There are several main vacuum cleaners by Shark. Between the Shark Rotator, Shark Navigator and Shark Rotator True Pet, what is the best Shark vacuum cleaner for you? What are the pros and cons of each vacuum, and for whom are each of these Shark vacuum cleaner models best for? Read the comparison below.
Navigator or Rotator – Which Shark Vacuum is Better?
1. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum, Model NV356E
A micro tool set for detailing cars and cleaning every nook and cranny around your home can be found for around ten dollars. The tools clip right on the extension arm, whether you use it as an upright vacuum cleaner or handheld vacuum.
The standard brush roll version comes with a dust away attachment for dusting and cleaning hard floors without damaging them with the rolling brush heads.
This vacuum has a lightweight body with excellent maneuverability, though it is top-heavy. It can lean low for cleaning but not all the way flat. To clean on stairs or under furniture, switch the roughly fourteen pound vacuum to the lift-away canister and keep going. It comes with a long power cord. This unit has good suction.
The vacuum’s head is smaller than some of its rivals, so while it fits in more places, it can take a while to clean the entire house. This design, though, is shared with the other Shark vacuums on this list.
The Shark Navigator NV356E is the best Shark vacuum for someone who wants the multi-purpose design at the lowest possible price. And the Navigator’s available tools for cleaning hard flooring makes it the better choice for those who plan on using it to minimize their need to sweep.
2. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Vacuum Cleaner, Model NV501
You get a five year manufacturer’s warranty with this vacuum cleaner, though you have to ship the product to get it repaired in many cases or get a discount on a replacement vacuum.
It shares the lift-away design where you can use it as an upright vacuum cleaner or carried canister vacuum more suitable for taking up the stairs or as an alternative to a handheld vacuum to detail your car. It has a long cord, medium length hose to which the detailing attachments are connected. Detailing kits cost around ten dollars. You get the detailing kit with the Shark Rotator NV502, which is essentially this vacuum cleaner (NV501) with the detailing kit.
It is easy to assemble. Its edge cleaning ability is mediocre.
This vacuum has a larger dust cup and anti-allergen seal, though it isn’t absolute; the dust cup is easy to empty. Like the Navigator, it is top heavy and can topple if you’re not careful when using the tools while it is upright.
The Rotator does a better job on pet fur than the Shark Navigator, though it isn’t as good as the True Pet in that regard. The Rotator’s more likely to clog up with pet hair.
Its spinning brush turns off automatically when the vacuum is upright, and you can control when the spinning brush runs when it is vertical. This means you can use the beater bar on your carpets and turn it off to suck up the crumbs and dust off your wood floors. The only issue is that you can’t adjust the height of the beater bar to suit the carpet height, so this vacuum performs best on low or medium thickness carpets.
As an upright vacuum, it has excellent maneuverability. It isn’t powered, so while it is lightweight, the vacuum does take some effort to move, especially on thicker carpets. You can control the suction.
3. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Vacuum, Model NV752
This Shark Rotator pet vacuum shares the same LED lights as its cheaper rivals.
In this review, we’re looking at the one (NV752) with the True Pet mini-motorized brush attachment because it is so good at picking up pet hair off upholstery and other surfaces. The other versions on this model are the NV751 and NV753.
Like the other Shark vacuums, it does best on short carpets, an acceptable job on hard floors when the beater bar is turned off and poor job on thick carpets. However, the unit has very good suction overall and does well with pet hair that other brands fail to pick up well, and the TruePet doesn’t clog up with pet hair like its cheaper siblings.
Another point in favor of the True Pet version of the Shark Rotator is its essentially closed system. With or without HEPA filters, it does a better job containing all dust and pet hair rendered into fine dander than the Model NV501.
The Shark Rotator TruePet model NV752 is the best choice for those who need to control not only pet fur but the fine allergen laden dust that other vacuums can create and leave behind. This is the best Shark vacuum for removing all traces of pet fur and dander to control asthma and allergies.