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I recently tested both the Shark NV501 and NV752 vacuums in real-world conditions—daily home cleaning, pet hair cleanup, tight spots under furniture, and rugs that never stay clean. These aren’t car accessories, but any DIY car enthusiast who keeps a garage or needs to clean a family car’s interior knows the value of a strong, no-fuss vacuum.
The NV501 is lighter and more nimble, while the NV752 packs extra serious power and pet-specific tools. This review will help you figure out which one’s best for your space, family size, and mess type.
Is the Shark NV501 Good?
The Shark NV501 is a versatile upright vacuum with a detachable pod that makes it easy to handle stairs and odd angles in my garage or upstairs hallway. It has a simple design that’s user-friendly and not too bulky, with great maneuverability thanks to the swivel head. The LED headlights help a lot when I’m cleaning under shelves or around clutter.
Build-wise, it feels solid but lighter than you’d expect from a vacuum with this many features. It handled hard floors and upholstery cleanup in my SUV easily, and I didn’t struggle much getting under the seats. However, don’t expect deep carpet cleaning power—it’s enough for daily upkeep, not major overhauls.
What I Like
- Lift-Away mode makes overhead or stair cleaning much easier.
- Advanced Swivel Steering helps steer easily around car tires, furniture legs, and toolboxes.
- HEPA Filter with Anti-Allergen Seal—great if you have pets or allergies.
- Included tools: dusting brush, crevice tool, and wide upholstery tool—all useful.
- LED Headlights: Actually helpful for hidden dust, even in daylight.
What Could Be Better
- Not as powerful on thick carpet.
- Dust cup fills quickly for multi-room use.
- Hose feels a bit short (8.4 ft) during overhead work.
Recommendation
Get the NV501 if you’re looking for something lightweight and flexible for basic vacuuming—especially hard floors, stairs, and upholstery. It’s great for smaller homes or when you don’t need deep suction power every day. If you clean your car interior regularly, this vacuum can definitely handle the job. Skip it if your house is filled with rugs or you deal with layers of pet hair.
To buy this product, click here.
Is the Shark NV752 Good?
Now this one’s a beast. The Shark NV752 is the more advanced version and it shows. The Powered Lift-Away feature means even when you detach the pod to reach under lower shelves or car seats, the brushroll keeps spinning. That’s huge in performance—it actually deep cleans while flexible.
In my testing, it excelled at pet hair cleanup, especially on thicker carpets and fabric seats. The Pet Power Brush worked better than expected—it pulled up old dog hair from my car that other vacuums left behind. It’s heavier and slightly bulkier, but it feels premium and has clear power advantages.
What I Like
- Powered Lift-Away Tech keeps full suction and brushroll active, even in pod mode.
- Perfect Pet Power Brush: Outstanding for embedded hair on upholstery and stairs.
- Switch from hard floor to carpet with fingertip controls.
- Large dust cup (0.88 qt) means fewer stops.
- Same HEPA-level allergy protection, sealed system prevents dust blowback.
What Could Be Better
- Slightly heavier—tiring for long overhead cleaning.
- Pet Power Brush adds bulk to the tool bag.
- Hose length is shorter (6 ft) than NV501, despite being more powerful.
Recommendation
If you’re dealing with pets, carpets, or want one vacuum that handles your entire cleaning load—including car interiors, heavy drapes, and deep-pile rugs—the NV752 is worth it. It’s less convenient to carry around, but the cleaning ability makes up for the weight. Pet owners should go straight for this model.
To buy this product, click here.
NV501 vs NV752: Detailed Comparison
Compatibility & Fitment: NV501 vs NV752
Both vacuums are full-size upright corded models and can be used easily in home or garage settings. They plug into standard 120V outlets and have a similar form factor. The NV752 is slightly wider and longer, so it’s a bit tougher to store in small closets or corners.
- Rating: NV501: 9/10 | NV752: 8/10
Materials & Build Quality: NV501 vs NV752
Both models use high-quality glossy plastic bodies with solid seals and components. The NV752’s attachments (especially the Pet Power Brush) feel more durable and better for long-term use. The feel and finish are premium on both, but the NV752 wins for complete function build integration.
