Shark nv752 vs nv500 vs nv501 vs nv803 – Comparison and Review
If you are shopping for a new vacuum, there’s a good chance you’ve already stumbled upon one or more Shark cleaner.
These ever-popular vacuum cleaners have a predatory hold on the cleaning market. With thousands of positive customer reviews, it’s evident that homeowners are quite fond of their Shark vacuums. Still, Shark has a constantly growing catalog of vacuums, making it difficult for customers to single out just one.
Table of Contents
Shark NV752 Canister Upright Vacuum
The Shark NV752, which is also known as the Lift-Away TruePet bagless vacuum, is a full-sized canister vacuum that effortlessly transforms from an upright cleaner to a pod or canister.
The NV752 comes with several specialty accessories, including a Shark Hard Floor Hero, a TruePet mini motorized brush, a pet multi-tool, and a crevice duster.
This vacuum offers easy navigation thanks to its swivel steering and flexible three-in-one design.
Beyond that, the NV752 features a 10-inch cleaning path for quick and efficient whole-house suction.
What’s more, it has a built-in HEPA filter and an anti-allergen seal that collectively cut down on dust and allergens.
Pros
- Three-in-one design
- Features multiple attachments
- Powered pet hair brush attachment
- The HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal collectively trap 99,9-percent of dust and allergens
- Easy-to-use swivel steering
- 10-inch wide cleaning path
- Features Bordeaux red frame with an extra-large clear dustbin
Cons
- Some reported customer service issues
- Pricey
Shark NV500 Rotator Professional Lift-Away
The Shark Professional Lift-Away, also known as the NV500, is an efficient mid-range canister vacuum with plenty of sucking power.
It features Shark’s proprietary Lift-Away canister along with an excellent swivel steering caddy with LED headlights.
The vacuum has an extra-large dust cup that’s fortified with an Anti-Allergren Completed Seal Technology and a HEPA filter.
What’s more, the vacuum comes with a wide pet upholstery tool for scooping up hair and dandruff. The NV500 is an incredible two-in-one vacuum that’s engineered to clean high, low, and everywhere in between.
Pros
- Convertible design with lift-away canister option
- 360-degree swiveling floor caddy
- Extra-large transparent dust cup
- Wide pet upholstery tool
Cons
- Does not clean well on hard floors
- Leaves some residue behind
Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum
The Shark Rotator Professional, otherwise known as the NV501, is a powerful corded upright vacuum with an optional canister mode.
The vacuum features a power pet brush as well as other specialty cleaning accessories.
It also has a built-in Anti-Allergen Complete Seal and a washable HEPA filter.
What’s more, the vacuum boasts a 360-degree swivel steering caddy and a LED headlight for easy whole-house navigation.
Finally, the NV501 features an extra-large transparent dust cup for extended cleaning sessions.
Pros
- Lift-Away canister technology
- 360-degree swiveling floor caddy
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal
- Washable HEPA filter
- LED headlight
- Extra-large dust cup
- Affordable
- Comes with five attachments
Cons
- Some customers have had difficulty with customer service
- Must pay to ship for replacements
Shark NV803 DuoClean Powered Lift-Away
The NV803, also known as the Shark Ninja DuoClean, is a powerful lift-away canister vacuum with dual brush rolls.
The cleaner features a swiveling floor caddy, multiple cleaning accessories, and fingertip controls.
The vacuum has two rollers, one with hard bristles for cleaning carpets and another with soft padding for cleaning hard floors.
It also has a built-in Anti-Allergen Complete Seal and HEPA filter.
Not to mention, the vacuum has powerful LED headlights on its nozzle.
On top of that, it features a handful of tool attachments, including an extendable cleaning wand.
Pros
- Lift-Away canister
- Dual brush rolls for carpets and hard floors
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal
- Washable HEPA filter
- Fingertip control
- LED headlights on the nozzle
- Extra-large transparent dust cup
Cons
- Pricey
- Warranty is very limited
Design
All four of the vacuums we’ve reviewed feature Shark’s proprietary Lift-Away canister.
This noteworthy feature enables users to utilize a swiveling floor base or handheld pod without ever losing suction or brush roll power.
Aesthetically, the NV752, NV500, NV501, and NV803 are all very similar.
They all feature a swiveling plastic base, a transparent bagless dustbin, and a colorful plastic frame. All four models also feature a cleaning wand, a rotating brush roll, and multiple accessories. With that said, the models come in a variety of different color options.
- The Rotator Powered Lift-Away (NV752) comes in steel grey, Bordeaux, and rose gunmetal.
- Meanwhile, the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away upright vacuum (NV500)and NV501 are both white with signature red accents.
- Finally, the Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Speed upright vacuum comes in charcoal, cinnamon, and plasma.
While all four Shark vacuum models are similar in design, there are a few unique features that help each of them to stand out.
For example, all four models have LED headlights built into the nozzle. However, the NV752 also has LED lights in the handle. On top of that, each model features a Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter.
The most dramatic difference between the models is regarding the accessories.
- For example, the NV803 features a far-reaching Under-appliance wand, a pet power brush, a pet multi-tool, a duster crevice tool, and an accessory bag.
- On the other hand, the NB501 boasts a premium pet power brush, a wide pet upholstery tool, a straight suction nozzle, a dusting brush, and a 12-inch crevice tool.
- On the other hand, the NV500 comes with a wide pet upholstery tool, a dusting brush, and a 12-inch crevice tool.
- Finally, the NV752 includes a Hard Floor Hero, a TruePet motorized brush, a pet multi-tool, and a duster crevice tool.
While the NV803 is a close second with its dual brush rolls, the NV752’s Hard Floor Hero and TruePet motorized brush enable strong suction on a wide variety of surfaces, including low-pile carpets, high-pile carpets, hardwood floors, and upholstery.
Size and Dimensions
Shark NV752
The NV752 is 46 inches high, 12 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. It weighs 15.6 pounds as a full upright vacuum and 8 pounds as a Lift-Away pod.
It also features a 30-foot power cord.
Finally, its dust cup can hold up to 3.3 dry quarts of debris.
Shark NV500 and NV501
On the other hand, the NV500 is 45.7 inches high, 13.4 inches wide, and 12.2 inches deep. It weighs 15.5 pounds as a full upright vacuum and 8.4 pounds as a Lift-Away pod.
Like the NV752, it boasts a 30-foot cord.
Only, the dust cup is slightly smaller, with a fill line at 1.3 dry quarts and 3.1 dry quarts of usable space.
Keep in mind that the NV501 has identical dimensions to the NV500.
Shark NV803
With that said, the NV803 is 11.8 inches long, 11.9 inches wide, and 46.1 inches deep.
It weighs approximately 15 pounds. Like the other models, it also has a 30-foot power cord.
However, the dust cup is significantly smaller than the others, with a max fill line at just 0.9 dry quarts.
Cleaning Parameters and Vacuuming Technologies
All four Shark vacuums share some of the same vacuuming technologies.
For example, all four vacuums feature the combination of Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seals and HEPA filters. Together, these technologies prevent 99.9 percent of allergens and dust from reentering the air during vacuuming sessions.
If you’re allergic to dust mites, pet dandruff, or pollen, this technology can help improve your quality of life.
Shark NV803
The Shark NV803 offers expensive cleaning parameters.
- Its toolset includes a pet multi-tool that enables users to remove pet hair from upholstery and carpets.
- It also comes with a crevice duster tool that makes for easy corner cleaning.
- What’s more, it comes with a suction-powered pet power tool that is perfect for picking up pet hair on carpeted stairs and upholstery.
- What’s more, it has an under-appliance wand that extends 36 inches to clean under refrigerators, furniture, and other low-hanging objects.
- Finally, the small nozzle head and swiveling caddy offer easy floor navigation.
Shark NV752
- The NV752 also comes with the duster crevice tool with an extendable brush and a pet upholstery tool.
- On the other hand, it also comes with a motorized TruePet cleaning head with a suction release-button for versatile pet hair removal.
- The NV752 also boasts a Hard Floor Genie. This utilizes a suction channel and washable microfiber pad.
