Stick vacuum cleaners are an appealing prospect to many apartment owners because while they generally have the same power and capacity as an upright cleaner, they are lightweight and have a sense of versatility and ease of use that make them convenient and desirable for small jobs unlike the upright models.
Corded and Cordless Shark Stick Models
As this introductory guide to Shark Stick Vacuums aims to show, even though there are many similarities in the features and functions of these slim models, they actually have some important differences that ensure that Shark has created quite a versatile range to appeal to different users.
1. Shark Rocket HV343AMZ Corder Stick Vacuum
The Shark Rocket HV343AMZ is built to be lightweight at the expense of power and dust capacity. However, the DuoClean Powerfins head makes up for the motor, and its flexible design lets it cover most types of vacuuming. The result is a model that excels in cleaning stairs and picking up pet hair without any major weaknesses.
The DuoClean Powerfins head uses a soft brush roller and a finned roller to lift dirt from carpet and pull everything from fine dust to large debris toward the air stream. The result is a vacuum that works well for every cleaning task from picking up cereal from floors to removing sand from entry rugs.
This self-cleaning head is also the most tangle resistant you can buy today. Clean up a house full of pet hair, and you may only find one or two hairs wrapped around the rollers.
The 0.68 quart dust cup is half the size of some Shark stick models. However, those trade-offs result in a vacuum that weighs just under ten pounds. The attachments, head and wand are interchangeable. Attach the DuoClean head directly to the vacuum body, and you have a high speed handheld stair cleaner. Need to reach up high? Snap one of the attachments to the wand, and your stick vacuum is now a long-reaching crevice vacuum. This vacuum isn’t self-standing, but with 30 feet of cord, you’ll rarely need to lean the Rocket against the wall to switch outlets.
2. Shark IZ462H DuoClean Cordless Stick Vacuum
For the best of cordless convenience, the Shark IZ462H DuoClean offers a lot more than you’d bargain for. This is an incredibly versatile stick vacuum at a very reasonable price for a high-end cordless machine. When using a cordless vacuum, your working time is always an important consideration.
The most convenient way to maximize your working time is to have two batteries. This way you always have one on charge whilst using the other.
Of course, this usually means buying a second battery and not all cordless vacuums come with a separate charging station. The Shark stick DuoClean cordless vacuum comes with two lithium-ion batteries and a charger, giving you added value for money.
The extra battery is but one of many reasons why the Shark IZ462H DuoClean is one the best that you’ll find. The innovative MultiFlex design makes this the best stick vacuum for cleaning under furniture. The handle is able to bend and this means that you can reach anywhere without any effort. This flexibility is also great for storing the vacuum. By folding the handle down, it takes up half the height of a regular upright vacuum cleaner. For cleaning high areas like ceilings and troublesome areas like stairs, this Shark model is also fantastic. It converts to a handheld vacuum cleaner in an instant. With the long wand, it’s possible to clean everywhere without stretching.
At a weight of only 9.04 pounds, you can hold the nifty little Shark in one hand. The dust cup a reasonable size (maybe not the best), but 0.34 quarts is quite adequate and it does make the Shark really easy to use as a handheld vacuum. Having a larger dust cup would add bulk and weight to the machine. Bright LED lights on the cleaning head are a nice addition and really helps you to see what you’re doing when cleaning under furniture and in dark corners of the home.
Generally, Shark vacuum cleaners are among the best at adapting to both hard floors and carpets. This model certainly holds true to this statement. The DuoClean brush roll setup means that you get a bristle brush that’s excellent for carpets, even with a deep pile. For cleaning hard floors to a perfect shine and sucking up large debris, you have a soft brush roll. Apart from the expected duster crevice tool, the Shark IZ462H DuoClean also comes with a Pet Multi-tool and an anti-allergen brush. The anti-allergen complete seal system and excellent washable foam filters further enhance the Shark’s ability to give you clean virtually allergen-free air in your home. However, these are not HEPA filters, so I wouldn’t recommend this Shark vacuum as their best model for people with allergies. I know that Shark sells a wide range of additional filters (including HEPA), but I haven’t been able to confirm whether any of these are suitable for this DuoClean model.
The Shark IZ462H vacuum is definitely one of the best stick vacuums around. It’s lightweight and versatile design makes it ideal for cleaning every corner of your home and it’s a breeze to use when cleaning the interior of your car. As with all Shark products, you’ll get fantastic dealership service and this model has one the best warranties anyone could hope for – an extraordinary 5-year warranty.
3. Shark APEX ZS362 Corded with Zero-M Anti-Hair Wrap
One of the drawbacks to compact stick vacuums is the small dust cup. You have to empty them frequently and this is not the best for large areas. An increased dust cup capacity is one of several advantages to the Shark APEX (ZS362) Duo Clean Stick vacuum cleaner.
As with any Shark vacuum, you know that you’re getting the best quality and outstanding technology. The extra-large dust cup holds a staggering 0.74 quarts, this is more than twice the capacity of the HV301 Shark Rocket. Added to this, is an extended working range, thanks to a longer, 30 Ft power cord.
Versatility and convenience are further enhanced by the fact that you can remove the upright pipe very easily and use the Shark APEX Duo Clean as a handheld portable vacuum. This is ideal for cleaning upholstery, curtains and the interior of your car.
This Shark stick vacuum is perfect for cleaning up hair, long or short. If you have pets, you’ll certainly appreciate this. The bristle brush roll transitions effortlessly from carpets to hard floors, scooping all the debris and hair in its path. What’s more, it removes hair from the bristles on the go. The Zero-M hair removal system is simple in its brilliance. The bristle guard, and a combing device, work together, removing hair from the brush roll as it rotates. These are then sucked up directly into the large dust cup.
Swivel steering is another way that the Shark ZS362 makes you home cleaning job easier and more pleasurable. It also has bright LED lights to illuminate the cleaning path. While this is not the lightest stick vacuum in the Shark lineup, it is no heavyweight either, weighing a very reasonable 10 pounds.
The reasons for considering this as one of the very best Shark stick vacuums are self-evident. It’s as powerful as you’ll ever need, has an extraordinarily large dust cup, and an ingenious hair removal system. All this packaged into an elegant and versatile machine with legendary Shark reliability and excellent customer support.
4. Shark Navigator Cordlesss Stick SV1106
This final model in this introduction to Shark stick vacuums differs again because it has ditched the 30ft cord that was appreciated on the TruePet in favor of a cordless, battery operated design. Again there are many aspects that have been retained here, such as the simple, extra-slim look, the use of swivel steering and the ability to switch from carpet to hardfloor, but this time the unique selling point is the “cordless convenience” and the precision charger.
This final model in this introduction to Shark stick vacuums differs again because it has ditched the 30ft cord that was appreciated on the TruePet in favor of a cordless, battery operated design. Again there are many aspects that have been retained here, such as the simple, extra-slim look, the use of swivel steering and the ability to switch from carpet to hardfloor, but this time the unique selling point is the “cordless convenience” and the precision charger.
Despite this, the feedback for this Navigator model is incredibly positive. It may be heavier than the True Pet at 11lbs but not so much that it makes it difficult to manoeuvre, as the shape means that it gets around and underneath furniture just as easily as the other two models, and it has a gentle, effective suction for a great, quick clean.
5. Shark DuoClean Rocket Corded HV382
If you thought that buying one of the best Shark stick vacuum cleaners is going to cost you an arm and a leg – think again. Even though the Shark DuoClean Rocket (HV382) upright vacuum isn’t the cheapest you’ll find, it’s well-priced for this class vacuum cleaner.
Being a corded vacuum it might not be as versatile as a battery-powered vacuum, but a 30 FT cord does give it a really good working range. It converts into a hand vacuum very easily and is really light at 4.6-pounds. Even when used as an upright vacuum, the Shark Rocket isn’t heavy at all – 9.9-pounds. The cleaning path isn’t as wide as many other Shark upright vacuums, but a width of 8.5-inches has its advantages.
The Shark HV382 Rocket will fit into areas where others can’t. It also has a swivel head with great LED lights, so it’s pleasure to use.
If you’re not yet familiar with the Shark DuoClean system, you’re going to be impressed. The double brush rolls on this vacuum give you best of both. A bristle brush is the best for deep cleaning carpets and then there’s a soft brush roll for cleaning and buffing hard floors, as well as removing piles of large debris. There’s also a hair removal tool for maintaining the brush roll.
Pet owners will love the Shark DuoClean Rocket for the really effective Pet multi-tool. The other accessories include a duster crevice tool and wall-mount storage hook. For larger homes, the Shark Rocket is far better than most lightweight stick vacuums, the dust cup holds an impressive 0.91 dry quarts. You won’t be emptying it as often as many others.
If you consider that Shark is one of best brands when it comes to quality vacuum cleaners, the Shark DuoClean Rocket HV382 offers incredible value for money. You’re getting a lot of great features and some handy accessories in an easy to use and compact stick vacuum. When it comes to peace of mind, you can’t beat the Shark VIP lifetime warranty that they offer with this vacuum. In my opinion, Shark is about the best when it comes to offering outstanding warranties and this is a clear indication of the confidence that they have in their products.
6. Shark Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum HV302
The first model to consider here is the HV302 Rocket, a corded example that has the key selling point of multi-surface cleaning and great versatility as it promises to deep clean carpets while never losing suction. In order to provide this, the vacuum has a two speed brush roll that lets it clean carpets on the highest speed and switch to something more gentle for hard-floor surfaces.
Buyers feel that the power provided to do this is more than adequate for a stick vacuum and many mention the satisfactory results they have achieved.
Multifunctionality really is the primary benefit here because buyers can use this device on a range of surfaces from top to bottom, thanks to the attachments for upholstery, crevices and the quick release wand for the ceiling, and it also has the swivel action and simple maneuverability that have become a staple part of these Shark stick vacuums – even with the presence of the cord. The only problems with this model are that its small, convenient size leads to a frequent need to clean it out and that it is top heavy, meaning it cannot stand up on its own.
7. Shark Rocket DeluxePro Corded Vacuum HV322
The creation of the HV322 Rocket is a great example of the versatility in the Shark range that was mentioned above because this one makes pet hair its main priority. It still retains many of the basic features and design elements of this minimalist, lightweight range, weighing in at just under 8lbs, and it continues to be effective for bare floor cleaning; however, the inclusion of the motorized handheld brush for carpets means that this multi-surface cleaning gets an extra boost to allow it to be even more beneficial for pet hair.
This function should make this Shark stick vacuum a much more appealing model to pet owners but it must be noted that there are some flaws in the suction that mean that removal of pet hair is not quite as straightforward as it should be.
Buyers love the fact that the dust cup is significantly bigger on this model but it would be even better if the hair went there straight away without getting caught on the brush. This issue aside, the vacuum does have some neat bonus features to increase its appeal further, such as the long cord and LED lighting, and it is still a helpful tool for pet owners in apartments.