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Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] Vacuum Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3
Reviewed Oct 28, 2020 at 08:39 am
Latest change: Writing modified Apr 09, 2024 at 01:38 pm
Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] Picture
7.4
Bare Floor
7.4
Low-Pile Carpet
7.5
High-Pile Carpet
6.1
Pets
9.0
Stairs
8.2
Cars
5.7
Workshop

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a small handheld vacuum. It has an outstanding performance on all surface types. It also comes with a turbo brush that has a self-cleaning brushroll to help tackle hair wraps while you clean. However, its dirt compartment is somewhat small. It has a sub-par battery life of around 10 minutes and is advertised to take approximately six hours to charge, although we could fully recharge it under two and a half hours. That said, it's a suitable choice for spot cleaning around your home.

It's worth noting that there are multiple variants of this vacuum, which differ in important ways, namely motor wattage and included attachments. Further details on the differences between models are outlined in the Differences Between Variants section of the review.

Our Verdict

7.4 Bare Floor

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is decent for bare floors. It can pick up a mix of debris types on this surface when fitted with its turbo brush tool without a problem, as long as you keep the vacuum at a shallow angle. However, the dirt compartment is fairly small, so you can't pick up more debris if it's full. Its battery lasts just over 10 minutes, which may not be enough for a big mess. That said, it has good build quality and is easy to maintain.

Pros
  • Picks up most large and medium-sized debris.
  • Comes with self-cleaning turbo brush.
  • Well-built and easy to maintain.
Cons
  • Short battery life.
  • Small dirt compartment.
7.4 Low-Pile Carpet

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is decent for low-pile carpet. It can pick up most kinds of debris in this surface type, though a small amount of fine debris can remain trapped in carpet fibers. Some debris can also get stuck on some parts of the vacuum. Its battery life is quite short, too. Still, it has good build quality, is easy to maintain, and its dirt cup filter is its only recurring cost.

Pros
  • Picks up most large and medium-sized debris.
  • Comes with self-cleaning turbo brush.
  • Well-built and easy to maintain.
Cons
  • Short battery life.
  • Small dirt compartment.
  • Turbo brush struggles with pet hair on carpet and fabric.
7.5 High-Pile Carpet

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is good for high-pile carpet. It's good at dealing with larger debris but doesn't have quite enough power to fully clear away finer material worked into carpet fibers within a single back-and-forth pass. Some finer debris can get caught on some of the vacuum's parts. Its battery also lasts around ten minutes, which some may find limiting. On the upside, maintenance is easy, and this model only has one recurring cost.

Pros
  • Picks up most large and medium-sized debris.
  • Comes with self-cleaning turbo brush.
  • Well-built and easy to maintain.
Cons
  • Short battery life.
  • Small dirt compartment.
  • Turbo brush struggles with pet hair on carpet and fabric.
6.1 Pets

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is mediocre for pets. It's quite portable, so you can carry it around to wherever you may need it. It also comes with a turbo brush with a self-cleaning brushroll so you don't have to worry about hair wraps. This attachment doesn't provide enough surface agitation to clear away pet hair stuck on upholstery or on carpets.

Pros
  • Comes with self-cleaning turbo brush.
  • Well-built and easy to maintain.
Cons
  • Short battery life.
  • Turbo brush struggles with pet hair on carpet and fabric.
  • No HEPA filter.
9.0 Stairs

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is fantastic for stairs. This handheld vacuum can be used to tackle steps and offers outstanding overall performance on different surface types. It comes with a few tools and brushes like a crevice tool as well. Its cordless design also ensures a virtually unlimited range, as long as it has battery life as well as room left in its dirt compartment.

Pros
  • Comes with self-cleaning turbo brush.
  • Well-built and easy to maintain.
Cons
  • Short battery life.
8.2 Cars

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is great for cars. This well-built handheld can easily maneuver within your car. It does an outstanding job of cleaning low-pile carpet and comes with a couple of tools and brushes to help you clean.

