The Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean – the ION Flex line of ultra-light vacuum cleaners

The IONFlex DuoClean is a solid product from SharkNinja that comes with neat features such as dual LED headlamps and adjustable extension wand. IONFlex DuoClean comes in 3 different versions: the standard cordless, the standard cordless with an extra battery pack (2X), or a corded version for those who prefer the safety of an power outlet. Even though it has some small drawbacks, the IONFlex DuoClean is a worthy consideration if you are looking for a budget cordless cleaner. If you are considering buying this product or if you’re just surfing around, read on to find out in justa couple of minutes all there is to know about this line of vacuums.

Design

Here’s a video infomercial with this vacuum cleaner, which will help you make sense of how it looks and feels like:

Sure, it’s presenting the product in a really good light, so let’s move to the next point and see if things are really as the people from the marketing department say they are.

Specifications

While SharkNinja talks about a lot of different proprietary technologies on their website, they have kept a few essential specs such as suction power and battery capacity hidden from customers. This leaves a lot of room for speculation. Following are a few details I could dig up:

Model numbers

The cordless version 2X is represented by IF200W, IF251, IF252, depending from which reseller you buy. The cordless simple can be found under model numbers IF200, IF201, IF202 and IF205. The corded version is represented by the models HV390, HV391 and HV392.

Suction Power

As usual, there’s a great debate over this. SharkNinja has not revealed the specific suction power and airflow numbers, and claims their product is more powerful then the Dyson V8. This left me no choice but to compare it to its closest competition, the Dyson V10. I do know that the DuoClean unit is powered by a 300W motor. The Dyson V10, on the other hand, is powered by a 400W motor and delivers approximately 150AW of suction power. On its official website, SharkNinja compares the IONFlex 2X DuoClean with Dyson V8 Absolute which is fitted with a 425W motor and delivers 115AW of suction power. The V10 however is 20% more powerful than the V8. According to SharkNinja, the DuoClean delivers “More Suction Power” than the Dyson V8. Considering the fact that motor wattage doesn’t always directly translate to suction power and taking Shark’s claim with a grain of salt, I’m forced to assume that the IONFlex 2X DuoClean’s suction power is somewhere around 100 AW mark, which is good, but not awesome.

Battery/Input Power

Much like the suction power figures, SharkNinja shied away from giving us the exact mAh figures of the removable batteries. The 2X Duoclean comes with a pair of 25.2 volt lithium-ion battery. LED lights are fitted right on the batteries which display the charge level. This is a great convenience feature, as it allows you to put the additional battery on charge before the one fitted on the cleaner runs out. The company claims that a new battery at 100% charge level delivers 11 minutes of runtime on Max Power mode and 23 minutes on Extend Runtime mode when using it as a handheld cleaner. When using it on Floor Mode the cleaner delivers a runtime of 12 minutes on Max Power and 20 minutes on Extend Mode. When on Carpet Mode, you get a runtime of 11 minutes on Max Power while a meager 14 minutes on Extend Runtime. When compared to Dyson V8 Absolute, the IONFlex 2X DuoClean’s battery life fails to impress. And with the new V10, things are even worse. The Dyson’s V10 nickel-cobalt-aluminium battery delivers a runtime of 60 minutes (25 minutes in Max mode).

More than a hundred dollars cheaper than the DuoClean 2X, the regular IONFlex DuoClean only comes with one battery pack. This means when the battery runs dry you have no option but to stop cleaning and wait for the battery to charge. Considering that the ION battery pack take 3.5 hours to charge completely, this can be an agonizingly long wait. It is my conclusion that if you are looking for a cordless cleaner that can clean up an entire home in one charge, it’s best to buy an extra battery pack or get the DuoClean 2X.

The corded SharkFlex takes the advantage on the continuous never-ending power and employs a motor which runs on 600 Watts with 5 Amps. This means it is more powerful, but having a cord somehow diminishes the impact of these values.

Bin Capacity

Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean is a bagless vacuum cleaner that comes with a neat looking transparent bin. The dirt cup can hold 0.3 quarts of dry dirt. When converted, that’s roughly 284ml of space. That’s meager when compared to the dustbin capacity of Dyson V8 Absolute which comes with a 540ml tank. Even the older generation Dyson V6 comes with a 400ml dust container. The newest Dyson V10 on the other hand has a 0.8 qt bin, almost 3 times bigger than IonFlex’s. The smaller dust bin size of Shark forces you to empty the cup more frequently. On a positive note, the DuoClean comes with a conveniently placed dust cup release button that allows you to empty the tank in a matter of seconds. To empty the bin all you need to do is remove the extension wand and press the Dust Cup Release button. Considering the fact that emptying the dust cup is not a chore that would bother most people, the smaller bin capacity is definitely not a deal-breaker.

Filtration Efficiency

The IONFlex has a dual-filter setup. The first one, which SharkNinja likes to call the pre-motor filter, cleans the air before it reaches the motor. Made from foam and felt, this is a washable and reusable filter. The second filter, AKA the post-motor exhaust filter, cleans the air that flows out of the machine. SharkNinja claims that their filtration system can handle anything from large pebble-sized debris to fine dust particles. According to their claim, this particular model comes with a special Anti-Allergen Complete Seal that traps 99.8% of dust particles and allergens. They also boast that the filtration system can trap particles that are as small as 1 micron. If you are a smart consumer, you would notice that SharkNinja stayed clear of mentioning HEPA or any other filtration standard. This is because their filtration system is not nearly as efficient as HEPA filters. For the sake of comparison, the Dyson V10 Absolute comes with 14 cyclones which virtually eliminate the airborne particles, and their HEPA filter traps 99.97% of all dust. However, if you consider that most allergens such as pollen grains and dust particles measure more than 1 micron, the loss in filtration efficiency is hardly noticeable.

