We purchased both the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty models – one that comes with the Clean and Empty stand and one without – and over the past few weeks, we’ve taken them for a thorough spin. We were impressed by their powerful suction and feature-packed designs, making them stand out among the Shark cordless vacuums we’ve tried. In our comprehensive review of the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty, we’ll share our detailed, objective insights on performance, features, pros and cons, and even reveal where they rank on our top 10 cordless vacuum list.
The Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean and Empty is equipped with a specialized charging dock stand designed to automatically empty the vacuum’s dust bin into a larger, bagless reservoir, eliminating the need for frequent manual emptying. It features an updated DuoClean floorhead, which excels at picking up both fine and large debris on hard floors and carpets, as well as an anti-hair-tangle system that reduces hair wrap. The vacuum includes a multi-flex wand that enhances maneuverability under furniture and allows for compact storage. Its high suction power is complemented by several “detect” capabilities, including automatic adjustments for different floor types, dirt levels, direction of movement, and edges. A detachable battery supports extended run times, and LED lights on the floorhead improve visibility while cleaning.See additional info
Current price as of April 8, 2025
Automations: Auto Suction Adjustment | Edge Detect | Direction Detect
Cleaning Heads & Attachments: Duoclean Roller | Soft Roller | Active Hair Removal | Pivoting Wand
Battery & Charging Features: Detachable Battery | Bagless Auto Empty Charging Dock
Lighting & Display: LED Lights
| Scores | Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty | Average Cordless Vacuum Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Wars Overall | 4.49 | 2.51 |
| Performance | 4.56 | 3.00 |
| Hard Floor | 4.14 | 2.22 |
| Carpet | 4.91 | 2.20 |
| Features | 4.61 | 1.89 |
| Battery | 3.61 | 2.11 |
| Attachments | 4.99 | 1.66 |
| Official Battery Life: 70 Minutes |
| Handle Weight: 1804 gr |
| Noise Level: 82 db |
| Dust Bin Capacity: 700 ml |
Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty Cordless Vacuum Versions
The Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty cordless vacuum comes in two versions, with the primary difference being that one model, the IP3251, includes a charging dock stand capable of automatically emptying its dust bin into a bagless container.
Beyond this feature, the dust bin design is the only noticeable difference (aside from color). One is designed to work with the auto-empty bin, while the other is not.
Shark PowerDetect
Clean and Empty IP3251
Price as of April 8, 2025
Shark PowerDetect IP1251
Price as of April 8, 2025
Also, both models are competitively priced compared to other premium cordless vacuums. The price difference between the two versions appears minimal, at least at this point in time.
Since they are essentially the same vacuum, a single set of specifications and performance results will be used throughout this Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty review.
Evaluation and Performance
The cordless vacuum underwent a comprehensive evaluation, where we assessed its performance across a range of real-world cleaning challenges. It delivered strong results in all critical areas.
Performance Highlights
One of the most significant advantages of the Shark PowerDetect is its near-perfect debris pickup. It features an updated DuoClean head, a signature Shark technology known for exceptional performance on hard floors and carpets.
We have consistently found that DuoClean heads are especially good with hard floors. They can dust fine debris and handle extra-large debris that other cordless vacuums struggle to pick up. In fact, the PowerDetect stood out with above-average pickup on both floor types.
And unlike many Dyson soft rollers, there’s no need to switch between a soft roller and a combination carpet roller when moving between surfaces. The Shark PowerDetect seamlessly adapts, allowing continuous vacuuming without interruption (more on this later).
Hair Pickup and Anti-Tangle Feature
The PowerDetect also performed exceptionally well with pet and human hair pickup, capturing everything with impressive efficiency, especially compared to non-soft-roller vacuum heads. The floor head includes Shark’s anti-hair-tangle technology, which uses built-in combs to actively remove hair as the vacuum runs. In our evaluation, this feature worked flawlessly.
Deep Carpet Performance & Suction Power
As for deep carpet and suction performance, the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty delivered strong results. We evaluated its deep carpet cleaning capabilities by embedding sand into medium-pile carpet and running the cordless vacuum on max power for a set number of passes—with the dust bin weighed before and after.
The PowerDetect achieved a perfect score, performing well above average.
Additionally, Shark claims the PowerDetect Clean and Empty model has the highest suction power of any previous Shark cordless vacuum. This was largely confirmed in evaluation, as it registered the highest sealed suction numbers seen from a Shark cordless vacuum to date—well above the average.
Detachable Battery
The PowerDetect features a detachable battery, which Shark states can provide up to 70 minutes of runtime on low power—significantly above average.
In our evaluation, it ran for 13 minutes on maximum power with the floor head attached, which is comparable to the Dyson Gen5detect in a similar configuration.
This means that on auto mode, the PowerDetect Clean and Empty likely averages between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on the proportion of carpeted surfaces.
Usability & Maneuverability
Beyond performance, it’s worth noting that the PowerDetect Clean and Empty was very easy to maneuver, featuring an ergonomic handle and a responsive swivel on the floor head. Overall, it scored high in usability.
Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty cordless vacuum features
Auto-empty dock and bagless bin
Another standout feature is the auto-empty bin. The included stand functions as a charging station and an automatic emptying system. When the vacuum is placed on the dock, it automatically transfers debris from the vacuum’s specialized dust bin into the larger bin in the station.
According to Shark, this container can hold up to 45 days’ worth of debris before needing to be emptied.
Notably, the base’s bin is bagless, which is an uncommon feature in the industry. A switch on the station allows you to choose whether the vacuum empties automatically when docked or not.
MultiFLEX Wand
The PowerDetect also includes the MultiFLEX wand, which enables easy vacuuming under furniture, and it’s a feature that we find highly practical in everyday use. That means no more moving your furniture to get a thorough cleaning done.
This flexible design also allows for compact storage and easy transportation.
Detect Features
Another great thing about this cordless vacuum is the Detect feature. The “detect” technology in the PowerDetect name refers to four distinct features that enhance efficiency and performance.
- Floor Detect: The vacuum automatically recognizes whether it’s cleaning hard floors or carpets and adjusts roller speed and suction power accordingly.
- Dirt Detect: Suction power increases when the vacuum encounters a particularly dirty area. This feature and the Floor Detect feature optimize performance while maximizing battery life because the cordless vacuum gives you boosted power only when needed.
- Direction Detect: A newer feature that adjusts suction based on the vacuum’s movement—whether pushing forward or pulling backward. There’s a redesigned squeegee with multiple channels that helps collect more debris on the backward pull.
- Edge Detect: A sensor on the side detects when the vacuum is near an edge and increases suction to improve cleaning along walls and baseboards.
LED Lights and Filtration
Additional notable features include LED lights on the front for improved visibility while vacuuming. The PowerDetect also incorporates Shark’s complete-seal filtration technology, which traps dust and allergens. Both the vacuum itself and the auto-empty bin feature this sealed system, which successfully passed our fog evaluation.
Cons of the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty
Let’s look at some potential drawbacks before closing out our Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty review. Even though this cordless vacuum has impressive performance and features, a few limitations may matter to you.
The new squeegee design and unsealed suction
It’s great that the updated squeegee design improves debris pickup on the backward pull, but it also allows more airflow into the floor head, which reduces its seal on hard floors. This affected efficiency in specific scenarios, such as crevice pickup, where performance was above average but not as high as expected given its power output.
For similar reasons, its unsealed suction at the floor head was lower than anticipated, registering slightly below average in evaluation. However, neither factor is a deal breaker, as overall hard-floor pickup remained well above average.
Noise Level and Handle Weight
At max power, the noise level was slightly above average. Plus, the handle weight was a bit higher than average due to its larger battery. That noted, it was still significantly lighter than models like the Dyson Gen5Detect or the Dyson V15.
Attachment Set
The included attachment set was fairly minimal. It consists of a combo crevice tool/dusting brush and a combo upholstery tool but lacks a motorized tool or turbo brush—an omission that may disappoint some users.
Additionally, cordless vacuums with this design tend to be less practical in handheld mode, and an extra hose attachment would have improved versatility. This model does not offer one.
Battery Life Indicator
Instead of a digital battery-life indicator displaying exact percentage levels, the PowerDetect Clean and Empty features a more basic LED display. This simpler approach likely helped keep costs down but may be a drawback for those who prefer a more precise battery readout.
Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty Vacuum Review: Conclusion and Recommendation
The biggest strength of the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty cordless vacuum is its exceptional value. Both models are priced competitively (at nearly half the cost of a premium Dyson) and deliver performance that, in many ways, surpasses higher-end models.
After evaluating all factors and compiling the final scores, the PowerDetect models secured impressive rankings on our top 10 list—placing at number two and five, respectively. That’s out of over 100 cordless vacuums we’ve evaluated.
This cordless vacuum is a solid investment if you value strong suction power, advanced features, and a hassle-free auto-empty system. It’s also well-suited for homes with mixed flooring, and the hair cleanup capabilities are excellent if you have pets.
