Broom, mop, wash and scrub. Keeping your house clean on a daily basis can be tiring for your back, especially if you are a mother of four. You may clean all day only to find out that while you were napping for a bit, your lounge has been sifted with dust. In this case, all you need is the best Shark vacuum cleaner. The climate change is a real danger, and it doesn’t take long for the weather to shift from sunny to windy in a matter of minutes.
While we encourage all our readers to plant more trees to keep earth clean, it is equally important to keep your house clean, and what better way then by using some of the best shark vacuum cleaners.
Shark is among the several house-care brands developed by SharkNinja Operating LLC, an innovator in small domestic appliances and cleaning solutions in track with people’s life choices.
By offering functional, innovative products, SharkNinja has quickly sculpted an important market base in the houseware industry, becoming one of the industry’s major corporations.
SharkNinja products positively impact the lives of people every day in every home around the world, from cutting-edge, market-leading vacuums to high-quality home coffee systems.
We went high and low through a long list of different shark vacuum models to give you the dirt on the best shark vacuums and our top pick for your daily cleaning needs.
Shark is one of the leading vacuum manufacturers and they offer several vacuums with similar features and specifications. Here is the comparison table of some of their most popular models that we have reviewed.
1. Shark Rotator Professional Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum (NV501) – Best Shark Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Shark vacuum cleaner reviews indicate a strong liking for its dual surface cleaning ability.
This best shark vacuum for hardwood floors deep-cleans carpets, tackles hard floors and takes on above-floor messes. If you find the shark vacuum brush not spinning, then it might have caught a lump of hairball.
If your floors have stubborn dirt and grit that won’t go on their own, try getting rid of it with a shark vacuum and steam mop combo.
The LED lights make it easy to see in low light areas. It’s great that it has an anti allergen HEPA filter in case you have several family members having dust allergies.
Product Highlights:
- Detachable canister for portable cleaning power
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter
- LED headlights allowing for maneuvering around furniture
- XL-capacity dust cup for extended cleaning
As some previous models of shark vacuum lost suction, hence, the recent revisions have been updated with some unique features. With NV 501, you can mediate the suction power lever to control the amount of suction for different cleaning jobs.
For assistance on shark vacuum repair, you can get connected to the shark customer service on their website where experts can help you with your concerns.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆
Why we like it: As a corded vacuum, it has a lot of multiple functions to offer. Without the fear of the battery running out, you can deep clean on the highest setting for a good three hours.
- Large vacuum, cannot go under furniture
- Wand isn’t long enough for cleaning fans
2. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional (NV356E) – Best Vacuum Cleaner for Stairs
Your floor is just a start. With top rated shark vacuum models like NV56E, you can reach new heights to cover every corner, crevice and ceiling.
You religiously vacuum your home to get rid of all the dust, dirt, and bacteria and ensure that your indoor air is up to snuff.
Some vacuum cleaners spray a good amount of dust and bacteria back into the atmosphere, where diseases can spread and cause allergies.
Vacuum cleaning can release and re-suspend dust and allergens, leading to enhanced exposure, according to the Environmental Science & Technology.
Product Highlights:
- Powerful, lightweight and portable
- Brush roll shutoff button
- HEPA filter & anti-allergy seal
How to clean shark vacuum filter?
To maintain the durability of the machine, follow these easy diy steps to learn how to clean shark vacuum cleaner:
- Wash the pre-motor foam.
- Wash the felt filters every 3 months under normal use.
- For optimum HEPA filter, wash and air-dry to increase the post-motor efficiency once every 2 years, or as required.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why we like it: NV56E is large, relatively heavy, but also strong, agile, versatile and convertible upright vacuum cleaner. It is not the best vacuum cleaner under $100 but it still has an affordable price.
- All parts are not covered under warranty
- Vacuum might overheat in backpack
3. Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum (HV302) – Best Shark Vacuum for Car
At under 9 lbs., this ultra-lightweight corded stick vacuum converts to a handheld vacuum for versatile floor-to-ceiling cleaning.
Its fingertip controls allow you to easily switch from hard floor to carpet. You can hang the handheld vacuum from the hook on the bottom of the wand for convenient storage.
The setting of the 2-speed energy was optimized to wash all types of floor. For bare floors and area rugs, the first velocity setting is best. With the second speed setting, you can deep clean the greater pile on rugs and mats, making it the best vacuum for carpet.This deep vacuum cleans carpets better than an upright vacuum of full size.
