Shark Ion Vacuum 720 Review

The Shark Ion Vacuum 720 is a capable, lightweight cordless stick vacuum designed for quick everyday cleanups in small to medium homes. It offers strong suction on hard floors and low-pile rugs, a convenient removable battery, and a low-profile design that gets under furniture. However, its battery life is limited (around 15-20 minutes on max), and it struggles with deep carpet cleaning and long-haired pet hair tangles. It’s an excellent value for apartment dwellers and spot-cleaning, but not a replacement for a powerful corded vacuum in a large, carpeted home.

Key Takeaways

• Excellent for Hard Floors & Quick Cleanups: The Shark Ion Vacuum 720 excels at picking up debris like crumbs, dust, and pet hair on hardwood, tile, and laminate. Its lightweight design makes it perfect for daily 5-minute cleanups.
• Limited Power on Thick Carpets: While it handles low-pile rugs adequately, the suction power drops significantly on medium to high-pile carpets. It’s not designed to be a primary vacuum for plush carpeted homes.
• Removable Lithium-Ion Battery: A major plus is the user-removable battery. You can buy spares for extended cleaning sessions and easily swap them without tools. A full charge takes about 3 hours.
• Struggles with Long Pet Hair: The brush roll can tangle with long dog or cat hair (like from a Husky or Collie), requiring frequent manual cleaning. It’s better suited for short-coated pets or hard floors.
• Great Value & Smart Design: For its price point, it offers strong core performance. Features like the low-profile swivel head, wall-mountable storage, and included crevice tool add significant practical value for small-space living.

Introduction: The Promise of a Lightweight Powerhouse

Let’s be honest: dragging out a heavy, corded vacuum for a quick spill or a daily once-over can feel like a chore. This is where the cordless revolution, led by models like the Shark Ion Vacuum 720, comes in. It promises the freedom of cordless, the power of Shark’s DuoClean technology (on some models—more on that later), and a design so light you might actually enjoy vacuuming. But does it deliver on that promise for a real family home? After weeks of testing it against cereal explosions, shedded pet fur, and tracked-in dirt, I’m here to give you the unfiltered truth. This isn’t just a spec sheet recap; it’s a deep dive into how the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 performs when it matters most—in your living room, kitchen, and hallway.

We’ll break down everything from its surprising heft (or lack thereof) to the gritty details of its battery life under load. Is it a worthy successor to your old upright, or just a fancy gadget for spot cleaning? By the end of this Shark Ion Vacuum 720 review, you’ll know exactly who this vacuum is for—and who should look elsewhere.

Unboxing & First Impressions: Build Quality and Design

Out of the box, the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 makes a solid first impression. Assembly is minimal: you click the wand into the floor head, attach the dust cup, and you’re ready to go in under two minutes. The construction feels primarily plastic, but it’s a good, dense plastic that doesn’t feel cheap. The wand has a comfortable, rubberized grip and a clear, easy-to-read battery indicator on the back. The overall weight is advertised as around 7.5 lbs, and it genuinely feels that light—lighter than many competing stick vacs.

A Design Built for Small Spaces

The design philosophy here is clearly “efficiency for apartments and small homes.” The floor head is low-profile and swivels effortlessly, sliding under sofas and beds with ease—a task that often defeats bulkier vacuums. The “Anti-Allergen Complete Seal” system with the HEPA filter is a nice touch for allergy sufferers, though we’ll test its efficacy later. The dust cup empties with a single button press, which is hygienic and mess-free. You won’t touch the dirt, which is a huge win. The included wall mount is sturdy and includes a charging dock, so you can store it vertically and have it always ready to go. This is a vacuum that thinks about your storage constraints.

The “DuoClean” Caveat

It’s crucial to note which model you’re looking at. The Shark Ion Vacuum 720 is part of a family. The base 720 model does not have Shark’s DuoClean technology (the two roller bars that are great on hard floors). The higher-end 750 and 770 models do. The 720 has a single brush roll. This is a key differentiator that impacts performance on hard floors versus carpets, which we’ll explore in the next section. Don’t assume all Shark Ions are created equal—the model number matters.

Performance Testing: Suction Power on Surfaces That Matter

This is the make-or-break section of any Shark Ion Vacuum 720 review. How does it actually pick up the stuff you spill? We tested on three key surfaces: sealed hardwood, medium-pile carpet, and a low-pile area rug. We used standard debris: cereal, flour, kitty litter, and short dog hair.

