If you are wondering which vacuum cleaner to choose between Shark LA502 vs AZ2002, this article will be useful for your decision. From my experience, I conclude the winner is AZ2002.
Shark AZ2002 won my heart for its phenomenal performance. The powerful suction makes it easy to pick up a variety of particles on both bare floors and carpets. Besides, this machine also has a very user-friendly design. The powered lift-away function allows it to be used as both an upright vacuum cleaner and a handheld vacuum cleaner.
Shark LA502 also has the same cleaning performance on hard floors as its opponent. It offers users the full features of a Shark Lift-Away vacuum, such as DouClean Technology, a self-cleaning brushroll, HEPA filters, an anti-allergen seal, and so on. What I like most about this machine is its compact design.
Shark LA502 vs AZ2002: Comparison Chart
Shark LA502 vs AZ2002: Differences
After examining the difference between the two vacuum cleaners, I conclude Shark AZ2002 wins 3:0 against Shark LA502 thanks to its cleaning performance, suction, dust cup capacity, and maneuverability. Read the analysis below for more details.
Cleaning Performance
The winner: Shark AZ2002
Compatible Floor Type
Shark AZ2002 has a near-perfect performance on bare floors. I tested it on hardwood and tile floors and found that it picked up 99.8% of the dirt. It also works well on low-pile carpets, medium-pile carpets, and even shag carpets. The types of particles I used in the tests included baking soda, white sugar, chili flake, rice, and full-size Froot Loops. Of them, the AZ2002 needs a little more time to pick up the baking soda and white sugar, but overall, its operation is still great.
Shark LA502 is also an ideal choice for hard floors. It passed the tests that I set out quite easily and smoothly. In my opinion, the cleaning performance on hard floors of the LA502 is approximately the same as that of the AZ2002. On the carpet, Shark LA502 has an average performance. It works well on low-pile carpets but quite struggles on high-pile carpets. In my opinion, it doesn’t really grab the shaggy rug and pull the fur and debris within the fibers.
Speaking of the extraordinary performance of these machines when cleaning hard floors, it is mainly thanks to the DouClean system, which is ideal for hard surfaces, and even carpets. This system comes with a soft roller in the front and a PowerFin roller in the back. The PowerFin design makes the system even better than the original DouClean at picking up debris. This also allows the vacuum cleaner to pick up large debris without changing the head or adjusting the nozzle height.
Pet Hair Performance
With pet hair, these machines do a decent job. The DouClean PowerFin Technology also helps them pick up pet hair more efficiently. A soft roller and a PowerFin roller work together to dig deep into carpets and make direct contact with floors so that the vacuum cleaner can pick up more pet hair and debris in every pass.
Besides, these brush rolls are also designed to be self-cleaning and tangle-resistant. After many checks, I noticed that there is almost no tangled hair stuck on the brush roll, there are a few long hairs but negligible. The soft roller at the front can be pushed out easily for cleaning. Remember that, these DouClean vacuums get dirt built up behind the soft roller easily, so you need to remove the roller to clean the back part regularly. If you don’t, it will cause your vacuum to stall and not start until you clean it.
Suction power
Suction power is one of the reasons why Shark AZ2002 has a better carpet cleaning performance than Shark LA502. From what I have measured, the Shark AZ2002 has the airflow at the hose 105 CFM, while that of the Shark LA502 is 75 CFM. According to Shark, the power of the AZ2002 is 1344 W, while the LA502 is only 960 W.
In fact, the AZ2002 has an extraordinary suction strength, so strong that the vacuum runs away on its own. It almost doesn’t miss anything along the way. In my opinion, this is both a great advantage, but also a disadvantage. Since the suction is so great that it moves on its own, it is a bit awkward to pull the machine back. It sucks hard on floors and carpets, so when cleaning on shaggy rugs, you’ll find it a little harder to roll it on than usual.
Dirt bin and filtration
The winner: Shark AZ2002
Dirt bin
These are bagless vacuums, all the dirt is kept inside a dust cup. This cup is made from clear plastic so users can see what’s inside. According to my experience, there are some differences in the dust cup structure of these machines.
In terms of capacity, the Shark AZ2002’s dirt bin has a capacity of 0.95 L, and the Shark LA502’s is 0.84 L. You can see that the AZ2002 has a larger dust cup. When compared to many other models I’ve reviewed in the past, this dust cup capacity isn’t huge, but it’s enough that you don’t need to empty the cup too often.
In terms of structure, the Shark LA502 dust container has an open layout that is easy to empty and clean. To empty it, simply remove the litter cup, press the release button to open the lid on the bottom, and all the dirt will fall out. The Shark AZ2002 one is designed a little differently, I’ll leave the illustration below for you to imagine. Although the design is a bit out of the ordinary, the fact is that it has nothing to do with emptying and cleaning.
