We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Cleaning Vacuums The 10 Best Shark Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed We tested 38 Shark vacuums over a span of many months. By Rachel Simon Rachel Simon Rachel has written for Dotdash Meredith's Ecommerce team since 2020, covering home goods, tech, fashion, beauty, and more. She's interviewed dozens of experts and is always on top of the latest trends and product releases. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 17, 2024 Fact checked by Shereen Jegtvig Fact checked by Shereen Jegtvig Shereen Jegtvig is an author, fact-checker, and expert with over two decades of experience in health and wellness within the lifestyle space. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / Henry Wortock A vacuum is one of the most useful cleaning devices you can own, and so it’s important that you choose one that you feel confident will do the job well for years on end. If you’re not sure where to start, consider opting for a model made by Shark, one of the leading vacuum brands on the market right now. “Shark vacuums are known to be effective, reliable, and reasonably priced,” says Whitney White, Airbnb cleaning specialist. “There are many different models, making it a great, affordable option for your needs.” To find the best Shark vacuums around, we tested 38 different models over a span of several months, evaluating them on factors like effectiveness, ease of use, noise, and more. We also got expert insight from White on how to maintain these types of vacuums so that they can last for year after year. Our Top Picks Best Overall Shark Vacuum: Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon $375 Jump to Review Best Budget Shark Vacuum: SALE Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Vacuum at Amazon $200 $170 Jump to Review Best Upright Shark Vacuum: SALE Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum at Amazon $220 $118 Jump to Review Best Cordless Stick Shark Vacuum: SALE Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon $330 $200 Jump to Review Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair: SALE Shark ZU62 Navigator Zero-M Pet Pro Upright Vacuum at Amazon $280 $144 Jump to Review Best Shark Vacuum for Hardwood Floors: SALE Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum at Amazon $400 $300 Jump to Review Best Shark Vacuum for Carpet: SALE Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Upright Vacuum at Amazon $300 $229 Jump to Review Best Shark Vacuum Mop: Shark Vacmop Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum at Amazon $100 Jump to Review Best Shark Robot Vacuum: SALE Shark Robot Vacuum + Mop at Amazon $480 $250 Jump to Review Best Handheld Shark Vacuum: Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $79 Jump to Review Best Overall Shark Vacuum Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $375 at Amazon $290 at Walmart $247 at Lowe's Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Noise Level 4.5/5 What Stands Out It maneuvers so easily that it feels like it’s vacuuming for you. What Could Be Improved The canister is fairly small and heavy. For a great Shark vacuum that won’t let you down, look no further than this cordless model. It’s an ultra-powerful stick vacuum that comes with multiple helpful features and moves gracefully around a room, making it truly stand out. We found it simple to put together, taking only a few minutes’ time, and extremely easy to maneuver once you get it going. The vacuum picked up every piece of debris on the first run thanks to its strong suction and dual brush heads, and its design makes it feel like it’s leading you, not the other way around. We also love the vacuum’s compact size and bent shape, which allow it to easily fit under tables and get into all areas, as well as the LED headlights that help light up dark areas and flash when they need charging. Additionally, this vacuum comes with handy accessories like a pet tool, dusting brush, and crevice tool. Emptying the device is simple, although the canister is a bit heavy and not as big as it could be. Overall, there’s so much to love about this top-quality vacuum. Type: Cordless Stick | Weight: 9.04 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: 60 minutes | Bin Capacity: 0.34 quarts | Accessories: Anti-allergen brush, pet multi-tool, crevice tool Best Budget Shark Vacuum Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $170 at Amazon $170 at Home Depot $200 at Ace Hardware Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.5/5 Maneuverability 3.5/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 5/5 What Stands Out It’s quieter than most other models. What Could Be Improved It’s not the best at picking up hair. If you’re looking to keep costs low but still want a high-quality vacuum, check out this lower-priced model from Shark. The upright vacuum is great at picking up debris quickly, as we found during testing, and is effective not just on floors and furniture but also on stairs and in tight corners. After months of use, it’s stayed just as impressive, especially when it comes to picking up pet hair on higher pile rugs. This vacuum comes with a 25-foot extendable hose that’s long enough to tackle most rooms without issue, and maneuvering it around different areas is easy thanks to its swivel steering. Setting up the vacuum takes minimal time, and you can use it either as a regular upright vacuum or a hand vacuum, if