Hard Floors: A Clear Winner

On our sealed hardwood and laminate, the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 was impressively effective. The single brush roll, combined with strong suction, swept up every last piece of cereal and flour in a single pass. The swivel head made it easy to maneuver around chair legs and along baseboards. The bristles on the brush roll are designed to be gentle on hard floors, and they didn’t scatter debris. For daily kitchen cleanup, pet feeding area messes, and general dust, it’s outstanding. It left a visibly clean surface with minimal effort.

Carpets & Rugs: The Power Drop-Off

Here’s where the single brush roll and battery-powered motor show their limits. On our medium-pile living room carpet, the vacuum struggled to pull debris from the fibers. It pushed larger bits of kitty litter around instead of sucking them up. It required multiple, slow passes to get a decent clean. On the low-pile area rug, it performed better but still not as thoroughly as a corded Shark or Dyson. The single roller doesn’t agitate carpet fibers as aggressively as a dedicated carpet head. If your home is mostly hard floors with a few area rugs, you’ll be happy. If you have full-wall-to-wall carpet, especially plush types, this will be a frustrating experience.

The Pet Hair Challenge

We tested with short, stiff dog hair (like from a Beagle) and longer, silky hair (from a neighbor’s Golden Retriever). The Shark Ion Vacuum 720 handled the short hair with ease, sucking it directly into the dust cup. However, the longer hair consistently wrapped around the brush roll and the ends of the roller bearings. After cleaning a single 10×10 rug with long hair, we had to stop and use scissors to cut it away. This is a common issue with many stick vacs, but it’s particularly pronounced here. For homes with long-haired pets, this adds significant maintenance time.

Battery Life & Runtime: The Cordless Trade-Off

“Cordless” is the big sell, but it comes with a fundamental trade-off: runtime. Shark rates the Ion Vacuum 720 at up to 40 minutes in “hard floor” mode. In our real-world testing, using the “max” or “carpet” setting, we consistently got 15-20 minutes of strong, usable suction before the power noticeably dipped and the vacuum提示 a low-battery warning. This is a critical point.

Understanding the Power Settings

The vacuum has two main power triggers: a standard “Ion” mode and a “Max” mode (accessed by pressing the boost button). “Ion” mode extends runtime but has weaker suction—barely adequate for carpet. “Max” mode is where the suction is effective on hard floors and low-pile rugs, but it drains the battery rapidly. For a 1,000 sq ft apartment with mostly hard floors, you might finish a once-over on one charge if you work quickly. For a 2,000+ sq ft home with mixed flooring, you’ll almost certainly need a mid-clean recharge or a second battery.

The Removable Battery Lifeline

This is the Shark Ion Vacuum 720‘s saving grace. Because the battery is user-removable (just slide the release and it pops out), you can purchase a second battery for around $50-$70. This effectively doubles your runtime. If you plan to use this as your primary vacuum, budgeting for a spare battery is non-negotiable. The charging time is about 3 hours for a full cycle. The ability to charge one battery while using the other is a game-changer for larger cleanings.

Usability & Features: The Daily Experience

Beyond raw suction, day-to-day usability determines if you’ll actually use the thing. The Shark Ion Vacuum 720 scores well here, with some notable exceptions.

Maneuverability and Weight

The lightweight nature is its superpower. At 7.5 lbs, you can easily carry it up stairs with one hand, hold it overhead to clean ceiling cobwebs (the crevice tool attaches), and use it for extended periods without arm fatigue. The swivel head is incredibly responsive, making tight turns around furniture legs a breeze. This is a vacuum you’ll use for 5-minute spill cleanups because it’s no hassle.

Dust Cup Emptying & Maintenance

The one-touch empty is fantastic. Press the button, the bottom flap opens, and debris falls into the trash. It’s mostly clean, but fine dust can puff out if you do it over a trash can without a bag. The dust cup and filters are washable. The pre-motor foam filter and felt filter need regular rinsing (every month or so) and must be completely dry before reinserting. The post-motor HEPA filter is not washable and needs replacing every 6-12 months. This maintenance is straightforward but essential for sustained performance.

