Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreFor as long as I can remember, I’ve had a cordless hoover - but, after years of frustration at how quickly they run out of juice, that has all changed now and I’m a corded hoover convert.Having grown up being told there’s no better vacuum cleaner brand, as soon as I could afford one, I bought a cordless Dyson V7 after moving into my own flat.At first, it was brilliant, and so much stronger than the cheap vacuum I’d been shuffling round my flat for hours on end.But after just two years, the cordless novelty started to grate, as the battery began to drain quicker and quicker.Five years on from buying it, my Dyson can’t even make it round one bathroom, a hallway and bedroom without dying.I never felt the anti-tangle head I was promised ever worked on the hoover either.It was very much time for a new model - and, after speaking to many of my friends, I opted for a Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet.Here’s how I got on… Hayley Minn tests out the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet vacuum cleaner She's never going back to a Dyson nowShark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet: Our verdictShark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner★★★★★Product SpecsCapacity1.32LNumber of attachments2Vacuum typeCordedWeight7.61 kgWhat we lovePowerImpressive suction compared to a cordlessBattery timeNo faffing with recharging batteries with the corded modelReviewAfter being an avid Dyson user for nearly six years, I am now most definitely Team Shark.I don’t remember my Dyson hoover ever having as strong suction power as the Shark PowerDetect. And the fact that there’s a light to guide the way and show me dirt on the floor was ever so helpful - especially when we had a glitter disaster following a party.The hoover changes how much power it uses based on how much dirt there is, so sometimes it’s so powerful it feels like it’s taking you for a walk!The attachments are all so easy to use and switch in and out without any trouble at all - and I love that they just attach to the back of the hoover when they’re not being used.While there’s no denying a corded hoover is heavier than cordless, and a bit more of a faff, I didn’t mind too much, due to how much cleaner my floors felt immediately.If you're considering a Shark vacuum but aren't sure if the PowerDetect is quite right for you, our team of tests has also reviewed the Shark PowerPro Cordless and the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Upright corded , both of which received rave reviews.How we testWhen testing vacuums, we use every setting and clean every type of surface with the different attachments - including on wooden floors, carpets and rugs.Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet vacuum: full reviewFirst impressions Assembly was straightforward and took less than 10 minutes, with the main body, wand and accessories all clicking easily into place The instructions were very clearWhen the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet arrived, I was immediately struck by how substantial it felt. Coming from a cordless Dyson, it's noticeably larger and heavier, but that gave me confidence that this was a machine built for deep cleaning rather than quick touch-ups.Assembly was straightforward and took less than 10 minutes, with the main body, wand and accessories all clicking easily into place. I was also impressed by how premium the vacuum looked straight out of the box, with its sleek charcoal finish and intuitive controls. The inclusion of several attachments, all of which store neatly on board, made it feel like a well-thought-out package.Design The inclusion of several attachments, all of which store neatly on board, made it feel like a well-thought-out packageThe Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet has been designed with practicality firmly in mind. One of its standout features is Shark's Lift-Away technology, which allows the main pod to detach from the floor head, making it much easier to clean stairs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.I particularly liked the LED headlights on the floorhead, which illuminated dust and debris that would otherwise have gone unnoticed - especially under furniture and in darker corners of the house.The vacuum also features Shark's PowerDetect technology, which automatically adjusts suction levels depending on the amount of dirt detected and the type of flooring being cleaned. While this occasionally made the vacuum feel like it was walking me rather than me walking it, it meant I never had to manually adjust settings when moving between carpets and hard floors.At 7.6kg, it's certainly not lightweight, and I did find it cumbersome initially, having been used to a cordless vacuum. However, the trade-off is a machine that feels sturdy, robust and capable of tackling bigger cleaning jobs with ease.PerformancePerformance is where the Shark PowerDetect really shines. From the very first use, the suction power was noticeably stronger than my ageing cordless Dyson. It effortlessly picked up everything from dust to larger debris, often leaving carpets looking visibly fresher after a single pass.The automatic dirt detection worked well, increasing suction when tackling particularly dirty areas. On several occasions, I found myself going back over spots I thought were already clean, only to be surprised by how much additional dust and debris the vacuum collected - especially when I had a glitter disaster.The anti-hair wrap technology also proved far more effective than I had experienced with previous vacuums. Despite long hair regularly ending up on our floors, I found very little became tangled around the brush roll during testing.While the cord can occasionally feel restrictive compared with the freedom of a cordless model, the uninterrupted cleaning time more than made up for it.Value for moneyWith an RRP of around £399.99, the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet sits firmly in the premium vacuum category. However, considering the powerful suction, intelligent cleaning features, Lift-Away functionality and range of included attachments, I believe it offers good value for money.It's not the cheapest vacuum on the market, but if you're looking for a machine capable of replacing both a standard upright and a handheld cleaner, the investment is easier to justify. Frequent discounts can also bring the price down considerably, making it even more appealing.How does it rate online?The Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from shoppers online. Customers frequently praise its powerful suction, effectiveness at picking up pet hair and dust, and the convenience of the Lift-Away feature for cleaning stairs and upholstery.Many reviewers also highlight the LED headlights and automatic suction adjustment as standout features. Negative reviews tend to focus on the vacuum's weight and the fact that, as a corded model, it offers less convenience than cordless alternatives.Overall, the consensus among buyers is that the cleaning performance more than compensates for its size, with many saying they wouldn't go back to a cordless vacuum after switching. Our team of expert reviewers has been testing products for decades. Whether it's home and garden appliances (like vacuums) or fashion, beauty and tech, our collective experiences means we're able to bring real world testing and comparisons to all our reviews. All of this ensures we're able to help our readers make informed buying decisions.Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum CleanerIs the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet worth it?Yes, if you're looking for a powerful vacuum cleaner for deep cleaning, the Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet is well worth considering. During testing, I found the suction exceptionally strong, particularly on carpets and when picking up pet hair. While it is heavier than a cordless model, the performance more than makes up for the extra weight.Shark does also offer a cordless version of the PowerDetect range. If you're not ready to switch to a corded model, or a slim cordless design is simply better suited to your storage space - then you might want to read our review and check out the Shark Cordless PowerDetect. What is Shark's Lift-Away technology?Lift-Away technology allows you to detach the main pod from the vacuum cleaner, turning it into a portable unit for cleaning stairs, sofas, skirting boards and hard-to-reach areas while still benefiting from powered suction.How does the Shark PowerDetect compare to Dyson?Both brands make premium vacuum cleaners, but they offer different experiences. Dyson is best known for lightweight cordless models, while the Shark PowerDetect prioritises powerful, uninterrupted cleaning with a corded design. If you're frustrated by limited battery life, the Shark could be a better choice.We've reviewed plenty of other Dyson and Shark models. Read them here for more detail on which brand is best for you: