In our guide to shop vacs, we do recommend two full-size models, which are a better fit for more heavy-duty jobs. The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Slim HLVC320J01 seemed promising at first because of its decent suction, but it had an especially slow charge time (10 hours) and an extremely narrow crevice tool. We also had difficulties opening the dustbin during our testing and ended up showered with glitter. Most vacuums we tested ran out of juice within just a few minutes in boost mode; this Ryobi model, in contrast, ran for 18 minutes.
But they can’t easily pick up and properly filter dust and other fine particles, and bigger debris fills up the small dustbin too quickly. When we test vacuums in the Cleaning Lab, cleaning performance is our number one concern. We want to know how well shark stick vacuum each model picks up dirt and debris embedded into carpet, sprinkled on bare floors and trapped along wall edges. We test how adept each vacuum is at removing pet hair stuck to carpeting as well as ease-of-use concerns like how heavy it is to carry.
We’ve concluded that the Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit is the best for most jobs. Overall, both Shark and Dyson vacuums perform well in our tests and we have recommended them both often. Read on to see the differences between them that we’ve found through testing and brand research and that you should know before choosing.
Miele’s auto-rewind function is smoother than that of the SEBO Airbelt K3 and particularly convenient when compared with the manual cord hooks of most upright models. Predicted brand reliability is based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased cordless stick vacuums, not covered by an extended warranty or service contract, within the first five years of ownership. An on/off switch for the rotating brush shark stick vacuum lets you stop the brush from rotating when using tools or cleaning bare floors. This helps eliminate scattered dirt on bare floors and reduces the risk of injury if the vacuum tips over during use. It also reduces the risk of damaging a carpet or the finish of a bare floor if the vacuum sits in place at the low-height setting. It lacks the suction power to lift debris stuck in cracks when using its floorhead.
For easy jobs, it was just as effective as a more powerful model, such as the AdvancedClean+ HHVK515JP07. It wasn’t as capable of picking up fur and dusty debris like baking soda from furniture, though it did fine with glitter. This model comes with a two-year warranty, which exceeds the coverage of many other handheld vacuum cleaners.
The non-motorized parquet brush has soft horsehair bristles designed for delicate wood flooring. If you live in a small petless apartment with just a couple of rugs, you may get away with a cordless stick or a robot as your sole vacuum cleaner. But if you have a bigger home, or if you have pets, lots of rugs, or wall-to-wall carpets, you’ll likely want a plug-in upright or canister model. Unfortunately, its floorhead is rather tangle-prone, and since its roller isn’t designed for easy removal, it can be a hassle to clean. When we tested out the vacuum, we were pleased to find that it came fully assembled, and that its serious power was immediately obvious the moment we turned it on.