Shark has been on a bit of a tear lately with its new generation of carpet cleaners, and the CarpetXpert EX151 sits in a particularly interesting spot in that lineup. It’s a hybrid design that aims to bridge the gap between Shark’s lightweight, hose-free models and its higher-end flagship machines. The key question we wanted to answer was whether you can remove some of those premium flagship features, lower the price, and still maintain the level of performance we’ve come to expect from the CarpetXpert line. We purchased one ourselves and put it through a series of evaluations to assess its strengths and weaknesses, and to see how it compares within the category.
The Quick Verdict:
After purchasing and testing the Shark CarpetXpert EX151 in our studio, we found it to be a standout pick for 2026. While its 0.6-gallon tank and 5-foot hose are smaller than average, its performance is competitive with flagship models. It recorded a 12.4 unsealed suction score and a 90.1 stain removal score, making it a top-ranking machine on our current Top 5 list. It is an ideal lightweight hybrid for users who want strong cleaning performance without the flagship price tag.
Shark CarpetXpert EX151 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent stain removal (90.1) – One of the top results in testing
- Strong floor-head suction (12.4) – Well above category average for water extraction
- Lightweight design (15.9 lbs) – Easier to maneuver than most in its class
- Built-in hose system – Convenient for stairs, upholstery, and spot cleaning
- Versatile attachments – Includes bristle tool, wide path tool, and crevice tool
Cons
- Small clean water tank (0.6 gallons) – May require frequent refills
- Short hose (5 ft) – Less reach than average for stairs or above-floor cleaning
- Below-average sealed hose suction – May affect some edge-case scenarios
- Frequent refills on large jobs – Interrupts longer cleaning sessions
The Shark CarpetXpert EX151 is a lightweight hybrid carpet cleaner designed to balance performance and value, and testing showed it largely succeeds. It weighs just 15.9 pounds, making it easier to maneuver than the roughly 20-pound category average, and features strong ergonomics, a 25-foot cord, and a convenient built-in hose system for spot cleaning, stairs, and upholstery without extra setup. Attachments like the reversible bristle tool, wide path tool, and integrated crevice tool add versatility. In testing, it delivered above-average unsealed suction at the floor head and excellent stain removal, scoring near the top in a controlled grape juice stain test using timed passes and color measurement. However, there are downsides: its small 0.6-gallon water tank requires frequent refills on larger jobs, the 5-foot hose is shorter than average, and sealed hose suction tested slightly below average. Despite these issues, it ranked highly overall, offering near-flagship cleaning performance at a lower price, making it a strong value pick for users wanting effective cleaning, easy handling, and solid test-proven results. This combination of performance metrics and usability features helped it secure a top-three ranking among tested carpet cleaners in recent evaluations. See additional info
Price as of April 23, 2026
Water Management: 2 Tanks | Auto Dispenser | 2 Cleaning Modes
Cleaning Performance: Cleans in Both Directions | Easy Access to Brush Roll | Above-Floor Cleaning
Tools & User Convenience: Handheld Hose
Attachments: 3.5″ Reversible Bristle Tool, Integrated Crevice Tool & 7″ Wide-Path Tool
| Scores | Shark CarpetXpert EX151 | Average Carpet Cleaner Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Wars Overall | 70.78 | 52.51 |
| Stain Test Score | 90.1 | 83.50 |
| Specs | Shark CarpetXpert EX151 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 15.9 lbs |
| Tank Capacity | 0.6 gal |
| Cord Length | 25 ft |
| Hose Length | 5 ft |
| Cleaning Path Width | 10 in |
| In the Box*: Shark CarpetXpert Upright Deep Carpet Cleaner, 3.5″ Reversible Bristle Tool, Integrated Crevice Tool, 7″ Wide-Path Tool, & 12oz. Deep Clean Essential Formula. | |
Overview of the Shark CarpetXpert EX151
The Shark EX151 is a lightweight carpet cleaner that aims to be the sweet spot in Shark’s current lineup by balancing high-end performance with a more accessible price point. To use it, you fill up the water tank with water and the included cleaning solution, turn it on, and push it back and forth like you would a normal vacuum.
It automatically dispenses water as you clean, so you don’t have to think about pulling a trigger like on other carpet cleaners. It has two modes: a deep cleaning mode and a quick dry mode. After using the deep cleaning mode, you can switch to the quick dry mode to stop dispensing water and reduce drying time.
Built-In Hose and Above-Floor Cleaning Features
The EX151 has what Shark refers to as the built-in spot and stain eliminator, which is essentially an integrated hose that lets you use the machine as a spot cleaner for small stains or for above-floor tasks like stairs and upholstery.
Most carpet cleaners rely on a detachable hose that must be reattached for handheld use. The EX151’s integrated hose eliminates that step, allowing for quick, seamless transitions between the floorhead and hose.
Lightweight Design and Improved Ergonomics
The ergonomics on the EX151 are definitely a real highlight. While the average carpet cleaner we’ve tested weighs in at around 20.1 pounds, the EX151 comes in at just 15.9 pounds. That roughly 5-pound difference is substantial when you’re pushing it back and forth on thick carpet, making it much less tiring to use during longer cleaning sessions.
Its cord length was also above average at 25 feet compared to the 21.8-foot average, which makes it easier to clean larger spaces without needing to switch outlets as often.
Attachments and Cleaning Versatility
It also comes with a variety of useful attachments. There’s a 3.5-inch reversible bristle tool with stiff bristles on one side and rubber on the other for scrubbing tough stains. There’s also the 7-inch wide path tool, which bridges the gap between the smaller tool and the main floor nozzle, effectively doubling the cleaning area for hose-based jobs.
Lastly, there’s an integrated crevice tool built directly into the hose tip. You simply click off the main attachment, and it’s already there and ready to use for hard-to-reach areas.
Suction Power and Water Extraction Performance
We measured the unsealed suction at the floor head, and the results were impressive. The Shark EX151 scored a 12.4, which is significantly above the category average of 7.26. This is a critical metric because stronger suction at the floor head means more effective dirty water extraction during cleaning.
Standardized Stain Removal Performance
Speaking of extraction, it performed exceptionally well in our stain test. In this test, we pour 10 milliliters of grape juice onto white carpet, let it dry for at least 24 hours, then clean it using four timed back-and-forth passes. After drying, we measure the relative lightness of the stain using a colorimeter.
The EX151 scored a 90.1, which is well above the average of 83.5 across the machines we’ve tested. This placed it in second overall among Shark carpet cleaners, reinforcing its strong real-world cleaning performance.
See also: How Vacuum Wars Tests Carpet Cleaners
Water Tank Capacity and Refilling Frequency
Moving on to the cons, we should mention the water tank, which is a common issue for Shark carpet cleaners. The EX151 holds 0.6 gallons of clean water, while the average capacity among tested models is about 0.99 gallons.
If you’re cleaning larger areas, this means you can expect to empty and refill the tanks more frequently than with higher-capacity models.
Hose Length Limitations
Its hose length is another drawback. At just 5 feet, it falls well below the average of 7.8 feet. This is likely a tradeoff due to the built-in hose design, as making it longer could affect the machine’s balance.
It will handle most typical tasks without issue, but if you regularly clean stairs or higher surfaces, this shorter hose length is something to consider.
Best Carpet Cleaners – Vacuum Wars’ always up-to-date rankings of the best upright carpet cleaners. Whether you’re tackling high-traffic areas, pet stains, or just giving your carpets a deep refresh, our top picks make it easy to find the right machine for the job.
Sealed Suction Performance
Despite its excellent unsealed suction, the EX151’s sealed hose suction measured 58, which is slightly below the average of 65. While this didn’t seem to negatively impact its stain removal performance, it could play a role in certain edge cases related to suction efficiency.
Final Verdict and Ranking
Who the CarpetXpert EX151 is For / Not For
Best for: users who want near-flagship cleaning performance in a lighter, easier-to-maneuver design without paying flagship prices.
Not ideal for: larger homes that require longer cleaning sessions, or users who frequently clean stairs and above-floor areas where the smaller tank and shorter hose may be limiting.
After adding up all the scores, the EX151 performed extremely well. It was initially selected as the Best Value pick in our recent Best Carpet Cleaners competition video, but as customer satisfaction data continued to come in, it ultimately moved into the number one position on our Top 5 Carpet Cleaners list on our website, which we update weekly.
There are tradeoffs. The smaller tank means more frequent refills on larger jobs, and the 5-foot hose is shorter than we would prefer. However, its excellent stain removal performance, above-average suction at the floor head, and lightweight hybrid design make it one of the easiest carpet cleaners to maneuver in this category.
If you’re looking for a lightweight carpet cleaner that delivers strong performance without stepping into flagship pricing, the Shark CarpetXpert EX151 is a compelling choice.
Shark CarpetXpert EX151
