Shark vs. Dyson - Reviewed and Compared 2022

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

With the new Dyson Digital motor V10, this product offers the best suction power out of all the cordless vacuums in the market. According to Dyson, their new motor provides a 150AW suction, which is 20% more compared to the previous V8 motor.

The V10 is the lightest and smallest yet most powerful motor Dyson has designed. The motor spins at 125.000rpm – which is more than 2.000 times per second - producing a strong suction which is comparable to many corded upright vacuums.

It has three power modes you can choose from, depending on what you are vacuuming and which attachment you use. Even the lowest suction mode is powerful enough for picking up dirt and light debris, but to get that deep clean on your carpets and crevices of the floor, you need to use level two or three suction.

Here you can find the suction power comparison between all the Dyson cordless stick vacuums.

Shark ION F80

The F80 offers excellent suction, although Shark does not actually disclose the results from their ASTM F558 measurements.

However, according to user experience, the suction is strong, and it does even lift up some of the lighter area rugs. It does well in picking up even heavier dirt like sand or large food pellets.

Tests show the suction power to be somewhere around 100AW, but of course, these tests are not 100% reliable when not done in a controlled setting. Although the maximum suction is not as strong as the suction power of the Dyson V10, it is still pretty powerful and more than adequate for residential use.

But what’s the real story?

The DuoClean attachment doesn’t rely as much on the suction as it does on the mechanics of the brush roll. Therefore you can mostly use the lower suction mode and only turn to boost mode when you really need to deep clean high-pile carpets or plush rugs.

The ION F80 is actually an upgrade from their previous Shark IonFlex 2X. The main difference is in the runtime, which has doubled. However, they have not changed the battery. The exact same battery is being used in the upgraded version, but Shark has extended the runtime by adjusting the power of each suction setting.

Now you see:

The battery last longer, but the suction is lower than in their previous version.

Verdict:

Dyson is the winner, but not only because of a stronger maximum suction.

Dyson has more powerful suction, but you have to keep in mind that is only in the boost mode. As the air watt measurements are not clear on the suction power of the F80, we will have to rely on user experience and how the suction performs.

In the maximum suction mode, the Dyson vacuum definitely is the winner with its 150AW measurement. Ultimately it has a stronger suction for when you need to clean those tough spots.

However, Dyson does have three suction modes, and Shark only has two.

In the lowest power setting, Dyson and Shark match each other. The third extra setting is actually handy. It gives a slight increase in the suction, which is just enough to thoroughly clean low-pile carpets and crevices of the floor.

When it comes to performance, both vacuums have enough suction power to clean efficiently. They have excellent performance and ability to pick up debris, and ultimately that’s what counts. Check out the latest prices of Dyson V10 here and of Shark F80 here.

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

At an incredible 60 minutes of fade-free suction, the cordless Dyson V10 boasts an even better battery with an even longer runtime than the previous V8 model which was capable of running the powerful suction for 40 minutes.

The 60 minutes applies when you are using the lowest suction mode and a non-motorized tool. No other cordless vacuums cleaner on the market can run for so long with one full charge.

As with all cordless vacuums, the runtime does go down when you use the boost mode and a motorized tool. This is what you can expect:

Runtime in Suction mode 1

• Runtime when using a motorized head: 35 minutes
• Runtime when using without a motorized head: 60 minutes

Runtime in Suction mode 2

• Runtime when using a motorized head: 20 minutes
• Runtime when using without a motorized head: 30 minutes

Runtime in the Maximum suction mode

• Runtime with all tools: 5-6 minutes

Although 5-6 minutes may sound like a short time, it is actually a lot more than what most vacuums in this category offer with a max mode. Strong suction is bound to use a lot of battery, and the Dyson V10 runtime is top class in cordless vacuums especially when compared to its powerful suction.

It takes 3.5 hours for the Dyson V10 lithium-ion battery to be fully charged, but if you use the wall-mounted dock to store and recharge the vacuum, your vacuum is always charging when not in use.

If you really want to find a fault in the Dyson battery, we would say it’s the fact that the batteries are not interchangeable. Once you use up the battery, you can’t change it to a new one, and you have to wait for the vacuum to be recharged.

Moreover, anyone considering buying the Dyson V10 will be happy to hear the founder of the Dyson vacuums James Dyson has been quoted promising the battery will last for 15 years, and by that time you probably already have a new vacuum.

Shark ION F80 

The F80 comes with two batteries they call the ION Power Packs. They are interchangeable lithium-ion batteries, that give you up to 40 minutes of runtime each. Because you can change the battery, it means you can always be charging one when the other one is being used.
As Shark advertises: Always be charging.

