Shark IONFlex vs Dyson V8: Cordless stick vacuum comparison
Dyson and Shark produce some of the best stick cordless vacuums that you can buy. Dyson has always been the leader and introduced the first cordless stick vacuum which James Dyson has proclaimed to be “the upright vacuum killer”. This is well justified as these vacuums are as powerful as some upright vacuums but are cordless and lightweight. Shark has produced some notable stick vacuums that come with unique features that make them easier to use. In this article, we will compare to similarly matched cordless stick vacuums from each brand, the SharkION Flex, and Dyson V8. Looking at a range of the most important features this article will compare the Shark IONFlex vs Dyson V8 so you can understand exactly what the differences are and which one may be better for you. For the sake of this comparison, we are looking at the superior version of each product, the Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean, and Dyson V8 Absolute. We have a more comprehensive comparison article of these two brands: Shark vs Dyson.
Shark IONFlex 2X DuoClean
Shark is a relatively cheaper rival to Dyson that has produced some quality vacuums with unique features. The Shark DuoClean IONFlex has been designed to get bet under objects such as furniture by having a bendable stick, using Reach mode. This MultiFLEX technology allows you to easily park or store the vacuum in a more compact way as it is bent over.
Another feature that is absent in Dyson V models is the LED headlights that make cleaning in darker areas much easier as it allows you to see the dirt. This comes into play especially when cleaning ceilings or higher spots in the home. When it comes to cleaning floors, the Shark IONFlex has one brush for hard floors and surfaces. This is different from other vacuums, such as the V8, which has two heads for hard floors and soft floors.
A large selling point of the DuoClean IONFlex involves the two lithium-ion batteries that come with it. The battery life of many cordless stick vacuums has been a problem for some users, especially those with larger homes. This was a problem for the original IONFlex as it had just one battery that would last around 24 minutes. Shark has addressed this problem by including two batteries, a move that many other firms have followed. There is also an additional capacity to charge the batteries. Dyson has only just done this with their V11 Outsize version, but most of their other models don’t have this feature, although they last longer on one battery than most other brands.
The Shark IONFlex has a relatively small dustbin, around 0.28 litres, compared to the Dyson V8 which is about twice the size. Although not the worst problem, this smaller dustbin will require more frequent maintenance and emptying. This stick vacuum can also be transformed into and operated as a handheld vacuum. Another disadvantage is that the Shark IONFlex doesn’t have a HEPA filter which can trap the finest particles. The Shark IONFlex comes with the following accessories:
- Duster Crevice Tool
- Pet Multi-Tool
- 2 ION Power Pack Batteries
- Charging Cord
- Charging Dock
- Anti-Allergen Dust Brush
- MutliFLex Under-Appliance Wand
Dyson V8 Absolute
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a premium stick vacuum that sits in the middle of the Dyson V series. With its lightweight and ergonomic design in addition to a large range of accessories that come with the cordless stick vacuum, the V8 Absolute is equipped for a large range of cleaning challenges. At the core of the product is the V8 digital motor that spins 110,000 times a minute and generates a maximum of 115 airwatts. This amount of suction power is good to work on hard floors and carpets. There are two modes; Max and Powerful, which use slightly different amounts of power. When cleaning in more challenging situations such as thicker carpets, the Max version should be used.
One full charge of the V8 can last around 40 minutes and takes 5 hours to fully recharge. However, this is the quoted maximum time and if you used Max mode it drains much quicker as it consumes more energy. The dustbin is 0.54 litres which is petty decent for a stick vacuum. The V8 also has a HEPA filter built within it to capture the finest particles and removes pollens, allergens and other harmful small dirt from your home. We have looked at the Dyson V8 Absolute for the sake of this comparison as it comes with the largest amount of cleaning heads, tools, and accessories. Here is a full list of what comes with the Dyson V8 Absolute:
- Fluffy cleaning head (for hard floors)
- Direct cleaning head (for soft floors)
- Wand
- Charger
- Wall Mount
- Combination Tool
- Crevice Tool
- Mini-motorized Tool
- Mini-dusting brush
This makes the Dyson V8 Absolute well equipped to deal with every surface, from hard floors to rugs, stairs to upholstery. The V8 Absolute also transforms into a handheld vacuum at one click of a switch which can be useful for cleaning in the car, as well as other areas.
The Dyson V8 Absolute stands out within the V series is it as at a level where it is almost as good as the V10 and V11 but for a cheaper price. Despite those newer models having better specifications, the extra suction power doesn’t necessarily mean they are that much more capable.
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Shark IONFlex vs Dyson V8
In this section, we will compare the Shark IONFlex and Dyson V8 by explaining the main differences between the two.
- Stick bend: One difference in the design is that the Shark IONFlex has a point in the stick which can bend and allow it to clean under furniture better.
- Battery life: The Dyson V8 runs for 40 minutes on one battery whilst the Shark IONFlex lasts for around 48 to 50 minutes on two batteries.
- Dustbin capacity: The Shark IONFlex has a much smaller bin of 0.28 litres, just over half of the capacity of the V8 which is 0.54 litres. This requires more frequent opening and emptying.
- LED headlights: The Shark IONFlex has LED headlights on the cleaning head which provides greater vision and easier cleaning under objects.
- Cleaning heads: The Dyson V8 Absolute comes with a cleaning head for hard floors and one for soft floors. Instead, the Shark IONFlex has one hard for both which is called DuoClean technology.
- HEPA filter: The Dyson V8 has a sealed HEPA filter whilst the Shark IONFlex does not have a sealed cleaning system. This means that finer and potentially damaging particles can escape the vacuum.
- Weight: The Dyson V8 is lighter than the Shark IONFlex as it weighs just 5.8 lbs compared to 8.7 lbs. However, the handheld parts of the vacuum are more similarly weighted, showing that much of the weight is from the DuoClean head.
- Price: The Dyson V8 is more expensive as Dyson is a more premium brand.
Final Word
The Shark IONFlex and Dyson V8 are of a similar standard and each model offers some distinct advantages over the other. For example, anyone with allergies should opt for the Dyson V8 as it has a sealed HEPA filter that can trap pollen, pet dander, and other small particles. The battery life difference won’t matter if your home is smaller, and even if it is larger the chances are that an extra 10 minutes may not make all the difference. Shark IONFlex has some advantages such as the bend in the stick and LED headlights that make using it easier. However, its dustbin is much smaller and it weighs more. With such a large amount of benefits going for each model, it is hard to say which one is better. Any potential buyer must look at the differences and decide which set of benefits is more useful to them, especially as the cleaning performance is at a very similar standard.
