8 Top Shark Vacuums That Are The Best Buys for 2018

Shark is without a doubt one of the top manufacturers of home appliances and this article is going shed some light on the best Shark vacuum cleaners. With so many models available, all of them really great, it hasn’t been easy to decide which Shark vacuums are truly the best.

We’ve taken special care to look at what people want from a high-quality vacuum. For some, it’s all about the price and the value that you’re getting. For others, it’s about versatility. Perhaps you might want the best Shark vacuum for pets, allergies, or deep pile carpets. Some of the Shark models are the best for hard floors. Then there are those who want the best of the best – a vacuum that ticks all the boxes and offers all the features that one would hope to find in any of the world’s best vacuums. We know that everyone has different needs.

With all of this in mind, we’ve selected 8 great products from the Shark line of amazing vacuum cleaners. Among these, you’re going to find the perfect vacuum for your needs. Listed below are our recommendations for the best Shark vacuums in 2018.

Why Choose a Shark Vacuum Cleaner?

From the outset when SharkNinja began manufacturing quality house-care products at their production facility in Montreal, Canada, they have endeavored to produce the highest quality products with world-leading innovation.

Today, the company is based in Needham, Massachusetts – not too far from Boston. Along with incredible growth, has come increased product development. All this, whilst remaining true to their basic philosophy of providing the best products and customer service. You can ask anyone who owns a Shark product, they look after you.
When you look at the incredible warranty that you get on most of the best Shark vacuums, you can be sure that you’re getting one of the best in the world. Some of their premier vacuums come with a VIP lifetime warranty – easily the best in the industry.

There are quite a number of great brands when it comes to vacuums and we all have our preferences. However, no one can dispute that Shark is right up there with the best of them and often at a price that beats all the others in their class. So this review of the best Shark vacuums is definitely worth a read.

Shark DuoClean Technology

Because this revolutionary technology is common to many of the latest Shark vacuums, it would be a good idea to discuss it before heading into our review of the top Shark vacuums of today.

Many vacuums use dual brush rolls, a soft one for hard floors and a bristle brush roll for carpets. So while the basic idea is not unique to Shark, they have put some effort it making their DuoClean system one of the best. The soft brush roll at the front pulls up large debris easily and removes all the dust from hard floors, leaving a gleaming polished finish. Because there’s no front wall, this soft brush roll can glide over bigger objects without a problem and these will be scooped away effortlessly. You won’t be moving back and forth all the time.

The bristle brush is situated directly behind the soft brush roll and can be removed for cleaning. Though, because the soft brush roll takes care of much of the solid objects, you won’t be cleaning the bristle brush that often. The strong bristles reach deep into the carpet fibers, removing really stubborn dirt and stains.

While no one can say which vacuum has the best brush roll system, the Shark DuoClean system has proven to be a huge success and people love it. It’s great for hard floors, deep pile carpets and everything in between. It’s also excellent for removing pet hair, kitty litter all the mess left by kids in the busy family home. It really is remarkable.

Best Shark Models That are a Necessity For Any Home

1. Shark APEX DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum AX951

Vacuum cleaners are noisy beasts and one of the many advantages of using the Shark APEX DuoClean Powered Lift-Away is the noise reduction technology that they’ve used in this model. Though, as you’ll see from this review, there are a plethora of reasons why so many people have voted this model as the best Shark vacuum.

The DuoClean system speaks for itself, so this is a fantastic vacuum for any type of flooring. Then there’s the Active-Glide technology that makes it effortless to maneuver on floors and carpets, it really takes a lot of hassle out of cleaning your home. Swivel steering is another bonus when it comes to maneuverability. Add to this, the fact that it has excellent LED headlights and you’ve got a winning combination when it comes to ease of use.

The powered Lift-Away mode means that you can detach the canister and use it in areas where an upright vacuum simply won’t reach. For even more cleaning versatility, it has a MultiFlex under appliance wand that gets in under furniture and appliances like no other can. This is just one of the many attachments that come standard with the Shark Apex DuoClean Powered Lift-Away. You also get an anti-allergen duster brush, Pet Multi-Tool, pet motorized power brush, and a regular duster crevice tool. With so many accessories, it’s nice to see that they’ve included a handy storage bag for all these goodies.

