The “So Versatile” Vacuum That My Grandma Has Sworn By for Years (Even over Her Dyson!)
During the holidays, I was on a mission: Figure out my family members’ favorite home products. My grandma was the first person I approached — she has an absolutely stunning home and excellent taste — and lucky for me, she walked me through a few rooms and gave me a few recommendations in the process. In her closet, I spotted a Dyson and a Shark vacuum sitting side by side, so I asked which she prefers and why.
It took barely a second of deliberation before she decided on Shark. It didn’t surprise me that she loves the brand so much, having owned one of its stick vacuums for over a year myself. We agreed that you simply can’t beat all of the features it offers at a more-affordable price point. In the past couple of years since she bought it, my grandma swears by the brand’s Navigator Lift-Away Upright ADV Vacuum — it’s easy to maneuver and powerful. Best of all, it’s on sale right now!
What Is the Shark LA322 Navigator ADV Vacuum?
While certainly more bulky than stick vacuums, upright models like this one tend to be more stable and suited for covering more ground. It’s even more versatile than your average version because it has a detachable pod, which you can use to clean the stairs, furniture, and any other elevated areas. Its strong suction leaves carpet and hard floors free of dirt, debris, and hair, while also trapping dust and allergens with its Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology.
The Navigator is also lighter than Shark’s best-selling Lift-Away, and it also is equipped with more suction to clean the whole home. The swivel head allows it to get around in narrow spaces and underneath furniture, with LED headlights revealing hard-to-spot debris. The included Crevice Tool and Pet Multi Tool round out the Navigator’s useful features.
Why I Love the Shark LA322 Navigator ADV Vacuum
Despite its larger size — if you have a larger home with ample storage space like my grandma, it’s a must — my grandma says it’s remarkably easy to roll around and move with it in tight spaces. When she needs to reach underneath furniture, the vacuum’s headlights are a huge help. Her favorite feature is the lift-off canister, which she uses to clear off her stairs. “The canister releases easily, and it’s totally washable inside and out and easy to empty,” she says. She also finds it efficient for covering the rugs and carpeted areas in her home thanks to the adjustable suction.
My grandma, who also has arthritis in her hands, adds that it’s also a great fit for people her age. Another Amazon shopper echoes her sentiments: “I am very happy with how light this cleaner is!” their review reads. “It feels like it is about 5 pounds lighter than my old vacuum, which is a tremendous relief for my arthritic hands and wrists, and with my aging back.”
I came across another shopper who says, like my grandma, that the Navigator performs better than their Dyson. “This is easier to work with than the Dyson and picks up just as well,” they wrote in their review, adding that it does a great job of picking up pet hair. Over 3,000 additional five-star ratings stand behind my grandma’s pick, so if you’re in need of a reliable, heavy-duty vacuum that makes light work of cleaning, then look no further.
Buy: Shark LA322 Navigator Vacuum, $219.99 (normally $239.99)
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