Shark NV501 Review
Upright vacuums are among the most popular types on the market. Still, these can be tricky to work with, so you have to be careful about the particular model you opt for.
If you want a sturdy unit that’s easy to maneuver with, you should consider the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501. It’s a part of the Shark’s Rotator Lift-Away series that includes some of the most popular upright vacs on the market.
It comes from what appears to be one of the most popular brands in the industry, so it’s worth your attention. Take a moment to read about its specifications and features in the review below.
This Vacuum isn’t For You:
- If you don’t want plastic parts – this one features quite a few plastic components that have questionable durability. The manufacturer replaces only those parts that are damaged due to faulty materials and error in manufacturing.
- If you’re cleaning large pieces – things like cereal and cheerios might not go through the cleaner head. Instead, this Shark vacuum might just push them until you place it right on top of the cereal piece.
- If you want a compact unit – though it’s not the biggest on the market, there’s nothing compact about this Shark upright vacuum. You’ll probably need some getting used to before you can enjoy its maneuverability.
Features
One of its primary features is the Lift-Away button. It allows you to lift the canister away for when you need to clean some hard-to-reach areas of your home. This helps when cleaning stairs and other above-floor surfaces.
It also comes with LED headlights making it much easier to target dirt debris and pieces regardless of the floor surface. It’s especially useful in low-light conditions and to people with reduced vision.
Design
From when you first see it, you’ll notice the distinctive upright design. It makes the unit appear bulky and heavy even though it’s not.
Its cleaner head is at the bottom, canister in the middle and handle on the top. Because of its design, you control the vacuum cleaner by pushing it in front of you as you clean.
Keep in mind that its low-profile allows you to reach under furniture, but not all the way.
Size & Dimensions
The unit measures 45.7×12.1×12.2 inches in total, which can make storing a bit tricky. It’s relatively easy to use and maneuver with although it weighs 15.5 pounds.
In comparison to the NV500, this one is a bit lighter.
Another thing the Shark NV501 is known for is a wide cleaner head. It allows you to clean larger areas more efficiently and in less time.
Suction
Its powerful motor provides plenty of suction required to tackle different dirt, dust, and allergens. It doesn’t lose suction regardless of the floor type, which is especially important if you have combined flooring.
If you experience loss of suction, it’s probably due to clogging, which is the first thing you should check. In most cases, the manufacturer can help you with this if you call its customer service.
Accessories & Parts
The unit features several attachments meant to help with basic household tasks. It comes with a dusting brush, straight suction nozzle, large turbo brush, 12’’ crevice tool, multi-angle brush, and the canister caddy.
The canister caddy acts as the storage for your accessories and parts you want to have at hand. The crevice tool, the dusting brush, as well as any other accessories, are easy to attach and detach from the unit at any time, even while it’s running.
Warranty
Shark offers a five-year limited warranty deal for the NV501. If the appliance fails to operate correctly under normal household conditions, you may contact the manufacturer for help.
The warranty doesn’t help damage caused by neglect, misuse, or repair done by an unauthorized person. Make sure to register your purchase for the warranty to be valid.
Shark NV501 is an ideal solution if you have combined floors in your home. It performs equally as good on both bare floors and carpets, offering great versatility.
Flooring
The Shark NV501 is a versatile vacuum cleaner that’s suitable for combined floor surfaces. It works well on bare floors as well as different types of carpet, which is ideal for large homes. Its several accessories, such as the dusting brush, add to the versatility since each is designed with a specific floor surface in mind.
Carpet
Thanks to its swivel steering and motorized brush, the Shark NV501 is quite easy to use on a carpet. It tackles both a high-pile carpet and area rugs, transitioning between the two with ease.
You also have an option to turn the brush off if the carpet you’re cleaning is quite thick. Its powerful suction might push some thinner rugs but play with its tools until you find what works the best.
Hardwood
If you’re using a motorized tool, you should turn it off before cleaning hardwood or any other bare floor. You’ll also get an additional hard floor tool that doesn’t have a motorized brush and is gentle to the surface.
You can attach the accessory on the extension wand if you’re using the unit as a canister. Overall, it’s efficient in cleaning these surfaces regardless of whether the dust particles are large or small.
Maneuverability
Though this is a relatively large unit, it’s simple to maneuver with. Its main tool features swivel steering that always helps with moving the unit around obstacles and furniture. Its LED headlights also help with cleaning in low-light conditions.
Maneuvering the vac as a canister is that much easier since you can use the caddy to carry it from one point to another.
Maintenance
A few things should be done when it comes to maintenance. The first is to empty the dust bin regularly. The bin is see-through, so you can clearly see when it’s time to empty it.
Its two filters, one of them being a HEPA filter, also require regular maintenance. The main filter in the middle should be cleaned at least every three months. The post-motor HEPA filter is in the front and should be cleaned every 12 months.
Noise
The first time you use it, you’ll notice it’s not as loud as old canister vacs. However, it’s not as quiet as stick vacuums either.
The noise level is average and shouldn’t disturb your household or neighborhood even if you live in an apartment building. However, make sure to only clean in an appropriate time.
Cordless or Cord?
Much like all uprights, this one is corded. It comes with a 30ft power cable that doesn’t retract back into the machine. Since it’s as long, it allows you to cover larger areas without having to constantly re-plug the unit. However, you’ll have to wrap it manually.
Bag or Bagless?
It’s a bagless vacuum cleaner that comes with a dust cup for storing all the debris it picks up. The XL canister can hold quite a lot of dirt which allows interrupted cleaning.
It doesn’t feature a full-bin indicator, but it’s transparent so you probably won’t even need it. In other words, you can see when the dust bin is full and needs emptying.
Filter
For filtration, Shark went for the reliable HEPA that’s among the best and most effective choices. It features the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology that helps trap up to 99.99% of dust and allergens. The combination of the two helps retain the dirt inside the vacuum cleaner while expelling only clean air.
Pets
Pet owners often struggle with different kinds of messes the Shark NV501 can help with. This versatile appliance works on all floors and is equally as effective with pet hair, kibble, mud, sand, and litter.
Kitty Litter
Picking up kitty litter is quite simple for the NV501 as long as the pieces are on a hardwood floor. If the litter finds its way to a high-pile carpet, you might have some difficulties removing it.
Keep the litter box on hardwood and bare floors to avoid any difficulties in picking them up. Also, make sure only to vacuum the dry pieces, since the vac isn’t meant to clean anything wet.
Pet Hair
You can use the Shark NV501 to clean pet hair from your floors as well as furniture. Use it as a canister to reach upholstery where pet hair is often quite stubborn. Its several accessories can make the process even easier, so make sure to play around with them.
Is The Shark NV501 For You?
Shark NV501 is a versatile unit that’s suitable for both bare floors and carpets. It’s a bit large and might be tricky to store away depending on your storing space. However, it’s efficient and easy to use and maintain.
If you’re looking for a durable unit that doesn’t require much maintenance to tackle different dirt, which also features different accessories such as the crevice tool and the dusting brush, you might want to check the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501.
