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Shark Ionflex Vs Dyson V8: Which Is Better?

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Which is right for your home?

Shark vs Dyson is a source for a big debate. Both have such great reviews and are well-renowned, so it’s hard to know which to go for.

In this guide, we’ll compare the Shark Ionflex DuoClean 2x and the Dyson V8 Absolute. We’ve looked into customer reviews, expert analysis, as well as applied our own research to help you decide which vacuum is right for you.

Keep reading to find out, between Shark Ionflex and Dyson V8, which vacuum will clean your floors best.


Product Comparison Chart

Product Shark IonFlex Dyson V8
Price Check Price Check Price
Best Flexible Vacuum Hard Floors and Carpets
Model 2x DuoClean Absolute
Power Source Battery Powered Battery Powered
Floor Recommendation Carpet & hard floor Carpet & hard floor
Dust Cup Capacity 0.28 liters 0.54 liters
Battery Life 23 minutes per battery Up to 40 minutes
Tools Included Duster Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool, & Anti-Allergen Dust Brush Combination, crevice, mini motorized & dusting brush
Brush Head Type DuoClean Technology — bristle & soft brush combo Direct drive with soft roller
Versatility Folds to get under furniture, converts to handheld Converts to handheld
Weight 8.6 lbs 5.75 lbs
Dimensions 13.4 x 10.2 x 45.9″ 9.9 x 8.9 x 49″
Battery Charge Time 210 minutes 330 minutes
Good for Pets? Yes Yes
Color Blue Yellow
Speed Settings One Two: normal & max power
HEPA Filter No Yes

Product Overviews

It’s the battle of the vacuums — let’s look at how each hoover performs.

Shark IonFlex DuoClean Cordless Ultra-Light Vacuum

Best Flexible Vacuum

The Shark IonFlex vacuum earns its name from the fact that it is a flexible vacuum. Available in the 2x DuoClean model or the DuoClean model, both versions offer a folding vacuum that allows you to vacuum literally anywhere.

The vacuum can fold down the hose, so you can get underneath furniture without bending over. This is perfect for cleaning under beds, couches, and tables without straining your back.

You can also convert the vacuum into a handheld version when you want to clean stairs, walls, ceilings, your car, and much more. Overall, this is a super flexible and versatile vacuum that will help you to clean every inch of your home.

Pros

  • Spare battery so you can have one on standby whenever you need.
  • DuoClean Technology included — bristle brush and soft roller for carpets and hard floors.
  • Store it freestanding to save on storage space.
  • Smart Response Technology tailors itself to your cleaning needs.
  • Converts to handheld mode for floor-to-ceiling cleaning.
  • Three attachments included: pet multi-tool, duster crevice tool, and dust brush.

Cons

  • 8.6 pounds is significantly heavy for a cordless stick vacuum.
  • Small dust bin at only 0.28 liters.
  • Many customers reported it overheated or began clogging after about a year of use.

Product Specs

Model 2x DuoClean
Power Source Battery Powered
Floor Recommendation Carpet and hard floor
Dust Cup Capacity 0.28 liters
Battery Life 23 minutes per battery
Tools Included Duster Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool, and Anti-Allergen Dust Brush
Brush Head Type DuoClean Technology — bristle and soft brush combo
Versatility Folds to get under furniture, converts to handheld
Weight 8.6 pounds
Dimensions 13.4 x 10.2 x 45.9 inches
Battery Charge Time 210 minutes
Good for Pets? Yes
Color Blue
Speed Settings One
HEPA Filter No

Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Best Vacuum for Hard Floors and Carpets

Go round your entire house without a worry when you have the Dyson V8 Absolute. It’s designed to work on both hard floors and carpets due to the additional cleaner head.

The cleaner head has a soft roller which works great on carpets but is also super gentle on hard floors. No scratching, scuffing, or damage to your expensive flooring — but you can definitely say goodbye to all that nasty debris.

When we say all around the house, we mean all around the house. This vacuum converts to a handheld option so you can easily clean up and down the stairs, in corners, all over furniture and even in the car.

Last but not least, enjoy up to 40 minutes of suction power when you use the basic speed setting without tools attached. That’s pretty long for a cordless vacuum, as others tend to be between 20 and 30 minutes.

Pros

  • Whole machine HEPA filtration cleans air in your home.
  • Empty dust bin in one click without getting hands dirty.
  • Captures fine dust due to two-tier radial cyclones.
  • Included docking station for convenient storage.
  • Mini motorized tool removes pet hair.
  • Soft roller head cleans up large debris.

Cons

  • Battery may need replacing after a year — expensive replacement.
  • On higher speed settings, battery lasts about 25 minutes which is short for some.
  • If you have pets that shed, the dust bin might fill quickly.

Product Specs

Model Absolute
Power Source Battery Powered
Floor Recommendation Carpet and hard floor
Dust Cup Capacity 0.54 liters
Battery Life Up to 40 minutes
Tools Included Combination, crevice, mini motorized and dusting brush
Brush Head Type Direct drive with soft roller
Versatility Converts to handheld
Weight 5.75 pounds
Dimensions 9.9 x 8.9 x 49 inches
Battery Charge Time 330 minutes
Good for Pets? Yes
Color Yellow
Speed Settings Two: normal and max power
HEPA Filter Yes

In-Depth Feature Comparison

When comparing side by side, which vacuum comes out on top?

Cordless Battery Powered

The Shark Ionflex and Dyson V8 are both cordless battery-powered vacuums. This allows for flexibility and maneuverability since there is no cord trailing behind you. Cords can cause hassle, tripping hazards, and you may even accidentally vacuum over the cord!

Because the vacuums are cordless, that means you need to charge the battery. The Shark Ionflex battery takes 210 minutes to charge and lasts for 23 minutes. However, it comes with two batteries, for a total of 46 minute run time!

The Dyson V8 takes 330 minutes to charge which is significantly longer, but it does last for 40 minutes per charge.

Therefore, the Dyson V8 battery lasts longer per charge. This is suitable for customers as it allows them to get around their whole house on one charge.

Winner

Dyson V8 Absolute

Combination Cleaner Head

Both of these vacuums have a combination cleaner head. The Shark Ionflex has DuoClean technology which combines bristle brushes and a soft roller. This captures fine dust as well as large debris and is suitable for both carpets and floors without causing scratches.

The Dyson V8 has a direct drive cleaner head with a soft roller that works in a similar way. It has stiff nylon bristles which dig deep into carpets to pull up dirt. But the soft roller also ensures that it’s gentle on your hard floors.

It’s difficult to call a winner here, but based on our research and customer reviews, the Dyson V8 has better suction over a longer period. However, we think you’d be satisfied with either vacuum.

Winner

Dyson V8 Absolute

Flexible Cleaning

Both of these vacuums are great at cleaning the whole house. Not only are they suitable for all floor types, but they have great design features that make getting into every nook and cranny easy.

With the Shark Ionflex, you can convert the vacuum into a handheld device. This allows you to easily vacuum stairs, corners, your car, furniture, and more.

The Dyson V8 also converts to a handheld option so you can also use it in that way. The good thing about the Dyson V8 is that it’s significantly lighter, weighing over three pounds less than the Shark Ionflex.

On that alone, the Dyson would come in the lead. However, the Shark Ionflex has a stand out feature in the flexibility department. It literally folds while you’re cleaning, so you can get underneath furniture without bending your back! So for that reason alone, the Shark Ionflex takes the lead here.

Winner

Shark Ionflex


Stand Out Features

Let’s take a look at some features unique to each vacuum.

Extra Cleaning Mode

The Dyson V8 Absolute has an additional cleaning mode, whereas the Shark Ionflex only has one. On the regular cleaning mode, the Dyson V8 can last up to 40 minutes, compared to the 23 minutes of the Shark Ionflex.

