Best Shark vacuums — 9 tried and tested models to snap up this year

We've uncovered the best Shark vacuums the brand has to offer. See which of the nine on our list works best for your home.

Looking for the best Shark vacuum? Our guide is what you need. This image has three Shark vacuums on a pink, blue, and green background
(Image credit: Future)
Best Shark Vacuum: Quick Menu

1. Quick list
2. Shark vacuum types
3. Best vacuum: Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H
4. Best value: Shark Vertex HZ2002
5. Best handheld: Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+
6. Best for large homes: Shark Vertex Upright AZ2002
7. Best robot vac: Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE
8. Best vacuum for small spaces: Shark WandVac System
9. Best for cars: Shark MessMaster
10. Best for carpets: Shark StainStriker PX201
11. Best smart vacuum: Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System
12. Comparisons
13. Shark terminology explainer
14. FAQs
15. How we review Shark vacuum cleaners

The best Shark vacuums are hot commodities. They're reliable, long-lasting, and guaranteed to sweep up even the grossest of messes. But given there are quite a few to choose from, which is best for your abode? We'll help you figure it out. 

Whether you need to clean your pet's hair from the rug on the reg or you've set up shop in a small place that doesn't require much in the way of vacuuming, there's a model that's dying to make its way into your hallway closet — trust us. Though all of the models are different, the common denominator of these gadgets is their performance. 

We've plugged the best vacuum models the brand has to offer, and we'll give you some guidance on how to sweep up a good deal right now. And for the newly initiated, we also have a rundown of Shark terminology for you to sink your teeth into. Every household has different wants and needs, so this guide has a mix of cordless vacuums we're convinced are the best, premium handheld vacuums for quick mid-week cleans, plus the best vacuum for pet hair if you've had enough of the fluff!

The best Shark vacuums: everything you need to know

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The quick list

Want the short version of our Shark vacuum reviews? We've got the basics covered for you! We've got a feeling you'll be swept up by all of these enticing features. 

Types of Shark vacuums

Curious what's available? A little bit of everything, actually. We told you all different types of homes would have a suitable pick.

  • Stick — great for apartments and smaller homes, even if you have pets. These usually transform to become a handheld vacuum too. You'll have to empty your stick vacuum more frequently than larger models. These can be corded or cordless, with the latter being more expensive.
  • Upright — corded or cordless, these are bulkier to store but are great for busy homes or larger homes as they usually have a larger dust cup to store more dirt.
  • Robot — handy to have as a secondary vacuum, but you might find it a bit difficult if this is your main vacuum. A robot vacuum makes keeping up with cleaning easy, but it can't really be used to deep clean as they struggle to get into corners, and you can't use them on furniture.
  • Handheld — handy to have as a secondary vacuum, especially if your main vacuum can't transform into a handheld. These are usually super lightweight and they make easy work of cleaning corners, upholstery, and also your car. They're usually super affordable at around $100.

The best Shark vacuums to buy in 2024

The best Shark vacuum you can buy

Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQReal Homes Rated Gold badge

(Image credit: SharkNinja)
The best Shark vacuum you can buy

Specifications

Dustbin: 7 qts.
Weight: 8.97 lbs.
Size (in.): L13.78 x W10.24 x H51.18
Charge time: 4 hours
Run time: 1 hour per battery
Price: $449

Reasons to buy

+
Great on pet hair
+
Super easy to use
+
Emits a nice smell as you clean
+
Eco packaging
+
Folds to store
+
Bends under furniture
+
Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Long charge time
-
$449+ price tag (if it's not on sale)
Buy if

💕 You need to clean up after your pet: The PowerFins HairPro and Anti-Hair-Wrap features can help.
💕 You want something easy: The Flexology tech allows the vacuum to bend instead of you.
💕 You have a small space: The stick folds, making storage easy after your cleaning sesh. 

Don't buy if

You're on a budget: The price tag is hefty.
You're uncertain: This is an investment piece that you'll likely have for a long time.
You don't have a pet: You might not need the extra components if you're not cleaning up after a dog or cat.

The bottom line

Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H This is the crème de la crème from the brand, and the new release has anything and everything you could possibly need from a vacuum — all while being easy to use and store. However, it'll cost ya. 

Shark Stratos is the latest line of vacuum cleaners from the brand. It's one of the best vacuums for pet hair, and is undoubtedly the best Shark vacuum you can buy. It excels at picking up dust, debris, and pet hair as both a stick cordless vacuum and a handheld vacuum.

This vacuum includes the following types of technology: CleanSenseIQ, Multi-Flex, DuoClean, PowerFins HairPro, Anti-Hair-Wrap, Odor Neutralizer, HyperVelocity Plus, and a Self-Cleaning brush roll. 

Tried, tested, and very much loved by our head ecommerce editor Annie, this vacuum is super easy to use thanks to Clean Sense IQ technology, which automatically controls the suction depending on how dirty your floors are. She found it more than capable of cleaning her spacious two-bedroom apartment, and it easily picked up the hair her pug left behind without getting stuck in the brush roll. Another feature she loved is that it works with recyclable pods to emit a lovely smell as you clean (ideal for dealing with lingering pet odors). It comes equipped with Flexology tech so the vac bends instead of you, and it glides across floor types like a dream.

Finally, this stick vac folds, so it can stand upright and out of the way, making it great for apartments and smaller homes. This particular model comes with a pet hair removal tool and a bag for keeping all the tools together.

Read our full review of the Shark Stratos IZ862H, which we wrote in the UK. The only difference between these models is that in the US it comes with different tools.

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Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H test results
AttributesNotesRating
DesignSleek, easy to use, and easy to store★★★★★
Price$449+★★★
TestingWorked seamlessly with many convenient features★★★★★
FeaturesCleanSenseIQ, Multi-Flex, DuoClean, PowerFins HairPro, and more★★★★★

The best value Shark vacuum

Shark HZ2002 VertexReal Homes Rated Gold badge

(Image credit: Amazon)
The best value Shark vacuum

Specifications

Dustbin: 0.32 qt.
Weight: 9.05 lbs.
Size (in.): L10.24 x W10.24 x H45.27
Cord length: 30 ft
Price: $299.99

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to store
+
Lightweight
+
Great for small homes
+
Affordable price
+
Great for picking up pet hair

Reasons to avoid

-
Small dust cup
-
Corded
Buy if

💕 You're in a small space: It's lightweight and easy to store
💕 You're budgeting: The vacuum is one of the less expensive picks from the brand
💕 It's efficient: The hypervelocity suction feature made things easier

Don't buy if

You want something cordless: Though the chord can reach up to 30 feet, it can be somewhat constraining.
You have small furniture: Our reviewer found it difficult to maneuver under smaller pieces
You're a techie: While the performance is great, our reviewer found that the Multi-Flex technology did not match up to the same level. 

The bottom line

✨ Shark Vertex HZ2002 A great and convenient buy that's a wallet-friendly option, as well as being great for pet parents and those in a small space. The price is more manageable than the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H. 

With a lightweight design, this particular vacuum is great value for money if our first pick is slightly out of budget. Yes, it is corded, but at 30 feet long, you can wander and never run out of power in the middle of a job. It's nice and easy to store for small space dwellers and it picks up pet hair well.

This vacuum features DuoClean Powerfins, Multi-Flex, Anti-Allergen Seal, Hypervelocity Suction, and a Self-Cleaning brush roll. Our reviewer Jaclyn loved the Hypervelocity Suction feature. It's noticeably effective with this vac, and she felt as if propelled her along while she cleaned.

Emptying this vacuum was made simpler by the max fill marking line, however, she noted would be better if there was a bigger capacity for dust. It did manage to pick up after her pup, though, and when she transformed it into a handheld vacuum it excelled at cleaning a rug.

While Jaclyn had no complaints performance-wise, she did find the Multi-Flex technology to be underwhelming. It was tougher to control when maneuvering under low furniture. However, the flexible frame allows the vac to fold over into one piece for storage.

Read our full Shark Vertex HZ2002 review.

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AttributesNotesRating
DesignLightweight, easy to store, but tough under some furniture pieces★★★★
Price$299+★★★★
Testing The performance was excellent, but the Multi-Flex technology was satisfactory★★★★
FeaturesDuoClean Powerfins, Multi-Flex, Anti-Allergen Seal, Hypervelocity Suction, and a Self-Cleaning brush roll★★★★★

The best handheld Shark vacuum

UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus Cordless Handheld VacuumReal Homes Rated Gold badge

(Image credit: Shark)
The best handheld Shark vacuum

Specifications

Dust bin: 0.45 qt.
Weight: 2.8 lbs.
Size (in.): L20.8 x W3.8 x H4.3
Charge time: 6 hours
Run time: 15 minutes
Price: $99

Reasons to buy

+
Very light
+
Powerful 
+
Anti-tangle motorized brush
+
Easy to use
+
Portable

Reasons to avoid

-
Long charge time
-
Short run time
-
Small cleaning path width
Buy if

💕 You need something powerful: It gets the job done, even though it's handheld.
💕 You're budgeting: This is the most affordable handheld model in the Shark collection.
💕 You're working with a lot of space: This portable find makes handling messes, wherever they are, a lot easier.

