Best Shark Vacuums 2023

Oct 04, 2023

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The best Shark vacuums are effective, reliable and affordably priced, helping you tackle daily messes without breaking the bank. A leading home-appliance brand, Shark makes over two dozen models in a wide variety of styles: upright vacuums, cordless stick vacuums, handhelds and robot vacuums. Right now, our favorite model is the powerful Shark Navigator Lift-Away, which doubles as an upright and handheld, but the brand has plenty of other stellar models worth considering.

Upright, cordless, handheld and robotic: Here are the best Shark vacuums for cleaning all your ... [+] spaces.

With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to zero in on the right Shark for you. "When it comes to selecting a vacuum, it's best to think about your lifestyle and what will work best for your home," says Mallory Micetich, home expert at Angi. Is it a machine for tackling pet hair or kids’ messes? Do you want something that's easy to stow or lightweight? The list could go on. Convenience is also crucial to consider, says cleaning expert and author Katie Berry. "No matter what type of vacuum you buy, if it's a hassle, you won't use it, and that'll show on your floors," she says.

We took a deep dive into Shark territory, scouring reviews and ratings to determine the best Shark vacuums for every household scenario. Read on to learn more about various models and all the features loved about each.

Amazon

Dimensions: 14.96 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches | Weight: 13.7 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Pet Power Brush, Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 30 feet

The best thing about the Shark Navigator upright vacuum is options—because right from the get go you have a lot of them. Upright mode lets you clean both carpets and floors and the detachable pod offers portable cleaning power for varied surfaces like stairs or shelves. It also comes with an extender for those hard-to-reach areas behind furniture or in high corners. "Crevice tools and upholstery attachments are essential for every home," says Berry, adding, "especially if you have pets, small kids, or live in a dusty environment."

The lightweight vacuum's superpower is its completely sealed HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) system that traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside. Adding to its overall appeal is its high capacity bagless XL canister that holds a lot of debris, causing less interruption.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.8 x 46 inches | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Precision Duster, Pet Multi-Tool, Crevice Tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 25 feet

Amazon reviewers covet the strong suction of this corded vac which converts to a handheld vacuum and needs no charging thanks to its 25-ft. power cord. It's a cinch to switch from hardwood to carpet mode and the way it swivels at the base makes it easy to steer. It comes with a bevy of attachments that send this stick into overdrive; like the powerful upholstery tool that targets pet hair on upholstery and more. Although it may be bothersome that it can't stand by itself, there is a hook on the bottom of the wand for hanging inside of a closet.

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BestBuy

Dimensions: 12.9 x 12.6 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 14.5 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Cordless; 120-minute battery life | Attachments: N/A | Compatible Floor Type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord Length: NA

If your cleaning habits resemble scenes from Groundhog Day, this will make a handy addition. Instead of just roaming aimlessly, you can program the Shark Robot to tackle the same spots you clean every single day. It does this by mapping out your domain on its first few runs. Simply select which room you want it to clean and the Shark then makes its move, vacuuming in a meticulous row-by-row pattern. Using Wi-Fi you can tell the unit where to go via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 13.2 x 11.9 x 45 inches | Weight: 15.4 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool, Power Brush | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 30 feet

The Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum—equipped with a built-in HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal, a must for those family members allergic to pets—is the most effective in the fleet of Sharks for tackling pet hair. It also has a 2-in-1 design that, like the Shark Navigator, has a detachable pod for getting those hard-to-reach places where fur can fly. Swivel steering lets you maneuver the machine in unique ways while the built-in LED headlight illuminates hair and dust bunnies you may not have otherwise seen. For hairballs, muddy paw prints or kitty litter trails, there is a self-cleaning Pet Power Brush that helps remove hair and ground in dirt from carpeted stairs and upholstery.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 14.37 x 11.61 x 26.77 inches | Weight: 15.96 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Crevice Tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 25 feet

Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away has many of the same features of our top pick, the NV356 Navigator, but this model is sold for a lower price. That may be because it comes with less accessories. It comes with the upholstery tool and crevice tool and also has the Lift-Away detachable pod for reaching above the floor areas. Though this bagless has a smaller dust cup than the NV356 it's still a decent size and reviews say that it has the same great suction of the pricier version. It has two options for upright cleaning, switch to bare floor for hardwoods or "brushroll ON" for carpet cleaning.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 16.5 x 2.5 x 2.4 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Cordless | Attachments: Crevice Tool | Compatible floor type: Hard floor | Cord length: NA

Shark Wandvac comes in two different versions: standard and Power Pet (a Shark bestseller). It is featherweight, compact, and sports a unique design that people with limited space gravitate toward. The design isn't all show because it does a pretty good job sucking up dirt and empties really easily to boot. But, sadly, with small size also comes small capacity. The dust bin's diminutive 2.6-ounce size will fill up quickly with debris. The battery also takes 2.5 hours to charge and runs for less than 10 minutes. Bottomline: the Wandvac is a quick fix vacuum that stows away easily, but for big messes you’ll need something larger with more power.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.02 x 46.46 inches | Weight: 16.71 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Upholstery Tool, HairPro Self-cleaning Pet Power Brush, Crevice Tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 30 feet

Shark has dubbed the Stratos its most innovative vacuum to date and clearly all that innovation comes at a price: it's the brand's most expensive model. It has all the bells and whistles, like DuoClean PowerFins, HairPro, Powered Lift-Away, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, and Odor Neutralizer Technology, and you can even upgrade the machine with TruePet features.

