A Detailed Comparison Of Shark ZU561 vs UV725: Which One You Should Choose?

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The confrontation between Shark ZU561 vs UV725 was relatively equal, but I decided the second one was the winner.

The Shark UV725 generates lots of suction power to reduce your cleaning burden. One of its selling points is the self-cleaning brush roll, which is ideal for pet owners. This machine is heavy and bulky, but it’s a real bargain if you can get used to it!

The Shark ZU561 stands out from others thanks to its lightweight, easy-to-use, easy maneuverability, and powerful suction. This model really makes your cleaning chores easier and encourages more frequent use. Overall, this vacuum is great value for money so far.

Shark ZU561 vs UV725: Comparison Chart

Image
THE WINNER (#1)
Shark UV725 Navigator Lift-Away with Self Cleaning Brushroll Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter (Renewed)
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Shark ZU561 Navigator Lift-Away Speed Self Cleaning Brushroll Lightweight Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Red Peony
Model
Shark UV725
Shark ZU561
Color
Multicolor/Assorted
Red
Dimensions (WxLxH)
45 x 13.2 x 11.9 inches
45.6 x 9.5 x 12 inches
Weight
18 lbs
14 lbs
Motor Power
890 watts
800 watts
Dirt Tank Capacity
3.3 quarts
2.2 quarts
Lift-Away
Corded
Bag Included
Wet Compatible
LED Headlights
Cord Length
30 ft
25 ft
Filter Type
HEPA filtration
HEPA filtration
Price
$138.95
$239.99
What I Like
THE WINNER (#1)
Image
Shark UV725 Navigator Lift-Away with Self Cleaning Brushroll Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter (Renewed)
Model
Shark UV725
Color
Multicolor/Assorted
Dimensions (WxLxH)
45 x 13.2 x 11.9 inches
Weight
18 lbs
Motor Power
890 watts
Dirt Tank Capacity
3.3 quarts
Lift-Away
Corded
Bag Included
Wet Compatible
LED Headlights
Cord Length
30 ft
Filter Type
HEPA filtration
Price
$138.95
What I Like
More Info
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Image
Shark ZU561 Navigator Lift-Away Speed Self Cleaning Brushroll Lightweight Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Red Peony
Model
Shark ZU561
Color
Red
Dimensions (WxLxH)
45.6 x 9.5 x 12 inches
Weight
14 lbs
Motor Power
800 watts
Dirt Tank Capacity
2.2 quarts
Lift-Away
Corded
Bag Included
Wet Compatible
LED Headlights
Cord Length
25 ft
Filter Type
HEPA filtration
Price
$239.99
What I Like
More Info

Shark ZU561 vs UV725: Differences

The UV725 wins 2-1 and draws one against the ZU561. The former is a nice upright with a super long cord, great suction, and four little led lights in front that are great for looking under furniture.

Cleaning Performance

Winner: Shark UV725

The suction of the UV725 is adequate, enough to pick up everything on my floor and carpet. I was glad that most of the sucked hair didn’t end up on the brush roll due to the self-cleaning brush roll. 

The self-cleaning brush roll isn’t perfect, but only about 1 or 2% of the hair is left on the brush roll, while the rest is sent into the dust cup. I’m assuming this happens because the hairs accumulate just before you turn the machine off, so you must let it run a bit after getting the job done to clean the roller. Don’t just leave it on without moving it. 

Adding to the convenience of the UV725 is the LED headlight. It has some lights in front of the nozzle, allowing you to detect dust and dirt and suck them all up with ease. 

led headlights on the shark uv725
LED headlights on the Shark UV725

The ZU561 also has strong suction, allowing it to suck up a good amount of small-to-large debris on my hard floor and low-pile carpet with a single pass. But it’s harder to push on my denser but not particularly thick carpet. 

I tried to adjust the suction until the machine moved more freely, but it didn’t clean effectively. I didn’t consider this a deal breaker, but an inconvenience nonetheless since I had to do more than two passes to remove all the debris.

Thanks to a self-cleaning brush roll and Zero-M technology, the ZU561 also worked great at picking up pet and human hair without the hair wrap on the roller. It didn’t prevent everything from wrapping up, but I could notice that it limited anything getting caught up on the roller.

the zu561's self-cleaning brush roll with zero-m technology
The ZU561’s self-cleaning brush roll with Zero-M technology

Design and Usability

Winner: Tie

Weight and Maneuverability

The UV725 weighs 18 pounds. And although I have built up a bit of strength by testing numerous upright vacuums, I must admit that this machine is too heavy. Unless you want your cleaning chore to be a HIIT workout, you probably don’t want to go with this machine.

The UV725, on the other hand, is lightweight at 14 pounds. It’s definitely not the lightest model out there, but it’s still ideal for those with arthritis and back problems.

