Should you pay $60 for Shark filters or $15 for a generic kit? We tested the airflow and fit of the top aftermarket brands to find the best value.
It’s the classic dilemma: You need new filters for your Shark Navigator. You go to the official website and see a complete kit costs nearly $60. Then you check Amazon and see a seemingly identical kit for $15.
Should you pay $60 for Shark filters or $15 for a generic kit? We tested the airflow and fit of the top aftermarket brands to find the best value.
- Tools: none
- Difficulty: Easy
Is the official one really 4x better? Or are you just paying for the brand name?
We bought both, used them, and measured the results. Here is the truth about replacement filters for your Shark.
The Short Answer
If you just want the results, here is our verdict:
Shark Rotator NV501 Replacement Parts: A Complete Guide
- Best Overall (Performance): Official Shark Filters. They undoubtedly fit tighter and have denser foam. If you have severe allergies, stick with the real deal.
- Best Value (Winner): EnviroCare Replacement Kit. They are 95% as good as the original for 25% of the price. The fit is excellent.
- Avoid: The super-cheap “unbranded” kits under $10. The foam is too thin and lets dust pass through to the motor.
OEM vs. Generic: The Differences
We compared the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) filters against the popular generic brands. Here is what we found.
1. Foam Density
This is where cheap filters fail. The pre-motor foam needs to be thick enough to trap fine dust but porous enough to let air through.
Figure 1: The official filter (left) is slightly denser than the cheap generic (right), capturing more fine dust.
2. HEPA Seal Quality
The HEPA filter relies on a rubber gasket to create a vacuum seal.
- Official: Soft, pliable rubber that seals perfectly.
- Good Generic: Stiff rubber, but seals well once the door is snapped shut.
- Bad Generic: Hard plastic seal that leaks air. Do not buy these.
Compatibility Guide (Read Before Buying!)
Shark Navigator models look similar but take different filters. Check your label (near the plug) before ordering.
| Filter Kit | Compatible Models | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| XFF350 | NV350, NV351, NV352, NV356E | The most common “Lift-Away” series. |
| XFF360 | NV360, NV370, NV391 | Often blue or silver models. |
| XFF650 | NV650, NV652 (Rotator) | Powered Lift-Away models. |
Our Recommendation
For most households, the EnviroCare generic filters are the sweet spot. You can change them more frequently (every 3 months) for the same price as buying one Official set every 2 years. Fresh generic filters will always outperform old, dirty official filters.
However, if you have an ALLERGY SUFFERER in the home, pay the extra money for the Official Shark HEPA filter. The seal quality is critical for keeping allergens trapped inside the machine.