As Ideal Home’s Certified Expert in Vacuums, it’s my job to test all of the different makes and models out there. In fact, I’ve spent over 300 hours putting vacuums through their paces so far, and while there are many smaller vacuum cleaner brands that have impressed me, there’s no denying that two brands stick out more than most: Shark and Dyson.
The best Shark vacuum cleaners and the best Dyson vacuums offer cutting-edge cleaning technology that has allowed them to feature heavily in our main vacuum cleaner guide. But when you’re faced with two vacuum cleaner brands that offer impressive suction, reliability, style, and high-tech features, it can be hard to choose between them.
That’s why I’ve decided to lay out the basics, and below you'll find all of the important info you need to know about these popular vacuum cleaner brands. This should help you settle the Shark vs. Dyson debate once and for all and choose the one that best suits your specific needs.
I've crowned this the 'best overall' Shark vacuum cleaner you can buy, offering up to 70 minutes of run time, four-detection cleaning technology and a handy auto-empty dock. You can read our full review here.
This is my top-rated Dyson vacuum cleaner, and it's one of the brand's newest additions. It also has up to 70 minutes of run time and comes with a dust compactor to free up even more space in the dust bin. Read our full review here.
Shark vs Dyson: The differences
Although Shark has become one of the biggest appliance brands in the UK, its roots can be traced back to the United States. It was founded by Mark Rosenzweig in 2007 and operates under the SharkNinja company - which, coincidentally, is the very same Ninja that makes Ninja kitchen appliances.
One thing I wish I knew about buying a Shark vacuum cleaner, though, is that there are so many options out there - from older, well-rounded models like the Shark Stratos to the newer, budget-friendly options like the Shark PowerPro.
For the most part, Shark is known for selling some of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, though its corded models and robot vacuum cleaners are becoming increasingly popular as people value cleaning power over manoeuvrability. In my opinion, they’re designed with everyday use in mind, and have varying price points and features to suit different households.
Dyson, on the other hand, I’d say, is a more premium brand for those looking to invest in a high-tech model. Founder James Dyson built the brand on high-class engineering and is credited as the inventor of the world’s first bagless vacuum cleaner. Since then, the brand has branched out to its iconic Dyson Ball upright corded to the brand-new Dyson V16 Piston Animal - a corded vacuum with innovative and never-before-seen features.
But with cutting-edge technology at its core, the one thing everyone should know before buying a Dyson vacuum is that it’s an investment appliance. Unlike Shark, which typically has a wide range of price points, Dyson vacuum cleaners start off at the pricier end of the scale. You do typically get a sleeker, more high-tech design for that price.
Shark vs Dyson: corded or cordless?
I’ve already weighed up whether you should buy a Shark corded vs cordless vacuum cleaner, but Dyson definitely needs to be inserted into this debate, too.
That’s because both brands offer both corded and cordless versions, meaning there’s even more to weigh up when deciding between Shark and Dyson. And in our opinion, the only way to understand what works for you is to understand the negatives.
Of course, the main downside of a cordless vacuum cleaner - no matter whether you choose Shark or Dyson - is that you have to rely on a battery. This limits how long you can use the vacuum before you have to charge it up, which may ultimately limit your cleaning process.
In the past, this is where Shark vacuum cleaners have won, as the majority of Shark vacuums - come with two batteries (or at least one replaceable battery that you can buy a spare of) so you technically always have double the cleaning time.
For the most part, Dyson hasn’t offered this with its corded models - but that has recently changed with its new models. The budget-friendly Dyson V8 Cyclone and the more expensive V16 now come with replaceable batteries, so you can buy spares if you find that you need a longer run time.
On the other hand, a downside of a corded vacuum cleaner is that it can get in the way when you’re cleaning, and you have to unplug it as you move around the house, which can be difficult for those with dexterity issues. Dyson seems to win on the corded front, though, as the cord of the Dyson Ball is 14m - which is 4m longer than the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Corded Stick Vacuum HZ500UK and 6m longer than the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner AZ3900UKT
Everyone has their own taste when it comes to corded vs cordless, though, so it’s down to you to choose which one you prefer.
Shark vs Dyson: Which has better features?
