In the debate to find out which is the best Shark upright vacuum cleaner between Shark LA502 vs ZU782, I would like to humbly offer my personal opinions. After a while of experimenting, I found that the winner is the ZU782.
Shark ZU782 has the upper hand thanks to its suction power. It performs really great on both hard floors and carpets. Also, it has a decent cleaning reach with a super long hose. The HEPA filter system makes it extremely useful for people with allergies or breathing problems.
Shark LA502 is also a very formidable opponent. It is fairly compact and lightweight so it is easy for you to transport the machine from room to room. Its special feature comes from the DouClean PowerFin technology, which allows it to pick up even large debris without struggling.
Shark LA502 vs ZU782: Comparison Chart
Shark LA502 vs ZU782: Differences
After looking at the differences between these two vacuum cleaners, I conclude Shark ZU782 wins 2:0 and ties 1 against Shark LA502 thanks to its suction power, cleaning reach, and design. Read the breakdown below to learn more about the pros and cons of each machine.
Cleaning Performance
The winner: Shark ZU782
Compatible floor type
These vacuum cleaners can all work effectively on many different types of surfaces, especially hard floors. In my opinion, their cleaning performance on hard floors is the same. You can use them to pick up debris from small to large sizes. In my tests, I used several types of particles such as flour, cat litter, chili flake, breakfast cereal, and rice, and as a result, they picked up almost everything, including full-sized Froot Loops. It’s just a little hard for them to pick up flour and icing sugar, so you need a few more passes to vacuum all this debris.
With all the debris types above, I tested their carpet cleaning efficiency, and it turns out that they clean low-pile carpets pretty well. However, it’s quite hard to roll them on high-pile carpets. The strong suction makes them tend to push themselves forward and simultaneously creates a drag that makes it more difficult for users to pull them backward.
Regarding their strong performance, it is largely thanks to the DouClean system. This system is designed with a soft roller in the front and a bristle roller in the back. These two brush rolls work together to dig deep into the carpet and direct in contact with the floor, thereby increasing cleaning efficiency. Besides, Shark LA502 is also upgraded from the original DouClean to DouClean PowerFin, which has a different structure roller at the back from the old version. This new design allows the vacuum to pick up more debris per pass.
Pet hair performance
The powerful suction and advanced brush roll system allow these machines to pick up pet hair very well. In particular, their brush system has a self-cleaning function, so it requires less maintenance than other vacuum cleaners.
In some other traditional upright vacuums, their rollers can’t resist tangled, so after each use, users often have a headache solving the hair tightly wrapped around the brush roll. This becomes even more troublesome if the roller is not removable or the disassembly is too complicated. As for this duo, it is different, it requires little work to handle the brush system.
After many tests, I noticed that both machines do not have hair stuck on the bristle roller. With so much fur and human hair, there will only be a few fur left on the soft roller in front. Fortunately, this roller can be easily removed and reassembled without using tools, so cleaning it also becomes much easier.
Suction strength
When it comes to suction power, the ZU782 has a larger capacity, about 1200 W while the LA502 has a smaller capacity, about 960 W. According to my real experience, their suction power at the cleaner head is approximately the same, while the airflow at the hose of the ZU782 is stronger.
To control suction strength from min level to max level, each machine comes with a switch on the handle. In addition, on the top of the pod, there is another switch with three modes “off”, “hard-floor”, and “carpet”, which allows the user to adjust the suction mode depending on the types of surfaces.
Dirt bin and filtration
Tie
Dirt bin
Both machines are equipped with a dust cup, which is made of hard and clear plastic, so you can tell how full the inside is just by a glance. Regarding the volume, these cups have the same capacity, about 0.84 L. In my opinion, this size is a bit small because it will require more emptying. Of course, a larger dust container will increase the weight of the vacuum.
