Shark PowerDetect Cordless IP1251 vs PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241: Which Vacuum Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated Aug 05, 2026 07:24 PM

See Shark PowerDetect Cordless IP1251 Review

Shark PowerDetect Cordless IP1251 Picture

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Picture

Vacuum Type Stick/Handheld

Bagless Yes

Wet Compatible No

Cordless Yes

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) Yes

Vacuum Type Stick/Handheld

Bagless Yes

Wet Compatible No

Cordless Yes

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) Yes

Recommended in 1 article:
Stick

Our Verdict

Shark PowerDetect Cordless IP1251

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless IP1251 is the better overall performer compared to the Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241, despite sharing many of the same features. It clears more debris on hard floors, high-pile carpet, and in cracks and crevices, and it keeps far more dust out of the air while you clean, which is surprising given that both vacuums use the same filter. The PowerDetect Speed does pull ahead in a few areas: pet hair pickup on carpet is noticeably stronger, and it's lighter to carry around the house. Both models have variants that include self-emptying docks.

Variants

IP3251 (Dark Gray)
IP1251 (Gray/Purple)

PowerDetect Speed (IA1241)
PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty (IA3241)

Review

See Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Review

Check Price

Dark Gray

IP3251

IA1241

PowerDetect Speed

Gray/Purple

IP1251

IA3241

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

Gray/Purple

IP1250

Walmart.com

IA3243

PowerDetect Speed Plus Clean & Empty

IA3246BL

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

IA3246BR

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

IA3246GN

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

IA3246IV

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

Main Differences for

House

Threshold

0.10

House

7.5

7.2

Hard Floor Pickup

8.0

7.0

Cracks

5.5

4.0

Particle Filtration

9.9

6.1

Full Comparison

House

7.5

7.2

Small Apartment

8.1

7.3

Stairs

7.9

7.6

Cars

6.6

6.5

Bare Floor Pickup

7.3

6.1

Carpet Pickup

6.8

6.3

Pet Hair Pickup

7.5

8.2

Air Quality

8.1

5.5

Debris Pickup

Hard Floor Pickup

8.0

7.0

Hard Floor Pickup video

Hard Floor Pickup Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Hard Floor Pickup Post Test

High-Pile Carpet Pickup

6.5

5.0

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Video

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup

7.0

7.5

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Video

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Pet Hair Pickup

7.5

8.5

Pet Hair Pickup Video

Pet Hair Pickup Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Pet Hair Pickup Post Test

Pet Hair Furniture Performance

7.5

Sofa Pickup Video

Sofa Pickup Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Sofa Pickup Post Test

Cracks

5.5

4.0

Cracks Video

Wood Cracks Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Wood Cracks Post Test

Design

Build Quality

7.5

Build Quality Picture

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Build Quality Picture

Vacuum Type

Stick/Handheld

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 In The Box Picture

Brushroll

Yes

Brushroll On/Off

Removable Brushroll

Yes

Turbo Brush

Crevice Tool

Yes

Upholstery Tool

Yes

Soft Bristle Brush

Yes

Hard Bristle Brush

Yes

Extension Wand

Yes

Ceiling Fan Tool

Pet Grooming Tool

Storing

8.3

Storing Picture

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Storing Picture

Height

26.34" (66.9 cm)

44.80" (113.8 cm)

Width

10.20" (25.9 cm)

10.28" (26.1 cm)

Depth

12.87" (32.7 cm)

15.04" (38.2 cm)

Cord Storing

Not Needed

On-Board Tool Storage

Vacuum Rack/Station

Yes

Dirt Compartment Size

6.3

8.0

Dirt Compartment Picture

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Dirt Compartment Picture

Bagless

Yes

Volume

0.08 gal (0.30 L)

0.61 gal (2.30 L)

Full Indicator

Yes

Bag Included

No Bag Needed

Runtime

7.3

7.2

Minimum Runtime

13.8 min

14 min

Maximum Runtime

78 min

74 min

Battery

7.3

8.0

Minimum Battery Life

13.8 min

14 min

Maximum Battery Life

78.1 min

74 min

Recharge Time

384 min

255 min

Recharge Dock

Yes

Battery Life Indicator

Yes

Swappable Battery

Yes

User-Serviceable Battery

Yes

User Maintenance

7.0

6.5

Maintenance Picture

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Maintenance Picture

Brushroll Cleaning Video

Recurring Cost

Recurring Cost Picture

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Recurring Cost Picture

Bag Part Number

No bag

Filter Part Number

XPRMFIP1000

HEPA Filter Part Number

XPMHIP1000

Quality Of Life Features

Picture Of Controls

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Picture Of Controls

Rotating Head

Yes

Power Adjustment

Yes

Self-Propelled

Headlights

Yes

Easy On/Off

Yes

Head Surface Type Adjustment

Only Automatic

Blower Mode

Mobility

Portability

7.6

8.0

Total Weight

8.16 lbs (3.70 kg)

7.16 lbs (3.25 kg)

Weight In Hand

4.50 lbs (2.04 kg)

3.31 lbs (1.50 kg)

Carrying Handle

Yes

Maneuverability

8.0

Maneuverability Video

Alternative Configuration

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Alternative Configuration

Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Range

Cordless

Yes

Cord Length

N/A

Hose Length

N/A

Minimum Wand Length

1.41 ft (0.43 m)

1.28 ft (0.39 m)

Maximum Wand Length

3.15 ft (0.96 m)

3.26 ft (0.99 m)

Total Range

N/A

Air Quality

Particle Filtration

9.9

6.1

Operation Video

Particle Filtration

Preview Graph

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Particle Filtration

Average PM10 Concentration

0.2 μg/m³

8.1 μg/m³

Average PM2.5 Concentration

0.1 μg/m³

6.1 μg/m³

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)

Yes

Air Quality During Emptying

4.0

Emptying Video

Performance

Suction

1.7

0.9

Suction Video

Maximum Hose Suction

107.5 inH₂O (26.78 kPa)

111.9 inH₂O (27.87 kPa)

Maximum Head Suction

0.8 inH₂O (0.19 kPa)

0.4 inH₂O (0.09 kPa)

Normal Head Suction

0.4 inH₂O (0.09 kPa)

0.2 inH₂O (0.04 kPa)

Setting Used For Normal

"Detect Mode", (DuoClean Detect™ Nozzle)

"Detect Mode", (Floor Nozzle)

Hose Diameter

1.1" (2.8 cm)

1.0" (2.5 cm)

Airflow

7.0

7.1

Maximum Airflow Video

Maximum Hose Airflow

54.4 CFM (1.5 m³/min)

56.3 CFM (1.6 m³/min)

Noise

8.4

Noise Video

Bare Floor

71.2 dBA

70.9 dBA

Low-Pile Carpet

76.5 dBA

72.9 dBA

Mopping Capabilities

Stains

1.0

Stain Video

Stain Pickup Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Stain Pickup Post Test

Water

0.0

Water Video

Water Pickup Post Test

Compare High-Res

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty IA3241 Water Pickup Post Test

Wet Compatible

Check Price

Dark Gray

IP3251

IA1241

PowerDetect Speed

Gray/Purple

IP1251

IA3241

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

Gray/Purple

IP1250

Walmart.com

IA3243

PowerDetect Speed Plus Clean & Empty

IA3246BL

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

IA3246BR

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

IA3246GN

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

IA3246IV

PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty