The best shark vacuums are effective, reliable and attainably-priced, helping you tackle daily messes without breaking the bank. A leading home appliance brand, Shark makes over two dozen models in a wide variety styles: upright vacuums, cordless stick vacuums, handhelds and robot vacuums. Better yet, many of the vacuums carry a budget-friendly price tag, which helps sweeten the deal. Right now, our favorite model overall is the powerful Shark Navigatorwhich doubles as an upright and handheld, but the brand has plenty of other stellar models worth considering.
Upright, cordless, handheld and robotic: Here are the best Shark vacuums for cleaning all your … [+] spaces.
But with so many models to choose from, it can be hard to zero in on the right Shark for your home. It’s important to first think about what you need. Is it a machine for tackling pet hair or kids’ messes? Something that’s easy to stow? Or you prefer a lightweight model? The list could go on. “The most important thing to look for in a vacuum is the convenience of use,” says cleaning expert and author Kate Berry. “No matter what type of vacuum you buy, if it’s a hassle, you won’t use it, and that’ll show on your floors.”
Great suction, something that Shark is known for, is also a key component an effective vacuum should have. “Especially if you have pets, small kids, or live in a dusty environment,” Berry adds. “Crevice tools and upholstery attachments are essential for every home; a smaller roller bar that attaches to the hose may or may not be. It depends on your home and needs.”
We took a deep dive into Shark territory, scouring reviews and ratings to determine the best models for every household scenario. Read on to learn more about various models and all the features loved about each.
- Best Shark Vacuum Overall: Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright
- Best Stick Shark Vacuum: Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick
- Best Robot Shark Vacuum: Shark AI Ultra Robot
- Best Shark Vacuum For Pet Hair: Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright
- Best Budget Shark Upright Vacuum: Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright
- Best Handheld Shark Vacuum: Shark Wandvac Handheld
- Best Shark Vacuum For Large Spaces: Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright
- Best Shark Vacuum For Hardwood Floors: Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless
Amazon
Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum
Dimensions: 14.96 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches | Weight: 13.7 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Pet Power Brush, Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool
The best thing about the Shark Navigator upright vacuum is options — because right from the get go you have a lot of them. Upright mode lets you clean both carpets and floors and the detachable pod offers portable cleaning power for varied surfaces like stairs or shelves. It also comes with an extender for those hard-to-reach areas behind furniture or in high corners. The lightweight vacuum’s superpower is its completely sealed HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) system that traps 99.9 percent of dust and allergens inside. Adding to its overall appeal is its high capacity bagless XL canister that holds a lot of debris, causing less interruption.
Pros:
- Able to get hard-to-reach areas
- High-capacity tank holds lots of dirt
- Additional attachments
Cons:
- Heavier than other models
- Corded
Amazon
Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum
Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.8 x 46 inches | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Precision Duster, Pet Multi-Tool, Crevice Tool
Amazon reviewers covet the strong suction of this corded vac which converts to a handheld vacuum and needs no charging thanks to its 25-ft. power cord. It’s a cinch to switch from hardwood to carpet mode and the way it swivels at the base makes it easy to steer. It comes with a bevy of attachments that send this stick into overdrive; like the powerful upholstery tool that targets pet hair on upholstery and more. Although it may be bothersome that it can’t stand by itself, there is a hook on the bottom of the wand for hanging inside of a closet.
Pros:
- Powerful suction
- Several accessories
- Long power cord
Cons:
- Corded
- Can’t stand up by itself
BestBuy
Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum
Dimensions: 12.9 x 12.6 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 14.5 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Cordless; 120-minute battery life | Attachments: N/A
If your cleaning habits resemble scenes from Groundhog Daythis will make a handy addition. Instead of just roaming aimlessly, you can program the Shark Robot to tackle the same spots you clean every single day. It does this by mapping out your domain on its first few runs. Simply select which room you want it to clean and the Shark then makes its move, vacuuming in a meticulous row-by-row pattern. Using Wi-Fi you can tell the unit where to go via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Pros:
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Programmable to clean where you want
- Has a self-cleaning brush and allergen filter
Cons:
- Filter is not washable
Amazon
Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum
Dimensions: 13.2 x 11.9 x 45 inches | Weight: 15.4 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool, Power Brush
The Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum—equipped with a built-in HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal, a must for those family members allergic to pets—is the most effective in the fleet of Sharks for tackling pet hair. It also has a 2-in-1 design that, like the Shark Navigator, has a detachable pod for getting those hard-to-reach places where fur can fly. Swivel steering lets you maneuver the machine in unique ways while the built-in LED headlight illuminates hair and dust bunnies you may not have otherwise seen. For hairballs, muddy paw prints or kitty litter trails, there is a self-cleaning Pet Power Brush that helps remove hair and ground in dirt from carpeted stairs and upholstery.
Pros:
- Pet Power Brush removes stubborn messes
- Features a large-capacity 0.88-quart dust cup
- Easily flips from floor to carpet mode
Cons:
- Heavy at nearly 16 pounds
- Pricier than similar models
Amazon
Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum
Dimensions: 14.37 x 11.61 x 26.77 inches | Weight: 15.96 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Crevice Tool
Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away has many of the same features of our top pick, the NV356 Navigator, but this model is sold for a lower price. That may be because it comes with less accessories. It comes with the upholstery tool and crevice tool and also has the Lift-Away detachable pod for reaching above the floor areas. Though this bagless has a smaller dust cup than the NV356 it’s still a decent size and reviews say that it has the same great suction of the pricier version. It has two options for upright cleaning, switch to bare floor for hardwoods or “brushroll ON” for carpet cleaning.
