Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your home can be challenging, especially with many available options. In this comparison, we will look closer at the Shark UV850 vs ZU785, two popular upright vacuum cleaners from Shark. We will examine their main features, including suction power, dustbin capacity, filtration, and price, to help you determine which model best fits your needs.
From my experience with the pair, Shark UV850 deserves its top spot as the winner. Thanks to its DuoClean PowerFins, UV850 is still highly effective at cleaning carpets and hard floors, and its smaller size and lighter weight make it easier to maneuver. Overall, the Shark UV850 is an excellent option for those looking for a high-quality vacuum cleaner that won’t break the bank.
While the Shark ZU785 is a powerful and efficient vacuum cleaner, it may not be the best choice for everyone. One drawback is its higher price than other models, which may not fit everyone’s budget. Additionally, its larger size and heavier weight may make it more difficult to maneuver, especially in tight spaces or up and down stairs.
Shark UV850 vs ZU785: Comparison Chart
Shark UV850 vs ZU785: Differences
Shark UV850 wins 2-0 and ties 3 times against ZU785. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. It’s in your power to decide the true winner that also tends to your needs! But if you want to hear my opinion, here are my takes on each vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning performance
Tie
Debris types
With their high suction power and the assistance of double rollers, these vacuums don’t struggle against any debris type when I test them against the same hard floor surface. They work incredibly well against dust piles and small pieces of trash that are dry. Of course, I don’t recommend cleaning wet or moist food pieces with any of these since they aren’t specially designed for wet/dry cleaning. Avoid it because it can ruin the motor for good!
If you have pets that shed lots of hair, I also recommend Shark UV850 and ZU785 since their DuoClean brushrolls are made to tackle these stubborn strands. But keep in mind that I’m speaking strictly about hair cleaning on hard floors because a surface change can greatly alter the performance, which I will dive into further right below!
Floor types
The DuoClean systems on Shark UV850 and ZU785 are highly distinctive. The rollers on UV850 involve one soft roller and one fin-like roller. And the rollers on ZU785 are bristle and soft brushrolls.
While the fins are amazing against pet hair and dust on hard floors, they aren’t that potent when dealing with hair on carpets or rugs. I notice they have a harder time lifting and removing my long cat hair when I go over a low-pile or high-pile rug.
On the contrary, the bristles on ZU785’s back roller are very efficient when cleaning hair from a carpeted area. The soft plastic bristles coordinate and lift strands more easily than the power fins. The bad thing is that bristles get tangled with hair more, even though it’s designed to self-clean.
However, one good thing these vacuums have in common is the ability to adjust the cleaning modes to different floor types and the potency of the suction power. For example, you can change between carpet or hard floor mode and reduce or augment the suction for more potent air input.
Filtration system and dust container
The Shark ZU785 and UV850 are equipped with HEPA filters, designed to capture small particles and allergens that other filters might miss. HEPA filters are important for those with allergies or respiratory issues, as they can help improve indoor air quality by trapping dust, pet dander, and other common allergens.
This filter is washable and reusable, which can help reduce the ongoing cost of maintaining the vacuum cleaner. Overall, the Shark ZU785 and UV850 are great options for those needing a high-quality vacuum cleaner with effective HEPA filtration to help improve indoor air quality.
Utilities
Tie
Let’s get straight into the details:
- The vacuums are equipped with LED lights on the nozzle, which can help illuminate dark areas and make it easier to see dirt and debris.
- Lift-Away Technology: This feature lets you detach the canister from the wand and clean under furniture and other hard-to-reach areas.
- Cord hook: This makes it easier to store the vacuums neatly without the cord all over the place. The hook can flip up or down to release the cord without unwrapping instantly.
- 2 ways to open dust cup: Up or down. You can choose however you want to open the cup and dump the content inside.
Weights and maneuverability
Winner: Shark UV850
The ZU785 is a larger and heavier vacuum cleaner (18 pounds) compared to some other models, which may make it more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or up and down stairs. However, it has a swivel steering feature that can help improve its overall maneuverability. Nevertheless, I find it very difficult to work with, and I don’t recommend it for users with mobility issues.
But, it’s worth noting that the maneuverability of a vacuum cleaner can be a subjective experience and may vary depending on personal preference and the home’s layout. For example, some people may find the Shark ZU785 to be perfectly maneuverable, while others may find it difficult to use.
On the contrary, Shark UV850 has proven to be swift and easy. It’s only 13.64 pounds, and the swivel steering paired with potent suction is just smooth. So I have nothing to complain about its maneuverability.
Budget-friendly
Winner: Shark UV850
Shark UV850 is definitely more budget-friendly than ZU785, even though the latter isn’t in the top price range either. I don’t doubt that it will be a great choice for users who need decent suction power without investing too much money on the device. The PowerFins are a good touch due to how well it avoids hair tangling and how effective it is against debris on all floor types. Its only weakness is hair on carpets and rugs. I highly recommend such a formidable vacuum.
Shark ZU785 is a good vacuum with high suction power and a DuoClean system with 2 rollers, one with bristle and one with soft material. But, I have had to deal with clogging on this product sometimes, which isn’t fun in the long run. So from my experience with this model, it doesn’t have suitable value for its price.
Quick Rundown Of Shark UV850
- DuoClean PowerFins: A PowerFin roller and a soft roller combine on all floors. Continuous cleaning contact to dig deep into carpets, directly engage floors, and pick up more in every pass. (vs. original DuoClean)
- Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
- Engineered to pick up more hair with no hair wrap (vs. shark bristle nozzles).
- Lift-Away the detachable pod with the easy-to-use pod-release pedal to clean stairs, furniture, and everywhere in your home.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger.)
Quick Rundown Of Shark ZU785
- Use as an upright vacuum for powerful floor and carpet cleaning or for more portability, detach the pod to go into Lift-Away mode to easily clean above-floor areas like furniture and stairs.
- DuoClean technology is a dual-brushroll system designed to deep-clean carpets and directly engage floors for a polished look.
- Self-cleaning brushroll removes long hair and pet hair with no hair wrap.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- Advanced Swivel Steering lets you easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
Product Video
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References:
- Shark UV850: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shark-UV850-Performance-Lift-Away-ADV-DuoClean-PowerFins-Upright-Vacuum-with-Self-Cleaning-Brushroll-Powerful-Pet-Hair-Pickup-and-HEPA-Filter/1740057520
- Shark ZU785: https://www.ebay.com/p/23036909851
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.