Don't buy if

You need to clean in a hurry: There's a long charge time and the battery life isn't terribly long.
You need something full-sized: This probably works best as a complement to your full-sized vacuum.
You have a big mess: The dust compartment is fairly small.

The bottom line

✨ Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ This baby is the perfect accompaniment to a full-sized vacuum. When you don't feel like going through a whole production, this handheld product will get the mess sorted stat. 

For sucking up small messes, tackling dirt in your car, or cleaning your couch, the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is the ultimate handheld vacuum cleaner. It's Shark's most affordable handheld model, and is designed for households with pets. If you’re regularly reaching for your main vacuum to clean little messes, then this lightweight model could very well become your go-to for smaller jobs. It comes with a handful of useful accessories, too.

As with all of Shark’s full-size cleaners, the UltraCyclone also utilizes a self-cleaning brush to prevent hair from getting wrapped around the roller. Our reviewer Jen found that the mini motorized attachment did an incredible job of lifting dirt from one of her rugs, filling up the 0.45-liter dust canister with its sheer power, and collecting pet hair with ease. Jen also found that the level of power remained consistent throughout using this vacuum, even though there were only 15 minutes of power available to her. 

The 10.8 V battery provides similar cleaning power to a regular vacuum, although you only get 15 minutes on a charge and a recharge takes about six hours. The dust compartment is pretty small, but it’s easy to empty and large enough for spot cleaning.

Read our full Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ review.

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Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ test results
AttributesNotes Rating
DesignHandheld, lightweight, and portable★★★★★
Price$99★★★★★
TestingQuick, easy to use, but not a long battery life★★★★
FeaturesPet-friendly, includes a self-cleaning brush roll and CleanTouch dirt eject★★★★

The best Shark vacuum for large homes

Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum AZ2002 on white backgroundReal Homes Rated Silver Badge

(Image credit: Amazon)
The best Shark vacuum for large homes

Specifications

Dustbin: 1 qt.
Weight: 16.38 lbs.
Size (in.): L12 x W15.09 x H46.25
Cord length: 30 ft.
Price: $449.99

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful suction
+
Ample dust-bin capacity
+
Pet-friendly
+
HEPA filter 

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy
-
Motor emits a lot of airflow
-
Corded
Buy if

💕 You need something powerful: The suction cup is strong and the dust bin is ample in size.
💕 You're remodeling: Our reviewer found it to be powerful enough to work well after a renovation.
💕 You have a large space: It's heavy-duty

Don't buy if

You have a small space: It can feel too large and overpowering.
You need something simple: It's large, heavy, and isn't easy to maneuver or store without ample room.
You want something without a chord: You will be restricted. 

The bottom line

Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum AZ2002 A durable and powerful selection, this has you covered with a variety of features, but it's probably one to skip if you're working with a small space.

If you're looking for a vacuum that can deliver impressive cleaning power in a large home, this model is it. Billed as Shark's most powerful vacuum, this is also Shark's most premium upright design. This vacuum features the following technology: LiftAway, DuoClean Powerfins, a self-cleaning brush roll, Hypervelocity Accelerated Suction, and Anti-Allergen.

When using this vacuum to clean up after a renovation period at home, Jaclyn found that it suctioned everything in its wake with minimal repeat passes. And hair? It never wrapped around the self-cleaning brush roll or clogged the vacuum shaft, so it's safe to say this vacuum is pet-parent-approved. The LiftAway feature also made cleaning the stairs during testing significantly easier, though the vacuum felt bulky and a little tiring to operate after a while. Remember it's corded, but it does have a 30-foot wire to work with. It also boasts Hypervelocity Accelerated Suction technology, so it practically walks itself around your home.

The one-quart capacity got Jaclyn through all our tests before needing to be emptied. One disadvantage is that this is the heaviest Shark vacuum out there, a feature we sadly felt in our tests, so one to avoid if you need a more maneuverable pick. Its motor also emits a lot of airflow while in use, leading to extra noise. Additionally, it transforms into a handheld model to reach high places and get into small corners.

Read our full Shark AZ2002 vacuum review.

