Shark WANDVAC Review (2021): Is It Better Than Other Cordless Handheld Vacuums?

Over the years, Shark has positioned itself as a brand of choice when it comes to floor care. One of the company’s innovations is the Shark WANDVAC cordless handheld vacuum. It’s so lightweight and powerful that it was given the Red Dot Award for outstanding design in 2019. But how does it fare in comparison to other cordless handheld vacuums in the market? This Shark WANDVAC review will answer that for you.

Shark WANDVAC Review Comparison Chart

Name	Shark WANDVAC (WV201)	Shark WANDVAC (WV200)	Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+	Dyson V11 Animal	Black & Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum
Price	Check Price at Amazon	Check Price at Walmart	Check Price at Amazon	Check Price at Amazon	Check Price at Amazon
Battery	1 x Li-Ion battery	1 x Li-Ion battery	1 x Li-Ion battery	1 x Li-Ion battery	1 x Li-Ion battery
Run Time	9.5 minutes	9.5 minutes	11 minutes	60 minutes	29 minutes
Recharging Time	2.5 hours	2.5 hours	2.5 houurs	4.5 hrs	3.5 hours
Charging Dock Included	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dust Bin/Cup Capacity	0.08 qt (76 g)	0.08 qt (76 g)	0.45 qt (425 g)	0.80 qt (757 g)	0.74 qt (700 g)
Washable Filter	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dimensions	16.50″ x 2.50″ x 2.40″	16.50″ x 2.50″ x 2.40″	10.24″ x 7″ x 46″	49.65″ x 10.28″ x 9.84″ (whole stick vacuum)	15.35″ x 6.30″ x 7.28″
Weight	1.4 lb	1.4 lb	2.8 lb	6.68 lb (whole stick vacuum)	2.8 lb

Shark WANDVAC WV201 vs 200

Shark WANDVAC 201 and 200 have exactly the same handheld vacuum units.

The Shark WANDVAC is designed to be a cordless handheld vacuum with an impressive suction power. As with other handheld vacuum cleaners, it’s very useful for quick cleaning of daily messes and hard to reach spaces. Full-size vacuum cleaners are great floor cleaners but can be a hassle to set up every single time. Using a broom and dustpan may also not be wise for those allergic to dust.

There are two Shark WANDVAC models, the Shark WANDVAC WV200 and the Shark WANDVAC WV201. When it comes to the design and build, there is practically no difference between the two. Both are sleek and lightweight at only 1.4 lb. The vacuum nozzle is tapered making pick-up of fine dust and debris easier. The 0.8 quart capacity dust cup is conveniently emptied with a push of a button and opening it will also give access to the washable HEPA filter. Battery life is not impressive, though, as a full charge can only last 9 minutes max.

Again, everything is basically the same between the WV200 and WV201 except for the included accessories. Both Shark WANDVAC models have the multi-surface pet tool and charging dock included in their packages. But while the WV200 only has a basic crevice tool, the WV201 has the dust crevice tool with a bristle brush that can be folded down. Another extra accessory is thedual onboard accessory storage that can be attached to and detached from the charging dock. It holds the two accessory tools when not in use..

Shark WANDVAC vs UltraCyclone

The WANDVAC and the UltraCyclone are both cordless handheld vacuums from Shark.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is another powerful handheld vacuum from Shark. As its name suggests, its design is focused on a more efficient cleanup of pet hair. Two cyclonic air streams provide suction powerful enough to pick up even the finest and shortest fur on all surfaces. The UltraCyclone’s winning feature, though, is its self-cleaning brush roll that removes hair wrap while it cleans. This way, there will be no need to manually pull wrapped hair and fur when dumping dirt in the trash. It’s not only convenient, but hygienic, as well. The Shark WANDVAC doesn’t have this feature.

The UltraCylone is also bigger and a bit heavier than the WANDVAC. Its dust cup capacity is five times bigger than the WANDVAC’s but both can be easily emptied with a touch of the CleanTouch™ dirt ejector button. On the other hand, if you’re gunning for a handheld vacuum with HEPA filter, the UltraCyclone’s filter may be a disappointment. It does have a washable fabric filter but not a HEPA filter like what the WANDVAC has.

