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The Shark IONFlex and Dyson V8 face off one last time to decide which model reigns supreme. Some truly amazing qualities earn each contender a spot at the top. But there can be only one clear winner in the end.
We put the IONFlex and the V8 head-to-head in a final showdown to declare which is the better of the two. Each model performs admirably and boasts its own great set of features. We’re going to take a hard look into each one’s strengths and weaknesses to find out which one comes out on top.
We’ll rate each vacuum in multiple categories and by the end of this article you’ll know which one is the right choice for you.
Shark IONFlex vs Dyson V8 at a Glance
In this section, we’ll take a quick peek at each model’s pros and cons. This will hopefully help you get a feel for how both vacuums perform and what kind of features they sport. In the end, it’s a good idea to weigh your needs when deciding on which model is best for you. What works well for one person may not necessarily work well for you.
Shark IONFlex Advantages:
- Fantastic 5-year warranty
- Easy handheld mode
- Two batteries for longer life
Shark IONFlex Disadvantages:
- Hair builds up quickly
- Small dustbin capacity
- Shorter run-time
Dyson V8 Advantages:
- Great overall run-time
- Picks up hair quite well
- Powerful suction
Dyson V8 Disadvantages:
- Longer recharge time
- Lesser warranty of the two
- Max setting drains the battery
Winer: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is the Shark IONFlex.
What’s the Difference Between Them?
Both the Shark IONFlex and Dyson V8 have a similar form factor. They are quite easy to use and are powered by a lithium-ion battery. They even have roughly the same features as one another.
Just looking at them, it’s impossible to know which one performs the best. That’s why we carefully compared the qualities of each model. We used identical testing across the board to give you a definitive answer.
We think you’ll be pretty surprised at some of the results we got from our extensive testing. So let’s discuss each category one at a time so you’ll be able to see how each model fared.
Battery Power
This largely depends on what power level you’re using. The Shark IONFlex boasts a total run-time of around 25 minutes on its lowest setting. When you increase the power or start adding attachments, this goes down to around 11 minutes.
However, there’s a bit of a catch with the IONFlex. Unlike Dyson’s V8, you get two batteries with the vacuum. Taking that into consideration, you get a total run-time of 50 minutes at its lowest setting, and 22 at its highest.
Furthermore, these batteries aren’t cheap. So one must factor that into the equation when deciding on a clear winner.
The Dyson V8 is able to give you up to 40 minutes of run-time when running at its lowest power setting. When using the soft roller attachment, you’ll see up to 30 minutes of run-time. And lastly, running the Dyson V8 at its max power setting will result in as little as 8 minutes of run-time.
While the V8 boasts a greater run-time, the IONFlex lasts longer in the end. And with its dual-battery feature, you’re guaranteed better consistency.
Verdict: Shark IONFlex
Recharge Time
On average, the Shark IONFlex takes around 3.5 hours to fully recharge each battery. That’s a total of 7 hours to get both batteries at full. Conversely, the Dyson V8’s battery takes around 5 hours to completely top off.
Since you’ll be using one battery at a time, the Shark IONFlex gives you a better edge. You won’t have to wait as long to get a complete charge. And you’ll be able to recharge your spare while making use of the other.
We have to add that each model can be charged away from the vacuum itself. Both have a handy docking station that lets you charge one battery while you’re vacuuming with the other.
This is especially handy with the Shark IONFlex, as it comes with two batteries right out of the gate. To take advantage of this with the Dyson V8, you’d have to invest in a separate battery pack.
Verdict: Shark IONFlex
Durability
This was a tough one to call. Each model boasts quality construction with high-grade components. Both held up well during use without any breakdowns. When put through their paces, we had to narrow it down to which vacuum held out the longest.
Since the Shark IONFlex struggled with hair and large debris, we initially had to give this category to Dyson’s V8. But then the V8’s battery died on us unexpectedly while sucking up large piles of dirt.
