Shark recently unveiled a new and innovative technology in the cleaning head of its latest vacuums. The feature is dubbed “Zero-M” and works to prevent pet and human air from wrapping around the brush roll. For the first time, Shark made a vacuum that does not require you to cut hair wraps manually. Both long and short strands are actively removed from the bristles and sucked up into the dustbin, eliminating the need for a pair of scissors every time you vacuum hair mess. If you have had to cut off pet or human air from the brush roll, you know how stressful it can be. With the new Shark Zero-M vacuum cleaners, that problem is solved. The technology is not one of its kind, yet it’s a significant improvement to the already powerful Shark vacuums. Here is how it works:
The redesigned brush roll features a bristle guard and a comb-like structure. As the vacuum picks up debris, the bristle guard separates the sucked up hair, preventing it from going around the brush roll. The comb then removes the hair, placing it within the suction path and all the way to the dust bin. The process is continuous, happening the entire time the motorized head is running operation. The company even recommends running the vacuum for a little longer if there are still visible hairs on the brush roll after you’re through with cleaning. Doing so helps the technology to automatically remove the hair strands so you never have to do it yourself. With this feature, all Shark M-Zero vacuums will not have trouble picking up hair from carpets and sending it to the dirt chamber.
Shark vacuums with the Zero-M technology have already hit the market. The newest series include the Apex DuoClean, Navigator Lift-Away Speed, and the Rocket Ultra-Light. These machines do not only feature the novel way to prevent hair tangles; they also come with improvements on other fronts to make them more useful and efficient than the earlier ones. If you’re considering buying any of these new Shark Zero-M vacuums, you may want to know more about how powerfully they clean, how efficient they are, and more. That’s precisely what we will look at, and in detail. Before we delve into what each Zero-M vacuum brings to the table, here’s some information regarding the features common to all models in the three latest lines.
Contents
Main Features of the Shark Zero-M Vacuum Cleaners
Zero-M Technology
Obviously. This is one of the features I find outstanding in the newest vacuums. The uniquely designed brush roll removes hair strands as the suction picks up debris and prevents them from wrapping around the roll. It’s a welcome feature for homes where pet and human hair has always meant keeping a pair of scissors on the ready. The cleaning head of the Shark Zero-M vacuum now does it for you. All the Zero-M units have the nozzle colored in a sexy yellow-orange.
Convenient Controls
Switching the cleaning power to the various modes is pretty easy and quick. Using your thumb, you get to slide the conveniently placed and ergonomic button to select the suitable cleaning setting. Once you switch to a mode, it lights up to reveal a graphic symbol depicting the surface it cleans. The on and off button is also placed on the same settings panel.
Efficient Cleaning
Although the company avoids stating the suction power on its units, it’s a lot better than that of many standard vacuum cleaners. The motor of the various models in the series is powerful enough to provide strong airflow for the specific tasks. Coupled with the pair of spinning brush rolls, the Shark vacuums provide excellent dirt pick up. One feature I like about these units is the absence of a front wall. It prevents snow-plowing of debris while vacuuming heavily dirtied places and underneath objects. The cleaning head gobbles up everything that happens to be in its cleaning path.
LED Head Lights
All the Shark Zero-M vacuum cleaners come with double LED lamps that are placed close to the brush roll. They serve to illuminate poorly lit areas such as under furniture and appliances. Also when cleaning dimly lit places and you need to see the areas that need more cleaning head passes or a specialized attachment. The lights are strong enough to light up your cleaning path and are always on the entire time the machine is working.
Powered Lift-Away
Should you need to clean areas above the floor or far-to-reach places, all you need is detach the vacuum’s canister from the main body and you’re good to go. The unit instantly becomes a handheld that you can use anywhere The cleaning head will still retain power even after separating it from the main body, which is the reason it’s called a “powered lift-away”. Using this feature, the machine becomes more versatile, allowing you to vacuum areas that would have presented a challenge to reach.
Active Glide
The wheels of the Shark Zero-M line of vacuums are made to self-propel. This allows you to maneuver the unit with ease over various types of flooring. The vacuums will glide over carpets effortlessly. On hard floors, Sharks move without any difficulty and gentle enough to avoid damaging the surface.
Anti-Allergen Seal
Some vacuums leak allergens into the atmosphere when in operation – even with the famed HEPA filter. This mostly happens through the invisible openings around the filter. Shark solved this problem by completely sealing their vacuum cleaners. As a result, the Shark Zero-M units are safe for use in a home where allergens cannot be tolerated. This is in addition to the quality exhaust HEPA filter that prevents particles as tiny as 0.3 microns from passing through.
Dual Brush Rolls
One of the outstanding features of Shark vacuums is the double brush rolls. This one alone has been a selling point of the uprights from the company. The dual rotating rolls provide for excellent pick-up of dust and debris even from carpeted floors. The first brush features a soft roll that picks up debris from hard floors in a gentle way. It prevents damage to surfaces while ensuring every bit of dirt is removed. The other roll is made up of soft bristles and designed to remove stuck dust, hair, and other debris from carpets as well as bare floors. The combination is what provides the exceptional cleaning power and efficiency that Shark vacuums are known for. The same is incorporated in the Zero-M series, giving you machines you can rely on for home cleaning needs.
Heat Control Thermostat
It’s unlikely that you find a Shark Zero-M vacuum being damaged by overheating. All the models feature a control thermostat that shuts down the motor if the unit becomes too hot. In cases where the heating is caused by prolonged use, the thermostat switches off the machine to allow for cooling to take place. This lengthens the life of the vacuum.
Noise Reduction
Shark uses a unique technology to lower the noise emitted by their vacuum cleaners. Not only that; the pitch is also altered to be lower. The result is vacuuming units that run quieter than standard ones. Your Shark Zero-M will operate at lower dB levels and pitch for a peaceful atmosphere in your home.
Warranty Information
It would be good to talk about the length of the warranty you get upon purchasing a Shark Zero-M vacuum. The warranty is a limited 5 years which only applies to those units purchased from authorized dealers. You can also order your Shark vacuum through the manufacturer’s official website.
Now that we have looked at the main features of Shark Zero-M series, it’s now time to learn more about the specific vacuuming units in each line including the different models. This will give you an idea of what to expect regarding size, capabilities, weight, dimensions, and more. Let’s start straight away.
Shark Apex DuoClean With Zero-M Series
Suction Power
Although the company doesn’t indicate the exact value for suction power, the motor that powers the unit can give a clue. It draws 1350 watts which put the suction power to around 300AW (or less). This is strong enough to clean carpets and bare floors when combined with the motorized brush roll.
Input Power
The vacuums run on a 120V, 60HZ power outlet and consume 11.3A. This is expected of a motor that should provide cleaning power for challenging surfaces like carpets.
Bin Capacity
The DuoClean comes with a dust container capable of holding 1.5 dry quarts or 1.4 L of dirt. The capacity is large enough to allow for convenience when cleaning your home. It will hold in debris for an entire vacuuming session even if you have pets around. The bin is easy to take out of the unit for emptying. It’s also transparent which means you can easily tell when it requires urgent emptying. A line marks the maximum amount of “fill” you should allow before you dispose of the contents.
Filtration
The pre-motor filters help to trap most of the particles sucked up from surfaces and protect the motor from damage. The exhaust filter is a washable HEPA which doesn’t require much to maintain. The filter will retain 0.3-micron particles and above, which is what you need to trap allergens and make your home safe health-wise. An Anti-Allergen technology completes the filtration of this Shark Zero-M vacuum. The HEPA filter is sealed all round to ensure tiny dust particles and other allergens don’t leave the unit at any time during vacuuming activities. The technology provides for a safe home atmosphere, especially if a family member is prone to complications of the respiratory system.
Weight and Dimensions
This vacuum is the heaviest of the three lines of Shark Zero-M series, weighing 16 lbs. Despite the weight, it moves effortlessly on all floor types and won’t be a burden during your cleaning activities. It measures 12″ in length, 11.2″ width and 46″ height.
Accessories
The DuoClean line features three different models, and the accessories you get depends on the particular model you purchase. The models and the accompanying accessories are:
- AZ1000W – A 12-inch crevice tool, and pet multi-tool
- AZ1002 – A 12-inch crevice tool, deep-cleaning pet tool(motorized), and a pet multi-tool
- AZ1002BRN – 12-inch crevice tool, a motorized pet tool, and a pet multi-tool
Usability
Every model in this line features a swivel head with excellent steering. It lets you guide the machine’s cleaning head around furniture and appliances without much of a hassle. In case you want further reach, the Lift-Away feature allows you to detach the cleaning head. You do not need to worry about reduced cleaning power after separating the brush roll since it remains motorized. The models in the line come with a 30-feet power cord which is sufficient the average home.
