• Shark has launched a new Luxe Collection of robot and cordless vacuums
• The range features muted colors, satin finishes, and metallic accents
• It was designed in partnership with designer and TV personality Jeremiah Brent

Robovacs are perfect for keeping your home tidy between deep cleans, but they're not very attractive. Even the best robot vacuum is usually a piece of black or white plastic that sits in a matching dock, and is something you'd probably prefer to hide away if possible — some owners even build miniature garages to keep their bots out of sight. Now, Shark has come to the rescue with a robot vacuum that looks more like artwork than an appliance.

The company has teamed up with interior designer Jeremiah Brent of design studio AD100, who you might remember as the interior design expert on seasons 9 and 10 of Queer Eye. He's used his expertise to help develop a new version of the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-In-1 Vac & Mop that looks much more appealing than the original, while cleaning just as well.

We awarded the PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-In-1 Vac & Mop four stars out of five in our review, and were particularly impressed by its obstacle avoidance, edge cleaning with extending mop pads, and its ability to lift itself over thresholds. It's not much to look at though, which is unfortunate for such a conspicuous appliance.

Now, however, the same vacuum is available in four subtle new colors — Evergreen, Ivory, Espresso, and Deep Harbor (navy blue) — all of which have co-ordinating satin-finished metallic trim.

These new Luxe Collection robot vacuum is available for the same list price as the original black model ($1,299.99, which works out at about £970 / AU$1,820), though it's worth noting that the black version is currently discounted to $949.99 (about £710 / AU$1,330) in Shark's online store.

At the time of writing, the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-In-1 Vac & Mop Luxe Collection is only available in the US, but I'm hopeful it will be ready to clean homes globally very soon.

Cordless and chic

If you're fed up with an ugly cordless vacuum occupying space on your wall, the Shark Luxe Collection also includes a more stylish version of the Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty. This lightweight vacuum with its flexible head now comes in four extra colors (Oatstone, Harbor Slate, Sagewood, and Walnut), which are again finished with muted metallic accents.

Each vacuum has a list price of $499.99 in the US, or £499.99 in the UK (about AU$700). They're not currently available in Australia, but will hopefully roll out there before long.

Our tester Tim Gee gave the Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty four and a half stars in his review, saying: "It did a great job picking up fine dust and larger debris in our tests on carpet and hard floors, has good edge cleaning, and can easily be moved around the house making it an ideal occasional cleaner."

Shark PowerDetect Speed: one-minute review

The Shark PowerDetect Speed is a very capable cordless stick vacuum with a great auto empty base, but like other high-powered cordless vacuums a lack of battery life means it can’t replace a main vacuum.

It did a great job picking up fine dust and larger debris in our tests on carpet and hard floors, has good edge cleaning, and can easily be moved around the house making it an ideal occasional cleaner.

It's a premium product from an established vacuum brand, but when compared with Dyson it's significantly more affordable, making it a good choice if you want top, reliable performance without the high price.

Battery life is a major concern though, as it didn’t last 11 minutes on the highest power setting and took over five hours to recharge the battery, limiting its practicality.

Shark PowerDetect Speed: price and availability

The PowerDetect Speed launched in the US and UK in April 2026 costing US$499.99 and £499.99 for the Clean & Empty version that comes with an auto empty charging dock (although it is worth noting the US version comes with an extra Pet Multi tool that the UK version doesn’t). It was released in Australia in early June 2026 for a retail price of AU$799.

This places it at the premium end of the scale for vacuums, although it is significantly cheaper than the Dyson Gen5detect models it is competing with, making it feel very good value for money when comparing spec with spec.

The build quality is good, it feels capable of handling the rough and tumble of everyday cleaning and it has a good set of features you would expect of a top of the line vacuum including floor and dirt detection. The addition of a dock that empties and charges the vacuum is a godsend and real standout at this price point.

The PowerDetect Speed is also available without the auto empty dock for $429.99 or £429.99, which come with an extra upholstery tool in the US or pet tool in the UK. This version hasn't been released to Australia at the time of writing.

• Value score: 4/5

Shark PowerDetect Speed: specs

Shark PowerDetect Speed: design

• Simple, functional design
• Place to store accessories
• Dirt detect feature not shown on the floorhead

While a vacuum cleaner is very much a practical product rather than a statement piece it is nice for it to look at least smart in a subtle way if you do have to have it visible and Shark has done a decent job with the PowerDetect Speed. The grey and blue metallic finish feels mostly focused on blending into the background and any out-there accents have thankfully been limited to the orange roller in the floorhead.

The auto empty dock is also unfussy but does include one of my favorite features of this entire product in the shape of two small notches at the back of the dock for storing the included accessories. This is such a small thing, but after years of trying to find where in the house the kids have hidden the crevice tool this time, it is hugely appreciated.

The body of the vacuum is similar to the older PowerDetect model but it is slightly smaller, lighter and they have swapped the trigger button for a second button on the back of body. This is a definite improvement as it was easy to accidentally change modes with the trigger button, especially if vacuuming at different heights such as cleaning the stairs.

The PowerDetect Speed does lose 0.5kg on the previous version and comes in under Dyson’s Gen5 Detect by around 300g, but that said, this is still a bit of a chunky vacuum cleaner and may feel like a bit of a workout to push around for some, Rivals like the Dreame R20 weigh in almost a whole kilo lighter so if lightweight is top of your priority list it may be worth looking elsewhere.

It's controlled using two buttons on the back of the body, which also has a screen to show you what mode you are in, how much battery you have left and whether the vacuum is currently detecting dirt where you are cleaning. This is done through a color coded arc around the top of the screen with a dark purple color indicating it is picking up a lot of dirt which then progressively goes paler until it goes white indicating the floor is now clean.

I will go into more detail about the PowerDetect feature later but I do have a gripe about how this is presented. In the previous PowerDetect model this color-coding was also shown in lights at the back of the floorhead so you could see cleaning performance as you cleaned without taking your eyes off where you were moving the floorhead. With it only on the back of the body of the vacuum you now have to keep moving your eyes from one to the other which is definitely a step backwards.

The floorhead uses one roller with anti-wrap elements and a light that switches from regular white light on carpet to a blue UV light on hard floors for highlighting dirt. This works well although I’m not sure the UV light really provides a significant improvement over a regular light.

Depending where you are you will get different accessories with US customers getting a crevice tool and pet multi tool and those in the UK only getting a crevice tool, but the slightly better version that includes a sliding duster to it. The pet multi tool did OK at picking up cat hair, although no better than the regular floorhead and generally just caught them in the bristles rather than picking them up directly. Where it was most useful was as a wider cleaning path than the crevice tool when vacuuming a car.

• Design score: 4/5

Shark PowerDetect Speed: performance

• Dirt Detect works well
• Excellent fine detail and debris pick up
• Handles pet and long hair well without tangling

It is straightforward to use with only the two buttons for one and off or to change mode — which unless you are trying to maximize battery runtime, you shouldn’t need. The attachments are easy to snap into place or detach using the large buttons and the whole vacuum can fold in half for storage away from the charging dock.

It maneuvers well and while it might not be quite as smooth as the Dyson equivalent or as light as some other rivals it is easy to steer around furniture. It also is able to bend the wand so you can run the cleaner under low furniture reaching hard to clean spots. This is a nice bonus and may be ideal for some homes but I personally didn’t find myself using it day to day.

Emptying the vacuum is one area where it really stands out, you simply pop it back on top of the charging dock when you are done — or more likely when it has run out of battery but more on that later — and the base sucks all the dust out into its own larger two-liter bin. This obviously will need emptying itself, but the shape (and the fact you will have to do it less often) makes it much easier to do this without making a mess.

The detect part of PowerDetect comes from the four ways it adjusts suction power to optimize cleaning by detecting the floor type, amount of dirt being sucked up, whether it is close to the edge of a room and what direction it is traveling. This means all you need to do is move the vacuum around and it will change its cleaning modes, with the dirt detection also letting you know whether certain sections are worth some more attention through the color coding display on the handle.

When I first used this dirt detection I was a bit skeptical that it was still picking up debris where it claimed it was but the dust bin would time and again prove me wrong. At first this felt like an amazing feature, but later when combined with the battery life, having to go back and forth over the same bits of floor made me start to wonder if ignorance was bliss.

In the cleaning tests the Speed struggled a bit in low suction mode with one pass leaving quite a bit of fine dust and larger debris on both carpet and hard floors. Moving it up to full suction did much better with it picking up almost all the fine dust on the hard floor and, aside from some scattering of the rice, most of the debris on the next pass.

Edge cleaning was a similar story at both low and high power, with it doing very well on high for hard floors. It still needed the crevice tool to get the finest material but it did as well as I have seen from a stick vacuum.

Hair pickup was also excellent handling long and pet hair well without any sign of tangling on the floorhead brush.

It’s not quiet but at around 70-75 dbs (somewhere between traffic and a busy restaurant) on maximum power it's not the loudest either. The auto empty base creates a similar level of noise as it flushes the dust from the cleaner, but this is a pretty quick process.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Shark PowerDetect Speed: battery life

• Less than 11 minutes on boost mode
• Long recharge time
• Spare batteries not yet available

My sticking point with the PowerDetect Speed is the battery life as, when testing on full power, it only managed a paltry 10 minutes and 38 seconds. While the variable speed in dirt detect mode will allow you to get a bit more cleaning out of a charge, I often found it would last less than half an hour. Couple this with a recharge time of 5 hours and 19 minutes and it severely limits its practicality as a main vacuum for anything but a small apartment.

This is a common problem for high powered stick vacuums as they try to keep the weight of the batteries down, but it is one of the shortest run times and longest charge times I have tested making it a bit of a challenge even thoroughly vacuuming the car on a single charge.

While you can switch out the battery, I wasn’t able to find a way of buying a spare battery online with the cordless vacuum battery available through Shark’s website only compatible with older models. If one is made available expect this to come with a hefty price tag, the older model batteries cost an additional $87.99 in the US.

• Battery life score: 3/5

Should you buy the Shark Poweretect Speed?

The answer is going to depend heavily on the size of your home and how you plan to use the cleaner. If this is going to be your only vacuum it’s barely going to get through a studio apartment before it needs a recharge. If you are looking for a convenient cleaner for spot cleaning it is superb both in terms of performance and ease of emptying, all while being a step cheaper than the Dyson equivalent.

Buy it if

Don't buy it if

How I tested the Shark PowerDetect Speed

I tested the PowerDetect Speed for over a week in day-to-day use as well as specific tests picking up fine dust (tea) and larger debris (rice) on hard floors, carpet and around room edges. Battery life was tested on the highest power setting and lowest, as well as checking the time it took to fully charge from empty.

I tested the Speed in different cleaning scenarios including vacuuming stairs, a car and a variety of floor types.

First reviewed May 2026

Let's get one thing clear before we start: Shark makes some great vacuums. But having tested a number of different models from this brand, I've noticed they all fail in one specific way. It was especially clear in a recent group test to find the best cordless vacuum, in which I compared options from a range of brands side-by-side.

Here it is: user-friendliness. And in particular, how the brand conveys information to the user. It might seem like a small thing, but it can be ultra-frustrating, and I suspect it means some people aren't getting the best from their appliance, simply because it's not clear how to use it properly.

Take, for example, the Shark PowerDetect Cordless. It's a stellar cleaner, smashing through all my suction trials in the group test and earning the highest overall score in this area. But making sense of it is a nightmare.

 A riddle wrapped up in a mystery

Upon switching the PowerDetect Cordless on, a selection of different icons flashes up on the screen. The Eco and Boost symbols are easily discernible, and having used a number of hi-tech vacuums, it was clear to me that the target symbol represented some kind of Auto mode.

But a fourth symbol also appears: a water droplet. I've never seen this appear in use, and scoured the product manual for clues as to what it might mean, but it's not mentioned anywhere (it's absent from "Instructions for use" and "Error codes"). I've also emailed Shark directly for help, and so far they're as baffled as I am. To this day, I don't know what it means or why it's there.

To add insult to injury, Shark insists on having each icon flash up individually on screen every time you switch the vacuum on. This mini-display becomes tedious quite quickly, and especially because it's accompanied by a second or two's pause before the power actually kicks in. Shark's vacuums are the only vacuums I've tested that have this delay, and it's frustrating if you just want to do a quick clean.

In its Auto mode, the vacuum will sense dirt on the floor and boost or lower suction in response, to clean it efficiently without wasting battery. To illustrate this, Shark has also added a color-changing ring to the outside of the screen. The colors it has chosen are white for clean (although Shark insists it's actually blue, but let's not quibble on that) and purple for dirty – not the most intuitive, and hard to distinguish between, too.

The vacuum switches on and off with a one-press button, but there's no second button to switch modes. For the longest time, I couldn't figure out how to switch modes at all. Very late in the day, I discovered you could press in what I assumed to be a comfort-focused bit of molding under the index finger on the handle to toggle modes.

For those used to turning their vacuum on and off using a trigger in exactly this position, and pressing a separate button to switch modes, this reversal of functions will take some getting used to. Oh, and the On button can't be reached from your holding hand either, so you'll need to have a hand free at all times while cleaning – although this issue isn't exclusive to Shark.

Keeping it simple

My complaints here are mostly about one specific vacuum, but I've noted a general tendency to over-complicate and under-explain in Shark's newer, fancier vacuum options (and in fact its other products, too – looking at you, Shark Glam multistyler).

It might be a knock-on effect of having too many cool features to work with – the list of automation capabilities seems to grow ever longer with every launch – but even so, I think things could be handled better.

In my tests, the brand that scored highest on usability was Shark's biggest rival, Dyson. If you compare the two brands, the difference is night and day: Dyson spells out the cleaning mode in words on screen (intuitively color-coded for extra clarity), and in its Auto mode, it'll show you what's being sucked up on a moving bar graph that packs in plenty of information but is still easily understandable. It shows there are ways to handle complex information without forgoing user experience. (Here's more on my take on Shark vs Dyson vacs, if you're interested.)

Shark has proven it can deliver outstanding cleaning, so with a little more attention paid to usability, it could have the power to create the perfect vacuum.

Shark has been trying to make auto-empty docks happen since at least 2023, but I think 2026 might be the year they finally take off. If you're in the dark about what exactly I mean by an 'auto-empty dock', it's just what it sounds like: a base that houses a large dust bag or bin, into which the contents of the vacuum's small onboard bin will automatically eject when it's docked.

Auto-empty docks are already commonplace in the robot vacuum market, where they feel like a natural fit – onboard bins are necessarily tiny, the bot needs to dock itself to charge anyway, and the main selling point of the whole thing is that it's a hands-off solution.

They're less common with manual vacuums, where an auto-empty dock feels more luxury than essential. But still, there are plenty of benefits of auto-empty docks for stick vacuums – less effort required from users, the potential for smaller and lighter onboard bins, and minimal chance you'll end up in a cloud of your own just-vacuumed dust as a result of a misjudged dirt ejection.

I'm seeing more and more examples of manual vacuums with auto-empty docks hitting the market. As the author of TechRadar's best cordless vacuum guide, I keep an eye on all the major new releases, and it feels like now more of these have auto-empty docks than don't.

Who started it?

As far as I can tell, the brand that released the hand-break on the auto-empty bandwagon was Samsung. The Samsung Bespoke Jet launched in 2022, and was the first of many self-empty Bespoke Jet vacuums with ever-longer names and ever-loftier price-tags (the most recent being the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra).

However, Samsung is still quite a peripheral brand in the vacuum market, so I think it's Shark's efforts that have been more instrumental in pushing the trend forward, with popular models like the Detect Pro and PowerDetect Cordless available in 'Clean & Empty System' (US) / 'Auto-empty system' (UK) versions. Most recently, Shark has come out with several cheaper, more basic auto-empty options that seem to be aimed at cementing this as an option for everyone, rather than a premium choice.

This year also saw Roborock attempting to establish itself in the manual vacuum space with a range that includes several auto-empty docks (I tested the Roborock H60 Hub Ultra). But the thing that really convinced me they were here to stay was Dyson's announcement that it would be launching compatible docking stations for its newest vacuums.

I say 'announcement' – it was a single line, tucked away in a much larger press release detailing the brand's many September 2025 launches. No images, no prices, no fanfare. For that reason, I'm maintaining a healthy level of wariness about when (and possibly if) these docks will actually arrive on the market. If they do, though, then it could be major.

Shark and Dyson are arguably the two biggest names in the manual vacuum market right now, and if both of those brands are going hard on auto-empty docks, you can assume they're going to be kind of a big deal.

Cleaning thick carpet isn't easy. There needs to be just enough suction to pull up particles that have settled deep within those long, luxurious fibers, without making the floorhead impossible to push. Too much suction and you'll get stuck; too little and there won't be much cleaning happening.

I recently ran a big group test to find the best cordless vacuum on the market, and as part of that I ran several suction tests on thick carpet. The model that scored the highest marks for cleaning deep-pile carpet was the Shark PowerDetect Cordless.

Read on for a closer look at the tests I ran, how this vacuum performed, and what makes it such a strong choice for deep-pile carpet (plus the runners up, if it's not quite right for you).

How did I test?

To test how well each vacuum performed on deep-pile carpet, I sprinkled dry tea (representing fine particles), a dry rice and lentil mix (representing chunky particles), and dog hair clippings (representing, well, dog hair) onto a large sample of thick carpet, rubbing each mixture into the fibers. I then vacuumed over the mess with the various models, using Auto mode if the vacuum had one, or the medium suction setting if it didn't.

I assessed how effectively the vacuum cleared each spillage – both at surface level and deeper down in the carpet fibers. I also assessed how easy it was to push the vacuum over the carpet, and the extent to which the floorhead pinged or pooled the particles about, rather than sucking them up.

The PowerDetect Cordless scored a perfect 5/5 in my chunky particle test, clearing everything in a single forward pass in Auto mode. It was equally effective with pet hair (in fact, this is the best vacuum for pet hair that I've tested, in general).

For fine particles the score was a little lower (4/5), because I could still see a fine dusting of tea within the carpet fibers after a forward pass. However, that was the equal-highest score that any vacuum in my group test achieved here – the reality is that it's just super tricky to effectively clean fine particles from deep-pile carpet.

Why is this vacuum so good for thick carpet?

In my opinion, the success of the PowerDetect cordless is down to a combination of outright power, an Auto mode that copes superbly when clearing mess off thick carpet, and a well-designed floorhead. The vacuum clearly comes packing plenty of suction – the PowerDetect came top or joint-top in all my cleaning tests, which covered mid-pile carpet, hard flooring, and further pet-hair trials.

The suction level of this model is designed to amp up and down depending on the floor type and how dirty it is, and I could hear the power shifting as I moved the floorhead over any mess. No matter the level of power it was exerting, the vacuum remained easy enough to push in Auto mode, never getting stuck down as a result of the suction.

Shark has also added a flap to the back edge that makes it more effective at sucking up particles when the floorhead is pulled backwards over them. While this feature really shines on hard flooring, it also seemed to help when cleaning thick carpet – there was some pooling (as you can see in the video above), but nowhere close to the levels that some competitor models created. I also found that the wheels appeared to help agitate the carpet fibers.

The runners up...

If the Shark PowerDetect doesn't look quite right for you, these were there runners up in my deep-pile carpet tests.

If you have hairy pets that like to hang out on your sofas, you will know how quickly the fuzz builds up on the fabric and the pain of trying to clear it. Thankfully, many modern stick vacuums come with motorized upholstery attachments designed specifically for this purpose.

I recently ran a group test of a load of different cordless vacuums to see how they compare across a range of cleaning challenges and ultimately find the best cordless vacuum on the market. As part of that test, I tested all the mini upholstery tools to see how efficiently they could remove pet hair – kindly gifted by my local dog groomer – from a velvet cushion. The aim was to see which brand has the most effective pet hair tool.

Results: the short version

Unfortunately, it quickly became clear that while the design of the mini head plays a big part in the effectiveness of the cleaning, the vacuum that's attached to it also has a rather big impact. For that reason, it's difficult to give a definitive result as to which brand has the best mini pet hair tool.

However, the TL;DR version is that the top performers were the Shark PowerDetect cordless with its Motorized hand tool, the Dyson Gen5detect with its Hair screw tool, and the Dreame R20 with its unnamed mini tool. That's overall, not per brand – I tested multiple options from Shark and Dyson, and not all performed as effectively.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at each brand individually...

Shark – Motorized hand tool

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless I tested came with a Motorized hand tool, which was outstanding at clearing dog hair – it pulled all visible strands out in a single pass. This vacuum also performed best in my carpet tests using the main floorhead, earning it the overall best vacuum for pet hair crown.

Be aware that this tool doesn't seem to be included as standard with every version of the PowerDetect Cordless, so double-check before you buy. It is available to buy separately direct from Shark, and costs $87.99 in the US or a significantly more affordable £14.99 in the UK.

My group test included a second Shark vacuum: the Shark Detect Pro. This vacuum didn't come with a Motorized hand tool, so I tested its regular Duster crevice tool, and it got a bit of the hair up, but not much.

That's likely due to a combination of relatively weak power (this vacuum was one of the least efficient cleaners in my wider tests) and a tool that's not up to the job.

Dyson

Dyson has a few different styles of upholstery tools. The most common these days is the Hair screw tool, which has a tapering shape designed to prevent long hair from getting tangled up. With the newest flagship – the V16 Piston Animal – Dyson has upgraded this tool by adding a grippy strip along the front edge, to help lift up hair so it can be suctioned away.

The Dyson V8 Cyclone – a new, more basic option – has a Mini motorized tool that's parallel in design rather than tapering, similar to the one Dyson offered before the Hair screw tool was introduced.

So, on to the cleaning results. Dyson Gen5detect with its original Hair screw tool was the top performer here. It cleared all visible hair from the pillow in a single swipe, in Auto mode.

An unexpected runner-up amongst the Dyson contenders was the V11. This didn't come with a motorized mini tool, so I used the standard Combi tool, and it was just as effective as the Gen5/Hair screw option, despite not having a motorized roller.

A downside is that this tool is narrower than the motorized option. It's great for things like cushions, but if you were going to use it to clean a whole sofa or flight of stairs, it might take a while.

Coming in third was the V16 Piston Animal. Despite having an upgraded Hair screw tool, it wasn't as effective as either the Gen5detect or the V11 at removing hair.

It wasn't awful, but it took a few passes to get everything. I wonder if this is down to a flaw in the design rather than the changed tool – this vacuum performed poorly in my general cleaning tests.

Dyson V8 Cyclone, with its Mini motorized tool, was the least effective at tackling hair. Again, it took a few passes to clear the hair with the detail tool, despite this vacuum performing well in my other cleaning tests.

Dreame

The Dreame R20 was the surprise hit of the mini tool competition. This was the only Dreame vacuum included in my trials, and the mini motorized tool (which doesn't have a specific name) cleared my velvet cushion of hair just as efficiently as Dyson and Shark's best efforts.

That's especially notable because in my general cleaning tests this model sat in the middle of the pack, earning perfectly acceptable scores but not excelling as the Dyson Gen5detect and Shark PowerDetect did. If you have a hairy pet and mainly hard floors with some rugs or mid-pile carpet, this would be a top, budget-friendly choice.

Roborock

Finally, I tested out the Roborock H60 Hub Ultra with its mini motorized tool. This did a decent job of clearing pet hair from my velvet cushion, but it took a few passes to get everything clear, and I had to crank up the vacuum to Max mode, too.

For more advice, here's what the experts recommend you look for in a vacuum for pet hair. Or if you want something to take care of day to day cleaning for you, my guide to the best robot vacuums for pet hair has plenty of recommendations (although, of course, you'll still have to handle vacuuming the couch yourself).

As one of TechRadar's Homes Editors, I get to test all the newest vacuum cleaners that come onto the market. These days, almost every vacuum that makes it into my flat has some kind of fancy feature included – many can sense floor type (and dirt levels) and adjust suction in response, but others might have an unusual-looking floorhead designed to banish hair wrap, or the ability to tell when they're approaching the edge of a room.

These kinds of features are so common that when the new Dyson V8 Cyclone landed on my doorstep, with its three suction suction levels and no special features to speak of, it seemed positively prehistoric. I was skeptical that this ultra-basic model would be able to compete with the other, tech-crammed stick vacuums in my cleaning cupboard.

But compete it did. So effectively that I've had to revise my priorities when it comes to what I look for in a stick vacuum.

In my recent group test to find the best cordless vacuum on the market, the V8 Cyclone more than held its own in the cleaning trials. It also earned much higher scores than both the Dyson V16 Piston Animal and Shark Detect Pro; two of the most hi-tech and innovative vacuums around.

The V8 Cyclone is an updated version of the Dyson V8 vacuum, which came out absolutely ages ago but remains a Dyson best-seller. The Cyclone version is not yet available in the US, but the other straightforward vacuum in the group test, the Dyson V11, earned almost exactly the same score as the V8 Cyclone.

These vacuums took spots #3 and #4 in my tests – the overall winner for cleaning was the Shark PowerDetect Cordless, followed by the Dyson Gen5detect. Both of those vacuums do have advanced features, but the gap in performance compared to the simple V8 Cyclone and V11 was minimal. Here are the scores:

My main takeaway from that group test is that while fancy features like auto-adjustment are nice to have, they aren't the final word in great cleaning. What's most important is strong suction and a well-designed floorhead.

The reason the V16 Piston Animal earned such low scores is because the floorhead has been over-engineered, to its detriment. For its All Floors Cones Sense head, Dyson has swapped a parallel roller for two cone-shaped rollers, with the aim of making it impossible for long hair to end up tangled in the floorhead. And sure, the hair doesn't wrap, but there's now a gap between the rollers where nothing's getting sucked up, and the front of the head comes to a slight point, so it won't sit flush to a wall.

The Detect Pro, meanwhile, offers all kinds of advanced automation features, but it lacks outright power. So while it can sense dirt, carpet and room edges, even the amped-up power isn't enough to deliver effective cleaning in those more challenging situations.

The V11 and V8 Cyclone both have the old-style Dyson Motorbar floorhead, which is far simpler than the newest offerings, but a much better cleaner than the new cone-based head. And while they lack automated suction adjustment, they make up for it in outright power. I know which one I'd rather have if I was trying to tackle a pet hair-strewn carpet, or dusty old rug.

Shark PowerPro Cordless vacuum: two-minute review

The Shark PowerPro Cordless is a capable, no-nonsense stick vacuum that prioritizes consistent performance and everyday value over flashy extras. It’s one of the most affordable cordless models we've tested, yet it comes with very few compromises where it matters. And while its build isn’t premium, it's not a barebones vacuum either: one of the key selling points is automatic surface detection, which adjusts power as you move from carpet to hard flooring. It's a very strong contender for TechRadar's best budget vacuums guide.

Despite the budget price, you also get hallmark Shark touches like an anti-hair wrap brushroll, a flexible wand for reaching under furniture, plus a floorhead with built-in LEDs that illuminate dust and dark corners. Taken together, these features – borrowed from pricier models in Shark’s line-up – make the PowerPro feel like a far more rounded tool than its price might suggest.

That’s not to say it’s flawless. In places, the no-frills build betrays its budget status. It all clicks together with solidity, but there are some plastic components that cheapen the experience – particularly the boost trigger.

The appeal here lies in the PowerPro’s stripped-back convenience. You’re getting a functional, reliable vacuum with a handful of well-executed features that are genuinely useful in everyday use.

The interface is foolproof: there are no modes to select. Instead, the Floor Detect head automatically chooses the right setting based on the surface you’re cleaning. All you have to think about is using the Boost trigger at your fingertips. It won't offer dirt detection or edge detection (as found on the best Shark vacuums in the lineup), but this floor-based adjustment is useful nonetheless.

In use, the PowerPro is balanced and maneuverable. The floorhead moves easily over different surfaces, while the hinged wand unlatches to give you flexible reach beneath beds and sofas. Switch to a handheld configuration and the PowerPro is impressively lightweight. It’s slightly bulky for tackling tighter spaces like car footwells, but the crevice attachments help to hit nooks and crannies.

While not as powerful as the Shark PowerDetect cordless, the PowerPro performed impressively well in my cleaning tests. Suction was strong on carpeted floors, lifting both visible debris and ingrained dust without repeated passes. It also handled fine dust and heavier particles on hard floors, though Boost mode was useful for picking up larger pieces. One caveat is that the brush bar sits inset within the floorhead, which means it can struggle to get right into edges along skirting boards.

Battery life is decent, too. Although there's no battery-maximizing Eco mode, in Auto mode I achieved a very decent 40 minute average when cleaning a combination of carpeted and hard flooring. At around 3 hours, the PowerPro is relatively quick to recharge, too. Because the power plugs directly into the removable battery, you could enlist a backup battery if you wanted to extend runtimes.

The Shark PowerPro isn’t the most stylish or advanced stick vacuum on the market, but it might be the best cordless vacuum for budget-conscious shoppers. But with consistently strong performance, good battery life and a few thoughtful features, it’s a strong choice for households who need a no-fuss solution for busting dust. Robust enough for daily use, the PowerPro offers excellent overall value.

Shark PowerPro IZ380UK review: price & availability

• List price: $329.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.99
• Launch date: 2025
• Availability: US, UK, AU

The Shark PowerPro launched in early 2025, and is widely available from Shark and various third-party retailers. At list price, the standard model costs $329.99 in the US, £249.99 in the UK and AU$399.99 in Australia. That puts this model towards the bottom of the mid-range bracket, but at time of writing it's heavily discounted in all territories.

Based on price history, it looks like discounts are fairly common, and you shouldn't have too much trouble picking up the PowerPro for closer to $200 / £180 / AU$300 – which is firmly in TechRadar's budget price bracket, despite it offering several features found on Shark’s pricier models.

There are a few bundle options around with different tools included (for example, the 'Pet' version has a mini motorized cleaner head for furniture), as well as a more advanced 'Flex Reveal' version in some territories. For this review, I tested the IZ380UK version, which ships with crevice and upholstery tools, in addition to the standard floorhead.

Based on the current discounts, the PowerPro is one of the most affordable Shark cordless vacuums, and I think its priced well for what it delivers. As a simple, effective cordless vacuum with a streamlined but useful featureset, it offers excellent value for money in its class.

• Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark PowerPro specs

Shark PowerPro Cordless vacuum review: design

• No-frills construction feels plasticky but sturdy
• Flexible wand and bright floorhead LEDs
• No wall mount, but locking floorhead helps it lean steady

The Shark PowerPro follows a practical design philosophy. It doesn’t pretend to be a premium vacuum, but still includes several thoughtful touches that elevate it above basic alternatives. It’s not an ugly unit either, although Shark has focused on functional choices rather than aesthetic refinement.

Out of the box, the PowerPro feels solid enough for daily use. Everything clicks together with a reassuring snap. That said, the construction leans heavily on plastics. Parts like the boost trigger and dustbin release latches feel hollow, while there’s some flex and creak in the casing, giving a clear indication of where costs have been saved. These don’t affect performance, but they do contribute to a less premium impression than pricier Shark models.

The PowerPro follows a familiar cordless stick design. There’s a tidily packaged handheld unit that attaches to a motorized floorhead at the base. Shark’s useful 'MultiFLEX / Flexology' wand is also part of the setup. A latched hinge in the middle allows it to bend, letting you reach more easily beneath furniture without crouching. It’s a feature usually found on Shark’s more expensive cordless models, so it’s a welcome presence at this price point.

The main unit is very lightweight, and while the wand and floorhead is less so, with that attached it still sits at the lighter end of the stick vacuum market.

The simple handle design isn’t exactly ergonomic, but it’s comfortable enough to maneuver in general use, thanks in part to the lightness of the main unit. It’s slightly too bulky for very tight spaces like car footwells, but the included crevice and upholstery tools help to maximize reach. The accessory set included with the classic model is modest, but it covers most essential tasks around the house.

Controls are deliberately minimal. Because the Floor Detect head automatically adjusts suction based on whether you’re tackling carpet or hard floors, there are no settings to toggle through. There’s just a power button and the boost trigger at the tip of your index finger. Three illuminated icons on top of the handheld unit show which mode is active, while three more on the battery show the charge level. This is less accurate than a digital readout, a feature not commonly found at this price.

At ground level, built-in LEDs illuminate dust and debris on darker surfaces. In contrast to more expensive Shark models like the Shark Detect IW4621KT, these headlights aren’t reactive depending on how well-lit the area is. They’re simply on whenever the vacuum is running, which will be perfectly fine for most users.

At 0.7L, the dustbin slightly smaller than average, although it fills less quickly than you’d expect. The design of the dustbin itself is slightly unusual. To empty it, you press a latch to remove the entire bin from the handheld unit, before releasing the bottom door via another button. This adds an extra step compared to vacuums with direct drop-bottom bins, but it does help to reduce accidental spillage.

Charging the PowerPro isn’t as neat as it could be. The position of the charging port on top of the battery pack means that the cable trails up and over the handheld unit. It would be more natural if the port were positioned beneath it, but this is a necessary compromise to make the battery removable. The pay-off is that you can disconnect the cell to charge it, unlocking the option to keep several back-up batteries ready to swap in.

The PowerPro doesn’t include a wall mount or charging dock, which you’d expect to receive with a more expensive model. Instead, you’ll need to lean it up against a wall when you need a pause in cleaning. The unit can’t stand upright on its own at full height, but the floorhead can at least lock at 90 degrees, to stop it rolling away from the wall.

The forward-bending wand also enables you to fold the unit completely in half and lock it that way for more compact storage. These are neat practical touches for a model sold without a stand.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerPro IZ380UK review: performance

• Solid debris pick-up on carpets and hard floors
• Brushroll misses edges
• Automatic adjustment based on floor type works well

Performance is where the Shark PowerPro sets itself apart from other budget stick vacuums. On test, it consistently demonstrated effective debris pick-up, removing both surface-level and embedded dirt from carpet with just a single forward-and-back pass.

The Floor Detect head does much of the heavy lifting here. As you move the PowerPro from hard floor to carpet and vice versa, it automatically adjusts the power to suit the surface. The system is quick to respond to changes, with no lag to speak of. Suction is noticeably stronger on carpet, where the floorhead feels like it’s really pulling up dirt.

As a result, the PowerPro performed very well in my carpet tests. Tackling the fine, dry contents of a teabag sprinkled on a medium-pile carpet, the Shark PowerPro collected almost everything in its path with a single pass. The remnants were tidied up on the return sweep. It also dealt well with larger debris. 30g of oats were removed cleanly enough, with little in the way of snow-ploughing or scattering. This is an area where many budget cordless vacuums falter.

The PowerPro didn’t just grab visible debris, either: it also pulled up ingrained dust. After a week of regular use, the bin was still filling with fine grey dust and fluff during my tests, highlighting how effectively the PowerPro can lift deep-set dirt that other vacuums have left behind.

It’s also a strong performer on hard flooring. Fine tea disappeared cleanly from kitchen vinyl, as did drill dust. Standard suction was enough to collect heavier particles like oats, though switching to boost mode did speed things up.

Unlike some vacuums, the PowerPro generally didn’t push debris around or scatter it on hard floors. For the best performance, however, you might want to consider upgrading to a Shark PowerDetect Cordless, which has an extra flap added to the floorhead that specifically enables it to clear large particles on the reverse stroke.

The boost trigger deserves a special mention. While designed as a temporary power uplift rather than an always-on mode, it provides a genuinely significant increase in suction. I found it especially useful for tackling stubborn debris in carpet fibers and lifting heavier crumbs on hard floors. Running in Boost mode does cut battery life considerably, but for targeted use, it’s a welcome addition.

Edge performance is one area where the PowerPro shows some limitations. The brushroll is inset slightly within the floorhead, which means the suction window doesn’t reach right up to the bottom of cabinets and furniture.

When I scattered tea and oats along a skirting board, a thin strip remained even after a high-powered pass. This is a limitation of the head design rather than the power, and it means you’ll need to use the crevice tool for spotless edges.

The Floor Detect head features Shark’s anti-hair wrap head, with built-in rubber fins designed to stop strands from tangling around the brush bar. Over several weeks of running the PowerPro across carpets where longer human hair had been shed naturally, it worked very well.

The brushroll stayed broadly free from tangles and I didn’t need to cut away any wrapped strands, which is something many cheaper sticks struggle with. It’s another feature typically found on Shark’s pricier models that works just as effectively here.

Noise is well-controlled, too. Those rubber fins produce a low rumble on carpet as they whizz around inside the floorhead, while the handheld unit generates a relatively modest whine that only becomes pronounced when Boost mode is active.

To my ears, the PowerPro is quieter than other cordless vacuums I’ve tested. It’s not exactly hushed, but it avoids the harsh, high-pitched tones common among budget sticks. This makes it a better choice for households where noise sensitivity is a factor.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerPro review: battery

• No Eco mode, average of 40 mins in Auto
• Boost mode reduces battery life to <15 minutes
• Battery removable, and can be charged independently

Shark quotes the PowerPro's battery life at 50 minutes. In reality, run-time varies a fair bit based on what and where you vacuum. Cleaning carpets is more power-hungry than hard floors, for example, while liberal use of the boost trigger will put a serious dent in the performance figures.

Unlike other Shark vacuums, the PowerPro doesn’t have an low-powered Eco setting. Because of this, you can’t force it to be more frugal by disabling the Floor Detect mode. Instead, it will always assess the surface it’s running over and adjust power accordingly.

As a result, you’ll get longer battery life if your home has hard floors throughout, versus one that’s clad primarily with carpet. My own home has an even balance of the two, meaning the numbers I achieved in my tests should be fairly representative of real-world performance across different surfaces.

Over several runs, I consistently netted between 35 and 45 minutes from full to flat. Taking the average as 40 minutes, that unsurprisingly comes in lower than the official number. It also puts the PowerPro a step below the best cordless vacuums when it comes to longevity – although do bear in mind that the given runtimes will almost always be for the Eco mode.

For me, 40 minutes felt like a healthy amount of time for a single stint and a competitive number for the price category. It’s certainly enough to cover a single-story home and have some charge left in the tank.

The more modest capacity also gives the PowerPro a shorter charge time than other models. Shark says it takes “approximately 3 hours” to fully charge the IZ380UK, which proved an accurate figure in my experience. While that’s hardly instantaneous, many vacuums take significantly longer.

Using Boost mode does have a considerable effect on battery life. Keeping my finger held on the trigger brought the number down to around 15 minutes. That's actually a strong runtime for a Boost mode – but it still reflects the fact that it’s intended to be used as a brief uplift for tougher debris, rather than an always-on solution for high-powered cleaning.

The PowerPro also benefits from a removable battery. The cell itself can be charged while detached from the vacuum. This means you can extend runtime by keeping a second back-up battery charged, ready to swap in when the first one runs flat.

• Battery life score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark PowerPro Cordless vacuum?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Shark PowerPro Cordless vacuum

• Used as my main vacuum cleaner for a month
• Tested across hard and carpeted floors at home
• Conducted standardized tests for debris pick-up

I tested the Shark PowerPro IZ380UK over a period of several weeks. I used it as my main vacuum cleaner in my own home, which has a mix of both carpeted and hard surfaces. Before running any formal tests, I used the PowerPro for ordinary daily cleaning to get an understanding of its general performance, noise levels, maneuverability and battery life.

I then moved on to running the PowerPro through TechRadar’s standard vacuum testing protocol. To assess fine dust pick-up, I sprinkled the contents of a dry teabag on both carpet and hard flooring, then passed over the area with the PowerPro on its standard setting. For a trial with larger debris, I repeated the process with a bag of oats. I only switched to Boost mode if the floorhead failed to collect everything on the first pass.

To test edge performance, I distributed tea and oats along skirting boards then checked how much was left behind when I ran the floorhead flush along them. I also evaluated hair pick-up by running the anti-hair wrap brushroll over areas of carpet home to longer strands, to see whether any tangled around the brush bar.

I measured battery life first by charging the vacuum to full, then running it continuously across a mix of surfaces until it powered down. I then charged it fully again to confirm the recharge time, before repeating the process to get an accurate average of battery life. I also ran similar trials using boost mode to verify the higher-powered run-time.

Finally, In tested the included crevice and upholstery tools on furniture, stairs and inside a car footwell to evaluate how effectively they picked up dirt, as well as the balance and reach of the unit as a handheld tool. Throughout my tests, I also paid attention to functionality and ease of use, especially when it came to regular actions in real-world situations, like emptying the bin.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2025

Among friends and family, I’m known for having a spotless house. Perhaps it’s because I work from home and I need a clean space to work. Or maybe my father’s obsession with cleanliness rubbed off on me. Either way, I find myself pulling out my vacuum at least once a day to clean up dirt, debris, or food crumbs. My need to clean is why I enjoy testing vacuums, and my favorite this year – the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum, complete with an auto-empty dock and charge station.

When the box arrived at my house for my Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum review, it took a few minutes to unpack and assemble the dock, and I was off to cleaning my historic hardwood and laminate floors, as well as two large rugs in my living room and study.

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum is designed to make cleaning floors easy in so many ways. For one, it’s outfitted with a DirtDetect system that automatically increases the suction when the vacuum recognizes dirt and debris on the floor. I was even able to watch the floor status go from dirty to clean on the screen and the vacuum head: a purple color indicated there was dirt and debris on the floor, and when the color turned white, I knew the floor was clean. Sometimes I needed to do a few passes over a single spot to clean everything up, which I wouldn’t have known to do otherwise without the DirtDetect system.

