Shark NZ801UKT Lift-Away Review – Fully Loaded Upright from Shark

The Shark NZ801UK and NZ801UKT aren’t like your ordinary upright models; these have something else. They have Powered lift away, anti-wrap, and duo-clean technology.

Quick View of the Shark NZ801UKT Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS

• Regular Price*:£350
• Lift Away: YES
• Powered Lift Away: YES
• Duo Clean: YES
• Anti Hair Wrap: YES
• Pet Powered Brush: YES
• Anti-Allergen Complete Seal: YES 
• Cord Length: 8M
• Hose Length: 1.6M
• Dust capacity: 0.83L
• Size ( Overall): 117 x 26 x 30cm
• 2-1 Duster Crevice: YES
• Upholstery Tool: YES
• Warranty: 5 Years 

Shark NZ801UK/T – Key Differences Explained 

Even with these updated models, there is still very little that separates them. What does define them remains the same as pretty much every Shark upright model, as you will see below.

Firstly, the NZ801UK is the standard upright model, and the NZ801UKT comes with a pet tool for the home. That’s it.

Secondly, you have the colour difference. The UK is grey, and the UKT is navy

This really is all that’s different between the two models, and so selecting the one that will work best for you does become a little easier. In order to give you the full experience, we chose the NZ801UKT for this review so that we could use the pet tool. 

Features and Benefits

Cord and Hose Length

Just like the other upright Shark models, this one also has an 8m cable. It’s something you get used to with Shark models, and while there are longer cords out there, it is better than being stuck with the small ones. It also has the usual cable tidy on the back, allowing for neat storage when you are finished with it.

The hose makes up for this, coming in at 1.6m. This is longer than the NV700UK/T, but it is shorter than the NV681UK/T – a slight disappointment. The length is still good for cleaning the stairs, reaching cobwebs, and adding some radius to the cleaning experience.

Cleaning Power

Carpets. It was excellent on carpets, and I was impressed with the suction on deep and thin flooring alike. It did need some extra strength on the thick carpets, but still reached right down and grabbed the fine debris.

Yes, it needed a couple of passes on each carpet type, but this is normal, and the results were great.

This upright vacuum cleaner also has the new anti-hair wrap feature. 

A new comb that has been specially designed to tackle hair means that it is directed straight up to the bin as opposed to getting wrapped around the bristles.

Despite the presence of a bristle guard, it is still able to deep clean carpets effortlessly and reaches down into the fibres. This is because it works with the comb to ensure that hair is separated and removed quickly.

When we tested this feature out, we found that it was completely clear from hair after use, so it’s tech that clearly works.

Our Low-Pile Carpet Test Results

We grabbed a 1.5m strip of carpet and measured out 100g of debris that represents the kind of debris that you would typically find in your home. This includes chilli flakes, cheerios (a classic), flaxseed, and loose black tea. We then spread it evenly over the carpet strip.

We then passed the vacuum over the area for ten seconds to allow it to collect the debris. After this, the bin was emptied and the contents were weighed to see how much was collected. The table below shows you the percentage, and you will see that the results are excellent – a standard for the updated models.

100grams Mixed Contents inc fine dust(see notes) (low)

95%

Our Hardwood Floor Test Results

Hard Floors. I was pleased to see that there was very little snowploughing. It managed to pick nearly everything up in one pass, and there was very little left over for it to collect after. It got right into the grooves of my tiled floor, and I was impressed with the results.

This NZ801 model also has DuoClean, which means there is a soft roller at the front of the floorhead. This is perfect for collecting fine dust, and it is one of the best Shark features. It’s gentle on the floors, easy to clean, and certainly proves itself as a worthy addition to the main floorhead.

To show how effective this model is on hard floors, we replicated the carpet test and replaced the carpet with a laminate floor (the most popular choice in the UK).

The results in the table below are excellent, and show you just how effective the soft roller is – especially when compared to models like the NV601UKT which does not have DuoClean.

100grams Mixed Contents inc fine dust(see notes) (low)	99%
Pet Hair (Scattered Pet Hair over 4-foot area)	100%

Stairs. The stairs were a breeze because of the powered lift away technology, and I was able to carry them up the stairs and use attachments to get them clean. It was quite a light and easy job, allowing me to take the stress out of vacuuming this usually tricky area. The hose is quite long as well, which made for good reach.

Since I was able to use the powered lift-away feature, the floors could all benefit from a thorough clean, as could the stairs, and I was able to reach right under the furniture to pick everything up effectively. The suction was fantastic as I could still use the main floorhead with duo-clean, and it definitely made the whole process an easier one.

The floor to ceiling cleaning was really easy as well, despite the fact that the wand was a bit heavier than what I am used to. The attachments clipped on really quickly, and they remained firmly in place. The reach was great, and I managed to get right into every little crevice to remove dust and cobwebs that had been bothering me for a while. 

