The Shark WANDVAC is a cordless handheld vacuum. Compared to the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+, it's a lighter, more compact option with a more fashion-forward design that's a little more stylish than the norm. It delivers relatively strong debris pickup performance and is somewhat effective in sealing in allergens. However, its tiny dirt compartment, short battery life, and small selection of attachments do limit its overall versatility.
Our Verdict
The Shark WANDVAC is decent for dealing with debris on bare floors. It has no issue sucking up pet hair and small debris, but bulky material can clog the entry to its dustbin. Thankfully, it feels sturdily built, is easy to maintain, and incurs almost no recurring costs. Unfortunately, it has a short battery life and a tiny dirt compartment, even for a handheld vacuum, so it's best suited for very quick cleanups.
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Good build quality.
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Virtually no recurring costs.
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Easy to maintain.
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Clears small debris on bare floors easily.
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Large debris can get stuck at dirt compartment entry.
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Short battery life.
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Small dirt compartment.
The Shark WANDVAC is a good choice for cleaning debris from low-pile carpet. It does a fantastic job sucking up pet hair and is fairly effective in clearing larger and finer material. It's also lightweight, compact, and has a sturdy, easy-to-maintain design that incurs virtually no recurring costs. However, it's worth noting that some debris can get caught on the fabric filter. Also, its dirt compartment is small, even for a handheld vacuum, and requires frequent emptying.
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Good build quality.
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Virtually no recurring costs.
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Easy to maintain.
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Good performance on low-pile carpet.
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Large debris can get stuck at dirt compartment entry.
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Short battery life.
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Small dirt compartment.
The Shark WANDVAC is good for clearing away debris on high-pile carpet. While it struggles somewhat to clear fine and large debris, it can easily suck up pet hair. It's also easy to carry wherever you need it in your home, thanks to its lightweight design. That said, some debris can get past its pre-filter and stick to the fabric filter, requiring you to clean it after use. Its tiny dirt compartment also needs emptying often.
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Good build quality.
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Virtually no recurring costs.
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Easy to maintain.
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Large debris can get stuck at dirt compartment entry.
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Short battery life.
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Small dirt compartment.
The Shark WANDVAC is an alright choice for pet owners. It struggles a little with pet hair on carpets. Thankfully, it has a fabric filter that provides a good layer of air filtration for fine particles like pet dander. It's also solidly built, easy to maintain, and incurs practically no recurring costs, which is great. It doesn't come with a turbo brush to help clear pet hair on fabric-lined surfaces.
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Virtually no recurring costs.
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Easy to maintain.
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Good air filtration.
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Small dirt compartment.
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No turbo brush.
The Shark WANDVAC is a superb option for short cleanups on stairs. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to pick up and carry, while its cordless design ensures you don't need to stay close to an electrical outlet when cleaning taller staircases. It feels sturdily built, too, and it does a good job of cleaning most kinds of debris on various surface types. You need to work quickly, as it has a very short battery life, even for a handheld vacuum.
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Good build quality.
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Lightweight design.
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Clears small debris on bare floors easily.
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Good performance on low-pile carpet.
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Large debris can get stuck at dirt compartment entry.
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Short battery life.
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No turbo brush.
The Shark WANDVAC is amazing for cleaning your car. Thanks to its lightweight cordless design, it's incredibly portable and easy to carry to any part of your car's interior without worrying about a power cord snagging on anything. It comes with an extension wand to help you clean tight corners, as well as an upholstery brush to clear messes on your car's seats. However, it lacks a turbo brush for easier removal of debris on fabric-lined surfaces. In addition, the short battery life and small dirt compartment can interrupt your cleaning sessions.
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Good build quality.
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Lightweight design.
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Comes with an extension wand to clean tight spaces.
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Good performance on low-pile carpet.
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Short battery life.
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Small dirt compartment.
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No turbo brush.
The Shark WANDVAC is a poor fit for workshop cleaning, though that's a long way from its intended use case. It doesn't have the necessary debris capacity to handle bulky workshop debris like wood or metal shavings, and it will be damaged if you use it for cleaning up liquid spills.
