Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: What Are The Key Differences?

Shark is one of the most popular vacuum cleaner brands and have a range of excellent upright vacuum cleaners. Two of some of their most popular upright vacuum cleaners are the Shark NZ850UKT and the NZ801UKT. To help you decide between these two potentially great models we will be taking a look at the Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT to understand what the main differences are between the two.

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There’s little to differentiate between the Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT with far more similarities than anything else. These two models both share some key features such as Anti Hair Wrap technology, DuoClean brush rolls and Lift-Away canister capability. Some of the main differences come with a far larger capacity for the NZ850UKT and much smaller weight for the NZ801UKT Lift-Away unit.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: What Are The Key Differences?

To understand the key differences between the Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT we will take a detailed look at a range of features that both models offer. Below is a high level summary of each of the main features.

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Lift-Away Portable ModeYesYes
Suitable For Hard-FloorsYesYes
Suitable For CarpetsYesYes
DuoClean TechnologyYesYes
Anti Hair Wrap TechnologyYesYes
Filters (Washable)YesYes
Pet Power BrushYesYes
Headlights on BrushrollYesYes
Dust Bin Capacity1.3L0.83L
Length of Cord8m8m
Hose Length (Stretched)1.5m1.5m
Total Weight6.6kg6.5kg
Lift-Away Only Weight4.11kg2.5kg
Dimensions (cm)H: 118 W: 30.5 D: 25.5cmH: 117 W: 26 D: 30cm
ColourBlueNavy & Orange
Warranty (Guarantee)1 Year Standard;
5 Years Registered
1 Year Standard;
5 Years Registered
Price (R.R.P)£369.99£349.99
Amazon User Rating4.6 out of 54.7 out of 5
Total Amazon User Ratings143515,234

Note: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Shark NZ850UKT

Shark NZ801UKT

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Model Type

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Lift-AwayYesYes

One of the most distinctive features of Shark upright vacuum cleaners is the Lift-Away functionality which allows you to remove the main unit and canister off the wand and make use of the vacuum cleaners as a portable model instead. Both the Shark NZ850UKT and NZ801UKT are equipped with the Lift-Away feature.

The powered Lift-Away functionality presents more ease and flexibility when it comes to cleaning around the home, especially in more difficult areas such as the stairs when you need more lightweight options than a full upright vacuum cleaner can provide.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Ability To Clean Different Floor Types

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Suitable For Hard-FloorsYesYes
Suitable For CarpetsYesYes
Surface SelectorYes (3 Settings)Yes (2 Settings)

The types of floors that a vacuum cleaner can handle is one of the most important factors when considering which vacuum cleaner you wish to buy. Typically most vacuum cleaners should be able to handle both hard-floors (e.g. laminate and tiles) as well as carpets. Nonetheless, there are some models that are more suited than others when it comes to particular floor types.

When it comes to suitability in cleaning hard floors and carpets, however, both the Shark NZ850UKT and Shark NZ801UKT can handle these with ease.

The Shark NZ850UKT has a surface switch that can shift between three settings (i) thick carpet and area rugs; (ii) carpet and low pile floors and (iii) hard floors. The Shark NZ801UK on the other hand also has a surface selector but with two settings (i) hard floor and (ii) carpet.

As you switch between the floor types, the speed of the brush roll changes to suit the floor. With the hard floor setting, the brush rolls will spin slowly to enable the machine to pick up fine dust and debris on the hard floor. On the carpet settings, the brush rolls will spin faster to enable the machine to collect dust and dirt on the surface as well as within the carpet piles.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: DuoClean Technology

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
DuoCleanYesYes

Being able to switch effortlessly is made possible and more effective on a lot of Shark upright vacuum models by its DuoClean technology. DuoClean works by combining two brush rolls into one floorhead; one brush roll has bristles designed to get deep into carpet fibres and the other brush roll has a soft surface designed to work flat against hard floors and collect dirt and debris as it moves.

Combining these two brush rolls into one floorhead means models equipped with DuoClean can easily switch between floor types. Both the Shark NZ850UKT and Shark NZ801UKT come equipped with DuoClean technology.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Anti Hair Wrap Technology

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Anti Hair Wrap TechnologyYesYes

Polling conducted by Vacuum Stuff shows that tangled hair is one of the most annoying issues many users face when vacuuming. As hair becomes tangled in your floor head and brush rolls your machine becomes far less effective at cleaning and it can start to trap unpleasant smells. If you have a pet in the home the hair problem is even more of an issue.

This is why Shark’s Anti Hair Wrap technology has proved so popular with users as it is designed to actively remove hair with a bristle-guard as you vacuum. This won’t necessarily mean you will never have to remove any hair manually but when you do at least the task is much smaller.

The Shark NZ850UKT and Shark NZ801UKT are both enabled with the Anti Hair Wrap Technology.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Suitability For Homes With Pets

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Pet Power BrushYesYes
Anti Hair Wrap TechnologyYesYes

In research we’ve conducted we see just how important a vacuum cleaner is to pet owners as their homes tend to need much more frequent and deeper cleaning to remove pet hair as well as dander and other debris from their favourite four-legged friends.

When looking at the Shark NZ850UKT and NZ801UKT there’s nothing really to choose between the two in terms of their suitability for homes with pets. Both models come with a Pet Power Brush. This special device has a turbine brush which is designed to loosen and remove pet hairs as well as powerfully deep clean dander out of areas like your upholstery. The Pet Power Brush can also be quite useful when cleaning the stairs as well as your car.

In addition, as mentioned above, both the Shark NZ850UKT and NZ801UKT come with Anti Hair Wrap Technology for the main brush roll they’re also perfectly suited to homes with pets in their ability to handle pet hairs.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Types of Filters

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Washable FiltersYesYes
Pre-Motor FilterYesYes
Post-Motor FilterYesYes

In order to capture dust and stop it from coming back into the atmosphere as you are cleaning vacuum cleaners are typically equipped with filters. As you use your vacuum cleaner these filters become clogged up with dust and debris so they have to be easy to clean and maintain to keep your machine healthy in the long run.

The Shark NZ850UKT and NZ801UKT come with two sets of filters – pre-motor and post-motor. Its recommended that the pre-motor foam and felt filters be cleaned out by rinsing them under cold water at least once a month. The post-motor filters require cleaning at least once a year once again with cold water. In all cases when cleaning filters it’s recommended that you let them dry out for at least 24 hours and ensure they are completely dry before reassembly to avoid damage to your machine.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Dust Bin Capacity

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Dust Bin Capacity1.3L0.83L

The dust bin (canister) capacity for your vacuum cleaner denotes the amount of dirt, debris and dust your vacuum cleaner can store in its dust bin/bag/canister. This is an important but sometimes overlooked element when people are buying their vacuum. In research conducted by Vacuum Stuff we found that dust capacity does not feature in most people’s buying decision for their vacuum cleaner. This is surprising as the dust bin capacity of your vacuum cleaner will determine how long you can clean without having to empty the canister or replace the bag.

The dust bin capacity is an area where the Shark NZ850UKT and NZ801UKT differ greatly with the NZ850UKT (1.3L) having 56% more capacity than the Shark NZ801UKT (0.83L). This would mean with the Shark NZ801UKT you would be emptying out the dust cup much more frequently than with the Shark NZ850UKT. Though relatively straightforward to it, if this is likely to be nuisance to you or deter you from cleaning as often as you might otherwise then it’s something to factor into your decision.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Brushroll Headlights

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
HeadlightsYesYes

Headlights are not something you would typically expect to see mentioned in relation to vacuum cleaners but then again Shark tend to add features that add something extra to their machines. As well as looking quite slick, the headlights mounted on their brushrolls serve a practical purpose by helping to illuminate dirt and dust in darker spots around your floors.

Both the Shark NZ850UKT and the NZ801UKT have headlights on their brushrolls so this is an area you won’t have to choose between the two.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Length of the Hose

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Length of Hose (Fully Extended)1.5m1.5m

The length of the hose on an upright vacuum cleaner is important as you have limited flexibility when it comes to cleaning in areas like the stairs in its upright form so you will need to rely on the hose extension to do the job.

Of course with Shark’s Lift-Away feature on both the Shark NZ850UKT and the NZ801UKT you have an advantage over typical upright vacuums as you can also use these as canister-style vacuum cleaners with much more flexibility. In this instance, the length of the hose serves to add an even greater range. The Shark NZ850UKT and the NZ801UKT have the same hose length when fully extended at 1.5m.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Overall Size

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Height (H)117cm117cm
Width (W)26cm26cm
Depth (D)28cm30cm

When buying a new vacuum cleaner keeping in mind the overall size is helpful especially when it comes to thinking about storage space in your home.

There’s no really difference in terms of dimensions between the Shark NZ850UKT and the NZ801UKT with the latter having an addition 2cm depth but that’s not something you’re going to really notice given how small that is.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Weight

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Upright Weight6.6kg6.5kg
Lift-Away (Canister) Weight4.11kg2.6kg

The weight of your vacuum cleaner is a key factor to keep in mind when deciding on which model to go for. The heavier the vacuum cleaner the less maneuverability you are likely to have and the more effort it will take around the home. The other main factor to consider is when you have to move your machine between floors. Of course with these Shark models you get the Lift-Away features which makes it easier to go up and down stairs but you may still want to shift the whole unit between floors.

In terms of overall weight there’s little to choose from between the two models with only 0.1kg difference between the NZ850UKT at 6.6kg and NZ801UKT at 6.5kg. The real difference comes in the Lift-Away unit weights. The Shark NZ850UKT has a weight of 4.11kg as a stand-alone unit whilst the NZ801UKT only weighs 2.5kg in comparison; a significant weight advantage.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Colour

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
ColourBlueNavy & Orange

When it comes to colour the two models differ with the Shark NZ850UKT coming in a blue trim whilst the NZ801UKT comes in navy and orange.

Shark NZ850UKT

Shark NZ801UKT

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Product Guarantee

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Guarantee5 Years5 Years

As with any appliance vacuum cleaners can have their issues that’s why a product guarantee from the manufacturer is so important. Most vacuum cleaners we come across have a standard 1 year of cover meaning if anything fails within the first 12 months you can claim it under the warranty. However, given that typically vacuum cleaners can last up to 7 – 8 years a 1 year warranty doesn’t feel like much.

That’s why Shark’s 5 year guarantee which also applies to both the NZ850UKT and NZ801UKT stands out so much in the industry as it is goes well beyond the norm and gives buyers confidence knowing that their machine is covered for a large part of its likely lifetime in usage.

Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT: Customer Feedback

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Amazon Rating4.6 out of 54.7 out of 5
Total Number of Ratings1,45110,509

Looking at how other customers and users feel about vacuum cleaners before you buy them is a great to help ensure you’re getting a machine that works well. Looking at the Amazon rating for both the Shark NZ850UKT (4.6 out of 5) and the NZ801UKT (4.7 out of 5) you can see that they’re both very highly regarded amongst users. If you had to pick a winner though, the NZ801UKT stands as although it only has small margin more than its counterpart in terms of rating, this comes from a far bigger user base (10,509 vs 1,451).

Shark NV602UKT vs NZ801UKT: Retail Price

FeatureShark NZ850UKTShark NZ801UKT
Prcie (R.R.P)£369.99£349.99

A large part of your decision will no doubt be driven by the price of the vacuum cleaner. Typically you’ll find the Shark NZ801UKT on sale for slightly lower than the NZ850UKT with only a £20 difference. This makes sense as there is little to choose from between the two models.

Conclusion: What Is The Difference Between Shark NZ850UKT and NZ801UKT?

Overall there really isn’t too much difference between the Shark NZ850UKT vs NZ801UKT. Both models have some of the key features offered by Shark including DuoClean brushrolls as well as Anti Hair Wrap and LIft-Away. Where you will notice a difference is in the capacity with the Shark NZ850UKT has 56% more volume than the NZ801UKT. You’ll also feel the difference in the weight of the portable Lift-Away units with the NZ801UKT weighing far less than NZ850UKT.

Shark NZ850UKT

Shark NZ801UKT

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