Dyson Gen5detect vs. Shark PowerDetect: Which premium dirt-detecting cordless vacuum comes out on top?

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If you're in the market for a new cordless vacuum cleaner, Dyson and Shark are two of the biggest brands out there. Their latest models, the Dyson Gen5detect and Shark PowerDetect, are both among the best cordless vacuums we've tested, but it can be tricky to choose between them as they offer similar features. Both models have advanced dirt detection sensors, HEPA filters, and powerful suction, but there are a few key differences that will help you decide the best vacuum cleaner for your home.

I've tested both of these cordless vacuums extensively over the course of three months, comparing their performance in several areas. Here's what I think you should know about these vacuums before you buy, including details about their cleaning performance, battery life, ease of use, and more.

Specs compared

Design

The buzzword is “Detect”

One of the latest trends in the vacuum industry is dirt detection, and both Dyson and Shark have included these features in their latest cordless vacuums. The two models we’re comparing have high-tech sensors that are designed to sense dirt and adjust their performance accordingly, though they do operate in different ways.

The Dyson Gen5detect has a few dirt-detection features. First, it’s equipped with a piezo sensor, which counts all the dirt and dust particles that the vacuum sucks up. This sensor automatically increases suction power when it detects more dust, and it also shows you a real-time readout of the particles picked up on the vacuum’s digital display screen. Additionally, this vacuum comes with a secondary floorhead, which the brand calls its Fluffy Optic cleaner head. This attachment has a green laser light that shines across hard floors, and its precise angle lights up dust and dirt particles, helping to guide your cleaning efforts. The laser essentially is hunting the dust, and revealing what the eye or a normal LED light can not see.

Shark’s new PowerDetect technology offers similar benefits. The unit’s floorhead is equipped with a variety of sensors, allowing it to detect the presence of dirt, as well as the flooring type. The vacuum automatically adjusts its suction based on these factors, and it can also sense when you’re cleaning against a wall or other edge, boosting suction to pull in more dirt. The brand also claims this vacuum is able to suck up debris while moving forward and in reverse.

It’s worth noting that both brands do have previous (and less expensive) models with similar features. The Dyson V15 Detect also has a piezo sensor and comes with the Fluffy Optic cleaner head, but it has a shorter runtime and lacks a HEPA filter. In Shark’s lineup, the Cordless Detect Pro is the previous version, and while it uses similar dirt detection sensors, it doesn’t have as much power or as long a runtime.

Other key features

Both cordless vacuums have three suction settings. The “detect” settings are the default, but you can adjust the suction to a battery-saving eco mode or a high-powered boost mode for deep cleaning.

In terms of storage, the Dyson comes with the brand’s signature wall-mounted charging dock, which includes slots to store two of its accessories. The Shark, on the other hand, comes in two different models. You can purchase the vacuum by itself, or you can get the vacuum and a self-emptying charging dock. This special base makes it easier to maintain the vacuum, as you won’t need to empty its dustbin manually.

Both machines are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can be removed. This allows you to swap out the battery with a new one if you ever experience decreased battery life.

Ease of use compared

Both the Dyson Gen5detect and Shark PowerDetect weigh just under 8 pounds, and I find them to be quite similar in their overall feel and ergonomics. They’re both a bit top-heavy, due to their large motors and dust bins, and neither is able to stand up on its own—you have to lean them up against something when you pause cleaning. Similarly, both vacuums operate via an on/off power button (no trigger on this Dyson model) and have a digital display that shows you the current suction setting and battery life.

However, there are certain areas where I prefer one vacuum over the other. I personally love the Dyson’s wall-mounted charging station, which doesn’t take up any room on the floor and has easy-to-access slots for its accessories. I also reach for this vacuum frequently when I need to clean furniture, as it comes with a motorized mini tool that’s ideal for pet hair—something that the Shark lacks. It’s also very convenient that the vacuum has an integrated crevice/dusting tool inside its wand, making it easy to quickly suck up cobwebs or insects without having to switch attachments.

The Shark PowerDetect excels in other areas. This vacuum has a “MultiFlex” wand that bends in the middle, making it possible to clean underneath very low-profile furniture without bending over. Its dual-brushroll floorhead also works well on both hard floors and carpeting, allowing you to transition smoothly between the two, whereas you have to stop and switch out the Dyson’s two floorheads as you go from one flooring type to the next.

Cleaning performance compared

In addition to putting each vacuum through a series of cleaning tests, I also used them both around my house for over a month.

The Dyson Gen5detect is truly a powerful cleaning tool that delivers consistent all-around performance. With its Digital Motorbar attachment, it can dig deep into carpets to pull out ground-in dirt, and the Fluffy Optic’s green laser helps illuminate dirt, dust, and pet hair on hard floors. This makes it easy to achieve a more thorough clean, and even though I have two long-haired dogs, I’ve never had issues with their hair wrapping around either brushroll. Both floorheads also do well picking up larger debris, such as pieces of cat litter, rice, and dead leaves from my houseplants. In fact, this vacuum is so powerful that it could even be your primary cleaning tool, especially if you have a smaller home.

While the Shark PowerDetect only has one floorhead, it features two brushrolls — one with stiff bristles and one with a soft, fluffy surface — which makes it effective on both hard floor and carpeting. It performed comparably to the Dyson in most areas, but it is slightly less effective at pulling fine particles out of rugs. Pet hair doesn’t wrap around the brushroll, and its PowerDetect technology boosts suction while you’re cleaning along the edges of the room, helping to pull dirt out of hard-to-reach areas.