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Short battery life.
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Not liquid compatible.
- 7.3 Bare Floor
- 7.6 Low-Pile Carpet
- 7.5 High-Pile Carpet
- 6.5 Pets
- 8.9 Stairs
- 8.7 Cars
- 5.5 Workshop
- Updated Jul 19, 2024: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Jun 12, 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.
- Updated Nov 20, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to further clarify product information.
- Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.2.
- 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..
- Updated Jan 20, 2023: We've changed the full product name to 'Shark WANDVAC' in order for the review to encompass all model variants.
- Updated Nov 24, 2022: We've updated the text in the review to account for the new tests and scoring methodology in Vacuum Test Bench 1.0 and Vacuum Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Nov 08, 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.
- Updated Oct 03, 2022: We've corrected an error in our review stating that this vacuum is equipped with a HEPA-rated filter. This isn't the case, though its standard XHFWV200 does provide a good layer of filtration. All relevant sections of the review have been updated to remove any mention of this vacuum having a HEPA filter.
- Updated Jul 29, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Mar 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 16, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Sep 25, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Sep 22, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Sep 09, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Sep 09, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Sep 02, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
There are currently two main variants of this vacuum, which differ only in terms of included attachments. We tested the 'Slate' variant of the WV201, which is available in a number of colors, and you can see its label here. We can't say if the WV200 series performs similarly due to its differently configured combination tool.
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Model Name |
Tools and Brushes | Color | Notes |
| WV200/WV200C | Crevice Tool, Upholstery Cleaner | Graphite | WV200C is a Canadian-exclusive designation |
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WV201 |
Duster Crevice Tool, Upholstery Cleaner, accessory storage rack on charging station | Slate | |
| WV201BLBRN | Duster Crevice Tool, Upholstery Cleaner, accessory storage rack on charging station | Cove | |
| WV201GDBRN | Duster Crevice Tool, Upholstery Cleaner, accessory storage rack on charging station | Gold | |
| WV201RGBRN | Duster Crevice Tool, Upholstery Cleaner, accessory storage rack on charging station | Rose Gold |
If someone comes across a different variant than the ones listed, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The Shark WANDVAC is a cordless handheld vacuum that's versatile enough to clean a wide variety of surfaces. It's also very lightweight, with a compact design that makes it easier to maneuver and store than the comparably-priced Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+. However, this compact size comes at the cost of a much smaller dirt compartment, and it lacks a miniature turbo brush tool.
If you're looking for an alternative, look at our list of recommendations for the best lightweight vacuums, the best cordless vacuums, and the best cordless vacuums for pet hair.
The Shark WANDVAC is a better-performing handheld vacuum than the BISSELL AeroSlim/TurboSlim. The Shark clears more debris on bare floors and low-pile carpets, has a larger dirt compartment and an additional upholstery tool, and does a better job of filtering away allergens. It also charges much faster, though the BISSELL has a longer battery life. The BISSELL is also a little more compact and a bit lighter.
The Black+Decker 16V MAX dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum and the Shark WANDVAC have different strengths. The Black+Decker is better on bare floors, has a much larger dirt compartment, and has a longer continuous runtime. Conversely, the Shark does a better job capturing fine allergens, has virtually no recurring costs, is smaller and lighter, and performs better on low-pile carpet. It also recharges much faster.
The Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet and the Shark WANDVAC are handheld vacuums with different strengths. The Black+Decker has a better battery performance and a larger dirt compartment. It also comes with a turbo brush and offers better overall performance on bare floors and high-pile carpet. However, the Shark is better on low-pile carpet. It feels better built, does a better job of capturing fine allergens, and has virtually no recurring costs.
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.
The Shark WANDVAC and the BISSELL Featherweight Stick are suited for different tasks. The Shark is better for spot cleaning, as its cordless handheld design allows you to navigate tight spaces more easily. It's also better built, more effective on carpeted surfaces, and superior when capturing fine allergens, which is a handy addition for pet owners. Meanwhile, the BISSELL is superior when cleaning large areas of bare floors, as its corded design gives you an effectively unlimited runtime. It's also even easier to maintain.
