Get insider access
Preferred store
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Build Quality
    2. User Maintenance
    3. Recurring Cost
    4. Storing
    5. Dirt Compartment
    6. In The Box
    7. Range
    8. Portability
    9. Battery
    10. Quality Of Life Features
    11. Tools And Brushes
    12. Alternative Configuration
  5. Performance
    1. Hard Floor Pick-Up
    2. High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
    3. Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
    4. Pet-Hair Pick-Up
    5. Suction
    6. Airflow
    7. Noise
    8. Maneuverability
    9. Pet Hair Furniture Performance
    10. Air Quality
    11. Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
    12. Cracks
    13. Stains
    14. Water
    15. Low-Pile Carpet Performance
    16. High-Pile Carpet Performance
    17. Pet Hair Floor Performance
  6. To Be Deleted
  7. Automation
    1. Physical Automation
    2. Companion App Automation
  8. Comments

Shark APEX Upright vs Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Shark APEX Upright
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 04, 2024 07:55 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Nov 04, 2024 08:50 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Shark APEX Upright Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Picture

Variants

  • AZ1002 (Espresso)
  • AZ1000 (Olive/Burgundy)
  • ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away (IC160)
  • ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away (IC162)

Our Verdict

Shark APEX Upright

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away

The Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away is a better upright/handheld vacuum for most uses than the Shark APEX Upright. The cordless P50 is easier and cheaper to maintain, far more effective at sucking up debris on carpeted surfaces, and can be easily carried around. However, the corded APEX features a much longer runtime courtesy of its wired connection and performs better on bare floors.

0 

Check Price

Espresso
AZ1002
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
IC160
ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away
Amazon.com
Olive/Burgundy
AZ1000
Amazon.com
IC162
ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Bare Floor

Threshold 

0.10

Bare Floor 

7.8
7.7

Cracks 
 

8.5
7.5

Full Comparison

Design

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.0

Build Quality Picture  

Shark APEX Upright Build Quality Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Build Quality Picture

Vacuum Type 
 

Upright/Handheld
Upright/Handheld
Show text

User Maintenance 
 

6.5
6.0

Maintenance Picture  

Shark APEX Upright Maintenance Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Maintenance Picture

Brushroll Cleaning Video  

Show text

Recurring Cost 
 

8.5
8.5

Recurring Cost Picture  

Shark APEX Upright Recurring Cost Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Recurring Cost Picture

Bag Part Number  

No bag
No bag

Filter Part Number  

XFF650
XFFK160

HEPA Filter Part Number  

XHF650
XHEPA160
Show text

Storing 
 

7.2
6.3

Storing Picture  

Shark APEX Upright Storing Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Storing Picture

Height 
 

45.51" (115.6 cm)
45.28" (115.0 cm)

Width 
 

12.01" (30.5 cm)
10.24" (26.0 cm)

Depth 
 

10.98" (27.9 cm)
11.02" (28.0 cm)

Cord Storing 
 

Manual
Not Needed

On-Board Tool Storage 
 

Yes
No

Vacuum Rack/Station 
 

No
No
Show text

Dirt Compartment 
 

8.0
7.5

Dirt Compartment Picture  

Shark APEX Upright Dirt Compartment Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Dirt Compartment Picture

Bagless 
 

Yes
Yes

Volume 
 

0.44 gal (1.65 L)
0.16 gal (0.60 L)

Full Indicator 
 

Yes
Yes

Bag Included 
 

No Bag Needed
No Bag Needed
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture  

Shark APEX Upright In The Box Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away In The Box Picture
Show text

Range 
 

7.5
10

Cordless 
 

No
Yes

Cord Length 
 

29.53 ft (9.0 m)
N/A

Hose Length 
 

4.92 ft (1.50 m)
3.38 ft (1.03 m)

Minimum Wand Length 
 

1.18 ft (0.36 m)
1.08 ft (0.33 m)

Maximum Wand Length 
 

3.38 ft (1.03 m)
3.35 ft (1.02 m)

Total Range 
 

32.91 ft (10.03 m)
N/A
Show text

Portability 
 

6.5
7.3

Total Weight 
 

17.20 lbs (7.80 kg)
12.13 lbs (5.50 kg)

Weight In Hand 
 

3.53 lbs (1.60 kg)
3.31 lbs (1.50 kg)

Carrying handle 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Battery 
 

0.0
8.0

Minimum Battery Life 
 

N/A
23 min

Maximum Battery Life 
 

N/A
57 min

Recharge Time 
 

N/A
198 min

Recharge Dock 
 

No
Yes

Battery Life Indicator 
 

No
Yes

Removable Batteries 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Quality Of Life Features 
 

Picture Of Controls  

Shark APEX Upright Picture Of Controls
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Picture Of Controls

Rotating Head 
 

Yes
Yes

Power Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Self-Propelled 
 

No
No

Headlights 
 

Yes
Yes

Easy On/Off 
 

Yes
Yes

Head Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Manual
None
Show text

Tools And Brushes 
 

Tools And Brush Picture  

Shark APEX Upright Tools And Brush Picture
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Tools And Brush Picture