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Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum AZ2002 test results
AttributesNotesRating
DesignUpright, chord, and heavy★★★
Price$449.99★★★
TestingGets tough messes with minimal repeats★★★★★
FeaturesLiftAway, DuoClean Powerfins, Self-Cleaning brush roll, Hypervelocity Accelerated Suction, and Anti-Allergen★★★★★

The best Shark robot vacuum

Best Shark vacuum robotReal Homes Rated Silver Badge

(Image credit: Shark)

5. Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE

The best Shark robot vacuum

Specifications

Dustbin: 30 days of dust
Weight: 5.87 lbs.
Size (in.): L12.9 x W12.6 x H3.5
Charge time: 6 hours
Run time: ~2 hours
Price: $599.99

Reasons to buy

+
Controllable via the app and Alexa/Google
+
Self-emptying base
+
No-go strips to create a boundary of where you don't want the vacuum to go
+
Effortlessly transitions between hard floors and area rugs
+
Quiet

Reasons to avoid

-
Might take a while to map your home initially
-
The charging base requires floor space
-
Had trouble picking up larger debris
-
Expensive
Buy if

💕 You feel like relaxing: It's app-controlled and has a self-emptying space.
💕 Space is limited: It's easy to store.
💕 You have roommates: It's quiet and won't be too disruptive.

Don't buy if

You're budgeting: It's one of the pricier Shark picks.
You're in a hurry: It could take a while before the gadget maps out your home.
You have a big mess: It has difficulty with larger debris. 

The bottom line

Shark's IQ Robot is great for when you're feeling lazy and will certainly get the job done, but you might have to do a once over here and there.

Shark's IQ Robot is here to help you reclaim your time, so instead of vacuuming your home every day, you can do it just three times a week and program your robot vacuum to do the job on the other four days. With powerful suction and the same anti-hair wrap feature involved with full-size vacuums, this robot is a winner for pet-friendly homes, too.

This vacuum includes Matrix Clean Navigation and CleanEdge. 

This vacuum was tested in an environment with plenty of pet traffic thanks to our reviewer Jaclyn's dog, Reese. By replacing her usual cordless vacuum with this robot version, Jaclyn found that there was a true luxury in no longer having to empty a dustbin every five minutes. She also loved that she could control it from anywhere thanks to the app. It works intuitively with wheels that help it seamlessly go between hard floors and area rugs. It moves in methodical back-and-forth patterns and doesn't get caught off-guard by any furniture in its wake. 

On the first day of testing, Jaclyn found the separate dust bin in the base was relatively full after covering around 1,000 square feet of floor space. On day two, there was significantly less, a sign that it had picked up most of the debris on day one, and everything else was routine upkeep. She loved that it empties itself once it has finished cleaning, but there are a few ways it could've been better. She noted that it wasn't the best at cleaning the edges between her hard floor and area rug, nor was it great at collecting larger pieces of debris, like cereal or paper scraps.

It can take several cycles for the robot to "map" your home, according to many reviewers, though it only took two run-throughs for us to get a relatively accurate reading. Even if you don't use the no-go strips, you can add boundaries in the app for future cycles, it avoids that area. Due to the mapping technology, if you move the base, the robot vacuum will have to recreate the map of your space from scratch. There is only support for one map at a time, so it's not possible to move it between floors or in spaces separated by a step. Just remember that you'll need space for its charging base to sit, and this will need to be nearby a plug.

Jaclyn reviewed the Shark RV1001AE vacuum over on our sister site, Homes & Gardens.

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Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE test results
Attributes Notes Rating
Price$599★★★
DesignApp-controlled robot vacuum★★★★★
Testing It could take a while before the gadget maps out your home, and has difficulty with larger debris.★★★★
FeaturesMatrix Clean Navigation and CleanEdge★★★★★

The best Shark vacuum for small spaces

Best Shark Vacuum Shark wandvac cordess stickReal Homes Rated Silver Badge

(Image credit: Shark)
The best Shark vacuum for apartments

Specifications

Dustbin: 0.13 qt.
Weight: 5.8 lbs.
Size (in.): L10 x W11.2 x H44
Charge time: 3 hours
Running time: 16 minutes
Price: $239.99

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and sleek design
+
One-touch release to empty dust bin
+
Works great as a handheld
+
Charging base to discreetly store
+
Great attachments
+
Several color options
+
Affordable price

Reasons to avoid

-
Small dust bin
-
No LED light
-
Not the strongest suction
Buy if

💕 You're budgeting: It's one of the more affordable products in the collection.
💕 You want flexibility: Works well as a handheld vacuum, too.
💕 You want style: Several color options are available. 

Don't buy if

You have a lot of mess: There's a small dustbin, and you'll likely have to empty it frequently.
You have a large home: It's meant to cater to smaller spaces.
You want something longterm: This might not transition well if you move to a larger space. 

The bottom line

Shark WandVac System Studio dwellers, rejoice! This the ultimate small-space cleaning appliance, but you probably won't find it useful if you're working with a large space. 

This Shark Wandvac is an affordable buy for small homes and apartments. It is a 2-in-1 vac, though bear in mind it's designed to be a handheld-to-stick model, not the other way around. So its suction is considerably better as a handheld vacuum. If you only have a small home and you want something lightweight, cheap, and reliable to make cleaning super easy, this could definitely be your next vacuum. This vacuum includes a self-cleaning brush roll, Hypervelocity, and PowerFins.

During testing, our reviewer Annie concluded that the suction was more impressive as a handheld unit. It works as a stick vacuum, but she wouldn't recommend it as a main vacuum cleaner for busy homes or homes with pets. It can definitely cope with apartments with wooden flooring, though. She didn't notice a huge difference between the normal and boost modes but the easy storage element made this vacuum a real winner. It comes with a stand where the stick frame lives, which can be placed in a corner or closet. All that needs charging is the handheld unit. It's definitely not the most powerful Shark vacuum on this list, but it proves itself to be a winner in smaller homes.

Annie loved the accessories that came with this vacuum cleaner system. Particularly, the multi-surface tool, which has removable bristles for different messes. It made cleaning her sofa, kitchen countertops, and corners a total breeze.

Read our full Shark Wandvac review

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Shark WandVac System test results
AttributesNotesRating
DesignLightweight, sleek, one-touch release dustbin★★★★★
Price$239.99★★★★★
Testing The suction was more impressive as a handheld unit★★★
FeaturesSelf-Cleaning brush roll, Hypervelocity, and PowerFins★★★★

The best Shark vacuum for cars

A blue Shark MessMaster with red details and a black hoseReal Homes Rated Gold badge

(Image credit: Shark)
The best Shark for cleaning cars

Specifications

Dustbin: 4 qt.
Weight: 9.8 lbs.
Size (in.): H13.5 x W16.5 x D10.5
Cord length: 15 ft.
Price: $129.99

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful suction
+
Can be used on wet and dry messes
+
Long power cord
+
Self-cleaning design
+
Stores neatly

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy to carry
-
Not great on pet hair
Buy it if

💕 You live in a small home: It’s a compact wet-dry vac option.
💕 You don’t like mess: The option of adding a plastic bag made it easy to clean out.
💕 Your pet often has accidents: If you have a puppy or older dog, it’s quick to pull out and use on wet messes. 

Don't buy it if

❌ Your pet sheds lots of hair: It isn’t the best on pet hair, especially long ones.
❌ You live in a large home: Our reviewer did find it heavy it to carry.
❌ You want just one vacuum: It’s a great wet-dry model, but won’t replace a full vacuum. 

The bottom line

Shark MessMaster VS101 For those who regularly have wet messes to clean thanks to their pets or regularly travel with their furry friend, this is a useful, small space friendly option to have.

If you have a smaller home and don’t want to store a full-size wet-dry vac, the Shark MessMaster is 100% a worthwhile investment. Our reviewer Camryn was blown away by its powerful suction, which worked well on all types of grime. She found it incredibly useful that you can use any type of plastic bag inside the vacuum’s dust cup, which makes clean-up infinitely easier. 

She said it worked best for cleaning her car. The extra-long power cord gave her the flexibility to work all around it, the crevice tool easily got debris out of the cracks between the seats and around the doors, and its powerful suction had no problem picking up dirt, dust, and even bigger debris like straw wrappers, leaves, and small rocks. 

When cleaning wet messes, she recommends switching to the squeegee tool rather than the carpet attachment, as it can suction up moisture more quickly. The only downside to this machine was that she said while it cleaned up wet pet messes well, it wasn’t the best on pet hair.

Read our full Shark MessMaster VS101 review.

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Shark MessMaster test results
AttributesNotesRating
Price$129.99.★★★★★
DesignEasy to use, but a little heavy.★★★★
TestingWorked well on cars and wet messes.★★★★★
FeaturesSelf-cleaning and AnyBag technology.★★★★★

The best Shark vacuum for carpets

A white Shark StainStriker with a black house and a blue tankReal Homes Rated Silver Badge

(Image credit: Shark)
The best carpet Shark vacuum

Specifications

Capacity: 0.72L
Weight: 8.5 lbs.
Size (in.): H11.3 x W11.7 x D11
Cord length: 15 ft.
Price: $139.99

Reasons to buy

+
Works well on old, dry stains
+
Great on pet mess
+
Good value for money
+
Easy to use and clean

Reasons to avoid

-
Bad on oil stains
-
A little noisy
Buy it if

💕 You have carpeted flooring: It lifts stains off these really efficiently.
💕 You have pets: It has a pet stain trapping tool.
💕 You have deep-set stains: Our reviewer found it completely removed an old, deep-set stain. 

Don't buy it if

❌ You only have hardwood flooring: It works best on carpet stains.
❌ You don’t like noise: It is loud to use.
❌ You have oily stains: It didn’t work very well on old oil stains. 

The bottom line

✨ Shark StainStriker PX201 For those who have old and tough carpet stains that just won’t budget, this Shark StainStriker will work very well for you. It’s incredibly simple to put together, to use, and even to clean.

If your home has lots of carpet or area rugs and is prone to getting messy, the Shark StainStriker is a brilliant option. Our reviewer and former deputy editor Camille said it was so easy to unpack and uncomplicated to use. The instructions came with simple diagrams and a QR code with videos that made getting going a breeze — and once she did, she was seriously impressed.

She tried it on dried-out stains and found that it removed them all pretty much instantly. What impressed her most was its ability to clean a two-year-old wine stain after using the wide tough stain tool, scrubbing, and then going over it again the next day. As well as this, Camille tested it on fresh yogurt stains and was amazed at how clean and odor-free it left her carpet.

Cleaning the machine is as easy as using it. With the tank, you just empty the water into the sink and rinse it, for the crevice tool you just run it through the hose-cleaning tool, and the filter can be rinsed, too. The only negatives that she had were that it didn’t clean up dried bike oil stains and was a little loud — which may be a deterrent for renters and pet owners.

Read our full Shark StainStriker PX201 review.

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Shark StainStriker PX201 test results
AttributesNotesRating
Price$139.99★★★★★
DesignEasy to use and clean, but slightly noisy.★★★★
TestingWorked brilliantly on old, dry stains.★★★★
FeaturesPet Stain Trapping Tool, a Hose-Cleaning Tool, Shark CarpetXpert & Stain Striker cleaning solutions★★★★★

The best smart Shark vacuum

Shark® Cordless Detect Pro™ Auto-Empty System with QuadClean™ Multi-Surface Brushroll vacuum cleaner

(Image credit: Shark)
Buy it if:

💕 You don't like emptying your vac: This appliance takes the mess out of this job
💕 You forget to charge your vac: The docking station will ensure your vacuum battery is full and ready to go
💕 You need a cordless and handheld appliance: This  convertible vacuum cleaner is both

Don't buy it if:

You have a large home to clean: The small dust cap will mean you're emptying it very frequently
You live with animals: In our tests, this vacuum failed to do a satisfactory job of picking up pet hair.

The bottom line

Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System with QuadClean Multi-Surface Brushroll vacuum cleaner is an ultra-intelligent appliance that uses four technologies to clean all types of floors in your home. However, it's probably not the one for you if you live with pets and/or require heavy-duty cleaning. 

The most innovative Shark vacuum to date

Specifications

Dustbin: 2L
Weight: 14.8 lbs
Size (in): H43 x W10.4 x L14.3
Charge time: 5 hours
Run time: 40 mins
Price: $449.99

Reasons to buy

+
Easy auto-empty feature
+
Three cleaning modes
+
No trigger to hold down
+
Detects dirty areas and boosts suction
+
Brushroll auto-adjusts to floor types
+
Illuminates dark areas with LED light
+
Clean indicator on brush head
+
Edge indicator provides targeted illumination
+
Dust bin sensor alert
+
Dust bin is easy to empty
+
Removable brush roll for easy cleaning
+
5-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Charging takes about five hours
-
Small dust cup capacity
-
Not ideal for pet hair
-
No printed instruction manual

The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System with QuadClean Multi-Surface Brushroll vacuum cleaner is one of the brand's newest models to date and shows just how far home technology has come.

As the name suggests this cordless cleaner detects hidden dirt, and adjusts power accordingly, sensing edges (i.e.: skirting boards), and drawing in debris from the side, as well as in front of it. The powerful LED light means you won't need to squat in search of dust bunnies and under-furniture fluff — because the vac is already on a military-style search and destroy mission. It is even smart enough to work out what type of floor surface it is on (be it carpet or hard floor) and optimize performance.  This also means you don't have to waste time changing settings or brush heads.

This new-to-market model alleviates one of the biggest pet peeves with the post-vacuum process: emptying the machine. Gone are the days of tipping the contents of your vac into the trash, only for a cloud of dust to re-appear in the air — or worse still, you miss the bin altogether. This appliance can be parked in its docking station where it will empty anything it has captured into a HEPA-sealed container — a cleaner, more hygienic solution — especially for anyone with allergies.