The Shark WANDVAC is a better handheld vacuum than the eufy HomeVac H11. The Shark is more effective on all surface types, has a larger dirt compartment, and recharges much faster. Unlike the eufy, it also has a charging station with an accessory rack and incurs virtually no recurring costs. The eufy has a slightly longer continuous runtime and is a little bit lighter.
The Dyson Humdinger is slightly better than the Shark WANDVAC. The Dyson has fewer parts that require regular maintenance, is equipped with a larger dustbin, has a suction power adjustment feature, and comes with a motorized turbo brush. It also performs better on bare floors and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Shark is a little lighter, feels better built, and does a better job clearing pet hair and fine debris like baking soda from low-pile carpet.
The Dyson V7 and Shark WANDVAC have different strengths and weaknesses, which is normal for vacuums with different intended uses. The Shark is a dedicated handheld vacuum for spot cleaning that feels sturdier and lighter, is easier to maintain and store, and clears more debris on bare floors. The upright/handheld Dyson is better for clearing large sections of the floor due to its larger dirt compartment, longer continuous runtime, and a broader selection of tools and brushes. It also performs better on carpeted floors.
The HoLife HM036E and the Shark WANDVAC are two cordless handheld vacuums with different strengths. While both are similarly well-built and decently easy to maintain, the HoLife is better on bare floors. It has a larger dirt compartment, its battery performance is significantly better, and it also comes with a specialized liquid nozzle for tackling wet messes, though we don't currently test for this. In comparison, the Shark has the edge when it comes to low-pile carpet as it can pick up more small debris.
The Shark WANDVAC and iRobot H1 each have their own advantages. The Shark is easier to maintain, incurs virtually no recurring costs, is notably lighter, and recharges much faster. Conversely, the iRobot comes with a motorized turbo brush as well as a larger dustbin and performs notably better on high-pile carpet. It also has a suction power adjustment feature and lasts much longer in its most energy-efficient configuration.
The Wyze Handheld Vacuum is better than the Shark WANDVAC. The Wyze delivers better performance on bare floors and high-pile carpet, comes with a broader assortment of tools, lasts longer on a single charge, and has a larger dirt compartment. Meanwhile, the Shark has virtually no recurring costs and does a better job sucking up fine debris, like baking soda, from low-pile carpet.
Test Results
The Shark WANDVAC feels well-built. Its body is made of sturdy-feeling hard plastic, though its removable clear plastic dustbin feels like it could break if you drop it. The vacuum itself requires no assembly out of the box.
This vacuum has a simple design that's very easy to maintain. There are a few parts that need to be taken care of regularly.
- Dirt compartment: You can remove the dirt compartment by pressing a release button on the top of the vacuum and then pressing a separate yellow button on the dustbin itself, though it can be a bit tough to slide it free. You should empty it after every use, and you can wash it with water and detergent.
- Filters: The fabric filter is located in the pre-filter housing, which is inside the dustbin. You can clean both the pre-filter and fabric filter of debris by tapping them against the side of a garbage can. You can also clean the fabric filter under water. The manufacturer doesn't specify a specific maintenance interval, but you should clean the filter regularly to ensure that there's no significant buildup of debris to maintain suction performance.
All parts that you can clean with water should be left to dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back in the vacuum.
This vacuum incurs virtually no recurring costs. As long as the fabric filter is regularly maintained, it won't need replacing. If you notice a difference in suction power or somehow damage the filter, you can buy a replacement on Shark's website, as seen here.
This vacuum is very easy to store. It's compact and has a low-profile standup charging station that holds the vacuum upright and has space for the included tools and accessories. If you'd like something even smaller, look at the eufy HomeVac H11, though it doesn't have a charging station or an accessory rack.
This vacuum has a very small dirt compartment, even for a handheld model. As a result, it needs emptying often. While it's made of transparent plastic, there's no max fill line to give you a quick indication of how full it is.
- Shark WANDVAC handheld vacuum body
- Dirt compartment
- Combination crevice tool/extension wand/soft bristle brush
- Upholstery cleaner
- Pre-filter
- Fabric filter
- Charging station and cable
- Vacuum user guide
As this is a cordless vacuum, the range is limited only by the remaining battery life and the room left in its dustbin.
