Shark HV322 vs HV371: If you’re on the fence about which is better, my short answer is the first one.
The Shark HV322 is the ideal choice for those looking for a fair-priced vacuum that can work well on both floors and carpets. It includes exactly what I want from a quality stick vacuum: powerful suction, compact size, lightweight design, and many attachments. It is top-heavy, can’t stand on its own, and its dust cup is small, but those are just minor flaws.
The Shark HV371 is the runner-up just because it’s not ideal for deep cleaning carpets, and its power cord is somewhat short. It shares almost all the pros and cons with the winner. Still, it’s cheaper, consider that!
Shark HV322 vs HV371: Comparison Chart
Shark HV322 vs HV371: Differences
The HV322 wins 2-0 against the HV371. The HV322 works well on all surfaces, including high carpets, and has a longer power cord. The HV371 is cheaper and ideal for those who mainly have hard floors in their residence.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark HV322
Both the Shark HV322 vs HV371 didn’t let me down with the amount of dust, debris, hair, and whatever else disgusting they picked up on my floor. Then, I tried running my Dyson upright again on the same floor, and the results made me cry tears of joy: my upright only picks up a small amount of fine dust. This shows how well these sticks suck on the floor. I believed they were even better than many upright vacuums, which cost a bit more.
But I witnessed significant differences between these two models when I tested them on different types of carpets. The Shark HV322 worked from adequate to good on my carpets (I used setting 2, which makes the roller spin quickly without changing the suction). My carpets feel fluffy and clean after one or two swipes, while the dust cup is quickly filled with hair and debris. On my high carpets, pushing the machine is slightly arduous, but this isn’t a big deal in the overall picture.
So what about Shark HV371? Well, it wasn’t so bad that I regretted the money I spent on it, but I can confirm that it’s not ideal for deep cleaning carpets.
The HV371’s suction was still amazing, but it was so strong that it seemed to get away from my hand and move forward. It was like wrangling instead of vacuuming, which was just awkward. I’d be willing to close my eyes and turn a blind eye to these negatives if the machine could pick up a large amount of dirt and hair on my carpets. But it lifted my area rug off the floor, broke the fibers, and sucked them up while leaving a fair amount of dirt and hair on the rug’s surface, even after several passes.
I wasn’t surprised that long hair and fibers got wrapped around the rollers of these machines at the end of the day, as they weren’t designed to be self-cleaning. So I was diligent about pulling hair out of the roller since I knew this was the only way to prolong the life of the roller/motor and maintain the strong suction of the vacuum.
Design and Usability
Winner: Shark HV322
Dimensions and Storage
These machines are not identical in terms of dimensions, but they are both on the compact side. So storing them is easy? Yes and no. They don’t take up a lot of space, but they can’t stand up and stay upright by themselves since they are top-heavy (because the motor assembly and dust cup are on the handle). They kept falling to the ground, so I had to place them against a wall or lay them on the floor. For me, it is just a minor con I can deal with. No problem!
My other gripe is that these models don’t provide onboard storage for attachments. I know this is a trade-off for a compact and lightweight design, but storing attachments elsewhere causes me to constantly stop during the vacuuming process to find and get what I need. How inconvenient would it be if you were vacuuming on the third floor while things you needed were on the ground floor?
Weight and Maneuverability
The Shark HV371 is lightweight at 8.58 pounds, while the HV322 is a bit heavier at 8.6 pounds. They are lightweight mainly because of their mostly plastic construction, which doesn’t feel altogether durable. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they will last a while.
They are not the lightest sticks, but they are light enough to be easily maneuvered with just one hand. But it is worth noting that these machines are top-heavy, so you may feel some hand fatigue after a while if you have weak wrists.
The swivel steering, combined with the small nozzle, allowed easy maneuvering in tight corners or under my couches/tables. But the small nozzle means you need to do more passes, while the swivel-head has a learning curve. You may initially find it difficult to keep the machine going back and forth in straight lines, but you’ll be fine.
Cord Length
Both the Shark HV322 vs HV371 are corded vacuums. So, unlike cordless ones, they don’t provide the sky’s limit regarding movement. The first one sports a 30-foot cord, while the cord of the second one is 25 feet long.
My years of experience in testing vacuums show that anything shorter than 30 feet doesn’t allow vacuuming several rooms at a time without changing outlets. So if you opt for the HV371, use an extra extension cord to minimize movements to outlets.
These cords aren’t retractable, but that’s not a deal breaker. I was glad they came out from the top of the machine so they could hold themselves off the ground for me, and I didn’t accidentally vacuum or step on them.
Shark HV322 vs HV371: Similarities
Handheld Configuration
You can detach the floorhead and turn the machine into a long-nose hand vacuum, or just use the motor and dust cup assembly as a handheld vacuum. I usually use the first configuration for cleaning bookshelves or removing cobwebs from the walls. Meanwhile, the second configuration is ideal for cleaning the edges, the surface of my sofa, inside my car, etc.
LED Lights
Another thing the Shark HV322 vs HV371 have in common is that they both have some LED lights on the handle and floorhead, which are very useful and not gimmicky. They help you see what you’re cleaning in the dark, whether you use the vacuum in stick configuration or handheld mode.
Dust Cup Capacity and Filter
Shark HV322 vs HV371 share a 0.68-quart dust canister. They’re not big, and if you live in a large home, expect multiple trips to the trash can to empty them during vacuuming.
Emptying the Shark HV322’s dust cup is as easy as pie since it’s removable. All I had to do was remove the container from the handle, ensure it was covered by the trash can, and press the release button, and then, all the dust and dirt would fall straight down.
As for the Shark HV371, things were a little more complicated since the canister was connected directly to the motor. So I couldn’t just pop it out, empty it, and attach it back into the unit. Fortunately, the cluster motor and canister could pop free of the other bits with the push of a button, so I didn’t have to carry the entire machine when going to the trash bin.
Regarding the filter, these units don’t have a HEPA filter – bad news for people with severe asthma. But if you’re not one of them, you’ll be fine with a filter system that includes a felt filter and a foam filter. These filters are easy to wash with tap water and will dry quickly. Remember that rinsing filters monthly is the key to maintaining the good suction of the machine.
Quick Rundown of Shark HV322
- POWERFUL SUCTION: Thorough deep carpet cleaning, and powerful pet hair pickup on all surfaces.Specific uses:Stairs,Furnitures,Hard Floors
- LIGHTWEIGHT VERSATILITY: Ultra-lightweight and converts into a handheld vacuum for versatile floor-to-ceiling cleaning.
- PERFECT FOR PETS: Includes specialized pet tools that capture embedded pet hair on all surfaces, while extending reach into hard-to-access areas.
- XL DUST CUP CAPACITY: The 0.68-quart dust cup allows for extended cleaning without interruption.
- LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the handheld vacuum and nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
Quick Rundown of Shark HV371
- DEEP CARPET CLEANING: Thorough deep carpet cleaning and powerful pet hair pickup on all surfaces.500.0 watts.Specific uses:Carpet
- REMOVABLE HAND VACUUM: Easily converts to a handheld vacuum for versatile floor-to-ceiling cleaning.
- XL DUST CUP: 0.68-quart capacity, easy-empty dust cup for extended cleaning without interruption.
- EASY-RELEASE FOOT PEDAL: Just step on the pedal to detach the wand from the nozzle.
- ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT: Weighs less than 10 lbs for effortless portability.
Product Videos
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References:
- Shark HV322: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005914480-HV320-Series
- Shark HV371: https://www.sharkclean.com/exclusive-offer/HV371WK/shark-rocket-pro-dlx-corded-stick-vacuum/
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.