Jump to:
- Shark vs. Dyson: Key differences at a glance
- Shark vs. Dyson: Upright vacuums
- Shark vs. Dyson: Stick vacuums
- Shark vs. Dyson: Handheld vacuums
- Shark vs. Dyson: Robot vacuums
- The bottom line: Is Shark or Dyson better?
- How we choose the best Shark and Dyson vacuums
- What to consider when shopping
- Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Choosing the best vacuum cleaner can be overwhelming, especially when two top contenders — Shark and Dyson — consistently rise to the top. At the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing both brands to understand their strengths, weaknesses and performance in real homes.
We evaluate how well each model picks up dirt and debris from carpet, hard floors and edges, how it tackles pet hair, and how easy it is to set up, use and maintain. Below, we break down the key differences to help you decide which vacuum is the best fit for your space and cleaning style.
Shark vs. Dyson: Key differences at a glance
Shark and Dyson both offer high-performing floor-cleaning appliances with long run times, strong suction and advanced filtration — but they take different approaches.
Shark emphasizes convenience and flexibility. Its upright vacuums feature a “Lift-Away” canister for cleaning baseboards, ceiling fans and furniture, while its foldable stick vacuums are compact and easy to store. Shark is also one of the few brands with a robot vacuum base that empties directly into the trash — no replacement bags needed.
Dyson focuses on cutting-edge technology. Its vacuums feature advanced batteries, auto-adjusting suction and a wide range of tangle-resistant attachments. Dyson pioneered cyclone technology for powerful suction and integrates smart sensors that detect and quantify dust for deep cleaning.
Price
Shark is the clear winner on price. Its vacuums range from $100 to $500 and offer impressive features and performance for the cost. Dyson vacuums have undeniable cachet — but it comes at a premium. Models range from $300 to upwards of $1,050, though deals can often be found around holidays and major sales events like Black Friday.
Warranty
Shark offers limited warranties ranging from one to seven years, depending on the model, and two-year coverage on batteries. Extended warranties through XCover are available for purchase, though we don’t typically recommend them for lower-cost items like vacuums. Replacement parts, such as filters and pads, are sold on Shark’s website. Registering your vacuum is recommended. For warranty claims, you’ll need to call customer service; Shark covers shipping to its facility but not return shipping.
Dyson warranties its cordless vacuums for two years and corded models for five. The company also recommends registering your purchase, and if something goes wrong, Dyson fully covers repair or replacement, including shipping. Parts and accessories are available on its website and at select Dyson service centers. You can also buy refurbished models directly from Dyson, with repairs done by authorized technicians using original parts.
Our top vacuum picks from Shark
Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum
Shark Stratos IZ862H Cordless Vacuum
Our top vacuum picks from Dyson
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum
Dyson Car + Boat Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson 360 Vis Nav
Shark vs. Dyson: Upright vacuums
Full-size upright vacuums are best for cleaning homes with mostly carpeting or a mix of carpet and bare floors. Some upright models automatically adjust the height of the nozzle to accommodate different flooring types while others need to be manually adjusted. They usually come with an onboard hose, wands and attachments for cleaning above the floor or into tight spaces. Uprights usually provide the best cleaning performance on deep-pile carpets.
Shark
Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum
Pros
- Has sealed system with HEPA filter
- Canister lifts off for easier cleaning up high and down low
- Nozzle has two rollers for cleaning carpets and bare floors
- Comes with odor-neutralizing cartridge
Cons
- Stretch hose may be shorter than some
| Weight | 16.71 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Included attachments | Crevice tool and upholstery tool |
This upright's combo brush roll cleans carpets and has a soft roller for a gentler clean on hardwoods. The removable canister makes it easier to clean stairs and hard-to-reach places. Its impressive sealed system and HEPA filter capture and retain even the tiniest particles, meanwhile an odor-neutralizing capsule limits dank and dusty odors inside the vacuum. Rounding out its features is a dual brush roll system (which several vacuum brands have since copied) that is particularly effective on hardwood floors since it won’t scratch your delicate hardwoods. It’s worth mentioning that the Stratos is on the heavier side, weighing in at 16.71 pounds, which is almost the same as Dyson’s upright cleaner.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tested Shark's Stratos Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Very maneuverable
- Detangling technology removes hair from brush
Cons
- A bit of a clunky design
| Weight | 17.33 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Included attachments | Stair tool and combination tool |
Dyson introduced its Ball vacuums nearly a decade ago, and while the brand has shifted its focus to cordless models, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright cleaner still maneuvers on a dime and delivers outstanding cleaning performance. However, it’s a bit clunky to carry around and store.
