Shark corded power or cordless freedom: which vacuum suits your home?

Design and handling

Product A, the Shark NV602UKT, is a corded upright with Lift-Away technology, which means you get the stability and continuous power of an upright but can detach the pod for stairs, upholstery, and awkward spots. It also includes LED headlights, which are genuinely useful for spotting pet hair and dust under sofas and along skirting boards. Product B, the Shark IZ370UK, is a cordless stick vacuum with handheld mode, so it feels lighter and more agile for quick cleans, above-floor jobs, and carrying between rooms. Winner: Product B for everyday convenience, especially in multi-level homes. But if you prefer a more planted, full-size vacuum that feels robust and doesn’t need charging, Product A has the edge in traditional upright usability.

Performance and cleaning power

Product A wins here. A 750W corded motor gives it consistent suction without fade, which is especially helpful on carpets, rugs, and heavier debris. For pet homes, the included pet tool, crevice tool, and multi-surface tool make it more versatile, and the Anti-Allergen sealing is a strong plus for dust-sensitive households. Product B’s FloorDetect tech is smart because it can adapt cleaning performance across floor types, and Anti Hair Wrap is excellent if you have long hair or pets. However, cordless vacuums typically trade raw, all-day suction consistency for portability, and the IZ370UK’s main strength is balanced convenience rather than brute force. Winner: Product A for deep-cleaning performance and uninterrupted suction.

Battery life and runtime

This is a clear win for Product B on paper, because Product A has no battery at all and therefore no runtime limit. The IZ370UK offers up to 50 minutes of runtime, which is enough for many flats and smaller-to-medium homes in a single session. That said, runtime depends on the power mode used, and real-world cleaning on higher settings will reduce it. Product A never needs charging, so it is better for long cleaning sessions, larger homes, or anyone who dislikes planning around battery life. Winner: tie, depending on what you value. Product B wins for cordless freedom; Product A wins for unlimited runtime.

Dustbin capacity and maintenance

Product A has the larger dustbin at 1.1L, which means fewer trips to empty it, especially useful if you have pets or a lot of carpet lint. Product B is described as having an XL dust cup, but Shark doesn’t specify the exact capacity here, so it is likely still smaller than the NV602UKT’s 1.1L bin. For households that generate a lot of debris, the corded upright is usually less fiddly to maintain. Winner: Product A.

Features and tools

Both models are well equipped, but they target different needs. Product A includes Lift-Away, LED headlights, Anti-Allergen technology, and pet-focused tools, which makes it particularly strong for stairs, upholstery, and allergy control. Product B adds Anti Hair Wrap, FloorDetect tech, handheld mode, and a crevice and upholstery tool, which makes it more modern and easier to use across different floor types. If you want the most practical feature set for fast everyday cleaning, Product B feels more refined. If you want the best all-round toolkit for a pet-heavy home, Product A is the stronger package. Winner: tie, with Product A better for pet/allergy households and Product B better for convenience and versatility.

Price and value for money

Product A is £196.99, while Product B is £249.99, so the corded model is £53 cheaper. That is a meaningful saving, especially when you also factor in the bigger dustbin and the fact that there’s no battery degradation over time. Product B costs more, but you are paying for cordless convenience, FloorDetect, and a more flexible cleaning experience. If you want the best value in pure cleaning capability, Product A is the better buy. If convenience is worth the extra money, Product B justifies its premium. Winner: Product A.

Build quality and user experience

Both vacuums come from Shark, a brand with a strong reputation and excellent review scores here: 4.6/5 from 13,655 reviews for Product A and 4.6/5 from 606 reviews for Product B. That huge review count for the NV602UKT suggests a very proven, widely trusted model with plenty of real-world feedback behind it. Product A will feel more substantial and familiar to anyone used to upright vacuums, while Product B is easier to grab for quick cleans and less awkward to store. In daily use, the cordless model is more effortless, but the corded upright is likely the more dependable long-term workhorse. Winner: Product A for proven track record and classic durability; Product B for ease of use.

Overall verdict

If you want the better vacuum for most homes, Product A is the stronger choice. It cleans harder, holds more dirt, costs less, and never runs out of power, which makes it especially compelling for pet owners, carpeted homes, and anyone who wants a dependable deep-cleaning machine. Product B is the better pick only if cordless convenience is your top priority and you value lighter handling, FloorDetect automation, and quick grab-and-go cleaning. Overall, the NV602UKT offers the best combination of performance and value, while the IZ370UK is the better lifestyle choice for those willing to pay more for freedom from the cord.