Finally, in terms of electric consumption, it appears that the UltraCyclone is the Shark handheld vacuum with more energy efficiency. It is bigger and more powerful than the WANDVAC but only consumes 80 watts or 8 amps of electrical energy. Surprisingly, the smaller and lighter WANDVAC needs 115 watts or 10.6 amps of electricity. This may be the reason why the UltraCyclone can last up to an extra 1.5 minutes compared to the WANDVAC,

Shark WANDVAC vs Dyson

The Dyson V11 Animal is more powerful and has a longer run time than the Shark WANDVAC.

The Dyson V11 Animal is part of the Dyson V11 cordless stick vacuum series. But since it can be configured as a handheld vacuum, we’re also including it, particularly the Dyson V11 Animal, in this Shark WANDVAC review. Dyson products have always been known worldwide for their impressive engineering and technology. Price-wise, the Dyson V11 Animal belongs in a different league. But if you’re looking for a 2-in-one cordless vacuum and can afford its price tag, the Dyson V11 Animal may be a worthy investment for your home in the long run.

Another area where the Dyson V11 Animal excels in is suction power. This cordless vacuum is powered by 14 cyclones and a digital motor that spins up to 125,000 rpm. As with any other Dyson home appliances, this baby is highly intelligent and can automatically adapt to different floor types. Its battery can last up to an hour on a single charge and may even last longer when using Eco Mode. Cleaning modes and battery status can be conveniently seen on its LED screen display.

Lastly, while the Shark WANDVAC only has the Duster Crevice Tool and Multi-Surface Tool as its cleaning accessories, the Dyson V11 Animal has four: High Torque cleaner head, stubborn dirt brush, Mini Motorized tool, and crevice tool. As it appears, the only similarities that these two handheld vacuum cleaners have are the HEPA filter and push-button dust ejection features.

Shark WANDVAC vs Black and Decker

The Shark WANDVAC has a HEPA filter but the Black+Decker Dustbuster Advanced Clean+ Pet has a larger dust compartment and longer battery life.

Black+Decker’s Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet is another powerful handheld vacuum that is also primarily designed for lifting pet hair. Like the Shark WANDVAC, it can also be used to clean messes of all types and on all surfaces. Its design and build is closer to the Shark UltraCyclone PetPro+ but its dust bin capacity is as large as the Dyson V11 Animal’s.

The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet has two speed modes that help further increase its run time on a single charge. In fact, it can last three times longer than the Shark WANDVAC. There is also a battery charge indicator making it easy to see if it’s time for recharging. And like the WANDVAC, you will only need to push a button to empty the dust compartment but expect to find only a standard washable filter like that of the UltraCyclone.

Finally, the only additional cleaning accessory that the Dustbuster has is the Powered Pet Head which is much like the WANDVAC’s Multi-Surface Tool. It doesn’t have a separate crevice tool but pulling out the end of the main crevice extends it for cleaning tight spaces. Also, it doesn’t have an accessory storage dock so you will have to find a spot to place the Powered Pet Head tool when not it use.

Verdict

Shark WANDVAC is the most comfortable to use but the short battery life is its biggest disadvantage.

Shark WANDVAC

Best for those who like it light.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet

Best for all-around quick cleaning.

Among the handheld vacuums in this round up, the Shark WANDVAC is, undoubtedly, the one with the prettiest and most user-friendly design. It is sleek and lightweight so cleaning is not too strenuous on the arms and shoulders. Suction power is not that bad either, though it obviously lacks the punch of the Shark UltraCyclone or the pricier Dyson V11 Animal. It gets the job done, so to speak, but be ready to recharge frequently.

If the weight of the unit is not an issue for you, we recommend that you purchase the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet instead. It doesn’t have the self-cleaning brushroll feature of the Shark UltraCyclone but it has better battery life and has adjustable power/speed modes. With the Dustbuster, you’re getting more helpful features at less the price of the Shark WANDVAC.

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