Shark IZ400UKT versus NZ860UKT – Are the vacuums worth the money?

I’ve always been a fan of soucing a great bargain, although this concept doesn’t always mean that I buy cheap. But as someone who values their time, I appreciate that on occasion a premium-priced product can make my life easier, especially when it comes to household tasks in a busy family home. When it comes to vacuuming, I don’t want to be constantly stopping and starting or having to go over the same spot multiple times to pick up all the dirt and debris. That’s why I’m a fan of Shark vacuums and will be looking at the IZ400UKT and NZ860UKT models in this article today. Even though they often come with a higher price tag than other brands, in my experience, Shark products are well worth the investment because they work efficiently and effectively, saving me time and hassle.

My experience with Shark products like the IZ400UKT and NZ860UKT

I’ve had the pleasure of using several Shark products over the years, including the Shark DuoClean IF200UK Cordless Vacuum, the Ninja Foodie Pressure Cooker with Air Fry, and the Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker. All of these have been solidly built, premium items that have performed well for me and represented good value.

Following on from my positive experiences with those Shark and Ninja products, I want to talk about two of Shark’s cordless vacuums: the Stratos IZ400UKT and the NZ860UKT. Both of these models offer a range of features and attachments that make them suitable for various cleaning tasks, including picking up pet hair and reaching hard-to-access areas around my home – handy with a big old ginger cat prowling around the rooms.

The Stratos IZ400UKT is a newer model that retails at around £479.99 on the Shark website at the time of writing this article. It boasts Shark’s DuoClean technology, which combines a bristle brush and soft roller to pick up both large and small debris on various surfaces. This makes it particularly effective at removing pet hair and other stubborn debris and useful on a range of surfaces like the rugs, carpets and floorboards around my period home. The Stratos IZ400UKT also has a runtime of up to 45 minutes, making it suitable for larger cleaning tasks.

In contrast, the NZ860UKT is a slightly older model that can be found for around £429.99 on the Shark website (again at the time of writing and the prices fluctuate a lot!). It has a Lift-Away feature, which allows you to detach the canister and use it as a handheld vacuum for above-floor cleaning. This makes it well-suited for cleaning up after pets and reaching hard-to-access areas. The NZ860UKT also has a longer runtime of up to 50 minutes, adding to its convenience.

The range of Shark vacuum attachments

Both the Stratos IZ400UKT and NZ860UKT come with a variety of attachments and accessories, including a dustbin, crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool. These attachments allow you to customise the vacuum to suit your specific cleaning needs and I’ve found they are particularly useful when tackling a pet’s favourite chair for curling up on.

In terms of suction power, there’s no real noticeable difference. The Stratos IZ400UKT has a max power of 240w, while the NZ860UKT has a max power of 250w. Both models have a range of suction settings to choose from, depending on the surface and type of debris you are cleaning, but if you’re like me you’ll likely leave it on full power unless you’re trying not to disturb the cat! This option does, however, mean you can adjust the suction to suit the task at hand, whether you’re cleaning a delicate area or tackling a more heavy-duty job.

One thing I really appreciate about Shark products is their customer service – particularly when there are so many companies in the UK that get customer complaint handling wrong right now. I’ve had to contact Shark customer services in the past year, and the process was smooth and easy. They replaced a faulty wand section without any fuss and didn’t ask me to jump through any major hoops when returning the faulty parts, which was a big relief. It’s always reassuring to know that you can get help if you need it, and Shark’s customer service has been top-notch in my experience.

Value for money of the IZ400UKT and NZ860UKT in this Shark review

In terms of value for money, I think Shark vacuums are well worth the investment and their brands are well-known for good reviews online and via word of mouth. Yes, they may be more expensive than some other brands, but in my experience, they work efficiently and effectively, saving me time and hassle. Plus, they come with a 5 year warranty, giving you added peace of mind and protection for your investment..

 

When it comes to choosing a vacuum, it is important to consider not only the price and features but also how easy it is to use and how well it will fit into your lifestyle. The Shark Stratos IZ400UKT and NZ860UKT cordless vacuums both offer a range of features and attachments (like those pictured below) that make them suitable for various cleaning tasks, including picking up pet hair, pine needles left after Christmas, or the fallout and detritus left after a good party night in. They also both have long runtimes and powerful suction, making them efficient and effective at cleaning your home.

One thing that sets Shark vacuums apart from other brands is its customer service. In my experience, Shark’s customer service has been top-notch and they have gone above and beyond to resolve any issues I’ve had with their products. This is especially important when it comes to a vacuum, as it is a product you will use frequently and may encounter issues with over time. The fact that Shark offers a 5-year warranty on their vacuums adds to the value and peace of mind of your investment in their premium-priced items.

Of course, no vacuum is perfect and there are always going to be trade-offs to consider. For example, the Stratos IZ400UKT may be more expensive than the NZ860UKT, but it offers Shark’s DuoClean technology and a sleek, modern design. On the other hand, the NZ860UKT is more affordable and has a longer runtime, but it lacks DuoClean technology. Ultimately, the choice between the two models will depend on your personal preferences and budget. Personally, I’d opt for the IZ400UKT based on its feel of use and design, but that’s my personal preference. You can use the links on this page to go to the Shark website to check offers and the latest prices, or I’ve placed overviews of the two models in this article for their current prices (live prices) on Amazon.

To round up, if you’re tired of constantly stopping and starting your vacuum or having to go over the same spot multiple times to get all the dirt and debris, it may be time to upgrade to a Shark cordless vacuum. Both the Stratos IZ400UKT and NZ860UKT offer a range of features and attachments alongside long runtimes and powerful suction, making them efficient and effective at cleaning your home. And with Shark’s top-notch customer service and a 5 year warranty, I would happily suggest that I would consider if I bought another Shark vacuum I would be making a wise investment in a product that will perform well for years to come.

So if you want to save time and hassle with your vacuuming tasks and invest in a high-quality product that delivers on its promises, consider giving the Shark Stratos IZ400UKT or NZ860UKT a try.

You can buy the Shark products mentioned in this article on the Shark Website. please note that some links from this article may generate an affiliate commission for SavvyDad if you make a purchase. As a side note, if you’re looking for similar great value home cleaning and DIY products, Aldi specialbuy events in the UK offer great discounts at stores near me.