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Which Shark Vacuum is best for me? I am sure this is the question that comes to mind when you analyze the large variety of shark vacuums on the market.

Our shark vacuum reviews cover some of the best shark vacuums on the market for 2021.
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#1 Shark AZ1002 : Best Overall, latest technology
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#2 Shark AZ2002 : Premium option if you feel like splurging
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#3 Shark NV 356 : Budget Option
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#4 Shark LA502 Rotator : Good for Pet hair and hardwood floors
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#5 Shark ZU62 Pet Pro : Large dust bin, good for pet hair
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#6 Shark ZU561 : Defends against hair wrap, lightweight Navigator model
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#7 Shark LZ601 : Corded stick vacuum, great if you have small spaces, good for pet hair and hardwood floors.
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#8 Shark IZ462H : Cordless vacuum, good for pet hair and hardwood floors
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#9 Shark IQ R101AE : Robot Vacuum with self-emptying bin
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#10 Shark WANDVAC WV201 : Best Handheld Vacuum
Jump to In-depth Reviews

The “Shark” vacuum cleaner brand has grown immensely in recent years, and has become a serious rival for the vacuum manufacturers such as Dyson.
The brand is one of many owned by Euro-Pro, a company specializing in home-wares, which has been run by the same family for three generations.
The range Shark offers is huge. Upright, stick, robot and handheld vacuums are all available at a wide variety of price points.
Shark has products at a similar price point to Hoover and Bissell, who offer budget vacuums. Shark also has more advanced models comparable to their high-end competitor Dyson.
Shark Vacuum Review Table
Benefits | |
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Shark AZ1002 (Best Overall) Check Price |
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Shark AZ2002 (Premium Option) Check Price |
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Shark Navigator NV356E (Best Budget Option) Check Price |
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Shark Rotator LA502 (Good for Hardwood floors & Pets) Check Price |
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Shark zu62 (Good for Pets) Check Price |
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Shark ZU561 (Lightweight Model) Check Price |
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Shark LZ601 (Lightweight corded stick vacuum) Check Price |
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Shark IZ462H (Cordless Vacuum) Check Price |
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Shark IQ R101AE (Best Robot Vacuum) Check Price |
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Shark WANDVAC WV201 (Best Handheld Vacuum) Check Price |
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How to Pick a Shark Vacuum — Buying Guide
Types of Shark Vacuums Available
With so many different types of Shark Vacuum, it can be hard to know which type is most suitable for you.
- Corded vs Cordless: Which one you choose will depend on your needs and budget. Cordless vacuums are usually more expensive as they need to include a charger and a rechargeable battery. Corded vacuums tend to be cheaper.
- Upright Vacuums: These are usually easy to maneuver. A benefit of Shark vacuums is their upright vacuum also mirrors the features of a canister vacuum.
- Stick Vacuums: Stick vacuums are very compact, lightweight and easy to maneuver. They are also a great space saving option if you have a small apartment. A handy feature of these stick vacuums is they can also be converted to a hand vacuum.
- Hand Vacuums: Hand vacuums are usually used for small areas and to clean specific items such as furniture, or your car. You will find that most stick and cordless shark vacuums can also be converted to a hand vacuum.
- Robot Vacuums: This offers you a more hands-free cleaning option. Smart options allow you to control your vacuum via a phone app. The main disadvantage is you don’t have above ground cleaning.
Explanation of the Shark Model Series
Shark vacuum models are constantly evolving over time and it can be hard to keep up. Below you will find an overview of the models and technology.
The Shark Rocket – If you are looking for a lightweight vacuum you should be looking at the Shark Rocket series. This is an ultra-light stick vacuum that has powerful suction.
They are easy to maneuver with their advance swivel steering. That means that they are extremely easy to maneuver around furniture and get in those hard to reach areas.
Even though they are lightweight that doesn’t mean that you can expect reduction in suction power. These vacuums are extremely powerful and will find any dirt that is hiding in your house.
An added plus is they convert to hand vacuum which is a great option for above ground cleaning. So you can also use this vacuum to clean curtains, ceiling fans, book cases, vents and a variety of other above ground areas.
