We then started through the same rotation a second time and noted when each vacuum died. For both Sharks and the Dyson v10, we ran them on the low setting on the hardwoods and low pile carpet and the next highest setting on the medium pile carpet. The Dyson v11 has an auto sense feature that detects the type of surface it cleans and increases or decreases the suction accordingly so no toggling to different settings was needed.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members . Select reviewers may receive discounted products or points for an honest, helpful review. It’s a little louder than comparable models like the Samsung Jet 60 but won’t be disruptive for people in other rooms, though it can mask the sound of a nearby conversation. That said, it’s much louder when running in its ‘MAX’ mode, so don’t use the vacuum in this setting for long if you don’t want to disturb people nearby.
For all of these reasons, plus the easy three-minute assembly time, this is our top pick. The Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum was the clear winner in our search for the best Shark vacuum—and best vacuum in general. The Shark Vertex PowerFins Vacuum features powerful suction on all surfaces, dyson robot vacuum a storage-friendly handle, and generally quiet operation. As we discovered in The Lab, it has the power you need to leave your carpets deeply clean and your hardwood floors sparkling. This model earned a perfect 5-star rating for its effectiveness and didn’t cause any debris to scatter in the process.
Don’t expect it to be as light or nimble as a stick vacuum, but know you’ll be pleased with its maneuverability and effectiveness. In our testing, it impressed our tester with how easy it was to push across hardwood floors and carpets of all pile heights. They only docked it for its bulkier design, which made it difficult to reach under lower furniture, and poor transfer from a flat surface to a rugged one. (They ultimately gave it 3 stars for maneuverability for these reasons.) In terms of effectiveness, it captured all the materials in fewer than five passes and was pretty straightforward. When we tested vacuum cleaners, we put them through a rigorous series of floor-care tests on hardwood floor and other bare floor types, carpet and other surfaces.
Added a link to the Tineco PWRHERO 11 in the ‘Suction’ section to provide an example of an alternative that exerts a stronger real-world suction force. Despite the many knockoffs, Dyson vacs still perform at a higher level than other brands, in our experience. Perhaps it’s the head start it’s had in refining these smaller machines or the extensive research and development that goes into making them. Having no hearing in my right ear and decreased in my left I would love a vacuum that had less noise.
The average slipped further across midpile carpet, though it remained at a respectable 52%. This report lists the ratio of dirt collected by particle size. Other than that, and a battery that’s easier to remove, the D15’s bagless vacuum design remains much the same. That’s a good thing, since we found both models’ dustbins easy to empty. Say hello to the best Dyson cordless vacuum, the $750 Dyson V15.
This Shark model is a little bulky for a handheld vacuum, but we think the extra-large dust bin makes it worth it. The attachments are what make this vacuum really shine, but there’s no included storage for them, so you’ll need to repurpose a box or bin to make sure you don’t lose them. Overall, our tester said this vacuum’s performance was very impressive given its size and single suction setting. I was using a corded upright Dyson for about five years before getting this unit. Dyson is very powerful but the cord was not convenient when you have to keep plugging/unplugging from room to room.
Otherwise, this is a great vacuum cleaner and I highly recommend it. The Dyson Cyclone V10 is better than the Shark Cordless Pet Plus for most uses. The Dyson weighs considerably less, is easier to maneuver, lasts longer on a charge, has a removable brushroll that’s easy to clean, and comes with a wider array of attachments.
We found that the greatest strength of the Shark Navigator DLX is also its weakness. While the powerful suction made it faster and easier to remove debris, it also increased the effort we had to put forth to use the vacuum on the medium and high-pile carpets. Even still, our tester gives this Navigator model a 4.5-star rating for maneuverability and comments positively on the swivel steering.
How well units picked up debris from where the floor meets walls. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. She’s contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.