UPDATED: Nov 15, 2019.
The Shark brand of vacuum cleaners is quite popular with homeowners due to the quality that comes with the Shark name and durability of their products. Shark provides a variety of vacuum cleaners from compact handhelds, upright vacuums and even robot vacuums. But what makes them so special? We will show you by comparing two of the main Shark product lines in detail and looking at specific product models.
Contents
If you have been shopping for a new vacuum cleaner, chances are you have already run across a Shark cleaner at some point. The Shark Rotator and the Shark Navigator product lines are two of the most popular upright Shark vacuum cleaners.
We’ll show you the similarities between these two product lines and then compare specific details for 4 different models. By the time you finish this article, you will have a good idea which model will work best for your home.
Similar Features
Both the Shark Rotator and Shark Navigator are quiet compared to their competition. Both product lines include washable HEPA and foam filters which helps extend the life of the vacuum.
Many of the specific models in the Rotator and Navigator product lines have a Lift-Away mode which allows you to remove the canister and extend your reach. The canister includes a small handle on the top which allows you to carry the canister while using the floor brush roll to reach under furniture or even vacuum stairs. This gives you premium above-floor cleaning capability.
Shark upright vacuums use Advanced Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. This is unique to Shark products and is designed to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum, keeping them out of the air you breathe. Each product line includes additional attachments such as a crevice tool so you can clean those hard-to-reach places easily.
These are only a few of the similarities between the product lines. Each product line and specific model has unique features that set them apart. We will compare 4 of the Shark upright vacuum models in more detail below.
Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Vacuum
This is the original Shark full-sized Powered Lift-Away upright vacuum cleaner. Here are a few of the main features of the Rotator TruePet vacuum.
Power and Capacity
The Rotator TruePet vacuum delivers impressive power at 9.5 amps and 1150 watts. It is considered a full-size capacity upright vacuum and weighs just under 17-pounds. The capacity of the dust cup is 3.3 dry quarts which gives you plenty of dirt and debris collection space.
Cleaning Path
The cleaning width of this vacuum is 10.5 inches. With the removable canister, you can reach underneath most furniture without having to move it or use a smaller handheld attachment. The dynamic swivel steering gives you amazing control for maneuvering around furniture and other household obstacles.
Filters
As with all Shark upright vacuums, the Rotator TruePet includes the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology to ensure all dust and debris is trapped inside the vacuum. This upright also comes with a washable HEPA filter to ensure allergens are contained.
Cord and Hose Length
One of the final distinguishing features of the Rotator TruePet vacuum is the impressively long 30-foot cord. This allows you to maneuver easily throughout each room in your home without having to move where your vacuum is plugged in at.
The actual hose length on this vacuum is somewhat short at only 6-feet. But the removable Lift-Away canister makes up for this by allowing you to roam through the house freely.
Pros:
- 3.3 dry quarts capacity for dust and debris collection
- Cord length is 30-feet
- Powerful with 1150 watts and 9.5 amps
- Washable HEPA filter
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Powered Lift-Away allows you to remove the canister and extend your reach
- Includes a TruePet mini motorized brush for pet hair
- Sleek LED lights to navigate dark corners
Cons:
- Hose length is only 6-feet
- Weighs almost 17-pounds
Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Vacuum
This upright vacuum cleaner provides you with 2-in-1 vacuuming capabilities. It features the power of an upright Lift-Away with the convenience of a portable vacuum.
Power and Capacity
The Rotator Professional vacuum is powered at 10 amps and 1200 watts. It weighs about 15.5-pounds and has an extra-large dust cup capacity of 1.3 quarts. This gives you extended cleaning time without interruption. When you are finished vacuuming your home, the dust cup is easy to remove and empty.
Cleaning Path
The cleaning width of this vacuum is only 9.5 inches, and with the removable canister, you can reach easily beneath furniture without switching to other hose attachments. Dynamic swivel steering allows you to maneuver around furniture throughout your house with ease.
Filters
The Rotator Professional includes the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. This ensures all dust and debris is trapped inside the vacuum. It includes a HEPA filter which can be removed easily and washed between vacuuming cycles.
Pros:
- 1.3 quart capacity for dust and debris collection
- Cord length is 25-feet
- Powerful with 1200 watts and 10 amps
- Washable HEPA filter
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Powered Lift-Away allows you to remove the canister and extend your reach
- Includes a premium pet power brush
- Sleek LED lights to navigate dark corners
- 8.4-feet hose length
Cons:
- Hair gets tangled in the brush roll easily
- Extremely difficult to access the belt for maintenance
With a lightweight design, this vacuum model still delivers powerful deep cleaning to suck up hair and debris leaving a clean floor behind.
Zero-M Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
This Shark Navigator model is an upright vacuum that actually cleans itself! The Zero-M self-cleaning brush roll delivers non-stop hair removal. Most of the hair that gets picked up by this vacuum is sent directly into the dust canister. If there is hair that gets caught up in the brush roll, however, the hair is slowly removed as you continue to vacuum.
Although this feature is not 100% perfect, it is so much more effective at self-cleaning hair removal than most competitors.
Power and Capacity
The Navigator model is a more compact vacuum powered at only 6.7 amps and 800 watts. It weighs about 13.4-pounds with a dust cup capacity of 0.9 quarts. Although the dust canister is not as large as the Rotator product line, it is still quite effective and allows you to clean your home with little interruptions.
Cleaning Path and Controls
The cleaning width of this vacuum is impressively wide at 12-inches. Since this Navigator model includes the Powered Lift-Away removable canister, you can clean all the hard-to-reach places with fewer vacuum strokes.
Filters
The Navigator product line includes the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology so all dust and debris is fully contained inside the vacuum. The HEPA filter is removable and can be washed between vacuuming cycles.
Cord and Hose Length
With a 25-foot cord length, you have plenty of space for vacuuming efficiently throughout your home. Although the hose length is only 6.6-feet, you still have a lot of extensive reach available with the Powered Lift-Away canister feature.
Pros:
- Cord length is 25-feet
- Washable HEPA filter
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Powered Lift-Away allows you to remove the canister and extend your reach
- Zero-M self-cleaning brush roll technology removes hair from the brush
Cons:
- Only has a 0.9 quart capacity for dust and debris collection
- Not as powerful at only 800 watts and 6.7 amps
- Extremely difficult to access the belt for maintenance
This vacuum model has been designed with pets in mind. It combines the Shark powerful suction with accessible tools that allow you to tackle stubborn pet hair.
Accessories
This Shark Navigator Pet Plus vacuum has several accessories available to make your vacuuming experience as efficient as possible. The Pet Power Brush is designed to remove pet hair and ground-in dirt from carpet and upholstery.
A convenient hair removal tool gives you the flexibility to clean up tough pet messes in a couple of ways. You can use the rubber bristle brush to remove stubborn hair from carpet. When you remove the bristles, an upholstery tool is revealed which is perfect for cleaning couches and bedding.
Power and Capacity
The Navigator model is a powerful vacuum with a wattage of 1150 and 9.5 amps. It weighs less than 16-pounds and has a 3-XL dust cup which holds up to 3-liters of dust and debris. It has a convenient bottom-empty design which makes it easy to release debris directly into the trash.
Filters
The Navigator Pet Plus vacuum has pre-motor foam and felt filters that should be cleaned every 3 months. The post-motor HEPA filter can be cleaned annually or on an as-needed basis. These powerful filters ensure that dirt, debris and allergens remain trapped in the vacuum instead of in the air that you breathe.
Pros:
- Cord length is 25-feet
- Washable HEPA filter
- Large 3-liter dust cup capacity
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Includes accessories to tackle stubborn pet hair
Cons:
- Does not feature the Powered Lift-Away removable canister
- Hair gets tangled in the brush roll easily
Conclusion
The Shark brand of vacuums offers you many features that cannot be beat. If you have pets, both the Rotator and Navigator product lines offer vacuums designed to tackle pet hair with a vengeance. Shark products are built with your vacuuming needs in mind. Consider your specific needs and use our feature comparisons to determine which model best fits your needs.
