Today’s article is a comparison between two machines from Shark, Shark NV360 vs DLX. After experiencing both products for a while, I would like to offer some of my reviews humbly. To summarize, the winner is Shark NV360.
Shark NV360 wins my heart thanks to its maneuverability. The Lift-away feature allows users to use their upright vacuum as a handheld vacuum. This is very convenient for cleaning stairs and furniture. Besides, it also outperforms its opponent with excellent cleaning performance and makes less noise.
Shark DLX is the right choice for those who love compactness and certainty. The machine is designed to be lightweight but can stand very firmly on the floor without tipping over. Its dust cup offers a 3XL capacity that allows users to vacuum freely without having to empty the trash regularly. In particular, you will not easily find an upright vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration system at such a low price.
Shark NV360 vs DLX: Comparison
Shark NV360 vs DLX: Differences
After weighing the differences between these two machines, I found that Shark NV360 wins 3:1 against Shark DLX thanks to its cleaning performance, design, and convenience. Read the breakdown below to learn more details.
Cleaning Performance
The winner: Shark NV360
Compatible floor types
Shark NV360 works pretty well with small and medium-sized debris on hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. On these types of surfaces, I tested the vacuum with some particles like flour, sugar, chili flakes, cereal crumbs, and cat food, and it picked up 99.5% of them. However, it’s really difficult for the vacuum to pick up full-size Froot Loops, so you need to use the wand instead.
On tile floors, its performance is slightly reduced. I continued to use the above types of debris to test the cleaning ability of the Shark NV360, and I had to push and pull the unit more times to pick up all the dirt and debris. Some crumbs are still left in the tiny spaces between the bricks.
It’s fairly hard to roll the machine on high-pile carpets. The cleaner head is low-profile and does not offer any height adjustment function for carpets. Therefore, this machine is not my first choice if your home uses lots of high-pile and dense rugs.
The plus point of both machines is that it allows users to turn the brush roll on or off. There is a red power switch at the top of the vacuum body. The switch offers three settings, including “vacuum power off,” “bare floor” (brush roll off), and “carpet” (brush roll on). This is a nice feature as it lets you turn off the roller brush to clean the floor more gently, avoiding scratches and scattered debris.
With Shark DLX, the roller will automatically turn off if it encounters an obstacle to help users save their motor. Compared to Shark NV360, the DLX picks up dirt and debris not as well. The vacuum works best with fine and small debris, while it struggles a lot with larger materials.
Pet hair performance
Both machines do a great job of picking up pet hair. Except for the difficult movement on high-pile carpets and shag carpets, these vacuum cleaners clean fur and human hair very effectively on other types of surfaces, such as hardwood floors, tile floors, low-pile carpets, area rugs, and so on. They have strong suction, so there is no doubt about their amazing pet hair-cleaning performance.
However, the problem here is that they cannot resist tangles. A lot of hair is wrapped around the brush roll, which can cause the machine to stall. After each vacuuming, you need to do another task: check and clean the hair stuck on the roller. You can use your hands to pull your hair out and use scissors to cut off tight spots. Honestly, I don’t like this task at all because it’s annoying and time-consuming. But you can’t ask for too much for the price you have to pay for these machines.
Suction control
Shark NV360 has a suction release collar near the handle for easier push and pull of the unit on high-pile carpets and area rugs. Because the machine’s suction power is relatively strong, about 86 inches of water, adjusting the suction power may sometimes become necessary. If you want to reduce the suction force, turn the washer 90° counterclockwise to open the valve. To increase suction again, turn the washer clockwise to close the valve.
As for the Shark DLX, the machine has a red slider on the wand, which allows you to reduce the machine’s suction power if you want. This reduction in suction will help increase the maneuverability of the machine on the carpet. This feature works similarly to the suction release collar on Shark NV360.
Additional features
The winner: Shark NV360
Portable Lift-away is a feature only available on Shark NV360. This feature allows you to disassemble the canister and turn your upright vacuum cleaner into a handheld vacuum. This makes the machine convenient for cleaning stairs, windows, and furniture. The weight of the machine is also significantly reduced. You just need to hold the canister with one hand while the other hand uses the wand/hose/tools to clean. I suppose this is also one of the reasons why the Shark NV360 costs more than the Shark DLX.
Switching the machine to lift-away mode is also relatively simple, and all steps are included in the manual.
Dirt bin and filtration
The winner: Shark DLX
Dirt bin
These machines are all bagless. All dirt and debris after being sucked in will be trapped inside a dust cup. These cups are made of hard and clear plastic, so you can tell if it’s full with just one look. They are all designed to be easily disassembled and cleaned. These cups are large, so you won’t need to empty them too frequently. The Shark NV360’s dust cup capacity is about 1.32 liters, while the Shark DLX’s has a capacity of more than 2.65 liters.
