Vacuum cleaner reviews & vacuum ratings by a professional engineer
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Latest vacuum reviews & articles for 2018
Over the past 10 years we’ve done many Shark Vacuum Reviews. We’ve reviewed mostly Shark upright vacuums but have also investigated steam mops, canister vacuums, stick vacs, and even a Shark handheld unit (the Shark Lift Around NP319). We’ve analyzed the performance of these machines on carpet, on bare floors, AND on pet hair. The results for the best shark vacuums for pet hair - in order of effectiveness – are in the following list:
We have been working with and testing vacuums for over 10 years. During that time we’ve looked at many different brands (Shark, Miele, Dyson, Bissell, Hoover, etc) but we've probably done more detailed reviews of Shark vacuums than any other brand. We have noticed during this time that some models are better-suited for bare/smooth flooring than others.
A few years ago Shark introduced a new technology to their cleaner heads - DuoClean Technology - and this took their hardwood floors cleaning to another level.
In this article we highlight everything you need to know to find the best pet hair vacuum. We cover uprights, canisters, stick vacs and handhelds. A quick summary of the best uprights and canisters is provided in the list:
The Dyson V7 and the Dyson V8 are two of the most popular cordless stick vacuums on the market today. While they are similar in many ways, they also differ in some important aspects - such as run time, suction power, battery specifications, weight, etc. In this article we compare the two vacuums and we also test their cleaning abilities on bare floors and carpet. We were a little surprised with some of our test results...
Avg. consumer rating = 80/100
The Dyson Cyclone V10 is the latest in futuristic-looking stick vacuums from Dyson. The cordless V10 looks slightly different than its predecessors the V6/V7/V8 due to a more air-flow efficient design, however it is still an attractive machine and many folks will proudly display this on the wall in their home. It has a Maximum Mode that generates 51% more power than the V6/V7 and 31% more than the V8. Build quality is solid and it is a great fit for a smaller home or apartment. However for deep cleaning and a larger home you may still want to have a full size vacuum available. Despite the research and upgrades, like all stick vacs you cannot get a long enough run time with “deep cleaning” power to do a large area. This is also a rather expensive vacuum.
Avg. consumer rating = 78/100
The Shark IONFlex 2X IF252 is another interesting vacuum from Shark. It is a bagless, cordless, stick vacuum that sports 2 brushrolls, 2 batteries, and a flexible wand that can bend a full 180 degrees. Consumers like some aspects of this vacuum but are not too crazy about others. In our testing we found the IF252 suction to be strong, especially for a cordless machine, and the unit’s cleaning performance on carpet, bare floors and pet hair is quite good. It is a little on the hefty side for a stick vacuum and some folks feel the handheld component itself is bulky. The MultiFLEX Technology (bendable wand) is something of a hit and miss. It’s useful for storage and while it works for vacuuming under low furniture it can be a little awkward.
Avg. consumer rating = 90/100
The marine blue Miele Compact C2 Electro+ is a lightweight, bagless canister vacuum that is capable on all manner of flooring - from smooth surfaces to low, medium, and even deep pile carpet. This is a great all-rounder machine that is manufactured in Germany. Owners really like the powerful suction, the low noise output, and the top-notch air filtration capabilities. However, the carpet cleaner head is a little on the bulky side, and the tools, which are attached via a clip to the hose, can sometimes get knocked off.
The Cyclone V10 is the latest cordless stick vacuum from Dyson and it is proving to be quite popular. Its recent predecessors are the V6, V7, and V8 (there were also other Dyson stick vacs prior to these). In this article we discuss the pros and cons of the Dyson V10.
Avg. consumer rating = 90/100
The Complete C3 Marin bagged canister vacuum is made in Germany and is one of Miele’s top-end machines. It has a host of features and can handle most any floor type. It includes two floorheads: The Electro Premium Floorhead and the Parquet Twister Floorhead. In addition, it has an automatic suction setting that adjusts suction depending on the flooring – so you don’t have change it manually. The Marin has top notch filtration, so much so that it is essentially a mobile air purifier. It is also extremely quiet and capable at pulling up both cat and dog hair. The powered floorhead is on the heavy side however, and this vacuum does not come cheap.
Avg. consumer rating = 87/100
In this review we look at iLife’s flagship A-series robotic vacuum, the A8. This machine has impressive navigation which works very well in large open areas. A 90 minute run time helps the unit cover a large area and the slim profile makes it able to get under low furniture. In addition, owners are pleased that the A8 has a MAX power mode and also an edge cleaning mode. However, the systematic navigation is sometimes rendered ineffective in areas with lots of obstructions like tables, chairs, etc., and we wish the A8 came with a means to create “no-go” areas. There is no magnetic tape and there are no blocking beacons.
Avg. consumer rating = 90/100
The Miele Complete C3 Calima is an introductory-level C3 canister vacuum. However the C3’s are the top end of Miele’s canister stable so there are still plenty of great features on this machine. The Calima includes 2 cleaner heads – one specially designed for bare floors and the other for carpet/area-rugs/smooth surfaces. The unit also has sound dampening insulation, variable suction, a retractable power cord, and HEPA-level air filtration. This vacuum is not the best choice for medium to deep pile carpet however. It excels on bare floors, area rugs and low pile carpet. The Calima is manufactured in Germany.
Avg. consumer rating = 85/100
I have to admit when I got the Shark ION Robot 750 I was somewhat dubious about robotic vacuums. I’m kind of old school and am used to upright vacuums, canister vacuums, stick vacuums – that kind of thing. I figured small robotic units were novel and interesting but perhaps not really that useful. I have now changed my tune – somewhat. Indeed the unit will not do the job of a larger manual vacuum but that is not really the intended purpose. This machine is designed to keep your floors “reasonably clean” with “minimal effort” expended on your part, and it does that fairly well.
Avg. consumer rating = 82/100
If you are looking for good bang for your buck, the Bissell CleanView Rewind Deluxe model 1819 may fit the bill. This vacuum is designed for bare floors, low & high pile carpet, stairs, upholstery, and even pet hair. It is also affordable and can often be found for under $120. The 1819 is a bagless upright and has a wide cleaning path, scatter-free technology, a turbobrush tool, and an automatic rewind power cord - a great feature not often seen on an upright. The brushroll cannot be turned off however, and the vacuum doesn’t maneuver as well as machines that use swivel steering.
In this article we highlight the pros and cons of the Shark IONFlex 2X IF252. There are two groups of IONFlex vacuums, those with 1 battery and those with 2 batteries. The models with a “2X” in the name come with 2 batteries.
Avg. consumer rating = 85/100
The blue Miele Twist upright vacuum has been replaced by the obsidian black Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick. The Maverick is pretty much an entry level Miele upright and it does not have some of the bells and whistles you will find on the more expensive uprights – such as LED headlights, a HEPA filter, turbo brush tool, etc. Even so, owners are pleased with the vacuum’s variable suction feature (great when cleaning delicate materials), lengthy cleaning reach, and sealed body. They also feel the unit has strong suction. However this is a heavy upright and some people find it difficult to lift and move around. In addition, the hose, while a decent length, is hard to stretch out.
If you want to know the REAL difference between Shark vacuums and Dyson vacuums ask someone who actually has the vacuums. I have personally tested many machines from each company, and as the photo above shows I have a few. In this article we analyze some of the top vacuums from both companies, compare specifications and provide pros & cons.
Avg. consumer rating = 90/100
This vacuum is the smaller brother of the Dyson Ball Animal 2. Does that mean it is not as good? No – not necessarily. While the Dyson Ball Multi-Floor 2 has less suction than its big brother, it is also lighter, less expensive, and there is still more than enough suction for most cleaning jobs. In our opinion the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 packs a punch and is actually a very good fit for some households. Consumers are pleased with the vacuum’s maneuverablity, capability on different surfaces, and easy maintenance. However, there are some issues, one of them being the machine’s difficulty in moving on some deep pile carpet. We see this on both the Multi-Floor and the Animal.
Avg. consumer rating = 92/100
The Dyson V7 Motorhead, with its futuristic cyclonic cylinders and deep pink color, is a very striking stick vacuum. This machine cannot be mistaken for any other vacuum - but does it perform? If consumer ratings are any indicator then the answer is yes. Ratings for the V7 are very good and owners praise the unit for its light weight, power and convenience. Owners are also pleased that the vacuum is quiet, great for doing stairs, and able to clean carpet, rugs and bare floors. However, like many cordless vacuums, there are folks who feel the run time is inadequate for their cleaning needs. In addition, the V7 Motorhead, while great for quick cleanups, is not a full size vacuum and will struggle with larger more extensive cleaning jobs.
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Hello!I'm Nigel Russco, a 50 year old professional engineer originally from the west coast of Canada. I love to review vacuums and I’ve been doing just that since 2008.
I make every effort to write unbiased, intelligent vacuum cleaner reviews and I provide average consumer ratings for each and every vacuum cleaner I investigate. My ultimate goal is to ensure you find the best vacuum for your cleaning needs.
I also like to help when I can so feel free to send comments.
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