Best Shark vacuum cleaner 2023: Early Black Friday savings on our favourite models

Common Terminology/Features

The 6 Best Shark Vacuums of 2023 Reviews

We’ve currently tested over 25 Shark vacuums. Shark manufactures homeware goods like irons and mops in addition to vacuums. Unlike other brands like Samsung or BISSELL, which focus on a limited range of vacuum designs, Shark offers a little bit of everything, including robot vacuums, secondary handheld configurations, and corded and cordless designs. Their vacuums come at various prices, so you can find something that fits your budget.

For more recommendations, check our articles for the best vacuums for stairs, the best vacuum cleaner brands, and the best car vacuums.

Updates

• 10/27/2023 Shark IQ 2-in-1 [RV2410WD, UR2410WD] reviewed
• 10/25/2023 Shark Matrix Robot [RV2300S, RV2310AE] reviewed
• 06/05/2023 Shark Cordless Pro [IZ562H, UZ565H] reviewed
• 05/25/2023 Shark Pet/Rocket Pro Cordless [IX141, UZ155, WZ240] reviewed
• 04/19/2023 Shark ION Robot AV753 Series updated

Best Shark Vacuums

Best Shark Vacuum

The best Shark vacuum we’ve tested is the Shark Stratos Cordless. It’s the flagship model in Shark’s lineup of cordless stick vacuums, and as such, it’s loaded with many convenience features. This includes its Clean Sense IQ system, which uses infrared sensors to measure how much debris is collected and allows the vacuum to adjust its suction power as necessary. It also features an odor-neutralizing system that works via a replaceable cartridge in its floorhead, which emits a detergent-like scent as you clean. The vacuum’s folding wand makes it easy to clean under most furniture since you won’t have to crouch deeply, and it reduces its vertical footprint when stowed away. It has the newest iteration of Shark’s DuoClean twin-roller floorhead, comprised of a soft roller and a finned multi-surface roller. Unfortunately, despite being advertised as self-cleaning, pet hair can still get trapped in the floorhead, and since this primary brushroll isn’t removable, it can be a nuisance to clean. This vacuum can run for up to an hour on a charge, which is good by the standards of other cordless vacuums. If you don’t want to worry about running out of charge, the Shark Stratos Upright is a solid option with a substantially greater debris capacity. However, it lacks the cordless model’s automatic power adjustment feature and has a much bulkier upright body.

Best Upper Mid-Range Shark Vacuum

The Shark Cordless Pro is the best cordless Shark vacuum in the upper mid-range price bracket we’ve tested. This cordless stick vacuum shares quite a bit with the flagship Shark Stratos Cordless, with the same Clean Sense IQ automatic power adjustment and odor-neutralization systems. However, its lower purchase price comes with a few compromises; you’ll need to make do with a less potent suction motor and a smaller battery, which can only offer a max runtime of about 40 minutes compared to the Stratos’ approximate hour-long runtime. That isn’t to say it isn’t a good overall performer. It can easily clear away debris on hard floors, and while it has a less powerful suction motor than the Stratos, it’s still capable of handling most kinds of messes on carpets. It uses a different floorhead design compared to the Stratos as well. Instead of a dual-roller setup, it has only a single fluffy roller with angled fins that reduce the chances of hair buildup and provide surface agitation on carpets. This also ties into its one major advantage over the Stratos, not to mention most other Shark vacuums: you can completely remove this brushroll from its floorhead. While this may seem like a fairly minor change in design, it greatly improves user maintenance, as you can now easily clear away any stuck-on debris or tangled strands of hair, making it the best Shark vacuum for pet hair we’ve tested.

Best Mid-Range Shark Vacuum

The Shark Stratos UltraLight is among the best Shark vacuums for pet hair that we’ve tested and a great choice if you’re looking for something a little more affordable. It’s the flagship corded stick model in Shark’s lineup and borrows some features from other vacuums that share the Stratos name, like the Shark Stratos Cordless and Shark Stratos Upright. Like those other models, it features a replaceable cartridge to mask unpleasant odors as you clean, as well as the newest iteration of Shark’s twin-roller DuoClean floorhead, which features a primary brushroll with fins meant to reduce hair buildup, though it shares a common downside in that this brushroll isn’t removable. While it doesn’t have the go-anywhere range of a cordless model, its operating radius of over 30 feet is still reasonably long and will be sufficient for cleaning most large rooms without swapping outlets. Performance on bare floors, as well as low and high-pile carpet, is excellent, though unfortunately, there’s no height adjustment for its brushroll, so it can get tangled in thicker carpeting. Build quality is also noticeably inferior to the Shark Cordless Pro, and it has a smaller dirt compartment that’ll need emptying more regularly.

