Shark vs Dyson – Who Makes the Best Cordless, Upright, or Handheld?

Shark and Dyson rule the vacuum cleaning space, like how Microsoft and Apple dominate the computer OS market. Both Shark and Dyson are known for introducing innovative products at regular intervals, making it quite difficult for their competitors to come anywhere close to them, in terms of both sales and brand recognition. But how can we compare Shark vs Dyson? It’s simple:

Each brand has made considerable efforts to reach the broadest possible audience so that one can buy from both manufacturers uprights, lightweights, canisters or handheld vacuum cleaners.

Moreover, Shark has made considerable efforts to expand its division of cordless vacuums, robots, and uprights, and today you can buy their DuoClean/Zero-M models. Meantime, Dyson is at the finish line with their new cordless vacuum cleaner, Dyson V11. If you are on the market, looking to buy a vacuum cleaner, you’ll have a hard time choosing between these two brands. Hopefully, this Shark vs Dyson comparison article will make the shopping process less complicated for you.

I always wanted to get to this point, where I can finally be able to compare two brands, which I like: Shark and Dyson. And I’m not just talking here about popularity and marketing; I’m talking about the real technical stuff which ultimately matters: suction power, filtration, attachments, usability, durability and of course, price. Over the past few months, I’ve worked a lot of models from both brands. But it has got to a point where I have to answer questions like “Which is better, Dyson or Shark?” every other day, so I’ve decided to make an extensive study over this subject I’ll be comparing in this article the following:

Shark vs Dyson – the companies

Shark Company Profile

SharkNinja Operating LLC is in the cleaning solutions and small household appliances business since 1998. Formerly called Euro-Pro Operating LLC, this privately-held firm manufactures and wholesales a range of kitchen and home electrical appliances. It sells vacuum cleaners under the SharkClean brand. Though having started its journey in 1998 in Montreal, Canada and currently settled in Massachusetts, US, it serves customers across the globe through major big-box and specialty stores, and also via its websites. Many of its products are sold based on telemarketing, a form of marketing involving extended TV commercials. One of their main advertising providers is Sitel, a giant in the field of custom marketing solutions. This particular form of advertising works very well in our country (US) but has little success on other continents (such as Europe or Australia). I believe the company is now worth in the neighborhood $1.8 billion. I also estimate that the company employs around 1500 people worldwide. A few years ago, the company moved into a massive 175,000-square-foot office in Needham, which serves as the SharkNinja headquarters.

Dyson Company Profile

James Dyson established his company in 1987, intending to offer bagless vacuum cleaners to the world. James Dyson is a perfectionist. He created the DC01, which is the world’s original bagless vacuum cleaner, after five years of perseverance and making more than 5,000 prototypes. With innovation and steadfast commitment at its core, the company has turned into a name to reckon with in the global vacuum cleaning industry. Besides the UK, US, and China, Dyson is ruling the roost even in countries like Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Dyson is a much bigger company than Shark in terms of revenue, number of employees, brand value, and market presence. The company’s yearly revenue now stands at more than $3 billion, and it boasts an employee strength of more than 7000. James Dyson himself is now estimated to be worth $5.7 billion. Dyson is enormous in the United Kingdom, while Shark has a stronghold in the United States. That said, Shark is making inroads into the UK market and other regions that are considered Dyson’s bastions, which is why this comparison is so important and relevant.

Back to top

Shark vs Dyson Cordless

Cordless stick vacuum cleaners are the signature offerings of both Dyson and recently, Shark. Cordless vacuums are quite popular since they are easy to move around with and store, while not compromising on suction power. The cordless concept is convenient for those who cannot find the power sockets or can’t do some simple cord management. Both Shark and Dyson fare pretty well with their cordless vacuums. If you are going to choose between the two, you should take into consideration the particular cleaner’s size, design, battery strength, cleaning capabilities and features, and other aspects.

