When everyone's home for Christmas, and with all the food, unwrapped presents, and pet hair contributing to more mess, sometimes we're faced with a stark reminder: Our vacuum cleaner can no longer keep up like it used to.
If you're finding missed patches on the floor, or that you're having to go over and over the same area to vacuum up the dirt, I've got the fix for you. The Shark POWERDETECT Upright, discounted by $200 right now, cleared all dust, dirt, and hair in a single pass on test.
It's been one of the best vacuums we've tested for some time now, and with this discount, you can finally say goodbye to your suction-less old appliance.
Shark POWERDETECT Upright | was $599.99, now $399.99 at SharkNinja (save $200)
Incredibly high suction, a robust brushroll, and floor sensors that optimize cleaning make this one of the most powerful vacuum cleaners we've ever tested, on any mess.
Read more in our five-star Shark POWERDETECT Upright review.
The Shark POWERDETECT Upright Is the Cleaning Upgrade That Will Keep Up With Holiday Hosting
The Shark POWERDETECT Upright effortlessly picked up everything we tested it with in just one pass.
I'll keep this simple: The Shark POWERDETECT Upright is one of the most powerful vacuum cleaners we've tested. It banishes pet hair from thick carpets, effortlessly picks up mud and dirt, and removes dust and other household allergens like it's nothing.
After vacuuming in a room that was ridden with cat hair, tester James Holland wrote, 'With one pass, the Shark POWERDETECT had basically picked up every visible piece of hair (as well as litter near the litter box) from the carpet, filling the dust bin with an amount of hair equal to a second cat.'
This, along with the fact that its rollers never tangle with hair, is why this is our all-time best vacuum for pet hair. It also has an odor-neutralizer to combat pet smells, which is so useful this time of year when everyone's at home and sharing the space together.
Any vacuum that can banish fur is a robust all-rounder. I've tested 31 vacuums at this point, most of them in a local pet shelter, and fur is absolutely the most difficult thing for a vacuum to clean.
So, it makes complete sense that the Shark POWERDETECT Upright also excels when cleaning every other mess. 'It’s able to suck everything up in its path efficiently and proficiently, no matter the debris. And, it’s equally capable regardless of the surface I used it on,' James wrote in his review.
Whether you're looking for your next best carpet vacuum or a model that can make hard floors immaculate – or both – the POWERDETECT Upright has you covered. And as it can handle everything from fine material to large debris, you won't be struggling next time you're hosting the family.
It's one of the top three vacuum cleaners we've ever tested, alongside the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog and the Dyson V15 Detect, but both of these models are $100s more expensive.
Instead, the Shark POWERDETECT Upright is the ideal balance of cleaning power and affordability, where you can run it along the floor with the comfort that nothing's being left behind.
Read more in our five-star Shark POWERDETECT Upright review.
More to Shop
The Shark POWERDETECT isn't the only vacuum we've tested that will keep up with the mess and woes of hosting. Here are a few more of our best-reviewed picks.
All prices correct at time of publication.
If the Shark is a little out of your price range, this Bissell vacuum is in many ways modelled off it, with similar features like a lift-away pod and floor sensors to make cleaning easier.
Read more in our full Bissell SurfaceSense Allergen Pet Lift-Off review.
Lightweight and more convenient than the Shark POWERDETECT, but not compromising on suction whatsoever, the V15 Detect is expensive because it boasts ultra-strong suction in a cordless stick, making it the best cordless vacuum we've ever tested.
Read more in my five-star Dyson V15 Detect review.
It's pricey, but if you're looking for the best of the best, no vacuum has cleaned as well on test as the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog. You'll be able to clean up in minutes to keep the house spotless while you're hosting.
Read more in my five-star Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog review.
Next, find out how to choose the right vacuum cleaner for your home.

Dan is the Home Tech Editor for Homes & Gardens, covering all things cleaning, sound, smart home, and air treatment across the Solved section.
Having worked for Future PLC since July 2023, Dan was previously the Features Editor for Top Ten Reviews and looked after the wide variety of home and outdoor content across the site, but their writing about homes, gardens, tech and products started back in 2021 on brands like BBC Science Focus, YourHomeStyle and Gardens Illustrated.
They have spent more than 400 hours testing and reviewing vacuums, soundbars and air purifiers for Homes & Gardens.
Dan has a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Magazine Journalism. Outside of work, you'll find them at gigs and art galleries, cycling somewhere scenic, or cooking up something good in the kitchen.
