Shark Performance Plus Vs. Navigator: A Head-to-Head Comparison

I’ve spent countless hours vacuuming my home, wrestling with pet hair, crumbs, and the occasional mystery debris my kids leave behind. When it came time to upgrade my vacuum, I narrowed it down to two Shark models: the Performance Plus Lift-Away and the Navigator Lift-Away.

Both promise powerful cleaning, but which one truly delivers? In this article, I’ll compare their features, weigh their pros and cons, and share my real-world experience to help you decide which vacuum suits your needs.

Let’s get started with a side-by-side comparison.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Journey With Shark Vacuums

I’ve always been a fan of Shark vacuums for their affordability and performance. My old vacuum was struggling to keep up with my two shedding dogs and a toddler who seems to think the floor is a snack tray.

After researching, I chose the Shark Performance Plus Lift-Away (UV850) and the Shark Navigator Lift-Away (NV360) to test. Both are upright vacuums with Shark’s signature Lift-Away feature, but they cater to slightly different needs.

Let me walk you through what makes each one tick.

Key Features of The Shark Performance Plus Lift-Away

The Shark Performance Plus feels like the premium sibling in this duo. Here’s what stood out during my testing:

• DuoClean PowerFins HairPro Brushroll: This dual-roller system combines a soft roller for hard floors and a finned roller for carpets. It’s designed to grab pet hair without wrapping it around the brushroll. In my living room, it effortlessly picked up dog hair from both my hardwood floors and area rugs.
• Odor Neutralizer Technology: A cartridge in the floorhead releases a fresh scent while vacuuming. It’s a game-changer in my home, where wet dog smell lingers after rainy days.
• LED Headlights: These illuminate dust and debris under furniture. I was shocked at how much I’d missed in low-light areas like under my couch.
• Anti-Allergen Complete Seal with HEPA Filter: This traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is a relief for my allergy-prone family.
• Lift-Away Mode: By detaching the canister, I could easily clean stairs and upholstery. It’s a bit bulky, but the portability is worth it.
• 30-Foot Cord: This gave me plenty of range to cover my open-plan living area without unplugging.

Testing the Performance Plus was a breeze. It glided smoothly, and the swivel steering made navigating around furniture feel effortless. The dustbin, at 1.6 quarts, handled a full cleaning session but needed emptying before tackling the whole house.

Key Features of The Shark Navigator Lift-Away

The Navigator Lift-Away is the budget-friendly option, but it doesn’t skimp on power. Here’s what I noticed:

• Single Spiral Bristle Brushroll: Unlike the Performance Plus, it uses a traditional bristle brushroll. It’s great for deep-cleaning carpets but less versatile on hard floors.
• 1200W Suction Power: This is higher than the Performance Plus, making it a beast for embedded dirt. My high-pile carpets looked revitalized after one pass.
• 2.2-Quart Dustbin: The larger capacity meant fewer trips to the trash can, a win for bigger homes.
• Lift-Away Mode: Like the Performance Plus, it detaches for above-floor cleaning. It’s lighter at 13.7 pounds, so I found it easier to carry up stairs.
• HEPA Filter: It also traps allergens, keeping the air clean.
• 25-Foot Cord: Shorter than the Performance Plus, which meant more plug-switching in larger rooms.

The Navigator’s simplicity made it easy to use, but I missed the headlights and odor neutralizer. It’s a workhorse, though, especially for carpet-heavy homes.

Pros And Cons of The Shark Performance Plus

Pros

• Versatile Cleaning: The DuoClean PowerFins excel on both hard floors and carpets. I didn’t need to switch settings constantly, which saved time.
• Pet Hair Mastery: The self-cleaning brushroll handled my dogs’ fur without tangling. It’s a lifesaver for pet owners.
• Odor Neutralizer: This feature made vacuuming feel like a mini air freshener session. My home smelled cleaner instantly.
• LED Headlights: These revealed hidden dust, making me feel like a cleaning detective.
• Long Cord: The 30-foot cord let me cover large areas without hassle.

Cons

• Heavier Design: At 19.36 pounds, it’s a bit of a workout to push around, especially on thick carpets.
• Smaller Dustbin: The 1.6-quart capacity filled up quickly during heavy cleaning sessions.
• Pricey: At $250–$300, it’s a bigger investment than the Navigator.
• Bulky Lift-Away: The detachable canister is powerful but feels clunky for small spaces like car interiors.

Pros And Cons of the Shark Navigator

Pros

• Powerful Suction: The 1200W motor tackled dirt embedded in my carpets with ease.
• Larger Dustbin: The 2.2-quart capacity meant less frequent emptying, perfect for bigger messes.
• Lightweight: At 13.7 pounds, it’s easier to maneuver and carry than the Performance Plus.
• Affordable: Priced at $150–$200, it’s a great value for budget-conscious buyers.
• Reliable for Carpets: The bristle brushroll dug deep into my high-pile rugs, leaving them fluffier.

Cons

• No Headlights: I struggled to see debris in dim areas, which slowed me down.
• Less Versatile Brushroll: The single bristle roller isn’t ideal for hard floors, where it scattered debris like Cheerios.
• Shorter Cord: The 25-foot cord required more outlet changes in my larger rooms.
• No Odor Neutralizer: My home didn’t get that fresh scent boost I loved with the Performance Plus.

Performance Comparison of Shark Performance Plus And Navigator On Different Surfaces

I put both vacuums through their paces on hardwood, tile, low-pile carpets, and high-pile rugs. Here’s how they stacked up.

• Hard Floors

The Performance Plus shone on my hardwood and tile floors. The DuoClean PowerFins gently polished while picking up everything from dust to pet hair. I scattered some cereal to test it, and it sucked up every piece without pushing them around.

The Navigator, however, struggled here. Its bristle brushroll tended to scatter larger debris like Cheerios before collecting them, requiring multiple passes. For homes with mostly hard floors, the Performance Plus is the clear winner.

• Low-Pile Carpets

Both vacuums performed well on low-pile carpets, but the Navigator’s higher suction power gave it a slight edge. It lifted dirt and pet hair in just one or two passes, leaving my carpets looking refreshed.

The Performance Plus was no slouch, though—its PowerFins dug deep, and the self-cleaning feature kept hair from tangling. If low-pile carpets dominate your home, either vacuum will do the job, but the Navigator’s raw power stands out.

• High-Pile Carpets

The Navigator was a beast on my high-pile rugs, thanks to its 1200W motor. It revived flattened fibers and pulled out embedded dirt like a champ.

The Performance Plus handled high-pile carpets well but felt harder to push due to its weight and dual rollers. For thick, plush carpets, the Navigator’s simplicity and power make it the better choice.

• Above-Floor Cleaning

Both vacuums feature Lift-Away mode, which I used to clean stairs, upholstery, and curtains. The Navigator’s lighter weight (13.7 pounds vs. 19.36 pounds) made it easier to carry up my staircase.

However, the Performance Plus’s longer hose and included attachments gave me more reach for high spots like ceiling corners. Both handled pet hair on my couch well, but the Performance Plus’s odor neutralizer left the fabric smelling fresher.

Based On Other Comparative Factors

• Ease of Use and Maneuverability

Maneuverability matters when you’re dodging furniture or chasing crumbs under tables. The Performance Plus’s swivel steering was smooth, and the LED headlights helped me spot debris in tight spots. Its heavier weight, though, made it feel like a mini workout on carpets.

The Navigator was lighter and easier to push, but its lack of headlights and stiffer steering meant I had to slow down in cluttered areas. For small apartments or homes with tight spaces, the Navigator’s lightweight design is a plus.

For larger, open spaces, the Performance Plus’s features shine.

• Maintenance and Durability

Maintaining a vacuum can be a chore, so I paid close attention to how these models held up. Both are bagless, with easy-to-empty dustbins. The Performance Plus’s self-cleaning brushroll reduced maintenance time, as I didn’t have to cut away tangled hair.

Its HEPA filter and odor cartridge need periodic replacement, which adds to long-term costs. The Navigator’s simpler design meant less upkeep, though I had to manually clear hair from the brushroll. Both felt sturdy, with Shark’s reputation for durability reassuring me they’d last years.

• Price and Value

Price is a big factor when choosing a vacuum. The Navigator, at $150–$200, is a steal for its suction power and large dustbin. It’s perfect if you’re on a budget or have a carpet-heavy home.

The Performance Plus, at $250–$300, offers premium features like the DuoClean brushroll and odor neutralizer, making it worth the splurge for pet owners or those with mixed flooring. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize raw power or advanced versatility.

My Personal Experience: Which One Fits My Life?

Testing the Shark Performance Plus and Navigator in my home was an eye-opener.

My 2,000-square-foot house is a mix of hardwood floors in the living and dining areas, tile in the kitchen, and area rugs in the bedrooms.

Add in two long-haired dogs, a toddler who leaves a trail of Goldfish crumbs, and my husband’s knack for tracking in grass clippings, and you’ve got a cleaning challenge.

Both vacuums tackled the mess, but each shone in different ways, and choosing one came down to how they fit my daily life.

With the Performance Plus, I felt like I had a high-tech cleaning partner.

The DuoClean PowerFins brushroll was a revelation on my hardwood floors, picking up dog hair and dust bunnies in one smooth pass.

In the kitchen, where my toddler’s snack experiments leave a mess, it sucked up cereal and crumbs without scattering them. The LED headlights were a game-changer in my dimly lit hallway, revealing pet hair I didn’t know was there.

The odor neutralizer was a pleasant surprise—after vacuuming, my living room smelled fresh, not like wet dog, even after a rainy day. The 30-foot cord let me zip through my open-plan living area without stopping to unplug, which kept my cleaning flow uninterrupted.

But the Performance Plus wasn’t perfect. At 19.36 pounds, it felt heavy when I pushed it across my thicker area rugs, and my arms got tired after a long session. The 1.6-quart dustbin filled up fast, especially when I tackled the rugs where my dogs love to nap.

Emptying it was easy, but I had to do it mid-clean, which broke my rhythm. Using the Lift-Away mode to clean my stairs was handy, but the canister felt bulky, and I wished it was lighter for lugging up and down.

The Navigator, on the other hand, was like the reliable friend who gets the job done without fuss. Its 1200W suction power worked wonders on my area rugs, pulling out embedded fur and dirt that my old vacuum missed. The 2.2-quart dustbin meant I could clean the whole house without stopping to empty it, a huge plus when I’m short on time.

At 13.7 pounds, it was a breeze to carry upstairs, and I zipped through my staircase in record time. The Lift-Away mode felt more manageable than the Performance Plus, and I even used it to clean my car’s upholstery, where it tackled pet hair like a pro.

Still, the Navigator had its quirks. The single bristle brushroll struggled on my hardwood floors, scattering cereal before sucking it up, which meant extra passes. The lack of headlights was a bummer under furniture, where I had to use a flashlight to spot debris.

The 25-foot cord forced me to switch outlets in my larger rooms, which slowed me down. And without the odor neutralizer, my home didn’t get that fresh scent I loved with the Performance Plus.

Choosing between them was tough. My lifestyle—busy, pet-filled, with mixed flooring—leaned toward the Performance Plus. Its versatility across my hardwood, tile, and rugs saved me time, and the odor neutralizer and headlights made cleaning feel more thorough.

The longer cord fit my open layout, and the self-cleaning brushroll was a must for my shedding dogs. But I couldn’t ignore the Navigator’s strengths. If I lived in a smaller, carpeted apartment or was tighter on cash, its lightweight design, larger dustbin, and raw power would’ve won me over.

Ultimately, the Performance Plus’s premium features tipped the scale for my home, but I’d happily recommend the Navigator to anyone prioritizing affordability and carpet cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion: Which Shark Vacuum Should You Choose?

Choosing between the Shark Performance Plus and Navigator depends on your home and lifestyle. If you’ve got pets, mixed flooring, or love high-tech features like odor neutralizers and headlights, the Performance Plus is your best bet.

Its versatility and pet-friendly design make it a standout, though it’s pricier and heavier. If you’re on a budget, have mostly carpets, or prefer a lightweight vacuum, the Navigator delivers raw power and value. I’ve laid out the pros, cons, and my own experience to help you make an informed choice.

Which one will you pick to keep your floors spotless?