We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping People Tested The 10 Best Shark Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Now's the time to buy one of these powerful vacs By Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her 6+ years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. Camryn is also the proud owner of a small homestead in Rhode Island, where she spends her spare time gardening, tending her many animals, and working through a never-ending list of home improvement projects. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 21, 2024 02:51PM EDT In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Verdict Things to Consider When to Buy How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? People / Rachel Marek If you’re shopping for a new vacuum, Shark is one of the top brands that delivers on both performance and value. There are a wide range of Shark vacuums available today, including upright, canister, cordless, handheld, and robot vacuums at a range of price points. To find the best Shark vacuum for your needs, you’ll want to consider factors like the vacuum type, the size of your home, the vacuum’s features and accessories, and more. Naturally, a vacuum’s performance is one of the most important factors in your decision. We tested hundreds of vacuum cleaners, including a wide range of the brand’s top models, evaluating them on suction power, maneuverability, noise level, value, and more. The following are the best Shark vacuums PEOPLE Tested. Our Top Picks Best Canister: Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum at Target ($400) Jump to Review Best Upright: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum at Target ($200) Jump to Review Best Wet-Dry: Shark Vacmop Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum at Amazon ($100) Jump to Review Best Budget: Shark Navigator Freestyle Cordless Vacuum at Amazon ($130) Jump to Review Best Cordless Stick: Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($381) Jump to Review Best Robot: Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon ($300) Jump to Review Best for Pet Owners: Shark Pet Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner at Target ($230) Jump to Review Best Handheld: Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Best Self-Empty: Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($268) Jump to Review Best for Small Spaces: Shark Wandvac Ultra-Light Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($200) Jump to Review Best Canister Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum Amazon View On Target $400 View On Tractor Supply Co. $450 View On Home Depot $380 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 5/5 Pros The vacuum is able to pick up debris of all sizes from hard floors and low-pile carpeting. The self-cleaning brushroll doesn’t get tangled in long pet hair. Thanks to its bending wand, it’s easier to clean underneath furniture. Cons The brush head isn’t height adjustable and struggles on high-pile carpeting. If you prefer a canister-style vacuum, the Shark Canister Pet is our top pick in this category. The corded vacuum is easy to drive around your home, thanks to its separate wand and main vacuum body, and unlike many other canister vacuums, it has a convenient bagless design that’s easy to maintain. In testing, this vacuum performed extremely well, having no problem picking up dog kibble or pet hair from a variety of surfaces. The only area it struggled with was the high-pile carpet, as the cleaner head doesn’t have a height adjustment option. The good news, however, is that it has a self-cleaning brushroll that prevents long hair from getting tangled, and the canister has an anti-allergen seal that captures 99.9 percent of dust, dander, and allergens inside the vacuum. The Canister Pet Vacuum has several other useful features, as well. For instance, its lightweight wand features the brand’s MultiFLEX technology, which allows you to bend it to clean under furniture more easily or even fold it in half for more compact storage. The cleaner head has LED lights that illuminate dust and debris as you clean, and its smart display allows you to easily select cleaning modes and suction levels. Type: Canister | Dimensions: 17.7 x 14.2 x 49.2 inches | Weight: 17.8 lbs. | Runtime: Unlimited | Bin Volume: 1.9 quarts People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Upright Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum Amazon View On Target $200 View On Walmart $200 View On Wayfair $190 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 2.5/5 Pros The vacuum has powerful suction that’s effective on both hard floors and carpeting. The lift-away design makes it easy to clean areas like stairs. The price point is very reasonable for a powerful upright vacuum. Cons This model doesn’t have a self-cleaning brushroll and hair often gets tangled around it. Upright vacuums are one of the most popular styles for deep cleaning, and the Shark Navigator Lift-Away was the top-performing upright model in our testing. Its corded design offers unlimited runtime, and as its name suggests, the body of the vacuum can be removed from the brush head, making it easier to carry if you need to vacuum stairs or other hard-to-reach areas in your home. While testing, we found that the Navigator is effective at picking up debris of all sizes on both hard floors and carpeting, and we liked that you can turn the brushroll on or off, depending on the surface you’re cleaning. The vacuum also did a surprisingly good job cleaning along the edges of the room. However, unlike many other Shark vacuums, the Navigator doesn’t have a self-cleaning brushroll, and pet hair did get wrapped up in it during our tests. We had to use a tool to cut the hair off, and if you have pets, this maintenance will likely need to be done frequently to keep the vacuum working properly. Type: Corded upright | Dimensions: 45.5 X 11.4 X 14.9 inches | Weight: 15.9 lbs. | Runtime: Unlimited | Bin Volume: 0.9 quarts People / Henry Wortock People / Dera Burreson People / Henry Wortock People / Dera Burreson People / Henry Wortock Best Wet-Dry Shark Vacmop Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum Target View On Amazon $100 View On Target $80 View On Walmart $100 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Pros The vacuum sucks up small debris while also mopping the floor. Its lightweight design is a breeze to carry and maneuver around. The cleaning solution has a pleasant fresh scent. Cons It isn’t able to hold large amounts of debris, so it’s best used for supplementary cleaning. If you're looking for a good wet-dry vacuum, the Shark Vacmop Pro is a versatile tool to add to your cleaning arsenal. This lightweight cordless vacuum actually doubles as a spray mop, allowing you to pick up debris and scrub stains at the same time. Dirt and other debris is captured inside the unit’s disposable mop pads, and we love that the vacuum’s spray leaves a light, fresh scent behind in the room. The beauty of this vacuum is that it’s only 3 pounds, making it easy to carry all around your house. You do have to hold a button to activate the vacuum’s suction, but it’s mostly designed for supplementary cleaning — not to be the main vacuum in your home. When you’re finished cleaning, the mopping pads can be ejected without you ever having to touch the dirt and grime, and the whole thing is so compact that it can be easily stored in even the smallest apartments. Type: Cordless wet/dry | Dimensions: 5.4 X 9.5 X 28.3 inches | Weight: 3.3 lbs. | Runtime: 20 minutes | Bin Volume: Not listed Best Budget Shark Navigator Freestyle Cordless Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $130 View On Wayfair $130 View On Sharkclean.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 4/5 Pros It's great value for an upright vacuum. The swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver around the floor. It performs well picking up pet hair from hard floors and rugs. Cons The cordless design has a limited runtime that may not work in larger homes. Most upright vacuums are fairly heavy and cumbersome, but not the Shark Navigator Freestyle — a cord-free version of the regular Shark Navigator. This affordable upright vacuum has a battery-powered design, making it quick and easy to move between rooms, and it weighs less than 8 pounds, so virtually anyone can use it. In our testing, we loved its swivel steering and easy-to-empty dustbin, and we found that it does a superior job picking up pet hair from both carpeting and hard floors. The Navigator Freestyle has a two-speed brushroll, and it comes with a convenient charging stand for docking when it’s not in use. The brand doesn’t list the maximum runtime per charge of this cordless vacuum, but in testing, we were able to clean for 15 minutes without depleting the battery. Overall, we think this lightweight upright vacuum is ideal for small-to-medium-sized homes, and if you're looking for a vacuum under $200, you can’t beat its reasonable price point. Type: Cordless upright | Dimensions: 9.6 x 10.5 x 46 inches | Weight: 7.5 lbs. | Runtime: Not listed | Bin Volume: 0.64 quarts People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek PEOPLE / Rachel Marek Best Cordless Stick Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $381 View On Walmart $290 View On Staples $441 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Noise Level 4.5/5 Pros The vacuum maneuvers easily, moving itself across the floor. The suction effectively picks up debris of all sizes. The design is versatile and even bends to clean under low-profile furniture. Cons At around 9 pounds, this cordless vacuum is somewhat heavy to move around. Cordless stick vacuums are popular cleaning tools for smaller homes or supplemental cleaning, and while Shark offers a few different models, our favorite was the Shark Vertex DuoClean. This battery-powered vacuum excelled in our testing, picking up a wide range of debris with ease thanks to its powerful suction. Plus, we found that the vacuum was extremely easy to maneuver, practically driving itself across the floor. This battery-powered vacuum can run for up to 50 minutes on its lowest setting, and it has a handy flexible wand that makes it easy to clean under furniture. You can remove the wand portion of the vacuum to transform it into a handheld model, and it comes with a crevice tool, pet