Quick Answer:
Based on our tests, we can confidently say, that the Shark nv360 is the better option overall. The increased suction is a thing, that we value the most, therefore we would go with this vacuum. Although feel free to choose the Shark nv356e, as it’s a solid option, that will present similar performance.
The Shark’s 300 series is one of the most popular choices among householders when it comes to upright vacuums. This is due to the very affordable price and quite outstanding performance. It’s hard to find anything more appealing in this price range.
However, we know, that choosing one vacuum out of those three products may be a little challenging, especially for people who didn’t own any shark vacuums’ in the past. At the first glance, all units may look the same, or at least very similar, this is why we decided to create this article.
Even though all three of the upright vacuums are an excellent choice, there are some key differences, that you should know about, before you make the final decision. In this article, we will focus on two models – Shark nv360 vs Shark nv356e.
Based on the opinions online, as well as our own experience, we will try to provide you the most thorough review and comparison of the products. At the end of the article, you may also find a winner of this battle and a short summary.
Without further ado, let’s start the comparison!
Shark NV360 Vs Shark NV356e – Comparison Table
 |  | |
| NAME: | Shark nv360 | Shark nv356e |
| SIZE: | 14.96 x 11.4 x 45.5 in. | 14.96 x 11.4 x 45.5 in. |
| WEIGHT: | 13 lb. | 13.7 lb. |
| UNIQUE FEATURES: | – | – |
| TANK CAPACITY: | 1.2 quarts | 2.2 quarts |
| CORD LENGTH: | 25 ft. | 30 ft. |
| NOISE LEVEL: | 77.3 dB | 77.1 dB |
| CHECK THE PRICE ON AMAZON: | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
Main differences
In the beginning, we would like to address, that both vacuums are a great choice when it comes to day-to-day cleaning. Most of the consumers should be satisfied with either one of the vacuums, however, there are some key differences, that you need to know.
The first major difference between those two products is the cleaning performance. By this, we mean how well the vacuum gets rid of the most stubborn debris and deep down embedded dirt. Even though they both use the same 1200 watts motor, the Shark nv360 has a slightly better suction and airflow, which translates to a little better cleaning performance.
Another important difference are the included attachments. The Shark nv356e comes with a crevice tool, dusting brush, and suction-powered “pet power brush” for carpeted stairs or upholstery. The Shark nv360, however, comes only with an upholstery tool and a 5.5 in. crevice tool.
The next crucial dissimilarity is the design. The shark nv356e has a heavier design which is exactly 13.7 lb., while the shark nv360 weighs 13 lb. This difference is mainly the result of increased dust bin capacity – the nv356e model has a 2.2 quarts dust bin, while the nv360 model has a dust bin capacity of 1.2 quarts.
Some smaller differences, that are still worth mentioning are for example the cord length. For all the people with bigger houses, the shark nv356e version may be a better choice, due to the 30 ft. long power cord, opposed to the 25 ft. long power cord in the nv360 version.
There is also a difference in the noise. The Shark nv360, due to the increased suction and airflow, is a slightly more noisy product. The vacuum produces 77.3 dB, while the Shark nv356e produces 77.1 dB Although, it’s such a small difference, that most people won’t even notice it.
Those are pretty much all the differences, that you should know about. Based on those dissimilarities, you can decide which product is a better choice for your needs. However, if you would like to learn more about each model, please continue reading the article.
Suction
Suction is a factor, that directly correlates with the overall cleaning performance of the vacuum. It’s also one of the most crucial aspects, that we took into consideration when picking the winner of this comparison.
Even though both models use the same 1200 watts motor, the Shark nv360 is somehow better at utilizing this unit. This translates to increased airflow and more suction in the end. Although the difference isn’t particularly big, it’s there and if you are after the most efficient vacuum, the Shark nv360 is certainly a way to go.
That being said, the Shark nv356e is still a pretty powerful upright vacuum, that should satisfy most of the consumers. It’s definitely more than enough for day-to-day cleaning, and more challenging spots also shouldn’t be a big problem.
Considering the better utilization of the motor, the Shark nv360 is a winner when it comes to the suction.
Noise
Noise is an aspect, that also strikes some controversy in the world of the vacuums. This is a factor, that is rather more crucial in robotic vacuums, however, some people also prefer to keep their upright vacuums at a lower noise level.
The difference between the two Shark’s vacuums isn’t really that noticeable, however, it’s there. After running some tests, we have come to the conclusion, that the Shark nv360 is a little louder option. It operates at 77.3 dB, while the Shark nv356e operates at 77.1 dB.
It makes sense when we take into account the better utilization of the main motor. This forces the vacuum to provide more efficiency, at the same time producing louder noise levels.
Due to the very similar level of noise, we won’t be picking a better option when it comes to this factor.
Cleaning system
The cleaning system consists of all the functions, brush design, and all the filters used in the vacuum. This is why it’s another crucial aspect, that correlates directly with the cleaning efficiency. Due to this fact, we’ve put extra effort into testing all the systems.
Thanks to the very diverse range of attachments in both products, cleaning different surfaces shouldn’t be a problem. There are tools, that go well with most of the fabrics and floors in a standard household, so you don’t need to switch between different cleaning tools. More on those in the latter part of the article.
What’s worth mentioning is the brush roll shutoff function, which isn’t that popular in the budget vacuums. It allows you to switch off the spinning brush roll, to prevent any damage or scratches on the bare floor. This feature is present in both Shark’s vacuums.
