The Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum – A Detailed Review

Keeping your home clean can feel like an uphill battle at times, especially if you’re dealing with carpets, rugs, hard floors, pet hair and allergens. When you need a powerful upright vacuum that can tackle it all, the Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away is a great option to consider.

In this detailed review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, performance and benefits of the Shark NV356E. I’ll cover everything from product specs to real-world cleaning tests so you can decide if this is the right vacuum for your home cleaning needs.

An Overview of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is one of the higher-end upright vacuums in Shark’s lineup. Shark is known for making affordable, versatile vacuums that compete with premium brands like Dyson while costing much less.

The NV356E doesn’t skimp on power or features. It has strong suction capabilities courtesy of the 1200W motor and cyclonic technology. The lift-away canister gives you portable cleaning for hard-to-reach areas. And the HEPA filter captures dust and allergens for cleaner indoor air.

Some of the key specs and features of the Shark NV356E include:

• 1200W motor provides robust suction power
• Lift-away canister detaches for portable cleaning
• HEPA filter captures 99.97% of dust and allergens
• Brushroll shutoff for safely cleaning bare floors
• Anti-allergen seal traps debris inside
• 2.2 quart capacity large dust bin
• 13.7 pound weight – lightweight and maneuverable

With premium features at an affordable price point, the Shark NV356E aims to be a versatile upright vacuum suitable for whole-home cleaning. Next let’s look at the product details and real-world performance.

Diving Into the Features and Specs

Here are some key details about the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E’s design and features:

Portable Lift-Away Canister

One of the stand-out features of this vacuum is the lift-away canister. The motorized floor nozzle detaches from the canister, allowing you to lift it away and clean hard-to-reach spots like stairs, ceilings and upholstery. The flexible hose and attachments give you a portable cleaning unit without having to lug around the heavy upright.

Brushroll Shutoff

The NV356E has a brushroll shutoff button so you can easily transition between carpets and bare floors. Turning off the spinning brush prevents scattering of debris and avoids damage to delicate flooring. The wheels and suction power glide smoothly across hard surfaces when the brushroll is disabled.

HEPA Filtration

This Shark vacuum comes equipped with a HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns. This filtration makes the NV356E a great choice if you suffer from allergies or want to rid your home of fine particles.

Swivel Steering

A nimble swivel head provides excellent maneuverability around and under furniture. You can easily steer into corners and tight spaces.

2.2 Quart Dust Capacity

The generous dust bin means you empty it less often. The bagless design also gives you a clear view of debris buildup.

Other convenient features include a 30 foot power cord for extended cleaning reach, a pet multi-tool attachment tailored to pet hair removal, and a crevice tool for tight spaces.

Reviewing the Pros and Cons

Based on hands-on tests and customer reviews, here are some of the key pros and cons for the Shark NV356E:

Pros

• Powerful suction picks up embedded dirt from carpets
• Lift-away canister provides portable convenience
• HEPA filter captures dust, dander and allergens
• Easy brushroll shutoff protects floors
• Swivel steering and lightweight body
• Large dust cup capacity
• Affordable price point compared to rivals

Cons

• Bagless design requires frequent emptying
• Pet hair requires extra maintenance of brushroll
• Attachments don’t store onboard
• Some durability complaints over time
• Not as effective on very thick or plush carpets

For the price, the powerful performance and versatility of the lift-away design are huge advantages. The NV356E excels at deep cleaning carpets and bare floors, though very thick carpeting presents a challenge.

Choosing the Shark NV356E: Who is it For?

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away delivers great value for a variety of home types:

Households with lots of carpeting – The strong suction lifts up dirt, debris and pet hair embedded in carpet fibers. The motorized brushroll agitates the carpet for a deep clean.

Homes with a mix of flooring – From tile to hardwoods, the brushroll shutoff allows safe cleaning across bare floors. No scattering of debris or damage to delicate floors.

Pet owners – The lift-away portable unit is great for cleaning upholstery, stairs and vehicles where pets spend time. The Pet Multi-Tool tackles embedded pet hair.

Allergy sufferers – The complete HEPA filtration traps dust, pollen, dander and other allergens. It’s a smart choice for cleaner indoor air.

Small spaces – The swivel head, compact lift-away unit and attachments provide superb cleaning capability in apartments, dorms, RVs and other tight spots.

The powerful performance, versatile design and affordable price point make the Shark NV356E a great fit for many home types. It’s a practical investment that will last for years with proper maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E:

How long is the cord?

The power cord measures 30 feet for an extended cleaning radius. No more annoying unplugging and changing outlets mid-clean!

Does the Lift-Away come with attachments?

Yes, it includes useful attachments like the Pet Multi-Tool, crevice tool, and brushroll cleaning tool. The hose stretches to 6 feet.

What is the dust cup capacity?

It has an above-average 2.2 quarts for less frequent emptying. The dust cup is bagless so you can clearly see when it needs emptying.

Does this Shark vacuum have a HEPA filter?

Yes, it comes equipped with complete HEPA filtration to trap dust, allergens and fine particles.

Can the brushroll be turned off?

Yes, there is a brushroll shutoff button to safely clean bare floors and prevent scattering of debris.

How heavy is the NV356E?

It weighs a nimble 13.7 pounds, making it easy to carry and maneuver up stairs. The swivel steering provides excellent control.

What is the warranty?

Shark provides a 5 year limited warranty to cover any manufacturer defects. Register your vacuum at Shark’s website.

Conclusion: An Impressive Cleaning Machine for the Price

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E combines powerful upright cleaning and portable convenience. Its sturdy construction, versatile attachments and HEPA filtration make it a practical choice for tackling embedded dirt in carpets, pet hair on furniture and allergens floating in the air.

While no vacuum is perfect, the NV356E delivers outstanding cleaning abilities for the price. For homes seeking robust suction, lift-away portability and whole-home cleaning on a budget, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away deserves strong consideration.