Like the Shark, this vacuum has a dust bin that's easy to remove and clean, but it isn’t as versatile at cleaning stairs since it lacks the Shark’s lift-away canister. On the plus side, it has incredibly convenient detangling technology that works to remove hair from the brush as you vacuum. It also boasts whole-machine filtration to trap dust and pet dander and features a removable wand for cleaning hard-to-reach areas like under furniture. Since it’s not battery-powered, it’s an excellent choice for large floor plans.
The winner: Shark
While Dyson is shifting focus to cordless vacuums and is less invested in uprights, Shark continues to refine its upright models. Shark uprights boast excellent cleaning performance, strong filtration and clever features like detachable canisters and dual brush rolls. Overall, they're well-built and come at a good value. Though the Dyson's tangle-free cleaner head and attachments are a match for pet owners, Shark wins this round due to its versatility, metal wands and continued innovation in the upright space.
Shark vs. Dyson: Stick vacuums
The new darling of the vacuum cleaner industry, cordless stick vacuums are lightweight and convenient appliances to easily grab when you need to clean in a hurry, spruce up the kitchen floor before guests arrive, zap pet hair on stairs in handheld mode or just don't feel like plugging in and lugging around a full-size vacuum. They now offer multiple power levels, more powerful and longer-lasting batteries and innovative attachments that may just keep your full-size vacuum in storage.
Shark
Pros
- Pole flexes to reach under furniture and folds for compact storage
- Nozzles has double rollers to clean both carpet and bare floors
- Display is easy to use and read
Cons
- Average to fair performance on edge cleaning and pet hair pick-up tests
| Weight | 8.8 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5-year limited |
| Battery run time | 46 minutes |
| Included accessories | Combination dusting/crevice tool and allergen dusting brush |
Shark versatility is again front and center, with a hinge on the wand that flexes to clean under low furniture more efficiently and allows the vacuum to fold in half for neater, more compact storage. In our tests, this Shark stick vacuum had great run time and was comfortable to hold, easy to use and very maneuverable. The battery can be charged separately, though we wish it had a light to alert you when charging is complete. Nice extras that we didn't see on other stick vacuums included a capsule to neutralize odors and a wand that flexes in the center to reach under low furniture. Its cleaning performance on bare floors was very good, but this Shark model struggled with our carpet edge cleaning and pet hair pick-up tests.
Dyson
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Laser beam illuminates hard-to-see dirt
- Includes separate rollers for cleaning carpets and bare floors
- Slim profile and design
Cons
- Doesn't stand on its own without wall-mounted caddy
| Weight | 5.2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Battery run time | 50 min. 26 sec. |
| Included attachments | Crevice tool, dusting/combi brush, pet hair screw tool and fluffy floor nozzle |
This Dyson model was a star in our last test of 22 cordless stick vacuums. It aced all of our cleaning tests with its powerful suction and great brush action, removing virtually all of the pet hair we spread across our test carpets in just one pass. We applaud Dyson for switching from its trigger on/off switch (something many users complained about) to a traditional on/off button for this model. The laser light on the fluffy floor head is a game changer when it comes to cleaning in dark corners and other places where dirt is difficult to see. It's lighter than previous Dyson vacuums and easy to maneuver and the only hiccup we found is that it doesn't stand up on its own unless you put it into its wall-mounted caddy.
The winner: Dyson
Hands down, Dyson takes the prize here. This stick vacuum is a powerhouse both in terms of run time and cleaning performance. It grabs everything you see and shines a light on what you don’t, so you won’t miss a speck. Its stellar cleaning performance, lightweight and easy-to-use features and attachments all make it a standout. We're not fans of having to wall-mount stick vacuums to get them to stand on their own — something several Shark models can achieve, but we're willing to overlook this forgivable fault for how well the Dyson cleans and eliminates pet hair.
Shark vs. Dyson: Handheld vacuums
From the launch of the very first Black & Decker Dustbuster in 1979, we've had an affection for handheld vacuums. Charged and ready to go at a moment's notice, they are the perfect tools for quickly picking up dry spills. They make it easy to clean small messes, tight spaces and even the car. For the most part, battery performance and run time have improved over the years and many now come with attachments to tackle more cleaning tasks.
Shark
Pros
- Lightweight
- Slim design
- Easy to store and charge
Cons
- Short run time and small dust cup
- Pet hair tool doesn't have rotating brush
| Weight | 1.4 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Battery run time | 9.5 min. |
| Included attachments | Duster/crevice combination tool and pet hair tool |
In our last test of 19 handheld vacuums, we found the Shark WandVac to be compact, lightweight and great for quick clean-up. The accessory caddy attaches to the charging dock, keeping the combination duster/crevice tool and multi-surface pet tool right where you need them. It performed very well in our cleaning tests and was especially good at picking up large debris and pet hair with its multi-surface pet tool, though fluff did get caught on the brush and had to be removed by hand. We like its washable filter and that it recharged faster than other slimline handheld vacuums we tested.
Dyson
Dyson Car + Boat Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Sealed filtration system
- Effective at removing pet hair
- Works like a traditional Dyson stick vacuum
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard to maneuver in tight spaces
| Weight | 4.2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Battery run time | Up to 50 min. |
| Included accessories | Combination tool, crevice tool, mini motorized tool |
With its powerful battery and sealed filtration system, the Dyson Car+Boat operates more like the top half of a Dyson stick vacuum than a traditional handheld vacuum. Great suction along with its mini motorized tool make it especially effective at removing pet hair from upholstery and other fabrics, though its overall size and shape may make maneuvering into tight spaces tricky. We also appreciate that it has a 50-minute runtime and weighs only 4.2 pounds.
The winner: Shark
While the run time and dust cup size could be improved, Shark’s handheld offers all the qualities a versatile and useful handheld vacuum should have: a lightweight yet slim design, efficient charging and convenient storage, combined with powerful pick-up. Plus, it's significantly cheaper than the Dyson, and if you need more power or run time, you can likely convert your existing stick vacuum into handheld mode. Thanks to the Shark’s versatility and much more reasonable price point, the WANDVAC is the winner in this match-up.
Shark vs. Dyson: Robot vacuums
Robot vacuums have come a long way since we first tested iRobot's original Roomba in the halls of the Good Housekeeping Institute, so it's unsurprising that robot cleaners mark the fastest-growing subcategory in the vacuum industry. You can schedule automatic cleanings, start them with a push of a button or fire them up remotely with your voice or smart speaker. Convenient and capable, they're an easy way to keep your floors looking their best with minimal effort on your part.
Shark
Shark RV2502AE AI Ultra Robot Vacuum
Pros
- Uses laser navigation to move smoothly and methodically around your space
- When it finishes cleaning, it returns to the dock and automatically empties itself
Cons
- Struggles with thresholds
| Weight | 14.5 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Battery run time | Up to 120 minutes |
| Included accessories | Sidebrush, HEPA bagless self-empty base |
The Shark AI Robot vacuum offers great performance, both in terms of navigation and cleaning for a reasonable price point. Unlike Dyson’s robot cleaner, this one empties the contents of its dustbin automatically after cleaning into an included base, which won’t need replacing for a month.
Shark is also one of the few vacuum manufacturers that has created its robot vacuum base with a dust bin that you can dump in the trash — similar to a stick vacuum. Most competitors sell replacement bags that can cost as much as $5 a piece, so the Shark will save you money over the long run.
The Shark uses a combination of LIDAR laser navigation and algorithms to maneuver around in a methodical grid pattern while avoiding obstacles, though we found that it did struggle with thresholds. We found the tech to be much more refined than the Dyson 360 Vis Nav’s camera-based navigation system. After covering our test floors, the Shark returned to the dock and emptied every speck it picked up. During one trial, it even went back to nab one straggler that it missed on its first pass.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Shark AI Ultra Self-Empty Robot Vacuum
Dyson
Dyson 360 Vis Nav™ robot vacuum
Pros
- Incredible suction power
- Takes up less space than combo and self-emptying units
Cons
- The vacuum’s strong suction comes at a noisy cost
| Weight | 9.9 pounds |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Battery run time | Up to 65 minutes |
| Included accessories | Dyson 360 Vis Nav wall dock |
Dyson claims the 360 Vis Nav is the world's most powerful robot vacuum, with double the suction power of any other robot vacuum. Our tests found that it effortlessly glided across thick rugs and outperformed all other robot vacuums when removing heavy debris like sand from carpet, though it was noisy.
Unlike competing robot vacuums from Shark and other brands, its wider-than-average tangle-resistant brush roll runs the entire width of the robot, allowing it to cover more ground with fewer passes. The brush also resisted hair tangles extremely well, but navigation performance and obstacle avoidance weren’t as impressive as LIDAR-equipped vacuums.
While the Dyson may have a higher upfront price tag and lacks a self-emptying base and mop, it’s easier to use and more affordable to maintain than competing robot vacs. It takes up less space than combo and self-emptying units too. We also can’t stress how impressive its overall cleaning performance is.
