When the author’s husband first observed her using the Shark stick vacuum, he asked skeptically whether it was a Dyson. The British company Dyson has become so well-known for its cordless stick vacuums that owning anything else seemed almost implausible, akin to choosing a generic brand of Q-Tips. The Shark vacuum’s color scheme even intentionally reflects Dyson’s signature style.
The author has been testing Shark’s latest cordless stick vacuum for a month to address her husband’s curiosity and similar queries from others. It is clear that the Shark is not a Dyson; the engineering and meticulous attention to detail that make Dyson the superior premium vacuum are not fully matched. The Shark’s display is less refined and its build quality is not as robust. Additionally, there is a recurring need to unclog a section of the vacuum tube using a chopstick.
However, the Shark vacuum does effectively maintain a clean home, offers features not typically found in many Dyson models, and provides all necessary functions and additional benefits at a fraction of the cost. Consequently, the vacuum presents significant value for the price, which is relatively modest.
In terms of size, the Shark vacuum is comparable to the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, though it is a few inches shorter. Despite being more compact, it occupies more space due to its freestanding cleaning station. The author appreciated this feature, contrasting it with the Dyson’s wall-mounted solution, which sometimes posed challenges in finding an ideal location near a functional electrical outlet.
The freestanding docking station simplifies the task of plugging in and storing additional vacuum accessories, such as the crevice tool and small pet multi-tool head designed for accessing tight spaces. A notable feature is its 2-liter self-emptying bin located in the base. One challenge with Dyson’s design is the necessity to unlatch the tube to empty the bagless bin from the bottom, a process that involves bringing the high-end vacuum into contact with a potentially dirty and damp garbage bin, often resulting in scatterings of dust and pet hair.
