With the clear canister, you can see how much debris is collected, making it easy to know when it’s time to open the canister and empty it! Failure to use genuine Prolux filtration bags, filters & accessories with your Prolux appliance will immediately void your appliance warranty. The Prolux warranty does not apply to any non-Prolux branded products or Services (including repairs). Shark produces a variety of different vacuum types at various price points. They’re smartly designed to reconfigure into a handheld design if you need a closer clean, and cordless options are available. When comparing their stick vacuums to Dyson’s offerings, Shark vacuums feel better built and sturdier.
The cordless stick vacuums were scored for ease of setup, battery life, noise, effectiveness, maneuverability, portability, ease of emptying, and value. Some vacuums were PR samples, and some were purchased at full price, but testers had no knowledge of either. With effectiveness accounting for half the overall score, those with the highest ratings were featured in this roundup. The vacuum maneuvered around obstacles easily, fitting underneath dining chair legs and into corners. We found it was comfortable to carry around and operate, even during the long battery life test, where it was able to clean for 25 minutes on low and 11 minutes on high.
We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test shark handheld vacuum the purchased products. In terms of maneuverability, we took into consideration how easy it was to transition between different surfaces, as well as its ability to get underneath furniture.
Confusing numbers aside, whatever Shark is doing in the suction power realm is working better than what Dyson is doing — at least when it comes to plush carpet and rugs. Some readers have asked us about handheld wet-dry vacs from DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Ryobi. We have not tested them, but they appear to be well suited for cleaning up the type of metal debris that you’d find near a workbench and that wrecks some regular hand vacs.
Each was tested by picking up kibble and hair on hard surfaces, carpets, and upholstery. A good stick vacuum should be lightweight, but not necessarily light-duty. We’ve had our eye on the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum since 2021, and it continues to be a great option even without the latest technology that some of the newer models bring (like our best stick vacuum). BISSELL vacuums are generally cheaper than comparable Shark models, though that lower price tag is often reflected in inferior build quality, debris pickup performance, and air filtration performance.
You’ll also be able to find dirt-chasing vacuums on sale like the Shark Navigator Anti-Allergen model, which has a built-in HEPA filter to remove pollen, dander and other microscopic particles in your home. “Mini” handheld vacuums that weigh 2 pounds or less have recently emerged as a new category. Such models are smaller and lighter than all of our current picks and not as powerful. They’re good as desk or snack vacs for midsize debris such as cookie crumbs, and they’re easy to store on countertops or desks. But they can’t easily pick up and properly filter dust and other fine particles, and bigger debris fills up the small dustbin too quickly.