For years, the thought of vacuuming filled me with a special kind of dread. Lugging a heavy, cumbersome canister vacuum up and down the stairs, only for it to leave pet hair tangled in the carpet, felt like a losing battle. The dust bunnies under the furniture seemed to multiply overnight. I knew I needed a better cleaning solution, something lightweight yet powerful enough to tackle the constant shedding from my pets without breaking my back in the process.
Before you dive into buying a new vacuum, it’s worth considering what a stick vacuum offers and if it’s the right fit for your home. This category of vacuums is designed to solve the problems of bulk, weight, and inconvenience. They are perfect for quick daily cleanups, navigating smaller living spaces like apartments, and handling homes with a mix of hard floors and low-pile carpets. The ideal customer is someone who values convenience and maneuverability over the raw, deep-cleaning power of a traditional full-size upright, which can often be overkill for everyday messes.
However, a stick vacuum isn’t for everyone. If you live in a large home with wall-to-wall high-pile carpeting, you might find a stick model lacks the sheer force and wide cleaning path of a larger machine. In that case, a heavy-duty upright vacuum might be a more suitable primary cleaner.
When shopping, consider these key factors:
- Corded vs. Cordless: Cordless models offer ultimate freedom, but often at the cost of runtime and consistent power. Corded models, like this Shark Corded Stick Vacuum, provide nonstop, fade-free suction, which is a significant advantage for whole-home cleaning.
- Weight and Balance: The main appeal is being lightweight. Pay attention to how the weight is distributed. Top-heavy models are great for reaching high places but can’t stand up on their own.
- Suction Power: Look for models with adjustable power settings for different floor types.
- Versatility: Does it convert to a handheld? What attachments are included for cleaning stairs, upholstery, or crevices?
- At under 9 lbs., this is an ultra-lightweight corded stick vacuum that seamlessly transitions from hard floors to carpets.
- Slim design allows you to reach under furniture easily.
Introducing the Shark CS110EM Corded Stick Vacuum
The Shark CS110EM Corded Stick Vacuum enters the scene with a clear promise: to deliver powerful, deep-cleaning performance in an ultra-lightweight and versatile package. At under nine pounds, it’s designed for those who are tired of wrestling with heavy machines. This model is specifically for homeowners with a mix of hard floors and carpets who need a reliable, everyday cleaner that can also handle above-floor tasks with ease. It’s not meant to replace an industrial shop vac, but for daily dirt, dust, and stubborn pet hair, it’s a formidable contender. If you have a small to medium-sized home and prioritize convenience without sacrificing power, this vacuum is built for you.
Pros:
- Incredibly powerful suction for its size
- Extremely lightweight and easy to carry
- Excellent swivel steering for high maneuverability
- Easily converts to a powerful handheld vacuum
- Performs exceptionally well on both hard floors and carpets
Cons:
- The top-heavy design means it cannot stand upright on its own
- The dust cup is relatively small and requires frequent emptying
- The power cord could be longer for larger rooms
- Powerful, convenient, and easy to use.2033.0 watts.Specific uses:hard floor,carpet,dual action
- POWERFUL SUCTION: Thorough deep carpet cleaning, and powerful pet hair pickup on all surfaces.Specific uses:Stairs,Furnitures,Hard...
- 3 in 1 design with onboard crevice tool allows you to customize your vacuum for your needs. At only 4 pounds, you can take the Eureka...
A Deep Dive into the Shark CS110EM’s Capabilities
After using this vacuum for a long time, I’ve come to appreciate the thoughtful engineering behind its core features. It’s not just about one single thing; it’s how all its attributes work together to create a genuinely better cleaning experience.
