If you are looking for an upright vacuum cleaner that is effective on carpets, you should not ignore this comparison, Hoover WindTunnel 3 vs Shark Navigator. Find out which of these vacuums is better.
After using both machines, I can confidently say that the Hoover WindTunnel 3 is the best choice. It does a much better job of vacuuming carpets and rugs, especially high-pile carpets than its predecessor did. Because of its three suction channels, wider cleaning path, and longer hose, this vacuum makes cleaning a breeze and quicker.
As a runner-up, the Shark NV352 Navigator is also a great buy. It also has impressive suction strength. In addition, its overall construction is lighter than the winner. It is not particularly effective at cleaning bare floors, but it is still superior to the Hoover WindTunnel 3 in this term.
Hoover WindTunnel 3 vs Shark Navigator: Comparison Chart
Hoover WindTunnel 3 vs Shark Navigator: Differences
The Hoover Windtunnel 3 wins over the Shark Navigator by a score of 4-2 due to its superior cleaning performance on carpets and its more convenient design.
Cleaning Performance
The Winner: Hoover WindTunnel 3
Motor Power
You will see the difference in motor power between the two. While the Shark Navigator is powered by a 1200W motor, the WindTunnel 3 is powered by a more powerful motor of 1440 watts.
However, don’t assume that the bigger the watt rating is, the better the performance. The Watt measurement of a motor’s power doesn’t tell you how strong the motor is or how well it vacuums. It only tells you how much energy the motor needs. In this case, the suction capacity is more important.
Hight Adjustment
On the Shark NV352 Navigator, we could not adjust the brush roll’s height or the cleaning head, which disappointed me. Therefore, it may be tough to maneuver the vacuum on a thick carpet or rug, as you’ll have to use more effort to push and pull the cleaner. In addition, it leaves extremely noticeable rake marks on the carpet, and I’m afraid that it may eventually cause the carpet to wear out soon over time.
Thankfully, a height adjustment dial on the Hoover Windtunnel 3 lets us set the brushroll at one of seven different heights. The vacuum’s nozzle and brushroll can be adjusted for different floor types using this dial, from bare floors to high-pile carpets. Even with the highest setting, I had trouble vacuuming my shag rugs since the motor seemed to have trouble moving the brush roll when I pulled the vacuum in reverse.
Compatible Floor Type
If you intend to use this vacuum to clean carpets and bare floors, you should continue searching for a different model. These will certainly be great vacuums if you have a lot of carpeting in your home, especially if you’re searching for one that removes pet hair.
- Bare Floor (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
The suction power of Hoover WindTunnel 3 is really strong. This strength is not necessary in some cases, for example, for the bare floor. When cleaning a hard floor, it sucks down to the bare floor and is extremely hard, if not impossible, to push or pull.
So, whenever I vacuum my hardwood floor, I have to attach the attachment if I do not want this Hoover machine to stand still or scratch my floor.
Before I bought Shark NV352, I heard how amazing this vacuum was on both cleaning hard floors and carpets. However, the fact is this vacuum doesn’t up to the hype. I will talk about performance at cleaning hard floors first. About cleaning the carpet, we will discuss it later.
Although Shark NV352 is not too excellent in cleaning bare floors but still better than Hoover WindTunnel 3. On bare floors, the suction is good, but it also doesn’t get down but still can lift fine dirt very well. When it comes to picking up small debris, it does a very good job, but when it comes to bulkier debris and pet hair, it struggles a bit because its head tends to pass over this debris rather than vacuum them up.
- Carpets
Hoover WindTunnel 3 is awesome for carpets, whether it is low-pile carpet or high-pile carpet. Unlike cleaning on a hard floor, it moves well when the vacuum is on a carpet. I can confidently claim that the Hoover WindTunnel 3 is much better than the Shark Navigator when it comes to cleaning carpets.
Shark NV352 also works fantastic on the carpet and picks up hairs quickly without needing to go over it a million times. However, it may not be the best option if you wish to use it on low-pile carpets or rugs. It tends to pull up the rug even with suction adjustment.
Dust Bin Capacity
The Winner: Tie
The Hoover’s dust bin is larger than the Shark NV352. It measures 1.42 liters. In the Shark NV352, putting the dustbin back on the vacuum can be hard because you must fit the base just right and line up the top so the latch will catch. While I found this to be inconvenient, others might not. It seems that everyone has their own opinion regarding the design of bins.
The Shark NV352 Navigator has a relatively small dustbin, measuring only 1.32 liters. This means I have to empty it more frequently, which is annoying.