Pros
  • Comes with self-cleaning turbo brush.
  • Well-built and easy to maintain.
Cons
  • Short battery life.
5.7 Workshop

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a mediocre option for workshop cleaning. It's more than capable of dealing with household debris on a range of surfaces, but it can't deal with liquid spills, and using it to clean up heavy-duty debris like metal shavings is likely to result in damage.

Pros
  • Comes with self-cleaning turbo brush.
  • Well-built and easy to maintain.
Cons
  • Short battery life.
  • 7.4 Bare Floor
  • 7.4 Low-Pile Carpet
  • 7.5 High-Pile Carpet
  • 6.1 Pets
  • 9.0 Stairs
  • 8.2 Cars
  • 5.7 Workshop
  1. Updated Apr 09, 2024: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.3.
  2. Updated Apr 09, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. We've overhauled our floor performance tests and added new 'Hard Floor Pick-Up,' 'High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' 'Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' and 'Pet-Hair Pick-Up' tests. You can see the full changelog here.
  3. Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.0 and Test Bench 1.2.
  4. Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
  5. Updated Mar 03, 2023: We've changed the product name to Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ [CH951, CH964AMZ] in order for the review to encompass all model variants. We've also added the CH900, CH950, CH963AMZ, and CH964AMZ models to the 'Differences Between Variants' section.
  6. Updated Aug 25, 2022: This vacuum's suction force has been retested with a more accurate manometer. The test results for the 'Maximum Suction' and 'Normal Suction' fields have been updated. All relevant scores and text have been updated.
  7. Updated Jul 28, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  8. Updated Mar 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  9. Updated Oct 28, 2020: Review published.
  10. Updated Oct 22, 2020: Early access published.
  11. Updated Sep 30, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  12. Updated Sep 29, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  13. Updated Sep 26, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Shark UltraCyclone is available in several different variants, which differ in color, included attachments, and motor wattage. We tested the CH951 model, and you can see its label here.

Model Code Included Tools Color Advertised Motor Wattage Notes
CH900 Crevice tool Light Blue 65 W  
CH901 Crevice tool, Hard bristle brush Green 65 W  
CH950 Motorised Pet Tool, Crevice tool Burgundy 80 W  
CH951/CH950EUT Self-Cleaning Motorised Pet Tool, Crevice tool, Hard bristle brush Black 80 W CH950EUT is the European model designation
CH963AMZ Bare floor nozzle, Extension wand, Crevice tool, Hard bristle brush White 70 W  
CH964AMZ Bare floor nozzle, Extension wand, Crevice tool, Hard bristle brush Blue 70 W  

If you come across another variant of this vacuum that's equipped differently, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Vacuums

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a well-built handheld vacuum. Unlike many other handhelds like the HoLife HM036E, it has a fantastic performance on carpet. It also comes with a turbo brush with a self-cleaning brushroll, which makes it well-suited for cleaning hair from your shedding pets. However, it has a short battery life and a long recharge time.

Check out our recommendations for the best handheld vacuums, the best handheld vacuums for pet hair, and the best vacuums for pet hair.

Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a better handheld vacuum for cleaning pet hair than the Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet. The Shark is better built, easier to maintain, and has fewer recurring costs. It comes with an upholstery tool as well as a hard bristle brush, and it has a better overall performance on all surface types. However, the Black+Decker has a better battery performance and a larger dirt compartment.

Shark WANDVAC

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a better handheld vacuum than the Shark WANDVAC. The UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is easier to maintain, it has a larger dirt compartment, and its battery life lasts longer. It also comes with a turbo brush with a self-cleaning brushroll to take care of hair wraps. Its performance on all surface types outperforms the WANDVAC. However, the WANDVAC has virtually no recurring costs, and it's easier to store.

BISSELL AeroSlim/TurboSlim

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a better handheld vacuum for cleaning pet hair than the BISSELL AeroSlim/TurboSlim. The Shark is easier to maintain, has a larger dirt compartment, and comes with a turbo brush with a self-cleaning brushroll. It also has a significantly better performance on all surface types. However, some users may prefer the BISSELL's smaller size. This vacuum also has better battery performance, is easier to store, and has virtually no recurring costs.