Product Highlights:
- Ultra-Lightweight
- Home & car detail kit micro tools
- Dual storage options
- Fingertip control
- Swivel steering motion
Its sophisticated cyclonic technology distinguishes fine dust from the air, preventing the filters from being blocked by dirt and maintaining powerful suction strength over time. This means that from the first use to the last room, you will never lose cleaning power.
The handle is ergonomically designed for both floor and above floor cleaning which makes shark rocket filter cleaning easier.
Editor’s Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Why we like it: The handle has been designed for your comfort. The rubberized grip creates a non-slip surface that is comfortable to hold.
- Prone to breakage due to lightweight
- Slow to suck bigger particles
4. Shark Navigator Deluxe Upright (NV42) – Best Vacuum for Vinyl Plank Floors
If you clean three rugs on the go, and the backpack vacuum picks up two inches of dust in the collection chamber then that’s the sign of a powerful cleaner! NV42 as per shark vacuum reviews is popular for navigating both on carpet and hard floor.
With an integrated extendable cord, your cleaning doesn’t have to stop at the floor — vacuum stairs, furniture, and tight spaces with up to 25 feet of total reach.
Starting with the base, this product is powered by 1200 wattage motor that gets all that dirt out of hard-to-reach places.
Plus, it scoots easily under most counters and furniture to give you closer access to those hard-to-reach spots. When it comes to suction, due to its no loss of suction technology the Deluxe is able to pull even the biggest chunks of dirt.
Product Highlights:
- Dusting brush and crevice tool
- Brushroll shutoff deep
- Anti-allergy seal
- Suction technology
Then, when the job is done, this 15 pound product stores away just as effortlessly as it cleans. Overall, shark vacuum reviews rave about how much dirt, dust, and hair the Shark Navigator can pick up, and that it even makes the carpet look “fluffier.”
Editor’s Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why we like it: It’s a champ at bare floors and embedded pet hair but also excels at capturing dust particles. Powerful airflow makes its attachments especially effective.
- Not an ideal shark pet vacuum
- Not the best vacuum cleaner for stairs
5. Shark Rocket DuoClean (HV382) – Best Vacuum for Laminate Floors
It is tough to look for the best vacuum under $100 as most shark vacuum models come with features that make them a bit pricey. HV82 is a little less on the pricier side with Shark features that are present in any other top rated shark vacuum.
Shark rocket duo clean reviews vouch that stick vacuums are a great buy for any busy household. The shark rocket filter cleaning does a solid job at cleaning up everyday messes without the need of lugging out the big guns. On the other hand, cordless options can seem like a smart purchase — they often have a short battery life which can leave you high and dry when you need it the most.
This is why a corded vacuum works best unless you want to use it for commercial use, in which case a shark vacuum and steam mop combo can work wonders to clean light dirt hourly as seen in airports.
Product Highlights
- 2X capacity removable dust cup
- Triple Particle Cleaning
- DuoClean Technology
- Pet Multi-Tool
When should I empty the dust cup and how?
For optimal performance, as per the shark rocket duo clean reviews, empty the dust cup each time you vacuum, or when debris reaches the max fill line. You can remove the dust cup to empty it, or empty it while it’s still attached to the handheld vacuum.
To remove the dust cup:
- Squeeze the two Dust Cup Release latches on the sides of the handheld vacuum.
- Pull the dust cup straight out.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why we like it: This is a great Shark vacuum to consider if you are debating between a Shark hand vacuum and stick vacuum. You will have simple access to a bigger corded stick vacuum with the Shark Rocket DuoClean. It can help you to clean more square footage along with the comfort of a lower hand vacuum for fast cleaning.
- Not the best shark vacuum for pets
- Does not come with an anti-allergy seal
6. Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum (NV352) – Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair
The mid priced Shark Navigator NV352 can easily swoop through hard to clean areas with its detachable canister which comes in handy with portable and extendable cleaning without interruption.
It seems vibrant and aesthetic in lavender. It is packaged with a wide pet upholstery tool.
For efficient shark filter cleaning, we highly recommend buying extra filters so that you will always have a clean filter to use.
The suction release function was added due to the tremendous suction of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away vacuum. This allows you to adjust the amount of suction to optimize push and pull on high-pile carpets and area rugs.
Product Highlights:
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Lift-Away Press – to lift the canister away
- HEPA filter – traps dust and allergens
- Brushroll Shutoff Deep – for gentle carpet and bare floor cleaning
- Swivel Steering – for maneuvering around furniture
What is the difference between Shark NV 352 and the NV 356E?
The NV352 has a 25 feet long cord while the 356E has a 30 feet cord and even the hard floor tools are different. The 356 has a ‘dust pad’ microfiber that passes over the attachment of the hardwood floor.
