--- title: "We Tested 9 Shark Vacuums and Our Favorite Has Incredible Suction Power" description: "The best Shark vacuums offer a wide range of features. We tested customer favorites head-to-head; see our results and reviews." date: "2020-10-16" modified: "2024-11-12" authors: - name: "Timothy Dale" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale.md" - name: "Amanda Lauren" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/amanda-lauren.md" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-shark-vacuum/" categories: - "Cleaning" - "Cleaning Supplies" - "Interior" - "Reviews" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # We Tested 9 Shark Vacuums and Our Favorite Has Incredible Suction Power ![The Best Shark Vacuum Options set up in the living room]() *Photo: Timothy Dale for BobVila.com* Shark vacuums are available in several different styles with dozens of possible combinations of features. From stick vacuums to robot vacuums and mops, these versatile cleaning machines work on hard floors and soft surfaces for messes big and small. While having so many options is great, it can make it hard to know which will be best for your home. To help you choose, we put nine popular Shark vacuum cleaners through seven different tests. We also spoke to an expert to get their insights on Shark products as well as input on which features matter most when [cleaning with vacuums](). Based on our expert's experience and our in-house test results, we chose the [Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum]() as our top pick. While its performance, versatility, ease of use, and value ranked among the highest of all the models, whether it's the right tool for you will depend on your needs. As you read through our picks and test results, consider the size and types of surfaces you need to clean. Once you determine what you want your vacuum cleaner to do, it'll be obvious whether a handheld vacuum, a powerful corded machine, or even a wet/dry stick vac would be ideal. Read on to see our test results and recommendations for the best Shark vacuums. 1. **BEST OVERALL:** [Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-navigator-lift-away-professional-upright-vacuum>)* 2. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [Shark Vertex UltraLight Corded Stick DuoClean Vacuum]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-vertex-ultralight-corded-stick-duoclean-vacuum>)* 3. **BEST FOR PET HAIR:** [Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-nv752-rotator-powered-lift-away-upright-vacuum>)* 4. **BEST FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS:** [Shark NV501 Rotator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-nv501-rotator-lift-away-professional-vacuum>)* 5. **BEST CORDLESS:** [Shark Vertex Cordless Vacuum With DuoClean PowerFins]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-vertex-cordless-vacuum-with-duoclean-powerfins>)* 6. **BEST ROBOTIC:** [Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-ai-ultra-2-in-1-robot-vacuum-and-mop>)* 7. **BEST STICK:** [Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-stratos-cordless-vacuum>)* 8. **BEST HANDHELD:** [Shark WANDVAC Cordless Handheld Vacuum]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-wandvac-cordless-handheld-vacuum>)* 9. **BEST WET/DRY:** [Shark HydroVac Pro XL Cordless]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#shark-hydrovac-pro-xl-cordless>)* ![One of the Best Shark Vacuum Options in work]() *Photo: Amanda Lauren for BobVila.com* | **Testing Stats** | | | --- | --- | | Products tested | 9 | | Hours/Weeks/Time spent testing | 9 hours | | Tests performed | 7 | | Price range | $115 to $500 | ## Our Top Picks The top-of-the-line products below were chosen for quality, efficacy, and price to help buyers find the [best vacuum]() for their home. We also personally tested them on hard flooring as well as carpeting. **Our Ratings:** Performance **5/5**; Versatility **4.5/5**; Ease of Use **4.5/5**; Value **4.5/5** This upright Shark vacuum is powerful and versatile. Its swivel head makes it easy to maneuver under and around obstacles, and its motorized brush roll can be turned on or off to accommodate carpet vs. hard surfaces. This vacuum also features a pet power brush, a motorized handheld brush roll to better gather pet hair, and a crevice tool for cleaning difficult-to-reach areas. While this isn’t one of Shark’s famed “pet” models, these features make it a solid choice for homes with pets. The upright vacuum has a 30-foot cord and uses 1,200 watts to effectively deep-clean thick carpets. Despite such high suction power, the machine only weighs 13.7 pounds. It has a dust-collection canister that's easy to lift off the base to enable better access under furniture. We did notice during testing that the canister is sometimes hard to refasten, but that's likely because it's completely sealed so it has to be lined up just right. We think it's worth the effort since it contains a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that traps 99.9 percent of dust and allergens that pass through. **What our tester says: "**The suction of this vacuum is incredibly impressive for both large and small pieces of debris. So much so that an object located inches away from the brush roll started to get sucked in during one of our tests. Because it's so powerful, however, it's a bit much on delicate area rugs: It tends to pull them up and in rather than passing over them. For homes with large sections of carpet and hard floors, it'll certainly meet your needs."—Amanda Lauren, Product Reviews tester and writer **Get the Shark Navigator vacuum at** [**Amazon**]() **or** [**Walmart**]()**.** **Our Ratings:** Performance **4.5/5**; Versatility **4.5/5**; Ease of Use **5/5**; Value **4.5/5** Those who prefer a corded vacuum and have homes with pets and a variety of flooring types may want to consider this Shark DuoClean vacuum. Its self-cleaning brush roll is effective on hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet, and upholstery. To use it to vacuum stairs, furniture, and hard-to-access locations, all you have to do is detach the built-in handheld vacuum portion for lightweight, go-anywhere cleaning. Since it has a 30-foot-long cord, it’s easy to go from room to room without needing to unplug it often. However, one downside of this Shark vacuum is that its dirt cup is very small, especially considering Shark touts it as being extra large. When cleaning a 1-bedroom apartment with two pets, I had to empty it after only one use. Since I vacuum often, this is sometimes an inconvenience. Still, it comes with many Shark vacuum attachments, including a dusting brush, a crevice tool, a self-cleaning pet power brush, and an onboard storage clip. Given that it's such an effective and versatile machine, it's definitely a value-driven option for those in small to medium-sized spaces. **Get the Shark Vertex corded vacuum at** [**Amazon**]() **or** [**Walmart**]()**.** **Our Ratings:** Performance **5/5**; Versatility **4/5**; Ease of Use **4.5/5**; Value **4/5** This upright Shark vacuum features a mini motorized rotating power brush specifically designed to collect pet hair. It also has a two-in-one pet multitool with a bristle brush and upholstery brush to ensure even small hairs get sucked up by the vacuum, which its LED lights make very easy to see. The Shark Rotator has a powerful 1,150-watt output and a sealed dust-collection canister that uses a HEPA filter to catch 99.9 percent of dust and allergens. It easily switches from carpet to floor mode with the controls located on the handle. Though we appreciate this upright unit's 25-foot-long power cord, when used like a [canister vacuum](), its 15.4-pound weight can start to feel a bit heavy after only a few minutes of use. **What our tester says:** "We love the Shark vacuum accessories that come with this model, including an upholstery tool, pet power brush, and crevice tool. The crevice tool has a seemingly endless number of uses. We use it to clean around floor trim, under appliances, and between couch cracks."—Amanda Lauren, Product Reviews tester and writer **Get the Shark NV752 vacuum at [Amazon](), [Ace Hardware](), [Lowe's,]() [Wayfair](), or [Kohl’s]().** **Our Ratings:** Performance **4.75/5**; Versatility **4/5**; Ease of Use **5/5**; Value **4/5** As another model that embodies Shark reliability, this Shark professional vacuum uses a built-in LED lighting system to highlight dust, dirt, debris, and hair and a powerful 1,200-watt motor to eliminate it. The corded vacuum has a low profile that's ideal for cleaning hardwood and other nonfibrous floors, and it has a swivel steering head that’s easy to maneuver on carpet or across hardwood. The machine features a dust-collection bin that we found easy to lift away from the base for handheld use with the included upholstery tool or crevice tool. Its dust-collection bin has a HEPA-rated filter and is sealed to keep allergens and dust from escaping. At 15.5 pounds, this Shark vacuum cleaner is a touch heavier than we would like, but it truly lives up to its “Rotator” name. It swivels with ease around corners and curves, which we found particularly helpful when going around the edges of our round dining table. Using it as a handheld unit in this way lightened its load, making it very comfortable to use in addition to it being effective. **Get the Shark NV501 vacuum at** [**Amazon**]()**, [The ]()[Home]()[ Depot](), [Wayfair](), or [Kohl's]().