Shark Navigator Lift Away vs Hoover WindTunnel 3: Which Is The Better Option?

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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

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THE WINNER (#1)
Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away with Self-Cleaning Brushroll, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Pet Crevice Tool, Perfect for Pets & Multi-Surface, Teal, ZU503AMZ
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Hoover High Performance Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, UH72630
Model
Shark ZU503AMZ
Hoover WindTunel 3
Dimensions (WxDxH)
10.2" x 11.8" x 37.7"
15.5" x 14.0" x 44.0"
Color
Intuition Teal
Red, Black
Weight
14.99 Pounds
18.1 Pounds
Voltage / Amps
120 V / 12 Amps
120 V / 12 Amps
Cord Length
25 ft
40 ft
Hose Length
6 ft
12 ft
Cleaning Path
12 inches
15 inches
Dust Cup Capacity
1.2 L
1.42 L
Filtration System
HEPA
HEPA
Adjustable Nozzle Height
Self-Cleaning Brushroll
Swivel head
Lift-Away
Headlights
Anti-Allergen Seal System
What I Like
Price
$229.99
$249.99
THE WINNER (#1)
Image
Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away with Self-Cleaning Brushroll, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Pet Crevice Tool, Perfect for Pets & Multi-Surface, Teal, ZU503AMZ
Model
Shark ZU503AMZ
Dimensions (WxDxH)
10.2" x 11.8" x 37.7"
Color
Intuition Teal
Weight
14.99 Pounds
Voltage / Amps
120 V / 12 Amps
Cord Length
25 ft
Hose Length
6 ft
Cleaning Path
12 inches
Dust Cup Capacity
1.2 L
Filtration System
HEPA
Adjustable Nozzle Height
Self-Cleaning Brushroll
Swivel head
Lift-Away
Headlights
Anti-Allergen Seal System
What I Like
Price
$229.99
More Info
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Image
Hoover High Performance Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, UH72630
Model
Hoover WindTunel 3
Dimensions (WxDxH)
15.5" x 14.0" x 44.0"
Color
Red, Black
Weight
18.1 Pounds
Voltage / Amps
120 V / 12 Amps
Cord Length
40 ft
Hose Length
12 ft
Cleaning Path
15 inches
Dust Cup Capacity
1.42 L
Filtration System
HEPA
Adjustable Nozzle Height
Self-Cleaning Brushroll
Swivel head
Lift-Away
Headlights
Anti-Allergen Seal System
What I Like
Price
$249.99
More Info

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.

The dial to adjust the nozzle height on Hoover Windtunnel 3
The dial to adjust the nozzle height on Hoover Windtunnel 3

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

The HEPA filter on Hoover Windtunnel 3
The HEPA filter on Hoover Windtunnel 3

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 dial to switch from floor cleaning mode to using the hose/tools on Windtunnel 3
The dial to switch from floor cleaning mode to using the hose/tools on Windtunnel 3

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

Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away with Self-Cleaning Brushroll, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Pet Crevice Tool, Perfect for Pets & Multi-Surface, Teal, ZU503AMZ
  • 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.
Pros
  • It has a compact design
  • It is fairly lightweight
  • The self-cleaning brushroll does a really good job
  • It is great for picking up pet hair
  • The lift-away feature is pretty convenient
Cons
  • The cleaning reach is limited
  • It doesn’t have headlights

Quick Rundown Of Hoover WindTunnel 3

Hoover High Performance Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, UH72630
  • Our Best Cleaning Bagless Upright*
  • QuickPass Brushroll � 2X Faster Cleaning** - Clean surface debris without having to pass over the same area multiple times
  • WindTunnel 3 Technology - Creates 3 channels of suction to lift and remove surface debris and deep down embedded dirt
  • Brushroll On/Off Switch - Turn on/off brushroll for optimal cleaning on carpets and hard floors.
  • Headlight - Spot hard to see debris in dim lighted areas for a better clean.
Pros
  • The suction power is amazing
  • It performs really well on both bare floors and carpets
  • The nozzle height can be adjusted
  • It offers a wide cleaning reach
  • The filtration system is great
Cons
  • It is quite heavy

Product Videos

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