Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView: Which Is Better? (October 2026)

On this page (10 sections)

1. Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView: which should you choose?
2. Which vacuum suits your pet's mess?
3. Which is easier to carry, steer and store?
4. How should you choose for carpet and hard floors?
5. Which is better for stairs and above-floor cleaning?
6. What do filtration and dust-cup care mean for daily use?
7. How should you set up either vacuum before the first clean?
8. What maintenance will keep either model ready to use?
9. Who should buy each model, and who should skip it?
10. Final verdict: Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView

The Shark Navigator NV360 is the better choice for stairs and sealed HEPA filtration, while the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252 suits buyers who want a lighter upright for pet cleanup. In this Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView comparison, choose around your hardest regular cleaning job.

A home with carpeted stairs and dusty furniture asks more of a vacuum than an open, single-level space. Start with where dirt collects, how far you carry the machine and which floor-care controls you need.

This comparison covers the NV360 and 2252 specifically. Other Navigator and CleanView models can have different tools, filters and controls.

Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView: which should you choose?

Choose the Shark for cleaning across floors, stairs and furniture; choose the Bissell when lower carrying weight matters most. Both have swivel steering and pet-cleaning features, so those shared traits won't settle the choice.

The Shark earns its place when you regularly move beyond the main floor area. Its detachable pod lets you bring the vacuum body closer to stairs or furniture instead of keeping the whole upright beside the job.

The Bissell makes more sense when most sessions involve pushing an upright through rooms, cleaning pet resting spots and putting the machine away. Its lighter body matters every time you lift it over a threshold or carry it to storage.

Don't choose by electrical amperage or the number of named technologies. Neither gives you a measured comparison of debris pickup, and a feature only helps if it solves a task in your home.

For a broader explanation of upright designs and buying priorities, start with our upright vacuum buyer's guide.

Which vacuum suits your pet's mess?

Choose the Shark when pet cleanup extends onto stairs and furniture, and favor the Bissell for a lighter machine built around floor-level pet cleanup. Both include tools for upholstery, so think about where you'll use them most.

Bissell says its Triple Action Brush Roll loosens, lifts and removes embedded pet hair. That makes the CleanView a sensible candidate for homes where shedding collects across carpeted rooms.

The Shark includes an upholstery tool for furniture and a crevice tool for narrow spaces. Its portable cleaning format is useful when hair gathers on stair treads, sofa cushions and the edges around a pet bed.

Neither feature set establishes a measured pet-hair winner. Choose the cleaning format you can use comfortably and often, then keep the brush and air path clear.

For either vacuum, lift blankets and small pet toys before starting. Check upholstery care instructions before using a tool, especially on loose fabric, fringe or delicate trim.

Hair wrapped around a brush needs regular attention, even when a vacuum is designed for pets. Don't assume a pet-focused brush roll removes the need to inspect it.

For alternatives suited to different surfaces and pet routines, see our guide to upright vacuums for pet hair.

Which is easier to carry, steer and store?

The Bissell is easier to choose for frequent full-machine carrying: it weighs 12.5 lb against the Shark's 16 lb. That 3.5 lb difference matters most when moving the complete vacuum between floors or lifting it into storage.

Both models have swivel steering for turning around furniture. Before buying, think about the route through your rooms, including narrow gaps between dining chairs and the space beside beds.

Steering around a sofa doesn't mean a vacuum will fit beneath it. If low furniture is your main concern, check the clearance you need rather than choosing from swivel steering alone.

The Shark's pod changes the stair-cleaning task, but it doesn't remove the need to move the complete upright at other times. Consider where the vacuum will live and where you'll start most sessions.

Neither model is an obvious choice for someone who must avoid lifting an upright altogether. In that situation, start with the carrying task rather than treating the lighter of these 2 as automatically suitable.

Leave enough storage room to remove the dust cup and reach the tools. A cramped cupboard can make routine emptying awkward and leave a hose bent against other items.

How should you choose for carpet and hard floors?

Choose the Shark when stopping the brush roll is a priority, and consider the Bissell when loose debris scatter is your main hard-floor concern. Both support carpet and hard-floor cleaning, but they approach floor care differently.

