Shark IZ202UKT review: a sleek, chic dust-buster

THE cordless vacuum revolution is in full swing, and Shark’s IZ202UKT has swaggered onto the scene promising to banish dust bunnies and pet hair with ease and style.

I’ve put the Shark IZ202UKT to the test to see if it’s all flash and no substance, or if it’s the sleek domestic godsend we’ve been praying for.

Shark IZ202UKT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £279.99 from Amazon

Pros:

• 40-minute battery life
• Good-sized dustbin (0.7L)
• Quiet on hard floors
• Sleek and premium design
• Lights that highlight missed dirt
• Powerful boost trigger
• Compact to store
• Easy to use
• Anti-hair wrap technology

Cons

• Heavier than other models
• Can struggle in tight corners with the main attachment

Rating: 8.5/10

How I tested

Shark IZ202UKT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £279.99 from Amazon

I tested the Shark cordless vacuum out for two months on long- and short-pile carpets and three types of hard floors: laminate, vinyl and engineered wood.

During the testing period, I used each of the attachments and tested the battery by seeing how long it took to run down from a full charge using the normal power (39 minutes) and boost functions (seven and a half minutes).

I used it as my only vacuum during this period to see how well it fares in everyday life, including on stairs and in my car.

I took into consideration the design, ease of use and its innovative functions like the flexology, anti-hair wrap technology and LED headlights.

Shark IZ202UKT review: The Nitty Gritty

First impressions

Shark IZ202UKT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £279.99 from Amazon

Pulling the Shark IZ202UKT out of its box, I could immediately tell it was a solid, well-constructed bit of kit.

It came with four attachments (main anti-hair wrap, upholstery, pet and crevice tools), and assembling the vacuum was a breeze, a testament to Shark’s genuinely logical design.

Everything clicked satisfyingly into place, no head-scratching required.

After charging the vacuum, it took seconds to assemble it before I was ready to tackle the dust bunnies that had taken up residence on my floors.

Does it deliver?

Shark IZ202UKT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £279.99 from Amazon

One of the first things I noticed about the Shark is how quiet it is in hard floor mode.

It glides effortlessly across laminate, vinyl and wood, sucking up everything from fine dust to larger debris without a fuss.

I could definitely hear and feel the difference in the power when I switched to carpet mode, and then hear it level up again when I squeezed the trigger for max power.

The max power setting is really effective at sucking up those stubborn bits of fluff and pet hair ingrained in the carpet.

Battery life

The Achilles’ heel of many cordless vacuums is battery life. I’ve had vacuums in the past that would conk out halfway through my vacuuming session, leaving me with a half-clean house.

This is not an issue I experienced with the Shark IZ202UKT.

I used it in multiple rooms, switching between hard floor and carpet modes, and I managed to vacuum the entire house with battery still left over.

Shark claims up to 40 minutes of run time, and during my tests, it consistently delivered between 37-40 minutes, on standard power settings.

When I tested it using Max power only, it lasted seven and a half minutes, which I think is relatively impressive.

If used on the standard settings with a few bursts of max power when needed, I’m optimistic most people will be able to tackle a substantial portion of their home, if not the whole thing, without needing to pause for a recharge.

If you have a larger home, you could opt to purchase a spare battery to swap out when needed.

Dustbin capacity, Flexology wand and LED lights

Another unsung hero of the IZ202UKT is its nice big bin — I was able to vacuum most of the house before needing to empty it.

This might sound like a small thing, but anyone whose vacuum forces them to constantly empty a tiny dustbin will appreciate the sheer convenience of this.

The bin is also quick, easy and mess-free to empty.

Shark has designed something called the Flexology wand, which is a very handy feature for multiple reasons.

With a simple press of a button, the wand bends in half, making it super easy to vacuum under furniture, beds, and sofas without having to contort yourself or move heavy items.

It’s also ideal for compact storage as it more than halves the height of the vacuum, making it easy to tuck into cupboards.

Another feature I really liked, and one you likely won’t realise you need until you have it, is the integrated LED lights.

They illuminate dust, crumbs, and pet hair that you would otherwise completely miss, especially under furniture, in dimly lit corners, or even just in a room with poor natural light.

This is also a feature my colleague Aaron raved about in his Dyson V15 Detect review.

Downsides

In terms of cons, there are two things I noticed which are worth bearing in mind.

The cordless vacuum cleaner weighs 5.16kg, which may not sound like a lot, but when you’re vacuuming for 40 minutes straight, you’ll likely feel your arm start to ache.

I was especially aware of the added weight, as my former vacuum (Dyson V8 Animal) weighs less than half the Shark, at 2.54kg.

The other downside is its agility.

The main attachment is quite large, and I noticed that it struggles to get right into the corners, occasionally leaving bits of fluff behind.

Again, I found this especially noticeable compared to the Dyson Animal V8 I was using previously, which is a lot slimmer and more nimble.

It was easily solved by switching to the crevice tool, but it caused a slight inconvenience.

How much is the Shark IZ202UKT vacuum cleaner?

The Shark IZ202UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner retails in the UK for £350; however, it’s often on sale and has been spotted for as low as £189.

It can currently be found on sale for £189 at Go Electrical, or you can buy a refurbished model for £169 on Shark’s eBay store.

Where to buy the Shark IZ202UKT

Shark IZ202UKT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £279.99 from Amazon

You can find the Shark IZ202UKT at a variety of retailers across the UK, both online and in physical stores, including:

Alternatives

There are a few strong contenders in the cordless stick vacuum market that offer similar features to the Shark model.

Dyson V8 Absolute: Although an older model, the Dyson V8 Absolute is often available at a more affordable price point than newer Dysons, and it still offers excellent suction and the premium Dyson build quality.

It’s lighter than the Shark IZ202UKT, which might appeal if arm ache is a concern. However, it lacks the Flexology wand and automatic hair detangling of the Shark.

It’s currently priced around £250, £100 less than the RRP of the Shark.

Vax Blade 4 Classic Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: This model is frequently praised for being an affordable all-rounder.

It offers impressive pick-up capabilities on various floor types and comes with a good range of tools, making it a solid choice for everyday cleaning.

You can often find it for between £140 and £230.

Shark PowerPro Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum: If you’re looking for an alternative within the Shark family, then the PowerPro Pet is a great option.

It has a lot of the same features with a slightly longer run time than the IZ202UKT (50 mins), but is slightly heavier at 5.68kg (vs 5.13kg).

It can be found for around the same price point (£190-280), too.

Dyson V12 Detect: For a bit more money, you could get the Dyson V12 Detect, which has 60 minutes of battery life, hair detangling, and a laser which illuminates invisible dust.

It’s a lot lighter than the Shark but does have a smaller bin.

The RRP is £499.99, but it’s currently on sale for £380. Read our Dyson V15 Detect review here.