With EdgeDetect technology, the vacuum recognized edges and increased the suction power along the side of the floorhead that touched the edge. The new 'reverse cleaning' feature – where the floorhead is designed to be able to suck up chunky particles when pulled back over them, rather than just snow-ploughing them around the floor – was impressive as well. It only struggled to clear extra-large cereal pieces, which even the best cordless vacuums can struggle with.

If that wasn’t enough, the Shark was able to recognize what type of floor I was cleaning and increased the suction when necessary, such as when I vacuumed my rugs. Plus, the Shark’s headlights automatically turned on when I cleaned in dark corners or spaces. My house gets exceptionally dusty, and the headlights ensured that I could see the dust even in the dingiest corners of my floors and suction it quickly.

Although the vacuum is outfitted with Eco and Boost mode, I rarely used either since the DirtDetect mode performed so well. The suction capabilities of Boost were rarely needed, except with extra-large debris. Yes, Eco mode could let me extend the battery life to 67 minutes, but it didn’t work on rugs or carpet. Besides, it only took me 30 minutes to vacuum my house, and on DirtDetect mode, the battery lasted 47 minutes.

Magic wand

Technological aspects aside, my second favorite aspect of this vacuum is the bendable wand. With the bendable wand, I could clean under my bed, baker’s rack, couch, and under chairs without having to bend over, crouch, or reach my arm under furniture. This small design feature doesn’t get enough praise on the wider market in my opinion and I’m at a loss as to why more vacuums don’t have bendable wands. It’s what really sets the best Shark vacuums apart.

I ran a number of cleaning tests with the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum and found that it excelled in picking up fine materials like dust, tea, and flour and even larger debris like dirt and cereal. With the accessories, I dusted my window blinds and cleaned my car and couch. I should note that when cleaning hair off my sofa, I had to use Boost mode, and the results were a bit average. To be honest, I haven’t found a single vacuum that impresses me when it comes to removing hair from a couch.

I don’t like doing a lot of maintenance with vacuums, so the auto-empty dock station was a blessing. When I was done cleaning, I just placed the vacuum on the dock, and it automatically pulled the dust and debris from the bin and into a vacuum sealed bag that doesn’t need to be changed that often. Once the dust and dirt were sealed away, the vacuum began to charge. A full charge took about four hours.

All in all, I enjoyed the ease with which I could clean my house with this vacuum, whether it was maneuvering the vacuum head around furniture, using the tall wand and accessories to reach spider webs in the corners of my 10-foot ceilings, or bending the wand to clean under my couch. The design combined with the DirtDetect technology ensured my home was the cleanest it could be, and I’ve no doubt that anyone who brings the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum into their home will experience that too.

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Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum: two-minute review

The Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum is one of the most versatile upright vacuums on the market. Like other Shark vacuums, it's outfitted with a Detect mode that adjusts the suction based on the floor type and how clean it is. You don't have to worry about unseen dirt because the vacuum can sense debris, dust, and dirt, and increases the suction as required to clean it up.

While you could use the three manual modes (hard floor, carpet/low pile, and thick carpet/area rug), with the Detect mode, the vacuum informs you when the floor is clean with lights on the vacuum head that turn from purple (i.e. dirty) to white (i.e. clean).

During testing, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum performed wonderfully on various floor types, especially when it came to picking up fine materials like tea and hair. Though it missed a couple of large oat clusters on a single pass, it's still a top-tier vacuum, with suction capability that's well above average. It's one of the very best upright vacuums I've tested, as well as one of the best vacuums for carpet.

Sure, the vacuum head is a bit bulky, and the cord may get in the way, but Shark made this upright vacuum as versatile as possible. You can remove the pod (which holds the dust bin) from the wand, allowing you to use it as a stick vacuum to reach under couches and beds or in conjunction with one of the three accessories to clean tight spaces. If you need something less bulky, there's a stick vac in the same range – read about it in my Shark PowerDetect Cordless review, or head to TechRadar's best Shark vacuums guide to see other options, some of which have similar features.

All in all, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum is a great choice for those who have homes with carpet and/or lots of rugs as it does a stand-up job with deep cleaning.

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum review: price & availability

• List price: from $549.99 / £399.99 / $699.99
• Launched: Announced September 2024
• Available: Worldwide, including US, UK and Australia

In the US, there are a couple of different PowerDetect Upright options – the one I reviewed is the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum with TruePet Upgrade, and it's priced at $549.99. There's also the Shark PowerDetect Upright Bagless Vacuum With Ultimate Cleaning Tools, which costs $449.99. The base model is the same, but the different bundles come with different cleaning tools. In the UK and Australia, there's just one Shark PowerDetect Upright, with a list price of £399.99 / AU$699.99.

At full price, that puts this vacuum in the upper-mid or premium price bracket. However, at time of writing, there are significant discounts available in all territories, taking this vacuum down more firmly into the mid-range market.

I think it's good value for what you're getting here. There are cheaper upright vacuums on the market, but this one has a flexible design and several advanced features that help set it apart from the competition. As you might have gathered from the above, this brand isn't averse to a discount either, and I expect more price drops to appear as time goes on.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum specs

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum review: design

• Corded vacuum with LED lights and a 12in cleaning path
• Detachable dust cup lets you use the wand with the three specialty tools
• Four cleaning modes including an automatic mode

The Shark PowerDetect Upright is a corded upright vacuum that can be used in various configurations for different cleaning tasks.

Although typically I prefer the freedom of a cordless stick vacuum, I do understand the appeal of a corded upright – in a battle of upright vs cordless vacuums, the former tends to last longer, will never run out of juice, and almost always deliver more powerful suction too.

The cable here is fairly generous at 30 feet / 9m long – that's not the longest on the market, but it should still enable you to clean a decent-sized space before having to unplug and replug.

Similarly, at 17.6 lbs / 8kg, it's not the lightest vacuum but it's not overly heavy either. The vacuum head is a bit bulky, but comes with useful design features like a self-cleaning brushroll which means the vacuum can pick up pet and human hair easily without it tangling on the brush, and LED headlights to make it easier to see in dark corners. In fact, you'll notice a lot more lights and indicators on this vacuum than most, plus an odor neutralizer capsule designed to prevent bad smells and keep your floors smelling fresh.

The handle has five buttons: a power button and four cleaning mode buttons (Detect mode, Hard floor, Carpet/Low pile, and Thick Carpet/Area rug. When using the Detect mode, this upright vacuum senses the floor type and adjusts the speed of the brushroll and the suction power to clean. Upon sensing dirt, the LED indicator light on the vacuum head turns purple. When the light is white, users know that section of the floor is free of dust and dirt.

The vacuum is outfitted with two other Detect modes. With Edge Detect, arrows on the top sides of the vacuum light up when the vacuum moves close to an edge of a room, and the suction increases on the relevant side of the floorhead to clear any dust that might have gathered there. There's also Direction detect, which is designed so that the vacuum cleans just as well on the reverse stroke as it does when it's pushed forwards.

The dust cup on this PowerDetect vac has a capacity of 2 quarts / 1.3L, which is on the smaller side for an upright vacuum, but is still far bigger than the bin you'd find on a cordless stick vacuum.

For greater flexibility, this dustbin section can also be removed and held in the hand. A flexible hose connects the wand to the dustbin, and from there you can reattach the motorized vacuum head to the wand, to allow you to reach under furniture without the dustbin getting in the way.

You can also attach one of the detail tools, to tackle awkward or hard-to reach areas. Exactly what tools are included depends on which bundle you opt for. The review model I tested here came with a Duster crevice tool, Pet multi-tool, and HairPro Self-cleaning pet power brush.

As far as sound goes, the vacuum has a dB rating between 77-83, which is dependent on the mode being used or the increase in suction by the vacuum when it senses dirty floors.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum review: performance

• Excellent edge and reverse cleaning
• Accessories make it easy to clean furniture, ceiling, and tight spaces
• Great at detecting dirt and adjusting suction on various floor types

The Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum took only a couple of minutes to assemble. When I first tried to use it, the machine wouldn't turn on despite pressing the power button and having it properly plugged in. Eventually, I realized I didn't have the hose connected all the way. I love that the vacuum 'protects' the user from accidentally turning the vacuum on and sending dust and debris they've just vacuumed back into the room.

On test, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum did not disappoint. I have historic hardwood floors, laminate floors, and low pile rugs in my house. On my first go, I cleaned my entire house with the vacuum, jumping between the Detect mode and manual surface modes (hard floor, carpet/low pile, and thick carpet/area rug) to get a feel on how each one worked.

I've tested a number of Shark vacuums, and I'm a huge fan of the Detect mode, which detects unseen dirt on the ground. I love when the lights turn from purple to white, indicating the surface is dust-free. So many vacuums lack this feature and it's truly a shame, because it's difficult otherwise to know if my floors are actually clean.

No matter the mode, I felt like the vacuum picked up dirt, dust, and debris on all my different floor types wonderfully. The only drawback I observed was that the vacuum head wasn't able to fit into tight spaces. Not to mention, I was unable to reach under my couch or bed because the dustbin got in the way. (There is a workaround this; keep reading.)

During my testing period, I had the opportunity to take the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum to my parents' home and test it on the carpet in their bedrooms. I was stunned by how much dust and dirt it picked up from the carpet. When using the Detect mode on their carpets, I found myself vacuuming over one strip of floor about six times before the light turned from purple to white indicating it was clean. (According to my dad, they hadn't deep cleaned their carpets in a while…) Anyone who has carpet in their home would do well to have this vacuum on hand.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this upright vacuum is the ability to break it down and use the detail tools provided. The main pod (which holds the dust bin) can be removed from the wand, and the wand can be removed from the vacuum head. This allowed me to attach the duster crevice tool to the end of the wand and clean the corners or my ceiling.

Granted, I had to hold the pod in one hand and the wand in the other, but there aren't too many upright vacuums that offer this feature, and it's very useful. I was also able to use the wand and the vacuum head to clean under my couch and bed without the pod getting in the way.

The only drawback to breaking down the vacuum is that it's not easy to move the unit around the house in that mode. I'd have to pick up the pod in one hand and hold the wand in the other and walk to a new spot. Sometimes, I'd have to go back and grab accessories or the vacuum head or make sure not to get the hose tangled in the cord.

I don't have pets so I used the Pet Multi Tool and HairPro Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush to remove my own hair from my couch. Compared to other vacuums that offer similar accessories, I thought they performed slightly better – although that might be more to do with the fact that the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum has a more powerful suction. Nevertheless, it's worth putting this model in the mix if you're looking for the best vacuum for pet hair.

Maintenance isn't too much of a hassle. When I was done cleaning, I removed the dust bin and placed it over a trash can before opening the latch, allowing the dust and debris to fall in. Because the dust cup is much larger than you'd find on most cordless vacuums, you shouldn't have to do this too regularly. The only other required maintenance is cleaning the pre-motor filters every month, the HEPA filter every year, and hand washing the soft roller as needed. Sensors must also be occasionally cleaned, and blockages must be checked for in the hose, wand, and nozzle. The squeegee bristle strip has to be cleaned or replaced occasionally too.

Suction tests

I went on to run a few standardized tests so I can get an even better look into the suction power of the vacuum and how it compares to other models. To do that, I placed loose leaf tea and oats on one of my rugs and on the laminate floor in my kitchen. From there, I used both the Detect mode and the manual modes of Hard Floor and Thick Carpet/Area Rug to see how well the vacuum sucked up the debris.

One update on this Shark range is 'Direction direction' tech, where the vacuum is designed to vacuum just as well when pushed forwards as when it's pulled backwards (some previous Shark vacuums tend to pool debris behind the floorhead when reversing). I also kept an eye on this aspect in my tests.

When it came to the loose-leaf tea, the vacuum performed perfectly on my laminate floor and area rug. No matter if I vacuumed forward or in reverse, or what mode I used, it sucked up every single piece of the fine material in a single pass.

Now for the oats test… When it came to vacuuming oats on my laminate floor, the vacuum did a pretty good job. It looked like the vacuum had picked up all the oats in a single pass. However, I later found that the vacuum missed five clusters. Compared to other models I've tested, this is still impressive. Most vacuums push the oats forward or I find that the oats get trapped behind the wheels. The Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum didn't do that. Sure, it missed a couple of oats, but they were quite large clusters and only needed one more pass to remove them from my floors.

For the carpet/rug test, the results were slightly different. No matter the mode, the vacuum suctioned oats perfectly when vacuuming in reverse. Oddly, it missed a few of the larger clusters of oats when vacuuming forward. It took me two to three swipes of the vacuum to remove all the oats from the rug. Again, this is not as big of a drawback as it seems. Most vacuums struggle with picking up x-large clusters of oats, no matter the floor type.

With its Edge detect feature, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum senses when it's near the edge of a room, where dust can collect, and boosts suction on the relevant side of the floorhead to clear it. To test this feature, I sprinkled loose leaf tea along a wall. The vacuum head picked up every bit of the fine material in a single pass. I give the edge cleaning a perfect rating.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum

I tested the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum with TruePet Upgrade over the course of two weeks. Not only did I use the numerous cleaning modes on my hard floors and low pile carpets, but I also took the vacuum to my parents' house and tested the vacuum on the high pile carpets in their bedrooms. As part of my review, I ran two vacuum tests with fine and thick materials on two different floor types to see how well the vacuum picked up the items on the lowest suction setting.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed May 2025

• The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is a portable fan with misting function
• It's a shrunk-down version of the FlexBreeze, available in six colors
• It's currently only available in the US, and costs $129.99

Shark has added a new model to its fan range: the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is a portable version of the ultra-popular FlexBreeze, and comes with the same misting functionality, so not only does it blast you with cool air, it also sprays you with a fine mist of water to help bring some chill to hot days.

In our Shark FlexBreeze review, we were blown away (pun intended) by the full-size version, rating it one of the best fans you can buy. The shrunk-down version has many of the same benefits – it can be used corded or cordless, indoors or out. Shark has gone a step further by making this one available in a variety of colors: a couple of shades of grey alongside four more summery candy tones.

It has a carry handle to make it easier to tote around, so you need never be without your own personal wind machine. That's particularly useful because I'd say that this portable fan isn't especially small – think desktop rather than handheld. That's probably good news for the power though (Shark claims it has a blowing radius of up to 70 feet, although we'll get back to you on that once we've tested it.)

The misting – once you've got used to the idea of a fan that spits on you – is actually a very smart addition. Fans don't actually lower the temperature, they just make you feel cooler by moving the air around and speeding up the evaporation of sweat from your skin. A mister can lower the temperature of a room, as well as intensifying that cooling feeling created by the fan.

Shark has form when it comes to innovative fans – we've just reviewed the Shark TurboBlade, which can blast out concentrated blades of air in any direction from its pivotable arms.

Currently, the FlexBreeze HydroGo is only available in the US, and costs $129.99 when purchased directly from Shark. The brand also has a big presence in the UK and Australia, so we're hoping it might make its way to other territories soon.

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The Amazon Spring Sale is nearly over, but there are still some great savings across the world of tech to be had. So if you're looking for some inspiration to take advantage of before the event comes to an end, then you're in luck, as we've rounded up the hottest reviews of the week.

• Read all of our previous Review Recaps

And there are some big ticket items here, including the new Razer Blade gaming laptop, which has some big boots to fill given the brand's stellar predecessors, while Huawei has hit it out the park with its first foray into the open-ear headphone market, as the FreeArc have the best sound around. Also, Shark's TurboBlade fan has been something of a revelation to us, thanks to an ingenious design – read on to find out more.

1. TCL QM6K TV review

2. Huawei FreeArc review

3. HP OmniStudio X 31.5 review

4. Shark TurboBlade review

5. Razer Blade 16 (2025)

When I first heard about the rise in LED face masks like Shark’s new Cryoglow, I wasn’t sold. That’s because I’m a huge skeptic when it comes to beauty tech, belied by the stacked pile of gadgets and gizmos I’ve collected over the years.

In fact, the very reason I’ve developed such a chip on my shoulders is because of that mountainous product pile; very few have had any meaningful impact on my core skin concerns, those being my lifelong battle against acne and dark, puffy bags beneath my eyes.

I’ve tried just about everything to manage my acne and subsequent scarring, and the near-constant dark, puffy circles underneath my eyes signal a life decorated by insomnia and bouts of routine dysregulation. The signs of aging are also beginning as I crawl towards 30, and while I’m a huge advocate of aging gracefully, I have to wear a fair amount of concealer to hide my biggest skin insecurities, and I’d love to have fewer fine lines to worry about.

As of writing, I’m testing the Shark Cryoglow, and I’ve started to see some promising results even before completing my review; here are my initial thoughts.

Have questions about the Shark Cryoglow ahead of my full review? Let me know in the comments below.

How does the Shark Cryoglow work?

Enter the Shark Cryoglow, which I’ve been testing for three weeks as of writing; approximately half of the recommended eight-week treatment which uses LED light to stimulate collagen production and cell metabolism to reduce fine lines, treat acne and reduce inflammation.

There are four different treatments programmed into the Shark Cryoglow which use different wavelengths to treat different skin conditions. Red light therapy delivers much of the collagen production, while also reducing inflammation and accelerating healing alongside anti-aging benefits. Blue light targets acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation, particularly for oily and acne-prone skin, while near-infrared light therapy improves circulation and reduces fine lines and wrinkles, helping to plump your skin and reduce redness.

These different wavelengths are used across pre-set treatments designed to target different skin conditions; Better Ageing mode (reducing fine lines and firming skin in eight weeks), Blemish Repair mode (improves blemishes in four weeks) and Skin Sustain, designed to be used following an eight-week cycle of one of the former treatments to boost brightness and maintain results.

In tandem with this technology, the Shark Cryoglow also features controllable under-eye cooling metal pads to reduce puffiness and dark circles through cryotherapy. There are three different temperature settings to account for different skin sensitivities, or you can opt to use the mask without the cooling affect.

There are only a few clinical studies into LED face mask technology, with some positive, albeit varied results, and little insight into the long-term effects. That being said, I can at the very least say my personal experience has been a positive one so far.

First impressions

Shark’s Cryoglow LED face mask makes quite the impression, looks-wise. Unlike some of the other flexible mask models on the market, it’s a solid mask with cushioning to comfortably fit a variety of face shapes. It also comes with extra optical cooling covers to bring the under-eye pads closer to your face if needed.

Instead of wraparound straps like those found in some of its competitors, the Shark Cryoglow has two elasticated straps that go across the top and sides of your head above your ears, which I personally find more comfortable; though it is a little heavy.

It can also take some getting used to the narrow field of view afforded by the Shark Cryoglow and many of the other LED masks on the market. For most, this won’t be an issue; it’s no bad thing to take a moment for some self-care, sit back and relax as the LED face mask works its magic. I, however, can’t sit still, and found it a little difficult that I couldn’t move around or play on my phone easily while my skin was being rejuvenated.

Attached to the mask is the handheld remote, from which you both charge the device and select the treatment cycles or coolness, as well as tracking your progress and adjusting settings.

Early results

I’ve found it easy to commit to and keep up my LED treatments thanks to the on-device remote keeping tabs on my activity, and its super-quick treatments are all less than 10 minutes, meaning it’s not a huge drag on my self-care routine to keep up.

After just a few weeks of use, my skin has shown some noticeable improvement, though I wouldn’t yet go as far as to say it’s a silver bullet solution.

For one thing, my under-eye bags have drastically reduced from daily cooling, and I’ve even noticed improvements in discoloration. I’ve been mostly using Blemish Repair mode, with the odd burst of Better Aging, and I’ve noticed some solid early signs of improvement. After the first two weeks, my skin seemed to regain some elasticity, and a slightly more consistent tone. By week three, I noticed my acne improved; while it’s not gone entirely, it’s becoming less prone to cystic outbreaks and, while my evidence is only anecdotal, does seem to be healing more quickly, too.

One of my only gripes so far outside of the heaviness is that the battery life is a little sub-par. It needs charging after three or four treatments, which is fine until you’re caught in a situation where you’re in a rush to leave the house and want to give your skin some treatment beforehand.

I've not yet finished my full testing and review process, so I can't say for certain what my verdict on the Shark Cryoglow is; however, it's certainly on track to win me over. Stay tuned for my full review in a few weeks, and let me know in the comments below if you have any Cryoglow questions!

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Shark is one of our very favorite brands of vacuum cleaner, with two of its most popular ranges the Shark Stratos and Shark PowerDetect. They appear pretty similar, so here we go into detail to outline the differences between the two to help you decide which is the best vacuum cleaner for you.

The Stratos launched in fall 2022. The PowerDetect range is newer – in fact, the newest range at time of writing, having launched in fall 2024. There are a few different vacuum types in each line, but for the purposes of this guide, we'll focus mainly on the cordless stick vacuums. You can read about them individually in our Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick vacuum review and Shark Stratos Cordless Stick vacuum review.

