5 Best Sharks for Hardwood and Carpet 2025

shark vacuum for hardwood and carpet

Cleaning a home with both hardwood floors and carpets can be a daunting task, especially when trying to find a vacuum that effectively handles both surfaces. Many vacuums either scratch hardwood or fail to deep-clean carpets, leaving homeowners frustrated and searching for the right solution. Enter Shark vacuums, known for their innovative technology and versatility. With features like auto-adjusting brushrolls, HEPA filtration, and Lift-Away functionality, Shark offers models tailored to tackle the unique challenges of multi-surface cleaning.

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To help you make an informed choice, we’ve analyzed top Shark models based on performance, features, and user feedback. Whether you prioritize self-emptying convenience, cordless maneuverability, or pet hair removal, we’ve considered it all. Below, we break down the best Shark vacuums for hardwood and carpet, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your home. Keep reading to discover which model meets your needs.

Our Top Picks

Preview Product Best Price Review
Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Best Self-Emptying View on Amazon Go to Reviews
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Vacuum Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Vacuum Best Budget Friendly View on Amazon Go to Reviews
Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick Best Lightweight View on Amazon Go to Reviews
Shark HydroVac MessMaster Vacuum Shark HydroVac MessMaster Vacuum Best for Wet/Dry Messes View on Amazon Go to Reviews
Shark NV752 TruePet Upright Shark NV752 TruePet Upright Best for Pet Owners View on Amazon Go to Reviews

Best Shark For Hardwood And Carpet Review

Best Self-Emptying

Shark Clean & Empty Cordless

Shark Clean & Empty Cordless
Runtime
Up to 40 minutes
Weight
30% lighter
Filtration
HEPA Filter
Dust Exposure
500X less
Floor Types
Multi-surface
Latest Price

ADVANTAGES

Auto-empty system
HEPA filtration
Lightweight design
Auto-adjusts brushroll

LIMITATIONS

×
Runtime varies
×
Smaller dustbin (vac)

The Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum offers a compelling solution for homes with a mix of hardwood and carpet, thanks to its auto-adjusting multi-surface brushroll that optimizes speed for deep carpet cleaning while directly engaging hard floors. Its HEPA filtration and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal are significant boons, capturing and trapping over 99.97% of dust and allergens, which is beneficial when transitioning between different floor types that can stir up debris. The lightweight design, noted as 30% lighter than the Shark Vertex Pro, enhances maneuverability across varied surfaces, making whole-home cleaning less of a chore.

A standout feature is the automatic charging and emptying system; upon returning to its dock, the vacuum empties itself into the base, drastically reducing dust exposure compared to traditional methods. This system, combined with HEPA filtration, ensures fine dust and debris are sealed away, keeping the air cleaner. The vacuum also transforms into a removable handvac, providing versatility for above-floor cleaning on different surfaces, complemented by LED headlights that reveal hidden debris on both carpets and hard floors.

With up to 40 minutes of runtime in ECO mode, this vacuum can handle most cleaning sessions effectively, and the quiet mode for docking and charging is a thoughtful addition. The inclusion of tools like the duster crevice tool and pet-multi tool further extends its utility across various cleaning tasks on different surfaces. Compared to the Shark Rotator LA502, this model offers superior cordless convenience and an innovative self-emptying system, though the LA502 provides robust corded power with specialized DuoClean technology for deep cleaning.

Best Budget Friendly

Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Vacuum

Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Vacuum
Weight
Under 9 lbs
Type
Bagless vacuum
Corded/Cordless
Corded
Floor Types
Carpet & Hardfloor
Swivel Steering
Yes
Latest Price

ADVANTAGES

Ultra-lightweight
Fingertip controls
Swivel steering
Converts to handheld

LIMITATIONS

×
Corded design
×
Smaller dust cup

The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum (HV301) is a nimble yet powerful option for cleaning both carpets and hard floors, offering consistent corded suction that doesn’t fade. Its ultra-lightweight build, under nine pounds, makes it easy to maneuver across different floor types, from plush carpets to delicate hardwood, without causing fatigue. Fingertip controls allow for seamless toggling between surface modes, ensuring optimal cleaning performance whether you’re tackling embedded dirt in carpets or surface debris on hard floors.

Swivel steering enhances its agility, allowing users to navigate tight spaces and around furniture with excellent control, crucial for thorough cleaning on both hardwood and carpeted areas. The vacuum conveniently converts to a handheld unit, extending its cleaning reach to upholstery, stairs, and above-floor surfaces, making it a versatile tool for comprehensive home cleaning. This adaptability is particularly useful for homes with mixed flooring and varied cleaning needs.

The easy-empty dust cup facilitates quick disposal of debris, getting you back to cleaning in seconds, and the included tools like the upholstery tool and crevice tool add to its versatility on different surfaces. While it provides reliable cleaning power for various floor types, its corded design offers less freedom than a cordless model like the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106, though it ensures uninterrupted power and generally comes at a more accessible price point.

Best Lightweight

Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick

Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick
Weight
7.5 lbs
Voltage
10.8 volts
Wattage
125 watts
Dust Cup
.64 quart
Charging Time
4 hours
Latest Price

ADVANTAGES

Lightweight cordless
2-speed brushroll
XL dust cup
Quick charge

LIMITATIONS

×
No HEPA filter
×
Basic attachments

The Shark Navigator Freestyle (SV1106) offers notable cordless convenience for cleaning both carpet and hard floors, weighing in at a mere 7.5 pounds for easy portability. Its 2-speed brushroll is specifically optimized for different surfaces, providing effective pet hair pickup and debris removal whether on plush carpets or smooth hardwood. This feature allows users to tailor the cleaning approach to the floor type, ensuring thorough results without being tethered by a cord.

With an XL dust cup capacity of .64 quarts, this vacuum allows for extended cleaning sessions without frequent interruptions for emptying, a practical feature for larger homes or more intensive cleaning tasks on various floor types. The precision charger not only recharges the unit in about 4 hours but also doubles as a convenient storage block. This streamlined design makes it easy to grab and go for quick cleanups on any surface.

The Navigator Freestyle excels in providing a straightforward, lightweight cordless cleaning experience for everyday messes on both carpets and hard floors. While it offers good performance and an easy-to-empty dust cup, it lacks the advanced HEPA filtration and self-emptying capabilities found in the Shark Clean & Empty BU3521, which offers a more premium, automated cleaning experience.

Best for Wet/Dry Messes

Shark HydroVac MessMaster Vacuum

Shark HydroVac MessMaster Vacuum
Type
Wet/Dry Vacuum
Surface
Hard Floors
Capacity
12 oz. Tank
Corded/Cordless
Corded
Self-Cleaning
Yes
Latest Price

ADVANTAGES

Vacuums and mops
Self-cleaning system
Odor neutralizer
Multi-surface

LIMITATIONS

×
Corded operation
×
Not for deep carpet
×
Smaller clean tank

The Shark HydroVac MessMaster WD161 offers a unique 3-in-1 cleaning solution, adept at vacuuming and mopping sealed hard floors like hardwood, tile, and marble simultaneously, while also refreshing area rugs. Its powerful suction combined with hydro mopping effectively pulls in wet and dry messes, from dirt and debris to stains and grime, leaving surfaces clean and streak-free. The continuous self-cleaning system is a key innovation, helping to prevent dirt from being redeposited back onto your floors during the cleaning process.

This corded unit is specifically designed for multi-surface cleaning, tackling both everyday dry debris on hard floors and area rugs, as well as wet spills, making it highly versatile. The system uses a multi-surface concentrate with odor neutralizer technology, which is particularly beneficial for pet owners looking to reduce odors on various floor types. An intelligent debris filtration technology in the dirty water tank separates solids from liquids, simplifying the emptying process.

The HydroVac MessMaster features an LED display for easy mode switching and real-time status updates, enhancing user convenience. While it excels at wet/dry cleaning on hard floors and light cleaning of area rugs, it doesn’t offer the specialized deep carpet cleaning capabilities of a dedicated dry vacuum like the Shark Rotator LA502, which is designed for more intensive carpet fiber agitation and dry debris removal.

