Best Shark Upright Vacuums

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 6, 2023
Are you looking for a high-quality upright vacuum for your home? If so, then you may be interested in a model from Shark, one of ...Read more
PROS

The vacuum cleaner can be configured in three modes, depending on the type of cover to be removed - the hard floor, carpet/area rug. At the same time, the built-in LEDs on the floor nozzle & handle ensure good visibility in dark places so that not a single speck escapes view.

CONS

Feels a bit heavy/bulky.

OUR VERDICT

The Shark Apex AZ1002 combines all the most advanced technology, thanks to which it guarantees impeccable cleaning every time. The device can cope with debris, both under low-profile furniture and on the steps or on the upholstery of the sofa. With all its power and functionality, the vacuum cleaner produces a minimum noise level.

detailed parameters
Cleaning

Dry

Motor Power

11.3 A

Power Source

Corded (30-ft cord length)

Dirt Capacity

48-oz dustcup

Filtration

Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology® + HEPA filter

Attachments

12" Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool, Pet Power Brush

Usability

DuoClean Technology, Powered-Lift Away® Technology, Noise Reduction Technology, Active-Glide™ Technology, The Zero-M self-cleaning brushroll, LED lights

Warranty

7 years limited

PROS

The Dust-Away ™ Hard Floor Attachment is stiff enough to collect crumbs and large debris while being delicate enough to clean all dust from floors such as expensive wood without the risk of damage to the surface.

CONS

Power button not very sensitive.

OUR VERDICT

The Shark NV752 is a powerful vertical vacuum cleaner, which will not leave a single bit of pet hair or dust in your home. It retains more than 99.9% of suspended particles inside, which is important in homes where those with allergies and young children live. The equipment is controlled by one touch, and the LED lights help you clean everything up even under furniture and in the dark corners of the rooms.

detailed parameters
Cleaning

Dry

Motor Power

9.5 A

Power Source

Corded (30-ft cord length)

Dirt Capacity

48-oz dustcup

Filtration

Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology® + HEPA filter

Attachments

Dust-Away™ Hard Floor Attachment, True Pet Mini Motorized Brush, Pet Multi-Tool, Duster Crevice Tool

Usability

Lift-Away® Technology, Fingertip controls, LED lights

Warranty

7 years limited

PROS

The combo of HEPA filter and Complete seal technology guarantees the most hygienic way of cleaning possible. The unit traps 99.9% allergens and other tiny pollutants.

CONS

The beater bar cannot be turned off or raised when cleaning hard floors.

OUR VERDICT

Equipped with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology and HEPA filter, the Shark Navigator is certainly one of the best upright vacuums for homes with allergy or asthma sufferers. On top of that, this vacuum is light and very easy to use, so vacuuming your whole home shouldn't tire you out.

detailed parameters
Cleaning

Dry

Motor Power

6.7 A

Power Source

Corded (25-ft cord length)

Dirt Capacity

29-oz dustcup

Filtration

Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology® + HEPA filter

Attachments

2 brushes and a crevice tool

Usability

Lift-Away® mode, The Zero-M self-cleaning brushroll, Integrated extendable hose

Warranty

5 years limited

PROS

Included you will find two functional nozzles - for cleaning animal hair and a slit for cleaning hard-to-reach places. And on-board accessory storage on the vacuum cleaner will contribute to their proper storage.

CONS

The long cord may get in the way while vacuuming.

OUR VERDICT

The Shark DuoClean NV771 will make cleaning your home much more efficient, and dare we say, perhaps a bit more fun. It provides more powerful suction with relatively low power consumption. Suitable for those who suffer from allergies or are extremely sensitive to dust.

detailed parameters
Cleaning

Dry

Motor Power

7.5 A

Power Source

Corded (30-ft cord length)

Dirt Capacity

29-oz dustcup

Filtration

Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology® + HEPA filter

Attachments

Duster Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool

Usability

DuoClean® technology, Lift-Away® technology, LED lights

Warranty

5 years limited

PROS

The special construction of the brushroll prevents hair wrapping and tangling. Thanks to this, the vac requires from little to no maintenance, and can be continuously used without fear of the wheels getting stuck.