For lighter jobs like cleaning a couch or removing cobwebs, this vacuum can also be used as a handheld device to reach crevices, nooks, and crannies. Our tester was able to access ceilings and get between cushions on her upholstered furniture with ease. 

However, one of the biggest downfalls is its inability to suck up pet hair. Our reviewer owns four cats and fosters other animals, and found that the dust cap clogged up when in self-empty mode, resulting in a mess on the floor. Fortunately, you can manually empty this compartment and decant the waste straight into your bin.

Read our full Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System with QuadClean Multi-Surface Brushroll Vacuum Cleaner review

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Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System test results
AttributesNotes Rating
Price$449.99★★★★
DesignA 2-in-1 cordless and handheld vacuum★★★★★
TestingFailed to pick up pet hair in our tests★★★
FeaturesAutomatically empties and charges while in docking station ★★★★★

Compare these Shark vacuums

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Compare these Shark vacuums
Shark vacuumsOur verdict
Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862HA brilliant all-rounder and our overall favorite.
Shark Vertex HZ2002The best value for money overall.
Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+A great choice for pet parents.
Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum AZ2002Perfect for those with larger spaces.
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AEThe best Shark robot vacuum.
Shark WandVac SystemOur top choice for small spaces.
Shark MessMaster VS101A brilliant choice for cleaning cars.
Shark StainStriker PX201Best for carpeted flooring.
Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty SystemSelf-emptying cordless stick and handheld vacuum

Shark vacuum terminology

Many of Shark's vacuums, whether cordless, corded, or robotic, have similar technologies that you'll see above as we listed each vacuum's features. To help you choose a Shark vacuum, here's some info on the most common technologies and terminology that you may come across. Some of these might be a must-have for you, whereas others you can take or leave.

  • Lift Away / Powered Lift Away - For upright vacuums or cannister vacs. It means you can detach the bin and the suction part of your vacuum from the main unit, so that you can reach high places or tiny spaces, like the stairs, car, or to clean your upholstery. Essentially, it means your vacuum can also work as a handheld model. Powered LiftAway means the motor can be carried around, too.
  • Self-Cleaning Brush Roll / Anti Hair Wrap -  A style of brush roll that will clean hair from carpets and wooden floors without it getting tangled around the brush. Meaning you won't have to go at it with your scissors every few weeks. A game-changer whether you have pets or not.
  • DuoClean PowerFins / DuoClean Powerfins HairPro - All in all, this is a type of brush head. It's called DuoClean because it comprises of two motorized brush rolls. One with flexible silicone fins (PowerFins) and the other is a traditional soft roller for a polished look on hard flooring. Paired together, these work to ensure nonstop contact on carpets and floors, meaning every inch of your floors will be clean. These brush rolls have integrated Anti Allergy and Anti-hair wrap. The HairPro addition means it works even harder to pick up hair.
  • Anti Allergy - Shark's sealed HEPA filtration system captures and traps 99.9% of dust, allergens, and dander to remove them from the air inside your home and keep them sealed in your vacuum's bin. Essentially, this technology ensures that the air your vacuum emits doesn't contain allergens.
  • CleanSenseIQ - This technology works to auto-adjust your vacuum cleaner's suction when going over a floor that's dirty (even if you can't see it). CleanSenseIQ vacuums will have an indicator on their floor head so that you can see when a spot is truly clean.
  • MultiFlex / Flexology - This allows cordless Shark vacuums to bend in their stick, to reach underneath furniture. Meaning you don't have to bend down. These vacuums also fold down when it comes to storing. A great feature for smaller homes.
  • Odor Neutralizer - A new technology that works with pods (available at Shark) to emit a scent as you clean. You place a pod in the designated hole in your floor head and choose an intensity on the dial. Then, as you vacuum you will be able to smell the pod. 
  • HyperVelocity / HyperVelocity Plus - These refer to a specific type of motor. A HyperVelocity motor is a high-speed motor that offers super powerful suction in a lightweight design. This suction feels like it is accelerated and will almost pull you along as you clean. The Plus part is just even more suction.
  • CleanEdge - For robot vacuum cleaners, this technology ensures that the corners of your home, by your baseboards, are cleaned too. The side of your robot vacuum cleaner will have a hole to eject a puff of air to push dust and debris into the robot's cleaning path.
  • Matrix Clean Navigation - Only for robot vacuum cleaners, this is the specific pattern this vacuum cleans in. It also means that your robot vacuum will clean with multiple passes. This means the vacuum will cover every spot on your floor sometimes even twice.

