What Is the Best Shark Vacuum?

Best Overall

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro

$399 at Walmart

We picked the Stratos as our favorite Shark vacuum because it was effective at cleaning all floor types and moved between them seamlessly. It cleaned debris with just one pass 98% of the time on medium- and high-pile carpet and 100% of the time on grout and hardwood. The self-cleaning brush roll prevented hair from tangling in the roller, too.

The upholstery tool worked wonders on hair and crumbs on our chair, and the crevice attachment completely cleaned out the cracks between the cushions. All attachments can be clipped onto the handle or the vacuum or its wand for extended reach.

Setup was super easy, taking just seconds to twist in the odor-neutralizing cartridge, and when turned on, the noise levels were slightly lower than what we originally expected for an upright vacuum. We could hold a conversation on the highest and lowest settings, though we had to speak rather loudly. We wouldn’t recommend vacuuming while someone else is watching television, unless it’s not very dialogue heavy or they’ve got the subtitles on.

If you have a multiple-story home, keep in mind that this is the heaviest vacuum on our list at just under 17 pounds. This is normal for upright vacuums, but if you’re used to carrying a cordless model, it may feel a bit more substantial when you’re vacuuming your stairs. It also lacks a swivel base, though this wasn’t an issue—we could still maneuver it around tight corners without bumping into walls or furniture. Emptying the bagless dustbin was easy and mess free.

Type: Upright | Weight: 17 pounds | Cord Length: 30 feet | Bin Capacity: 1.48 quart | Accessories: Odor cartridge, crevice tool, and upholstery tool