CONS

The filtration system could be better.

OUR VERDICT

If you want to keep your home clean but do not fancy spending too much time and effort on it, this powerful vacuum cleaner is what you need. This model has all necessary cleaning attachments, comes with a long hose, and provides great suction power to cope with all types of debris.

detailed parameters
Cleaning

Dry

Motor Power

10 A

Power Source

Corded (25-ft cord length)

Dirt Capacity

32-oz dustcup

Filtration

Pre-Motor Foam Filter, Pre-Motor Felt Filter, Post-Motor HEPA Filter

Attachments

Turbo Brush with No Loss of Suction technology, Extension wand, Crevice tool, Dusting brush, Upholstery tool

Usability

5-foot cleaning hose

Warranty

5 years limited

The Power of Two

The Shark APEX Upright Vacuum is currently one of the strongest performers on the market, since it deftly combines all of the company's best ideas and newest technologies. Backed with the latest features including DuoClean, Zero-M, Lift-Away, Active Glide, Noise Reduction and powered by a 1350-watt motor, it really delivers when it comes to suction power.

Passing it once over your carpet can give it a show-room ready look. This is achieved thanks to the dual brush roll system consisting of a soft brush that picks up dirt and buffs hardwood floors and a stiff-bristle brush designed to remove stubborn dust from carpets and floors. These two brushrolls work in unison to pull in even the largest debris and stuck-on dust. However, the biggest perk is that they are equipped with the Zero-M technology and are able to "self-clean", ridding you of the need to hack that gob of stuck hair out with a knife or scissors. And we would say that the hair indeed does slough off the rollers.

The only negative here is that due to the double roller the vac has a bigger footprint too, which means it will take up a chunk more space in your closet and might fail getting into the smaller spots in your house. That being said, most customers who've tried it say that they had no problems with the vac at all: it gets in all spaces they need, cleans them well, and moves around obstacles easily.

Great for Pet Owners

If you have a pet and its life mission is to shed as much hair as possible, you'll definitely benefit from using the Shark APEX. It comes with the Deep-Cleaning Motorized Pet Tool that is powered by a motor and is able to "inhale" every last strand of pet hair and other embedded dirt from upholstery, tabletops, bookshelves, car interiors, and stairs. By the way, you can remove the Lift-Away canister and extend your reach to clean stairs or above-floor.

Another thing in favor of this bagless vacuum is an anti-allergen seal to keep all the gunk from getting back into the air. It's equipped with a HEPA filter and won't belch clouds of dust and allergens back at your feet.

All this makes the Shark APEX one of the best models for homes with pets. It handles the fur with no issues and picks up sand-size particles from surfaces consistently and quickly.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $389.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07FX5PCMN

Amazingly Versatile

One of the most important aspects of an upright vacuum cleaner is its versatility. Vacuums are made primarily for carpeted floors, but it is more than just carpeted floors that need to be cleaned. Other areas, such as furniture, curtains, hardwood floors, and other parts of a home can all benefit greatly from having a vacuum cleaner that is able to clean them. A vacuum with such versatility is simply a great addition to any home.

The Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum is one such vacuum that offers a high degree of versatility. Thanks to its many attachments and modes, this vacuum is able to clean areas that many other vacuums can only dream of. One aspect of this vacuum that contributes to its high degree of versatility is its Powered Lift-Away feature. This allows the main canister of the vacuum to be removed from the upright body of the vacuum, and can be easily carried with you. This gives you the ability to easily clean areas that are harder to reach for a regular vacuum, such as stairs, underneath furniture, and upholstery. The included Under Appliance Wand also allows for cleaning underneath low-sitting appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.

Powerful and Easy to Use

The high versatility of this vacuum is aided greatly by many of the additional features that are included. For instance, the Dynamic Swivel Steering allows for flexibility of the cleaning head of the main body, making it easy for you to turn the vacuum around corners or furniture. The fingertip controls allow for easy operation of the vacuum, giving you everything you need within easy reach of your fingers. Powerful LED lights are also included on the front of both the main body head and the Lift Away, allowing for easy cleaning in dark areas. There are even lights on the handle, giving you the ability to use the vacuum even in the dark.

The performance of this vacuum is also nothing to sneer at. The powerful 9.5 A motor gives plenty of power to both the brush and the suction capability, allowing for pet hair and dirt to be easily lifted from any surface. It is even well performing on hard floors, ensuring that all dirt and hair is suctioned into the vacuum instead of being scattered about. This is aided greatly by the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology along with the HEPA filter, which ensures that all dirt and dust are swept into the vacuum, and preventing stray dust from being scattered into the air. With the powerful combination of these features along with its versatility, this vacuum should give anyone a powerful tool for cleaning their home.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $285.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00X7R1FZ2

Powerful!

The Shark Navigator is another cleaner which falls into the "budget-friendly" category yet is very competitive in terms of functionality. It seems that its relatively modest price had very little impact on its performance as the vacuum can clean messes as quickly as many top-rated models. With 12 Amps of power under its hood, the Shark Navigator ZU561 can be a decent alternative to big brands for those who do not want to spend a lot on a vacuum cleaner.

The Shark Navigator ZU561 is quite a versatile option with multiple tools for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, drapes, and other above-ground surfaces. As a nice touch, it has an on-board storage for two most-used attachments.

This Shark gets all the dirt up off the surfaces with ease. Plus, the small size, low weight, and Lift-Away mode make this a super-comfortable vacuum to use.

Another thing that contributes to usability is the Zero-M self-cleaning brushroll, the type usually found on premium Shark vacs. The beauty of this brushroll is that it doesn't need cleaning: due to its self-cleaning capability it removes hair wraps on its own, making the maintenance of the cleaner easy and prolonging its service life.

This vacuum cleaner is also pretty quiet, which is surprising considering its suction power. This makes it a perfect option for people who live in apartment buildings and those who often end up cleaning during late hours.

With regards to its performance, the unit's featured with two cleaning settings, making it suitable for hardwoods and carpets. No matter which setting you choose, the vac will get the job perfectly. The only difference between these two settings is in the speed at which the beater bar spins.

Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology

As you know, vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters are highly recommended for allergy or asthma sufferers, since they are capable of removing even the tiniest dust particles from the air. However, filters alone sometimes are just not enough. Unfortunately, some vacuums with HEPA filters don’t reliably seal them in, thus, allergens can bypass those filters and escape into the air in your home. Understanding this, Shark folks have developed the innovative Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology. Now, the Shark's high-efficiency HEPA filter, in combination with the completely-sealed vacuum unit, captures 99.9% of dust and allergens. And none of them will escape back into the air your family breathes. So, if you're looking for the most allergen-free way of cleaning, the Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum will cater to your needs. It's certainly one of the best models for homes with allergy or asthma sufferers.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $239.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07FX7Z3NL

Efficient and Fun

Let's face it - very few people actually enjoy vacuuming their home. It tends to be a tedious process, moving a relatively heavy appliance all over the carpet in each room, and most often accompanied by a loud, annoying noise. It's hard to blame anyone for enjoying this activity, after all. Very few people willingly want to vacuum considering how tedious and annoying it is. But, wouldn't it be great if there were a vacuum cleaner that could help take away those drawbacks while also helping to speed up the process? If so, then most people would find vacuuming to be much less tedious, and even perhaps a little fun.

The Shark DuoClean NV771 Upright Vacuum is a great model that helps you get as close as possible to making the process of vacuuming an enjoyable experience. This compact sized upright vacuum is relatively lightweight, especially for an upright vacuum, and is very easy to use, as it glides almost effortlessly across the floor as you vacuum away. The vacuuming process is aided by the swivel steering that makes the vacuum quite easy to control, and also with the LED headlights that help light the way, giving you a good look at darker areas that are normally harder to see, such as underneath furniture.

DuoClean Technology

This vacuum features Shark's DuoClean technology, which works to help make all processes of vacuuming easy. As well as with the standard upright position, you can easily lift away the included wand which allows you to use it to clean areas that the upright vacuum can't reach, such as in tight corners, in crevices, and even the walls. With this component, there are very few areas that this vacuum will be unable to reach.

The vacuum itself, despite its lightweight design and ease of use, is actually quite powerful, giving you plenty of suctioning power for lifting away things such as caked in dirt and dust. Despite its power, though, this is also one of the most power efficient upright vacuums out there, as this unit only draws 7.4 amps of power. This means that you won't have to worry about running up your electricity bill while vacuuming, which is great for those who have large homes that often take a long time to clean.

Along with these features, this stand up vacuum includes the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology along with a HEPA filter, which makes this a perfect model for those who suffer from allergies. All in all, this great pet vacuum cleaner from Shark is sure to help make vacuuming your home a whole lot easier.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07BFJHZFP

Amazing Suction

The Shark Navigator Deluxe upright vacuum is definitely one of the most powerful bagless vacuum cleaners on the market! This little beast uses Shark “Never Lose Suction” technology and delivers consistent super-strong suction to pick up dirt, dandruff, hair, dust, and larger debris like crumbles. But if you want to lessen the suction a bit, you can always use a suction release valve.

Its original motorized brush is just 9.25 inches. In comparison to other upright vacs, the brush is quite narrow, still, it's very maneuverable and easily gets into tight places. It also has a brushroll on/off feature and can be conveniently used on bare floors and carpets alike. Customers are extremely happy with its cleaning performance on carpets including high-pile ones, plush rugs, bath mats, etc.

This upright has two settings, medium and high, which makes deep cleaning of any surface a breeze. Even on the highest setting, the vac is pretty quiet, meaning it's a good option for apartments. And the large dustbin allows for cleaning an entire room regardless of dirt granule size. And even when the collection chamber is almost full, you won't experience the loss of suction. The box also includes a turbo pet hair nozzle, crevice tool, swiveling brush attachments, and a cleaning wand. The magic wand is great for doing stairs, while the ultra-narrow crevice tool can reach debris even in the window sills. And with a turbo pet hair nozzle attached, the vac can suck up all pet hair off the furniture. So, if you're looking for a good vacuum with super-strong suction to perform deep cleaning, the Shark Navigator is a good fit.

Design Features

This upright takes seconds to assemble. All you need to do is attach the handle using a screwdriver. That's it! The vac also comes with installed pre-motor and post-motor filters. They both are washable, and it's advisable to clean the pre-motor filter once a month and the post-motor filter once a year. Over time, washable filters are going to save you lots of money on the replacement, however, note that they aren't HEPA filters and can't trap allergens. Overall, the construction of the cleaner is very sturdy, and an incredible 5-year warranty proves this.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B007L5I7DY

What Is a Shark Vacuum Cleaner?

Virtually every home has a vacuum cleaner of some type, a device which is meant to clean up dirt and debris specifically from a carpeted surface. Upright vacuum cleaners have traditionally been the most popular types of vacuums, and for good reason. They are typically much easier to move around a room than other types of vacuums, have a good amount of space for collected dust and dirt, and they typically make the vacuuming process much faster. Of course, they do have their share of drawbacks as well, as many models tend to be heavy and bulky, and they aren't always the easiest devices to store. However, these drawbacks seem to be trade-offs that most people will gladly make in order to benefit from their advantages.

Shark upright vacuums are vacuum cleaners that are made by the SharkNinja company, a private company based in the USA that provides cleaning accessories, namely in the form of small household appliances. They have made a name for themselves in recent years by creating high-quality products that their customers enjoy using.

If you have a pet in your home and you need a good solution for cleaning pet hair from your furniture or from other places that an upright vacuum can't reach, then you may want to find a handheld vacuum for pet hair to compliment your new Shark upright vacuum.

What Features to Compare

Have you typically settled for just any low priced upright vacuum cleaner in the past, and you're not sure what new or special features or characteristics to look for in a new upright vacuum cleaner? If so, then you will want to familiarize yourself with many of the characteristics that Shark vacuum cleaners offer. Although many of them will feature some similar characteristics, they offer different models with different features that help people find the best Shark upright vacuum for their needs.

