Shark Navigator Zero-M Pet Pro Upright Vacuum vs Shark Rotator Lift-Away NV501

The Navigator ZU62 is the better pick for pet owners with mostly carpet and a lot of hair to handle: its self-cleaning brushroll means no cutting hair off the roller, and its 2.8-quart dust cup holds far more before you empty it. The Rotator NV501 is the more versatile machine: the pod lifts off for stairs, furniture and above-floor work, it has swivel steering and LED headlights, and it carries a much higher owner rating from far more reviews. Build is plastic on both, and both use sealed HEPA systems. Choose the ZU62 for hair-heavy carpet; choose the NV501 for whole-home and above-floor cleaning.

• Choose the Shark Navigator ZU62 if you have pets or long hair, mostly carpet, and want a brushroll you never have to cut clean.
• Choose the Shark Rotator NV501 if you need to clean stairs, upholstery and above-floor spots and want a lift-off pod with swivel steering.