Pet hair can be a nightmare to clean, clinging stubbornly to carpets, furniture, and upholstery. For pet owners, finding a vacuum that effectively tackles this challenge without sacrificing convenience is essential. Enter the Shark Rocket series—renowned for its lightweight design, powerful suction, and versatile features tailored for pet hair removal. But with so many models available, how do you choose the right one?
We’ve analyzed top-performing Shark Rocket vacuums, focusing on key factors like suction power, maneuverability, dust cup capacity, and specialized pet tools to help you make an informed decision. Whether you need a lightweight model for multi-story homes or a cordless option for hassle-free cleaning, our recommendations are backed by thorough research and user feedback. Keep reading to discover the best Shark Rocket vacuum to keep your home fur-free and fresh.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
| Preview | Product | Best | Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Shark HV322 Rocket Deluxe Pro Corded | Best Budget Friendly | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Vacuum | Best for Maneuverability | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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SHARK HN175 Rocket Pro Corded Vacuum | Best for Odor Control | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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Shark HV371 Rocket Pro DLX Corded | Best for Deep Cleaning | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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SHARK HV370 Rocket Pro Corded Vacuum | Best Lightweight | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum | Best Overall | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
Best Shark Rocket Vacuum For Pet Hair Review
Shark HV322 Rocket Deluxe Pro Corded
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
The Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro HV322 makes a strong case for pet owners seeking powerful suction without breaking the bank. Its ability to perform thorough deep carpet cleaning is immediately noticeable, and it excels at picking up stubborn pet hair from various surfaces, a common challenge for many households. The inclusion of LED headlights on the nozzle is a thoughtful touch, illuminating hidden fur and debris under furniture and in dimly lit corners, ensuring a more comprehensive clean. This corded stick vacuum is designed to tackle the everyday messes pets leave behind.
Beyond its primary cleaning function, the HV322 offers impressive lightweight versatility, easily converting into a handheld vacuum. This transformation allows for convenient floor-to-ceiling cleaning, making it simple to address pet hair on upholstery, stairs, and even cobwebs in high corners. The XL dust cup, with a 0.68-quart capacity, is a significant advantage, permitting longer cleaning sessions without the frequent need to stop and empty, which is particularly useful in homes with multiple pets. This extended capacity means less interruption and more efficient cleaning.
Specialized pet tools included with this model, such as the Pet Multi-Tool and Pet Crevice Tool, specifically target embedded pet hair and help reach into tight, hard-to-access areas where dander and fur accumulate. These attachments enhance its effectiveness, making it a well-rounded solution for pet-related cleaning tasks. While it offers a larger dust cup than the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light HV301, the latter excels in sheer maneuverability for quick cleanups due to its even lighter frame.
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Vacuum
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light HV301 stands out for its exceptional maneuverability and incredibly lightweight design, weighing under nine pounds. This makes it a breeze to carry around the house and navigate tight spaces, a key feature for homes cluttered with pet toys or furniture. Its ability to convert to a handheld vacuum further enhances its versatility, allowing for quick cleanups of pet hair on sofas, pet beds, or car interiors. The HV301 is designed for users who prioritize ease of use and agility.
This corded vacuum doesn’t skimp on power despite its light frame, offering effective cleaning on both carpets and hard floors, making it suitable for various surfaces where pet hair might settle. Fingertip controls allow for easy toggling between cleaning modes, adapting quickly to different floor types without missing a beat. The swivel steering is particularly noteworthy, providing excellent control around furniture legs and in confined areas, ensuring that no stray pet hair tuft is missed.
While it’s a strong performer for general cleaning and quick pet hair pickups, its dust cup is smaller compared to some other Rocket models. The included Upholstery Tool and Crevice Tool are useful for targeted pet hair removal on furniture and in nooks. Compared to the Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro HV322, it’s more agile and comes at a more accessible price point, though the HV322 includes more dedicated pet attachments for serious fur battles.
SHARK HN175 Rocket Pro Corded Vacuum
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
The SHARK Rocket Pro HN175 (Renewed) brings a unique feature to the table for pet owners: Odor Neutralizer Technology. This system actively guards against bad odors inside the vacuum, aiming to leave your home smelling fresher, a significant plus when dealing with persistent pet smells. Alongside this, it delivers on the promise of deep carpet cleaning and powerful pet hair pickup, ensuring that visible messes are tackled effectively across all surfaces. The combination of cleaning power and odor control makes it an attractive option.
