Shark CarpetXpert (EX151) Review

Analysis

A step by step breakdown of the CarpetXpert's performance.

The EX151 was measured to have above average suction at the base and the hose.

It was measured to have well above average suction at the nozzle (where the cleaner head makes contact with the carpet).

The EX151 cleaned up the chocolate stains – the chocolate ice cream and chocolate syrup stains – faster than average in our upright stain test.

The table above lists the number of passes it took to clean each stain. The EX151 cleaned the ice cream stain in 7 passes (vs an average of 8) and the chocolate syrup stain in 6 passes (vs an average of 7.8).

This model’s performance was worse than average cleaning most other stains.

Any score greater than 10 in the table above indicates that the cleaner did not completely clean the stain in 10 or less back and forth passes (we ended the test after 10 passes).

Any score greater than 10 also describes the lightness of the stain remaining after 10 passes (not the number of passes to clean).

The EX151 left a darker than average tomato sauce and peanut butter stain after 10 passes. The tomato sauce stain was relatively light (12) but not as light as average (11.3). The peanut butter stain the EX151 left behind was relatively dark (13) while most competitors could completely clean this stain in less than 10 passes (the average was 8.5 passes).

Overall, the EX151’s performance in our upright stain test was mixed.

It cleaned some stains faster than average, and other stains significantly slower/worse than average.

After our stain test we measured the moisture level of the carpet that was cleaned.

The reading for the EX151 was 27% which is right around an average result.

We then pushed and pulled the cleaner over the same strip of carpet three more times on dry only mode (so that it would only extract instead of washing and extracting).

The reading for the EX151 after three additional dry passes was 25% which is again an average result.

Like all of the other Sharks we tested, the EX151 has a very small clean water tank and a dirty water tank with a very low capacity (the tank itself isn’t that small but its maximum capacity is very low). For these reasons, it can only clean a relatively small area before you need to refill and empty its water tanks.

Cleaning and maintaining the EX151’s cleaner head is very easy to do.

Its nozzle can be removed and the plastic compartment that covers its brushroll pops open for easy access to its brushroll. The brushroll itself also removes very easily (many competitors require a screwdriver to remove their brushrolls while you simply press down on a lever to remove the Shark’s brushroll).

The EX151’s dirty water tank has two filters (most competitors only have one) you have to clean, but otherwise is easy to clean as well.

The EX151 is definitely more versatile than competitor cleaners.

Its hose stores on itself and the hose features an integrated spot cleaning tool, which makes it very easy to transition between upright cleaning and spot cleaning with the Shark.

With most competitors transitioning to spot cleaning isn’t as easy. You have to grab a separately stored hose, plug it in, grab a separately stored spot cleaning tool, attach it to the hose, and only then can you start spot cleaning with most competitors.

Other Notes and Features

The EX151 automatically dispenses soap and water when you push it forward, and automatically maximizes extraction when you pull it backward.

Most competitors require that you hold down a trigger to dispense soap and water, and release the trigger to maximize extraction.

Verdict

Our bottom line recommendations.

Compared to other Sharks

The EX151 is the cheapest Shark carpet cleaner we tested.

It features a very similar design (integrated hose and cleaning tool, automatic soap dispenser) as the EX201.

The only real difference between the EX151 and the EX201 in our testing was that the EX201 performed slightly better in our spot cleaning tests.

So, if you really value spot cleaning, the EX201 may be a better option for you than the EX151.

Otherwise, if you primarily want to buy a Shark for upright cleaning, the EX151 is basically the same cleaner but at a lower price.

Compared to other brands

Compared to all of the other carpet cleaners we tested, we generally do not recommend the EX151.

At the same price, there are better options available that performed better in our upright stain test, left carpet drier after cleaning, and can cover a much larger area before you need to refill and empty their water tanks. The latest updated list of carpet cleaners we recommend can be found here.