Brushroll 
 

Yes
Yes

Brushroll On/Off 
 

No
No

Removable Brushroll 
 

No
No

Turbo Brush 
 

Yes
No

Crevice Tool 
 

Yes
Yes

Upholstery Tool 
 

Yes
Yes

Soft Bristle Brush 
 

No
Yes

Hard Bristle Brush 
 

No
Yes

Extension Wand 
 

No
Yes

Ceiling Fan Tool 
 

No
No

Pet Grooming Tool 
 

No
No
Show text

Alternative Configuration 
 

Alternative Configuration Photo 1  

Shark APEX Upright Alternative Configuration Photo 1
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Alternative Configuration Photo 1

Alternative Configuration Photo 2  

Shark APEX Upright Alternative Configuration Photo 2
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Blower Mode 
 

No
No
Show text
Performance

Hard Floor Pick-Up 
 

8.5

Hard Floor Pick-Up video  

Hard Floor Pick-Up Post test  

Shark APEX Upright Hard Floor Pick-Up Post test
Show text

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up 
 

5.0

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video  

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test  

Shark APEX Upright High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test
Show text

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up 
 

7.0

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video  

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test  

Shark APEX Upright Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test
Show text

Pet-Hair Pick-Up 
 

6.0

Pet Hair Pick-Up Video  

Pet Hair Pick-Up Post Test  

Shark APEX Upright Pet Hair Pick-Up Post Test
Show text

Suction 
 

7.1
5.6

Suction Video  

Maximum Hose Suction 
 

97.9 inH₂O (24.38 kPa)

Maximum Head Suction 
 

3.4 inH₂O (0.84 kPa)
2.0 inH₂O (0.49 kPa)

Setting Used For Maximum  

"ION BOOST", Mode "FLOOR"

Normal Head Suction 
 

3.4 inH₂O (0.84 kPa)
1.6 inH₂O (0.40 kPa)

Setting Used For Normal  

"Hard Floor"
"ION POWER", Mode "FLOOR"

Hose Diameter 
 

1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.3" (3.2 cm)
Show text

Airflow 
 

9.0

Maximum Airflow Video  

Maximum Hose Airflow 
 

97.6 CFM (2.8 m³/min)
Show text

Noise 
 

8.1
8.6

Noise Video 
 

Bare Floor 
 

75.0 dBA
68.5 dBA

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

75.3 dBA
71.1 dBA
Show text

Maneuverability 
 

7.0
7.5

Maneuverability Video  

Show text

Pet Hair Furniture Performance 
 

9.0
9.0

Sofa Pickup Video  

Sofa Pickup Post Test  

Shark APEX Upright Sofa Pickup Post Test
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Sofa Pickup Post Test
Show text

Air Quality 
 

Sealing Quality Video  

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles) 
 

8.2

Setting Used  

"ION POWER", Mode "FLOOR"

Bare Floor Large Debris Graph  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Bare Floor Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

91%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

99%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Bare Floor Small Debris Graph  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Bare Floor Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

97%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

93%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show text

Cracks 
 

8.5
7.5

Cracks Video  

Wood Cracks Post Test  

Shark APEX Upright Wood Cracks Post Test
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Wood Cracks Post Test
Show text

Stains 
 

1.0
3.0

Stain Video  

Stain Pickup Post Test  

Shark APEX Upright Stain Pickup Post Test
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Stain Pickup Post Test
Show text

Water 
 

0.0
0.0

Wet Compatible 
 

No
No

Water Video  

Water Pickup Post Test  

Shark APEX Upright Water Pickup Post Test
Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Water Pickup Post Test
Show text

Low-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

8.1

Setting Used  

"ION BOOST", Mode "CARPET"

Low Carpet Large Debris Graph  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Low Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

91%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

88%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Low Carpet Small Debris Graph  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Low Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

66%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

63%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show text

High-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

7.9

Setting Used  

"ION BOOST", Mode "CARPET"

High Carpet Large Debris Graph  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away High Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

85%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

83%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

High Carpet Small Debris Graph  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away High Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

47%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

43%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show text

Pet Hair Floor Performance 
 

9.6

Pet Hair Graph  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Pet Hair Graph

Bare Floor 
 

96%

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

100%

High-Pile Carpet 
 

97%
To Be Deleted
Automation

Physical Automation 
 

0.0

Automatic Recharging 
 

No

Automatic Bag Emptying 
 

No

Pathing Algorithm 
 

No Pathing Algorithm

Physical Boundary Markers 
 

No

Scheduled Start Buttons 
 

No

Cycle Control Buttons 
 

No

Navigation Control Buttons 
 

No
Show text

Companion App Automation 
 

0.0

Companion App Screen Grabs  

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away Companion App Screen Grabs

App Name 
 

No App

iOS Availability 
 

No

Android Availability 
 

No

Software Boundary Markers (No Go Zones) 
 

No

App Scheduled Start 
 

No

App Cycle Control 
 

No

Navigation Control within App 
 

No

Check Price

Espresso
AZ1002
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
IC160
ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away
Amazon.com
Olive/Burgundy
AZ1000
Amazon.com
IC162
ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Shark APEX Upright

Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away

Comments

  1. Comparison

Shark APEX Upright vs Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones