If you are wondering which product to choose, Shark Navigator Lift Away vs Hoover WindTunnel 3, this article will help you. These are my reviews after experiencing them for a while.
If you are looking for an upright vacuum with powerful suction, I would recommend the Hoover Windtunnel 3. Its cleaning performance impressed me, whether on bare floors or carpets. Besides, it provides users with a very wide cleaning range.
And if you are a pet owner, I would recommend the Shark ZU503AMZ Navigator Lift-Away. Its self-cleaning brushroll works really well, so you don’t have to worry about tangled hair. In addition, the machine is also relatively compact and easy to maneuver.
Shark Navigator Lift Away vs Hoover WindTunnel 3: Comparison Chart
Shark Navigator Lift Away vs Hoover WindTunnel 3: Differences
After examining the differences between the two machines, I conclude that Shark ZU503AMZ and Hoover Windtunnel 3 tie 1:1. To learn about the reasons, read the analysis below.
Cleaning performance
Tie
Performance on bare floors
Shark ZU503AMZ performs a decent job on bare floors. It has almost no trouble picking up small and medium particles. The brush roll slows down on the “hard floor” setting to clean the floor efficiently and gently. This machine is suitable for cleaning many types of floors, such as tile, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate flooring.
However, it is quite struggling for this Shark’s vacuum to pick up large debris like cat food and full-sized Froot Loops on hard floors. When vacuuming with the main nozzle, I had to pass over the same area multiple times to collect all of those. Therefore, I recommend using the wand instead in this case.
In my opinion, Hoover Windtunnel 3 has the same performance on bare floors as Shark ZU502AMZ, and there are only a few obvious differences.
Firstly, the Windtunnel 3’s brush roll can’t be turned off when vacuuming; hence some dirt and debris often get slightly scattered around. Plus, the brush is always on, making the floor more prone to scratches. Second, the Windtunnel picks up large debris better than the Shark’s because it has a knob to adjust the cleaner head height. There are 4 adjustment settings from “hard floor” to “high carpet” for users to adjust to suit the usage situation freely.
In summary, each machine has its advantages and disadvantages.
Performance on carpets
Shark ZU503AMZ and Hoover Windtunnel 3 work effectively on low-pile carpets and area rugs. The powerful suction and weight allow these machines to dig deeper into the carpet and thoroughly clean dirt.
When on medium and high-pile carpets, you can clearly see the differences in cleaning performance between these two vacuums. On Hoover Windtunnel 3, the adjustment nozzle height dial allows you to change settings to match the height of the carpet. As a result, the machine can roll well on thick carpets.
As for Shark ZU503AMZ, pulling and pushing the unit on high-pile carpets is hard. The “carpet” setting doesn’t really work when cleaning thick rugs. The low head and strong suction make the vacuum stick to the carpet. I tried reducing the suction strength, and the machine seemed to be rolled more easily on the carpet. However, reducing the suction power leads to a decrease in the machine’s cleaning performance. From my experience, I found that the unit only superficially picks up dust and dirt on the surface but cannot clean the carpet deep down.
Pet hair performances
Thanks to the self-cleaning brush roll, Shark ZU503AMZ has the upper hand on picking up pet hair. Its brush roll has a series of protrusions that actively remove pet hair and other materials before they start to wind around the roller. Therefore, when picking up a lot of fur and hair, almost no hair is stuck to the brush roll.
As for the Hoover Windtunnel 3, although it removes fur and hair very well, a lot of hair wraps around the roller after each suction. For a pet owner like me, dealing with tangled hair is really a troublesome task. I can only use scissors to cut and pull the tangled stuff out.
Dirt bin And filtration
Tie
Dirt bin
Both machines are bagless. All dirt vacuumed is stored in a dust cup made of clear plastic and easy to clean. Empty the dirt bin is also really simple. Click the release button on the top of the canister to remove the dirt tank from the vacuum body, then place the tank above a trash can. Press the second release button to open the lid at the bottom, and all the dirt will fall out into the trash.
Regarding dust cup capacity, the Hoover Windtunnel 3’s is 1.42 liters while the Shark ZU503AMZ’s is 1.2 liters. As far as I can see, their dust cup has a capacity that is not large but not small, enough that you don’t have to empty them too frequently.
Filtration
Both vacuums have their HEPA filtration system. They all work effectively and are especially suitable for people who have allergies. Also, each machine is equipped with an anti-allergen complete seal, which ensures the unfiltered air does not leak out before it is filtered clearly.
With Shark ZU503AMZ, its system includes a post-motor filter and two pre-motor filters. The post-motor filter is a HEPA filter, which can trap 99.9% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, etc. This filter is located on the front of the vacuum cleaner, above the cleaner head.
The two pre-motor filters include a foam filter and a felt filter. They play the role of partially filtering dust before they stay on the engine, causing damage. These filters are located under the dirt compartment. All filters on the ZU503AMZ are washable and reusable, so they don’t require much routine maintenance.
With Hoover Windtunnel 3, it comes with two post-motor filters and one pre-motor filter. The post-motor filters include a filter made of HEPA media and a carbon filter. They have the same position and function as the HEPA filter of Shark ZU503AMZ. When these filters are dirty, hold the filters over a trash receptacle and tap out dirt and debris. The pre-motor filter can be rinsed with cold water, and it is located above the dust cup.
