Shark NV352 vs ZU561: A Head-To-Head Comparison

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The Shark NV352 vs ZU561: Both are attractive options for those on a tight budget. But if asked which is more value for money, I would say it’s the second one.

The Shark ZU561 is the balance point between price and features. It’s not as feature-rich as the high-end models, but it has everything you need to complete the daily cleaning chores.

As for the Shark NV352, it is the perfect choice for budget-oriented users. You usually get what you pay for, but with this model, you just pay a very reasonable price and will get insanely strong suction!

Shark NV352 vs ZU561: Comparison Chart

Image
THE WINNER (#1)
Shark ZU561 Navigator Lift-Away Speed Self Cleaning Brushroll Lightweight Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Red Peony
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
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 ZU561
Shark NV352
Dimensions (WxLxH)
12 x 9.5 x 45.6 inches
15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches
Color
Red
Lavender
Weight
13.4 lbs
12.5 lbs
Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Wattage
800 watts
1200 watts
Controller Type
Push Button
Push Button
Lift-Away
Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
Bagless
Corded/Cordless
Corded
Corded
Swivel Steering
Cord Length
25 feet
25 feet
HEPA Filter
Anti-allergen complete seal technology
Price
$169.99
$179.99
What I Like
THE WINNER (#1)
Image
Shark ZU561 Navigator Lift-Away Speed Self Cleaning Brushroll Lightweight Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Red Peony
Model
Shark ZU561
Dimensions (WxLxH)
12 x 9.5 x 45.6 inches
Color
Red
Weight
13.4 lbs
Voltage
120 Volts
Wattage
800 watts
Controller Type
Push Button
Lift-Away
Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
Bagless
Corded/Cordless
Corded
Swivel Steering
Cord Length
25 feet
HEPA Filter
Anti-allergen complete seal technology
Price
$169.99
What I Like
More Info
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
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 (WxLxH)
15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches
Color
Lavender
Weight
12.5 lbs
Voltage
120 Volts
Wattage
1200 watts
Controller Type
Push Button
Lift-Away
Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
Bagless
Corded/Cordless
Corded
Swivel Steering
Cord Length
25 feet
HEPA Filter
Anti-allergen complete seal technology
Price
$179.99
What I Like
More Info

Shark NV352 vs ZU561: Differences 

The Shark NV352 wins 1-0 and ties one against the ZU561. The suction of the first one is not too strong, but perfect for home use. It’s also light and easy to maneuver, but if only its power cord was longer.

Cleaning Performance

Winner: Shark ZU561

The Shark NV352 has a strong suction, which is both a curse and a blessing. It quickly sucked everything up, keeping my floors and low-pile room carpets clean.  

the shark nv352 can suck up everything on the bare floor thanks to its strong suction
The NV352 can suck up everything on the bare floor thanks to its strong suction

However, its enormous suction makes it unsuitable for high-pile carpets. I tried this machine on my shag rugs, and it didn’t move at all, even if I set it on the lowest setting. I used the hose to finish the job but was concerned about missing a spot since I used a small attachment instead of the floorhead covering a wide area.

The NV352 has no self-cleaning brush roll, so I wasn’t surprised to see it killed by longer hair. That means this brush roll requires some maintenance, or the machine’s performance will decrease over time. So if you are keen on an ideal vacuum for your hair troubles, just look elsewhere.

As for the ZU561, I think its suction is more “reasonable.” This machine was very powerful and could suck up all kinds of debris, but it was still easy to carry and move around. It easily cleaned hard floors and could be pushed on low-pile carpets in a velvety way.

If set to the “Carpet” option, I felt easier to push than the ZU561 on my high-pile carpet, but it is still a daunting task. But I believe it is a justifiable sacrifice to obtain a not-to-joke suction. At this price tag, we can’t have our cake and eat it too!

