Cordless vs Upright: Best Shark Vacuum for Your Home
Created At: 4 Jul 2025,
Updated At: 4 Jul 2025
Discover whether a Shark cordless or upright vacuum suits your home best. Explore features, accessories, and top picks for Prime Day deals.
Cordless vs Upright: Best Shark Vacuum for Your Home
Whether you're deep-cleaning carpets or tackling pet hair under the sofa, Shark vacuums have become a household staple across the UK. And with Prime Day just around the corner, there's no better time to grab a brilliant deal on a vacuum that actually makes cleaning feel like less of a chore. But which one suits your space and style better: a nimble cordless or a powerhouse upright? Let's dive in and find the best Shark vacuum for your home.
Shark Cordless vs Upright: What’s the Difference?
Here’s the simple breakdown:
Cordless Shark Vacuums: Great for flexibility and quick clean-ups. They’re compact, battery-powered, and ideal if you like zipping around the house without worrying about plug sockets.
Upright Shark Vacuums: Plugged-in for power and performance. These models are built for deeper cleans and come with larger dustbins to handle bigger messes.
Why Choose Cordless?
No faffing with cords
Light and easy to carry
Perfect for stairs, cars, and high-up shelves
Newer models offer decent battery life and quick charging

Shark Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Anti Hair Wrap, 60 Minute Run Time Battery, DuoClean Floorhead, Powered Lift-Away, LED Headlights, Dusting, Pet, Crevice & Upholstery Tools, Blue ICZ300UKT
Why Go Upright?
More suction for tougher jobs
Bigger dustbins = fewer trips to the bin
Lift-Away features make cleaning stairs easier
Great for large homes or serious spring cleans
Real-Life Example:
Have a dog that loves the sofa and a toddler that loves making crumbs? A cordless vacuum is brilliant for quick, daily blitzes. Doing the whole house at the weekend? An upright will power through like a champ.
Are Shark Vacuums Good for Pet Hair?
In short: yes, very. Shark’s pet-specific models are designed to deal with fur, fluff, and dander. Features like Anti Hair Wrap stop long hair from tangling around the brush, and Pet Power Brushes lift hair from carpets, sofas, and pet beds.
Great Options for Pet Owners:
Shark Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner HZ500UK – A compact, powerful choice with Anti Hair Wrap and DuoClean floorhead, perfect for homes with pets. This lightweight model also includes a flexible wand, handheld mode, and an anti-allergen complete seal – all for just £149. Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner NZ691UK – Featuring Anti Hair Wrap, LED headlights, Lift-Away technology, and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal. It includes multiple attachments, is great for all floor types, and is currently available at £201.90.
Plus, models with HEPA filters and sealed systems are a godsend for anyone with allergies.

Shark NZ691UK Anti Hair Wrap Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Lift Away Roy
Which Shark Hoover is Best for Carpets?
Carpets love a deep clean, and for that, upright vacuums often win. If your home has lots of carpet, go for a Shark upright with DuoClean rollers and Powered Lift-Away for real pull.
Top Picks:
Shark Stratos AZ3000UKT Upright Vacuum – Shark’s best ever for hair pick-up, this XL upright model includes Anti Hair Wrap Plus, Anti-Odour Technology, and Powered Lift-Away. With a huge 2.6L capacity and tools for pets, upholstery, and grout, it’s perfect for larger homes. Currently £299. Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner NV602UK – A strong all-rounder for deep cleaning with Lift-Away technology, LED headlights, and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal. Lightweight and easy to use, it's currently priced at £149.
That said, premium cordless models like the Shark Detect Clean & Empty Cordless IW4621UKT do a solid job too. This lightweight and flexible vacuum features an Auto-Empty Dock, DirtDetect, EdgeDetect, and FloorDetect technologies. With up to 60 minutes of run-time and included pet tools, it’s an ideal pick for low-maintenance, high-performance cleaning. Available now at £249..

Shark NV602UK Shark Lift Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner in Black Blue
Do Shark Vacuums Come with Accessories?
They sure do. Most Shark hoovers include tools that make it easier to clean awkward spots:
Crevice tools: For narrow gaps and corners
Dusting brushes: Great for blinds and bookshelves
Pet tools: Motorised to pick up pet hair easily
Anti-Allergen kits: For a sneeze-free clean
Some vacuums even come with storage bags or onboard tool holders so you're not constantly searching the cupboard.
Are Cordless Hoovers Worth the Price?
Yes – if you're after convenience and speed. Shark's cordless vacuums are more powerful than ever, and many have swappable batteries so you're not tied to charging time.
They’re especially useful in flats or smaller homes where lugging a heavy upright just isn’t practical. But if you’ve got lots of floor to cover and love that just-vacuumed look, an upright might be the better value.
Best Cordless Options:
Shark Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner ICZ300UKT – A cordless powerhouse with up to 60 minutes of run time, Anti Hair Wrap, DuoClean Floorhead, Powered Lift-Away, and LED headlights. Includes tools for dusting, pets, crevices, and upholstery. Currently £299.
Cordless also means no tripping over cables or playing plug-hop from room to room – a real bonus if you clean little and often.

Shark Detect Clean & Empty Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner Iw4621ukt
Final Verdict: Cordless or Upright?
Go cordless if:
You want quick, everyday cleaning
You live in a flat or smaller space
You want something light and easy to use
Stick with an upright if:
Clean Smarter, Not Harder
At the end of the day, both Shark cordless and upright vacuums get the job done. It's just about what fits your lifestyle best. Whether you're picking up after kids, pets, or a busy household, there's a Shark hoover that makes it easier.