Ultra-Lightweight and Agile Design
The first thing you’ll notice is its weight, or rather, the lack of it. Weighing under nine pounds, this ultra-lightweight vacuum feels more like a tool than a chore. Carrying it up a flight of stairs is effortless, a stark contrast to the awkward, bumping-against-the-wall shuffle I did with my old canister vac. This lightweight nature, combined with its slim profile, makes cleaning less physically taxing. You can clean for longer without feeling fatigued. The Swivel Steering is another game-changer. The vacuum head pivots with a simple twist of the wrist, allowing you to navigate around table legs, under chairs, and along baseboards with surgical precision. It lies almost completely flat, making it possible to finally reach those dust havens under the bed and couch that were previously unreachable.
Unrelenting Corded Power
While the market is flooded with cordless vacuums, I specifically chose a corded model for one reason: consistent, unrelenting power. With the Shark CS110EM, there’s no battery life to monitor and no frustrating power fade halfway through a cleaning session. It delivers the same powerful suction from the moment you start to the moment you finish.
This machine features two power settings, which is a simple but brilliant feature. The first setting is for hard floors and area rugs, providing strong suction without the brush roll spinning aggressively, which prevents scattering debris across laminate or hardwood. The second setting engages the motorized brush roll for deep cleaning carpets. On this setting, the suction is truly impressive. I was shocked and slightly horrified to see the amount of embedded dirt and pet hair it pulled from a rug I thought was clean. The suction is so strong that it actually lifts and fluffs the carpet fibers, making worn-out paths look plush and revitalized.
True Floor-to-Ceiling Versatility
This is where this powerful stick vacuum truly shines. With the press of a button, the main motor and dust cup detach from the long wand, transforming it into a potent handheld vacuum. This isn’t just a gimmick; it completely changes how you clean your home. I attach the floor nozzle directly to the handheld unit to clean my carpeted stairs—a task that was once a nightmare is now quick and easy. With the included crevice and upholstery tools, I can clean my car, vacuum crumbs from couch cushions, dust ceiling fans, and suck up cobwebs from high corners. This versatility means I don’t need a separate handheld device, saving both money and storage space. Cleaning mattress pads before putting on fresh sheets reveals an astonishing amount of dust you never knew was there. It’s a do-it-all machine for the entire home.
Storage and Maintenance
Shark included a clever storage solution for one of the vacuum’s few downsides. Because the motor is at the top, the unit is top-heavy and won’t stand up by itself. To solve this, there’s a small hook on the handheld unit that allows you to hang it securely on a hook at the bottom of the wand. This creates a stable, self-standing profile that takes up very little closet space.
Maintenance is also refreshingly simple. The dust cup, while small, is easy to empty. It opens from the bottom with the push of a button, so you can dump the contents directly into the trash without getting your hands dirty. The filters are washable and reusable. Just rinse them with water once a month, let them air dry completely, and pop them back in. There are no ongoing costs for bags or filters, which is a huge plus. The brush roll also has a specially designed groove, making it easy to slide scissors or a knife along it to cut away any tangled hair—a lifesaver for anyone with long hair or shedding pets.
What Other Users Are Saying
I wasn’t the only one impressed, so I searched online to see if my experience was unique. It turns out, it’s not. Across thousands of reviews, users consistently praise the Shark CS110EM for its incredible suction power, especially considering its light weight. Many, particularly pet owners, call it a “game-changer” for its ability to handle immense amounts of fur. The ease of converting it to a handheld for stairs and cars is another frequently mentioned highlight. Common critiques align with my own: the cord could be a few feet longer, and the top-heavy design is a minor inconvenience that you quickly get used to.
Final Thoughts: Is the Shark CS110EM Worth It?
Dealing with the daily onslaught of dust, crumbs, and pet hair can feel like a never-ending chore, but having the right tool makes all the difference. The constant power drop of a dying cordless vac or the sheer effort of using a heavy machine can discourage you from cleaning altogether. For that reason, the Shark CS110EM is an excellent solution. It masterfully solves these problems by combining the nonstop power of a corded model with the lightweight agility of a stick design. Its impressive suction and true floor-to-ceiling versatility make it an indispensable tool for maintaining a clean home.
If you’re ready to make cleaning faster, easier, and far more effective, this is the vacuum for you. Click here to check out the Shark CS110EM today!
Last update on 2025-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API