In the battle between the Shark IZ462H vs IZ361H, the Shark IZ462H emerges as the winner. While they share several features, such as a removable battery for convenience, a user-friendly interface, and LED headlights, the IZ462H takes the lead with its superior cleaning performance.
The Shark IZ462H reigns supreme, thanks to its innovative DuoClean PowerFins brush roll. This brush ensures enhanced cleaning performance on both hard floors and carpets. It also excels at handling pet hair without entangled hair.
The Shark IZ361H, as the runner-up, shouldn’t be dismissed as it still performs admirably. Although its cleaning performance may not match that of the winner, it does an excellent job on carpets and effectively picks up pet hair, thanks to its PowerFins brush roll. Additionally, the IZ361H is a more lightweight option, making it easier to maneuver and carry around.
Shark IZ462H vs IZ361H: Comparison Chart
Shark IZ462H vs IZ361H: Differences
1-0 and 2 draw is the final score, and the IZ462H emerges as the winner. It outperforms the IZ361H in terms of cleaning performance, albeit only slightly. Additionally, it boasts longer run times, allowing for extended usage before requiring recharging. On the other hand, the IZ361H offers the advantage of being more lightweight, which can be beneficial for ease of maneuverability and portability.
Cleaning Performance
The Winner: Shark IZ462H
Cleaner Head
The Shark IZ361H has a PowerFins brush head that utilizes a rubberized spiral roller to effectively dig deep into carpets, capturing embedded dust and dirt.
On the other hand, the Shark IZ462H takes it a step further with its DuoClean PowerFins brush head. The standout feature of this brush head is that it incorporates two rollers for maximum cleaning performance on all types of surfaces. The soft roller is specifically designed to clean hard floors, and the PowerFins brush digs deep into carpets for the effective dirt removal.
This brush head allows me to seamlessly transition between different floor types without switching floorheads.
Hard Floor
I must say, the DuoClean PowerFins brush featured on the Shark IZ462H is a game-changer when it comes to cleaning hard floors. It sucks up almost all small and large debris with ease, leaving no trace, even sometimes doesn’t need a second pass. It’s like a whirlwind of cleaning power!
The PowerFins brush in the Shark IZ361H also performs well on hard floors, but it’s more suited for lighter messes rather than heavy debris. Without the soft roller found in its counterpart, it can sometimes struggle with larger particles. I can still pick up all the large debris, but it scatters, and I have to make some extra passes to pick up them fully.
Carpets
No need to say more; their PowerFins brush rolls are a carpet-cleaning dream come true. If you’re searching for a vacuum to conquer your carpeted floors, both options are top-notch.
On low-pile carpets, they effortlessly suck up 100% of the large debris. While their performance on finer particles reached around 92%, it’s still an impressive feat.
But their true magic unfolds on the high-pile carpet. They effortlessly conquer larger debris, making it look like child’s play. What’s more? They delve deep into the carpet fibers, unearthing deep embedded dirt with ease.
I assure you, I am not exaggerating when I speak of their remarkable abilities. It may seem like marketing jargon, but I am here to provide an objective assessment.
Hair Test
I must say, as a pet owner, the Shark IZ462H vs IZ361H truly exceeded my expectations when it comes to handling pet messes. They effortlessly tackled all the hair and fur on various surfaces, leaving them spotless. The best part is their Self-Cleaning Brushroll, which prevents hair from getting wrapped around the rollers, saving me the hassle of untangling it.
The unique design of their cleaner head, with flexible rubber fins, promises a hair-free cleaning experience. While it does accumulate some hair during use, it is still much easier to clean out compared to traditional vacuums with bristle brushes. Overall, I found their performance in handling pet hair to be exceptional.
Design & Convenience
The Winner: Tie
Weight & Maneuverability
The weight of the Shark IZ462H and IZ361H falls on different ends of the spectrum. The IZ462H is on the heavier side, weighing 9.05 pounds, while the IZ361H is more lightweight at 7.94 pounds.
The lighter weight of the IZ361H certainly adds to its maneuverability, making it easier to navigate. Surprisingly, maneuvering the IZ462H is not as challenging as it may seem. Despite having the motor and dust cup in the handle, the weight is well-balanced, with most of it concentrated at the bottom thanks to the cleaner head. As a result, I don’t feel burdensome to hold in my hand.
When transformed into a handheld vacuum, both models become noticeably lighter. However, after about half an hour of cleaning tasks that required reaching overhead areas like ceilings, I did experience some arm fatigue. To alleviate this, I frequently switch hands to avoid excessive strain.
