Henry vs Shark Vacuum Cleaners

Henry and Shark both sell vacuums that many UK households will recognise. Henry's range runs from the Xtend bagged cylinder 901323-XTEND at £139 and the XL Plus 912061 at £159 to the Quick Pro cordless HEN100PRO at £249 and the Quick Pet HEN100PET at £339. Shark is priced lower across its upright and cordless line, with the Lift-Away NV602UK in Classic Blue at £129, the NV602UKT True Pet at £229, the Anti Hair Wrap IZ202UK at £249 and the Stratos IZ400UKT Pet Pro at £279.

Henry's main technology is its 9-litre bag and 620W eco motor, together with HepaFlo filtration rated at 99.97% for particles as small as 0.3 microns. Shark focuses on hair and floor handling. PowerFins keep the brush bar in continuous contact with the floor, Anti Hair Wrap technology removes hair from the brush roll as you clean, and Lift-Away lets the canister detach for stairs and furniture. Its sealed HEPA filtration traps 99.9% of dust, and the Stratos adds Anti-Odour Technology, Flexology and Clean Sense IQ, features that Henry's range does not offer.

Henry suits a family home with carpets and stairs, where a large capacity means fewer bag changes and a heavier cylinder can stay on one floor. The brand's cylinder design works well on hard floors and upholstery, and parts are easy to source. Shark suits households with long-haired pets, since Anti Hair Wrap is designed to stop tangles on the brush roll. Its Lift-Away uprights convert into a portable cleaner for sofas and stairs, and the cordless IZ202UK and IZ400UKT remove the need for a socket near every room.

Bottom line: choose Henry if you need a 9-litre cylinder that handles a larger home and you accept a cord, with prices from £139 to £339. Choose Shark if hair wrap, Lift-Away versatility and a cordless option matter more to you, with prices from £129 to £279.