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We loved the power, convenience, advanced features and battery life of this cordless stick vacuum.
The Stratos Cordless passed all our suction tests with flying colors on carpet and bare floor. Its battery lasted just over 60 minutes during testing. The CleanSense IQ worked well, and we loved its dual rollers and maneuverability. We saw no hair tangles.
Somewhat pricey. It takes three hours to recharge from empty.
This classic model has been one of the most popular vacuums available for years.
A tried-and-tested upright vacuum since 2011 with 1,200 watts of suction power. It can be removed from its floor nozzle for above-floor cleaning. It features swivel steering and a comfortable attachment handle, and it comes with a washable and reusable HEPA filter.
Its design may look dated, and its single brushroll can get tangled with hair.
A tangle-resistant floor nozzle and odor-neutralizing features make this vacuum great for pet households.
The Rotator Pet boasts Shark’s up-to-date floor nozzle with dual rollers featuring tangle-resistant fins and bright LED lights. It lifts from its nozzle for above-floor cleaning and offers sealed HEPA filtration. Slim and maneuverable for an upright vacuum.
Its 960 watts is less than older Rotators, and its 0.88-quart dust cup could be bigger.
This handheld vacuum comes with a half-quart dust cup and versatile attachments.
The UltraCyclone hand vac offers 88 watts of suction power and weighs less than 3 pounds. The nozzle’s mouth is 2.55 inches wide, allowing for larger debris and greater debris quantities. The filter is washable and reusable. The powered roller brush resists tangles.
The battery lasts 10 minutes and takes 240 minutes to recharge.
A lightweight cordless stick vacuum with great attachments and two 60-minute batteries.
Impressive battery life from two rechargeable batteries, not just one. Its floor nozzle offers hair-resistant fins with a wand that can bend forward for under-sofa reach or compact storage. It offers modern amenities like an informative display and LED lights.
You need to swap batteries to take advantage of the full two-hour cleaning time.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Shark vacuums are everywhere. The Shark brand burst onto the scene in 2007 and hasn’t looked back, offering a wide series of models, from handhelds to stick vacuums to uprights, available from every major retailer you can think of. With bagless, zero-loss-of-suction designs and what sometimes seems like a never-ending parade of new features, Shark vacuums are among the most popular vacuums in the world.
With such a wide array of categories and models to choose from, it can be a little dizzying to find the right Shark vacuum for you. This is where we come in. In this buying guide, we highlight the best Shark vacuums you can buy based on our research and experience testing Shark vacuums in the BestReviews Testing Lab.
From our testing and research, we think the best Shark vacuum is the Shark Stratos Cordless Stick Vacuum, offering great cleaning power, portability, versatility and convenience. For a lower-cost, traditional pick, try the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, a mainstay of household cleaning since 2011.
Product Specifications
Run Time: 60 min | Suction Power: 309 W | Bin Capacity: 0.72 qt | Weight: 8.9 lb | Dimensions: 13.78” L x 10.24” W x 51.18” H
Our pick for the best Shark vacuum is the Shark IZ862H Stratos Cordless Vacuum. It combines some of Shark’s most advanced and useful features into a cordless stick vacuum that’s more than capable of tackling everyday cleaning chores, and it wowed us in our hands-on testing.
The Stratos Cordless has a 60-minute battery life, which we confirmed in our tests — enough to cover 800 square feet of testing space (carpet and bare floor) without needing to recharge. Its CleanSense IQ detects dirt you may not see and increases suction automatically until the dirt is gone. We appreciated the nimble swivel steering and tangle-resistant brush rollers of its DuoClean PowerFins HairPro floor nozzle, and we felt its long, flat dusting wand was fantastic on curtains and blinds.
The Stratos Cordless takes three hours to recharge, and its suction power of 309 watts isn’t as powerful as a full-size upright. But its smart tech, versatility, portability and suction test results dispelled any doubt in our minds that it’s a primary everyday vacuum. We think it’s the best Shark vacuum around.
Product Specifications
Cord Length: 25’ | Suction Power: 1,200 W | Bin Capacity: 1.1 qt | Weight: 12.5 lb | Dimensions: 15" L x 11.4" W x 45.5" H
Not often do you find a vacuum model that's stood the test of time, but the Shark Navigator NV352 Lift-Away Upright Vacuum is exactly that. It was introduced back in 2011 and has been available ever since.
