The 11 Best Shark Vacuums of 2019

• 01 of 11

  Best Overall: Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum - NV352

  

  Very Good

  Buy on AmazonBuy on Home Depot

  

  For the best overall Shark vacuum, check out the Navigator NV352. This affordably priced model offers the best combination of Shark’s powerful cleaning features with versatility and easy operation.

  The Navigator NV352 is a popular choice for Shark vacuums, and people love it for its powerful suction and swivel steering. At 12.5 pounds, this is one of the lighter upright vacuums offered by Shark. And if you use it in lift-away mode, it weighs only 7.5 pounds.

  This is also a great choice if you’re looking for a Shark vacuum for allergies. The Navigator NV352 has a sealed system that won’t let dust and dirt particles escape with the vacuum’s exhaust. Instead, dual-stage filtration—including a HEPA filter—captures debris as small as 0.3 microns. People report that their allergies are better after using this vacuum and that the air itself seems to smell better. However, some people say that the vacuum seems to be prone to tipping over or that the power cord should be longer. At 25 feet long, it is shorter than the 30-foot cords found on some other models of Shark vacuums. The dust cup has a capacity of 1.2 dry quarts, which is suitable for average cleaning needs.

  Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Review
• 02 of 11

  Runner-Up, Best Overall: Shark Apex Upright Vacuum - AZ1002

  Buy on AmazonBuy on Bed Bath & Beyond

  

  If you’re looking for a technologically advanced vacuum cleaner with powerful suction, we recommend the Shark Apex Upright Vacuum. It will not only clean your room, but it will also clean itself! Armed with a self-cleaning brushroll for nonstop hair removal, this vacuum is one of the most efficient products Shark has to offer. 

  The Apex is easy to assemble and features Shark DuoClean, Powered Lift-Away, and Zero-M technologies. In addition to its advanced design, this product sports a detachable canister that extends the reach of the cleaner head, making hard-to-reach messes a thing of the past. Customers voiced their approval of the Apex’s quiet sound design and performance on various surfaces—hardwood floors, carpet, and even upholstered furniture. Furthermore, the product’s advanced anti-allergen complete seal technology and HEPA filter add to its overall efficiency. With all of these features and more, the Shark Apex Upright Vacuum is sure to keep your entire home clean. 

  Looking for other ways to keep your home clean? Take a peek at some of the best upholstery cleaners available online.

• 03 of 11

  Best for Hardwood Floors: Shark Navigator Professional - NV356E

  Very Good

  Buy on Amazon

  

  For bare floor cleaning that is anything but bare bones, the Shark Navigator Professional NV356E is our top choice. With lift-away technology and a brushroll shutoff, this is a practical choice for hardwood floors or any solid surface floor cleaning.

  The Shark Navigator NV356E has a bristle brush that will agitate carpet fibers to remove deep-seated dirt but can be deactivated to protect hardwood floors from scratches and wear. But what really sets apart this Shark vacuum for hardwood floors is the included Dust-Away attachment with a microfiber pad. When using the Lift-Away vacuum in canister mode, simply attach the Dust Away tool, which is essentially a large microfiber pad that will pick up fine dirt and dust from hardwoods, tiles, and more. People that have actually used the Dust-Away attachment say that combining suction with the microfiber pad means the vacuum will suck up larger items in its path while sweeping up dust and fine particles with the pad’s surface.

  The biggest complaint about the Shark Navigator Professional NV356E is that the floorhead isn’t as wide as some other models. The cleaning path is only 9.5 inches wide. However, the dust cup is an impressive 2.2 dry quarts so you won’t need to make frequent trips to empty this vacuum during cleaning sessions. If you have hardwood floors and want to skip sweeping before vacuuming, the Shark NV356E is up to the challenge!

  Read more reviews of the best vacuums for hardwood floors to purchase online.

  Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum Review
• 04 of 11

  Best for Pet Hair: Shark Rotator TruePet - NV752

  Very Good

  Buy on Amazon

  

  If you have pets, you likely have an ongoing battle to keep fur and dander under control. The Shark Rotator TruePet NV752 is a popular choice when shopping for a Shark vacuum for pets.

