Compare Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum vs Simplicity Vacuums Allergy Upright Vacuum, S20EZM

Commonly described as coming with a practical set of basic tools (crevice and upholstery/wide upholstery tool; some variants add pet tools). Lift-Away makes these tools more useful for stairs and above-floor cleaning.

Included tools are usually described as basic but useful (commonly crevice and a combo dusting/upholstery tool). Several reviewers want a wider or softer dusting tool, and some add aftermarket pet or specialty attachments.

A few comments call the vacuum simple, clean, or stylish, while others dislike cosmetic choices or mention broken trim/cover parts that are mostly aesthetic.

Airflow blowback or scatter is specifically mentioned on hard floors by some users, including reports of particles being thrown back toward feet during use.

Area rug handling depends heavily on height setting and rug type. Some owners say it works well when adjusted up; others say it can grab edges, chew bindings, or feel too aggressive on certain rugs.

Assembly is repeatedly described as simple and quick, typically sliding in the handle and attaching the hose, with minimal screws.

The bag-full indicator is viewed as helpful when present, but at least one owner reports it failing to reset after changing bags.

Bagless dust cup is generally considered easy to empty; some sources highlight an open/easy-to-clean canister design that supports long-term upkeep.

The bagged system is a major selling point: owners like cleaner disposal, consistent suction, and less dust exposure than bagless designs. Bag capacity is often praised, but replacement cost and bag consumption (especially with heavy shedding or wool rugs) are frequent notes.

Build quality feedback is polarized: some praise sturdy materials (metal brush roll, aluminum wand, rubber bumpers), while others report cheap-feeling plastics, wobble, broken handles/covers, or hose issues over time.

High-pile/shag performance is a recurring weak spot: fixed height and head geometry can struggle to get on top of larger debris or can be harder to push on thick carpet compared with uprights with height adjustment.

High-pile carpet performance is generally strong due to agitation and height settings, but some users find it hard to push or overly aggressive if set too low.

Low-pile carpet pickup is consistently strong in testing-style writeups, often above average for the upright category at its price.

Low-pile carpet results are typically positive, especially for everyday pickup and pet hair, though pushing effort can increase if suction is high and height is set low.

Medium-pile carpet deep cleaning is often a highlight, with at least one lab-style comparison giving it top-tier embedded debris results in its price segment.

Medium-pile carpet cleaning is consistently praised, with multiple reports of lifting matted carpet and pulling embedded dirt and pet hair that previous vacuums missed.

Some owners mention clogs or brush/belt issues that require disassembly, while others highlight visible clog indicators and easy access to the roller area for checks.

Often framed as outperforming many budget uprights and competing surprisingly well against pricier models in certain tests, but it generally trails modern premium heads on high-pile and specialized hard-floor pickup.

Comparisons are common: many say it out-cleans certain Sharks/Dysons on carpet and pet hair, while at least one comparison favors a premium canister for ease and deep extraction despite higher upkeep.

Controls are generally simple and include a brushroll on/off (or brush control) to transition between carpet and hard floors; lack of height adjustment is a repeated limitation for thick rugs/high pile and some large-debris situations.

Controls are usually described as straightforward, with height adjustment settings that are easy to use. The foot pedal placement is occasionally criticized for accidental shutoffs when bumping furniture.

Cord length is generally reported as adequate/good for the class, with some comparisons noting premium or competing models can be longer; exact length varies by variant in sources.

Cord length perception varies: several reviewers call it long enough (often cited as 30 ft), while others say it is shorter than expected and requires frequent outlet changes in larger spaces.

Cord wrap is often praised as neat and practical, but multiple users wish for a retractable cord for convenience and to reduce cord management hassles.

Crevice/crack pickup is repeatedly described as a limitation versus newer designs; some tests show below-average removal in crevice-style trials, making the wand more important for edges/cracks.

Day-to-day use is often described as simple and satisfying on carpet, but usability drops for some due to weight when carrying, strong pull on thick carpet, short hose frustrations, or brush roll behavior during hose use.

Edge/baseboard performance is variable: some sources say it cleans edges well head-on, but others note it can miss a small band near edges or struggle on parallel passes along walls.

Edge and baseboard cleaning is highlighted positively by some owners, while others still avoid edges on delicate rugs due to brush aggression.

A key strength: sources describe a sealed system paired with HEPA filtration/Complete Seal-style containment, which improves dust/allergen containment compared with many budget uprights.

Filtration is a standout: multiple reviews highlight HEPA-style bags and filters, strong dust containment, and noticeable allergy relief versus bagless vacuums.

The floorhead/brush system is powerful but divisive. Many emphasize strong agitation and carpet grooming; many also complain the brush roll runs continuously and can be too aggressive on hard floors and some rugs.

Hair pickup on carpets is generally solid for typical pet hair, but some testing notes clumping and that not all hair makes it fully to the bin in tougher trials.

Hair pickup on hard floors is generally described as effective for everyday pet hair, aided by strong suction and above-floor tools.

