Best Shark vacuum of 2024 – our top picks for powerful, hassle-free cleaning

As one of the market leaders in appliances, it might not surprise you to learn that the best Shark vacuums possess innovative engineering, impressive suction power, sleek design, and build quality to rival even top brands like Dyson. And choosing the best Shark vacuum for your home can transform the way that you clean.

Regularly topping the charts in our best vacuum cleaners guide, Shark vacuums come in so many shapes and sizes - from corded upright vacuums perfect for deeper cleans and removing deep-rooted debris from carpets to lightweight cordless models for day-to-day whip-arounds and even vacuums that empty themselves for the ultimate ease of use. But with so many different options on the market, choosing the right model for your home can be difficult.

As a Shark fan through and through, the last thing I want you to do is spend your money on a Shark vacuum cleaner that doesn’t suit your home or cleaning requirements. So, here at Ideal Home, we’ve spent months following our vacuum cleaner testing process to determine which Shark vacuums performed best and even whether they have what it takes to rival the best vacuums for tacking pet hair. With all of that in mind, I am confident that my recommendations below are the best-in-class Shark vacuum cleaners you can buy today.

Quick list

Short on time but looking for the best Shark vacuum around? Take a look at our quick list below to find the one you're looking for quickly.

Best Shark vacuum 2024

Best Shark vacuum overall

The Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty System is the newest addition to the brand's roster of vacuum cleaners, claiming to be their strongest with the most powerful suction yet. Knowing all these high claims, I was eager to dive straight into testing and see what it had to offer – namely, if it could be crowned as the best Shark vac amongst all the others that we've tested over the years in this guide. Spoiler alert: it absolutely delivered.

But, what was it that instantly made the Shark PowerDetect jump to the top spot? It's because it combines many of the features we have loved and raved about in past models, all in one fantastic piece of kit. Namely, it's got the four-detection technology that was introduced with the release of the Shark Detect Pro, the anti-odour technology from the Shark Stratos, and an all-new technology dubbed Direction Detect. This means that the vacuum has been designed to pick up debris, dust, and hair in both forward and reverse, ensuring nothing gets left behind. This makes for precise pick-up with less effort exerted. Paired with the auto-empty dock, which cleans out and charges your vacuum for you so it's always ready to go, there really is little to criticise about this new launch.

Our only main gripes are while the auto-empty dock is brilliant, it's not perfect. During testing, there were circumstances where hair would sometimes get stuck and the suction couldn't clean it out entirely, in this case I had to just manually dislodge it myself. Not to mention, it can get a little top-heavy when you're using it in handheld as it's almost 3kg in weight, but these are just me being extremely picky. All in all, it's still a 5-star buy across the board.

Features we loved during testing

While I was testing this vacuum, it's true that I've never really experienced pick-up of deep-rooted dust, debris, and hair like I had with the Shark PowerDetect. The Detect technology was easily one of the best I had ever come across, and as I navigated through different areas in my house, I found that the vacuum quickly switched gears and adapted as was necessary. I even found that on the areas where the maximum suction was needed, it almost felt as though the vacuum was propelling you forward, which made for super easy cleaning and manoeuvring of the appliance.

After I was done, I was shocked with just how much dust had accumulated in the dustbin, as it wasn't even that long ago that I had last vacuumed. I would've been none the wiser had it not been for the PowerDetect. Typically, I would veer away from stick vacuums because I find them more of a hassle than anything with storing and manoeuvring, but the smooth movement and auto-empty dock instantly answered these concerns.

Read our Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best Shark vacuum for battery life

The Shark Stratos goes further than other vacuums from the brand to make debris and dust pick-up as easy, and nice-smelling as possible. It showed unbelievable suction power during testing, and left carpets visibly cleaner, with no issues with pet hair or human hair. We suspect this advanced cleaning is made possible because of the Clean Sense IQ Technology, which works to detect and then act upon the identified dirt and debris on your floors.

There's no doubt that our testing process proved that this vacuum is worth the large price tag that it carries. Even if you don't have to deal with shedding pets, the ease with which this vacuum does away with hair is astounding, and our Kitchen Appliances Editor, Molly Cleary, found that it was unmatched when it came to suction. Similar to the Shark IZ300UK Anti Hair Wrap cordless vacuum, it has a two-battery option, resulting in exceptional battery life for a whole house clean without the need for a charging break.

However, as much as we loved the Shark Stratos during testing, we really do wish it had a little charging stand that it could sit on when it's not in use rather than needing to find a dedicated space to house it in. This would also make storing its many accessories far easier – but this really is just a small gripe.

Features we loved during testing

The capacity of this vacuum to transform into a smaller handheld model is phenomenal, and you'll be reaching for the smaller attachments all the time to quickly resolve smaller messes all over your home. Another highlight during testing were the new Anti-Odour capsules that you can pick up with this vacuum, which make that horrible dusty smell a thing of the past. These come with a dial so you can choose how strong you want the scent to be, and then you simply pop it into the dustbin and go on your merry way.

You can fork out more for the two-battery Shark Stratos model if you think you need a spare pack on charge while the other is in use, but it's not a necessity if you live in a small or medium-sized home. All in all, this is admittedly a pricier vacuum, but if you can afford to fork out, it will impress you time and time again.

Read our Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best lightweight Shark vacuum

When we first got our hands on the Shark Detect Pro last year, we were very excited for a handful of reasons. The first is that it's unbelievably lightweight, at just 2.76kg, so your days of lugging around a heavy vacuum are behind you. The second was the wealth of new technologies that Shark boasted about with this vacuum when we got a first glimpse of it at IFA 2023, which introduced that the vacuum would be equipped with four all-new detection technologies. It's safe to say, these claims really did live up to our high expectations during testing and it's since become a favourite of ours.

When we were testing, we found dealing with high-traffic areas much easier thanks to the amped up suction, and the FloorDetect technology made transitioning into different rooms throughout the home much easier too rather than having to manually switch modes as you would with other models. We did notice that its cleaning power particularly excelled on hard flooring; however, rest assured that it performed just as effectively on carpet too, which can sometimes be a feature that's hard to come by.

Of course, its lightweight and slim build was for sure what made this vacuum a winner for us overall. Something that definitely sets apart one of the best cordless vacuums apart from their competitors is being able to take advantage of its portable, convenient build without skimping on suction power; and the Shark Detect Pro ticks those boxes fully. However, do be mindful that with its lighter build, its dustbin capacity is only 0.4, which is a lot smaller than other Shark models we've tested, such as the new Shark PowerDetect or Shark Stratos which both have a 0.8 litre capacity.

Features we loved

The RRP of £349.99 is steep, yes, but the cleaning performance of this vacuum very much impressed us during testing. You gain design points too with this new release, which is available in a swish white colour scheme and has a stripped-back LED control panel that even lets you in on remaining battery life and the levels of dirt being detected. Not to mention, with its true to claims run-time of 60 minutes, it's the ideal companion for whole home cleans.

It performed excellently in our at-home tests, and the new detection features go a long way to improve day-to-day vacuuming sessions. Our tester, Molly, was a huge fan of the stand system too, even though it comes at an additional price, and would be keen to try out the self-emptying bin system next, which seems like a lifesaver.

Read our Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum cleaner IW1511UK review for more details.

Best value Shark vacuum

The Shark IZ300UK Anti Hair Wrap cordless stick vacuum is one of Shark's trademark exports, and boy did it wow us when we took it for a spin. Firstly, it feels incredibly sturdy and well-made, with a separate charger for up to two batteries at a time, meaning you can double your runtime for larger homes.

Switching between carpet and hard floors is very easy thanks to the DuoClean brushrolls, which switch over with the touch of a button. It's also possible to go between three power levels, although we found the lowest level perfectly strong enough for the majority of tasks, meaning you can also preserve your battery life for longer as a result.

At under 5kg it's a sturdy but not too hefty model, and if you struggle with storage, you'll enjoy the fact that this cordless stick vacuum hinges forwards to fold when stored. However, on the topic of storage, it's worth noting that it isn't freestanding and will need support to hold it up. Additional features include a smart touchpad at the top of the vacuum that shows the battery level very clearly, which will definitely come in handy for managing battery life.

Yes, it's not one of the latest Shark models; however, we think the fact that it still sits as our top pick overall speaks volumes for its suction power, compact design, and value for money after all this time and despite the newer products that have since launched.

Features we loved during testing

The newer feature that Shark added to this cordless model is its PowerFins tech. These are essentially flexible silicone paddles that dig deep into carpets and effectively pick up dirt from right down at the base of rugs and carpets. This was immensely successful at picking up pet hair and dust that we didn't even know was there during our tests. We recommend opting for the Shark IZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner for a double-battery model that'll last longer between charges; however, the regular Shark IZ300UK is just as effective if you're happy with just one battery.

Read our Shark IZ300UK Anti Hair Wrap cordless stick vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best Shark vacuum for pet hair

To put it plainly, the Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap cordless upright vacuum has everything you need to stay on top of the busiest of homes, whether you're dealing with pet hair, cleaning across multiple floor types, or have a larger household. It boasts all the perks of a traditional upright vacuum, but in a cordless design to allow you more freedom to clean as and where you please.

