Shark PowerDetect Cordless Vacuum

4.1

(14)

Bottom Line

Choose this Shark if you want near-flagship pickup with an auto-empty dock and smart surface sensing; Skip if you prioritize featherweight handling or want a low-maintenance stick that rarely clogs or needs sensor/brush attention.

Best for

Homes with lots of hard floors and area rugs (especially with pets) that want strong pickup plus the convenience of an auto-empty dock and under-furniture reach.

Not for

Anyone who needs an ultra-light stick, expects long runtime on max power, or wants minimal maintenance with fewer chances of hair wrap, sensor cleaning, or occasional clogs.

Verdict

Shark’s PowerDetect Clean & Empty system delivers standout day-to-day cleaning thanks to a DuoClean floorhead and sensors that automatically bump power at edges, on carpets, and when it finds heavy debris. Reviews consistently praise hard-floor dust pickup and strong results on low-to-medium pile, while the self-empty base keeps emptying far less hands-on and can add odor control. The tradeoff is a heavier, sometimes top-heavy feel plus more upkeep: sensors and brushrolls may need attention, and a few testers hit clogs or hair wrap. High-pile performance and above-floor detailing are good but not class-leading, especially without a motorized upholstery tool.

Pros

Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup 4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.9

Medium-pile performance is described as excellent, including at least one deep-clean style test result that was essentially perfect. Overall sentiment suggests strong carpet cleaning when not dealing with plush high-pile.
Hair Pickup — Hard Floors 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.7

Hard-floor hair pickup is consistently praised, especially for pet hair, with minimal scatter reported. This is one of the areas where the DuoClean head and detection modes earn compliments.
Cordless convenience 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.6

Being cordless is repeatedly framed as a convenience benefit for quick whole-home touchups and moving between rooms without plugging in. Reviews still note that weight and runtime in higher power modes can limit how effortless that cordless experience feels.
Hair Pickup — Carpets 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.6

Carpet hair pickup is widely rated highly, including strong lab-style results in at least one review. It is commonly recommended for pet households with rugs and carpets.
Pet-Ready Features 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.6

Reviews that mention pets highlight strong hair pickup and include pet-oriented tools, and the auto-empty base reduces messy emptying. It is often recommended for pet households, though long-hair tangles can still happen for some users.
Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 10 reviews 4.6

Hard-floor fine dust performance is a standout, with multiple reviews describing near-perfect pickup of dust, flour, and other fine debris. The dual-roller head is often credited for reducing scatter.
Floorhead design 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5

The DuoClean dual-roller floorhead is widely praised for handling mixed debris and transitioning between surfaces smoothly. Some reviews note design tradeoffs like a bumper or squeegee channels that can affect close-to-edge contact.
Assembly and Setup 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5

Setup is described as quick, with at least one reviewer saying assembly and getting started took only a few minutes. Most descriptions imply an easy unbox-and-go experience.
AI, Smart & App / Automation 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.5

Smart behavior is primarily on-device sensing rather than app control, with repeated mentions of floor, dirt, edge, direction, and light-related detection. Most reviewers say the automation is helpful, though a few call the differences subtle in everyday use.
Automatic standby switch 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.5

Safety and standby behaviors are mentioned in a few places, including brushroll disengaging when fully upright and a switch or quiet mode to disable auto-empty. These controls help avoid unwanted operation at inconvenient times.
Under-Furniture Pickup 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 10 reviews 4.5

Under-furniture reach is repeatedly highlighted as a key advantage thanks to the MultiFLEX or bendable wand. A couple of reviews mention the hinge can feel awkward or occasionally stick, but most treat it as a major usability win.
Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.5

Large-debris pickup on hard floors is generally strong for items like rice, litter, and cereal. Some reviewers say extra-large pieces or reverse pickup can be less consistent, occasionally requiring extra passes.
Overall opinion 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 13 reviews 4.5

Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with several roundups placing it at or near the top for 2025 and highlighting its feature set and cleaning results. Recurring caveats are weight, some maintenance overhead, and occasional edge or clogging quirks.
Emptying & Mess Control 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 12 reviews 4.5

The self-empty dock is a major convenience feature, reducing manual emptying and limiting dust exposure. Some reviewers note docking can be finicky, the on-board bin fills fast in heavy-use homes, and wet debris can cause issues, but overall sentiment is positive.
Motor efficiency / runtime-per-watt (cordless) 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5

Reviewers note that the automatic power adjustments can help stretch battery life by using only the power needed. At least one outlet explicitly calls battery efficiency above average.
Suction & Airflow 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 11 reviews 4.4

Most reviewers describe suction as strong for a cordless stick, with excellent day-to-day pickup on mixed debris. A few comparisons and lab notes say it is not the absolute strongest versus top Dyson models, but it is still near-flagship for the price.
Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.4

Anti-wrap performance is mixed: several reviews report little to no hair wrap, while others say long hair can still tangle on the brushroll and needs regular checking. Results appear to depend on hair length and cleaning frequency.
Price & Value 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.4

Value is frequently praised, with several reviews framing it as near-flagship performance and features for much less than high-end Dyson models. A few still label it expensive for a stick vacuum, but the feature set tends to justify the price in the reviews.
Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.4

Low-pile carpet and rugs are a strength, with good pickup and strong pet hair results reported across reviews. A few notes mention needing extra passes or higher power when pulling backward.
Filtration / Dust Containment 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 11 reviews 4.4

Filtration is a recurring strength, with multiple reviewers citing HEPA or complete-seal performance and strong dust containment. The self-empty base is also praised for keeping allergens and debris more contained during emptying.
Debris illumination 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.4

Debris illumination and detect cues help users spot dirtier areas and clean along edges and in darker corners. Comparisons say it is effective for visibility, though not always as dramatic as competitors' laser systems.
Onboard tool storage 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.4

Some reviews highlight that the freestanding dock can hold or store the included tools, keeping accessories in one place. This is treated as a practical convenience feature rather than a must-have, and it contributes to the dock taking up more floor space.
Headlight & LED lights 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.3

Headlights are frequently praised for making dust and debris more visible, and some reviews note they activate automatically in dim areas. Comparisons say it is helpful, even if not as specialized as Dyson-style laser illumination.
Edge & Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors) 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.3

Edge cleaning is usually helped by an edge-detect boost and is described as strong by some reviewers. Others note the front bumper and approach angle can leave debris in corners or when pushing straight into an edge, so technique matters.
Stair Cleaning 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.3

Stairs are generally manageable, with at least one review calling stair cleaning easy. The main limitations are weight/bulk and the lack of an included motorized mini tool for deeper stair-runner and upholstery-style work.
Ease of use 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3

Ease of use is generally strong thanks to automatic mode adjustments and the self-empty dock. Ergonomics (weight, hinge feel, docking alignment) and maintenance needs keep it from feeling effortless for everyone.
Bin & Bag 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 10 reviews 4.3

Reviews commonly describe a small on-board bin paired with a much larger base that can hold weeks of debris, reducing how often you empty. Most describe the base as bagless, though one review refers to a sealed bag system; either way, the on-board bin can fill quickly in heavy pet homes.
Odor control 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.2

Odor control comes up often via an odor-neutralizer cartridge or puck in the dock, and most mentions are positive for reducing vacuum smells. It is treated as a nice-to-have rather than a core performance factor.
Versatility 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.2

Versatility is a strong theme because it handles hard floors and carpets without swapping heads, offers under-furniture reach, and includes multiple detect modes. Above-floor versatility is good for basics but limited by the accessory set for detailed upholstery work.
Comparative performance 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.2

Comparisons frequently place PowerDetect close to flagship cordless vacuums, with several reviewers saying it rivals or beats premium models in everyday pickup while costing less. The common comparative downsides are heavier feel, less advanced displays or illumination, and occasional clogs or hair tangles versus top Dyson options.
Area Rug Handling 4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.1

On area rugs, reviewers generally report strong cleaning with automatic adjustments and good hair pickup. Performance depends on rug thickness, and some users still prefer higher power for denser rugs.
Build quality & durability 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.0

Build quality is often described as solid with durable plastics and sturdy attachment points, but a few comparisons say it feels less refined than Dyson and can have some rattle. Long-term durability is not heavily documented in the reviews, so expectations are mixed.
Storage footprint & upright-stand stability 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.0

The freestanding dock is considered convenient, but it adds footprint compared with a wall mount, and some say the vacuum itself does not stand securely upright. MultiFLEX folding helps for storage, while docking alignment can feel snug for a few users.
Battery & Charging 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 12 reviews 3.9

Battery performance is generally described as good in Eco or automatic modes, with many real-world reports around the 40 to 50 minute range and longer in Eco. Charging takes a few hours, and heavy carpet or Max/Turbo use can drain the battery quickly.
Runtime (Measured, Default) 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 11 reviews 3.9

Measured or observed runtime varies by mode and home, with many reviewers landing around 40 to 50 minutes in Auto or DirtDetect and longer in Eco. Heavy carpet use can pull it down significantly.
Maneuverability & Handling 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.9