However, if you have a lot of debris in one area and need to lift it up effectively, then you’ll love the Dyson V8’s max power mode. It provides seven minutes of maximum suction power so you can clean up stubborn dirt more efficiently.

Keep In Mind

Max power mode does drain the battery quite quickly, so you won’t be able to use that and normal mode in one charge. Save it for when your house is already vacuumed, but there’s a little bit left to get.

HEPA Filter

The Dyson V8 Absolute has a HEPA filtration system, which the Shark Ionflex does not have. If you or someone in your family have allergies, then this will be a great feature to consider.

When you vacuum, the HEPA filter captures allergens in the air and emits cleaner air in return. That way, the air you’re breathing is free from the majority of nasty allergens in the air.

The filter is also a washable lifetime filter, so it should last forever and be easy to clean!


Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shark or Dyson Better for Pet Hair?

Both Dyson and Shark make vacuums for pet hair. In terms of the Shark Ionflex and Dyson V8, both of these do a great job.

However, neither have tangle-free brush roll so they’re not the best on the market for cleaning up pet hairs.

Having said that, if choosing one over the other, it comes down to personal preference. You may like the fact that the dust bin is larger on the Dyson, plus it has a HEPA filter for capturing allergens your pets bring in.

On the other hand, the Shark Ionflex can get underneath furniture a lot easier, which is where a lot of pet dander likes to hide.

Are Shark Cordless Vacuums Any Good?

We think so! They have many happy customers and great reviews.

While they don’t have some of the standout features that Dyson vacuums have — such as the HEPA filter and extra cleaning mode — Shark vacuums are great for most homes. They work well on all floor types, and the flexible folding feature is a super amazing addition.

How Many Years Does Dyson V8 Battery Last?

Many customers say that the battery needed to be replaced after about one year. Dyson does offer a two-year warranty though, so if it dies before this time, they should replace it for free (1).

Why is My Dyson V8 Not Holding a Charge?

First of all, check it’s not in max power mode. This mode only lasts seven minutes, and it could be the reason the battery drains so quickly.

If it’s in normal mode, here are a few other reasons it’s not holding a charge:

  • It wasn’t fully charged before use — this can take up to 5.5 hours.
  • The battery is quite old and therefore needs replacing.
  • A blockage in the vacuum causes the vacuum to shut off.
  • Dirty filters cause the vacuum to shut off.
  • The device wasn’t properly clicked into the docking station.
  • You received a faulty battery.

If some of the above tricks don’t work, contact Dyson for customer support.

Does Dyson Sell Replacement Batteries?

Yes, you can purchase them from their website (2).


Shark Ionflex Vs Dyson V8 Conclusion

What’s the bottom line when it comes to these two vacuums?

Shark Ionflex Verdict

While slightly more pricey, the Shark Ionflex has the advantage of the flexible folding feature. It folds in half to allow you to vacuum under furniture, beds, and other hard-to-reach places without bending your back. This prevents strain and fatigue.

The Ionflex is also a great vacuum for both hard floors and carpets due to the DuoClean Technology. The battery life is a little on the shorter side at 23 minutes, but it does come with a spare battery which is a bonus.

Dyson V8 Verdict

The Dyson V8 is a popular vacuum amongst many cordless vacuum fans. It is very lightweight, weighing less than six pounds, and it converts to a handheld mode, too. It’s easy to maneuver and vacuum in every corner of your home.

It also comes with a HEPA filter that captures allergens in your home, emitting cleaner air. It has a max power mode, too, which blasts away stubborn dust using more power. Keep in mind this only lasts for seven minutes before the battery needs to be charged again (which takes 330 minutes).

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About the Author

Beth McCallum

Beth McCallum is a freelance writer & book blogger with a degree in creative writing, journalism, and English literature. Beth firmly believes that a tidy house is a tidy mind. She is always looking for new ways to sustainably clean and tidy her house, that's kind on the environment but effective in the house, too!