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Shark Freestyle Max: two-minute reviewProduct info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Freestyle Max SV2002
UK: Freestyle Pro / Freestyle Max SV2000UK
AU: Freestyle Max SV2000NV

For this review, I tested the US version. The UK version has also been tested by the TechRadar homes team. The only notable discrepancy between the different versions is that the US version has headlamps, and the UK and AU versions do not.

The Shark Freestyle Max is not your average upright vacuum. It's far lighter and more streamlined, and it's cordless too. After its launch in October 2025, I tested it out to see how it compares to both the best upright vacuums on the market and the best cordless vacuums.

In terms of suction power, I was very impressed. I used this vacuum in my 1600-square-foot home and it did a great job at cleaning fine materials and large debris from both hard floors and carpet-like rugs. It picked up everything in a single pass and got right up close to the edges of rooms, too.

The design is very basic but effective – you use your foot to press down on a big button on the floorhead to turn the machine on and off and switch modes. Charging happens via a dock, but this is about as compact as you can imagine – smaller than even the footprint of the vacuum itself. It's also incredibly affordable – pricing is lower than some of the best cheap vacuums on the market, but the suction power is up there with far pricier stick vacuums.

There are a couple of significant potential drawbacks. Firstly: battery life. The battery doesn't last longer than 20 minutes in hard floor mode and less than 12 minutes in carpet mode. That wasn't enough for me to clean my house in a single go without stopping to recharge (at least recharge is relatively quick at three hours). Secondly: the Freestyle Max is for use on floors only. There are no detail tools, and nor is there a flexible hose that enables you to use the vacuum to clean furniture, stairs, or up high.

If you can handle those drawbacks and are looking for a simple vacuum that packs the power of an upright but without the weight and bulk, the Freestyle Max is a great choice. Keep reading to get deeper insight into its pros and cons.

(Image credit: Future)Shark Freestyle Max review: price & availability

• List price: $199.99 / £149 / AU$249.99
• Launched: October 2025
• Available: US, UK, AU

The Shark Freestyle Max launched in October 2025, and at list price in the US it costs $199.99, though it's often on sale – at time of writing, it was down to $149.99.

There's an almost-identical model in the UK, minus the headlamps, which costs £149.99 but was discounted to £99 at time of writing. Shark doesn't seem to have decided whether to call it the Freestyle Pro or Freestyle Max, so look at the product code (SV2000UK) to make sure you're getting the right one. The AU model doesn't have headlamps either, and costs AU$249.99 at list price.

It's a budget buy on the wider market, and with the typical discount, it's well priced, considering the strong suction power and the shorter battery life.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

• Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Freestyle Max specs

Product code:

SV2002 (US) / SV2000UK (UK) / SV2000NV (AU)

Weight:

6.6 lbs / 3 kg

Bin size:

0.7qt / 0.7L

Max runtime:

21 mins

Charge time:

3 hrs 20

Size (H x W x L):

44.9 x 10.2 x 9.8in / 114 x 26 x 25cm

Modes:

Hard floor mode, Carpet mode

Cleaning path:

10.3in / 26.2cm

Headlamps:

Yes (US) / No (UK and AU)

Shark Freestyle Max review: design

• Extremely lightweight for an upright, and cordless
• Generous dust cup, foot-press button operation, and two suction modes
• Basic but effective in design

Shark set out with the intent to create a more compact and lightweight upright vacuum, and it did just that with the Shark Freestyle Max. Aesthetics wise, the vacuum is white and gray with a modern sleek design.

The vacuum is very lightweight, clocking in 6.6 lbs / 3kg, which would be fairly light for a stick vacuum, let alone an upright. Unlike other vacuums, the button to change between the two suction modes is found on top of the vacuum head.

(Image credit: Future)

To shift between the two modes, you press the button with your foot, and a blue or green light indicates which mode you're in. Look extremely closely and you'll see an icon to indicate that the more powerful 'green' should be used on carpet, whereas the lower-powered 'blue' is for hard flooring.

(Image credit: Future)

The vacuum locks in place so it can stand up on its own. Although the vacuum can't lean back 180 degrees, it comes very close. If I had to guess, I'd say the vacuum leans to about 160 degrees, which is not quite as nimble as a stick vacuum, but still very decent. The US version also has a headlight on the front of the vacuum head to help users see in dim spaces. This isn't included on the UK or Australian versions.

The 0.7-quart / 0.7L dust cup can be removed from the vacuum pod and emptied with a lid release button. A debris screen and filter are located inside the dustbin. There are no additional accessories, nor a flexible tube that would allow you to break down the vacuum and use it to clean windowsills or in the corners of ceilings, à la something like the Shark Stratos Upright.

(Image credit: Future)

Rather unusually, there's a dock for charging. This is smaller than even the footprint of the vacuum, but a simple plug-in setup would probably be more convenient.

Setup took only a few minutes. I just had to click the wand into the vacuum pod, and the vacuum pod onto the floor nozzle. From there, I charged the vacuum, and it was ready to go.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark Freestyle Max review: performance

• Very powerful hard floor and carpet suction, with excellent edge cleaning
• Picks up fine materials in a single pass
• Maneuverable for an upright but not as nimble as a stick vacuum

From the get-go, I was impressed with the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum, especially in terms of suction power. It may be a simple vacuum without smart features or app integration, but it did a great job cleaning fine material – like flour – and larger items – like crumbs and leaves. In fact, no matter if I used the bare floor or the carpet mode, it only took a single pass on rugs and hard floors for the vacuum to pick up all material, be it dirt or hair.

I tested both the front edge and edge cleaning of the vacuum and was very happy with the results. It cleans right to the edge. Unfortunately, if I tried to vacuum in reverse, larger debris like coffee grinds got stuck behind the wheels. It was better to do a forward pass over a mess for quick and efficient cleaning.

I've tested many vacuums over the years, and the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum feels a lot more powerful than others. With some vacuums, I need to use a Max or a Turbo mode to pick up large debris. The Freestyle Max isn't outfitted with those types of modes, but thankfully, you don't need them. The suction power of this vacuum outshone many cordless stick vacuums that I've tested in the past.

While not as powerful as bulkier, corded uprights, it's right up there with the priciest cordless stick vacuums when it comes to power. TechRadar's Home Editor Ruth tested the UK version side-by-side with the Dyson Gen5detect and found the cleaning power comparable with that model – all the more impressive considering that vacuum costs five times the price.

(Image credit: Future)

The compromise here is that because of the higher suction power, the battery on this vacuum doesn't last very long. I discuss more about the battery in the battery section, but for reference, I wasn't able to clean my entire house switching between bare floor and carpet modes.

I love that the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum is outfitted with a headlight, as it made it easier to see dust and dirt in low lit areas. If only the vacuum paused when locked upright. In terms of sound, the hard floor mode has a dB rating of 79. I measured an 83 dB rating during carpet mode. In my opinion, the vacuum isn't any louder than most.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future)

The only other thing I should note is that the vacuum felt a little stiff in terms of maneuverability. Turning the vacuum left or right was not as smooth as I would have liked. While it's nimbler than your average upright vacuum, it's not as maneuverable as most stick vacuums I've used. At least it's lightweight, the vacuum head fits in relatively tight spaces, and it can lean back to about 160 degrees, making it easy to reach under my bed and low furniture.

(Image credit: Future)

Maintenance doesn't take long to complete. When the dust cup was full, I removed it from the vacuum pod and placed it over a trash can. Then I pressed the 'lid release' catch and the dust and dirt emptied. I was able to keep my hands clean. The debris screen and the filter – both located in the dust cup – need to be occasionally removed and washed with water, before air drying for 24 hours.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark Freestyle Max review: battery life

• 11 mins in Carpet mode; 21 mins in Hard floor mode
• Takes about 3 hours and 20 mins for the battery to fully recharge
• Battery not removable or replaceable

The battery life of the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum depends on which mode is being used. In higher-powered carpet mode, the battery lasted almost 11 and a half minutes, and in hard floor mode, 21 minutes.

Since I have both hard floors and rugs in my 1,600-square-foot house, I tested how long the battery lasted when switching between modes. I was able to clean my bare floors in 15 minutes. Then I switched to carpet mode to vacuum my rugs. The battery lasted only three more minutes, which was not enough time to fully vacuum one of my large rugs. The battery took about three hours and 20 minutes to fully charge. I let it charge for an hour, which gave it enough juice to finish vacuuming my rugs.

The Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum's battery life is far shorter than most cordless stick vacuums – many models can last up to a full hour in their lowest-powered mode these days, and it's rare to see a maximum runtime shorter than 40 minutes. This model won't fit the bill for those with bigger homes or lots of carpet. However, I see it as a strong choice for apartments, small homes, or anyone who just like having a vacuum to do short bursts of cleaning.