Shark ION F80 MultiFLEX vs Dyson V11

Shark ION F80 MultiFLEX vs Dyson V11 Torque Drive

The Shark ION F80 is the premium cordless from Shark, a product worth your consideration. The ION is a stick-style cleaner that can be easily converted into a handheld. When fully charged, it can give you a continuous runtime of up to 40 minutes. If you desire a longer cleaning session, you may replace the battery. Dyson V11, on the other hand, comes with a more powerful motor, better filtration, and less weight. Overall, V11 is a superior product:

Shark Rocket Pet Pro vs Dyson V11

Shark Rocket Pet Pro vs Dyson V11 Torque Drive

Dyson V11 and Shark Rocket Pet Pro are two cordless cleaners that are so closely matched – it’s hard to pick a winner. Both these units are top-of-the-line. Both come packed with unique features. The Dyson V11 is the pricier of the two and comes with a special docking station that makes it easy to store and charge the unit. Not to be outdone in the features department, the Shark Rocket Pet Pro comes with a removable battery, dual-LED headlamps, and the Zero-M technology. If you are looking for a cordless cleaner for your home, both these units are pretty great choices. Let’s find out which among the two edges ahead in terms of overall value:

Shark Rocket Cordless vs Dyson V10 Absolute

Shark Rocket Cordless vs Dyson V10 Absolute

When it comes to cordless vacuums, I’ve always stumbled upon people who don’t necessarily understand that these types of vacuums are not the same with their corded relatives in terms of performance. It is pretty logical: battery operated vacuum cleaners use a variable voltage input that is received from rechargeable batteries (in most cases, Li-Ion, although lately, NMCs are catching on). No matter how good the batteries are or how fast they charge, they will deplete after a while, and with their depletion, follows the drop in suction. Most cordless vacuum cleaners last around 15, 20 minutes of continuous use. Any more than that, it’s a gift that should be cherished. Although not the ultimate cordless, Dyson’s V10 is still a great vac. Considering the range of cordless vacuums from Shark, I’d like to compare it with the new Shark Rocket, since both represent a large market segment. The Dyson V10 is easy-to-glide and has an impressive run-time, coming good for up to an hour on a single charge. The Shark Rocket cordless can last up to 40 minutes on a charge. This flexible model comes with some reliable attachments that mainly help with its cleaning ability:

Back to top

Shark vs Dyson Uprights

Dyson and Shark offer solid models in the uprights category. Dyson offers several uprights: Animal Ball, Small Ball, Cinetic Big Ball, and Ball Multi Floor. Shark also has a long list of models, from product families such as the Navigator, the Rotator, and the APEX. Both brands regularly revise their upright models. The new products aren’t massive overhauls, but see a feature or two getting improved or newly introduced.

Shark APEX DuoClean Powered Lift-Away vs Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Allergy

Shark APEX DuoClean vs Dyson Cinetic Big Ball

Dyson is losing ground with the appearance of the latest APEX, which is surprisingly good. Better yet, this appliance comes with a 5-year warranty and has (at least in theory, if we were to assume Shark doesn’t tell us lies) a powerful 270AW, the kind I’ve only seen in commercial upright vacuum cleaners. Although there is a clear lack of quality and design (a matter of taste) between the APEX and the Cinetic Big Ball, Shark is coming hard from behind, and more and more customers share on forums and online shopping sites their SharkClean happy story.

The Cinetic Big Ball Animal Allergy Dyson has a filter-free design that completely eliminates the chore of cleaning and replacing dirty filters. Shark Apex, on the other hand, comes with DuoClean technology that allows better pickup from carpets and hard flooring. The Shark is also a lot cheaper than the Big Ball Animal Allergy (although the most expensive Shark to date).

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Allergy is a great upright cleaner, and there is no denying the fact that its filter-free design is a welcome innovation. However, the Shark delivers superior suction performance and comes with a longer list of features. Because the Shark is priced well below the Dyson, I’m inclined to pick the Shark Apex as the overall winner of this head-to-head comparison:

Shark Rotator Lift-Away DuoClean Pro vs Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean

Shark Rotator Lift-Away DuoClean Pro vs Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean

The new Rotator Lift-Away Pro from Shark has everything you would need: the DuoClean tech, the Zero-M tech, and a bunch of accessories fit for most chores. The TotalClean version from Dyson is also the most powerful. The Ball name in Dyson’s upright models denotes the vacuums’ ability to rotate freely. Also, these models’ base plates are self-adjustable, which means they would work when you’re moving between surfaces. The Ball range also comes with the Radial Root Cyclone tech. It is a small instrument sitting atop the dust canister that attracts small dust particles, thereby preventing them from staying airborne for longer. Here’s an outline of this comparison:

Shark Apex Uplight vs Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2

Shark Apex Uplight vs Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2

Shark’s upright vacuums are a lot more traditional and user-friendly compared to Dyson’s high-tech offerings. The Shark models are easier to lift off the surface. That’s also the case of the Shark APEX Uplight, a corded stick vacuum that may prove disruptive. Comparing this baby with the Ball Multi Floor 2 wasn’t my original intention (it’s like comparing apples with peaches), but still, Dyson doesn’t produce corded sticks. Thus, Multi Floor 2 was to the obvious choice for a comparison:

Back to top

Shark vs Dyson Handhelds

Both Dyson and Shark don’t make too many standalone handheld vacuums since the type is quite outdated and also because the two companies’ cordless vacuums could be converted into a handheld. Shark’s Wandavac and the Dyson V7 are models that you may consider if you want handheld functionality in your vacuum cleaner at a lower price:

Shark Wandavac vs Dyson V7 Car+Boat

Shark Wandavac vs Dyson V7 Car+Boat

Although these two models are fairly different, they may serve the same purpose: cleaning up your car, doing small pick-ups, or simply vacuuming tight spots. When it comes to handhelds, weight is a predominant factor. Even though the Shark is significantly lighter, the Dyson is pretty light as well, and unlike the Shark, comes with a decent bin:

Back to top

Shark vs Dyson Robots

Robot vacuums are smart appliances that are capable of doing their jobs on their own or without (much) human intervention. The Shark IQ and ION lines and the Dyson 360 Eye are robot vacuums that cater to this niche. Not surprisingly, the Dyson model is a pricier option compared to the Shark robot. The Dyson 360 Eye is one of the most expensive robotic vacuum cleaners money can buy. The 360 isn’t even available any more on Dyson’s official website, which may prove that Dyson has put a pause on this line of industry, most likely due to the fierce competition and the original problems of the 360 Eye robot.

On the other hand, Shark just replaced the ION line with the IQ line. All their models are Wi-Fi compatible and can be controlled by Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant. As far as cleaning mechanism and efficacy are concerned, these are good robovacs which can compete with older versions from iRobot and Neato.

Back to top

Shark vs Dyson Canisters

Compared to Shark, Dyson makes a lot more canister-style vacuum cleaners. Shark has only a model or two, which are quite similar to the upright models as far as their features are concerned. Even on its official websites, Shark doesn’t have a dedicated category for canister vacuums. A major reason why Shark doesn’t focus much on canister vacuums is its upright models can be given a canister feel and look by lifting them off their wheels (based on the Lift-Away technology).

Back to top

Shark vs Dyson Features

Shark Vacuum Cleaners

Shark vacuum cleaners are known for their cutting-edge tech. The company makes vacuums that are capable of removing the maximum amount of debris and dirt within any enclosed space. The DuoClean technology, or the dual brush control, in their vacuums make the machines ideal for cleaning the hardwood floor since there is no dust-spraying. Besides its quality, Shark is also known for its competitive pricing. The company’s vacuum cleaners are lightweight, particularly when compared to Dyson’s offerings. This makes their vacuums a lot more ideal for cleaning bigger spaces, stairs, and levels.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaners

Dyson vacuum cleaners are a lot more high-end, particularly in terms of pricing. However, the company hasn’t received bad press for the same since it pretty much justifies its higher price tags with the technology and features that its vacuums tag along. For instance, Dyson vacuum cleaners offer two times the suction power a regular vacuum cleaner would offer. Like Shark, Dyson makes dependable hardwood floor vacuum cleaners too.

Dyson vacuum cleaners sport the Root Cyclone Technology. This tech makes it much easier to turn the vacuum around, despite the extremely high suction power. The technology employs a rotating ball mechanism to get this done. Moreover, the technology also ensures tricky bits and pieces, such as hair, pollen, debris, and dust, do not escape the cleaner. This helps keep carpets clean for long.

