Vacuum cleaners are very convenient, moreover if you can use one for both floor and above floor cleaning such as Shark AZ1002 Vs LA502. These vacuums are not only convenient and versatile but still very affordable for a wide range of users to rely on. There are some differences however based on what they can offer and let’s see which you may like better.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Which Vacuum Cleaner to Buy
- What are Shark AZ1002 and LA502
- How are the Unit of Shark AZ1002 and LA502
- How are the Motor in Shark AZ1002 and LA502
- How are the Performance of Shark AZ1002 and LA502
- How are the Features in Shark AZ1002 and LA502
- Shark AZ1002 Vs LA502
Contents
Vacuum Cleaner Types
There are lots of amazing options when you are in the market for a vacuum cleaner. The choice is all yours based on which seems to fit the layout in the house. Besides the more traditional upright and canister vacuum, you can also try a robot vacuum such as iRobot’s Roomba. The best thing about robot vacuum is automation, meaning there is less to do when you pair the house with one. They are typically amazing for smaller spaces and also less-messy houses.
Upright vacuum cleaner is very convenient if you are going to work on lots of carpet flooring. Upright vacuums are probably the most traditional type of vacuums, especially those that come with bag dust collection. They are easy to maneuver for a wide surface or hard floor and carpet flooring and in general also very powerful. The cleaning head is often wider for a more effective cleaning time and in addition there is usually a moving brush to help with the cleaning process, such as Shark AZ1000.
Canister vacuum on the other hand has a separate housing to the cleaning head so they are connected with a hose. They tend to not be featured with motorized brush and are usually best for cleaning hard flooring as well as above floor cleaning purposes like the stairs and furniture. They are low profile so users can slide the cleaning head below furniture for a more effective cleaning and in addition they come with so many accessories to match with the cleaning purpose.
Some upright vacuums can be converted into canisters too, depending on the mechanism and this is a very ideal option if you want to have one that we can use for both floor and above floor cleaning purposes. They are usually detachable from the main housing so the user can clean using the hose and attachment compatible with the vacuum. What we love the most from this hybrid model besides the versatility is also the weight since they tend to be lighter.
If you don’t have much time to clean the house, the robot vacuum can be an incredible solution. As the name suggests they are automatically cleaning by using the sensor and battery. The vacuum can be scheduled to clean on your designed day or time and users have to check the canister and parts from time to time in order to clean the debris or any possible tangles. The market has so many robot vacuums and some are very reliable such as Shark Ion Vs Eufy robot vacuum.
| Shark AZ1002 | Shark LA502 | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 11.2 x 12.2 x 46 inches | 10 x 12 x 46.5 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 16 pounds | 12.3 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
About Shark AZ1002 and LA502
Now when you are ready to buy a new vacuum cleaner, it is time to see what the market has to offer because we have so many of them and it can be quite confusing. We do recommend considering what type of cleaning you will often do for the house layout whether it is ideal for robot vacuums or you must vacuum them manually. Manual vacuum is still the most reliable however because we can use it accordingly based on the floor type and the amount of mess we need to take care of.
If you are here then we assume that this vacuum has to be versatile and we do think this is a perfect job for a hybrid model such as what Shark is famous for. This brand of house appliance is very well-known for their collection of good vacuum cleaners, oftentimes better than many that are costing more. Their wide range of vacuum cleaners are also good for those who are not yet sure about the type they want to buy.
For those who want convenience and reliability, Shark AZ1002 and LA502 are two perfect options to consider. These vacuum cleaners are two among the wide range of lift-away systems they currently have but they are not coming from the same line. AZ or Apex line is probably the highest range Shark currently have while LA or Lift Away line is slightly below the former in terms of motor rating. They carry much similar features however since AZ is also lift-away hybrid style.
Being lift-away simply means the housing can be detached from the main cleaning head so we can start cleaning with the hose and other attachment. The Shark AZ1002 and LA502 are offering the same features and ability but there are some slight differences. In comparison, the two are similarly great options and effective for a wide range of cleaning purposes. The main difference is probably about the motor and styling itself while performance wise they are about the same to each other.
Shark AZ1002 and LA502 Design
As you can see, the Shark AZ1002 and LA502 are not exactly the same based on the design alone. The unit is mostly plastic such as ABS and PP with some metal and rubber components where it is necessary. The AZ line is slightly heavier compared to the LA502 but the height of the unit itself is the same or 46 inches tall from the ground. The fashion is noticeably different but the mechanism including the dust collector is the same.
The two are corded types with detachable handles and also main housing. To help the cleaning process, there is an array of lighting on their cleaning head and for the accessories they come with, we are happy to say both have the power pet brush. This brush is very useful for those with pets like dogs or cats in the house and for deep cleansing. The difference is that AZ1002 has an upholstery tool while the latter comes with a pet multi tool.
Shark AZ1002 and LA502 Motor
Now for the most important part, let’s see what the Shark AZ1002 and LA502 can offer starting from the core itself. Both of them are actually very similar but the motor of the AZ line is 11.2 Amp while the LA502 here is 10 Amp which translates really well in performance. The main difference in our opinion is the cleaning head which is about the same too or 11 inches but the main rolling brush is different. The AZ line has a combination of bristle and paddle brush, claimed to prevent tangled.
On the other hand LA502 has the paddle only so there is no bristle on the main or larger rolling brush. They are using a dual system in which there is another smaller rotating brush at the front with shorter and softer brush. This is useful when you are cleaning on hard flooring while the main brush is supposed to help with soft flooring.
Shark AZ1002 and LA502 Performance
Next for the performance part, the Shark AZ1002 and LA502 are also very reliable. The power is surely adequate for both carpet and hard flooring but the AZ1002 seems to not be so effective against long hair. We have seen the main bristles accumulating hair strands especially if you have long hair that is often shed, chances it will get tangled on the rolling brush. This does not happen on the LA502 because there are no bristles on the main brush, removing the risk of any hair and fiber getting stuck.
Removing the hair is not difficult however because we can just cut them or use a small stick to clean the tangled hair. The performance above flooring is also great and they are convenient with the accessories we can pair the hose with. However, in an upright model we may not be able to get into smaller and narrow spaces so oftentimes we always have to use them in lift-away mode.
Shark AZ1002 and LA502 Features
Lastly for the features, the Shark AZ1002 and LA502 are pretty much the same. The lift-away mode is available on both vacuums but the method to remove its main housing or canister is slightly different and we do think the LA502 is more convenient or faster. There are height adjustments for different flooring types too. To light up the space when you perform daily cleaning, the cleaning head comes with fixed lighting that activates when the vacuum is operating.
Shark AZ1002 Vs LA502
The Shark AZ1002 and LA502 are two favorite items from the collection and you can rely on them. The main difference between the two is that AZ1002 has a higher motor to produce stronger suction, it comes with an upholstery tool, and also a bit more expensive compared to the LA502. The features are pretty much the same and you can definitely clean properly with the two. Because AZ1002 has bristles, some people may find that much hair gets stuck in this roller compared to when they just use a paddle.
Conclusion
The decision is all yours because both vacuums are equally good and we do think if you have to clean lots of hair from the flooring, the LA502 is a more ideal choice but if you need the one with stronger suction, AZ1002 is the better choice.