** **Our Ratings:** Performance **4.25/5**; Versatility **N/A**; Ease of Use **5/5**; Value **4.5/5** For those who have small spaces to clean, mobility issues (such as a bad back that makes using a heavy upright uncomfortable), or simply a love for the convenience of a cordless vacuum, this Shark Vertex lightweight cordless stick vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins checks all the boxes. One great advantage this product has over other stick vacuums is that it comes with an extra battery, providing 80 minutes of total runtime. If your home is larger, you can simply swap out the battery and keep going rather than splitting your cleaning session in two. Another unique feature is that this model folds over for more compact and easy storage. There is just one caveat to keep in mind before clicking “add to cart.” At 300 watts, the motor on this vacuum isn’t the most powerful (which is to be expected with most stick vacuums), but we found that the Turbo Mode helped make up for this. **Get the Shark Vertex cordless vacuum at** [**Amazon**]()**.** **Our Ratings:** Performance **4.75/5**; Versatility **N/A**; Ease of Use **5/5**; Value **4.5/5** This powerful Shark robot vacuum and mop does it all, picking up pet hair, small bits of food like oatmeal, and larger pieces like kibble. It cleans on a grid system and has extra brushes around its edges to ensure nothing gets left behind. As a robot mop, it scrubs up to 100 times per minute to remove sticky spots and stuck-on stains. Its mop is safe on sealed hardwoods, tile, and laminate floors. In addition to its dual functionality, one of the best things about this robot is that it self-empties at the base. Just press a button, and the machine takes care of the rest. However, as with all robot vacuums, its AI isn’t perfect. Though it uses precision home mapping and automatic object detection, it still took the vacuum a few attempts before it could avoid all the furniture in our room. Still, for those of us who don't like to sweep and mop, being able to control this unit from our phones on the couch (or even while we're gone!) is pretty darn convenient. **Get the Shark robot vacuum at** [**Best Buy**]()**, [Target](), or** **[Shark]().** **Our Ratings:** Performance **4/5**; Versatility **5/5**; Ease of Use **4/5**; Value **3.5/5** Those prioritizing convenience and maneuverability will love the Shark Stratos cordless stick vacuum. Its motor is powerful, its LED lights illuminate small pieces of dirt and pet hair, and its screen shows remaining battery power and current settings. The vacuum's design is incredibly intuitive, and since it has a fold-down mechanism, it also gets points for being easy to store. Overall, it's a great option for anyone looking to replace their upright with something effective, user-friendly, and highly maneuverable. Also, if you have allergies, you’ll appreciate its HEPA filter and included anti-allergen tool. But those aren't its only features or accessories—it also comes with a crevice tool for easy access to tiny couch cracks and an odor neutralizer that tackles pet odors and other stale smells. To use the neutralizer, you simply insert the disc and turn counterclockwise. While that's incredibly easy, it may offer more of an “odor cover-up” than neutralization, as its flowery scent is strong and resembles that of a plug-in air freshener. So long as you aren't sensitive to fragrances, this is a fragrance you might come to associate with having a clean home. **Get the Shark Stratos cordless vacuum at [Amazon](), [The Home Depot,]() [Walmart](), [Best Buy](), [Costco](), or[ Shark]().** **Our Ratings:** Performance **5/5**; Versatility **5/5**; Ease of Use **5/5**; Value **4.5/5** This handheld Shark model is a convenient and effective supplement to a main vacuum. The 1.4-pound device has a 115-watt motor that provides strong suction for cleaning vehicles, furniture, upholstery, or even a ceiling or other areas around the house where dirt and cobwebs can accumulate. It comes with a washable filter, a crevice tool, and a pet hair tool to help keep all your surfaces. Lightweight and powerful, the WANDVAC is everything we want in a handheld vacuum and more. Its accessories are incredibly helpful, especially the pet hair tool, which instantly sucked the hair right off our fabric sofa. The dust crevice tool is also great for removing dirt from floor moldings. And we love that it empties with the push of a button. The only downside to this handheld vacuum is that it's intended for short bursts of strong suction for small cleaning jobs, which depletes the battery in only 10 minutes. **What our tester says:** "This vacuum is sleek and, frankly, a pleasure to use."—Amanda Lauren, Product Reviews tester and writer **Get the Shark WANDVAC vacuum at [Amazon](), [Walmart](), [Best Buy](), or [Shark]().** **Our Ratings:** Performance **4/5**; Versatility **N/A**; Ease of Use **5/5**; Value **4/5** Your home's floors aren’t only subject to surface dirt—since they can also become sticky or soiled, having a wet/dry vacuum such as the Shark HydroVac Pro XL is very useful. Thoughtfully designed, this multitasking machine truly does it all, from cleaning tile and hardwoods to area rugs. It has LED lights that make it easy to see messes and an antimicrobial brush roll that helps preserve the brush and prevent odor. Unlike many other wet/dry vacuums we've tested, this one isn’t very large or bulky, making it ideal for those with multiple floor types or cleaning needs but minimal storage space. It's also easy to fill with cleaning solution. You simply lift out the bottle, add a concentrated cleaning solution to the mark, and fill it the rest of the way with water. The box includes a sample of Shark’s cleaning solution, but the machine will clean with any brand. We love how powerful the suction is on this wet/dry van and how easy it is to maneuver—it practically moves for you, pulling up debris and cleaning away crud as it goes. It automatically separates spent water into its dirty tank, and when you're done, you simply empty that tank and return the vacuum to its charging station **Get the Shark HydroVac vacuum at** [**Amazon**]() **or[ Kohl's]().** ## [Jump to Our Top Picks](<#recap>) ## How We Tested the Best Shark Vacuums We tested all the above vacuum cleaners in a 1-bedroom apartment smaller than 800 square feet on several types of flooring: two types of laminate hardwood floors, tile flooring, regular carpeting, and an area rug. We tested every product the same way, picking up a combination of oatmeal and dog kibble as well as lots of pet hair from both a Chihuahua–pug mix and an English bulldog. In addition to picking up debris from carpet and hard floors, we did hands-on tests requiring maneuvering around tight and open spaces, tried each feature and accessory, and cleaned each canister. ## Types of Shark Vacuums According to Christopher White, CEO of [Vacuum Wars](), "Shark is definitely a go-to brand for many, and for good reason. They offer excellent performance and useful features, all at a more accessible price than premium brands like Dyson. Shark models bring great cleaning versatility, with options like DuoClean that let you move easily between carpets and hard floors without changing heads. For anyone looking for high quality at a fair price, Shark is worth every penny." Shark manufactures four main vacuum types: upright, stick, robotic, and handheld. Read on to learn about the characteristics of each type and the cleaning tasks they’re suitable for. ### Upright Upright Shark vacuums are the most powerful type and are ideal for cleaning dust and debris stuck deep in carpet fibers. These vacuums typically have a large bag or canister to store the dirt, and the head of the vacuum is wide, making it easy to clean a large surface in a short period of time. The upright Sharks offer corded and cordless options. Corded vacuums have the advantage in power and performance, while cordless ones are more versatile and easier to maneuver since they’re not attached to a power outlet. However, the larger size of this type of vacuum requires more storage space. ### Stick A stick Shark vacuum is essentially a smaller version of an upright Shark. Stick models can also be corded or cordless, and their main benefit is how lightweight they are compared to their upright counterparts. They’re easier to lift over carpet transition bars or carry up and down stairs. Even on the [best stick vacuums](), the machine's motors are typically less powerful. Also, their vacuum heads are not as wide, and they have smaller collection bins than most upright vacuums. These reductions may seem like a disadvantage at first, but the increased maneuverability of stick vacuums makes them well suited to apartment living and houses with small rooms or narrow hallways. ### Robotic Robotic Shark vacuums don’t have a ton of power, but they make up for it by being relatively autonomous. You can set one of these vacuums on a timer to activate once a day and use an app to program a schedule. While they can’t go *up* the stairs, they also won’t fall *down* the stairs due to sensors in the front of the device. These vacuums work well in apartments or small houses with hardwood or tile floors. They’re not ideal in larger homes because their dust-collection bins are very small and they take a long time to cover every part of the floor. They also don't have enough power to clean pet hair or deep carpets effectively. ### Handheld