  Built on the popular Rotator model upright vacuum that many love for its deep cleaning and lift-away functionality, the TruePet model from Shark incorporates a motorized brush and pet multi-tool. The result is a powerful vacuum with sustained suction that can be used to eliminate pet hair buried deep in carpets, stuck between seat cushions, or clinging to drapes.

  Instead of sticking a flimsy attachment on the vacuum’s hose and hoping that you’ll be able to suction the pet hair stuck to your sofa, the Rotator True Pet allows you to attach a motorized brush to the hose and take the lift-away canister with you wherever pet hair lurks. Conquer those pet fuzzies under the bed or on your favorite chair with high-powered bristle action and powerful suction.

  In addition, pet owners and allergy sufferers alike will appreciate the fact that this model of Shark vacuum also features a sealed air system and a HEPA filter to trap up to 99.9 percent of allergens. People that have used the Shark NV752 say that it’s definitely the way to go for pet-friendly homes and rave about the agitation and power of the motorized brush in comparison to other vacuums for pet hair that use turbine technology or suction alone to remove fur.

  Check out our guide to the best vacuums for pets you can buy today. 

  Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum Review
  Continue to 5 of 11 below.
• 05 of 11

  Best Splurge: Shark DuoClean Speed - NV803

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  This model from Shark includes plenty of bells and whistles to justify its price tag that clears $300. Priced at the top end of the Shark line-up, the DuoClean Speed also sets itself apart with two innovative brush rolls. A familiar bristle brush agitates carpets for deep cleaning power, while a softer brush roll positioned right up front on the vacuum head will pull in larger debris while delivering a soft polish to bare floors. Unlike many other vacuums that have plastic housing all the way around the brush roll, the DuoClean allows the bristles easy access to any debris in the cleaning path.

  In addition, LED lights on the floorhead will illuminate dark corners and hidden dirt under cabinets, chairs and more. With the additional light, it’s easier to see where you need to focus your vacuuming efforts and feel confident that you captured every last speck of dirt. People find that the lift-away canister is convenient, and the swivel steering is practical for getting into tight spots. When used on bare floors, people rave about the DuoClean Speed’s ability to practically polish hardwood floors to a soft sheen. Simply switch the vacuum into Hard Floor mode with the fingertip control located on the handle.

  While this model of Shark vacuum only has a dust cup capacity of 0.9 dry quarts, people say they don’t mind emptying it multiple times since they can see how hard the vacuum is working to capture dirt and debris. A bit heavier than some other Shark vacuums, this vacuum is best described as feeling sturdy and powerful. So if you want to experience the deep clean that comes from DuoClean technology, spring for the Shark NV803.

• 06 of 11

  Best Cordless: Shark Navigator Freestyle Cordless Vacuum – SV1106

  

  Buy on Walmart

  

  If you want to vacuum without wrangling a cord, a battery-operated model is the best choice for you. Perfect for quick pick-ups or small spaces, the Shark Freestyle Cordless Stick Vacuum is a nimble, cost-effective choice.

  The Freestyle is powered by a rechargeable battery that offers run times up to about 30 minutes, based on whether you are running it on high or low power. Note that this isn’t a lithium-ion battery, which makes this Shark vacuum lag slightly behind the competition in the cordless vacuum segment. However, it is affordable and the charging station is integrated into a handy storage dock for the vacuum.

  Some people found that this cordless vacuum by Shark didn’t pick up cereal or larger debris as well as they thought it would. Even still, many people say this vacuum has made it so much easier to vacuum high-traffic areas frequently or keep up in between deep cleaning sessions. If you’re looking for a light-duty vacuum with no cord hassle from Shark, the Freestyle Cordless Stick Vacuum fits the bill.

  Check out our other reviews of the best cordless vacuums available on the market today.

• 07 of 11

  Best Stick Vacuum: Shark® APEX® DuoClean®Corded Stick Vacuum

  

  Buy on Walmart

  

  Stick vacuums are a great buy for any busy household. They do a solid job at cleaning up everyday messes without the need of lugging out the big guns. While 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.

  This new model has the ability to clean floors but it can also be broken down into a handheld version to tackle stairs, furniture, upholstery, and such. The best feature of this stick vacuum is the self-cleaning brushroll technology that eliminates the need to physically remove wrapped around hairs.

• 08 of 11

  Best for Carpet: Shark Rotator Professional - NV501

  Buy on AmazonBuy on WalmartBuy on Best Buy

  

  Conquer carpet with a Shark vacuum that is up to the task, thanks to powerful suction and a deep agitating brushroll. The Shark Rotator Professional NV501 is a popular choice among people that have carpeted surfaces to clean and want the versatility and convenience of a Shark vacuum.

  Equipped with a wider floorhead than the Navigator line of vacuums, the Rotator Professional will give you a wider cleaning path—which means less effort on your part to clean the floors. The advanced swivel steering built into the Rotator Professional vacuums makes it easier to maneuver, which is a plus since this vacuum weighs 15.5 pounds.

  Under the floorhead is the key to the Rotator’s carpet cleaning abilities. Plenty of suction power combines with a bristled brush to extract dirt and debris from its hiding place in your carpeting and area rugs. The suction is so strong that many feel as if it’s almost self-propelled. Even people with more than 2,000 square feet of carpet find this model of Shark vacuum to be the perfect partner in marathon vacuuming sessions and rave about the impressive cord length. While this vacuum has taken some heat for early failures and warranty issues, there are significantly more happy users of the Shark Rotator Professional. Some have even pointed out that for the savings compared to other high-end vacuums, they’ll take the power and value-packed into this Shark model and use it until it dies before replacing it with another. 

  Check out our other reviews of the best vacuums for carpet available on the market today.

  Continue to 9 of 11 below.
• 09 of 11

  Best Budget: Shark Navigator Swivel Plus Upright Vacuum Cleaner - NV46

  

  Buy on Walmart

  

  Shark vacuums are known for being affordable in comparison to pricier brands and higher-end models, so they attract many people looking for a budget vacuum. For the biggest savings, while cashing in on Shark’s cleaning power, the Shark Navigator Swivel Plus NV46 is our top pick.

  This budget vacuum cleaner offers the basic features you’d expect to find on a Shark vacuum—swivel steering, brush roll shutoff, and HEPA filtration. It also comes with three cleaning attachments, including an upholstery cleaning tool, dusting brush, and crevice wand. However, there is no onboard storage for the upholstery cleaning tool—which some people find to be an annoyance. One other pet peeve that is commonly mentioned is the fact that the NV46 doesn’t have a retractable cord.

  A more serious complaint is the fact that the brush roll can’t be easily removed from the head of the vacuum for cleaning. You can only access the brush roll by turning the unit upside down. If you have long hair or pets, this can make it more difficult to release hair that has become wound around the brush. However, at this price, the Shark Navigator Swivel Plus has lots of fans and handles basic cleaning needs well for a budget vacuum.

• 10 of 11

  Best 2-in-1 with Handheld: Shark Rocket DuoClean with Lift-Away Hand Vacuum - HV382

  Buy on Amazon

  

  This stick vacuum is a corded model—meaning you will have to plug it in for operation. However, you don’t have to worry about charging batteries and finishing the job before the juice runs out. This vacuum is super lightweight and weighs only 7.6 pounds. The detachable hand vacuum weighs only 4.6 pounds and is perfect for tackling small jobs and tight spaces—like under the couch cushions or the seats of your car.

  The Rocket also comes with a crevice tool, upholstery tool, dusting brush, and a Hard Floor Hero—which is perfect for use on solid flooring that needs a touch-up. Some people point out that there is only room to attach two of the three smaller attachments (crevice tool, upholstery tool, and dust brush), which can be an inconvenience if you think you’ll misplace the loose attachment. One other thing to note is that this 2-in-1 model of Shark vacuum has a rather small dust cup at just .42 dry quarts.

  This is a great Shark vacuum to consider if you are debating between a Shark hand vac and stick vacuum. With the Shark Rocket DuoClean, you’ll have easy access to a larger corded stick vacuum for cleaning more square footage along with the convenience of a smaller hand vacuum for quick jobs.