The Shark Navigator – The vacuums in the Shark Navigator series are upright vacuums with a twist. The Shark navigator vacuums has a lift-away feature that allows you to convert the vacuum cleaner into a canister vacuum.
Simply press a button and you can detach the canister. This allows you to clean hard to reach areas. For example if you are cleaning stairs, you don’t have to carry the whole vacuum up and down the stairs.
Simply detach the canister and use the vacuum the same why you would use a canister vacuum. An added plus is Shark usually provides you with a variety of attachments that should suit all your cleaning needs.
These accessories are great for above ground cleaning. You can utilize these accessories to clean ceiling fans, book cases, under appliances etc.
An added plus is these vacuums feature and anti-allergen complete seal technology and they have a HEPA filter.
The Shark Rotator – The vacuums in this series are some of the most advanced shark vacuums These advanced vacuums incorporate all the features of the Shark Navigator series such as the liftaway feature the sealed allergy system, HEPA filtration, multi floor feature and more. However, a few improvements are the LED lights, better maneuverability, and the canister caddy.
The LED lights allow you to see those hard to reach areas where dust can accumulate. The additional maneuverability allows you to move between and around furniture quite easily so you can clean those hard to reach areas.
The newest shark rotator models have a detachable brushroll garage and utilize duoclean technology. The brushroll garage gives you instant access to the brushroll for easy removal and cleaning. It even has a handy cutter so you can remove that pesky long hair that tends to accumulate over time.
Another feature of the newest Shark rotator vacuum is the duo clean technology. This means that two brushes work in unison and can handle large debris as well as stuck on dust on carpets and hardwood floors.
Cordless (Shark ION): Shark has recently introduced quite a few vacuums in this market segment. An added benefit of these cordless vacuums is they also convert to a cordless hand vacuum.
Shark has also implemented some of their newer technology such as DuoClean and Multiplex into their cordless vacuum line.
Robot: Shark recently made a foray into Robot vacuum market with the introduction of the RV720. Their most recent product the RV850 has more vacuuming power, more advanced navigation and is WIFI enabled.
DuoClean: Shark altered its vacuum cleaning head with the introduction of DuoClean.
Most traditional vacuums tend to move around large particles instead of sucking them in. With the removal of the front wall to snowplow debris, duo clean models pull in what some traditional vacuums leave behind. This includes large particles, small particles, and stuck-on dust.
APEX : These models have active glide technology which allows for easier maneuverability.
They also have noise reduction technology to reduce the noise and soften the pitch of the vacuum.
Apex models also have a multiplex under appliance wand accessory that provides flexible reach under furniture and freestanding and compact storage.
Zero M: Shark has designed the brush roll to remove hair so you don’t have to.
What type of Accessories Do you Need?
You will find that the main differences between the various Shark Vacuum series (Ex. NV350 series) boil down to the various accessories available.
Obviously, depending on your housing situation the accessories needed will vary.
For example, if you have pets you might want to look for accessories designed to combat pet hair. A few accessories that readily come to mind are the pet power brush that comes with the NV356 model or the True Pet motorized brush that comes with the NV752 model.
If you have hardwood floors, you would probably be interested in models that have accessories suited for hard floors. One model that readily comes to mind is the NV752 that comes with the hardfloor hero accessory.
The more expensive and sophisticated models within a range tend to have more sophisticated accessories.
Do you have carpets or hardwood floors? Are a combination of both?
Shark vacuums are great for both hardwood floors and carpets. When purchasing a shark vacuum have a look at the carpet settings available.
The vacuum will allow you to adjust the level of suction. Some Shark Vacuums such as the Shark NV752, The Navigator NV356 and the DuoClean technology models are more suited for hardwood floors.
Do you Have Pets?
We love our furry friends but we know they can leave a continuous mess behind in your house. Some Shark Vacuum models are marketed primarily to pet owners.
Shark has a number of vacuum models suitable for pets. The two main factors you want to analyze is whether the vacuum comes with accessories suitable for cleaning up pet hair and the the size of the dust cup holder.