One final black mark against Shark here is that the battery isn't removable or swappable, as is the case with most good modern cordless vacuums. That means once the batteries wears out, you'll have to throw the whole machine away.

• Battery life score: 2 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark Freestyle Max?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Very affordably priced, with performance up there with far more expensive cordless models. The compromise is short battery.

4.5 / 5

Design

Very basic in terms of features, but perfectly functional and well-built. Cordless uprights are very rare, so it fills that niche.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Very lightweight and maneuverable for an upright. Picks up fine and large materials in a single pass and offers impeccable edge cleaning.

4 / 5

Battery life

The battery doesn't last longer than 20 minutes, which is very short.

2 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful vacuum for quick cleanups

The suction power of this vacuum is powerful, so much so that you can pick up small and large debris in one forward pass. It's not as sucky as the bulkiest corded uprights, but packs a real punch for a cordless.

You're on a budget

This vacuum has an extremely wallet-friendly price tag, and it's often discounted further. For the cleaning power on offer, it's a steal.

You have more limited mobility

Upright vacuums are typically heavy and bulky, but the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum is far more compact, lighter and easier to maneuver, but it still stands up on its own, making it a strong choice for those with limited mobility.

Don't buy it if...

You have a medium / large house or lots of carpet

The limited battery life – which is even shorter in the higher-powered mode – makes this vacuum a poor choice for larger homes or those with lots of carpet, unless you're only planning to use it for a room or two at a time.

You want to clean stairs or furniture

There's no configuration that lets you clean anything that's not flat floor. Most uprights have a flexible hose and detail tools for cleaning above the ground, but that's not included here.

You can handle a cord or a heavier upright

If you can deal with the extra weight and the inconvenience of a cord, there are uprights that deliver even more oomph, can be used for detail cleaning, and won't run out of juice mid-clean.

How I tested the Shark Freestyle Max

I tested the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum for a week in my 1,600-square-foot home, using it to vacuum my hardwood and laminate floors and two large rugs. Everything from how well it suctioned debris to the length of battery life and ease of movement was tested and considered when writing this review.

The UK version was also tested on-team in the TechRadar offices, where it was used on hard floor, mid-pile carpet and deep-pile carpet, and the suction power was compared to that of a premium Dyson stick vacuum.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed November 2025

The Shark Freestyle Max is nimble, very affordable, and packs a punch when it comes to cleaning power – just watch out for the short battery life.

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The Tales series has been going strong for almost 30 years. From the humble Tales of Phantasia to the recent Tales of Arise, the Japanese role-playing game franchise has shown no signs of slowing down.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: October 31, 2025

In celebration of the anniversary, Bandai Namco has released a few remasters, one of which is Tales of Xillia Remastered. The 2013 original has now been reborn for the next generation of consoles and gamers, and I can safely say it’s well-deserved of it and more.

On the road (Again)

The story of Tales of Xillia follows a group of ragtag heroes on the lam after discovering a secret government weapon.

There’s a lot of depth and nuance laced in the narrative, as simple as it may seem at times. Its tackling of themes like life, neglect, and family rings true throughout. It's not too in your face either, weaving it all in like a fine tapestry for you to unravel as the story progresses. Plus, the action and drama are done quite well, delivering some great scenes and thoughtful moments.

If this is your first time with Xillia, there’s much to enjoy in it. For starters, the cast of colorful characters is among the series’ best. Each is highly memorable and lays the groundwork for future titles. From the shifty Alvin to the budding Leia, you instantly grow attached to them and by the game’s end, don’t want to leave them behind. Also, more games should have cool elders like Rowen. It shouldn't always just be teens hogging the spotlight!

Tales of Xillia Remastered can be played from two perspectives: the kind doctor Jude Mathis or the god-like deity Milla Maxwell. It’s the same story in each one, just told from a different viewpoint. Some plot points are learned earlier in one and later in another, and even holes in one story are filled in the next. Even if most of the gameplay is the same in each, it does boost the replayability a lot.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)An old dog has learned some new tricks

In terms of updates, there’s a lot of work being done for the remaster. For one thing, it feels extremely approachable compared to other entries.

For example, guide markers for maps help steer players in the right direction, which is extremely helpful for certain maps. An autosave feature has also been added, which helps whenever you are unable to get to a save point or quicksave. All the additions are convenient and helpful, making Remastered the best version to play of Tales of Xillia.