The NV360 has brushroll shutoff, giving you direct control when moving from carpet to a hard surface. Follow your floor maker's care instructions before choosing any brush setting.

Bissell says Scatter-Free Technology helps capture hard-floor debris instead of pushing it around. It also describes the brush roll's silk-like bristles as gentle on hard floors.

Those features solve different problems: stopping brush movement and limiting scattered debris are separate buying priorities. Don't treat a scatter-control feature as confirmation that a vacuum has the same controls as the Shark.

On delicate wood, check the finish requirements and keep the wheels and floor head free of grit. Our guide to using an upright vacuum on hardwood floors explains the floor-care decisions.

On carpet, use slow, overlapping passes so the head has time to work through each strip. If a rug lifts or the vacuum becomes hard to push, stop and check the rug's care advice and the vacuum's instructions.

For a better cleaning routine, follow our guide to how to vacuum carpet properly. Rushing across the room can leave debris behind regardless of which model you choose.

Which is better for stairs and above-floor cleaning?

The Shark has the more useful format for frequent stair cleaning because its pod detaches from the upright. Choose it when stairs, furniture and tight edges are regular jobs rather than occasional extras.

Keep the pod close to the area you're cleaning and use the tool suited to that surface. The upholstery tool covers fabric areas, while the crevice tool reaches narrow gaps and edges.

The Bissell also includes specialized pet tools for upholstery. It can suit occasional furniture cleanup when keeping the upright nearby is practical.

Don't decide from hose length alone. A hose's usable reach depends on where the machine can sit securely and whether you can work without pulling it off balance.

On stairs, avoid leaving an upright where a tug could tip it toward you. Move the machine as needed instead of stretching the hose across several steps.

For curtains and blinds, follow the material's care directions and avoid pulling delicate surfaces into the tool. A tool that reaches an area still needs to be appropriate for the material.

If you're also considering another Shark design, our Shark Navigator vs Rotator comparison helps narrow that choice.

What do filtration and dust-cup care mean for daily use?

Choose the Shark if sealed HEPA filtration is a buying requirement. The Bissell uses a disk filter, so it isn't the choice between these 2 when HEPA is on your must-have list.

Shark says its sealed system traps dust and non-living allergens inside the vacuum. That is a particle-capture feature, without a promise of symptom relief.

Both are bagless machines, which means emptying collected debris remains part of your routine. The CleanView has a 1-liter capacity, but fluffy hair can fill available space faster than compact dirt.

Empty before debris passes the marked fill line rather than waiting until the cup looks packed. Hold the opening close to the trash container and avoid shaking dust out across the room.

Check that the cup and filters are seated correctly after maintenance. A loosely fitted part can leave an air path where it shouldn't be.

Don't rinse every filter just because the Shark's filter is washable. Follow each model's instructions for cleaning its parts, since filter materials and care methods differ.

Our Shark Navigator NV360 review and Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252 review cover each machine separately.

How should you set up either vacuum before the first clean?

Assemble the vacuum fully, check the air path and choose the right floor setting before starting. A secure hose, correctly fitted cup and clear floor head matter more than rushing into the first room.

Use the included manual to attach the handle, hose and tools in the correct order. Check that each connection is secure and that no packing material remains around an opening or moving part.

Find the cup release and filter access before collecting dirt. It's easier to learn those steps while the machine is clean and unplugged.

Clear cords, clothing, coins and small toys from the floor. Keep loose rug fringe away from the brush, and pick up objects that could block the hose.

Plan a route from the far side of the room toward the exit, with the cord clear of the floor head. Don't pull the vacuum by its cord or run over it.

Start with a small area and confirm that the machine moves comfortably on that surface. Stop if you hear an unusual change in sound or notice reduced pickup, then unplug it before checking for an obstruction.

What maintenance will keep either model ready to use?

Keep the cup, brush and air path clear, and give cleaned parts time to dry. These are regular care tasks for a bagless upright, especially in a home with shedding pets.

After a hair-heavy session, unplug the vacuum and inspect the brush for wrapped strands. Follow the manual for safe access and removal without cutting bristles or damaging nearby parts.

