A lightweight champ for quick pickups, but the battery life requires planning.
Is your back aching just thinking about dragging that heavy, corded vacuum out of the closet? You are not alone. The daily battle against crumbs, pet hair, and dust bunnies can feel like a chore. That’s why the promise of a lightweight, cordless stick vacuum is so appealing. After looking at many Shark IR70 cordless vacuum reviews, we wanted to see for ourselves if this machine is the real deal for everyday messes.
So, let’s get a closer look at what this vacuum is all about. We will check out its power, how long it lasts, and who it is truly built for. Is it the answer to your quick-cleaning prayers, or will it leave you searching for the old plug-in beast?
First Look: Unboxing the Shark IR70 Experience
Opening the box for the first time feels straightforward. Shark does a good job of packing everything securely without it being a nightmare to open. You don’t need a toolbox to get started, which is a huge relief. All the main parts click together firmly, giving you confidence that it’s not going to fall apart mid-clean.
What’s Inside the Box?
When you get your hands on the Shark IR70, here is what you can expect to find inside. It’s a simple kit, designed to get you cleaning right away.
- Handheld Vacuum: This is the heart of the machine, containing the motor and dust cup.
- Wand: The main stick that connects the handheld unit to the floor nozzle.
- Motorized Floor Nozzle: This is where the DuoClean brush rolls live.
- ION Power Pack Battery: The removable battery that powers your cleaning.
- Charging Cord: To plug in and charge the battery.
- 8” Crevice Tool: For getting into those tight spots like couch cushions and car seats.
- Pet Multi-Tool: A versatile tool for upholstery and stubborn pet hair.
The Lightweight Workhorse: Is the IR70 Easy to Handle?
One of the biggest selling points of any stick vacuum is its weight. The Shark IR70 weighs in at just over 7 pounds. This makes a huge impact on daily cleaning. You can easily grab it for a quick pass over the kitchen floor without feeling like you’ve done a workout. Cleaning stairs is no longer a dangerous balancing act with a heavy machine.
The design also includes MultiFLEX technology. This allows the wand to bend, which is a big help for cleaning under furniture. No more getting on your hands and knees to reach under the coffee table. When you’re done, this same feature lets you fold the vacuum in half for compact, freestanding storage. This is a great feature for those living in apartments or homes with limited closet space.
The Real-World Power Test: How Well Does It Clean?
A lightweight vacuum is useless if it doesn’t actually pick up dirt. The Shark IR70 uses what the company calls Smart Response Technology. This lets you switch between floor types and suction levels to match the cleaning job. It features a DuoClean head, which has two brush rolls working together. A soft brush roll pulls in larger particles and gives hard floors a polished look, while a bristle brush works to get deep into carpets.
On hardwood floors, it does an excellent job with everyday messes like crumbs and dust. The soft roller is gentle but effective. When you move to carpets, you can switch to the carpet setting, which speeds up the brush roll to pull out dirt from below the surface. For really tough messes, there is a MAX POWER setting that gives you a burst of extra suction.
| Surface Type | Debris Type | Performance Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood / Tile | Cereal, Crumbs | Excellent | The DuoClean soft roller easily pulls in larger debris without scattering it. |
| Hardwood / Tile | Fine Dust, Flour | Very Good | Picks up fine particles well, leaving a clean feel. |
| Low-Pile Carpet | Pet Hair, Dirt | Good | The bristle brush does a solid job. May require a second pass on embedded hair. |
| High-Pile Carpet | Embedded Dirt | Fair to Good | Use the MAX POWER setting for deeper cleaning. It works, but may not replace a full-size upright for deep cleans. |
The Battery Life Headache: Does It Last Long Enough?
Here we arrive at the most common pain point for cordless vacuums: runtime. The Shark IR70 is powered by a removable ION Power Pack. It takes about 3.5 hours to get a full charge. How long it lasts depends entirely on how you use it.
Admittedly, the battery life can be a headache if you’re planning a deep clean of your entire home. The MAX POWER setting will drain the battery in about 10-12 minutes. This is a big limitation. However, for its intended purpose of quick, daily cleanups, the standard settings are often enough.
A Damaging Admission:
Let’s be honest. If you have a large house with lots of carpet, the battery life of a single pack on the Shark IR70 will be frustrating. You will likely not finish the whole house in one go. But, for apartment living or for use as a secondary vacuum for the kitchen and living room, the runtime is manageable. The fact that the battery is removable is a key advantage; you can buy a second battery and swap it out to double your cleaning time.
