Keeping your floors pristine with a top-notch vacuum isn’t always easy. With so many models on the market, it can feel overwhelming trying to decide what will actually get the job done without breaking your budget.
If you’re on the hunt for a powerful, feature-packed vacuum, Shark is definitely a brand to have on your radar. I’ve tested my fair share of Shark vacuums over the years, and they consistently impress me with their strong suction capabilities, specialized tools, and innovative designs.
In this vacuum buyer’s guide, I’ll walk you through the top Shark models to consider and share tips to help you select the best Shark vacuum for your unique needs. I’ll also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these popular vacuums. Let’s dive in!
The Top 5 Shark Vacuums to Consider
Shark makes upright, stick, robotic, and handheld vacuums to tackle every cleaning need imaginable. Here are my current top 5 favorites:
1. Shark NV501 Rotator Powered Lift-Away
This corded upright vacuum converts to a lift-away canister for portable cleaning power. The LED headlights, HEPA filtration, and anti-allergen seal make this a great choice for whole-home deep cleaning.
Key features:
- Lift-away canister
- LED headlights
- HEPA filter
- 30-foot cord
Ideal for: Homes with a mix of carpets and hard floors. The lift-away feature makes stairs and ceilings easier too.
Price: Around $200
2. Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with DuoClean
This innovative upright vacuum has DuoClean PowerFins and Anti-Hair Wrap to deep clean carpets and prevent clogs. It’s also super lightweight!
Key features:
- DuoClean PowerFins brushroll
- Anti-Hair Wrap technology
- HEPA filtration
- Self-cleaning brushroll
Ideal for: Homes with lots of carpeting, area rugs, and pet hair. The self-cleaning brushroll saves lots of maintenance time!
Price: Around $350
3. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright
Another upright vacuum with a detachable lift-away canister, this one has swivel steering for easy maneuverability and an affordable price point.
Key features:
- Lift-away canister
- Swivel steering
- HEPA filter
- Dust-away hard floor attachment
Ideal for: Budget-friendly option for smaller homes with carpets and hard floors. Has great versatility for the price.
Price: Around $150
4. Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Upright Vacuum
This powerful upright vacuum is designed for allergy sufferers, with ultra-strong suction plus Anti-Allergen Complete Seal and PowerFins brushroll.
Key features:
- PowerFins brushroll
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal
- HEPA filter
- Self-cleaning brushroll
Ideal for: Great for homes with lots of carpeting and pet dander or allergens. Serious deep cleaning capabilities.
Price: Around $400
5. Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum
This versatile cordless stick vacuum offers powerful cleaning for floors and has a hand vac for stairs, furniture, and cars. The self-cleaning brushroll helps conquer pet hair.
Key features:
- Cordless – up to 40 minutes run time
- Hand vac mode
- Self-cleaning brushroll
- HEPA filtration
- Includes pet multi-tool
Ideal for: Convenient cordless cleaning for quick pick-ups. Good for pet owners who need portable vacuum for hair on furniture.
Price: Around $200
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shark Vacuum
Once you have an idea of the top Shark vacuum types available, here are some important factors to consider:
- Your home’s flooring surfaces – Do you mainly have carpets, hard floors or both? Certain Shark models are optimized for different flooring.
- Household size and areas to clean – Choose an upright, stick or canister based on size of space and where you need to clean.
- Special features needed – HEPA filtration, Anti-Allergen technology, self-cleaning brushrolls, headlights and lift-away canisters are just some of Shark’s standout features. Decide what’s most useful.
- Corded or cordless – Corded offer unlimited runtime but cordless provide portability and convenience. Stick vacuums are cordless.
- Filtration system – Shark offers everything from standard filters to true HEPA filtration that traps allergens and dander.
- Attachments included – The more attachments, the more versatile the vacuum. Look for crevice tools, pet brushes, upholstery tools.
- Ease of maintenance – Self-cleaning brushrolls save a ton of maintenance time detangling hair and debris.
- Budget – Shark vacuums range from $100-$500. Set a budget to narrow down options.
Doing your research will ensure you get a Shark vacuum well-suited to your cleaning needs and hassles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shark Vacuums
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about these popular vacuums:
What is Shark’s best vacuum for pet hair?
Models with the self-cleaning brushroll and Anti-Hair Wrap Technology are perfect for homes with pets. They actively remove wrapped hair as you clean.
How often do filters need to be replaced?
Every 3-6 months depending on use. Washing pre-motor filters between replacements saves money too.
What’s the difference between DuoClean and PowerFins?
DuoClean has two brushrolls while PowerFins has specialized combs to dig deeper into carpets. Both excel at cleaning and preventing tangles with hair.
Are Shark vacuums good for carpets?
Yes, their deep-cleaning brushrolls and strong suction make them excellent for carpets. Models with PowerFins or DuoClean are ideal.
How long do cordless Shark vacuums hold a charge?
Expect 30-40 minutes of total runtime. Enough for most quick clean-ups before needing to recharge.
What’s better – Shark vs Dyson?
In my experience, Shark delivers greater value and specialization for pet hair. Dyson costs more but has excellent filtration. It depends on your needs.
Are Shark vacuum repairs expensive?
Shark vacuums are reasonably priced to repair out of warranty. Their customer service makes submitting claims easy if under warranty.
What floor types can Shark vacuums be used on?
They work on all floor surfaces – carpets, rugs, hardwood, tile, laminate, etc. Some models are optimized for specific flooring.
Do Shark vacuums have good suction power?
Absolutely! Their suction ranks among the strongest and you can totally tell the difference cleaning.
Are Shark vacuums good for allergies?
Yes, especially models certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America that use Complete Seal + HEPA filters to trap allergens.
Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Shark Vacuum Match
I hope this guide gave you a great overview of Shark’s top vacuums and tips for selecting the right model for your needs and budget. Key buying factors include your home’s flooring, cleaning areas, special features you need, corded vs cordless, and budget.
Shark is constantly innovating and really focuses on specialized tools for pet hair, allergens, and deep-cleaning brushroll systems like DuoClean and PowerFins. Their vacuums offer serious cleaning power at reasonable price points.
If you’re in the market for a new vacuum, be sure to check out their entire product range. And don’t hesitate to ask specific questions here, I’m happy to help! Here’s to finding your perfect Shark vacuum match.
