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With cordless, robot, and handheld options.

A person vacuuming the mess on a table using the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld CH901 during testing

Photo:Real Simple

The dustbin was simple to empty as well.

We also found this model a bit too heavy and large to comfortably clean the stairs.

Because its cordless and lightweight, we found this model very easy to lift and maneuver under furniture.

Best Buy Shark Stratos AZ3002 DuoClean PowerFins HairPro Upright Vacuum

PHOTO: Best Buy

It maneuvered around furniture and other obstacles extremely well, even learning as it went.

This model also has a self-emptying bin.

It returns to the dock when its full and empties into the docks larger-capacity debris bin.

A floor before and after cleaning with the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

PHOTO: Real Simple

We found the crevice tool especially useful forcleaning a car seatduring our testing.

For a more budget-friendly alternative, we were also impressed by theShark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum.

Well, then, youre in luck.

A person using the Shark Stratos AZ3002 Upright Vacuum small attachment to vacuum a dog bed

We also measured how loud each vacuum was in decibels to determine its noise level.

The vacuums that did the best job removing the mess scored the best in this category.

For portability, we factored in how easy it was to lift and move the vacuum.

A person using the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum to clean a mess on a wooden floor

This included how well any attachments stayed in place during operation.

If so, that model had a solid overall value.

Heres a quick breakdown of each.

A close-up of the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum after cleaning blue powder

Stick:Stick vacuums are pared-down versions of upright vacuums, Polk says.

Generally, a stick vacuum is best for smaller cleaning needs and shorter runtimes.

Robot vacuums are best suited for maintenance cleaning.

A foot next to the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum an a bowl of dirt

In general, vacuums with a power nozzle clean carpet the best, says Polk.

He also recommends a vacuum with a power nozzle for cleaning pet hair.

Polk says crevice tools are one of the most popular accessories at his store.

A floor before and after cleaning with the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

Upholstery Tool:Upholstery toolsare designed to remove pet hair and other debris from upholstered furniture.

Its also a good option for cleaning curtains and other surfaces a typical vacuum cant access.

Pet Tool:Pet toolscombine a standard upholstery attachment with a heavier-duty brush to tackle more serious shedding.

A person using the Shark Stratos AZ3002 Upright Vacuum small attachment to vacuum a dog bed

More Shark Vacuums to Consider

How do Shark vacuums compare to Dyson?

While Shark held its own against Dyson during our testing, Dyson consistently outperformed Shark in our side-by-side comparisons.

Dyson models picked up more debris than Shark vacuums and took fewer passes to do so.

A person using the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum to clean a mess on a wooden floor

In general, Polk prefers Shark upright vacuums to Dyson and Dyson cordless vacuums to Shark.

A close-up of the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum after cleaning blue powder

A foot next to the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum an a bowl of dirt

Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

PHOTO: Amazon

A person before and after using the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum on a patch of wood

PHOTO: Real Simple

A person using the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum on stairs

A person using the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum on stairs

A person lifting the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum in front of a dirty staircase

A person emptying the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum

A person before and after using the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum on a patch of wood

A person using the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum on stairs

A person using the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum on stairs

A person lifting the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum in front of a dirty staircase

A person emptying the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum

Shark IZ562H Cordless Pro Bagless Stick Vacuum with Clean Sense IQ

PHOTO: The Home Depot

Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum

PHOTO: Amazon

A person compares their hand to the filter on the Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum

PHOTO: Real Simple

The filter on the Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum

The Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum cleans a rug

The Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum cleans dirt from a tile floor

The Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum cleans a tile floor

A person compares their hand to the filter on the Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum

The filter on the Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum

The Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum cleans a rug

The Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum cleans dirt from a tile floor

The Shark RV2820AE Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum cleans a tile floor

Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum

PHOTO: Amazon

Hands adjusting Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum attachment

The Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum’s attachments make it easy to clean debris in all spaces.PHOTO: Real Simple

Person using Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum to clean food from carpet

Close up of the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld CH901

Close up of a person adding an attachment to the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld CH901

A person emptying the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld CH901

Hands adjusting Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum attachment

Person using Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum to clean food from carpet

Close up of the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld CH901

Close up of a person adding an attachment to the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld CH901

A person emptying the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld CH901

Two people vacuuming a rug with one using the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

Real Simple

A close-up of a hand using the Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe Vacuum on steps

Real Simple

A person emptying the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum into a bowl

Real Simple