6 Best Shark Vacuums of 2023
Updated: Nov. 17, 2023
Find the best Shark vacuum to eliminate dust, crumbs and pet hair from all types of flooring and furniture.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
If you’ve shopped for vacuums at all, you know Shark is a trusted brand that comes up again and again as a top pick by both experts and customers. Shark consistently offers powerful suction, self-cleaning brush rolls and anti-allergen filters. And compared to other big-name vacuum brands (like Dyson), Shark vacuums are more affordable.
What to Look for When Buying a Shark Vacuum
Choosing the best Shark vacuum model will depend on your specific cleaning needs. Consider the size of your home, whether you’ll be cleaning hard or soft flooring and if you prefer corded or cordless. Corded vacuums are generally more powerful, while cordless vacuums are more convenient. We’ve included both in our list of the top picks as well as a handheld vacuum and our favorite robotic model. You’ll also want to consider:
- Suction Power: The most important factor for a vacuum is the ability to pick up dust, pet hair and debris with one pass. We also wanted vacuums that are powerful on a variety of flooring materials.
- Maneuverability: A good vacuum should be lightweight and easy to turn, as well as capable of fitting into tight or awkward corners.
- Filter Quality: Shark vacuums feature a two-layer filter consisting of both foam and felt pieces, both are easy to clean by rinsing under cold water. Some models are equipped with an additional HEPA filter that captures and traps over 99.9% of dust, allergens and odor.
Best Overall Shark Vacuum
Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum
The Shark Stratos cordless vacuum is our top pick for the best Shark vacuum due to its high-tech features and the fact that it has the most powerful suction of any Shark cordless vacuum. A “PowerFins” feature refers to the grippy rubber fins on one of the dual rollers that maintains nonstop contact with the floor for extra-thorough cleaning. The other game-changer is a bending wand that allows you to reach places you should vacuum, like under furniture. Even better: It folds in half for easy storage. It’s also equipped with a HEPA filter and the battery gives you up to 60 minutes of power.
Pros
- Detects dirt you can’t see, and automatically boosts power
- Odor neutralizer technology
- Easy to maneuver
Cons
- More expensive than other models
- Smaller dust canister
Best Value Shark Vacuum
Shark Cordless and Handheld Ultracyclone System
For the best Shark vacuum on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the Shark Ultracyclone system. It’s actually a powerful two-in-one cordless and handheld vacuum that includes a versatile floor nozzle for quick bare-floor cleanups. It’s perfect for light cleaning and ideal for small apartments or dorm rooms. The convenient dock provides neat and tidy storage, and the cyclonic air technology means incredible suction and long-lasting motor life.
For more budget-friendly floor care, check out the O-Cedar spin mop. It makes cleanup a breeze!
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight and versatile
- Crevice and pet hair attachments included
Cons
- Not effective for carpet
- Not powerful enough for large homes
Best Robotic Shark Vacuum
Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum
The newest robot vacuum from Shark is the AI Ultra robot vacuum, which includes a bagless, self-emptying base that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris. This little guy quickly and accurately maps your home, can be set on a cleaning schedule through the app and responds to your voice with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Our favorite feature is the UltraClean option where the robot makes two complete passes back and forth and then side to side for extra deep cleaning (great to run before parties or when visitors are coming over).
Pros
- Extra large self-emptying base compared to other robot vacuums
- HEPA filtration captures 99.9% of dust and allergens
- Up to 120 minutes of run time
Cons
- Expensive
- Some reviewers had trouble with it running into baseboards
Best Cordless Shark Vacuum
Shark Navigator Freestyle Vacuum
Compared to a cordless stick-style vacuum, a cordless upright vacuum like the Shark Navigator Freestyle is a little heavier and takes up more space, but is also more powerful. The Shark Navigator weighs in at 7.5-pounds (most stick vacuums are about 4 to 5-pounds) and powers through dust with 125 watts. The extra-large dust canister means you don’t have to stop cleaning to empty it as often. The advanced swivel steering offers smooth pushing and easy mobility. There are more than 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon that agree it’s one of the best Shark vacuums on the market. Check out our roundup of the best cordless vacuums, too.
Pros
- Powerful suction in a convenient cordless design
- Large dust canister
- Two power modes for hard and soft flooring
Cons
- Only 23 minutes of battery run-time
- Too bulky to fit under some furniture
Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair
Shark Rocket Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum
Clean up after your furry friends on both the floor and furniture with the Shark Rocket pet plus vacuum. The powerful suction gets deep down into carpet and rug fibers to suck up pet hair and other debris. It also includes specialized pet tools like an upholstery brush that captures embedded pet hair. The lift-away option allows you to easily clean hard-to-reach areas like in between couch cushions and the stairs.
Pros
- Powerful suction for eliminating pet hair
- Smooth swivel steering
- Lightweight
Cons
- Smaller dust canister
- Doesn’t stand on its own
Best Handheld Shark Vacuum
Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum
The slim and lightweight design of the Shark Wandvac means you can reach all those annoying messes that are difficult to access, like in between car seats and couch cushion crevices. But don’t let the small size fool you, this mini vacuum features streamlined airflow and a high-speed motor for accelerated suction power. We’re also a fan of the sleek charging dock that you can set on a kitchen counter or in a cleaning closet; then when faced with a mess that needs a quick cleanup job—just grab and go. By the way, have you heard of a stationary vacuum? It’s one of our favorite Amazon cleaning products.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Sleek design
- Crevice and pet hair attachments included
Cons
- Not effective on big messes
- Loud sounding according to some reviewers
FAQs
How do you clean a Shark vacuum?
Unplug the vacuum before cleaning, empty the dust cup and wipe down the entire vacuum with a damp cloth. The most important part of cleaning a Shark vacuum is cleaning the filters. Remove the foam and felt filters and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Allow the filters to dry for 24 hours before replacing them in the vacuum.
Where can you buy a Shark vacuum?
You’ll find the newest models directly from the Shark website, but retailers like Amazon often offer more affordable prices; and the slightly dated models can be just as effective. Just be sure to check that you’re ordering an authentic Shark product when buying from Amazon—and not a knock off, which are made to look very similar to the Shark models.
How long do Shark vacuums last?
Shark vacuums, when properly maintained, are known to last about five to seven years before needing to be replaced. When you buy directly from Shark, many models come with a five-year limited warranty. If the entire vacuum or any of the non-wearable parts are deemed defective, they will be repaired or replaced up to five years from the original purchase date.
Evaluation Criteria
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
Want more fun product picks and money-saving deals from our shopping experts and Test Kitchen? Sign up for the Stuff We Love newsletter.
