The Best Shark Vacuums Under $300: When and Where to Shop

When it comes to buying a new vacuum, it isn’t always easy to find a brand you trust at a price you want. 

I recently looked at the ratings and reviews for vacuums according to Consumer Reports, and the top five most affordable recommended options are all Shark vacuums. I personally have a Shark upright and a Shark robot vacuum and I love them, so I wasn’t surprised!

In this article, we’re going to look at five of the best Shark vacuums under $300 and where you can get the best deal on them. 

Table of Contents:

• The Best Shark Vacuums Under $300
• When and Where to Get the Best Deals on a Shark Vacuum
• The Best Places to Buy a Shark Vacuum

The Best Shark Vacuums Under $300

Consumer Reports collected data on more than 60 vacuums and ranked them according to predicted reliability, use on carpet, use on bare floors, hose suction and more.

Aside from a $350 Kenmore vacuum in the second spot and a $700 Miele vacuum in the fifth spot, Consumer Reports’ top picks are all Shark vacuums beginning as low as $169. 

The Top Five Shark Vacuums Under $300:

1. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV831
2. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Speed NV800
3. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501
4. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV500
5. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Speed NV681

I looked at the ratings and reviews for these vacuums as well as where to get the best price on each. The prices below were found on January 21, 2020.

1. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV831

• Price: $299.99 at The Home Depot
  
• Weight: 18 pounds
  
• Power Cord: 30′ manual-wind cord
  
• Noise Rating: 3/5

This model is great for use on carpets and floors and has a strong tool airflow which means the included accessories work well. It comes with a pet power brush and pet multi-tool and includes a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens. With this vacuum, you will have to manually empty the bin, which seems to be the only major drawback. It also comes with a 7-year limited warranty.

2. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Speed NV800

• Price: $249 at Walmart
• Weight: 15 pounds
  
• Power Cord: 30′ manual-wind cord
  
• Noise Rating: 3/5

This bagless model features micro-filtration and a detachable handheld canister. It’s high ratings for performance on bare floors and containing dust keep it at the top of the list. While you can find this vacuum in new condition for under $300 at Walmart, you can get a refurbished model cheaper at Amazon.

3. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501

• Price: $234.71 at Amazon
  
• Weight: 17 pounds
  
• Power Cord: 30′ manual-wind cord
  
• Noise Rating: 4/5

This is the upright model that I have, and I love it! It features suction control, micro-filtration, a detachable handheld canister and a brush on/off switch. It rates below average for pet hair, but I have three indoor-only cats and am much happier with its performance than with my previous vacuums. It’s available from several stores under $300 including Amazon, True Value Hardware, Wayfair, Ace Hardware and Walmart.

4. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV500

• Price: $169 at Walmart
  
• Weight: 17 pounds
  
• Power Cord: 30’ manual-wind cord
  
• Noise Rating: 4/5

This 2-in-1 model features a detachable canister for easy cleaning in hard-to-reach areas. Like the others, it also has Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter for maximum dust reduction. Customers admire that this vacuum is quiet and handles well, and they give the vacuum 4.5 out of 5 stars on Walmart.com. 

5. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Speed NV681

Price: $259.99 – $299.99 at Lowe’s
Weight: 14 pounds
Power Cord: 30′
Noise Rating: 4/5

This compact 2-in-1 upright vacuum features a detachable canister, LED headlights, advanced swivel steering and more. It’s perfect for use on both carpet and hard floors. Like the other models, it also includes Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology and HEPA filter. It’s currently available at Lowe’s, Overstock, Walmart, Staples and Wayfair for under $300.

When and Where to Get the Best Deals on Shark Vacuums

Like any big purchase, it’s smart to shop around for a while before deciding when and where to buy a Shark vacuum. 

At ClarkDeals, we’ve seen some of the best deals throughout the month of November at Amazon, Walmart and Woot. 

Of course, waiting until Black Friday to buy a new vacuum isn’t always feasible. Here’s when we’ve seen the best deals on Shark vacuums throughout the year since 2016:

The Best Months to Buy a Shark Vacuum:

1. November
2. April
3. August

If you aren’t able to wait for Black Friday sales, check for deals around early Spring and late Summer.

Several of the best Shark vacuums are also available at multiple stores, so you may have to shop around to get the best price. 

Here’s where we’ve seen the best prices at ClarkDeals over the past few years:

The Top Three Places to Buy a Shark Vacuum:

1. Amazon
2. Walmart
3. Woot

As you might expect, Amazon and Walmart are two of the best places to buy a Shark vacuum. You’ll find competitive prices, a huge selection and you can usually get free shipping from both stores online. 

If you’re good at grabbing daily deals, Woot is another great place to find great prices on new and refurbished Shark vacuums. These deals are only available for 24 hours, so you’ll have to comparison shop and make a decision quickly.

We’ve also found great prices at The Home Depot, Meh, Big Lots and Sam’s Club.

The Best Places to Buy a Shark Vacuum

When you’re ready to buy a Shark vacuum, you’ll want to make your purchase where you get the best price. 

Before you make your final decision, be sure to take the time to comparison shop with a tool like Google Shopping. This is the best way to avoid missing out on a better deal. 

Based on ClarkDeals data and the highest-rated Shark vacuums at Consumer Reports, let’s take a closer look at the top three places to buy a Shark vacuum.

1. Amazon

Amazon offers a great selection of some of the best Shark vacuums, and at some of the best prices.

You’ll find the Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Speed NV800 and the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501 competitively priced. For more options, you can check out Amazon’s top selected Shark vacuums here.

One of the best things about shopping at Amazon is how easy it is to track pricing. If you’ve found a Shark vacuum you want, be sure to enter the link at Camelcamelcamel and see if you’re more likely to get a discount by waiting to make your purchase.

Amazon offers free shipping on most purchases over $25, which means you most likely won’t face any additional fees for a Shark vacuum.

2. Walmart

Walmart is another great store to shop at if you’re looking for a Shark vacuum. The store carries over 150 Shark products online and offers free shipping on purchases over $35. 

Right now, you’ll find the best price on the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV500. We’ve also seen deals as low as $100 on Shark upright vacuums in the past. If you’re looking for a Shark robot vacuum, you’ll also likely find bargains at Walmart.

3. Woot

Shopping at Woot is a little more difficult, since most deals only last 24 hours. Still, it’s a great place to buy a Shark vacuum if you’re committed to getting the best price. 

We’ve seen some great deals posted at Woot, including a new Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV500 for only $149.99. That’s $20 cheaper than the best price at Walmart as of January 16, 2020!

Amazon Prime members are eligible for free shipping at Woot, so be sure to sign in to get the most savings.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about buying a Shark vacuum, you’re making a great choice! Consumer Reports highly recommends them, and so do I. 

Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV831 at The Home Depot. I have the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501, which I love. The best price on this vacuum can be found at Amazon right now. 

For other models, be sure to check the prices at Walmart and keep an eye out for great daily deals at Woot. If you have time to shop around for the best deals, be on the lookout around April, August and (of course) Black Friday.

More Ways to Save:

• Know what you need and don’t overpay for additional features. Even if a fancier vacuum is on sale, you can most likely save more by getting something simple.
• Keep an eye out for refurbished or renewed options online from trustworthy sellers. We’ve seen great prices on refurbished Shark vacuums at Amazon, Woot and eBay!
• Again, don’t forget to comparison shop. It only takes seconds to look up the vacuum you’re interested in and check for a better price. You could end up saving big!

Where did you buy your last vacuum? Did you get a good deal? Let us know in the comments below!