you choose to detach the handle. It comes with helpful tools like a pet power brush, crevice tool, and upholstery tool, all of which we found useful during testing and have continued to use since.It even features anti-allergen tech along with a filter to trap dust that helps keep the air breathable as you clean. Notably, this vacuum is quieter than many others, and the dust cap is fairly large, so you won’t need to refill it often. On the downside, the hair it picks up sometimes gets stuck in the filter and needs to be removed by hand; you also have to rinse the filter every few months or else it’ll lose suction power. Still, this is a worthwhile vacuum, especially if you’re sticking to a budget. Type: Upright | Weight: 13.1 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bin Capacity: 0.4 quarts | Accessories: Crevice tool, dusting brush, turbo brush Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Upright Shark Vacuum Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $118 at Amazon $190 at Wayfair $200 at Target Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 2.5/5 What Stands Out It has strong suction and a large-capacity dust cap. What Could Be Improved It’s quite heavy, and hard to use on stairs. For another top-tier upright vacuum, take a look at this powerful deluxe model. It’s a notably sizable vacuum that has a large-capacity dust cap compared to most other vacuums, so you can use the device for a long while before needing to empty it out. After months of use, we found it to be best at deep cleaning carpets (it’s great with pet hair!), as long as you have a smaller handheld vacuum to get into tight crevices. When testing the vacuum, we also found it to have a super easy setup and immediate effectiveness; its strong suction picked up all the debris on the floor in less than a minute’s time. In general, it maneuvers smoothly thanks to its swivel steering, especially around edges, although its heavy weight makes cleaning on stairs a bit of a challenge. But you can easily detach the nozzle to get into trickier areas, which is a big help. The attachments it comes with—an upholstery tool and a crevice tool—are both very useful for picking up pet hair (although it’s worth noting that sometimes, hair gets tightly wrapped around the roller brush, especially on carpet, and is tricky to remove; additionally, the crevice tool doesn’t stick particularly well into the hose). This is a simple vacuum without lights or other fancier features, but we do love that it comes with anti-allergen features to keep the air clean, and that both the suction power and dust bin size are seriously impressive. Type: Upright | Weight: 16 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bin Capacity: 0.9 quarts | Accessories: Upholstery tool, crevice tool Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Cordless Stick Shark Vacuum Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $200 at Amazon $330 at Wayfair View on Sharkclean.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.6/5 Noise Level 4.2/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.7/5 What Stands Out It has a self-emptying system. What Could Be Improved Its dust bin is smaller than average. In the market for a stick vacuum? Consider this excellent cordless option, which stands out for how lightweight and small it is compared to other models. You’ll be able to maneuver it easily around furniture and tight corners of your home, thanks to both the vacuum’s tiny size and its helpful swivel head, and store it away in any space when it’s not in use. It also has a powerful battery that rarely runs out during cleaning sessions, and will undoubtedly become your go-to vacuum like it has for us. This vacuum can take a bit of time to warm up—when we tested it out, we found that it worked significantly better on the second run than the first—but once it’s going strong, you won’t be disappointed. It picks up both hair and food efficiently, and features an anti-allergen seal and HEPA filtration to keep the air fresh as you go. It also comes with a handy duster crevice tool and a pet multi-tool, and it automatically empties debris into its sealed dust bin. Unfortunately, that dustbin is quite small, and as a result, fills up very fast. But if you’re okay with taking some extra time to empty it out a few times as you go, then you’ll still be happy you picked up this light, helpful vacuum, which is always helpfully ready to go in its charging port. Type: Cordless Stick | Weight: 13.8 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: Not listed | Bin Capacity: 0.13 quarts | Accessories: Crevice tool, pet multi-tool Real Simple / Elise Wang Real Simple / Elise Wang Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair Shark ZU62 Navigator Zero-M Pet Pro Upright Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $144 at Amazon $250 at Wayfair $289 at Walmart Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 3/5 Portability 3/5 Noise Level 3.5/5 What Stands Out It has the largest dustbin on our list. What Could Be Improved Some fur got stuck in the dustbin and needed to be manually removed. Anyone with shedding pets knows how hard it can be to get hair out of carpets and furniture, but this fantastic vacuum is designed to do just that. Over months of use, we found that it easily and thoroughly cleaned up hair and cat food from carpet (although it’s not as helpful on hardwood). We were also impressed with the