The verdict in 10 seconds
Best Dyson
Dyson V15 DetectA powerful, clever cordless vacuum that's pricey and tiring to holdSuits you if
- You have pets or long hair in the house and want floors and furniture cleared quickly
- Your home mixes hard floors and rugs, and you like seeing exactly where the dust is
- You want one premium vacuum for floors, stairs, the car and allergy-friendly filtration
Best Shark
Shark Stratos CordlessA strong, smart cleaner on any floor, but heavy with short batterySuits you if
- Your home mixes hard floors and carpet and you want one vacuum for both
- Someone in your home has allergies and you want strong filtration
- You often clean under beds, sofas, and other low furniture
Which brand wins?
Dyson is the stronger brand for cordless vacuums right now. The best single model of the two is the Dyson V15 Detect, which suits you if you have pets or long hair in the house and want floors and furniture cleared quickly.
We researched 47 expert reviews, analyzed 281,023 owner ratings and comments across 22 sources for every Dyson and Shark model we cover, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Show me the receipts
Brand scoreboardAverage score 76 vs 66 · reliability 58 vs 34
| Dyson | Shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 76 | 66 |
| Experts | 80 | 80 |
| Owners | 80 | 68 |
| Reliability | 58 | 34 |
| Models scored | 4 | 2 |
| Most reliable model | Dyson V15 Detect | Shark Stratos Cordless |
Averages across scored models. ● marks the better number on each row.
Questions people actually ask
Which is better, Dyson or Shark?
Dyson, on balance. Its models do better overall.
Based on: Average Product Review score 76 for Dyson vs 66 for Shark.Which brand is more reliable, Dyson or Shark?
Dyson. Its models are less likely to give you trouble.
Based on: Average reliability 58 vs 34.What is the best Dyson cordless vacuum?
The Dyson V15 Detect. It suits you if you have pets or long hair in the house and want floors and furniture cleared quickly.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Dyson models (83).What is the best Shark cordless vacuum?
The Shark Stratos Cordless. It suits you if your home mixes hard floors and carpet and you want one vacuum for both.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Shark models (69).