The Navigator Lift-Away is an upright vacuum with 25 feet of cord length. It offers 1,200 watts of suction power and a dust-cup capacity greater than 1 quart. Its killer feature, adopted by many other Shark uprights, is its ability to detach from its floor nozzle to become a portable vacuum with a 30-inch suction hose for cleaning furniture, windows, shelves and stairs. In this configuration, it weighs just over 8 pounds. The Navigator Lift-Away comes with a HEPA filter to keep dust from escaping while vacuuming.
Its swivel-steering floor nozzle is basic but effective, although its single-bristle brush will tangle with hair from time to time. It doesn’t come with up-to-date tech like headlights or a dirt sensor, but it provides a thorough cleaning on both carpets and bare flooring at a wallet-friendly price.
Product Specifications
Cord Length: 25’ | Suction Power: 960 W | Bin Capacity: 0.8 qt | Weight: 14.35 qt | Dimensions: 13” L x 12” W x 45.5” H
With more features and capabilities, the Shark’s Rotator vacuums are a step up from its Navigators. The Shark Rotator LA701 Pet Lift-Away Upright Vacuum exemplifies that with its dual-roller, tangle-resistant floor nozzle and streamlined lift-away design.
Compared to the older Navigator NV352, the Rotator Lift-Away detaches from its floor nozzle with the push of a pedal. It sports Shark’s DuoClean PowerFins Hair Pro floor nozzle with two rollers and tangle-resistant, self-cleaning fins to power through pet hair. It also comes with bright LED headlights to illuminate dust and dark corners and a cartridge that neutralizes odors while you clean, which is a welcome plus for pet households.
In lift-away pod mode, it can clean shelves, stairs and furniture with its hose, comfortable handle and attachments. It’s maneuverable enough to steer around couches and tables, too. While its suction power is less than that of older models, its advanced design makes up for that.
Product Specifications
Run Time: 10 min | Suction Power: 88 W | Bin Capacity: 0.44 qt | Weight: 2.8 lb | Dimensions: 20.8" L x 3.8" W x 4.3" H
For smaller jobs that require hands-on attention, the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus makes a lot of sense. It boasts a wide mouth and good dust-cup capacity, yet it’s light and portable enough to use in your vehicle or home.
A hand vacuum isn’t meant to replace your full-size vacuum cleaner, but it complements it, helping you with small messes and in-between cleaning. The UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus has 80 watts of suction power and a mouth wide enough to suck in large pieces of debris without clogging. Its dust cup holds almost a half-quart of debris, which is good for a hand vac. And, at less than 3 pounds, it’s easy to pull out for quick cleaning jobs. Among its attachments is a tangle-resistant powered roller brush that’s great for grabbing pet hair.
The UltraCyclone’s battery takes 240 minutes to charge, which can be a drag, and it lasts only 10 minutes at a time. But you shouldn’t need more than a couple of minutes for the kind of cleaning it’s designed for. It’s the best Shark handheld vacuum for a car, RV or around the house.
Product Specifications
Run Time: 120 min | Suction Power: 309 W | Bin Capacity: 1 qt | Weight: 8.82 lb | Dimensions: 10.24" L x 14.7" W x 46.5" H
The Shark Vertex Pro IZ682H Cordless Stick Vacuum is tops for battery life. It’s identical to the Vertex Pro IZ462H, which we tested, but instead of just one rechargeable battery pack, it comes with two.
In our testing sessions, the Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum models were capable cleaners. We liked their maneuverable floor heads that changed direction with a flick of the wrist, and we appreciated how their headlights illuminated tight spots beneath counters and behind couches. The DuoClean floor nozzle passed our suction tests with no issues except for a little snow plowing with loose debris like cereal on bare flooring. We also liked how quiet they were, never getting louder than a hair dryer, even in max-suction mode.
The Vertex IZ462H we also tested came with one battery pack for 60 minutes of battery life, which we verified. Having two packs like the IZ682H doubles your effective cleaning time. They don't have auto-sensing capability, and you have to switch from carpet to bare floor manually. But otherwise, the Vertex Pro Cordless models are excellent stick vacuums for everyday cleaning.
Product Specifications
Cord Length: 25’ | Suction Power: 1,416 watts | Bin Capacity: 1.48 qt | Weight: 16.71 lb | Dimensions: 12.2" L x 11.02" W x 46.46" H
Shark gives its most advanced vacuums the Stratos branding across all body configurations, and the Shark Stratos AZ3002 Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum is its top model in a full-size, corded upright.
With 1,416 watts of suction power, it’s the most powerful vacuum Shark offers, beating old favorites like the 1,200-watt Navigator Lift-Away and more than four times as powerful as the Stratos Cordless. Like many of Shark’s other uprights, it lifts away from its floor nozzle for above-floor cleaning, and you can attach its floor nozzle to its hose for truly impressive reach.
The Stratos Powered Lift-Away has Shark’s DuoClean PowerFins HairPro floor nozzle with two rollers for comprehensive dirt and dust pickup. It has fins to resist hair tangling along with headlights and an odor-neutralizing cartridge. All in all, it’s a powerhouse vacuum and a go-to model for deep cleaning.
Most comfortable to use
Product Specifications
Run Time: 40 min | Suction Power: 240 W | Bin Capacity: 0.44 qt | Weight: 6 lb | Dimensions: 10.24" L x 14.7" W x 46.5" H
The Shark Cordless Detect Pro was another model we tested. We loved its balance and light weight, and we adored the way its floor nozzle swiveled and glided smoothly in our test space.
The Cordless Detect Pro comes with a single-roller floor nozzle that combines a buffing roller with Shark’s PowerFin hair-resistant technology. We had no trouble vacuuming coffee grounds, birdseed and cereal with it, and we experienced no tangles from pet or human hair, with just a few strands that were easy to pick off. The Cordless Detect Pro is rated for 40 minutes, but we obtained just under 52 minutes of effective cleaning time in our tests.
We appreciated the “detect” part of the model’s feature set, in which it sensed dirt we couldn’t see and automatically altered suction to match. While not quite as powerful as other Shark cordless models, we think the Cordless Detect Pro is superb for everyday cleaning and a good value for the money.
Product Specifications
Cord Length: 25’ | Suction Power: 850 W | Bin Capacity: 1.9 qt | Weight: 17.8 lb | Dimensions: 17.7" L x 14.2" W x 49.2" H
If you’re the kind of person who swears by the power and usability of a canister vac, especially on shag rugs and antique hardwood floors, you’ll want to consider the Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum. It brings the reach and cleaning head found in Shark’s other top vacuums to the form of a canister vac.
The Vertex Bagless Canister comes with Shark’s MultiFLEX wand, giving it impressive reach and under-furniture performance. Its DuoClean PowerFins floor nozzle resists hair tangles and can pick up debris without getting stuck on thick carpeting. With 1.9 quarts of dust cup capacity, it can tackle big jobs. The canister itself weighs around 9 pounds, offering wheels for portability and a 25-foot power cord that retracts into the body.
At 850 watts, it’s powerful, but it’s not quite as powerful as some of Shark’s upright vacuums. It takes up more space than an upright when stored. However, a lot of people swear by canister vacuums, and this one is worth a look.
Product Specifications
Cord Length: 30’ | Suction Power: 600 W | Bin Capacity: 0.79 qt | Weight: 8.68 lb | Dimensions: 2.7" L x 2.4" W x 15.4" H
A corded stick vacuum combines upright-level suction power with the maneuverability and versatility of a stick vac. The Shark Stratos HZ3002 Ultralight Corded Stick Vacuum had both pros and cons when we tested it, but it was definitely the most powerful Shark stick vacuum we have tried.
Its 30-foot cord had enough reach for our 800-square-foot testing area — there was no need to change electric outlets. The machine’s 600 watts of suction power approached that of Shark’s corded uprights and canisters. We noted it removed more fine dust than other Shark stick vacuums we tested, and we appreciated its HEPA filter and seal.
We felt that the Stratos Ultralight Corded straddled the line between stick vac and upright. For example, it was a little heavier and less convenient than the Stratos Cordless. But for suction power in a stick-vac size, the Stratos Ultralight Corded is hard to beat.
Product Specifications
Battery life: 120 min | Suction Power: 650 W | Bin Capacity: 60 days (external) | Weight: 15 lb | Dimensions: 13.7” L x 13.7” W x 4.1” H (robot only)
Even the best traditional vacuum cleaners still need you to move them. But with a robot vacuum, you don’t even need to do that. The Shark AI Ultra RV2502AE Robot Vacuum with an XL HEPA Self-Empty Base was a model we tested that impressed us with its mapping capabilities.
The Shark AI Ultra’s main claim to fame is its LiDAR mapping: It took only eight minutes to scan and build an accurate map of a 360-square-foot testing area. From then on, the Shark AI Ultra didn't need to bump or stumble its way around like other robot vacuums — a talent we appreciated. We also liked its self-empty base, which stored up to 60 days’ worth of debris and had a HEPA filter to keep dust from getting back in the air.
The Shark AI Ultra cleaned reasonably well, although its extra-attention Matrix mode did a better job than its normal settings. You can control this and other settings from Shark’s smartphone app. It has simple buttons to activate cleaning and spot-cleaning modes on the unit itself, which we appreciated.
The BestReviews Testing Lab obtained eight Shark vacuums and put them through their paces, rating suction, maneuverability, ergonomics, hair wrap, ease of maintenance and other factors.
We used a variety of household items to test suction power on both carpet and hard flooring, including hardwood and vinyl planks. We measured specific amounts of fine particulates such as sugar and ground coffee; medium and large particulates such as birdseed and breakfast cereal; and faux fur or pet hair. We then gauged the amount each vacuum picked up in a single pass and how many passes it took to complete the job.
We used each vacuum in a real-world environment to see how it steered around furniture and into corners and crevices. We noted how comfortable and ergonomic each was to hold for above-floor cleaning and how easy or difficult it was to use and change attachments.
We checked for hair clogs and tangles in the floor nozzles, wands, hoses and attachments of our test units, as these problems often afflict vacuums in pet households. When present, we also evaluated Shark’s odor-neutralization features for effectiveness and practicality.
We noted how easy it was to open the dust cup of each test unit and empty it into the trash. We also noted how to remove the dust cup completely for rinsing and cleaning and how to access and clean all filters, floor rollers and accessories.
We used a smartphone app to measure the noise levels of each vacuum as we operated it, checking for variations related to floor surface and power level.
For corded models, we measured the length of their power cords, noted if they got in our way, and observed how easy or difficult it was for us to store them. For cordless models, we tracked their total battery life and how long it took them to recharge from empty.
What kind of features should you look for in a vacuum? We’ve got some suggestions.
The most important capability of any vacuum is how well it cleans. This translates to suction power and how well a machine’s nozzles and attachments pick up and hold onto dirt. Wattage is a quick way to get an idea of how powerful a vacuum is, but it doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Other elements like airflow, the number of brush rollers, brush roller design, the size of the cleaning path and hose length also affect how well a vacuum does its primary job.
How much dust can a vacuum hold before it needs to be emptied? The answer to this question impacts how often you must stop cleaning to empty the bin. Shark vacuums don’t use bags, so their dust cups empty directly into the trash.
There’s no point in buying a vacuum that isn’t easy to use. So, ask yourself these questions before buying a vacuum. Is it easy to push along your floor? Is it too heavy for you to move? Can it get into corners and under tables and desks? How comfortable is it when cleaning items above the floor, such as the couch cushions or stairs? A vacuum you hate to take out of the closet is a vacuum that won’t get used.
We love our furry friends, and part of that love is dealing with the hair they shed. Look for a vacuum with rollers that won’t get tangled with hair and fur so badly that you need to take a pair of scissors and clear it every month or so. Also look for vacuums with filters that are reusable and washable, hoses that resist clogging and attachments that can get at pet hair and messes above the floor. Odor-fighting scent cartridges are nice to have as well.
HEPA filters prevent dust particles smaller than 0.03 microns from escaping back into the air from the vacuum. A vacuum with a HEPA filter won’t recirculate these microparticles and allergens into your room's air, keeping your home cleaner and healthier.
Corded electric vacuums deliver more power for suction, but cordless battery-powered vacuums are much more convenient. If you’re looking at a corded vacuum, note how long the cord is. You don’t want to have to keep changing power sockets all the time. Also, see if there’s an easy way to store the power cord. For cordless vacuums, check how long the battery life is supposed to last, how long it takes to recharge and whether it has a removable, replaceable battery.
A vacuum is at its best when it has practical accessories. Here are some to look for:
Shark currently makes five main types of vacuums: upright, canister, stick, handheld and robot.
Upright vacuums stand on their own. The motor and dust cup are located in a main section that attaches directly to the floor nozzle. These vacuum cleaners can be pushed or pulled along the floor.
Shark makes upright vacuums in its Navigator, Rotator and Apex/Vertex/Stratos lines. Many Shark uprights have main sections that lift away from the floor nozzle and act like canister vacuums.
Canister vacuums have dust cups and motors in a separate pod or housing that attaches to a floor nozzle using a hose. This makes their floor nozzles more mobile and easier to reach with than uprights, but you have to move the canister part of it around as well. Canister vacuums have a reputation for cleaning better on carpet and hardwood, as there’s less weight on the floor nozzle to catch on high pile or damage fine hardwood floors.