Overall, the PowerDetect cordless will be a better choice for most people, because of its light weight and longer battery life. It's potentially a little more powerful than the Stratos, too, and packs more advanced automation features. However, the Stratos is still a very capable vacuum, and since it's an older model, you're more likely to be able to pick it up at a discount. If you spot a great deal, it's well worth considering.

At time of writing, the PowerDetect and Stratos are two of the best Shark vacuum ranges in terms of specs and features. The third is the Detect Pro, and you can see how that matches up in our Detect Pro vs PowerDetect and Detect Pro vs Stratos comparison articles. If you want to see how they fit into the wider market, check out our roundup of the best cordless vacuums you can buy.

That's the short version. Read on for a more in-depth evaluation of the differences between the Shark Stratos vs PowerDetect vacuums.

Shark PowerDetect vs Stratos: range & price

• Ranges and models vary by country; all are mid-range or lower-premium
• In US, the PowerDetect cordless stick is cheaper than Stratos
• Deals are common across both lines

We'll start with a quick caveat: the Shark vacuum range is large and changes regularly. The options are different in each country, and where a model is available across a few countries, it won't necessarily have the same specs or name. Deals also crop up regularly.

Now that's out of the way, let's take a look at the Stratos and PowerDetect vacuum options available at time of writing. We'll focus here on what you can buy direct from Shark; but there may be other options available from third-party retailers.

Shark PowerDetect range

Let's start with the cordless stick vacuum. In the US, the PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum on its own (IP1251) costs $429.99. There's also a version with an auto-empty base (IP3251), which has a list price of $499.99.

The equivalent model in the UK is the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner (IP1251UKT) for £499.99 (reduced to £349.99 at the time of writing), or the Clean & Empty version with the auto-empty base (IP3251UKT) for £549.99 (currently down to £399.99).

Shoppers in Australia have the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum (IP1251) for AU$849.99, or the Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System (IP3251) for AU$999.99.

US shoppers (only) also have a corded stick option: the PowerDetect Corded Stick Vacuum (HZ4002) for $259.99 reduced to $229.99.

Alongside the cordless stick option, there's also a corded upright. In the US, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum with DuoClean Detect Technology (AZ4002) costs $499.99.

In the UK, this is the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner (AZ3900UKT), which costs £399.99 at list price but is currently reduced to £299.99. In Australia, this model is sold as the Shark PowerDetect Corded Upright (AZ3900). It comes with a list price of AU$699.

Finally, in the US and UK, you also have a robovac option. There are also PowerDetect robot vacuum options, but we won't get into them here because there's no Stratos equivalent.

Shark Stratos range

In the UK, Shark's main offering is the cordless stick vacuum. In the US, it's called the Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum (IZ862H) with a list price of $499.99, but discounted to $349.99 at time of writing.

In the UK, it's called the Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Cordless Vacuum, and it's available in a few different bundle options. There's the standard version (IZ400UK) for £349.99, discounted to £199.99; the Pet Pro version (IZ400UKT), with added pet hair tool for £379.99; plus the Pet Pro with an added spare battery (IZ420UKT), available at a reduced price of £299.99 from the original £449.99.

Shoppers in Australia can choose between the Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro Vacuum with Clean Sense IQ (IZ400) for AU$799.99 but down to AU$599.99, or the Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro Vacuum Plus with Clean Sense IQ (IZ420) for AU$999.99.

In the UK, there's a corded stick vacuum option – the Shark Stratos Corded Stick Pet Pro (HZ3000UKT) for £249.99.

There's also an upright vacuum option: the Shark Stratos DuoClean PowerFins HairPro Upright Vacuum (AZ3002) in the US, which costs $449.99 but is currently down to $369.99. This is very different to the Stratos uprights in the UK and AU (which are essentially the same).

In the UK, it's the Shark Stratos Pet Pro Anti Hair Wrap Plus Anti-Odour Upright Vacuum (NZ860UKT) for £299.99. It's also available in an XL version (AZ3000UKT), for £399.99.

In Australia, your upright option is the Shark Stratos XL Pet Pro Powered Lift-Away with Odour Neutraliser Technology (AZ913) and it costs AU$649.99 at list price.

Here's a summary table of pricing for the Stratos and PowerDetect cordless stick vacuums:

Shark PowerDetect vs Stratos: specs

Shark PowerDetect vs Stratos: design

• Stratos is taller and heavier
• Both have the same dust-cup capacity and flexible wand
• PowerDetect offers optional auto-empty base

For this section, we'll compare the cordless stick vacuum option in each range. If you're using this guide alongside the product entries on the Shark website, you might want to refer to our Shark vacuum technologies guide, because this brand uses a fair bit of marketing jargon.

The Stratos is almost 1lb heavier than the PowerDetect, and over 5 inches taller, too. The capacity of the dust cup is the same for both models, and the floorhead width is roughly the same, too. Both options have Shark's popular flexible wand, which bends forward to allow you to reach beneath furniture without getting right down on the floor yourself, plus headlamps to help illuminate dingy corners.

Both the Stratos and PowerDetect have a DuoClean floorhead with two rollers, and anti-hair wrap features. However, the PowerDetect's version is more advanced – it packs a load of sensors, to enable it to offer greater automation options. I'll get into these in more detail in the Performance section.

Another popular Shark feature is an anti-odor puck, which is designed to neutralize potential bad smells (there are a few reasons why your vacuum cleaner might smell, but the main one is that the dust cup has something stinky in it and you haven't emptied it soon enough).

The Stratos cordless has the anti-odor puck in its floorhead, while the PowerDetect includes it on the auto-empty base. So if you don't go for that option, there won't be a puck.

One potentially significant difference between the two lines is that the PowerDetect has a compatible auto-empty dock, which will mean you won't have to manually empty the dust cup nearly as often. Not only does this mean less effort on your part, but it might also prove more suitable a model for allergy sufferers because it means fewer chances for dust and allergens to escape back into the air.

The auto-empty base is an optional extra (and costs more). There's no compatible auto-empty base to go with the Stratos Cordless Stick vacuum.

Shark PowerDetect vs Stratos: performance

• PowerDetect offers higher wattage and longer battery
• PowerDetect has many more automation features
• On test, we found both excellent at picking up dirt

Let's take a look at cleaning power. Of the two models we're focusing on here, the PowerDetect has a higher wattage – 450W compared to 309W for the Stratos. This is good guide to tell you how much suction a vacuum cleaner has; higher wattage can indicate more suction power. (If you're wondering how many watts of power is good for a vacuum, for a stick vacuum we'd consider roughly 200-300W, and 400-600W to be ideal.)

While a poorly designed vacuum with a high wattage isn't going to offer great suction, because the PowerDetect and Stratos come from the same parent company and feature similar builds, it's likely the PowerDetect will display better suction.

The Stratos has three suction modes. The lowest-powered is Eco mode, and there's a Boost for maximum power. If you want your vacuum to auto-adjust based on dirt levels, you use the Clean Sense IQ mode. The PowerDetect has the same options, except the auto mode is called DirtDetect.

The PowerDetect also offers longer battery life. On the lowest powered mode (Eco) Shark says it will last 70 minutes, compared to 60 minutes on the Stratos. However, battery life in auto and Boost modes will be lower for both.

The PowerDetect also features more advanced automation options over the Stratos. The Stratos is able to detect dirt, and increase suction to clear it. The PowerDetect can do that, but it can also determine when it's near the edge of a room and bump up suction on the relevant side of the floorhead in response. Sensors also allow it to denote whether it's being used on a hard floor or carpet and speed up or slow down the brushroll to suit. More advanced automation means a more effective, low-effort and battery-efficient clean.

One USP of the PowerDetect is that the floorhead has been designed to be as effective at picking up dirt when it's being pulled backwards as it is when pushed forwards. Theoretically, this could save you significant amounts of time.

Shark PowerDetect vs Stratos: which should I buy?

Buy a Shark Stratos if...

Buy a Shark PowerDetect if...

Hardwood floors look great, but they can show everything. Dust, crumbs, pet hair. It doesn’t take much for them to start looking messy, and the wrong vacuum can make things worse by scattering debris or even scratching the surface.

We test dozens of vacuum cleaners every year, and not all of them handle hard floors well. In this guide to the best vacuums for hard floors, we’ve picked the ones that actually work on wood floors, whether you want something lightweight for quick clean-ups or a more powerful option for a full-house clean. (Our guide to how to clean a hardwood floor is worth checking out if you're not sure how a vacuum fits in in the first place.)

There are a couple of things that matter more here than they do for carpets. A soft roller floorhead is key because it can pick up fine dust and larger debris without damaging the floor. You also don’t need as much raw suction, since dirt sits on the surface rather than being embedded. That means a lighter, easier-to-handle vacuum can often be the better choice.

Right now, the best option for most people is the Dreame R20 cordless vacuum. It's lightweight, includes a vacuum head especially for hard floors and delivers a quality clean. If you’re willing to spend more, the Dyson Gen5detect is a step up, with a laser that helps you spot dust and debris that can be easily missed without this kind of light.

If neither of those look quite right for you, keep reading. There are plenty of other solid options here, depending on your space, budget, and how you like to clean.

The best vacuum for hardwood floors – as chosen by experts

The best vacuum for hardwood floors overall

The Dreame R20 is our top pick for the best vacuum for hardwood floors. This model is a great all-rounder, but what makes it especially well suited to hardwood floors is that it comes with a dedicated cleaner head especially for use on hard flooring.

The 'Soft Roller Brush' is covered in fluffy cleaning cloth with no firm bristles or ribs. That means it can get right up close to the surface of your hardwood floor, picking up fine dust without risking scratching it. Plus, it's the type of floorhead that's great for gently buffing your hard floors as it goes.

You'll also get a general-purpose cleaner head that can be used on any type of floor, and is great for quick cleans if you're moving from carpet to non-delicate hard floors. The general floorhead comes fitted with bright blue LEDs that project onto the floor to brighten dingy corners. It's not as effective at illuminating hidden dust as Dyson's vivid green lasers, but it's useful nonetheless.

Elsewhere, this a generally excellent vac – it sits right near the top of our best cordless vacuum ranking. The cleaning performance is superb, and there's automated suction adjustment based on dirt levels, to take any effort out. It's also lightweight, thanks mainly to an innovative carbon fiber wand, which can also bend forward to 90 degrees for cleaning under furniture. Although trigger-operated, there's a switch you can deploy for continuous running, to save your fingers. The battery capacity is also seriously generous.

The Dreame R20 delivers perhaps the best value for money of any model here. At list price, it sits near the bottom of the mid-range bracket, but regularly attracts deals. If you have a bigger budget, consider one of the Dyson flagships (like the Dyson Gen5detect below) – as well as those useful laser headlights, there's also a bump in quality and performance. However, for most people, the R20 will be more than good enough.

Read more: Dreame R20 cordless vacuum review

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The best premium vacuum for hardwood floors

If you're willing to spend more for a premium hardwood-floor vacuum, the Dyson Gen5detect is the model we'd choose. During testing, we were impressed by how well it handled cleanups, from tackling fine dust to crumbs to pet hair. Meanwhile, the upgraded Fluffy Optic floorhead proved particularly useful on hard floors.

One of the more notable features is the redesigned laser illumination. Unlike the version found on older Dyson models, our reviewer found the brighter, wider beam remained visible even in well-lit rooms, helping reveal dust that would otherwise stay hidden. Combined with powerful suction and a reliable Auto mode that adjusts cleaning power based on floor type and dirt levels, it makes light work of everyday mess.

The Gen5detect is also one of the longest-lasting cordless vacuums we've tested. Dyson promises up to 70 minutes of runtime, and our reviewer actually exceeded that figure in some tests. It's a particularly good fit for larger homes, where the combination of strong cleaning performance and excellent battery life means you're less likely to need to stop and recharge halfway through a clean.

Of course, all that extra power comes at a cost. The Gen5detect is one of the most expensive cordless vacuums in Dyson's lineup, and the larger battery makes it noticeably heavier than some rivals. However, if you want the most capable Dyson currently available and one of the best hardwood-floor vacuums we've tested, the Gen5detect is an easy recommendation.

Read our full Dyson Gen5detect review

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The best budget vacuum for hardwood floors

If you want a vacuum that cleans hardwood floors well without taking a huge bite out of your budget, the Hoover HF3 DynamicClean is our top affordable pick. It's proof that you don't need to spend Dyson money to get a highly capable cordless vacuum.

During testing, we were particularly impressed by how well the HF3 handled dust, crumbs and debris on hard floors. The 150AW motor delivers strong suction for the price, and the floorhead transitions smoothly between surfaces without needing any manual adjustments. It won't match the outright cleaning power of premium models that cost two or three times as much, but it gets surprisingly close where it matters most for day-to-day cleaning.

At just 2.5kg, it's also one of the lightest cordless vacuums we've tested. That makes it easy to carry between rooms, manoeuvre around furniture and grab for quick clean-ups. We also found Hoover's Anti-Twist brushbar lived up to its claims, with no hair wrapping around the roller during our review period.

Of course, you can expect a few compromises with a more affordable vacuum. The build quality feels a little plasticky in places, and the quoted 60-minute runtime is only achievable in Eco mode. In the Standard mode most people will actually use, you're looking at closer to 25-30 minutes.

Unfortunately, the HF3 isn't currently available in the US. However, we recently tested the Bissell PowerClean FurFinder, which is available stateside, and found it punches well above its weight when it comes to everyday hard-floor cleaning without sending the price soaring.

The HF3 won't trouble the very best vacuum for hard floors on the market, but it gets surprisingly close considering how much less it costs.

Read our full Hoover HF3 DynamicClean review

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The best auto-empty vacuum for hardwood floors

If you have a larger home and/or are dealing with lots of dust, take a look at the Shark Detect Pro Cordless Auto-Empty System. This nimble cordless vacuum comes with a base that not only charges the vacuum but also auto-empties the dust. So while the onboard dust cup is very small, there's almost no effort involved in emptying it: simply dock the vacuum and everything in the bin will whoosh out, via a closed system, into the base.

That means less effort and less mess, and it's potentially a good solution for allergy sufferers, as there are fewer chances for the dust to escape back into the air. We'd also recommend this setup to pet owners who have large volumes of per hair floating about their hardwood floors.

Effort-saving base aside, this model is a little lacking in accessories. Most notably – unlike the Dreame R20 and the Dyson Gen5detect, which have separate heads for hardwood floors – there's only one, all-floor cleaner head. However, on test we found that head still did a great job of getting our hard floors clean. The power levels aren't the highest you'll find in the Shark range, but they are plenty strong enough for use of hard floors, and the slightly lower suction means this vacuum is nice and light, too. In fact, we rate this the best Shark vacuum if you're looking for something lightweight.

Many of the vacuums here offer automatic suction adjustment based on floor type and/or dirt levels, but the Shark Detect Pro goes a step further by including an 'EdgeDetect' feature whereby it'll ramp up power on the relevant side of the floorhead when it approaches the edge of a room, where dust can collect. There are also LED headlights (although not as bright as the lasers found on Dyson models) and some versions of the Detect Pro also come with a wand that can bend forward for cleaning under furniture (check if this is included before you buy, though).

Overall, the Detect Pro is a very solid all-round vacuum that's well-suited for use on hard floors, but it's the auto-empty base that really marks it out from competitor models here.

Read our full Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review

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The best vacuum for hardwood floors and pet hair

Homes with pets have slightly different vacuuming demands, and the Samsung Jet 85 is particularly well equipped to deal with hair on hardwood floors. We reviewed the Pet version of this vacuum, which comes with a mini motorized pet tool that's excellent at removing fur from furniture. But what you need to know about if you're cleaning hardwood floors is the Complete version, which features a cleaning head designed for hard floors.

The Samsung Jet 85 delivers a whole lot of suction. In fact, our reviewer found that its maximum Jet mode was so powerful that you'd be hard pushed to find any real use for it. In its less powerful modes it did an excellent job of picking up all manner of dirt on hard floors, although it struggled with finer detritus on carpets.

The Jet 85 is nicely maneuverable, and gets under furniture smoothly. It works just as well in handheld mode, too. Although on the scales it's one of the heaviest models in this roundup, the ergonomic design makes it super comfortable to use, even for long periods.

The onboard dustbin is generously sized at 0.8L. However, if you're dealing with loads of hair, you might want to consider the Shark Detect Pro with its auto-empty dock instead.

Read our full Samsung Jet 85 Pet vacuum cleaner review

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The best vacuum for small homes with hardwood floors

If you have a small home with lots of hardwood floors, definitely check out the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. It's smaller and lighter than the brand's flagship models, but packs almost all the same high-tech features as the newest Dyson stick vacuums. So, like the Gen5detect, you're getting a dedicated fluffy floorhead for hard floors, bright laser illumination to make the tiniest specks of dirt visible, and advanced particle detection with real-time cleaning reports. It's cheaper than the flagships, too, although we are still in premium territory.

Rather than the trigger operation featured on older Dyson models like the V15 (featured in our also tested section), the V12 Detect Slim turns on and off with a one-press button. That's good news for avoiding finger fatigue when cleaning for long periods, although it does mean you'll need two hands free for that part of the cleaning process (one to hold the vacuum, one to press the button).

The dust cup is teeny tiny: we round to one decimal place, but it's actually 0.35L. That will be a pain if you're cleaning a larger space or dealing with larger volumes of dirt or hair, not least because the compact proportions mean debris can easily get stuck when it comes to emptying. However, for small homes, it shouldn't cause too many issues.

On the plus side, it's impressively lightweight (the lightest vacuum featured here) and extremely easy to maneuver; perfect for getting into awkward nooks and crannies. The suction isn't up there with the bigger and heavier V15 and Gen5detect, but it's plenty sucky enough for most people's needs, and definitely ample for use on hard floors.

Read our full Dyson V12 Detect Slim review

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The best grab-and-go vacuum for hard floors

If you’re the kind of person who sighs at the thought of hauling out a full-size vacuum just to deal with a small mess, the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones will feel like a bit of a revelation. It’s incredibly slim, with everything packed into a 1.5-inch-wide handle, and weighs just 4lbs, so it’s the kind of vacuum you can grab one-handed the second you spill cereal, knock over flour, or notice crumbs under the counter.

It’s built specifically for hard floors, and it shows. The Fluffycones floorhead uses four soft, conical rollers that spin in opposite directions, so it picks up debris whether you push forwards or pull back. In testing, it cleared both fine dust and larger debris in a single pass, including on the vacuum's Eco mode. The twin lasers are genuinely useful too, lighting up dust along skirting boards or under cabinets that you would otherwise miss.

You’re getting up to 30 minutes of runtime, which we know, it doesn't sound like a lot, but we found it to be plenty for quick clean-ups. It also recharges in around two hours, so it’s easy to keep it ready to go. You get a 0.08L bin, which is on the higher end compared to other vacuums in this guide, and the PencilVac's built-in compression also helps you fit more in than you’d expect.

There are a few trade-offs. Suction tops out at 55AW, so it’s not designed for carpets or deep cleaning, and the angled floorhead can make edges a bit fiddly. But if your priority is something lightweight, fast, and genuinely easy to use for everyday spills and dust, those drawbacks feel like a fair compromise.

Read our full Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones review

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The best vacuum for hardwood floors: specs compared

Also tested

How to choose the best vacuum for hardwood floors

To choose a vacuum that'll give you the best results, you'll need to think about a few things. Firstly, consider just what type of hardwood floor you have. If you have solid wood flooring that isn't coated or sealed, you'll need to treat it gently, and that means choosing a lightweight stick vacuum with a soft brushroll. If you have wood-look flooring or coated/sealed wood, you can afford to use a larger upright model, which also means you'll benefit from extra suction and a larger bin capacity.

Secondly, think about how much of your flooring is hardwood and how much is carpet or rugs. It's likely you'll have at least some carpet in your home, in which case you'll need a vacuum that can clean well on all surfaces; most vacs have adjustable floor settings and some will automatically change power settings depending on floor type.

Finally, look at how well each vacuum cleans around edges. While on carpet, dirt, hair and dust tends to stay where it is, when you have hard floors it tends to gather along edges, so you need a vacuum with strong edge performance. Another place all the dirt tends to accumulate is under furniture, so make sure you pick a vac that's flexible enough to clean beneath your sofa.

If you're looking to upgrade your Shark vacuum cleaner, at some point you'll probably find yourself trying to figure out the differences between the Shark PowerDetect and Shark Detect Pro product lines. In terms of specs and smarts, these are the two of the best Shark vacuum ranges at time of writing, and despite the fact they have very similar names, there are key differences that should be taken into consideration when choosing between the two. Note: this article will mostly focus on the cordless stick vacuums in each line.

The Detect Pro range launched in September 2023, and comprises a cordless stick vacuum and (in the US only) a robot vacuum. The stick vacuum introduced a range of detection and automation features, and as well as an optional auto-empty base. You can get the full low-down in our Shark Detect Pro cordless stick vacuum review.

