Shark Navigator vs Rotator: Review & Comparison

When you think of menus, two things come to mind – huge and illogical.

Shark wants you to change the way you think about it.

I’m going to show two of their most innovative products. This isn’t the latest but it has set the stage for how the lists will work in the coming years.

The Shark Navigator and Rotator are two of the most versatile vertical brooms available today.

When you look at their straight line product, the Shark brand is one of the most innovative on the market with features I’ve never seen before.

Related: please check my An in-depth guide to the best shark brooms And discover the most suitable shark cleaner for your needs.

The standout feature is the groundbreaking Lift Away feature.

It fundamentally expands the usability of their products. A big reason why their products are so popular in online stores.

The Lift Away feature converts a large upright into a portable cylinder broom capable of cleaning over floor areas such as upholstery, tables, ceiling fans and other hard-to-reach areas.

Shark uses different strategies with its vertical products and you’ll see that here.

This guide will help you tell the difference between a Navigator and a Rotator to help you figure out which variant best suits your needs.

Because the last thing I want you to do is buy something and later regret it because you didn’t do enough research and found out that it lacks a certain feature that you need.

shark navigator

The Navigator is one of their first products and this is just a vacuum cleaner. There is only one variant in this line – Navigator Freestyle.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352

The NV352 was the first product to use the Lift Away feature that separates the floor tool from the body.

With the lift feature, you can separate the hose from the floor tool and secure it to a stick. It turns this vertically into a cylindrical vacuum minus the wheels.

First to use Lift Away

This product pioneered the way as it was the first vertical truly above-ground cleaning with a portable vacuum cleaner.

Without the cumbersome floor tool, it rids you of the extra weight that allows cleaning any part of the house.

cleverness

You basically have a cleaner that can clean things from floor to ceiling.

Add to that a 1200W motor and a large dirt capacity of 3L, you have a tool that can hold a large amount of dirt capable of cleaning not only floors but also stairs, vents and upholstery.

However, it lacks some basic tools that hold it back like a small turbo brush. And it doesn’t have any rotary steering, so moving it wouldn’t be as easy as moving around the Dyson in a vertical position.

Fortunately, Shark has made improvements and added them to the next blank that I’m going to show here…

Shark Navigator NV360

With the NV360, Shark took what was lacking with the NV-352, added those to this vertical spacer and still retains the same “lift” function that makes it so popular.

The NV360 retains the shape and dimensions of the older NV-352. But this latest version comes in a light blue color.

It has the same engine and HEPA filter. But it lacks cyclonic filtration which means you will have to clean the filters a lot.

Key features added…

Shark has added two features missing from the previous Navigator.

The first was the missing rotary steering which made it difficult to move the furniture.

The second important added feature is a small turbo brush that allows you to use it on stairs and upholstery. It also helps this broom deal with pet hair on carpets as well as upholstery.

Another feature is the device’s lower wand that allows it to clean dust and cobwebs under the upholstery. This is an area that is difficult to clean up in most homes.

Shark Navigator NV356E

I’m sure you’ve seen Dyson Hard in commercials and TV stores.

Dyson hard on steroids

This tool is similar to Dyson Hard on steroids in that it allows you to wipe and vacuum at the same time.

It didn’t quite work because it was too expensive and you can buy other products that work well for a lower price like the NV356E.

Upright and tray in one

No, the NV356E is not wireless. But it goes from vertical to vacuum thanks to the same “lift” feature found on the NV360 and NV352 and there’s an important plus.

This alternative comes with a Dust-away supplement that contains a microfiber attachment. This gadget is like a Dyson hard ground head and great news? You don’t have to spend $500 for it.

It’s a Shark add-on that comes in a product that costs under $200!

Imagine you get a lot for the price – a standing device with a swivel steering that turns into a vacuum cleaner.

It also contains a floor tool that resembles two Dyson Hard towels as well as two microfibers.

Finally, this alternative also comes with a small turbo brush that picks up cookie crumbs or pet hair from upholstery and carpeted stairs.

