Shark is one of the leading names in vacuum cleaners. Do a quick Shark Rocket model comparison and you’ll quickly see why. None of these vacuums weigh over ten pounds, yet they have the suction to deep clean carpets and give your hardwood a dust-free shine. They also feature a convertible design and come with an array of specialized features, making them a versatile choice for any home.
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A lot of the design features across Shark Rocket models are very similar. This can make it tricky to figure out exactly which one is the best for a given situation. We’ve put together this look at five of the best Rocket models to give you a better understanding of how they differ—and which one is the right one for your needs.
Best Lightweight Vacuums from Shark
Individual Reviews
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Upright Vacuum
Let’s start by looking at what you get from the basic Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Upright.
You can generally think of the other four models below as variations on this core design, since they’ll give you a lot of the same advantages and disadvantages across the board.
The Shark Rocket is super-light (just under 8 pounds) and also super-affordable, coming in at right around $150—a price point that’s typically reserved for more budget models. To go along with the value and portability, the main advantage of this vacuum is convenience. It’s convertible, going from an upright to a hand-held vacuum in one easy step. This same design flexibility allows it to be stored in multiple formats, too, which makes it a great option for small homes with limited closet space.
The big question with a vacuum this light-weight tends to be whether or not it gives you a thorough clean. The Shark Rocket is very effective on hard floors, especially when you’re using the Dust Away attachment. It can pick up particles of any size. The swivel steering and 10-inch cleaning path make it easy to maneuver the cleaning head into tight spaces, while still being efficient enough to avoid multiple passes of the same area.
While there are fingertip controls for switching from hard floors to carpets, you’ll find even carpets of a relatively low pile can require multiple passes from this model. If you’re looking for something that’s easy to use on mostly smooth surfaces, this is just as much vacuum as you need for an excellent price.
PROS
What we like:
- Extremely light-weight (less than 8 pounds)
- Converts from upright to hand-held for more versatility
- Easy and convenient to store
- Great value at less than $150
- Highly maneuverable with swivel steering
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Dust cup has about half the capacity of other Shark Rocket models
- Doesn’t work as well on carpets as hard floors
Shark TruePet Ultra-Light Upright Corded Vacuum
Pet messes are among the hardest to clean from any kind of surface. The Shark TruePet gives you the convertible, lightweight convenience of other models but with added features that can take care of embedded dirt and pesky hair.
The Pet Multi-Tool that comes with this vacuum is the main thing that sets it apart from other Shark Rockets.
This is a multi-surface attachment capable of working embedded debris off of carpets, hard floors, and even furniture. To go along with this enhanced cleaning power, the TruePet gives you a larger dust cup, so you can fit all that extra dirt in without having to stop and empty the vacuum.
These added features aren’t just for pet owners, either. The larger capacity means it can clean more in each pass, while the slightly higher power makes it better at cleaning a wider variety of surfaces—not only low- and medium-pile carpets but also upholstery, curtains, and area rugs.
If you love the maneuverability and easy storability of the Shark Rocket but need something with a bit more oomph, the TruePet is a fantastic option. It’s small enough that you can take it anywhere, but still has the capacity and power for serious messes on a wider range of surfaces.
PROS
What we like:
- Included pet tool grabs hair from any surface
- Twice the dust cup volume of other Shark models
- Versatile enough for floor to ceiling cleaning
- LED headlights make it easier to spot hidden messes
- Longer cord for a wider reach
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Somewhat top-heavy and may tip over when used in upright mode
- Improved suction power may be too high for rugs (sucks them in even on low setting)
Shark DuoClean Rocket Corded Ultralight Upright Vacuum
If you’re doing a straight Shark Rocket model comparison, the DuoClean is the costliest option. Considering you can still get it for less than $200 from Amazon, though, it’s hardly a massive investment, especially considering the amount of power you get for the price.
The DuoClean is named for its twin brushes. One has stiff bristles for more effective deep cleaning between carpet fibers, while the other is a soft brushroll that’s ideal for giving hard floors a polished sheen.
The head around the brushes has been re-designed, as well, making it easier to clean and maintain the brushes. It even comes with a special tool for cleaning tangled hair out of the bristles.
There are also subtle differences in the design of the DuoClean compared to other Shark Rocket options. It has the same larger dust cup as the Shark TruePet. Combined with the dual brush heads, this makes it the heaviest Shark Rocket, though it’s still lighter than most upright vacuums, weighing in at just under 10 pounds without accessories.
If you’re looking for an affordable vacuum that can handle relatively thick carpets, the DuoClean from Shark will be a winner for you. Between the multiple brushrolls and the included accessories, it’s easily the most versatile of the options on this list.
PROS
What we like:
- Two brushes for more surface versatility
- Easy access to the brushroll for maintenance
- Long cord and large dust cup for extended cleaning sessions
- Easy to switch between power modes without interrupting your progress
- No front wall means no pushing around of tall piles or large debris
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Heaviest of the Shark Rocket options (almost 10 pounds)
- Hair gets tangled easily on the hard bristle brush
Shark Rocket DeluxePro Ultra-Light Upright (HV321)
The DuoClean discussed above isn’t your only option if you want a Shark vacuum that can handle thick carpets. In fact, the Shark Rocket DeluxePro is the only model from the company that’s specifically designed for working with long-fiber and high-pile carpet.
It’s designed to maintain a consistent suction power across all cleaning situations, whether you’ve got it in upright mode or hand-held mode.
While there are two cleaning settings on this vacuum, there aren’t two different brushes like there are on the DuoClean. This means that you’ll need to change heads to the Hard Floor Hero if you’re concerned about the stiff bristles damaging delicate hardwoods. While this does sacrifice some convenience, the flip side is that each head gives you superior cleaning power on its respective surface.
The included accessories are also more impressive on the Shark DeluxePro than on the other options described here. In addition to the extra hard floor head, you also get a dusting brush, a crevice tool, and the same motorized pet tool that comes with the TruePet above.
The DeluxePro is perhaps the most comprehensive of the Shark Rocket options in terms of straight cleaning power. It can handle stairs and furniture with ease, along with thoroughly cleaning any surface. What it lacks in convenience compared to other Shark vacuums, it makes up for in power, eliminating any mess you throw at it.
PROS
What we like:
- Best option on the list for thick, heavy carpeting
- Special hard floor attachment is gentle yet powerful
- Excellent array of included accessories
- Large dust cup and long cord
- Easy to maneuver, even in small spaces or up stairs
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Less convenient for switching between hard floors and carpets
Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro Wired Ultra-Light Upright (HV323)
Finally, we’ll round out our list with the Deluxe Pro Wired. This model is nearly identical to the model described immediately above, but with a few key differences that will make it a better option for select users.
Let’s start with the ways it’s the same. Like the model above, it’s a convertible vacuum with a 30-foot cord and large dust cup. It’s also relatively light-weight with a fairly wide cleaning path and a highly maneuverable swivel steering mechanism. The handle reclines nearly flat, so you don’t even need to switch it into hand-held mode to clean under most furnishings, while the LED headlights are powerful enough to illuminate even hidden messes.
The main place where it differs is in the number and type of attachments that come with the vacuum. It includes two pet-specific tools: a motorized brush, for working embedded hair out of carpets and furniture, and a multi-purpose tool aimed at cleaning pet messes from any surface. In addition to these, you get the hard floor attachment, which uses a microfiber pad for attracting dust, as well as a crevice tool and an adjustable dusting brush. This gives the Deluxe Pro Wired the most attachments of any Shark Rocket.
PROS
What we like:
- Most useful and varied attachments
- Handles every floor from plush carpet to delicate hardwood
- Removable brush easy to clean or replace
- Microfiber pad traps dust from hard surfaces
- Easy and quick to switch modes and attachments
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Falls over easily in upright mode
Which Shark Rocket’s for you?
As you can see from the Shark Rocket model comparison above, the differences between them are fairly subtle. The only one that’s markedly different in design is the DuoClean, since it features two different brushes instead of the single multi-purpose brush included on the other models. Most of the differences between the remaining models will come down to the number and types of included accessories.
Ultimately, your choice will be determined by what kinds of floors you have in your home. If you’ll be cleaning thick carpets, one of the Deluxe Pro models is going to give you the best clean throughout your home. It might seem unbelievable that you could get true floor to ceiling cleaning power out of such a compact vacuum, but that’s what the Shark Rocket delivers in all of its many iterations.