Whether you have a lot of carpet or hardwood floors in your home, you are going to need an upright vacuum cleaner to get your floors and your furniture clean.
Recently, my vacuum went caput, and my mom suggested getting a Shark to replace it. After searching the market to see what my options were, I decided on the Shark NV500 Rotator vacuum or the Shark NV501 vacuum.
Both models seem to be great to me, but which one is the best option to select? Let’s find out in this Shark NV500 vs NV501 battle of the best upright vacuum!
Table of Contents
Shark NV 500 vs 501: Comparing the Products
I tend to vacuum a lot in order to keep my home clean, and after testing both of these models, I found that I prefer the Shark NV501 because it has more accessories that I will use in my home.
It also comes with a HEPA filtration system that is important to keep the air in my home clear of allergens. In addition, the NV501, which is a 2-in-1 model instead of a Shark rotator 3-in-1 vacuum, is far lighter.
This makes it easier to manage when you need to carry it to clean the stairs.
Shark Rotator Professional NV500 Review
The Shark Rotator NV500 is a vacuum that has professional lift-away. This means that the canister detaches from the vacuum so that you can clean the stairs and other difficult to reach places with ease.
It is a powerful 3-in-1 device that is very versatile. It can effectively clean both hard floors and carpeted ones, and switching between the modes is relatively straightforward to do.
It has swivel steering that makes it easier to move around your furniture. There is even an LED light on the front of the vacuum that will make dirt in dark locations more visible.
When it comes to dirt capacity, this model has an extra-large bin that holds 1.3 quarts of dirt before it needs to be emptied.
Also, the Shark NV500 filters are HEPA filters, which will remove 99.9% of the dust and allergens that can be found in your home. This is a relatively quiet model, so you will be able to watch television while using it to vacuum.
Pros
- This is a very powerful vacuum.
- It has a HEPA filter.
- It’s made from durable material.
Cons
- The vacuum is heavy.
- The cord is not retractable.
Shark Rotator Professional NV501 Cordless Vacuum Review
Since these vacuums are very similar, you will find that they are both the NV500 and the NV501 are Shark rotator professional models with lift-away, which means that the canister on this vacuum can also be removed and used in more of a handheld fashion.
The shark NV501 filter is also a HEPA filter, so it is an excellent option for individuals who have allergies.
The main difference that you will need to know for the NV501 is that it is a 2-in-1 model, so it cannot be used as a canister vacuum, but the canister can still be removed and held in order to clean the stairs more easily.
In addition to this, the NV501 comes with more powerful suction tools and a car detailing kit that could be useful to have.
Pros
- It’s easy to maneuver on the carpet.
- It is very quiet.
- It has a HEPA filter.
Cons
- The power cord wrap around the wand attachment.
- The light has a wide beam, not a focused one.
Features Comparison of Shark NV500 and Shark NV501
Before deciding on a model for your home, let’s take a look at some of the more important features for a vacuum to have.
Performance
After looking at Shark NV 500 and NV501 reviews, I found that the performance of both models is very similar. One is a 3-in-1 model, and the other is a 2-i-1 model, so NV 500 is a bit more functional when it comes to cleaning the entire house.
However, it is also a bit larger and more challenging to move. Both of these vacuums have a swiveling neck that makes it easy to clean tight spaces, and they both offer powerful suction that can deep clean any carpet.
The NV501 may have a little less suction power, but it reaches more angles, which means that fewer passes will be required to clean an area.
Portability
When you consider the portability of the devices alone, you will find that the NV501 is much less challenging to manage when you are vacuuming with it. Though, the NV500 has a handle, which will make it easier to carry even though it weighs more overall.
Attachments
The NV500 comes with a multi-tool, a power brush, a straight suction brush, a crevice tool, and a multi-angle brush. The NV501 comes with a dusting brush, a crevice tool, a straight suction nozzle, a multi-angle brush, and a turbo brush. Both have the same amount of attachments, but the turbo tool is much stronger and more valuable than the power brush.
Dust Management and Filtration
Both of these models have HEPA filtration systems and extra-large dust bins so that you do not have to empty them every time you vacuum your home.
Easy Comparison Table for Quick Review
Category | Winner | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
Cleaning Positions | NV500 | The NV500 can operate as an upright, a canister, and a lift-away pod. Since the NV501 is only a 2-in-1 model, it loses a bit of versatility. |
Weight | NV501 | The NV500 weighs a little more than 21 pounds, and the NV501 only weighs about 15 ½ pounds. The five-pound difference makes the NV501 much easier to manage. |
Filtration | Tie | Both of these models HEPA filters, which will clean 99.9%of the allergens in the air. |
Useful Attachments | NV501 | Both models have similar attachments, but the NV501 comes with a powerful premium brush that is great for cleaning areas that need a little extra suction to get clean. |
Shark NV500 vs NV501: Which should You Choose?
Ultimately, the vacuum that you choose has to fit your specific cleaning needs. I have taken a look at the manual for both the Shark NV500 and the NV501 to make sure that you have all of the information that you need to select the best model for your home.
Since the Shark rotator nv500 is an older model, its parts could become difficult to replace sooner, but if you decide that the NV500 is right for your needs, you can worry about replacement parts when the need arises.
Final Thoughts
After comparing these Shark vacuums in the Shark NV500 vs NV501 battle, the winner is clear! The Shark rotator professional NV501 is the model that stands out on top. It is a powerful device that separates with ease so that you can easily clean the stairs, it has HEPA filtration, and it operates quietly.
Hopefully, our review of the Shark NV500 and the Shark NV501 has helped you decide which vacuum is best for your needs.
Both are excellent choices, but the NV501 is the more up-to-date model, so it will have newer technology that you may want. If you don’t need the latest technology on the market for your vacuum, the NV500 is still an excellent option.