These machines are quite bulky, and the large size of their dust canisters can prevent them from getting under dressers and beds even partially. The only way you know you have tried to go too far is when the machine hits your furniture, which isn’t good.

The swivel feature on both is nice but can be frustrating for some users. If you are a beginner, you may find it hard on your wrist and hand to keep your vacuum in a straight line. But once you get used to it, you’ll love it since it allows for easy maneuvering around obstacles and getting in and out of tight areas.

Cord Length

This is another area where the UV725 triumphs over the ZU561. With a 30-foot power cord, the UV725 allowed me to reach nearly every corner of my home with just a single outlet change. 

As for the UV725, its cord length is 25 feet, and I wish it were 5 to 6 feet longer. If you opt for this machine, it is wise to use an extension cord. Otherwise,  you will find yourself unplugging and plugging in again and again.

Dust Cup Capacity

Winner: Shark UV725

Both the Shark ZU561 vs UV725 use large dust cups to hold large amounts of dust and dirt that get sucked into the unit, but the overall capacities are different between them. The NV752 takes the lead with a 3.30-quart dust cup, which allows for storing more dust at once than the dirt bin of the ZU561, which only has a capacity of 2.2 quarts.

Worth To Buy

Winner: Shark ZU561 

The former is a nice upright with a super long cord, great suction, and four little led lights in front that are great for looking under furniture, which is in excellent condition and fully functional.  If you can afford a brand-new ZU561, you will be good to go with it. But if you are on a tight budget but still want an ideal model for hair removal, the UV725 is your best bet.

Since the ZU561 isn’t costly and I’m always in favor of buying something new, I decided the ZU561 was the best bang for the buck.

Shark ZU561 vs UV725: Similarities

Type 

Shark ZU561 vs UV725 are two powerful corded upright vacuum cleaners that only work on dry surfaces. 

The UV725 has an 890-watt motor, while the UV725 comes with an 800-watt one, providing just decent suction to quickly and efficiently remove dust and dirt from your home with minimal work. They also share a suction control slider, which helps you save energy when the high suction power is overkill for your cleaning task.

These machines have a somewhat compact design and are well-built for years of service. Handling and maintenance are easy thanks to the bagless design that holds dust captured from both indoor and outdoor areas around the house. You also won’t need to worry about replacement dirtbag costs like those for bagless ones.

Lift-Away Feature

Most upright vacuums from this brand can be used as semi-handheld models thanks to the Lift-Away feature, and the Shark ZU561 vs UV725 is no exception. So every time you need to clean hard-to-reach areas, all you need to do is detach the canister of your chosen vacuum from its floorhead and work with its wand.

lift-away feature
Lift-Away feature

Filter

Shark has equipped these vacuums with a HEPA filter, which is considered the best option for capturing dust, dirt, pollen, and mold in the air. Combined with Shark’s anti-allergen complete seal technology, these models can ensure the air you breathe is fresh and free of allergens.

Warranty

Another thing that Shark ZU561 vs UV725 have in common is that they both carry Shark’s five-year warranty, which covers all manufacturing defects. Hence, once you detect any company defect for the next five years from the date of purchase, Shark will replace or repair your vacuum without charging you any extra money. The exceptions to this policy include water damage and parts or attachments not covered under Shark’s warranty.

Quick Rundown Of Shark UV725

Shark UV725 Navigator Lift-Away with Self Cleaning Brushroll Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter (Renewed)
  • Lift-Away For Above-Floor Cleaning
  • Self-Cleaning Brushroll for Powerful Pet Hair Pickup with No Hair Wrap
  • Swivel steering lets you easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more
  • Use as an upright vacuum for powerful floor and carpet cleaning, or for more portability, detach the pod to go into the lift-away mode to easily clean above-floor areas like furniture and stairs
  • Powerful LED headlights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris around your home
Pros
  • Speed and suction control.
  • Features a long-range cable.
  • Convertible bagless design.
  • There are many accessories.
  • LED lights on both nozzle and handle.
Cons
  • A little more expensive.

Quick Rundown Of Shark ZU561

Sale
Shark ZU561 Navigator Lift-Away Speed Self Cleaning Brushroll Lightweight Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Red Peony
  • Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
  • Use as an upright vacuum for powerful floor and carpet cleaning. Or for more portability, detach the pod to go into Lift-Away mode to easily clean, above-floor areas like furniture and stairs.
  • Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter traps over 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
  • Swivel Steering provides effortless maneuverability for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
  • Suction control slider to manage suction power from hard floors to carpets.
Pros
  • Generous dust cup capacity.
  • Five years of warranty.
  • Lighter than it seems.
  • Has a HEPA filter and anti-allergen complete seal technology.
  • The Lift-Away feature adds to its flexibility.
Cons
  • Has no LED light.

Product Video

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