But there is a catch:

A single battery takes 3.5 hours to charge fully. That means, that when your second battery runs out, the first one won’t be fully charged yet. You could add as many batteries as you want (if you don’t mind the additional price), but changing and charging them can be a bit of an extra hassle.

Also keep in mind, that the runtime is UP TO 80 minutes, and it has been measured with the lower suction setting and only using the handheld motor without any attachments.

Shark claims that you get ”Up to 60 minutes of runtime for hard floor cleaning and 50 minutes of runtime for carpet cleaning when using both batteries consecutively in ION Power Mode”.

This refers to the lower suction setting, and if you use the ION Boost setting (the max mode) and a motorized tool, you will only get 10 minutes of runtime per battery.

Changing between the carpet and floor mode changes the suction and the brush roll speed, which affects the runtime. According to user experiences and testing the runtime can vary quite a lot depending on the power mode, attachment, and surface.

Another new feature is the one-minute timer on the ION boost mode. The vacuum will automatically turn down to the lower suction setting to economize the use of the battery.

Verdict:

Shark is the winner, but there is a but…

Unofficial user testing shows that the lower suction level of Shark ION F80 matches that of the Dyson V10, which means that with the same lowest suction level and without any attachments the Dyson reaches 60 minutes of runtime and the Shark 80 minutes. But that is only in the lowest suction mode.

When you look at using a motorized tool on the boost mode, Shark has a longer runtime with 10 minutes on each battery, but it does have a weaker suction. Dyson has a more powerful suction, which causes it to run for only 5-6 minutes.

Comparing the two isn’t straightforward because the strength of the suction affects the runtime. Although the difference is quite small in practice, you need to figure out which is more important to you: powerful suction or long runtime.

Now:

Both vacuums are cordless, which can be a significant advantage when it comes to keeping your home clean. Because you can skip unwrapping the cord and plugging the vacuum in, you are likely to vacuum more often and not let the mess build up.

Some users feel Dyson is easier to use because you don’t have the inconvenience of charging batteries and figuring out which one was charged and which one was not. On the other hand, the two batteries on the f80 give you 20 minutes more runtime, and you could get more batteries if you wanted.

Although Dyson has a shorter runtime, it is easier to grab, and you don’t have to change batteries. For some users that might just be the extra convenience, they need from their stick vacuum.

Maximum Airwatts (AW) is recognized as the best and most accurate way to measure the actual cleaning power of a vacuum cleaner by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). Dyson reports their maximum suction in AW, but for Shark, we don’t have those numbers. Our information is based on unofficial testing, but it does give you an idea.

See what users say about the runtime of Shark f80 and Dyson v10.

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

The Dyson V10 comes in a few different versions with different attachments: Animal, Absolute, and Motorhead.

Out of these three, we recommend the Absolute, which comes with the most comprehensive and adaptable set of accessories.

It has two main cleaning heads; one for carpets and one for hard floors. The Torque Drive Cleaner Head is Dyson’s most powerful cleaner head yet, and it is excellent at digging deep into even some of the thicker carpets that are usually considered a challenging surface for stick vacuums. Dyson says it removes 25% more dust than the cleaning head of the previous V8 model.

The Dyson V10 Absolute also comes with the Soft Roller Cleaner head, which has a softer brush bar covered with woven nylon to capture larger pieces of debris while the anti-static carbon fiber filaments remove the fine dust and give hard floors a polished clean.

Other attachments include a Combination tool, Crevice tool, Mini Soft Dusting Brush and a Mini-motorized Tool. These tools are convenient, and especially pet owners will love the motorized brush roll tool. It is outstanding when it comes to picking up pet hair and dander on upholstered furniture, bedding or carpeted stairs.

What we consider a minor downside is the fact that there is no clip on the vacuum itself to carry the attachments along when cleaning, although there is a place for them on the wall-mounting charging dock. Also, some reviews state that long hair can get tangled on the Torque Drive Cleaning Head.

On the upside, Dyson has many amazing add-ons for its vacuums. Mattress tool, extension hose and even a mess-free Grooming Tool for medium- and long-haired dogs. You have to buy these separately, which of course adds to the already high cost, but with such an excellent variety of add-ons, you can get the most out of your investment.

Shark ION F80

The main vacuuming head of the F80 is identical to the one on previous Shark IONFlex vacuums. It has the DuoClean feature, which combines two different brush rolls in one cleaning head.

Because it has two brushes designed for different surfaces, it does an excellent job when moving from bare floor to carpet – and without changing the attachment.

The first soft brush has softer and denser bristles that firmly engage the floor and give it a polished cleaning result. It is also excellent at picking up piles of larger debris like cereal, cat litter or sand. Many vacuums struggle with piles of dirt, but the brush on the DuoClean head is soft and flexible enough to pull even larger pieces of debris under it.

The second brush roll has stiff bristles which dig deep into carpets to pull up dust and dirt. The results on carpets are excellent because the brush roll actively digs into the carpet and lifts up the dirt for the suction to pull in.

What we love about this design is the fact that you don't have to change the cleaning head when moving from bare floor to carpets or area rugs.

On the downside though:

The brush rolls cannot be turned off if you have delicate woven rugs that should not be cleaned with a brush. Also, the cleaning head is quite massive, which affects the ease of use.

Other attachments include only the 8" Crevice Tool and the Upholstery tool.

What is lacking is a dusting brush and a motorized brush roll tool for pet hair and carpeted stairs. Shark does have some excellent tools you can buy separately online, but of course, you have to add up the additional costs to evaluate the price-quality ratio of this vacuum.

Verdict: 

Again, it’s a tie.

When you look at the attachments, you can see that both vacuums are versatile and adaptable products that can handle all kinds of cleanups throughout your home.

The main cleaning heads on both vacuums perform well and have a smart design. What we love about the Shark f80 is that you don’t have to change the attachment when you move from one surface to another. It does add quite a bit of convenience, although it is heavier and bulkier.

On the other hand, Dyson has included a handy small motorized brush roll tool that will tackle pet hair, dander, dust and dirt on all upholstered items and carpeted stairs. It is something every pet owner should have! Shark has a tool like this as well, but you have to buy it separately.

What it comes down to is this:

Both vacuums have their ups and down when it comes to the functionality of the attachments. Shark has both brush rolls combined in one head, but this makes it bulky and heavy. Although the Dyson has two heads, it’s lightweight and more comfortable to handle, and you could always vacuum the floor first and then the rugs and carpets.

Also, the v10 comes with four additional tools and Shark f80 comes with only two. You can buy more online, but that will bring up the total cost.

It comes down to what kind of surfaces you have at your home and which attachments you prefer. And whether you want to buy the complete package, or buy accessories that match your needs later on.

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

The Dyson V10 has a very efficient filtration system, which catches 99.97 of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. That is enough to capture pollen, allergens, bacteria and even tobacco smoke.

Dyson calls the filtration system ”advanced whole machine filtration.” The system is fully sealed with an airtight gasket around the cyclones and a pressurized rubber seal around the advanced filter to prevent any air leaking back into the air you breathe before it is thoroughly filtered.

The system has 14 concentric cyclones around the central axis to produce powers of 79.000g that fling microscopic particles into the bin. Narrowing cyclones accelerate the airflow from 45mph to 120mph creating centrifugal forces which filter most particles out of the exhaust air even before it enters the filter.

Pre-motor and post-motor filter are combined to make maintenance as easy as possible. The lifetime washable HEPA filter doesn’t have to be replaced unless it gets damaged, which will save you money in the long run with basically no maintenance costs. Just wash the filter once a month under cold water and let it dry for 24 hours.

Shark ION F80

The new upgraded F80 vacuum comes with the same filtration system as the previous IONFlex vacuums.

It has two pre-motor filters that are made of foam and felt, and one post-motor filter. All filters are washable, and they should be rinsed under cold water regularly.

The pre-motor filters should be washed once a month, and the post-motor filter every nine months. The filters do not have a lifetime guarantee, and you may need to replace them at some point. Filters are not expensive, but the cost does add up, and this is something you might want to factor in when considering these two vacuums.

You also have to consider this:

The filtration on the Shark is not HEPA level, and the system is not sealed. It means that particles can get out of the vacuum without being filtered. Because of this, it might not be the ideal product for pet owners.

Verdict:

The winner is of course Dyson.

The highly effective cyclone system, two filters, and sealed system make sure the filtration is up to HEPA standards. It even removes allergens, odors, and other microscopic particles.

Because of this, we would encourage all pet owners and anyone with allergies to choose the Dyson V10.

Also, with washable lifetime filters, there are no added costs.

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

Compared to the previous stick vacuums Dyson has a new innovative inline design in the V10 stick vacuum. With the motor, bin, and cyclones aligned, the vacuum generates 20% more suction power than its predecessors.

The dirt bin resembles the old design, but it comes with a ”point and shoot” feature to allow hygienic and easy emptying. What that means is that pushing the lever on the side of the container will automatically eject all its contents to the trash bin.

It’s straightforward to use, and you don’t have to pull out chunks of nasty dust and hair with your fingers.

