Like most uprights but unlike most cordless sticks (except for the AEG QX9), the Shark ICZ300UKT can stand upright, unsupported.

As a powered lift-away model you can easily remove the main unit from the wand to carry it up the stairs or out to the car for portable cleaning. It was as good at picking up spillages in our tests as you could hope to expect, with results rivalling the best cordless sticks around. I took to my office where my dog likes to nap while I'm working, meaning there is a lot of fur that I've allowed to build up for the purpose of testing. Equipped with powerful technology and a bagless design, the ICZ300UKT is perfect for homes with pets.Shark offers a vacuum to suit everyone, with uprights, cylinders, and handheld models, it provides innovative solutions that make it easier to clean your floors and get to all those hard-to-reach spots. Many cordless vacuums require you to lift the whole vacuum for overhead cleaning which can be heavy and awkward, but the detachable wand means you can clean high places without having to lift the main unit overhead. I tried the Shark ICZ300UKT on my hard floors first, using the LED controls to switch the DuoClean brush into the hard floor setting.

We also appreciated the headlights on the front of the floorhead, they illuminate dark corners and the areas beneath furniture, making it easier to see what you’re vacuuming. The LCD screen on the handle shows the battery level percentage in increments of 10% so you always know how much power you have left.

The Anti Hair Wrap technology was effective at preventing hairs from becoming tangled in the brush rolls, even after we spread extra hair over the floor to give it a challenge. Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. If you’re after something a little different, then my guide to the best cordless vacuum cleaners can help. The vacuum transitioned from carpet to hard floor and even onto thick pile area rugs without any trouble and glides easily on all surfaces.