Today’s focus is on identifying the best Shark carpet cleaner. Shark is still a relatively new player in the carpet cleaner market, but it’s holding its own. In our 2024 overall carpet cleaner competition, where we evaluated all major brands, Shark’s flagship at the time, the EX201 CarpetXpert, surprised us by finishing in first place. Since then, they’ve released several new carpet cleaner models spanning different feature sets and price points. For this evaluation, we purchased all of Shark’s current models ourselves and put them through a full round of assessments, including a redesigned stain reduction evaluation using a colorimeter. We’ll walk through everything we found and ultimately name our favorite overall Shark carpet cleaner, along with our best value pick.
Overview of Shark’s Carpet Cleaner Lineup
We were surprised to find that nearly all of Shark’s newer carpet cleaners outperformed their previous flagship model. That result suggests Shark made meaningful improvements to an already competitive design. At a high level, Shark’s carpet cleaner lineup breaks down into two main categories.
The first is a larger design that includes a hose, which can be used for scrubbing tough stains or handling above-floor cleaning tasks like stairs and upholstery. The second is a slightly smaller, lighter design that doesn’t include a hose and is typically sold at a lower price point.
The first-generation versions of these designs were the EX201 and the EX121. Since then, Shark has released several additional models with redesigned elements. That includes their new flagship EX300 series, which includes the EX304 that we evaluated.
One thing Shark does differently than many competitors is how they handle hoses. Every Shark model that includes a hose (specifically the EX151, EX201, EX251, and EX304) has that hose permanently onboard. That means the hose is always attached to the machine and ready to use. With most carpet cleaners, you need to locate the hose separately and attach it when you want to use it.
Shark’s approach makes switching to hose cleaning far more convenient, much like a traditional upright vacuum. It’s a meaningful usability advantage.
How Shark Carpet Cleaners Work
In terms of basic operation, all of Shark’s carpet cleaners work in the same fundamental way. You fill the clean water tank with water and Shark’s included cleaning solution, turn the machine on, and begin cleaning.
All the models we evaluated had two cleaning modes. One uses more water, which Shark calls Deep Clean, while the other uses less water and dries faster. All machines automatically dispense water as you move the cleaner back and forth across the carpet, unlike some other carpet cleaners that use a trigger-controlled spray.
Both the previous and new flagship models also include a third tank for undiluted oxy solution. This solution automatically mixes with the standard cleaning formula during operation, which is a distinctive feature. In our evaluations, we closely examined whether it had a noticeable impact on stain reduction.
Ergonomics and Design
Across the board, Shark’s carpet cleaners have very good ergonomics. They’re light, easy to push, and feel more like a well-designed upright vacuum than a bulky carpet cleaner. Even the heaviest model we assessed, the EX304, is still about one pound lighter than the average carpet cleaner in our current testing database.
One particularly interesting model in the lineup is the EX151. It’s a hybrid design that combines the smaller, lighter body of the hose-less models with a full-onboard hose. Despite having a cord 5 feet longer than most, it’s still the second-lightest model in the lineup. And because it includes a hose, it effectively delivers the best of both worlds.
Motor Power and Suction Evaluations
When it comes to raw power, Shark’s older models and the EX151 hybrid use 8-amp motors, while most newer models use more powerful 9.5-amp motors. Higher amperage generally indicates a stronger motor, though design efficiency also matters.
We conducted two different suction evaluations. The first measured suction directly at the hose for models that included one. The second was an unsealed suction evaluation, which measures suction at the floor nozzle. In our experience, unsealed suction is a better indicator of real-world carpet cleaning performance.
In the hose suction evaluation, the 9.5-amp models clearly came out ahead, with the EX304 producing the highest suction. It delivered significantly more hose suction than the previous flagship EX201.
In the unsealed suction evaluation, the results were much closer. All Shark models scored well above the average, which was impressive. One anomaly was the EX304. It showed higher-than-average sealed suction but noticeably lower unsealed suction compared to the other Shark models.
We suspect the above result is due to the EX304’s design. The EX304 is the only model that automatically shifts suction from the hose to the floor head when you lean the machine back. Other Shark models with hoses use a physical switch that you manually engage.
That design difference likely explains the measurement discrepancy, and importantly, it didn’t appear to negatively affect real-world performance.
Updated Stain Reduction Evaluation Method
For this review of the best Shark carpet cleaners, we applied exactly 10 mL of grape juice to white carpet samples and allowed the stains to dry for at least 24 hours. Each machine was then used exactly as directed, with the appropriate solution type and amount.
We performed four timed back-and-forth cleaning passes, allowed the carpet to dry fully, and then measured stain removal by analyzing the relative lightness of the carpet fibers using a colorimeter.
Overall, the stain reduction results were extremely impressive. Every model scored above average in our stain reduction testing, and in several cases, the stain was completely removed from the white carpet without any pre-treatment. That’s not something we typically see.
The EX304 achieved the best stain reduction score, but it was essentially tied with several newer models, including the EX221, EX151, and EX251. The only clear underperformers in the stain reduction evaluation were the first-generation EX201 and EX121.
This result is especially notable because the EX201 won our competition last year with a similar stain score. That tells us Shark has meaningfully improved performance across the lineup rather than relying on a single standout model.
Hose Performance and Spot Cleaning Results
We ran a smaller set of hose-based stain trials and compared those results with the Shark Stain Striker spot cleaner, which we assessed using the same method. The process involved spraying the stain, waiting five minutes, and scrubbing for one minute.
Using this approach, the EX304’s hose with its standard attachment scored 87.9. That’s very similar to the first-generation upright stain results and essentially identical to the Shark Stain Striker’s score.
Based on this, we’d say the hose works very well for stairs, upholstery, pet beds, and other areas an upright cleaner can’t reach. However, for set-in carpet stains (especially with newer models), upright mode still delivers better overall results.
Attachments and Maintenance Features
Attachment sets vary by model. All Shark models with hoses include a small brush built directly into the hose, which may be useful for very tight or hard-to-reach areas. They also all include a 3.5-inch reversible bristle tool, which we found to be the most useful attachment overall.
Some models include additional tools. For example, the EX151 adds a 7-inch wide path tool. Both the older and newer flagship models include a pet mess extractor tool designed for wet stains like urine, which pulls liquid into a removable reservoir.
The EX304 stands out by offering the most attachments and being the only model in Shark’s current lineup with an onboard hose self-cleaning system. This system sprays water through the hose to clean it, which is especially valuable if you frequently handle messy jobs.
Water Tank Capacity
One area where Shark consistently falls short compared to competitors is water tank size. All of the models have very similar tank capacities of just over half a gallon, roughly half the capacity of the average carpet cleaner. This matters most if you’re cleaning multiple rooms in one session.
Using Shark’s low-water cleaning mode can help extend cleaning time between refills, but if you’re cleaning large areas, expect to empty and refill the tanks fairly often.
Final Results and Winners
So, which of Shark’s new models is currently the best Shark carpet cleaner? After adding up all the scores, two models stood out. If you want Shark’s most full-featured machine, the EX304 is the clear flagship. If you want the best balance of price, portability, and hose versatility, the EX151 is the standout value.
1st Place: Shark CarpetXpert EX304
Our Best Overall winner is the Shark CarpetXpert EX304. It offers the most features, the strongest overall specifications, and the best stain reduction performance in the lineup. It achieved all of this while remaining lighter than average and selling at a price comparable to those of Hoover and Bissell’s flagship models.
Shark CarpetXpert EX304
Price as of January 28, 2026
2nd Place: Shark CarpetXpert EX151
Our Best Value pick is the Shark CarpetXpert EX151. This hybrid model combines a smaller, lighter body with a full onboard hose. It finished second in stain reduction and includes the longest cord in the lineup. Most importantly, it’s currently selling at a significant discount compared to the other second-generation models, making it an excellent all-around value.
Shark CarpetXpert EX151
Price as of January 28, 2026
Final Thoughts on the Best Shark Carpet Cleaners
In the end, Shark has quickly become one of the most impressive brands in the carpet cleaner space, with several CarpetXpert models delivering excellent stain removal and user-friendly designs. Whether you choose the feature-packed EX304 or the best-value EX151, Shark’s current lineup offers strong options for deep cleaning carpets, tackling pet messes, and refreshing high-traffic areas. We’ll continue testing new carpet cleaners as they’re released and updating our rankings as performance data evolves, so be sure to check back regularly at Vacuum Wars for the latest hands-on reviews and our most up-to-date picks for the best carpet cleaners available.
FAQ: Best Shark Carpet Cleaners
Are Shark carpet cleaners any good?
Yes. Based on our in-house testing, Shark’s current CarpetXpert lineup performed extremely well in stain reduction and usability. Shark is still newer to the carpet cleaner category than brands like Hoover or Bissell, but several of its newer models delivered results that were well above average in our evaluations.
What is the best Shark carpet cleaner right now?
Our top overall pick is the Shark CarpetXpert EX304. It earned the highest combined performance scores in our testing, offered the most attachments, and delivered excellent stain reduction results across our updated colorimeter-based evaluations.
What is the best value Shark carpet cleaner?
The Shark CarpetXpert EX151 is our best value pick. It combines a lighter body with a full onboard hose and strong stain-cleaning performance, while typically selling for significantly less than Shark’s flagship models.
What’s the difference between the Shark EX304 and EX151?
The EX304 is Shark’s most full-featured upright carpet cleaner, with the widest attachment set and a built-in hose self-cleaning system. The EX151 is smaller and lighter, but still includes an onboard hose, making it a strong hybrid option for buyers who want versatility at a lower cost.
Do Shark carpet cleaners work well for pet stains?
Yes. Several Shark models include pet-focused tools, such as a wet mess extractor designed for accidents like urine or muddy paw prints. In our stain testing, Shark’s newer CarpetXpert models performed especially well, even without pretreatment in many cases.
Can Shark carpet cleaners be used on stairs and upholstery?
Models that include a hose—such as the EX151, EX251, and EX304—can be used for above-floor cleaning tasks like stairs, upholstery, pet beds, and spot cleaning. Upright mode, however, generally delivers better deep-cleaning results for large carpeted areas.
Do Shark carpet cleaners have large water tanks?
No. One downside of Shark’s lineup is tank capacity. Most models hold just over half a gallon of water, which is smaller than the average upright carpet cleaner. For larger cleaning jobs, you may need to refill the tanks more often.
Do Shark carpet cleaners spray automatically?
Yes. All the Shark models we tested dispense water automatically during cleaning passes, so there is no trigger to hold down. They also include multiple cleaning modes, including a Deep Clean setting and a faster-drying low-water mode.
How often does Vacuum Wars update its carpet cleaner rankings?
We regularly test new carpet cleaner models as they’re released and update our performance rankings as new data becomes available. If you’re shopping for a carpet cleaner, it’s a good idea to check back often for the latest hands-on results and updated top picks.