The PowerDetect range was unveiled the following year, in September 2024. It comprises a cordless stick vacuum, but also an upright, a corded stick vac, and a few different robot vacuums. The cordless stick vacuum has all the same detection features of the Detect Pro, as well as that optional base. It adds another 'detection' feature – it's designed to vacuum just as well when being pulled backwards as pushed forwards – but more significantly, it's much more powerful than the Detect Pro in terms of suction. Find out more in our Shark PowerDetect cordless stick vacuum review.

The Detect Pro currently features in our roundup of the best cordless vacuums on the market, and the PowerDetect is only absent because it's currently only available in the US – at time of writing we're awaiting UK and Australian launches. (These are two of Shark's key vacuum ranges. The third is the Stratos line – you can see how that matches up in our Shark Stratos vs Detect Pro comparison article.)

Overall, the PowerDetect will be the better of the two for most people, just because it's more powerful. However, it is more expensive than the Detect Pro cordless (although not massively) and a bit heavier, too. That's the short version; read on for a more in-depth look all the differences between the Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro vacuums.

Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro: range & price

• PowerDetect has a much wider range of vacuum types overall
• PowerDetect Stick vac more expensive than Detect Pro equivalent

The Shark vacuum range encompasses a lot of different models, so figuring out the different options is a tricky business. Availability varies by country, and where a model is international, it won't necessarily have the same name and code in every territory.

In this section, we'll do our best to explain the different models and prices for the Detect Pro and PowerDetect ranges. We'll only include what you can buy direct from Shark – there may be other options available from third party retailers.

Shark PowerDetect range

The key model in this range is the PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum. The vacuum on its own is the IP1251 and it costs $429.99 / £499.99 / AU$849.99.

Alternatively, the version with an auto-empty base is the IP3251 and costs $499.99 / £549.99 / AU$999.99.

Within the range you'll also find the PowerDetect Upright vacuum. In the UK it's the AZ3900UKT and it has a list price of £399.99 but is currently reduced to £349.99. In Australia this is the AZ3900 and costs AU$699. It's not part of the US range right now.

However, US shoppers do have the option of the PowerDetect Corded Stick vacuum HZ4002 for $259.99, not available in the UK or Australia at the moment.

Finally, in the US and UK, there's a PowerDetect robot vacuum. In the US there are three options: a basic version with no mop function RV2820AE for $599.99, a combo version with a NeverTouch Base RV2820YE for $899.99 or with a NeverTouch Pro base RV2820ZE for $999.99. In the UK it's just the self-empty vacuum-only robovac RV2820VEUK for £499.99. We've tested one of these out – you can find out how we got on in our Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review, or see how it compares to the rest of today's best robot vacuums.

Shark Detect Pro range

The Shark Detect Pro range includes one cordless stick vacuum. In the US, its the IW1111 for $379.99, or you can go for the version with an auto-empty base IW3511 for $449.99.

In the UK, there was originally a vacuum-only version IW1511UK for £349.99, but at time of writing there are now only auto-empty base options if you buy direct from Shark. Choose between a 1.3L base IW3510UK for £399.99 reduced to £299.99, or a 2L base IW3611UKT for £449.99 down to £349.99.

Shoppers in Australia can grab the vacuum on its own IW1611 for AU$599.99 down to AU$499.99, or with an auto-empty base IW3611 for AU$799.99 down to AU$699.99.

There's also a Detect Pro Robot Vacuum, but only in the US. This is a self-empty vacuum-only robovac, with the product code RV2820AEB, for $599.99.

Here's a summary table of pricing for the Detect Pro and PowerDetect cordless stick vacuums:

Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro: specs

Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro: design & features

• PowerDetect significantly more powerful, but also heavier
• Both have lots of automation features, and optional auto-empty base
• PowerDetect's USP is 'DirectionDetect', which we weren't impressed with

In this section, we'll focus on comparing the standard cordless stick vacuum in the PowerDetect and Detect Pro ranges. Bear in mind that, depending on where you live, you might also have upright and corded stick vacuum PowerDetect options, and there's also a robot vacuum in each range.

The PowerDetect Cordless stick vacuum is almost 2lbs heavier than the Detect Pro equivalent, and it's more than 2" taller, too. The PowerDetect has significantly higher wattage (450W vs 240W for the Detect Pro). Wattage is one of the ways you can tell how much suction a vacuum cleaner has. It's not a hard-and-fast rule – a poorly designed vacuum with a high wattage isn't going to have great suction – but because these models are from the same company and so should have similar builds, it's fairly safe to assume the PowerDetect will have the better suction of the two. Shark itself also markets the PowerDetect as being its "most powerful cordless ever".

Let's take a closer look at the design/feature differences between the Shark Detect Pro and PowerDetect vacuums. You might want to refer to our Shark vacuum technologies guide, because this brand uses a fair bit of marketing jargon.

Cleaning powers

As you might gather from the names, Shark has gone big on 'detection' features in both the Detect Pro and PowerDetect vacuums. Here are the automation features both models have:

• DirtDetect: adjusts suction based on how dirty the floor is
• FloorDetect: detects floor type, and uses more suction on carpet
• EdgeDetect: boosts suction on one side of floorhead when near the edge of a room
• LightDetect: brightens floorhead lights when entering dark areas

In addition, the PowerDetect also has DirectionDetect. This isn't so much a detecting thing, and the description of the feature is a little wooly, but essentially this vacuum is meant to clean just as well when it's being pulled backwards as it does when pushed forwards. On test, there was a notable difference between the Detect Pro and PowerDetect here.

This is the PowerDetect:

And this is the Detect Pro:

The reason for this is that the PowerDetect has a redesigned floorhead. There are two rollers – a soft one more for hard floors, and a bristle one for carpet, alongside patented 'teeth' along the rear edge to allow dust and debris to pass through.

The Detect Pro has a QuadClean floorhead, which has just one roller, but with different parts for tackling different tasks. The roller is mostly fluffy microfiber (for grabbing surface dust on hard floors), but it also has firmer bristles (for carpet), and rubbery 'PowerFins' (to really dig into deep-pile carpet and pull out hair and ingrained dirt).

Both floorheads are designed to prevent hair from getting tangled up around the rollers. In the UK this is referred to as 'anti hair wrap technology' while in the US it called a 'self-cleaning brushroll'.

Special features

That's the design and cleaning powers covered; now let's take a look at the fun extras. One of the most popular Shark features is its bendable wand, which appears on the PowerDetect but not the Detect Pro. Press a button on the wand and it'll bend forward, enabling you to reach right under furniture without having to get low yourself.

These are the only two models in the wider Shark range to come with an optional self-empty base. As well as providing somewhere for the vacuum to charge, it'll empty the on-vac dust cup every time it's docked, into a much larger bin in the base. There's an anti-odor puck to prevent smells from building up. It's not an essential, but both our reviewers were fans, and generally it's not too much more expensive to pick up the version with the dock. We'd recommend it especially to allergy sufferers, because it means you'll need to manually empty dust and debris far less often.

Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro: which should I buy?

Buy a Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum if...

Buy a Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum if...

Vacuum cleaners have been around for a while now, and you're probably thinking there aren't any major design or performance breakthroughs left to be achieved. Well, you might be wrong, because Shark has unveiled a new range of vacuums that it claims solve one big problem with today's best vacuum cleaners.

The USP of the Shark PowerDetect vacuum range is that they work just as well going backwards as they do going forwards. Most vacuums are designed to do most of their suction work when you're pushing them, and the return stroke is mostly just to get them back into position for another push. 

Update: we've tested a few models from this range now. To find out how we got on, head to our Shark PowerDetect Cordless stick vacuum review or our Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review. 

The PowerDetect vacuums boast a patent-pending fin design and 'DirectionDetect technology' to change that, and offer the same cleaning power no matter which way they're being maneuvered. It could... well, probably not quite halve, but definitely make a decent dent in, the time you need to spend vacuuming. 

I had a chance to see one of Shark's PowerDetect models in action at IFA 2024, and was impressed with what I saw – I could hear the suction continuing unabated when the vacuum was being pulled in reverse. It was demoed alongside another Shark cordless vacuum without this new feature, and sounded noticeably different. The proof is in the cleaning, of course, and we're in the process of getting one of these new vacuums tested to see if it's as good as Shark is promising. 

The range comprises three models, to suit different households and cleaning jobs. There's the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Vacuum (IP1251UKT), the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner (AZ3900UKT), and the Shark PowerDetect Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner (HZ4000UKT). 

Of those, I'd expect most people will be most interested in the first one. Shark is the brand behind many of today's best cordless vacuums, and a pretty serious rival to Dyson these days. As well as the new forward-and-backwards suction tech, the PowerDetect Cordless combines most of the best features of the current best Shark vacuums.

Best of both worlds

It used to be that if you wanted maximum power, you'd opt for a Shark Stratos model, while for tech smarts you'd buy a Detect Pro. Shark says the PowerDetect does both. On the 'detection' front, this vacuum can sense whether it's on a hard floor or carpet, and how dirty it is, and reduce or increase suction in response. It can also tell when it's close to the edge of a room, where dust can accumulate, and will boost suction just on that side of the cleaning head for an extra hit of cleaning power, without unnecessarily draining the battery. 

You can bend the wand forwards, flamingo-leg-style, to enable you to reach right under furniture, without having to crouch down awkwardly. There's also a promised 70 minutes of battery life – matching the longest runtime you'll find anywhere. And if you want an even more hands-off experience, you can opt for the version with the auto-empty dock.

We don't have pricing or launch date information for the Shark PowerDetect range yet, but we'll bring that to you as soon as we get it.

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• 6 cool new robvac features coming your way, from quad bike-style suspension to magnetic mops
• This robovac packs the processing power of an Xbox, but I'm mostly obsessed with its little fluffy tail
• The new Shark FlexFusion is what you'd get if you melded all your hair gadgets together into one mammoth multi-styler

The best cheap vacuums are what you need if you want to keep your home clean but don't have a huge budget, and we've picked out the leading options for you. Our expert reviewers have tested all manner of vacuums across multiple price points – budget (under £200 / $250), mid-range (£200-£400 / $250-$500), and premium (over £400 / $500) – and in this guide, we'll focus on the budget bracket, with some options extending into the lower mid-range category.

Our reviewers have tested all the vacuum cleaners on this list extensively, putting them through a series of standardized tests in a range of environments to see how they perform. We don't just focus on technical specs but find out what they're like to use in practice: how easy they are to lug up stairs, what kind of debris they get stuck on, how long the cord stretches and so on.

We've used all this experience to draw up a comprehensive list of the best cheap vacuum cleaners on the market right now. Our selections include some of the best vacuum cleaner options for those on a tight budget, including some that compare well to even the best cordless vacuum cleaners.

The best cheap vacuum overall

The Dreame R20 is hands-down our favorite budget-friendly vacuum, offering excellent performance and features for an extremely reasonable price. Officially, it's $449.99 / £279, but discounts are very common and you should be able to pick it up for closer to $220 / £240 – not ultra-budget, but affordable and outstanding value for money.

This vacuum is lightweight, compact, and very easy to maneuver. It aced our suction tests, offering strong pickup on both hard floors and carpet – in fact, it managed to suck flour from the cracks between wooden floorboards, as well as clearing large volumes of dog hair from a rug (we rate this amongst the best vacuums for pet hair). Those with delicate wooden floors will appreciate the extra, soft floorhead designed specifically to clean and buff hard floors without risking scratches.

Unusually at this price point, there's dust detection included, and the vacuum will automatically raise or lower its suction depending on how dirty the floor is. That means an effective clean without wasting battery. Speaking of which: the R20 offers incredibly long runtimes of up to 90 minutes on a single charge, plus speedy recharging.

The trigger is a little sensitive, and easy to accidentally press. However, we're pleased to see a lock for continuous running, and an air intake slider on the floorhead for times when the vacuum becomes too hard to push. Otherwise, a slightly annoying whiney running noise is the only complaint we can really level at this vacuum.

Dreame (pronounced 'Dreamy') is a sub-brand of the Xiaomi empire and while it's a relatively new player in the appliances space, we've been extremely impressed with almost all of the products we've tested so far, so it's definitely one to watch.

Read our full Dreame R20 vacuum review

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The best cheap corded vacuum

If you can handle a cord, you'll almost always end up with more suction compared with going cordless – and you'll often save money too. The best cheap corded vacuum we've tested is the Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum cleaner. At list price it's $299.99, but it's often reduced, dropping closer to $180).

This specific model isn't available in the UK, but the HZ500UKT is very similar and also very budget-friendly, coming in around £160.

On test, the Stratos Corded offers powerful suction on both hard floors and carpets, including edges and corners. Like most cordless vacuums, it boasts a modular design that can handle a range of cleaning tasks, from pulling pet hair off upholstery to sucking cobwebs from the ceiling, as well as larger debris. At 10m / 33ft, the cord is long enough that you shouldn't feel too tethered to the wall.

This model also boasts an odor neutralizer technology that might seem like a gimmick, but which we found really does leave floors and carpets smelling fresh after use. Other highlights include LED headlights for better visibility in dingy corners, and an anti-hair wrap floorhead.

Overall, the Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum is a strong choice for anyone who has tougher cleaning needs – it's definitely worth considering if you have lots of carpet, or a hairy pet.

Read our full Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum review

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The best cheap Dyson vacuum

Update: There's an updated version of this vacuum on its way, called the Dyson V8 Cyclone. It boasts more suction and longer runtimes, and might be worth holding out for rather than buying the older version.

Okay, it's not cheap, but if you have your heart set on a Dyson, this is the lowest-priced option. It's not up there with the latest and greatest models, but it's still a very capable cleaner, offering good suction and excellent maneuverability.

The V8 has two power modes, Standard and Max, controlled by a toggle switch. Our reviewer found the vacuum to be lightweight and versatile – like many of the models on this list, you can use it as a floor vacuum, or remove the wand to turn it into a handheld.

While you will sacrifice some of the fancier features of today's very best Dyson vacuums – there's no automatic suction adjustment, LCD info screen or laser floor illumination – it's still an excellent cleaner. You're still getting that high Dyson quality, meticulous engineering and well-designed accessories for different cleaning tasks. The design is functional and user-friendly, with an extremely easy-to-maneuver floorhead.

Buying notes

If you're after a budget Dyson, there are a couple of other options worth knowing about. The model up from this one is the Dyson V11. It's all-round a better vacuum than the V8, and like that model, also attracts semi-regular discounts. See exactly how the two compare in our Dyson V8 vs V11 article. It's worth checking around to see how much V11 costs before buying a V8.

Read our full Dyson V8 review

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The best ultra-budget vacuum

If you're on a really tight budget and have a home that's mostly hard floors with the occasional rug, the Ultenic U16 is well worth a look. It's the cheapest of the bunch (deals-depending) and offers good performance for that low, low price.

While the build quality isn't the highest, the design is ergonomic and lightweight, there's a generously sized bin, and a space-age style screen to provide info. Ultenic has added bright green headlights to the floorhead that, while nothing like as effective as Dyson's version, still do a good job of highlighting dirt that might otherwise be missed. Our tester was also a fan of the wand, which can be released to bend forwards for cleaning under furniture.

The U16 switches on and off with a button rather than a trigger, which means so sore finger if you're cleaning for longer periods. Speaking of which, Ultenic promises an hour of cleaning per charge – our reviewer managed 54 minutes, which is still very impressive, and especially at this price point.

The suction is plenty good enough for hard floors but not powerful enough for carpet. To effectively clean carpeted floors, you'll need to unleash Turbo mode, which will sap the battery in double-quick time.

Read our full Ultenic U16 Flex review

Alternatives to consider in the US

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Alternatives to consider in the UK

How to choose the best cheap vacuum

Choosing the best cheap vacuum is all about finding the right balance between price, power and features that suits you best. There are a number of factors to take into account.

The first and probably most important is suction power. Even at lower price points, it's possible to find models with powerful motors so don't settle if you don't have to. Secondly, ensure the vacuum has a decent filtration system. HEPA filters are ideal for trapping allergens, but may increase the overall running cost.

Thirdly, consider versatility. If your house has both carpets and hard floors, look for vacuums that can handle both effectively. Fourthly, pay attention to attachments. Even budget vacuums should include basic tools like crevice nozzles and upholstery brushes for versatile cleaning.

Furthermore, you'll need to make a fundamental choice between corded and cordless models. The former often provide more power for less money, while the latter offers convenience at a higher price. Another decision is bagged vs. bagless. Bagless models save on replacement costs but may require more frequent emptying and maintenance; learn more about the disadvantages of bagless vacuum cleaners. Finally, you'll need to decide on a balance between weight and maneuverability. Choose a vacuum you can comfortably handle, especially if you have stairs or mobility issues.

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How we test vacuum cleaners

To test vacuum cleaners, we get hands-on to ensure that the promises made by manufacturers live up to the reality. We evaluate performance on various floor types using fine dust, dirt, and larger items like crumbs and cereal. We assess ease of movement on both carpet and hard floors, and check if dust pickup is even across the cleaning head or concentrated in one area.

When we review vacuums, we also take account how simple it is to empty the vacuum and convert it to different modes, how quiet or noisy they are, and for cordless models, we time battery life. We pay attention to included tools and attachments, and assess how intuitive each vacuum is to use without extensive reading of the manual (which let's face it, none of us has time for).

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners.

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FAQs

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Shopping on a budget shouldn't have to mean fragile, unreliable products that require annual upgrading. Luckily, that's where this Amazon deal on the Shark IZ102 cordless vacuum shines –  a 50% discount combines budget pricing with premium performance.

Whether you're looking to leave your old barrel vacuum in the dust and upgrade to a cordless vacuum or simply want a stick vacuum to use between more thorough cleaning sessions, this deal is for you. Shark is an underdog in the world of vacuums, going up against the likes of Samsung or Dyson who litter the top of our best vacuum cleaner list, but the brand regularly produces top-performing models with performance that isn't dramatically overshadowed by its peers. Plus, you can get away without paying for built-in brand cost. 

In a world of AU$1000+ cordless vacuums, the Shark IZ102 is already a great budget choice at its RRP. While it might not be as feature-filled as premium competitors, you'll find the features it does have incredibly useful, providing versatility that will allow you to conquer any debris. Already our favourite budget vacuum, this hefty discount makes it an instant recommendation. Act quick, though. It's already sold out for AU$299 at Shark.

If you have a hair-shedding pet – cat, dog or otherwise – this vacuum will be your new best friend. While the (also discounted) Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog excels at picking up all that tangled pet hair, the Shark IZ102 is also up to any hair-based task thanks to its self-cleaning brushroll. If you're always finding the hair of household members who must remain unnamed around the house, this vacuum is for you.

While some are under the opinion that the IZ102 is on the heavier side, at only 3KG it's a lightweight, manoeuvrable and easy-to-use vacuum. Whether you're cleaning the car in hand-held mode or using the crevice tool to get those pesky cobwebs, you won't need a new gym routine to vacuum. One of the biggest positives of the Shark IZ102, though, is its removable battery that allows you to always have a charged battery on hand. Just note that spare batteries are sold separately.

This massive saving on an already budget-friendly vacuum is our choice, but Amazon has also cut the price of the Shark Detect Pro if you're looking for a bigger stick vacuum more applicable to larger spaces. You can't go wrong either way.

You might also like...

• Why vacuum when you don't have to? Check out the best robot vacuums.
• How to buy a cordless vacuum.
• Save on the best with our Dyson coupon codes.

Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan two-minute review

I've been through my fair share of fans over the years, ranging from small desktop ones (shout out to my original Woolworths desk fan) to larger air circulators. And as excellent as some of those have been, few can match the versatility of the Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan. If you want something that adapts to pretty much any situation, this could well be the best fan for you.

Shark has built a name for itself as the brand behind some of the best vacuum cleaners on the market, and its sister company Ninja is well respected in the kitchen appliance space, particularly when it comes to the best air fryers. Shark isn't particularly known for its fans, though. The Shark FlexBreeze, nonetheless, is a classic SharkNinja product – that is, one that's especially clever and capable replacing a couple of different products in a top-class, well-engineered package.

This is largely because the FlexBreeze is a fan that can be used in as many different ways as you can think of, whether it's as a conventional pedestal fan or as a desktop fan with its fold-out legs. It also has a mister attachment for use outdoors with cooling water directly from an outdoor tap, and can be corded or cordless and run for up to 24 hours away from the mains. This makes it an ideal fan for use virtually anywhere in your home, and it's a fan that's so good, that I've purchased two of them.

There are five fan speeds on offer, and even at full blast the FlexBreeze is a quiet performer, while also being able to push air so you can feel it from up to 70 feet away. It is virtually silent on its lowest setting too, and worked a treat in a bedroom when I was trying to sleep. It's also UV and rain-resistant and has no trouble working outside, while the InstaCool mister attachment fires out two reasonably powerful jets of water that create a cooling mist.