vacuum’s large dustbin—at 2.8 quarts, it’s the largest on this list. The three attachments the vacuum comes with—a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool—are all very useful, as is the extension hose you can use to get into tougher areas. Helpfully, you can choose from multiple cleaning settings to ensure you have the right mode for your specific needs, and the dustbin is big enough to not require frequent emptying. The HEPA filter is great for pet owners, as it locks in allergens so they’re not released back into the air, and the self-cleaning brushroll helps prevent hair getting wrapped around and needing to be manually removed. We found this vacuum very easy to empty, although we did notice that some fur got stuck in the dustbin and needed to be removed by hand. Plus, it’s quite heavy, which makes it hard to use on stairs. These cons were annoying but not a dealbreaker, as we felt that the overall effectiveness of this vacuum and its large dustbin more than made up for it. Type: Upright | Weight: 16 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bin Capacity: 2.8 quarts | Accessories: Dusting brush, upholstery tool, duster crevice tool Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Best Shark Vacuum for Hardwood Floors Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $300 at Amazon $380 at Wayfair Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 5/5 What Stands Out You can control the cleaning mode and suction level via an LED display. What Could Be Improved It’s not as effective on longer carpet. Looking for a vacuum that’s particularly effective on hardwood floors? This canister model may be the one for you. It has a strong suction that won’t cause damage to hardwood floors, and it comes with helpful attachments like a pet crevice tool and an upholstery tool. We found that it transitions smoothly from floors to carpets to furniture, and it uses its powerful suction to pick up plenty of hair on the way. After six months of use, it’s just as powerful and easy to use as ever. If you’re not used to canister vacuums, this model can be a bit tricky to maneuver at first, but once you get the hang of the wheels, you’ll find that it moves smoothly with you and has an overall lightweight feel. It features an anti-allergen seal to trap dust and dander, as well as helpful LED lights to illuminate areas that might be hard to see. You can also choose between multiple cleaning modes and suction levels with the LED smart display, making the device even simpler to control. As far as negatives go, the vacuum doesn’t come with a setting for longer nap carpets, which is a bit of a pain. Plus, the attachment storage isn’t in the most convenient place. But otherwise, it’s a reliable, effective device that’s not only great for hardwood, but also homes with pets. Type: Corded | Weight: 17.2 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bin Capacity: 1.9 quarts | Accessories: Pet crevice tool, upholstery tool Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Best Shark Vacuum for Carpet Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Upright Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $229 at Amazon $267 at Walmart $270 at Farmandfleet.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Noise Level 5/5 What Stands Out It maneuvers very smoothly on carpet and picks up large debris with ease. What Could Be Improved It’s pretty bulky and heavy. We have an A+ option for carpet cleaning: this highly-rated upright model from Shark. The vacuum is very effective at picking up debris of all sizes from carpets in barely any time, and it maneuvers more smoothly on carpeting than many other models. It’s ideal for deep cleaning, thanks to its powerful suction, and is very simple to use overall. This vacuum is straightforward to set up, and it’s easy to maneuver around both floors and carpets, thanks in large part to its pivoting head and swivel steering. You can detach the wand if you want to get into tight spaces, which we found to be quite helpful for detail work, especially since the vacuum is pretty heavy and bulky when put all together. Additionally, the vacuum features anti-allergen tech and a brush roller (which works great, despite short bristles), and the dustbin is easy to remove and empty as needed. The cord has ample length but can get tangled occasionally, and the vacuum’s heft does mean you might get a bit tired after use. Still, for carpet, this vacuum provides plenty of impressive help and is a great pick. Type: Upright | Weight: 15.5 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bin Capacity: 0.88 quarts | Accessories: Dusting crevice tool, pet power brush, pet upholstery tool Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Shark Vacuum Mop Shark Vacmop Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum PHOTO: Target $100 at Amazon $100 at Target $100 at Walmart Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 What Stands Out It has a no-touch disposable canister that makes cleaning up super simple. What Could Be Improved You’ll need to frequently buy pad refills. Want a vacuum that can effectively clean up not just debris but liquids, too? Opt for a wet-dry model, like this cordless stick vacuum from Shark. It features a disposable pad that picks up any debris it finds, before switching into mop mode and spraying a cleaning solution to make sure no sign of the mess is left behind. When we tested out this vacuum, we