Let’s face it: vacuums aren’t exactly exciting for most people. (However, most people are not me.)
It is a task, badly needed in the fight against dust bunnies and tumbleweeds dog hair. But what if your vacuum wasn’t just powerful, it was smart, freeing you from the tyranny of tangled cords and overflowing trash cans?
Enter the Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean and Empty System, the name for a machine that promises to simplify your cleaning routine.
First Impressions
Unboxing the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum is very easy. When I first opened it, I was met by a beautiful, modern machine that advised me, “I’m here to clean, and I mean business!”
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Out of the box, the setup is direct, and comes with enough power to give it a spin around the house if necessary, but ideally, it will be full before the down-and-dirty debut.
While the vacuum itself felt strong and well-built, and the attachments were fairly standard fare, its automatic emptying dock is the selling piece of this excellent cleaning machine. The automatic empty dock, which promises to be my best friend in the fight against dirty bins, is a charging base and is compact enough to put in a corner without hurting eyes, which is good for those of us who prefer to display cleaning tools as art.
Sorry – they will never be art.
Performance and Experience
Now, onto the nitty-gritty of using this powerhouse. Shark PowerDetect is not a walking cordless vacuum. I unleashed the challenge of household horrors: dog hair tumbleweeds, a Cheerio catastrophe, and the consequences of a coffee ground disaster that will make 6 pm Starbucks look as sterile as a surgeon’s table.
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Even with all that power, the noise level is pretty standard for a stick vacuum – it won’t wake up the neighbors, but it will startle a sleeping cat. It has four main features that set it apart, and let me tell you, they work as advertised.
Key Features
First, the DuoClean Detect nozzle. This wonderful attachment is the heart of Shark’s operation. It has a combination of soft and hard bristles to tackle carpets and hard floors effectively. Most vacuums push away debris as you back up, making it a game of “chasing the dirt.” Not this. Thanks to multidirectional cleaning, it picks up debris whether you’re moving forward or backward. It’s basically vacuum ambidexterity, and it’s a game-changer.
Next, the MultiFLEX arm. Picture this: You’re trying to clean the bottom of the couch, and instead of straining to get back there, your vacuum arm does it all – no furniture needed. The flexibility of this arm is impressive. It’s easy to get into tight spaces that usually require a bit of awkward bending, and in over 40 years, sometimes I can feel tomorrow (and I know I’m not the only one).
My only complaint? The arms don’t lock in place, which makes me feel a bit wobbly. It’s a small problem, but I noticed it.
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Then there is the Dirt Detect feature. Imagine a vacuum that is smart enough to detect how dirty your floor is and adjust its power. It is the technology used and exactly what this feature does. As soon as it reaches a particularly messy point, you can literally hear the motor kick into high gear. This not only ensures thorough cleaning but also maximizes battery life by not opening the throttle fully.
One thing to note is that there is no trigger button if you want to control this action yourself. However, the vacuum can be switched to boost mode if you want full power at all times or to eco mode if you don’t want to use Detection technology and want to conserve battery.
After that, the Floor Detect feature. This vacuum smoothly transitions from hardwood to carpet to linoleum to tile without fail. No need to switch settings, fiddle with buttons, or change brush heads; it just…gets it.
Finally, Clean and Empty System. This docking station not only fills the vacuum but also automatically empties the bin into the large 2L capacity base after each cleaning session. This means no more clouds of dust or dealing with full canisters – pure magic.
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The noise level is pretty standard for a stick vacuum – it won’t wake up the neighbors, but it will startle a sleeping cat. And speaking of pets, this vacuum seems to have a vendetta against pet hair. The brush roll stayed clean throughout the test, which is more than I can say for the last vacuum that became a hair scarf after use.
Excess:
- DuoClean Detect Nozzle: The ability to clean in both directions is revolutionary. No more pushing the dust away; it will just be taken up, plain and simple.
- MultiFLEX Arm: This feature makes it easier to reach the furniture without having to move anything. Flexibility at its finest.
- Impurity Detection: Intelligent suction adjustment is a lifesaver for efficiency and battery life. It’s like having cruise control for your vacuum.
- Automatic Empty Dock: The automatic emptying feature is a big plus, especially for people with allergies. No more dust clouds when you try to clean the tube.
- Long Runtime: Up to 70 minutes of cleaning on one charge is more than enough to cover the whole house, even if you want to deep clean.
Cons:
- MultiFLEX Arm Stability: The arms don’t lock in place, which can cause instability and wear and tear over time.
- Learning Curve: Some features, such as opening the canister, are not immediately intuitive. You may need to consult the manual or risk making a mess the first time.
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The final verdict
The Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum is a top-tier cleaning machine that delivers on its promise at a price below some of its biggest competitors.
It is packed with features that make cleaning easier, faster, and more efficient. The DuoClean Detect nozzle alone is worth the investment, making sure every pass counts, forward or backward. The Dirt Detect feature is like having the vacuum do the thinking for you, adjusting power based on how dirty your floor is. And don’t forget the Auto-Empty dock, which takes the hassle out of emptying tubes.
Of course, there are some small drawbacks, such as the MultiFLEX arm not locking and a low learning curve with some features, but this is more than the positives, such as performance and convenience.
This vacuum is ideal for anyone who wants to make their cleaning routine less of a chore and easier. Whether you have a house full of kids, pets, or just a lot of boxes, Post Wanted thinks Shark PowerDetect is up to the task.
How We Are Tested
We tested Shark PowerDetect in our New York City studio and office. We put it through a pace in a typical household environment, which includes a mix of carpet, hardwood, and linoleum floors.
We tested the vacuum’s performance in both standard and high-power modes, paying close attention to how the PowerDetect system adjusts to different mess levels. We tested common household messes like pet hair, Cheerios, and coffee in arguably uncommonly generous amounts.
We also evaluated the effectiveness of the Edge Detect feature by running the vacuum along baseboards and in corners. During testing, we paid attention to factors such as noise level, ease of use, and effectiveness of the automatic empty dock.
The MultiFLEX arm is tested by cleaning under furniture from various heights and in tight spaces. We tested the battery life to verify the claimed runtime of 70 minutes.
While our testing time is limited, we aim to create a variety of cleaning scenarios that the average household can encounter. The aim is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the capabilities and limitations of this vacuum.
Remember, your mileage may vary depending on your specific cleaning needs and home environment. But based on our tests, the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum proved to be a formidable cleaning ally, ready to tackle any challenge thrown at it.
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