The FlexBreeze is by no means a perfect fan, though. It lacks advanced features such as app control and more granular control for fan speeds, offering only five levels. Unlike other fans and air circulators, it also lacks any form of automatic vertical oscillation, although offers up to 55 degrees of manual tilt and 180 degrees of automatic oscillation horizontally. However, where this fan really wins is on its quietness, versatility and ease of use – all of which will be expanded on below. Read on for my full Shark FlexBreeze review.

Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan review: price & availability

• List price: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$249.99
• Launch date: April 2024 in the US and UK; October 2024 in Australia
• Availability: UK/US/ANZ

The Shark FlexBreeze is a premium fan, carrying an appropriately weighty £199.99 / $199.99 / AU$249.99 price tag, and comes in a single configuration – that's as a fan with cover, magnetic remote control and mister attachment, suitable for use as a pedestal fan and, with its integrated legs, as a tabletop fan. Interestingly, the fan carries different names in the UK and US, as is typical with SharkNinja products. In the UK, it's the Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan, while in the US, it's the Shark FlexBreeze Fan with InstaCool Attachment.

With that higher price tag, it's pitted against top-class floor-based options such as the Meaco MeacoFan 1056P and the Dreo PolyFan 704S, although Shark's option is unique among its contemporaries. That's because it can operate both as a pedestal fan and as a table fan with integrated legs, without the need for a cable, and it can also be used outdoors, with its mister attachment if required. No other fan offers as much versatility as the FlexBreeze, making it an excellent-value purchase if you want a do-it-all fan that can work virtually anywhere.

Although chunkier and heavier than some other pedestal fans, the FlexBreeze's entirely plastic construction remains sturdy in all configurations. That, alongside its accessories and versatility, goes a long way towards justifying the price tag.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan specs

Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan review: design

• Entirely plastic construction
• Works either as a pedestal fan or as a table fan
• Comes with a mister attachment for use outdoors

The Shark FlexBreeze in its default configuration is akin to a typical pedestal fan, with a large fan head atop a skinnier stand with base at the bottom. Available only in black, it sets itself apart from the sea of white and silver fans out there, including the Meaco MeacoFan 1056P and Dreo Polyfan 704S, and sits well both in my front room and out in the garden. That being said, the entirely plastic construction would have benefitted from some metal accents and differing materials to help justify its premium price tag.

There is a small handle on the top of the fan head for easy maneuverability, while its 12.2 lbs / 5.6kg weight makes it lighter than the competition, and simple to pick up and place wherever you need it to be. With a diameter of 13.8" / 35cm, the base is quite large, although the FlexBreeze is still compact enough to fit in the corner of a small bedroom if needs be, while being able to move a substantial amount of air with its larger head.

The 37" / 94cm height thanks to the pedestal raises it up to a suitable level for use while sitting at a desk, on a sofa or for use in bed, while the fan head can also be angled up or down manually for more targeted airflow. There are up to 55 degrees of tilt here, and 180 degrees of oscillation. That said, the FlexBreeze lacks the automatic vertical oscillation of some fans, although it can oscillate horizontally via the remote control.

The clever thing about the FlexBreeze is that the fan head can be detached from the pedestal with a small button on the back side of its shaft, revealing some small fold-out legs so that it can be used as a tabletop option. The plastic legs are sturdy enough, and do a good job of keeping the FlexBreeze stable. Combined with its handle, the small fold-out legs make this an especially portable fan for use all around the home.

However, it's still quite chunky and heavy compared to other tabletop fans. If you just want a tabletop fan, you'd be better off buying the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo; a portable version that's newer in the lineup.

The fan element contains three large blades in grey, offsetting the black colorway well, with a plastic grille that has a small Shark logo in its middle. It continues the black look found across the fan, and springs little surprises. The back of the fan head is home to a small magnetic panel with an indent for the FlexBreeze's simple remote control.

If the remote control isn't your preferred control method, there is a small selection of dedicated controls on the fan head's top side for power, oscillation and speed. The fan speed is in five levels, indicated by a small bar on the top edge of the grille with five LED lights. Next to those lights is a battery indicator for the FlexBreeze when used cordlessly – depending on the level, it is either green, orange or red. When plugged in, it pulses white.

The FlexBreeze comes with no app control or smart features, although comes with a small cover for stowing away, and a mister attachment. This is known as InstaCool, and attaches magnetically on one end to the logo plate in the middle of the fan head, while the other attaches to a hose outlet. When turned on, it provides a cool mist of water directly from an outdoor tap. It's handy for the hot summer months when air on its own just won't do.

(If you don't have an outdoor water source, Shark has now added the FlexBreeze Pro Mist to its lineup – it's very similar to the original model reviewed here, except it has a removable water tank that can attach to the base.)

For the most part, the Shark FlexBreeze offers a well-considered and versatile design, with a sturdy plastic finish and convenient accessories. Some additional style accents wouldn't have gone amiss, but on the whole its solid finish helps to justify its price.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan review: performance

The FlexBreeze performs excellently on its five different fan speeds, with even the lowest setting providing ample push to reach me across the other side of my living room, or indeed the patio outside. Its airflow is cold, and helped to cool me and the room down by a fair margin in a matter of moments.

Of course, the faster the fan goes, the more airflow there is, and at full tilt the FlexBreeze doesn't half cool down a room quickly. Shark claims that the FlexBreeze can make a room feel up to 10 degrees cooler, which is welcome for particularly stuffy days.

While the fan isn't silent on its most powerful setting, it remains whisper-quiet and isn't so overpowering that the noise will disturb any conversations or sound from a television. From the base level to its middle option, however, the FlexBreeze is virtually silent, and if you're a light sleeper this isn't a fan that's going to disturb your slumber. I had the fan on its pedestal level with my mattress, and its airflow wafted over me on the lowest setting, helping to cool both me and the room around me impeccably.

If you have a particularly large room or outdoor area, then the BreezeBlast mode (enabled when the fan is on its most powerful setting), which can drive its airflow up to 70 feet away, is going to be king, and worked a treat when placed at one end of my garden, with me sitting at the other. It may not be the biggest area and nowhere near 70 feet in length, but it works nonetheless.

Speaking of outdoor use, it's also good to know that the FlexBreeze is both UV and rain-resistant, meaning you can use it come rain or shine, and being cordless also makes it an ideal companion on a warm day without a cable trailing from indoors. The InstaCool mister attachment worked a treat too, attaching to the fan head via magnets, and hooking up to my outdoor tap in a matter of moments. It pushes out two quite powerful jets of misted water, which did an excellent job of cooling me down on a particularly warm day.

It can be used either corded, with a small power brick and long cable, or cordless, which is handy for portability and putting the fan exactly where you want it. Battery life is solid too, with the FlexBreeze offering up to 24 hours of runtime away from the mains, giving you a literal day's worth of runtime. My testing matched up with Shark's figures, with it requiring a charge every two or three days when used on the base fan level without the need for oscillation. It can also be used while charging, too, so you aren't missing out on valuable time being cool.

The FlexBreeze isn't perfect, however, lacking the MeacoFan 1056P's sheer number of speed modes for instance, or customization of those fan speeds, such as a sleep mode and eco mode. These would have been pleasant to see on the FlexBreeze, although Shark's option wins in other ways.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Shark FlexBreeze: alternatives to consider

How I tested the Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan

I used the Shark FlexBreeze for three weeks around my house, positioning it in various rooms including the master bedroom, office, living room and outdoors in the garden and patio.

I used it every day on all of its speeds and on particularly warm nights. When it was a pleasant day outside, I also used it outside with the InstaCool mister attachment for a blast of cool water. I also measured its battery life and used it both on its pedestal and as a desktop fan.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024.

Shark Detect Pro Cordless: two-minute review

The Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum combines a lightweight and easy to maneuver design with some clever automation features and a very affordable price tag. It packs enough power to cope with most people's needs, and especially if your home has mostly hard floors. What's more, deals are very easy to come by these days, and make this model very good value for money indeed. In short, it's one of the best cordless vacuums you can buy.

The Detect Pro can intelligently adjust suction and brushroll speed depending on the type of floor its on and how dirty it is. It can also sense when it's near the edge of a room, where dust can collect, and will amp up suction on the relevant side of the floorhead in response. All of this means a low-effort but battery-efficient clean. It can be easily disassembled into a handheld for added versatility, although the standard version only comes with one extra attachment (a crevice tool), which feels a little stingy. Note that the onboard bin is also pretty small, so you might have to empty it more often that you'd like.

It's not the very best Shark vacuum based on specs – that's currently the Shark PowerDetect cordless stick vacuum. That vacuum has one extra feature and more outright suction, but it's also bigger and heavier (for a detailed comparison, head to our Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro article).

If you fancy it, you have the option of an auto-empty base. Dock the vacuum here and all the dust will whoosh out of the onboard bin and into a large cavity in the base, via a closed system. We found this a big effort-saver in our tests, although you will need to find somewhere to store it.

That's the short version; read on for my full Shark Detect Pro Cordless review, where you'll learn more about why we think this is one of the best vacuums around.

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review: specs

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review: price & availability

• List price (vacuum only): $379.99 / £349.99 / AU$799.99
• List price (with auto-empty base): $449.99 / from £399.99 / AU$799.99
• Launched: September 2023

At full price, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless on its own will set you back $379.99 / £349.99 / AU$599.99. If you opt for a version with an auto-empty base, it's $449.99 / from £399.99 / AU$799.99.

However, in reality it's a little more complicated than that. At time of updating this review (May 2025) it looks like this vacuum might be being phased out in the US and UK. There was a period of major discounts in both territories, and now you can no longer buy the vacuum on its own direct from Shark in the US, and all versions are out of stock in the UK – with some being redirected to a newer 'Shark Detect', which looks similar but not quite the same. It's still possible to pick up this vacuum via third-party retailers.

It's still available in Australia, and list price has dropped significantly (it was AU$799.99 at launch).

In general, Shark's prices fluctuate regularly, as does the range itself. There are a couple of other cordless vacuums worth considering before making your purchasing decision.

The first is 2024's PowerDetect, which has a list price of $429.99 or $499.99 with auto-empty base. That model has similar detection features to the Detect Pro, but more power (see how it matches up in our Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro article).

The second is the older Shark Stratos cordless stick vacuum, which costs $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$999.99. It's heavier and bulkier than the Detect Pro (see exactly how they compare in our Shark Stratos vs Detect Pro comparison), and not really worth considering unless you find a deal.

Seasonal sales are always a great time to shop for new appliances, and the Black Friday sales tend to deliver especially strong vacuum cleaner discounts.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5 (but varies)

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review: design

• Lightweight and easy to maneuver, but dust cup small
• LED display, three power modes
• Headlights illuminate dirt in dingy areas

Adorned in an attractive white and gold colorway, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless follows the general outline of other such stick vacuums, but is relatively lightweight and smaller than many competitor models.

The dust cup is also on the small side (0.4L, whereas most stick vacuum have 0.8L), although it is straightforward to empty – simply click a switch on the side and the whole front of the machine falls open.

The floorhead is Shark's 'QuadClean' one, with a brushroll that's designed to work equally well on any floor type. It includes a fluffy fabric for getting close to hard floors, and rubber fins to agitate dirt stuck in carpet. It's also designed to clean hair off itself as you go, so you don't have to cut it all off at the end, and includes LED lights to illuminate any mess in its path.

Like most modern stick vacuums, it can be transformed into a handheld by removing the wand and adding a detail tool. This is a little more fiddly than usual – you need to line up pins at the junction – but nothing too tricky. The detail tools included will depend on where you live, but they're a little limited compared to what other brands offer. We got just a crevice tool with one of our review models, and a crevice tool plus pet tool with the other.

The handheld itself is the brains of the operation. At the top you'll find a sizable LED display as well as the two control buttons – one for power and one for mode. This display is bordered by a ring of color that changes based on how dirty the floor is.

This display is useful, but not as comprehensive as you'd find on a newer Dyson – for example, here you get three lights to indicate battery life, whereas a Dyson display spells out exactly how long you have left in your current suction mode (we have a general Shark vs Dyson vacuum comparison article if you're struggling to choose between these two brands).

As far as controls go, there are three modes to choose from: Eco, Detect, and Boost. Detect mode became my go-to option – in this mode, the Shark Cordless Detect Pro will automatically adjust its suction power according to the amount of dirt or debris it comes across. This does away with the need to switch from Eco to Max on a particularly dirty section, and then back again, in order to save battery.

One of our review models came with an auto-empty base, but as that's an optional extra, we've covered it separately (jump straight to the Auto-empty system section).

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review: performance

• Decent power for a cordless vacuum, and enough for most people
• Automation works as advertised and helps save effort
• Floorhead brushes debris into piles when pulling backwards

In general, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless performed very well on test. It's nimble and easy to maneuver, and the automation features work well – we could hear the suction ramping up and down as it discovered dirty patches or moved from carpet to hard floor. In terms of power, there's enough for most people's needs, and definitely if your home is mostly hard floors – in fact, we rate this amongst the best vacuums for hardwood floors.

For pet hair or large amounts of dirt, we'd recommend upgrading to a more powerful model with a larger dust cup (for more advice and recommendations, head to our guide to the best vacuums for pet hair).

Nevertheless, we found performance more than acceptable. The Detect Pro cordless was able to pick up fine dust as well as large debris without too much issue; and one tester even managed to vacuum up trimmings off a Christmas tree (not just individual needles).

The Shark Detect Pro Cordless is able to get pretty close to the edges and corners of floors. You can also hear and see the suction ramping up when the floorhead senses it's next to the edge of a room – a particularly clever addition because it this can be a particular hotspot for dust.

One slight flaw with the floorhead design is that when it's being pulled backwards, the floorhead causes debris to pool up behind it, requiring careful maneuvering so you're only tackling dirt when pushing the vacuum forwards. This is an issue that Shark specifically addressed with the PowerDetect model, and the difference was clear on test.

The LED lights on the floorhead made it easy to see if any mess remained to be cleaned up – at least on hard flooring. (These lights aren't as powerful or effective as the lasers found on the Dyson V15 Detect and Gen5detect though.)

While this vacuum doesn't have Shark's popular forward-bending wand, it will lie almost completely flat to the ground furniture was no hardship, as it’s possible to get the floorhead to essentially lay flat. The floorhead pivots well and it's fairly easy to maneuver into small spaces, although doesn't have the same flexibility you can expect from a Dyson cordless (that's one key difference to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of Shark vs Dyson vacuums.)

We also tested out the vacuum in handheld mode, for cleaning furniture and up high, and it worked well, although we did find the lack of detail tools a little limiting. This model is light for a cordless, so relatively comfortable for cleaning overhead – although if you really want something lightweight you might need to go for a dedicated model (here's our pick of the best handheld vacuums).

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review: battery

• Around 60 minutes (UK) or 40 mins (US) runtime in Eco mode
• Battery life drops significantly in other modes

The 60 minutes that the Shark Detect Pro Cordless can muster is fairly impressive, although it isn’t quite out of this world – and, of course, that’s 60 minutes in Eco mode. When using the vacuum in Detect mode, for instance, the LED display was showing a single bar of battery life after about 20 minutes. If you have a big area to clean, you might have to do it in shifts if it’s particularly dirty.

Note: it looks like the US version of this machine has a different battery, as the stated maximum battery life is shorter, at 40 minutes.

• Battery life score: 4 out of 5

Shark Detect Pro Cordless review: auto-empty system

• Empties contents of dust bin quickly and quietly
• Charges the vac and provides somewhere to store
• Adds pleasant-smelling odor neutralizer to the vacuum

One of our review models came with the optional auto-empty base (the UK model with the 2L dust capacity). This provides somewhere to dock, charge and store the vacuum for easy grab-and-go use, although obviously you will need to find somewhere near to a power outlet where it can live.

The self-emptying function pulls the contents of the dustbin into the bag in the basestation, and does so quickly and quietly. (It's quieter than using the actual vacuum (69dB for emptying, vs 76dB during use.)

In addition, the base station adds odor neutralizer technology. On some Shark vacuums, the odor neutralizer cartridge is inserted into the floorhead, but here it's inserted into the base station (and as such isn't included in the versions that don't have the base station). How the vacuum still manages to spread that scent around to leave floors smelling fresh is beyond us – but it works.

Should you buy the Shark Cordless Detect Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Shark Detect Pro Cordless: alternatives to consider

How we tested

For this initial review, our experienced reviewer used the Shark Detect Pro Cordless with Auto-Empty System for a few weeks, testing it on carpet, upholstery, hard flooring, and even ceilings. He tried all the different attachments as well as using just the handheld on its own, considered whether the odor neutralizer was if it was a gimmick or worthy addition, and paid attention to how well it cleaned edges, corners, and debris of all sizes.

For our re-review, we tested a Detect Pro without the auto-empty base. We re-ran the suction tests and compared its performance to the wider market, including newer Shark vacuums.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners.

• First reviewed December 2023
• Re-reviewed February 2025

Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer: One-minute review

It might be a mouthful of a name but the SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer (hereon referred to as the SpeedStyle) has been designed to dry hair with less time and effort. Coming with a selection of five attachments, you can even reduce the amount of frizz in your hair while styling, resulting in glossier looks.

Its high performance is backed by the Shark SpeedStyle’s ability to automatically adjust the heat and airflow settings when switching between attachments, recycling this feature from the Shark Style iQ. You can still manually adjust the settings to your liking though, as the hair dryer sports two convenient buttons for airflow and temperature, allowing you to gain complete control over your styling needs.

The hardware that allows these intelligent features to function, along with a 1700W motor, are packed into a stylish and compact design, though it does mean the Shark SpeedStyle tips the scales towards the heavier end when compared to some of the best hair dryers. Despite the extra weight, it’s still small enough to neatly pack away into luggage, making it a good travel companion if your flight’s weight allowance allows for it.

Adding to the weight are five attachments that come with the SpeedStyle, and each one performs a specific task when drying and styling hair. They all use a simple rotating lock mechanism to connect to the hair dryer, and are cool-touch zones that don’t retain as much heat so you can touch them safely when swapping them. However, I found that those cool-touch zones would often still retain heat and I’d need to wait a moment or blast some cool air through them before I could touch them.

Depending on your location, you can find different Shark SpeedStyle bundles at various price points. The one I tested for this review comes with all the bells and whistles and is a hefty investment, which gets a little difficult to justify when you consider that the brand has a more versatile hair styling tool in the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Hair Drying System for around the same price.

Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer review: price & availability

• Initially released in the US in August 2023
• Available now in the US, UK and Australia
• List price for full bundle: $259 / £249.99 / AU$559.99

Released initially in the US back in August 2023, the Shark SpeedStyle is available in all major markets in different bundles, although these options will vary depending on where you live. You can purchase the SpeedStyle directly from its maker or through various retailers, including on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia, and other regional sellers who typically stock Shark products.

The full package with five different attachments and a handy travel pouch will set you back $259 / £249.99 / AU$559.99 at full price, and is the only available bundle in Australia at the time of publication. In the US, you can select two of your own attachments with a regular list price of $179, or buy bundles with three pre-selected attachments for various hair types, including curly and wavy hair, for $199. The UK also has the pre-selected bundles for £199.

This price isn’t as extreme as the Dyson Supersonic – the British brand’s popular hair dryer is available from $429 / £329.99 / AU$649. Though, in Australia you can find the Supersonic for AU$549 with five different attachments in an exclusive bundle, making it a slightly more affordable option than the SpeedStyle at full price.

While it might be possible to justify the SpeedStyle’s price in comparison to Dyson, I find its cost a little confusing compared to the Shark FlexStyle. Admittedly the latter is more of a styling tool, but it can still be used as a hair dryer and comes with five attachments costing $299 / £299 / AU$499. It’s a more versatile appliance as it can transform between a hair dryer and a styling wand, plus, it’s lighter too. It might be a bit more expensive in the US and UK, but in Australia especially, the FlexStyle sits at a more affordable price – so you do the math.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer review: specs

Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer review: design & features

• Slim design with a decent heft
• Intelligent sensor for automatic adjustments
• Four heat settings, including a cool-shot button, and three for airflow

Shark has designed a sleek and compact hair dryer, although the FlexStyle is a touch smaller when folded into its dryer mode. Compared to other brands, though, the SpeedStyle is slim. Also aiding in giving it a modern look is an unique off-white and rose-gold color scheme.

Even with its attachments, the SpeedStyle is small enough to slip into a travel bag – its most expensive bundle even comes with a neat carry case for this purpose. However, it will tip the scales in luggage as the SpeedStyle is heavier than some of its competitors, weighing in at 750g before any attachment. In comparison, the FlexStyle is only 700g, while the Dyson Supersonic and T3 AirLuxe are also both lighter at 650g and 707g respectively. On the flipside, the GHD Helios weighs 780g, so there are still heavier hair dryers than the SpeedStyle.

Its main barrel is a simple cylinder that’s uniform from end to end, Similar to what Dyson did with the Supersonic hair dryer. The Shark SpeedStyle, however, is thinner and slightly longer than its competitor, which is both a good and a bad thing.

I personally found the handle uncomfortable to grip, occasionally causing cramps if I’ve held it for too long while using it as a styler. In comparison, I found the wider handle design of the FlexStyle more comfortable when I reviewed it for sister site Tom’s Guide. That said, the slimmer design might suit smaller hands, which is complimented by a well-thought out button placement for a shot of cool air that’s easy to reach and press when needed.

The other buttons are also well situated – the power switch is at the base of the handle but nowhere you would accidentally turn the dryer off, while the heat and airflow controls sit just above the power button and light up to indicate the setting you’re currently using. You likely won’t have to use the latter two buttons as the SpeedStyle inherits the auto-adjustments from the much older Shark Style iQ hair dryer. You can still manually make adjustments if you need to, although I found letting the SpeedStyle do its thing can save a little time.

Fitting attachments is a simple clip-in-and-lock mechanism, and these include a diffuser for drying curly hair, a Touchup brush for natural-looking blowouts, a round one for straightening, a styling concentrator that lets you focus on sections of hair, and a RapidGloss Finisher to add a glossy and smooth finish to your hairdo.

Like a lot of other hair dryers out there, the SpeedStyle boasts a removable filter, which is a major improvement over the Shark Style Qi – keeping it clean will prolong the life of the product by preventing overheating. Given that the SpeedStyle can hit temperatures of up to 100ºC, you’ll want to clean it regularly to avoid any ongoing issues, especially if you use it every day.

While I didn’t have issues with overheating during my testing of the SpeedStyle, which included everyday use over a full week, I found that its barrel and attachments retained heat for quite some time and I had to wait a few minutes before I was able to touch them to switch attachments. And this is despite the fact that Shark has included cool-touch zones on the dryer and the attachments.

• Design & features score: 4/5

Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer review: performance

• Fast drying times
• Good for different hair types
• Requires a small learning curve for some attachments

Don’t be fooled by its compact size – the Shark SpeedStyle has some speedy dry times. Its 1,700W motor allows it to hit 100ºC / 212ºF, and I found I could dry my thick shoulder-length hair in three and a half minutes without any attachments at the highest settings. Brushing and styling my hair with the round brush attachment while also drying, however, took approximately 15 minutes for a simple and neat hairdo. While this is still quite fast, it doesn’t quite compete with the Dyson Supersonic or the GHD Helios – our reviewers found that the Supersonic can dry hair in a little over 2 minutes without attachments and the GHD Helios could do so in just over a minute.

What I really appreciate is that, even at its highest setting, the SpeedStyle doesn’t get very loud, hitting 85dB when on the maximum settings, but sitting comfortably between 76dB-80dB when on the lower settings, as recorded on the Decibel X app I used to measure sound for this review. Importantly, there’s no annoying high-pitched tone that I found with the Shark FlexStyle and that a colleague experienced with the Shark Cordless Detect Pro with Auto-empty System vacuum cleaner that was also reviewed on sister site Tom’s Guide.

My hair isn’t curly, so I didn’t use the diffuser very much but, for my needs, I found the Touchup brush the most useful. It can swivel to different angles while moving around your head, and uses the second heat setting to reduce heat damage. I found both brush attachments – the Touchup and round – capable of untangling knots easily, something my hair is prone to due to previous damage from bleaching, thanks to the combination of long, short and bunched bristles on both brushes.

I found that the RapidGloss Finisher – the SpeedStyle’s headline attachment – can take a bit of getting used to. It’s designed to smooth flyaways and leave a glossy finish by pulling locks of hair along a metal roller, but I couldn’t get it to work right the first few times I tried it. It took a few tries before I was able to smoothen my hair and achieve a glossier result than what my usual styling method yields. To get the best results from the RapidGloss Finisher, though, you need to use the highest heat setting along with the strongest airflow, so it can get uncomfortably hot on the scalp.

The styling concentrator also works well, but it’s a staple attachment for most hair dryers and not unique to the Shark Speedstyle.

I’m quite impressed with the cool-shot button – it kicks in real quick with an almost instantaneous temperature change even if the dryer is set at its hottest. I found that I could even use the cool-shot function to deal with the heat retention issue on the attachments, saving me a little bit of time.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should I buy the Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

If you’re not sold on the Shark SpeedStyle, here’s how it compares to three other hair dryers.

How I tested the Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer

• Used all attachments for different styles
• Tested on thick, shoulder-length hair
• Testing was done during summer months in Sydney, Australia

To put the Shark SpeedStyle to the test, I used it every time I washed my hair over a period of eight weeks. My testing included a week when I used it every single day. To put it through its paces, I swapped between the SpeedStyle’s attachments each time, using a paddle brush and comb to achieve different styles and results. 

I even went on holiday with it, leading me to the conclusion that it’s a good travel size despite being slightly weighty. I used it late at night in my hotel room and was relieved to not get any noise complaints.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed February 2024]

Update: we've had a chance to properly test this product – head to our Ninja Double Stack air fryer review to find out what we thought. 

SharkNinja has revealed a whole bunch of new products for the UK and Europe including a new air fryer and combi multi-cooker, which it hopes can sit up there with the best air fryers around.

The revelations came at an EMEA Forum event, where some 20 new Shark and Ninja products were shown off – we’ll give you all the highlights here.

Top of the list for us is the new Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer (above), where the selling point is the ability to cook double the food without eating into your kitchen worktop space as much.

By using removable racks, you get four layers of cooking in the two drawer compartments which are stacked on top of each other, with DualZone tech giving you the ability to cook for up to eight people, Ninja notes.

So, it’s possible to cook up to four different foods at the same time, and there’s the same ability to sync foods to finish simultaneously as with existing Ninja devices.

There are two different sized models of Double Stack Air Fryers, namely the SL300 with a 7.6L capacity, and the SL400 with a 9.5L capacity (above). The drawers also benefit from a non-stick ceramic coating, and there are six different modes of cooking: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.

We don’t have pricing for the Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer yet, or for any of the products unveiled here, for that matter – hopefully details will follow soon enough.

Another big launch is the new Ninja Combi 12-in-1 Multi-Cooker which is an all-in-one oven and air fryer that’s again capable of preparing meals for up to eight people.

The key points here are cooking healthier meals with greater convenience and speed, with Ninja’s Air Fry tech reducing fat content by up to 75%, we’re told. You can cook up to 50% faster than a conventional oven, and it’s possible to use frozen ingredients straight out of the freezer, with no defrosting required.

There are 12 cooking settings, as the 12-in-1 name suggests: Combi Meals, Combi Crisp, Combi Bake, Prove, Rice/Pasta, Steam, Grill, Air Fry, Bake, Reheat, Sear/Sauté, and Slow Cook.

With a 12.5L capacity and a two-level design, you can cook a main dish and two sides at the same time, and there are other useful perks like a keep warm function.

Full steam ahead

Moving to Shark products, a definite point of interest is a revamped Steam & Scrub mop with Steam Blaster Technology, the latter being a powerful blast of steam to deal with tougher spots of dirt and stains on the floor.

The Steam & Scrub with Steam Blaster also has LED lights, so you won’t miss any smaller marks that might otherwise fly under the radar, and the mop is detergent-free, yet removes 99.9% of bacteria according to Shark’s testing.

Back to Ninja, then, for a further revelation: the new Ninja Thirsti Drink System. This is a device in a Sodastream vein, allowing you to make your own carbonated drinks with different flavors and the ability to choose how strong those flavors taste.

There’s a bunch of Thirsti Flavor Pods to choose from, and the flexibility to create over a thousand drink combinations in total. On the health side of the equation, there’s no added sugar, natural colors, and real fruit is used (with vitamins added in some cases, such as a Revive Flavor Pod with zinc and vitamin C).

Like ice cream? Then you’ll be pleased to hear that the Ninja CREAMi now has a Deluxe version, with four new functions. In total, you get 10 one-touch options on this machine, namely: Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Light Ice Cream, Milkshake, Frappe, Slushi, Frozen Yogurt, Frozen Drink, and Mix-Ins.

What’s more, Ninja notes that the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe boasts 50% larger Max Tubs to allow for bigger frozen treats for the family.

Smart grilling

Ninja has also improved its grill with the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker, which is 30% bigger than the original model. This is a smart grill, too, with an app that allows for remote cooking and gives you real-time notifications on how it’s all going.

The Ninja FrostVault Cooler is another of the entirely new products here, and this cooler is split into two sections. The DryZone drawer is capable of keeping food at refrigerator temperatures (under 4.5 degrees) for up to five days, and the cold FrostVault can keep ice from melting for the same period of time. It also doubles as a seat for camping trips, to boot.

Finally, another innovation Ninja has cooked up is the ProChef Connected Thermometer. This hooks up via Bluetooth to your phone, and pipes cooking updates to the Pro Connect app. The thermometer can withstand temperatures of 370 degrees, so there’s no worry of it melting in the oven, and it offers a battery life of 30 hours.

It’s also worth noting that the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro is now coming to the UK (it was out in the US already). This is a smart blender capable of sensing the ingredients it’s dealing with and adjusting its power and speed of the blades appropriately. Nifty.

We'll update this story as soon as we get pricing and release date for all of the products from SharkNinja. Until then, our dreams of a Double Stack Air Fryer will have to wait.

You might also like

• Ninja Double Oven air fryer review: a high-performing, roomy air fryer
• The best robot vacuums of 2024
• Also check out the best cordless vacuums

While iRobot's Roomba may be the best known robot vacuum range, two brands in particular have become serious competitors: Shark and Eufy. According to retail experts NPD, Shark – part of the large SharkNinja home appliance company, also known for producing some of the best air fryers and multi-function cookers – is now the number one multi-function brand in America; meanwhile Eufy is a sub-brand of the electronics giant Anker and makes a wide range of home products including smart scales and security systems.

In recent years we've seen both of these brands deliver increasingly smart and powerful robot vacuums at a range of prices. From affordable, compact cleaners to extremely clever laser-guided models there's a Shark or Eufy to suit every kind of home. But there are differences in what they do, and in how much you'll pay for the features you need.

In this guide we're going to compare the current robot vacuum range from both brands. We'll be focusing on the models available in the US market, where both firms offer the most products, but many of the available models are also sold in other countries.

Shark vs Eufy: price and availability

Both brands offer two main kinds of cleaner: dedicated vacuum cleaners, and vacuum cleaners that can also mop. Those cleaners are then offered in two forms: as stand-alone units, and with self-emptying docking stations that empty the dust container and in some cases, refill the mopping water tank.

It's worth pointing out here that both Shark and Eufy are keen discounters during events such as Prime Day and Black Friday, so it may be wise to take recommended retail prices with a pinch of salt; as we write this, both firms are offering discounts on multiple models – so for example Eufy's cheapest model has a suggested retail of $399.99, but it's being sold for $199.99 in the US.

As of late 2023 Shark's cheapest vacuum is the Shark Ion, which has a suggested retail of $279.99. Another option is the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 self-emptying robot vacuum/mop, which is $699/£399; see our Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum review for more details. These models are currently only available in the US; Shark doesn't currently sell its robot vacuums in Australia, although some models are available via third party importers.

The current Eufy product range includes a mix of vacuum and hybrid vacuum/mop cleaners. The simplest and most affordable models are the Eufy Clean models, which in the US currently begin at $199.99 (discounted from the $399) for the mop/vacuum Eufy Clean L35 Hybrid. The most expensive model is the X9 Pro, a hybrid mop/vacuum with self-emptying station that is currently retailing for $799.99.

In Australia the Eufy range begins with the AU$399.99 Robovac 25C and the top of the range is the Robovac X8 Hybrid at AU$1,299.95. And in the UK the range starts with the RoboVac 11S Max, currently £239.99, and the top model is the Eufy Clean X9 Pro+, which is currently £958.99 including an accessory kit.

Shark vs Eufy: design and features

Both brands use variations of the familiar circular robot design popularised by iRobot's Roombas and are pretty good-looking as far as robot vacuums go. Both are controlled via smartphone, Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant. You'll need a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network for your cleaner to connect to.

The features you get will depend on the model you buy. The very cheapest cleaners don't have built-in mapping or laser navigation so you can't set no-go zones or room-specific cleans, and they don't have object evasion: they'll detect things when they bump into them but don't have the ability to see them in advance. That means you'll need to ensure your floors are clear before letting them do their thing. The cheaper models tend to have less suction power too.

Things get more interesting as you move slightly up the product range. For example the Eufy Robovac X8 adds laser navigation and AI mapping to automatically scan your home and find the best way around it, spotting and avoiding obstacles as it goes.

Shark's similarly priced cleaners have similar technology, and the more expensive Matrix models have what the firm calls Matrix clean: instead of one-pass cleaning they repeatedly roll over the same area to remove more dust and dirt. They also have NeverStuck, which enables the cleaner to raise itself up to get over thresholds and onto thick carpets, and edge cleaning to address a common cleaning problem with small robots. Both brands also offer anti-tangle brushes on their more premium models to reduce the need to remove hair and pet fur from their brushes.

The most expensive models in each firm's line-up have cleaning stations, which are charging stations that also empty the cleaner and refill the mopping water tank where appropriate. These stations are designed to transfer the dust without it escaping: several of the Shark ones have HEPA filtration while the Eufy ones use "bacteriostatic" bags to keep the dust inside.

Shark vs Eufy: performance

We've reviewed many of both firms' cleaners, so how do they compare?

In our review of the Eufy Clean X9 Pro we gave it four stars: it's a great robot mop but we felt that its vacuum performance was sub-par. However, our review of a budget Eufy, the Robovac 11S – a precursor to the current Eufy clean models – found it was a great vacuum on hard floors and excellent value for money.

In our review of Shark's flagship AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, we gave it four and a half stars out of five: "it performs very well" on both vacuuming and mopping, but was a little on the pricey side. The more affordable Shark IQ Self-Empty XL achieved 3.5 stars in our review last year: it cleaned well but was a little loud and the mapping wasn't best in class.

Shark vs Eufy: other considerations

If you're concerned about the country of origin, on paper at least Shark is the more patriotic buy: its headquarters are in Needham, Massachusetts while Eufy's home is in China. But today's electronics firms are global and outsource their manufacturing, so both brands' cleaners are primarily made in China.

If you're more interested in practical considerations such as warranties, that varies from product to product. Shark's more affordable robot cleaners come with a 1-year VIP warranty, but more expensive models increase that to three years. Eufy's standard warranty is one year.

Shark vs Eufy: which is right for you?

Both firms make solid and effective robot vacuum cleaners that represent good value for money, especially during their many discount periods, and we'd be happy with either firm's products in our home.

However, once you start moving from the most affordable models to the mid-range and premium ones, our pick would be the Shark: while in our iRobot vs Shark comparison we plumped for the more expensive Roombas than the Shark models, in this particular face-off we think Shark has the smarter devices and better specifications. But of course, every home is different so we'd recommend checking out our guide to the best robot vacuums to see what might fit your particular requirements best.

You might also like

• Best robot vacuum for pet hair: our top 6
• Is it worth getting a robot vacuum?
• How do robot vacuums work, and should I buy one?

Here at TechRadar, we’ve tested a wide range of Shark vacuum cleaners, and they tend to get a lot right: strong suction, practical features, and a few clever automations, often at a more approachable price than some of their biggest rivals.

Shark does not really do “simple,” especially when it comes to the breadth of its lineup and model names. With options spanning cordless stick vacuums, uprights, lightweight models, handhelds, and robot vacs, there is a lot of choice. That variety is a strength, but it can also make it less straightforward to quickly work out which model is the best fit for your home at first glance.

That is where this guide comes in. We have broken down the current Shark range to help you quickly understand what each model is designed for, and which one is likely to suit your home, whether you are dealing with pet hair, carpets that seem to attract crumbs, or just a quick daily tidy-up.

The vacuums in this guide have all been tested in real-world home environments by our team, with hands-on experience forming the basis for every recommendation you see here. If you want more detail on our testing process, you can skip down to the how we tested section.

Read on to find the best Shark vacuum for your needs, no decoding required.

The best Shark vacuum overall

The best Shark vacuum in the lineup right now is the Shark PowerDetect Cordless. It's designed to combine the outright power of the Stratos line (#2) with the smart features of the Detect Pro line (#4), 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 Shark vacuum for pet hair and carpet

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, and while it's not quite as powerful as the PowerDetect, it still packs a decent suction punch, and is suitable for homes with lots of carpet and/or pet hair (it's amongst the best vacuums for pet hair if you're on a budget).

It's the heaviest of all the Shark stick vacuums I've tested, but the fact the weight is distributed evenly down the whole vacuum (rather than being concentrated near the handle) makes it easy enough to maneuver. You've got that popular forward-bending 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 and dirt levels, but it doesn't have the complete range of automation features available with newer Shark vacuums – it can't detect 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. One feature I do like is that the controls are reachable from your holding hand, so you don't need to keep a hand free to turn it on and off, or switch modes. That's not true of either the Detect Pro of PowerDetect.

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 upright Shark vacuum

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 (#2), 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 premium cordless Shark vacuum

The Shark PowerDetect Speed is the cordless vacuum to choose if you want all of Shark's latest features in one place (battery life aside - more on that below). It vacuumed exceptionally well in our tests, making light work of fine dust, larger debris and hair on both carpet and hard floors. The PowerDetect system also works as advertised, automatically adjusting suction as cleaning conditions change so you don't have to constantly switch settings yourself.

What you're paying extra for here is the overall package. Alongside strong cleaning performance, the PowerDetect Speed adds an auto-empty dock, an onboard display and Shark's full suite of intelligent cleaning features. The dock is a particular highlight. It automatically empties the vacuum into a larger bin when you return it to charge, which means less mess and less frequent trips to the trash.

It's also competitively priced for a premium cordless vacuum. While it isn't cheap, it costs noticeably less than many equivalent Dyson models and doesn't feel lacking in features or performance as a result.

The real downside is battery life. Our reviewer found runtime on maximum power was disappointing, and a full recharge took over five hours. That makes it harder to recommend for larger homes or anyone who prefers to tackle all their cleaning in one go.

Still, for regular maintenance cleans, smaller homes, or those who value convenience and smart features, the PowerDetect Speed is easy to like.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect Speed review

The best lightweight Shark vacuum

The Shark Detect Pro cordless is the lightest and most nimble stick vacuum I've tested, from any brand. The payoff is power – it's on the weaker side in terms of suction (and a big step down from both the PowerDetect #1 and Stratos #2) but it's still a capable cleaner. It earned decent scores in 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 Shark robot vacuum

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

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

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 #4.

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 (to represent fine particles), oats / dry rice (to represent chunky debris) and pet hair on mid-pile carpet, deep-pile carpet and vinyl flooring, and seeing how efficiently the vacuum sucks it up. Some of these vacuums formed part of a big group test where they were assessed directly against one another, as well as leading models from other big vacuum brands.

We also assess how well the vacuum handles human 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 time how long the vacuum lasts in each mode, and see if it matches 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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I recently attended the unveiling of the Ninja Speedi at the brand's (very cool) new office in London. It’s due to launch in the UK sometime this week but for our US readers, it’s already available for you to buy.

I’m writing this all down for you to read because this is a revolutionary home appliance. One that can cook you a meal in 15 minutes. You can use a variety of ingredients; from meats and cheeses to veg and rice, and put them all into the same pot.

It’s the first small appliance to launch after the success of some of the best air fryers I’ve ever seen. The Ninja Speedi is sure to disrupt our countertop and the way we do dinner. But what’s it really capable of?

When I saw the Ninja Speedi in action, pasta, broccoli and crème fraiche was added into the pot. Water was then added. At this point I didn’t know what to expect. The Cook & Crisp tray was then added and four crumb coated chicken breasts were placed on top. The lid was put down, some buttons were pressed and the timer started counting down from 15 minutes.

My time watching this particular demo was then up, and we had to move on to another demo within a few minutes. However, I had plated up some halloumi and veg skewers with coconut rice from an earlier demonstration and, oh my, it was delicious.

The Ninja Speedi has a total of 10 cooking functions, with a SmartSwitch that can be used to flip between Rapid Cooker mode and Air Fry / Hob Mode. Yep - air frying is one of the cooking functions, along with Speedi Meals, Steam Air Fry, Steam Bake, Steam, Grill, Air Fry, Bake/Roast, Dehydrate, Sear/Sauté and Slow Cook. 

You can cook three parts of your main meal according to the specs, and even roast a 1.6kg chicken. I’ve been equally impressed to see that the 5.7L cooking pot (and Cook & Crisp tray) is non stick and all parts are dishwasher safe.

This is certainly an example of SharkNinja innovation at its best and I’m looking forward to reviewing it. If you can't wait to read my review about it and you just know that you want to buy already, our US readers can get hold of it from the Ninja site for $199.99 whereas our UK readers can be notified once it comes in to stock (priced at £249.99).

