The Shark Detect Lift-Away XL LA791UKT is easily the best corded vacuum cleaner I've tested, with excellent performance in my tests, all the add-ons and attachments you could ask for, and no-fuss operation and maintenance. At an RRP of £349.99, it's at the higher end of Shark's price scale for corded upright vacuum cleaners, but it comes with everything you might need and a guarantee that should ensure it's built to last.
Design and Features
The Shark Detect XL is a versatile corded upright that carries many of the best elements found on Shark's cordless vacuums. Chief among these is the Duo Clean dual-roller floor head, which combines a fluffy roller and a regular brush bar into an all-in-one unit. That makes it an expert on carpets and hard floors, without needing to switch heads.
What's relatively new to this model is its Detect function. This is a sensor on the underside of the floor head that works out what surface it's on and adjusts the speed of its rollers accordingly. That means you don't have to flip a switch when transferring from the hard floor of your kitchen or utility room to carpets and rugs in your living areas.
Performance
With the combination of the floor head and an excellent variety of attachments, the thing I love most about this vacuum cleaner is its ability to clean up every mess thrown at it. I was particularly impressed with the floor head's performance in my flour and pet hair tests. On carpets and hard floors, the vacuum easily lifted everything I spilt.
The cat litter proved marginally more elusive, with a small number of pieces falling out of the vacuum when I finished cleaning, having not made it into the collection bin. It's beside the point, though, because I managed to clean up the remainder quickly and easily using the extension wand without any attachments. The cat litter flew up the tube, a better way to gather larger particles than forcing them through the floor head.
Attachments and Versatility
The attachments really are excellent, including the ones I always look for: a motorised upholstery tool, and a combination crevice tool and dusting brush. I tested the floor head's anti-tangle capability on my daughter's bedroom floor. This has proved to be a tricky test for many rival vacuum cleaners because of her long hair, which is highly prone to wrapping itself around a vacuum's rollers. Shark's system has a comb that lifts out the hair before it gets tangled – and it performed its job perfectly here. I could see hair coming off the floor and saw it pass safely into the collection bin. I inspected the rollers closely afterwards, and couldn't see a single strand left behind.
It's great to be able to lift the collection bin away from the floor head when you want to access hard-to-reach areas, whether they're high up, such as cobwebs in the corners, or you're cleaning the stairs. This makes it a bit lighter, less bulky, and leaves the wheels behind. I found the motorised upholstery tool particularly effective for the stairs, though I did need to follow it up with the crevice tool to tackle the edges and corners.
Ease of Use
The controls are incredibly simple, with no screen or menus to navigate. The vacuum is switched on via a button on the main unit. This doubles up as a mode switch, which can either be left in Detect mode or forced to stay in either carpet or hard-floor modes. The only downside is that you have to reach down to the collection bin to operate it, whereas many cordless vacuums have their controls more readily available at the handle.
It's also possible to control the suction power with a flick of a switch. This is up at the handle, so it can be controlled with a thumb while you're vacuuming. There are two modes, Min and Max, with the Min setting essentially opening up a vent that lets through more air, thus weakening the suction.
Specifications
- Weight: 5.2kg
- Max suction power (measured): 17kPa
- Cord length: 8m
- Dust capacity: 2.5 litres
- Dimensions: 31 x 43 x 115cm (WDH)
What We Don't Love
Cordless vacuum cleaners are reasonably good at getting under low furniture, but the Shark's floor head is held back by the bulk of the collection bin that sits above it. You can certainly use one of the attachments to reach difficult places, but you don't quite get the flexibility and manoeuvrability of a cordless here.
I also didn't love the cord. While eliminating the chance of running out of power, cord management while you're vacuuming is an extra thing to think about. The Shark doesn't have fancy retractable cord storage either – instead you're required to wrap the cord around two hooks on the side when you've finished your cleaning.
I've used a few similar upright Sharks extensively for everyday cleaning jobs and found that they can suffer blockages due to the slightly convoluted path that debris has to pass through. Even when the floor head is attached, dirt is sucked up the extension wand, almost up to the handle, then back down the bendy tube to the collection bin. I didn't experience any blockages during testing, but have witnessed it in similar designs. Fortunately, everything is easy to dismantle, so blockages are simple to clear. They also only really occur when you're tackling particularly problematic messes, such as clumps of pet hair.
Warranty, Repairability and Sustainability
Shark's corded vacuum cleaners have a generous five-year guarantee, provided you register the product within 28 days of purchase. The guarantee covers parts and labour, and Shark offers repair or replacement if things go wrong with your machine. It doesn't cover blockages, misuse or everyday wear and tear – such as worn-out rollers or blown fuses – but most other types of fault are covered.
Although it doesn't use bags, the LA791UKT does have a consumable in the form of an anti-odour capsule. These aren't essential to replace, but they keep your vacuum smelling a little more pleasant, and last for about six months. Shark sells replacement cartridges for £7.99 each.
The filters are easy to remove and wash under cold running water. There are two pre-motor filters, which should be rinsed through and left to dry once a month. The post-motor filter is an annual cleaning job. If any of these get too bunged up, you can buy replacements from Shark.
When your vacuum finally gives up, it can be recycled at a local electrical recycling centre – find your nearest at recycle-more.
Should I Buy It?
The Shark Detect Lift-Away XL LA791UKT is easily the best corded vacuum cleaner I've tested, with excellent performance in my tests, all the add-ons and attachments you could ask for, and no-fuss operation and maintenance. At an RRP of £349.99, it's at the higher end of Shark's price scale for corded upright vacuum cleaners, but it comes with everything you might need and a guarantee that should ensure it's built to last.
