If you’ve ever deep-dived into the world of upright vacuums, you know it’s a chaotic mess of model numbers that look almost identical. The Shark Navigator Powered Lift Away NV586 is one of those machines that pops up in big-box stores like Target or online marketplaces, often leaving people wondering if it’s actually any different from the dozen other "Navigators" on the shelf.
It’s a purple beast.
Honestly, the NV586 is a specific variant that balances the older, reliable Navigator bones with the "Powered" upgrade that Shark fans usually crave. Most people get confused between the standard "Lift-Away" and the "Powered Lift-Away." It sounds like marketing fluff, but there is a massive mechanical difference that affects how you actually clean your house.
The "Powered" Difference: Why the NV586 Stands Out
Standard Lift-Away models let you pop the canister off to carry it around, but the brushroll at the bottom loses power. It becomes a suction-only tool. The Shark Navigator Powered Lift Away NV586 doesn’t do that.
When you hit the button to lift the pod away, the motor continues to send electricity down to the floor nozzle. This means you can slide the low-profile head under a bed or a coffee table while still having a spinning brushroll to agitate the carpet. It's a game changer for anyone who hates moving heavy furniture just to get the dust bunnies hiding in the dark.
The NV586 pulls about 1140 watts of power (roughly 9.5 amps). It’s not the quietest thing in the world, but it has that "self-propelling" feel where the brushroll almost pulls the vacuum forward for you.
Specs You Actually Care About
- Weight: 15.2 lbs (It’s solid, but not a total anchor).
- Cord Length: 25 feet.
- Dust Capacity: 2.4 quarts.
- Filtration: HEPA with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal.
Real Talk: The Build Quality and The "Shark Graveyard"
I’ve seen plenty of forum posts on Reddit’s r/VacuumCleaners where enthusiasts complain about "Shark Graveyards." It’s true that Sharks are harder to repair than a Miele or a Sebo. They don’t sell every tiny individual screw or gasket. Usually, if a part breaks, you have to buy the whole "assembly," like the entire floor nozzle or the entire canister.
But here’s the thing.
The NV586 is surprisingly resilient if you don't treat it like a piece of industrial farm equipment. Most "dead" Sharks I’ve seen are actually just severely clogged. People forget there are three filters. Two are foam and felt—located right under the dust cup—and one is a HEPA filter hidden behind a door on the front.
If you don't wash those foam filters every month, the motor starts to struggle. It makes a high-pitched whistling or "fluttering" sound. That’s the suction relief valve opening because it can’t breathe. Clean your filters. Seriously.
Handling Pet Hair and Hard Floors
The NV586 comes with a "Pet Multi-Tool." It’s basically a combination of a stiff bristle brush and an upholstery tool. It’s great for the couch, but let’s be real: the main floor head is where the magic happens.
One minor annoyance? This specific model doesn't have the "Zero-M" or "Active Hair Wrap" technology found in the newer (and much more expensive) Stratos or Vertex lines. If you have long hair or three Golden Retrievers, you will be cutting hair off the brushroll with a pair of scissors eventually. It’s a classic design, and classic designs require a little manual maintenance.
On hardwood, it's actually pretty decent. You can toggle the brushroll off with a fingertip control on the handle. This prevents the vacuum from "sandblasting" your shins with debris that the brushroll would otherwise flick backward on a hard surface.
What Most People Get Wrong About Suction
There’s a slider on the handle. Many users think their vacuum is "broken" or "losing suction" when they’ve actually just bumped that slider. It’s a suction release valve designed for cleaning rugs or curtains so the vacuum doesn't "eat" the fabric. If your NV586 feels weak, check that slider first.
Also, the hose.
The internal hose that connects the floor nozzle to the main body is a known weak point across the Navigator line. Over five or six years, that rubber can crack. If you notice a sudden drop in floor performance but the wand still has suction, you've likely got a tear in that tiny lower hose. You can find replacements online for about twenty bucks, and it's a 10-minute fix with a screwdriver.
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Is the NV586 Still Worth Buying?
In a world of $600 cordless sticks that die after 20 minutes, there is something comforting about a corded upright. You get 1140 watts of raw power that doesn't quit.
The Shark Navigator Powered Lift Away NV586 occupies a sweet spot. It’s usually priced significantly lower than the "Rotator" series but gives you the "Powered" lift-away feature that the cheaper Navigators lack. It’s the "prosumer" version of the lineup.
Actionable Maintenance Steps
- Rinse the foam and felt filters every 30 days. Use cold water only. No soap.
- Dry them for 24 hours. If you put them in damp, your vacuum will smell like a wet dog forever.
- Check the brushroll once a week. If hair builds up, it adds strain to the belt and motor.
- Wash the HEPA filter once a year. Most people forget this one exists because it's behind the front plate.
If you find an NV586 on sale or refurbished, it’s a workhorse. Just remember it isn't a "set it and forget it" machine. It needs a little love to keep that suction high, but it'll out-clean most budget cordless vacuums any day of the week.