Shark NV352 vs CU512: They Are Quite Similar But…

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Shark NV352 vs CU512: There is not much difference between them. But to be fair, the first one is a bit better.

The suction power of the Shark NV352 is amazing, although this sometimes makes it difficult to push on the carpet. It is easy to assemble, lightweight, and easy to maneuver. I wish its cord and hose were longer, but  I am overall pleased with the purchase.

I also think the Shark CU512 is an amazing purchase. It’s lightweight and does a heavy-duty vacuuming job, but it’s a bit behind the winner. It has good suction but is clunky and can’t reach under stuff. Also, its cord and hose are on the short side.

Shark NV352 vs CU512: Comparison Chart

Image
THE WINNER (#1)
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Shark NV351 Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Healthy Home Edition, Blue (Blue) (Renewed)
Model
Shark NV352
Shark CU512
Dimensions
15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches
9.06 x 11.4 x 45.28 Inches
Weight
12.5 Pounds
13.7 pounds
Controller Type
Push Button
Push Button
HEPA filtration
Bagless
Brushroll shut-off
Suction Adjustment
Swivel Steering
Complete Seal technology
Stable suction
Cord Length
25 ft
25 ft
Cleaning modes
2
2
LED lights
Suction adjustment
What I Like
Price
$179.99
$131.99
THE WINNER (#1)
Image
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender
Model
Shark NV352
Dimensions
15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches
Weight
12.5 Pounds
Controller Type
Push Button
HEPA filtration
Bagless
Brushroll shut-off
Suction Adjustment
Swivel Steering
Complete Seal technology
Stable suction
Cord Length
25 ft
Cleaning modes
2
LED lights
Suction adjustment
What I Like
Price
$179.99
More Info
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Image
Shark NV351 Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Healthy Home Edition, Blue (Blue) (Renewed)
Model
Shark CU512
Dimensions
9.06 x 11.4 x 45.28 Inches
Weight
13.7 pounds
Controller Type
Push Button
HEPA filtration
Bagless
Brushroll shut-off
Suction Adjustment
Swivel Steering
Complete Seal technology
Stable suction
Cord Length
25 ft
Cleaning modes
2
LED lights
Suction adjustment
What I Like
Price
$131.99
More Info

Shark NV352 vs CU512: Differences

The Shark NV352 wins 1-0 and ties once against the CU512. They are almost identical, except the first one has a slightly better overall cleaning performance and is lighter.

Cleaning Performance

Winner: Shark NV352

Overall, the difference in cleaning performance between the Shark NV352 vs CU512 is negligible and almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

The Shark CU512 could really get the dirt off my hard floor, while many products in the same price range couldn’t complete this simple task. It also surprised me by pulling a whole bunch of dirt off my carpet, which I thought was already clean, and this carpet looked so much cleaner. But I found it difficult to push the machine on thick carpets. But I know this is a common problem with models with strong suction, and I reduced the suction by turning a circle on the handle to deal with this.

As for the Shark NV352, this machine was so powerful that it could suck up such large debris that the CU512 moved around instead of capturing it. It also picked up much more pet hair than its competitor. I tested it on my floor, low-volume carpet, and high-pile carpet, and the machine did a great job. It was also a little hard to push this machine on the carpet, and again, I adjusted its suction until it could move freely.

 it was also a little hard to push the nv352 on the carpet
It was also a little hard to push the NV352 on the carpet

The thing that the Shark NV352 vs CU512 have in common is that a decent amount of hair got stuck in the brush after a while. I had to remove them from the roller manually, or it would slow down and stop spinning one day.

Weight and Maneuverability

Winner: Tie

The weight of the Shark NV352 vs CU512 is 12.5 pounds and 13.7 pounds, respectively. The difference does not seem like that much on paper, and both are the lightest uprights I’ve ever touched. So even if you lack upper body strength, maneuvering either of these machines is not a daunting task for you, I guess.

Where maneuverability is concerned, the duo shares the swivel steering, which is nice but takes time to get used to. Once you get the hang of this feature, you will see its usefulness: the swivel head makes it easy to get the machine into and out of tight places. It’s definitely more fun than a non-swivel!

Regarding dimensions, they are quite bulky, and their somewhat big dust cups prevent them from going further under stuff. My bed has decently high under clearance (about 7.2 inches), and I couldn’t get any of these vacuums under it. So if your daily cleaning duties call for getting under furniture that can’t be moved very often, spend extra bucks to get something with the powered lift-away feature, like the Shark NV752.

Shark NV352 vs CU512: Similarities

Dust Cup Capacity and Filter

Their dust cups are quite similar in capacity. I found myself emptying them several times during the vacuuming process since they’re pretty small, or maybe it’s because my house is somewhat large. 

It’s easy to empty these dust cups, but if you aren’t familiar with how they detach, you can dump the mess onto your surface. Also, the gap inside the cup often got hair/fur trapped in it, and I had to pull it out with my bare hand, which rarely happens with the larger dust canister.

Moreover, both the Shark NV352 vs CU512 share a filtration system consisting of two pre-motor filters and one HEPA filter. These filters are washable and should be rinsed under tap water periodically to last a long time. Better yet, Shark equipped these machines with a proprietary sealing system to ensure nothing can escape into the air once they have been sucked inside the unit.

Lift-Away Mode

lift-away mode
Lift-Away Mode

These uprights can all be used as semi-handheld machines, making them ideal for cleaning stairs and hard-to-reach areas. Just press a button and lift the pod from the floorhead, and you’ll have a portable vacuum to carry everywhere.

Range

A 25-foot cord is another thing that the Shark NV352 vs CU512 have in common. There are mixed opinions on this length, with some saying it’s long enough, while the majority say it’s too short. To my mind, an extra 5 to 10 feet is enough for me, and I’ve invested in an extension cord, so I don’t have to plug in and unplug too many times during vacuuming.

I wish there were a longer hose. I want to use the hose to clean my stairs or remove cobwebs from the ceiling, but it can’t stretch more than one foot, making it useless for these purposes.

Push Button 

switch between surface-type settings by the push of a button
Switch between surface-type settings with the push of a button

There are two brushroll options on both machines (“on” for carpets and “off” for hardwood floors), which are great and easy to switch while vacuuming. But I favor the design of the newer models, such as the AZ1002, which has setting buttons on the handle. Thanks to that, I don’t need to bend down to change between settings anymore.

Quick Rundown Of Shark NV352

Sale
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender
  • 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.
Pros
  • Lightweight and compact.
  • Overall cleaning performance is good for the price.
  • Can be used as a semi-handheld machine.
  • Quality filtration system with a HEPA filter and anti-allergen complete seal technology.
  • The dust cup is easy to empty.
Cons
  • Can’t get far under furniture.
  • Short hose and cord.

Quick Rundown Of Shark CU512

Pros
  • Generate adequate suction.
  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver.
  • It is easy to remove and empty the dust cup.
  • Trap 99.9% of dust and dirt thanks to HEPA filter and seal technology.
  • The Lift-Away feature is extremely powerful.
Cons
  • No LED lights.
  • The hose and cord could be longer.

Product Video

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5/5 - (1 vote)

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