loved that it was able to be set up in seconds, with each part clicking into place. You just need to add in the cleaner and pad (both of which are included), and then you’re good to go. The vacuum glides smoothly (and quietly!) across the floor, thanks to its lightweight design, and the powerful suction gets both hair and dirt easily. Additionally, the cleaning spray has a lovely fresh scent, and the vacuum features LED headlights to help you see all areas clearly as you go. The best part about this vacuum, though, is its no-touch disposable canister, which allows you to get rid of the pads without having to handle the mess yourself. That canister isn’t the largest, it should be noted, and of course, you’ll need to purchase pad refills often if you plan to use the vacuum regularly. But putting those downsides aside, this is a strong vacuum that’s especially great for small spaces where you want a two-in-one tool. Type: Cordless Stick | Weight: 3.34 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: 20 minutes | Bin Capacity: 0.10 quarts | Accessories: 2 disposable pads, 12-ounce cleaner solution Best Shark Robot Vacuum Shark Robot Vacuum + Mop PHOTO: Amazon $250 at Amazon View on Bed Bath & Beyond View on Untilgone.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.7/5 Noise Level 3/5 Maneuverability 3/5 Features 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 What Stands Out You can use the app to set up “no-mop” zones and schedule cleanings. What Could Be Improved There’s no spot on the base for the mop attachment. Robot vacuums are ideal for people who want a truly hands-free cleaning experience, and this Shark model is a great pick. It acts as both a vacuum and a mop, picking up debris and leaving floors shiny, and it comes with a helpful app that you can use to set up cleaning schedules, activate different modes, and more. Once you’re all set up and connected to the app, you’ll be wowed by how much this robot can do. It immediately makes a map of your home (which gets clearer with each use) and can target specific high-traffic areas. You can even use the app to set up “no-mop zones” to make sure it avoids any carpets while mopping. When vacuuming, the robot is great at not getting caught in any tricky corners, and we found in testing that its powerful suction and spinning brush successfully gets pet hair in addition to regular debris. You can switch between three modes (eco, normal, and max) and watch in awe as it transitions easily between carpets and floors. It is quite expensive, and there’s no spot on the base for the mop, which is frustrating. It’s also not amazing at avoiding small items—it bumps into the cat’s water dish constantly—but if you make sure to pick things up ahead of time, like socks and cords, you’ll be golden. Type: Robotic | Weight: 17 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: Not listed | Bin Capacity: 0.24 quarts | Accessories: 2 mopping pads, 2 side brushes, 12-ounce cleaner solution, charging dock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Handheld Shark Vacuum Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $79 at Amazon $80 at Wayfair $79 at Walmart Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 3/5 What Stands Out It has a larger-than-expected dust bin. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t tell you how much battery life is left. Handheld vacuums are great tools for cleaning up areas that traditional vacuums may not be able to reach, and this cordless Shark model is a top-notch pick. It’s an extremely lightweight device that features two air streams for strong suction, as well as two helpful tools (a crevice tool and a scrubbing brush) to ensure a deep, thorough cleaning in each use. When we tested out the vacuum, we were pleased to find that it came fully assembled, and that its serious power was immediately obvious the moment we turned it on. It picked up all debris and hair buried deep in the carpet, yet the dustbin was big enough that it still wasn’t full even after a long test. It’s stayed just as effective month after month, and it’s become an everyday cleaning staple in our lives, particularly for small messes and tight corners. The vacuum and its tools (especially the crevice tool) also worked quite well when used on a high chair as well as a car seat. Its small size makes it super easy to maneuver, and the hands-free debris disposal is another plus. It would’ve been nice if the vacuum showed how much battery life is left, but really, that’s the only flaw we found. Type: Cordless handheld | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: Not listed | Bin Capacity: 0.45 quarts | Accessories: Crevice tool, scrubbing brush Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Final Verdict Of all the Shark vacuums we tested, the Shark IZ462H Vertex Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum really stood out for its smooth maneuverability, helpful features, and powerful suction. For a lower-budget alternative, though, the Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum offers strong suction and a larger-than-average dust cap, making it another solid pick. Our Testing Process Over a span of several months, we have tested 38 Shark vacuums in a variety of settings. All tests, though, share a few features in common. We’ve tested every vacuum for its effectiveness on hard floors and carpeting, maneuverability, ease of setting up and emptying, noise level, and overall value. Tests included navigating each vacuum through an “obstacle course” set up to look like an average living room, with furniture and different types of flooring. We also evaluated how each vacuum cleaned up a variety of debris, including Cheerios, coffee grounds, wig hair, and orzo. We also made sure to test vacuums on stairs and upholstery, and used any attachments to get a total overview of each model’s cleaning power. We long-term tested each vacuum, checking in after one, two, and six months to see how each model held up. Based on these insights, we determined the best Shark vacuums for every cleaning need and budget. Real Simple / Dera Burreson How to Shop for Shark Vacuums Like a Pro Type Shark models, like all vacuums, come in several different types: upright, stick/handheld, and robot. Upright vacuums are always best for deep cleaning or thicker carpets since they usually have ultra-strong suction and larger dust caps, White says. Because of their large size, though, they’re not ideal for upholstery or small, harder-to-reach areas. Stick and handheld vacuums are much better for smaller, quicker jobs, and they also have better maneuverability to reach areas that upright vacuums can’t, says White. However, their small size means you’ll likely have to empty their dustbins often, and their suction won’t be quite as strong. Robot vacuums are ideal for people who want a hands-off cleaning experience, and they usually come with helpful apps you can use to schedule cleanings, set up a house map, and more. They tend to be pricey, though, and may still require some manual help if they get stuck in corners or on objects. Corded vs. Cordless Both corded and cordless vacuums have their benefits. Corded vacuums, which plug into an outlet and have a long cable, can be used for hours on end, have strong suction power, and are especially great on carpets. On the downside, the cords can get tangled, and they tend to be heavier, bulkier devices. Cordless vacuums, meanwhile, run on battery and therefore can only run for a limited time before needing to be charged. They’re also usually smaller and have lighter dustbin capacities. On the upside, they’re much easier to maneuver, more lightweight, and more flexible than their corded peers. Floor Type Depending on whether you’re looking to primarily vacuum hardwood floors or carpets, you might prefer some Shark vacuums over other models. The brand’s upright options are largely great for carpeting, while the stick/handheld and robot options are best for hardwood. The size of your floor also matters; if you have a large space that needs vacuuming, you might want to opt for a corded and/or upright model, but for smaller spaces, cordless stick, handheld, or robot vacuums tend to work just fine. Accessories Many Shark vacuums come with helpful accessories to your cleaning, such as a crevice tool to get in tiny spaces, pet power brushes or upholstery tools to deal with pet hair, and even LED lights to allow you to see darker areas clearly. Think about what your specific needs are before deciding which accessories are most important to you. Real Simple / Henry Wortock More Shark Vacuums to Consider Shark HV301 Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum: This lightweight corded vacuum is very effective at picking up debris, and the wheels glide smoothly. However, the wand is too tall, making for an uncomfortable user experience, and the vacuum doesn’t maneuver as well on hardwood as on carpets. Shark Cordless Pro Vacuum With Clean Sense IQ: Despite its small size, this vacuum is very powerful and works well on both hardwood and carpets. But the debris falls out when you change attachments unless you empty the bag first, which makes for a big inconvenience, especially at a higher price point. Questions You Might Ask How do Shark vacuums compare to Dyson? “Shark vacuums have a few awesome features that Dyson vacuums do not,” White says. For instance, many Shark vacuums feature helpful LED lights on their heads to help you see in darker-lit corners, and “Shark vacuum batteries typically run longer than Dyson’s,” she adds. Shark vacuums are also typically less expensive than Dyson models, although Dyson vacuums tend to have stronger suction power. How do you clean a Shark vacuum? “Depending on the model, most are fairly easy to disassemble for cleaning,” White says. First, “remove the brush roll, then take out the center tube. Cut the hair off your brush roll, and empty the dust pan.” She also suggests rinsing the filters with lukewarm water and air drying them, and wiping any parts of the vacuum attached to the battery with a damp cloth. As for vacuum tubes, “they can be cleared of debris with a little baking soda and vinegar,” White says. How long do Shark vacuums last? White says most Shark vacuums can last four to six years with regular maintenance.” Of course, that depends on how often you use your vacuum as well as the overall quality of the specific model. But in general, if you make sure to clean your vacuum regularly and take it in for repairs when needed, then you should be good for a long time. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, and many other publications. To write this article, we tested 38 Shark vacuums and evaluated them on effectiveness, ease, portability, and more. For expert insight, we spoke to Whitney White, Airbnb cleaning specialist. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.