I’ve tested both corded and cordless Shark vacuums – this is the option I’d choose for power and convenience

Often considered to be the crème de la crème of the vacuum world, Shark is known for its high-spec and high-tech vacuums… but these come at a price, so carefully weighing up corded vs cordless Shark vacuum cleaners is key.

Of course, the best Shark vacuum cleaners come in various shapes, sizes and forms - often topping the charts in our best robot vacuum and handheld vacuum cleaner guides, too. But when you want a full-size vacuum that gets the job done, there’s no denying that the brand’s corded and cordless models reign supreme.

But which one will suit you and your home best? As Ideal Home’s resident vacuum expert with extensive Shark testing under my belt, it’s my job to help you - and I’ve shared everything you need to know about these Shark offerings below.

Which has better suction?

If you’re wondering whether cordless vacuum cleaners are worth it, there’s a high chance that you have a few questions about suction. After all, you want to ensure that you’re getting the most for your money and buying a vacuum cleaner that won’t leave debris on the floor after a cleaning session

Mains-powered corded vacuum cleaners typically have better suction than battery-powered cordless vacuum cleaners, as they draw power from the mains rather than relying on batteries that can degrade over time. It’s always best to compare suction power when purchasing a vacuum cleaner, and to focus on either the Air Watts (if provided) or the motor wattage (W).

In essence, the higher the wattage, the more suction power a Shark vacuum cleaner should have - and you’ll generally find that corded vacuums will have almost double the wattage of a cordless model.

This can be seen with the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, which has been crowned our ‘best Shark vacuum overall’ and has a wattage of 380W, and the corded Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner, which has a wattage of 750W.

It’s also important to note that using different Shark modes on your cordless vacuum cleaner can drain the battery quickly, which may be something to consider if your floors get particularly dirty.

So, if you have multiple pets or hairy people in the house, a corded vacuum cleaner is a better option, as its suction power is impressive and its battery life is consistent.

Which is easiest to use?

One reason Shark vacuum cleaners have regularly topped the Ideal Home charts as some of the best on the market is their advanced technology. This brand is known for equipping both its corded and cordless vacuum cleaners with built-in features and accessories that make vacuuming a breeze.

That means that, aside from differences in suction power and battery run time, they normally offer many of the same technologies, such as Anti-Hair Wrap technology, DuoClean heads, Powerfins, Anti-Odour technology, Anti-Allergen solutions, and more. Of course, you should check the specs of each Shark vacuum cleaner to see exactly what each one offers.

As a result, the only real differences between the ease of use of corded and cordless vacuum cleaners are weight, appearance, and overall functionality, including buttons and controls.

Of course, the most obvious negative when looking at Shark corded vacuums is the weight and the fact that they need to be plugged in at all times. Corded vacuum cleaners are generally much heavier than cordless alternatives, and the fact that you need to unplug them and then plug them back in as you go around your house could be too much of a nuisance for those with dexterity issues - or a particularly large house!

This isn’t the case for cordless Shark vacuum cleaners, which seem to be getting lighter and lighter with each new drop. In terms of appearance, that’s down to personal preference. And in terms of overall functionality and control panels, it’s fair to say that Shark corded and cordless vacuum cleaners are fairly similar - especially if you’re looking at stick vacuums. Most come with LED headlights to make hidden dirt and dust visible, as well as easy-to-use buttons and switches.

But if you’re looking for the easiest Shark vacuum to use, I'd have to go with a cordless Shark vacuum, purely for the manoeuvrability.

Which has a longer run time?

You probably don’t need me to tell you that the winner of this round is the corded Shark vacuum cleaner. After all, you could use a corded vacuum all day, every day, if you really wanted to.

The same can’t be said for cordless vacuum cleaners. Without mains power at their disposal, these cordless vacuum cleaners rely solely on battery power to run, which means that they also rely on you remembering to put the batteries on charge when they’re running low.

But Shark does have an option for those who don’t want a corded vacuum cleaner but still want the ease of knowing they always have the charge to clean their house.

That’s because many cordless Shark vacuum cleaners, such as the bestselling Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap, come with two 60-minute batteries. This means that you can keep one on charge at all times and swap it out when the other runs out.

Which has a larger capacity?

It’s long been thought that, because many Shark corded vacuum cleaners are larger than their cordless counterparts, they also have larger dust tanks. However, that’s not the case. Shark vacuum cleaners vary across the board in terms of their dust tank capacity.

Our top-rated corded, the PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright, has a 1.3L dust tank capacity that cleaned my entire 3-bedroom home multiple times before needing to be emptied - and is a generous addition to a powerful vacuum.

But what does a cordless Shark vacuum offer? Well, there’s also a wide range of dust tank sizes to choose from. The Shark Stratos has one of the biggest dust bins at 0.8 litres. The budget-friendly Shark PowerPro Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum also has a dust capacity of 0.7L.

However, it’s also worth mentioning the fact that Shark seems to be working hard on improving its dust bin technology… for a price, of course. Its latest premium cordless model, the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner comes with a 0.8L dust tank on the stick, and a separate 2L bin on the auto-empty dock.

So, ultimately, the dust tank capacities of corded and cordless Shark vacuum cleaners vary so much that it's hard to pick a winner for this round.

What’s the price difference?

One of the things I wish I knew before buying a Shark vacuum is that the newest models aren’t always the most expensive, which is what you’d normally expect from a new drop.

The most affordable cordless vacuum cleaner from Shark is the new Shark Freestyle Pro Cordless Upright Vacuum SV2000UK, which retails at £149.99. And while I haven’t tested this one (yet), the reviews are extremely positive for such an affordable model.

You don’t have to spend too much more for a corded Shark vacuum, though. The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Corded Stick Vacuum HZ500UK has an RRP of £179.99, and the Shark Classic Upright Vacuum NV602UK is only slightly more expensive at £199.99.

Of course, you can also pay much more for both corded and cordless - so there’s something to suit every budget and need.

Shark also routinely offers discounts on its corded and cordless vacuums, especially around sales periods, so it’s never hard to find a bargain.

Final verdict: Which one should you choose?

In the battle of the Sharks, both corded and cordless Shark vacuums have their plus points and their negatives. While corded vacuum cleaners are considered to be more old-school, they are also considered to be the most reliable and the most powerful - especially if you’re someone who routinely forgets to charge the batteries.

But there’s no doubt that Shark seems to be putting more time and attention into its cordless varieties. With increasing suction power and new and innovative dust bin qualities, cordless vacuums are fighting a tough battle.

So, it comes down to what you want. If you value cleaning power above all else, I’d recommend a corded Shark vacuum. If you value convenience, a cordless Shark vacuum will suit you better.