DuoClean also makes it easy to clean up large and small particles — even fine dust. All in all, the vac turned out to be a great cleaning partner that never quits on you because it’s not powered by a battery. It was able to easily pick up all of the debris on a low-pile carpet, but we docked a bit off its effectiveness score for slightly struggling on a high-pile rug and not easily navigating the hardwood floor. Notably, at nearly 4 feet, this vacuum is much taller than expected. Because it doesn’t stand up on its own, either, you’ll have to lean it against your furniture or gently rest it on the floor if you need to pause your vacuuming session.
While it’s meant to be mounted onto your garage’s wall, this vacuum comes with a handy shoulder strap that we prefer. (Make sure you don’t bonk it into the vehicle as you work.) The vacuum comes with a plethora of attachments, but we used the crevice tool for our floor-mat test—where it underachieved against the big pieces. So if you seriously want to cut down on time and effort when it comes to vacuuming out your ride, it’s time to pony up some cash for a car vacuum. Some messes demand a more powerful machine, while for others a compact unit will suffice. But either way, it’s better than lugging the vacuum out of your hall closet. Because of their low ratings for brand reliability, no cordless model earns a place on our list of CR Recommended products despite scoring well in our performance tests.
We recommend a few different types of vacuums that usually cost about $150, including an excellent bagless upright vacuum, a decent cordless vacuum, and a basic (but good!) robot vacuum. Some simple but effective robot models are about the same price as good traditional vacuums. Meanwhile, irobot vacuum cleaner higher-end models add advanced features like smart-mapping, targeted area- or room-specific cleaning, or even a self-emptying dock. This reliable, effective, easy-to-use, and reasonably priced bagless upright vacuum cleaner will work well for most people in most homes.
While we consider convenience when choosing our top vacuum picks, we also examine overall cleaning performance, noise, and allergen and dust management. In addition, no vacuum assessment would be complete without looking into how it performs on pet hair, along with considering service and reliability. Let’s see how Shark stacks up in these categories before diving into our top four picks. Many people choose cordless vacuums for convenience sake — they don’t want to lug around a bulky canister vacuum or fight with tangled cords. But there are other factors to consider when choosing the right cordless vacuum.
Dyson products are always thoughtfully designed, and this vac is no exception. All of its accessories fit on to the end of the vac seamlessly and although it doesn’t come with storage, you can clip two to the unit if you need to carry any around in use. It only takes two hours to charge but battery life – two are included – varied in use; moving it between speeds and surfaces, it lasted 19 minutes, while on its lowest setting it lasted for over an hour. From Dyson to Hoover and Vax, we’ve tested all of the latest models to find the top 12 for you.
Additionally, we run anecdotal (visual) pet hair tests for each vacuum, on all three floor types, to help us select the best cordless vacuum. The Rocket Pet Pro is a stick vacuum, which allows for easy cleaning under furniture. The Shark Rocket Pet Pro also detaches into a small, handheld vacuum, making it easy for dog owners to clean up their car after a joy ride with their four-legged family member. All of our recommended Shark cordless vacuums work on both hardwood and carpeted surfaces.
In fact, it cleaned up every material in just a pass or two, regardless of flooring type. We found that the 1.4-quart dust bin empties easily, but given the vacuum’s powerful suction and long-lasting battery, we do wish it had more capacity. The Navigator provides a flexible swivel head feature, which makes it easy to clean under furniture. And while it’s less powerful for deep cleaning on carpets, the Navigator still works well on low pile carpets. You can easily shift between carpet and hardwood floor cleaning by tapping a convenient footswitch.
Though the trigger-style power switch and built-in battery can be frustrating for some people, this vacuum has had excellent reviews from owners over many years. They’re easier to maintain than cheaper uprights and most canister vacuums, and should last longer than all but the sturdiest high-end machines. The vacuum includes two batteries that allow you to clean for up to 50 minutes and can easily convert into a handheld vacuum. It also includes LED lights on the bottom so you can light up any dark corners and crevices where hidden dust may lie.