The hard floor attachment of NV352 has a ‘V’ shape for funneling debris, but it has a duster attachment that can be purchased individually.
The dust cup on NV356E is larger and the overall machine is 2 lbs heavier than the 352. 356E also comes with a bag for the tools whereas NV352 do not.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆
Why we like it: It earns an excellent rating on our bare floors test, proving that it can suck up 5 grams of Maine Coon cat fur in no time flat.
- Large-capacity
- Easy-to-empty dust cup
- Powerful yet lightweight
7. Shark Navigator DLX Upright Vacuum (NV70) – Best Shark Vacuum for Carpet
Shark Navigator DLX upright vacuum can keep your home clean and dirt free with its Turbobrush and extra long hose. With a cleaning path of 15 inches, it pulls out stubborn dirt from the floor through nonstop suction. This vacuum of 1200 watts provides a germ free ambience at home with its anti allergen seal.
Its TurboBrush nozzle deeply cleans your rugs and the extra long hose can easily reach corners which are typically hard to reach for a perfect cleanup. NV70 is known for its swift cleaning that can swoop the oldest of dirt particles.
Swivel steering with a brushroll shutoff button can help if the Shark vacuum brush is not spinning. It can ease your cleaning duties, but if used constantly may lead to premature breaking.
Product Highlights:
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- HEPA filter
- Swivel Steering
- Brushroll Shutoff
A shark vacuum brush roll not working can signal that you need to get in contact with shark customer service. You can check their shark vacuum repair guide if you are looking to repair a damaged part.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why we like it: NV70 is an upgraded model of Shark Navigator Deluxe, although it is not one of the newest editions but we have chosen it as twelve best because of its durability and reliability over the years.
- Not good with cleaning edges
- Shark vacuum hose is rigid
8. Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with DuoClean (AZ1002) – Best Shark Vacuum Cleaner for Long Hair
Shark apex duoclean reviews highlight a major difference between the two duoclean models. While the similarities between the two models are major, there is a big difference in its usability. The shark apex cleaner comes with a Zero M technology that is suitable for sucking strings of long hair.
Illinois University researchers state that the filtration efficiency of a vacuum cleaner may significantly affect airborne dust and allergens in indoor air.
To prevent these minute particles containing allergens from being re-circulated into the air, a vacuum cleaner’s filtration system must be very efficient at trapping small particles.
Product Highlights:
- Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
- Powered Lift Away
- Motorized Cleaner Head
- Heightened Portability with Detachable Canister
This is why most Shark vacuums come with an in built HEPA filtration system that is responsible for keeping the air clean. This is a big plus for asthma patients who cannot stand inhaling too much dust particles.
Editor’s Ratings: ★★★★☆
Why we like it: It comes with the brush roll technology which means if the shark vacuum brush roll is not working, you no longer have to bend down to detangle lumps of hair from the brush. Shark apex duoclean reviews validate its cleaning technology, making it a good shark pet vacuum too.
- A bit pricey
- Brush roller life is minimal
9. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet (NV752) – Best Shark Vacuum Cleaner for Powered Cleaning
Shark Rotator NV752 is a large and powerful upright vacuum cleaner. It features several Shark’s cleaning technologies enabling Shark Rotator NV752 to be used as the main vacuum cleaner even in large homes and apartments. It can be used for cleaning both floors and elevated surfaces.
Three cleaning modes, good filtration, strong suction, several cleaning tools and attachments are reason why this vacuum is one of the most popular in its class, even after a long time of being introduced.
What attachments come with it?
You get a hard floor/bare floor attachment (which comes with a microfiber pad), crevice tool with a hard bristle brush, a pet upholstery tool and a dusting brush with softer bristles.
Product Highlights:
- Dynamic Swivel Steering
- Mini-Motorised Brush
- Triple Cleaning Action
- LED front lights
Shark Navigator vs Rotator – what is the difference?
Shark Navigator vs rotator is a big hype because between the Navigator and the Rotator, these two particular models are considered some of the very best professional uprights available to consumers.
Both vacuums have earned quite a bit of acclaim in their own right. Rotator has just a few more bells and whistles than the Navigator. The Navigator is quieter than the rotator with a noise difference of 3 dB.
Along with its lightweight density, the Navigator has a bigger dustbin of 2.2 dry quarts. The rotator is slightly heavier with 15.5 lbs and does not have advanced features like LED headlights and the brushroll indicator light. On the contrary, the rotator has all the recent fixes and a modern color scheme with pops of grey and red.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★★
Why we like it: Although it is around 16 pounds and a bit heavy to carry, but it comes with a washable filter with an amazing color range of bordeaux.
