The 5 Best Shark Vacuums of 2024: Reviews

Table of Contents
Intro
Review Updates
Best Vacuum
Best Mid-Range
Best Budget
Best Handheld
Comparison
Lineup
Page Updates
Conclusion
Comments

Shark, also known as SharkNinja, is an American company founded in 1994 that 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.

We've tested over 165 vacuums, and more than 35 of those were by Shark. Here are our recommendations for the best Shark vacuums you can buy. For more recommendations, check our articles for the best vacuums for stairs, the best vacuum cleaner brands, and the best car vacuums.

Updates

05/24/2024 Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pet reviewed
05/16/2024 Shark Detect Pro [IW1111, IW3511, IW3615] reviewed
03/11/2024 Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe [NV360, UV440] updated
02/29/2024 Shark Stratos Cordless updated
02/26/2024 Shark Rocket Corded updated

Best Shark Vacuums

Best Shark Vacuum

Shark Stratos Cordless 5

Bare Floor

7.7

Low-Pile Carpet

7.4

High-Pile Carpet

7.3

Pets

6.9

Stairs

8.4

Cars

7.7

Workshop

5.7

Vacuum Type
Stick/Handheld

Bagless
Yes

Cordless
Yes

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes

Wet Compatible
No

See all our test results

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, so it's no surprise that it has a wide range of convenience features. These include its Clean Sense IQ system, which uses infrared sensors to measure the amount of debris sucked into the dustbin and allows the vacuum to adjust its suction as needed. 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, which comprises a soft roller and a finned multi-surface roller.
Unfortunately, despite being advertised as self-cleaning, it isn't the best Shark vacuum for pet hair, as pet hair can still get trapped in the floorhead. Also, the primary brushroll isn't removable, making it a nuisance to clean. This vacuum can run for up to an hour on a charge, which is good battery life for a cordless vacuum. If you live in a larger residence and would prefer using a corded vacuum so you don't want to worry about running out of charge, the Shark Stratos Upright is a solid option with a substantially higher-capacity dustbin. However, it lacks the cordless model's automatic power adjustment feature and has a much bulkier upright body.

See our review
Best Mid-Range Shark Vacuum

Shark Stratos UltraLight 0

Bare Floor

7.3

Low-Pile Carpet

6.8

High-Pile Carpet

6.3

Pets

7.3

Stairs

7.8

Cars

7.2

Workshop

4.6

Vacuum Type
Stick/Handheld

Bagless
Yes

Cordless
No

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes

Wet Compatible
No

See all our test results

The Shark Stratos UltraLight is among the best Shark vacuums for pet hair 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. 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 built-in fins to minimize hair buildup. However, it shares a common downside: this primary brushroll isn't removable, so it's harder to clean.
While it doesn't have the go-anywhere range of a cordless model, its operating radius of over 30 feet is still reasonably long, allowing you to clean most large rooms without swapping outlets. Its performance on bare floors, as well as low- and high-pile carpets, is excellent. Unfortunately, you can't adjust the height for its brushroll, so it can get tangled in thicker carpeting. It also feels noticeably less well-built than the Shark Stratos Cordless and has a smaller dirt compartment that'll need more regular emptying.

See our review
Best Budget Shark Vacuum

Shark IX141 0

Bare Floor

7.2

Low-Pile Carpet

7.5

High-Pile Carpet

6.9

Pets

7.1

Stairs

7.9

Cars

7.0

Workshop

4.5

Vacuum Type
Stick/Handheld

Bagless
Yes

Cordless
Yes

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
No

Wet Compatible
No

See all our test results

The Shark Pet Cordless (IX141) is the best budget Shark vacuum we've tested. Compared to a higher-end model like the Shark Stratos Cordless, this cheaper vacuum has far fewer features; you lose the convenience of things like automatic power adjustment and a telescopic wand. Nevertheless, it delivers impressive performance on bare floors as well as low- and high-pile carpets, and there's no shortage of accessories in the box. It comes with a crevice tool for handling messes in tight corners, an upholstery tool for cleaning fabric surfaces, and a soft-bristle brush to deal with dust on delicate, easily scratched surfaces.
Something this vacuum shared with its pricier siblings is it's also a hassle to keep clean; you can't remove the floorhead's brushroll, so cleaning long hair wrapped around its brushroll is a nuisance. Its battery life is pretty mediocre, as it can only run for up to 40 minutes on a full charge, though that's a downside shared with the pricier Stratos Cordless. 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.

See our review
Best Handheld Shark Vacuum

Shark CH951 0

Bare Floor

7.4

Low-Pile Carpet

7.4

High-Pile Carpet

7.5

Pets

6.1

Stairs

9.0

Cars

8.2

Workshop

5.7

Vacuum Type
Handheld

Bagless
Yes

Cordless
Yes

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
No

Wet Compatible
No

See all our test results

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. It does a fantastic job picking up pet hair and solid debris on flat, even surfaces, and it delivers a superb overall performance on carpets and rugs. It feels surprisingly sturdy and has a simple, easy-to-clean design that incurs minimal recurring costs. 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 a little over 10 minutes isn't especially noteworthy, even by the standards of other handheld vacuums, so you'll need to work fast when cleaning bigger messes. It also has terrible air filtration performance, making it less ideal for those with 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 has a much smaller dustbin.

See our review

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, Shark vacuums typically come with a solid selection of tools and brushes.
Can be configured into a handheld vacuum.
Shark vacuums tend to be reconfigurable into a smaller, handheld mode to access more difficult-to-reach areas.

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 you to manually wind 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 provide 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 their lower price tag often results in inferior build quality, debris pickup performance, and air filtration performance. However, some BISSELL models are a little easier to maintain—many new Shark models use non-removable brushrolls that can be a hassle to clean properly.

Shark produces a wide range of vacuums at various price points. They often have a smart design that lets you switch to a handheld mode for a closer clean, and many 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

Oct 17, 2024:
We've verified our recommendations are available and represent the best options, and we made small edits to the text for clarity.
Sep 18, 2024: Verified that all picks are valid and available. Small text changes for conciseness and clarity. No change in recommendations.
Jun 12, 2024: We've checked all picks for their ongoing availability and pricing. We made a minor text update to add the Shark Matrix Plus as an alternative to the Shark Matrix Robot.
Mar 07, 2024: We've reviewed this article and verified the price and availability of all our recommendations.
Feb 09, 2024: Removed the Shark Cordless Pro from the recommendations due to current pricing.

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, the best cordless Shark vacuum models tend to have a few maintenance needs and can be a little more tricky to clean.

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The 5 Best Shark Vacuums of 2024 Reviews

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Best Shark Vacuums

Best Shark Vacuum

Best Mid-Range Shark Vacuum

Best Budget Shark Vacuum

Best Handheld Shark Vacuum