Shark even claim that it has all the power of a corded vacuum cleaner but in cordless form, and after testing we couldn't agree more. In fact, if you had to really ask us, we'd even dub it the best Shark vacuum for carpet overall. This is in part thanks to the carpet roll that features Shark's innovative PowerFins technology, which is a rubberised fin that sits between the brushes to prevent hair from building up on the roller. It also helps with digging in deep into carpet fibres to pick up even the most stubborn of pet hair.

The Shark ICZ300UKT upright vacuum also comes with DuoClean, which makes switching modes immensely straightforward, and the controls make it easy to see how much battery you have left. To charge, simply lift out the battery on the side of the dust tank and pop it into its charging port.

Features we loved during testing

The vacuum has lights that illuminate its path, and it left a visible path of clean carpet when we took it through the floor around the bed of a fluffy black Labrador. Needless to say, its suction power for pet hair pick-up was very impressive, so prepare to remember what colour your carpet was when you moved in.

It is worth noting that coming in at over 6kg, this cordless upright vacuum is quite heavy compared to the lighter cordless stick models you're probably more familiar with; but it does have the Powered Lift-Away feature to make it easier to tackle stairs and upholstery without having to break your back to do so. Another minor gripe during the testing period was the small dust tank, which fills up very quickly when you're dealing with pet hair. We can confirm the battery life does extend to around one hour though, so this Shark cordless can tackle your entire home in one go.

Read our Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best handheld Shark vacuum

This handheld vacuum from Shark is a must-have handy for those quick tidy-ups that don't require the need to lug out a whole full-size vacuum cleaner. It's cordless which always helps with moving around the home (and car) quickly since you're not tethered to a plug, offering that extra convenience.

The (up to) 8 minutes battery life is sufficient enough for sweeping up dust, and crumbs and taming those stray hairs which seem to get anywhere and everywhere. After use, it can be neatly stored away in its little charging dock that is compact enough to keep tucked away to a corner of a room or inside a storage cupboard, ideal for those who are already pressed for space in a small home.

All of these features combined with strong suction power and a decent noise level is what has earned the Shark WandVac a spot in our round-up of the best handheld vacuum cleaners. However, we do think that it's quite expensive for a handheld vacuum and considering its short run-time, it's possible that some may find it hard to justify its price tag as a result.

Features we loved during testing

Our expert tester Helen loved how this vacuum empties at the touch of a button, flipping the dirt directly into the bin. She thought it made emptying quick and mess-free. When using it to clean her car, Helen was very impressed with the overall performance, with the vac effectively removing dirt from her car. It did struggle a little more to collect hairs from the carpet, but overall the suction was strong.

Overall, we love this vacuum for its performance and how it looks, as it's pretty enough to keep out on your worktop. It's almost full marks from us on this one.

How we test Shark vacuums

At Ideal Home, we take how we test products very seriously. We believe that the only way to give our honest verdict (and feel confident recommending them to you) on the best Shark vacuum cleaners is to test them in a home environment while diligently following our vacuum cleaner testing protocol. If it’s not possible to test in a home, we instead follow these steps in our dedicated testing facility, which has been set up to mimic an average UK house.

To create this guide, members of the Ideal Home team reviewed every Shark vacuum on this list, and we all followed the same testing process to ensure validity across the board. For every review, we aim to test and explore every inch of the product - from the overall look of the Shark vacuum to the cleaning features it offers - for at least two weeks and sometimes even months. This allows us to face real-life challenges and use the product as any other customer would.

During this process, each vacuum is also tested on three different floor types – hardwood, carpet, and linoleum – to pick up cereals (crushed and whole), a mix of flour and sugar, and hair in individual tests. To achieve a perfect pick-up score, we expect a vacuum to pick up both fine and heavy debris across these surfaces with a single pass. These tests allow us to see how well the vacuum lives up to manufacturer claims, including its ability to tackle large amounts of debris and the effectiveness of hair-repelling features.

Everything has been considered during our in-depth reviews, starting from unboxing and assembly right off the bat. Factors such as manoeuvrability, run-time, emptying of the canister (or bag), included accessories and general controls also play a huge factor in determining the ratings we award each vacuum we test.

Where possible, we also try to compare the review Shark vacuum with other vacuums on the market. These may be different Shark models (for example, we may compare them with older or newer models with different functionalities that may suit you better) or models with similar functionalities and different price points from other brands on the market.

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Taking all of the above into account, we can then assign the Shark vacuum cleaner a dedicated star rating. They are as follows:

5 stars - an exceptional Shark vacuum cleaner that does exactly what you expect and cannot be faulted in any way.

4.5 stars - as we always want to look at products with a critical eye, any Shark vacuum that leaves us wanting more will sacrifice that crucial half-mark.

4 stars - an amazing Shark vacuum cleaner that is worth your money but may need some fine-tuning before it suits everyone and every price point.