Best Budget Shark Vacuum

The Shark Pet Cordless (IX141) is the best budget Shark vacuum we’ve tested. Compared to a higher-end model like the Shark Cordless Pro, it’s as basic as cordless vacuums get, with no automatic power adjustment capability, a simple single-roller floorhead, and a fixed-length wand. It’s cheap but delivers impressive performance on bare floors and low and high-pile carpet. It comes with a crevice tool for handling messes in tight corners, an upholstery tool for cleaning fabric surfaces, and a dusting brush to deal with debris on countertops or shelves. Unfortunately, this vacuum is a hassle to keep clean; its floorhead’s brushroll isn’t removable, making it hard to clear away any long hair that can get wrapped around its brushroll. Battery life isn’t all that impressive either, topping out at about 40 minutes, though that’s a downside shared with the pricier Cordless Pro. If you want to avoid running out of charge, the Shark Rocket Corded is a good substitute, albeit one that feels more cheaply built and doesn’t perform quite as well overall.

Best Robot Shark Vacuum

The best Shark robot vacuum we’ve tested is the Shark AI Ultra Robot. This robot vacuum can automatically empty its dustbin into an external dirt compartment mounted to its charging dock, reducing hands-on maintenance requirements. The AV2501AE variant has an extra-large dock with room for 60 days’ worth of debris. Its LIDAR mapping sensor allows for quick and precise room mapping; you can also use its companion app to schedule cleaning sessions or set up no-go zones to prevent the vacuum from entering an area where it might get stuck or knock over something delicate. Performance on bare floors is excellent, though the vacuum has a harder time dealing with debris on low and high-pile carpeting. However, it’s worth noting that the SharkClean app is slow, buggy, and occasionally provides incorrect status updates. This robot vacuum doesn’t have a surface detection system that would allow it to change its suction power mode automatically. To adjust its cleaning mode, you’ll need to manually select it through its companion app for every cleaning job, which is something of a hassle.

Best Handheld Shark Vacuum

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is the best cordless Shark vacuum with a handheld design that we’ve tested. Unlike the Shark Pet/Rocket Pro Cordless or any other Shark stick vacuum, it’s only intended for quick spot-cleaning sessions. It does a fantastic job dealing with pet hair and solid debris on flat, even surfaces and delivers a superb overall performance on carpets and rugs. It feels surprisingly sturdy and has a simple, easy-to-clean design that incurs minimal costs of ownership. The CH951 variant comes with a crevice tool for tackling messes in tight corners, a hard-bristle brush to dislodge stuck-on dirt and debris, and a turbo brush for cleaning furniture, though unfortunately, the latter isn’t very effective for dealing with pet hair on upholstered surfaces. Its battery life of little over 10 minutes isn’t especially noteworthy, even by the standards of other handheld vacuums, and you’ll need to work fast when cleaning bigger messes. It also has terrible air filtration performance, so it isn’t the best option if you suffer from allergies. If that’s a concern, consider the Shark WANDVAC, which does a much better job of sealing in allergens like pet dander; you can further bolster its filtration performance by purchasing an aftermarket HEPA filter. However, it does have a much smaller dustbin.

Compared To Other Brands

• Virtually no recurring costs.
  Most Shark vacuums have parts you can wash or clean, so you may never have to replace them as long as you properly maintain them. Even though some models have a small dirt compartment, they’re typically bagless, which further helps cut recurring costs.
• Tools and brushes included.
  While they may not have specialized tools like a pet grooming brush or a ceiling fan tool, they come with a solid selection of tools and brushes to help get the job done.
• Can be configured into a handheld vacuum.
  Shark vacuums tend to be reconfigurable into a smaller, handheld mode to access more difficult-to-reach messes.

• Okay build quality.
  Shark vacuums tend to have a plasticky build, and certain parts, like their dirt compartments, seem especially prone to cracking if dropped.
• Quite a few maintenance needs.
  Most Shark vacuums have several parts that need ongoing maintenance, depending on your usage.
• Manual cord storage.
  Corded Shark vacuums usually require manually winding the electrical cord for storage instead of automatically storing it away.

