Shark NV586 Powerful Navigator Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

A lot. Lifting the canister off with the powered head still attached makes stairs, cobwebs and upholstery far easier to reach, without hauling the full upright step by step. That matters on the NV586, which weighs 18.21 lb in one piece.

Yes, on carpet and bare floors alike. Suction is the NV586's strongest point, and the adjustable control on the hose helps when something gets wedged in. It's a 1140 W corded upright, so the power stays the same from the first room to the last.

At first, yes. The swivel head turns easily, but it feels odd and a bit tricky on the first few runs. Once the knack sets in, steering the Navigator around chair legs and into corners gets simple.

Easily. The bin dumps through a hatch at the bottom, and the canister and foam filters rinse out with water. Let everything dry fully before it goes back on the NV586, and upkeep costs nothing beyond a few minutes at the sink.

Now and then. The NV586 handles the hair from big shedding dogs well, but strands wrap the brushroll from time to time and have to be pulled off by hand. In a heavy-shedding house, check the roll every few cleans.