multi-tool, and dusting brush for increased versatility. The only negative we found is that the Vertex DuoClean is a bit heavier than some cordless vacuums, weighing just under 9 pounds. Type: Cordless stick | Dimensions: 15.35 x 10.24 x 47.05 inches | Weight: 8.93 lbs. | Runtime: 50 minutes | Bin Volume: 0.34 quarts The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong People / Phoebe Cheong Best Robot Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop Amazon View On Amazon $300 View On Target $700 View On Walmart $670 Our Ratings Setup 4/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Maneuverability 4.9/5 Features 5/5 Pros The vacuum effectively picked up dirt, dust, grass, and other debris. The mopping attachment scrubs floors and effectively removes stains. The self-emptying design requires minimal day-to-day maintenance. Cons The mopping attachment must be manually emptied after every cleaning cycle. You can embrace hands-free cleaning with the Shark 2-in-1 Vacuum and Mop Robot. While it is fairly expensive, this robotic vacuum is extremely effective — it creates a map of your home, allowing you to label each specific room and create no-go zones, as well. In testing, the vacuum was able to pick up all sorts of dirt, dust, grass, and other debris with no problems, and its convenient self-empty base means that there’s very little maintenance needed on your part. However, this robot doesn’t just vacuum — it also has a mopping ability, which was surprisingly effective in our tests. The robot actually vacuums and mops simultaneously, so it’s not pushing dirt around the floor, and we found that after mopping, our floor looked just as clean as if we had used a steam mop on the area. The mopping attachment also includes two washable mop pads, allowing you to swap them out after each cleaning session. The only downside is that the vacuum must be manually emptied when using the mopping attachment — it isn’t able to self-empty into the base, like some other robot vacuums. Type: Robot vacuum and mop | Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.96 x 5.69 inches | Weight: 14.5 lbs. | Runtime: 120 minutes | Bin Volume: 0.26 gal People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best for Pet Owners Shark Pet Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Wayfair View On Target $230 View On Walmart $300 View On Wayfair $350 Our Ratings Effectiveness 3/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 2.5/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Pros The battery offers a long runtime per charge, lasting more than an hour without losing suction. The brushroll’s self-cleaning design doesn’t get clogged up with pet hair. Cons The design is top-heavy and can easily fall over if left unattended. If you’re tired of dragging out a full-size vacuum to suck up pet hair every few days, the Shark Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum is a great option for your home. The battery-powered model has an impressive runtime of 50 minutes, and in our testing, we found that it could often last more than an hour without losing suction. Its main cleaner head has a self-cleaning brushroll that prevents pet hair from getting tangled around it, and the vacuum also comes with a crevice tool and pet multi-tool that’s ideal for cleaning upholstery. In testing, we found that this pet hair vacuum is extremely easy to maneuver around carpeting and hard floors, and its light weight makes it easy to carry around, too. However, because of its top-heavy design, we discovered the vacuum tips over very easily, even if it’s propped up against something, so be sure to stow it properly when it's not in use. The Pet Pro’s dustbin offers no-touch emptying, and the cleaner head has LED headlights to help illuminate hidden dust and debris for a more thorough clean. Type: Cordless stick | Dimensions: 7.09 x 10.24 x 46.09 inches | Weight: 6.92 lbs. | Runtime: 50 minutes | Bin Volume: Not listed People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Handheld Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $80 View On Wayfair $80 View On Lowe's $37 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 3/5 Setup 5/5 Pros The vacuum was extremely effective on most messes thanks to its suction and attachments. The dustbin is quite large and doesn’t need to be emptied after every cleaning session. Cons If the vacuum is inverted, debris will sometimes fall out of the nozzle. For cleaning up quick spills or vacuuming out your car, the UltraCyclone Pro was the best-performing handheld vacuum we tested from the brand. We were really impressed by this vacuum’s strong suction, which was able to pick up even large debris like raisins, and one of the best features was its extra-large dust bin, which didn’t need to be emptied as often as other handheld vacuums. While the brand doesn’t specifically list a runtime for this vacuum, we found that it generally lasts between 12-18 minutes per charge, and we could generally use it multiple times before needing to plug it back in. We particularly liked this vacuum’s crevice tool, which was ideal for cleaning out tight cracks between car seats, but the nozzle did occasionally get stuck to the fabric when we tried to clean the seat upholstery. If you want to be able to clean fabric more efficiently — or if you have pets — you might want to consider the upgraded version of this vacuum, the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+, which includes an additional motorized attachment that removes pet hair from upholstery. However, besides the extra tool, the two vacuums are the same. Type: Cordless handheld | Dimensions: 4.3 X 3.8 Inches X 20.8 inches | Weight: 2.2 lbs. | Runtime: Not listed | Bin Volume: 0.45 quarts People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Self-Empty Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $268 View On Walmart $260 View On Wayfair $330 Our Ratings Setup 4.9/5 Effectiveness 4.6/5 Noise Level 4.2/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.7/5 Pros Weighing just 2 pounds, this vacuum is extremely easy to carry around. The swivel head navigates around obstacles with minimal effort. The on-board dust bin automatically empties into a HEPA-sealed bag when the vacuum is docked. Cons This vacuum is louder than other cordless stick models. The dust bin is fairly small and may need to be emptied mid-cleaning session. If you regularly forget to empty your vacuum’s dustbin, the Shark Wandvac Self-Empty System takes this important maintenance step off your hands, ensuring your vacuum is always ready to start cleaning. The cordless stick vacuum is extremely lightweight, weighing just over 2 pounds on its own, and it docks in the self-empty charging base, which automatically empties the vacuum’s dustbin for you, capturing the debris in a HEPA-sealed bag. During testing, we had a few issues with the Wandvac at first, as it seemed to be struggling to maintain suction, but it performed quite well on subsequent uses, pulling up pet hair and debris without any issues. We like that its swivel head makes it easy to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles, and its lightweight form makes it ideal for cleaning stairs and other hard-to-reach areas. The brand doesn’t list this cordless vacuum’s maximum runtime, but it has no issues cleaning for 15 minutes straight in our tests. The self-cleaning brushroll doesn’t get hair wrapped around it, but we did notice that this model is a bit louder than other cordless vacuums and its onboard dustbin is fairly small. Type: Cordless stick | Dimensions: 8.75 x 11 x 43.5 inches | Weight: 13.85 lbs. | Runtime: Not listed | Bin Volume: 0.13 quarts People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best for Small Spaces Shark Wandvac Ultra-Light Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $200 View On Walmart $219 View On Wayfair $240 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 5/5 Pros This vacuum performs well on hard floors, picking up most debris without any problems. The self-cleaning brushroll doesn’t get wrapped up in pet hair. Cons Larger debris, such as popcorn kernels, can get stuck in the brushroll. If you don’t necessarily want a self-emptying vacuum, the Wandvac System is also available in a standard model for a lower price. It comes in four different colors, and the cordless design is lightweight and versatile, making it useful for cleaning small spaces. In addition to its charging dock, the Wandvac comes with a duster crevice tool and pet multi-tool, and it can be converted into a compact handheld model, as well. Despite its small size, we were impressed by this vacuum’s suction power — it was able to pick up debris and pet hair from a variety of flooring types, but certain larger pieces, such as popcorn kernels, did get lodged in the brushroll, so if you find yourself vacuuming up large crumbs often, this may not be the vacuum for you. However, the cleaner head works extremely well on hard floors, and its self-cleaning brushroll won’t get tangled with pet hair. Overall, we think it’s a versatile supplementary cleaning tool for small homes or apartments. Type: Cordless stick | Dimensions: 11.6 X 11.2 X 44 inches | Weight: 5.9 lbs. | Runtime: Not listed | Bin Volume: 0.13 quarts People / Jennifer Maldonado People / Jennifer Maldonado People / Jennifer Maldonado People / Jennifer Maldonado “Shark’s mission is to positively impact people’s lives every day in every home around the world. Shark delivers four consumer value points: speed, performance, quality, and value, which is what separates it from its competitors, along with product innovation, ease of use, and competitive pricing.” — Julien Levesque, Vice President, Global Product Development and Program Management at SharkNinja Our Verdict Since first publishing this article, we’ve tested three additional Shark vacuums, including the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe, Shark VACMOP Pro, and Shark UltraCyclone Pro. These vacuums all earned spots among our top picks — the Navigator is our new recommendation for an upright model, while the UltraCyclone Pro unseated our previous pick for a handheld vacuum. We will continue to test new Shark vacuums as they’re released and update this article accordingly. Things to Consider Before Buying a Shark Vacuum Vacuum Type Shark currently offers a variety of different vacuum styles, including upright, canister, cordless stick, handheld, and robot models. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you’ll want to consider which type will work best for your lifestyle. For instance, upright and canister models typically offer more suction power, while stick and handheld options are lightweight and portable. Robot vacuums are autonomous, offering hands-free cleaning on a set schedule, but they don’t deliver the same level of cleaning as a full-size vacuum. Corded vs. Cordless Selecting a corded vs. cordless model is another important consideration as you shop. “Corded vacuums are better for those who need stronger suction, an unlimited run time, and are cleaning multiple floor surfaces,” explains Levesque. “Whereas cordless vacuums, such as the Shark Wandvac Self-Empty System, are a great fit for someone who is looking for a lightweight, portable vacuum that does not take up a ton of storage space.” Flooring Type Some vacuums perform better on certain types of flooring, so this is something to consider as you select a model for your home. For instance, the Shark SV1106 Navigator Freestyle Upright Stick Vacuum performs well on both hard floors and carpeting, making it ideal for homes with a combination of both. On the other hand, the Shark 2-in-1 Vacuum and Mop Robot can only be used to mop hard floors, so it might not be the best option if you have lots of carpeting in your house. When to Buy In general, the best time of year to purchase a new vacuum cleaner is in the spring, as many brands run sales with prices 20 to 30% off. Major sale holidays, such as Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, are also some of the best times to purchase a Shark vacuum, as you’ll often find deep discounts on many of the brand’s top models. People / Dera Burreson How We Tested Shark Vacuums We put a wide range of Shark’s current vacuum models to the test over the course of several testing sessions, evaluating their performance both in our lab and in the homes of our testers. Here’s everything that we tested: Setup: We timed the setup of each vacuum, noting whether we needed the manual to put it together and if any of the instructions were unclear.Performance: We used each vacuum to clean up several different types of debris, including large particles like dog kibble and cereal, as well as dirt and pet hair. We also used them on different flooring types, including hard floors and carpeting, and tested handheld vacuums on car upholstery, as well.Ease of Use: The best vacuums are easy to operate, so we evaluated each model on its weight, runtime (where applicable), and maneuverability. We vacuumed around obstacles like furniture, as well as on hard-to-reach areas like stairs, to test each product’s versatility.Noise Level: While using each vacuum, we made note of its noise level. We took a decibel reading on each setting and also noted whether it was possible to hold a conversation over the vacuum while in use. We rated each vacuum according to its scores and used this data to sort them into categories. With all these factors considered, our top pick for an upright vacuum is the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe, a canister vacuum is the Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum, and a cordless stick model is the Shark Vertex DuoClean Cordless Stick. People / Dera Burreson Frequently Asked Questions Is Shark as powerful as Dyson? It’s hard to directly compare the power of Shark vs. Dyson vacuums, as Shark doesn’t list the suction of its vacuums. However, in general, most people agree that Dyson vacuums tend to have slightly more powerful suction — which, in part, results in a higher price tag. In our testing, we found that certain Shark models do deliver quite powerful suction and are more than sufficient for everyday cleaning needs. What is the newest Shark vacuum? Shark recently launched a few new vacuum models. The first is the Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum, a corded model that’s designed to perform well on hair and has odor-neutralizing technology built in. The second is the Shark Rocket Pro DLX Corded Stick Vacuum, which offers the versatility and light weight of a stick vacuum but unlimited runtime thanks to its corded design. What is the Shark return policy? If you purchase a Shark vacuum directly from the brand, you can return it within 60 days of receipt for a full refund, minus shipping, handling, and restocking fees. However, if you purchase it through a third-party retailer, such as Amazon, you’ll have to follow the seller’s return guidelines. Why Trust PEOPLE? Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her over six years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, and Homes & Gardens. Based on our testers’ input, she compared some of the most popular Shark vacuums based on factors like price, accessories, weight, ease of use, versatility, and performance. Meet Our Expert Julien Levesque is the vice president of Global Product Development and Program Management at SharkNinja and offered insights into how Shark vacuums benefit consumers for this article. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. The 8 Best Dyson Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed