With the bin removed, you can see one of the washable filters, with a second HEPA filter located at the front of the vacuum. This, too, is easy to remove and clean. So, if you have floorboards with crevices or tiles, then the Shark AZ950UKT could be a great choice. It’s not so effective on laminate or vinyl floors though. Stairs Below it sits a slider switch, which lets you change the cleaner’s mode: Hard Floor, Carpet and Deep Pile. This slider adjusts an air valve to reduce power as you move from hard floor up to deep-pile carpet.

Tonnes of power, quiet operation and the clever Lift-Away mode make this the ultimate large vacuum cleaner. Aside from the new guards, the actual brush remains the same. The nylon bristles work hard to pull up hair and embedded dirt, and they also have easy access if you need to maintain them. But does bigger mean better with this upright vacuum cleaner? Or is the standard size the more convenient option? Find out everything you need to know in our Shark AZ950UKT review. Overview of the Shark AZ950UKT’s Features Finally, I combed some pet hair into my carpet. Again, a single sweep through the mess pulled out all of the hair and cleaned the carpet up nicely. Again, these vacuum cleaners have very similar features, with the main differences coming down to the AZ950UKT being an XL model.This means that it will need to be emptied more often than the others, and it is smaller than normal for a corded upright. However, it is not quite a dealbreaker because of the other great features this model has.

The only complaint we have about the DuoClean is that it could be easier to access the bristle brush roll. Other than that, it’s an excellent floorhead. Other Tools and Accessories Thinking of buying the Shark AZ950UKT? Read our full review to find out whether it’s the right vacuum cleaner for your home. Carpet test: The wide floor head and powerful suction make light work of dirt in any type of carpet. There are two brushes that make up the DuoClean technology: a soft roller to draw in fine dust on hard floors and a stiff bristle brush that agitates fibres and loosens the pile on carpets. The combination allows you to move seamlessly between hard floors and carpets, although you’ll need to adjust the mode using the handle buttons.

In The Box

The Shark AZ950UKT is the heaviest of all the upright models, and with all the tools attached it comes in at 7.9kg. Without the tools, it is 7.5kg, but this is still a heavy piece of kit to have. There’s a second bright LED light on the handle, which is another bonus on the stairs for highlighting dirt in dark corners. Pet Hair What this should show you is that the filtration system really is doing its job, and you can see how effective it is as collecting dust and allergens. The main filter comes in the form of a large sponge that can be popped out of the machine and washed by hand. It is incredibly absorbent, which is good for removing dust and other particles from around your home. This makes it a decent choice for allergy sufferers who want a bagless vacuum. However, we should note that a bagged model is nearly always the best choice if you’re sensitive to dust, as bags keep allergens trapped during the emptying process. Emptying and Cleaning

Of course, you also have the powered lift away. This means that the main body of the vacuum cleaner can be detached from the frame at the press of a button – essentially turning it into a handheld vacuum cleaner. This is another Shark with an 8m cord, and it is something I do find mildly disappointing. I would love to see a 10m cord for more convenience, but at least it isn’t as short as 5m.The powered lift away also means you have more flexibility to clean under the furniture, get into tighter or lower spaces, and can even use the main floorhead on the stairs. Pet hair performance was excellent, too, with the Shark PZ1000UKT able to easily remove all of the hair in a single pass. For comparison, the AZ950UKT has considerably more capacity than the 0.83 litres of the popular Shark NZ801UKT. With that said, there are other options available with even more dirt capacity. The recently reviewed Hoover Breeze Evo, for example, is an affordable vacuum with a whopping 3-litre dust cup.

The difference in a machine that does not have full sealing is that the air is pushed through any gap in the machine – leaving the air dirty. Our Filtration Test Results You can also read our detailed guide on Shark repairs, troubleshooting, and maintenance if you want to learn more about caring for your vacuum. Lift-Away mode also makes it easier to get the tools where you want them. You can use accessories on the end of the wand, which provides far greater reach: I could easily clean around the ceiling in this mode. You can also remove the wand entirely, which is ideal for close-up jobs.Yes, the felt and foam filters can be removed and washed. Shark recommends washing these every three months, but we recommend cleaning filters more frequently than this. Comparison With Other Vacuums Shark AZ950UKT vs Shark AZ910UKT The suction power is impressive in all settings and it doesn’t dip as the dust cup fills. The removable wand and range of tools make above-floor cleaning a much easier task, although you do feel the weight after a while. Carpets What did you think of our Shark AZ950UK and AZ950UKT review? Do you agree with our thoughts on the vacuum, or are there others that you think are better suited to the task? We love hearing from you, so make sure you leave us a message in the comments below. As this is an XL model, the main floorhead is too large for most stairs. Fortunately, the mini pet attachment is ideal for carpeted stairs due to its rotating fins, while the crevice tool nips into tight edges.