Forget single-function vacuums, Shark's clever new upright does the job of 3

Upright vacuums have always been seen as retro and cumbersome, the powerful workhorse you'd wheel our for a proper clean and then push back into the cupboard of clutter with a sore back and tired arms. But Shark has redesigned the upright vacuum into something sleeker and more versatile

The new Shark PowerDetect Transformer is a system that converts from a full upright vacuum into a stick or a handheld model in a matter of seconds. It's a clever feat of engineering that brings our nostalgia for the old, powerful upright vacuums to the convenience of stick vacuums. And, as a bonus, it folds in the functions of a handheld vacuum too.

With all that to boast about, the PowerDetect Transformer is set to be one of the best vacuums of all time. No longer will we have to choose between three styles of cleaning, compromising somewhere along the line. The Transformer tackles pet hair, everyday mess, and tricky tasks with speed and flexibility. We are entering a new era of vacuum cleaning.

The upright vacuum hasn't really changed in decades. It's the same basic design our parents used: powerful, reliable, but bulky, and not exactly built for a quick five-minute daily tidy to keep your home clean. Cordless sticks and handhelds solved that convenience problem, but often at the cost of the deep-cleaning power an upright gives you. Shark's new Transformer system is the first real attempt to close that gap.

As James Kitto, SVP Managing Director for EMEA at SharkNinja, puts it: "The upright vacuum hasn't meaningfully changed in decades. With Transformer, we've rethought what a vacuum can do by removing unnecessary complexity and creating a system that adapts to real life." They've looked at the common mistakes that people make with vacuums and worked around them to deliver "the deep-cleaning performance you'd expect from an upright, while giving consumers the flexibility to clean every part of their home, from floors and carpets to stairs, furniture and those harder-to-reach spaces."

The new Shark PowerDetect Transformer is deep and thorough when you need it, quick and convenient when you don't. Here's how it breaks down across the three modes:

As an upright, it has the deep-cleaning power of a corded vacuum, ideal for picking up pet hair, deep cleaning a carpet, and tackling a proper home clean. Shark has reimagined the traditional upright design and removed the hose, making it more streamlined with zero compromise on performance.

Switch to the stick vacuum for the runs that don't need full power: a quick pass for cobwebs on the ceiling, dust on the curtains, or a five-minute tidy before guests arrive. It's light and nimble enough that reaching for it doesn't feel like a chore.

And for the car, fiddly bits by the stairs, and upholstered chair cleaning there's the handheld. Transitioning between all three is promised to be as seamless as a click, with Shark's usual flexibility for reaching under sofas and beds.

Importantly, Shark has held on to lots of the features that we love: the reveal technology that illuminates hidden debris, a special detect floorhead that responds to dirt levels, floor types, and edges, as well as HEPA filtration and an auto-emptying bin.

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The Shark PowerDetect Transformer Vacuum can go from deep cleaning carpets to tackling stairs, upholders, skirting boards, and the car, you don't need multiple machines. The PowerDetect Transformer can do it in one. And I think it'll make you more motivated to clean than ever before.