While it is smaller and more compact than the V15, the slightly less suction is still more than enough to handle any cleaning job. In addition to updated control schemes and included accessories, the lightweight makes the V12 easier to hold as shark canister vacuum you are cleaning. Furthermore, it had fantastic results in our tests, removing 98.6% of debris, avoiding hair tangles, and removing pet hair. It had solid performance in our cleaning tests, beating the average debris removal rate by 0.2%.
Here at Real Homes we like to get some hands-on experience with each of the products we feature in our buyers’ guides. This means that it’ll help us understand more about what you are getting for your money. That’s why nearly every shark dustbuster vacuum you see featured in this guide has been tested at home by a member of the Real Homes team. The table below tells you the average percentage of sand each vacuum was able to remove from each of our three test surfaces.
It’s about 2 lbs lighter than the Dyson Animal 2 and comes with similar accessories—the high reach wand, washable lifetime filter, stair tool, and combination too. During our tests the Vertex DuoClean dominated our cleaning tests, removing 99.4% of total debris. The Vertex is a big, powerful upright that’s at the top of Shark’s line.
Upright vacuums tend to have strong suction and a removable hose for getting hard-to-reach messes. While none of the uprights in our guides are discounted for Prime Day, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet Reach is similar to the budget pick in our best pet vacuum guide. The vacuum works across multiple floor surfaces—hardwood, tile, carpet—with the ability to turn on a brush roll to sweep up items of different sizes as you clean. The ONEPWR Evolve performs exceptionally well on carpeting, picking up both kibble and pet hair. On the tile floor, a few passes are typically required to completely clear the area of debris. The brush roll can easily be extracted to clear any contents that may get stuck or tangled, like long strands of hair.
They tend to be pricey, however, and may still require some manual help if they get stuck in corners or on objects. Mary H.J. Farrell is a senior editor at Consumer Reports whose real passion is for cooking and all that entails. She has expanded CR’s cookware category to include not only more pots and pans but also other essentials like stand mixer attachments, sheet pans, and vacuum sealers.
Turbo offers more suction power but it also emits significantly making it difficult to have a conversation while running. Eco is quieter, but several passes were often needed to clear the surface of pet hair. This attachment vibrates, which helps loosen hairs that are embedded in your upholstery. The second advantage is a super-soft brush roll for cleaning hardwood floors without scratching them. That’s a must for when your cat tracks kitty litter all over your teak floors. To find the best pet vacuum, we evaluated how well each picked up dirt, cleaned pet hair off carpets and furniture, and assessed the vacuum’s overall handling.
Led lights on the front head will light up dark corners and hidden dirt under cabinets, chairs, and more. The TruePet model from shark incorporates a motorized brush and pet multi-tool. While its bin design could be improved, and it could be a little lighter in hand, we do like its flexible wand, which bends to fit neatly under furniture and can be adjusted to handheld mode with a few clicks. We managed to attach the multi-surface tool to the wand of the vacuum to create a long, hand-held device that could conveniently reach up to ceilings and curtain poles. Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval.
This upright is not designed as a pet-specific vacuum, yet its features put it right up there with some of the best for the hairiest jobs as well as the “normal” messes. The cordless vacuum includes attachments and even separates into a hand-vac option. The structure bends in the middle to make it easy to vacuum in between tables and chairs. Do you need a better way to tame those tumbleweeds of pet hair rolling around your home?
That said, its “SelfStand” feature means it can stand upright unsupported and it has a great selection of tools, including a large soft brush that can be angled to get into tight spots too. Features vary between models; some have far more power than others, better attachments and, crucially, longer battery life. Before you buy, consider the size of your home, its occupants (including cats and dogs!) and any extra tools that may come in handy. BISSELL vacuums are generally cheaper than comparable Shark models, though that lower price tag is often reflected in inferior build quality, debris pickup performance, and air filtration performance. You should keep in mind when shopping that Shark vacuums offer both powered and non-powered lift-away canisters.
The Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum was the clear winner in our search for the best Shark vacuum—and best vacuum in general. Although we recently tested the Shark Cordless Pro with Clean Sense IQ, the newest model in this specific line, it did not compare in suction capability or ease of use to the older PowerFins model. The Shark Vertex PowerFins Vacuum features powerful suction on all surfaces, a storage-friendly handle, and generally quiet operation.