Shark vacuums have become a staple in the world of home cleaning. With the Shark Rotator and Shark Navigator, it cannot be easy to know which model best fits your home.
The Shark Rotator and Shark Navigator are designed to provide powerful suction and many other features, but they are quite different.
This blog post will compare and contrast the two models to help you make the best decision for your home cleaning needs. We’ll review each model’s features, pros, and cons so you can decide which vacuum is right for you.
Shark Rotator vs Navigator Comparison Chart
| Image |  |  |
| Model | Shark Rotator | Shark Navigator |
| Power (watts) | 1200 | 1200 |
| Weight (pounds) | 15.5 | 14.0 |
| Canister Vac Weight (pounds) | 8.4 | 7.5 |
| Dimensions | 47.5″ x 14.1″ x 12.2″ | 45.2″ x 11.4″ x 12.4″ |
| Cleaning Path Width | 11.5″ | 9.5″ |
| Dirt Container Capacity (dry quarts) | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Cord Length | 30′ | 30′ |
| Tools Included | 10 to choose from depending on model | 5 basic tools included |
| Bagless | Yes | Yes |
| Designed for No Loss of Suction | Yes | Yes |
| Detachable Canister Vac | Yes | Yes |
| Sealed HEPA Allergy System | Yes | Yes |
| Pet Hair Pickup | Yes | Yes |
| Edge Cleaning | Yes | No |
| Deep Clean Carpets | Yes | No |
| 3 in 1 (includes handheld) | Yes | No |
| Headlights | Yes | No |
As you can see, these powerful and popular vacuums have many similarities and important differences. First, the Shark Rotator is easier to steer vs. the Navigator, but the latter is lighter in weight.
In the Rotator, you’ll find some additional options the other doesn’t offer, such as edge cleaning (being able to get right up against the baseboards or cabinets, so you don’t have to swipe with a hand vac or your finger – yuck), 3 in 1 feature comprised of an upright, portable and canister vacuum (great if you have to deal with vacuuming stairs or want to get small jobs done) and headlights, which are a must if you’re going to be going over any dim areas in the house.
Both of these best-selling models have a 30′ cord, a 9.5″ cleaning path width, are designed never to lose suction, and have a sealed allergy system with a HEPA filter (great if you have kids you don’t want to be exposed to so many allergens or if you have pet hair in the house) and are good for pet hair pickup. As for size, they’re pretty close here, with the Navigator being slightly shorter in the handle.
If it’s accessories and tools you’re after, the Rotator does offer more diversity in that area. You can choose from a dusting brush, large turbo brush, 18″ flexible crevice tool, 24″ flexible crevice tool, short crevice tool, multi-angle dusting brush, appliance wand, wide upholstery tool, multi-tool or home and car detail kit depending on the model you decide to pick.
The Navigator, on the other hand, comes with a hard floor attachment with a duster pad, a pet power brush, an 8″ crevice tool, a 24″ crevice tool, and a dusting brush. Tools are an important feature, and more is not necessarily better. Make sure whichever you pick has tools to make your life easier and not just take up space in the storage closet.
As for price, they’re pretty close if you buy on sale, so we recommend paying more attention to the features you prefer. They are both good solid vacuums, and review after review says how much buyers like both vacuum models.
The Shark Rotator
The Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filters combines powerful corded suction and advanced swivel steering for a powerful clean. It features a detachable pod to clean under furniture and upholstery.
It is designed with an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, LED Headlights, a wide upholstery tool, a dusting brush & crevice tool, and bright white/red color. This lightweight, portable vacuum offers excellent all-around cleaning with powerfully efficient results.
Product Features:
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
- LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
- WIDE UPHOLSTERY TOOL: The wide cleaning path helps remove pet hair, dust, dirt, and large debris from mattresses, couches, curtains, lampshades & other delicate surfaces.
- DUSTING BRUSH & CREVICE TOOL: Dust/clean delicate surfaces like fans, blinds, lampshades, keyboards/tight spaces between couch cushions & challenging reach areas.
- FILTER TYPE: Foam filter traps dust particles.
- CORDED ACCESSORY included for easy Cleaning solution enables you to use it anywhere
Compare with Shark Navigator
- Slightly more expensive
- High consumer rating
- Great steering
- Wide variety of tools
- Slightly larger dirt container
- About the same weight, a slightly heavier canister
- Similar cord length
- Slightly wider cleaning path
- Some models are taller and a little larger
- It has better edge cleaning
- Better on carpets
- Has Headlights
- HEPA Filtration for Allergies
Click here for the full Shark Rotator Lift Away Professional Review
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The Shark Navigator
The Shark NV356E 31 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum is perfect for pet owners looking to tackle pet hair and other debris in their homes.
It offers incredible maneuverability with its swivel steering, 30 feet power cord, and a 2.2-quart dust cup for longer cleaning sessions. Plus, it’s equipped with an anti-allergen complete seal filter that traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum and a brush roll shutoff switch for maximum versatility across carpets and hard floor surfaces.
The vacuum has all the necessary tools, including a Pet Power Brush, Dusting Brush, and 8″ Crevice Tool.
Product Features:
- Lift Away the pod to clean under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor.
- Anti Allergen Complete Seal captures 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner (ASTM F1977).
- Brushroll shutoff instantly switches from deep carpet to gentle bare floor cleaning.
- Perfect for pet owners! Picks up pet hair and easily deep cleans dander from upholstery and areas around your home.
- Swivel Steering allows easy maneuverability into tight spaces, corners, furniture, etc.
- Extra Large Capacity Dust Cup with 2.2 ft capacity for longer cleaning sessions – can be emptied in seconds via easy removal of dust cup cover
- Included Tools: Pet Power Brush, Dusting Brush & 8in Crevice Tool – perfect for delicate surfaces like fans, blinds & keyboards, etc.
Compare with Shark Rotator
- Lower price tag
- High review rating
- Includes five basic tools
- A little smaller and lighter
- Cleaning path width is just a bit more narrow
- HEPA filters
Click here for the full Shark Navigator Lift Away Review
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