Thread Number: 35595  /  Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
I bought a shark nv356E, should I return it?
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 382432   12/9/2017 at 23:15 (2,300 days old) by abby (canada)        

I bought the shark nv356e navigator lift off "professional" from amazon on black friday for $159 canadian (approd 125 usd). After tax that comes to $180 (140USD).

I am eligible to return it till the end of the month.

I bought it because it amazon's review section was plastered with overwhelmingly positive comments, more than 9000 of them. Only after i bought it did i realize that most vacuum forums (and that reddit vacuum ama guy) dislikes the shark. From what i've heard, every time I'm vacuuming, the vacuum is just redistributing the fine dust?

Do you suggest I return the vacuum? What vacuum do you suggest I buy instead?

My apartment is 40 percent carpeted floor, 60 percent hardfloor. Ideally looking for an upright with a hose for cleaning stairs and tools for upholstery.

Thanks for the help.


Post# 382435 , Reply# 1   12/10/2017 at 00:34 (2,300 days old) by FantomTechGuy (US)        

fantomtechguy's profile picture
I think a good choice would be a canister vacuum.
Most canister vacuums come with multiple floor attachments for both hardwood and carpeting. Since it's not an upright, you can easily place it on the stairs without any trouble.

I would recommend in purchasing a Kenmore brand canister. I've used them in the past and I think they are good machines. Just remember to replace that bag, change the belt and check the filters and it will last some time!


Post# 382436 , Reply# 2   12/10/2017 at 02:29 (2,300 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
You're going to get a lot of mixed responses here.

What matters is not what we think about your vacuum, but rather what you think about it. If you enjoy using it and it suits your home well, by all means keep it!

And don't worry, you are not spreading dust around your home. The shark has a hepa media type exhaust filter, which, quite frankly, will give your Shark lower dust emissions than what comes from many of the older vacuums we enthusiasts tend to like.

Again, if you like it, that's all that matters.


Post# 382438 , Reply# 3   12/10/2017 at 02:30 (2,300 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
And, for what it's worth, I'm sure it's a fine vacuum.

Post# 382440 , Reply# 4   12/10/2017 at 06:56 (2,300 days old) by thecarolinaguy (Carolina)        

Just be grateful you didn't buy a Dyson.

Post# 382455 , Reply# 5   12/10/2017 at 11:34 (2,300 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        
I bought a shark nv356E, should I return it?

ultralux88's profile picture
YES!!! Get something better!

Post# 382457 , Reply# 6   12/10/2017 at 12:09 (2,300 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
That would be up to you

If you like it, and it works for your needs, then you got a good price, keep it. If you don't like it, or it's not meeting your needs, then take advantage of the option to return.

Post# 382467 , Reply# 7   12/10/2017 at 18:03 (2,300 days old) by abby (canada)        

I know people are telling me to judge for myself whether it fits my needs, but I can't tell how good this vacuum is compared to something else i would buy instead.

At any rate, here are my few issues with this vacuum:

1 - The cable wrapping hooks. This vacuum doesn't have a retractable cable, it has two 'hooks' that you wrap the cable around. This is very badly implemented in this vacuum, in my opinion. The way this vacuum is designed, one hook is on the vacuum and the other is on the extension wand. This means, the 25ft cable can only be wrapped if I am using the vacuum upright. If I want to use the vacuum cleaner in liftoff mode, the entire 25ft cable has to be entirely unwrapped. I really wish that the both of the hooks were on the body of the canister. If i am holding on to this vacuum cleaner, I might even consider doing a bit of diy and adding another 'hook' or something on the canister so that I can wrap keep my cable wrapped while using it lift-off.

2 - hose length. If I am using the 'handle' to put tools on, the length of the hose is not very long. Its manageable, but I'd have preferred if the hose was longer. Sure, I can use the extension wand to make it longer, but that means I have to unwrap the entire 25 foot cable, use the extension wand, then rewrap the entire 25 foot cable, and I don't really want to do that every single time i have to use the extension wand. Idk, i think i might either buy a spare extension wand if eventually this seems too cumbersome.

This photo does a good job of describing my problem with both the short hose and the 'cable wrapping hook' being on the extension wand. images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/it... , i hope it gets my point across sufficiently well. In the mode illustrated in the picture, it is impossible to have the 25 foot partially wrapped while in use. The entire thing has to be unwrapped.

