The Shark NV501 and NV360 are versatile upright vacuums featuring Lift-Away technology for convenient above-floor cleaning. Both offer HEPA filtration, Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, and swivel steering. While they share several cleaning features, they differ in design details and included attachments, making each suitable for different household cleaning needs.

Shark NV501 vs NV360: Main Differences

The Shark NV501 and Shark NV360 are two popular upright vacuum cleaners designed to handle everyday household cleaning. Both models offer powerful suction, Lift-Away functionality, HEPA filtration, swivel steering, and pet hair cleaning capabilities. However, they differ in their design, included accessories, cleaning convenience, and some additional features.

The Shark NV501 belongs to the Rotator Professional series, while the NV360 is part of the Navigator Lift-Away series. The NV501 features LED headlights that help reveal hidden dust and debris, along with a dusting brush, upholstery tool, and crevice tool. The NV360 offers a brushroll shutoff feature, allowing users to switch between carpet cleaning and bare-floor cleaning more conveniently.

Here are the most important differences:

• Design: The NV501 features a white and red design, while the NV360 comes in navy blue.
• LED Headlights: The NV501 includes two LED headlights on its cleaning nozzle to illuminate hidden dirt.
• Brushroll Shutoff: The NV360 offers a dedicated brushroll shutoff feature for switching between carpet and hard-floor cleaning.
• Accessories: The NV501 package includes a dusting brush, upholstery tool, and crevice tool. The NV360 listing mentions upholstery and crevice tools, although its included-components information is inconsistent.
• Dust Cup Capacity: The NV501 is listed with a 0.88-quart capacity, while the NV360 is listed as 0.9 liters in its product specifications. Its marketing description also mentions 0.9 quarts.
• Weight: The NV501 weighs approximately 15.5 pounds, compared with 15.96 pounds for the NV360.
• Cleaning Performance: Both models are designed for carpets, hard floors, furniture, and pet hair removal.

Shark NV501 Overview

The Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501 is an upright vacuum cleaner designed to provide versatile cleaning throughout the home. Its combination of powerful suction, HEPA filtration, Lift-Away technology, and swivel steering makes it suitable for cleaning carpets, hard floors, furniture, stairs, and other household surfaces.

One of its most useful features is its detachable Lift-Away pod. Users can separate the vacuum’s canister from the floor base and carry it around to clean areas that are difficult to reach with a traditional upright vacuum. This makes cleaning stairs, upholstery, curtains, and furniture more convenient.

Powerful Multi-Surface Cleaning

The NV501 provides strong suction for picking up everyday dirt, dust, debris, and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. Its rotating brushroll helps remove embedded dirt from carpet fibers, while its versatile design supports cleaning different areas of the home.

Lift-Away Technology

The detachable pod allows users to clean above-floor surfaces without moving the entire vacuum cleaner. You can detach the canister and use the included accessories to clean stairs, furniture, baseboards, curtains, and other hard-to-reach areas.

HEPA Filtration and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal

The NV501 features HEPA filtration combined with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. According to the provided specifications, its filtration system captures 99.9% of dust and allergens under the stated testing conditions.

This design helps prevent captured dust and allergens from escaping back into the surrounding air.

LED Headlights

One standout feature of the NV501 is its dual LED headlights positioned on the floor nozzle. These lights illuminate darker areas and make hidden dust, debris, and pet hair easier to spot during cleaning.

Swivel Steering

Its swivel steering system provides better maneuverability when cleaning around furniture, corners, and narrow spaces. This feature makes moving the vacuum around household obstacles easier.

Useful Cleaning Accessories

The NV501 comes with several attachments for different cleaning tasks:

• Dusting brush for delicate surfaces and furniture.
• Upholstery tool for removing dirt and pet hair from fabric.
• Crevice tool for narrow spaces and corners.

It also features a removable dust cup with approximately 0.88-quart capacity, allowing users to collect dirt without disposable vacuum bags.

