7 Best Shark Vacuums for All Your Cleaning Tasks
Whether you prefer an upright, a stick vac or a robot, the brand has something to offer.
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There are all different kinds of vacuums out there, from canister vacuums to vacuum mops, even vacuums for pet hair. It's enough to make your head spin. But sometimes narrowing in on a dependable brand, like Shark, is a good place to start your search.
Shark vacuums have performed well in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab tests over the years, which is why we're so confident recommending the brand. In general, we find their vacuums to be exceptionally convenient and easy to use, plus we appreciate their flexible designs. Many of the brand's upright vacuums convert to canisters or handheld for maximum versatility. Shark vacuums also tend to be reasonably priced, especially considering their cleaning capabilities. If Shark is on your radar — and we think it should be — we compiled a list of top-tested and top-rated vacuums from the brand across all categories.
Shark APEX Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Comes with a washable HEPA filter
- Converts from an upright to a canister
- Brush roll minimizes hair clogging
Cons
- Not as maneuverable as some
You know this is a great vacuum if it earned the top overall spot our list of best vacuum cleaners. Though it's pricier than most other Shark models, this bagless upright is feature-packed and highly efficient for whole-home cleaning. It also boasts a HEPA filter to remove tiny particles and a sealed body — good for those with allergies and pets.
In our most recent tests, it earned top scores for its powerful suction and debris pick-up from both bare floors and carpet, though some testers said its heft made it a bit difficult to turn. We did like that you can toggle between two cleaning modes, one of which increases air power to give carpets a deeper clean. Or, convert the appliance to a portable canister for better access to tight areas like stairs.
When you're done cleaning, maintenance is a breeze — the brush roll is designed to minimize hair tangles, the filters are washable and emptying the dust cup is easy.
Weight: 16 lbs | Cord length: 30 ft | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool, pet brush
READ OUR REVIEW: Why the Shark APEX Vacuum Is Our Top-Tested Vacuum
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum
Pros
- Can be used as upright and canister vacuum
- Sealed HEPA system
- Washable filters
Cons
- Cannot adjust carpet height
Shark's Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe comes at a fraction of the price of our top overall vacuum, and it gets tons of positive reviews from users. We love that it can also be used as an upright or a canister vacuum and has a sealed HEPA system to keep dust and other allergens trapped in the dust bin.
Though some users wished there was a setting to adjust for carpet height, the hardworking vacuum does have a brush roll shut-off feature that makes it suitable for both high-pile carpets and hard flooring. Users also appreciated the strong suction power and handy attachments, including both crevice and upholstery tools. Maintenance after cleaning is easy, thanks to washable filters and a bagless dustbin that can be emptied without touching anything inside.
Weight: 15.96 lbs Cord length: 25 ft | Attachments: Upholstery tool, crevice tool
Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum
Pros
- HEPA filter
- Converts from an upright to a stick or canister
- Built-in odor neutralizer to help bad odors from forming inside
Cons
- On the heavier side
Like our top overall and value picks, this Shark vacuum converts — use it as an upright vacuum, a stick vacuum or a portable canister vacuum for above-the-floor cleaning and vacuuming stairs. It's perfect for deep-cleaning days and quick passes of stray crumbs, but we particularly like the unit for hardwood floors. It has a combination brush roll and soft fluffy roller which are particularly effective but gentle enough not to scuff or scratch.
Another nice feature is the bagless vacuum that has a sealed body and a HEPA filter to keep dust and dirt out of the air. It also has an odor-neutralizing capability that claims to help musty smells, which is great for pet parents. But a quick heads-up for those with a lot of ground to cover: This vacuum is on the heavier side.
Weight: 17.2 lbs | Cord length: 30 ft | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool
READ OUR REVIEW: I Tested Shark's Stratos Upright Vacuum Cleaner. Here's Why It's a Smart Buy.
Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum
Pros
- Has obstacle detection and avoidance abilities
- Dock has a HEPA filter
- Cleans on a predictable grid
Cons
- Bagless dustbin may allow particles to become airborne
Self-emptying robot vacuums are typically pretty pricey gadgets, but the Shark AI Ultra is one of the more budget-friendly options in this category. Still, it's packed with many of the same features as its competitors.
We love that the Shark AI Ultra follows an orderly grid pattern rather than random cleaning patterns — you can predict where the unit will go next. It’s fully capable of mapping too. We found its laser navigation did a great job detecting and avoiding obstacles in at-home tests.
The app allows you to set no-go zones, send the robot to specific areas or make a cleaning schedule. If you don't want to download an app, the vacuum has built-in controls to start and end cleaning sessions or return it to the dock. In tests, the autonomous vacuum cleaned very thoroughly, removing all of the hard debris applied to the test area. It even returned to a spot that it missed on the first pass.
We like the HEPA filter on the base too, but note that the dustbin is bagless, which means some particles could become airborne when emptying.
Dustbin capacity (on robot): 230 mL | Dustbin capacity (on base): 60 days, according to brand | Battery runtime: 120 min.
READ OUR REVIEW: I Tested Shark's AI Ultra Self-Empty Robot Vacuum. Here's Why I'm a Fan.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Three steam levels
- Machine-washable pads
Cons
- May be hard to tackle corners due to the design of the pads
Steam is an effective and efficient way to clean and sanitize sealed hard floors like ceramic tile and vinyl, but stubborn stains and dried-on messes typically require a couple passes to get the job done. Shark's Stream & Scrub Mop — a previous Cleaning Award winner — makes quicker work of these tasks, thanks to two rotating washable microfiber pads that loosen and trap dirt while you steam.
In tests, we found the appliance exceptionally easy to use. Simply guide the mop where it needs to go. It's lightweight, making maneuverability a breeze, plus has three steam levels to suit the cleaning job at hand. When you're done, send the microfiber pads for a spin in the washing machine. We were impressed: They looked almost brand new.
One downside is that users reported some trouble getting into corners, because of the round design of the pads.
Weight: 6.9 lbs | Cord length: 18.6 ft | Attachments: None
Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro Corded Stick Vacuum
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- LED headlights illuminate dust
- Converts to a handheld
Cons
- No HEPA filter
Shark is one of the few companies to offer a corded stick vacuum and we think it’s worth considering. It offers more pick-up power to help you suck up both dust and larger debris from hardwood floors and carpet. Like many of our other favorite Shark vacuums, this option also converts into a handheld vacuum for quick clean-ups. It comes with a crevice tool and a pet tool for hard-to-reach areas and upholstery.
We like how lightweight this vacuum cleaner is. It clocks in at just 8.6 pounds, which is nearly half the heft of our top overall pick. It also has swivel steering and lays nearly flat to clear couches and other furniture. LED headlights help ensure you don't miss any spots. Unfortunately, this one isn't equipped with a HEPA filter.
Weight: 8.6 lbs | Cord length: 25 ft | Attachments: Crevice tool, pet tool
Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
Pros
- Comes with two attachments
- Good suction power
- Lightweight
Cons
- Short runtime
Shark's WANDVAC has a modern, slim design that makes it less of an eyesore in your kitchen or living room — you can simply tuck it into a corner or even a cabinet equipped with an outlet. But it doesn't sacrifice cleaning prowess for its size. Users were impressed by the appliance's suction power and reported it has good suction power and an adequately-sized dustbin that won't require emptying after every use.
It's easy to use — there are only two buttons: one to toggle the vacuum on or off and another to release the dustbin for emptying. We like that it comes with two attachments too: a pet tool and a crevice tool. The one big downside is that the battery runtime is only 10 minutes, which is less than half that of our top overall handheld vacuum.
Weight: 1.4lbs | Runtime: 1o min. | Attachments: Pet tool, crevice tool
How we test Shark vacuums
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we have tested hundreds of different vacuum cleaners including self-emptying robot vacuums, cordless stick vacuums, car vacuums and many more. We're constantly testing new products across categories.
As a member of ASTM International's F11 Vacuum Cleaner Committee, we also meet twice yearly with engineers and technical representatives from vacuum cleaner brands to help develop and shape the vacuum cleaner test standards we all use to assess performance, ease of use, durability and more. All vacuums are tested exactly the same way, based on ASTM International industry standard test methods, for accurate performance.
Using a custom-built, automated machine (pictured) that makes the same number of passes over the same test carpeting, we objectively measure how well each vacuum removes dirt deeply embedded into medium-pile carpet. We even have a separate machine to clean the carpets between test runs.
We also look at how well the vacuums each suck up large and small debris, like gritty sand and dried orzo pasta, from hard flooring and even use industry-standard rayon fibers to simulate pet hair. We also assess how close each appliance gets to edges and how much suction they draw through any attachments.
Each vacuum is tested for maneuverability, the ease of the controls and how simple it is to empty and clean the dust cup or change the bag too. The battery runtimes for cordless vacuum cleaners are also checked.
What to look for when shopping for Shark vacuums
✔️ Type: Shark doesn’t just make canister vacuums. Most of the brand's uprights convert to portable canisters for better reach and cleaning above the floor. Corded upright vacuums clean well on both hard floors and carpets, plus offer unlimited runtimes but tend to be larger and heavier than other options. Cordless stick vacuums are slim and lightweight — good for smaller spaces — and can better reach under furniture. On the downside, they have shorter runtimes and smaller dustbins. Canister vacuums are sort of a happy medium, since they're easier to carry but generally have comparable power and capacity to uprights. They're also convenient for homes with stairs, since they're easier to carry and have long hoses to clean hard-to-reach areas. For small messes and places like the car, handheld vacuums are useful. Since robots work autonomously, they're a great option for those who don’t have time to take out the vacuum or broom every day. And a steamer, though not technically a vacuum, can be a helpful addition to your cleaning arsenal if you have kids and pets or high-traffic areas with sealed floors.
✔️ Bag vs. bagless: The vast majority of Shark vacuums are bagless. With bagless vacuums, you don't have to worry about replacements, but the downside is you have to deal with emptying the dustbin, which can be messy. For this reason, bagged vacuums are better for allergy sufferers.
✔️ Attachments: For more cleaning prowess, we highly recommend vacuums with attachments like a crevice tool, a pet tool and upholstery or dusting brushes. Crevice tools are helpful for vacuuming dust in tight spots, high spaces and behind heavy furniture. Motorized pet attachments are key if you have a pet that sheds a lot. Dusting brushes and upholstery attachments are also good for getting dust and hair off furniture without causing any damage.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops and other large and small home appliances as executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab. She oversees all testing done in the Cleaning Lab, including recent tests of the vast majority of Shark models featured here. She is also an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee. Forté selected all of the picks for this round-up.
Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with 15 years of related experience, used Forté's testing notes and guidance to create this guide of the best Shark vacuums. Earley has also tested two of the models showcased above in her own home — the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe has long been a personal favorite.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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