Review: Shark Stainforce

Shark is back with another product for the accident-prone and the messy, the Shark Stainforce. The principle is the same as for the Shark Stainstriker, but the format is different. It has become more streamlined, more portable, and overall simpler. However, we have also noticed a number of disadvantages alongside the benefits. And the intended use case might also have shifted slightly. We will, of course, answer these questions while our unsung heroes—the furniture—once again get a refresh.

Shark Stainforce – what’s included?

With the Stainstriker, everything was motorized and required a power cord. With the Stainforce, Shark has taken a step back where charging and manual effort replace the previous setup. What you get is a basket-like… basket… where everything except the charging cable fits. Two suction nozzles are included, one wide and one narrow, and a spray bottle where the bottom part consists of the two cleaning agents that together create a mix designed to tackle all kinds of stains. The spray head itself is reusable, and when the mixture is finished, you replace the bottom part. Then, of course, there is the vacuum cleaner itself, which this time is more like a handheld vacuum than anything else, though details like a plug for emptying unpleasant dirty liquids reveal the difference. The whole thing is significantly more convenient and easier to set up. But is the result the same?

Our first attempt

The same sofa that received a major refresh with the Stainstriker was given the chance to reveal its true self once again. We eagerly read through the manual, sprayed on the cleaning agent, and got started. It didn’t take long before the vacuum ran out of battery, giving us a chance to read the manual again, a bit more carefully. Shark points out quite clearly that it’s a good idea to fully charge it before the first wash. Which they were, of course, completely right about. It took quite a long time to reach a full charge, about two and a half hours, and then we started again.

Our second attempt

With a now fully charged machine, we tackled the sofa again and began spraying. We let the solution sit for about ten minutes and then started vacuuming. To our surprise, we noticed that no liquid at all was being drawn from the sofa into the vacuum. This was where our first realization hit: because we applied the cleaning agent manually, we used much less than when the Stainstriker sprayed it through an electric pump, so there was less to suck up. We also felt that the suction power wasn’t as strong. We haven’t been able to find any specifications on suction power, but we are becoming increasingly convinced that the use case is somewhat different.

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Our third attempt

This time, we targeted a very distinct but small stain. We sprayed it on, waited, and vacuumed. The stain disappeared completely without much effort, and in this situation, the Stainforce is perfect.

Lessons learned – Shark Stainforce

After our third attempt, it became quite clear that the Stainforce, with its limitations, is meant for more immediate cleaning of localized stains, like our example above or a sick child who didn’t quite make it in time. And when it comes to the latter, it’s brilliant, because if there’s any situation where you want to be fast, it’s then. However, if you want to deep clean a sofa or a mattress, the Stainstriker is a more suitable choice, partly due to its unlimited runtime and partly due to its power.

There is another side to the mobility worth considering. Since the Stainforce is battery-powered and meant to be picked up as soon as an accident occurs, it must be kept charged. Therefore, it needs to be near a power outlet. This means it can’t really be tucked away in the same way as the Stainstriker (which always needs an outlet to run). Furthermore, we measured the runtime to be about 15-20 minutes before it stops. Then it takes about 4 hours before it is fully charged again. However, 15-20 minutes of runtime is quite long if you use it occasionally. And the charging time is shorter if you don’t deplete it completely, but it remains quite long. But if it isn’t charged when needed, there’s no point in waiting.

The bottom line – Shark Stainforce

Shark Stainforce should not be seen as a replacement for the Stainstriker, but rather as a complement. It stands firmly on its own for quick and localized tasks. At the time of writing, the Stainforce costs 2,400 SEK, which is quite a lot despite its advantages. However, we must point out that Shark is relatively alone in offering a battery-powered machine.

In our research, we found (but have not tested) the Ryobi ONE+ Swift Clean Spot Cleaner 18V which offers roughly the same setup but with a built-in spray and a rotating brush for 1,700 SEK. However, the battery and charger are sold separately, which drives the price up by at least a thousand SEK. So, in terms of competition, Shark Stainforce is well-positioned, and judging by the pictures, it is significantly more streamlined. It is also the same price the Stainstriker cost when we tested it, though that now costs around 1,600 SEK, so if you have some patience, the price will surely drop slightly. If so, Shark Stainforce becomes a really good alternative for anyone who wants to quickly save a sofa cushion, a seat in a sailboat, or a white rug that has been attacked by some ill-intentioned liquid.

But for 2,400 SEK, we find it hard to recommend the Shark Stainforce and would rather point you toward the Shark Stainstriker for its better price, good results, and reliable operation. Because four hours is a long time if you’ve forgotten to charge it or have run out of battery.

Shark sent a review sample for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.