The best Shark vacuum cleaners 2025: superb Shark cleaners for every household

Today's best Shark vacuum cleaners have become a serious rival to the likes of Dyson. This brand now crops up repeatedly in my best vacuum cleaner roundup, and with good reason: they're well designed and well built, with clever additions that range from simple-but-super-useful (a flexible wand that lets you get right under furniture without bending down) to hi-tech (sensors that detect dirt, floor type and edges, and respond accordingly), to unexpected (an odor-neutralizing puck that keeps your vacuum and floors smelling fresh).

The Shark vacuum range is massive, encompassing everything from cordless stick vacs to uprights to handhelds. All that choice can be overwhelming though, and not least thanks to this brand's confusing naming conventions. To help you crack through the jargon and figure out which is the right Shark vacuum cleaner for you, I've put together this guide.

I've had hands-on time with almost all the vacuums in this guide, and they have all been tested by experienced reviewers in real-world scenarios, and given TechRadar's official stamp of approval. Read on for the best Shark vacuums on the market today.

The quick list

The best Shark vacuum overall

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The best Shark vacuum in the lineup right now is the Shark PowerDetect Cordless. This is the newest cordless vacuum in the range, and combines the outright power of the Stratos line (#3) with the smart features of the Detect Pro line (#2), with a few extra tricks thrown in for good measure.

In my major group test to find the best cordless vacuum on the market, the PowerDetect Cordless came out top in my cleaning trials, beating even Dyson's priciest vacuums to the cleaning crown. That's partly down to powerful suction and partly down to a very well-designed floorhead – it agitates carpet fibers effectively to release small particles and pet hair, and can reverse over large debris without causing it to pool up (this latter feature isn't included on most of the Shark vacuums in this guide, and it's especially useful when cleaning hard floors).

This clever vacuum can sense its environment and auto-adjust accordingly. It knows what type of floor it's on and how dirty that floor is, and whether it's near the edge of a room, and will increase or lower suction in response. All of that means an effective clean that doesn't require you to fiddle around with mode buttons, and won't waste battery.

The biggest down-side with the Shark PowerDetect Cordless is its size and weight – it's heavier than your average cordless vacuum, and chunkier too. To its credit, Shark has added shaping and padding to the handle to make it comfier to hold and easier to wield. It maneuvers pretty well, and I especially like the fact the wand can be released to bend forwards for cleaning under furniture.

An extra bonus feature is the optional auto-empty base. This sucks the dust straight from the canister when docked, minimizing the number of visits to the bin and the amount of dust that can escape back into the air, making it a particularly strong choice for those with allergies. The Detect Pro is currently the only other option to have a compatible auto-empty base.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum review

The best lightweight Shark vacuum

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The Shark Detect Pro cordless comes a close second in my best Shark vacuum ranking, and is quite a different beast compared to the PowerDetect Cordless at #1. It's significantly smaller and lighter (in fact, it's one of the lightest cordless vacuums I've come across, period) but not nearly as powerful. It's still a capable cleaner, and earned good scores in all my cleaning tests, but it's best suited to quieter homes without shedding pets.

You're getting most of the same automations included with the PowerDetect (see exactly how the two compare in my Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro article). This vac can adjust suction based on whether it's on hard floor or carpet, how much dirt it on the floor, and whether it's near the edge of a room. All that means an efficient, low effort clean. However, the floorhead it will pool loose dirt when pulled backwards; an issue Shark has solved with the PowerDetect models.

The dust cup is relatively small but easy to empty. Alternatively – if you have space for it – you could go for the option with the auto-empty base, which only appears on the newest Shark cordless vacs. I've tested another of Shark's auto-empty bases, and found it to be a big effort-saver.

Unfortunately, it it looks like Shark might be phasing this model out. It's currently available via Amazon but not included on the Shark website in either the US or UK. Pricing can be a bit all over the place, but if you spot a big discount then it can be incredible value for money. There's also a 'Shark Detect Cordless' floating around – Shark was unable to clarify the difference this and the Detect Pro, but reviews suggest it's poorer quality.

Read our full Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum review

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The best upright Shark vacuum

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The Shark PowerDetect Upright is the most powerful vacuum on my list, which means if you're looking for something to do a deep clean, or have particularly hairy pets, this is the vacuum for you. It's heavier and bulkier than a stick vacuum, but Shark has gone some way to negating this with a clever modular design that can be reconfigured for clean awkward spots like stairs and furniture.

The PowerDetect Upright is a cut above most of the best upright vacuums on the market in that it features some of the kinds of advanced features usually reserved for stick vacs. Specifically, it can automatically adjust power based on the floor type and how dirty it is, as well as boosting suction when it approaches the edge of a room. Like its cordless stick sibling at #1, this vacuum has a new-style floorhead that can be reversed over chunky debris without causing it to pool up. There's a generous dust cup that will hold plenty of dust and hair, and there's an anti-odor puck to keep floors smelling fresh.

On test my reviewer found it performed extremely well on all different floor types, and was especially effective on carpet. It's corded, which means you'll never run out of power, and you can expect a longer overall lifespan for this machine compared to a cordless (here's more on how long your vacuum should last). However, you will need to deal with plugging and unplugging as needed, so if that's a deal-breaker, check out the PowerDetect (#1) or Stratos Cordess (#3), both of which pack plenty of power for cordless models.

Shoppers in the UK should also check out the Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright, which we rated extremely highly on test.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect Upright review

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The best Shark vacuum for pet hair and carpet

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If you want a powerful stick vacuum but the PowerDetect Cordless (#1) is out of your budget, check out the Shark Stratos Cordless. This is an older model in the Shark lineup, so it lacks fancy features but still packs plenty of cleaning power. In terms of suction, it's perfectly capable of coping with homes with lots of carpet and/or pet hair (it's amongst the best vacuums for pet hair if you're on a budget).

That extra power means it's heavier than many Shark stick vacuums, but it's still a cordless stick vacuum, and the design is impressively maneuverable despite that extra weight. You've got that popular flexible wand, and the floorhead can pivot at 90 degrees to get into the corners of closets and the like.

The main floorhead has two rollers to enable it to tackle hard floors as well as carpet, and there's a guard that siphons off hair as it's collected, rather than letting it clog the rollers. Like a number of Shark's newer vacuum cleaners, it has an odor-neutralizer built in, designed to keep your vacuum fresh, even if the dust cup is full of dog fur.

The Stratos can intelligently adjust suction based on floor type, but it doesn't have the complete range of automation features available with newer Shark vacuums – it can't detect dirt or room edges, nor can you reverse the floorhead over chunky spillages, as you can with the PowerDetect range. There's no optional auto-empty base, either.

There are a couple of caveats I should state at this point. Firstly, if you're willing to sacrifice the convenience of cordless, I'd recommend checking out the PowerDetect Upright (#3) instead. Corded uprights are almost always far more powerful and robust than any cordless stick vacuum, and that's the case here.

The only reason to choose the Stratos over the PowerDetect Cordless (#1) is the price. (See exactly how these two models match up in my Shark PowerDetect vs Stratos article.) Shark deals are common, so make sure you've checked pricing on both models, and made sure the Stratos Cordless is cheap enough to make it worth it, before buying.

Read our full Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum review

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The best Shark robot vacuum

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If you're looking for a hands-off option, the PowerDetect robot vacuum and mop is TechRadar's favorite Shark robovac. This clever robovac can be operated remotely via the app, or set to run regularly on a schedule, for absolutely minimal disruption and effort. It can also mop as well as vacuuming, meaning it can take care of your hard floors as well as your carpets.

There are some limitations to going for a robo-option. Even today's best robot vacuums aren't as powerful as a manual vacuum, so you'll want to supplement it with a backup vac for deep cleans (as well as tackling things like stairs and furniture). Where robot vacuums – including this one – excel, is at regular, light cleaning, so the dust doesn't get a chance to build up.

Overall, this robot vacuum impressed my reviewer. Like the manual vacuums in the PowerDetect range, it can auto-adjust suction based on floor type and dirt levels. It can also lift itself over especially tall room thresholds, and is great at navigating and avoiding obstacles, so you'll be able to confidently leave it to clean while you're out of the house.

It's not perfect – mopping left my tester's floors wetter than they'd like, and you can't override the automations to set water and suction levels manually, which is unusual and annoying. Despite these niggles, we still think it offers good value for money, and is a solid pick if you're looking for a Shark vacuum to take all the hassle out of cleaning.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect robot vacuum review

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The best lightweight upright Shark vacuum

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Upright vacuums are almost always bulky, heavy and corded. Which is what makes the Freestyle Max so unusual – this is an upright that's the same weight as your average stick vacuum, and it's cordless too. When I tested it out, I was very impressed with how powerful it is – it pulled up fine and chunky debris with ease, and handled pet hair impressively well too.