FAQs

Why is my Shark hard to push on carpets?

Your Shark vacuum might be hard to push on carpet because its suction is too strong. Try changing the mode you are in to something less powerful and see if that helps. Otherwise, check that there's nothing stuck in the brush roller as that could also be the issue.

When should I buy a Shark vacuum?

We at Real Homes compare prices and provide insight using the Amazon price tracking site, camelcamelcamel. This allows us to see the lowest and highest prices recorded and provide guidance on the right time to buy.

How we reviewed these Shark vacuum cleaners

Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro on hallway runner rug

Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro on hallway runner rug

(Image credit: Future/Annie Collyer)

Here at Real Homes we like to get some hands-on experience with each of the products we feature in our buyers' guides. This means that it'll help us understand more about what you are getting for your money. That's why nearly every vacuum you see featured in this guide has been tested at home by a member of the Real Homes team. 

You can read our full reviews by clicking the highlighted product titles in orange and if you want to know more about the specific tests we conduct, we've got an extensive guide on how we test vacuum cleaners. You'll see that they have been used for a number of weeks (sometimes months) in our own homes, so they are faced with real-life challenges. Sometimes brands kindly gift us the vacuum cleaners after testing, so we can update our guides as we continue to learn about them over a longer period of time. We've considered all the important factors, such as maneuverability, run-time, emptying of the canister (or bag), and general controls.

Deconstructed robot vacuum at SharkNinja HQ (Credit Christina Chrysostomou).jpg

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

And, on occasion, the brand will invite us to their headquarters to see the vacuums in their research and development stage. This is important to learn about the technology contained within the device.

Testing vacuum cleaners at SharkNinja HQ

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

Meet our Shark vacuum reviewers

Our expert team of Shark vacuum testers tested these models in their own small homes, meaning they were able to challenge each vacuum's capabilities in a real life setting.

Annie Collyer illustration
Annie Collyer

Our head ecommerce editor Annie has tried the Shark Wandvac and loves it as a handheld vacuum for getting into corners, cleaning her upholstery, and dusting her skirting boards. Otherwise, she uses the Shark Stratos IZ862H as her main vacuum and thinks it's brilliant at cleaning the mess her pug Doug leaves behind on a daily basis. What's more, it automatically adapts its suction to your floors based on how dirty or clean they are. It works with scent pods to make your home smell nice as you clean and it folds to store. Oh, it also bends underneath furniture. But all of this comes at a rather hefty price tag.

Jaclyn Turner illustration
Jaclyn Turner

Jaclyn was our former ecommerce editor at Real Homes. Jaclyn has tested three Shark vacuums from this list. She has tested our standout top pick, the Shark Vertex HZ2002, and was impressed by the lightweight, multi-flex design, which makes everyday vacuuming much easier. She also tried the Shark AZ2002 vacuum and gave it four stars. This corded model is powerful but a little harder to store. It's definitely one for larger homes. Lastly, Jaclyn tested the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE over at Homes & Gardens, where she gave it four out of five stars.

Jennifer Oksien illustration
Jennifer (Jen) Oksien

Jen is the homes editor at TechRadar. Previously she has written for Ideal HomeReal Homes, and Homes & Gardens as our appliances editor. From this list, she has tested the handheld cordless Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ in her home and found it to be a valuable vac for dealing with pet hair and that it has great suction power, hence the 4.5-star rating.

Head shot of Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau

Camryn is the contributing reviews editor for Real Homes, specializing in home and kitchen products. She tested the Shark MessMaster VS101 in her small homestead in Rhode Island. While it worked well in her home, her favorite place to use it was her car.

Danielle Valente
Danielle Valente

Danielle is the content editor at Real Homes. She tested the Shark Rocket HV301 for us in her New York apartment and found it useful for cleaning her smaller home, despite it being slightly cumbersome. She has previously written for My Imperfect Life and Woman&Home

Selfie of Eve Smallman
Eve Smallman

Eve is a staff writer at Real Homes. She has reviewed numerous homewares since joining the team in 2022, testing everything from pillows to white noise machines. This time she tested the Shark HydroVac Pro XL WD201, which she found cleaned her hard wood flooring brilliantly.

Camille Dubuis-Welch Deputy Editor RealHomes.com
Camille Dubuis-Welch

Camille is the former deputy editor of Real Homes where she covered a broad range of topics, including house tours, small space design, and gardens. She tested the Shark StainStriker in her home which has lots of carpets.

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.

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