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Complete Shark PowerDetect Review: Is It Better?

The Shark PowerDetect is the brand-new flagship upright vacuum from Shark. The company claims it has more power and features than almost any other upright vacuum on the market, so we bought one to find out if thatโ€™s true. After rigorous evaluations over the past few weeks, itโ€™s clear that this vacuum lives up to the hype. As a result, the vacuum has climbed to the number one spot in the Vacuum Wars ranking system for upright vacuums. In this Shark PowerDetect review, weโ€™ll go over the pros, cons, and features to help you make an informed decision. 

New from Shark
Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum
$499.99 $399.99
The Shark PowerDetect swiftly became one of our favorites among upright vacuums, blending unparalleled power with groundbreaking features. Its exceptional performance in picking up all types of debris and hair on various surfaces, coupled with innovative technologies like the DuoClean roller and Shark's active hair removal system, solidifies its position as a top performer. The addition of 'detect' featuresโ€”such as Floor Detect and Edge Detectโ€”enhances its usability by automating adjustments for different cleaning scenarios, making it smarter than its predecessors. The Powered Lift-Away feature remains a standout, offering versatility in cleaning reach and method. Although it's on the heavier side and priced at a premium, the comprehensive capabilities and ease of use presented by the Shark PowerDetect justify its position as a leader in the vacuum cleaner market.
Pros:
  • Excellent debris pickup
  • Advanced 'detect' features
  • DuoClean roller system
  • Active hair removal
  • Powerful suction
  • Complete Seal HEPA filtration
  • Powered lift-away versatility
  • Precise swivel steering
  • LED lights for visibility
  • Versatile attachment set
Cons:
  • Comparatively heavy
  • Pull-forward effect on some carpets
  • Less concentrated airflow
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12/04/2024 10:52 am GMT

The Shark PowerDetect upright vacuum: performance and evaluation

We ran various evaluations to see how the Shark PowerDetect performs in real-world scenarios, and it did exceptionally well. Hereโ€™s what we discovered.

Debris pickup

The PowerDetect excels at picking up all types of debris and hair on both hard floors and carpets. In our pickup evaluation, it achieved a rare perfect score, successfully handling everything from fine to extra-large debris nearly perfectly. 

Comparison chart showing the pickup test scores between the Shark PowerDetect and an average vacuum. The Shark PowerDetect scores 32, represented in green with an upward arrow, while the average vacuum scores 20, represented in orange.
Shark PowerDetect takes the lead in pickup power. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

This exceptional performance is largely due to the DuoClean roller, which features a soft roller at the front and a traditional roller at the back. We found this design highly effective for hard floors and carpets, but it truly shines on hard floors, offering a game-changing way to vacuum. 

Close-up of the Shark PowerDetect vacuum's DuoClean roller system. The soft front roller and traditional back roller are visible, with a green arrow pointing to the front roller, highlighting its design.
A closer look at Shark PowerDetect’s DuoClean technology. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Hair Pickup

The upright vacuum performs exceptionally well at picking up pet and human hair. The front roller acts like a magnet for hair, aided by Sharkโ€™s active hair removal system, which is arguably the best on the market. This system effectively solves the age-old problem of hair getting caught in the roller. It handled hair pickup remarkably well in our various torture evaluations.

The Shark PowerDetect vacuum is shown in action on a carpet heavily covered with pet hair and debris. The vacuum's DuoClean roller system and LED lights are visible, effectively picking up the mess.
Tackling pet hair head-on with the Shark PowerDetect. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Power

Another significant advantage is its power. The Shark PowerDetect scored significantly above average in all power metrics, including airflow at the head, hose-sealed suction, and unsealed suction. 

A collage of four images showing various performance tests of the Shark PowerDetect vacuum. Tests include airflow measurement, suction power evaluation, and other power metrics, with digital meters and gauges displaying the results.
The PowerDetect had impressive performance metrics. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

This level of power is more than sufficient for any conceivable use case. However, its power metrics were not drastically different from the previous Shark flagship upright, the Shark Stratos, where, for example, the airflow numbers were virtually identical.

Comparison chart showing the maximum airflow at the hose for the Shark PowerDetect, Shark Stratos, and an average vacuum. The Shark PowerDetect scores 101 cfm, the Shark Stratos scores 100 cfm, and the average vacuum scores 79 cfm.
Shark PowerDetect Leading with 101 cfm airflow. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Shark PowerDetect upright vacuum features

New Detect Features

The most impressive aspect of the new Shark PowerDetect is its array of new features, making it the most feature-rich upright vacuum weโ€™ve evaluated. It has four innovative features related to the “detect” in its name.

1. Floor Detect

This ultrasonic sensor identifies the type of flooring and automatically adjusts suction power and brush roll speed. Itโ€™s particularly useful since while Shark vacuums usually have different brush roll speed settings for hard floors and carpets, it can be challenging to remember to switch the settings manually. Floor Detect does this automatically, enhancing carpet cleaning power when needed.

Close-up view of the Shark PowerDetect vacuum's floor detect sensor, located near the DuoClean roller. A green arrow points to the sensor, which is labeled with a yellow sticker.
Highlighting Shark’s Floor Detect sensor. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Edge Detect

These sensors on the side detect when you’re vacuuming close to a wall. In response, a light comes on and boosts the suction power on that side. This feature proved impressively effective at edge cleaning during evaluations.

Close-up of the Shark PowerDetect vacuum's Edge Detect sensor located near the DuoClean roller system. A green arrow points to the Edge Detect sensor, highlighted with a yellow label.
Smart edge cleaning technology. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Vacuum Wars’ Best of the Best

  • Best Upright Vacuums UPDATED – Vacuum Wars’ always up-to-date rankings of the best upright vacuums.

Direction Detect

This feature detects the direction you’re vacuuming and channels airflow through the correct side of the brush rollโ€”the front side for a forward push and the back side for reverse. In our evaluations, the Direction Detect feature performed well, though further comparison with other vacuums is needed to determine its full usefulness.

Shark PowerDetect vacuum in action on a hardwood floor, demonstrating its Direction Detect feature. An arrow points in the forward direction, labeled with the word "FORWARD."
Direction Detect in action. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Dirt Detect

When sensing dirtier areas, a light comes on, and the vacuum automatically boosts suction power for better performance. However, this feature is more beneficial for cordless vacuums, where balancing suction power and battery life is crucial. It’s less critical for corded vacuums like the Shark PowerDetect, where power consumption is not a concern.

The Shark PowerDetect vacuum is shown in action on a hardwood floor, with a green arrow pointing to the Dirt Detect indicator. The vacuum is effectively picking up dirt and debris.
Smart cleaning with Sharkโ€™s Dirt Detect feature. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Lift-Away and Powered Lift-Away Features

Another advantage of the Shark PowerDetect is the Lift-Away and Powered Lift-Away features. The Lift-Away feature lets you detach the canister and carry it around with the hose and wand for above-floor cleaning jobs. 

Person demonstrating the Shark PowerDetect vacuum's Lift-Away feature, holding the detached canister in one hand and the hose handle in the other. The vacuum base remains on the floor.
Shark PowerDetectโ€™s Lift-Away feature. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

This makes it incredibly easy to lift the wand or handle off the vacuum with the click of a button, enabling you to clean cobwebs or other odd things without interrupting your vacuuming flow.

The PowerDetect also includes the Powered Lift-Away feature typical with higher-end Shark models like this one. This means that when you lift the canister off the floor nozzle, the nozzle remains fully powered. 

A person using the Shark PowerDetect vacuum in Powered Lift-Away mode on a hardwood floor. The vacuum base is detached and being maneuvered with the wand, while the canister is held in the other hand. A row of various vacuum models is visible in the background.
Powered Lift-Away for those hard-to-reach spots. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

You can use it like a stick vacuum to easily reach difficult areas or simply because you prefer this vacuuming method. This feature adds versatility and convenience to your cleaning routine.

