As a busy parent of two messy kids, I used to dread vacuuming days. My heavy outdated corded vacuum was a pain to drag around the house while trying to wrangle my rambunctious toddler. Just getting the bulky thing out of the hall closet made me sigh.
When I started seeing ads for Shark Rocket vacuums touting lightweight stick designs, detachable hand vacs, and powerful suction, it seemed too good to be true. Could these innovative vacuums really make cleaning floors quick and painless?
After months of rigorous vacuum testing, I can safely say Shark’s Rocket deliver on their promises for convenient cleaning! However, Shark makes a wide range of Rocket models suited for different needs.
This comprehensive guide explores key considerations for picking your ideal Shark Rocket vacuum match:
- The main types of Shark Rocket vacuums
- Must-have features and criteria for comparison
- How Shark Rocket models and lines differ
- Factors that should guide your selection
- My top Shark Rocket recommendations
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Let’s get started finding the perfect Shark Rocket cleaning solution for your home!
Types of Shark Rocket Vacuums
While all Shark Rocket vacuums promise ultra-light designs for easy maneuvering, they come in several variations:
Upright Vacuums
Shark’s corded Rocket uprights feature a rolling floor head for cleaner carpets along with detachable hand vacuums and accessories.
Stick Vacuums
Shark Rocket stick vacs convert to hand vacs for portable cleaning power. Cordless options available. Excellent for hard floors.
Pet Vacuums
Specialized tools like pet power brushes and self-cleaning brushrolls allow Shark Rocket models to handle embedded pet hair with ease.
Lift-Away Vacuums
Shark’s lift-away Rocket vacuums allow detaching the canister and accessories from the floor head for portable cleaning.
Cordless Sticks
Shark’s rechargeable cordless Rocket sticks offer unlimited portability and freedom from cords. However, battery life is limited.
Handheld Vacuums
Compact handheld Shark Rocket models provide grab-and-go cleaning power for surfaces above floors, cars, and spots.
Consider your home size, floors, and portability needs as you determine the best Shark Rocket type for you. Stick vacuums strike an excellent balance for most households.
Key Features of Shark Rocket Vacuums
While all Shark Rocket vacuums aim to make cleaning easy with lightweight maneuverability, they contain advanced features:
Corded or Cordless
Corded Rockets offer continuous power while cordless models run on rechargeable batteries for portable convenience.
Suction Control
Adjustable suction allows tailoring power for different floor types and debris levels to save energy. Helpful for battery-powered models.
Filtration
Complete HEPA filtration traps dust and allergens for cleaner indoor air quality, helpful for households with allergies.
Dust Cup Capacity
Larger dust cups reduce time spent emptying debris, though bags aren’t available. Cups range from 0.42 dry quarts to 2.2 dry quarts on certain uprights.
Brushrolls
Adjustable carpet and hard floor brushrolls adapt to flooring types for cleaning effectiveness. Self-cleaning brushrolls prevent tangled pet hair clogs.
Attachments
A wide assortment of attachments like crevice tools, pet multi-tools, brushes and more allow customizing cleaning for different surfaces.
Swivel Steering
Easy-to-maneuver steering makes navigating furniture and tight spaces effortless. Helpful for simplified handling.
Headlights
Illuminated paths help locate dirt in dark areas under furniture and along baseboards that might otherwise be missed.
Weight
Ranging 7-16 pounds, Shark Rockets are designed for easy carrying and maneuvering, especially cordless stick models under 8 pounds.
Overview of Shark Rocket Product Lines
Shark produces several specialty Rocket vacuum lines:
Shark Rotator
Shark Rotator Rockets are powerful corded upright vacuums that include lift-away portability. Excellent for deep carpet cleaning.
Shark Navigator
Shark Navigator delivers upright cleaning at more budget-friendly price points. Reliable models for value shoppers.
Shark Apex
The Apex combines DuoClean brushrolls with lift-away versatility for cleaning carpets and hard floors thoroughly. Shark’s most powerful corded vacuum.
Shark Vertex
Vertex cordless sticks earn rave reviews for lightweight maneuverability thanks to swappable batteries and DuoClean PowerFins brushes.
Shark IONFlex
Shark IONFlex models convert between upright mode and hand vac configurations for 2-in-1 functionality.
Shark UltraCyclone
With a self-cleaning brushroll and huge dust cup, the UltraCyclone upright tackles large debris on carpets and bare floors with ease.
Shark Rocket Pet/Pet Pro
From self-cleaning motors to pet multi-tools, Rocket Pet and Pet Pro models target fur, dander, litter and more.
How to Select the Perfect Shark Rocket Vacuum
To determine the ideal Shark Rocket for your home, keep these key factors in mind:
- Consider your home size and most common floors to pick an appropriate power and runtime
- Determine what features you require:
- Cordless for unlimited portable cleaning
- Pet tools for homes with shedding animals
- DuoClean powered brush if you have carpets and bare floors
- Large dust cups to empty less often
- Strong suction for carpets
- Brushroll shutoff for safe hard floor cleaning
- Compare prices on models with your must-have specifications
- Read reviews and compare vacuums on actual cleaning abilities
Taking the time to evaluate your needs makes selecting your perfect Shark Rocket vacuum simple.
My Top 5 Recommended Shark Rocket Vacuums
Based on extensive testing and research, these are my top Shark Rocket picks to consider for various cleaning needs:
1. Shark Rotator Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum
- Price: $299
- Type: Corded Upright
- Key Features: Lift-Away, LED headlights, pet power brush, HEPA filter
The Rotator Lift-Away TruePet delivers excellent deep carpet and hard floor cleaning while allowing portable cleaning. Helpful swivel steering and LED lights reach dirt in corners. With its pet brush, TruePet technology, and complete filtration, it stands out for pet owners.
2. Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum
- Price: $249
- Type: Cordless Stick
- Key Features: 40 min runtime, DuoClean brushroll, anti-allergen seal, hand vac
Shark’s rechargeable Pet Pro stick vacuum offers great power for quick whole home cleaning. The DuoClean brush roll paired with a hand vacuum is ideal for pet hair on carpets and floors. Swappable batteries enable unlimited runtime.
3. Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Vacuum
- Price: $399
- Type: Cordless stick
- Key Features: 120 min runtime, self-cleaning brushroll, HEPA filter, lightweight
With the longest lasting battery and self-cleaning DuoClean PowerFins brushroll, the Vertex cordless stick is perfect for large homes and pet owners. Extremely lightweight at 7.5 pounds. Next level power and convenience without cords.
**4. Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum **
- Price: $169
- Type: Corded stick
- Key Features: Swivel steering, extra-long hose, tools, packs away at just over 7 pounds
The ultra-light corded Rocket stick vacuum makes quick cleanups a breeze. At just over 7 pounds, it’s effortless to carry and navigate. The extra-long flexible hose reaches tight spaces. Convenient cord management and tool storage round out this portable stick hero.
5. Shark Rocket Hand Vac
- Price: $89.99
- Type: Handheld
- Key Features: Cordless convenience, motorized brush, car and furniture attachments
Shark’s handheld Rocket vacuum provides ultra-portable cleaning power at your fingertips. The 15-minute quick charging battery enables tackling messes spontaneously. Perfect for cars, furniture, and above floor surfaces. At 1.4 pounds, it’s easy to take anywhere.
Frequently Asked Shark Rocket Vacuum Questions
How often should filters be replaced on Shark vacuums?
Plan on replacing filters every 2-4 months following the model’s recommendations for optimal suction and filtration. Use genuine Shark filters.
What is the warranty for Shark Rocket vacuums?
Shark provides a limited 5-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Batteries have a 2-year warranty. Register your vacuum to ensure coverage.
Can Shark vacuums effectively handle pet hair?
Yes, Shark vacuums have powerful suction and tools tailored for removing pet hair from carpets, upholstery, stairs, and hard floors. Great for multi-pet households.
How do Shark vacuums compare to Dyson vacuums?
Shark offers great performing alternatives to Dyson at more budget-friendly price points. However, Dyson leads in expert reviews for raw cleaning performance and innovations.
Are Shark vacuums good for cleaning carpets?
Definitely! Shark’s adjustable brushrolls, strong suction, lift-away ports, and tools like the pet power brush excel at deep cleaning all types of carpeting.
How do Shark vacuums perform on hard flooring?
Very well. Adjustable hard floor settings safely clean while DuoClean powered brushrolls remove large debris. Mop attachments available on some models for wet/dry cleaning.
How heavy are Shark’s Rocket vacuum models?
Corded Rocket uprights range 10-16 pounds. Cordless Rocket sticks weigh 7-8 pounds. Handheld Rocket vacuums are only 1-2 pounds for extreme portability.
What is DuoClean and how does it work?
Shark DuoClean uses a soft upholstery brushroll combined with a bristle brushroll to lift and remove debris of all sizes from carpets and bare floors in one pass.
How long does the battery last on Shark’s cordless Rocket models?
Battery runtime ranges from 15 minutes for handheld Rockets up to 120 minutes for premium sticks like the Vertex. Swappable batteries extend cleaning time further for larger homes.
Can Shark vacuums get wet?
Shark vacuums are not designed to get wet. Always dry out water tank and pads before storage. Never immerse or use on standing water which could damage the electrical components. Take care when wet mopping.
Make Cleaning a Breeze with Shark Rocket
Shark’s innovative lightweight Rocket vacuums aim to simplify home cleaning with convertible, portable designs optimized for different floor types and debris. Identify your must-have features and find the Shark Rocket stick, upright, or handheld model that aligns with your needs.
I hope this guide gave you a helpful overview of Shark’s Rocket vacuum lineup. Please reach out with any other questions! Here’s to faster, more convenient cleanups.
