I’ve Tested Tons of Vacuums, and This Is the Only One That Gets Up Every Last Crumb (It’s $100 Off!)

Written by

Haley LyndesCommerce SEO Writer at Apartment Therapy
Haley LyndesCommerce SEO Writer at Apartment Therapy
I'm the SEO writer for both Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn. I'm passionate about interior design, decor hacks, finding comfortable bedding (since she sleeps hot), and starting my day with a warm cup of coffee. My work has been featured in BuzzFeed, PopSugar, Travel + Leisure, and other publications.
published Jul 30, 2024
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Legs of Caucasian man vacuuming rug near sofa
Credit: Kolostock/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

In my home, a vacuum is a must. Without one, my white living room carpet would look dirty in a matter of days — that’s all it takes! Not only that, but my hardwood floors don’t take long to collect bundles of dust. Between the two, it’s essential I have the right vacuum for the job (and one that can handle upholstery, too). Vacuuming daily is a colossal pain in the you-know-what, but my carpet was far from cheap, so I’m keeping it for at least a few more years.

Let’s face it: With so many options on the market with different features, it’s always hard to know which vacuum is exactly right for your needs. Luckily, working for Apartment Therapy has granted me the opportunity to test out many vacuums, and trust me, I know a good one when I use it. One of my favorite vacuum brands is Shark, and its latest release — the PowerDetect Upright Vacuum — has everything I’ve been searching for and more.

Quick Overview

A Quick Look at the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum

  • Two-roller system that’s great for carpets and hard flooring
  • DuoClean Detect technology that identifies floor surfaces, dirty areas, and edges for focused suction
  • Flexible head that makes getting under and between tricky furniture effortless
  • LED headlights to help you pick up every last speck of dust and dirt, even in hard-to-see areas
  • Includes a Duster Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool, and HairPro Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush
  • Odor Neutralizer technology that guards against odors inside the vacuum to make your home smell clean

Design Features That Stand Out

This vacuum has the power to clean up the deeply trapped dirt and debris, thanks to its powerful suction and smart DuoClean Detect technology. It senses the type of surface you’re on, detects if there’s embedded dirt, can tell if you’re near a wall or corner, and determines the best direction to move in for the most-efficient cleaning job. It comes with an odor cartridge so that your home smells extra good after each use, and it even has a pet multi-tool and crevice tool, which I like to use on my furniture. 

Credit: Haley Lyndes

How It Performed

Plain and simple: The Shark PowerDetect’s technology is superior. I immediately knew how powerful this vacuum was the moment I used it on my white living room carpet; it sucked up even the most stubborn hairs! It’s incredibly smart, thanks to its auto-detect feature, which knows the exact strength and direction needed for the surface it’s on. Its additional attachments — like the pet multi-tool and crevice tool — are perfect for my couch, too.

I love that the PowerDetect vacuum has lights, so I can see exactly where I’m going and what it’s sucking up. Plus, since the vacuum head has a rubber encasing, you’re never accidentally smashing it against your baseboards. When I’m done cleaning, I simply release its debris tank into the trash and stow it away for next time. Even though it’s corded and a little bulkier, I couldn’t imagine using another vacuum. Now, my living room carpet looks cleaner than ever, and I can actually go a few days between vacuums — woohoo! 

What I Loved

  • DuoClean Detect Technology: With DuoClean Detect, I could feel the vacuum’s motor adjust when it encountered different surfaces. It revved up on dirtier spots and in corners for extra suction and then relaxed on cleaner surfaces. It gives me comfort knowing I’m getting the deepest clean.
  • Self-Cleaning Brush Roll: This brush roll picks up pet hair and long hair without tangling, so I never have to take apart the base to remove hair buildup. It’s one less thing to worry about when maintaining my vacuum.
  • Above-Floor Reach: The wand on the nozzle detaches, making it easy to reach high spaces — like above windows or on top of tables. This means I don’t have to dust my surfaces nearly as much as before.

Good to Know

If there’s one thing I would be aware of, it’s the Direction Detect (a part of the DuoClean Detect technology) that senses the cleaning direction and directs the suction forwards or backwards. Sometimes this quite literally takes the vacuum out of my hand or makes it feel like it has a mind of its own. In these cases, I switch to a manual setting to stop it. It’s not a big deal, just something to be aware of.

Additionally, since it’s not a stick vacuum and takes up more room, it’s probably best for people with bigger apartments or homes — although if you have the space to store it, I highly recommend it! 

Should You Buy the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum?

Overall, I’d say this vacuum is an excellent pick, but I would specifically recommend it for someone who’s looking for one that can:

  • Tackle hair (both human and pet) with ease
  • Vacuum a variety of flooring from hardwood to tile to carpet 
  • Capture deeply embedded debris with strong suction

Not sure if you want it? Shark’s PowerDetect Upright Vacuum has a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out and return it if it’s not a good fit. The vacuum also has a five-year warranty, just in case anything goes awry!

Where to Buy the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum

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