I test all the latest vacuum cleaners — here's why this affordable cordless cleaner is still my favorite

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This cordless cleaner will always be my number one choice

Shark Clean & Empty vacuum cleaner on floor
(Image credit: Future)

Whether you want to make light work of household chores, or want to upgrade your existing model, having one of the best vacuum cleaners is an essential tool. But with so many different brands, sizes and models on the market, it can often be tricky to know which one is right for your home, floors and lifestyle. More importantly, you'll need to find a good vacuum cleaner that suits your budget.

I've spent countless hours reviewing the latest vacuums (so you don’t have to) around my home. From premium brands such as Dyson, Roborock and Shark to more sustainable brands such as Halo, I’ve put these to work on my carpets, tiles and hardwood floors. But, while I’ve used some premium, high-spec and expensive contenders, this cheap cordless cleaner is the one I keep going back to. Here’s why.

Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Shark Clean Lightweight Cordless Cleaner on hard floor

(Image credit: Future)

Out of all the vacuum cleaners I’ve tested and own, this Shark Clean & Empty Cordless cleaner is my reliable go-to for daily cleaning — and there’s a lot that I love about it.

Unlike other cordless vacuums I’ve used, this Shark Clean & Empty is super lightweight, taking out the hefty strain of carrying it around, especially up and down my stairs. This is mainly thanks to its design being 30% lighter than Shark's other models, which makes it a breeze to lift and handle with one hand.

Shark Clean Lightweight Cordless Cleaner on white tiles

Shark Clean Lightweight Cordless Cleaner on white tiles (Image credit: Future)

And while the Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum doesn’t have any smart fancy mod cons of expensive vacuums, it boasts all the handy features that you need. It comes with multi-surface cleaning to detect and adjust to the levels of dirt, a bright LED floor light to illuminate your path, plus, its auto-emptying and charging base, which saves you the hassle of emptying a dirty dust canister after each use.

More importantly, the Shark offers great cleaning results — that’s good enough to rival expensive cordless vacs. Despite its lightweight and rather flimsy appearance, I was impressed by its mighty power to quickly suck up debris and dirt in no time. What’s more, it sucked up stubborn dust wedged in the grouting of my kitchen tiles, and tackled in-grained hair strands on my beige carpets.

Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: was $399 now $299 at Amazon

Voted the best cordless vacuum in our guide, this Shark model is a powerful vacuum with HEPA filter. It comes with handy swivel steering to get into awkward spots. Its DuoClean Powerfins and self-cleaning brush roll can quickly deep clean carpets and hardwood floors with ease. And if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, it comes with a self-emptying and charging base.

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If I had to find any fault in the Shark Clean & Empty, it would be the noise levels. Plus, it gets louder the more grime it sucks up. However, this can easily be overlooked, especially when my carpets and hard floors are always left spotless.

Perhaps what’s even better is its price tag. At just $299 on sale, it’s a fraction of some of the premium cordless cleaners (with a self-emptying base) I’ve tested — making it well worth the money. If you don't need any smart/advanced features, and simply want a user-friendly vacuum, I'd recommend the Shark Clean & Empty cordless to get the job done well.

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Cynthia Lawrence
Cynthia Lawrence
Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. 


Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.


With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!


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