Handheld Shark vacuums are useful when cleaning a car or stairs or trying to reach more difficult areas around the home. The [best handheld vacuums]() are typically cordless and are effective for cleaning upholstery, drapes, furniture, and mattresses. They weigh less than stick, upright, and robotic models but will usually have more power than robotic vacuums and may feature pet-hair-specific functions. ![One of the Best Shark Vacuums Options working on the floor]() *Photo: Amanda Lauren for BobVila.com* ## What to Consider When Choosing a Shark Vacuum Beyond type, there are many other characteristics that differentiate each of the best Shark vacuums from one another. Before buying a new Shark vacuum for your home, keep in mind [how often you vacuum]() as well as the following critical factors. ### Home Size One-floor apartments or condos do not typically need a large upright Shark vacuum, though a stick, robotic, or handheld model would work well for this type of small space. However, large homes could consider using a robotic vacuum for ongoing efforts and an upright Shark vacuum for concentrated cleaning. For a home with more than one floor, the machine's weight must be considered because the vacuum will need to be carried up and down the stairs. While some large houses may be okay with an upright/handheld combination, homes with more than two or three stories will likely prefer a stick Shark vacuum because it will be much easier to take up multiple flights of stairs. ### Floor Types The type of floor the vacuum must clean affects which type of vacuum is best suited for a home. The main types of flooring are nonfibrous solid flooring and fibrous flooring like rugs and carpeting. - **Tile, linoleum, hardwood, and other nonfibrous floors** can be cleaned with any Shark vacuum, though the power of an upright Shark vacuum may not be necessary for these types of smooth surfaces. Robotic Shark vacuums are ideal for nonfibrous flooring and some light area rugs. - **Area rugs** can be more difficult to vacuum because of the suction power needed to clean the fibers. For homes with multiple area rugs, consider a stick, robotic, or handheld Shark vacuum. - **Carpeting** can have long or short carpet fibers. As the length of the carpet fibers increases, the power of the vacuum must also increase to ensure that enough suction power reaches deep-down dirt and debris. For this reason, upright and stick Shark vacuums work best on carpeted flooring. ### Corded vs. Cordless Corded and cordless vacuums typically offer different degrees of convenience and power. - **Corded Shark vacuums** are typically heavier and more powerful than cordless ones, making them ideal for carpeted flooring. Their cords are generally between 15 and 30 feet long and may be retractable or able to be wound around an onboard storage implement. Corded Shark vacuums are often more powerful than cordless options, but they might be less convenient to use since they need to be plugged in. - **Cordless Shark vacuums** are a great option for smaller spaces, area rugs, and nonfibrous flooring like hardwood. While they usually have less power than corded Shark vacuums, they make up for it with increased maneuverability. Since their batteries offer a limited amount of runtime, users looking to clean a large space may need to factor in time to recharge their machine midway through. If you have pets and need a powerful yet user-friendly machine, check out our guide on the [best cordless vacuums for pet hair](). ### Motor The most common unit of measurement for motor power output across all Shark vacuum types is wattage. - **Upright Shark vacuums** typically have the most powerful motors, ranging between 500 watts and 1,300 watts, making them ideal for thick carpeting. - **Stick Shark vacuums** have a medium power rating and are suitable for light carpeting, area rugs, and nonfibrous flooring. Their power output usually falls between 200 watts and 600 watts. - **Handheld Shark vacuums** are designed for short-term use at a low power output. They are good for spot-cleaning corners, upholstery, or a vehicle. They have a typical power range of 100 to 200 watts. - **Robotic Shark vacuums** have the least powerful motors of all types of vacuums. These vacuums are intended for over an hour of use on nonfibrous flooring, so they have a very low power range of just 25 to 100 watts. This low power output allows the battery to last for a long time while the vacuum moves autonomously about the home. ### Air Filtration The difference between filters with and without allergy seals that trap pollen, dander, and pet hair is noticeable, especially for people who suffer from allergies or dust sensitivity. Asthma can weaken a person’s respiratory system, and