3 stars - a good Shark vacuum cleaner that works well but doesn't wow us with its cleaning ability. It may be under-specced, too expensive, or difficult to use.

2 stars - the Shark vacuum lacks key features but is affordable, so it may suit someone if they're in a rut and need a vacuum immediately.

1 star - the Shark vacuum does not work as intended, and we wouldn’t recommend you buy it.

Where to buy Shark vacuums

If you want to invest in one of the best Shark vacuums, it’s well worth doing your research and comparing retailers before parting with your money. After all, you can buy Shark vacuums from multiple retailers across the UK, all of which have their own sales and discount events periodically throughout the year. So, you may be able to find the best Shark deals and buy your dream Shark vacuum at a discounted price.

• Amazon: A wide range of Shark vacuums often discounted during Amazon Prime Day events
• Appliances Direct: Upright, cordless, and handheld Shark vacuums, often with free delivery
• Argos: A major stockist of all of the best Shark vacuums, including the Shark PowerDetect
• Currys: An impressive range of Shark vacuums, with in-store collection available
• John Lewis: Popular Shark models with regular discounts throughout the year
• Lakeland: A small selection of Shark vacuums that can also be bought in-store
• Shark: Buying direct means you get access to the whole selection, but they often sell out
• Very: Upright, stick, and handheld Shark vacuums available from a major retailer
• QVC: A small range of Shark vacuums, but often with big discounts

How to choose a Shark vacuum cleaner

Knowing how to choose a vacuum cleaner can be tough, and this isn’t made any easier if you already know that you want to buy a Shark vacuum cleaner. Although you may have settled on the brand, there are many other things you need to consider. These include:

The type of vacuum cleaner: Shark is a brand that offers a wide range of vacuum cleaners, from upright corded options to slimline cordless stick vacuums. It’s worth reading up on our guide of Shark corded vs cordless vacuum cleaners to determine which one suits you best, as they all differ in terms of run-time, suction power, dust bin capacity, ease of use, and affordability. Of course, you could also choose the best handheld and best robot vacuums from the Shark brand.

Features on offer: Like many other vacuum brands, Shark is constantly evolving and coming up with new, innovative features that aim to make cleaning easier. So, you need to decide whether you want a simple Shark vacuum that gets the job done without too many bells and whistles or opt for something that comes with impressive cleansing features such as Anti-Hair Wrap technology, Anti-Odour Capsules, Duo-Clean technology, DirectionDetect technology, or even Auto-Emptying capabilities. Our full guide on Shark terms will help you decode what these mean.

Accessories: If you want to vacuum pet hair or use your Shark vacuum cleaner to clean your car, it’s also a good idea to choose a Shark vacuum cleaner that comes with accessories. Just make sure that you check out our guide on what vacuum tool is right for each job so you use them as effectively as possible.

Maintenance: Maintenance is key if you want to extend the life expectancy of your vacuum. And while modern Shark vacuums are now offering auto-emptying systems and becoming simpler to use, you still need to know how to clean a Shark vacuum cleaner to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible for the next few years. Alongside this, you also need to know how to clean a Shark vacuum filter.

By taking all of the above into account, you should feel confident enough to make your purchase and start using your new Shark vacuum cleaner. Just ensure you don’t forget the places you're probably forgetting to vacuum - otherwise, you won’t get value for money.

FAQs

What is the best Shark vacuum for the money?

Among the ones we've tested, we think the best Shark vacuum overall is the Shark IZ300UK Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. While it's not the most recent model, it has proven reliable through rigorous testing and its suction power, compact design, and fairly affordable pricing make it, in our opinion, the best-value Shark vacuum out there.

When is the best time to buy a Shark vacuum cleaner?

It's possible to find pretty good deals on Shark vacuums year-round over on our cordless vacuum deals page, but there is one time of the year that's undoubtedly better than any other to take the plunge on this brand. Yep, we're talking about Black Friday deals, which start cropping up in November.

In previous years we've seen discounts of up to 50% on Shark vacuums, meaning that this pre-Christmas rush is most definitely the time to shop for essentials for your home, including vacuums. If you miss out on Black Friday, then there's plenty of cash to be saved with Boxing Day deals too.

Are Shark vacuums better than Dyson?

Shark's value for money, with RRPs often near to half of what Dyson's vacuums are, means that there is constantly a comparison raised between the brands. Our explainer on Shark vs Dyson has the full lowdown on the technical differences, but we think that if you're looking for a budget vacuum, you can't go wrong with investing in a Shark.

After reading through our guide, we hope that we've helped clear the mist surrounding choosing the best Shark vacuum for your needs.

Although there are so many to choose from – which at times can get overwhelming – gaining a better understanding of their specific functions and respective strengths is a step in the right direction to securing an investment that'll last you years to come.