If pickup drops, check the cup, filters, hose and floor-head opening before making repeated passes. Continuing with a blockage adds work without addressing the cause.

For the Shark's washable filters, rinse under running water until clear and air-dry for 24 hours before reinstalling. Don't use a dishwasher or washing machine, and don't put damp filters back into the vacuum.

Plan filter washing after a cleaning session so the machine has time to dry before you need it again. Keep washed parts somewhere clean where they won't collect fresh dust.

Use either vacuum only for dry household debris within its instructions. Neither should be treated as a carpet washer or used to collect spills.

Before storing, check that the hose isn't trapped and the cord isn't pinched. Keeping tools in their intended places makes short cleanup jobs easier to start.

Who should buy each model, and who should skip it?

Buy around your hardest recurring task, then check the main drawback. The Shark asks you to carry more weight, while the Bissell gives up the Shark's sealed HEPA and detachable-pod combination.

Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView for homes with stairs

Choose the Navigator NV360 if stair treads, sofa cushions and narrow furniture gaps are part of most cleaning sessions. Its cleaning format gives those jobs more weight in the decision than a lower full-machine weight does.

It also fits buyers who want a clear brushroll shutoff control for floor changes. Skip it if lifting the complete upright is your biggest concern and its extra features don't solve a regular task.

Choose the CleanView for mostly floor-level pet cleanup

Choose the CleanView 2252 if most dirt collects across accessible floors and you want less weight to carry. It suits a single-level pet home where upholstery cleanup is occasional and HEPA filtration isn't a requirement.

Skip it if sealed HEPA filtration is essential or you specifically want to carry a detached pod along stairs. Those are reasons to choose the Shark rather than compromise on your main need.

Skip both if an upright doesn't suit your routine

Look beyond these models if you need wet cleaning or cannot comfortably handle a full upright. A better match starts with the right machine type, even when both products offer useful floor-cleaning features.

Also consider where you'll empty and maintain a bagless vacuum. If you dislike handling a dust cup, that routine deserves attention before brush features or steering.

Final verdict: Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView

For Shark Navigator vs Bissell CleanView, let the hardest weekly job break the tie. Pick the NV360 when stairs, furniture and filtration drive the decision; pick the 2252 when lighter carrying and mostly floor-level pet cleanup drive it.

Before ordering, walk your cleaning route once and note every lift, floor change and tool job. That simple check shows which feature set you'll use instead of buying around a feature that rarely leaves the cupboard.

Read the Shark Navigator NV360 review if the portable pod suits that route, or the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252 review if the lighter upright fits it better.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Shark Navigator or Bissell CleanView better for pet hair?

Choose the Shark Navigator NV360 when pet hair collects on stairs and furniture and you want a portable pod; choose the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252 when floor-level cleanup and lower carrying weight matter more. Both include upholstery tools, and Bissell designs its Triple Action Brush Roll for embedded pet hair.

Which is lighter, the Shark Navigator or Bissell CleanView?

The Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252 weighs 12.5 lb, compared with 16 lb for the Shark Navigator NV360; that makes the Bissell 3.5 lb lighter when carrying the complete upright. The Shark's detachable pod changes how you clean stairs, but its full-machine weight still matters for storage and transport.

Does the Shark NV360 have a HEPA filter?

Yes, the Shark Navigator NV360 has a washable HEPA filter and a sealed system that Shark says traps dust and non-living allergens. Rinse the filters under running water until clear, then air-dry them for 24 hours before reinstalling; don't wash them in a dishwasher or washing machine.

Can the Bissell CleanView 2252 clean hard floors?

Yes, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252 supports hard-floor cleaning, and Bissell says its Scatter-Free Technology helps contain debris during pickup. Match your vacuum choice to your floor's care instructions, especially on delicate finishes; the Shark Navigator NV360 offers brushroll shutoff for switching from carpet to hard floors.

Can you use the Shark NV360 on stairs?

Yes, detach the Shark Navigator NV360's pod and use the upholstery or crevice tool to clean stairs; keep the pod secure and work within comfortable reach rather than stretching the hose across several steps. Our guide to what Lift-Away means on a Shark vacuum explains the cleaning format.