Dyson also came up with the innovative technology, Dyson Cinetic Science. This eliminates the requirement for a filter. In other words, you’ll not be cleaning or replacing vacuum cleaner filters anymore. Moreover, like Shark, Dyson’s suction system is also customized to take in long hair, pet fluff, and other kinds of hair. This technology is unique since the hair usurped into the machine remain untangled within.

Points of Contention

Besides the quality and brand name, there are a few other fundamental differences between the two brands’ vacuum cleaners. Let’s take a brief look at them.

Price

As aforementioned, Shark vacuum cleaners are a bit on the inexpensive side when compared to Dyson vacuums. But that shouldn’t be the sole reason to buy Shark vacuums over Dyson’s offerings since the latter offers some serious bang for the buck in terms of quality, utility, and durability. If the price plays a significant role in your purchase decision, then you’ll find Shark’s pricing a lot more realistic and friendly. However, if you have no budget limits and you want zero compromises whatsoever in your vacuum cleaner, then Dyson is what you should be looking at.

Warranty

Dyson models usually come with a five-year warranty. Shark one-ups Dyson with the seven-year warranty that it offers on all its major models. Dyson skimps further on the warranty with its cordless variants, providing two years of warranty on them. Shark, on the other hand, gives a solid five-year warranty on its cordless offerings. In a vacuum (no pun intended), Dyson’s warranty periods might be disappointing. But they’re nowhere close to bad, especially when you compare them with what the other market players are offering. Shark is just doing exceedingly well in this front and major props to the brand for that.

Weight

Shark vacuum cleaners are lighter in weight. Dyson’s vacuums are a bit on the heftier side. However, Shark cords are shorter, which kind of nullifies its weight advantage. A lightweight vacuum cleaner is more comfortable to carry around in the house, but if the cable is shorter, then it would restrict the vacuum cleaner’s reach.

Back to top

Conclusion

To be honest, it’s hard to pick one brand or model over the other because there is no such thing as the “best vacuum cleaner”. Some people may find a particular model attractive for specific reasons, and another group of buyers may despise that vacuum cleaner for those very features. You are, therefore, advised to go over the functions of individual vacuum cleaners before making a purchase decision.

A vacuum cleaner is something you don’t buy or at least not intend to buy every other year. Buying one in haste is not what you should be doing. What you should do instead is to consider your budget, how frequently you would be using the machine, the amount of space that requires cleaning, and the features you want your vacuum cleaner to have. Once you have clarity in these departments, you would be in a much better position to comprehend which of the above two brands fit in your space and life the best.

Dyson and Shark make quality vacuum cleaners. Dyson products are typically pricier and they try to win the battle on the spec sheet. Shark takes a different approach. It relies on making products that are practical and which offer more value for money. Now, the question still remains. Should you buy Dyson or a Shark? Well, that totally depends on your budget and the type of vacuum cleaner you are looking to buy. If you’re seeking to change your upright cleaner, Shark surely gives you more choices with it Rotator, Navigator, Apex, and DuoClean series. Dyson, on the other hand, is king in the land of cordlesses, handhelds, and canisters.  Apart from the V11, they have a long history of making dependable cordless cleaners such as Dyson DC59, V6, V7, V8, and V10 lines.

So, what do you think? Have I managed to cover all the angles of this problem? Are you in search of other “versus”? Post your feedback below!

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Jason Roberts

Founder and executive reviewer at Vacuums Guide

I'm Jason Moe Roberts, an appliances expert and blogger. I've worked at Walmart for more than 15 years, in the house appliance department. I love to use home equipment and I spend a lot of time testing the best products and reviewing them. My family and friends also recommend me as a caring person, a great dad and a loving husband.

Latest posts by Jason Roberts (see all)

• Dyson v8 vs Dyson v7: Which One Is Best? - January 7, 2021
• Roomba 890 vs 960: Which One Is Best? - January 7, 2021
• Roborock S5 vs S6 – Which One is Best? - January 7, 2021

Related posts:

Roomba vs Shark – Who Makes the Best Robot Vacuums in 2023? Shark Rocket Ultralight Upright Vacuum review New upright on the block: a review of the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball vacuum cleaner Is Dyson DC59 Motorhead the best cordless vacuum cleaner? Read this awesome review and find out Roborock H6 vs Dyson V11 – Which is the Best Cordless Vacuum?