Most vacuums we tested ran out of juice within just a few minutes in boost mode; this Ryobi model, in contrast, ran for 18 minutes. To test pet-hair pickup, we spread a handful of fur (from a local groomer) shark handheld vacuum into a rug and then try to pick it up with each vacuum. If a model comes with an attachment that may improve pet-hair pickup, such as rubber nubs—or better yet, a motorized brush—we use it.
However, their small size means you’ll likely have to empty their dustbins often, and their suction won’t be quite as strong. This vacuum can take a bit of time to warm up—when we tested it out, we found that it worked significantly better on the second run than the first—but once it’s going strong, you won’t be disappointed. It picks up both hair and food efficiently, and features an anti-allergen seal and HEPA filtration to keep the air fresh as you go.
We do think the canister is best used from the ground, rather than trying to carry it while also maneuvering the extension wand, but that’s a personal preference. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum has absolutely sailed through multiple rounds of our testing, proving to be efficient, powerful, and reliable—exactly what an upright vacuum should be. In fact, it’s currently our favorite overall vacuum (out of more than 300 tested vacuums), and it’s even earned a spot in the personal vacuum collection of one of our editors—she’s been using it regularly for four years. While price is greatly determined by the type of vacuum you buy, you can find Shark vacuums we love for $75 to $400, with most models costing around $180. Considering you can usually find these powerhouses on sale, Shark’s vacuums are a great find and highly competitive with options from other well-known brands, including Dyson.
It took switching to a different stick vac for me to realize some of Dyson’s perks. While we can’t include them all in this article, the following are some notable models that didn’t quite make our best-of cut. It has just one level of suction, which proved to be totally sufficient for our needs, pulling in hair and raisins in our lab. In fact, it even “grabbed” the high chair cover we had on for testing, so be aware that this handheld machine means business (and maybe be extra careful around loose fabric like curtains and tablecloths). But overall, this is a trusty cleaning machine that’s made cleaning easier and faster for me. After roughly a year of regular usage, it’s still a beast of a vacuum, in all the right ways.
Power through dirt and debris with a wide cleaning path then remove battery for convenient charging. To find the best cordless vacuum cleaner, we evaluate how successfully each model collects everything from fine dust and dirt to larger debris such as cookie crumbs and cereal. If you’re willing to spend a little more on a powerful cordless vacuum, the Shark Vertex shark pet vacuum DuoClean offers a comprehensive set of features that take all the work out of vacuuming. On hardwood floors, the vacuum picked up everything instantly, capturing every popcorn kernel and piece of cereal, and it effectively picked up debris off different carpeting heights, as well. We also appreciated how little effort it takes to use and move the machine.
Oh, and I accidentally fried the circuit board while rinsing off the washable filter. You should keep in mind when shopping that Shark vacuums offer both powered and non-powered lift-away canisters. If you’re trying to decide between Shark’s many models, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve tested over 300 vacuums in The Lab and at home since 2021, and roughly 10 percent have been Shark vacuums.