Shark NV501 vs Dyson V8: These are two products from the two most popular brands on the market today and for a good reason. They are designed to make cleaning easier, quicker, and more effective, but the NV501 is better overall.
Needless to say, the Shark NV501 is a real bargain, as it brings to the table incredible cleaning performance and many bells and whistles without costing an arm and a leg. It would be better if it had a self-cleaning roller and was lighter, but no one is perfect, right?
The Dyson V8 is light, portable, easy to use, and takes up far less space than an upright vacuum cleaner. But a bit more battery life and a quicker charge are game changers. Also, many users complain about how quickly the battery dies. If so, this is a costly hobby because battery replacement is expensive.
Shark NV501 vs Dyson V8: Comparison Chart
Shark NV501 vs Dyson V8: Differences
Despite being cheaper, the Shark NV501 wins 2-0 and draws twice against its competitor. The winner has an impressive cleaning performance, a larger dust cup, a long power cord, some LED headlights, and more.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Tie
The suction of the Dyson V8 was not too formidable. But at full power, it was powerful enough to capture crumbs like breadcrumb bits on my floor and carpet without lifting a heavy upright vacuum out of my cupboard. But it struggled with or even couldn’t pick up larger materials.
The Shark NV501, with its fantastic suction power, was able to effectively handle debris of all sizes no matter what type of surface it was on. This machine even sucked my kid’s small Lego blocks accidentally a few times. It was also so powerful that it took me a little more effort to push the machine on a dense carpet, but it wasn’t a deal breaker because I could reduce its suction (by turning a ring on the handle counterclockwise) until I could move freely.
As for hair removal, both the Shark NV501 vs Dyson V8 picked up a good amount—or even all—of hair on all the surface types I tested, but they also experienced the same hair wrap issue as many other vacuums. So at the end of the day, I had to remove tangled hair with a pair of scissors. The Dyson V8’s roller can be easily removed, allowing me to cut and pull stuck hair quickly. Meanwhile, I couldn’t remove the Shark NV501’s brush roll, so getting rid of hair was more or less complicated.
Regarding noise, I wasn’t surprised that the Shark NV501 was noisier than its competitor because it had a greater power output, but I could still talk to my wife while vacuuming without yelling. The Dyson V8, on the other hand, was so silent that I could use it right next to my sleepy little one.
Overall, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. And, give and take, I call this round a tie!
Design and Usability
Winner: Tie
Weight and Maneuverability
Needless to say, the Dyson V8 is a stick vacuum, so it’s much lighter and easier to maneuver than the Shark NV501. Weighing in at just 5.58 pounds, it’s a breeze to carry this model from room to room or up and down stairs. Also, the Dyson V8 also easy to go further under the interior, which the Shark NV501 cannot do in an upright configuration.
The Shark NV501 is on the heavy side at around 15.5 pounds, and pushing it can be a cardio workout that makes you sweat and burn calories. This may seem great for people who want to lose weight through daily vacuuming instead of going to the gym, but it would be a nightmare for people with weak wrists or bad backs. But if you can handle this weight, maneuvering the vacuum is easy, thanks to the swivel head.
Range
This area is where the Shark NV501 vs Dyson V8 presents the most obvious difference, as the first one is a corded vacuum while the other is cordless.
The Shark NV501 features a 30-foot power cord, which was long enough for me to do the vacuuming job without plugging and unplugging too many times. If you need an extra 5 to 10 feet, an extension cord will give you a helping hand. This cord isn’t retractable, but it doesn’t matter.
As for the Dyson V8, I expected such an expensive product to have a good battery life, or at least not run out of battery before I’m done vacuuming, but I was completely disappointed. At the MAX setting, it only ran for about 10 minutes, which wasn’t long enough to clean my home. Moreover, it took a long time to recharge (somewhere between 3 hours and a half and 4 hours). I highly recommend buying a backup battery to use one while keeping the other charged. Many other users said the battery would die after about one year of use, and they aren’t cheap to replace. Time will tell!
Dust cup capacity and Filter
Winner: Shark NV501
The Shark NV501 features a 0.99-quart dust bin. Meanwhile, the Dyson V8’s dust cup can only hold up to 0.36 quarts of dirt, and I had to empty it 3 to 4 times per cleaning session.
I believe the Dyson V8’s cup is sealed enough to prevent dust and allergens from escaping into the air once they are sucked in. But emptying it too often may increase the chance of the dirt spreading around and you being exposed to the allergens again. Don’t get me wrong! I don’t whine about how small it is because that’s what all stick vacuums have in common. Just highlight its cons!
Both are equipped with several quality filters, including a HEPA filter. So they can trap almost all dirt and allergens from the air when vacuumed, and allergy sufferers will appreciate this. Better yet, they are washable, meaning reduced recurring costs.
Utilities
Winner: Shark NV501
Alternate Configuration
By taking the wand and floorhead off the rest of the Dyson V8, you can turn it into a handheld vacuum. In this configuration, it is very light, maneuverable, and easy to handle with just one hand.
On the flip side, the Shark NV501 can also be turned into a semi-handheld vacuum by lifting its pod from the base. Then you can vacuum with its wand/hose while holding its canister with the other hand. In this configuration, it can help clean overhead areas like ceilings and bookshelves.
If you find it awkward to hold the NV501’s canister with the other hand, you can put it on the caddy, which you need to spend a few extra bucks to buy separately. This wheeled base can also be used to store your favorite attachments so that you always have them on hand.
LED Lights
Shark has put some LEDs on the NV501’s floorhead, while the Dyson V8 lacks this feature. Of course, having the cleaning path illuminated is very beneficial, especially when you are vacuuming in a dark place.
Quick Rundown Of Shark NV501
- 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.
- ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
- LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
- WIDE UPHOLSTERY TOOL: The wide cleaning path helps remove pet hair, dust, and large debris from mattresses, couches, curtains, lampshades, and other delicate upholstered surfaces.
Quick Rundown Of Dyson V8
- Up to 40 minutes run time when using a non-motorized tool.
- Lightweight and versatile, for easy home cleaning. Instant-release trigger means battery power is only used while it’s cleaning. Requires charging for 4 hours minimum before first use.
- Direct drive cleaner head. Up to 8 minutes of fade-free power (in MAX mode). Drives stiff nylon bristles into carpets to capture deep-down dirt.
- Designed to deep clean homes with pets. Whole-machine HEPA filtration captures allergens and expels cleaner air than the air you breathe.
- In the Box: Dyson V8 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum, Combo Tool, Crevice Tool, Mini Motorhead, Soft Dusting Brush, Up Top Adapter
Product Video
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References:
- Shark NV501: https://www.sharkclean.ca/products/shark-rotator-professional-lift-away-upright-vacuum-zidNV501
- Dyson V8: https://www.dyson.vn/en-VN/products/vacuum-cleaners/dyson-v8/overview
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.