Perhaps the biggest upgrade is the graphics. Seeing as Tales of Xillia is from 2013, it got a noticeable facelift in the remaster. Characters and settings look a lot nicer, and the improved framerate lends way to smoother gameplay. At times, however, the visuals can feel a bit lackluster, with some of the animations being a touch stiff.

Still, for a remaster, it does translate quite well and plays great on the PlayStation 5. Though some of the audio is a bit glitchy, with character's voices drowned out by mixing issues.

Best Bit

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

The colorful cast of characters and abundant customization radiate throughout Tales of Xillia Remastered. Plus, with improved graphics and great accessibility, it makes for the most approachable Tales game yet.

If you played Tales of Arise, you may notice the battle system is quite different, but it’s one worth staying with. While the LMBS system does take some getting used to, it feels fluid and fun.

I was a bit intimidated, given I’m used to Arise’s open-air combat, but it does grow on you quickly. Despite an option to walk around freely, I barely used it, as I started to find the groove of the system.

Furthermore, the link system, which connects you with another member on the battlefield, is a lot of fun to use. Crafting combos on the fly and hitting a satisfying move on an enemy never got old.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)Nostalgic yet new

One of the best parts of Tales of Xillia Remastered, for me at least, is the vast amount of customization at your disposal. While it is in the original, the Lillium Orb is a fantastic system for players to use. It lets you personalize your moves, stats, and skills to your desire. The same goes for your teammates, as you can outfit them however you like. Want your Milla to be magic-focused with Alvin dealing critical? It’s all there and something I hope future Tales titles return to.

For many, this is likely the first time they will play Tales of Xillia, and for others, it’s a return trip. The ones who will benefit the most from the remaster are newcomers, as it gives them a whole new playground to explore. Older fans will get to see the world they know brought back to life for new consoles. Luckily, there’s a lot to love from both perspectives, whether it’s the intuitive new features or the upgraded graphics.

Overall, Tales of Xillia Remastered set out to do one thing and did it right. A classic has been reborn for a new era, and even more fans get to meet Jude, Milla, and the gang and go on the run with them. The improved graphics, while a touch shoddy at times, bring life back to the world and give way to the best version of the title on the market. With tons of replayability, customization, and charm, you can’t go wrong with it.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)Should you play Tales of Xillia Remastered?Play it if...

You love RPGS with a lovable cast of characters to spend time with
In an RPG the game is as good as the companions you spend it with. Luckily, Tales of Xillia has a great group to follow. Each new member adds a key element in battle and nobody feels out of place.

You enjoy intricate battle systems that allow for customizable builds
The Lillium Orb is a fantastic way to customize and personalize your playstyle. You can make any of your party the way you’d like them to be, like a unstoppable tank or a magic powerhouse. It’s an element that I hope makes a return in future titles, even if Arise moved away from it.

You liked any of the other Tales of games and want a new experience
For those who played Arise and Berseria, this is worth getting into. It’s not as long as those titles, but you’ll find it does all things a Tales game should: great gameplay, fun characters, and a gripping story.

Don't play it if...

You are looking for proper current-gen RPG experience
Unfortunately, while it does look better than the original, Tales of Xillia Remastered is still a bit rough around the edges due to its age. Compared to other remasters it doesn’t have too many updated textures. However, it does feel noticeably smoother thanks to the improved framerate.

Accessibility features

In terms of accessibility, there are a few different options to adjust. The biggest is difficulty, it ranges from easy to unknown, the hardest one. Map adjustments, like the newly added markers, are available, as is turning on/off encounters in the open world. You can also change between English and Japanese audio at any time. Button mapping is also customizable and easy to use.

There isn’t too much on display, though, and it may have benefited from adding colorblind modes. Still, what’s been added definitely helps make Tales of Xillia Remastered a more approachable title for newcomers and fans alike.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)How I reviewed Tales of Xillia Remastered

I played Tales of Xillia Remastered for around 30 hours, finishing the main story with some side content. My first playthrough was Jude with some time in New Game+ as Milla Maxwell.

There is multiplayer available, but I did not try it for the review. I played the game on a base PS5 with the DualSense wireless controller and Razer BlackShark V2 wired gaming headset, all on a Roku 4K TV. If you played other Tales titles like Symphonia and Vesperia, you’ll find a lot of similarities here.

First reviewed November 2025

Tales of Xillia Remastered is a title worthy of your time, no matter whether you're new to the series or a returning fan. The action-packed RPG combat, fluid gameplay, and endearing characters make it a journey you’ll want to return to again and again.

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