I've tested the best cordless, corded and robot Shark vacuums – these are my 6 top-rated models

The most difficult part of buying a Shark vacuum cleaner isn't finding one; it's navigating the overwhelming choice. The brand's success as a market leader means you have to choose between the legendary Stratos, Lift-Away, Pet Pro, a dozen different model numbers, and decide whether you need corded power or cordless convenience.

So, that's where I come in. As Ideal Home's Certified Expert in Vacuums, it's my job to test the best vacuums out there - including Shark's inclusions to the market. And myself and my team of trusted reviewers spend our days assessing these models' suction power, debris pickup, run-time, and overall usefulness in real homes.

After weeks of testing, we then determine which models can be crowned the best Shark vacuum cleaners on the market - and you can find my top recommendations for different homes, cleaning requirements and budgets below.

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 cleaners 2025

Best Shark vacuum overall

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The Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty System is the newest addition to the brand's roster of vacuum cleaners, and 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 our tester Jullia had to just manually dislodge it herself. 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 all in all, it's still a 5-star buy across the board.

Features we loved during testing

The Detect technology was easily one of the best we have ever come across, and as Jullia navigated through different areas in her house, she found that the vacuum quickly switched gears and adapted as was necessary. She 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.

When she was done, she was shocked with just how much dust had accumulated in the dustbin, as it wasn't even that long ago that she had last vacuumed. She would've been none the wiser had it not been for the PowerDetect - and it didn't cost her a lot in battery power, either. She typically found that by the end of her cleaning session around her terraced house, she only lost one bar of battery. However, it's worth noting that you'll need to have the space to store the dock, so it might not suit smaller, cosier homes.

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

Best budget Shark vacuum

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The Shark PowerPro is one of Shark's newest vacuums, but it's also one of the cheapest. Perfect for those looking for their first Shark vacuum or a second vacuum on a budget, it doesn't have too many bells and whistles, but it still thoroughly impressed me during testing.

Offering impressive Floor Detect Technology, this budget Shark vacuum cleaner has a multi-surface floorhead that will adjust its suction power and the brush roll speed to suit your floors - whether that be carpets, rugs, or hard flooring. I found the suction power to be more than enough for everyday debris and quick cleans, although you might want to opt for something like the Shark PowerDetect if you're looking for big bursts of power due to pets that shed a lot or messy family members.

Features we loved

During testing, I loved how lightweight and easy the Shark PowerPro was to use around the house. I didn't have to faff around with changing the floorhead (which I do with my Dyson), and it quickly transformed into a handheld vacuum for more targeted cleaning. The XL dust capacity meant that I could vacuum my whole house without having to stop and empty it.

I also tested the pet model, which came with a motorised pet tool that was perfect for sucking up hair and pet dander in my home. However, you can also buy the non-pet version for £30 cheaper if you don't want this extra tool. But the one thing I will always love about Shark vacuums is the Flexology wand, which allowed me to vacuum under chairs and furniture without having to move them out of the way. This is found on most Shark vacuums, excluding the upright model in this guide.

Read our Shark PowerPro Cordless Stick Vacuum review for more details.

Best cordless Shark vacuum

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The Shark Stratos goes further than other cordless 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.

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 was 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 corded Shark vacuum

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Although corded vacuums have typically been less popular than cordless models, the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner AZ3900UKT has recently become one of the brand's bestselling models. It follows the success of the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty above and features many of the same technologies, but in a corded, upright form.

This means that it offers unlimited run time and more power than any other Shark vacuum cleaner we've tested so far. And with the DirectionDetect and FloorDetect features, there's limited input required as it'll automatically adjust suction power according to the debris it faces and the floor type. However, it is big and heavy at 7.6kg, which means it won't suit smaller homes or those with limited mobility.

Features we loved during testing

I tested the Shark PowerDetect Lift-Away in my home, and found the suction power was so impressive it sucked in pet hair before the rollers even touched it. And while it doesn't necessarily need it, the fact that it cleans on both the forward and reverse stroke (even though upright models typically struggle on the latter) is ideal for all floor types.

The 1.3L dust bin meant that I could vacuum my home multiple times before needing to empty it, and the Lift-Away pod did help to alleviate the negatives associated with such a big and heavy vacuum. Of course, corded vacuums aren't for everyone and it's worth understanding that you'll need strong arms and a place to store it, but if you value cleaning power over cord-free convenience, it'll win you over.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect Lift-Away vacuum review for more details.

Best Shark vacuum for pet hair

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Shark claims that the Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap cordless upright vacuum 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 Shark robot vacuum

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The best robot vacuum cleaners come in many shapes and forms, and Shark has invested quite heavily in this hands-free branch of floorcare over the years. The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop impressed me during testing thanks its user-friendly nature and its effective cleaning power - and it's one of the most attractive models on the market, too.

With an auto-empty and auto-refilling function, this Shark robot vacuum will also clean and dry the roller after use so it's always ready to go. It also has great obstacle avoidance and I found it incredibly easy to configure my own cleaning requirements in the app. However, it does only allow for one map - which is a downside for those with multiple floors.

Features we loved during testing

During the debris test, the Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch robot vacuum proved that it had what it took to tackle all manner of debris in one pass - including my dog's hair. The DirtDetect technology also adjusts its suction power in vacuum mode depending on the floor type and the debris present, and it has the ability to lift itself - and its mop pad - over rugs to stop them getting wet.

And while the docking station comes with all kinds of cleaning and maintenance features that ensure you rarely have to get involved, the fact that you can only save one map is a downside. It shouldn't put you off completely, but just be warned that you will only be able to take advantage of saved navigation on one floor.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop review for more details.

Best Shark vacuums at a glance

Best of the rest

Shark VacMop Cordless 2-in-1 Vacuum Mop VM200UK (★★★★★)

With the ability to vacuum up small debris and mop your floors afterwards, this 2-in-1 floorcare appliance is a must-have. It's not a replacement for a Shark vacuum, but it's a game-changing addition.

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Shark Wandvac WV200UK(★★★★½)

Best Shark handheld vacuum cleaner

If you just want a Shark vacuum for smaller jobs, this handheld vacuum is more than up for the task. All in all, it offers one-touch emptying and up to 8 minutes of battery life.

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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.

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During this process, each vacuum is also tested on different floor types – hard flooring and carpet – 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 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.

Meet our testing team

Lauren Bradbury

Lauren is Ideal Home's Content Editor and Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums. She's spent over 300 hours testing the best vacuums on the market, speaking to industry experts, and even going behind the scenes to see how big brands design and test their vacuum cleaners.

For this guide, Lauren tested the Shark PowerPro, Shark VacMop, Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away and the Shark robot vacuum. She also used other testers' reviews to compile her top 6 picks overall.

Molly Cleary

Molly is currently Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, but she was previously our Ecommerce Editor and regularly tested the best vacuum cleaners on the market.

In this role, she countless vacuums - including the best Shark vacuums - both in her home and at Future's dedicated test facility. She also visited Shark's HQ to get a behind-the-scenes peek at how they design and build Shark vacuum cleaners.

Jullia Joson

Jullia many hours testing vacuum cleaners during her time at Ideal Home - including many of the Shark vacuums you see on this list.

Throughout this testing process, she got hands-on experience with a range of vacuums from leading brands such as Shark, Dyson, Gtech and more. The Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner was her particular favourite.

Millie Fender

Millie is Ideal Home's former Head of Reviews, and during her time in this role she thoroughly tested a wide range of products - from cookware to vacuum cleaners.

Before that, she was the Small Appliance and Cookware Editor, so she's no stranger to reviewing essential home appliances like vacuum cleaners.

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.

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

After reading through our guide, we hope that we've helped clear the mist surrounding choosing the best Shark vacuum for your needs. But if you're still not convinced, it's well worth reading my guide on the things I wish I knew before buying a Shark vacuum cleaner.