It's not as nimble as a stick vacuum but it's far easier to drive than your average upright. However, unlike the other uprights in this guide, you can't reconfigure it for different cleaning tasks; this one is for floor cleaning only, and there are no detail tools to speak of.

There are no automation features to speak of, but just two suction modes that you switch between by using your foot to press a large button on the floorhead. Beware, though, the higher-suction option will bleed battery alarmingly quickly (I timed it at 11 minutes). In fact, the lower-suction option won't last especially long either – I managed 21 minutes from full charge.

There are plenty of potential down-sides, but the saving grace here is the price: leaving some leeway for deals, it's the cheapest Shark vacuum of this whole list. I think it'd make an especially strong choice for someone with mobility issues who's looking for a powerful yet lightweight vacuum that can stand up on its own.

Read our full Shark Freestyle Max review

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The best handheld Shark vacuum

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Shark makes a few handheld vacuums, but my favorite is the UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus. A perpetual issue for handhelds is striking the right balance between weight/size and power; this model is compact enough to get into awkward nooks and crannies, and offers enough suction to be a helpful cleaner. My reviewer found it packed enough suction power to pick up small and large debris, although it did sometimes take a few passes to grab the remnants of finer dust.

Runtimes on handheld vacuums are always short, and the 15 minutes of battery life on offer here is acceptable if not amazing (longer than the advertised 10 minutes). The dustbin is decently sized, but a bit finicky to open. Finally, the three included tools make this vacuum particularly versatile and able to tackle a range of different cleaning tasks. All of this means we rate it one of the very best car vacuums around, as well as one of the best handheld vacuums.

Read our full Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus review

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The best 2-in-1 Shark vacuum

The Shark WandVac system is essentially a handheld vacuum with an additional floorhead and wand that can be added to transform it into an ultra-lightweight floor vac. On test, my reviewer found it comfortable and easy to use, with a surprising amount of power given the tiny form factor. It worked especially well on hard floors, although it's also suitable for use on carpet, and it comes with anti-hair wrap tech to stop your floorhead getting clogged with hair as you clean. As you'd expect, it's one of the cheapest floor vacuums in our ranking.

This vacuum is perfect for small, light cleaning tasks. The short battery life (up to 16 minutes in most territories) and small dust cup mean it's no good for a whole-home clean, and while it offers decent suction for its size, it can't compete with any of the brand's dedicated floor vacuums on power, either. If you don't need the versatility of being able to use it as a floor vacuum, it's available as just a handheld, or check out my favorite Shark handheld vacuum at #7. And if you want a lightweight option that is suitable for use as a whole-home cleaner, hop up to the Detect Pro at #2.

Read our full Shark Wandvac System review

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Best Shark vacuum: specs compared

How to choose the best Shark vacuum for you

The best Shark vacuum depends on your needs. If portability is a priority, you'll want a cordless stick vacuum. These are lighter, more compact, and easier to maneuver. There are plenty of cordless stick vacuums in Shark's lineup, the most advanced of which have auto-empty docks that mean you won't need to deal with the mess of regularly emptying the onboard bin.

If you need power and are okay using a cord, a corded upright is going to deliver the most suction. It's a good idea to prioritize this is you have lot of carpet in your home, or particularly hairy pets. There are a few corded uprights in the Shark range, and most are based around the same versatile, modular design.

Beyond that, you'll want to look at what features you need – Shark vacuum technologies include various automation capabilities, a forward-bending wand for cleaning right under furniture, and an anti-odor puck to keep things smelling fresh. The final thing to look at is your budget. Don't take list prices at face value; this brand loves a deal, and prices shift regularly throughout the year.

I've focused on manual vacuums above, but Shark also has a range of robot vacuums. That's the obvious choice if you want a low-effort option. Once you've done the initial setup, it'll vacuum and maybe mop your floors with almost no intervention required from you. Robovacs are ideal for regular cleaning but aren’t as good for deep cleaning.

How we tested these Shark vacuums

We have a set of standardized suction tests that we use for all vacuums we review. These involve sprinkling loose tea and oats on carpeted and hard flooring and seeing how efficiently the vacuum sucks it up. We also assess how well the vacuum handles hair, and if it can clean right up to the edges of rooms. If there are any automation features, we'll test those too.

Aside from cleaning power, we look at how maneuverable the vacuum is, if it's comfortable to use, and how well-designed and useful any detail tools are. For cordless models, we test if the real-world runtimes match manufacturer claims. We'll compare our findings to other vacuums we've reviewed, and if the quality and performance is in line with the price tag.

Read more on how we test vacuum cleaners.

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