In our home, the floor tells a story. It’s a story of a golden retriever who sheds with joyful abandon, two cats who treat every rug as a personal napping spot, and family members with long hair that seems to have a life of its own. For years, this story was one of frustration. It was a daily struggle against dust bunnies that gathered in corners like tiny tumbleweeds and a constant, losing war against hair winding itself into an impenetrable fortress around our vacuum’s brush-roll. Every cleaning session ended with me on the floor, scissors in hand, performing painstaking surgery on the machine. We knew there had to be a better way, a tool powerful enough to truly deep clean and smart enough to handle the relentless onslaught of hair. This search for a definitive solution led us to the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap, a machine that promises not just to clean, but to conquer the very problems that plagued our old vacuums.
- ANTI HAIR WRAP: Removes hair from the brush-roll as you clean, perfect for long, short & pet hair.
- FOR ALL FLOORS: DuoClean floorhead glides from carpets to hard floors, with 2 motorised brush-rolls in 1 floorhead. LED headlights illuminate hidden dust & pet hair.
What to Consider Before Buying an Upright Vacuum
An upright vacuum is more than just an appliance; it’s a key solution for maintaining a truly clean and healthy home environment, especially in larger spaces with significant carpeted areas. They are the heavy-duty workhorses of the vacuum world, designed to provide the deep-cleaning suction power needed to pull embedded dirt, dust, and allergens from the base of carpet fibres. Their all-in-one design combines the motor, dustbin, and floorhead into a single unit, delivering maximum power directly where it’s needed most. For households with pets or allergy sufferers, the robust filtration and powerful agitation of an upright can be genuinely transformative.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenges of a busy family home. If you have medium-to-high pile carpets, large floor areas to cover, and deal with stubborn debris like pet hair, an upright vacuum is built for you. However, it might not be the most suitable choice for those living in small flats with exclusively hard flooring, or for individuals who have difficulty lifting or pushing heavy objects. In those cases, a more lightweight stick vacuum or a compact canister model might be a better fit. The key is to match the machine’s capabilities to your home’s specific cleaning demands.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Upright vacuums are not small. The Shark NZ850UKT has a significant footprint and a total weight of over 11kg. You need to consider where you will store it and whether you are comfortable manoeuvring a machine of this size. While features like Shark’s Lift-Away can mitigate the weight for tasks like stair cleaning, the primary upright mode requires a degree of physical effort.
- Capacity/Performance: Look for a generous dust cup capacity to avoid constant trips to the bin. The NZ850UKT boasts a 1.3-litre capacity, which we found ample for a full-house clean. Power, measured in wattage (800W here), translates directly to suction, which is critical for carpets. Also, consider the cord length; an 8-metre cord provides excellent reach, minimizing the need to constantly switch plug sockets.
- Materials & Durability: A vacuum is an investment, so robust construction is key. The main body of most reputable vacuums is made from durable ABS plastic. However, pay attention to the quality of the attachments. As we discovered, and some users confirm, the accessories for the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap can feel less premium, so it’s a trade-off to consider against the machine’s core performance.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Modern uprights are packed with features to make life easier. Look for things like swivel steering, LED headlights to illuminate dust, and simple controls. For long-term performance, consider the maintenance. Are the filters washable? How easy is it to empty the dustbin? Features like Anti Hair Wrap are designed to reduce maintenance, but it’s important to have realistic expectations of their effectiveness.
While the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- HIGH PERFORMANCE, PORTABLE CORDED UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER - Multi-cyclonic performance with lightweight design to easily clean around the home
- 【600W/60Kpa Powerful Suction】This corded vacuum cleaner features a 600W motor, delivering strong suction power up to 60Kpa. It effectively removes dust, dirt, and debris from various surfaces,...
- Lightweight & Compact Design: Designed for effortless maneuverability, this upright vacuum cleaner makes cleaning stairs and navigating tight or large spaces a breeze. Its compact, upright build...
Unboxing the Shark NZ850UKT: First Impressions and Key Features
From the moment the box arrived, the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap gave an impression of substance. Assembly was refreshingly simple and intuitive; the main components clicked together with a satisfying, solid feel that inspires confidence. There were no screws, no confusing diagrams, just a logical process that took less than five minutes. Once assembled, its striking blue and grey finish looks modern and purposeful. The first thing you notice when you stand it up is the weight. This is not a flimsy, lightweight machine; it feels like a serious piece of cleaning equipment, built to last. The controls are clearly labelled and conveniently placed, and the 8-metre cord is thick and durable. It immediately feels like a significant upgrade from older, less powerful models, promising a level of performance that its robust build suggests. Even before plugging it in, the combination of the DuoClean floorhead and the promise of Powered Lift-Away sets high expectations for its versatility and power.
