Both Shark ZU51 and ZU62 are good upright vacuums for homeowners because they all have strong suction for effective cleaning and picking up. In the Shark ZU51 vs ZU62 comparison, it is hard to give the final result of which is better, but I will go for the Shark ZU62.
The reasons I choose Shark ZU62 Navigator are the larger dust cup capacity and better cleaning accessory set. Besides, it features a greater hose length and a nice swivel head for easy steering. Meanwhile, it is not lightweight, in my experience.
However, the Shark ZU51 Navigator is much lighter (less than 14 pounds). Though its dust cup is smaller, it still gives great cleaning performance with strong suction and the Zero-M self-cleaning brush roll like the Shark ZU62. Thus, I think that the ZU51 is an amazing alternative to the Navigator ZU62 if you are looking for a lighter vacuum cleaner offering comparable performance.
Shark ZU51 vs ZU62: Comparison Chart
Shark ZU51 vs ZU62: Differences
In this comparison, Shark ZU62 wins 2-1 against Shark ZU503AMZ in terms of attachments and dust cup capacity. Meanwhile, the Shark ZU51 wins the category of design & convenience as it is lighter. They both have strong suction and amazing picking up, so it is a tie in the aspect of cleaning performance.
Cleaning performance
Tie!
I give Shark ZU51 vs ZU62 a tie in terms of cleaning performance because both of them have incredible suction and efficient self-cleaning brush rolls, and can work well on carpeted and bare floors.
Suction power
Though I did not have time to measure their suction power specifically, I can tell that their suction is comparable and really strong. After testing them on carpets and bare floors, I notice that their picking up is amazing as all debris and hairs get into the dust tank in just one or two straight passes.
As they have powerful suction, it was a bit difficult to navigate on carpets. However, the Shark ZU51 and ZU62 have Suction Control sliders, which come in handy to enhance the maneuverability on carpets. The more you open the slider, the easier for you to push the vacuum over the carpets.
Floor-type compatibility
For thin and low-pile carpets, I can go with full suction, and I was amazed at the amount of dust and hairs it sucked up. When I turned on both of them, I could see the dog and cat hairs flying in their dust tank. They also did a good job of picking up fine dust.
For vacuuming the thicker carpets, I often reduce the suction power to make it easier to push and pull. However, their picking up is still incredible as the brush rolls dig deep and agitate sufficiently to loosen the embedded dirt.
They are easy to transition between the carpet and bare/hard floor just by changing the Surface Switch. In the Hard Floor mode, their brush roll cannot be shut off, but I do not notice any debris scattering on the floor. In this mode, their rollers spin much slower to enhance the pick-up efficiency while limiting the hair from getting stuck on the brush.
Brush roll system
As their brush rolls are designed to be self-cleaning, the long human hair and pet hair are efficiently collected into the dirt bin instead of getting tangled on the roller. So far, I haven’t had any problems related to hair clogging. Thus, I think that their self-cleaning brush roll function well. This helps me a lot in maintaining the brush rollers because cutting hair wrapped from the roller is a pain!
Besides, when you turn on the vacuums, their brush rolls will not spin until you tilt them backward. The ability to shut off the brush roll in the straight upright position is very useful to protect the cleaning surfaces, especially when you want to use the above floor, like blinds, curtains, or stairs.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Shark ZU51
In this category, the major difference is in their weight and extended hose length. The weight of Shark ZU51 and ZU62 is 13 lbs and 16 lbs, respectively. The hose length of ZU51 is 11 ft. while that of ZU62 is 12 ft.
Though the Shark ZU51 hose length is one foot shorter, I still choose it as the winner because it is lighter than the Shark ZU62. That 3 lbs lighter contributes greatly to the ease of navigating the vacuum. Moreover, both ZU51 and ZU62 do not have detachable pods like those in the Shark Navigator Lift-Away line. Thus, the lighter the vacuum, the easier to carry it on stairs.
The Shark ZU62 is heavier but still easy to steer, as it features a nice swivel joint like the one on Shark ZU51. Thus, maneuvering it on floors does not require too much strength. Moreover, with the 12 ft. hose, it offers you a decent reach range to clean most above-floor surfaces like tops of wardrobes, blinds, and stairs.
Dust bin & Filtration
Winner: Shark ZU62
The larger dust cup capacity helps the Shark ZU62 win this round. Specifically, the Shark ZU62 has a dust cup capacity of up to 2.8 dry quarts, which is approximately 1.8 quarts bigger than that of the Shark ZU51 (0.9 quarts). This will help you clean a whole house in one session without getting its dustbin emptied multiple times.
For filtration, it is a tie because they all have the same HEPA filter combined with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology. I really appreciate this sealed HEPA filtration of Shark vacuums as this system can effectively trap the dust and allergens inside the vacuums, giving freshness to the emitted air. Therefore, I think they are good picks for allergy or asthma sufferers.
Utility
Winner: Shark ZU62
Attachments
For this round, the Shark ZU62 is considered the winner because it has more attachments than the Shark ZU51. Particularly, the ZU62 comes with a duster crevice tool, which is the combination of a soft dusting brush and a crevice tool; a dusting brush that is great for cleaning blinds, fan blades, etc.; and a wide upholstery tool for easily picking up debris and removing pet hairs on fabric surfaces like sofas, mattresses, curtains, etc.
Meanwhile, the Shark ZU51 has two attachments, including a pet multi-tool and a crevice tool. This cleaning accessory set is enough for picking up large debris and removing pet hairs on different surfaces. Besides, as the attachment holder on the Shark can often hold a maximum of 2 attachments, thus all the accessories of Shark ZU51 can be stored onboard.
Quick Rundown of Shark ZU62 Navigator Zero-M
- Dust cup capacity 2. 8 quarts; The vacuum that deep cleans now cleans itself; The zero m self cleaning brush roll delivers nonstop hair removal
- Powerful upright vacuum suction to pick up embedded debris, stubborn pet hair, and more
- Lightweight design allows for easy maneuverability and portability
- 3XL capacity for long cleaning sessions with fewer interruptions to empty the dust cup
- Anti allergen complete seal technology and a hepa filter trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner
Quick Rundown of Shark ZU51 Navigator Swivel Pro Pet
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References:
- Shark ZU62: https://www.sharkclean.com/exclusive-offer/ZU62WBKT/shark-navigator-pet-pro-upright-vacuum-with-self-cleaning-brushroll/
- Shark ZU51: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/4403100542226-ZU51-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.