Pets. Pets. The pet tool was absolutely fantastic, and I was so happy with it. The turbo tool worked miracles on my dog’s bed, and it also saved my washing machine from getting clogged with dog hair again.

It works quickly and effectively, and I even used it on touch areas of carpet as well as the step on the stairs that my dog loves the most (you have no idea how bad it was). Again, I do wish it was a motorised tool as opposed to a standard one – it would be so much more efficient.

Our Pet Hair Tests

For this test, we used a strip of carpet measuring five feet. We then took a load of dog hair and combed it into the carpet so that it was nice and deep.

We then performed a 20-second pass over the area to see how much it was able to collect, and a window blade was also used to see what was missed. The results were superb, as you can see.

Pet Hair ( Combed in Pet Hair over 4-foot area)

99%

Filtration

The Shark NZ801UKT contains the usual classic filters. It has a large sponge filter with a foam seal as the main one, and this can absorb so much dust that it is actually a little unbelievable.

Cleaning it is really simple, you just wash it with water and then leave it to completely dry. Shark advises you to do it every three months, but I recommend monthly for the best results.

The HEPA filter is located near the motor, as usual, and there is a seal to prevent any dust from getting into the motor. This also muffles the sound, and it doesn’t need to be washed as often. Shark says once a year, but I would suggest twice annually.

The fully sealed system also extends to the regular filter, ensuring that any air going through the machine is only pushed through the filter and the exhaust.

This means that you end up with cleaner air that is much safer for those with asthma and allergies to breathe. It’s one of Shark’s most defining features, and one that a lot of people appreciate. 

Our Filtration Test Results

We picked up our particle test metre and used it to check the environment both before and after the vacuum cleaner was used to collect special international approved dust from DMT for 15 seconds. The table below shows you the results from our filtration tests.

Air Particle Test ( Our rating %)

99.9%

As you can see, the sealed system is in full effect. It is the perfect way to help those who may struggle when the air is full of dust and allergens to achieve a more peaceful interior where they don’t have to worry about being short of breath.

Noise Levels
The Shark NZ801UKT has noise levels of 78dB. It’s not the loudest out there, but also not the quietest, and certainly not one I would recommend for early morning cleaning. The important thing is that it is still within the legal volume limits, the maximum being 80dB

The pet tool is a force of its own, and it is actually a little terrifying once you attach it to the machine. The volume rockets up to 89dB, and it is deafening. If there was one flaw I could give Shark upright vacuum cleaners, it would be to try and reduce the noise that comes from this attachment.

Our Noise Test Results

What we did here is place a decibel metre in front of the vacuum cleaner (3m away from the floorhead). We then turned it on and recorded the noise levels, as you will be able to see from the below table.

Noise ( Decibals)	78DB
Noise With (Pet Powered Brush)	89DB

Design

I really like the design of this upright vacuum cleaner because it feels and looks slimmer than other models that I have tried. It has a sleek and modern look and makes for a good upright vacuum.

It still remains the perfect size for slipping into my cupboards for storage as well, which I was pleased with. I also found that the whole machine clicked together very easily on arrival, which made for speedy assembly. 

In addition to the big (and very exciting) features, it also retains some of the smaller ones. Those classic headlights are still there and useful. Honestly, using other vacuum cleaners that don’t have them feels odd because I can’t see as much.

The main floorhead is also easy to access, and you can remove the soleplate in order to reach the brush bars if needed. The soft brush roll can be taken out and cleaned. You will need to do this regularly because it picks up a shocking amount.

As usual, you have the hard floor and carpet switch located on the handle alongside the suction valve. The handle also comes off the frame in lift away mode for easy cleaning, but the power button is on the main body once again.

I think the newest Shark models are the only ones that have the power on the handle. I have heard that all US Sharks have it on the handle, however. There is also on-board tool storage to keep everything tidy and within your reach.

It has 750w of power, which is well within the EU regulations. Some feel that this impacts the cleaning power, but I strongly feel that they are wrong. I have found the lower wattage models to be just as effective as those that came before the new laws. 

Our Weight Test Results

In order to give you the most accurate results possible, we decided to weigh the NZ801UKT ourselves. This should help you to determine if it’s going to be the right vacuum cleaner for you, or if you want something a little lighter.

Weight (Without Tools)	6.5Kg
Weight (With All Tools on Board)	6.9Kg

It is a bit heavy when compared to most Shark vacuum cleaners, as the NZ801UKT comes in at 6.9kg when in its fully upright mode with all tools onboard (6.5kg without).

This can feel like a bit of a chore, but you shouldn’t need to pick it up very often at all. In lift-away mode, it weighs 4kg, which is still more than other models, but you do get used to the extra weight after a few uses.