3 - the design of the canister. When in liftoff mode, the entire weight of the motor is held on to the bin by two tiny clips. I'm surprised I haven't heard a single complain about this in the amazon reviews, maybe the clips are durable enough and don't tend to break and maybe i'm just being overly critical. I'm not sure if I am doing a good enough job of describing to you the image, its basically like:

if you are holding it in lift off mode, you are holding it by a handle. This handle attaches to the bin that dirt collects in. This bin has lids on both the top and bottom. Below the bottom lid is the filter and the motor. This filter and motor are held on to the bin by two 'clips' or 'tabs' (i have no idea what the right description of those things is). Those two clips on either side of the bin that you can see in the photo bear the weight of the motor and filter.

whats worse is, if the vacuum is in upright mode, the 'motor and filter' part is what takes the weight of the wheels+powerhead and the extension wand. So. If the vacuum is in upright mode and you use the handle to lift the vacuum, what is happening is - the handle bears the weight of the bin, the tabs on the bin bear the weight of the motor+filter+extensionwand+powerhead+wheels.

I'm not sure if i'm doing a good enough job of describing this. Look at this picture:

fleascience.com/wp-content/upload...

Look at the photo on the right.

When you are holding the upright vacuum by the handle, you are really just holding the bin, and that clip at the edge of the bin that you can see is taking the entire weight of the rest of the unit (only the two clips on either sides of the bin, not the one in the front.)

Again. I didn't find a single review on amazon that mentions this, so maybe I am being paranoid and these clips really are durable enough to last.

So yeah. Wow, I didn't think Id have this much to write about a vacuum cleaner. I guess this would qualify as my first online review of a product, so there's that.

I'd still like to stay away from commenting on the performance altogether. I have nothing else to compare it to, and my carpets look clean enough, but I probably can't tell what my carpet would look like if a kirby cleaned it.

Maybe its endearment for my first vacuum, but I do overall like the look of it when in upright mode, I have really grown to like the all white 'clinical', 'sterile' look of it a lot. The 'spaceship white' with the grey accents gives it a 'science facility' feel to it. Now that i have bought it, I do think it is subjectively prettier than any candy colored "pebble of plastic" sold by riccar/miele, I'd almost say the shark has an identity of its own. Its like if wall-e and eve had a baby and it was a vacuum cleaner with half the traits of each parent.

But yeah, if the only thing good that I have to say about it is "I have maybe grown to like its looks", maybe it isn't the right vacuum for me.

Hoover bagged uprights seem pretty reasonably priced on amazon.


Post# 382469 , Reply# 8   12/10/2017 at 18:49 (2,300 days old) by abby (canada)        

And yeah, i do overall really like how light and easy to maneuver the vacuum cleaner is when in upright mode. The wheels are nice and big and very sturdy, thats how i'd want them in a vacuum cleaner i'd buy to replace this one. It does allow you to 'steer' it by just twisting the handle, and imo it works great, its not flimsy, you feel in control, although you can't take a very swift short turn, the angle is a little limited, I'd imagine a dyson does it better.

The hand tool with the powerhead works better than i expected and did a great job with the sofa. Its something i would definitely want in any vacuum cleaner i replace this one with.


The filters are also very cheap. Like, waay less than I expected. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HEPA-and-Foam-Fi...

If these filters are legit, I have no concerns of suction loss because of clogged filters that take days to dry up after cleaning.

Would a bagged vacuum give me a noticeably 'cleaner' experience? If there is any chance one of you who owns a shark navigator professional can use one of those particle meter thingys, I'd be interested in seeing how many particles it emits out of the hepa filter. I've seen youtube videos with miele canisters showing 0 particles. People even say that if they leave their vacuum cleaner running, it essentially works as a very loud and powerful air purifier. Is that true at all?


Post# 382475 , Reply# 9   12/10/2017 at 21:20 (2,299 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
I've used a few Sharks, not sure if it was that specific model, but similar. My experience was limited, but I didn't find it to be a bad vacuum. Lightweight, had good agitation, brushroll shutoff. I found the attachments to be pretty decent but the hose was rather short. I did not try liftoff mode or have to empty the bin and filters.

A bagged vacuum probably may or not filter better but they are certainly easier to maintain as most of the dust is contained in the bag, which you just throw away. Emptying a bagless vacuum puts dust particles in the air unless you do so outside, and then you have to contend with dirty filters. Some machines are better designed in that regard than others, I don't really know about the Shark filter system.

Overall I think a Shark is a better vacuum than a lot of other uprights out there. Personally I'm a canister person so if I were to get a new vacuum it would probably be a canister that uses bags, but everyone has their preferences. I would not be opposed to getting a Shark though if I decided to get an upright.


Post# 382507 , Reply# 10   12/11/2017 at 13:33 (2,299 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
I've had that vacuum over 3 yrs now

mark40511's profile picture
It does not leak dust, trust me. Do I like the vacuum? YES, super easy to use. I just hate that it's bagless. Luckily I have a bagged vacuum I use to keep the bin sucked clean. The hose ripped at the 3 year mark where it meets the handle. Shark replaced it free but I had to complain about it. My cord also frayed somewhat and I think this might be my fault for wrapping too tight, so I started wrapping the cord more loosely.

