The Shark Rotator NV800 is a compact, versatile and efficient option for cleaning floors and other surfaces. It is a vacuum cleaner for home that doubles as a canister or handheld vacuum with its pull-apart design. We got great results when using it to clean hardwood flooring and multiple carpeting types on many types of messes. The main drawback is a higher price, but the investment may be worth it, especially when you consider the long warranty.
This is one of the machines that picked up just about anything we threw on the floor. It took just a few more passes to clean each type of mess than the very best of the best. It did well on even the most challenging tests, including kitty litter on hardwood flooring. Lots of the vacuum cleaners we tested spread the kitty litter out rather than sucking it up, at least at first. The Shark NV800 did not have that problem, or at least not as bad as the others. It also cleared cereal off every surface efficiently, even the pieces that were crushed and ground into the carpet.
The Shark NV800 was basically unbeatable for maneuverability. The swiveling head makes it possible to weave in and around furniture legs and into corners easily. It has a low profile too, so we got pretty far under furniture. You will still have to move some stuff, though, to really clean underneath.
You can use a switch on the handle to optimize this vacuum cleaner for bare flooring, low carpet and high carpet. We found it cleaned effectively even when it was not on the appropriate setting – for example, it cleaned carpeting even when it was on the hard floor setting.
The NV800 cannot really compete with a cordless model for portability and easy storage, but it comes as close as a corded model can. It has two handles to make it easier to carry up and down stairs, and it is relatively lightweight, especially considering all of its features.
This Shark’s compact build is mostly a wonderful thing, but it did mean some sacrifices. The hose is comparatively short, so you might have a harder time reaching high cleaning jobs like shelving and curtains. You can separate the cleaning mechanism from the base, but that leaves you with one less free hand as you hold the hose too.
The dust cup is molded to fit around the wand and has a strange shape, which might be one reason it was messy when we had to empty it. Some of the compacted dust seemed to collect in the corners, so it was harder to empty than the round dust bins on competing units. This one had a massive dust cloud that would expand every time another corner of compacted dust shook loose. For a bagged model that doesn’t have this problem, consider the Miele Maverick.
This is not one of the vacuum cleaners that lets you know it is time to clean filters or empty the dust cup. It also doesn't wind its own cord. High quality cleaning is the most important thing this unit has to offer.
Because this vacuum is bagless, it has low maintenance costs. There is also a light on its cleaning head so you can seek out dust bunnies in dark corners.
This compact Shark is able to carry an impressive number of accessories on-board so you will have them at the ready when you want to clean stairs or furniture. You get a variety of tools for different jobs with this upright vacuum cleaner, including upholstery and crevice tools for narrow spots. The extension wand separates from the base to give you the option of cleaning messes that are up high.
The Shark NV800 is a great offering from one of the best-known vacuum cleaner brands around. It cleaned every type of mess on every type of surface with just a handful of passes. It is compact and easy to maneuver in and around different obstacles with ease. This Shark doubles as a canister vacuum when you pull it off its base, so it can perform well in a variety of cleaning situations, including on stairways.