Long-hair wrap is a consistent drawback across tests and reviews; owners should expect periodic brushroll clearing, especially with longer hair and heavy shedding households.

Fine debris on hard floors is generally good but not best-in-class; at least one test notes it can leave fine sand behind, requiring extra passes.

Hard-floor fine dust pickup is inconsistent: some users report very clean results, while others say the brush roll and airflow can scatter particles or require switching to other vacuums for hard floors.

Large debris on hard floors/rugs can be mixed: it can handle many everyday pieces, but multiple mentions note pushing/scattering crummy or larger particles in some scenarios without height adjustment or a more modern head design.

Large debris intake on hard floors gets mixed feedback, including complaints about litter or particles being thrown back during use in some homes.

The headlight is frequently mentioned as useful for spotting debris, though at least one owner questions bulb longevity and whether the lights are true LEDs.

Hose/wand reach is a common nit: multiple writeups mention wishing the hose were longer or the wand had more reach, which can limit above-floor range compared with some alternatives.

Reach is a frequent theme: some are happy with the wand/hose extension for corners and drapes, while others say the permanently attached hose feels too short and can tug the vacuum toward them.

Maintenance is straightforward (wash/replace filters, keep bin empty), but brushroll hair wrap and periodic clearing are repeatedly mentioned as the main ongoing chore.

Maintenance expectations are higher than some modern uprights: multiple owners mention periodic belt changes and watching filters/bags, and a few report recurring belt or brush issues.

Maneuverability is often a plus (notably swivel steering), though some testing notes it can feel stiffer than premium uprights and may require a bit more effort under strong suction conditions.

Handling is mixed: some call it easy to maneuver with good wheel roll and a small footprint, while others find it awkward to lift onto steps, hard to push on thick carpet, or unstable/wobbly when parked.

Noise is frequently described as relatively quiet for an upright; at least one test set places it among the quietest in its comparison group.

Noise is a common downside. Many describe it as loud, though a few say the tone is acceptable or less irritating than other vacuums.

Onboard tool storage is commonly praised as convenient and secure, helping reduce lost tools and making quick transitions easier.

Ongoing costs are mostly about bags and periodic belts/filters. Many accept the trade for cleaner disposal and better dust control, but some find OEM bags or add-on tools expensive.

Longevity reports are split: some claim many years across prior Simplicity units and expect long service due to replaceable parts, while others report failures around 1 to 2 years, frequent belt breaks, or brush/motor issues.

Pet owners frequently praise strong pickup on carpet and reduced lingering hair. A few reports note limitations for long hair on upholstery or brush/belt strain in heavy pet homes.

Repeatedly positioned as a standout value in the $100–$200-ish budget upright space, with performance and sealed filtration that often beat cheaper uprights and compete well for the price.

Value is usually rated positively for a bagged HEPA-style upright, with several reviewers calling it worth the money. Some disagree when durability or repair frequency becomes an issue.

Some users describe a powered-assist or self-propel-like feel, while others explicitly wish it were self-propelled, especially as they age or when cleaning thick carpet.

Lift-Away is repeatedly called out as making stair cleaning and above-floor cleaning meaningfully easier than standard uprights, though hose/wand reach can be a limiting factor depending on variant.

Stair cleaning is supported via hose/tools and at least one stair-focused attachment mention, but carrying weight and hose tug can make stair work more demanding for some users.

Several reviewers like the compact footprint and storage friendliness, especially for apartments and tight spaces. Upright stability is occasionally criticized due to wobble or center-of-gravity comments.

Suction and airflow are frequently described as strong for the price and consistent over time when maintained; several comparisons treat suction power as a primary reason it remains popular.

Suction is consistently described as strong, often the primary reason people keep the vacuum. A minority say it is good but not on par with their best prior vacuum, or that strong suction can increase push effort.

Support expectations are helped by commonly cited multi-year warranty coverage and broad parts availability; durability is often described as adequate but plastic-heavy.

Support experiences are mixed but lean positive in key stories, including at least one report of a quick refund after failure. Others report difficulty reaching customer service or post-warranty parts frustration.

Tool changes are usually straightforward, especially with the telescoping wand. Compatibility with older hoses or certain attachments is a reported pain point for some owners.

No summary yet.

Above-floor cleaning is generally strong with the wand and crevice tool, but upholstery performance is mixed, including complaints about long pet hair on couches and limited included fabric tools.

Versatility is a defining feature due to Lift-Away mode and above-floor usability; it’s commonly recommended for stairs, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas relative to basic uprights.

Usually described as lightweight for an upright and easier to carry than many competitors, supporting its budget-all-purpose positioning.

Weight impressions vary but cluster around sturdy and somewhat heavy. Many say it feels fine while pushing, but heavier when carrying up stairs or doing repeated back-and-forth on thick carpet.

Wool and delicate rug compatibility is a concern in the reviews: some users report damage to a rug or needing to avoid edges, and others note wool rugs fill bags quickly even when they like the cleaning result.