Spoiler alert: I shouldn’t have worried. Shark has left plenty of space at the front to allow larger particles through, and although it doesn’t trap them quite as well as the best fluffy rollers, it performed surprisingly well. Overall, this is a superb performance, surpassing the abilities of the more expensive Dyson models, including the V15 Detect and the V11 Outsize. The main unit looks identical to that of its predecessor, the Shark IZ201UK, which is still available at some retailers but costs a little more. The controls are extremely simple, with a three-way thumb switch on the top that takes it through its three modes: off, hard floor and carpet. There’s also a trigger loop for your index finger, which you pull to engage the Max boost mode.

With a single motorised Anti Hair Wrap brush-roll, this lightweight, flexible cordless vacuum cleaner is perfect for homes with long, short and pet hair.Like many of Shark's corded and cordless models, the IZ300UK is fitted with a flexible cleaning tube called Flexology. This means the vacuum conveniently slots underneath coffee tables and sofas, helping you clean those hard-to-reach areas.

It comes with just two accessories: a crevice tool and a two-in-one upholstery nozzle and dusting brush. Lots of premium cordless vacuums come with several more accessories, including a mini turbo brush - which is handy for giving awkward spots a thorough clean. If there’s one element I didn’t particularly like it’s the position of the power indicator lights on the battery. During operation these are well out of sight, so there’s no at-a-glance guide to how much power you have left without rotating the vacuum around to see the lights. It's somewhat quieter in eco mode, but both the floor head and motor are still notably louder than some other cordless vacuums we've trialled.In terms of attachments, it’s limited to the bare essentials. You get a crevice tool and a simple upholstery tool, the latter being just a funnel with felt-like brushes around the edge to tease hair and other fine debris out of your furniture. Go handheld to clean surfaces, soft furnishings, stairs, in the car and more with the included Crevice Tool and Upholstery Tool. Extend your reach up high with the wand in handheld mode. The Shark makes a lot of noise, so it's not a good choice if you tend to vacuum while others are asleep or working from home - even if they're on the other side of the house. The dust collector has a capacity of 0.7 L, which is more than enough to clean the home once over. The battery lasts for about 40 minutes on low power, and up to 20 minutes on maximum power. An LED indicator will show when the battery (which is removable) needs to be recharged. The appliance itself folds down easily to be attached to the charger with no trouble. A five year guarantee from the manufacturer helps keep peace of mind should something go wrong. Cordless Vacuums UK