The bin is also 40% larger with a 0.2 gallon (0.77 liters) capacity. This is great news for pet owners because pet hair can often quickly fill up the dirt container and block the airflow.

Shark ION F80

The size of the dirt cup is only 0.3 dry quarts, which a bit under the average of stick vacuums.

The container is smallish, which might be a problem if you have one or more long-haired pets, as the cup gets filled quickly restricting the airflow and lowering performance.

The dirt cup is easily detached to empty the contents. A push of a button opens the bottom releasing all the dirt into a trash can, and the system is easy to use and springy.

Like with many other bagless vacuums, you sometimes have to fish out some of the contents with your fingers. Especially if you have pets, the hair tends to get tightly packed and has to be helped out.

Verdict:

Again, Dyson is the winner.

Their dirt cup is bigger and it has a system that ejects the dirt without you having to fish it out.

This is something that especially pet owners should consider.

If the dust cup is too small, all that pet hair will clog the vacuum and lower its performance. Also, a bigger dirt cup saves you from the hassle of running back and forth to the trash can.

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

The Cyclone V10 Absolute is lightweight and easily maneuvered. It is easy to use, although some users don’t like the trigger switch. It is not heavy on the hand, and you get used to it, but it might feel awkward at first.

The trigger is designed to save every drop of the battery power towards actual vacuuming and not letting the motor run while the vacuum is idle. When you look at it from that point of view its actually a pretty smart feature.

One downside this vacuum cleaner has is the fact that it has two main cleaning heads. It no problem if you have low-pile carpets and hard floor because you can use either tool to get satisfactory results.

However, if you have plush carpets and hard floor, changing the attachments might be a hassle. Of course, depending on the layout of your home, you can always do the hard floor areas first and the carpets after that, but this is something you should consider.

On the other hand, the Dyson stick vacuums come with one incredibly practical feature, and that is the wall-mounting charging dock. With this dock, you can keep your vacuum at hand and charge it whenever you don’t need it. You don’t have to worry about plugging the charger and storing the tools, because it’s all there. You just pick the vacuum up, do a quick cleanup and pop in back in.

According to many users, this is what makes the Dyson stick vacuum a lifesaver in homes with kids or pets. It’s always ready and at hand, which enables you to keep up with the mess. Also, it converts to a handheld vacuum easily.

Shark ION F80

The F80 has some handy features like the LED-lights that help you get all that dirt hiding under the furniture.

Also, it has fingertip controls which makes it easy to switch between modes while vacuuming. You can change from ION Power Mode to ION Boost Mode when you need a stronger suction for tough spots.

Also, you can switch from floor setting to carpet setting with a press of a button – and there is no changing of attachments involved. Some small but beneficial features.

But this is what makes ION vacuums unique:

Another Shark innovation in this vacuum is the MultiFLEX feature. The vacuum bends both ways, which allows it to be stored upright in a free-standing mode, but which also offers a more comfortable reach under the furniture.

When you bend the vacuum backward, the weight distribution changes and the vacuum cleaner can stand up on its own. It’s a nice feature for storage, but when vacuuming it is just easier to lean it up against the wall or to place it on the floor.

Bending the vacuum forward allows you to slide the cleaning head under furniture comfortably without bending down yourself.

At first, this feature seemed like a gimmick, and some users have criticized that the vacuum is difficult to maneuver in this mode. But in all honesty, it does come handy once in a while.

The vacuum is quickly turned into a handheld vacuum for above-floor vacuuming, but the weight distribution does make it feel a bit heavier than it actually is. Otherwise, this vacuum is lightweight, easy to maneuver and practical.

Verdict:

The winner? It depends on your preferences.

In this category, again, both products have their pros and cons.

Both products are lightweight, functional and easy maneuver. However, they are entirely different in many ways.

The Shark F80 has:

• headlights,
• free-standing storage mode,
• fingertip controls, and
• mode that allows you to vacuum under furniture without bending down.

The two brush rolls are combined in one cleaning head, and all in all the vacuum is easy to handle. Excellent features that add to the usability and ease of use.

The Dyson, on the other hand, has:

• a convenient docking station,
• easy-to-empty dirt bin, and
• a battery-saving trigger switch.

If you don’t like the hassle of switching and charging batteries, you will love the wall-mounted charging dock that keeps your Dyson ready and charged at all times.

The weight distribution is better on the Dyson V10, and the Shark vacuum feels heavier although the weight of these vacuums is basically the same.

In this category, we have to call it a tie and let you decide which vacuum you feel more comfortable using. See what customers are saying about Shark f80 and Dyson v10.