Dyson PencilVac vs Shark PowerDetect Cordless

The Shark PowerDetect is the better all-around vacuum for most homes: it cleans carpets and hard floors, runs up to 70 minutes, and has a much larger dust cup. The Dyson PencilVac is a specialized hard-floor tool at under 4 lbs that reaches where full-size vacuums can't, but it is not a carpet vacuum and its 0.08 gal bin fills fast. Owners praise the Dyson's agility and dust light; the Shark's ratings are equally strong and it carries a 5-year warranty against Dyson's 2 years.

• Choose the Dyson PencilVac if your home is mostly hard floors and you want the lightest, most maneuverable vacuum for quick daily pickups, edges and under furniture.
• Choose the Shark PowerDetect if you have carpets and rugs, want one vacuum for the whole home, and need long runtime and a big dust cup.