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In This Review: Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum | Shark APEX Upright Vacuum | Shark Rocket DeluxePro Upright Corded Stick Vacuum | Shark NV356E S2 Upright Vacuum | Shark IQ Self-Empty Base Robot Vacuum | Buyer’s Guide | Tips for Removing Common Carpet Stains | FAQs
If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, Shark is a popular and dependable brand that delivers powerful suction and long-lasting performance. But with so many Shark vacuums to choose from, finding the right one for your home is no easy feat. To help you select a model, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best Shark vacuums on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations.
Compare the Best Shark Vacuums
| Product | Type | Power Source | Wattage | Dimensions | Surface Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum | Handheld | Cordless | 115 watts | 16.5 x 2.5 x 2.4 inches | Carpet, hard floor, upholstery |
| Shark APEX Upright Vacuum | Upright | Corded | 1,350 watts | 11.2 x 12.2 x 46 inches | Carpet, hard floor, upholstery |
| Shark Rocket DeluxePro Upright Corded Stick Vacuum | Stick and handheld | Corded | 500 watts | 13 x 10.3 x 47.5 inches | Hard floor, upholstery |
| Shark NV356E S2 Upright Vacuum | Upright | Corded | 1,200 watts | 15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches | Carpet, hard floor |
| Shark IQ Self-Empty Base Robot Vacuum | Robotic | Cordless | Not listed | 38.9 x 26.3 x 49.6 inches | Carpet, hard floor |
| Product | Type | Power Source | Wattage | Dimensions | Surface Recommendations |
Top 5 Shark Vacuums
- Best Handheld: Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
- Best for Hardwood Floors: Shark APEX Upright Vacuum
- Best Stick: Shark Rocket DeluxePro Corded Stick Vacuum
- Best for Allergies: Shark NV356E S2 Upright Vacuum
- Best Robotic: Shark IQ Self-Empty Base Robot Vacuum
Best Handheld: Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
- $129.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes in multiple colors
- Has a detachable dust cup for easy emptying
- Has an LED light to indicate the battery life
- Includes a charging dock station
What Customers Are Saying
Those who liked this vacuum said it was easy to maneuver and delivered a lot of suction power. However, some unhappy customers claimed that it was excessively loud and that it sometimes struggled to capture large pieces of debris.
Best For Hardwood Floors: Shark APEX Upright Vacuum
Shark APEX Upright Vacuum
- $449.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Uses DuoClean technology to engage and deep clean floors
- Has a detachable pod that extends the head’s reach
- Comes with anti-allergen sealing technology
- Built with noise reduction technology
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews mentioned this vacuum’s powerful suction as well as its ability to clean multiple surfaces and pick up hair. However, some customers felt that it was cumbersome and difficult to steer.
Best Stick: Shark Rocket DeluxePro Corded Stick Vacuum
Shark Rocket DeluxePro Corded Stick Vacuum
- $199.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has two settings to clean carpeted and hardwood floors
- Offers a lot of reach with a 25-foot power cord length
- Comes with several attachments, including a motorized floor nozzle and a duster crevice tool
- Includes LED lights to find hidden messes
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied users liked this vacuum’s versatility as both a stick and handheld device. They also pointed to its effectiveness on bare floors and its durability. However, some customers said it didn’t always arrive with the advertised attachment. They also said that the dust cup filled quickly, requiring frequent emptying.
Best For Allergies: Shark NV356E S2 Upright Vacuum
Shark NV356E S2 Upright Vacuum
- $199.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a large 2.2-quart dust cup
- Offers swivel steering
- Includes a lift-away detachable body
- Comes with a crevice tool
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this vacuum liked its sturdiness and suction. However, buyers who left negative reviews said that using its warranty was difficult and maneuvering it was awkward.
Best Robotic: Shark IQ Self-Empty Base Robot Vacuum
Shark IQ Self-Empty Base Robot Vacuum
- $399.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a brush roll for pet hair
- Can schedule whole-house or single-room cleaning sessions from the mobile app
- Cleans row by row and room to room for whole-home coverage
- Has angled side bristles to clean corners and edges
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked this vacuum for its voice-control integration and self-emptying functionality. They also said it collected large amounts of dirt, dust, and hair. Some customers did struggle with the smartphone app, though. Others said that it got stuck easily.
Buyer’s Guide
Here are some of the most important factors to consider when determining which Shark model to purchase for your home.
Home Size
The size of your home can affect what type of vacuum cleans it best. For example, larger homes may require an upright vacuum and a handheld vacuum to clean every nook and cranny. On the other hand, smaller houses and apartments can opt for just a stick, robotic, or canister vacuum.
Noise Level
Most vacuums make around 70 decibels of noise, but certain Shark models produce more or less depending on their functionality. For example, robotic vacuums are usually quieter, operating at around 50-60 decibels. Handheld vacuums aren’t as loud either, coming in at around 60-70 decibels. Upright Shark vacuums, however, can be as loud as 70-80 decibels since they have powerful motors.
If you own your home and aren’t sensitive to noise, the noise level of your vacuum may not matter as much. However, for individuals with sensitive hearing or connected homes, finding a quieter vacuum may be paramount.
Air Filtration
Vacuums with a HEPA filtration system remove at least 99.97% of particles from the air. For anything below that, you may risk pollen, fur, or dander staying in the air, which could cause reactions for those with allergies or asthma.
Tips for Removing Common Carpet Stains
If you have a stain on your carpet, don’t panic. No matter how bad it may seem, there’s likely a way to remove it, even if it takes a little elbow grease. Here’s how you can remove some common carpet stains.
Blood
Blood stains need cold water instead of warm, as warm water helps the blood adhere to the carpet. After applying cold water, blot the area with a cloth until the stain is gone. If that doesn’t work, try adding chlorine to the water. Exercise caution—the chlorine bleaches the carpet back to white, so avoid using this method on non-white carpeting and upholstery.
Chocolate
Start by removing as much of the chocolate as possible with a knife. If the chocolate is already melted, fill a resealable bag with ice cubes, and place it on the chocolate to reharden it before scraping it away. Next, use your Shark vacuum cleaner to clean these loose pieces. After that, use a solution of liquid dish soap and warm water to clean the stain. Leave the solution for at least five minutes before blotting the stain.
Gum
If you have chewing gum on your carpet, your first action should be to freeze the gum with a plastic bag filled with ice. After leaving the ice on the gum for at least 15 minutes, try hitting the gum with a knife or another blunt object. From there, vacuum any pieces that break off and blot any that don’t.
Grease and Oil
To clean a grease or oil stain, wrap a warm iron with a towel, and place it on the carpet. If that is ineffective, try sprinkling cornstarch over the stain, letting it sit for several hours, and vacuuming it.
Wine
The key to removing a wine stain is to blot up as much of it as possible right away. Then, apply a mixture of white vinegar, non-bleach detergent, and water. If that doesn’t remove the stain, try applying ammonia and water.
Urine
If your pet or child has an accident, blot up as much liquid as possible before using a carpet cleaner or pet stain remover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you empty a Shark vacuum?
Every vacuum dust cup has a different design. However, most feature a button that releases the cup when pressed. Just make sure that the vacuum is off before emptying it.
Are Shark vacuums cordless?
Shark makes both cordless and corded vacuums. Cordless Shark vacuums are easier to maneuver than corded ones, but they have limited power and runtime.
How do you clean a Shark vacuum filter?
Many Shark vacs come with reusable filters that you wash with water and soap approximately once every eight weeks. Let the filter dry for 24 hours before using it again. Other models come with disposable filters that you must replace about every four to six months.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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