Just don’t expect it to be as light or nimble as a stick vacuum, but know you’ll be pleased with its maneuverability and effectiveness. This model impressed us during testing with how easy it was to push across hardwood floors and carpets of all pile heights. We only docked it for its bulkier design, which made it difficult to reach under lower furniture. In terms of effectiveness, it captured all the hair and debris in our testing area in fewer than five passes. This ensures sufficient power to continually turn the brushroll at speed and deep clean into carpets, digging out all manner of dust, debris, and yes, pet hair. Some less expensive vacuums, especially canister vacuums, may have a brushroll driven by suction.
We tested the Riccar Vibrance R20D a few years ago, based on some techs’ recommendations. It is a sturdy, American-manufactured machine made to be repaired pretty easily. However, it costs more than comparable models from other brands, it didn’t clean as well in our tests, and it is much heavier and harder to steer than our favorites (even the “lightweight” model). We started our research by making a list of every plug-in upright or canister vacuum cleaner we could find—seriously, all of them, from every brand. Over the years, we’ve assembled a spreadsheet of 560 different vacuums (though a chunk of them are now discontinued).
Our 2022 pick for the Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair is the Shark Vertex AZ2002. It is currently one of the highest rated machines on our site and we have been reviewing vacuums for over 14 years. In our hair test the Vertex performed extremely well leaving almost none of the short white pet hair or long black human hair on the brushroll. Shark is a good household manufacturer that produces items like mops and irons alongside vacuums at different price points and styles.
A good stick vacuum should be lightweight, but not necessarily light-duty. The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum used to be our Best Stick pick, and we think it’s still a great option even if it doesn’t have the latest technology or slimmest design. This model impressed us with its maneuverability and effective suction on all types of flooring. However, it was nimble and flexible when navigating our living room obstacle course. This vacuum’s anti-allergen seal and HEPA filter effectively trap dust—a major win for families with pets and allergies.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 bagless upright vacuum cleaner is an effective, reliable vacuum at a great price. Of the hundreds of vacuum cleaners available today, this is the one that we think will make the most people the happiest. It should be reliable, thanks to its durable belt and hard-to-clog yet easy-to-clean design. And the five-year comprehensive warranty almost guarantees that this model will last longer than anything else at the price.
Though Dyson announced in 2018 that it would stop developing new plug-in vacuum cleaners in order to focus on cordless models, the company appears to have reversed course. We plan to test it, but since it is almost identical in weight and appearance, we suspect we’ll run into similar problems as with the Ball 2. Dyson makes good plug-in vacuum cleaners that cost way too much money by current standards.
We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. Led lights on the front head will light up dark corners and hidden dirt under cabinets, chairs, and more. I started my own professional cleaning business in 2018 to enhance my family’s quality of life. Additionally, I blog full-time on topics related to my field of expertise and work as a solo entrepreneur. One downside to buying a Miele is that you may not have an authorized service center near you.
We appreciated that the noise level on the low setting wasn’t too loud — the high power mode proved slightly louder. In terms of effectiveness, the vacuum got about a third of the debris up in one minute, and the rest followed shortly. While shark dustbuster this vacuum doesn’t thrive with corners and edges of baseboards, it still gets a large percentage of pet hair and dirt off the floor. It proved versatile on all floor types, easy to empty after use, and long-lasting with battery time.