Since Shark is one of our trusted partners, I decided to put their latest cordless vacuum to the test and compare it against the cordless vacuums I’ve reviewed in the past. Over the last few weeks, I swapped out my everyday vacuum for the Shark PowerPro to see how it stacks up—not just against other Shark models, but also against the top competitors on the market.
My conclusion? This model is a solid, budget-conscious option for those just stepping into the world of Shark vacuums. It’s not without its limitations, but overall, it holds its own as a reliable entry-level device.
First Impressions & Setup
Let’s start with the packaging. Shark always does a great job of keeping things neat and compact. When the Shark PowerPro Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum arrived, I genuinely thought they’d sent me the wrong item because the box was so lightweight and small. It was easy to carry inside, and setup was equally stress-free. The instructions are printed right on the box flap, which I appreciated.
What really impressed me right away, though, was the eco-friendly packaging. No unnecessary plastic—just cardboard and paper wrapping for the components. As someone who values sustainability, this was a pleasant surprise.
As for the vacuum’s aesthetics, I’m a bit divided. The white and grey color scheme didn’t exactly win me over—feels a bit too sporty for my taste—but it’s clear Shark is trying something new. Still, the materials feel premium, and assembly took all of 10 seconds: a simple click-together setup.
Everyday Use
I live in a three-bedroom home with my husband and our dog, Dillon. We have a mix of flooring: laminate and tiles downstairs, and carpet throughout the upper level. What I appreciated right away is that the Shark PowerPro doesn’t require switching floor heads when moving from hard floors to carpet. The vacuum auto-adjusts suction thanks to its FloorDetect Technology, which changes settings based on the floor type. You can even see the floorhead light change color—from blue for hard floors to purple for carpet.
When used on my laminate and tile floors, the vacuum was lightweight and easy to maneuver. I tested it with various debris: flour, sugar, ground coffee, and couscous. It handled larger debris like couscous in one sweep, but finer particles took a few passes, often being pushed around before being sucked up.
On carpet, it was the reverse. Fine debris like coffee and flour disappeared quickly, but larger pieces like couscous weren’t picked up as easily. I also tested it with pet hair (thanks to Dillon), and while the vacuum did a decent job, especially on hard floors, some hairs were still left behind, particularly on carpet.
Carpet Deep Cleaning
Upstairs, I have thick wool carpets that tend to trap hair and dirt. The Shark PowerPro did well on surface-level mess, but didn’t quite get everything embedded deep in the fibers. Even on Boost mode, the improvement was minimal, and I wouldn’t recommend using that setting all the time, as it drains the battery faster.
That said, the Flexology wand was a highlight—it bends, making it easier to vacuum under furniture without much effort.
Battery Life & Noise
Battery life was consistent with Shark’s claim: around 50 minutes on Eco mode. Using attachments or max power shortens this, but for everyday cleaning, the runtime is generous.
Noise levels were reasonable too, hovering between 77dB and 83dB, depending on the mode. Eco was the quietest, while Boost was the loudest.
Attachments & Accessories
The Shark PowerPro Pet includes three attachments: a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and a motorised pet brush. The standard version (without the pet tool) comes with just the first two. Compared to other vacuums I’ve tested that come with a full suite of accessories, this felt slightly limited.
Even so, the pet tool worked great on my velvet sofa and carpeted stairs, lifting stubborn pet hair with ease. The crevice tool worked well in tight spaces, though I noticed a dip in suction power when using it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Budget-friendly – One of the most affordable Shark cordless models | ❌ Not ideal for pet owners – Struggles with deeply embedded pet hair |
| ✅ Lightweight & easy to maneuver | ❌ Suction power can be underwhelming on certain carpets |
| ✅ FloorDetect Technology auto-adjusts power for different flooring | ❌ Lacks multiple attachments – Limited tools, especially in non-pet version |
| ✅ Compact storage thanks to foldable Flexology wand | ❌ Max mode drains battery quickly |
| ✅ Eco-conscious packaging – Mostly cardboard and paper | ❌ Can push debris around before suction kicks in |
| ✅ Quick and simple assembly | ❌ Mediocre performance on thick wool carpets |
| ✅ Decent battery life (up to 50 mins in Eco mode) | ❌ No auto-empty feature unlike premium Shark models |
| ✅ Good for everyday light cleaning | ❌ Dust bin can get clogged with hair |
| ✅ Pet tool performs well on stairs and upholstery |
Maintenance & Storage
With a 0.7L dustbin, the PowerPro holds a decent amount of dirt before needing to be emptied. Emptying it was simple—just a quick slide of the release tab. The only issue? Hair (both human and pet) occasionally got stuck and required manual removal.
Shark recommends rinsing the dustbin and filters regularly, and I found cleaning to be pretty straightforward. One big plus: the vacuum folds in half for easy storage—a game changer if you’re tight on space.
Customer Feedback
As of now, the Shark PowerPro Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum has a 4.7/5-star rating on Shark’s website. Customers love the lightweight design, ease of use, and long battery life. Complaints mostly center around underwhelming performance on thicker carpets or larger debris.
Comparison With Other Models
If you’re comparing Shark vacuums, the PowerDetect Clean & Empty model is still our top-rated pick. At £549.99, it’s pricier but offers dual brush rolls, smart sensors, and an auto-empty base, all of which the PowerPro lacks.
Looking beyond Shark, when compared to something like the Worx WX038 20v PowerShare, the PowerPro wins on battery life and dustbin size, and it’s easier to store. So, your choice really depends on your cleaning needs and budget.
Final Thoughts: Who Is It For?
The Shark PowerPro Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum might not be the most powerful in Shark’s lineup, but it’s an excellent option for general cleaning, particularly in homes with mainly hard flooring. It’s easy to use, budget-friendly, and compact enough for smaller homes or as a second vacuum.
If you’ve got pets, high-pile carpet, or require deeper cleaning power, it may fall a bit short. But for quick cleanups, everyday use, and pet owners who just need to handle surface messes, it’s a strong contender.
CSS Cleaning Verdict:
4 out of 5! At £249.99 for the non-pet model and £279.99 for the pet model, the Shark PowerPro is undoubtedly one of the cheapest cordless Shark vacuum cleaners on the market today. With the handy flexology wand, a universal hard floor and carpet cleaning floorhead and the FloorDetect Technology that automatically adjusts suction depending on your cleaning requirements, it also fared pretty well during testing. Do I think it’s the best Shark vacuum cleaner you can buy? No. But do I think it’s still a great all-rounder with a lot to offer? Yes.
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