Filtration

The PowerDetect features Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, which traps 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum. This system performed flawlessly in our fog evaluations. In addition, it includes Shark’s odor-neutralizing technology, a small cartridge that releases a fresh scent while vacuuming.

Close-up of a hand holding the Shark PowerDetect vacuum's Odor Neutralizer cartridge. The cartridge features a dial for adjusting the intensity of the odor-neutralizing technology.
Shark PowerDetectโ€™s Odor Neutralizer. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Attachment Set

The attachment set of the PowerDetect includes three tools, two of which are dual-purpose with brush options as well as upholstery and crevice tool options. Also, the power brush is suction-powered rather than motorized. While this might seem like a downgrade, the strong suction power of the Shark PowerDetect ensures that the brush roll spins effectively. This design leverages the vacuum’s impressive suction power, making the suction-powered brush a practical choice.

The Shark PowerDetect vacuum cleaner is displayed along with its various attachments, including a crevice tool, brush attachment, and motorized brush. The vacuum and accessories are arranged neatly on a white platform against a light pink background.
Versatile attachments. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

Cons of the Shark PowerDetect upright vacuum

The PowerDetect offers impressive performance and features, but there are some potential drawbacks to consider.

Powered Lift-Away

While the Powered Lift-Away or stick vacuum mode is convenient for hard floors, it could be problematic on thinner carpets. In this mode, there is a noticeable pull-forward effect, which can be annoying and tiring on the arm. This effect diminishes when the canister is placed back on the vacuum, adding its weight. Notably, this issue was observed only on thinner rugs and did not occur with thicker ones.

Sealed airflow suction

Another potential drawback is the slightly less concentrated airflow when sealed to floors. This might be due to the widening of the air channels on the floorhead or changes related to the Direction Detect feature. As a result, in related evaluations like the crevice pickup and carpet deep clean evaluations, the PowerDetect scored slightly lower than those of the Shark Stratos. 

Weight

The overall weight of this vacuum is 17.5 lbsโ€”about a pound heavier than the Stratos. Although it features a lightweight handle, good center of gravity, and responsive swivel, the weight is still about 2 lbs above average. This added weight is the trade-off for a larger motor. 

Price

Price is always a consideration with flagship vacuums, and the Shark PowerDetect is no exception. While it was roughly the same price as the Stratos when it was released, the cost is still a significant factor to consider. 

Shark PowerDetect: value and recommendation

After evaluating all the features and performance metrics, the Shark PowerDetect is our new favorite upright vacuum. It boasts exceptional pickup ability on both hard floors and carpets, innovative and genuinely useful features, several ergonomic upgrades, and impressive power.

Vacuum Wars

Despite its weight and price, the upright vacuum offers remarkable value and performance, making it a top recommendation for anyone needing a high-quality vacuum.

The Shark PowerDetect vacuum cleaner is displayed prominently on a wooden surface, with a variety of other vacuum models mounted on the wall in the background. The room is illuminated with blue and purple lighting.
The new standard in upright vacuums. ยฉ Vacuum Wars
See our full video review on YouTube.
 

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Christopher White

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Christopher White CEO
Christopher White is the CEO of Vacuum Wars, the premier YouTube channel dedicated to vacuum cleaner reviews. Over the past eight years, Vacuum Wars has become a trusted resource, meticulously reviewing hundreds of robot vacuums, cordless vacuums, carpet cleaners, and various floor care products. Known for their comprehensive in-house testing, Vacuum Wars has built one of the most extensive databases of vacuum cleaner metrics available. Under Christopherโ€™s leadership, the channel has maintained a strict no-sponsorship policy, ensuring that all reviews remain unbiased and trustworthy. This dedication to integrity has garnered a loyal following of over 300,000 subscribers who rely on their expert advice. Christopher is also a recognized authority on robot vacuums, boasting one of the largest private collections of these devices worldwide. Learn more.

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