The ZU561 has an M-Zero nozzle, which gives the NV352 a run for its money. I was pleased to see that most of the hair didn’t end up on the brush roll of this machine. It only left up to 2% of the hair on the roller, while the rest was sent into the dust cup. 

the m-zero nozzle of the zu561
The M-Zero nozzle of the ZU561

For the remaining hair, I turned off and on my vacuum, then went back and forth for about fifteen minutes. And the miracle happened. All the remaining hair was cut and suctioned up without touching the brush roll.

The Shark NV352 has stronger suction, but I think it is overkill for home use. It also doesn’t have a self-cleaning brush to limit tangled hair. So I give the winning ticket to its competitor.

Dimensions and Weight

Winner: Tie

The dimensions of the Shark NV352 vs ZU561 are 15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches and 12 x 9.5 x 45.6 inches, respectively. They are pretty bulky, which is not strange for an upright vacuum. I wouldn’t consider this a minus if they had a place for storing attachments. 

the zu561 has no onboard attachment storage
The ZU561 has no onboard attachment storage

I hate having to store the included tools separately. If only they had provided a way to attach all the accessories to the body. It isn’t the worst thing, but since it affects the machine’s convenience, it is worth noting. Plenty of other models are the same size, such as the Shark NV501, which makes the most of its bulky footprint for onboard attachment storage. 

The Shark NV352 weighs 12.5 lbs, while the weight of the ZU561 is 13.4 lbs. In general,  they are light and easy to maneuver. They are even lighter and more maneuverable if used in the “Lift-Away” configuration. Moreover, the swivel steering on them ensures that vacuuming in cramped spaces or around tight corners does not harm your wrist or the vacuum head.

Shark NV352 vs ZU561: Similarities

Shark NV352 vs ZU561

One of the things I dislike about the Shark NV352 vs ZU561 is how short their power cords are. I don’t think 25 feet is a reasonable length for an upright vacuum, and it would be more convenient if these cords were 5 to 10 feet longer. Another disappointment is that these cords are manual (wind up/wind down) instead of automatic.

Overall, the Shark NV352 vs ZU561 are about the same in dimensions and weight. They are pretty bulky but light, and they have good maneuverability. So no one wins here! I recommend extending your reach by plugging the Shark into an extension cord. Without it, cleaning a spacious area will require multiple plugging and unplugging.

Powerful “Lift-Away” Feature

Both the Shark NV352 vs ZU561 can be used in a lift-away configuration. That means you can detach their pods from their floorheads to use them as semi-handheld vacuums.

Filter 

Both the Shark NV352 vs ZU561 have HEPA filters, which are made of a fine mesh designed to capture up to 99.9% of particles of 0.3 microns in size. Combined with anti-allergen complete seal technology, they ensure that virtually nothing escapes from the machine and makes its way into the air or onto your floors. Thanks to that, things like dust mites, dander, pollen, pet fur, and others will never tickle your nose or litter your floor. 

Quick Rundown of Shark ZU561

Sale
Shark ZU561 Navigator Lift-Away Speed Self Cleaning Brushroll Lightweight Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Red Peony
  • Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
  • Use as an upright vacuum for powerful floor and carpet cleaning. Or for more portability, detach the pod to go into Lift-Away mode to easily clean, above-floor areas like furniture and stairs.
  • Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter traps over 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
  • Swivel Steering provides effortless maneuverability for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
  • Suction control slider to manage suction power from hard floors to carpets.
Pros
  • Zero-M technology to reduce the hair wrapping issue.
  • Lift-Away Technology allows turning the machine into a portable vacuum.
  • The Swivel steering is smooth and easy to handle
  • Has a washable HEPA filter.
  • Good cleaning performance.
Cons
  • The cord should be longer.
  • A bit bulky.

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
  • It is lightweight and portable.
  • The lift-away feature makes it more versatile.
  • Produce excellent suction.
  • Washable HEPA filter.
  • Easy to assemble and use.
Cons
  • No self-cleaning brush.
  • No LED.

Product Videos

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