- Handheld Only (Standard Power): ~40 minutes
- Bare Floor Mode (Standard Power): ~25 minutes
- Carpet Mode (Standard Power): ~20 minutes
- Any Mode (BOOST/MAX POWER): ~10 minutes
Maintaining Your Shark IR70 for Peak Performance
To keep any vacuum running well, you need to take care of it. Maintenance on the IR70 is simple. The dust cup is easy to empty, though it’s not huge, so you’ll be emptying it after most big cleaning sessions.
Cleaning the Filters:
The filters are your vacuum’s lungs. If they get clogged, the machine can’t breathe, and suction power drops. The IR70 has pre-motor filters (foam and felt) that should be rinsed with water about once a month. There is also a post-motor filter that needs rinsing less often.
- Remove the Filters: Access the pre-motor filters by removing the filter cover on the handheld unit.
- Rinse with Water: Simply rinse them under a tap until the water runs clear. Do not use soap.
- Air Dry Completely: This is the most important step. Let the filters air dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back in. A wet filter can damage the motor.
Checking for Blockages:
If your vacuum suddenly stops working or the brush roll indicator light turns red, you likely have a jam. Turn the vacuum off immediately and check for blockages in the floor nozzle, wand, and the connection to the handheld unit. Hair and fibers can wrap around the brush roll, so you may need to carefully cut them away.
The Verdict: Who Should Buy the Shark IR70?
After a thorough review, the Shark IR70 cordless vacuum reveals itself as a capable and convenient tool for a specific type of user. It is not trying to be a deep-cleaning beast that replaces a powerful corded upright. Instead, it’s a workhorse for the daily grind.
This vacuum is a great choice for:
- Apartment Dwellers: Its lightweight design, small storage footprint, and decent runtime for smaller spaces make it ideal.
- Parents and Pet Owners: For the constant, daily messes—spilled cereal, tracked-in dirt, stray pet hair—it’s a relief to just grab and go.
- People with Mostly Hard Floors: The DuoClean head truly shines on hardwood, tile, and laminate, leaving them spotless.
You might want to look elsewhere if:
- You Have a Large, Carpeted Home: The battery life will likely become a source of frustration, and it may lack the deep-cleaning power for very thick carpets.
- You Want a Single Vacuum for Everything: This is best viewed as a powerful secondary vacuum, not necessarily the only one you’ll ever need.
Conclusion
In the world of cordless stick vacuums, the Shark IR70 finds a comfortable spot. It balances good cleaning power with a lightweight, flexible design. While the battery life is a significant factor to consider, it performs its job well. Our shark ir70 cordless vacuum reviews show that for daily, surface-level cleaning, it is a satisfying and back-saving machine. It makes the daily chore of cleaning less of a headache, and for many people, that is a huge win.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to fully charge the Shark IR70 battery?
The ION Power Pack battery for the Shark IR70 takes approximately 3.5 hours to reach a full charge from empty.
Can I wash the Shark IR70 filters?
Yes, the pre-motor foam and felt filters are washable. You should rinse them with water only—no soap—and let them air dry completely for at least 24 hours before reinstalling them to avoid motor damage.
What does the DuoClean technology do?
DuoClean technology uses two brush rolls in a single floor nozzle. A soft, velvet-like roller engages floors for a polished look and pulls in large debris, while a bristle brush works behind it to dig into carpets for a deeper clean.
What is the runtime of the Shark IR70?
The runtime varies by mode. In handheld mode on standard power, it can last up to 40 minutes. On bare floors, it’s about 25 minutes, and on carpet, it’s around 20 minutes. Using the MAX POWER boost mode reduces the runtime to about 10 minutes.
Is the battery on the Shark IR70 removable?
Yes, the ION Power Pack battery is removable. This allows you to charge it on or off the vacuum and gives you the option to purchase a second battery to extend your total cleaning time.
How heavy is the Shark IR70?
The Shark IR70 is an ultra-light vacuum, weighing approximately 7.2 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around the house and up stairs.
What should I do if the brush roll indicator light turns red?
A solid red light indicates a jam in the brush roll area. You should immediately turn the vacuum off, remove the battery, and clear any blockages or tangled hair from the brush roll.
Does the Shark IR70 stand up on its own?
The Shark IR70 does not stand up on its own in its standard cleaning configuration. However, it features MultiFLEX technology that allows you to fold it over for compact, freestanding storage.