Shark NV356e vs NV370: Both are ideal for budget-oriented neat freaks, but the NV370 is the overall winner for a good reason – it is more effective on carpets.
The Shark NV370 has amazing suction power, is equipped with a long cord, and is compact, lightweight, and easy to maneuver. I believe these are all about what I’d expect from a medium-priced upright vacuum.
The Shark NV356e is also great on hard floors. If you are looking for something for basic floor vacuuming, it will do the job. Aside from being less effective on thick carpets, it’s almost identical to the NV370. It is generally well worth a sub-$200 price tag!
Shark NV356E Vs NV370: Comparison Chart
Shark NV356e vs NV370: Differences
The Shark NV370 wins 1-0 and ties once against the NV356e. The two machines are equal in almost every category except that the winner performs better on carpets, including high-pile ones.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark NV370
I tested the Shark NV370 on a hard floor with the roller off, and then I had a dust canister filled with the debris of all sizes, hair, and who knows what else. Most upright vacuums in the same price range can do the same thing, so I wasn’t surprised so much.
Then I put the NV370 on some types of carpets and rugs, which was where it shone. The amount of debris this one picked up astounded me, and my dusty carpets quickly returned to their excellent appearance. But on tall and shaggy carpets, I found it a bit difficult to push the machine due to its too-powerful suction, so I had to turn down the suction by turning the release collar located on the handle. Reducing suction will lead to poorer performance. You can’t have it both ways, right?
After a while, the hair started to pick up on the roller, which is true of most vacuums without self-cleaning brushes. Once the roller gets heavily clogged, it will spin slowly over time, resulting in reduced performance. So it is essential to untangle it regularly.
The Shark NV356e also performed excellently on my hard floors, and the majority of stuff that sucked after a single pass proved this. On my flat and low-pile carpet, it performed a bit worse but was still adequate. But on my shaggy rugs, it was almost useless because its roller stopped many times. I tried resetting it many times but to no avail. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this won’t happen to anyone else. If you have mostly hard floors in your home, you should be okay with this machine.
After vacuuming several rooms, I checked the roller brush and found it packed with string and hair that could easily burn out the brush motor if not removed in time. Fortunately, with the help of tweezers and scissors, it was easy to untangle the brush roller.
Design and Usability
Winner: Tie
Weight and Maneuverability
Both the Shark NV356e vs NV370 are on the lightweight side, at 13.7 and 14 pounds, respectively. I wasn’t quite sure why someone would call them “heavy.” My guess is they used cheap vacuums. These machines are a feather compared to my Dyson uprights! These machines are so lightweight that I didn’t really need the lift-away feature.
These machines don’t have large footprints, which means they cover less area with each swipe. I found this to be better than bigger vacuums since I could get them into smaller spaces and around things easier. Also, with the swivel design, maneuvering these machines is a breeze. These machines are quite compact and fit easily in my small coat closet when not in use.
Dust Cup Capacity
The dust cups of the Shark NV356e vs NV370 have a capacity of 2.2 and 2.32 quarts, respectively. They are quite large and do not require to be emptied too often. But I had a couple of issues with how to empty them.
The release button is at the bottom, opposite the hinge. So I couldn’t drop the canister down into the trash can to release it. Instead, I needed to keep it high enough to press the button. This can lead to the risk of dust spreading around you, and you can re-contact the allergen. In addition, there were lots of little edges and corners that could trap dust and dirt inside the dust container.
Take a look at Dyson’s uprights. The release button is at the top, so you can lower the dirt bin into a trash can with one hand and pull the release ring with your index finger. Then, all the contents will fall straight into the trash and far away from your face and hands.
Shark NV356e vs NV370: Similarities
Lift-Away Feature
The “Lift-Away” feature allows you to lift the canister from the floorhead, making cleaning things like blinds, ceiling cobwebs, stairs, and more much easier. Basically, this seems to have an upright and canister vacuum cleaner in one gadget. I hate having the hose stretch from the Dyson uprights, which would inevitably fall over.
Filter System
The washable HEPA filter and seal technology are other highlights of these Shark uprights. For anyone who suffers from a respiratory condition, this filter system is 5-star stuff. In addition to the HEPA filter, these machines have “pre-motor” filters, consisting of a felt filter and a foam filter. I just looked at these filters, and I knew how well they were working: they were positively filthy after I was done vacuuming.
As long as these filters are washed on a regular basis, the suction of the unit will always be strong. They can be easily washed in the washer with liquid detergent, then let them be dried in the air or using the lowest setting in your dryer.
Brushroll On/Off Button
These machines have two settings: one switches off the roller (intended for hard floors), and the other initiates the roller (intended for carpets or rugs). In addition, their suction can also be fine-tuned by turning a collar on the handle (rotate it counterclockwise to decrease suction and vice versa).
Cord Length
Both the Shark NV356e vs NV370 share a 30-foot power cord, which is great. But this cord came out of the bottom of the machine, so I stepped on it many times. I was unsure if there was a way to route or hold the cord on the unit itself so it didn’t hang so low, but I had to hold it with one hand during vacuuming, which is quite uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Moreover, when I needed to pick it up, move it, or wind it up, I had to bend down. It’s not a big deal to me, but it could be a deal breaker for those with bad backs.
A Quick Rundown Of Shark NV370
- Lift-Away. Press a button to lift the canister away and easily clean hard-to-reach areas
- 2-in-1 Vacuum: Upright and Lift-Away for portable cleaning
- Hard Floor Hero, Picks up surface litter and stuck-on debris, providing superior bare floor cleaning
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology + a HEPA filter. Traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum
- Swivel Steering. Excellent control for maneuvering around furniture
A Quick Rundown Of Shark Shark NV356E
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: lift away the detachable pod and easily clean above-floor areas like stairs, furniture, and more
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.9%* of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. (*Based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger.)
- BRUSHROLL SHUTOFF: Instantly switch from more maneuverability on deep carpets to gentle bare floor cleaning
- PERFECT FOR PET OWNERS: Picks up pet hair and loose debris. Powerfully deep-cleans dander out of upholstery and other surfaces
- SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more
Product Video
Related Articles to Shark Nv356e
- Kenmore Intuition vs Shark Vacuum NV356E: Compare The 2 Versatile & Easy To Maneuver Vacuum Models
- Bissell Cleanview Compact vs Shark Navigator NV356E: 2 Options Of Vacuums For A Tight Budget
- Shark NV358 Vs Shark NV356E: Which Is Best For Your House?
- Shark ZU561 vs NV356E: The Main Differences Between Two Shark Best Basic Vacuum Cleaners
- Shark NV356E vs NV586: Which Vacuum is better?
- Shark UV540 vs NV356E: Which Is A Better & More Versatile Upright Vacuum?
- Shark NV752 Vs NV356E: Helpful Review For You Before Buying
- Shark NV356e vs NV501: Which Would Be Better For You?
- Shark NV356E vs NV352: Which Is Better For Home Cleaning?
- Shark NV356e Vs NV360: Which One Is Your Best Bet?
References:
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.