Pros of Shark NV501

• Powerful suction for everyday household cleaning.
• Lift-Away technology for stairs and above-floor cleaning.
• HEPA filtration with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal.
• LED headlights reveal hidden dust and debris.
• Swivel steering improves maneuverability.
• Includes multiple cleaning attachments.
• Suitable for removing pet hair from furniture and carpets.
• Washable HEPA filter reduces the need for frequent filter replacements.

Cons of Shark NV501

• Slightly heavier than some lightweight upright vacuums.
• Smaller listed dust cup capacity than the NV360’s 0.9-liter specification.
• Its upright design requires storage space.
• The 80 dB noise level may be noticeable during cleaning.
• No dedicated brushroll shutoff feature is listed in the supplied specifications.

Shark NV360 Overview

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 is a versatile upright vacuum cleaner designed for homes with carpets, hard floors, and pets. It combines powerful suction with detachable Lift-Away technology, HEPA filtration, and swivel steering to provide convenient everyday cleaning.

Its navy-blue design gives it a simple, modern appearance, while its upright construction makes it suitable for cleaning larger floor areas. The detachable pod also allows users to clean stairs, furniture, and other above-floor surfaces.

Powerful Suction for Multiple Surfaces

The NV360 is designed to remove dirt, dust, debris, and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. Its multi-surface cleaning capability makes it a practical option for households with different flooring types.

Lift-Away Detachable Pod

One of the main advantages of the NV360 is its Lift-Away functionality. Users can detach the vacuum pod from the floor unit and carry it separately for cleaning stairs, upholstery, furniture, and other elevated surfaces.

This feature provides greater flexibility compared with traditional upright vacuum cleaners.

HEPA Filtration System

The NV360 includes HEPA filtration and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. The filtration system is designed to capture dust and allergens inside the vacuum instead of releasing them back into the home.

This makes it a useful option for households concerned about dust and indoor cleanliness.

Brushroll Shutoff for Hard Floors

A major advantage of the NV360 is its brushroll shutoff feature. It allows users to switch from carpet cleaning to a gentler hard-floor cleaning mode.

Turning off the brushroll can help reduce the scattering of debris when cleaning bare floors, making this feature particularly useful for homes with a combination of carpet and hardwood flooring.

Swivel Steering

The NV360 features swivel steering that helps users navigate around furniture, corners, and tight spaces. This improves control and makes cleaning different areas of the home more convenient.

Pet Hair Cleaning

The vacuum is designed to handle pet hair on carpets, furniture, and stairs. Its upholstery attachment provides additional support for cleaning fabric surfaces where pet hair commonly collects.

Removable Dust Cup and Accessories

The NV360 features a transparent, removable dust cup that allows users to monitor collected dirt and empty the container when necessary.

Its product listing mentions upholstery and crevice tools. However, the supplied package description and included-components details do not fully match, so buyers should verify the exact accessories included with their particular package.

Shark NV360 Specifications

Pros of Shark NV360

• Strong suction for carpets and hard floors.
• Lift-Away technology for portable above-floor cleaning.
• HEPA filtration with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal.
• Brushroll shutoff for switching between carpet and bare-floor cleaning.
• Swivel steering for easier movement around furniture.
• Designed to remove pet hair from carpets and upholstery.
• Removable transparent dust cup.
• Washable HEPA filter.
• Five-year limited manufacturer warranty, according to the supplied listing.

Cons of Shark NV360

• Heavier than some compact vacuum cleaners.
• No LED headlights are specified in the provided product details.
• Its dust cup capacity is relatively small compared with larger-capacity vacuums.
• Its navy-blue design may not appeal to everyone.
• The listed accessory information is inconsistent, so package contents should be checked before purchasing.

Shark NV501 vs NV360: Which One Is Better?

Both vacuum cleaners offer impressive cleaning versatility, but the better option depends on your household requirements.

The Shark NV501 is a strong choice for people who want additional cleaning convenience. Its dual LED headlights make hidden dirt easier to identify, while its listed dusting brush, upholstery tool, and crevice tool provide flexibility for cleaning different surfaces. It is also slightly lighter than the NV360.

