The 10 Best Shark Vacuums To Tackle Every Type Of Mess

Dimensions: 15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches | Weight: 13.7 pounds | Corded/cordless: Corded | Attachments: Pet Power brush, dusting brush, crevice tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 26 feet

 Pros:

• Able to get into hard-to-reach areas
• High-capacity tank holds lots of dirt
• Includes features helpful for pet owners (HEPA filter, Pet Power brush)

Cons:

• Heavier than other models
• Some reviewers say power cord and attachment hose are a bit short

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV3560 tops our list of the best Shark vacuums for pet hair due to its powerful performance and pet-focused design. We also awarded it the best Shark vacuum overall thanks to its versatility, reasonable price point and impressive overall performance.

The first thing you’ll notice is this model has options. For starters, upright mode lets you clean both carpets and floors, while the detachable pod offers portable cleaning power for varied surfaces like stairs or shelves. It also comes with an extender for those hard-to-reach areas behind furniture or in high corners. “Crevice tools and upholstery attachments are essential for every home, especially if you have pets, small kids, or live in a dusty environment,” points out Katie Berry, cleaning expert and author of 30 Days To A Clean And Organized House..

This vacuum’s superpower, however, is its completely sealed HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) system that traps 99.9% of pet dander, allergens and more inside. It also includes attachments that pet owners in particular will appreciate, like the Pet Power turbine brush that helps loosen and remove stray hair. Adding to its overall appeal is its high-capacity, bagless XL canister that holds 0.9 liters of debris, reducing the need for frequent emptying.

Dimensions: 45.5 x 15 x 11.4 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Corded/cordless: Corded | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 25 feet

Pros:

• Two unique upright cleaning options
• Reliably powerful suction
• Works well across multiple surfaces

Cons:

• Not as many accessories 
• Relatively small dust cup

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV360 shares many features with our top pick, the NV356 Navigator, but rings in at a lower price point. While it includes fewer accessories, it still comes with the essential upholstery and crevice tool, as well as the Lift-Away detachable pod for cleaning above-floor areas. Though this bagless model has a slightly smaller dust cup than the NV356 (0.85 liters), it’s still a decent size. Reviews indicate that it offers the same great suction as the pricier version. It also has two options for upright cleaning: switch to Bare Floor for hardwoods or Brushroll On for carpet cleaning.

Dimensions: 12.2 x 11 x 46.5 inches | Weight: 16.7 pounds | Corded/cordless: Corded | Attachments: Upholstery tool, HairPro self-cleaning Pet Power bush, crevice tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 30 feet

Pros:

• Strong suction
• Has many helpful features, especially ones for pet owners
• Large dust cup

Cons:

• Heavy at nearly 17 pounds
• Pricier than other upright models

The Shark AZ3002 is an innovative model with a higher price tag, reflecting its premium features. It’s particularly appealing to pet owners, offering DuoClean PowerFins, HairPro, Powered Lift-Away, a self-cleaning brush roll and odor neutralizer technology. For even more specialized pet care, you can upgrade to TruePet features.

The detachable pod and extendable stick allow you to clean beyond rugs and carpets, reaching those tricky areas you often encounter when doing thorough household cleanups. The brush roll in the floor piece effectively addresses pet hair wrapping around the brush, and reviews confirm it does an excellent job of preventing clogs. This vacuum tackles thick carpets, hardwood floors and pet hair with powerful suction—the strongest of any Shark vacuum, according to the brand—and traps debris inside a large, completely sealed dustbin with a HEPA filter.

The anti-wrap dust cup is a standout feature, allowing you to empty the dustbin without touching any dirt—an aspect you’ll likely appreciate given your experience with various cleaning products. It’s worth nothing though that at nearly 17 pounds, the Stratos is on the heavier side, making it best suited for those who have the space to store it.

Dimensions: 15 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Corded/cordless: Corded | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: 25 feet

Pros:

• Powerful suction grabs stubborn pet hair
• Swivel steering makes it easy to drive
• Lift-away design is handy for cleaning stairs

Cons:

• Brush roll isn’t self cleaning and may get tangled with hair

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away is a powerful upright vacuum that handled even the most stubborn hair during our testing, yet it’s still moderately priced, making it a great value for busy households. It has settings for both hard floors and carpeting, and thanks to its strong brush roll and suction, it can lift pet hair out of high-pile rugs. Additionally, it features a HEPA filter and a sealed airway to trap dander and other allergens, preventing them from escaping back into your home.

This upright vacuum has a lift-away design, making it much easier to use on stairs, and it navigates around obstacles with ease thanks to its swivel steering. It comes with an upholstery tool and a crevice tool. However, one downside is that the brush roll isn’t self-cleaning, meaning long pet hair may get tangled around it over time, and you’ll need to cut it off to maintain optimal performance.

For more details on its performance, read our  full Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away review.

What our testers say: Chief product officer Nina Gould, who says this model is her third Shark vacuum and calls it an excellent value for the money, shares: “We have two 60-plus-pound doggos, so the hair situation reaches critical mass by weekend cleaning time. That, coupled with constantly dragging in wood for our wood stove (and the dirt and wood chips it accumulates), makes for a monumental challenge for most vacuums—but this Shark sucks it all up without complaint. It’s light and maneuverable, handling corners and tight spots like a champ. I love the detachable handle for spot messes and crevice cleaning, like under cushions and furniture.”

Dimensions: 13.8 x 10.2 x 51.2 inches | Weight: 8.9 pounds | Corded/cordless: Cordless | Attachments: Anti-allergen brush, crevice tool | Compatible floor type: Carpet, hard floor | Cord length: N/A

Pros:

• Lightweight design is easy to carry around
• Vacuum runs for up to 60 minutes per charge (on Eco mode)
• Vacuum stands on its own for storage

Cons:

• Quite pricey
• Battery charge runs out quite quickly on the highest setting

For quick touch-ups or daily maintenance cleanings, you can’t beat the convenience and power of the Shark Stratos Cordless. Weighing just under 9 pounds, this model features a lightweight design and can run for up to 60 minutes per charge (in Eco mode). It’s also one of Shark’s most powerful and effective cordless options, thanks to its dirt-detecting Clean Sense IQ infrared sensor and dual brush rolls that effectively lift dirt, debris and hair.

The vacuum also boasts a HEPA filter, an anti-allergen seal, odor-neutralizing technology and a flexible cleaning wand that lets you reach hard-to-access places. Plus, you can fold the wand over the vacuum for more compact storage. The Stratos has a larger-than-average dust bin at 0.7 liters, reducing the frequency of emptying.

What our testers say: Product tester Margaret Eby, who tested 16 models for our roundup of the best vacuum cleaners, shares: “This vacuum is clearly a competitor to the Dyson empire, with a flexible frame and Clean Sense IQ technology, meaning that the vacuum automatically adjusts the power of its suction to whatever dirt it’s detecting. It has up to 60 minutes of battery life, which ranked among the longest of the stick models I tried, and I liked the flexible design.”

Dimensions: 16.5 x 2.5 x 2.4 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Corded/cordless: Cordless | Attachments: Crevice tool | Compatible floor type: Hard floor | Cord length: N/A

Pros:

• Incredibly lightweight
• Easy-to-empty dust bin