The width of the test bed is proportional to the vacuum’s nozzle width. We also use nozzle width, plus the flooring type, to calculate the soil density for each test, per International Electrotechnical Commission guidelines. The IEC is a global standards body responsible for managing testing procedures, among other things, for vacuum manufacturers.
Make sure wires are inserted into the battery all the way repair or replace damaged wires. Rounded to the nearest pound, it includes the battery or cord. Due to the short exposure time, hearing protection is not required. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Vacuums do not need a cord to win the fight against dirt and grime.
To simulate small particle size, we use a mix of play sand and landscaping sand. To emulate larger dirt particles, we use uncooked black rice. To see how vacuums deal with pet hair, we use our mixture of clippings sourced to us through our local pet groomer. We run each vacuum in a straight line across three different surfaces (hardwood, low-pile carpet and midpile carpet). On all three test beds, the test area is 30.25 inches long. On a hard floor, the vacuum managed to pick up an average of 98% of the sand we dropped.
In truth, it’s a rare occasion that one would need more than 40 minutes of runtime for a single vacuuming session. Because of this, battery life was not weighted as heavily as other features. Another difference between the cordless vacuums I tested is in dustbin size – both Dysons I tested have double the size dustbins as the Sharks. The dustbins for the Dyson v10, v11, and v15 hold 0.8 quarts while the dustbins for the Rockets hold 0.34 quarts.
The specific instructions for disassembling a Shark vacuum will vary by model, but most models have a canister, floor head, hose, and wand. To efficiently take apart a Shark vacuum, consult the owner’s manual for the specific model to determine the best way to do so. Always make sure the vacuum is unplugged or removed from its charging stand before disassembly. Most Shark vacuums have reusable filters that you can rinse under water . They’ll need at least 24 hours to air dry completely, but afterward you can re-install them.
She has firsthand knowledge of how our vacuum tests were both developed and performed, as well as where each product excelled or fell short. Before conducting lab testing, she scoured brand and retailer websites, and considered price, verified customer reviews, features, and design when selecting the vacuums to test. She also considered the latest technology, practicality, and real-life cleaning situations. Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, also assisted in updating this roundup to note the latest Shark vacuums we tested that didn’t quite make our final list. When shopping for a vacuum, the decision between a corded and cordless model depends on your specific needs and priorities. A corded vacuum offers an unlimited runtime and is a good choice for whole-house cleaning.
If you need a basic yet beloved vacuum that won’t break the bank, consider the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum. This model has fewer vacuum features than others, but it costs less, too. Our testing team gave it a 5-star rating for its simple setup—it was assembled and ready for use in less than five minutes—and a 4.5-star rating for maneuverability. They found it difficult to move around on carpet surfaces, and docked its rating for this reason, but did add that the vacuum is not too heavy overall.
You’ll know the filters are due for a cleaning when the airflow or suction decreases. We researched Shark’s complete inventory of vacuums and tested several models inThe Lab and at home, evaluating each on setup, maneuverability, noise level, effectiveness, and ease of emptying. If you’re looking for a cordless vacuum at a bargain, check out the Shark Vertex at Walmart while this deal lasts. The Pet Plus performs superbly on bare floors when used in its bare floor setting with the ‘MAX’ suction trigger pulled. It easily clears away small debris like rice and bulkier material like cereal.
To disassemble a Shark vacuum cleaner, you typically start by unhooking the hose from the body of the vacuum. Next, lay the vacuum on its back and use a screwdriver (or other tool as indicated in the owner’s manual) to open the floor head compartment and remove the brush roll. Once you have completed these steps, you can then inspect the pieces or deep clean your vacuum before reassembling it as indicated. While findingyour perfect vacuumdepends on your specific needs, we determined that the best model for most people is theShark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum. It has a very long battery life, powerful suction, and a compact design. Have to pull up and hold a pull lever for the high side of this one whereas the old one was just push button.
It has Shark’s typical excellent build quality and ease of use. It’s well enough packaged to survive even rough shipping, and it’s dyson robot vacuum simple to assemble. Snap-in the wand and connect the beater head for upright use, or just snap on an attachment for handheld use.