Best Shark Vacuum Cleaners for Allergies and Pet Hair
If you have allergies or if you’re just sick of pet hair, you know how important it is to have a great vacuum. The right vacuum can mean the difference between constant discomfort and a clean and healthy home.
However, choosing the right vacuum takes careful research. Vacuums have different cleaning techniques and different features. It’s important to choose the one that meets your needs and preferences.
Contents
Quick Comparison: 4 Best Shark vacuums for allergies and pet hair
What to look for
When you’re choosing your Shark vacuum, prioritize the features that matter to you the most. You might prioritize choosing the filtration system that best captures dust and debris.
On the other hand, you might prefer ease of use. Your choice should also take your type of flooring into account.
Type of system – A vacuum can be an upright model or a canister. An upright model is a good choice if you have a lot of thick carpet. The upright design works into thick carpet for a deep clean.
On the other hand, a canister model is easier to move onto varied surfaces like rugs.
Filtration system – If you have allergies, you need to make certain that dust can’t escape from your vacuum’s exhaust.
In addition, a washable filter can save money, but it wears down over time, and it needs to be replaced if your vacuum is going to work to its full potential. Some models have a helpful warning light when it’s time for a replacement.
Bag or bin – Some vacuums use a bag to collect dust. Other models use a bin. While a bin is more cost effective, it also requires you to come into contact with the dust in order to clean it out. You need to weigh the cost and convenience in order to choose what works for you.
Ease of use – Finally, it’s important to make sure that you choose the model that’s easiest for you to use. Some models are quieter than others.
You should pay attention to what attachments come with the model and what accessories you might need to buy. Vacuums can vary wildly on features, so it’s worth the time and effort to do a little bit of research before you make your selection.
1. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet
The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet spares no expense when it comes to giving you everything you need in order to get the best possible clean. This may be the right choice if you’re trying to address very severe pet allergies. There are a number of attachments, a pet brush and pet tools in order to help you get the pet dander out of every nook and cranny.
Pros
- Extra tools for severe allergies
- Powerful
- Canister with lift away option
- Designed for hardwood floors
Cons
- Heavier than other models
- User must replace components to meet their needs
- May take time to learn to use efficiently
Verdict
When you’re willing to go the extra mile to remove every, last pet hair, this model gives you the tools to get the job done. Serious cleaners will appreciate the variety of tools available for the job. The ability to maneuver under beds and tables can make the cleaning job easier.
It isn’t the lightest, so if you’re moving in between rooms on a daily basis, it may not be the best option. However, if you plan to do thorough, careful cleaning on a variety of surfaces, this is a great choice.
2. Shark Rocket TruePet Corded Ultra-Light Upright (HV322)
This model is Shark’s ultra lightweight model. If you thought the Rocket Power was lightweight, the Ultra-Light Upright is even better if easy to carry is what you’re looking for. It weighs in at just less than nine pounds.
This upright model focuses on portability, so you can take it from room to room all over your entire house.
Another great feature of this vacuum is that it converts to a hand model. This allows you to use it for cleaning curtains and the tops of windows and ledges.
There are attachments available for this purpose. It also comes with a microfiber pad, so that it picks up fine dust in addition to large particles.
Pros
- LED light for hand vacuum to help you see dust particles
- Large dust cup, so that you can clean multiple rooms without a break
- Light weight makes it easy to move
- Hand attachments for cleaning from the floor to the ceiling
Cons
- Light weight may make it less powerful
- User must change between different modes to clean in different spaces
- Dust cup requires cleaning
Verdict
If you need a model that’s easy to carry, this can be a good option. Of course, it might not be as powerful as other models, but it’s convenient if you need to move your model from room to room.
For that reason, you might like this model if you need to use your vacuum for light daily cleaning. This is also a good choice if you plan to use your vacuum to clean curtains and ledges.
This is a basic model that can do the job to remove allergens. It’s not the strongest model available, but it has the basic features and dependable filters. It has a floor attachment and two microfiber pads. The microfiber pads are washable, and they collect fine dust. The vacuum comes with a HEPA filter. It also has complete seal technology.
