Shark vs Dyson vacuums: Which brand is worth your money?

Dyson is seen as a vacuum technology pioneer while Shark is a cheaper alternative that uses many of the same ideas. There is some truth to this, but it isn't black and white.

While Shark (like many other vacuum manufacturers) has piggybacked off of Dyson's innovations, the brand has its own set of unique technology and design features. Its Lift-Away tanks as an example, are distinctive to Shark and showcase the brand's commitment to convenience and portability. While Dyson shares similar values, it comes across in different ways.

The main difference comes down to the pricepoint and the brand proposition connected to that. Dyson is premium, and expensive, while Shark is a cheaper alternative. To uphold that we see Shark take shortcuts that Dyson doesn't, mostly in the post-purchase consumer experience, and the extras like attachments. These compromises hold a different value to different people.

Almost every vacuum cleaner manufacturer uses Pascals (Pa) to measure suction, apart from Dyson and Shark. While Shark uses watts (usually reserved just for power), Dyson uses Airwatts which is claims is a better unit of measurement than Pascals when it comes to suction.

Conveniently (for them) this also makes comparing these devices difficult. Not just with each other, but with the market writ-large. 

The only Shark stick vacuum that uses an airwatts measurement is the Cordless Detect Pro which has 123AW (181W) of suction power. This middle of the range vacuum sits somewhere in between Dyson's V8 and Cyclone V10 vacuums at 115AW, and 150AW respectively. The V12 Detect Slim shares the same 150AW suction power, and we found it performed quite well on both hard floor and carpet, provided you use the right head. It was let down on thicker pile however.

Dyson's stick vac range goes all the way up to 280AW of suction, which is more than double the V12, while Shark's range goes up to 600W which is more than four times the Cordless Detect Pro. Even though it is difficult to make a like-for-like comparison, Shark seems to have a higher, maximum suction power than Dyson, even if the average is middling.

Dyson's stick vacuum became an immediate legend. The small, cordless form factor made vacuuming much easier when compared to corded ball devices you drag around the floor. Yet there hasn't been too much growth when it comes to Dyson manoueverability since then.

Pretty much every stick vac from the giant is a long stick, a bulbous tank, and an interchangeable head. There are subtle differences, but they're quite standard these days. Their under-furniture cleaning capabilities, and storage solutions aren't great either. You need to get down low and just shove the vacuum underneath, and unless you're able to drill holes in your wall the vacuum doesn't come with any form of storage. Unless you're willing to pay the extra $100+ to get the patented Dyson Dok, which may or may not hold all the attachments.

Shark on the other hand has more of a focus on storage, and manouverability options for a more convenient clean. In the upright vacuum space Shark specialises in Lift Away tanks. These are pretty much what they say on the tin - dust bins that lift away from the main vacuum. Most of these come with a flexible hose which makes it easier to get into tight spaces to clean, and more ergonomical than lifting a whole vacuum cleaner.

Similarly some of the brands' vacuums can fold down for better access underneath furniture, and easier storage. While others come with their own self-emptying dock which acts as both a stand, and an auto-empty station similar to what we see on robot vacuums.

Of course Shark also has the usual stick vacs, but most of these have adjustable heights where Dyson vacuums are a one-size-fits-all deal.

Dyson has more attachments, that in our testing we have found are generally quite useful. They also have some semblance of consistency about which models get which attachments, and how much they cost. Shark on the other hand provides minimal attachments, and there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason behind which vacuums get what.

Dyson vacuums come with between two and seven additional attachments, depending on which model you get. If you opt for an Absolute or Complete package, then you'll get a larger selection than if you go for the base model. There is a huge range including gap tools, crevice tools, hair screws, and soft brushes, but these do change depending on the vacuum model. In our testing we found that most Dyson attachments work as intended, although the hair screw tool was no match for a shedding Border Collie x Kelpie.

Shark vacuums get comparitively few attachments, with most vacuums getting three extras, although that can be as low as two or as high as five. Similarly Shark provides attachments like a crevice tool, a pet tool, a dusting brush, and an upholstery tool. Which ones come with which vacuum is a bit of a mystery bag, but you will definitley get some kind of pet tool if you opt for a Pet Pro device. Like Dyson, the more you pay, the more attachments you'll get.

We've already touched on it, but Shark is the more affordable vacuum brand. It brings costs down by minimising attachments, and using cheaper materials, and those savings can be passed on to the consumer. Conversely, since Dyson does a lot of research and development for new technologies, the cost of that ends up bundled in to its products. Plus it is in its best interest to remain a premium product.

This does, however translate into after-purchase care. While every Dyson vacuum comes with a 2-year Dyson guarantee, Shark Clean products only have a 12-month warranty in Australia. Both of these brands will cover repairs or replacements for defective products within this time, with the warranty effective from the date of purchase.

Even after the warranty is done, Dyson continues to offer genuine Dyson repairs at an additional cost while Shark repairs are harder to come by. Although you can buy replacement parts for some Shark vacuums, you'll need to source your own repair person once the warranty period is over.

Ultimatley this doesn't bode well for Shark. A short warranty period with so-so repairability shows less faith in the products' durability. If you're looking for something that is more likely to go the distance, Dyson may be the right choice here.