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum: two-minute review

Launched fall 2022, the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum is a corded, upright model from the brand's popular Stratos range. It includes 'Anti Hair Wrap Plus' – an upgraded version of Shark's detangling tech, as well as anti-odor technology, via a puck that sits in the main floorhead. These two features mean it could well be the best vacuum cleaner for anyone who has a hairy pet and doesn't want a stinky, clogged up cleaner.

On test I found that there was a lot to love about this vacuum cleaner. Its power, hair and debris pickup were all very impressive. I also appreciated the generous dust cup capacity, although I did find fluff could get trapped in there and need to be manually retrieved.

This vacuum has a spot in TechRadar's best upright vacuum guide and its best Shark vacuum guide. The fact that it's corded means you won't get quite the same freedom you would if you went for a cordless option, but the payoff is more suction power. I did feel like the 8m cord here could have been a bit longer, though. We've also tested out a couple of alternatives from the same range; you can read about those in our Shark Stratos Cordless review and Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum review. Or scroll on to find out how I got on with the Shark Stratos Upright vacuum.

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum review price & availability

• List price: $399 / £429.99 / AU$799.99 (discounted to AU$649.99)
• In the UK, very similar model for RRP £299.99 (discounted to £229.99)
• Launched: Fall 2022

In the UK, the Shark Stratos Pet Pro Anti Hair Wrap Plus Anti-Odour Upright Vacuum AZ913UKT costs £429.99, which is pricey – it sits in the premium price bracket.

In the US, the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum AZ301KT1 is $399 (mid-range price bracket). There's also a TruePet version AZ301UPG1, which is the same model but with added accessories, for an MSRP of $499.80.

The Australian equivalent – Shark Stratos XL Pet Pro Powered Lift-Away With Odour Neutraliser Technology AZ913 is AU$799.99, but at time of updating it had been discounted to AU$649.99 on the Shark website.

Interestingly, there's another model in the UK that's almost identical: the Shark Stratos Pet Pro Anti Hair Wrap Plus Anti-Odour Upright Vacuum NZ860UKT (it even has the same name at the moment, although the brand does seem to tweak those regularly, so it might not by the time you're reading this). It's considerably cheaper, with an RRP of £299.99 but discounted to £229.99 at Shark at time of updating this review (that puts it at the bottom of our mid-range bracket). The NZ860UKT has all the same features, but weights slightly less, and has slightly lower wattage (750W vs 88W), which suggests it's less powerful than the AZ913UKT.

Annual deals events like the Black Friday sales are often a good time to buy new home appliances, and vacuum cleaners are no exception. It's worth keeping an eye out for Shark promo codes to take the price down, too.

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum review: design

• Floorhead glides over carpets and hard floors
• Odor tech in floorhead releases a pleasant smell
• Easily transforms between an upright to portable vacuum

The overall design of this upright vacuum is super-impressive. It comes with a number of features I've come to appreciate about Shark vacuums over the years, alongside a couple of new things that are unique to the Stratos range.

The first is Shark's signature DuoClean floorhead, made up of two motorized brush-rolls in the unit. It glides satisfyingly across carpet and hard floors, picking up all manner of dirt and debris. The Anti Hair Wrap Plus tech also means the vacuum picks up any hair from floors, without it ever becoming tangled around the brush rolls. (This model appears in TechRadar's best vacuum for pet hair roundup.)

One of the new features that's worthy of mention is the anti-odor technology. Although not something I've paid much attention to before having tested this vacuum, it certainly will be now. An anti-odor dial can be inserted into the floorhead of this cleaner, with the dial rotated to select an odor intensity. The aim is to stop any dust cup odors filling the air, rather than releasing an alternative scent per se; however, I did notice a more pleasant smell following a session of vacuuming.

Note that the dial isn't available in an array of smells, with the sea breeze-type smell the only one currently available. Sharks recommends replacing the cartridges every six months, with replacement cartridges available direct from Shark. At the time of writing, we couldn't find replacements in the US.

The floorhead here is also home to another signature Shark feature: LED lighting. Helping to illuminate dust and help light up lower-lit areas of the home, such as the hallway, these lights are both functional and stylish.

In use, the Shark Stratos vacuum performed brilliantly for cleaning floors. However, it's pretty heavy at 17.2lbs / 6.7kg, which made it tricky to clean the stairs. Fortunately, you can detach the main unit from the floorhead and attach the wand to use it in its Powered Lift-Away mode. This makes it easier to clean under furniture, which isn't so easy in its upright form.

With the floorhead detached, I also gave the crevice and multi-surface tools a whirl. The crevice tool was good for reaching into the corners of the ceiling and cleaning along the top of the skirting, whereas the multi-surface tool was great for removing biscuit crumbs from the couch and bed. Usefully, there's storage space for both of these tools at the rear of the upright vacuum.

More generally, a slider switch on the handle allows you to choose between three floor settings: hard floors, low-pile carpets and thick-pile carpets or area rugs. The power button is also on the handle.

The 8m power cable wraps around the side of the vacuum on two hooks; one is next to the handle, while another sits next to the base of the dust cup. The dust cup offers a decent 1.3-liter capacity, which meant I didn't have to empty it after every cleaning session, and emptying is a simple matter of pressing the "dust cup release" button.

This upright vacuum also has an anti-allergen complete seal, which captures and traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum. Although this is difficult to test, my husband or I did notice that we didn't start sneezing and suffer watering eyes while this vacuum was in use – something that we can be sensitive to – so we'll take that as a win.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum review: performance

• Impressive vacuuming
• Easy to transform into a portable vac
• Love the odor emitted

I've been using the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum as my main cleaner in my three-bedroom home for the past month. The ground floor has ceramic floor tiles in the kitchen, plus wooden floors and rugs elsewhere; the first floor is mainly carpeted. With a toddler, and life in general, this upright vacuum has certainly been challenged over the past month of testing.

On the hard floors, the Shark Stratos performed well, picking up rice crispies from the floor in a single pass. I kept it on the hard floor setting, and the cleaner worked perfectly. Our kitchen floor is also home to a rag rug, which I quickly learnt was best avoided with this vac; passing over it with the Shark Stratos, the cleaner would simply start to suck it up. However, most vacuum cleaners struggle on this rug, so it wasn't a problem.

Transitioning between the hard floors and the other rugs was seamless. I'm a big fan of the DuoClean floorhead – a tough one to beat in my opinion. While it performed perfectly fine on rugs with the hard floor setting, for a deeper clean I'd switch to the carpet / low-pile setting – and I could soon see fluff bunnies doing circles in the transparent dust cup.

With the floors cleaned, I next moved onto the cobwebs in the corner of the sitting room. I transformed the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum into its Powered Lift-Away mode and attached the crevice tool. While I managed to reach up into the corners of the room, it did prove a bit of a stretch with the 5ft /1.5m hose in our period property with high ceilings.

While the main unit was removed from the floor head in Powered Lift-Away mode, I attached the floorhead to the handle to vacuum the stairs. I had the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum plugged in not far from the bottom of the stairs, so I was confident that I'd have enough reach to clean to the top of the 13-step staircase – and so the 26.2ft / 8m power cable proved sufficient. It wasn't as easy to vacuum the stairs as it was using one of the best cordless vacuums, for example, it was certainly more manageable in this more portable vacuum mode than as an upright vacuum because the weight was more balanced.

On the first floor, vacuuming carpets, the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum excelled. Upright vacuum cleaners are known for being more powerful than cordless and handheld units, and this Shark vacuum cemented this fact further. I set it on "thick carpet / area rug" and moved the vac back-and-forth around the floor until all (reachable) areas had been vacuumed. By the time I'd finished, the dust cup was almost full – which was so satisfying – and my home smelt so much fresher.

This method of vacuuming my home was repeated every three to four days throughout the testing period of the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum.

Thankfully, I never needed to empty the dust cup mid-clean. Although the 0.28 gallon / 1.3 liter isn't the largest I've seen, it's still pretty generous and proved sufficient capacity for cleaning my entire home. A slight niggle was with regards to emptying, where debris (mainly fluff) would become wedged at the top of the dust cup, requiring me to reach my hand inside to free it – which isn't a very pleasant job.

In terms of other maintenance, the dust cup will benefit from a wipe clean inside every now and then to keep it looking, and smelling, fresh. The filters will also need to be rinsed; these can be accessed after releasing the dust cup. Thankfully, the Anti Hair Wrap Plus tech means the one job you won't have to do is untangling any hair around the brush bars.

For noise, this vacuum cleaner measured between 81dB - 100dB depending upon the mode (portable or upright) it's in, which is loud considering the majority of vacuum cleaners tend to have a noise level reading of around 80dB.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum review: also consider

If you want a Shark vacuum but not an upright, here are a couple more options to consider...

How I tested the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

• I used the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum as my main vac for one month
• It was used to vacuum the floors, stairs and harder-to-reach areas

I've been using the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum as and when it's been needed for around one month. It's been my main vac, although I've also been reviewing the DreameTech L10s Ultra (a robot vacuum) at the same time.

The Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum has been used three-to-four times a week to deep clean the carpets, stairs and into high-up areas around my three-bed home. I've used all the key features of the upright vacuum including the DuoClean floorhead, Powered Lift-Away mode, and all three levels of suction. I emptied the dust cup several times throughout the duration of the review, with the majority of the collection being wool fluff from the carpets.

I've been actively reviewing vacuum cleaners for three years, although my experience working with home appliances extends past a decade. My lessons over the years have taught me what's important in a vacuum cleaner, and what are the best features to have.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2023

TechRadar is headed to Berlin for IFA 2022, which runs from September 2-6. It's one of the biggest tech expos of the year, and alongside global brands like Samsung and LG, who make everything from laptops to TVs as well as devices for the home, smart home and appliance specialists like SharkNinja and Ring will be showing off their wares.

From a Homes point of view, we're expecting exciting new product launches and new category announcements. We're also looking forward to seeing, and getting hands-on with, the latest innovations at the various show-arounds and live product demos.

We're still finalizing our itinerary for event, but we've already pinned down a few key brands that we'll be meeting with. Here's who – and what – we're looking forward to seeing.

Who are we looking forward to seeing at IFA Berlin 2022?

Arçelik

The global home appliances manufacturer, Arçelik, will be showcasing innovations from across their 12 brands, which include Grundig and Beko. Company CEO Hakan Bulgurlu will give a keynote speech on Friday, the first day of the convention, where he'll focus on the climate crisis and his vision for addressing such challenges. 

We're particularly excited to see new water efficiency solutions from Beko, which may drive real change in homes around the world. We're also keen to hear about innovations for small appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, and hairdryers.

SharkNinja

The makers of Ninja blenders and Shark vacuum cleaners are going to be launching a new category and a new product. As fans of the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer and the Shark Bagless Cylinder Pet Vacuum CZ250UKT, we can't wait to see what the next offering from the company might be.

Ring

Famous for their video doorbells, such as the Ring Doorbell Pro 2 and Video Doorbell 4, the Ring company is one of the go-to brands for smart home security. It has been some time since the May 2021 Doorbell 4 release, the latest in their current product lineup, so we think there might be a new product launched at the convention.

Samsung

Everyone is familiar with this tech and appliance juggernaut, the makers of many different types of products including phones, TVs, robot vacuum cleaners, and washing machines. 

We recently covered the Samsung Bespoke Jet so we're looking forward to (hopefully) hearing more about their home appliance lineup. We suspect any innovation they present will help us live more connected lives.

Anyone else?

We're alsoexcited to meet up with the likes of AEG, Swan and Yale to hear about what they've been working on and their innovative plans for the future. There will be a good mix here of large appliances, such as washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers, and small appliances, such as fans, air fryers, and smart home locks.

Prior to IFA 2022, on August 31, the Smart Home League event is scheduled to take place. Also in Berlin, this event will be held on the rooftop terrace in one of the city's hottest neighborhoods. We can't wait to hear from tado°, Yale, Philips Hue, and the CSA.

What are we most looking forward to at IFA?

Aside from getting our hair styled with SharkNinja on Friday, September 1, we're looking forward to seeing the latest innovations.

If we're in a position to try out any products than that'll be equally great, so we can then report back and perhaps even call it in to review at home.

How long will we be at IFA for?

The event is officially open from September 2-6 but we (our Homes Editor) will be there from August 31-September 3 to attend press events and test as many products as possible.

Editor's Note

The Shark DuoClean Cordless Vacuum Cleaner IF250UK is no longer part of Shark's vacuum cleaner lineup. For our top-rated alternatives, head to our guides to the best vacuum cleaners or the best cordless vacuum cleaners specifically. 

Introduction, price and design

Cordless vacuum cleaners have become synonymous with some of the big brands like Dyson, but Shark is an alternative you may not think of immediately that’s offering a top end product without having to spend as much money.

With a unique design, good battery life and very impressive cleaning performance, you should consider the Shark IF250UK when looking for your next vacuum cleaner.

Below you’ll find our full review of the Shark IF250UK. We’ll also reference some features that you can only get on the Shark IF250UKT, which is a different product with Shark’s TruePet mode but we’ll make it clear when we’re talking about that variant.

Shark IF250UK vacuum cleaner price and availability 

This version of Shark’s flagship vacuum has been available since around August 2017, so you should now be able to find it from a series of retailers in your home market.

As for the price, we’ve found it has an RRP of £449.99 (around $640, AU$800) but it only seems to be on sale in the UK and not available in the US or Australia.

We’ve also seen the price drop down at various retailers too with it costing £319.99 at one stage in the UK. You may find the price fluctuates a little higher or lower than that when you come to buy the vacuum from Shark though.

Design

One of the biggest highlights of this vacuum cleaner is the design. It’s a little bulkier and heavier than some of its competitors products, but it’s manageable and you won’t find it too much of a stress to carry around.

At the top of the vacuum cleaner is the housing for the battery (this is a cordless cleaner after all) and all the tech involved here. The top section can easily be disconnected from the main cleaner so you can get to hard to reach places or add extra attachments to get to those awkward places within your home.

There’s then the main body of the vacuum cleaner that’s long enough for taller users but also won’t be cumbersome if you’re a little shorter.

We found it offered great reach when in the upright position, but with Shark’s Flexology technology it’s also capable of a lot more movement than you initially expect.

About a third of way down from the top is a hinge that allows you to bend the cleaner down allowing you to slide this under a sofa or other furniture to fully clean without moving everything about.

We found this was easy to set up, but it also means you often need to have the cleaner laid horizontally on the floor and often that’s as much effort as moving the furniture you’re trying to clean under. To start the Flexology features you’ll want to press the button on the top, which at first was a touch stiff, but it allows you to push the vacuum down so you can lay it flat to the floor.

When you’re done, you can pull the cleaner back up to an upright position and it’ll click back into place for you to continue cleaning with it in the normal position. This is a particular highlight of the Shark vacuum, and is one of the reasons we’d recommend it if you have awkward furniture that means you need a manoeuvrable cleaner.

The cleaning head at the bottom of the vacuum isn’t too big like it can be on some competing products, and one particularly useful feature is it has headlights. It lights the way under your furniture so you can get a clear look at what you’re cleaning up and whether you’ve got everything.

To activate the cleaner you’ll be pressing buttons on the top. That means it’s easy to navigate between carpet and hardwood floors, as well as the normal or maximum power settings.

Overall, the design of the IF250UK is close to the pinnacle of coreless cleaner technology and while it may not be as light or as small as some of the competition we still like the design (especially the headlights) for its ease of use and Flexology tech.

Maintenace

We found the cleaning process of the Shark IF250UK to be easy, and that’s something you’ll particularly want from a new vacuum cleaner.

If you disconnect the top from the rest of the cleaner, it’s a button press to then empty the bin everything you’ve picked up from around your home. You can’t take the bin element out of the cleaner though, so it means you have to hover over the top of your bin to be able to do this.

You can then also access any caught hair that’s easy to pull out, especially when compared to competing cleaners. Then from the top of the gun you can access the filters, which Shark recommends you clean out monthly.

We found the cleaner could do a journey around three large rooms and it wouldn’t fill up the bin. If you’ve got a large house, you may find you need to empty out a bit more often but the bin space is good considering the size of the cleaner.

The cleaner at the bottom of the vacuum will also need regular cleaning, and we found it got caught in hair after a month or so. It’s an easy enough process to pull out the runner from the cleaner to take this off, but it’s not a particularly enjoyable job.

If you manage to break an element of your IF250UK, you’ll find Shark offer replacement parts from its website too.

Cleaning performance and battery life

The Shark IF250UK is nothing if not efficient. We found it to be one of the strongest vacuum cleaners we’ve tested. It has limited modes though, which you may find a struggle if you have lots of different areas in your home.

One mode is for flat floors such as tiling or hard wood, while another is for carpet. Then in both modes you have the choice of regular or maximum suction. 

It'll probably take you a little while to get used to the forward pull when using the maximum mode. The first few times we used the cleaner, it took us by surprise how hard it pulled forward when changing direction but once you know it does it we found it easy enough to control.

We found the regular suction would work fine on flat flooring but if you’re planning to clean carpet it may be best to go for the maximum suction.

That will drain the battery much quicker though, and the estimated 22 minutes charge time from Shark is spot on. We found it would last for exactly that amount of time on regular mode, which was enough time to clean the flat we tested the Shark in but may prove annoying if you have a larger home.

For that reason Shark sells a version of this cleaner with two battery packs, which are easy to swap out at the top of the cleaner. You can pull the battery out from the top element of the cleaner and charge it away from the vacuum if you want to put it away or keep one on charge while you clean up.

Another thing to note is the Shark IF250UK doesn’t come with TruePet technology, so there’s no ‘Pet Power Brush’ like you can get on the Shark IF250UKT.

We’ve not had the opportunity to test this with pets around, so it may be worth looking at the IF250UKT model with the True Pet tech if you’re an animal lover and want that extra mode to keep your house clean.

Verdict

The Shark IF250UK is an attractive cleaner that while a little heavy and a bit cumbersome is easy enough to glide around your home to clean up.

With okay battery life and the ability to swap out batteries with ease, we think this Shark should be able to clean up your home in no time at all for a much more palatable price than some of the other big brands.

The cleaning performance here is particularly impressive with the most powerful mode being useful for most home owners. There’s no pet specialism mode here, so it may not suit everyone but if you’re looking for a high-end cleaner for an around average price, this Shark may be built for you.

First reviewed: March 2018

• Best vacuum cleaners: here's what the Shark is up against

A 12-year-old-boy whose inability to touch a PC without it crashing nearly caused him to fail his social studies class, has been diagnosed as having a “static problem”.

Dubbed 'Magneto Man', Joe Falciatano repeatedly disrupted slide show presentations and caused his Xbox to inexplicably freeze, before a teacher finally suggested he wear a grounded, anti-static wrist strap.

Static-expert Kelly Robinson remains convinced that the strap is working. However, the boy’s new-found ability to successfully use a PC also coincides with a change of building at school. Static problem, or just plain bizarre. You decide.

Man vs Air-Force pain gun

In other news, Engadget posted a highly entertaining clip of correspondent David Martin taking on the AirForce’s Active Denial System, aka ‘pain gun’, this week. For those not up-to-date in their non-lethal weaponry, it’s a machine capable of firing a 94GHz millimetre wave that “triggers an immediate flight response from anyone in its path within 500 meters”.

Apparently even the hardest of hardcore can only endure 5 seconds of its intense burning before running away like girls. Cue Martin giving it his best shot...

Anti-shark? Ever seen Jaws?

Meanwhile, an electronic device designed to deter sharks from surfers failed so dismally that it was eaten by a great white during a trial off South Africa. Not only did the Shark Shield device neglect to repel the 3.6m female shark, it’s thought that the electronic fields it generated actually attracted it.

In defence of his product, the manufacturer helpfully commented: "The surf product only can be guaranteed to work when it's stationary, not when it's surfing in the wave or paddling”. Right…

Here’s a gadget with a purpose though, if ever we saw one: the Beer Tracker. For a mere £3.99, this computerised bottle opener keeps count of how many beers you’ve downed, digitally displaying the results. Perfect for cutting short tedious boasts of “I drank 20 pints last night”.

Even more useful was the recent announcement of a pair of cyber goggles said to “make the act of losing your keys a thing of the past function”. Functioning as a high-tech memory aid, the smart goggles are able to recognise objects that they see. TechRadar could do with a pair to trial outside the office – we’ve got (another) missing mobile to find.

And finally…

A homeless man’s sales of the Big Issue have skyrocketed – increasing by a massive 400 per cent – thanks to a new page dedicated to him on Facebook. Some 800 fans have joined the Croydon Big Issue Man Appreciation Club, since founder Matthew Melody set up the page. 'I was selling as few as seven or eight a day. I'm doing at least 25 to 30 a day now,' said the 35-year-old.