We've tested 68 vacuums at Homes & Gardens and know what makes a great-quality vacuum worth the usually hefty spend. That's why when there is a limited-time deal worth shouting about, we do exactly that.
Right now, the Shark POWERDETECT is on offer with $130 off at Shark. As a professional vacuum tester and somebody who spends every day testing and writing about them, this is a discount you don't want to miss.
The Shark POWERDETECT is the best upright vacuum and the best Shark vacuum we've ever tested. It boasts smart features, incredible suction power, easy cleaning, and even stress-free pet hair pickup.
Why we love the Shark POWERDETECT Upright Vacuum
Of the vacuum cleaners we've tested, the Shark POWERDETECT is easily the best-performing upright. In almost all aspects – suction power, ease of use, smart features, pet hair pickup – it excels, and does so at an incredibly reasonable price, especially when you compare it to the usual costs of one of the best Dyson vacuum cleaners.
In all of our tests on small powders, dust, large debris, and pet hair, the Shark POWERDETECT cleaned up swiftly. In his review, our expert tester James Holland wrote: 'It took just a single pass with each test for the vacuum to suck up whatever was on the floor.'
It's also one of our top picks for the best vacuums for pet hair. James lives with heavy-shedding cats, and when cleaning up a fur-filled carpet in his home, the POWERDETECT had no issues.
'With one pass, the Shark POWERDETECT had basically picked up every visible piece of hair (as well as litter near the litter box) from the carpet, filling the dust bin with an amount of hair equal to a second cat,' he wrote.
The reason behind the 'POWERDETECT' name is the vacuum's ability to detect the type of floor being vacuumed and what's on it. Then, it can automatically adjust the suction power so that it's optimized for the level of mess. If you're vacuuming carpet or a particularly dirty area, the suction power will ramp up. If not, it'll return to a quieter and less energy-consuming level.
It's why the POWERDETECT works as a great multi-surface vacuum, vacuum for carpets, and vacuum for hardwood floors. It has two brushrolls, one soft and one with bristles, so that it can capture all kinds of dirt and debris from different surfaces. And being able to detect the floor type and automatically adjust its power means that you can pass onto delicate surfaces (such as tile or wood) without fear of scratching them.
Another stand-out feature is what Shark calls 'Lift-Away.' It allows you to remove a detachable pod from the main vacuum unit for more lightweight cleaning, making it so much easier to clean tricky areas like stairs or cars.
The vacuum also neutralizes odors, using a cartridge that freshens the air flowing out of the vacuum. You also get a crevice tool and a pet multi-tool, or you can upgrade to the Shark POWERDETECT TruePet Edition for two extra odor cartridges, a motorized hair brush attachment, a dusting brush, a multi-angled brush, and an under appliance wand.
The Shark POWERDETECT Upright Vacuum is available for $299.99 at Shark using code POWER130.
More vacuum picks that passed out tests
The Shark POWERDETECT is a stellar deal, and in my professional opinion the best vacuum you'll get at that price. But if it's not quite what you're looking for, here are some alternatives with different specs that are priced similarly.
Another reasonably priced upright vacuum we've tested is this pet model from Bissell. Its cleaning performance isn't as spectacular as others, but for the price, it's a reliable vacuum that can clean messes from every surface, albeit a little slower than its pricier competitors.
Read more in our full Bissell SurfaceSense Allergen Pet Lift-Off review.
For an extra $100, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is another great upright vacuum. Its suction is a little more powerful than the Shark POWERDETECT's, so much so that it heavily suctions itself to the floor, but it lacks the floor detection and odor-neutralization features of the Shark.
Read more in our full Dyson Ball Animal 3 review.
If you're interested in a more lightweight vacuum, and one with more convenient cleaning, Shark's latest cordless the PowerDetect seriously impressed us on test, vacuuming dust, debris and pet hair from thick carpets with ease.
Read more in our full Shark PowerDetect Cordless review.
If you're shopping on a budget but want great vacuum performance, our rigorously tested best Dyson alternatives offers great options worth the spend.