Price
As the top of the line, the new APEX with Zero-M can be quite expensive, reaching the level of $400. However, you can find better deals for this product in various places, such as this one.
Suction Power
The motor of this vacuum is rated 500 watts. This is low power but enough for a vacuum light vacuum that not made for too demanding jobs. Besides, uprights don’t waste a lot of power so most of what power the motor provides goes into giving suction strength.
Input Power
The vacuum is made to be operated from a standard 120V, 60HZ US power outlet. The units take in 4.5 amperes to work the motor. It means the vacuums in this series are energy-efficient in addition to offering excellent cleaning capabilities.
Bin Capacity
The unit comes with a large dust container with a capacity for as much as 2.2 dry quarts or about 2L of dry debris. It’s the largest in the three Shark Zero-M lines and convenient if your home has large areas to clean with a lot of dirt. Just like the other vacuums in the series, the dirt compartment is easily accessible and transparent. Emptying it is equally a breeze and safe. It won’t result in dust being blown all around you and pose a risk to your health. You only need to lower the bin down the trash can then click it open to release the contents.
Filtration
The vacuum’s filtration system consists of both pre-motor and post-motor filters. The post-motor one is a HEPA that will trap 99.99% of the particles. Using the vacuum in your home assures you of clean air free of allergens. The filters are washable and require you to take them out for cleaning every once in a while.
Weight and Dimensions
Despite the large dirt holding capacity, the vacuum cleaners in the Navigator series are a compact size. Measuring 12.7 inches in length, 10.7 inches wide and 30.7 high, the unit takes up minimal space. The compactness would come in handy if you have limited storage space in your home for the vacuum. It weighs 13.4 lbs, which is not too bad considering that it features a lift-away powered head. When you have to clean above or far-to-reach places, all you need to do is detach the canister.
Accessories
The line consists of four different models with different accessories. They include:
- ZU562 – Hair removing tool, powered pet brush, and a crevice nozzle
- ZU561 – A duster crevice nozzle, an upholstery tool, and a hair tool
- ZU560 – A duster crevice nozzle and a hair removal tool
- ZU560C – An upholstery nozzle and crevice tool
Usability
The dimensions and weight of the unit make it easy to move around as you go about your vacuuming activities. With a swivel head and wheels, you will not have trouble maneuvering it around appliances and furniture. It comes with a 25′ power cable which isn’t long enough but will do a good job if your home is not too large, or if power outlets are conveniently located.
Price
Costs around $200, which is an amazing price tag, considering the quality of the product. Every once in a while, you may enjoy a temporary discount.
Shark Rocket Zero-M Ultra-Light Series
Suction Power
The level of suction of the vacuums in this series is similar to that of the Shark Navigator Line. The motor is an 800 watt which is sufficient for a lightweight and compact upright. Uprights are also energy conserving and you should expect the wattage to provide satisfactory suction.
Input Power
The vacuum runs of a 120V, 60HZ power outlet drawing 4.2 amperes. The motor energy consumption is the same as that of the Navigator line. However, cleaning levels are different depending on the accessories and tools each vacuum comes with.
Bin Capacity
The dirt container of the vacuums in this line has a capacity of 0.4 dry quarts or 0.4L of dirt. It’s quite small, but understandable given that the vacuum is meant for less demanding tasks. Being mostly suited for use as a handheld, it’s unlikely that it will be picking a lot of dirt and debris.
Filtration
Just as the other vacuums in other Shark Zero-M lines, the models in this one feature an excellent filtration system. A foam pre-motor filter serves to remove dust particles before they reach the motor, while the exhaust filter works to clean the air re-entering the atmosphere from the unit. Being a HEPA, you can expect exceptional trapping of allergens. The filter is capable of retaining up to 99.99% of the dust particles and other allergens measuring 0.3 microns and above. Additionally, the HEPA filter is completely sealed to ensure no particles find openings through which to come out. If you’re susceptible to seasonal allergies and looking for a safe vacuum for light cleaning, this unit could be it.
