Top Ten Reviews Verdict
The Shark Navigator Freestyle is a good choice to replace a full-size vacuum, but it lacks the necessary features of the best stick vacs.
Pros
- +
The dust cup is one of the largest of all cordless stick vacuums.
Cons
- -
It's bulky. The vacuum weighs twice as much as sleeker vacuums.
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The Shark Navigator Freestyle stick vacuum works well on both bare floor and carpet, has strong suction power and is easy to maneuver. It takes four hours to charge, but only lasts 17 minutes before needing to be placed back on its charging base. We liked how easy it was to clean the dust cup, which clicks off and on with a button on the top of the stick. Despite this, it doesn't make our list of the best vacuum cleaners for home use.
The Navigator Freestyle is one of the better stick vacuums for cleaning carpet, especially heavier materials. In our carpet test, it only took four passes to sweep up all the debris. It also did well on hardwood, requiring only five passes before the floor was spotless. For pet hair, it had trouble removing remaining strands that clung more tightly to the carpet while our top pick, the Hoover LiNX Cordless, did a much better job with pet hair. The Freestyle’s cleaning path is a wide 10 inches, which covers a lot of ground.
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This cordless stick vacuum beat out many competitors in terms of overall cleaning performance, but it lacks convenient features. For instance, it doesn’t have a removable hand vacuum for cleaning tight areas or vacuuming your car, and there aren’t any extra attachments like a crevice tool or dusting brush. It’s not your best choice for cleaning upholstery.
This vacuum is also fairly heavy. At 9 pounds, it’s definitely not a bulky full-size vacuum, but it's still harder to maneuver than lighter stick vacs. One unique feature is its dust bin. Cleanup is bagless, and the bin is large. At 1.2 liters, it’s one of the largest of all the cordless vacuums we tested. This means you’ll have to empty the dust cup half as much as the lighter vacuums.
The Shark Navigator Freestyle is one of the best stick vacuums at precision and power and is a good choice if you’re looking to completely replace your full-size vacuum. That said, it’s bulky compared to other vacuums, and it lacks convenient features, like a removable hand vac and extra attachments, found in other higher-ranked models.
A contracted writer for TTR, Angie has been reviewing vacuum cleaners, countertop appliances and other home goods for more than eight years. Her spare time often goes to planning improvements for her quirky 103-year-old home or hiking in the gorgeous Utah mountains. In her past role, she was a newspaper journalist and she has a bachelor's degree in Technical Writing.
Vacuums Guide » Reviews » Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 Vacuum Review – A 2021 Deep Dive
Vacuuming your home is a dreaded chore in lots of households all over the world. Brands that offer cleaning solutions have made it their goal to turn chores into an enjoyable thing to do. While some brands have failed, others have taken the cleaning industry by storm and developed innovative products that make cleaning a bit less daunting.
SharkNinja, Dyson, Bissell, and Hoover are just a few of the industry’s big names. We will be looking at Shark, specifically, the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 vacuum cleaner, to understand their history, mission, and product development.
Shark is a home care brand developed by SharkNinja Operating LLC. They are market leaders in cleaning appliances and general household equipment.
Mark Rosenzweig is the founder of SharkNinja and is a somewhat familiar face. He presents their products on hit TV programs and is considered by many to be the brand’s face.
SharkNinja didn’t always have such a snappy name; it was originally known as Euro-Pro until Mark renamed the company in 1995. Over the years, Shark branched out from just selling cleaning solutions and introduced ‘Ninja Coffee Bar’ and various Ninja kitchen equipment.
To date, SharkNinja has over 550 patents, are officially available in 10 countries, and sell more than 150 products. In 2017, the company was sold to CDH Private Equity, and Mark Barrocas is the current company president.
Shark products are designed to help busy people worldwide to manage their cleaning chores and make them as enjoyable as possible. The freestyle range does this correctly, and because of this, we are reviewing one of the most popular vacuums in the field; the Shark Navigator SV1106 Freestyle cordless vacuum.
We are going to be learning all about the Freestyle SV1106 vacuum cleaner. This review will cover its pros and cons, main features, who would benefit from using it, and what we love and hate about the vacuum cleaner. We hope you find the information helpful.
A Deep Dive into Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Cordless Vacuum SV1106
The SV1106 vacuum cleaner is one of six Freestyle vacuum clears on the market to date. The SV1106 vacuum is known as the Navigator Freestyle premium cordless vacuum.
It draws customers in by its extra-large dust bin, carpet and hard floors cleaning abilities, and its advanced swivel steering. The SV1106’s mission is to lift embedded dust and grime and be versatile and easy to use.
The vacuum is designed with you in mind. It squeezes into hard to reach spaces to allow for a smooth vacuuming experience. The SV1106 is bagless with a washable filter, these features save you money on vacuum bags and replacement filters over a long period of time.
See Related Topic: Best vacuum under $100 in 2020
Who’s It For?
Cleaning your home shouldn’t take all day, and Shark shares these views. Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 is relatively lightweight, so moving it around your home doesn’t feel like a workout. This is great if you have a staircase that is otherwise tricky to clean.