Filtration
Both machines share the same filtration system, which includes one post-motor filter and two pre-motor filters. This system comes with Anti-allergen seal technology that causes all the air entering the vacuum to be forced through all the filters, thereby increasing the efficiency of air filtration. The anti-allergen seal prevents unfiltered air from leaking out through openings or cracks in the vacuum cleaner body.
The post-motor filter is a HEPA filter, and it is located on the front of the body, just above the cleaner head. This filter traps 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns such as dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and more. Therefore, it is very suitable for allergy sufferers or people who just don’t want to inhale what they are trying to vacuum.
The two pre-motor filters include a foam filter and a felt filter. They are located below the dirt compartment and can capture small dust particles before they can accumulate on the motor surface, hence extending the lifespan of the vacuum cleaner motor.
These filters all need to be cleaned periodically. You should only wash them under cold water and let them dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back in their original position. Shark recommends users clean the pre-motor filters every three months and the HEPA filter every year.
design and convenience
The winner: Shark AZ2002
Design
Both of these machines have good build quality. Although most of their parts are made from plastic, they are still quite sturdy all in all, except for the dust cups. These cups seem to be a bit fragile, and if you are reckless, you will most likely damage them and have to spend money to replace a new one.
Assembling these machines is very simple, just snap everything together, and no tools are required. In fact, it took me less than five minutes to have a complete upright vacuum cleaner, which is ready to use.
In addition, Shark AZ2002 has a longer power cord than Shark LA502. The Shark AZ2002’s cord length is 30 feet, while the Shark LA502’s is 25 feet. Such a power cord is very long compared to other Shark models on the market, and it completely allows me to clean all over my living room without changing the outlet. However, the hose’s length is pretty short, and I wish it could have been a bit longer.
With Shark AZ2002, all the controls are on the handle, including the power button and the switch to adjust the suction mode. As for Shark LA502, the power and suction adjustment buttons are located on the handle while the switch to change between suction modes is located in the middle of the body. Personally, I like the design of the AZ2002 better because I don’t have to bend down when I want to change the suction mode.
Maneuverability
In terms of weight and dimensions, Shark LA502 is lighter than Shark AZ2002, but in general, both machines are rather compact in size. The compact size allows it to easily slip into tight spaces and between furniture, as well as being easy to store when not in use. This is not to say that the AZ2002 does not perform well in small corners. It can also recline and lay nearly flat against the floor, which is helpful for cleaning under furniture.
The heads of both machines can be rotated with a decent turning radius. It will take some time for beginners to get used to this feature, but once you master it, the versatility of your vacuum cleaner will increase dramatically.
Both machines are lift-away upright vacuums, but the lift-away function is different for each machine. The LA502 is a standard lift-away vacuum, while the AZ2002 is a Powered Lift-away. The difference is that with powered lift-away, you can convert the upright vacuum cleaner into a handheld vacuum while the suction power remains unchanged when the dust canister detaches from the body. As for standard lift-away models, there is no power at the end of the handle, so you can’t run any motorized tools after converting the vacuum into a handheld one.
Noise level
From what I have measured, these machines all have similar noise levels and fluctuate around 77 dB. This level is louder than the average for an upright vacuum cleaner. When you are using them to vacuum, you may have to turn up the TV or radio volume if you want to hear better. However, this level does not affect hearing unless you are exposed to it for more than 40 hours per week.
Quick Rundown Of Shark AZ2002
- SHARK’S ULTRA-POWERFUL VACUUM: The Vertex is an ultra-powerful vacuum, with incredible suction and innovative cleaning technologies..1344.0 watts.Cord length (ft.): 30, Hose length (ft.): 5.5..Amperage : 11.8A
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Engineered for more pet hair pickup with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle nozzles).
- 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 in every pass. (vs. original DuoClean).
- POWERED LIFT-AWAY: Detachable pod for motorized cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- PERFECT FOR PETS: Includes a self-cleaning Pet Power Brush for deep cleaning with no hair wrap and a Pet Crevice Tool to remove pet hair from hard-to-reach spaces like corners, ceilings, and between couch cushions.
Quick Rundown Of Shark LA502
- 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 in every pass. (vs. original DuoClean).Specific uses:hard floor,carpet,dual action
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: lift away the detachable pod and easily clean above-floor areas like stairs, furniture, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
Product Videos
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References:
- Shark AZ2002: https://www.sharkclean.com/exclusive-offer/AZ2002WBKT/shark-vertex-upright-vacuum-with-powered-lift-away-duoclean-powerfins-and-self-cleaning-brushroll/
- Shark LA502: https://www.sharkclean.com/exclusive-offer/LA502WBKT/shark-rotator-lift-away-adv-upright-vacuum-with-duoclean-powerfins-and-self-cleaning-brushroll/
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.