Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I bought this vacuum last week from Bed, Bath, and Beyond (you can use one of their easy-to-find 20% off coupons!) to replace the Shark Navigator DLX I fried plugging into an overloaded socket. I spent a significant amount of time research vacuums to replace it and found that shopping for a vacuum is even harder than car shopping: there are SO many different modes with slight variations. To compound it, I found it very hard comparing and contrasting modes, as the same vacuum often has several different model numbers (and included accessories/colors) depending on the retailer you purchase it from. I was extremely pleased with my Shark Navigator but wanted to buy a vacuum with the latest technology. I looked at Shark and Dyson - but in the end I simply couldn't justify the exorbitant cost of the Dyson models. I finally narrowed my search to two vacuums: the one you're looking at right now and the similar Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Speed (NV683). Both models are in the same family, but the Speed was lighter, had a smaller tank capacity, and, according to Shark's website, 40% less power than the TruePet model. I have two cats and a live in a one-bedroom apartment, so I appreciated the speed's lighter weight and smaller footprint, but I wasn't as thrilled about the lower dust bin capacity or the fact that it was less powerful than this one. Ultimately, I passed on the Speed and opted for this one. Overall, I'm extremely pleased. The Good: -Power: this vacuum has an exceptional amount of power. I vacuum every other day and I was disgusted to see how much stuff this vacuum picked up compared to my Shark Navigator. -LED lights: this model has LED lights on the brush and small handle, which makes seeing in low-lighting very easy (under beds, etc.) -Flexibility: the ability to literally remove the dust bin from the unit allows for a very versatile vacuum. When removed, the vacuum lies completely flat, and you can get it under your bed and couches with ease. This also makes stairs much easier, because you can also remove the handle at the top and attach accessories, or even remove the long wand from the brush base and attach an accessory to get to high places (or in the little nooks and crannies on the floor) without ever having to bend down. Some Pros: -Pet Brush: the pet brush included in this works better than any I've ever used - my couch has never been this hair-free. -Rotating Head: Much easier to maneuver, as the head rotates with the flick of a wrist. -Settings: three settings on the handle - low pile carpet, high pile carpet, and hard floors. -Canister Mode: removing the dust bin/motor and placing it on the included caddy essentially turns this model into an old-school canister. I like this mode because the caddy stores all but one of the accessories (the hard floor cleaner with dusting pad- which I literally never use). The downside- takes up more space. Note that this mode is only available with this model - the similar Speed model doesn't convert this way. Some Cons: -Heavy: this vacuum is pretty heavy compared to the Navigator it replaced. If you're elderly or have mobility issues, I'd recommend the Shark Rotator Speed instead due to its smaller size. -It Pulls You: I'm not kidding. This vacuum is so strong, it literally pulls you. This is less of a hassle when you've got the dust bin attached, but when you remove it, it's like pulling a crazed dog on a leash. -Tips Over Easily: the vacuum tips over very easily if you're in Lift Away mode when the dust bin is off. If you're going to do the stairs, under the couch, or any situation where the vacuum is not 'fully assembled' in normal mode, do yourself a favor and remove the bin from the base. TL;DR? This vacuum is everything you'd need in a vacuum and significantly cheaper than a Dyson Ball, which has way less versatility. In the end, I probably would've been okay going with the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Speed (NV683) for my needs, but the added power for the marginal price increase makes this vacuum a clear winner in my opinion. My carpet actually feels softer after using this vacuum. If you don't have pets and live in a small house or apartment, I'd probably go with the Speed if I could do it again, but if you've got pets or a large home, the TruePet model is the one you want - trust me.