Shark has come up with an exciting new upright. The DuoClean Powered Lift-Away from the Rotator series gets the DuoClean technology from their latest Rocket stick vacuum which I’ve tested a while ago. This new brushroll is coupled with the already successful Powered Lift-Away line. Shark had so many Powered Lift-Away variations I had to build a comparison chart. The product also contains the name Speed, which makes me think it is derived from the Speed type of Rotator uprights, which supposed to offer consumers a lighter alternative to the full product. I was expecting an upgrade to this line, and Shark didn’t disappoint. This weekend found me putting the new product to good use. The results will be shared with you in the following paragraphs, so make sure you “stay awhile and listen” to my small story. You’ll find out:
- what are the specs of the NV800 series
- if the DuoClean brushroll is an improvement, or just a marketing gimmick
- if the product is worth it
- how it compares with other versions of Shark Rotator
- from where to get it cheaper
Looks
Here’s my usual photo gallery and video review:
Specs
Cleaning Power
DuoClean is a word which aims to describe the fact that this vacuum cleaner uses 2 different electric brushrolls to tackle dirt and debris. The soft one is placed in front of the nozzle and helps trapping light dust, while the standard one (made of bristles) is placed behind, for a deeper cleaning. The idea of using 2 different brushrolls is great. Thanks to this displacement, the unit manages to overcome all kind of situations. Shark also refers to the technology called “Triple Particle Cleaning”, which basically means the NV803 can suck in large pieces of debris such as Cheerios, small granular particles such as rice or sand and last but not least, light dust stuck on hard floors. The motor is identical with the one used in the NV600 series, which means this vacuum can produce around 180 AW. This is enough to outperform many other uprights out there.
Input power
Runs on 850 watts, as all other Rotator Speed sticks. It’s not a cordless, if you’re looking for one, make sure you check the V8 from Dyson.
Dust capacity
0.725 gallons is enough to accommodate all surfaces in most common households. The bin can be easily emptied from both top and bottom.
Filters
Shark really raises the bar here, equipping the DuoClean Speed series with 3 filters. Yes, you read that right. There are 2 pre-motor washable filters and a post-motor HEPA. The HEPA is replaceable; I’d advise you to change it once per year or so. The other 2 can be washed on convenience. Just make sure you place them back in when they are completely dry.
Weight and Dimensions
Weights 15 lbs. and measures 46.1″ x 11.8″ x 11.9″. Has a cleaning path of 8.5 inches. The power cord is 30 ft. long.
Accessories
The unit NV803 which I’ve tested comes with the following accessories/attachments:
- Pet Multi-Tool
- Duster/Crevice Tool
- Pet Power Brush
- Under Appliance Wand
- Accessory Bag
- Canister Caddy
Other accessories which can be bought separately:
- Mini motorized brush
- Flexi crevice tool
- Precision duster
Special features
Because it’s a special product, it obviously has some very special features. Besides the DuoClean tech (obviously), I can easily mention here the LED nozzle lights, the slider which helps you switch between carpets and hard floors and the suction control lever which allows you to regulate the airflow. Another special feature: this vacuum allows users to store on-board some of the accessories presented above.
Usability
It’s a Lift-Away, so you can use it either as an upright, or by its hose. It’s light, lighter than the regular Rotator Truepet. This is a big plus, especially if you want to vacuum stairs and other above-the-floor items such as drapes or couches. The pod alone weights only 6.4 lbs. That allows you to carry it with ease. Using the caddy, you can transform it in a canister. On the drawbacks side, the unit is quite noisy. The nozzle width is smaller than in the previous versions of Rotator. The plastic feels a bit cheaper than what we see in the latest Dyson 2 which I’ll review in a week or 2. However, the swivel steering performs admirably and the appliance can clean virtually any type of surface, starting with bare floors and ending with high pile carpets.
Warranty
As with all the other Shark vacuums, it depends from where you buy it. If you buy it directly from SharkClean, you get a 5-year VIP warranty with 60 days money back guarantee. If you buy it from Amazon, you get a 7-year warranty. On other places such as Walmart or Sears, the time-span of the warranty can drop as low as 2 years.
Price
This vacuum cleaner is around $350, one of the most expensive made by Shark. On the bright side, you can occasionally get a good offer here.
Shark Rotator DuoClean (NV800 series) vs Shark Rotator Truepet (NV600/NV700 series) vs Shark Rotator Speed (NV680 series)
 |  |  | |
| Models no | |||
| Suction power | |||
| Weight | |||
| Dust capacity | |||
| VGM |
Conclusion
The Shark Rotator DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Speed is one of the best vacuum cleaners produced by Shark. It’s light, powerful, cleans well, filters air very well, has a large bin and is extremely flexible. It’s a bit more expensive than what I’ve been used to when talking about a Shark, but given the amount of technologies involved in the making of the product, I would say the price is completely justified. Here’s the VGM:
VGM table for Shark Rotator DuoClean
| Variable | Mark |
|---|---|
| Cleaning power | 9 |
| Input Power | 10 |
| Dirt capacity | 10 |
| Filtration | 9 |
| Weight and Dimensions | 10 |
| Accessories | 9 |
| Special features | 10 |
| Usability | 9 |
| Warranty | 10 |
| Price | 9 |
| Total VGM (VacuumsGuide.com Mark) | 95/100 |
As you see, that’s an excellent VGM. I don’t usually rate vacuum cleaners that high. What do you think, am I right? In your opinion, is this vacuum cleaner worthy?
Jason Roberts
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Terri Anderson says
I’m debating between the Shark Rotator 752 vs the Shark Rotator Duo Clean. I want a versitile vacuum that does well on both hardwoods and carpets. Cost isn’t my main concern. I just want the best cleaning machine. Which would you recommend and why?
Thanks.
Jason Roberts says
I like the Duo Clean version more. It works better on hard floors.
Lynda Gueths says
Only arrived yesterday, unpacked today. Need to familiarise myself with the workings but very old Dyson was consigned first to conservatory, then into shed. It’s on its way……