Maneuverability is frequently praised for responsive steering and a floorhead that can navigate around furniture. The counterpoint is a heavier or top-heavy feel that can make carpet pull-back and longer sessions more tiring.
Accessories & Tools 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 12 reviews 3.8

The included tools (typically a crevice/duster style tool and a pet tool) cover basics, and some stations store accessories neatly. Multiple reviews still call the kit limited and point out the lack of an included motorized upholstery tool.
Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.8

Crevice and groove pickup is described as above average but not exceptional for the class. Some reviewers suggest floorhead airflow and seal choices limit deep crevice performance, so the dedicated crevice tool is important.
Controls & UI 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.8

Controls are mostly simple and intuitive, and some reviewers like the on-device feedback (including color/status indicators). Others criticize the angled or basic display and coarse battery readout compared with premium competitors.
Noise level 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.7

Noise is generally moderate in normal use but can be loud in Max/Turbo, with at least one test noting above-average noise at full power. It is not the quietest option for late-night cleaning.
Tool-change simplicity 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.7

Tools generally click on and off easily, but docking behavior can be more particular than expected. Some reviews note the unit may need the wand and floorhead attached to self-empty, and one reviewer found the cradle fit finicky.
Carpet — High-Pile Pickup 3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.6

High-pile performance is more variable than on lower piles, with at least one lab test showing only moderate pickup and some users relying on Max/Turbo. Plush carpets can also shorten runtime and increase effort.

Cons

Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup 3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.5

Above-floor and upholstery cleaning is generally adequate with the included tools, but several reviews call results average for embedded hair and note the absence of an included motorized upholstery tool. The handle shape and weight can also make detailing less comfortable.
Runtime (Measured, Boost/Turbo) 3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.5

Turbo or Boost runtime is short but useful for spot cleaning, commonly reported around 10 to 13 minutes in testing. Most reviewers treat it as an occasional burst rather than a default mode.
Floorhead Seal on Hard Floors 3.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.4

A few reviews suggest the floorhead does not always maintain an ideal seal or contact on hard floors, which can limit crevice and edge capture compared with expectations. Despite that, overall hard-floor pickup remains highly rated.
Maintenance requirements 3.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.4

Maintenance can be higher than average because sensors, filters, and brushrolls may need periodic attention. The auto-empty base reduces emptying chores, but hair wrap, clogs, and sensor cleaning are recurring maintenance themes.
Weight 3.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.2

Weight is one of the most common tradeoffs: several reviews call it heavy or top-heavy for a cordless stick, which can fatigue arms over time. A few lifestyle roundups describe it as lightweight, but the detailed tests lean toward it feeling weighty.
Convertible handheld design 3.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0

It converts to handheld mode, which helps for quick above-floor tasks. However, multiple reviews say handheld ergonomics can feel awkward or bulky, especially without a motorized upholstery tool or a hose-like setup.
Dock noise 3.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0

The auto-empty dock is often described as loud during its emptying cycle. Some models include a switch or quiet mode to disable auto-empty when you do not want the noise.
Clogging & debris prevention 2.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.9

Clogging feedback is mixed: some users report occasional tube clogs and a tighter airway than competitors, especially with hair or larger debris. Other reviews do not mention clogs, suggesting it may depend on home debris type and maintenance.

FAQ

Does it really last up to 70 minutes?

Several reviews cite a 70-minute max in Eco, but real-world Auto/DirtDetect use is often closer to about 40–50 minutes. Turbo/Boost is typically around 10–13 minutes, so it works best for spot bursts rather than whole-home cleaning.

How does the self-empty dock work, and is it loud?

Docking triggers an auto-empty cycle that moves debris from the small on-board bin into the larger base, then charges the battery. Multiple reviewers call the emptying cycle loud, and some note you may need the wand and floorhead attached for auto-empty to run.

Is it good for pet hair and long hair?

Most reviews praise pet-hair pickup and the DuoClean head, and several report little to no hair wrap. A few testers did experience brush tangles or tube clogs with long hair, so occasional brush and airway checks can be necessary.

Can the vacuum stand upright on its own?

Some reviews say the vacuum itself does not stand securely upright without support, so storage is usually via the freestanding dock or by folding the MultiFLEX wand. Docking can also be snug on some units.

Does it have an app or smart mapping features?

The smart behavior reviewers discuss is on-device sensing that adjusts suction and lighting based on floor type, edges, and detected dirt. An app or mapping system is not a focus in the reviews.

How does it do on high-pile carpet?

It generally performs well on low-to-medium pile, but high-pile results are more variable and can drain the battery faster. Some testing suggests plush carpet may require higher power and extra passes to match top competitors.