The advantage is that they are easy to disassemble and clean. On the top of the pod there is a “dust cup release” button, press it and you can pull up the dirt compartment. Each machine also has a lid at the bottom with a release button on the side. Every time you need to empty them, press the release button to pop the lid open and all the dirt will follow it out.
Filtration
These machines have the same filtration system and each comes with anti-allergen complete seal technology. These are all HEPA filtration systems, which can capture 99.97% of airborne particles such as dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, etc, with a size of 0.3 microns.
Each system consists of three filters, two are pre-motor filters and the other is post-motor filters. The anti-allergen complete seal forces the unfiltered air through all these filters and prevents the air from leaking out through crevices in the body. Therefore, these filtration systems are great for people who have allergies or respiratory problems.
All three filters are washable, so maintenance and replacement costs are minimal. You need to wash them with cold water and let them dry for at least 24 hours before using them again. The post-motor filter is a HEPA filter. It is located on the front of the vacuum’s body, above the cleaner head. Shark recommends that users wash it every year. The two pre-motor filters include a foam filter and a felt filter, both located underneath the dirt compartment. Shark recommends users clean them every three months.
Design and convenience
The winner: Shark ZU782
Maneuverability
Their maneuverability is fairly great. They all have a compact design and they can recline and lay nearly flat against the floor, so it is quite easy for you to clean under furniture.
Both of them have the lift-away function, which allows you to detach the unit from the wand. Then, you can use one hand to hold the pod while using the cleaner head with the other hand. This really eases the burden on my back when I clean my stairs. However, with these lift-away models, there is no power at the end of the handle so when you switch to motorized tools, they won’t run. The Shark ZU782’s lift-away switch is on the top of the pod, and the Shark LA502’s is a pedal on the back of the unit.
In terms of weight, the LA502 weighs 15.43 pounds while the ZU782 is 17.7 pounds. Therefore, if you prefer something lighter, Shark LA502 is the right choice for you.
In addition, each machine offers a swivel head with a flexible rotation angle, which greatly enhances the maneuverability of the vacuum cleaner. This feature allows the unit to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and so on.
Build quality
Both machines have a decent build quality. They are mostly made of hard plastic, except for the metal wand. Overall, though, they still feel rather solid. I would only recommend being a little careful while using the dust cups as they appear to be the most fragile.
For me, they are all easy to assemble. These machines are almost complete when you take them out of the box and it only takes about five minutes for users to snap the parts together.
Range
Shark ZU782 has a better cleaning range than Shark LA502 because it has a longer power cord and hose. A ZU782 power cord measures 30 feet in length while a LA502 power cord measures only 25 feet. Along with that, the hose of the ZU782 is 8.4 feet long and that of the ZU782 is 6 feet. From my experience, the ZU782 has a decent cleaning reach, something that not many other upright vacuums on the market have. This explains why the Shark ZU782 is heavier than its opponents.
Meanwhile, the short power cord makes you have to look for another power outlet to replace, and the short hose limits the cleaning reach. This may not be a big deal if you just vacuum in a small space, but in a large area, it will be a matter.
LED lights
Although both machines have LED headlights, their design is not the same. The ZU782 has four LEDs on the left and four on the right, while the LA502 has eight LEDs lined up in the middle. Therefore, in terms of lighting area, Shark ZU782 has an advantage. However, overall, these are all highly useful support utilities for users. You would never know your floor has so much dust until these LED lights come on.
Quick Rundown Of Shark ZU782
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- DUOCLEAN TECHNOLOGY: Dual-brushroll system deep-cleans carpets and directly engages floors for a polished look.
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Engineered for more pet hair pickup with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle nozzles).
- 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.
Quick Rundown Of Shark LA502
- 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.)
Product Videos
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References:
- Shark LA502: https://www.sharkclean.ca/products/shark-rotator-lift-away-adv-duoclean-powerfins-upright-zidLA502
- Shark ZU782: http://m.sharkclean.us/support/product-series/1216/shark-rotator-pro-upright-vacuum-with-lift-away-duoclean-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.