- Rating: NV501: 8/10 | NV752: 9/10
Installation & Tools: NV501 vs NV752
These are not install-required items, but tool setup matters. The NV501 includes basic tools—crevice, dusting, wide upholstery. The NV752 steps up with specialized pet tools and better floor mode switching. Even though NV501 requires some assembly upfront, both are plug-and-play afterward.
- Rating: NV501: 8/10 | NV752: 9/10
Performance Impact: NV501 vs NV752
The NV752 is more powerful overall. Its Powered Lift-Away keeps the brushroll active even while mobile, which uprates cleaning performance against the NV501, where suction slightly drops in lift-away mode. On high-pile carpets and stuck-on pet hair, the NV752 outperforms.
- Rating: NV501: 7/10 | NV752: 9/10
Noise/Comfort & NVH: NV501 vs NV752
Both are rated at 80 dB—about the volume of a kitchen blender. Neither was whisper-quiet, but neither felt overwhelming, even in echoey garages. The NV501 felt lighter and easier to hold for extended periods. The NV752’s bulk and power were slightly more fatiguing.
- Rating: NV501: 9/10 | NV752: 7/10
Durability & Weather/Corrosion Resistance: NV501 vs NV752
These are indoor tools but I tested them in semi-insulated garages and in unstable humidity. No signs of moisture problems or cracks. Both use plastic builds (no metal parts), and the seals feel solid. Filters are washable for longer use.
- Rating: NV501: 8/10 | NV752: 8/10
Maintenance & Upkeep: NV501 vs NV752
Maintenance is similar. Both have washable filters and sealed HEPA filtration. The NV752’s dust bin handled more debris per run, saving time. Cleaning the Pet Brush requires more handling but is worth it for pet homes.
- Rating: NV501: 8/10 | NV752: 9/10
Value for Money: NV501 vs NV752
The NV501 offers good value for general users—especially if you’re not dealing with pets. The NV752, while likely more expensive (price not listed), justifies the bump with better tools, deeper cleaning, and easier transitions between surfaces.
- Rating: NV501: 8/10 | NV752: 9/10
Aesthetics & Design: NV501 vs NV752
White/Red on the NV501 vs deep Bordeaux on the NV752. The NV752 looks more premium, less toy-like. Still sleek and purposeful design on both, and controls are intuitive.
- Rating: NV501: 7/10 | NV752: 9/10
Warranty & Reliability: NV501 vs NV752
Both come with a 5-year limited warranty and are made by SharkNinja. Not discontinued, still supported.
- Rating: NV501: 8/10 | NV752: 8/10
Final Opinion: NV501 or NV752?
If you want a strong, reliable upright vacuum for regular use on hard floors or garage rugs, the NV501 is lightweight, easy to handle, and gets the job done.
If you deal with pet hair, deep carpets, or like having more control over floor type and power mode, the NV752 is the clear step up—it’s heavy, but it cleans better and faster.
- Overall Ratings: NV501: 8.1/10 | NV752: 9/10
Buyer Questions: NV501 vs NV752
Will these vacuums work on car interiors?
Yes. Both have crevice and upholstery tools for seats, floors, and tight spots. NV752 performs better on stuck hair and fabric mats.
Are they good for allergy sufferers?
Yes. Each has a completely sealed system with a HEPA filter to trap allergens and dust.
Do I need extra tools for pet hair?
The NV752 includes a Pet Power Brush designed for deep pet hair cleanup. NV501 can manage light shedding but lacks that extra punch.
How often do I need to clean the filters?
Both use washable filters. Rinse every month or as needed. No replacements required unless damaged.
Which model is easier to carry or store?
The NV501 is lighter and more compact. Easier for small apartments or multi-level homes.
Which has better long-term value?
For homes without pets, the NV501 offers solid performance at likely lower cost. If you need real power and pet tools, NV752 justifies the investment.
Considering a Dyson instead? Check out my hands-on review of Dyson Animal 2 vs Dyson Animal 3—I compare suction power, pet hair performance, maneuverability, and whether the upgrade is really worth it for busy homes with pets or carpets.