Weight and Dimensions

Its easy-grip handle allows you to clean lofts and ceilings by picking up the cleaner with one hand, but its 8.7lbs heft may end up working those deltoids. Compared to the Dyson V8, which is merely 5.75lbs, the Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean surely feels like a heavyweight. The 13.4″ X 10.2″ X 45.9″ frame of the DuoClean makes it a compact cleaner perfect for reaching tight corners and cleaning car interiors. Its relatively small size also makes it easy to store. Simply put, this DuoClean is compact enough to reach tight corners and it can even be stored in a standard car trunk without taking up too much space.

Accessories

SharkNinja packs in a lot of stuff in the box including more than a few cleaning attachments. This makes the DuoClean a pretty versatile machine. You get the main unit, 1 Duster Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, 1 Wide Upholstery Tool, 1 Pet Multi-Tool, 1 Multi-Flex Wand, 1 Battery Pack, Battery Charge, and the Anti-Allergen Dust Brush. Apart from the things you get out of the box, there is a long list of accessories that can be bought separately for the SharkNinja website. If you have a pet then consider shelling out some extra cash to get the Deep-Cleaning Motorized Pet Tool. For extra reach, you can order the 12” or 18” crevice tools. If you want to use the DuoClean for cleaning car interiors then consider buying the Complete Car Detail Kit, which includes a battery pack, a charger, a precision duster, and an 18” crevice tool. The list of compatible accessories for the Shark IONFlex DuoClean is ample and you should be able to find the exact tools to add to the cleaning prowess of the unit.

Special Features

When it comes to unique features the Shark IONFlex DuoClean surely packs in a lot. The 2X DuoClean comes with two battery packs, which allows for a longer runtime. Its flexible extension wand can be adjusted to reach spaces such as underneath furniture without straining the back. The unit also comes with dual LED headlamps for efficient navigation in dark corners and spaces. The rotating bristle brush, which SharkNinja likes to call the DuoClean technology helps lift particles off carpets and upholstery for a more efficient clean. Here’s a list with some all custom features, including the decoding all the jargon and fancy names given by Shark. This will tell you whether these features are practical or pure gimmicks.

• DuoClean: The SharkNinja DuoClean cleaners are equipped with rotating soft brushes that grab dust particles and send them towards the suction spout. The rotating action brushes the surface which allows for a deeper clean. However, this is definitely not a unique feature. Dyson cordless cleaner comes with a similar technology, which they describe as motorized soft cleaner head. Unique or not, this is a clever feature which ensure you grab more dust with each swipe.
• LED Headlights: The LED headlights are a nice addition. These lights make it easy to spot dust particles and dirty patches in poorly lit areas.
• Multi-Flex: While most vacuum cleaners come with a non-adjustable extension wand, the IONFlex comes with a wand that can be folded. This is a practical feature as folding the wand forward allows you to clean under the furniture while you remain in an upright position.
• Smart Response Technology: This  is the name for a group of conveniently placed buttons and LED displays. The highlight of this technology is that it allows you to select the different modes and settings using just your thumb. This means you can change the power settings and modes while you are cleaning without engaging your free arm.

Usability

Its compact frame and cordless design makes the DuoClean perfect for small to medium size homes. The LED headlamps are a clever addition. According to customer reviews the lamps are more practical than gimmicky. However, it’s a bit on the heavier side, especially when compared with other cordless units. Overall, this is a easy-to-use cordless cleaner that’s perfect for taking on regular cleaning chores.

Warranty

SharkNinja offers a 2-year warranty on ION power pack batteries and a 5-year warranty for the main unit.

Price

The Shark IONFlex DuoClean 2X is about $350, sometimes cheaper. The corded SharkFLEX is more than $100 cheaper.

Pros

• The adjustable extension wand makes it easy to reach tight spaces
• The DuoClean brushroll provides a great cleaning experience
• Extra battery pack (in the case of the 2X) allows for a longer run-time
• LED headlamps makes it easier to clean dark spaces

Cons

• Small dust container
• No HEPA

Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean vs Dyson V8 Absolute

I compared the Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean with Dyson V8 Absolute, mainly because SharkNinja compared these two products on their website. While their comparison chart included features that worked in favor of the DuoClean, I’m not obliged to do any such thing. Following is myunbiased comparison between these 2  cordless vacuum cleaners.

1) Filters: The Dyson wins this round because it comes with HEPA filters as opposed to the lesser efficient felt and foam filter of the DuoClean.

2) Power and Performance: Dyson scores another win as it’s powered by a 425W motor compared to the 300W motor of the DuoClean.

3) Features: With dual headlamps, extra batteries, and flexible extension wand, the Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean definitely out-trumps the Dyson in the features department.

Final Comments and VGM

There is no denying that the Shark IONFlex DuoClean packs some unique features. Considering that it’s half the price of a Dyson V10, this cordless model is definitely a good choice, especially if you are on a budget. Here are the grades:

VGM table for Shark IONFlex

So, what do you think about the Shark IONFlex? Would you buy one of these? Have one and care to share your experience? Use the comments form and make the world a better place.