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Just when you think Shark can’t set the bar any higher, they come out with the UV810 and blow all expectations out of the water.
An update to the NV681, Shark’s newer offering takes the best things about the former and adds even more for a nearly perfect package. If you’re thinking about getting a new vacuum, you should definitely read this review. We think you’ll agree that the UV810 is one of the best yet.
Shark UV810 at a Glance
If you read our review of the Shark NV681, you know that it is hands-down one of the best upright vacuums around. We didn’t think there was anything left to improve on, but Shark thought differently.
Before we get into the main review, here’s a quick rundown of what makes the UV810 so special. Shark may have outdone itself with what we think is one of their best vacuums yet.
Key Features
- DuoClean technology
- Floor control
- Accessories
Product Specs
- 15 pounds
- 30-foot cord
- 28-ounce capacity
Pros
- Plenty of attachments
- Never loses suction
- Highly portable
Cons
- Heavier
- Expensive
- Small capacity
Why Get the Shark UV810?
You need this amazing machine if you want to turn vacuuming into a joyous occasion. The struggle of wrestling with a cumbersome appliance is over. Thanks to Shark’s excellent craftsmanship, you’ll look at vacuuming in a whole new light.
You get so many useful attachments that serve to make life easier. This was something that the NV681 lacked. Shark made sure to include everything you’d ever need to clean your home from top to bottom.
It’s also a huge advantage to be able to switch over to a portable mode for greater freedom. Stairs and other awkward jobs are made easy thanks to this clever design. Combined with its powerful suction capabilities, you’ll have an easier time vacuuming.
Shark gives you so much to work with, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without them. Let us share with you the difference the UV810 makes by discussing each of its key features in detail. This will help you decide whether it’s a great fit for your cleaning needs.
DuoClean Technology
This is what sets the UV810 apart from its competition. DuoClean technology features powerful dual-action bristles that work to loosen debris. Your floors are left cleaner than they’ve likely ever been.
So, how does this work? Shark equipped the UV810 differently than the NV681. You’ll find a tough bristle roller, as well as an additional soft brush roller. These two work together to scrub and polish, resulting in the cleanest floors possible.
The stiff bristle roller loosens up carpet fibers and knocks debris free. At the same time, the soft brush roller spins and collects anything in its path. This is a most excellent cleaning system and works like magic. We made sure to test it out on various surfaces to see just how well it does in action.
We were very impressed by how well the NV681 cleaned our kitchen’s tile flooring. Since the UV810 is a direct update, we couldn’t wait to see how it performed. After vacuuming the kitchen, we concluded that the DuoClean system does exactly what the NV681 does, only faster.
Where the NV681 might take two or three passes, the UV810 does it in one. That’s how effective the soft roller brush is when vacuuming. This thing picks up everything. From loose hair to dust and fuzz, nothing is safe from its cleaning precision.
Taking the vacuum over carpeting proved it to be equally capable. The living room is all low carpeting, so this let us test how well it could clean it. Pets hang out here often, resulting in loose hair in the carpet and on furniture.
This was the perfect opportunity to test out the many attachments Shark includes with the vacuum. But we’ll discuss this in the ‘Accessories’ section.
The UV810 is able to lay down flat, just like the NV681. This lets you reach under low furniture with ease. Trapped hair is sucked up instantly, resulting in much less work for you. No more having to pull out the couch or rearranging.
We have to add that, while the UV810 does feature a swiveling head, it doesn’t work quite as well as the NV681. You have to put a lot more effort into steering the head in the direction you want it to go.
Since it’s self-propelled, this does help somewhat. But it’s still missing the flexibility found in the previous model. The various attachments help make up for this a bit, as you can always switch over to one of them for out-of-reach places.
Moving on, we headed to the bedroom. Its high, thick carpeting is a challenge for most vacuums. The NV681 did a wonderful job, so we were curious to see what the new DuoClean system could do.
We were shocked by how much debris it found hiding deep in the fibers. The UV810 is now included in a very short line of vacuums that successfully cleaned our bedroom carpeting. Looking at the contents of the container, it’s safe to say that the UV810 picked up more than any other model to date. Bravo, Shark!
Floor Control
This is another feature that is found on the NV681. There’s a switch located on the vacuum’s handle that lets you instantly toggle between hardfloor, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet. The NV681 gave you only two options to work with, so it’s nice to see this has been updated with a third.
Each of them work really well for what they were designed for. Being able to switch settings on the fly from room to room is a major plus in our book. Truth be told, had it not been for this, we’re not sure how the UV810 would have fared on the high bedroom carpet.
This just adds even more flexibility to what is already a highly-versatile unit. It works wonders on rugs, too. Where many vacuums want to suck up the entire rug, the UV810 is able to pick up just the debris. Having this kind of control makes sweeping an effortless affair.
Accessories
As much as we loved the NV681, it just didn’t have much in the way of attachments. The UV810 changes all that by including some great accessories. With these, you can clean carpet and a whole lot more. A huge accessory bag comes with the vacuum. In it you will find:
- Upholstery tool
- Adjustable crevice tool
- Extension wand
- Pet power brush
- Flexi crevice tool
- Under-appliance wand
Each tool serves its own unique purpose and adds so much more value to the UV810. As mentioned earlier, we used the pet power brush and the upholstery tool to clean furniture. Our pets like climbing on the sofa and recliner, leaving loose hair in their wake.
These two attachments are a dream come true for pet owners. These do for furniture what the DuoClean does for floors. And thanks to the portable canister mode, there’s no limit to what you can clean. All of these included accessories are such a treat and will serve you well in your quest for cleanliness.
Conclusion
Shark hits another home run with the UV810. They took what made the NV681 so fantastic and improved nearly every aspect. We had a blast testing this unit out and can’t recommend it enough. To date, this is the pinnacle of upright vacuums. Once you try it, you’ll never want to clean with anything else.
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