If you are looking for a Shark upright vacuum cleaner, do not ignore the Shark UV850 vs LA502 duo. The articles below are my direct and detailed reviews of these two machines. To summarize, the winner is the LA502.
Despite sharing many details similar to the opponent, such as the lift-away mode, the HEPA filter, the LED headlights, the 30-foot power cord, etc, Shark LA502 still has its own strengths. It performed effectively on hard floors and reduced odor as well. Its design is also compact and sturdy. It also includes great accessories.
Shark UV850 will not disappoint you either, especially given the affordable price it offers. It has a lightweight design and looks quite modern. It is not too noisy like other vacuum cleaners in the same series. In addition, its large dust cup capacity is another plus.
Shark UV850 vs LA502: Comparison Chart
Shark UV850 vs LA502: Differences
After examining the differences between the two machines, I found Shark LA502 wins 2:0 and ties 2 against Shark UV850. To learn more about the pros and cons of each machine, please continue reading the analysis below.
Cleaning performance
The winner: Shark LA502
Performance on hard floors
Both Shark UV850 and LA502 do a great job when cleaning hard floors. DouClean PowerFin technology allows them to pick up small to large debris without changing the head or adjusting the nozzle height.
Each DouClean system on these two machines includes two roller brushes, a soft roller in the front, and a PowerFin roller in the back. These brush rolls are in direct contact with the floor, so they both effectively clean and polish the surface.
After conducting some performance tests on hardwood and tile floors, I found that Shark LA502 does a bit better. Meanwhile, you’ll need to roll the UV850 back and forth a few times to get rid of things like flour and cat litter. However, it still did well with pet hair and cereal breakfast, with only one pass.
Performance on carpets
From my experience, I think their performance on carpets is not too bad but not very good either. If you need to find a machine that can grab the carpet and pull up pet hair and debris from deep down, these two machines are not my first choice. They work well on low-pile carpets but clean thick carpets in a rather superficial way.
I don’t see a big difference in carpet cleaning performance between the two machines. On the first pass, they almost exclusively remove what is on the surface of the carpet and need quite a few more passes for a more thorough cleaning. The UV850 also tends to rub dirt into the carpet. You won’t be able to sniff out this matter with the naked eye, so use your hands to check your carpet after vacuuming to make sure it really vacuumed.
Pet hair performance
As I mentioned above, you can see that the pet hair performance of these machines depends on the floor type.
Both Shark UV850 and LA502 pick up pet hair well on hard floors. DouClean PowerFin technology combined with the self-cleaning brush rolls minimizes the amount of tangled hair wrapped around the rollers. After observing, I noticed that almost nothing was wrapped around the PowerFin roller. However, sometimes there will be a little hair stuck on the soft roller. But you can rest assured, the soft rollers can be removed and installed very easily, so it is fairly convenient to clean.
A small note about DouClean vacuum cleaners is that they often have dirt built up behind the soft roller, and if you don’t clean that area often, it will cause your vacuum to stall. I mean, we need a little maintenance here, it will help prolong the life of the unit.
Suction control
On both machines, the button to control suction strength is located on the handle, which allows you to easily change the suction power to your demand at any time.
Next to their canister, there is a red switch to turn the machine on and off. There are three modes that you can adjust with this switch, including “off”, “hard floor”, and “carpet”. The suction on the handle is adjusted according to the suction mode you choose with the switch.
Design and convenience
Tie
Design
In terms of body style, Shark LA502 is more traditional while the Shark UV850 is a bit more modern. However, overall, they still share many similar details such as the layout of control buttons, the length of the power cord and hose, the dust cup design, and more.
When it comes to build quality, the LA502 is somewhat sturdier than the UV850. Even though they’re all mostly made of plastic, the LA502 feels pretty solid. Meanwhile, the handle of the UV850 is a bit loose and feels uncomfortable in the hand.