Black+Decker 16V MAX dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is better than the Black+Decker 16V MAX dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum. The Shark has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, takes less time to recharge while offering a similar overall battery life, comes with a turbo brush attachment, and is significantly more effective in clearing debris on low- and high-pile carpets. Meanwhile, the Black+Decket incurs lower recurring costs, has a larger dustbin, and delivers better performance on hard surfaces.

HoLife HM036E

The HoLife HM036E and the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ are two handheld vacuums with different strengths. The HoLife has a longer battery life and has a better overall performance on bare floors. It also comes with a wet nozzle to clear liquid. However, the Shark is better suited for carpets. It can clean low- and high-pile carpets significantly better than the HoLife, and it comes with a turbo brush with a self-cleaning brushroll. Its dirt compartment is also larger, and the vacuum is easier to maintain overall.

eufy HomeVac H11

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a better overall handheld vacuum than the eufy HomeVac H11. The Shark is easier to maintain, it has a larger dirt compartment, and it comes with a turbo brush. it also offers significantly better performance on all surface types than the eufy. However, the eufy has a somewhat better battery performance, and some users may prefer its smaller size.

Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a better handheld vacuum than the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum. It's better built, easier to maintain, easier to carry around, and comes with more tools and accessories, including a turbo brush to clear messes from upholstery. It also does a much better job of sucking up debris on carpeted floors. Meanwhile, the Hoover comes with a bigger dirt compartment and has a longer battery life while taking less time to charge.

iRobot H1

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is better than the iRobot H1. The Shark is easier to maintain, incurs fewer recurring costs, is slightly lighter, and delivers superior cleaning performance on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the iRobot lasts much longer in its least powerful suction mode, though that can vary in the real world. It also comes with a wall-mount rack station, making it a little easier to store.

Wyze Handheld Vacuum

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is better for most uses than the Wyze Handheld Vacuum. The Shark is easier to maintain, has a larger dirt compartment, and comes with a turbo brush for cleaning messes on upholstered surfaces. It also clears debris more effectively on bare floors as well as low- and high-pile carpets. The Wyze incurs lower recurring costs, is easier to store, lasts longer on a single charge, and comes with an extension hose to extend your reach.

Dyson Micro 1.5kg

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ and the Dyson Micro 1.5kg are different vacuum types, though both offer remarkable bare floor performance. The Dyson is a hybrid stick/handheld vacuum, so it's a bit more suited to cleaning larger spaces, while the Shark is a handheld-only vacuum that's ideal for spot cleaning. However, the Dyson isn't suitable for cleaning carpets, and it has a very small dirt compartment that requires frequent emptying, although it does have fewer recurring costs.

Dyson Humdinger

The Dyson Humdinger and the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ are both great cordless handheld vacuums. The Shark feels better built, has a larger dirt compartment, and performs slightly better on all surface types. The Dyson has a HEPA filter to reduce allergens and has virtually no recurring costs.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
7.5
Design
Build Quality
Vacuum Type
Handheld

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a well-built handheld vacuum. It's made entirely out of plastic, but it feels mostly durable. While the dust bin feels sturdy, the dust cup has a flimsy plastic frame with a cloth attached, which feels a little cheap. However, this vacuum is very easy to assemble.

7.0
Design
User Maintenance

This vacuum is easy to maintain.

  • Dust cup: This part can be emptied by clicking the button near the vacuum head and be removed entirely if you press the button on the bottom of its body. Since this compartment is quite small, you may need to empty it quite often. You can tap it against your garbage to dislodge debris or rinse it with water for a more thorough clean.
  • Dust cup filter: You can remove this part by pulling it from the dust cup by its plastic frame. The manufacturer suggests tapping this filter to dislodge dirt and debris from the cloth. You should also rinse the filter with water every three months.

All parts that can be cleaned with water should be left to dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back in.

7.0
Design
Recurring Cost
Bag Part Number No bag
Filter Part Number XFTRCH900
HEPA Filter Part Number No HEPA Filter

This vacuum has one recurring cost. Its dust cup filter needs to be replaced every six to nine months, and you can purchase replacement filters through the manufacturer's website.

7.2
Design
Storing
Height
18.11" (46.0 cm)
Width
3.54" (9.0 cm)
Depth
4.13" (10.5 cm)
Cord Storing
Not Needed
On-Board Tool Storage
No
Vacuum Rack/Station
No

This vacuum is decent to store. It's compact in design but doesn't come with onboard tool storage or a rack to hold its tools. However, you can purchase a charging dock via the manufacturer's website. It's worth noting that the CH963AMZ and CH964AMZ models will take up more space when not in use since they come with an extension wand and a floorhead.

6.5
Design
Dirt Compartment
Bagless
Yes
Volume
0.11 gal (0.40 L)
Full Indicator
No
Bag Included
No Bag Needed

This vacuum has a mediocre dirt compartment. It has a smaller capacity than alternatives like the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum, and it doesn't have a cover to keep debris from spilling out. This can be more problematic when the compartment nears its maximum capacity, and you must keep it upright when in hand. It also doesn't have a max fill line to let you know when it's full.

Design
In The Box

  • Shark UltraCyclone handheld vacuum
    • Dust cup
    • Washable dust cup filter
    • Self-cleaning motorized brush (not included on CH900, CH901, CH950, or CH963AMZ/CH964AMZ variants)
    • Crevice tool
    • Hard-bristle scrubbing brush (not included on CH900 or CH950 variants)
  • Charging adapter
  • Vacuum User Guide

Exclusive attachments for the CH963AMZ/CH964AMZ are listed below:

  • Extension wand
  • Floor Nozzle

The following attachment is exclusive to the CH950 model:

  • Motorized turbo brush

10
Design
Range
Cordless
Yes
Cord Length
N/A
Hose Length
N/A
Minimum Wand Length
1.38 ft (0.42 m)
Maximum Wand Length
1.44 ft (0.44 m)
Total Range
N/A

This is a cordless handheld vacuum and has an unlimited range so long as there's room in its dirt compartment and sufficient battery life.

9.2
Design
Portability
Total Weight
2.27 lbs (1.03 kg)
Weight In Hand
1.57 lbs (0.71 kg)
Carrying handle
Yes

The Shark Pet Pro+ is outstandingly portable. It's very lightweight and has a carrying handle so you can easily bring it to other rooms.

5.8
Design
Battery
Minimum Battery Life
11 min
Maximum Battery Life
11 min
Recharge Time
158 min
Recharge Dock
No
Battery Life Indicator
Yes
Removable Batteries
No

This vacuum has a sub-par battery performance. It lasts just over ten minutes, which is significantly less than the iRobot H1 when used in its least powerful suction mode, so you need to work quickly when cleaning up a mess. The manual also lists an approximately six-hour charge time, but we could charge it in just under two and a half hours. It has a power indicator light that flashes when it's low on charge.

Design
Quality Of Life Features
Rotating Head
No
Power Adjustment
No
Self-Propelled
No
Headlights
No
Easy On/Off
Yes
Head Surface Type Adjustment
None

This vacuum has a power button on top of its handle, making it easy to turn on and off. However, unlike the Wyze Handheld Vacuum, it lacks any sort of suction power adjustment feature.

Design
Tools And Brushes
Brushroll
No
Brushroll On/Off
No
Removable Brushroll
No
Turbo Brush
Yes
Crevice Tool
Yes
Upholstery Tool
Yes
Soft Bristle Brush
No
Hard Bristle Brush
Yes
Extension Wand
No
Ceiling Fan Tool
No
Pet Grooming Tool
No

The Shark CH951 has a few extra tools and brushes. Its turbo brush has a self-cleaning brushroll that removes hair wraps as you clean, and you can use it as an upholstery tool to clean couches. There's a crevice tool to help you clean hard-to-reach areas and a hard bristle brush for tackling more stubborn messes.

The closely related CH950 variant isn't bundled with a hard-bristle brush and comes with a differently-designed motorized turbo brush tool that isn't billed as self-cleaning.

The CH963AMZ/CH964AMZ variants don't come with a motorized turbo brush, but they do come with an extension wand, a bare floor nozzle, a crevice tool, and a hard-bristle brush.

The CH901 comes with a hard-bristle brush and crevice tool, whereas the entry-level CH900 only comes with a crevice tool.

Design
Alternative Configuration
Blower Mode
No

You can use the CH950 and CH951 variants of this vacuum with its turbo brush so that you can clean furniture.

Performance
8.5
Performance
Hard Floor Pick-Up

This vacuum does an excellent job of dealing with debris on hard floors when used with its turbo brush, though you need to keep the vacuum at a fairly shallow angle so that this attachment can collect larger debris like rice or cereal.

8.0
Performance
High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up

This vacuum does a good job of cleaning high-pile carpet. Its turbo brush tool provides a good level of surface agitation on this surface type, enabling it to clear away medium and large-sized debris like rice or cereal. However, its relatively weak suction motor means it can leave behind material that's been thoroughly worked into carpet fibers.

7.5
Performance
Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up

This vacuum has good performance on low-pile carpet when used with its turbo brush tool. The attachment's suction inlet is large enough to accommodate material like rice or cereal. It's also capable of dealing with the majority of fine material like sand worked into carpet fibers, though a small amount can be left behind.

6.0
Performance
Pet-Hair Pick-Up

This vacuum does a mediocre job of dealing with pet hair on low-pile carpet. Its turbo brush tool simply doesn't provide enough surface agitation to remove hair that's been thoroughly worked into carpet fibers, and you'll likely need to make several passes to deal with everything.

8.3
Performance
Suction
Maximum Hose Suction
20.2 inH₂O (5.03 kPa)
Maximum Head Suction
20.2 inH₂O (5.03 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
6.1 inH₂O (1.52 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal "On", (motorized pet brush)
Hose Diameter
N/A

Like many other handheld models, this vacuum delivers great suction performance. It has little to do with the power of its motor and more with the fact that its suction inlet can seal very tightly with the surface you rest it against.

4.6
Performance
Airflow
Maximum Hose Airflow
27.0 CFM (0.8 m³/min)

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+'s airflow performance is poor overall, although it outperforms other handheld options like the Shark WANDVAC. Still, its small suction motor simply isn't powerful enough to move large quantities of air and debris into its dustbin.

8.4
Performance
Noise
Bare Floor
71.8 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
70.7 dBA

This vacuum is fairly quiet overall. You're likely to have some trouble hearing what people nearby are saying if they speak quietly, but it's far from unbearably loud, and it won't be too noticeable if you use it in another room.

7.0
Performance
Maneuverability

This vacuum has decent maneuverability. It's not meant to clean large areas but is still lightweight and portable enough to tackle small messes. The crevice and turbo brush can clean furniture, too. If you want to clean larger areas, consider the CH963AMZ/CH964AMZ variants, which can be used as a compact stick vacuum since they come with an extension wand and a floorhead intended for use on bare floors.

4.0
Performance
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
Sofa Pickup Post Test

This vacuum does a poor job of cleaning debris on fabric furniture. Its Self-Clean Motorized Pet Brush tool is remarkably ineffective in dealing with pet hair, leaving most of it behind. Using it with its hard bristle brush results in only marginal improvement, as seen here. Pet hair gets collected in the tool's bristles instead of being sucked into its dustbin, forcing you to remove any leftover strands by hand.

Performance
Air Quality
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
No

This vacuum does a terrible job of sealing in fine particles, which can escape from its exhaust and panel gaps around its dustbin.

7.0
Performance
Cracks
Wood Cracks Post Test

This vacuum does a decent job of cleaning crevices. Its small suction inlet seals pretty tightly against flat surfaces, and it has little trouble dealing with messes in shallow and medium-depth cracks.

It's worth noting that this vacuum's suction performance was heavily degraded after we'd used it for this test: its filter was almost completely clogged with baking soda, the debris type that we use to evaluate crevice-cleaning performance. If you plan on cleaning a similar type of debris with this vacuum, be ready to clean its filter thoroughly right afterward.

1.0
Performance
Stains
Stain Pickup Post Test

This vacuum makes no impact on stains.

0
Performance
Water
Wet Compatible
No
Water Pickup Post Test

This vacuum isn't meant to deal with liquid spills.