Not all Navigator variants have a Lift Away feature.

minimum: In my opinion, the $50 price difference between the traditional straight and the variants with a lift feature is a great investment. In addition to the floor cleaning capabilities, you can also excel with the floor cleaning capabilities and greater reach.

Shark Navigator Electric Lifting Technology

This is the only Navigator in their line of products with an electric lift feature similar to the Rotator Series that you’ll see below.

Navigator series comparison

Now let’s move on to the next variants – the Rotator chain.

Shark Rotary Lift NV501

I’ve already shown you the innovative lift feature found first in the NV352 and how Shark has improved their products with the NV360 and NV356E by adding a swivel steering and a small turbo brush tool.

Shark has really been listening to consumers.

One of the biggest complaints for the older Navigator series is the lack of wheels in the case position.

This means that you have to carry it every time you need to move which can take a toll on your back.

Another innovation

Fortunately for us, Shark has incorporated and added a feature that really makes this vacuum cleaner that you can pull off.

They added a tray where you can put the vacuum cleaner body on it.

This case not only helps with navigation but also serves as storage for the tools that come with this upright position.

What will you get?

Tools like mini pet turbo brush, crevice tool, straight suction nozzle, pet upholstery tool.

Look at the bottom of the case, it has 4 movable wheels that rotate 360 ​​degrees. This allows it to run a dime similar to a vacuum cleaner.

Shark also added a pair of LED lights on top of the main floor to aid visibility.

To complete the feature set, the NV501 comes with a HEPA filter that can trap up to 0.3 microns.

This is Rotator Pro in action…

As you can see, this vacuum is quite versatile. In addition to being upright, you can use it as a real vacuum cleaner.

You don’t have to carry a heavy 15-pound vacuum when moving to a different area. Just pull the rubber hose gently to pull out the canister.

The two caster wheels in the front will do the work in terms of steering. And as long as you don’t pull it hard, it won’t tip over.

In terms of performance, it is not far behind the Dyson. The great thing about this is that it costs half the price and adds a lot of variety to the table.

minimum: This is a great alternative if you can’t afford a Dyson. It won’t be as powerful as a Dyson, but it’s more versatile thanks to the Lift Away feature. But note that you won’t be able to use the main cleaning head in Lift Away mode, so you won’t be able to clean carpeted stairs deeply. To get this feature, have a look at LiftAway Powered or LiftAway Powered DuoClean.

Shark Rotator Pro Complete

Rotator Pro and Rotator Pro Complete both have the same set of features and accessories, so what’s the difference?

It all comes down to features.

First, let’s look at the similarities. Both of these types have a “Lift Away” feature and both have the caddy that acts as a storage box for the accessories.

These two also have the same motor and will work similarly on carpet.

Each also has rotary steering that is not on the Navigator series, so what “complete” does the NV501 have?

It actually has three more tools, one of which will help you clean hard-to-reach areas under the furniture that a broom, vacuum cleaner, or hand-held vacuum cleaner can’t reach.

Take a look at this innovative tool called the lower device wand…

This tool works great if you have devices with only a few accessories.

It will allow you to clean cobwebs and allergens under the pool of low-clearance furniture.

It also comes with a flexible crevice tool for more access when cleaning tight spaces and a Dyson Hard-like hard floor tool – plus 2 microfiber towels.

More innovations!

The next innovation Shark has introduced with the Rotator Series is the ability to use the main floor tool in case positioning. Yes, this sounds crazy but you will have to read the next few paragraphs to see what I mean.

Once again, I will go over each variant and let you see the differences.

Electric Shark Lifting Mechanism

In terms of versatility, the Powered Lift Away Series is hard to beat.

Aside from being able to use this as a stand up and canister, the Away Lift allows you to use the main tool in canister mode.

Let me show you what I mean…

Seems like magic isn’t it?

Shark engineers have managed to create a system that separates the body from the frame but still allows you to use the main floor tool.

This removed the limitations that most upright vacuums face when having areas around and under furniture.

Lift away feature is game changing

The electric remote lift allows consumers to better move around these areas because the huge dirt bin is out of the way.

Swivel steering makes the dime easy to operate. The fold flat feature makes it possible to clean deep under the beds – a task that is impossible with a traditional upright.