Noise Level

On “Max” mode, it’s loud—comparable to a hair dryer. It’s not the quietest stick vac on the market. On the lower “Ion” mode, it’s much more tolerable for quick cleanups while someone is on a call. You won’t vacuum quietly while a baby naps, but it’s not uniquely offensive.

The Competition: How Does It Stack Up?

No Shark Ion Vacuum 720 review is complete without context. At this price point (typically $150-$200), it faces rivals like the Tineco A11, older Dyson V7/V8 models on sale, and the Bissell Air Ram.

• vs. Tineco A11: The Tineco often has slightly longer runtime and a similar lightweight feel. The Tineco’s iLoop sensor for auto-adjusting suction is a neat feature the Shark lacks. Performance on hard floors is comparable.
• vs. Dyson V7/V8: A refurbished Dyson in this price range will have stronger overall suction and better carpet performance, but often a non-removable battery and a more expensive cost for spare batteries. The Shark’s removable battery is a decisive practical advantage for many.
• vs. Bissell Air Ram: The Bissell is often cheaper and has a unique “no-touch” empty. However, its build quality and suction feel a step below the Shark. The Shark generally feels more substantial.

The Shark Ion Vacuum 720 carves out its niche by offering a balanced, reliable performance on hard floors, a truly user-friendly removable battery, and a design focused on small-space storage—all at a competitive price.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Shark Ion Vacuum 720?

After thorough testing, the answer is clear: the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 is a fantastic tool for a specific type of user and home. It is not a one-vacuum-fits-all solution, but for its target audience, it’s a top contender.

Perfect For:

• Apartment dwellers and owners of small homes (under 1,200 sq ft).
• Households with mostly hard flooring (hardwood, tile, laminate).
• People who need a quick, lightweight vacuum for daily spot cleaning and weekly once-overs.
• Pet owners with short-haired dogs or cats.
• Anyone who values easy storage (wall mount) and hates being tethered to a cord.
• Buyers who want the flexibility to buy a spare battery later.

Think Twice If:

• Your home has a lot of medium or high-pile carpet. You’ll be disappointed.
• You have long-haired pets (Siberian Husky, Persian cat, etc.). The tangling will be a consistent headache.
• You expect 40+ minutes of “Max” power on a single charge. You’ll need that spare battery.
• You need a deep-cleaning vacuum for a large home. This is a supplement, not a replacement, for a corded powerhouse.

Ultimately, the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 delivers on its core promise: it’s a convenient, powerful-enough, and well-designed cordless vacuum for the modern small-space dweller. It understands that for many, the best vacuum is the one you’ll actually use. If that sounds like you, this is a very smart buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 battery actually last?

In our testing on the “Max” power setting, the battery lasted between 15-20 minutes of continuous, effective cleaning. On the lower “Ion” setting, you might get closer to 30 minutes, but suction is significantly weaker. For a full cleaning of a small apartment, one charge is often enough if you work efficiently.

Is the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 good for pet hair?

It’s good for short pet hair on hard floors and low-pile rugs, picking it up effectively. However, it struggles with long, silky pet hair (like from a Collie or Angora rabbit), which tends to wrap around the brush roll and requires frequent cutting with scissors to remove.

Can you wash the filters on the Shark Ion Vacuum 720?

Yes, the pre-motor foam filter and the felt filter are both washable. You should rinse them with cold water, let them air-dry completely for at least 24 hours, and then reinsert them. The post-motor HEPA filter is not washable and needs to be replaced every 6-12 months.

Is the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 loud?

On the highest “Max” setting, it is quite loud, comparable to a standard hair dryer. On the lower “Ion” setting, the noise is more moderate. It’s not the quietest stick vacuum on the market, but it’s typical for a powerful cordless model.

Does the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 have a HEPA filter?

Yes, it features an “Anti-Allergen Complete Seal” system with a HEPA filter that captures 99.9% of particles and allergens as small as 0.3 microns. This is a good feature for allergy sufferers, provided you maintain and replace the filters as recommended.

How does the Shark Ion Vacuum 720 compare to a Dyson cordless?

The Shark Ion Vacuum 720 generally has less raw suction power than a comparable Dyson V7 or V8, especially on carpets. However, its key advantage is the user-removable battery. You can buy spare batteries cheaply and easily, whereas Dyson batteries are integrated and more expensive to replace. For hard-floor-focused cleaning in a small home, the Shark offers 90% of the performance at a better value with more battery flexibility.