The Shark ION F80 is an all purpose cordless vacuum that comes with their unique MultiFLEX™ technology, as well as a long list of strong features. Like the other major brands in the home vacuum industry, Shark has made a big investment in cord-free machines to make them viable replacements to the heavier corded models found in virtually every household. While the biggest improvement has been with the batteries (more on that in a minute) there are several other features that make the F80 a tremendous value.
For starters, why would Shark make such a big investment in cordless vacuums? Is there really a demand for them? The short answer is absolutely YES! Once you see how capable these new models are you can begin to see the advantages. The F80 is built to clean just about every surface around your home in less time, and in a much easier fashion than what you are used to. Let’s take a look at the main features that make this possible, or if you want a quick synopsis of what the F80 has to offer click here.
Dual Battery Packs – Simply Remove And Charge
There are a couple of things to really like about the lithium ion battery packs included with the ION F80 2X. The best feature about them is they are removable so you can easily charge one while you are vacuuming with the other. This is a big advantage over some of the other brands (including Dyson) which not only helps with charging but also lets you replace just the battery if needed. While you won’t have to replace a battery often it is nice to have the option. Kudos to Shark for this.
Shark states that you get 80 minutes of runtime when using both consecutively, in their handheld mode. While you likely won’t get that much runtime you will get 60 plus minutes if both batteries are fully charged which is more than enough for the typical home. Lithium ion technology also provides fade-free suction right up until the power is drained. Cordless vacuums used to slowly lose power which would render them almost useless but not the F80. Lithium ion means more power and longer lasting cleaning which is a big benefit to homeowners.
MultiFLEX – What Does That Mean?
Shark included their MultiFLEX™ technology on the F80 which lets you accomplish a couple different things that larger uprights cannot. The biggest advantage is you can bend the wand to allow the cleaning head to reach under items like furniture and beds. These are areas that collect dust mites and are rarely cleaned as you would have to physically move the heavy items to clean under them. The ION F80 is purpose built to solve this problem in a very innovative manner.
Another positive of this bendable wand is ultra compact storage when not in use. It is freestanding so you can bend the handle over to really shrink down the height of the vacuum cleaner while it stands by itself. It will fit nicely in a closet or behind a door, making it easy to keep out of the way when not in use. Keep the charging dock on your counter or bookshelf with one of the packs always plugged in. Not only did they design the vacuum to be compact but the dock is as well.
Here’s a quick demonstration video on how to use the MultiFLEX wand:
DuoClean – It’s Like Having Two Heads In One
Like many of their larger vacuum cleaners, the F80 comes with Shark’s DuoClean™ cleaning head. Instead of having a single brushroll like most upright vacuums do it instead has two that work together to clean a variety of surfaces. One is designed to work like a standard spinning brush to agitate embedded dust from carpeting while picking up larger debris, and the other is built to attract fine dust from hard floors. This gives the ION 2X the ability to go from carpeting to smooth surfaces without changing anything.
The front of the head is also open higher to allow bigger debris like stones to pass right under. Many uprights will push these around without the ability to pick them up but the F80 cordless is designed specifically to handle this. The DuoClean head is what allows this machine to do just that.
Different Operating Modes – Ultimate In Versatility
For the majority of your weekly cleaning chores you will operate it in upright mode. This lets you clean large, wide open areas around your home and even maneuver around tables or other furniture. The versatility of the F80 really shines through when you need to clean the ‘not so ordinary’ areas. Like we mentioned above, the MultiFLEX feature allows you to bend the wand so you can reach underneath heavy items without needing to move them. But what about other operating modes?
A cordless vacuum has to allow handheld operation to be competitive in this industry. One of the biggest pros of having a cordless vacuum like the ION F80 is it gives you the freedom to move around (and outside) of your home. Hand vacuums let you clean stairs, bedding, curtains, and automobile interiors quickly and effectively. You can remove the wand, put on the correct tool or cleaning attachment, and you are ready to go. It will even use less energy when operated in handheld mode so your batteries will last longer.
Main Features
Here’s a quick recap of the main features of the Shark ION F80:
- Dual lithium ION battery packs provide enough runtime to clean large homes on one charge. Lithium power is synonymous with fade-free so there is no degradation of performance until they are drained.
- MultiFLEX bendable wand allows the machine to flex and bend underneath large furniture so you can remove dust bunnies without having to move them.
- DuoClean power head has two different brushrolls that work in unison on ALL types of floors including carpets, tile, hardwood, and more.
- Handheld operating mode opens up a lot of possibilities for ‘on the go’ cleaning in and around your home.
- Washable pre and post motor filters do a good job trapping dirt and dust particles.
- Ultra lightweight design of just under 9 pounds makes it easy to carry up multiple flights of stairs by just about anyone.
The Shark ION F80 is a very versatile and capable cordless vacuum with enough runtime for entire household cleaning. It’s easy to see just how far cordless vacuums have advanced, and Shark is a company that is leading the way. They have a robust lineup that is full of cleaners to suit just about any application you can think of. For those looking for a lightweight cordless model that also operates in handheld mode, the F80 is one of the best choices. Click here to check pricing and availability at our recommended online supplier.