Shark, also known as SharkNinja, is an American company founded in 1994 that manufactures home goods like fans and steam 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 price points, so you can find one that fits your budget.
We've tested over 110 vacuums, and 28 of those are by Shark. Here are our recommendations for the best Shark vacuums you can buy. For more recommendations, check out our articles for the best car vacuums, the best vacuums for stairs, and the best vacuum cleaner brands.
Updates
- 02/27/2026Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus reviewed
- 11/29/2024Shark PowerDetect Cordless IP1251 reviewed
- 05/24/2024Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pet ZD201 reviewed
- 05/16/2024Shark Detect Pro IW3511 reviewed
- 03/11/2024Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe [NV360, UV440] updated
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Best Shark Vacuum
Bare Floor Pickup8.0Vacuum TypeStick/HandheldStairs8.0Cars7.4CordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesSee all our test resultsBaglessYesThe best Shark vacuum we've tested is the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H. This feature-rich former flagship model remains a solid pick among cordless options. While the Shark PowerDetect Cordless IP1251 has since replaced it as the brand's flagship in their cordless stick lineup, the Stratos' strong overall results mean it still holds its place as our top recommendation from the manufacturer. It offers good pickup performance on various surfaces and comes equipped with some standout lifestyle features. Its Clean Sense IQ system uses infrared sensors to measure the amount of debris sucked into the dustbin, allowing the vacuum to adjust its suction automatically. 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.
The included HEPA filter makes for top-notch particle filtration as you clean, but like all bagless vacuums, it releases dust back into the air when you empty it. Unfortunately, despite being advertised as self-cleaning, it isn't the best Shark vacuum for pet hair, as fur can 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 single charge, which is good for a cordless vacuum. If you want easier daily maintenance, the Shark PowerDetect Cordless has a smaller dustbin than the Stratos but can be purchased with a self-emptying station.
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Best Mid-Range Shark Vacuum
Bare Floor Pickup7.2Vacuum TypeStick/HandheldStairs8.1Cars6.4CordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesSee all our test resultsBaglessYesThe Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus is worth a look if you're shopping at a more conservative price point. If you have pets that shed and don't want to pay flagship prices, the Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus is a strong midrange alternative to the Stratos. Pet hair pickup is where it genuinely stands apart, scoring significantly higher than the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H and clearing nearly every strand from carpet in a single pass. The PowerPro also features a removable brushroll, making day-to-day hair cleanup easier. Like the Stratos, it features the bendable MultiFLEX wand for reaching under low furniture without kneeling, HEPA filtration, and automatic power adjustment. Air quality is equally great on both models, keeping fine particles contained while you clean.
The trade-off is weaker debris pickup across the board. The Stratos pulls ahead noticeably on bare floors and is a bit stronger on carpet, so if your home leans more toward hard flooring or wall-to-wall carpeting, you'll feel the difference. Like the Stratos, emptying the bagless dustbin releases some dust, which offsets the benefit of that HEPA filter somewhat unless you can empty it outdoors. If pet hair is your main concern, the PowerPro delivers where it matters most for less. If you want the strongest all-around cleaning from Shark, the Stratos is the better pick.
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Best Budget Shark Vacuum
Bare Floor Pickup7.1Vacuum TypeStick/HandheldStairs7.6Cars6.5CordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoSee all our test resultsBaglessYesThe Shark Pet Cordless IX141 is the best Shark vacuum we've tested in the budget category. Compared to a higher-end model like the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H, 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 for dusting delicate, easily scratched surfaces.
The major downgrade from our pricier picks is in air quality. This vacuum doesn't feature a HEPA filter, and it does a terrible job of containing dirt particles as you clean. A downside this vacuum shares with its pricier siblings is that it's also a hassle to keep clean; you can't remove the floorhead's brushroll, so cleaning long hair that gets wrapped around it is a nuisance. Its battery life is pretty mediocre, too, as it can only run for up to 40 minutes on a full charge, though that's also 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, though it feels more cheaply built and doesn't perform quite as well overall.
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Best Handheld Shark Vacuum
Bare Floor Pickup8.1Vacuum TypeHandheldStairs8.1Cars8.1CordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoSee all our test resultsBaglessYesThe Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is the best cordless Shark vacuum with a handheld design that we've tested. Unlike the Shark Cordless Pet IX141 or any other Shark stick vacuum, it's only intended for quick spot-cleaning. It does a fantastic job of picking up pet hair and solid debris on flat, even surfaces, and delivers 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 the turbo brush isn't very effective at removing pet hair from upholstered surfaces.
On the downside, this handheld vacuum lacks robust air filtration, so allergy sufferers should look elsewhere. 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.
Compared To Other Brands
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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.
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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.
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Can be configured into handheld vacuums.Shark vacuums tend to be reconfigurable into a smaller, handheld mode to access more difficult-to-reach areas.
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Okay build quality.
Shark vacuums are mostly built from plastic, and certain parts, like their dirt compartments, seem especially prone to cracking if dropped.
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Quite a few maintenance needs.
Most Shark vacuums have several parts that need ongoing maintenance.
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Manual cord storage.
Corded Shark vacuums usuall lack automatic cord rewind, so you'll need to wind the cord manually to store it.
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 because 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.
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.
Notable Mentions
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Shark Cordless Pro IZ562H:
The Shark Cordless Pro IZ562H is a mid-range stick vacuum, like the Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus, that offers better hard floor pickup. The major downside is that its pet hair pickup is significantly worse, so stick with the PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus if you have shedding pets.
See our review
Recent Updates
Apr 02, 2026:
We swapped the Shark Cordless Pro IZ562H for the newly-reviewed Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus as our mid-range pick. We also added mentions of our new air quality tests throughout the article.
Jan 08, 2026:
We verified that all our picks are still available and made minor adjustments to the text for clarity.
May 06, 2025:
We've reviewed our picks to make sure they're still in stock and represent the best options for most people. We also made some small changes to the text for readability.
Feb 14, 2025:
Replaced the Shark Stratos UltraLight with the Shark Cordless Pro as the 'Best Mid-Range Shark Vacuum' pick due to current product availability.
Dec 18, 2024:
We've added the Shark PowerDetect Cordless as an alternative to the Shark Stratos Cordless that comes with a self-empty station.
Conclusion
Shark is a good household manufacturer that produces items like steam mops and fans as well as 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 trickier to clean.