Every vacuum brand has innovative, practical, and design features that set them apart from the rest, and this is the case in the Shark vs Dyson vacuum cleaner debate. Ultimately, it’s impossible to tell which is better than the other, as it’s completely dependent on your needs and requirements.
Common Shark features include
- DirtDetect/CleanSense IQ: This is one of the most common Shark vacuum terms, and it is where the vacuum automatically detects dirt and adjusts the suction power accordingly.
- FloorDetect: Where the Shark vacuum cleaner detects a change in floor type (i.e hard flooring or carpet), and adjusts the cleaning power automatically.
- DirectionDetect: The Shark vacuum offers impressive pickup power on both the front stroke AND the back stroke.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal: A seal that traps 99.9% of dust, allergens and irritants.
- Powered Lift-Away: Allows you to lift a lightweight detachable pod from the main vacuum, mostly in the upright Shark models.
- Flexology wand: Allows for a bend in the extension wand, so you can clean underneath low furniture with ease.
- Auto-Empty: A feature only available in the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner and the brand’s robot vacuums.
Common Dyson features include
- Cyclone technology: This technology uses centrifugal force to separate dust and dirt, so you don’t need a dust bag.
- Dust detect sensor: Piezo sensor detects the dirt level on your floor to automatically adjust suction power.
- Laser Fluffy cleaning head: A cleaner head specifically for hard flooring, which uses a rotating brush roller and laser technology to showcase dirt invisible to the naked eye.
- De-tangling Motorbar cleaning head: Floorhead suitable for both hard flooring and carpets, with anti-tangle technology to prevent blockages.
- CleanCompaktor bin: Available with the Dyson V16 Piston Animal, where you can compact the dust to instantly create more space in the dust bin.
Shark vs Dyson: what do the customer reviews say?
Shark Clean UK has almost 45,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. 79% of reviewers gave the brand 5 stars, with customers raving about their helpful customer service, the ease of assembly and the great suction of the vacuums.
Dyson UK is considerably lower when it comes to their average rating out of 5 stars. Their average is 2.5 out of 5, across almost 38,000 reviews. It is also worth mentioning that this Trustpilot page also covers Dyson air treatment and hair care products, so it isn’t truly reflective of the vacuum cleaners alone.
Shark vs Dyson: which is more affordable?
With somewhat comparable reviews from customers, the next thing we can compare is the price point.
The most affordable vacuum from Shark is the brand-new Shark Freestyle Pro Cordless Upright Vacuum SV2000UK, which has an RRP of just £149.99. I have yet to test this one (watch this space), but the cheapest one I have tested is the Shark PowerPro, which retails at £249.99.
The most expensive Shark in the whole range is the £549.99 Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner IP3251UKT. There’s also the Shark ThermaCharged PowerDetect Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum, which will set you back £949.99.
I’ve already mentioned that Dyson is the pricier option in the Shark vs Dyson debate, and the cheapest Dyson vacuum cleaner on the market right now is the Dyson Ball Animal at £279.99. The Dyson V8 Cyclone also deserves a mention, though, as this £349.99 cordless stick vacuum is their new budget-friendly model.
At the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive Dyson you can buy is the £749.99 Dyson V16 Piston Animal. This is the brand’s latest model and does come with a lot of new technologies, but this is significantly more than the average Shark vacuum. For discounts, though, it is well worth checking out Dyson Renewed.
Since both brands routinely offer discounts, we would recommend holding off on purchasing until your chosen vacuum cleaner is on sale to get it at the most competitive price. Peak sales periods like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day tend to offer the best deals.
Shark vs Dyson: final thoughts
Despite my years of testing vacuum cleaners, it’s fair to say that the Shark vs Dyson debate certainly doesn’t have an easy answer.
In terms of price, a Shark could be the best option if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck. But if you have the extra cash to splash and want the most technologically advanced devices, investing in a Dyson might be the right choice for you, regardless of the promotions currently running.
Generally, you won’t be disappointed by splashing the cash and opting for a Dyson model (as long as you do your research and make sure the features suit you and your home), but I can’t deny that Shark has really upped its game recently. So, I still think you’ll be very happy if you opt for the cheaper option.
Of course, every decision is personal - but if you want some more help with deciding between Shark and Dyson and need a price incentive, keep an eye on our vacuum deals page for some hard-to-resist discounts.
Happy shopping!
