Shark LA300 vs ZU560: If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the second one without hesitation.
The Shark ZU560 is lightweight and easy to maneuver, and it can pick up a lot of hair without tangling around brush rollers, thanks to Zero-M technology. What more can you expect from an under-200 model?
The Shark LA300 has plenty of suction power for an affordable, lightweight vacuum. It is a great-for-value option for those who have a lot of hard floors in their home. But if you are keen on something to clean your carpets efficiently, just consider the ZU560.
Shark LA300 vs ZU560: Comparison Chart
Shark LA300 vs ZU560: Differences
The Shark ZU560 wins 1-0 and draws once against the LA300. The Shark LA300 is only okay on bare floors, while the ZU560 performed well on both floors and carpets, including dense ones. Better yet, the latter minimizes hair wrap thanks to Zero-M technology and a self-cleaning roller.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark ZU560
My first impression of the Shark LA300 was that it had good suction, and I expected it to work well on all surfaces. But I soon realized that it was only suitable for floor vacuuming. Yes, the LA300 picked up any debris that I dropped on my hard floor during testing without a problem, and that’s something almost any upright can do. Nothing special here!
Sadly, the LA300 performed poorly on flat and low-pile carpets and was nearly useless on dense carpets and rugs. Its roller stopped continuously, although I restarted it a few times and hoped it would work.
Moreover, after one testing session, the roller got stuck. There were 12 specialty screws used for no obvious reason other than making removing the brush head more difficult. So untangling clogged hair from the roller was tedious and time-consuming.
As for the ZU560, it also had amazing suction power. I was unsure if it had notably better suction than the LA300, but I felt it performed better on my hard floor surfaces. It also worked well on my low-pile carpet.
On the dense rug, the ZU560 still did the job, but I found it hard to push the machine on this type of surface. If you face a similar situation, the trick is to rotate the collar (on the handle) counterclockwise to reduce the suction. This will help you move freely, but the vacuuming performance will be reduced (because of the reduced suction).
The main selling point of the ZU560 is the self-cleaning roller with Zero-M technology. A large amount of the would-be-wrapped hair was automatically stripped from the roller by the vacuum and then sent into the dust canister. It wasn’t flawless, but it did save you a lot of time that would have otherwise been spent untangling the roller.
Weight and Maneuverability
Winner: Tie
The Shark LA300 and ZU560 weigh 12.3 pounds and 13.4 pounds, respectively. There is no significant difference here. They are light enough that my 10-year-old neighbor can push them without straining. So any review that says they’re heavy and hard to maneuver is making up a story.
The head of the vacuum swivels around easily thanks to the swivel steering feature. This feature may take time to get used to and can initially make it difficult to keep the vacuum in a straight line. But trust me, and you will love it soon.
Shark LA300 vs ZU560: Similarities
Dust Cup Capacity And Filters
This duo has a 0.9-quart dust cup, which is neither too large nor particularly small. They are easy to empty, but there is a problem.
You’ll need to push a release button that’s located at the bottom of the cup to open the bottom door and dump the dust. The problem is that you need to hold the cup high enough to be able to press the button, leading to the risk of dust and dirt spreading around. If you have severe allergies, it will be terrible.
I really favor the dust cup emptying mechanism of the Dyson uprights. All you have to do is push a button on the handle while making sure the trash is covering the dust cup.
In terms of filters, both are equipped with washable filters (including a HEPA filter) and complete seal technology. This combination ensures that nothing escapes from the unit but clean, dust-free air.
Lift-Away Feature
Like most of their siblings, both the Shark LA300 vs ZU560 can be turned into portable vacuums by detaching the dust canister from the floorhead. These machines, which are already lightweight, are now even lighter without the weight of the base. In this semi-handheld configuration, it is a breeze to vacuum stairs and hard-to-reach areas. It is essential to hold the canister with one hand, as it is prone to tipping if left on the floor.
Cord Length
These machines share a 25-foot power cord. To be honest, I don’t think this cord length will please anyone, and 5 to 10 more feet would make these cords better. Without the help of an extension cord, I had to constantly find the next outlet during the vacuuming process, which is tedious and time-consuming.
Suction Adjustment
As mentioned above, you can customize the suction power of these machines by turning a ring on the handle. If you find it difficult to push the machine on a dense carpet, rotate the collar counterclockwise. If you need more suction, just do the opposite.
The last thing they have in common is a button on the body that can be used to turn off the roller (for vacuuming hard floors) or activate the roller (for cleaning carpets).
Quick Rundown Of Shark ZU560
- The vacuum that deep-cleans now cleans itself The Zero-M self-cleaning brushroll delivers nonstop hair removal
- Use as an upright vacuum for powerful floor and carpet cleaning Or for more portability detach the canister to go into Lift-Away mode to easily clean above-floor areas like furniture and stairs
- Complete Seal Technology + filtration traps dust and particles inside the vacuum cleaner
- Swivel steering provides effortless maneuverability for cleaning hard-to-reach areas
Quick Rundown Of Shark LA300
- Lift-Away the detachable pod with the easy-to-use pod-release pedal to clean stairs, furniture, and everywhere in your home.
- Deep cleaning on carpets, strong suction on hard floors, and powerful pet hair pickup.
- No vacuum emits cleaner air, capturing 99.99% of dust and allergens with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger)
- Lighter than Shark's best-selling Lift-Away, with more suction for versatile whole-home cleaning. (Weight and suction vs. NV351, suction measured at the hose)
- 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 ZU560: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005961059-ZU560-Series
- Shark LA300: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005951859-LA300-Series
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.