Two vacuums that readily comes to mind is the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet NV752 or the Shark Rocket TruePet HV322 . You can learn more about the best shark vacuums for pet hair here.
Do you have Hardwood Floors?
The main thing to remember when it comes to choosing a model for hardwood floors is that you need to ensure you don’t scratch your floor. Some vacuums can cause this problem with either rough wheels or brushes with robust bristles.
Shark has a number of vacuums that come with accessories suitable for hardwood floors. Some models that come to mind is the NV356 and the NV752. However, our favorite is the NV803. You can read more about our reviews of shark vacuums suitable for hardwood floors here.
Does Weight Matter
Shark Vacuums on the whole are very light weight. If weight is a factor you want to consider one of the stick vacuums in the Shark Rocket Series.
The vacuums in the Rocket series on average weigh around 8-10 pounds. The Shark Rocket vacuums on average weigh about
The Shark Rotators and Navigator vacuums weight usually falls within the range of 14.5 – 16.4 pounds. The Latest model of the Shark Rotator the Shark NV803 weighs 14.5 pounds.
Keep in mind that the Shark Navigator and Rotator models have a detachable pod so the vacuum will feel much lighter.
How much do you want to spend?
On the whole shark vacuums are reasonable priced and we feel they offer good value for money. Shark vacuum cleaners come with a myriad of additional accessories that make these vacuums very versatile.
An added benefit is you feel like you are getting two vacuums in one. The Shark Rockets can be converted to a hand vacuum and the Shark Rotator and Navigator can be converted to a canister vacuum.
On the whole the older model Shark Vacuums tends to be cheaper than the newer models and if you can live without some of the newer features they are a good buy. You can also buy refurbished Shark Vacuums at a cheaper price.
Shark Vacuum Reviews
1Shark DuoClean, Powered Liftaway, NV803 – Upright vacuum with the latest Shark cleaning technology.
- Type: Upright Vacuum
- Cleaning Technology: DuoClean Technology
- Converts: Can be used as a canister vacuum
- Cord Length: 30 ft.
- Weight: 15 lbs.
- Dust Cup Capacity: .9 dry quarts
- Lights: LED lights on nozzle
- Product size: The vacuum is 11.8 inches long, 11.9 inches wide, and 46.1 inches deep
- Cleaning path width: 8.5 inches
- Accessories: Pet multi-tool, duster crevice tool, pet power brush, under appliance wand and accessory bag
The Shark NV803 is the newest shark vacuum and one of the most powerful shark vacuums on the market. You can read our in-depth review of the NV803 here.
This is the first Shark upright vacuum to utilize duoclean technology. This duoclean technology has two brushes that work in unison to collect dirt and debris. This results in a deeper clean for your hardwood floors and carpets.
The Shark NV803 works extremely well on hardwood floors and is rated as one of the best shark vacuums for hardwood floors. This vacuum is ideal for hardwood floors. It sucks up dust and debris instead of blowing it around like most other vacuums.
Many customers who reviewed this vacuum were extremely impressed with the cleaning performance of this vacuum on carpets. Even though the Shark nv803 has a smaller cleaning head compared to other shark vacuums on the market, this feature makes it ideal for cleaning around furniture and on stairs.
Overall the ease of maintenance of this vacuum is outstanding. The roller on this model can easily be removed for cleaning. Customers thoroughly enjoy the fact that everything comes out easily on this machine.
This vacuum also comes with an on-board cutter tool so that if anything becomes tangled around the brush you can remove it easily.
This biggest complaint from customers about this vacuum is that the dust bin is smaller compared to that of other models.
PROS
- Very Versatile
- Lightweight
- Easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces
- Duoclean technology Works well on all floor types
- Liftaway mode good for stairs and above floor cleaning
- Easy access to the brushroll is great for cleaning
CONS
- Smaller dust cup than the Shark NV752 model. The NV752 has 1.4 dry quarts compared to .9 quarts for the 803 model
- smaller cleaning path 8.5 inches compared to 10.5 inches
- A bit expensive compared to some of the other Shark Vacuums.