Pros
- HEPA filter
- Two microfiber cleaning pads to pick up fine dust
- Canister detaches for hard to reach places
Cons
- Not as versatile as other models
- Fewer features than other models
- Microfiber cleaning pads need washing
Verdict
This model has a great combination of all of the best features. It has a detachable canister. This allows you to use the full vacuum for a power clean on floors and use the detached version for difficult spaces.
With a HEPA filter and multiple microfiber pads, it does a great job taking allergens out of the floor. Although it might weigh a bit more than other models, you’ll likely be happy with the performance that you get from the Shark Navigator.
4. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away
While this model is heavier than other available Shark models, it’s also one of the most powerful. If you have a serious problem with allergies, you’ll appreciate the HEPA filter and the pet power brush that allows you to clean thoroughly in delicate places.
It has upright and lift away features, so that you can clean in hard to reach places. Seal technology prevents dust allergens from returning to the air and the floors. This model also has LED lights. It’s similar to the Shark Navigator, but slightly heavier and with a few minor changes in features.
Pros
- HEPA filter for professional cleaning
- Seal technology locks dust and dirt in without reintroducing it to the air
- LED lights to guide cleaning in difficult spots
- Pet power brush helps clean in small areas
Cons
- Heavier than other models
- Canister may be more cumbersome than other models
- User must maneuver between handheld and lift away modes
Verdict
There are a lot of things to like about the Shark Rotator Professional Lift Away. If you have serious allergies that require a deep clean, this is a model that you should seriously consider.
The HEPA filter and the seal technology allow you to get a deep clean on your floors and rugs in a way that locks dirt and dust away in order to prevent it from leaking back into the atmosphere.
For the serious clean that you get with this machine, you have to work with the canister and carry around a little bit of extra weight. If you want deep cleans and you’re willing to do a little bit of extra work in order to carry this model around, it’s a good option.
5. Shark Rocket Power Brushroll Vacuum + Power Pod Lift-Away Anti-Allergy Vacuum
The Shark Power Brushroll Vacuum is an all-purpose model that works best for people who want a versatile system. This system is a powerhead brushroll vacuum along with a canister.
You can turn off the brushroll and just use the suction feature. The versatility of this model gives it the capability to clean both above the surface and below. It has a dust bin that you need to clean, but you don’t have to fumble with a bag.
Pros
- Multiple settings and features for use on both thick carpet and rugs
- LED light helps see in hard to reach places
- Cleans deep; may clean deeper than other models
Cons
- May not be easy to manipulate
- Multiple functions may mean it’s not as powerful for any one specific use
- Dust cup requires cleaning
- Not as light as other Shark models
Verdict
Because this model has multiple features, it’s not built for a single purpose or function. For that reason, it might not provide a deep clean for any one specific use.
However, if you have multiple surfaces and you only want to purchase one model, this might be a good choice. It’s not as light as other models, but most people should still be able to carry it without a problem.
There is some question about whether the model provides the deep clean that other models might produce given that it has multiple function capabilities. The LED light is helpful for small spaces and maneuvering under furniture. If you want a versatile model and you have only mild to moderate allergies, you should consider this option.
Conclusion
Serious allergies need a serious vacuum. When you have pets, you need to buy as much power as you can afford. The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet isn’t the lightest model available, but for the extra effort you get a strong and capable vacuum with a HEPA filter and a compete seal. The extra brushes also make it efficient, so that you can clean every crevice and surface.
The Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away isn’t far behind. It also has great features that convert to your needs. You spend a little bit of extra time getting comfortable with these models, but the extra work is worth it for the results.
If you’re planning to do light cleaning on a daily basis, the Shark Rocket TruePet Corded Ultra-Light Upright might be the more practical option. This model isn’t as sturdy, but it’s light. If you’re running a bed and breakfast and you vacuum every room every day, this is the choice for you.
However, if you need a dependable clean in order to tackle serious allergies, the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet is likely your best bet.