Shark Cordless Powerdetect IP1251

Verdict

The Shark Cordless PowerDetect IP1251 delivers nearly the same top tier cleaning performance as the Clean & Empty model but without the auto empty dock, making it ideal if you want to save some money or prefer a simpler setup. It excels on hard floors, carpets, and pet hair and ranks near the very top of tested cordless vacuums. You mainly give up the stand and still live with a basic tool set, slightly loud max power, and an unremarkable handheld mode.

Pros

  • AI, Smart & App / Automation 1 review 5.0
    Floor, dirt, direction and edge detect sensors automatically adjust suction and roller speed, improving cleaning efficiency without extra input from the user.
  • Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup 1 review 5.0
    Outstanding carpet performance, earning a perfect result in medium-pile deep-clean testing.
  • Filtration / Dust Containment 1 review 5.0
    A sealed filtration system keeps fine dust inside the vacuum and it performs strongly in containment tests, making it suitable for many allergy sensitive households.
  • Hair Pickup — Carpets 1 review 5.0
    It pulls pet and human hair out of carpeted areas effectively, leaving very little hair behind even in stress tests.
  • Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance 1 review 5.0
    Anti-tangle combs keep the brush clear, maintaining strong hair pickup over time.
  • Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup 1 review 5.0
    Nearly perfect fine-dust pickup on hard floors thanks to the DuoClean front roller.
  • Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 1 review 5.0
    The DuoClean head can gobble up larger crumbs and debris on hard floors in a single pass, avoiding the snowplowing that many standard brushroll designs suffer from.
  • Overall opinion 1 review 5.0
    Reviewers see it as a top tier cordless option that ranks near the very best models tested, offering excellent cleaning and smart features at a notably lower price than flagship Dysons.
  • Price & Value 1 review 5.0
    Strong value proposition, delivering premium-level results at a notably lower price.
  • Suction & Airflow 1 review 5.0
    Delivers class-leading Shark cordless suction with strong airflow support across surfaces.
  • Under-Furniture Pickup 1 review 5.0
    Thanks to the MultiFLEX wand, the vacuum can bend to reach under sofas and beds while the user stays upright, improving coverage in low spaces.
  • Battery & Charging 1 review 4.5
    The removable battery offers long runtimes for everyday cleaning, with eco and auto modes covering most homes in a single session while max power drains more quickly.
  • Headlight & LED lights 1 review 4.5
    LEDs on the cleaning head illuminate dust and debris in front of the nozzle, making it easier to see what you are picking up on darker floors.
  • Maneuverability & Handling 1 review 4.5
    Ergonomic handle and responsive swivel make daily maneuvering easy around furniture.
  • Runtime (Measured, Default) 1 review 4.5
    Auto mode manages power efficiently for roughly 30–40 minutes per charge, with 70 minutes on low and 13 minutes on max observed in testing configurations.
  • Storage footprint & upright-stand stability 1 review 4.5
    The folding wand helps the stick vac fit into smaller closets and corners, keeping its overall storage footprint modest for a full size cordless.
  • Floorhead design 1 review 4.0
    The DuoClean floorhead combines a soft front roller and standard brushroll to handle both hard floors and carpets, reducing the need to swap heads mid clean.
  • Controls & UI 1 review 3.5
    Basic LEDs report battery and mode information clearly enough, but the lack of a numerical runtime readout feels less premium than some competitors.
  • Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) 1 review 3.5
    In lab crevice tests it performed better than average at pulling dirt from grooves, though it did not match the very best performers.

Cons

  • Floorhead Seal on Hard Floors 1 review 3.0
    The updated squeegee design trades some hard floor seal for smoother movement, so suction at the head and crevice pickup are good but not top tier.
  • Noise level 1 review 3.0
    A bit louder than average at max power, though acceptable at lower settings.
  • Weight 1 review 3.0
    Handle weight is a touch above average for a cordless, yet the overall machine still feels lighter in use than many large premium stick vacuums.
  • Accessories & Tools 1 review 2.0
    Includes only basic combination tools and lacks a motorized mini brush.
  • Convertible handheld design 1 review 2.0
    As with many stick vacs, the direct handheld mode can feel unwieldy, and the lack of an optional hose limits how comfortable it is for detailed above floor work.