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The launch of Shark's new range of cordless vacuums, the CleanSense IQ and EvoPower IQ got us really excited, as we all know how popular Shark's stick vacuums and steam mops are among cleaning professionals with their convenience and cleaning efficiency.
When we think about vacuums, the hefty price tag of a thousand bucks and more comes to mind. Fortunately, the new Shark IQ cordless vacuums retail from $599 to $899, a worthy value-for-money home investment, if you ask me.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum Review
Cordless vacuums have been around for a long time, way before robot vacuums and vacuum mops which are the rage today. However, for those who are into deep cleaning and care to have a truly clean home, a cordless vacuum is still an essential cleaning tool for a start.
What makes a cordless vacuum convenient and effective? What do homeowners look out for in a cordless vacuum cleaner? Keep reading on to find out.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: Lightweight and flexible
Firstly, a cordless vacuum has got to be lightweight and flexible to be used easily around every corner of the house. Shark CleanSense IQ, Shark's all-new cordless vacuum handstick at 2.2 kg weighs the same as the one from Dyson.
Instead of having to switch around the cleaning accessories, Shark CleanSense Vacuum's default cleaning stick is designed with a flexible feature where a simple push of the button is all it takes to bend and reach under low furniture. Say goodbye to back aches when getting to the crumbs hiding sneakily under the sofa.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: Smart IQ sensors
Using the Shark vacuum is a breeze, as the default cleaning mode is set at IQ, and there is no need to meddle with the other modes like Eco or Boost, since the IQ mode does its job for me.
The 4 smart IQ sensors integrated into Shark's new range of vacuums help to detect and boost suction power by up to 2.5 times effectively with the different floor types, edges, light, and if there is any other hidden dirt. When high amounts of debris are detected, the LED display turns red automatically.
In general, the green light is shown as a default, which refers to having a clean area. The orange light is displayed to indicate that debris is being cleaned. Additionally, the LED display also shows the battery status as you clean.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: Light flickers
When vacuuming in a dark room, the Shark vacuum illuminates on its own. However, after a few uses, the light strip started to show some flicker and lighting inconsistency, especially when more suction power was required around the corners and edges. It is not too much of an issue, since having the ability to see microscopic dust is not of priority.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: Anti-hair wrap brush
In my previous experiences with a robot vacuum and vacuum mop, getting hair stuck at all sorts of places within the brush roll was the crux of the problem after every cleaning session. Imagine the chore of having to detangle and clean the brush roll manually every single time.
With the Shark CleanSense vacuum, there is no such problem with tangles and whatnot, thanks to the anti-hair wrap brush roll. Regardless of the length of the hair, the Shark's brush roll is able to remove and transport it to where it belongs - the dust compartment. The brush roll is made of soft brush, great for hard floors, while the flexible silicon fins are intended to clean the carpets.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: Auto empty and auto charge
Now, this is another favourite feature that is a dream to have - the auto-empty and auto-charge docking system! While the 0.4L dust compartment on the Shark vacuum is spacious enough to allow you to go up to 5 days of use without emptying it, the large 1.3L auto-empty dock can hold up to 30 days of dirt and maybe more. Aside from the ease of use, the auto-emptying feature ensures that fine particles get properly disposed of and sealed after each cleaning session, minimising the amount of dust exposure without the need for dust bags.
Personally, I have used the Shark CleanSense vacuum for over a month, and the bagless base is not even half-filled! The large docking base cleverly compresses the dirt as seen in the unglamorous close-up image.
Another clever feature is that it comes with a quiet mode, which is helpful if you want to minimise the loud noise from the docking station. Right beside the quiet mode button, there is a dust bin full indicator light that will remind you to empty the dust bin whenever necessary.
Besides auto-emptying the dirt, the docking station also auto-charges the vacuum to ensure that it will be functioning the next time you need to use it.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: 20-min smart IQ run time
On the official Shark Ninja's website, you will notice that the Shark CleanSense vacuum is said to operate for up to 42 minutes, however it is measured when using in Eco mode while on handheld. According to the recommended cleaning area, the CleanSense IQ series is good for 90 sqm and above.
When cleaning my 4-room HDB of 92 sqm, Shark CleanSense vacuum is good enough to cover the floor area in a single run time of 20 minutes with the IQ mode. It will take about 4 hours for the battery to be fully charged again.
Of course, a full deep cleaning session can only be carried out more meaningfully if there is an option to purchase additional batteries, so that one can move on to other cleaning tasks like vacuuming the upholstery or any nook and crannies.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: 5 cleaning accessories
There are a total of 5 cleaning accessories including the default multi-flex handstick. In most cases, the crevice tool would come in handy to reach tight corners, just as it did for me. If you do not have a separate dust mite vacuum, the wide upholstery tool would be great for cleaning your sofa and mattress.
Other cleaning accessories like the pet multi tool and motorised hand tool are something that I would not use as often. For the pet multi tool, it did not perform as well, since dust would be trapped on the hairs of the brush and separate cleaning would be required. The motorised hand tool is like a mini version of the handstick, except that it comes without the soft brush but just the flexible silicon fins, which work for any other smaller surfaces.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: Priced at $899
Considering how the other cordless vacuums are priced easily above $1,000, the Shark CleanSense IQ+ Vacuum which retails at $899 is reasonable for its ROI. Straight from the box, there is everything you need from a baby dock to properly store all of the cleaning accessories. The sleek light titanium colour looks modern and chic, along with the clean and white docking system.
You can also opt for the one without the auto-empty dock, Shark CleanSense IQ at $799, since the bin compartment is roomy enough to hold a good amount of dirt.
Shark CleanSense Vacuum: Overall verdict
After using the Shark CleanSense IQ+ Vacuum for about a month, the whole cleaning experience is a pleasant surprise. As someone who used to rely on robot vacuums and vacuum mops, there was some inertia in using a handheld vacuum, as it was something tedious and too much of a hassle.
However, the hands-on experience of deep cleaning every part of the home is so rewarding. Especially the part where you get to see how much dirt was collected after each cleaning session. Despite the regular cleaning efforts, the amount of dirt shows the effectiveness and cleaning performance of the Shark CleanSense IQ+ Vacuum.
Unlike a vacuum mop that requires emptying and cleaning maintenance of the dirty water tank and brush after each cleaning session, the Shark CleanSense IQ+ Vacuum requires cleaning of the machine once a month instead. All in all, a cordless vacuum will only be suitable for those that are willing to do the house work, as it is not a robot vacuum and it cannot do the cleaning for you.