It’s been available for more than a year at this point, and our analysis of customer reviews did not turn up any evidence of widespread defects or design problems . Dyson’s lineup has been in a state of flux throughout 2021, and we’re not certain which models will remain consistently available from week to week. But nearly any Dyson model from the V7 or V8 line will work well on rugs—we’ve tested both, and the cleaning performance is nearly identical, with the V8’s longer battery life accounting for the only major difference. The dust sensor is another useful feature that we haven’t seen on other vacuums at this price. It’s a satisfying visual cue for you to spend extra time on areas that you can’t tell are dirty by sight alone and to quickly move on from areas that are clean.
A. Cordless vacuums aren’t always as powerful as corded models, but it’s still possible to replace a corded vacuum with a corded one. Rather than having built-in batteries, most cordless Shark vacuum cleaners have removable shark cordless batteries. This lets you buy a spare to switch out with your main battery if it runs out mid-clean. The battery life of Shark vacuums ranges from around 40 minutes on the low end to 120 minutes on the high end.
Our editors took all of the consistently applied testing data that was gathered at The Lab and at home, and boiled it down to the Shark vacuums we believe are the very best. This handheld vac is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a high-speed brushless motor. It runs for 10 minutes before needing a recharge, which definitely isn’t long and was one of the biggest downsides for our product tester. Clearly, it’s meant for quick clean-ups, like picking up spilled cereal or removing crumbs from car seats. The dust bin is also small but easily empties with the push of a button.
The battery offers up to 60 minutes of run time depending on the attachment, power setting and surfaces you are cleaning and is removable for charging, too. The stand can charge two batteries at once, but the second battery must be purchased separately. The Jet 90 even works with optional accessories, like an automatic station to empty the bin and a wet mopping and buffing head. Available for $330, it delivers cleaning power that closely matches the V11, but it costs much less than Dyson’s luxury appliance. How do these two modern vacuum cleaners really measure up against each other?
Here are the best stick vacuum deals available ahead of the sales event. If you can find it for $300 or less, we still love the Dyson V7 Motorhead, which was our favorite cordless vacuum for several years and likely still would be if Dyson hadn’t removed it from the “core lineup” in 2021. (A representative tells us that the V7 will still be available from some retailers at times, but not consistently.) The new entry-level model that should be consistently available is the Dyson V8 Animal. Its standard price is $400, which is a little steep compared with many other solid options.
Although the Shark IZ420UKT superficially looks like its predecessor, the Shark IZ320UKT, this new model retains the best features of the old cleaner and adds some new ones into the mix. It also doesn’t stand up on its own, which can be a pain if you need to move something out of its path. Still, it’s certainly versatile, and it glided well as a mop, leaving our floors sparkling and only lightly damp. If you can justify the price, you won’t regret the purchase.