As for their range, the Shark UV850 has a 30-foot power cord, which is fairly long, and offers a decent cleaning reach. Meanwhile, the Shark LA502 has a 25-foot power cord, not too long but not very short. Their hoses are all 6 feet long, which is a bit short. In addition, all the included tools are stored on the board, so it is quite convenient to use.
Maneuverability
Both machines are lightweight, but the Shark UV850 is lighter than the Shark LA502. Compared to other Shark lift-away models, such a weight is much lighter. Besides, they are also compact in size, so it is very convenient to carry and store them. They will not tax your back when you carry it upstairs.
The machine head can be rotated with a decent turning radius, which gives the machine more versable when cleaning tight spaces and between furniture.
Additionally, they also have a cool feature, which calls “Lift-Away”, which allows you to remove the canister from the upright using the box release pedal, then carry the detachable pod with one hand while using the wand with the other hand. This feature is especially useful when cleaning stairs, under tables, under beds, etc.
Dirt bin and filtration
Tie
Dirt bin
Shark UV850 has a dust cup capacity of 1.0 liters, which isn’t too impressive but is large enough to provide a long cleaning session so that you don’t need to empty it too frequently. Meanwhile, the Shark LA502’s dust cup has a capacity of 0.84 liters, which is a bit small.
In terms of design, their dirt compartments are all transparent plastic cups with an open layout, so they are easy to observe and clean. The bottom has a lid and a release button. When you need to empty the dust cup, just remove it from the vacuum body, and press the release button, then the bottom lid will pop open and all the dirt will fall out.
Filtration
Both machines share the same filtration system, which comes with one post-motor filter and two pre-motor filters. This system is also equipped with the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology, which forces the unfiltered air to go through all the filters and prevents the air from leaking out through crevices in the vacuum body.
However, when I tested the true capabilities of the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system of each machine, I found a difference. Before I ordered the Shark UV850, I came across several reviews that mentioned a strange smell the machine gave off when people used it, and rightly so. There is a slightly unpleasant smell, which I assume is coming from its filter, however, this odor quickly disappears and diminishes with each use.
Speaking of filters, the post-motor filter is a HEPA filter, which is located in the front of the vacuum body, above the cleaner head. This filter can remove 99.97% of dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, etc, with a size of 0.3 microns. Therefore, it is helpful for people who have allergies or people who don’t want to smell things that they are trying to vacuum.
The two pre-motor filters include a foam filter and a felt filter. These two stay under the dust cup and can trap the amount of dust that can get trapped in the motor, so they help prolong the life of the motor. All three filters can be washed with cold water and used over and over again. Note that they should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back in the vacuum.
Utilities
Tie
LED headlights
Both machines have LED headlights, which are requested by many users when talking about the utilities that an upright vacuum cleaner offers. An array of LEDs on the front of the cleaner head allows you to clearly see the dirt on your path, especially in dimly lit places. If you only looked at it with the naked eye, you probably wouldn’t think that your floor is so dusty. In my opinion, this feature is very useful.
Brush roll indicator
On the cleaner head of each machine has a brush roll indicator with three modes. The green light means that the soft roller is in working order, the red light tells about the tangle, and the flashing red means the floor nozzle is too hot.
With this feature, it is easier for users to control the operation of the machine and ensure it performs more smoothly. Besides, it also helps to warn of harmful risks to the unit such as the brush roll getting stuck or overheating, thereby helping to increase the lifespan of the vacuum.
Accessories
The winner: Shark LA502
When it comes to attachments, each machine comes with three tools, including a Crevice Tool, a Pet Multi-Tool, and a pet tool. However, the difference between them is that the LA502 has the Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush tool while the UV850 does not. On the LA502, this tool works strongly on fabric furniture surfaces and prevents tangles, bringing more convenience to the user.
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.)
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 Videos
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References:
- Shark LA502: https://www.sharkclean.ca/products/shark-rotator-lift-away-adv-duoclean-powerfins-upright-zidLA502
- Shark UV850: https://origin-www.sharkclean.com/support/product-series/1264/shark-performance-lift-away-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.