Shark Navigator Nv586 Review

The Shark Navigator NV586 is a powerful, bagless upright vacuum that excels at removing pet hair and ground-in dirt from carpets and hard floors. Its swivel steering and lightweight design make it surprisingly easy to maneuver, while the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology with a HEPA filter traps 99.97% of dust and allergens. For its price point, it offers exceptional cleaning power and versatility, making it a top contender for families and pet owners seeking a reliable workhorse without the bag-changing hassle.

Let’s be honest. Shopping for a vacuum cleaner can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. The claims are big, the prices vary wildly, and every brand swears it’s the best. If you’ve been searching, you’ve almost certainly come across the Shark Navigator line. It’s a staple in the “best vacuum” conversations for a reason. Today, we’re putting one of its most popular models, the Shark Navigator NV586, under the microscope. This isn’t just a quick once-over; this is a full Shark Navigator NV586 review, built from the ground up to answer one question: is this the right vacuum for your home?

We live in a world of pet hair,crumb-laden kitchen floors, and the occasional tracked-in mud. You need a tool that doesn’t just push dirt around but actually removes it. The NV586 promises to do exactly that, boasting Shark’s signature swivel steering, a sealed HEPA system, and a versatile “Lift-Away” design. But do the real-world results match the marketing hype? Over several weeks of testing in a busy household with two dogs and various floor types, we put this machine through its paces. From the first click of the power switch to the hundredth empty of the dust cup, here’s everything you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• Powerful Suction: The NV586’s motor provides strong, consistent suction that effectively lifts pet hair, debris, and embedded dirt from both carpets and hard floors.
• Anti-Allergen Seal + HEPA: Its sealed system with a HEPA filter captures 99.97% of dust and allergens, a major benefit for allergy sufferers and pet owners.
• Excellent Maneuverability: The swivel steering and relatively lightweight construction allow for easy navigation around furniture and under most beds.
• Versatile Cleaning: The ” Lift-Away” feature lets you detach the pod for portable above-floor cleaning, and it includes a pet motorized brush tool.
• Bagless Convenience: Easy-empty dust cup is hygienic and eliminates the ongoing cost and mess of replacement bags.
• Solid Value: It delivers performance comparable to more expensive models, offering an outstanding balance of power, features, and affordability.

Unboxing and First Impressions: What You Get

Right out of the box, the Shark Navigator NV586 feels substantial but not overwhelmingly heavy. Assembly is straightforward—mostly clicking a few pieces together—and you’ll have it ready to go in about 10 minutes. The package includes the main vacuum body (the “pod”), the long wand, the floorhead with the brush roll, the pet motorized brush tool, a crevice tool, a dusting brush, and the hose adapter for above-floor cleaning.

Build Quality and Design

The design is classic Shark utilitarian: durable, mostly gray and purple plastics that look clean and professional. The construction feels solid. The wand and connections don’t have a cheap, wobbly feel. The floorhead is wide (about 12 inches), which is great for covering ground quickly on open floor plans. The dust cup is transparent, so you can always see when it’s full—a small but hugely convenient feature. The controls are simple: a large red power button on the top of the pod and a suction control dial on the handle. No confusing digital displays here, just reliable, tactile switches.

Performance on Different Floor Types: Does It Deliver?

A vacuum’s true test is how it handles the messes you actually have. We tested the NV586 on three primary surfaces: low-pile carpet, Berber-style loop carpet, and sealed hardwood/laminate.

On Carpet: Deep Cleaning Power

This is where the NV586 truly shines. The combination of its powerful motor and the motorized brush roll (which you can turn off for hard floors) agitates and lifts embedded pet hair, dirt, and even dried grass clippings with impressive efficiency. On low-pile carpet, it left a noticeably clean path in a single pass. For tracked-in mud or ground-in debris, a second pass usually did the trick. The suction is strong enough that you can feel the vacuum pulling at the carpet fibers. It doesn’t have the extreme “stick to the floor” feel of some high-end models, but for its class, the cleaning power is exceptional.

On Hard Floors: No Scatter, No Debris Left Behind

Turning off the brush roll (via a simple switch on the floorhead) is essential here to avoid scattering larger debris like kibble or litter. With the brush off, the suction takes over. It picked up fine dust, pet hair, and crumbs effortlessly. The edge-to-edge cleaning on the floorhead is good, though not perfect—you’ll still need the crevice tool for the very edges along baseboards. One minor note: on very smooth hard floors, the vacuum can sometimes feel like it’s “sucking” itself forward a bit, which takes a tiny bit of getting used to, but it’s a minor issue.

The Pet Motorized Brush Tool: A Game-Changer for Furniture

The included pet motorized brush tool is a highlight. It attaches to the hose for above-floor cleaning and has its own mini motorized brush roll. On upholstered furniture, car interiors, and stairs, it was a revelation. It pulled embedded dog hair from a deep-pile sofa that other vacuums had failed to touch. This tool alone makes the NV586 a fantastic value for pet owners.

Maneuverability and User Experience: Is It a Workout?

For an upright vacuum, the Shark Navigator NV586 is a joy to push around. Shark’s famous swivel steering is the star here. The floorhead pivots effortlessly with a twist of your wrist, making it simple to navigate around chair legs, coffee tables, and tight corners. This feature dramatically reduces the effort required for furniture-heavy rooms.

The weight is manageable at around 15 pounds. You won’t be lifting it up and down stairs regularly (it’s not designed as a stair-specific vacuum), but carrying it from room to room is no problem. The “Lift-Away” feature is the key to its versatility. By pressing a button, you can detach the entire pod from the floorhead and wand, turning it into a lightweight, portable canister. This is perfect for cleaning stairs, car trunks, or above-floor surfaces like countertops and shelves. The hose length is adequate, and the tools store neatly on board.

Noise Level: How Loud Is It?

It’s a vacuum—it makes noise. However, the NV586 isn’t obnoxiously loud. It has a deep, motor-heavy sound rather than a high-pitched whine. On the lower suction settings (which are often sufficient for hard floors or light debris), it’s quite tolerable. On max power for carpet, it’s loud but not worse than most competitors in its power class. You can still hear the TV at a normal volume in an adjacent room.

Filtration and Dust Emptying: The Hygiene Factor

This is a critical, often overlooked area. The Shark Navigator NV586 uses Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. What this means is that all the air passing through the vacuum is forced through a HEPA filter before being exhausted. There is no path for unfiltered air to leak back into your room. In our tests, we noticed zero dust puffs when turning the vacuum on or off, which is a great sign of a truly sealed system. For anyone with allergies, asthma, or a general dislike for that “vacuum smell,” this is a huge plus.

The Dust Cup: Easy and (Mostly) Mess-Free

The bagless dust cup is a one-touch, easy-empty design. You hold it over a trash can, press a button, and the bottom opens to dump the contents. It works well 90% of the time. The main caveat is that if the cup is very full of fine dust or pet hair, some can get trapped in the top portion, requiring you to reach in (or use the provided cleaning tool) to dislodge it. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a small step more involved than the absolute best easy-empty systems. The filter itself is washable—just rinse with cold water and let dry completely for 24 hours before reinserting. This eliminates filter replacement costs.

Maintenance, Durability, and Long-Term Value

Beyond emptying the dust cup and washing the filter, the main maintenance task is checking the brush roll for hair wrap. Shark includes a “self-cleaning” brush roll design that helps prevent hair from wrapping tightly around the bristles. In our pet-heavy home, we still had to cut a few hairs loose every few uses, but it was minimal and easy to do with scissors. The belt is accessible if it ever needs replacement.

Build quality feels durable for the price. The plastics are thick, the wheels roll smoothly, and the swivel mechanism feels robust. Shark generally offers a 5-year limited warranty on this model (always check current terms at purchase), which is a strong vote of confidence in its longevity.

The long-term value proposition is strong. You avoid all bag costs. The only recurring expense is the eventual wear on the main HEPA filter (though it’s washable, it will degrade over 2-3 years). For a vacuum with this level of power, sealed filtration, and versatility, the upfront cost is very competitive.

The Verdict: Who Is the Shark Navigator NV586 For?

After thorough testing, the Shark Navigator NV586 earns a resounding recommendation for a specific audience. It is not a lightweight stick vacuum for quick spills. It is a full-sized, powerful upright designed for whole-home cleaning.

Best For:

• Families with pets: The combo of strong suction, motorized pet tool, and sealed HEPA system is tailor-made for pet hair and dander.
• Homes with mostly carpet: Its power and brush roll are optimized for deep carpet cleaning.
• Allergy sufferers: The sealed HEPA system is a top-tier feature at this price for trapping allergens.
• Anyone wanting versatility: The Lift-Away function and tool kit let you clean stairs, cars, and furniture without buying a separate handheld.

Consider Looking Elsewise If:

• You have mostly hard floors and want an ultra-lightweight vacuum for daily quick cleans.
• Your home is all stairs and you need an ultra-lightweight canister (the NV586 is too heavy to carry up and down constantly).
• You want a completely tangle-free brush roll with zero maintenance (though this is rare).

The Shark Navigator NV586 is a workhorse. It’s built to tackle real messes, day in and day out. It has a few minor quirks—the dust cup emptying could be slightly cleaner, and it’s not the lightest on the market—but its core functions of suction power, filtration, and maneuverability are executed brilliantly. In the crowded mid-range vacuum market, it stands out by delivering on its core promises without gimmicks. If your cleaning needs match its strengths, this Shark Navigator NV586 review concludes with a clear answer: this is an outstanding vacuum that earns its place as a best-seller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Shark Navigator NV586 good for pet hair?

Yes, absolutely. Its strong suction and motorized brush roll are exceptionally effective at lifting embedded pet hair from carpets and upholstery. The included pet motorized brush tool is particularly powerful for furniture and car interiors. The sealed HEPA system also captures the dander associated with pets.

How often do I need to wash the filters?

Shark recommends washing the pre-motor foam and felt filters every 3 months under normal use. The post-motor HEPA filter is also washable and should be cleaned every 6 months. Always allow all filters to air-dry completely for at least 24 hours before reinstalling them to avoid damaging the motor.

Can the Shark Navigator NV586 clean hard floors without scattering debris?

Yes, but you must turn off the brush roll. There is a switch on the floorhead that disengages the rotating bristles. With the brush off, the suction alone picks up dust, hair, and crumbs on hard floors without pushing larger particles around.

Is it difficult to assemble and use?

No. Assembly involves clicking a few pieces together and takes about 10 minutes. The controls are straightforward with a simple power button and suction dial. The swivel steering makes it very intuitive to push and maneuver around furniture.

How noisy is the Shark Navigator NV586?

It is a typical vacuum cleaner noise level—noticeable but not deafening. It has a deep, motor-like sound. On the lower suction settings for hard floors, it is relatively quiet. On the maximum setting for deep carpet cleaning, it is loud but comparable to other powerful upright vacuums.

What is the warranty on the Shark Navigator NV586?

Shark typically offers a 5-year limited warranty on the Navigator NV586, covering defects in materials and workmanship. However, warranty terms can change, so it is essential to check the specific warranty information included in your box or on the official Shark website at the time of purchase.