It features a disposable pad that picks up any debris it finds, before switching into mop mode and spraying a cleaning solution to make sure no sign of the mess is left behind. If you’re not used to canister vacuums, this model can be a bit tricky to maneuver at first, but once you get the hang of the wheels, you’ll find that it moves smoothly with you and has an overall lightweight feel. It features an anti-allergen seal to trap dust and dander, as well as helpful LED lights to illuminate areas that might be hard to see. You can also choose between multiple cleaning modes and suction levels with the LED smart display, making the device even simpler to control. Notably, this vacuum is quieter than many others, and the dust cap is fairly large, so you won’t need to refill it often. On the downside, the hair it picks up sometimes gets stuck in the filter and needs to be removed by hand; you also have to rinse the filter every few months or else it’ll lose suction power.
Still, its brushroll lacks the self-cleaning features found on newer and pricier Shark models, so pet hair can easily wrap around the roller. Worse, the roller isn’t designed for removal, so cleaning it can be a hassle. Model variants not equipped with a HEPA filter also do a terrible job of sealing in allergens. Thankfully, its simple upholstery tool is very effective when cleaning shed hair on fabric furniture. It’s also very quiet, which is great if your pet is sensitive to loud noises.
To measure the results, we weigh the vacuum’s dust bin both before and after each run. The Airbelt K3’s parquet brush is inferior to that of the Miele Complete C3 Calima PowerLine, shark pet vacuum lacking flexibility and smoothness. Its electric powerhead, however, works well on all types of floors, making the switch to the parquet brush unnecessary for the most part.
And its hose storage doubles as a convenient carrying handle, so you can tote the machine sideways, which makes it easier to haul up and down stairs. Bags can help a vacuum last longer but need to be replaced several times per year. (The non-generic ones can cost more than $6 each.) Bagged models are also better for people who have allergies or asthma because they keep dust shark handheld vacuum and allergens sealed away. Bags are easier to discard without accidentally spilling a pile of dust or debris back into your face. While missing many of the features of our top pick, the Shark Navigator needs little maintenance and has essentially no recurring costs. But its five-year limited warranty covers only the motor; if anything else breaks, you’re out of luck.
Swivel steering allows for effortless maneuvering around corners and furniture, while the 3XL-capacity dust cup lets you cover more floor space without interruption. A 25-foot power cord provides freedom of movement as you tackle stairs and clean hallway floors. Featuring an extendable hose, this vacuum provides a 12-foot reach for cleaning the top of window treatments and corners of the ceiling. When we tested out this vacuum, we loved that it was able to be set up in seconds, with each part clicking into place. You just need to add in the cleaner and pad (both of which are included), and then you’re good to go. The vacuum glides smoothly (and quietly!) across the floor, thanks to its lightweight design, and the powerful suction gets both hair and dirt easily.
That, plus the HEPA filtration technology and the dust bin holding up to 30 days’ worth of debris, also makes this a great pick for those with allergies. Plus, it has a two-speed brush roll that’s effective on both hard floors and carpeting. For quick touch-ups or daily maintenance cleanings, you can’t shark handheld vacuum beat the combination of convenience and power the Shark Stratos Cordless offers. At just under 9 pounds, this model has a lightweight design, and it can run for up to 60 minutes per charge (note that that’s on Eco mode, however). It’s actually very good when clearing away pet hair on various surfaces.