Best for Pet Owners

Shark NV752 TruePet Upright

Shark NV752 TruePet Upright
Technology
Lift-Away
Filtration
HEPA Filter
Dust Cup
0.88 Quart
Steering
Advanced Swivel
Pet Hair
Pet Power Brush
Latest Price

ADVANTAGES

Powered Lift-Away
Anti-Allergen Seal
Excellent for pets
Large dust cup

LIMITATIONS

×
Corded design
×
Heavier than sticks

The Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet is a formidable vacuum for homes with pets, excelling on both carpet and hard floors due to its robust suction and specialized tools. Its 2-in-1 Powered Lift-Away technology is a standout, allowing the pod to be detached for cleaning under furniture or on stairs while the main brushroll continues to spin, ensuring consistent cleaning power across different surfaces. Fingertip controls make it easy to switch between hard floor and carpet modes, adapting the vacuum’s performance to the specific cleaning task at hand.

This model incorporates an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology along with a HEPA filter, trapping 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is highly beneficial when dealing with pet dander on carpets and fine dust on hard floors. The large-capacity dust cup allows for extended cleaning sessions without frequent emptying, and LED headlights on the nozzle illuminate hidden debris and pet hair. Advanced swivel steering provides excellent maneuverability around furniture and in tight corners on various floor types.

The included Perfect Pet Power Brush is specifically designed to remove pet hair and ground-in dirt from carpeted stairs and upholstery, enhancing its effectiveness for pet owners. Compared to the Shark Clean & Empty Cordless BU3521, the NV752 offers superior corded power and specialized pet tools for deep cleaning carpets and upholstery, though the BU3521 provides the convenience of cordless operation and a self-emptying base.

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How to Choose the Right Shark Vacuum for Hardwood & Carpet

Choosing the right Shark vacuum for a home with both hardwood floors and carpets requires considering a few key features. Not all Shark models are created equal, and selecting the best one depends on your specific needs and priorities.

Brushroll Technology & Floor Type Adjustment

The brushroll is arguably the most important feature. Shark vacuums excel with their ability to transition between floor types. Auto-adjusting brushrolls (found in models like the Shark Clean & Empty and Shark NV752 TruePet) are ideal. These dynamically change their speed – slowing down on hardwood to polish without scattering debris, and speeding up on carpet for deep cleaning. Without this, you risk damaging hardwood or not effectively cleaning carpets. Models with dedicated hard floor settings (like the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light) offer a good alternative, but require manual adjustment. A brushroll that doesn’t adjust or offer different settings may leave swirl marks on hardwood or struggle to lift dirt from carpets.

Corded vs. Cordless & Runtime

Cordless vacuums (like the Shark Clean & Empty and Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick) offer ultimate convenience and maneuverability. However, runtime is crucial. Consider how much square footage you need to cover. Models boasting 40+ minutes (in ECO mode, as with the Clean & Empty) are best for larger homes. Shorter runtimes might necessitate frequent recharging. Corded models (like the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light and Shark NV752 TruePet) provide consistent power and unlimited runtime, but limit your reach and require outlet access.

Self-Emptying & Dust Capacity

Self-emptying bases (Shark Clean & Empty) are a game-changer for convenience. They automatically empty the dustbin, reducing mess and the frequency of manual emptying. This is particularly beneficial for pet owners or allergy sufferers. However, these models typically come at a higher price point. Dust cup capacity is also important. Larger capacities (0.88 quarts, as in the Shark NV752 TruePet) mean fewer interruptions for emptying, regardless of whether the vacuum self-empties. Smaller dust cups (0.64 quarts, as in the Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick) are fine for smaller homes or quick cleanups.

Specialized Features

  • Lift-Away Technology: (Shark NV752 TruePet) allows for portable cleaning of stairs, upholstery, and tight spaces.
  • HEPA Filtration: (Shark NV752 TruePet, Shark Clean & Empty) Traps allergens, ideal for sensitive individuals.
  • Wet/Dry Functionality: (Shark HydroVac MessMaster) Offers versatility for tackling spills and messes beyond dry debris.
  • Pet-Specific Tools: (Shark NV752 TruePet) Designed to effectively remove pet hair from various surfaces.
  • Swivel Steering: (Shark Rocket Ultra-Light, Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick) Improves maneuverability around furniture.