Households that prefer to use reusable items would like the SV1106. It has a washable filter and bagless dust bag, which is not only environmentally friendly; it is pocket friendly too.
Cordless vacuum cleaners are incredibly convenient. There are no wires to get tangled in, and you won’t find yourself running around in search of a plug socket. Small homes may even be able to be vacuumed all on one charge.
Have you got a mixture of rugs, hard floors, and carpet in your home? If so, you will know how frustrating it is when your vacuum cleaner doesn’t perform well on all floor types. The SV1106 is designed to pick up dirt on all floor types, making your cleaning responsibilities easier.
Let’s not forget about pet hair! Pet hair is a nightmare to keep on top of. Parents of young children certainly struggle to keep the pet hair out of their baby’s hands and mouth, and usually have to vacuum daily to keep the hair at bay. This cordless vacuum cleaner does such a great job at banishing pet hair that you certainly won’t need to vacuum every day.
The Freestyle SV1106 offers 2 speed settings. This is an excellent feature as it allows you to match the speed and suction to the type of dirt and debris you are cleaning. As you can imagine, dirt and small dust particles and larger bits of food spillages all require a different setting for optimal cleanliness.
See Related Topic: Best vacuum cleaner under $200
What We Like About Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Cordless Vacuum SV1106
We must admit that the list is rather long when it comes to what we like about the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106. Firstly, its rotating head and lightweight structure make it a very easy vacuum to use. When you need to change a setting, there is no need to bend over and fiddle with dials or buttons, simply push the step on-button with your foot, and off you go.
Do we even need to mention how brilliant having a cordless vacuum is? Just the fact that it is cordless makes it a dream for cleaning staircases and large rooms. Unlike other cordless vacuum cleaners on the market, the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 has a brilliant battery life and can swiftly vacuum a small apartment with battery life to spare.
There isn’t much that this little gem doesn’t pick up. Small rocks and thick pieces of dry mud are no match for the SV1106. Of course, you should always sweep up large bits of the debris before vacuuming, but for those pieces that go unnoticed, the SV1106 cleans wonderfully.
The swivel head is so precise and easy to maneuver that it fits snugly around tight furniture and sharp corners. You won’t even need to lift the vacuum off the floor!
Vacuum cleaners are built to last about four or five years. If you are a big vacuum fan and use it on a daily basis, then, of course, it will deteriorate over time and last for a little less time. The SV1106 doesn’t seem to show signs of decreased performance, even when it is over-used.
Massive amounts of long and short hair (human or animal) can be picked up using the SV1106. The hairs do not get tangled up in the brushes, nor do they clog up the tubes, making for a smooth and glitch-free experience.
Finally, we would also like to state how brilliant it is for anyone that suffers from back pain. The vacuum is the perfect height, allowing you to go about your cleaning without bending over or stretching, regardless of how tall you are.
What We Don’t Like About Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Cordless Vacuum SV1106
In order to keep the vacuum cleaner in tip-top condition, you should take it apart for cleaning and maintenance every now and then. How frequently you clean it really depends on how often you use it. If you vacuum on a daily basis, you should clean the vacuum cleaner at least once a fortnight.
Although large, heavy bits of dirt and debris is not a problem for the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 lightweight bits of plastic and paper are. Frustratingly, small shreds of paper and other lightweight materials are hard for the vacuum to collect and must be picked up by hand or using a dustpan and brush.
The swivel head is a great idea but in reality, it makes the unit very unstable. If you are vacuuming at a fast pace, you will really have to push down hard on the vacuum to keep it in place. We presume that this is because of its lightweight frame, which doesn’t operate smoothly when it comes to stability.
Pet hair does not get tangled up in the vacuum, as we mentioned earlier, but if it is not removed from the brushes, it may decrease the vacuum cleaner’s overall performance. Removing pet hair from the brush rolls is not a difficult job, but one that is essential for the vacuum cleaner’s longevity.
Battery life is a key feature when it comes to cordless vacuum cleaners. With this particular Freestyle model, you must ensure that the vacuum is charged for the recommended period of time, every time. Overcharging the vacuum cleaner will result in a fast deterioration in the battery quality, as would undercharging it.
PROS
- Cordless
- Washable filters
- Bagless dust bin
- Swivel head
- Lightweight
CONS
- Hit-and-miss battery life
- Its lightweight structure makes it feel cheap
- Feature3
What’s Included?
The Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 is battery powered and comes with a battery fitted inside the unit. The vacuum charging dock is included when you purchase the SV1106 too.
No assembly is required, so the vacuum is pretty much ready to use out of the box. The dust bin is bagless, and the filter is washable, both come already fitted in the vacuum cleaner
Overview Of Features
The Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 is packed with useful features. Below is an overview of each feature and what it means to you.
Transitions between Carpet and Hard Floors
As we mentioned earlier in the review, the SV1106 has phenomenal suction abilities on both hard floors and carpets. Transitioning from hard floors and carpet is no longer a challenge with this vacuum cleaner.