On the other hand, the Shark NV360 offers a dedicated brushroll shutoff feature. This is particularly useful for people who frequently switch between carpets and hard floors. Its detachable Lift-Away pod, HEPA filtration, and swivel steering also make it a practical everyday cleaning solution.

Final Winner: Shark NV501

The Shark NV501 is our overall winner based on the supplied specifications.

Although both models share several important cleaning features, the NV501 gets the advantage because of its dual LED headlights, additional listed dusting brush, and slightly lower weight.

Its Lift-Away design and HEPA filtration also make it a versatile option for cleaning different areas of the home.

However, the NV360 may be the better purchase if brushroll shutoff is particularly important to you. It allows convenient switching between carpet and bare-floor cleaning, which is an advantage for mixed-flooring households.

Ultimately, consider the price and included accessories before making your final decision. If both models are similarly priced, the NV501 offers a more feature-rich package based on the available information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main difference between Shark NV501 and NV360?

The main difference is their additional cleaning features. The NV501 includes dual LED headlights and a listed dusting brush, while the NV360 offers brushroll shutoff for switching between carpet and hard-floor cleaning.

2. Is Shark NV501 better than NV360?

The NV501 is our overall pick because it offers LED headlights, additional listed accessories, and a slightly lighter design. However, the NV360 is a better choice for users who specifically need brushroll shutoff.

3. Do Shark NV501 and NV360 have HEPA filters?

Yes. Both models include HEPA filtration and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology to help capture dust and allergens inside the vacuum.

4. Which vacuum is better for pet hair?

Both models are designed to remove pet hair from carpets and furniture. The NV501 includes an upholstery tool, while the NV360 also offers specialized upholstery cleaning support.

5. Does Shark NV501 have LED headlights?

Yes. The Shark NV501 features two LED headlights positioned on its floor nozzle to illuminate hidden dirt, dust, and pet hair.

6. Does Shark NV360 have a brushroll shutoff feature?

Yes. The NV360 includes brushroll shutoff, allowing users to switch between carpet cleaning and hard-floor cleaning modes.

7. Are Shark NV501 and NV360 suitable for hardwood floors?

Yes. Both models are designed for multi-surface cleaning. However, the NV360 has a dedicated brushroll shutoff feature, which provides additional convenience when cleaning bare floors.

8. Can you detach the canister on both Shark vacuums?

Yes. Both models feature Lift-Away technology, allowing users to detach the vacuum pod for cleaning stairs, furniture, and other above-floor areas.

9. Which Shark vacuum is lighter, NV501 or NV360?

The NV501 weighs approximately 15.5 pounds, while the NV360 weighs around 15.96 pounds. Therefore, the NV501 is slightly lighter.

10. Which vacuum has a larger dust cup?

The supplied specifications list the NV501 at 0.88 quarts and the NV360 at 0.9 liters. The NV360’s marketing description separately mentions 0.9 quarts, so its actual capacity should be verified against the manufacturer’s specifications.

11. Are the filters washable on both models?

Both models come with washable HEPA filters. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and allow filters to air-dry completely before reinstalling them.

12. Which Shark vacuum should I buy?

Choose the Shark NV501 if you prefer LED headlights, additional listed cleaning attachments, and a slightly lighter vacuum. Choose the NV360 if you want brushroll shutoff for convenient switching between carpet and hard-floor cleaning.

Final Conclusion: Shark NV501 vs NV360

The Shark NV501 and NV360 are both capable upright vacuum cleaners that combine powerful suction, Lift-Away functionality, HEPA filtration, and swivel steering.

The NV501 stands out with its LED headlights, additional listed accessories, and slightly lighter weight. Meanwhile, the NV360 offers brushroll shutoff, making it particularly useful for households with both carpets and hard floors.

After comparing their features, cleaning convenience, accessories, and overall versatility, the Shark NV501 takes the lead as our overall winner. However, the NV360 remains a worthwhile alternative for buyers who prioritize brushroll control.

Before purchasing, compare current prices and confirm the included accessories and warranty for your specific package. Both models can be practical additions to a home cleaning routine.