Shark Vacuum Comparison: Best for Hardwood & Carpet

Feature Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Vacuum Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick Shark HydroVac MessMaster Vacuum Shark NV752 TruePet Upright
Weight Lighter than Shark Vertex Pro (30% lighter) Under 9 lbs 7.5 lbs Not specified Not specified
Corded/Cordless Cordless Corded Cordless Corded Corded
Runtime Up to 40 minutes (ECO mode) N/A N/A N/A N/A
Self-Emptying Yes No No Self-Cleaning System No
Wet/Dry Cleaning No No No Yes No
Floor Type Adjustment Auto-adjusts Fingertip controls 2-speed brushroll Multi-Surface Fingertip controls
Pet Hair Focused Yes Yes Yes Yes (odor reduction) Yes (Pet Power Brush)
Dust Cup Capacity Not specified Easy-Empty .64 quart Extra Large Clean Tank 0.88 quart
Filtration HEPA Not specified Not specified Debris Filtration Technology HEPA
Included Tools 8″ Duster, Crevice, Pet-Multi Upholstery, Anti-Allergen Brush, Crevice Not specified Brushroll, Foam Filter Upholstery, Pet Power Brush, Crevice

Data-Driven Analysis of Shark Vacuum Performance

Evaluating Shark vacuums for hardwood and carpet requires moving beyond marketing claims. We analyzed user reviews from major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart) alongside independent testing data from sources like Consumer Reports and Wirecutter to identify performance trends. Our analysis focused on suction power across floor types, brushroll effectiveness (specifically, scratch resistance on hardwood), and reported reliability.

Data consistently shows models with auto-adjusting brushrolls (e.g., Shark Clean & Empty, NV752 TruePet) receive higher ratings for both hardwood and carpet cleaning performance. We cross-referenced these ratings with user reports detailing swirl marks on hardwood – auto-adjusting models showed significantly fewer complaints. Runtime data for cordless models was also scrutinized; user reviews often highlight discrepancies between advertised and actual cleaning times, particularly on high-power settings.

Furthermore, we examined frequency of reported repairs, identified through warranty claim data (where publicly available) and large-scale review analysis. This revealed variations in long-term reliability between models, informing our assessment of overall value. Models with HEPA filtration consistently scored higher with allergy sufferers.

FAQs

What Shark vacuum is best for both hardwood floors and carpets?

Shark vacuums with auto-adjusting brushrolls like the Shark Clean & Empty and Shark NV752 TruePet are generally the best choice. They dynamically adjust brush speed to optimize cleaning on both surfaces, preventing damage to hardwood and maximizing dirt removal from carpets.

Corded or cordless Shark vacuum – which should I choose?

Cordless Shark vacuums offer convenience, but corded models provide consistent power and unlimited runtime. If you have a larger home or dislike interruptions for charging, a corded option like the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is preferable. For smaller homes, a cordless with 40+ minutes of runtime (in ECO mode) can be sufficient.

Is a self-emptying Shark vacuum worth the extra cost?

Self-emptying bases are incredibly convenient, especially for pet owners or allergy sufferers, as they minimize contact with dust and debris. However, they come at a higher price. If convenience is a high priority and your budget allows, it’s a worthwhile investment.

What does HEPA filtration do and is it important?

HEPA filtration traps tiny allergens like dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. It’s very important for people with allergies or asthma, as it improves air quality during and after vacuuming. Models like the Shark NV752 TruePet and Shark Clean & Empty feature HEPA filters.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the “best” Shark vacuum hinges on your individual needs and home layout. Prioritize an auto-adjusting brushroll if you have a mix of hardwood and carpet to avoid damage and maximize cleaning effectiveness. Consider corded versus cordless based on your home’s size and your preference for convenience versus consistent power.

Investing in features like self-emptying bases or HEPA filtration can significantly enhance your cleaning experience, especially if you grapple with pet hair or allergies. Carefully weigh these options against your budget and cleaning priorities to choose the Shark vacuum that will deliver the sparkling clean home you deserve.

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