Many vacuums claim to be the best for people suffering from allergies, but few can boast the air cleaning abilities of this model. The Advanced Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system removes ten times more particles from the air than what is required to meet HEPA standards. This places the Shark APEX, streaks ahead of just about any other vacuum when it comes to pure allergen-free air in your home.

This vacuum is somewhat bulky when compared to compact stick vacuums and is also heavier than many at 16-pounds. Though there is a plus side to this if you have a large home, the dust cup is larger than most, holding an incredible 1.5 dry quarts. The 30FT cord is also great for cleaning large areas without having to change power sockets all the time.

It’s clear that the Shark APEX DuoClean Powered Lift-Away is the best on so many levels. It’s one of the best for homes with pets and probably the ultimate vacuum for removing allergens from the air. It’s great for any floor type and can handle the rigors of even the biggest homes. What an incredible machine, with an equally impressive 7-year warranty.

2. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Speed Upright Vacuum NV803

The Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away (NV803) shares many common traits with the Apex (AX951) model. It’s a little cheaper and, therefore, doesn’t have all the features of the Shark Apex. So, for few a few dollars less, you’re getting the same basic vacuum, without all the bells and whistles. To keep things simple, I’m going to mention what similar features are included in this model and then mention what you won’t get when comparing the Shark NV803 to the AX951.

You’ll get the same DuoClean technology that’s common to many Shark vacuum cleaners. You also get the Complete Seal anti-allergen system with HEPA filters, this is also one of the best vacuums for people with allergies. It has swivel steering, LED headlights and all the fantastic accessories that you’ll get with the more expensive model (under appliance wand, pet multi-tool, pet power brush, and the duster crevice tool), you’ll also get the handy bag for storing these accessories. The canister is detachable, so you have the same versatility for cleaning hard to reach areas. As you can see, there isn’t too much compromise when choosing the cheaper model.

Though there are a few features and technological advancements that you won’t find on the Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV803. This model doesn’t make use of Sharks noise reduction technology. It also doesn’t have the Active-Glide technology, so it’s going to move more like other vacuum cleaners – on deep pile carpets, the more expensive model is going to make your life easier. The dust cup is quite a bit smaller (0.9 dry quarts), not the best for large homes. On the plus side, this model is lighter, weighing only 14.5-pounds and has the same long 30FT power cord.

So if you’d prefer to pay a little less and forego some of the luxuries of the Shark AX951, the NV803 is a fantastic deal. In the end, you’re getting the same cleaning power with DuoClean technology and excellent air filtration. Even though this is a cheaper model, there’s no compromising on quality and the Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV803 also has a 7-year warranty.

3. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum NV752

Whilst being one of the cheaper options from Shark, the Rotator Powered Lift-Away NV752 is designed with the pet owner in mind. The other two more expensive models are also just as great for homes with pets. I’d say that this model is really the best budget pet vacuum.

I think the main reason why this model is quite a lot cheaper is that it doesn’t make use of DuoClean technology. While it has a really good roller brush, the Shark Rotator TruePet is probably better suited to cleaning hard floors and carpets that don’t have a particularly deep pile. In fact, the Hard Floor Hero attachment makes this one of the best vacuums for hard floors. It certainly has the power do the job and this vacuum will plow through kitty litter and other large debris with ease. It also has the advantage of the Lift-Away design, so it easily converts into a canister vacuum. It has a great cleaning head with LED headlights and is almost as good as the best Shark models for cleaning under furniture.

Pet owners looking for an affordable vacuum cleaner, will be delighted with this Shark model. It has the Pet multi-tool and the TruePet motorized brush, so it will get rid of pet hair and dirt as easily as any of the best pet vacuums. It also has the same fantastic Anti-Allergen complete seal air filtration system and HEPA filters as the high-end Shark vacuums. This means that pet odors in the home will be a thing of the past and you’ll have just about the purest air in your home.