You have to constantly keep the foam/ felt filter clean on this thing. I do it about once a week with my bagged vacuum, and I wash them about once every 2 months.


Post# 382513 , Reply# 11   12/11/2017 at 17:06 (2,299 days old) by cuffs054 (monticello, ga)        

I'm beating the crap out of my Shark and it continues to work great. Haven't even plugged the Kirby in in months.


Post# 382523 , Reply# 12   12/11/2017 at 21:32 (2,298 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        

panasonicvac's profile picture
One thing to keep in mind is that there are no repair parts to fix any Shark.

Post# 382553 , Reply# 13   12/12/2017 at 15:01 (2,298 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
For such a LOW price, you can't find anything that will be better than the Shark. $159 Canadian is really a good price. Nothing else in that price range is better. Even though I always say "Sharks belong in the water", you should keep it and use it until the end of its life.

Post# 382634 , Reply# 14   12/14/2017 at 15:15 (2,296 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        
Sharks DO belong in the water!!

ultralux88's profile picture
And nothing of value was lost!

  View Full Size
Post# 382641 , Reply# 15   12/14/2017 at 17:30 (2,296 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        

vacuumdevil's profile picture
@Ultralux88 I couldn't agree with you more.









Post# 382652 , Reply# 16   12/14/2017 at 23:40 (2,295 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

I would agree that a based on the hard floor to carpet plus stairs. A good canister would probably be your best bet. Unless you are like me and prefer a unit that is in front of you.

It may take some shopping to find a good vacuum. Compare Inches of vacuum and cubic feet of air flow. Opt for the highest air flow in conjunction with the highest inches of vacuum lift you can get in one machine. Don't let any one convince you that inches of vacuum lift out weigh cubic feet of air flow. you need the best you can get of both in the same machine. And the better air flow will give you the best results.

You can get these measurement for most on line or ask a vacuum shop. When you go to the shop don't tell them you are in the market for a new vacuum. At this time you are looking around to see what is available and pricing. If they know you are in the market they will pressure you into their offerings.

Also look for a machine with respectable attachments for your cleaning needs.
Some of todays above floor attachments are pathetic at best. Look for machines that offer attachments that are similar to machines of 20 years ago. or those that like the attachments offered with a central vacuum. This can also be found online.

With a little research you find the machine that will meet all your needs and make your cleaning easy and as enjoyable as it can be.

I for one prefer my Kirby over all other machines. I have had it 30 years and still like it. My situation is I grew up with them and have no issues with its weight or over all design. Kirby's have worked well for me for over 47 years and see no reason to change. I have access to all makes and models domestic and commercial and have used many and still opt for my Kirby 98% of the time.

The bottom line is only you can decide which is best for you. This will take some trials. If you know someone with a machine you are interested in. Ask if you may borrow the machine and try it out in your environment.


Post# 382670 , Reply# 17   12/15/2017 at 13:34 (2,295 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        

ultralux88's profile picture
Very good advice!

Post# 382712 , Reply# 18   12/16/2017 at 02:50 (2,294 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

GREAT advice-the BEST service instructions on a Shark EVER!Love how their powernozzle is SEALED so it can't be field serviced-even to replace the rollerbrush and belt!So they force you to buy a new machine.So---the Sahrk won't last thru a belt change!!!PITIFUL!!!PITIFUL!!!!And THIS is supposed to be better for the world???More plastitrash in the landfill!We have ENOUGH there,already!After you threw the Sark in the dumpster-do it on the day your dumpster is emptied!!!you can listen as the Shark gets crunched in the trucks packer!You can't see-just listen!

Post# 382744 , Reply# 19   12/16/2017 at 13:49 (2,294 days old) by cuffs054 (monticello, ga)        

Geez Tolivac, about telling us how you really feel...


Post# 382748 , Reply# 20   12/16/2017 at 15:05 (2,294 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        

ultralux88's profile picture
Tolivac: To the KRUSHER!! LOL

Post# 382768 , Reply# 21   12/17/2017 at 02:03 (2,293 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

That's the Sharks servicecenter---the KRUSHER!!!Such pretty pieces of plastic!They do make money for the vacuum place here-he sells them a new powernozzle when the belt,motor,or brushroll fails in theirs.

Post# 382887 , Reply# 22   12/19/2017 at 09:59 (2,291 days old) by Mike811 (Finland)        
Shark vs Dyson vs Sebo

mike811's profile picture
Shark quality is what it is, but at least they clean much better than the Dyson vacuums. Still I prefer my Sebo Felix, Miele C3 and Kirby G6 + others better in the quality than Shark.

Second picture shows how much each vacuum left behind.

In the video (in the link) you can clearly see that the Shark actually cleans pretty well compared to the Sebo Felix and Dyson DC40.
Sebo was the best and Dyson last by a big margin.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Mike811's LINK


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size

Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy