In the realm of stick vacuums, the Shark HZ251 vs HZ2002 are potential choices for achieving robust and efficient cleaning results. With innovative features and cutting-edge technologies, these models make cleaning effortless. This article is my humble opinion after testing both of them. According to my experience, the winner is Shark HZ2002.
The Shark HZ251 is a powerful and versatile corded stick vacuum that takes cleaning to the next level. The HZ251 has been crafted to offer convenience, with LED lights that improve visibility, flexible cleaning modes that can handle different surfaces, and components that are simple to maintain, such as a detachable dust cup and filters that can be washed.
The Shark HZ2002 is a high-performance corded stick vacuum that delivers exceptional cleaning power and versatility. This vacuum cleaner is equipped with the latest DouClean Powerfins technology, making it highly efficient in removing dirt, debris, and pet hair. Its dual-brush roll system, comprising a Powerfins roller and a soft roller, can effectively capture and eliminate particles from both carpets and hard floors.
Shark HZ251 vs HZ2002: Comparison Chart
Shark HZ251 vs HZ2002: Differences
After weighing the differences between Shark HZ251 and HZ2002, I found that the HZ2002 wons 1:0 against the HZ251 thanks to its exceptional cleaning performance. Read the breakdown below to know more about their pros and cons.
Cleaning performance
The winner: Shark HZ2002
Compatible floor types
The Shark HZ251 and HZ2002 can be used on various surfaces, such as hardwood, tile, vinyl, laminate, and area rugs. However, regarding cleaning performance, the Shark HZ2002 takes the lead over the HZ251.
The Shark HZ2002 vacuum has a DouClean Powerfins cleaning head, allowing it to work better than its opponent. Its brush system has two rollers: one soft roller in front and one PowerFins roller in the back. The PowerFins roller has flexible silicone fins that easily remove hair, while the soft roller effectively captures all types of particles and fine dust, leaving your floors polished.
During my testing, the Shark HZ2002 consistently demonstrated exceptional cleaning capabilities. This vacuum picked up everything, whether fine dust and sand or larger debris such as full-sized Froot Loops. It even impressed me with its ability to clean crevices in just one pass. This level of performance is rarely seen in other stick vacuums on the market. Additionally, the HZ2002 provides impressive deep-cleaning results even on shag carpets, effectively removing an astonishing amount of dirt.
On the other hand, the brush system of the HZ251 uses only one Powerfins roller without any additional soft rollers. Although, in my pick-up tests, this machine still handles fine and small debris like flour, sand, cat litter, and cereal crumbs, it struggles with larger debris such as Froot Loops. In addition, without the soft roller feature, it cannot simultaneously vacuum and polish the floor.
Pet hair performance
The Shark HZ251 and HZ2002 are great options if you’re struggling with pet hair. They are excellent at removing pet hair from hard floors, carpets, and sofas. With their Powerfins technology, these vacuums can easily pick up pet hair without tangles or clogs.
From my testing, I have observed that the vacuum’s brushroll on the bottom does not often get tangled with pet hair. However, if you notice any hair wrap, there’s no need to worry. Simply continue vacuuming, and the self-cleaning brushroll automatically removes tangled hair, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning performance.
Additionally, the Shark HZ2002 and HZ251 are equipped with practical pet tools. These specialized attachments are designed to tackle pet hair and make cleaning even more effective. So whether you need to clean upholstery, remove hair from furniture, or reach those tricky corners where pet hair tends to accumulate, these pet tools have got you covered.
Design and convenience
Tie
Maneuverability
There are a few differences between the HZ251 and the HZ2002 regarding maneuverability. Let’s start with their positives. These compact vacuums are designed to be easily maneuverable, allowing you to navigate around dining room furniture and other obstacles effortlessly. Their low-profile design enables them to glide smoothly under the table, easily reaching those hard-to-reach areas.
The vacuums have detachable wands that make them useful for cleaning stairs and furniture as handheld vacuums. The swivel heads of both models are impressive, as they can easily maneuver in different positions to thoroughly clean around objects.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, controlling the cleaning heads’ swivel action can sometimes be challenging, making it hard to keep the vacuum on a straight path.
Secondly, although these vacuums are powerful, they are slightly heavier than other stick vacuums on the market. The Shark HZ251 weighs 8.71 pounds, while the Shark HZ2002 weighs 9.05 pounds. This weight can be more noticeable when using them in handheld mode, as the top-heavy design can make maneuvering a bit more challenging.
Additionally, the length of the power cord limits their cleaning reach. The Shark HZ2002 has a 30-foot power cord, providing decent coverage between 2 and 3 rooms. On the other hand, the Shark HZ251 has a slightly shorter power cord, measuring 25 feet.
LED headlights
The Shark HZ251 and Shark HZ2002 both have LED headlights, which are very convenient. They are especially helpful in dark areas where you might not see the dirt. However, the two machines have different arrangements for the LED lights. The HZ2002 has a smooth line of LEDs in the center of the vacuum’s front, while the HZ251 has two LED lights on each side.
With these LED lights, you can see more clearly while cleaning, making finding hidden dust and debris in dark corners easier. Whether cleaning under furniture or in dimly lit rooms, these LED lights provide the extra illumination needed for a thorough cleaning experience. You won’t have to strain your eyes anymore or miss any dirt because of poor lighting. The LED lights are placed in the right spots to light up every nook and cranny, enabling you to achieve perfect cleaning results with every pass.
Maintenance
Tie
Taking care of the Shark HZ251 and Shark HZ2002 is easy and doesn’t require much effort. In addition to regularly cleaning the dust cup and filter, keeping the floor nozzle clean is important for proper maintenance. Both machines are easy to maintain, but there are slight differences in the cleaning process.
The Shark HZ251 has a cleaning head containing a single Powerfins brush roll. Thanks to Powerfins technology, hair, and debris are barely trapped on the brush roll. If you notice any tangles after using the product for some time, don’t worry. You can easily remove them by removing the brush roll cover at the bottom of the nozzle. You won’t need any tools to remove the brush roll.
On the other hand, the Shark HZ2002 needs slightly more maintenance because of its double brush roll mechanism. For optimal performance of your Shark DouClean Powerfins cleaning heads, it’s important to regularly clean both the Powerfins roller and the soft roller. Dirt often accumulates at the back of the soft roller, even if the brush roll looks clean. To ensure the machine runs well, clean this area regularly. Dirt can affect its performance, so it’s important to keep it clean. You can ensure that both rollers operate at their best by keeping up with maintenance.
Great for value
Tie
In terms of pricing, the Shark HZ251 and HZ2002 fall into the mid to higher range of stick vacuum cleaners. These models offer advanced features and powerful cleaning performance, which is reflected in their price point. Although they may come at a higher cost than entry-level or budget-friendly alternatives, they offer exceptional value in terms of their performance and functionality.
While the initial investment may be higher, it’s important to consider these vacuum cleaners’ long-term benefits and durability. Shark is known for producing high-quality and reliable products; the HZ251 and HZ2002 are no exception. With their robust construction and innovative features, these models are designed to provide efficient and effective cleaning for years.
When comparing Shark HZ2002 and Shark HZ251, the HZ2002 comes at a slightly higher cost but boasts better performance. Its power cord is longer and performs exceptionally well on hard floors and carpets. Moreover, it has the ability to handle different types of debris, including fine and extra-large particles.
Shark HZ251 vs HZ2002: Similarities
Aside from the differences, these two vacuums still share many of the same features, such as dimensions, the self-cleaning brush roll, and the dirt compartment.
Dirt bin and filtration
Dirt bin
The Shark HZ251 and HZ2002 are bagless vacuums. With their clear plastic dust cups, you can easily monitor the amount of dirt that has accumulated and determine when it’s time to empty them.
Their dust cups have the same capacity of approximately 0.3 L. According to my tests, these cups fill up rather quickly. During a cleaning session, it’s possible that you’ll need to empty the dust cup multiple times. However, the process is quick and hassle-free, so it doesn’t become a major inconvenience.
With these models, to empty the dust cup, you need to detach it from the handheld vacuum first. Next, simply hold it over a trash can and press the empty button. Then, pull open the dust cup lid until you hear a click, and it locks in place. Give the cone-shaped screen inside a gentle tap to remove any dust and debris from the trash.
Filtration
In spite of their powerful cleaning performance, the Shark HZ251 and HZ2002 do not feature a HEPA filter. Both models come equipped with a filtration system comprising washable foam and fiber filters. Although they do not have HEPA filters, their filtration design is still efficient in capturing airborne particles. While these filters may not provide the same level of filtration as HEPA filters, they effectively prevent debris from being released through the exhaust.
As you may likely know, HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, ensuring that the air expelled from the vacuum is purified and free of allergens and fine dust. When compared to HEPA filters, the foam and fiber filters employed in these models have a higher micron rating, usually ranging from 1 to 5 microns. Although they may not offer the same level of filtration as HEPA filters, they still aid in maintaining a cleaner and healthier atmosphere by capturing larger particles and preventing them from being reintroduced into the air.
The plus point of their filters is that all of them are washable. You can rinse them with water and let them dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back into the vacuum.
Quick Rundown Of Shark HZ2002
- NO HAIR WRAP: The self-cleaning brushroll is engineered to pick up more hair* and delivers powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap (*vs. Shark bristle nozzles).680.0 watts.Specific uses:hard floor,carpet,dual action
- DUOCLEAN POWERFINS: A PowerFins brushroll and a soft roller combine on all floors. Continuous cleaning contact to dig deep into carpets, directly engage floors, and pick up more dirt, debris, and hair in every pass (vs. original DuoClean).
- CONVERTS TO A HAND VACUUM: Lightweight, precision hand vacuum with a tapered design creates powerful streamlined suction and is under 3 lbs.
- PERFECT FOR PET HAIR: Includes a self-cleaning Pet Power Brush for deep cleaning with no hair wrap.
- ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: For excellent control and a low-profile design for under-furniture reach.
Quick Rundown Of Shark HZ251
- DEEP CARPET CLEANING: Thorough deep carpet cleaning and powerful pet hair pickup on all surfaces.
- NO HAIR WRAP: Pick up more hair with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle brushrolls).
- ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT: Powerful suction in a hand vacuum that weighs less than 3 lbs.
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
- REMOVABLE DUST CUP: Removable, easy-to-empty dust cup.
Product Videos
Related Articles to Shark Hz2002
- Shark HZ2000 vs HZ2002: What Is The Biggest Difference Between These Models?
- Shark UV580 Vs HZ2002: A Detailed Side-by-Side Comparison
- Shark HZ602 Vs HZ2002: Which One Should You Choose?
- Shark HZ2002 Vs HZ3002: Battle Of The Corded Vacuums
- Shark HZ2002 vs HV322: Which One Should You Go For?
References:
- Shark HZ251: http://206.47.165.218/include/pdf/manual-hz251.pdf
- Shark HZ2002: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/4402173987602/HZ2000Series_Manual_E_F_S_Mv6_20200910.pdf
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.