- What’s more, it comes with a dusting brush for upholstery and hard surfaces in hard-to-reach areas.
Shark NV501
- The NV501 comes with a premium pet power brush that enables efficient cleanup of hair and dandruff.
- Meanwhile, the wide pet upholstery tool is great for cleaning blinds and upholstered furniture.
- What’s more, the straight suction nozzle helps pick up large debris that the low-hanging brush roll just can’t nab.
- The NV501’s dusting brush helps scoop up debris that has accumulated in tight corners and other hard-to-reach places.
- Finally, the 12-inch crevice tool enables users to clean under low-hanging furniture and appliances.
Shark NV500
- With that said, the NV500 can be converted into three different cleaning positions, including an upright cleaner, a lift-away pod, and a canister vacuum.
- The NV500 also has a varied assortment of accessories, including a wide pet upholstery tool, a dusting brush, and a 12-inch crevice tool.
- While it doesn’t boast any hard floor-specific cleaning heads, it can reach deep into corners and fight against pet hair and dandruff.
- It’s also slightly more portable than the NV501.
Still, in a roundup of the Shark NV752 vs. NV501, the NV752 takes the cake.
This powerful cleaner can be used as an upright vacuum, lift-away pod, and push canister. With that said, the NV752 has a more powerful motor than the NV803. Not to mention, it has a slightly larger nozzle head and dust cup. As such, the NV752 offers extended cleaning sessions with less hassle.
Cleaning Quality on Different Surfaces
CarpetsShark NV752 vs. NV803
The NV803’s DuoClean Technology is a motorized floor nozzle with two brush rolls. The bristle brush enables thorough suction on high-pile carpets.
Meanwhile, the soft brush roll helps eradicate large particles on low-pile carpets and hard floors. What’s more, the NV803’s swiveling caddy and LED headlights to improve its navigation on a variety of surfaces.
On the other hand, the NV752 boasts a conventional bristled brush roll for cleaning high- and low-pile carpets with ease. It also comes with a mini motorized brush for cleaning carpeted stairs.
Not to mention, the NV752’s duster crevice tool is great for cleaning corners on a variety of different surfaces.
Shark NV500 vs. NV501
With that said, the NV500 and NV501 offer similar performances on carpeted floors.
We found the NV500 to provide more intense suction on carpets. However, the NV501 did provide extended reach and multi-angle cleaning.
HardwoodsShark NV752 vs. NV803
Only two models stood out regarding cleaning hardwood floors.
The NV803 and NV752 both boasted hard floor-specific cleaning accessories. The NV803 featured dual brush rolls, including a soft brush roll for hardwood floors. Meanwhile, the NV752 boasted a Hard Floor Genie with a washable microfiber pad.
Both of these vacuums were able to traverse hard floors without scratching the surface. Not to mention, they had enough suction to pick up debris that was trapped between the grooves of floorboards. While the low-clearance floor nozzles made it difficult for the vacuums to pick up large debris, both came with plenty of accessories to help get the job done.
Shark NV500 vs. NV501
The NV500 and NV501 also did well on hardwood floors. Both of these vacuums are lightweight, limiting the potential for damage to sensitive surfaces.
Upholstery
Each of the four vacuums we reviewed was capable of cleaning upholstery, though a few of the vacuums shined in this category.
For one, the NV752 comes with a mini motorized brush that effectively removes dust and particles from curtains, couches, and everything between. The NV752 also boasts a multi-tool with detachable bristles for eliminating pet hair from upholstery.
On top of that, the NV501 and NV803 boast pet power brushes. These brushes are not motorized, although they spin with help from the suction.
Usability
All four of the Shark models we’ve explored are Lift-Away vacuums. This means they feature a lift-off pod that can be carried around for spot cleaning. These vacuums can also be used with a rolling caddy for less weight-bearing navigation. Keep in mind that the vacuums’ nozzle heads retain their suction at all times.
In addition to their versatile designs, all four models boast swiveling bases with LED headlights.
These features make for easy navigation over, under, and around appliances and furniture. With that said, neither the NV500 nor the NV501 has fingertip controls.
On top of that, the NV803 boasts DuoClean technology for a hassle-free multi-surface cleaning experience. On top of that, the NV803 and NV752 have more advanced accessories.
The combination of the two-in-one brush roll and the Under-appliance wand makes the NV803 the premiere choice for users with limited mobility.
Nevertheless, the NV752 is still incredibly easy to use. Not to mention, its significantly larger dust cup capacity enables longer, more thorough cleaning sessions with fewer trips to the trash.
No matter what model we were looking at, we found it easy to alternate between cleaning modes and onboard tools. Almost all the vacuum accessories featured easy snap-in connections. Many of the accessories even feature clips for convenient onboard storage.
On top of that, all four models were relatively lightweight and compact.
While the NV752 looked rather bulky when placed up against the NV803, neither model was too big to navigate in small spaces. What’s more, both models featured ergonomic handles, lightweight pod modes, and extended power cords.
The same goes for the NV500 and NV501. While we would have liked to see a model with an adjustable height, the wand enabled us to pick up extra large debris that the floor nozzle left behind.
Assembly
We also judged the vacuums on their ease of assembly. With that said, we were pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to get these vacuums up and to run. All that is required is to remove the parts from their box and snap them into place.
Each vacuum features a few accessories that can be stored on the caddy, though most of them need to be stored in the accessory bag until they are needed.
Maintenance and Dustbin
All four Shark vacuums are incredibly low-maintenance. All of the vacuums come with lifetime-guaranteed washable foam filters. These filters just need to be removed, rinsed, and dried to enable optimal filtration.
All four vacuums also boast lifetime-guaranteed belts. Each vacuum comes equipped with an intelligent electronic system that will shut off the power nozzle in the event of a brush roll blockage. As such, users never have to maintenance nor replace their vacuum’s belt.
On top of this, the brush rolls need occasional attention. The NV803 features a special brush roll garage that enables easy brush roll maintenance. It pops in and out for easy hair and fiber removal.
Removing and emptying a vacuum’s dust cup are also essential maintenance tasks.
With that said, it is important to note that the NV752 has the largest dust capacity. Whereas, the NV802 has the smallest. Still, all four models boast one-touch door release buttons for easy contact-free dustbin emptying. All of the models also feature top door release alternatives for eliminating stubborn dust and debris.
With that said, all Shark vacuums also come with a limited 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. While some customers have had a difficult time working with Shark’s customer service department, the vast majority of vacuum owners approve of the company. Shark also offers something called a VIP warranty.
It’s important to note that this type of warranty must be purchased within 60 days of a vacuum purchase.
Pricing
With that said, the NV803 seems to be the most reasonably priced Shark vacuum. It comes with more bells and whistles than the higher-priced NV752. Nevertheless, if your budget will allow it, we suggest splurging on the NV752.
If you are a pet owner or someone who plans on cleaning extensively, the NV752 is worth a few extra dollars. Still, the bargain-rate NV500 isn’t a far-cry from expensive the alternatives.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve explored every facet of these fabulous four Shark vacuums, it’s time to pick a winner of the roundup.
The NV752’s oversized dust cup enables seemingly limitless cleaning session. Not to mention, the LED-lighted handle and fingertip controls make for better usability. On top of that, the NV752 boasts a motorized brush tool and a Hard Floor Genie, which make multi-floor cleaning all the easier. While we would have liked to spend a little less on the NV752, we’re confident that its upgrades are well worth the investment.
With that said, the NV803 is a reliable runner-up to the NV752. This vacuum is a bit more affordable. Not to mention, it weighs less. We also love that the NV752 comes with dual brush rollers for more efficient multi-surface cleaning. While it lacks pet hair-specific accessories, the Under-appliance tool is pretty nifty.
As you can see, Shark makes several impressive vacuums. Whether you’re looking for a conventional upright, canister, pod, or convertible vacuum, Shark has you covered.
I`m Gary Johns and I`m this very person who is responsible for the technical part of all the reviews and tests on this blog.
In 2015 I got a technical degree at the University of California, and since that time I help people and give a professional and detailed overview of any smart technology.
