Gtech vs Shark Cordless Hoover: Which Should You Buy?

By cordlesshoover.com · Updated 16 Oct 2026

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How this works.

Shark is the better choice for most homes: its sticks clean carpets and pet hair more convincingly, run longer per battery and cost nothing in bags. Gtech makes sense if you want a self-standing upright like the AirRAM 3, a bagged stick for cleaner emptying, or a simple, lightweight machine with fewer gimmicks.

Two different philosophies

Gtech is a British company from Worcestershire, and it has built its range around simplicity: low-maintenance uprights, bagged sticks that avoid dusty bins, and light machines without screens or sensors. It sells mostly direct and via Argos, Currys and Amazon. See our Gtech range guide.

Shark goes the other way, with feature-led sticks: anti-tangle brush rolls, bendable wands, odour cartridges and sensor-driven suction. Its full line-up is in our Shark range guide. The two meet at three price points.

Matched tiers side by side

Prices are typical ranges and change with sales; check the current price before buying. Runtimes are manufacturer claims in the lowest mode.

Cleaning performance

On carpet, Shark's floorheads are generally rated stronger, particularly at pulling pet hair and grit from mid-pile carpet. The Anti Hair Wrap comb keeps the brush roll clear, which few Gtech heads can match; the Gtech K9 versions do use pet-focused brush bars, but long hair still wraps.

The AirRAM 3 is a different animal. As an upright with a wide floorhead, it covers large carpeted rooms quickly and handles everyday crumbs well, but it is not designed for handheld work, stairs or upholstery. You need a separate handheld (often a Gtech Multi bundle) for those jobs. Shark sticks do all of it in one machine.

On hard floors both are fine. Shark's twin-roller DuoClean heads are better at fine dust along edges; the AirRAM 3's edge-cleaning brushes help it get close to skirting boards.

Battery and runtime

Shark is ahead. The Stratos claims up to 60 minutes, and twin-battery Anti Hair Wrap bundles double the core model's 40 minutes. Batteries click out for swapping and charging separately.

Gtech quotes runtimes at its single standard power level, and the AirRAM 3's is commonly listed at around 30 minutes. That is enough for a typical three-bed home's floors, but there is less headroom. Gtech batteries are removable on most models, and spares are sold direct. Our battery life guide covers real-world runtimes in depth.

Bin, bags and filtration

This is Gtech's best round if hygiene matters to you. The Pro 2 and Multi Plus are bagged, so dirt goes into a sealed bag that you drop in the bin. The AirRAM 3 uses a compression bin that packs dirt into a block, which reduces the dust cloud compared with a typical cyclone bin.

Shark's bagless bins are free to run but can be dusty to empty, and hair can wrap around the cyclone screen. If emptying is your priority, compare our best bagged cordless hoovers.

Ergonomics and storage

The AirRAM 3 stands on its own and needs no wall bracket, which suits renters and anyone who dislikes drilling. It is not light, though, at around 3.8kg, and it cannot be carried up the stairs as easily as a stick.

Shark's Flexology wand bends to reach under furniture and lets the stick prop itself up during pauses. Shark sticks feel front-heavy when held up high, while the Gtech Pro 2 is simple and well balanced.

Tools, warranty and parts

Shark bundles are more generous: motorised pet tools, flexible crevice tools and extra batteries are common. Gtech kits are leaner. Both typically come with a 2-year guarantee, and both sell batteries and spare parts direct in the UK. Gtech's simple designs have a reputation for being easy to maintain.

Price and value

At the core tier, the Shark Anti Hair Wrap usually gives more cleaning for the money, and it has no bag costs. At the upper tier, the choice comes down to format: the AirRAM 3 is good value if you want an upright, while the Stratos is better value if you want one machine for floors, stairs and car.

Who should pick which

Some households buy Gtech's AirRAM and Multi handheld as a pair, which covers floors and stairs between them. That can cost as much as a Shark Stratos, though, and you have two batteries and chargers to manage. A single Shark stick is usually the simpler, cheaper route to the same coverage. For handheld-only options, see our best handheld hoovers.

Final recommendation

Most buyers should choose Shark. Choose Gtech if you specifically want an upright you never need to mount, or a bagged machine for dust-free emptying. For upright alternatives see best upright cordless hoovers.