Stick vacuums have motors and dust cups that are small and light enough to fit on the end of their wands, making them lighter and slimmer than uprights. They can be corded or cordless and usually provide less suction than uprights and canisters. However, they are easier to move and maneuver.
Stick vacs may convert into handheld vacuums just by removing their wands. They’re great for small spaces and quick cleaning jobs. Shark makes stick vacs in its Vertex, Cordless Pro and Stratos series as well as its longstanding Rocket series.
The smallest vacuums, handheld vacs can also be called car vacs since they became popular as a cleaning solution for vehicles and RVs. Unlike stick vacs, they don’t usually come with floor nozzles or long wands. They typically have the smallest dust cups and motors, but they can be highly effective at small cleaning jobs. Shark’s hand vacs include its Pet Pro series.
Robot vacuums are some of our favorite cleaning assistants. These autonomous little gadgets roll around your home looking for and picking up dirt without you needing to tell them where to go, at least not after some initial setup. They don’t have as much power as full-size vacuum cleaners, and they may struggle with corners and edges. But they do the work for you, and they’re cute. Shark’s robot vacuums include the Matrix, IQ and AI series.
Like all appliances and electronics, your Shark vacuum needs occasional maintenance and attention. Go over the outside of your Shark vacuum with a dry or slightly dampened cloth if it gets dirty or dusty.
You should empty the dust cup of your Shark vacuum whenever it gets full. Don’t let it get over-full, as that could affect suction efficiency. Additionally, you should wash or rinse the dust cup every so often to get rid of built-up grime.
Shark vacuums have reusable, washable filters, which is a big plus for your budget and the environment. To maintain these filters, remove them, shake them clean over the garbage and then rinse them and let them air dry. Do this about once a month, depending on usage. If your Shark vacuum has a HEPA filter, this can be shaken clean and rinsed once a year.
Check the brush roller of your Shark vacuum’s floor nozzle from time to time to make sure it isn’t tangled with hair or stuck with debris. Shark’s PowerFins HairPro rollers are designed to resist tangling, but older bristle rollers may need some hands-on time with a pair of scissors. It helps if your Shark’s floor nozzle has rollers that can be removed for cleaning.
Clumps of hair, crumpled paper, socks and other objects can get trapped in your vacuum’s hoses and air conduits. Check your user manual for information about clearing internal clogs. Before you go poking around, turn the vacuum off and unplug it or disconnect it from its battery.
A. Shark vacuums range in price, from about $60 for its Cyclone Pet handheld vacuum to about $500 for the Stratos Cordless stick vacuum. Its Navigator uprights range from $200 to $240, and its Rotator series ranges from $250 to $400.
Cordless models tend to cost more than corded models, and Shark’s top full-size uprights cost the same or less than its cordless stick vacuums. Shark’s robot vacuums cost from $250 for its ION models to $800 for its AI-combo vacuum-and-mop robot.
A. A Shark vacuum motor has a five-year warranty. This is a good gauge for how long the vacuum will last overall. Parts that get a lot of wear and tear, like a floor nozzle’s brush rollers, aren’t covered by this warranty, and anecdotal evidence indicates you may need to replace a Shark’s brush roller sooner rather than later.
Some customers report owning and using their Navigator uprights for more than five years before needing a replacement.
A. Shark vacuums with reusable, washable filters don’t need their filters changed unless they become punctured or damaged. The HEPA filter on a Shark vacuum can be washed and reused, but it requires replacement every three years.
A. Whether it’s worth it to repair a contemporary vacuum is an open question. Longevity and ease of repair are somewhat sacrificed by Shark’s lightweight and advanced electronics. Shark will repair or replace any vacuum still under its five-year warranty unless the problem lies with its “consumables,” such as a brush roller.
Vacuum repair shops have pointed out difficulties in repairing Shark vacuums. What’s more, throwing away a mostly plastic appliance raises sustainability and environmental concerns. You may want to keep this in mind when shopping. That said, if there’s a problem with a smaller part like the floor head or dust cup, those can be replaced without throwing out the entire vacuum.
Jmar Gambol has been a writer for BestReviews since 2021. He’s written more than 70 articles and reviews on a wide variety of products, including many in the area of household cleaning and appliances. He’s done his own housekeeping since college and is always on the lookout for a vacuum that cleans the most with the least effort. He personally tested five Shark vacuums for this guide as well several Shark robot vacuums and a dozen other robot vacuums from competing brands. His testing experiences have led him to switch from his 10-year-old discount upright to a Shark cordless stick for everyday cleaning. The weekly floors he leaves to his robot vac, Spot.
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