Most cordless models are lithe and comfortable to use, even in cramped spaces or on stairs. Because cordless vacuums are compact and often packaged with either a wall-mountable charging dock or a floor stand, it’s common to store them within arm’s reach in plain sight. With its powerful battery and sealed HEPA system, the Dyson Humdinger operates more like the top half of a Dyson stick vacuum than a traditional handheld vacuum. While we haven’t tested this specific model, we’ve tested Dyson’s previous Car & Boat handheld vacuum along shark stick vacuum with enough Dyson stick vacuums to know how well they clean and how easy they are to use and maintain. Great suction along with its innovative hair-grabbing tool make it especially effective at removing pet hair from upholstery and other fabrics, though its overall size and shape may make maneuvering into tight spaces tricky. With the motor, battery and dust cup (the power unit) placed up top, it works like a traditional pole vacuum, making it easy to reach under low furniture or up high to clean ceiling moldings and light fixtures.
We appreciated how all we needed to do was flick a switch to change the suction power and transition from hard floor to carpet. We did find it more effective on tile or concrete floor—it can shark stick vacuum scratch vinyl, so keep that in mind if you have vinyl flooring in your home. After we narrowed down some top picks, we brought them home to use with our furry companions for six months.
This full-size yet ultra-light vacuum features DuoClean Powerfins, which are flexible silicone fins that dig deep into carpet and pick up more dirt—and pet hair! It also has a Self-Cleaning Brushroll that eliminates pesky hair wrap and a Powered Lift-Away feature, which allows you to detach the stick at the touch of a button to clean windowsills, ceilings, or under furniture. Other featured technologies include Active Glide for smooth maneuverability, and an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, which claims to capture 99 percent of dust, allergens, and pet dander. It’s not unusual for a new Shark vacuum to be priced anywhere from $250 to $500, depending on the model and its features. However, one of our favorites, the Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum, is less than $200 and has performed so well for over six months, making it a great overall value. It features the strong suction power you can expect from the rest of the brand’s Navigator line, and it impressed us with how easy it is to push across hardwood floors and carpets of all kinds.
And until there’s a robot vacuum mop that works as well as the upright mop vacs, I’m quite happy to push mine around the house for a few minutes a few times a week. Because a mop vac effectively and efficiently mops a floor shark handheld vacuum while also sucking up dirt and debris, it cuts cleaning time in half. So if you have a substantial amount of flooring not covered by carpet, and you would like to spend less time cleaning those floors, a mop vac is for you.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York. Invest in the Shark Cordless Pet Plus Vacuum with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology and enjoy the convenience of cordless cleaning and the confidence of allergen protection.
SEBO has a decent network of repair specialists, but you can also send the vacuum to the manufacturer for free repairs under warranty, with shipping covered both ways. When it comes to quality and reliable household appliances, Bosch always delivers. The unlimited 7 comes with an impressive 10-year guarantee, which effectively means the price works out as £35 a year.
Reach for the Shark Rocket Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum to clean up pet hair and so much more. The Shark pet vacuum works for up to 40 minutes on battery power and features a self-cleaning brush roll. The Dyson takes up less room, has a much longer battery life, has a wider array of attachments, has a substantially more powerful suction motor, and is easier to maneuver. However, the Shark has a higher-capacity dustbin and feels a little bit sturdier. Our best stick pick, the Shark WANDVAC with Self-Empty Base, has a self-cleaning brush roll that’s also detachable, so the vacuum can easily convert into a compact handheld tool.