- XL-capacity dust cup
- Three cleaning modes
- Large capacity dust cup
10. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away (NV803) – Best Shark DuoClean Vacuum
The suction of the Speed model is powered by a 1150 watt engine which is powerful enough for the cleaning of both carpets and hard surfaces.
The nozzle achieves an 11” cleaning path, wide enough to allow you to finish vacuuming tasks on time.
The dust compartment is somewhat smaller at 0.9 quarts but which is adequate for uninterrupted cleaning sessions. Just like the other Shark vacuums, this one offers HEPA filtration for the post-motor filter, and even allergy sufferers can use it.
The cleaning radius this vacuum offers is impressive. Its power cable measures 30 feet with a 6 feet long hose. That brings the total reach achievable to a decent 36 feet which is long enough for a typical home.
Product Highlights:
- Extendable Under Appliance Wand
- Powerful LED headlights
- Lift-Away Speed
- DuoClean Technology
It allows you comfortable and quick cleaning where you don’t waste time switching power outlets. In addition to the reach, the vacuum comes with several accessories; an anti-allergen brush, pet tool, an under-appliance cleaning wand, and crevice nozzle.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆
Why we like it: Shark backs the vacuum with a 5-year guarantee.
- Dust compartment is somewhat smaller
- Roller brush tends to overheat
11. Shark ION F80 Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum (IF281) – Best Shark Cordless Vacuum
Shark ION F80 (IF281) MultiFLEX DuoClean is convertible, 2-in-1, cordless, bagless vacuum cleaner. It includes several Shark’s innovative cleaning technologies, like MultiFLEX and DuoClean, while two removable lithium ion batteries ensure long operating time.
It easily converts from lightweight stick vacuum cleaner into the strong handheld vacuum and back, allowing the user to easily clean both floors and elevated surfaces.
It captures nearly every particle on bare floors, maintaining debris in its disposable bag. It’s no slouch either to remove embedded dirt from the carpet or to tackle pet hair. On the contrary, it’s a bit louder and harder to manage than some bagged uprights.
Product Highlights:
- Surface Setting Button
- ION Power or ION Boost
- MultiFLEX Wand
- DuoClean Motorized Floor Nozzle
- Suction Setting Button
As a convertible unit and one of the best shark cordless vacuums, it comes with several cleaning tools and attachments that are used for vacuuming elevated surfaces including stairs, furniture, book shelves, tables, desks, etc.
To help the user clean in low light conditions, its main cleaner head comes with the strong LED headlights.
As per the shark cordless vacuum reviews, the motorized floor nozzle has a cleaning width of 8.6 inches (22 cm) and a pair of side brushes to help with the edge cleaning.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★★
Why we like it: Shark cordless vacuum reviews highlight that the IF281 is reliable with its promises and the brushrolls’ cover is transparent, allowing the user to see the current condition of the brushrolls.
- Relatively small dirt cup (0.3 quarts)
- Not maintenance free
12. Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum with Lift-Away (ZU561) – Best Shark Zero-M Vacuum
Shark Navigator Zero-M vacuums weigh on average 13.4 pounds with power cord and one vacuum attachment carried onboard. Since most of the weight rest on the floor, combined with swivel mechanism, unit can be used even by elderly people and kids (under supervision of adults, of course).
Dirt bin is transparent so that the vacuumed dirt can be seen easily. Its capacity is 2.2 quarts (slightly less than 2.1 liters) when the dirt bin is filled to the ‘Max Fill Line’ – considering the dimensions of these vacuums, this is an excellent capacity.
Shark vacuums have a good suction and giive a good cleaning performances on various surfaces. They are convertible units and can be used as classic upright vacuums. You can use them upright with cleaning hoses or as ‘Lift-Away’ units.
Product Highlights:
- Powered Lift-Away
- Zero-M cleaning nozzles
- Wide Upholstery Tool
- Hair Removal Multi-Tool
- Pet Power Brush
Also, Shark Navigator Zero-M vacuums have HEPA grade air filtration, automatic brushroll hair removal system (Zero-M) and they come with a five year limited warranty.
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆
Why we like it: If you are looking for a good upright vacuum cleaner that will not bust your budget, consider one of the Shark Navigator Zero-M models.
- Does not have the self cleaning brush roll
- Slightly weaker motor than new design
Editor’s Choice: Recommended Best Shark Vacuum
Drumroll—er, brush roll, please.