Both motors chug along at a great rate when they’re in action. We could find no fault in their ability other than total run-time.
Looking at the battery side of things, Shark’s IONFlex battery is a 25.5-volt 3,000mAh lithium-ion. It has a total life expectancy of about two years. If you want to split hairs here – and we do – that extra battery you get adds another two years if held back as a replacement. Looking at it from that perspective, you’re getting four years of battery life in all.
Dyson’s V8 battery is a 21.6-volt 4,000mAh lithium-ion. It is said to last up to four years. That’s a pretty decent lifespan considering how often you will likely be using it over the years.
But here’s where the rub comes in. Studies have shown that Dyson’s V8 typically starts seeing problems within five years. Both models came out around the same time, but IONFlex owners have yet to report the kind of problems that the V8 is seeing.
Taking this information into consideration, we have to give Shark the edge in this one. It held up well with everything we threw at it, continuing to perform admirably throughout.
Verdict: Shark IONFlex
Price
The Shark IONFlex will cost you, on average, about $100 less than the Dyson V8. Keep in mind that batteries can easily run upwards of $50. With the IONFlex, you get two batteries for a longer average run-time at a much lower cost.
When you factor this into the equation, the winner has to go to Shark. You’re already saving money thanks to its lower price. Getting an additional battery at no extra cost is the icing on the cake.
Verdict: Shark IONFlex
Suction Power
When putting these two cordless stick vacuums against one another, we saw a noticeable difference in what each model was able to pick up. And it all comes down to one tiny issue. The Shark IONFlex performed adequately well and was able to easily get small to large debris sucked up.
We made sure to notate what we collected in its dustbin across various types of surfaces. Dust, dirt, hair ties, paper clips, and even pennies. All were grabbed quite well and stored into the IONFlex’s tiny dustbin.
But when it comes to hair, forget about it. It appears to pick it up quite well. But upon closer inspection, that hair gets clogged up around the dustbin and roller, resulting in even worse pickup. This one small caveat caused a lot of stopping to remove buildup.
The way we see it, if you stay away from hair the IONFlex makes a great addition to your home. But if you have pets that shed fairly often, you’ll likely want to try a different model.
Dyson’s V8 is a completely different animal. So much so that they have a variation called the V8 Animal. Hair is picked up like a champ, with little-to-no clogging. Thanks to some clever craftsmanship, the V8 can suck up large debris and hair without missing a beat.
Our V8’s dustbin was full of much of the same kinds of objects as the IONFlex. We made sure that we ran it over pennies, paper clips, etc. We wanted to be as fair as possible. In the end, Dyson’s V8 made short work of everything in its path without any hiccups.
Keep in mind that this was on its max power setting. So you’re going to see quite a bit of battery drain when running steadily at this level. There’s always a trade-off with these types of vacuums, to be sure. But in this category, Dyson’s V8 is the clear winner.
Verdict: Dyson V8
Weight
The Shark IONFlex weighs in at 8.7 pounds. This is only slightly heavier than a gallon of milk. While that may not sound like much on the outset, after extended use it can cause a lot of strain on your back and body.
We ran our IONFlex up and down stairs to get a feel for how much this weight affected our stamina. We then kept track of how much more difficult it became the longer we used it around the house. We noted how our arms and legs felt after running the vacuum under furniture.
Initially, it was quite easy and sweeping floors was a breeze. Since we tested the limits of each model’s battery life, we were quite fatigued by the time it needed to recharge. We found that our bodies needed to be recharged, as well.
Bear in mind that our testing is likely much different than your everyday use. We continually drained the battery over the course of several tests. This saw us using each vacuum much longer than the average person likely will.
Regardless, the tests show that over long periods of time, 8.7 pounds can get quite heavy. That being said, how did Dyson’s vacuum do in this category?
Well, Dyson’s V8 is substantially lighter. At only 5.8 pounds, you’ll have a much easier time using it for long stretches. By the time our battery died, we had no trouble popping in our backup and finishing out our tests.
When taking it up and down stairs, we were able to easily bend to get every nook and cranny of each step. It’s amazing the difference only about three pounds can make. We equally logged the impact the V8 had on our bodies while we cleaned each room.
In the end, Dyson is leaps-and-bounds much easier to control and maneuver. But what about each model’s handheld vacuum? Since we ran those through a gamut of tests, you might be wondering if one is easier to use compared to the other.
We can safely say that with these little vacuums, it made no difference. Both units’ handheld portions weigh roughly 3 pounds. We had absolutely no problems running each one up and down and all around the house. Both performed adequately and didn’t cause us any strain or pain.
With Dyson’s vacuum being easier to use and causing much less stress on the body, we have to give this category to the V8.
Verdict: Dyson V8
Versatility
To best gauge how well each model performed, we tested them on many surfaces and in several situations. We wanted to make sure that we looked at a variety of aspects within each unit.
We first looked at how well they vacuumed on hardwood flooring. We got underneath tables and chairs. We took the handheld vacuum along the molding and around appliances.
Then we ran it across low carpeting. We looked at how easy it was to maneuver under couches, around recliners, and along the baseboards. We did the same tests in handheld mode to determine how easily it picked up around other furniture.
Next stop was the bedroom, where carpeting is much thicker. We wanted to see if it ran across the floor just as smoothly as hardwood and low carpet. Then we checked to see how well it picked up debris when reaching under the bed.
With pets running loose in every room but the bedroom, the living room’s low carpet collects the most hair. This is where we ran into problems. Each vacuum picked rather well throughout the house. But when the situation got hairy, the Shark IONFlex bogged down in no time flat.
Dyson’s V8 didn’t flinch a bit. It continued on its way like it was picking up any other dirt or debris. Keep in mind that we used all the necessary attachments to better pick up accumulation around the house.
Once we got finished, we looked inside the dustbins of each unit. Then we checked the attachments to see if there was any buildup. The IONFlex had hairs all over the roller that required us to use tools to remove it. We had to keep stopping to remove hair clogs while vacuuming the living room.
Dyson had very little in the way of buildup. This is what allowed it to perform so consistently throughout each room. In terms of continuous usage, Dyson’s V8 performed the best. We didn’t have to keep pausing to fight with buildup.
Both model’s handheld vacuums did quite well. They each were able to adequately pick up debris along the walls and around furniture.
When it comes to picking up normal, everyday dust and dirt, both perform about the same. But when adding hair to the picture, Dyson did the best. It was able to remain just as versatile and continue sweeping. For this reason, Dyson takes this category.
Verdict: Dyson V8
Capacity
Another aspect of our testing that could easily fall under the ‘Versatility’ category is capacity. Each model is able to hold a specific amount of debris before needing to be emptied. We’ll start by looking at the Dyson V8.
Its dustbin has a total capacity of 0.54 liters. You should be able to vacuum several rooms without needing to stop and empty the bin. This naturally will vary depending on how dirty each floor is. The ones we vacuumed had about three days of accumulation.
Looking at Shark’s IONFlex, you’re getting a dustbin with a capacity of 0.28 liters. Again, it depends on what you’re picking up, but you should be able to take care of two or three rooms before needing to empty out the bin.
One big advantage the V8 has over the IONFlex is its dustbin. With nearly double the capacity, you will be able to get more work done on a much more consistent basis. With the IONFlex, you’ll likely find yourself emptying the bin quite often.
This is especially true if you have large floors, heavy traffic, and/or animals that shed a lot. Dyson is clearly the winner when it comes to capacity.
Verdict: Dyson V8
Conclusion
It was a close one to call. But when the dust settled, the one that sucked it up the best was the Shark IONFlex. The main thing that edged it ahead of its competition was its durability. We would much rather have a vacuum that we can count on working for years to come.
Not only does it deliver the goods consistently across the board, but it comes at such a great price that it’s hard not to appreciate the overall package.
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