The detachable pod and extendable stick help you reach beyond rugs and carpet. The brushroll inside the floor piece targets the annoying issue of hair wrapping around the brush and reviews say it does a great job of preventing that. The machine cleans thick carpet, hardwoods, and pet hair with powerful suction (the strongest of any Shark vacuum, says the brand) and traps debris inside the large dustbin where its completely sealed with a HEPA filter. The anti-wrap dust cup allows you to empty the dustbin without your hands touching any of the dirt and there's a lot to like about that. Weighing in at nearly 17 pounds, the Stratos is on the heavier side. Customers describe it as a bulky machine, therefore it's best for people who have the space to store it.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 10.24 x 13 x 45 inches | Weight: 12.4 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Cordless | Attachments: Pet Multi-Tool, Crevice Tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: NA

There's nothing worse than hitting hardwoods with a vacuum that doesn't do the job right the first time. Customer reviews tout the Shark Vertex's ability to suck hardwoods clean, to the point where they look like they’ve been dusted. It does this with DuoClean PowerFins technology, a dual brushroll system that promises to pick up more dirt with every pass and leave floors with what the brand calls a "polished look." This vac is lightweight—something that's definitely needed when you’re whizzing around on a hard surface—and slender, yet it is said to perform like a full-sized upright machine. It is cordless and has a removable battery that powers the hand vac for up to 60 minutes, a decent amount of time. There's a display at the top of the stick that clues you in on remaining runtime so you can make sure you’re never caught empty handed.

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To assemble this list, we researched the top-rated and bestselling vacuums from Shark. We then assessed features and value, making sure we included picks for lifestyles and budgets across the board. We also considered user reviews from top retailer sites; every model on this list has an average rating that exceeds 4 stars, ensuring each vacuum is also a customer favorite.

There are a lot of different Shark vacuums on the market, and there are a few different elements to consider when shopping for one of these handy tools. Keep these elements in mind during your search.

As a brand, Shark does a good job of giving you options to choose from when selecting the type of vacuum you want. Pick between a traditional upright to give your carpets and hard floors a deep clean, or opt for a cordless vacuum for light jobs and quick cleanups. Need something for small messes and spills? Check out the handheld Shark Wandvac—it's ready to go right out of the charging dock and is put away just as fast. If you prefer to be hands off with your vacuuming experience, consider the Shark AI Ultra Robot. Not only is it controlled by an app on your phone, it's also self-emptying, so you don't even have to think about the vacuum while it goes to work.

Each of these types of machines has their own pros and cons to mull over. "You need to first decide your budget and what it is you’re looking for in a vacuum," says Aaron Wilson, home appliance expert at JustAnswer. "A cordless vacuum is powered by a battery and has a lot of mobility and versatility. They are great for small household chores as well as great for cleaning out your car." But corded vacuums "are typically more powerful and have more capacity," he says. Micetich recommends that you consider a cordless vacuum if you live in a smaller home and want something for daily maintenance. "They’re easier to store and typically have multi-functional configurations so you can easily switch from surface to surface," she says. "On the downside, cordless vacuum cleaners usually have a smaller bag, less suction power and limited battery life." While corded vacuums tend to be larger, making them "clunky to store," they also "have better suction power, longer battery life and a bigger bag for dust and debris," Micetich says.

Accessories for any vacuum will typically run up the cost of the model, and Shark is no exception. With that, it's a good idea to think about if you really need them. "Many vacuum models come with different attachments, but they might not all be necessary," Micetich says. "For example, if you don't have a pet, you won't need to focus on a vacuum with attachments for pet cleaning." When you’re considering a vacuum for your home, Micetich suggests thinking about the areas where you plan to use the machine. If you have carpeted stairs, it's worth considering if you’d benefit from a stair tool. And, if you plan to use your vacuum on your couch and curtains, an upholstery tool is likely a good option. "From there, you’ll have a good idea of which attachments and accessories you’ll want to come with your vacuum," she says.

The best Shark vacuum for you is one that meets your needs. Shark offers the full range of vacuums, including corded, cordless, robot and handheld, giving you plenty of options to choose from. If you’re looking for a great overall vacuum, consider the Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright. It seamlessly cruises around carpet and hard floors, and has a detachable pod for portable cleaning, along with an extender for stairs and shelves. But if you want hands-free cleaning, the Shark AI Ultra Robot is a great option—it's controlled by an app on your phone and even empties itself. Ultimately, though, you can't go wrong with a Shark vacuum.

Dyson has been a powerhouse name in vacuums for decades, and it's only natural to compare Shark (or any other brand) to Dyson. While Dyson models typically have more power than Sharks, that doesn't necessarily mean you should opt for a Dyson. After all, these vacuums come with noticeably higher price tags. It's also a good idea to think about how much you need to pick up from your floors. If you’re looking for a vacuum to reliably tackle dirt, pet hair and typical debris, a Shark vacuum is up for the task. If power is a concern, opt for a corded over a cordless model—plug-ins have more reliable power and pickup than their cord-free counterparts.

As a whole, Shark vacuums are great for carpets. However, it's important to consider that there's a range with these vacuums. If you will mainly be cleaning carpets, choose a corded vacuum, like the Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright—it's a powerhouse with a large dustbin and specialized brush roll to prevent tangles from hair and strings. But some Shark options are better for hard floors, like Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless. This vacuum can be used on carpets but ultimately will perform better on hard floors.