What We Like
- Phenomenal suction power that pulls deeply embedded dirt from carpets.
- DuoClean floorhead seamlessly transitions between carpets and hard floors.
- Powered Lift-Away mode makes cleaning stairs and high places incredibly easy.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal is a fantastic feature for allergy sufferers.
Drawbacks
- It is undeniably heavy when used in its full upright configuration.
- The Anti Hair Wrap feature is not foolproof, especially with very long hair.
- Included accessories are made from brittle plastic and don’t store securely.
In-Depth Performance Analysis: How the Shark NZ850UKT Handles a Real Home
A vacuum’s true worth is proven not on a spec sheet, but on the carpets and hard floors of a busy home. We put the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap through its paces for several weeks, tackling everything from deep-pile rugs to kitchen laminate, and from dusty stairs to cobweb-filled ceilings. This is where the machine’s design philosophy becomes clear: it prioritizes raw, uncompromising cleaning power above all else, with clever features that aim to solve the most common vacuuming frustrations.
The DuoClean Difference: A Masterclass in Suction Power
The star of the show is undoubtedly Shark’s DuoClean floorhead. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a fundamental re-imagining of how a vacuum should engage with the floor. The head contains two distinct, motorized brush-rolls that work in perfect harmony. At the front, a soft, velvet-like roller makes contact with hard floors, actively pulling in small and large debris and buffing away fine, stuck-on dust, rather than just pushing it around. Behind it, a traditional bristle brush-roll digs deep into carpet fibres to agitate and lift out ground-in dirt. The effect is immediately noticeable. On our laminate kitchen floor, it effortlessly picked up spilled cereal and cat litter in a single pass. But its performance on carpets is what truly stunned us.
We ran a test that many users have reported with similar, jaw-dropping results. We thoroughly vacuumed our main living room rug with our old, seemingly capable vacuum. Then, we immediately went over the “clean” rug with the Shark NZ850UKT. The result was genuinely shocking. The clear 1.3-litre dust cup, empty moments before, was nearly a third full of fine dust, grit, and an embarrassing amount of pet hair that our previous machine had completely missed. It was the kind of “amazed and disgusted” moment that one user perfectly described. This raw power, combined with the bright LED headlights that illuminate every speck of dust you would otherwise miss, transforms cleaning from a chore into a deeply satisfying activity. You’re not just surface cleaning; you’re truly deep cleaning your home.
Powered Lift-Away: From Bulky Upright to Agile Cleaner
The primary complaint levelled against powerful upright vacuums is their weight and lack of portability. At 11.74kg, the NZ850UKT is a heavy machine, and pushing it around a large room is a workout. Shark’s solution to this is nothing short of brilliant: Powered Lift-Away. With the press of a button, the main canister and motor unit detaches from the floorhead and wand, transforming the cumbersome upright into a light, portable pod weighing just 1.6kg. Crucially, this is *Powered* Lift-Away, meaning power is still consistently sent to the motorized floorhead or attachments. This is a game-changer for tasks that are traditionally a nightmare with an upright.
Cleaning our carpeted staircase went from a precarious balancing act to a quick, easy job. We could carry the lightweight pod in one hand and use the wand and pet tool in the other, moving up the stairs with ease and stability. The consistent power meant the pet tool’s brush spun effectively, pulling hair from the carpet risers. Reaching under low-slung furniture like sofas and beds was equally simple. By detaching the pod, we could slide the long wand and low-profile floorhead deep underneath without having to move the furniture. It’s this “transformer-like” ability, as one user aptly put it, that gives the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap a level of versatility that belies its initial bulky appearance. It effectively gives you the power of an upright with the portability of a canister vacuum, all in one package.
The Anti Hair Wrap Test: A Promise with an Asterisk
The “Anti Hair Wrap” technology is the feature that will attract many buyers, especially those of us tired of performing brush-roll surgery. It incorporates a unique bristle-guard and comb that actively separates and removes hair from the brush-roll as you clean, sending it directly to the dustbin. For much of our testing, this system worked impressively well. Short-to-medium length human hair and the vast majority of our dog and cat fur were handled without any issue. After several full-house cleans, we inspected the roller and found it to be remarkably clear of the typical, tightly-wound mess.
However, it is not a perfect system. As several users have photographed and pointed out, very long human hair can still defeat the mechanism and begin to wrap around the roller. In our household, we noticed that my daughter’s long hair was the primary culprit. While the build-up was significantly less than on any previous vacuum we’ve owned, it wasn’t zero. It’s crucial to set expectations correctly: this is Anti Hair *Wrap*, not Hair *Elimination*. It dramatically reduces the frequency and severity of tangles, turning a weekly de-tangling chore into a much rarer, and far easier, maintenance task. For most pet owners, it’s a fantastic innovation. But if your primary problem is multiple household members with very long hair, be aware that you may still need to perform occasional maintenance.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are strongly echoed in the broader user feedback. The overwhelming sentiment is one of astonishment at the vacuum’s sheer suction power. One user noted that after using a different major brand vacuum, the Shark still managed to pull a shocking amount of dirt from a single rug, leaving them “amazed and disgusted.” Another, a pet owner, described the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap as the “reinforcements I needed” in the “battle between dog and carpet.”