Regarding cleaning under furniture, both the IZ462H and IZ361H are equipped with a Multi-Flex wand that can flex up to a 90-degree angle. I found this feature to work as well as I expected. Don’t get me wrong. It still reaches and cleans low areas without requiring bending or crouching down too much. However, I don’t feel whether the cleaner head is put down on the floor completely to vacuum any dust or debris or not. Anyway, It’s still particularly beneficial for the elderly or those with back issues.
Battery Life
The brand claims that the Shark IZ462H offers a runtime of up to 60 minutes, while the Shark IZ361H can run for up to 40 minutes. However, it’s worth noting that these impressive battery durations are achieved when using the vacuums as handheld vacuums and in the standard mode.
In real-world usage, it’s unlikely that I would always use the vacuums in that setting. Therefore, it would be more practical to test the average battery life when using them as stick vacuums with the floor head attached.
| Shark IZ462H | Shark IZ361H | |
| Maximum Battery Life | ≈ 43 mins | ≈ 32 mins |
| Minimum Battery Life | ≈ 14 min | ≈ 10 min |
| Charging Time | ≈ 3.2 hours | ≈ 3 hours |
I know some of you may feel disappointed about their real battery life. While they may provide sufficient runtime for those living in small apartments, if you wish to extend the running time, you have the option to purchase an extra battery. You can do that so easily as both machines have removable batteries.
The convenience is that these batteries can be charged independently without the need to insert them into the vacuum. So you can continue vacuuming with one battery while the other is directly connected to the charger. It’s a simple and efficient way to ensure uninterrupted cleaning sessions.
Utilities
The Winner: Tie
User Interface
The vacuums have a nifty slider right at my fingertips. With a simple thumb flick, I can switch between two modes: one tailored for hard floors and another for carpets. When switching between these modes, the vacuums do not change the suction power – it just changes the brush roll’s spin speed.
In ‘Carpet’ mode, the brushroll kicks into high gear to swiftly eliminate debris from carpeted surfaces. On the flip side, in ‘Hard Floor’ mode, the brushroll slows down, ensuring a gentle and thorough clean on bare floors or rugs.
And if we have to tackle stubborn messes that need some extra oomph, we can activate the ‘Boost Mode’ with a separate trigger to ramp up the suction power.
LED Headlights
Both vacuums are equipped with LED headlights, but their positions differ. The Shark IZ462H has a total of 6 lights, with 3 lights on each side of the front cleaner head. On the other hand, the IZ361H features 3 lights positioned in the middle of the front cleaner head. These lights automatically turn on when you turn on the vacuum.
Personally, I find the LED lights positioned in the middle to be more preferable as they provide excellent illumination of the dust and debris directly in the path of the nozzle. However, some may prefer the wider range of illumination provided by the headlights on the IZ462H.
Quick Rundown Of Shark IZ462H
- HYPERVELOCITY ACCELERATED SUCTION: Provides incredible cleaning performance in an ultra-lightweight vacuum.Specific uses:Hard Floor, Carpet
- UP TO 60 MINUTES OF RUNTIME: Removable battery with up to 60 minutes of runtime measured at the hand vacuum in standard mode.
- DUOCLEAN POWERFINS: This deep-cleaning nozzle technology gives you continuous contact with all surfaces, digging deep into carpets, directly engaging hard floors, and picking up more dirt in every pass (vs. original DuoClean).
- NO HAIR WRAP: Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
- FLEXIBLE WAND: MultiFLEX technology allows you to bend the wand to clean under furniture, or fold it over for compact, freestanding storage.
Quick Rundown Of Shark IZ36H
- HYPERVELOCITY ACCELERATED SUCTION: Provides incredible deep-cleaning performance in an ultra-lightweight vacuum.
- 40 MINUTES OF RUNTIME: Removable battery with up to 40 minutes of runtime measured at the hand vacuum in standard mode.
- POWERFINS BRUSHROLL: Continuous cleaning contact to dig deep into carpets and directly engage floors.
- NO HAIR WRAP: Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
- HEPA FILTRATION AND ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Captures and traps dust, allergens, dander, and more, keeping them out of the air you breathe.
Product Video
Related Articles to Shark Iz361h
- Shark IZ361H Vs IZ362H: Decoding The Key Differences
- Shark IZ163H Vs IZ361H: The Battle Of The Cordless Vacuums
References
- Shark IZ462H: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402165944338-IZ462H-Shark-Vertex-Lightweight-Cordless-Stick-Vacuum-Quick-Start-Guide
- Shark IZ361H: https://www.sharkclean.com/products/shark-pet-plus-cordless-stick-vacuum-with-powerfins,-self-cleaning-brushroll,-and-anti-allergen-complete-seal-zidIZ361H
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.