Design and filtration
Tie
Build quality
These two vacuums are all made of plastic except the mental wand. Overall, Hoover Windtunnel 3 has a sturdier design, while the Shark ZU503AMZ looks quite flimsy. However, they are still plastic, so be careful during use to avoid damaging some fragile parts, such as the dust cups.
Both machines are easy to assemble. For me, I need about 5 minutes to complete assembling them.
Maneuverability
When it comes to weight, Shark ZU503AMZ weighs 14.99 pounds, while the Hoover Windtunnel 3 weighs 18.1 pounds. It can be seen that the ZU503AMZ is much lighter than its opponent. In fact, Windtunnel 3 is quite heavy to navigate. I think I can build my arm muscle if I use this machine regularly.
When it comes to dimensions, the ZU503AMZ is more compact, and it takes up less space for storage. As well the compact size also makes it easy to get into the nooks and under furniture.
Besides, Shark ZU503AMZ also has a lift-away feature, while Hoover Windtunnel 3 does not. The lift-away function lets you detach the pod unit and turn your upright vacuum into a handheld one. This helps reduce the machine’s weight and is convenient for users when using the unit to clean stairs and furniture.
In addition, the ZU503AMZ also comes with a swivel head. You may find it a bit difficult to control this function at first, but once you get used to it, the device’s versatility will increase significantly.
Range
While Shark ZU503AMZ has a fairly short power cord and hose, Hoover Windtunnel 3 has a wide cleaning reach. It comes with a 40-foot power cord, which is the longest I have ever known. I can clean the entire first floor of my home without changing the plug. Besides, its hose is super long too. It can be extended by about 12 feet, so you are offered a really large range.
The hose and long power cord are the reasons why Windtunnel 3 is heavier than its opponent. As you know, the weight reduces its maneuverability a lot. It will be rather inconvenient when you have to carry the unit to clean the stairs. Fortunately, the 12-foot hose can help you with this problem.
The machine has a dial to switch from floor cleaning mode to using the hose/tools. Therefore, place the machine at the foot of the stairs, and you only need to bring a hose for cleaning. The machine’s weight helps it stand firmly on the floor without worrying about falling.
In addition, Hoover Windtunnel 3 also has a wider cleaning path than Shark ZU503AMZ. This means that you will get more dirt with each pass, thereby shortening the time for vacuuming.
Utilities
Another difference between these two vacuums is that Hoover Windtunnel 2 has a headlight, while Shark ZU503AMZ does not. The headlights allow users to see dirt in dimly lit places. However, to be honest, the headlight of Hoover Windtunnel 3 does not really work. It’s not bright and doesn’t helps me see the dirt on the floor.
Quick Rundown Of Shark Navigator Lift-Away
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Engineered for more pet hair pickup with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle nozzles)..Voltage:120 volts. Wattage : 1200 watts
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- PERFECT FOR PETS: The Pet Crevice Tool removes pet hair from hard-to-reach spaces like corners, ceilings, and between couch cushions.
- SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
Quick Rundown Of Hoover WindTunnel 3
- Hoover's best-cleaning bag less upright vacuum
- Quick Pass Brushroll - clean surface debris 2X faster without having to pass over the same area multiple times
- Wind Tunnel 3 Technology - 3 channels of suction to lift and remove surface debris and deep down embedded dirt
- 4-Position Height Adjustment - Easily adjust from deep carpet to hard floor surfaces for the best clean. Fast cleaning of surface areas, Extended cleaning reach
- Includes pivoting dusting tool, pet turbo tool, telescoping extension wand, and crevice tool. Conveniently empty debris with the push of a button, without getting your hands dirty
Product Videos
Related Articles to Shark Zu503amz
- Shark ZU561 Vs ZU503AMZ Navigator Comparison: Two Powerful Vacuums With Good Self-cleaning Brushroll
Related Articles to Hoover Windtunnel 3
- Hoover WindTunnel 3 vs Bissell CleanView 2486: Good Vacuum Machines For Strong Suction
- Hoover Windtunnel 3 vs Dyson Animal 2: Which One Performs Better For Home Use?
- Hoover Windtunnel 3 vs Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed: A Head-To-Head Comparision
- Hoover Windtunnel 3 Vs Dyson Ball Animal 3: A Side-By-Side Comparison
- Shark Rotator Professional vs Hoover WindTunnel 3: Which Is Better For Versatility?
- Hoover Windtunnel 3 Vs Shark Navigator: A Full Comparison
- Hoover Windtunnel 3 vs Bissell Pet Hair Eraser: Which One Wins This Battle?
- Hoover WindTunnel 3 vs Bissell Pet Hair Eraser: Which Machine Has The Better Performance?
- Hoover Power Drive vs WindTunnel 3: Which Is The Best For Your Home?
- Hoover WindTunnel 3 vs Shark Navigator: Which Is Excellent Choice For Carpet?
- Hoover Windtunnel 2 vs 3: Why Is The Most Recent Version More Worth Buying?
- Hoover Power Drive Vs Windtunnel 3: An Exciting Head-to-Head Comparison
References:
- Shark Navigator Lift-Away: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403094171410-ZU503AMZ-FAQ
- Hoover WindTunnel 3: https://hoover.com/products/windtunnel-3-high-performance
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.