• 11 of 11

  Best Robotic: SHARK ION™ Robot Vacuum Cleaning System S86 with Wi-Fi - RV850WV

  

  Buy on Walmart

  

  Outsource all your cleaning to-do’s to the brand-new SHARK ION Robot Vacuum Cleaning System S86 with Wi-Fi—it’s easily one of the highest-quality robot vacuums on the market. The SHARK ION includes a built-in hand vacuum that’s lightweight yet powerful, and ideal for spot-cleaning. Plus, the SHARK ION boasts a high-performance robot that’s enabled with Wi-Fi, so that you can conveniently use Alexa or Google Assistant when you want to straighten up your floors.

  This newly released product also includes Smart Sensor Navigation 2.0 technology to help it effectively navigate around any objects, an XL dustbin that’s perfect for sucking up pet hair and a self-cleaning brushroll with dual side edge and corner brushes. With the SHARK ION in your floor-cleaning arsenal, you’ll never have to lift a finger to tidy up your messes again.

  Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best robotic vacuums.

Products Tested by The Spruce

How We Tested

We bought three top-rated Shark vacuums that our reviewers tested for eight hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these vacuums, from their maneuverability to their special features. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Shark Vacuum

Type From full-sized vacuums to stick and handheld versions, there’s a Shark vacuum to get any job done. The question is what kind of job do you want to get done most often. The size of your home, as well as the types of flooring you have, should drive your choices. 

Feel Shark vacuums come in various weights and with varying capabilities. While heavier models may do more heavy-duty cleaning, if you’re going to have to haul a vacuum up and down stairs frequently, then you may want to consider lighter models. Also, consider how easy one is to maneuver, particularly if you want to get into tight spots and corners. 

Features Do you want a cordless vacuum? One that also has a light so you can see in the dark spots? Or perhaps you want one that means you never have to remove those wrapped-around hairs from the vacuum's brushes? Shark makes models with all these features and more. The type of flooring you have as well as how often you use your vacuum should dictate your choices.

Test Results: Shark Navigator - NV352 (Best Overall)

Very Good

Buy on AmazonBuy on Home Depot

What We Like

• Easy to assemble

• Lightweight

• Powerful suction

• Array of quality accessories

What We Don't Like

• Has a shorter cord than most vacuums

• Can’t go under low furniture

• Prone to tipping over

“The Shark Navigator NV352 is a powerful vacuum and it's affordably priced,” our tester reported. “It has a good selection of cleaning modes and accessories, allowing you to clean various surfaces and hard-to-reach areas throughout your home.” In terms of negatives, our reviewer didn’t like how short the cord is (25 feet instead of the standard 30) and the fact that it can’t fit under low furniture. Still, she said it “should satisfy your basic cleaning needs.” Plus, she added, “At 12.5 pounds, it's one of the lightest Shark vacuums on the market.”

Test Results: Shark Navigator Professional - NV356E (Best for Hardwood Floors)

Very Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Easy to assemble

• Powerful suction

• High-capacity dust cup

What We Don't Like

• Can’t go under low furniture

• Canister is wobbly and tips over easily 

Our tester liked this vacuum’s “powerful suction,” “variety of cleaning modes,” and “nice array of features and accessories.” She also revealed, “Its large capacity dust cup, which can hold 2.2 dry quarts, gives it an edge over the competition.” On the other hand, our reviewer explained that “the canister is very wobbly and tips over often when you're using the vacuum in portable lift-away mode.” She also wished it went under low furniture. Overall, though, our tester called it “a solid choice for a mid-range vacuum.”

Test Results: Shark Rotator TruePet - NV752 (Best for Pets)

Very Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Easy to assemble

• Powerful suction

• Tackles tough pet hair

• Can go under low furniture

• Maintains full suction power in all configurations

What We Don't Like

• Steep price tag

• On the heavier side

“The Shark Rotator TruePet does an excellent job of removing stubborn pet hair from all types of surfaces,” our tester said. Another plus? “The vacuum can go under low furniture and maintain its full suction power in all three configurations,” according to our reviewer. While she highly recommended this vacuum ‘if stubborn pet hair is a major problem in your household,” our tester cautioned, “We found the suction to be way too powerful on our area rugs, even on the lowest setting.” She noted it’s also heavy. The takeaway: “The incredibly powerful suction on the vacuum and on the motorized pet brush are well worth the steep price tag,” our tester declared.