If you’re looking for a powerful vacuum in a more compact construction, the sleek Shark IW3511 Detect Pro Auto-Empty System is a strong contender. This rechargeable cordless vac’s standout feature is its auto-emptying base that also functions as a charging dock. That, plus the HEPA filtration technology and the dust bin holding up to 30 days’ worth of debris, also makes this a great pick for those with allergies.
After obsessively researching popular and highly-rated mop vacs at various price points, over the years, I’ve tried 12 models at home. I assembled each according to the manual (or quick start guide if included) and fully charged the batteries as instructed. My mop vac is also great for doing a quick panic clean when I’m expecting guests. When you’re done, the S7 self cleans itself and charges on a dock that has additional storage for the included cleaning brush and spare microfiber roller. This model also comes with a cleaning brush, an extra HEPA filter, and a small bottle of cleaning solution concentrate (only a capful is needed for each cleaning cycle). Unplug your vacuum once it’s fully charged—or better yet, charge it only when you need it.
Airflow measures the amount of air pulled through the hose during operation. It’s often considered a better measure of a vacuum cleaner’s performance than waterlift, because it takes into account the resistance of the filter, bag and any other impedances to airflow. Sebo originally manufactured industrial strength vacuums for German hotels and is still the standard for professional floor cleaners. We know from other vacuums that those that started commercially are often the most durable.
But its five-year limited warranty covers only the motor; if anything else breaks, you’re out of luck. Keeping her multi-pet home clean is one of her more acceptable obsessions. The Dyson and Tineco models all have bin volumes of about 0.6 liter, which is fairly common across the category.
With one click, you release it directly into a bin and then fit another one. Each standard purchase of the vacuum comes with 26 Henry pods which are made of up to 65 percent recycled material and are carbon offset, so you can go through them relatively guilt-free. Shark’s Detect Pro Cordless Vacuum (£199) might better suit anyone who enjoys shark stick vacuum Shark’s technologies but wants something a little more lightweight. All in all the vacuum feels sturdy and, although I’ll have to report back on this front, feels like it will last a long time. We still rate the Vax Blade 4 (£159) highly, which is slightly lighter at 3.1kg and comes with an extra battery for double the run time.
On test, it offered powerful suction that whipped away discarded biscuit crumbs, ground-in dirt, cereal and cat biscuits almost instantly. However, we found the larger size shark handheld vacuum made the vacuum cumbersome to use in handheld mode. Performance is top-notch but it’s also the most expensive vacuum we’ve tested, putting it out of reach of some.
Just like in robot tests, the width of the test bed is proportional to the vacuum’s nozzle width. We also use nozzle width, plus the flooring type, to calculate the soil density for each test, per IEC guidelines. Despite having come down in cost since their inception, quality robot vacuums tend to be far pricier than their stick and upright cousins. Our top-rated budget robot vacuum is $400, but most good bot vacs will cost you $500 or more, and some as much as $1,000 or more. These premium models often include a wet-mop feature, intelligent home mapping and powerful suction.
“You need to first decide your budget and what it is you’re looking for in a vacuum,” says Aaron Wilson, home appliance expert at JustAnswer. “A cordless vacuum is powered by a battery and has a lot of mobility and versatility. They are great for small household chores shark handheld vacuum as well as great for cleaning out your car.” But corded vacuums “are typically more powerful and have more capacity,” he says. Its cordless design ensures you can reach every part of your car’s interior without parking near an outlet or dealing with a power cable.
We tested the Dyson Gen5detect and have added our thoughts to this guide. Plug the charger into the port on vacuum, usually located at the top near the handle. Due to its contents, this product cannot be shipped via our Priority Service or sent to Alaska, Hawaii, P.O. Her work has previously been published by The New York Times, The Guardian, Psychology Today, and many other publications. When she is not following her dream of an immaculate home and a flood-proof basement, she is taking care of her menagerie and creating magical animal quilts.