The winner: Tie
Dyson dipped its toes back into the robot vacuum market with the release of its 360 Vis Nav robot cleaner last year. Shark established itself in the robot vacuum space in 2019 and now boasts a wide range of models, including self-emptying robots, hybrid models that vacuum and mop and budget-friendly options that nail the basics.
Considering the vast price difference as well as the Shark's self-emptying base and the Dyson's camera navigation versus Shark's laser guidance, comparing the Dyson 360 Vis Nav to the Shark AI Ultra is like comparing apples to oranges. They both offer distinct advantages and the better buy ultimately depends on your needs and budget.
The bottom line: Is Shark or Dyson better?
It depends. Both perform well and have pluses and minuses, so the choice hinges on what type of vacuum you're looking to buy and how much you want to spend. The only category where the two brands really overlap right now is stick vacuums.
- Shark vacuums provide very good cleaning and filtration along with smart design features and more design and size options that come at a great value.
- Dyson's strength is its cleaning prowess, filtration, wide attachment set and innovative features.
We recommend shopping Dyson and Shark sales on Walmart or Amazon and buying the most high-end vacuum you can afford. If we had to pick one right now, it would be Dyson for a stick vacuum and Shark for everything else.
How we choose the best Shark and Dyson vacuums
We test all types of vacuums, from cordless stick vacs to robots and handhelds, sometimes securing the latest models before they hit store shelves. Following the ASTM International industry-standard test methods, our team puts every vacuum cleaner through its paces, evaluating its ability to devour pet hair and battle embedded dirt across all floor types, from hardwood to high-pile carpets. Besides scrutinizing suction, we even factor in how well they clean edges and maneuver around furniture.
Performance is just one piece of the puzzle, we also assess ease of use beyond the Lab and recruit our colleagues to try the vacuums themselves and share their opinions. That way, we can provide valuable insights on what it’s really like to use and maintain them. Every single vacuum is put through the same rigorous tests, and only the models that perform to our high standards are included in our vacuum buying guides.
What to consider when shopping
✔️ Floor type: The most important factor to consider when buying a vacuum is what types of floors you have. If you primarily have hard floors, a soft roller head that won't scratch the surface is ideal. For those who have carpets or a mixture of both types, a vacuum with a bristled brush bar is better at agitating and removing deep-seated dirt in carpets and crevices.
Some Shark cleaners have dual brush rollers, and a few Dyson stick vacuums include multiple cleaner heads that you can swap between as you encounter different floor types throughout your home.
✔️ Size and weight: Vacuums come in all sorts of sizes and weights. Pay attention to how much each vacuum weighs so you'll know it will be comfortable to lift and handle. Some stick vacuums may fold up for easy storage. Handheld vacuums boast the smallest footprint and lightest weight, while upright vacuums, rivaled only by canisters in terms of cleaning performance, tend to be the heaviest.
✔️ Attachments: Be sure to check what attachments are included with the vacuum cleaner since they’re the key to unlocking a vacuum’s versatility. You should expect the basics, like a crevice tool for cleaning between furniture cushions and a dusting brush. A motorized brush roll can help agitate upholstery, mattresses and stairs to remove debris and pet hair.
✔️ Run time: With a corded vacuum, you can clean as long as your heart desires, but cordless models like robot vacuums, handheld vacuums and stick vacuums only last as long as their batteries hold a charge. A good rule of thumb for figuring out how long you need your vacuum’s battery to last is to measure the square footage of your home and divide it by 50.
✔️ Bag or bagless: Bagless vacuums feature a dust cup and filter that require frequent emptying and cleaning. While you'll save money on replacement bags, this method can be messy and might not be ideal for allergy sufferers because dust can escape during emptying. Bagged vacuums are easier to maintain and trap dust and allergens inside, but they come with the caveat of requiring you to purchase replacement bags regularly.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Contributing Senior Electronics Editor Brandon Carte co-wrote this guide. He has over a decade of experience testing and researching products, from vacuums to home goods, appliances and skincare. Carte, who lives with an endlessly shedding German shepherd and husky, is constantly on the lookout for the perfect vacuum cleaner so he can eliminate his lint roller once and for all.
To write this piece, he teamed up with the Good Housekeeping Institute's Executive Director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab Carolyn Forté, who recently tested all of the handheld, stick, upright and canister vacuums that were submitted for consideration in the most recent Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards. She actively participates in the ASTM Committee on Vacuum Cleaners, holding the positions of second vice chair and chair of the consumer information subcommittee. This committee develops standardized protocols used by manufacturers to ensure consistent evaluation of vacuum cleaner performance.
Brandon Carte is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering technology, gadgets and appliances. His reporting has been featured on Best Products, Top Ten Revies, Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
