deluxe can do almost anything. Not only can it handle almost any surface, you can switch from one to the next without turning off your vacuum.
All of the controls are on the handle of the vacuum, making them easy to access while you clean. This is perfect if you have rooms with both carpet and tile, or for rooms with hardwood floors covered by area rugs—you can get it all in one pass with no stopping to change settings.
This being said, the vacuum is not perfect. While it works beautifully on all different lengths of carpet, it’s less effective on flat, smooth surfaces. It has a dedicated “hard-floor genie” attachment with a washable microfiber pad, which is a nice touch. The problem is that this pad is not especially effective at picking up visible particles from surfaces like hardwood.
Where the Lift-Away Deluxe does excel is in getting rid of dust and allergens. All of the components of the vacuum are sealed, preventing any dust or other airborne irritants from escaping the vacuum before they can get processed through the HEPA filter. The dust containment on this model uses two different foam filters, combined with their Complete Seal Technology, effectively trapping 99.9% of allergens.
Of course, even the most powerful vacuum isn’t going to help you if it’s too difficult to use regularly. That’s where the Lift-Away Deluxe really shines. The LED lights on both the handle and the base help make sure you can get all the dust, even under large furniture, while the swivel steering lets you navigate easily around and under obstacles, giving you a complete clean with ease.
PROS
What we like:
- Easy to use
- Fingertip controls
- HEPA filter and Complete Seal Technology
- Highly maneuverable
- Excellent value
- Effective under furniture and around obstacles
- LED lighting on wand and base
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Not great on hardwood
- Limited pet-specific features
- Heavy to carry (especially on stairs)
Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet vacuum (NV752)
If you have a four-legged companion in your family, like a dog or a cat, you know cleaning up your pet’s mess is key in any cleaning products you check out—and the Lift-Away TruePet has you covered.
Features
The Lift-Away TruePet has the same basic features and functionality as the standard Lift-Away model described above. You still get the fingertip controls that let you switch surface modes without interrupting your cleaning session, as well as three-in-one convertibility with swivel steering and LED illumination for reaching—and effectively cleaning—tight spaces.
It’s the addition of the TruePet Technology that makes this model stand out from the rest of the line, however. This gives you an independent hand-held motorized brush, perfect for picking up pet hair while still deep cleaning your carpets, upholstery, or any other surface where your animals have shed.
Combined with the Complete Seal Technology and HEPA filter, you can finally get rid of all the pet hair, as well as any other messes your furry friend manages to cause.
There’s another feature of the Shark Lift-Away that will be of particular interest to pet owners: its relatively quiet operation. Many dogs and cats are downright terrified of the vacuum cleaner, which can make cleaning time a more stressful process than it needs to be. The Lift-Away has an incredibly quiet motor, especially considering its level of performance, so you can clean away without stressing out your animals.
You will have to pay a bit extra for the TruePet version of the Lift-Away line, though having said that it’s still an incredible deal. The list price of $399 is about half of what you’d expect to pay for a comparable Dyson model, and buying it through Amazon makes it an even better bargain. Most pet owners would agree the level of clean you can achieve with a Shark Lift-Away TruePet is well worth the money.
PROS
What we like:
- Very effective at picking up pet hair
- Pet-Multi Tool for cleaning any surface
- Swivel steering and LED lighting
- Quiet operation
- Complete Seal technology traps allergens
- Fingertip controls
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Higher price
- Difficult to carry (especially on stairs)
- Not as effective on wood floors
Which is better for you?
The two vacuum models described above are incredibly similar in both form and function. Both of them will give you an effective deep clean on any thickness of carpet, and have the maneuverability to handle even tight surfaces, like under large furnishings or on carpeted stairs. Both of them also have Fingertip controls for quick changes to the settings and utilize the same motor, which provides powerful suction at a relatively low volume.
The question of which model you should get is as simple as whether or not you own pets. If you do, the TruePet attachment will be invaluable in getting rid of pesky pet hair, no matter where it’s ended up. If you don’t, the features on the standard Lift-Away model should suit your needs just fine; even the standard model comes with an assortment of attachments for tight corners and other hard to reach spaces. Either way you go, you can count on the Shark Lift-Away line to give you professional performance at a very affordable price.