If you are looking for a stick vacuum with great performance while the price is affordable, the Shark HV343AMZ vs HV301 are two popular contenders worth considering. Both models perform well in cleaning and offer convenient features, but each has strengths and things to consider. In this comparison, I’ll delve into the key aspects of these vacuums to help you make an informed decision.
The Shark HV343AMZ is a powerful and versatile stick cordless vacuum. This cleaning machine is powerful, versatile, and efficient. It can easily handle pet hair, fine debris, and general household messes. It also comes with headlights and a long power cord for more convenience for cleaning tasks.
The Shark HV301 is engineered to perform cleaning on various floor surfaces efficiently. It is lightweight and compact for easy maneuvering around furniture, reaching under tight spaces, and navigating up and down stairs.
Shark HV343AMZ vs HV301: Comparison Chart
Shark HV343AMZ vs HV301: Differences
After weighing the differences between these two models, I found that the Shark HV343AMZ won 2:0 and tied one against the Shark HV301 thanks to its pet hair-cleaning performance and convenient design. Read the breakdown below to learn more details.
Cleaning performance
The winner: Shark HV343AMZ
Compatible floor types
The Shark HV343AMZ and HV301 are versatile vacuum cleaners that can be used for various floor types, such as hardwood, vinyl, laminate, tile, and area rugs.
The HV343AMZ is pretty easy to transition from hard floors to pile carpets. This device has strong suction power, allowing it to clean up small and fine debris on tile floors. However, I think it might not be gentle enough for more fragile laminates.
Furthermore, the HV343AMZ is not really efficient at cleaning edges. I had to detach the floor nozzle and use the bare tool to properly remove debris at the floor-wall junction. Besides, this device picks up dirt more smoothly on flooring than carpeting. While it could vacuum all the dirt on my tile floor with the first pass, thoroughly cleaning rugs took a few more passes.
In my pickup tests, the HV343AMZ is great at picking up small debris but has difficulty with larger items like corn kernels, sometimes pushing them around instead of vacuuming them.
On the other hand, the Shark HV301 picks up dirt from hardwood floors pretty well without causing any scratches. In my opinion, this is a great option for quick cleaning. For someone who is seeking a deep-cleaning vacuum, I wouldn’t recommend you this one. This machine is too light in weight, compromising its ability to achieve a thorough, deep clean.
However, when I hold the vacuum at an angle and apply some pressure on it, the machine seems to dive deeper into the carpet. But, at the same time, it turns out a bit awkward and uncomfortable to maneuver the device.
In addition, the HV301 also encounters difficulties with larger debris, such as gum wrappers and cat litter. These sizes of objects can make the vacuum slow down or even get clogged. I attempted to vacuum some cat litter, and when I lifted the machine afterward, a significant amount of debris spilled onto the floor that I had just cleaned up.
Pet hair performance
When it comes to their pet hair cleaning performance, the Shark HV343AMZ is somewhat better.
The Shark HV343AMZ is strong enough to pick up pet hair with ease. The cleaning head of this device has an anti-wrap rotator that prevents hair from getting tangled around the brush roll, which reduces the chances of clogging.
My test revealed that this vacuum largely remains tangle-free unless faced with copious amounts of pet and long human hair. Although some pet hair does accumulate on the roller, it is significantly less than what is typically found on brush rolls in other vacuums. Pet owners dealing with excessive shedding will find this feature helpful relief.
The Shark HV301, on the other hand, does not offer any anti-tangled features. This vacuum still performs well on cleaning pet hair, but since its cleaning head is not equipped with a self-cleaning brush roll or anti-tangled functions, pet hair often gets wrapped around the roller. You may repeatedly need to clean or trim the hair from your roller if you own multiple cats and a large, furry dog.
It’s important to be aware that the “pet hair” attachment might not be very effective in capturing hair from couches, as it tends to push the hair around.
Design and convenience
The winner: Shark HV343AMZ
Maneuverability
Regarding maneuverability, the Shark HV343AMZ and HV301 stick cordless vacuums offer users a convenient cleaning experience.
Firstly, the Shark HV343AMZ and HV301 are slightly heavier compared to other models on the market. The HV343AMZ weighs approximately 9 pounds, while the HV301 weighs 8.2 pounds. In my experience, my arm can get tired when I use them to vacuum for the whole cleaning time. Moreover, these machines can stand upright on their own, so you either have to hold the vacuum the entire time or lay it on the floor between cleaning sessions.
Secondly, the HV343AMZ and HV301 are designed to be compact, making it easy for them to move between furniture pieces without any hassle. The HV301 is more compact than the HV343AMZ, so it takes up slightly less storage space.
Besides, these versatile vacuums can also be converted into a handheld mode, making them perfect for cleaning stairs, sofas, cars, and more. Also, their swivel heads are well for easy turning around the table’s legs.
Storage
As I have mentioned above, these two vacuums all have compact designs, so they don’t take up much room to store. You can keep them in small closets, utility rooms, or even under furniture without sacrificing valuable space.
Both vacuums have a spot at the back of the handheld vacuum, where you can easily mount a hook on the wall to hang your vacuum, keeping it within reach and off the floor. This practical solution ensures that your vacuum is always ready for use, eliminating the need to search for it in cabinets or deal with tangled cords.
As for the Shark HV343AMZ, this machine even offers another more convenient way to store. By detaching the handheld unit and attaching it to the lower part of the wand, the vacuum can stand on its own, offering freestanding storage. This feature lets you keep the vacuum upright and ready for use anytime.
Range
For effective cleaning, the Shark HV343AMZ and HV301 stick cordless vacuums come with different cord lengths to suit different cleaning requirements.
The Shark HV343AMZ takes cleaning reach to the next level with its generous 30-foot power cord. Its cord length is fine compared to other corded vacuums I have reviewed before. This length gives you enough coverage to move around the room without constantly switching power outlets.
The Shark HV301, on the other hand, comes with a 25-foot power cord, which is slightly shorter than its counterpart. Therefore, it could feel limiting for bigger homes or areas. However, if you have a smaller living space or don’t mind moving the vacuum around more frequently, the cord length should still be sufficient to achieve effective cleaning results.
Headlights
The Shark HV343AMZ has LED headlights that brighten your cleaning path. These lights are located at the front of the cleaning head, making it easy to find dirt, dust, and hidden debris in dimly lit spaces like under furniture or tight corners. With this vacuum, you can clean thoroughly without guessing or straining your eyes.
Including LED lights on the HV343AMZ is a major improvement compared to the Shark vacuum with the HV301, which lacks this feature. With LED lights, you can easily clean hardwood floors, carpets, and tiles as they provide bright illumination that leaves no dust unnoticed. The lights act as a spotlight, guiding your cleaning path and making it effortless to target and remove dirt accurately.
Dirt bin and filtration
Dirt bin
The Shark HV343AMZ and HV301 are all bagless vacuums, utilizing transparent dust cups to collect and store the dirt you pick up. This design enables more efficient cleaning by eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming bag replacements. Also, by taking a quick look at the see-through dust container, you can easily keep track of the amount of dirt collected and determine when it’s necessary to empty it.
Both HV343AMZ and HV301 have dust cups with a capacity of around 0.3 L. In my opinion, the dust cups are on the smaller side, necessitating more frequent emptying. The frequency with which you need to empty the dust cup depends on how much dirt you are vacuuming. In my experience, the dust cups fill up quickly. If you have a particularly dusty area or see high traffic, you may need to empty the cup more frequently.
Luckily, emptying the dust cup of both vacuums is easy and requires only a few simple steps. To start, press the wand release button and remove the handheld vacuum from the wand. Next, find the empty button on the front of the dust cup. You can easily dispose of the collected dirt by pressing the button and releasing the dust cup, eliminating any mess or hassle. This design is user-friendly and ensures that maintaining your Shark vacuum is effortless.
Filtration system
The Shark HV343AMZ and HV301 utilize dual pre-motor and post-motor filters to ensure thorough filtration. The pre-motor filters include both a foam filter and a felt filter that work together to keep dust, debris, and other airborne particles from reaching the motor. These filters efficiently prevent larger particles from entering the vacuum’s internal components, which helps to extend the vacuum’s lifespan.
Neither the Shark HV343AMZ nor HV301 feature a HEPA filtration system. Still, their multi-layered filtration design and washable filters deliver impressive results. However, if you need a vacuum suitable for people with allergies or just don’t want to inhale anything you are trying to vacuum, these two machines are not my first choice.
Keeping the filtration efficiency of the HV343AMZ and HV301 is a straightforward process. The filters in these vacuums can be easily washed, making it convenient to keep them clean and functioning at their best. To clean the filters, rinse them with water and allow them to air dry for at least 24 hours before inserting them back into the vacuum. Regular maintenance like this guarantees that the filters can effectively capture and trap particles, leading to cleaner air quality in your home.
Quick Rundown Of Shark HV343AMZ
- NO HAIR WRAP: The self-cleaning brushroll removes long hair and pet hair with no hair wrap.
- POWERFUL & LIGHTWEIGHT: Thorough deep carpet cleaning and powerful pet hair pickup on all surfaces with a go-anywhere, lightweight design.
- CONVERTS TO A HAND VACUUM: With the touch of a button, this stick vacuum cleaner transforms into a lightweight, portable handheld vacuum to take your cleaning above the floor, to tackle stubborn pet hair, and to access hard-to-reach areas.
- ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: For excellent control and a low-profile design for under-furniture reach.
- LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful LED lights on the handheld vacuum and nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
Quick Rundown Of Shark HV301
- At under 9 lbs., this ultra-lightweight corded stick vacuum converts to a handheld vacuum for versatile floor-to-ceiling cleaning.
- Ultra-powerful, corded cleaning on carpets and hard floors.
- Fingertip controls to easily toggle between surfaces.
- Swivel Steering for excellent control in tight spaces and maneuverability around furniture.
- Hang the hand vacuum from the hook on the bottom of the wand for ultra-convenient storage.
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References:
- Shark HV343AMZ: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/4403090726162-HV343AMZ-HV345-Series
- Shark HV301: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403090644370-HV300-Series-Shark-Rocket-Corded-Stick-Vacuum-FAQs
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.