Weight and Dimensions
It weighs 9 lbs, just as light as its name suggests. This means effortless to use for the unit. It measures 47.2 inches high, 10.2 inches wide and 12.4 inches tall. The size cannot be said to be small but is not too big either. Being lightweight, you will find it a breeze to operate on different floors, especially carpets.
Accessories
There are seven different models in this series, each with own accessories
- ZS352 – A 5-inch crevice tool, pet tool, wall mount, precision duster, and onboard clip
- HV345 – A pet tool, storage clip, and a wall mount
- ZS350 – A wall mount and cord
- ZS350C – A 5-inch crevice tool, wall mount, pet tool, and cord
- ZS351 and ZS351C – A 5-inch crevice tool, onboard clip, power cord, wall mount, and a pet tool
Usability
The unit is pretty light at 9 lbs and offers excellent maneuverability. It readily converts to a handheld to vacuum higher places and tight places. The swivel and easy steering allow you to work it around furniture and corners. It comes with a 30 feet power cable which is sufficient if your home is of average size.
Price
Retails for $200 or so, occasionally cheaper.
Shark Zero-M vacuums Accessories
The accessories that accompany or are compatible with Shark Zero-M vacuums varied. They help to improve the cleaning abilities of the unit depending on the situation or surface. Just in case you’re wondering how here are the tools and attachments explained.
- Under Appliance Wand: it helps with the cleaning or the areas under furniture and appliances. It’s a pivoted tool that offers great convenience for hard-to-reach places such as underneath appliances and furniture.
- Pet Power Tool: it’s specifically for use on carpeted stairs as well as when cleaning hair from upholstery. It’s motorized and conveniently removes pet hair mess from the surfaces.
- Hair Removal Multi-Tool: this attachment is designed to pick up pet and human hair from upholstery, bare floors and carpets. Choose a Shark Zero-M model that comes with this accessory if you have pets in your home. It will do a good job picking the shed pet hair. Also if any family member has long hair. The tool is composed of a power brush and an upholstery nozzle and performs efficiently even on carpets.
- Duster Crevice Nozzle: this accessory consists of both a duster and a crevice tool. A bristled brush extends beyond the crevice nozzle for instant dusting. It allows you to clean challenging areas. The duster crevice tool is not only convenient but also enhances the capability of the crevice nozzle. It saves you time, in addition to making your vacuuming easy.
- Wide Upholstery Tool: it’s a wide nozzle for use when cleaning large surfaces such as mattresses, curtains, and couches.
- Accessory Bag: the accessory bag is provided to enable you to conveniently store the unit’s attachments.
Pro Reviews
Shark Zero-M vacuums will clean efficiently and powerfully. You do not need to worry about hair tangles anymore, which relieves you from the stresses of cutting wraps manually. On the tackling of different floor types, you can count on these vacuums. The dual and motorized brush roll works well on both bare and deep carpet flooring. The front roll is safe on delicate hard flooring while the other bristled roll is pretty good at removing dirt from carpeted floors and rugs. The powered lift-away feature together with the array of tools allows you to convert the vacuum for improved versatility. The unit is also easy to maneuver, with self-propelling wheels, LED headlights, and a swiveling head. The excellent filtration makes the Zero-M vacuums safe for an allergen-free home.
Con Reviews
Despite the features and technologies of the Shark vacuums, there are some fronts where they don’t score as high. One of them is in the dirt holding capacity. Some models have low-capacity bins (Rocket and Speed models) that will need frequent emptying if you vacuum areas with a lot of debris. The short power cord of these vacuums can also be limiting when cleaning stairs and other areas that require a far-reaching vacuum.
Final Thoughts
The new Shark Zero-M vacuum is designed to not only make your cleaning tasks easy but also ensure efficiency. Apart from the hair-wrap prevention technology, the cleaners come with other major improvements. The wheels are soft rubber and gentler on floors than those of the earlier models. They’re also strongly fitted and durable. The construction of the hose is better than what came with the other models, providing for improved control and durability. With a warranty of five years, you have sufficient coverage for your appliance. The new Shark Zero-M vacuums are powerful and versatile enough for various cleaning requirements. I would recommend them, especially if pet and human hair strands are common in your home.
Jason Roberts
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