Another useful feature is the lift-away design, which allows you to easily carry the pod in one hand, in order to clean those hard-to-reach spots. This comes particularly useful when vacuuming the stairs or areas above your head. This is also implemented in both models.
The last thing, that we need to mention is the Anti-allergen complete seal with HEPA filters. The complete seal technology is a system, that, in our opinion, should be implemented in all the vacuums on the market. It’s a function, that prevents the vacuum from releasing dust and allergens back into the air. In order to get a seal technology, you would normally need to pay double the price of those vacuums.
The HEPA filters are also an excellent choice for catching all the dust and dirt. However, as all filters, they get worn with time and need to be replaced regularly. Fortunately, the manufacturer sells them on Amazon, what’s more, you can get an additional pair when buying either of the vacuums.
Both models have fairly similar functions and cleaning systems, so we won’t be choosing the best option here either.
Capacity
The capacity of the tanks, which collect all the dirt and debris also differs. Therefore, it’s something you should consider, especially if you own a big house. The bigger tank will need to be emptied less often and will be less problematic in the end.
The capacity of the Shark nv360 is 1.2 quarts, while the capacity of the Shark nv356e is exactly 2.2 quarts. It’s quite a large difference, which also makes the nv356e a heavier model.
Since we are talking about upright vacuums, that will be rolled for most of the time, we won’t be seeing the additional weight as a drawback. Therefore, the Shark nv365e is a better choice, when it comes to the tank capacity.
Design
If you will be spending most of the time standing, during the cleaning process, and your household doesn’t belong to the small ones, you should certainly take the design into consideration. A comfortable handling and ease of use is something, that we highly value in the products we test.
The design of both Shark’s vacuums is pretty ergonomic and offers great maneuverability. The manufacturer implemented “Swivel steering” in all of the Shark’s 300 series vacuums. This function makes using either one of them an effortless process.
The Shark nv360 measures exactly 14.96 x 11.4 x 45.5 in. and weighs 13 lb. while the Shark nv356e measures exactly 14.96 x 11.4 x 45.5 in. and weighs 13.7 lb. Those are the numbers given by the manufacturer, and as you can see, both vacuums are very similar in size.
Based on the numbers above, we would say, that the Shark nv356e is a better choice in terms of design.
Cord length
This is an aspect, that is important mainly to people with big households. Having enough cord length may be problematic in this scenario, especially if you don’t want to use any extension cords. We don’t think, that this aspect is particularly important, as the difference is relatively small.
The Shark nv356e comes with a power cord length of 30 ft., while the Shark nv360 has a power cord length of 25 ft. Both models are pretty average in this aspect, however, it should be sufficient for most people.
Although taking those numbers into consideration, of course, the winner when it comes to this aspect is the Shark nv356e.
Price
The best part of the 300 Shark series is the price of all three models. Either one of the vacuums comes at an affordable price and provides remarkably more value than most of the budget upright vacuums.
The Shark nv360 is a little cheaper option and it can be found on Amazon for the price of $199.99, while the Shark nv356e can be found for the price of $249.99. However, most of the time both vacuums are on sale, which takes 30% off the price.
Both vacuums are considered budget options, although, the number of features, cleaning system, or overall design allows them to compete with other top-shelf products.
Package content
The package content is another crucial aspect when choosing the new upright vacuum. A well-varied range of cleaning attachments will allow you to quickly get rid of the dirt in many different spots, even those above your head.
The Shark nv356e comes with much more attachments compared to the nv360 version. Those tools can be really useful during day-to-day cleaning, so it’s 100% something to consider. In the package you may find:
- Crevice tool
- Dusting brush
- Suction powered “pet power brush” – Great for cleaning carpeted stairs or upholstery
The Shark nv360 also comes with few attachments, that will work in a similar way. However, it lacks the pet power brush tool, which is a great tool for removing any pet hair from your carpets and floors. In the package of the Shark nv360 you can find:
- Crevice tool
- Upholstery tool
You can also decide to purchase some additional filters or other replaceable elements, that may wear or break during the cleaning process.
Necessary maintenance
In order to keep the products operating at the desired level and prevent any permanent damage, you always need to maintain your vacuums in a proper way. In this article, we will show you the typical maintenance tips, that will be useful for most of the upright vacuums. However, in order to take all the necessary steps, we advise you to read the user’s guide.
In order to keep your new device operating at the desired level you need to:
- Always empty and regularly rinse the canister
- Regularly check the brush roll for any stuck dirt and/or debris
- Regularly replace HEPA and other filters
- At least once a week clean the cover of the brush and nozzle
- Replace any used or damaged elements as fast as possible
Those are some of the crucial steps, you should always take when caring about your new vacuum. However, once again we strongly recommend reading the user’s guide, in order to learn all the necessary steps.
Conclusion
In the end, we would like to once again address, that both vacuum cleaners are a great choice in this price range. Choosing either one of them should satisfy most of the consumers. However, there are some key differences to keep in mind when deciding on your new upright vacuum.
The most crucial dissimilarities, that you should know about are the cleaning efficiency, design, tank capacity, power cord length, noise level, and included attachments.
Final Answer:
In our opinion, Shark nv360 is the better choice overall because it has stronger suction power which we consider to be a significant advantage. That being said, Shark nv356e can also get the job done if needed, just not so efficiently.
We hope, that after reading this article, you will be satisfied with your final choice.
Laura Avila, a female writer and cleaning enthusiast, shares her expertise on Cleaningfan.com. With years of experience, Laura provides practical tips to maintain a clean and organized home. Her articles inspire readers to create a comfortable living space.