Despite the extra weight, it remains really smooth and easy to handle. It really does glide across your floors, even though it sometimes feels like it wants to speed forward on its own.

When dealing with really thick carpets it can feel a little heavy to push, but it otherwise remains a really good vacuum cleaner to operate. The powered lift away also means that I could reach everywhere flexibly and with great ease. 

Tech Features

The main floorhead has duo-clean technology, which is fantastic, and this means that there are two brush bars installed. The one at the front is a soft brush roll, made for hard floors and picking up all the fine dust and dirt.

The second bar is a bristle brush, and this works wonders on carpets. It is more powerful than a regular vacuum head, and you’ll wonder what you were doing before you found it.

As we have already mentioned earlier in this piece, the anti-hair wrap technology is a prominent new feature that prevents you from needing to clean and maintain the brush bar.

The NZ801UKT is one of the lucky models that received this upgrade, and it really does work effectively to prevent tangling. Even after running purposely over long hairs, nothing was caught in the bristles. It’s worth investing in.

The Shark NV801UKT also has lifted away capabilities, which is where the main body comes away from the frame to create a portable vacuum cleaner; useful for a whole range of situations.

The exciting thing here though is that it has powered lift away. This means you can continue to use the main floorhead and power is pushed down to it, creating an even more effective vacuum cleaner.

Accessories

The Shark NZ801UK/T comes with a fantastic array of tools, and you can find each of them listed here for you to take a look at.

#1 Pet Power Brush. This only comes with the UKT as it is the pet model, and it does a really good job of collecting hair and fluff from around the house. I would have preferred a motorised tool, but it still works really well as a standard tool.

#2 The 2-in-1 Crevice and Dusting Tool. This can be used to get right into the corners of your home or to dust delicate surfaces and bannisters with ease. It’s very versatile and works really well to help you reach every inch of your home so that it is left looking perfect.

#3 Upholstery Tool. This works really well on furniture and car interiors, and it’s also surprisingly good with pet hair. It did a great job on the back seats where my dog likes to sit.

#4 Under Appliance Wand. This attachment is optional, but it is curved so that you are able to get all those hidden spaces under and around your appliances. Remember that chunk of tomato that fell down the side of the oven last week? You can suck it up with this.

#5 Car Detail Kit. This little kit is optional and costs around £25. However, it is worth investing in because it comes with a whole load of tools that can be used in the car and the home. This includes things like an extra flexible hose, a long crevice tool, and a special attachment for the seats. It has everything you could need for a great price. 

Ease of Use and Setup

Building the Vacuum
This is pretty quick and simple. Right out of the box, you normally only need to attach the floorhead to the main body and you are done.

However, it does come with a detailed instruction manual that will help you if there is more assembly, or you just want to make sure you are doing the standard assembly correctly.

Emptying the bin

This vacuum cleaner really would have been perfect if they had given it a larger canister instead of only 0.8L. I did have to empty it quite a lot while I was cleaning (very fluffy dog), but it was worth it for that longer cord and the powered lift away.

The bin was easy to remove as well, and emptying was a breeze. Cleaning it out came with no hassle, and it was just really simple on the whole.

Maintenance
No more brush bar maintenance with this vacuum cleaner, all thanks to the new anti-hair wrap technology. All you need to worry about is keeping the filters clean. For general maintenance and troubleshooting advice, you can actually check out our dedicated guide to Shark vacuum cleaner care.

For filters, it is really simple. Take the filter out and rinse it under cool water. You can give it a quick squeeze if it’s really gunky. Then, leave it to dry until there is absolutely no moisture left, and then you can go back to using it as normal.

Filters should be washed at least every three months and checked monthly to ensure they are clean. Dirty filters break vacuum cleaners.

Warranty
Like all Shark vacuum cleaners, the NZ801UKT comes with a warranty that lasts for five years. This covers things like malfunctions and breakdowns, and the cost of parts and labour is also included in your warranty.

Should I Buy the Shark NZ801UK/T?

We hope that this Shark NZ801UK and NZ801UKT review has shown you a lot more with regards to what each of them can offer you, as well as which one is going to be right for your home. It’s a fantastic vacuum cleaner for any household.

Of course, it does have its flaws. The dustbin is a bit small, but if this is an issue because you have a large home consider the AZ950UK/T which has a larger capacity, though a much bigger upright.

However, the new anti-hair wrap technology is included, so it can pretty much be forgiven for the downsizing.

It is also a little heavy in its full upright mode. Overall though, it is a really impressive machine with a lot of power and some excellent additional features. It gets a 4.5/5 from me and would have had full marks if the canister was larger.

What did you think of our Shark NZ801UK and NZ801UKT review? Do you agree with our thoughts on the vacuum, or are there others that you think are better suited to the task? We love hearing from you, so make sure you leave us a message in the comments below. 

Last Updated on February 8, 2022 by Gemma Tyler