Cordless
Gone are the days of fighting with long cables. Not only are long cords a nightmare to untangle, but they also
get in the way. When you are in the cleaning zone, entangled lines and a short supply of plug sockets can set you off track and ruin the flow. Fortunately, the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 is cordless, so you won’t have to worry about any of those things!
Bagless 0.64 Quart Dust Cup
Not only is the dust cup super easy to empty, but it also has an extra-large dirt cup capacity. Emptying the cup is simple and can be done in just a few short steps, all while leaving
little to no mess.
You can vacuum for far longer with an extra-large dust cup capacity. Simply empty the dust cup at the end of every vacuuming session to prevent dust from building up inside the vacuum.
Swivel Steering
The swivel steering feature helps you move the vacuum around obstacles seamlessly. It also prevents you from having to lift the vacuum over furniture or around corners.
2-Speed Brush Roll
Changing the vacuum speed has
never been so easy! Simply press on the foot peddle to adjust the vacuuming speed accordingly.
Review Summary
After learning about the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 vacuum cleaner, do you think that the pros of using the vacuum outweigh the cons? We absolutely believe so!
The SV1106 is reliable and versatile with money-saving features. It is suitable for almost every vacuuming task and is a cleaning solution that does its job brilliantly.
FAQ
Here is our frequently asked questions section that will clear up any unanswered questions regarding the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106. We hope you find the following information useful!
Q: Is the SV1106 good at picking up pet hair?
A: Yes, the Freestyle SV1106 is brilliant at picking up pet and human hair. If you have a pet at home, make sure you clean the vacuum components frequently to prevent blockages.
Q: Can the SV1106 handle kitty litter?
A: Yes, however, you must empty the vacuums dust cup out straight after picking up cat litter. This is for hygiene purposes above all else.
Q: Can I use
the SV1106 vacuum cleaner on hardwood and tiled floors instead of sweeping up?
A: Large pieces of dirt and debris, such as rocks and dried bits of mud should always be swept up before vacuuming. That being said, the SV1106 does have enough suction power to rid the floor of all types of dirt.
Q: How long does it take for the vacuum cleaner to charge fully?
A: The SV1106 takes about three or four hours to go from 0 to 100% battery power.
Buying Guide
Purchasing a vacuum
cleaner without following a buying guide would be foolish. Vacuums should last you a few years, so making the wrong purchase may result in a lot of money going down the drain.
We have put a cordless vacuum buying guide together to help you choose the right one for you. Enjoy!
What Type Of Cordless Vacuum Are You Looking For?
There are three types of cordless vacuum cleaners on the market; upright vacuum cleaners, cylinder vacuum cleaners, and stick vacuum
cleaners;
- Stick vacuums are the most common; they are compact and streamlined and can often be converted into handheld vacuums.
- Cylinder vacuums have the ‘original’ vacuum cleaner look. They are rather chunky, and their body is attached to a long cleaning tube.
- Upright vacuums are very similar to stick vacuum cleaners, but a lot heavier and chunkier.
Budget, Budget, Budget
Shall we repeat it? … Budget! You can easily spend upwards of
$700 on a simple vacuum cleaner and just as easily find one with similar features for 50 bucks. Set yourself a budget and look around for a vacuum that fits your required features and price range.
Battery Life
This feature varies significantly from one cordless vacuum to another. On average, cordless vacuum cleaners have a run time of 30-45 minutes. If the vacuum cleaner you are considering has a shorter run time than 30 minutes, you should reconsider and look
elsewhere.
Bin Capacity
Regardless of whether a vacuum cleaner is bagless or not, the bin capacity will determine how often you need to empty it. Take note that if your vacuum requires bags and has a small dust cup, you will spend a lot of money in the long run on vacuum bags.
Weight
Vacuum cleaners heavier than 10 lbs are hard to maneuver. Heavy vacuums are a real nuisance to take up and downstairs, let alone attempt to vacuum the
staircase. Lighter vacuum cleaners are far easier to move around and can be packed away better than large, heavy vacuum cleaners.
Manufacturer
Purchasing a vacuum cleaner from a well respected, reputable manufacturer gives you immense confidence in your purchase. Leading brands often have fantastic customer service departments that are ready to help with any issue you may encounter.
Suction Power
Different floor types require different
suction powers. Vacuum cleaners that are appropriate for hardwood, tile, marble, and carpet floors should have an adjustable suction setting to match.
Accessories and Convertibility
These days, most vacuum cleaners come with an option to convert the vacuum cleaner into a handheld vacuum. This is particularly true for cordless vacuum cleaners. Having that option will make the vacuum more versatile, and you could use it to clean your car, vacuum cupboards, and other hard
to reach areas.
Likewise, vacuums should come with a few accessories, such as a crevice tool or extra brush head. Crevice tools, extra brushes, and upholstery tools will allow you to clean furniture, as well as the floors.
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I'm Jason Moe Roberts, an appliances expert and blogger. I've worked at Walmart for more than 15 years, in the house appliance department. I love to use home equipment and I spend a lot of time testing the best products and reviewing them. My family and friends also recommend me as a caring person, a great dad and a loving husband.