WhichOneToGet
Compare ยท Updated 14 Oct 2026

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty vs Shark Stratos Cordless

Get the Shark PowerDetect Speed. Unless your home is mostly carpet and you have nowhere for a dock โ€” then the Stratos.

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty
Our pick

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

Empties itself into its dock and doesn't tangle with hair, for less than a top Dyson.

Shark Stratos Cordless

Shark Stratos Cordless

Deep clean on carpet, easy to push, and hair doesn't wrap the brush.

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The short answer

Both have a brush built not to wrap with hair and a bendable wand. The PowerDetect Speed is lighter and empties itself into its dock; the Stratos is excellent on carpet but heavy, and you empty it by hand.

Get the PowerDetect Speed if
  • โ€”You hate emptying a dusty bin.
  • โ€”You want something lighter.
  • โ€”You're in the US and want to spend less.
Check price on AmazonBuy โ†—
Get the Stratos if
  • โ€”You have lots of carpet or rugs.
  • โ€”You have nowhere to stand a dock.
  • โ€”You're in the UK and want to spend less.
Check price at CurrysBuy โ†—

Key differences

Emptying
Into the dock
PowerDetect Speed
By hand
Stratos
Carpet
Very good
PowerDetect Speed
Excellent
Stratos
Weight
Lighter
PowerDetect Speed
Heavy: about 3.9kg
Stratos
Hair tangles
Built not to wrap
PowerDetect Speed
Built not to wrap
Stratos
Price
Less in the US, more in the UK
PowerDetect Speed
Less in the UK, more in the US
Stratos

Pros and cons

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty
  • +Empties itself into the dock
  • +Hair doesn't wrap round the brush
  • +Bendable wand to reach under furniture
  • โˆ’The dock is loud for a few seconds while it empties.
  • โˆ’The dock's dust bin still needs emptying every few weeks.
  • โˆ’Heavier in the hand than slim models.
Shark Stratos Cordless
  • +Excellent on carpet
  • +Hair doesn't wrap the brush
  • +Bendable wand, swappable battery
  • โˆ’Debris can collect behind the head when you pull it backwards.
  • โˆ’There's a scent capsule in the head; take it out if strong smells bother you.
  • โˆ’Max-power runtime is about 10 minutes.

Ready to choose?

How we reached this verdict

We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.

Sources: TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, Vacuum Wars, manufacturer specifications.

Updated 14 Oct 2026How we decide