Shark Navigator vs. Rotator: Choosing the Best Vacuum

In this article, we’re looking at two vacuums: the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E, and the SharkNinja Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away.

Now, these are both great vacuums. Both of them have a lot of really amazing features that they offer, and as vacuums go, they are definitely some of the best that you can find on the market.

Shark Navigator vs. Rotator

Before we get into the two vacuums, though, there is one thing we need to define…

So, What Kind Of Vacuums Are These?

Both of these vacuums are what’s known as “lift-away vacuums.” They look just like upright vacuums. And for the most part, they act like them, too.

They both stand up nice and tall, and the design is pretty much identical. But, you’ll notice that, in comparison to other upright vacuums, these ones are a lot smaller and they weigh a lot less.

The biggest difference is what gives these vacuums the name “lift-away”. When you press a button, you can detach the canister that is in the middle of the vacuum. Now, this canister essentially serves as the dirt cup. You can then hold the canister up and use it to clean spaces that you would otherwise have difficulty reaching.

Due to this feature, you can consider a lift-away vacuum as a kind of two-in-one vacuum. Giving you a main upright vacuum, and a Handheld Vacuum, all in the same package.


This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.


Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E

Right away, you’ll notice just how compact the Shark Navigator vacuum is. It weighs just under 14 pounds, and you can easily move it around and hold it up without straining your hands or shoulders.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E

You’ll also notice the dust cup. Now, the dust cup isn’t particularly spacious when it comes to what, exactly, it can hold, but this isn’t a huge flaw, either. Using the dust cup, you can hold up to 2.2 quarts of dirt, dust, and debris. Since this is a lift-away vacuum, you can remove the main canister, which is also the dust cup, and because of how light weight it is, it’s very easy to do so.

When vacuuming, you’ll be using the main brushroll. This is a light and relatively soft brushroll that is designed to work on hard surfaces, as well as some carpeted surfaces. It may not be as thorough or effective as other brush rolls that are thicker or a bit denser with the material, but it works very well for basic cleaning.

During the vacuuming process, everything goes through a HEPA filter. This HEPA filter is paired with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology, that ensures nothing gets out. Then, the HEPA filter works to ensure that the smallest of particles – such as fine dust, and other germs – are successfully filtered and enclosed.

Shark Navigator vs. Rotator

Check Latest Price

SharkNinja Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501PR

Immediately, you’ll notice that the SharkNinja Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501PR weighs 15,5 pounds. Just a little bit more than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E.

Part of this weight comes from the dust cup, which is an XL dust cup, allowing you to vacuum more, and not have to empty the dust cup as frequently.

Shark Rotator vs Navigator

Once again, you have a nice detachable canister that enables you to more effectively clean different parts of your home, that the main unit can’t actually reach. There is also the inclusion of a Premium Pet Power Brush which is great for cleaning up things like hair and fur, as well as dander. Not just pet hair and debris.

In terms of what this vacuum can clean, it has been shown to work very well on both hard surfaces – such as hardwood flooring – as well as carpeting and softer surfaces. Now, in the case of carpeting, though, it doesn’t work quite as well for really thick carpets.

During the vacuuming process, just like the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E, everything goes through an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal – for ensuring that what was vacuumed stays in the vacuum – and a HEPA filter that isolates the smallest, yet most persistent, of particles.

One of the most notable features, however, has nothing to do with any of those things. You see, this vacuum has been designed to be a lot more versatile than other lift-away vacuums. While using the vacuum, you can swivel it and move it around with a lot more ease, allowing you to reach underneath furniture and around corners.

SharkNinja Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away (NV501PR) Upright Vacuum

Check Latest Price

So, Which One Should I Buy?

At the end of the day, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E is a great vacuum. If you want to do basic vacuuming, and don’t really care about a lot of the extra features, then it’s a great choice.

If you want something a bit more versatile, then the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501PR is an ideal choice.

Our Recommended Upright vacuums

Best of the Best
Budget Option
Also Great
Shark AZ1002 Apex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum...
BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless...
Shark NV356E 31 Navigator Lift-Away Professional...
Shark APEX AZ1002
Bissell 2252
Shark NV356E
17.1 lbs.
Lift-Away
30 ft. Cord
17.7 lbs.
Washable Filter
25 ft. Cord
13.6 lbs.
Lift-Away
25 ft. Cord
Shark's most powerful vacuum. DuoClean dual brushrolls on floors and carpets pair with the Zero-M self-cleaning brushroll for nonstop hair removal.
The Bissell Clean View swivel pet gives you the outstanding performance you’d expect from an expert floor care company at a great price.
Equipped with dynamic swivel steering, the Shark NV356E Navigator provides excellent control when maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles.
Best of the Best
Shark AZ1002 Apex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum...
Shark APEX AZ1002
17.1 lbs.
Lift-Away
30 ft. Cord
Shark's most powerful vacuum. DuoClean dual brushrolls on floors and carpets pair with the Zero-M self-cleaning brushroll for nonstop hair removal.
Budget Option
BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless...
Bissell 2252
17.7 lbs.
Washable Filter
25 ft. Cord
The Bissell Clean View swivel pet gives you the outstanding performance you’d expect from an expert floor care company at a great price.
Also Great
Shark NV356E 31 Navigator Lift-Away Professional...
Shark NV356E
13.6 lbs.
Lift-Away
25 ft. Cord
Equipped with dynamic swivel steering, the Shark NV356E Navigator provides excellent control when maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles.

Last update on 2023-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API



This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.



Please add any questions or mistakes below in the comment section.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.