</p><p>Since I don’t know what exactly you’re looking for, aside from an affordable new vacuum, I’ve narrowed the full line of Sharks down to the best in each category. Whether you’re looking for a classic upright, a high-tech cordless, or just something with enough suction to combat the dog’s shedding, I’ve rounded up the best the brand sells. <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/tech/a63274113/roomba-robot-vacuum-review/” target=”_blank”>Robot vacuum</a> curious? Don’t worry, I’ve got you too. Hands down, these are the five best Shark vacuums you can buy. </p>” data-next-head/>
Skip to Content
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.

The Navigator is the best version of your standard Shark corded upright vacuum. It’s got a large and easy-to-empty dust cup—one that doesn’t require a bag or any of that nonsense. And it’s maneuverable enough to get around corners without crashing into your couch. But I could seriously say the same of all Shark upright vacuums.
What makes this a standout is the lift-away feature. This basically allows you to split the unit in two and carry around the top half. Using the included crevice tool you can use it as a makeshift handheld vacuum, breezily reaching those high spots and tricky corners that can’t be reached with the standard vacuum mode.
Features at a Glance
| Weight | 15.96 pounds |
| Capacity | 0.9 quarts |
| Attachments | Upholstery tool, crevice tool |
| Cable Length | 25 feet |

In our home, the PowerDetect reigns supreme. Finally making the changeover from our upright Shark to a more expensive cordless was a real upgrade. For one, this specific vacuum’s multi-flex stick allows me to get under the TV stand, bedroom dresser, and other tight spaces that would have previously required getting down on my knees. And for the rare case in which that doesn’t quite cut it, the vacuum has a nifty handheld mode that turns it surprisingly light and agile. These two features are the one-two punch that make me say this vacuum is awesome.
The PowerDetect gets its name from its intelligent dirt-detection mode. This automated mode takes the thinking out of it. No more worrying about switching modes when I go from carpet to hardwood—the PowerDetect cordless vacuum does it for me. If I want to turn it all the way up, I can crank high-power mode, or turn it down to eco mode to get the most of the battery life. The only caveat is that unless you are running it on eco mode, which is relatively weak suction-wise, the battery is going to take a big hit. Expect closer to 20 or 30 minutes than 70 on the higher settings.
Features at a Glance
| Weight | 7.9 pounds |
| Capacity | 0.7 quarts |
| Attachments | Crevice tool, motorized hand tool |
| Run Time | Up to 70 minutes |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

This is a superlight option for those quick daily cleans. It weighs just under 1.4 pounds (easy to one-hand for lazy cleaners like me) and it’s got impressive suction for the size. Really good for cleaning up stray dust bunnies or hairballs, or just tidying up quickly before company comes over.
I say all this because it does suffer from pretty limited battery life—so it’s going to spend a lot of time in the dock. That charge can take up to two and a half hours, and I’ll only get ten minutes of cleaning max out of it. If you need something with a longer battery life, you may want to look into the PowerDetect or one of Shark’s other hybrid vacuums that let you do handheld dust busting with a more powerful battery.
Features at a Glance
| Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Capacity | 0.08 quarts |
| Attachments | Crevice tool, duster crevice tool |
| Run Time | Up to 10 minutes |

As the owner of a senior dog, I get it. I want something that will truly take care of pet stains, marks, and odors, and other “pet” vacuums haven’t cut it. The Stratos Duo Clean is the real deal. The product description uses a lot of buzzwords to tell you that, essentially, it has extra-powerful rollers meant for capturing large clumps of hair. Whether you’re frequently cleaning up after shedding or just cleaning the remains of accidents, this is the vacuum you want backing you up. The sealed dust cup keeps the nasty stuff in, and the odor neutralizer will leave the carpet smelling fresh.
It’s on the heavy side but, like the Navigator, it has lift-away so you can detach the top half and use the hose and nozzle for cleaning tasks that require more finesse.
Features at a Glance
| Weight | 22.71 pounds |
| Capacity | 1.5 quarts |
| Attachments | Crevice tool, upholstery tool, HairPro Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush |
| Cord Length | 25 feet |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
This might seem out of left field, but I can tell you from experience that the robot vacuum and mop is a winning combination. The PowerDetect Never Touch leans into everything I love about these modern marvels. It is fully programable, meaning it can and will run when I’m at the office or out of the house, you know, having fun.
It’s got 360 degree cameras and advanced sensor tech that allows it to be efficient and not bump into your shit constantly. But what really makes this one “Never Touch” is how self-reliant the system is as opposed to others I’ve tried. Instead of a water tank that requires weekly attention, it self fills and cleans so you only need to check the tank every 30 days and the dirt bag only every 60. It even applies new dry mop pads when the wet ones are used up—now that’s high tech used for a purpose.
Just know that robot vacuums are more for maintenance, not so much for deep cleaning.
Styles of Shark Vacuums

Shark doesn’t do one-size-fits-all. Sure, every style is made as convenient as possible—even the brand’s upright vacuums can convert to portable canister modes for improved mobility. But you should know the differences between each type of vacuum Shark makes. Here’s a quick lesson to get you up to speed.
- Upright Vacuums: These corded vacuums are the most traditional. They work for hardwoods and carpets, and most of the Shark ones come with hoses and nozzle attachments for extra mobile cleaning, reaching high or hard-to-reach areas. Plus, they are corded, so you never have to charge them. On the negative side, they are heavy and you are tied down to a power outlet.
- Cordless Stick Vacuums: A popular form factor, the cordless stick vacuum needs to be recharged between uses. The best ones can be incredibly lightweight and mobile. Battery life and power (compared to uprights) tend to be where these struggle.
- Corded Stick Vacuums: None of these made the list, but this is a big category that Shark sells. These are generally comparable to their cordless brethren: just as powerful while still being light and easy to maneuver. Unlimited run time comes at the expense of being tied to the power outlet.
- Handheld Vacuums: These are great for smaller messes or short cleans but tend to have smaller batteries. That means a short run time and generally less power than larger vacuums.
- Robot Vacuums: The style of vacuum that doesn’t require any elbow grease. These operate autonomously, and the more advanced ones can be programed and scheduled to run at set times. Many of them also double as mops.
Watch Next
![]()
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Readers Also Read
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Read the full article here