Pros:
Price
Great suction
Cons:
- Not as many accessories
- Smaller dust cup
Amazon
Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum
Dimensions: 16.5 x 2.5 x 2.4 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Cordless | Attachments: Crevice Tool
Shark Wandvac comes in two different versions: standard and Power Pet (a Shark bestseller). It is featherweight, compact, and sports a unique design that people with limited space gravitate toward. The design isn’t all show because it does a pretty good job sucking up dirt and empties really easily to boot. But, sadly, with small size also comes small capacity. The dust bin’s diminutive 2.6-ounce size will fill up quickly with debris. The battery also takes 2.5 hours to charge and runs for less than 10 minutes. Bottomline: the Wandvac is a quick fix vacuum that stows away easily, but for big messes you’ll need something larger with more power.
Pros:
- Incredibly lightweight
- Easy-to-empty dust bin
- Compact
Cons:
- Small dust bin
- Short run time
Amazon
Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum
Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.02 x 46.46 inches | Weight: 16.71 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Corded | Attachments: Upholstery Tool, HairPro Self-cleaning Pet Power Brush, Crevice Tool
Shark has dubbed the Stratos its most innovative vacuum to date and clearly all that innovation comes at a price: it’s the brand’s most expensive model. It has all the bells and whistles, like DuoClean PowerFins, HairPro, Powered Lift-Away, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, and Odor Neutralizer Technology, and you can even upgrade the machine with TruePet features.
The detachable pod and extendable stick help you reach beyond rugs and carpet. The brushroll inside the floor piece targets the annoying issue of hair wrapping around the brush and reviews say it does a great job of preventing that. The machine cleans thick carpet, hardwoods, and pet hair with powerful suction (the strongest of any Shark vacuum, says the brand) and traps debris inside the large dustbin where its completely sealed with a HEPA filter. The anti-wrap dust cup allows you to empty the dustbin without your hands touching any of the dirt and there’s a lot to like about that. Weighing in at nearly 17 pounds, the Stratos is on the heavier side. Customers describe it as a bulky machine, therefore it’s best for people who have the space to store it.
Pros:
- Strong suction
- Has many features
- Large dust cup
Cons:
- Heavy at nearly 17 pounds
- Pricier than other models
Amazon
Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless Vacuum
Dimensions: 10.24 x 13 x 45 inches | Weight: 12.4 pounds | Corded/Cordless: Cordless | Attachments: Pet Multi-Tool, Crevice Tool
There’s nothing worse than hitting hardwoods with a vacuum that doesn’t do the job right the first time. Customer reviews tout the Shark Vertex’s ability to suck hardwoods clean, to the point where they look like they’ve been dusted. It does this with DuoClean PowerFins technology, a dual brushroll system that promises to pick up more dirt with every pass and leave floors with what the brand calls a “polished look.” This vac is lightweight — something that’s definitely needed when you’re whizzing around on a hard surface — and slender, yet it is said to perform like a full-sized upright machine. It is cordless and has a removable battery that powers the hand vac for up to 60 minutes, a decent amount of time. There’s a display at the top of the stick that clues you in on remainin g runtime so you can make sure you’re never caught empty handed.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Cordless
- Performs like a full-sized upright
Cons:
- Battery needs charging
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team has years of experience researching, writing about and testing cleaning gadgets and appliances of all kinds. In addition to this roundup, we’ve written several in-depth stories on vacuums, including the best vacuums for pet hair and the best vacuums overall for cleaning up life’s other messes. Our writers have also reviewed some of the market’s most popular models, from the Dyson V15 Detect to the iRobot Roomba S9+. For this list, we tapped into our subject knowledge and firsthand experience to bring you the best options available. We also frequently update this article with new information and insights to ensure our picks are up to date. This story was last updated in February 2023.
How We Chose The Best Shark Vacuums
To assemble this list, we researched the top-rated and bestselling vacuums from reputable brands. We then assessed features and value, making sure we included picks for lifestyles and budgets across the board. And no matter the price point, it was essential that each vacuum offers value that is proportionate to the price tag. We also considered user reviews from top retailer sites; every model on this list has an average rating that exceeds 4 stars, ensuring each vacuum is also a customer favorite.
Types Of Shark Vacuum Cleaners
- Upright vacuums stand up on their own and feature a floor head that tackles carpet and hardwood. “If you have lots of carpeting, a big floor area, and are looking for a lot of suction power, upright vacuums are the form factor for you,” says Alicia Sokolowski, cleaning expert and president and Co-CEO of AspenClean. Just keep in mind that these vacuums are on the bigger side, meaning they require a decent amount of storage space.
- Cordless vacuums run on battery power and each charge tends to last between 15 and 40 minutes. Therefore, they’re best for people who don’t have a lot of space to vacuum. “A cordless is handy for daily touch ups, stairs, and high-traffic areas,” adds Berry, “but they don’t do very well around the base of walls.”
- Robot vacuums save you time and energy by vacuuming your space on their own. That said, some are smarter than others. Some robots clean spaces haphazardly while others can be programmed to hit hot spots, and even the best models sometimes struggle to clean corners and navigate furniture. In terms of convenience, though, they can’t be beat.
- Corded stick vacuums are tall and slender machines that are typically more lightweight than upright vacuums. “If you have a smaller home, don’t have too many carpets and rugs, prefer quick and regular cleanups instead of regular deep cleans, need to clean your car, or have multiple floors in your home, then stick cleaners are the way to go,” says Sokolowski.
- Handheld vacuums are ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach corners, furniture and upholstery. These vacuums come in both corded and cordless styles.
- Canister vacuums are different from uprights in that the suction head and motor are two separate parts that are connected by a hose. Because they’re made up of two large pieces, they can be heavy and hard to maneuver, but their suction power is unmatched.