Shark Rotator Lift-Away DuoClean Pro ZU782 Upright Vacuum Review

If you’re looking for a versatile upright vacuum cleaner that picks up more than just surface debris, consider the Shark Rotator Lift-Away Pro ZU872—a 2-in-1 upright/handheld unit that comes with a wide range of features, including a self-cleaning brush and a multi-tier filtration system.

Read our review of the Pro ZU872 and find out whether it’s the right choice for your floors.

1200W, 10A Motor

First of all, how much does the Shark ZU782 suck? Judging by its massive 1200W, 10A motor, it sucks quite a lot, but definitely in a good way!

While Shark has been pretty secretive about how much suction power this upright can deliver, technical users claim that it can reach around 20 kPa, which, by upright standards, is quite extraordinary.

From suction alone, users found that running the Shark ZU782 on low-pile carpeting removes nearly all tiny grains of rice and sand in just a single pass!

DuoClean Floorhead

While suction power is great and all, a lot of the Shark ZU782’s stellar performance comes from the DuoClean Floorhead design. Underneath the floorhead are two brush rolls.

The first one is a simple soft-bristled brush that gently massaged bare floors while digging into tile grout to extract the finest debris. On carpets, it doesn’t remove much more than surface debris, but that’s where the second brush roll shines.

Self-Cleaning Brush Roll

Just behind the soft-bristled brush roll is another roll that has stiff bristles and silicone fins. The stiff bristles serve to dig deep in carpet fibers and demolish any hardened spots for quick and easy removal.

If you have pets, you’ll be glad that the silicone fins are there. While vacuuming hair, the fins will move collected hair to the side of the brush roll, making it easier for the vacuum to swallow hairballs whole.

As such, users experience very infrequent instances where they need to snip away wads of hair with scissors.

Lift-Away Pod

With a simple press of a button, users can detach the canister pod on the handle and turn the Shark ZU782 into a handheld vacuum cleaner. This technology is known as Lift-Away, which is what really put Shark on the list of top upright vacuum cleaner brands.

The Lift-Away Pod lets you clean above-floor surfaces, such as ceilings and carpeted steps, without having to drag the entire unit across your floors.

Thanks to the suction hose, you can reach overhead surfaces without much difficulty and remove old dust piles by attaching one of the three included spot-cleaning tools.

2 Cleaning Tools

Speaking of which, the two tools that come with your Shark ZU782 are a basic upholstery tool that works beautifully at cleaning upholstery (hence, the name), furniture, and delicate area rugs.

There’s also a crevice tool, which is a narrow tool that you can poke into corners and in between cushions for more thorough cleaning.

However, if you want a deeper clean on above-ground surfaces, perhaps to remove pet hair and anything else embedded in the fibers, attach the Pet Power Brush that uses an air-driven brush roll.

99.97% Dust Retention with Anti-Allergen Seal

Shark claims that the ZU782 is perfect for pet owners. We’ve explained how much suction power it delivers and how helpful the floorhead and cleaning tools can be to remove pet hair and dander from your floors.

But for extra insurance against common allergens, you’ll be thankful that Shark added the anti-allergen sealed dust tank and HEPA filter. The multi-tiered filtration system offers up to 99.97% dust retention efficiency, so anything the ZU872 collects will stay in the dust tank until you empty it out.

Best of all, almost nothing will come shooting out of the vacuum’s exhaust port and go airborne—a huge plus for pet owners and allergen sufferers everywhere.

Shark Rotator ZU782 Intro Video

1.3-Quart Dirt Tank

The Shark ZU782’s dust tank isn’t the largest one out there, but 1.3-quart collection capacity, it’s fair to say that users will do very little emptying out the dirt tank and more vacuuming, which, in the end, translates to completing your chores in less time.

LED Headlamps

One feature that doesn’t get the love it deserves is LED headlamps. The Shark ZU782’s LED-studded floorhead shines a bright light on bare floors to cast shadows on nearly invisible dust bunnies, making them easier to spot.

Simply navigate the floorhead wherever you see slight shadows, and you’ll have much cleaner floors than you would without the LEDs.

Verdict: A Great Super-Versatile Upright for Everyone

Overall, like the countless users who own and love this upright, we think you would love the Shark ZU782 for its unmatched vacuuming performance and user friendliness.

The near-100% dirt retention is probably what will attract shoppers the most, if not the versatility of the Lift-Away Pod.

If you have any questions or comments, please add them below in the comment section. Similarly, please let us know if you spot any mistakes or omissions. Thanks!

Last Update: 2023-06-05 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API