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional, NV356E – Good Upright vacuum for the value minded customer.
- Type: Upright Vacuum
- Converts: Can be used as a canister vacuum
- Cord Length: 30 ft.
- Hose Length: 5 ft.
- Weight: 13.7 lbs.
- Cleaning path width:9.5 inches
- Dust Cup Capacity:2.2 Dry quarts
- Allergies:Has a HEPA filter.
- Accessories:Dusting Brush, 8″ Crevice Tool, Pet Power Brush, Dust-Away Hard Floor Attachment with 2 Microfiber Pads
The Shark Navigator is one of the classics in the Shark collection. This is one of the best reviewed vacuums and is great for a budget minded customer who is looking for a vacuum for hardwood floors or carpets.
The Shark Navigator NV356e is one of the first shark vacuums that has the liftaway feature. This feature allows you to detach the canister so you can use the cleaning head to clean those hard to reach areas such as under the fridge, atop cabinets, behind furniture, stairs and above windows.
This vacuum is also equipped with a completely sealed system and a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens within the canister instead of blowing them back out into your home. A special Brush roll Shutoff button is also available on this vacuum so you can easily switch between carpet and bare floor cleaning.
The Shark NV356 also comes with a Dust-Away hard floor attachment designed to pick up debris of any size and dust your bare floors in no time.
This attachment makes for easy access under furniture and appliances and works great at keeping floors clean of debris.
Overall customers thoroughly enjoy the versatility of this vacuum. This is a great choice for budget-minded customers looking for vacuum that works well on both hardwood floors and carpets.
PROS
- Wide assortment of accessories available
- Good for budget consumers
- Good for all floor types
CONS
- At 5 feet some might consider the hose a bit too short
- Vacuum tends to tip over when using hose
Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet, NV752 – Upright vacuum that is good for Pets and Hardwood floors.
- Type: Upright Vacuum
- Converts: Can be used as a canister vacuum
- Cord Length: 30 ft.
- Weight: 15.4 lbs.
- Cleaning path width: 10.5 inches
- Dust Cup Capacity: 1.4 dry quarts
- Lights: LED lights on hand vac and nozzle
- Accessories:TruePet Motorized Brush and Pet multi-tool, Hard Floor Hero attachment
The Shark NV752 like most other shark vacuums offers the best of both worlds. This upright vacuum also moonlights as a canister vacuum.
Simply utilize the handy liftaway feature and you now have a canister vacuum that you can use to clean your stairs and those hard to reach areas.
The NV 752 is not Sharks newest upright vacuum; however, it is one of the most well-received models in the Rotator series. This vacuum is ideal if you have a lot of pets.
The TruPet hand tool are a must when it comes to cleaning furniture covered with pet hair. This pet hair turbo brush ensures you get the best cleaning power to vacuum up those pesky pet hairs.
When it comes to keeping the air clean as you clean, the Shark NV752 has a sealed system as well as a lifetime HEPA filter to filter out allergens and dirt from the air.
The Shark nv752 is one of the most highly rated shark vacuums. It does not have the duoclean technology of the Shark nv803 but it performs just as well on both hardwood floors and carpets. If you can find the Shark nv803 for the same price as the Shark nv752 we suggest you go with the nv803.
Why did we add this Shark Rotator to our list?
This Shark Rotator is ideal for pets. It comes with the handy TruePet motorized brush and a pet multi tool accessory that makes cleaning up after your furry one easy.
What you won’t get with this Shark Rotator
This is one of Sharks best reviewed vacuums; however, it doesn’t have the latest DuoClean technology.
PROS
- Versatile, does well on all floor types
- Great for pet hair
- Ideal for both carpets and hardwood floors
- Anti-allergen complete seal technology
CONS
- Small cleaning path if have large open areas
- Swivel steering makes it go in the wrong directions at times.
- Some reviewers say it is heavy.
Shark Apex Upright with DuoClean and Zero M, AZ1002 NV – Latest Shark Technology
- Type: Upright Vacuum
- Converts: Can be used as a canister vacuum
- Cord Length: 30 ft.
- Weight: 16 lbs.
- Dust Cup Capacity: 1.5 dry quarts
- Technology: APEX, DuoClean and Zero M
- Accessories: 12″ Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool & Deep-Cleaning Motorized Pet Tool
When it comes to the latest technology Shark seems to have thrown the kitchen sink at this one. This vacuum has Duoclean, Apex and Zero-M technology.
DuoClean means this vacuum has more consistent and thorough cleaning power. The dual brushroll system deep cleans carpets and enables hardwood floors to have a more polished look.
Apex technology means it is easier to maneuver and has noise reduction technology.
Zero-M technology means if you vacuum a lot of hair you no longer have to worry about removing it from the bristle brush since the vacuum automatically does this.
You may end up paying more for all of this cutting edge technology, but this is great for those who need a really heavy-duty product which has power combined with low noise and ease of use.
PROS
- Can be used on multiple surfaces.
- Great vacuum cleaning power
- Latest technology
CONS
- Expensive
- Some customers have stated the hose is stiff and too short.
Shark Navigator Upright with Zero M, ZU561 – Hair Removal Technology
- Vacuum Dimensions: 12.7 inches long, 10.7 inches wide, 30.7 inches tall
- Tools: Duster Crevice Too, Hair Removal Multi-Tool, Wide Upholstery Tool
- Converts: Can be used as a canister vacuum
- Cord Length: 25 ft.
- Weight: 13.4 lbs.
- Dust Cup Capacity: 2.2 dry quarts
- Technology: Zero M
- Accessories: 12″ Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool & Deep-Cleaning Motorized Pet Tool
This vacuum is one of the newest Shark Navigators on the market and represents the next generation in navigator models. This vacuum differs for other navigators with the introduction of Zero M technology which prevents hair wrap around the brush roll.
This vacuum is also very lightweight so if you are looking for a vacuum that is easy to manoeuvre this shark model is a good option.
Like the previous shark vacuums it has the lift-away mode to make you take advantage of above ground cleaning. It also has the anti-allergen seal and swivel steering.
PROS
- Reduces hair wrap
- Lightweight vacuum
- Good vacuuming power
CONS
- Shorter cord that other Shark models (25 feet)
- Some users stated they would prefer a longer hose to reach high areas
Shark DuoClean Rocket Corded, (HV382) – This Shark Rocket has DuoClean Technology
- Type: Stick Vacuum
- Converts: Can be used as a hand vacuum
- Cleaning Technology: DuoClean Technology
- Cord Length:30 ft.
- Weight:9.9 lbs.
- Cleaning path width:8.5 inches
- Dust Cup Capacity:.91 Dry quarts
- LED lights:On floor nozzle and hand vacuum
- Accessories:Pet Multi-Tool, Duster Crevice Tool
The Shark Rocket with Duo Clean Technology gives you two brush rolls working in unison to remove three types of dirt from your floors and carpets: large, small and stuck-on particles.
Duo Clean Technology features a bristle brush to deep clean carpets, and an additional soft brush roll to pull in larger particles and directly engage floors for a polished look. Compared to most other vacuums, this feature enhances the cleaning performance of the vacuum.
The Shark HV382 also has LED lights on the hand vac and nozzle section of the vacuum making it easy to vacuum your home no matter what time of day, and it also allows you to see even the darkest of corners in your house.
The Shark Rocket HV322 also has a similar feature. Unfortunately the Shark HV302 doesn’t have LED lights.
The brush roll comes with easy access for quick maintenance, so if you have pets the maintenance is much easier since you can easily remove the brush roll. There is even a pet multi-tool to capture embedded pet hair on surfaces such as furniture and high pile carpeting.
The HV382 like the Shark Rocket HV302 and HV322 can also convert to a hand vacuum. You will find this feature handy if you have to do a lot of above ground cleaning.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Converts to an hand vacuum
- Has a Pet Multi Tool to clean pet hair
- DuoClean technology works well on all floor types
- Brushroll Garage makes it easy to clean
CONS
- Some users say it is top heavy
- Vacuum doesn’t stand up on its own
- Small dust cup means you have to empty often if you have a lot of pets
- Some users say it is noisy
Shark IONFlex (IF251)) – Cordless Vacuum
- Type: Stick Vacuum
- Converts: Can be used as a hand vacuum
- Technology: DuoClean & MultiFlex Technology
- Weight:8.7 lbs.
