In the battle between Shark NV360 vs ZU561, it’s hard to judge which upright vacuum cleaner is better for your family. Both machines work fine for me; however, I would choose the Shark ZU561 because it is the better machine.
As for the Shark ZU561, its strong suction and zero M technology enable it to self-clean multiple surfaces effectively. In addition, it comes with a removable cover, which is convenient when vacuuming surfaces or floors. The sealed HEPA filtration system is also a big plus for allergy sufferers.
Runner-up, Shark NV360 is also considered a formidable opponent by the brush-roll shutoff for effective multiple-surface cleaning. Although its vacuuming performance is a bit weaker than that of the Shark ZU561, it still performs quite well.
Shark NV360 vs ZU561: Comparison Chart
Shark NV360 vs ZU561: Differences
Comparing the difference and performance of Shark NV360 vs ZU561, I found that Shark ZU651 wins 2-1 against NV360 in terms of higher cleaning performance and convenient accompanying technology. Detailed results see the article below.
Cleaning Performance
The winner: Shark ZU561
Suction Power
In my testing, I have found that both Shark NV360 and ZU561 have strong and stable suction. In addition to picking up large amounts of debris and hair, they work on a wide variety of surfaces, including hard floors and carpets. However, I prefer the suction control on the Shark ZU561 over the Shark NV360.
With the ZU561, you can use this suction to vacuum stone floors, marble floors, hardwood floors, carpeted floors, carpets and more. Combining Zero-M Brushroll with great suction gives you an extremely versatile vacuum. As a result of this versatility, you can vacuum a range of surfaces and the overall experience is smooth, quick, and very easy. In addition, the ZU561 has a suction control slider that helps manage suction power from hard floors to carpets.
On the other hand, the Shark NV360 has Suction Release features, which allows you to reduce the suction if the suction is too strong making it easy to adjust the suction on different surfaces.
Brush-roll System
The difference between Shark NV360 compared to ZU561 in the Self-cleaning brush roll system. Shark ZU561 models have a Zero M self-cleaning feature while NV360 does not include this feature.
Considering the Shark ZU561, it uses the Zero M self-cleaning feature. This feature means that the bristles are removed from the brush roll, so you don’t have to remove it yourself. Self-cleaning brush rolls have protrusions that continuously remove bristles from the brush roll as you vacuum rather than having to manually remove them. You’ll find several small combs located on top of the brush roller, which help remove pet hair, long human hair, and other obstacles, and keep the brush roller tangle-free. It benefits pet owners.
Meanwhile, the Shark NV360 doesn’t have an auto-cleaning brush roll screen, so bangs can get tangled or get into the brush screen. So you need to check the brush glide to remove hairs for good suction and effective cleaning.
Cleaning Path
When evaluating an efficient vacuum cleaner, it is quite important to consider the cleaning path. The cleaning line of a vacuum cleaner refers to the width of its brush roll. In the case of a wide brush, you will not need to move around to suck up dirt particles, saving you more time.
Comparing the two, I highly recommend the Shark ZU561’s 12-inch cleaning path over the Shark NV360’s 9.5-inch cleaning path. To be objective, this size is not ideal, but the ZU561 performs better and takes less time to move around the living space, ensuring it is always clean.
DESIGN & CONVENIENCE
The winner: Shark ZU561
Dimension and weight
Both Shark NV360 vs ZU561 are in the same line but differ slightly in size. The Shark NV360 measures 27 x 11.5 x 45.5 Inches, while the ZU561 measures 12 x 9.6 x 45.6 Inches. This makes the ZU561 slightly longer and lighter than the competition, making it easier to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles.
Another difference is their weight; The NV360 weighs in at 12.8 lbs while the ZU561 model, which weighs in at 13.4 lbs, is heavier. However, I do not consider this to be a problem for the ZU561 because my actual experience when using these 2 machines is that both are thin and light compared to other models on the market making it easy for me to move around in cleaning.
Noise level
For me, between the noise level of the Shark NV360 vs ZU561, the ZU561 is noisier. As the vacuum is operating, the NV360 produces a high-pitched whistling sound, measured at around 81 decibels. While it is still a good vacuum, its noise can be bothersome and may be a dealbreaker for some people.
Although the Shark ZU561 still produces louder sounds than higher priced machines, its noise level is 78 dB lower than the NV360.
Consequently, if your pets or family members are sensitive to noise, avoid using this vacuum while they are home or invest in a quieter model.
Utilities
The winner: Shark NV360
As the cup collects all kinds of dirt and debris, it is important to pay attention to its dust capacity. With larger tanks, less frequent refilling is required and cleaning time is shortened.
Shark NV561 has a capacity of 0.9 liters, while Shark NV360 has a capacity of exactly 1.2 liters. In my opinion, that’s a pretty significant difference. The Shark NV360 is therefore the better choice based on its tank capacity. It’s perfect for cleaning a large house where you don’t have to unplug and move the plug every few minutes and empty the dustbin between vacuuming.
Moreover, both Shark NV360 vs NV561 can be easily removed, opened, poured and completely cleaned when cleaning the container. It is guaranteed maintenance free for several years by the Shark brand.
Shark NV360 vs ZU561: Similarities
Filtration
Both machines are equipped with HEPA filters with Anti-allergen Complete Seal technology. This sealed HEPA filtration system is beneficial for allergy sufferers because it traps allergens inside the dust container and helps reduce dust odors when vacuuming.
Furthermore, their filter is easy to clean since it is washable, and it only requires a simple washing with cold or warm water to remove dirt. These filters can be easily removed for cleaning and reinstalled. Besides, using them again will be possible after they have dried completely.
Lift-Away canister
On both the Shark NV360 vs ZU561 vacuum cleaners, there is a “Lift-Away” feature that allows you to detach the box from the vacuum head easily. In addition, due to the size of the two machines, they are quite light, so they can be carried by hand, significantly supporting moving around. From there, surfaces on the floor or underneath furniture or curtains are accessible and easy to clean.
Quick Rundown of Shark ZU561
- 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.
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.
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References:
- Shark ZU561: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403100551186-ZU560-Series-Shark-Navigator-Lift-Away-Speed-FAQs
- Shark NV360: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005956659-NV360-Series
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.