However, the criticisms are just as consistent. The most significant point of contention is the Anti Hair Wrap feature, with multiple users providing photographic evidence that long hair from both humans and dogs can still get tangled, leading to disappointment. The machine’s weight is another common complaint, with one reviewer stating it’s “not for people with weak wrists.” Finally, there’s a recurring issue with the build quality of the attachments. One detailed review points out that the stair tool is made of “very brittle, clear plastic that breaks easily” and doesn’t even fit properly on the machine’s storage posts, a frustrating design flaw in an otherwise well-engineered product.
How Does the Shark NZ850UKT Compare to the Competition?
The upright vacuum market is competitive, and while the Shark NZ850UKT is a formidable machine, it’s important to see how it stacks up against key alternatives that might better suit different needs.
1. Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Vacuum SV2002
- THE MOST POWERFUL MULTI-SURFACE CLEANER OF ANY SHARK CORDLESS UPRIGHT VACUUM*: Offers two brushroll speeds for deep-cleaning both carpets and bare floors with powerful suction. *Based on ASTM F558,...
- CORDLESS VACUUM CONVENIENCE: Gives you the freedom to clean any room quickly and easily, anytime, with a lightweight, convenient, and powerful cordless vacuum. No tangled cords. No hunting for...
The Shark Freestyle Max represents the cordless alternative within the Shark family. Its primary advantage is freedom. There is no cord to trip over or re-plug, and its significantly lighter weight makes it perfect for quick clean-ups and smaller homes. It’s a great “grab-and-go” option for daily messes. However, it cannot compete with the NZ850UKT on raw power or runtime. The NZ850UKT’s corded design delivers relentless, fade-free suction that is far superior for deep-cleaning thick carpets. If your priority is ultimate convenience for surface-level cleaning, the Freestyle Max is a strong contender. If you need uncompromising power for a whole-home deep clean, the NZ850UKT is the clear winner.
2. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is perhaps the most direct competitor to the Shark NZ850UKT. Both are high-power, corded uprights specifically engineered for homes with pets. The Dyson’s signature Ball technology offers excellent manoeuvrability, allowing you to steer around furniture with a simple twist of the wrist. It’s known for its own powerful suction and robust build. The choice between them often comes down to features. The Shark’s Powered Lift-Away offers superior versatility for cleaning stairs and cars, while its DuoClean head is arguably better for mixed floor types. Many users also find Shark’s filters and parts to be more affordable over the long term, giving the NZ850UKT a slight edge in total cost of ownership.
3. Dyson DC24 Multi Floor Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- Dyson DC24 Multi Floor Ultra-lightweight Dyson Ball Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- Product type: VACUUM CLEANER
The Dyson DC24 is an older but still popular model that prioritizes one thing above all else: a lightweight design. It’s significantly smaller and lighter than both the Shark NZ850UKT and the Ball Animal 2, making it an ideal choice for users who find those models too heavy or bulky. It still utilizes Dyson’s Ball technology for easy steering. However, this compact size comes with compromises. Its dustbin capacity is smaller, and its motor is less powerful, meaning it won’t perform the same deep-cleaning magic on thick carpets. For those who found the NZ850UKT’s 11.74kg weight a dealbreaker, the DC24 presents a much more manageable alternative, albeit with a noticeable drop in overall performance.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap the Right Choice for You?
After extensive testing, we can say with confidence that the Shark NZ850UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap is a phenomenally powerful and versatile cleaning machine. Its suction is truly top-tier, capable of revitalizing carpets you thought were clean. The DuoClean floorhead is brilliant on all surfaces, and the Powered Lift-Away feature is a genuine game-changer that solves the age-old problem of cleaning stairs and awkward spaces with a heavy upright. For pet owners and those with allergies, its performance is difficult to beat. However, the machine is not without its flaws. It is heavy, the Anti Hair Wrap technology is a significant improvement but not a complete cure for long hair, and the flimsy quality of the included accessories is a disappointing oversight on an otherwise premium product.
Our recommendation is clear: If your top priority is raw, deep-cleaning power for a carpeted, busy home, and you are willing to handle a heavier machine, this vacuum is an outstanding investment that will likely shock you with its effectiveness. For those who value power and versatility above all else, it is one of the best choices on the market. If you are ready to see what’s truly lurking in your carpets, you can check the latest price and availability for the Shark NZ850UKT here.
Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API