The overall winner of the battle between the Shark UV850 vs. AZ1002 is obviously the more modern model – the second one. And through this article, I will help you clarify this assertion.
I believe the Shark AZ1002 can satisfy everyone, although they are heavy and may not be ideal for the elderly. I would have gladly compromised on its heavy weight to get punches, such as the DuoClean head, the LED lights (on both the nozzle and handle), and the ability to get under furniture.
The Shark UV850 is generally a reasonable price for what you get. It has amazing suction, is lightweight, and the best part is that it is equipped with a DuoClean head with a self-cleaning brush roll. For around $100, you cannot ask for more than that.
Shark UV850 vs AZ1002: Comparison Chart
Shark UV850 vs AZ1002: Differences
The Shark AZ1002 wins 2-1 and draws once against the UV850. The winner is very powerful and convenient, with a wide range of features. It is a bit heavy but well worth the price I spent on it.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Tie
The Shark UV850 worked very well on my carpet and hard floor. I tested it on a carpet that I thought was fairly clean and used the maximum power (there were two modes for suction power). After rolling the machine back and forth a few times, the empty dust cup was filled with a good amount of dust and dirt. But the suction power was so strong that it could grab my carpet when I rolled it back toward me. So if you’re annoyed with this, just choose the minimum suction setting.
If you’re a pet owner, you probably already know how tedious and daunting constantly cutting hair off the brush roller can be. The good news is that this is no longer an issue with the Shark UV850 because it features a DuoClean head with a self-cleaning PowerFins roller. Almost no hair was wrapped on the roller after testing.
The Shark AZ1002 also features a DuoClean head with a soft roller and a self-cleaning brush roll. It could effectively clean my floor without scratching while still deeply cleaning my carpet, so I call it “killing two birds with one stone.” It captured so much dust and hair from the carpet, and I had to raise my eyebrow.
By being equipped with the self-cleaning brush roll with Zero-M technology, the AZ1002 could easily send most of the vacuumed hair into its canister. Of course, nothing is 100%, and there was still a small amount of long hair that stayed on the roller. But I didn’t have to spend hours cleaning it.
Design and Usability
Winner: Shark UV850
Weight and Maneuverability
The Shark UV850 weighs 13.64 pounds. It’s not the lightest out there, but it is a breeze to carry around. It is easy to turn and maneuver the machine, and it won’t tax your back when carrying it upstairs. It is also very easy to switch from floor to carpet and vice versa. But you can feel it harder to pull the machine back if you set it to maximum power.
The Shark AZ1002 is definitely heavier than the UV850 and many other vacuums, but I think it is just a matter of getting used to it. It has excellent maneuvering and turning capabilities and can suit all vacuum needs. But I don’t recommend it for the elderly, especially those who struggle with back and sciatica issues.
Dust Cup Capacity
The AZ1002’s dust cup has a capacity of 0.88 quarts, while the UV850 outperforms with a 1.16-quart dirt bin. These bins were easy to detach and dump out the dirt and hair. If you don’t want to have to empty your vacuum in the middle of a cleaning process, you’ll probably want something bigger, but I’m fine with any of these.
Utilities
Winner: Shark AZ1002
LED Lights
Both the Shark UV850 vs AZ1002 sport LED lights on the base, which help illuminate stuff on the floor. Many users consider this feature redundant, but it is a huge help when vacuuming in dark corners and under furniture. There is even a light on the AZ1002’s handle, which comes into play when you work with its hose/wand.
Lift Away
Both the Shark UV850 vs AZ1002 have the “Lift-Away” feature that allows you to vacuum with just the pod without having it attached to the base. This cool feature makes it easier to carry the unit around with you to vacuum stairs and other hard-to-reach areas or suck cobwebs out of corners and the ceiling.
As for the AZ1002, you can remove the pod and keep using its cleaner head, turning it into a stick vacuum that can get under stuff much easier with just a bit of bending over. But if you use this vacuum on a carpet, you can quickly get hand fatigue if you use this configuration.
Controls
Winner: Shark AZ1002
All the controls, like the floor-to-rug switch and the power switch, are conveniently located on the AZ1002’s handle. That way, every time I switch from carpet to floor and vice versa, all I need to do is flick my finger, saving so much time. My only complaint was that it didn’t allow me to adjust its suction to my liking, and this was quite inconvenient whenever I found it difficult to push the machine on my thick carpet.
As for the Shark UV850, there was an on/off switch and floor-to-carpet switch on the canister, so I had to constantly bend over every time I went from rugs to floors. It is not good. Moreover, its plastic handle feels very cheap. I thought it would have durability issues, and time would tell.
Shark UV850 vs AZ1002: Similarities
Cord Length
Both the Shark UV850 vs AZ1002 share a 30-foot power cord, so I didn’t have to change outlets as often. The biggest minus is that it was easy to step on the cord accidentally, and I had to learn to keep the cord in my left hand while lugging the vacuum around. Also, to put the cord back in place, I had to bend way down and wrap it manually.
Filters
Both the Shark UV850 vs AZ1002 are equipped with anti-allergen complete seal technology, which ensures any dust or allergens are captured by the HEPA filter and pre-motor filters before vacuumed air gets shunted back out.
I checked all the filters, which as removable and washable, and was very impressed with how much they grabbed. I would recommend buying extra filters so that you don’t have to wait for the old filters to dry completely.
Quick Rundown Of Shark AZ1002
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: The vacuum that deep-cleans now cleans itself. Engineered for more pet hair pickup with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle nozzles).
- DUOCLEAN TECHNOLOGY: Dual-brushroll system deep-cleans carpets and directly engages floors for a polished look.
- 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.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Works with HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- NOISE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY: Expertly tuned to reduce noise and soften pitch.
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.)
Product Video
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References:
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.