This vacuum is remarkably portable. It weighs considerably less than other handheld vacuums like the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum and can be carried from room to room effortlessly.
This vacuum's battery performance is sub-par. If the vacuum is run continuously, its battery will drain in under 10 minutes, meaning you need to work quickly while clearing larger messes. There's also no way of modulating its suction power, with no low-power mode to help conserve charge. However, it recharges much faster than comparable vacuums like the eufy HomeVac H11. The power button features an indicator light that gives you a rough estimate of the remaining charge as it transitions from solid blue to blinking blue at a low battery level.
This vacuum doesn't have any additional quality-of-life features. If you're looking for a handheld vacuum that allows you to adjust suction power, consider the Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet, which has a more powerful 'Boost' mode for dealing with particularly stubborn debris.
This variant of the Shark WANDVAC comes with a three-in-one combination tool, which acts as a crevice tool and extension wand for a bit of added reach. This attachment also has a flip-out soft bristle brush for cleaning delicate surfaces. There's also a dedicated upholstery tool to clear debris from couches and chairs. That said, unlike the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+, it has no motorized turbo brush.
You can connect this vacuum's crevice tool for a bit of added reach.
This vacuum does a fantastic job of dealing with debris on hard surfaces. It easily lifts away medium-sized and bulky debris like rice or cereal, though you might have to make another pass to clear away large amounts of finer debris like sand.
This vacuum delivers good performance on high-pile carpet. You'll probably have to make more than one pass to fully clear away finer debris pressed into carpet fibers, but it's quite good at dealing with medium and large debris like rice or cereal.
This vacuum delivers good performance on low-pile carpet. It's good at dealing with bulky and medium-sized debris. It can clear way the majority of a large amount of fine debris like sand in a single sweep too, though you might still need to make another pass to get everything.
This vacuum's pet hair cleaning performance on low-pile carpet is mediocre, even when used with its Multi-Surface Pet Tool. It tends to smear shorter, lighter strands of hair around, without lifting up more heavily-enmeshed hair. A lot of hair gets stuck on the lint strip at the front of the vacuum rather than being sucked into the vacuum itself too. Regardless, this vacuum still performs better in this configuration than it does without the tool at all, as seen here. You can see how the carpet looks after being cleaned without the attachment here.
This vacuum has good real-world suction performance. Its relatively flat suction nozzle lets it seal pretty tightly against the ground.
This vacuum's airflow performance is poor. Its small suction motor struggles to move large quantities of air, and it'll have difficulty lifting heavier debris.
This vacuum is a little on the loud side. It makes a pretty high-pitched noise while running that masks the sound of nearby conversation, so it's best to use it in an enclosed room if you're trying to be discrete.
This vacuum is decently maneuverable. It's compact and lightweight, making it easy to maneuver around, under, and on top of furniture and other obstructions. You can also clean shelves and tight spaces with the combination extension wand. Unfortunately, it can be a little tricky to push forward on upholstery since it seals very tightly against fabric surfaces.
With its upholstery tool, this vacuum does a decent job clearing away pet hair on fabric furniture. It easily clears away longer strands, but you'll need to make a few extra passes to clean up shorter strands. You might also need to empty its dustbin if you have a lot of hair to clean up, as it loses suction power quickly as its dustbin fills up.
This vacuum does a great job of sealing in fine allergens. While its fabric filter isn't HEPA-rated, it's noticeably more effective in trapping fine particles than most other handheld vacuums without HEPA filters, like the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+. If you suffer from allergies and want peak air filtration performance, you could also purchase compatible aftermarket HEPA filters, seen here and here.
The Shark WANDVAC does a good job of clearing away debris in crevices. Its relatively narrow suction inlet helps it capture debris wedged in cracks, even without its crevice tool. For the best crevice-cleaning performance, it's best to draw the vacuum toward you rather than push it along a crevice. You'll also need to keep the vacuum at a relatively upright angle for its suction inlet to sit flush with the ground, improving suction performance.