If you are wondering what’s our pick for the best shark vacuum then the mid priced Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum with Lift-Away (ZU561) earns top marks on bare floors and is my pick out of the 12 best Shark vacuums.
I initially found it online in shark vacuum cleaner reviews on their official website. It is exceptionally powerful when used with its attachments, which include a duster crevice tool, hair removal multi-tool, wide upholstery tool and a pet power brush.
I love it because its main cleaning head brushroll is a motorized tool which enables the unit to deeply clean carpets and rugs – which is a big plus for me considering my house is carpeted throughout.
It also helps in pulling out hair from the carpet’s fibers and agitate deeply embedded dust, pollen and other dirt allergens, which are then picked up by strong suction.
Zero-M cleaner head technology does a good job, but nonetheless, I have to manually remove some stubborn hair from the brushroll. As the brushroll cover is transparent, it lets me see the condition of the brushroll.
It can easily reach my outdoor string lights and cleans well behind my ceramic cookware set as well. It is my cleaning buddy when I need to do a thorough cleaning regime on weekends.
Finding the best vacuum cleaner under $100 is a dainty task. You might get one but it will not last long. Shark Navigator Zero-M is certainly not the cheapest model you’ll find, but definitely one of the best shark vacuums I have ever tried. It receives a good reputation for its predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
Best Shark Vacuum Cleaners – Buyer’s Guide
There are distinct shark models that are built for different cleaning purposes. Shark’s extensive range includes a variety of products; from the best shark vacuum for pet hair to the best vacuum for laminate floors, shark caters to a plethora of cleaning needs!
Unfortunately, Shark has yet to launch the best canister vacuum for hardwood floors.
If you are planning on buying an upright, corded or cordless vacuum then here are a few points you might want to consider before purchasing your buy:
Allergies
If you are sensitive to mites and dust or have seasonal allergies. Vacuums come with a licensed HEPA Filter that traps 99.7% of dust and damaging allergens.
It is essential, however, that you frequently clean it with water and alter the filters every six months to prevent allergic responses.
Noise
Most people don’t like noisy vacuum cleaners, and you wouldn’t want to wake them up if you live in an apartment where there are children. Choosing a vacuum cleaner within 60-65 decibel range is crucial, this will be quiet, and you can still manage all your cleaning operations with ease.
Weight
Weight plays a main role in choosing a vacuum cleaner, small to medium sized vacuums are suggested for multi-level houses and heavy duty is recommended for house with a single floor.
Power
The amount of power consumed by the machine is one of the most important aspects because it shows how powerful it is. If you live in an area which attracts a lot of dust and the electricity cost won’t take a toll on your budget, its best to go with a more powerful option.
Some lightweight vacuums are effective tool for places which are much clean so the bottom line is to choose a vacuum that can clean surfaces properly without compromising quality.
Filters
HEPA filters are vital to relieve dander, dust and other airborne allergens. These filters are essential to remove all kinds of allergens; after every 6 months you are required to replace them.
In case your vacuum brush is not spinning or your shark vacuum lost suction amid cleaning, you can reach the shark customer services to repair your damage. As they provide a long term warranty for most of its parts, hence, you can get your vacuum fixed in no time.
You can also grab different kinds of shark vacuum warranty that are available over the course of a year, two years, five years and so on. Good luck shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs
Conclusion
SharkNinja began in 1998 in Montreal, Canada and has since settled outside of Boston in Needham, Massachusetts.
With a passionate drive to create groundbreaking, innovative products at a great value, CEO Mark Rosenzweig leads SharkNinja. SharkNinja is proud of its creation, user-friendliness and competitive price, not to forget shark vacuum customer service is faster than any ninja.
Products from the company are commonly spread through significant distributors in big boxes and specialty shops and are also available through their website.
I have observed cleaning ladies in my part of town holding their Sharks in and out of client’s houses, so if you know professional cleaners are using it – it has to be good.
To see more products from the Shark company, check out our article on the best blender machines that reviews more products from SharkNinja.
We’re trying to buy a vacuum for a small apartment, mostly carpeted, with a cord. Price is a factor.
Please help us pick.
When shopping for a vacuum, there’s a couple things to consider. How big is your home? How dirty is your home (for instance, do you have a pet cat or dog?)? And when you consider those questions, what is your budget? Many vacuums by brands such as Shark, Bissel, and Hoover all have a variety of options that range in price. Dyson tends to be fairly expensive, but also has great reviews. I would advise you to find out what works best for your specific situation (house size, pets, budget) and stick to a major brand with a lower-end model. I hope this helps and if you need anything else don’t hesitate to comment!