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(There weresixvacuums andtwocarpet cleanersin my home at one point.)

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

Eric Brockob

Weve tested more than 350 vacuums to dateroughly 10 percent of which have been Sharks.

If youre curious aboutour testing and selection process, theres more on that below.

Otherwise, know that these Shark vacuums truly take a bite out of the competition in our eyes.

A person places the canister into the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro

PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

However, while using this vacuum, that alert was never triggered."

We love theShark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuumfor its lightweight and easy-to-store design, yet powerful cleaning abilities.

For months on end, it’s been quick and easy to reach for in a small apartment.

A person uses the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro under the sofa

PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

How long you could go is dependent on your cleaning habits, and if you have shedding pets.

This one only has 17 minutes, so we wouldn’t recommend it for larger, 1,500-square-foot homes.

For small homes, though, the self-emptying charging baseas we mentioned abovehelps keep you up and running.

A person assembles the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro

One of my co-workers even wrote alove letterto herShark IW3511 Detect Pro.

It also has an odor-neutralizing cartridge.

TheShark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuumis a great example of this.

A person presses a button on the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro

Its consistently less than $200its regularly on sale, tooand has been impressing us for literallyyears.

Theres a mess over there!

Its just as effective, but Marisa says that operating it doesnt feelquiteas smooth.

A person uses the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro under the sofa

A big concern with vacuums under $200 is that they don’t last.

However, this vacuum has been our editor’s go-to when moving between apartments.

The other big difference lies in the design of the lift-away pod.

A person assembles the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro

Its not powered like youll find with newer picks, so youreslightlymore limited in how you might use it.

In this case, you must use the wand and attachments when youre in lift-away mode.

Heads up, though: they might be a bit tougher to find from certain stores and retailers.

A person presses a button on the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro

It also weighs about one pound less than the Shark NV360.

How to Decide Between These Shark Vacuums

Whats Your throw in?

Your answers to these questions can help you narrow down what throw in of vacuum is best for you.

The Shark Detect Lift Away ADV Corded Upright Vacuum Detect Lift Away ADV Corded Upright Vacuum cleaning dirt off of a rug

The Spruce

Corded or Cordless?

Pay attention to the length of the cord to minimize how often youll need to stop and switch outlets.

Most models will last between 10 and 40 minutes.

A person uses the Shark POWERDETECT Upright Vacuum with TruePet Upgrade on a carpet

My biggest tip for cordless vacuums is to store the charger in an easily accessible place.

you’re able to also find a motorized brush with some Shark models, too.

This piece is smaller than your main vacuum head, but features a rotating brush for grabbing pet hair.

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base displayed against a bedroom wall

PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson

If your couch and upholstery collect fur and hair regularly, it can be a super helpful addition.

Weve adapted our process over time, but each vacuum test always includes an assessment of multiple categories.

Each vacuums performance during testing is assessed by multiple members of our team.

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base cleaning fluff and hair from a rug

PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson

We also take turns bringing vacuums into our own homes to continue assessing and comparing them in real-life scenarios.

In other words, we would need to feel comfortable recommending it to our family or friends.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Shark Vacuums on Sale?

Person vacuuming stairs with Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Our picks cost between $90 and $550.

To compare, ourfavorite Dyson vacuumsstart at $300 when the vacuum is on sale.

For that reason, it’seven sweeterwhen you’re able to score a Shark vacuum on sale.

Closeup of Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base clipping into its charging base

Shark vacuums go on sale very often, too.

These models may not have the latest and greatest technology, but they’ll be cleaning powerhouses nonetheless.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Person standing behind the parts of a Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base and reading instructions

Dena Ogdenis an associate editor at The Spruce focusing on home technology, appliances, cleaning, and organization.

Ogden also tested (and continues to love) theShark AZ1002 Apex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum.

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base cleaning fluff and hair from a rug

Person vacuuming stairs with Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Closeup of Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base clipping into its charging base

Person standing behind the parts of a Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base and reading instructions

The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System with QuadClean Multi-Surface Brushroll leads against a table

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Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum displayed on a geometric patterned rug in front of a beige couch

PHOTO: The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum cleaning fluff and hair on a wood floor

PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Person vacuuming fluff and hair from carpet with the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

Hand using handheld attachment Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum to clean a striped rug

Hand removing an attachment from the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

Hand removing hair from the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum’s roller

Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum cleaning fluff and hair on a wood floor

Person vacuuming fluff and hair from carpet with the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

Hand using handheld attachment Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum to clean a striped rug

Hand removing an attachment from the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

Hand removing hair from the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum’s roller

Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum vacuuming along a shelf

The Shark HV301 Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum leaning against white couch while sitting on a white patterned rug

Shark RV2610WA Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning food and dirt from tile floor

Some of Shark’s most popular upright vacuums include the products in their Navigator line.The Spruce

Shark VM252 Vacmop Pro Cordless Wet/Dry Stick Vacuum cleaning wood flooring

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ Cordless Handheld Vacuum cleaning up spilled kibble on a rug

A person lifts up the Shark VS101 MessMaster Portable Wet Dry Vacuum

Three Shark Navigator vacuums attempt to suck up Cheerios on a high-pile carpet

Some of Shark’s most popular upright vacuums include the products in their Navigator line.The Spruce

Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum cleaning hair from a chair

Some attachments that come with Shark vacuums are great for picking up messes on upholstery, including couches and chairs.The Spruce

Shark Navigator NV360 Lift-Away Pod

Shark’s lift-away pods—both powered and not powered—have been our favorite for cleaning stairs and tough areas. They’re typically found in their upright vacuums.The Spruce

Shark Stratos vacuum head and brush roll

A self-cleaning brush roll—found in the vacuum’s head—helps keep hair tangles at bay. We’ve found this feature handy for homes with pets, as it improves suction and minimizes maintenance.The Spruce

A hand removing a compartment from the back of the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum

Self-emptying bases take a lot of the work out of emptying your vacuum, collecting all of the debris from the dust bin and sealing it away in a tower where your vacuum can be stored.The Spruce

A person places the canister into the Shark Stratos AZ3000 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro

The Spruce