SSG is reader-supported and we may earn an affiliate commission from Amazon purchases through our links

Shark Buying Guide 2025: Cordless, Corded, and Upright Vacuums

Updated: Feb 21, 2025

Shark has many models among the cordless lineup or upright vacuums. I rounded up the 6 best models for every budget to buy in 2025.

Best Cordless Shark to buy: cordless and corded edition

Specs IP1251 PowerDetect Shark IW1111 Detect Pro POWERDETECT Ultra-Light Corded
Price $379.99 $238.0 $229.99
Specs
Battery life 70 min 40 min 14 min
Suction power
(air watt)
450 240 600
Dustbin capacity (quarts/ml) 0.74/700 N/A 0.87/820
Noise level 72 dB 80 dB 68 dB
Weight (lbs/kg) 7.96/3.61 6/2.72 9.3/4.2
Cleaning mechanics
Brushroll technology DuoClean Detect QuadClean DuoClean Detect
Self-cleaning brushroll yes yes no
Anti-Allergen yes yes yes
Dust illumination no Auto no
Odor neutralizer no no yes
Smart features
Display yes yes no
Floor Detect yes yes yes
Direction Detect yes no yes
Dirt Detect yes yes no
Edge Detect yes yes no

Shark cleaners are not the most expensive on the market nor the most powerful, however, the device has features others don't, such as the duoclean rollers. These rollers are made for picking up things both on hard floors and carpets and getting deep into carpets. Shark is known for its best pickup ability thanks to this technology.

The cordless Shark vacuums are not suitable for deep carpet cleaning

Best Shark cordless vacuum

The best in the cordless vacuum category would be the Shark PowerDetect IP1251. It has sealed filtration, long battery life, and lots of power for a cordless cleaner. Advanced DuoClean Detect technology provides the best cleaning performance and hair tangle resistance.

It is compatible with an auto-empty station. The brushroll system senses direction and sucks debris even in reserve so you don't have to return and push forward again. It also automatically senses edges, dirt and floor types adjusting power for better pickup. The cleaner flexes when it needs to reach out under the furniture.

The Shark IW1111 Detect Pro is the most-featured cordless vacuum in the lineup.

Mid-class: Shark IW1111 Detect Pro

The Shark IW1111 Detect Pro also supports a self-empty station

The vacuum doesn't flex and is not as powerful as the PowerDetect IP1251. The QuadClean rollers recognize edges, floor type, and debris, and auto-illuminate dark areas.

The cleaner is ideal for hard floors and surface cleaning

Corded

The Shark HZ3002 Vertex DuoClean PowerFins is the best corded vacuum in the lineup. It is powerful and resists hair tangles but has a small dustbin. Lots of power makes it suitable for hard floors and carpet cleaning but not for high-pile ones.

It has more power than the cordless models. The vacuum identifies floor type and direction and has odor-neutralizer technology. The vacuum is a great pick if you don't need the cordless models mobility.

Since the Shark POWERDETECT Ultra-Light is corded, it is suitable for large homes

Best Upright Shark Vacuums

Specs AZ4002 POWERDETECT Shark LA702 Rotator Pet Lift-Away NV352 Navigator Lift Away
Price $399.99 $249.99 $179.99
Specs
Dust capacity (quarts/ml) 2.02/1910 0.8/757 1.1/1,040
Wattage 1,416 960 1,200
Noise level 72 dB 70 dB 80 dB
Cord length (ft) 30 30 25
Product weight (lbs/kg) 17.57/8 14.35/6.4 12.5/5.66
Cleaning mechanics
Anti-Allergen Complete Seal yes yes yes
Filter type Washable HEPA + Foam and Felt Filters HEPA + Foam Filters Washable HEPA + Foam Filters
Brushroll technology DuoClean Detect DuoClean PowerFins HairPro Standard
Self-Cleaning Brushroll yes yes no
Powered Lift-Away yes yes no
LED yes yes no
Smart features
Dirt Detect yes no no
Floor Detect yes no no
Edge Detect yes no no
Direction Detect yes no no
Odor Neutralizer yes yes no

Shark is known for its best upright vacuums, even the cheap classic ones. The three upright vacuums have either the best performance for the price or amazing value thanks to their dual roller system and power. The affordable classic vacuum has sealed filtration and great performance on carpet. The mid-class vacuum has duoclean and does great on both surfaces but is not as powerful as the best in the lineup which has more smart features anda  lot of power.

The best upright vacuum

The Shark POWERDETECT AZ4002 has advanced cleaning rollers and is a pro at dealing with long hair. It has more power than the previous Vertex and does slightly better at deep carpet cleaning even tho the Vertex already was good at it.

The AZ4002 recognizes floor type, debris, edges, and direction. Also, has an odor neutralizer. 

The cleaner automatically adjusts suction along the edges, on carpets, and in high-traffic areas.

To date, the Shark POWERDETECT AZ4002 is the best vacuum cleaner in the lineup

It is one of the most powerful bagless vacuums among all the Shark vacuums, it handles pet hair like a pro. The cleaner performs well on carpet and has a good pickup ability.

Mid-class

The Rotator ZU102 performs well on carpets but might not be as good at picking up things on both surfaces as the LA702.

The Shark LA702 is something between classic models and the premium lineup. It lacks some smart features and is not as powerful but has the upgraded brushroll system to work on both surfaces and deal with pet hair.

The best classic model

Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352

The classic Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 has a low price tag and a standard cleaning system that has to be cleaned once in a while. It lacks all the smart features but is powerful for carpet cleaning.

More about the affordable classic models


Comments: 0

Required for comment verification