- Vacuum Type: Cordless Vacuum
- Dust Cup Capacity:.3 Dry quarts
- Size:13.4 x 10.4 x 45.9 in
- Accessories: Duster crevice tool, wide upholstery tool and dusting brush.
If you need to reach a lot of awkward areas such as underneath furniture, this might be a suitable option.
MultiFlex technology that allows this vacuum to fold makes this a popular choice for people who have awkward areas to vacuum within their house.
An added benefit is this vacuum also converts to a hand vacuum.
The double Lithium Ion battery gives plenty of usage time, this is an upgrade from the IF201 model which has a single battery.
The IF251 allows for much more usage time so you can vacuum larger areas, 80 minutes of battery life mean you can do the whole home.
PROS
- Easy to store and move around due to its lightweight stick design.
- Converts to an hand vacuum
- Has DuoClean technology so it is ideal for carpets and hardwood floors.
- Makes upholstery really easy to clean with its flexibility and the fact it converts to handheld.
CONS
- Small dust cup holder
- Short battery life, long recharging time and has a tendency to clog.
Shark ION R75, WifFi connected – Robot Vacuum
- Type: Robot Vacuum
- 9 foot BotBoundary Strip
- Works with smart home apps such as Alexa
- Weight:5.1 lbs.
- Long life Lithium-Ion battery
- Comes with charging dock.
This is a great for people with mobility issues or just if you don’t want to have to manually do the vacuuming when you can get a robot to do it.
It costs a lot to get a robot vacuum compared to other types, but this is actually one of the cheaper robotic models on the market.
This is a compact cleaner with 12.6-inch diameter across and stands 2.6 inches. The cleaning tools are good and it has plenty of suction for most surfaces, but it has a random cleaning pattern rather than the mapping function some newer vacuum cleaners include.
Not many robot vacuums at this price point have the option to voice control, but this will connect to Alexa or Google home so you can tell it to start vacuuming!
This is an upgrade on the RV720, an earlier version of this product, which wasn’t wifi compatible.
PROS
- Cheap price for a robot vacuum.
- Good cleaning
- Gently bumps into things (If you are familiar with robot vacuums they can really bump into your furniture)
CONS
- Cleaning pattern is random rather than mapped.
- Some users have reported problems with the shark staying connected to their home wifi.
- Cheap price for a robot vacuum;
Shark Glossary Terms
Lift-Away Canister: This feature allows your upright vacuum to moonlight as a canister vacuum since you can detach the cleaning pod. This feature allows you to clean hard to reach areas.
The Shark vacuums in the rocket series has the same detachable feature, but in this case the Shark rocket can moonlight as a hand vacuum.
Canister Caddy: If you do not feel like carrying the cleaning pod in your hand when it is in liftaway mode you can place it in the canister caddy.
Anti-Allergen Complete Seal and HEPA Filter: Most Shark vacuums comes with this feature and it a great option for people that suffer from allergies.
Fingertip Controls: Easy-to-use fingertip controls allow the user to transition seamlessly between floor types.
DuoClean Technology: The added soft brushroll-working in unison with the bristle brushroll-simultaneously pulls in large debris, high piles, and stuck-on/in dust on carpets and floors. You can learn more about DuoClean technology here.
Brushroll Garage: Instant access to the brushroll for easy removal and cleaning. No belts to fuss with, no plates to unscrew.
Apex : It has active glide wheels that allows the vacuum to maintain suction on both carpets and hardfloor. These models also have noise reduction technology.
Zero M : Zero M products have a brushroll which removes hair which gets wrapped around, meaning one less job for you.
IONFlex : Refers to sharks line of cordless vacuums
Multiflex technology: Allows the vacuum to fold for compact storage and also for flexible reach. This is handy if you have to clean hard to reach areas.