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Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away [NV751, NV752] Vacuum Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3
Reviewed Jul 07, 2020 at 08:45 am
Latest change: Retest Aug 26, 2024 at 04:14 pm
Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away [NV751, NV752] Picture
7.0
Bare Floor
6.9
Low-Pile Carpet
6.8
High-Pile Carpet
6.9
Pets
7.2
Stairs
6.9
Cars
4.5
Workshop

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is a bagless upright vacuum. Like most Shark uprights, its Lift-Away design lets you detach its motor unit from its floorhead and clean tight spots with its wand. This vacuum has a simpler single-roller head compared to newer models in the lineup, like the Shark APEX Upright. The TruePet variant we tested comes with three tools, but other variants have different ones. It's not hard to maintain, but there are quite a few parts that you need to clean. Luckily, there are virtually no recurring costs.

While there are two differently named variants of this vacuum, they only really differ in color and the attachments included. Further information is provided in the 'Differences Between Variants' section.

Our Verdict

7.0 Bare Floor

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is decent to use on bare floors. It's effective in cleaning fine and medium-sized debris on this surface, but larger debris can get stuck in its floorhead instead of being sucked up. It has mediocre maneuverability because it's bulky and hard to fit underneath couches and tables. On the upside, it has a good dirt compartment.

Pros
  • Easily cleans large debris on any surface.
Cons
  • Struggles with hair on bare floors.
  • Heavy to hold and not easy to move around.
6.9 Low-Pile Carpet

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is decent for low-pile carpet. It's good at dealing with large and medium-sized debris but struggles with finer material worked into carpet fibers. It has a decent build quality, and it's not hard to maintain, but there are a lot of parts that you need to clean regularly. Luckily, there are virtually no recurring costs.

Pros
  • Easily cleans large debris on any surface.
Cons
  • Heavy to hold and not easy to move around.
6.8 High-Pile Carpet

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is okay for high-pile carpet. You'll likely need to make an extra pass to fully clear away fine debris on this surface type, though it does fairly well with medium-sized and large debris. It has a good-sized dirt compartment and a decent build quality. Sadly, it's not very maneuverable and has a short hose range.

Pros
  • Easily cleans large debris on any surface.
Cons
  • Doesn't clean much small debris on high-pile carpet.
  • Heavy to hold and not easy to move around.
6.9 Pets

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is okay for cleaning pet hair. It might take an extra pass to clear away hair that's been worked deeper into carpet fibers. Even though the brushroll isn't removable, you can still access it to clean any tangled hair. It also comes with a turbo brush to help clean hair on couches.

Pros
  • Comes with turbo brush.
Cons
  • Struggles with hair on bare floors.
  • Heavy to hold and not easy to move around.
7.2 Stairs

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is good to use on stairs. It can be used as a handheld vacuum, but it's fairly heavy to carry up and down the stairs. Also, the hose length is short. Still, it performs well on low-pile carpet and has decent performance on bare floors and high-pile carpet.

Pros
  • Can be used as handheld vacuum.
  • Comes with turbo brush.
Cons
  • Struggles with hair on bare floors.
  • Heavy to hold and not easy to move around.
6.9 Cars

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is good for cars. The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away can be used as a handheld vacuum. Unfortunately, it's heavy to hold and the hose is short, which isn't convenient to vacuum your car with. However, it performs well on low-pile carpet and comes with a crevice tool to help vacuum those hard-to-reach areas.

Pros
  • Can be used as handheld vacuum.
  • Comes with turbo brush.
Cons
  • Heavy to hold and not easy to move around.
4.5 Workshop

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away isn't designed for cleaning workshops. It can't clear away liquids, and its various internals could be damaged if you were to use it for cleaning heavy-duty debris like metal shavings.

Pros
  • Easily cleans large debris on any surface.
Cons
  • Heavy to hold and not easy to move around.
  • Not meant for liquid spills.
  • 7.0 Bare Floor
  • 6.9 Low-Pile Carpet
  • 6.8 High-Pile Carpet
  • 6.9 Pets
  • 7.2 Stairs
  • 6.9 Cars
  • 4.5 Workshop
  1. Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've updated the scores in the Hard Floor Pick-Up, High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, and Pet-Hair Pick-Up tests to align with a broader data set. For more information about the reasoning for this update, you can look at our forum post.
  2. Updated Apr 09, 2024: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.0, Test Bench 1.2, and Test Bench 1.3.
  3. Updated Apr 09, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. We've overhauled our floor performance tests and added new 'Hard Floor Pick-Up,' 'High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' 'Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' and 'Pet-Hair Pick-Up' tests. You can see the full changelog here.
  4. Updated Dec 14, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
  5. Updated Feb 28, 2023: We've changed the product name to Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away [NV751, NV752] in order for the review to encompass all model variants.
  6. Updated Nov 03, 2022: This vacuum's suction force has been retested with a more accurate manometer. The test results for the 'Maximum Suction' and 'Normal Suction' fields have been updated. All relevant scores and text have been updated.
  7. Updated Aug 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  8. Updated Mar 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  9. Updated Aug 24, 2020: We've updated the power adjustment feature results as well as updated the settings used on each surface type.
  10. Updated Jul 07, 2020: Review published.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the NV752 variant of the Shark Powered Lift-Away. Other variants, which differ mainly in the included attachments, are listed below.

Model Number Body Color Included Brushes and Tools
NV650 Silver  Soft bristle brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool, hard floor tool
NV651 Light Purple Dusting tool, power brush, soft bristle brush, upholstery tool, hard floor tool
NV652 Burgundy Dusting tool, turbo brush, soft bristle brush, upholstery tool, hard floor tool
NV751 Light Purple Dusting tool, power brush, soft bristle brush, upholstery tool, hard floor tool
NV752 Bordeaux Turbo brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool

Note that you can purchase any extra tools on Shark's website. If someone comes across this vacuum that's different from ours, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Vacuums

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is good overall and performs best on carpet. Even though there are better upright vacuums for use on bare floors, like the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed, most people will be happy with its versatility.

See our recommendations for the best vacuums, the best vacuums for carpet, and the best Shark vacuums.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe [NV360, UV440]

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is better than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe. The Rotator is better built, has a slightly longer power cord, and performs better on all surface types. Conversely, the Navigator weighs a little bit less.

Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV

The Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV is more versatile than the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away. The ADV has fewer maintenance requirements, a longer power cord, a lighter construction, better maneuverability, and superior performance on bare floors, especially regarding pet hair. However, unlike the Rotator Powered, you can't turn off its brushroll. The Rotator Powered also outperforms the ADV on low-pile carpets and has a bigger dirt compartment.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed is better overall than the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away. The Navigator performs much better on bare floors, is more maneuverable, and is lighter to hold. That said, the Rotator has a somewhat better performance on low-pile carpet, a slightly bigger dirt compartment, and a longer range.

Shark APEX Upright

The Shark APEX Upright is better overall than the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away vacuum. While the APEX performs similarly to the Rotator on carpet, it performs significantly better on bare floors. The APEX also has a bigger dirt compartment and a slightly longer hose length. On the other hand, the Rotator is easier to maintain.

BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus [Turbo, Turbo Rewind]

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is a more well-rounded vacuum than the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus. The Shark is slightly easier to maintain with a lot fewer recurring costs, and its dirt compartment holds more, too. It also has a better performance on all surface types too. However, the BISSELL can maneuver slightly better and has a removable brushroll.

Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away is better to use on carpets, while the Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind is better for bare floors. The Shark cleans most hair and large debris on all surface types. It has better maneuverability and isn't as heavy. The Hoover has a better range, and it's easier to maintain.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean/Origin

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean/Origin is better overall than the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away. It has outstanding performance on any surface and a longer range, and it's easier to maintain. You can use the Shark as a handheld vacuum, making it a better choice for cleaning stairs and cars.

BISSELL Adapt Ion Pet/XRT

The BISSELL Adapt Ion Pet/XRT is a better vacuum for cleaning pet hair than the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away. The BISSELL is easier to maintain, it's cordless, so it has an unlimited range, and it's much more portable. If you have shedding pets, this vacuum can easily pick up pet hair, and it can be used as a small and lightweight vacuum, too. It also has significantly better maneuverability. However, the Shark is a better choice if you need to clean small and large debris as it outperforms the BISSELL on all surface types in this regard. It also has a larger dirt compartment, and you don't have to worry about recharging it as it's a corded vacuum.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
7.0
Design
Build Quality
Vacuum Type
Upright/Handheld

The Shark NV752 has a decent build quality. The wand is made of metal, while the rest of the vacuum is made of hard plastic. Overall, the vacuum feels like it could be more sturdy, and the dirt compartment could break if dropped, but it's still better than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed. Fortunately, each part has clips that make the vacuum easy to assemble, and it's easy to attach/detach the parts when switching configurations. There's rubber on the handle to help with grip, and the flat vacuum head makes it stand upright.

6.0
Design
User Maintenance

This vacuum isn't very hard to maintain, but there are quite a few parts you need to clean, and they aren't the easiest to access. Consider the Miele Dynamic U1 PowerLine if you're looking for an upright vacuum that's much easier to care for, so long as you don't mind giving up a more portable handheld configuration.

  • Dirt compartment: You can open the dirt compartment from the bottom to empty it or from the top to clean the dust on the lint screen.
  • Brushroll: You can't remove the brushroll, so it's not the easiest to clean. You can lift the brushroll cover by unscrewing it with a flathead screwdriver or a coin. The cover doesn't completely come off, but you can still remove any tangled hair from the brushroll.
  • Brushroll on the turbo brush: You can access the brushroll on the turbo brush the same way you access the main brushroll. You can lift the brushroll cover, but not remove it, to remove tangled hairs from the brushroll.
  • Pre-motor filters: There are two pre-motor filters: a foam filter and a felt filter that are accessible underneath the dirt compartment. They need to be cleaned with water every three months.
  • Post-motor (HEPA) filter: You can easily access the HEPA filter by removing the front cover on the vacuum. You should clean it once a year with water.

You must air dry any part that's washed with water for at least 24 hours before using it again.

8.5
Design
Recurring Cost
Bag Part Number No bag
Filter Part Number XFF650
HEPA Filter Part Number XHF650

There are virtually no recurring costs with the vacuum. If the filters are well-maintained, you won't need a replacement for a few years.

7.2
Design
Storing
Height
45.87" (116.5 cm)
Width
11.89" (30.2 cm)
Depth
12.60" (32.0 cm)
Cord Storing
Manual
On-Board Tool Storage
Yes
Vacuum Rack/Station
No

The vacuum is fairly easy to store. It takes up room and stands up on its own. There's space to put the crevice and upholstery tools directly on the vacuum, but you can't store the turbo brush on it.

7.9
Design
Dirt Compartment
Bagless
Yes
Volume
0.38 gal (1.45 L)
Full Indicator
Yes
Bag Included
No Bag Needed

This vacuum has a good dirt compartment. It's fairly big, and there's an indicating line for when it's full.

Design
In The Box

  • Vacuum body
  • Main head with brushroll
  • Wand
  • Hose with handle
  • Dirt compartment
  • Turbo brush
  • Crevice tool
  • Upholstery tool
  • Pre-motor filters
  • Post-motor filter (inside the vacuum)
  • Power cable
  • User guide

7.0
Design
Range
Cordless
No
Cord Length
26.25 ft (8.0 m)
Hose Length
4.07 ft (1.24 m)
Minimum Wand Length
1.18 ft (0.36 m)
Maximum Wand Length
3.35 ft (1.02 m)
Total Range
29.59 ft (9.02 m)

This vacuum has mediocre range. The cord length is long, but the hose is fairly short, which isn't convenient when vacuuming a car.

6.7
Design
Portability
Total Weight
15.87 lbs (7.20 kg)
Weight In Hand
3.33 lbs (1.51 kg)
Carrying handle
Yes

This vacuum has okay portability. The Shark NV752 is heavy, but luckily, there's a carrying handle that makes it easier to bring to another floor.

0
Design
Battery
Minimum Battery Life
N/A
Maximum Battery Life
N/A
Recharge Time
N/A
Recharge Dock
No
Battery Life Indicator
No
Removable Batteries
No

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet doesn't have a battery.

Design
Quality Of Life Features
Rotating Head
Yes
Power Adjustment
No
Self-Propelled
No
Headlights
Yes
Easy On/Off
Yes
Head Surface Type Adjustment
Manual

This vacuum has a few extra features to enhance the user experience. It has three surface level settings: Hard Floor, Low Pile Carpet, and High Pile Carpet. You can adjust the height of the main head if you're using it on carpet. You can also slightly adjust the suction on the turbo brush with a slider for when you need to clean delicate furniture with it.

Design
Tools And Brushes
Brushroll
Yes
Brushroll On/Off
Yes
Removable Brushroll
No
Turbo Brush
Yes
Crevice Tool
Yes
Upholstery Tool
Yes
Soft Bristle Brush
No
Hard Bristle Brush
No
Extension Wand
Yes
Ceiling Fan Tool
No
Pet Grooming Tool
No

The Shark NV752 variant includes three tools and brushes. Other variants have different tools that come with it. Note that the turbo brush, called the TruePet Mini Motorized Brush, is meant to clean pet hair and not to groom your pet like the pet grooming tool on the Dyson Ball Animal 2.

Design
Alternative Configuration
Blower Mode
No

You can either use this vacuum in an upright position or as a handheld vacuum with the wand and hose.

Performance
7.0
Performance
Hard Floor Pick-Up

This vacuum does a decent job of dealing with debris on hard floors. It's fairly effective in dealing with fine and medium-sized debris like sand or rice, but larger debris like cereal can get caught in its floorhead and fall back out once the vacuum is turned off, forcing you to clean it back up again.

7.0
Performance
High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up

This vacuum does a decent job of cleaning high-pile carpet. It clears away most larger debris within a single pass, though a small amount can be left in corners or along walls. You'll need to make an extra pass to deal with finer debris worked deep into carpet fibers.

6.5
Performance
Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up

This vacuum performs passably well on low-pile carpet. It's quite effective in dealing with larger debris like cereal and clears away most medium-sized debris like rice, but it can leave behind finer material like sand that's been worked deep into carpet fibers.

7.0
Performance
Pet-Hair Pick-Up

This vacuum's pet hair pickup performance on low-pile carpet is decent. It'll clear away most hair within a single pass, but you'll likely need to make an extra pass or two to deal with shorter strands that are worked into carpet fibers.

2.7
Performance
Suction
Maximum Hose Suction
92.3 inH₂O (22.99 kPa)
Maximum Head Suction
0.8 inH₂O (0.19 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
0.8 inH₂O (0.19 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal "Hard Floor"
Hose Diameter
1.6" (4.0 cm)

This vacuum's suction performance at its floorhead is poor. Its cleaning head sits somewhat high above the ground and doesn't form a seal that's all that tight, so it can have a harder time dealing with debris wedged in deeper crevices. That said, suction through its hose is quite strong, so you'll have no trouble dealing with stubborn debris when cleaning in its semi-handheld configuration.

8.9
Performance
Airflow
Maximum Hose Airflow
94.2 CFM (2.7 m³/min)

This vacuum has excellent airflow. It won't have much trouble lifting away heavier debris and sucking it into its dirt compartment.

7.5
Performance
Noise
Bare Floor
79.3 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
81.7 dBA

This vacuum is a little noisy, though the sound it emits isn't all that high-pitched, and it won't be overly disruptive as long as you're vacuuming a separate room with the door completely or even partially closed.

6.0
Performance
Maneuverability

The Shark NV752 has mediocre maneuverability. The rotating head helps you navigate objects, but the vacuum is heavy, and its bulky size makes it hard to clean underneath couches and tables. You can detach the hose to clean furniture, but since the hose is a bit short, you have to move or hold the body while vacuuming. It doesn't properly clean rugs on the 'Bare Floor' setting because the brushroll is off, and when it's on the 'Low Pile Carpet' or 'High Pile Carpet' settings, the rug gets stuck.

8.5
Performance
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
Sofa Pickup Post Test

This vacuum does an excellent job of picking up pet hair on fabric furniture when used with its upholstery nozzle. While it has a miniature turbo brush, this tool doesn't perform all that well. The simpler straight-suction upholstery nozzle is a little more unwieldy but ultimately does a much better job of dealing with hair on fabric.

Performance
Air Quality
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes

This vacuum does a good job of filtering out fine allergens. Its foam and felt pre-motor filters, combined with its HEPA exhaust filter, allow it to capture a good amount of airborne particles. That said, be careful when emptying its dustbin, which can release a cloud of dust and debris.

6.0
Performance
Cracks
Wood Cracks Post Test

This vacuum does a mediocre job of handling debris on crevices. It lacks the necessary suction force at its floorhead to draw debris out from cracks as it moves. If you want to clean deeper cracks, use the vacuum in its Lift-Away configuration with the crevice tool attached; you can see a video of the vacuum in action when configured in this way here, and a post-cleaning image here.

1.0
Performance
Stains
Stain Pickup Post Test

This vacuum has no impact on stains.

0
Performance
Water
Wet Compatible
No
Water Pickup Post Test

This vacuum isn't designed to deal with liquid spills.