Shark vs Dyson

When comparing their lineup of cordless stick vacuums, Dyson’s offerings offer better debris pickup performance than most Shark models and come with a broader range of attachments and unique quality-of-life features like automatic power adjustment. However, they’re also notably pricier than comparable Sharks, which usually feel better built. You can see a more detailed comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of each brand’s offerings in this comparison article.

Shark vs BISSELL

BISSELL vacuums are generally cheaper than comparable Shark models, though that lower price tag is often reflected in inferior build quality, debris pickup performance, and air filtration performance.

Shark produces a variety of different vacuum types at various price points. They’re smartly designed to reconfigure into a handheld design if you need a closer clean, and cordless options are available. When comparing their stick vacuums to Dyson’s offerings, Shark vacuums feel better built and sturdier. However, they also tend to have a similar but slightly worse performance on carpet. Their upright vacuums usually perform better on all surface types than BISSELL vacuums.

Lineup

Shark has a diverse lineup of vacuums, and their naming convention can sometimes be confusing. In broad strokes, you can outline their model lineup as follows.

Upright Models

• Navigator: Entry-level upright models.
• Rotator: Mid-range upright models.
• APEX/Vertex/Stratos: Flagship series of upright models, with the Vertex lineup superseding the APEX lineup and the Stratos lineup replacing the Vertex lineup.

Stick Models

• Rocket: Entry-level corded and cordless models, usually equipped with first-generation Zero-M anti-tangle brushrolls.
• Cordless Pet: Mid-range cordless stick vacuums with PowerFin brushrolls and/or Anti-Allergen-filtration.
• Cordless Pro: Upper mid-range cordless models with automatic power adjustment capability, self-cleaning brushrolls, and an odor-neutralization system.
• APEX/Vertex/Stratos: Flagship cordless and corded models with twin brushroll floorheads. Newer cordless Stratos models feature automatic power adjustment and an odor-neutralization system.
• UltraLight: Lightweight versions of existing corded stick vacuums with reduced debris capacity.
• WANDVAC: Lightweight cordless models with small dustbins and short battery lives; intended for quick clean-ups.

Canister Models

• Canister: Comes with a PowerFins single-roller floorhead.
• Vertex Canister: Comes with a DuoClean Powerfins floorhead. Otherwise, it’s identical in design to the entry-level model.

Robot Models

• ION: Entry-level robot vacuums with random bump-pathing navigation.
• EZ/IQ: Mid-range robot vacuums that use VSLAM navigation, with some models offering self-emptying capability.
• AI: Flagship robot vacuums with self-emptying capability. Newer AI Ultra models use a LIDAR sensor to navigate. Available in vacuum/mop and vacuum-only variants.

Common Terminology/Features

• Zero-M: Brushroll design with bristles and angled fins to reduce hair wraps. This marketing term is most commonly used with single-brushroll vacuums in the Navigator and Rotator upright lineups, as well as Rocket stick models.
• PowerFins: Updated version of Zero-M brushroll design, eliminating the use of widely-spaced bristles found on Zero-M rollers.
• DuoClean: Twin brushroll floorhead design that uses one unpowered soft roller and a bristled Zero-M main brushroll. The system is used in APEX upright and stick models.
• DuoClean PowerFins: Revised version of the DuoClean floorhead design, with the main brushroll featuring angled fins instead of bristles, reducing the chances of long hair jamming the mechanism. The system is used in Vertex upright and stick models.
• DuoClean PowerFins Hair Pro: A further updated version of the DuoClean PowerFins floorhead design. Only found in Stratos upright and stick models.

Recent Updates

1. Oct 11, 2023: Verified that all main picks are still the best fit for user requirements.
2. Sep 07, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to further clarify product information.
3. Aug 09, 2023: Replaced Shark Rocket Cordless (IX140H) with Shark Pet Cordless (IX141) variant as ‘Best Budget Shark Vacuum’ due to current availability.
4. Jul 12, 2023: Replaced Shark Rocket Corded with Shark Rocket Cordless (IX140H) as ‘Best Budget Shark Vacuum’ pick.
5. Jun 05, 2023: Replaced Shark APEX Upright with Shark Cordless Pro [IZ562H, UZ565H] as ‘Best Upper Mid-Range Shark Vacuum’ pick.

Conclusion

Shark is a good household manufacturer that produces items like mops and irons alongside vacuums at different price points and styles. You can also use many Shark vacuums as handhelds, which is nice if you need to clean hard-to-reach places. If you want an easily portable model, Shark sells some cordless vacuums. However, they tend to have a few maintenance needs, and some models can be a little more tricky to clean.

Best Shark vacuum cleaner 2023: Early Black Friday savings on our favourite models

Shark produces some of the best vacuum cleaners around, but which one is best for you?

Choosing the best vacuum for your needs can be a tricky task, which is why narrowing your choices down to a particular brand can help. Shark is one of those brands whose products cover all the cleaning bases and their vacuums are popular with those looking for an alternative to more expensive brands such as Dyson and Miele.

Shark’s vacuums take in sturdy, reliable uprights for large homes with lots of carpet, convenient cordless sticks capable of thorough cleaning and carrying out smaller jobs in tight spaces, and even handheld vacuums for smaller spillages.

We’ve picked through the product catalogue, compared specifications and put Shark’s products through our rigorous tests to come up with our definitive list of favourites.

Get MASSIVE early Black Friday savings on this Best Buy cordless vacuum

If you want a cordless vacuum cleaner that picks up pet hair and dirt with ease, the Shark ICZ300UKT is perfect. We gave it a full five stars and a Best Buy award in our full review, praising its high power and innovative upright cordless design. Right now you can pick one up for the bargain price of £299 down from £429 in AO’s early Black Friday sale.

More UNMISSABLE early Black Friday savings on the Shark Stratos IZ400UK

While the option above is best for people who regularly need to hoover up pet hair, for those who don’t have pets the Shark Stratos IZ400UK is perfect. It’s also a five star vacuum cleaner and you can get a massive £150 discount when you buy it from John Lewis in the early Black Friday sale.

Best Shark vacuum cleaner: At a glance

How to choose the best Shark vacuum cleaner for you

What kind of vacuum do you need?

The big question to ask yourself before splashing out is the type of vacuum cleaner you’re looking for. Most people will be familiar with the concept of an upright, corded model and, predictably, Shark has plenty to choose from. These are great for covering large areas of carpet and hard floor, but will need unplugging and plugging back in as you move around the house. They have high-capacity dust collection bins but tend to be the most unwieldy type of vacuum to carry around and use.

Stick vacuums, either corded or cordless, are smaller, lighter and easier to use. They convert easily into handheld vacuums you can use to clean more delicate items and allow you to clean in awkward places. Whether you should go corded or cordless is a personal choice. Cable-free cordless vacuums are significantly easier to move around the house and aren’t tethered to a wall socket, giving you the flexibility to move around on a whim. The downside is that they’re battery-powered and have a limited runtime before needing to be recharged.

A handheld vacuum won’t replace either of the other types but is a very useful device to have around as a secondary option. These smaller units are easier to get out and use, particularly if you only need to gather up a small spill. They’re ideal for cleaning in places that are problematic for bigger vacuums, such as your car boot, and are useful to have close to hand in the kitchen, garage or utility room.

Other Shark features to look out for:

• DuoClean: Shark’s DuoClean motorised floor heads have two rollers. The first is a soft roller designed to capture dirt from a hard floor. The second is a brush roller, which agitates carpet pile for deeper cleaning.
• Anti Hair Wrap: Long hair, pet or human, can wreak havoc with the rollers on a vacuum, preventing them operating at maximum efficiency. Shark’s anti hair wrap combs the hairs out of its rollers as it gathers them, to stop them getting stuck.
• Lift Away: Some of Shark’s upright vacuums can be lifted off the motorised floor head and carried around, which is good for cleaning stairs and high places. The handle is removed from the extension pole and attachments can be added, adding greater flexibility to what are otherwise large and heavy vacuums.
• Flexology: The name that Shark has given to the bending extension pole on its stick vacuums. This lets you push the vacuum under low objects and makes them easier to store.
• TruePet: You will notice some Shark models come with a TruePet option. This is a handheld attachment that uses the power of the air being sucked up the vacuum to spin a turbine. This is connected to a rotating brush, giving the efficiency of a motorised tool without the need to recharge a battery.

How we test Shark vacuum cleaners

To ensure we can properly compare the performance of all the vacuum cleaners we test, we put them through a barrage of challenging tests. We measure suction to get an idea of how powerful each vacuum is. If they use batteries, we time how long it takes for them to run down. Where the device has more than one power setting, we repeat the tests on them all.

We also test their cleaning ability with measured spills of flour and Cheerios, on both hard floor and carpet. Each vacuum is given one pass to to see how much it can collect, and we weigh how much is collected to compare to every other vacuum we’ve previously tested.