excess household dust and debris can make it difficult to breathe. If filtration is a priority for your household, look for a [HEPA vacuum](), which will have a filter capable of removing at least 99.97 percent of particles from the air that passes through it. Also worth considering is whether the filter is washable or if it needs to be replaced when it becomes ineffective. ### Maneuverability The components and features that make up a Shark vacuum—including the weight, handle, wheels, and head—affect the maneuverability of the vacuum. - **Weight** directly affects maneuverability because more weight is harder to move. Heavy Shark vacuums provide more power, but that also makes them more difficult to lift, carry, or turn. For better maneuverability, choose a lighter vacuum. - **The handle** on most stick vacuums is long and narrow, enabling easy twisting and turning of the vacuum head. Upright vacuums, on the other hand, typically have a heavier handle that makes the vacuum easy to push but more difficult to turn. - **The wheels** on a Shark vacuum can be small single-direction wheels that are hard to turn, or they can swivel and turn in any direction. For optimal maneuverability, look for omnidirectional wheels that can turn wherever needed. - **The vacuum head** of a Shark vacuum comes in a range of widths, some of which can be hard to fit in tight corners. The vacuum may also have a swivel feature that will turn the head at a sharp angle, allowing for easy navigation around tight corners. If space is a concern, find a vacuum with a narrow swivel head for the most maneuverability. ### Noise Level The noise produced by most vacuums is typically around 70 decibels, which isn’t enough to damage anyone’s hearing, especially when many of us don't vacuum for all that long at one time. However, for a noise-restricted neighborhood or apartment building or for cleaning when household members are working or sleeping, a quieter machine can be a better option. Generally, as the vacuum's power output increases, so does the potential for higher noise levels unless mitigated by noise-buffering materials. - **Robotic Shark vacuums** operate at about 50 to 60 decibels, though they lack power and are not as useful in homes with stairs. - **Handheld Shark vacuums** have a compact body that doesn’t include a lot of noise-buffering material, so despite their low power, they can produce a noise level between 60 and 70 decibels. - **Stick Shark vacuums** normally have more than double the power of handheld vacuums, which also makes them louder. However, these vacuums still have a relatively low noise rating of between 65 and 75 decibels. - **Upright Shark vacuums** have the largest motors and produce the most powerful suction, but all that power can produce noise levels between 70 and 80 decibels, making this style of vacuum a less suitable choice for quiet homes. ### Attachments Shark vacuums come with a wide range of attachments, such as pet-hair tools, dusting brushes, under-appliance wands, crevice tools, and upholstery tools. - **Pet-hair tools** are designed to clean up pet hair and include simple attachments with thick fibers that pull hair in, powered rotating brushes to collect pet hair from the floor while the vacuum provides suction, or upholstery tools that lift pet hair off furniture. - **Dusting brushes** have a thin layer of fabric around them to help collect and trap dust. These attachments are great for windowsills, baseboards, and picture frames. - **Under-appliance wands** are intended for vacuuming under larger appliances that would be difficult to pull out for cleaning, like a stove or refrigerator. - **Crevice tools** are narrow tubes designed to clean cracks between couch cushions, stair seams, and other tight spaces that can otherwise be challenging to reach. - **Upholstery tools** are helpful in homes with pets to ensure the furniture remains clean. They’re also useful for cleaning mattresses, curtains, and blinds. ## FAQs Continue reading below to find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Shark vacuums. ## Meet the Tester Amanda Lauren is an interior design, lifestyle, and cleaning expert who has written for many publications, including Forbes, Real Simple, and Better Homes and Gardens. She has tested a variety of products for BobVila.com, including vacuums, mops, shower squeegees, and more. She prefers to clean with vinegar and water whenever possible, and pet stains are the bane of her existence. *Additional research provided by Timothy Dale.* ## Author Amanda Lauren is an interior design expert, television host, and writer covering home and lifestyle topics for sites such as [Forbes](), [Forbes Global Properties](), [aSweatLife](), and [Simply Recipes]().