The dust cup needs to be emptied each time you vacuum and periodically when it appears full during cleaning. To remove the Shark NV360’s dust cup, release the latches on either side of the cup by lifting them and facing out to detach the cup from the motor base. To empty this cup, hold it over a trash can, and press the bottom door release button, then all the dirt will fall out.
To remove the Shark DLX’s dust cup, press the black button next to the handle, tilt, and lift the cup. Press the lower release button next to the bottom door to empty the debris.
Over time, dirt can get stuck into the screen filter inside the dust cup, so you need to pay attention to cleaning that place so as not to reduce the machine’s suction power. To remove that dirt and debris, gently wipe the screen with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Filtration
Both machines share the same filtration system, which is described as friendly and suitable for people with allergies. The system includes a post-motor filter and two pre-motor filters. All filters are washable and reusable, so they do not require any maintenance and replacement costs. In addition, this system is equipped with Anti-Allergen Seal technology, which does not allow unfiltered air to leak to the outside and forces it to pass through all filters, thus ensuring the air really cleaned.
The post-motor filter is a HEPA filter, which can trap 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns, such as dust, mold, bacteria, pollen, and more. To remove this filter, remove the filter cover in front of the vacuum by pulling up the tab and pulling the cover away from the vacuum. Shark recommends users clean this filter once every 2 years or as needed.
The pre-motor filters consist of a foam filter and a felt filter. These filters trap small dirt particles before they can accumulate on the surface of the engine, helping to prolong the life of the engine. To remove these filters, you need to detach the dust cup first, then pull the 2 filters from the top of the motor base. Shark recommends users clean these filters every three months under normal use. Make sure that you just rinse the filters with cold water and let them dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back into the vacuum.
Design and convenience
The winner: Shark NV360
Maneuverability
In this aspect, Shark NV360 is easier to maneuver than Shark DLX.
These two machines are about the same weight, around 15 pounds. Compared to other upright vacuums of the same price, this pair is quite light. This allows the user to move the machine from one place to another more easily.
In terms of size, the two machines have the same height, but the Shark DLX has a narrower and more compact width. Therefore, this machine only takes up a very small space to store in the room. Shark DLX also has a smaller suction head, so it is easier to get into tight corners.
While both machines have swivel steering, I didn’t appreciate the Shark DLX’s swivel ability. From my experience, the head of the Shark NV360 can rotate to a wider angle and is more flexible. As a result, it easily steers around furniture and weaves into tight spaces.
Range
These machines have equal cleaning reach. They all have a 25-foot power cord. In my opinion, the power cord and hose of these two machines are a bit short. The short power cord forces the user to constantly find a new outlet while vacuuming.
With the Shark NV360, its hose is not only short, but it is also quite easy to tip over when I try to stretch the tube. The Shark DLX is more advantageous in this respect as it stands more firmly.
Noise level
Both machines have above-average noise levels. However, compared to its opponent, Shark NV360 is somewhat quieter.
The noise level of the Shark NV360 is around 77 dB. You will not be able to talk normally in the room when someone is vacuuming. This level also overwhelms the sound of TV and radio. Even so, this noise level is acceptable when compared with other vacuum cleaners in the same price range.
The Shark DLX’s noise level is around 80 dB. This level sounds like a busy downtown. Exposure to this type of sound for more than 8-10 hours per day will harm your hearing.
Note that these specifications are all measured by me, so they are for reference only. The noise level may vary depending on the type of surface and the suction mode you select.
Quick Rundown Of Shark NV360
- POWERFUL SUCTION: Deep-clean carpets and tackle bare floors with multi-surface powerful suction.
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- PERFECT FOR PETS: Powerful pet hair pickup attachments like the upholstery tool make cleaning pet hair a breeze.
- SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
Quick Rundown Of Shark Navigator DLX
- CLEAN EVERY MESS: Tackle messes, dirt, dust, and crumbs anywhere in your house with this certified refurbished upright vacuum
- CLEAN YOUR WHOLE HOME: Multi-surface vacuum works on hard floors, rugs, and carpet and easily reaches under beds and couches, cleans stairs, and dusts blinds
- BIGGER AND BETTER: Features an extended cleaning reach and 3x larger dust cup capacity than the original Navigator vacuum
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Includes upholstery tool, extension wand, crevice tool, flexible hose, and motorized floor nozzle
- HEPA FILTRATION AND ANTI-ALLERGEN SEAL: Comes with HEPA anti-allergen complete seal technology that seals away allergens during and after vacuuming
Product Videos
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References:
- Shark NV360: http://www.sharkclean.us/support/product-series/1146/shark-navigator-lift-away-deluxe-upright-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.