The Shark NV752 has a very reasonable weight of 15.4-pounds and a dust cup that compares well to any of the best (1.5 dry quarts). With this large dust cup and 30FT power cord, this vacuum is perfectly suitable for cleaning large homes.

Anyone looking for one the best pet vacuums at a very reasonable price should jump at the opportunity to own this amazing cleaning machine. When compared to the more expensive Shark vacuums, it’s not really lacking – except maybe for the DuoClean technology. It’s also one of the best for hard floors and comes with an amazing VIP Lifetime Warranty.

4. Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean Cordless Ultra-Light Vacuum IF251

There are plenty of people who prefer the convenience of a cordless vacuum. Regardless of the brand, there’s always an extra cost that comes with battery power. The technology is more expensive and the batteries also add to the cost. Despite the price, the advantages of cordless machines are self-evident – it gives you a lot of versatility. So no review of the best Shark vacuums can be complete without including a cordless vacuum. The Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean IF251 cordless vacuum is not only one of the best, but it comes packed with a bunch of value-added items.

The first of these has to be the extra battery and charging dock that you get with your purchase. An extra battery is really important when using a cordless vacuum, especially if you have a large home. Two batteries means twice the working time and one battery can be charging while the other is in use. Apart from this bonus extra, the IONFlex has the features to match any of the best Shark vacuums, including the DuoClean brush roll set up.

When they say ultra-light, they’re not joking, this stick vacuum weighs only 3.8-pounds. It also converts into a cordless hand vacuum without any complicated procedures. It’s ideal for cleaning stairs, hard to reach areas and is perfect for cleaning the interior of your car. Shark has an amazing feature they call MultiFlex technology which makes this one of the most versatile stick vacuums ever made. The upright pipe (stick) is flexible, you can bend it at an angle to give you all the reach you need to clean under furniture. This pipe is also able to bend over completely (180-degrees). This reduces its height by half for easy compact storage.

It has anti-allergen complete seal technology and washable foam filters. As with most of the best Shark vacuums, it also has LED headlights. One of the drawbacks of any lightweight stick vacuum is that they always have a small dust cup, this is part of what makes them so compact. In this regard, the Shark IF251 is no different from the rest, the dust cup holds only 0.3 dry quarts.

Apart from the extra battery and a charging dock, you also get an anti-allergen dust brush, pet multi-tool, and a duster crevice tool as part of your package. You’re getting a good selection of useful extras with this vacuum cleaner.

This is a superb cordless stick vacuum and the extra battery and charging dock make it quite a bargain. It’s a great deal for one of the best cordless vacuums. One of the great things about Shark vacuums is the incredible warranty that they offer. While this is not the best warranty from Shark, it still beats most others – especially cordless machines that usually have a shorter warranty period. The Shark DuoClean IF251 cordless vacuum comes with a 5-year warranty.

5. Shark DuoClean Rocket Corded Ultralight Stick Vacuum HV382

The Shark Rocket range of vacuums are lightweight, compact, corded stick vacuums. In the Rocket series, the DuoClean HV382 is best. It’s the only one in this series to use Shark’s amazing DuoClean technology. In most respects, it matches the cordless IF251 model. Though, being a corded stick vacuum, it costs substantially less and doesn’t have the versatility of MultiFlex technology.

Being the best corded Shark stick vacuum, it converts to a hand vacuum in an instant. Though there are lighter stick vacuums available, I don’t think that anyone will consider this on to be heavy – it weighs 9.9-pounds. One great advantage of this vacuum is that it has a much larger (0.91 dry quarts) dust cup than most other lightweight stick vacuums.

It has most of the top features and accessories that we’ve come to expect from the best Shark vacuums. These include LED headlights, both on the floor nozzle and the hand vacuum, as well as the versatile pet multi-tool. Of course, you’ll also get the duster crevice tool, which is standard for all Shark Vacuum cleaners.

You’re getting quite a lot of vacuum cleaner for not too much money with this one. The DuoClean technology that’s included, definitely makes this the best corded stick vacuum from the Shark brand and it comes with their industry leading VIP warranty.

6. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum NV501

Among the more affordable vacuum cleaners that still offers some of the best features that Shark has to offer, the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away (NV501), certainly deserves a mention. You’re getting fantastic quality, excellent versatility, and a host of brilliant features.

So it doesn’t include DuoClean brush rolls, but with the inclusion of the Premium Pet Power Brush, it’s up there with the best Shark pet hair vacuums. It also has perfect air filtration capabilities thanks to the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system and HEPA filters.

Swivel steering and powerful LED headlights help elevate this vacuum to a level that compares with the best. As with all the Lift-Away models, the Shark Professional NV501 converts to a canister vacuum with the simple touch of a button, giving you the best of both an upright and canister vacuum cleaner.

At 15.5-pounds, I wouldn’t call this a light machine. Though I wouldn’t call it particularly heavy either. All the Lift-Away vacuums are a little on the heavy side, this is because you’re getting a powerful upright vacuum and a canister vacuum in one versatile machine. Of course, this also means that you get the extra-large dust cup.

A great vacuum for large homes and one of the best at cleaning up after pets, the Shark NV501 gives you just about the best value for money when compared to any vacuum cleaner with similar features and capabilities. Because you’re backed by the Shark brand, you can expect the best after-sales service and it has a 5-year warranty.

7. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E

Buying a vacuum cleaner on a budget can be a daunting prospect. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional (NV356E) is one vacuum that can ease the mind of the penny-wise buyer. Probably the best budget Shark vacuum cleaner, you have no need to worry about quality, you have the backing of a premier brand.

Naturally, you can’t expect all the high-end features that you’d get on the more expensive models, but the NV356E still has some impressive specs. Lacking the DuoClean technology puts this one at a slight disadvantage when it comes to moving from hard floors to plush carpets. None the less, this vacuum is one of the best for hard floors, it includes the Hard Floor Hero attachment. It’s also great for area rugs and low pile carpets.

The Shark Navigator NV356E forms part of the Lift-Away range, so you get the versatility of a canister and upright vacuum with an effortless changeover between the two modes of operation. It also includes the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal design with HEPA filters which is as good as it gets. The Pet Power Brush will take care of any pet hair on your upholstery and other areas where pets love to curl up.

At 15.5-pounds it’s on the heavier side of things, even when compared to other Lift-Away models. You won’t be lugging too much weight when using it as a canister vacuum though, in this mode, it weighs only 8.4-pounds. When using it as an upright vacuum you have the added maneuverability that comes with swivel steering and it has LED headlights.

It’s nice to see that you won’t have to dig too deep into your pockets to own one of the best Shark Vacuum cleaners. The Shark Navigator NV356E offers a lot of high-end features, without sending the price through the roof. If you have mostly hard floors, you really won’t be compromising by choosing this amazing vacuum cleaner. Though the Euro-Pro warranty is pretty standard (1-year).

8. Shark Rocket HV292 Hand Vac

A handheld vacuum is always good to have around, they’re the best for cleaning your car’s interior and make cleaning your upholstery as easy as pie. For quick cleanups, they’re super convenient. For a busy home with kids and pets, the Shark Rocket HV292 is a must-have item.

Unlike cordless handheld vacuums that can be a bit pricey, the Shark Rocket is really cheap. The fact that it has a decent length 15Ft cord, means that aren’t too limited. What’s great about this little machine is that you get all the attachments that really want when using a handheld vacuum. The best of these has to be the True Pet motorized brush for quickly and effortlessly removing pet hair. It also has an extended hose, which makes it all the more versatile.

The dust cup is larger than most handheld vacuums and it has washable filters. You won’t have to replace these and this saves on your running costs. You want a handheld vacuum to be as light as possible and this one certainly is. It weighs only 3.7-pounds. With a 400W motor, it’s also more powerful than most handheld vacuum cleaners and it never loses suction.

Cheap enough to buy as a standby vacuum to have around the home, the Shark Rocket HV292 is one the best deals you could hope for. It’s on the lower end of the price scale which means it also carries the Euro-Star 1-year warranty.