However, in terms of attachments, I much prefer the Dyson. Its hair screw tool is extremely effective at cleaning upholstery, and it pulls up pet hair in a single pass. Plus, I like that the crevice tool is built into the wand, so it’s always accessible when I need it. By comparison, I’ve found the Shark’s crevice tool and upholstery brush to be less effective, and the dusting tool is too bulky to use on areas like baseboard or window blinds.

Battery life compared

Both cordless vacuums advertise a max battery life of 70 minutes, but this is generally based on the lowest suction setting and a non-motorized tool. So, if you’re using the vacuum’s floorhead and the standard suction power, chances are you won’t make it to the 70-minute mark before needing to recharge.

In testing, I found that the Dyson generally offers around 40-45 minutes of runtime with its floorheads attached and standard suction. I also love that this vacuum has a countdown timer on its screen that tells you exactly how much runtime is left, so it’s never a guessing game. If you bump up to max suction—which I’ve only ever used for short periods of time—the battery life drops down to around 20 minutes.

The Shark doesn’t fare quite as well. In its PowerDetect mode, which adjusts the suction as needed based on floor conditions, the vacuum can run for 25 to 30 minutes. The battery life is even less on its higher suction setting, and there’s no timer to let you know how much battery life remains—just four indicator lights.

Dustbin and maintenance compared

These two vacuums are nearly identical in terms of their onboard dustbins. The Dyson can hold around 0.8 quarts of debris, while the Shark can hold 0.74 quarts.

To empty the Dyson’s dustbin, you have to remove its wand, which makes it slightly inconvenient to do. There’s a big red lever on the back of the dustbin that you push down to shoot debris into the garbage, and so long as you empty it regularly, I’ve found that debris generally doesn’t get stuck.

By comparison, the Shark has a self-emptying base, which makes emptying the vacuum a hands-off task. When it’s full, you simply place the vacuum onto the base, and powerful suction pulls debris out of the vacuum and into the bagless receptacle in the bottom of the dock. The base can hold up to 2 liters of debris, and there’s an indicator light on top that lets you know when it's full.

The only caveat is that the Shark’s wand and floorhead must be attached to trigger for the self-emptying cycle to run — if you only have one of the smaller attachments on the vacuum, it’s not heavy enough to trigger the self-emptying feature. This can be slightly inconvenient if you’re cleaning with, for instance, the dusting tool, as you’ll have to switch back over to the floorhead to empty the vacuum. Alternatively, you could just empty it manually into the trash.

The Shark does have one of their signature “Odor Neutralizing Cartridges” in the base, and it gives off a fresh scent for a few weeks. I typically don’t keep up with replacing these, as I don’t think the benefits are worth the added expense, but if you do want to purchase replacement cartridges, they cost around $15 for a two-pack.

Filtration compared

Both vacuums have high-efficiency filters. The Dyson has whole-machine HEPA filtration, and the brand recommends washing the filter once a month for optimal performance. If you need a replacement, a new filter costs $29.99.

The Shark PowerDetect has washable pre-motor foam filters and a HEPA post-motor filter. The brand recommends cleaning the filters once a month, and there are also filters in the auto-empty base that should be washed regularly. Pre-motor replacement filters cost $12.95, while the post-motor HEPA filter is $19.95.

Price compared

When it comes to cost, there’s a big difference between these two cordless vacuums. The Dyson Gen5detect is undisputedly a premium pick, retailing for $949.99. That’s expensive for any vacuum, but especially a cordless version. The brand’s next model down, the V15 Detect, does offer many of the same features for a lower price point of $749.99, but even that is still more expensive than the Shark.

The Shark PowerDetect, on the other hand, costs $499.99 for the version with the self-emptying base, and if you just want the vacuum itself, the cost drops to $429.99. Even though it’s one of the brand’s more expensive models, it’s still significantly cheaper than the Dyson, and they’re on sale more frequently, to boot.

Warranty compared

The Dyson Gen5detect comes with a two-year warranty, and the brand will repair or replace the machine if it breaks within this timeframe. The terms of the Dyson warranty are standard — it doesn’t cover damage caused by misuse, you have to keep up with recommended maintenance, etc.

The Shark PowerDetect comes with a five-year warranty, but this doesn’t include the battery. Toward the end of the product’s manual, it indicates that the unit’s battery is only backed by a two-year warranty. Again the terms are fairly standard — the only caveat is that they only apply to products purchased and used within North America.

The bottom line

While the Dyson Gen5detect does have a slight edge when it comes to cleaning performance and battery life, the Shark PowerDetect is a well-rounded, convenient cleaning tool that’s a much better value. It might not be quite on the same level as the Dyson, but it’s still a powerful and effective cordless vacuum that outperforms many other options on the market today. Features like its self-emptying base and dual-brushroll floorhead make it extremely convenient to use, and its new PowerDetect technology helps to streamline cleaning by automatically adjusting suction to the flooring type and amount of dirt present.

However, there may still be people who prefer the Dyson Gendetect, especially those after one of the best Dyson vacuums. It has a significantly longer battery life, often lasting for 40 minutes or more, and features like its integrated crevice tool, powered pet hair tool, and battery count-down timer improve its ease of use. The caveat, of course, is that this is an expensive machine, retailing for close to $1,000.

Read our full Dyson Gen5detect review.