Wet or Dry

The first thing to help differentiate between different upright vacuum cleaners is whether they are meant for wet/dry operation. All of the Shark upright vacuums in this review are dry vacuum models, so you may need to determine first whether or not you need the wet vacuum capability.

Power Source

Another important feature to consider in any upright vacuum cleaner is the power source, or more specifically, the cord length. Since upright vacuums require moving the entire appliance during operation, you will want to make sure that whichever model you choose has the right length cord for your home. Having one with a long enough cord will help ensure that you need to change the power outlet a minimal number of times, saving you time and energy during the vacuuming process.

Dirt Capacity

The dirt capacity of any vacuum cleaner is one of the most important characteristics to check, as this will dictate how much dirt the vacuum can hold in its dustcup before it needs to be changed. For those with larger homes, you will probably want a model with the largest dirt capacity possible so you won't have to constantly stop vacuuming in order to empty the dustcup.

Filtration

The filtration system on any upright vacuum is something that most people should be aware of. Most of the Shark upright vacuum models include some type of filtration system that should help keep dust and allergens from being kicked up into the air while vacuuming. All of the models reviewed here have a HEPA filter as well as an anti-allergen seal, but if you require more filtration, then make sure that the model you choose has what you need.

Attachments

Most upright vacuums will include some type of attachments that will enable you to vacuum up dirt, debris, or even pet hair from hard to reach places, or from furniture or parts of the house that a regular upright vacuum just can't reach. These attachments will often include things such as crevice or upholstery tools, scrub brushes for loosening up caked in dirt, or other various tools for specific purposes.

Tips for Vacuuming Your Home

It is already well established that most people don't enjoy vacuuming their homes. It is tedious and boring, and the loud noise that most vacuum cleaners make tends to drown out whatever music you may be trying to listen to throughout the process. Furthermore, vacuuming tends to have its own small annoyances that nobody likes dealing with, such as running into obstacles or over items that are too large to be sucked into the vacuum, along with many other annoyances. In short, there is little in the process of vacuuming that lends itself to being fun, and in many cases these annoyances can make it a dreadful experience.

Having said that, there are some things that you can do to help make the process of vacuuming your home much easier on yourself. Some of these may seem to be common sense, whereas some others may be surprising, but all of them are handy tips that should be followed if you want to make your vacuuming experience as pleasant as possible.

Schedule Your Vacuuming

One annoyance that people often run into with vacuuming is the fact that other people tend to get in the way of the process. Whether its dealing with active children, or a spouse who demands your attention, there are plenty of things that can interrupt the vacuuming experience, making it last much longer than it should. The best way around this issue is to schedule your vacuuming time, either to when others aren't around to get in your way, or so that those in the same house know that you will be busy and that you aren't to be bothered. This will go a long way in cutting down on those pesky interruptions.

Remove Small Objects

Many people may think this is just plain common sense (and it is), but you would be surprised at how many people don't think to do this before they start vacuuming. Going around the home and removing small objects from the floor is something that everyone should do before they start vacuuming. Things like stray coins, bobbypins, or even loose string can often get in the way of vacuuming, and, of course, any of these being run over by a vacuum cleaner carry with them the risk of damaging the vacuum. Making sure that your floor is cleared of these small objects will greatly help improve your vacuuming experience.

Empty the Dustcup Regularly

Most people who have used a vacuum probably well know the obvious sign of when their vacuum's dustcup is full. When large clumps of dust start coming out of the vacuum, that is a sure sign that the dustcup needs to be emptied. Save yourself the trouble of having to clean up extra mess by making sure that your vacuum's dustcup is empty both before you start vacuuming, and also once you are finished. Vacuuming with a clean dustcup will also ensure that your vacuum is working at peak performance.

Move Furniture

It's not enough to just vacuum around large items of furniture. Dust can and will easily build up in the small areas behind and underneath furniture, which will often then get dragged out onto the empty parts of the floor. Before you start vacuuming, make sure you move furniture in order to get to those hard to reach areas first.

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