Shark upgrades the stick vac with a brain and a bin that empties itself
It's been a couple of years now since I reviewed the Shark Cordless Detect Pro. It was a solid vacuum, with some really intuitive design additions like its flexible folding pole. Shark's new PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty looks like the perfect successor to that vacuum, with improved battery life and suction.
The Shark Cordless Detect Pro was already a capable stick vac, and the PowerDetect Speed builds on that formula with smarter automation.
Three detection systems work together in real time: Dirt Detect, Floor Detect, and Edge Detect. The vacuum reads what's under the head and adjusts suction automatically, so you're not manually switching between carpet and hard floor modes.
One thing that always annoyed me about most stick vacuums is that they only pick up debris on the forward pass. The PowerDetect Speed fixes that with forward and reverse cleaning, so you're capturing dirt in both directions without doubling back.
The MultiFLEX wand returns from previous models, letting you bend the pole to clean under furniture without getting on your hands and knees.
A blue LED light on the head also reveals dust on hard floors that you'd otherwise miss. Given how much I love the green light on the Dyson PencilVac, this is an exciting addition.
Battery life is rated at up to 60 minutes, though that's in ECO mode with a non-motorised attachment.
Real-world runtime with the powered brushroll will be shorter, as is the case with every cordless vac. Still, it's a generous ceiling for a stick vacuum at this price.
The bigger selling point is the auto-empty dock. Once you put the vacuum back on its base, it automatically sucks the contents into a 2L bag that seals away dust, debris, and allergens for up to 45 days.
That means you can run the vac, dock it, and forget about emptying it for a month and a half. The dock also keeps the battery topped up, so the vacuum is always ready to go.
The self-cleaning brushroll handles hair automatically as you clean, which is a welcome feature for anyone with pets or long hair in the house.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | IA3244ANZ |
| Colour | Ice Blue / Ultramarine Blue |
| Wattage | 350W |
| Dust capacity | 0.5L (onboard) + 2L auto-empty dock |
| Weight | 3.2kg |
| Dimensions | 26 x 35.5 x 114.5 cm (W x D x H) |
| Battery life | Up to 60 minutes (ECO mode, non-motorised attachment) |
| Auto-empty duration | Up to 45 days |
| Detection systems | Dirt Detect, Floor Detect, Edge Detect |
| Brushroll | Self-cleaning, hair tangle-free |
| Wand | MultiFLEX (bends to reach under furniture) |
| Lighting | Blue LED (Reveal Technology) |
| Cleaning passes | Forward and reverse |
Pricing and availability
The Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty (IA3244ANZ) is available now in Australia for $799.99 RRP. It can be purchased directly from Shark and at participating retailers.
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