We were also impressed with the vacuum’s large dustbin—at 2.8 quarts, it’s the largest on this list. To find the best Shark vacuum for your needs, you’ll want to consider factors like the vacuum type, the size of your home, the vacuum’s features and accessories, and more. Naturally, a vacuum’s performance is one of the most important factors in your decision. We tested hundreds of vacuum cleaners, including a wide range of the brand’s top models, evaluating them on suction power, maneuverability, noise level, value, and more.
Like the V15 Detect—its much lighter, vacuum-only cousin—this model has a trigger instead of a button. Its mopping performance pales in comparison to an old-fashioned mop; it’s also leaky, and its five separate parts need to be painstakingly disassembled to be cleaned. We found that eco worked fine for most surfaces and dirt—and it saved battery life—but we also appreciated boost mode when confronted with a dry, set-in hairball in a Tibetan rug. With a menagerie of rabbits and cats, she obsesses over how different types of fur adhere to upholstery and how to remove hairballs from heirloom rugs. Liam McCabe wrote the previous versions of this guide, testing more than a hundred vacuums for this and other vacuum guides. Meanwhile, the Tineco Pure One S11 is the only cordless vacuum in the top 5 of our sand tests that retails for less than $500.
But like a good marriage, using a cordless stick vacuum requires you to make some compromises. If you regularly forget to empty your vacuum’s dustbin, the Shark Wandvac Self-Empty System takes this important maintenance step off your hands, ensuring your vacuum is always ready to start cleaning. The DEWALT 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum (Tool only) is a jobsite cleaning solution that provides users with powerful performance (46 CFM) to pick up common jobsite debris ranging from drywall, dust, to small screws and nails. This versatile vacuum comes with 6 different cleaning attachment accessories to tackle any cleaning job from floor level to overhead. The hand vacuum can be used to handle smaller messes or used in combination with the extension tube and floor accessory to clean up floor areas. A HEPA Filter allows for clean efficient cleanup of fine dust and drywall and follows OSHA Table 1 Compliance under housekeeping rules.
For powerful suction at a reasonable price, the Bissell ReadyClean is another solid choice. We were blown away by its suction, which was able to pick up dirt, dust, crumbs, cat litter, and hair in just one pass. In fact, it was actually too powerful to vacuum a small bathroom mat, displacing the rug when we tried to drive over it. The vacuum performed particularly well on carpeting but got the job done on hard floors, too, and the battery lasted for around 25 minutes on the low setting and 20 minutes on high. The Belife BVC12 is a budget-friendly option for your home, retailing for less than $150 at its common sale price. It did an excellent job picking up messes on hard floors, grout, and medium- and high-pile carpet, though it seemed to perform a little better on carpets when sucking up larger debris.
The CHV1410L can’t clean upholstery all that thoroughly, as debris, especially hair, tends to cling to fabric, and this model has neither the suction nor the right tools to offset that clinginess. And because this model has no hose or pivoting nozzle, and its crevice tool is comparably large, using it to clean at odd angles is a hassle. This model will run for 24 minutes on low suction mode, which is sufficient for most furry situations, and a battery indicator shows you the charge level.
Brandon Pleshek, a third-generation janitor and the creator of Clean That Up! The Ryobi 18V One+ HP Cordless Pet Stick Vac Kit with Dual-Roller Bar is a well-rounded workhorse, though it’s heavy and harder to maneuver on stairs. Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home.
This model is cheap, lightweight, and agile, and it cleans a variety of floor types well. Even so, Dyson vacuums consistently test well, and they often come with unique features like dust-revealing lasers and auto-adapting brush rolls that are the result of the company’s years of in-house research and iterative design. We run each vacuum in a straight line across three different surfaces (hardwood, low-pile carpet and midpile carpet). White says most Shark vacuums can last four to six years with regular maintenance.” Of course, that depends on how often you use your vacuum as well as the overall quality of the specific model. But in general, if you make sure to clean your vacuum regularly and take it in for repairs when needed, then you should be good for a long time.
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, this is a worthwhile vacuum, especially if you’re sticking to a budget.
Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you’ll want to consider which type will work best for your lifestyle. For instance, upright and canister models typically offer more suction power, while stick and handheld options are lightweight and portable. Robot vacuums are autonomous, shark stick vacuum offering hands-free cleaning on a set schedule, but they don’t deliver the same level of cleaning as a full-size vacuum. If you’re tired of dragging out a full-size vacuum to suck up pet hair every few days, the Shark Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum is a great option for your home.