Design And Convenience
The Winner: Hoover WindTunnel 3
Weight
Honestly, I’m puzzled by the WindTunnel 3’s weight. It was nearly 6 pounds heavier than Shark NV352 Navigator, weighing 18.1 pounds, and I felt every one of those extra pounds as I used it. Even getting it out of the box proved to be a difficult task.
It was a blessing that the house where I tested the WindTunnel 3 did not have any stairs, but I can’t really suggest this vacuum for a house that does have a lot of stairs. Because lifting and carrying it is uncomfortable at best and potentially dangerous at worst, the only practical way to transfer it is by rolling it.
The Shark Navigator is far less cumbersome to carry. One of the lightest upright Shark vacuums available on the market today is this model, which weighs 12.5 pounds. The Navigator NV352 is an excellent choice if your vacuum’s portability is a high priority.
Cleaning Path
I like that the cleaning path of the Hoover Windtunnel 3, which measures 15 inches, is wider than the cleaning path of the Shark NV352 Navigator, which only measures 9.5 inches. This is an important consideration for me.
According to my preferences, a width of 15 inches is sufficient, while 9.5 inches is a little on the short side. And the Windtunel enable me to complete the task of vacuuming my huge house in less time.
Power Cord Length
The extra-long power cord is one of the selling points of the Hoover WindTunnel 3, which is one of the reasons why I love it. You will see most vacuum power cords are between 18 and 30 feet. So, if you don’t want to continually plug and unplug your vacuum when moving from room to room, you will find that 40 feet of the power cord are a tremendous blessing.
However, I found the extra length to be cumbersome and difficult to manipulate. We were able to keep the surplus cord out of the way thanks to a handy snap-in section on the handle that allowed us to unwind only the length we needed.
The power cable for the Navigator NV352 is only 25 feet long, which is significantly shorter than the 30-foot power cords that come with the vast majority of other Shark vacuums. This is a common complaint from users, who find that the shorter cord makes the product difficult to use in spaces such as hallways and large rooms.
Hose Length
Hose length is definitely a huge drawback of Shark NV352 Navigator. The fact that it just measures 4 feet is ridiculously inadequate. Whenever I use the hose or wand, the vacuum tips over because the hose drags it downward. The direction it will fall is towards me, and it usually lands on my ankle. How horrible!
In contrast, I really like the longer hose that comes with the Hoover WindTunnel 3, which measures 12 feet in length. The hose is not long as expected.
This vacuum won’t tip over when the hose is stretched like the Shark NV352. It could be because the vacuum has enough weight to keep itself upright and not fall over when the hose is used.
Utilities
The Winner: Tie
Headlamp
There is an incandescent headlight on the Windtunnel 3. Those are great for vacuuming in dark places and under furniture. Unfortunately, this one was neither bright enough nor oriented in an extremely helpful way; the light lighted parallel to the floor rather than downward. It would be better if it was LED light as it is both brighter and physically lighter. However, half a loaf is better than no bread.
On/Off Brushroll
On the Shark Navigator, you can turn off the rolling brush if you want to. When the brush is turned off, we only use suction. If you are concerned about bumps and scratches appearing on your brand-new smooth and glossy polish, this feature will be helpful.
Hoover WindTunnel 3 does not has this feature, which maybe a shame for someone. But this article is about finding the best vacuum for carpets, so I think this feature might not mean much to you.
Quick Rundown of Hoover Windtunnel 3
- Our Best Cleaning Bagless Upright*
- QuickPass Brushroll � 2X Faster Cleaning** - Clean surface debris without having to pass over the same area multiple times
- WindTunnel 3 Technology - Creates 3 channels of suction to lift and remove surface debris and deep down embedded dirt
- Brushroll On/Off Switch - Turn on/off brushroll for optimal cleaning on carpets and hard floors.
- Headlight - Spot hard to see debris in dim lighted areas for a better clean.
Quick Rundown Of Shark NV352 Navigator
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: lift away the detachable pod and easily clean above-floor areas like stairs, furniture, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- POWERFUL & LIGHTWEIGHT : Powerful suction to deep-clean carpets and tackle bare floors with a lightweight design for effortless portability.
- BRUSHROLL SHUTOFF: Feature allows you to instantly switch from deep carpet cleaning to gentle bare floor cleaning.
- SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
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References:
- Hoover Windtunnel 3: https://hoover.com/products/windtunnel-3-high-performance-pet-upright-vacuum-1
- Shark NV352: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005914120-Corded-Upright
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.