Like the Rotator Lift Away, this variant also comes with a case that has a different design than the previous Rotator series in that the body rests at a tilted angle to reduce the center of gravity.

Another improvement would be the hose. One of the biggest complaints with the previous Rotator Lift Away series was the stiff hose that flipped the case when pulled hard enough.

Shark addressed this issue in this variant by using a softer material with more play making it less likely to tip over.

LED headlights

Other improvements include adding more LED lights on the main floor instrument which gave better visibility.

If you look under the Floor Tool, you’ll notice that the brush roll is different. They took brush roll from Shark Rocket Powerhead and used it in this swing.

What makes Rocket’s Floor great is its animation.

It has its own motor, so the bristles will deeply dig clean carpet threads and rugs.

This also had a very good flop and a better deep clean compared to the previous Rotator series.

My favorite last feature and upgrade are the fingertip controls on the handle, so you don’t need to bend over just to turn the brush on or off.

Logan from VacBin shares electric lift features beyond the brushes I used for how the lift feature works in this series.

You will see that instead of simply removing the head of the main floor, the vacuum has been completely redesigned in such a way that when you press a lever, only the container comes out while the stick (handle) and floor tool remain intact.

In the cheerios test, the electric lift performed better than the previous Rotator series. Shark raised the floor tool slightly to eliminate the previously problematic snow effect.

This also has the hard floor genie I talked about earlier that has a suction duct and a microfiber towel behind it that looks like a Dyson Hard, the only difference is that you don’t have to pay $500 for it.

Here’s how to perform it on the carpet…

If you need more dirt capacity – get the Shark Rotator XL

Just in case you thought the dirt capacity of a regular-size rotor was too small for you, Shark offers a variant with the extra-large dirt box.

However, Shark did not specify the size of the capacity.

Best Buy says it holds about 0.8 gallons, which is pretty big. But a little smaller than some of the filled blanks I’ve reviewed.

It retains the same features as the other models except for the tools.

Finally, if you need something lighter — Shark also has a solution for that with the Rotator Speed ​​Chain that weighs in at just 13 pounds.

minimum: The powered LiftAway is a game changer in the upright vacuum industry because it expands reach and adds versatility not seen in other brands. With the release of the DuoClean Powered LiftAway, prices have gone down and now would be a good time to buy one. The biggest problem with the NV752 is cleaning up large debris because the cleaning head is low profile and will clear large debris with snow.

LiftAway Share Powered DuoClean

If you think the powered LiftAway NV752 is good, you need to take a look at the latest product from Shark.

When Shark introduced the powered LiftAway system, it changed the way people think about upright brooms.

This innovation allowed consumers to use verticality anywhere in their homes, not just floors. The design allows you to use this literally like an overhead vacuum cleaner but with the power of a vertical shaft.

In terms of design, the Shark DuoClean NV803 has the same features as the NV752 but there is one major difference – better excitement.

Instead of using a bristle brush and a separate tool for hard floors, Shark has incorporated the DuoClean System into this product.

What is DuoClean? Let me show you…

You’ll notice that the new cleaning head has two brushes – a soft, foam-like roller (which is already wrapped in the fabric) and a bristle brush.

The fine cylinder rod solves the problem of falling snow by pulling dirt towards the suction inlet.

Same concept as Dyson V6 and V8

There’s no doubt that Shark got this concept from the Dyson V6 Absolute because they were the first to introduce the soft cylinder cleaning head.

The good thing is that they didn’t just copy the tool. They took the idea and added something not found in other products – anti-rolling brushes.

This isn’t a completely new concept because the Roomba uses it but I haven’t seen an upright that combines a soft roller and a bristle brush.

The combination of these two resulted in improved agitation and elimination of snowfall due to how well the soft cylinder “captures” the large debris.

Take a look at this before and after screen capture…

This is the result after one round trip. Notice the huge pile of dirt in the first picture and how fresh the cleanup has eaten up that mess.

You can watch the full video here…

Be sure to watch the entire video to learn how to assemble this product as well as performance tests on upholstery, tile, and carpet.

minimum: This newest shark is the most advanced to date due to the DuoClean system that improves cleaning performance on floors and carpets. It’s also the most expensive (over $300 on Amazon) so you may want to wait a few months before buying it until prices drop.

Rotator series comparison

Accessories

Below are the different tools you will get depending on the variant you choose.

I will enumerate them one by one to give you an idea of ​​how each works to better enable you to make the right decision when choosing a variable.

Note that these tools will work on the Shark Rotator series.

crevice cleaning tool

These two attachments in one turn a crevice tool into a dust removal brush. Think of it as a longer version of the Dyson crevice tool found in handheld vacuums.

pet upholstery tool

This is the standard upholstery tool that you’ll find on most Shark listings whether it’s a Navigator or a Rotator. It does not contain any motorized brush. But it adopts a tape of Velcro on both sides above and below the suction inlet for agitation.

It’s less efficient but you don’t have to spend time cutting long curly hair on the bristles.

This tool is great for use on fabric upholstery or low pile carpeted stairs.

Dust off hard floors

At first glance, this tool looks just like the floor tool you’ll find on Dyson Hard, what’s the biggest difference?

You don’t need to pay $400 for it.

This tool is an addition to the Shark Navigator or Rotator upright vacuum.

This tool would be great for use on flat surfaces such as hardwood or tile as you can increase the wiping and suction of this tool.

Saves you time before taking out the mop. Now don’t use this on a heavily tiled surface but it would be better to use a light duster and mop.

To clean heavily soiled tile or hardwood, you need something with a scrubber and a water tank containing the cleaning solution.

The box The box

You will notice that the old canister was storing the dustpan upright and with a high center of gravity was prone to tipping over.

The new case stores the case in an inclined position. This reduces the chances of it tipping over on sharp corners or sudden tightening.

Under the hardware stick

This has to be one of my favorite tools because I only have furniture at home that’s only 2 inches apart and it’s hard to clean.

The low profile design of this tool is designed for areas like this. Even our robot vacuum cleaner and Swiffer wouldn’t be able to clean this area.

Motorized mini tropite tool

If you have pets at home, this is an essential tool for cleaning pet hair on fabric upholstery.

It has a motorized brush that provides some extra excitement for upholstered fabric chairs and even rugs.

Multi-Angle Dust Brush

This dusting brush features a larger inlet and a pivoting head that rotates in any direction. It’s great for areas like ceiling fans or cabinet tops.

The soft brush allows you to clean these hard-to-reach areas and prevents dust and allergens from accumulating.

Home and car care kit

If you’ve ever needed to clean your car or even your computer keyboard, this detail set is a must in your tool arsenal.

It comes with several small brushes and an extension wand that are specially designed to fit tight spaces around your vehicle.

HEPA filter

The Navigator and Rotator series contain fully hermetically sealed HEPA filters that filter allergens down to 0.3 microns. It’s not Miele quality in terms of filtration but at least the filtration is strong.

But I must warn you that this is a bagless vacuum cleaner, so there is still exposure to allergens when you empty it.

People with a severe case of allergies should stick to a bottled vacuum cleaner like Miele to reduce exposure to allergens.

Guarantee

Regardless of the replacement, both the Navigator and Rotator will come with a 5-year warranty on the vacuum cleaner and parts.

to finish

Both the Shark Navigator and Rotator are the best in terms of versatility and features. No other vertical vacuum cleaner can come close to the set of tools you’ll have and the area you’ll cover.

Heck, you can even use this inside your car – that’s how versatile this product is.

Even if the Rotator is more expensive, it has the address issues found in the previous Navigator series. This includes no LED headlights, inverted cans, a rigid hose, and a fault floor tool.

Other vacuum cleaners may have more suction power or better deep cleaning capabilities. But the Powered Lift Away Series is simply the most versatile vertical vacuum you will find on the market.

He took the already versatile Shark Navigator and turned it into a Swiss Army knife.

If you purchase this product, a handheld vacuum cleaner is not necessary anymore as it can clean over floors unless you want something compact for quick cleanups.