This model maintains the versatility Shark Rocket vacuums are known for, easily converting to a handheld unit for comprehensive floor-to-ceiling cleaning. The XL dust cup, boasting a 0.8-quart capacity, allows for extended cleaning sessions, minimizing interruptions when dealing with large amounts of pet fur. Features like the easy-release foot pedal for detaching the wand, its ultra-lightweight build (under 10 lbs), and LED headlights contribute to a user-friendly cleaning experience, helping to spot hidden pet hair.
The low-profile design and advanced swivel steering further enhance its ability to clean under furniture and navigate obstacles, crucial for reaching where pet hair often accumulates. This renewed model offers a compelling package for pet owners concerned with both cleanliness and lingering odors. While the Shark Rocket Pro DLX HV371 offers a similar deep clean with specialized tools, this model’s odor neutralizer is a distinct advantage for pet-filled homes.
Shark HV371 Rocket Pro DLX Corded
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
The Shark HV371 Rocket Pro DLX (Renewed) is engineered for households demanding thorough deep carpet cleaning and efficient pet hair removal. It demonstrates strong performance in lifting embedded fur from carpets and other surfaces, a critical capability for homes with shedding pets. The unit’s design focuses on delivering powerful suction consistently, ensuring that even stubborn pet messes are addressed. LED headlights on the nozzle are a practical addition, illuminating hidden debris and pet hair that might otherwise be missed.
This corded stick vacuum easily converts into a removable hand vacuum, providing the versatility needed for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and other above-floor areas where pets leave their mark. The XL dust cup, with a 0.68-quart capacity, supports extended cleaning sessions, reducing the frequency of emptying, which is beneficial when tackling significant pet hair accumulation. The easy-release foot pedal simplifies detaching the wand from the nozzle, adding to its overall convenience.
Its ultra-lightweight nature (under 10 lbs) and low-profile design, coupled with Advanced Swivel Steering, make it highly maneuverable, allowing users to easily clean under furniture and navigate around obstacles. The inclusion of specialized pet accessories designed to capture embedded pet hair enhances its suitability for pet owners. It shares the XL dust cup and LED lights with the SHARK Rocket Pro HN175, but its focus on specialized pet tools gives it an edge for homes with heavy shedding, whereas the HN175 prioritizes odor control.
SHARK HV370 Rocket Pro Corded Vacuum
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
The SHARK HV370 Rocket Pro (Renewed) offers a compelling blend of power and lightweight design, making it a strong contender for tackling pet hair. It excels at thorough deep carpet cleaning and demonstrates impressive pet hair pickup capabilities across various surfaces, from hardwood floors to plush rugs. The powerful LED lights on both the handheld vacuum and the nozzle are particularly useful for pet owners, as they reveal hidden dust bunnies and elusive pet hair under furniture and in dark corners. This ensures a more comprehensive clean.
This model maintains the hallmark Rocket versatility, easily converting to a handheld vacuum for floor-to-ceiling cleaning tasks, perfect for getting pet hair off upholstery or stairs. Its XL-capacity dust cup means less frequent emptying, allowing for extended cleaning sessions without interruption, a boon when dealing with shedding season. The easy-release foot pedal is a convenient feature, allowing quick detachment of the wand from the nozzle for different cleaning needs.
Weighing in as a lightweight unit, the HV370 is easy to maneuver, and its advanced swivel steering combined with a low-profile design allows it to glide under furniture effortlessly. The inclusion of a Pet Multi-Tool and Pet Crevice Tool further enhances its pet hair fighting credentials. While it shares powerful pet hair pickup with the Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro HV322, the HV370 emphasizes a more streamlined, lightweight ‘Pro’ design with similar core functionalities and toolset.
Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
The Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless vacuum stands out as a premium option for pet owners prioritizing convenience and advanced hair-handling features. Its powerful suction is designed for whole-home cleaning, effectively tackling dirt, debris, and especially stubborn pet hair on various surfaces. The cordless design offers unparalleled freedom, allowing users to move seamlessly from room to room and tackle pet messes on stairs or in cars without being tethered to an outlet. This model truly shines in homes where pets roam freely.
A key feature for pet owners is the self-cleaning brushroll equipped with Dirt Engage technology, which actively works to prevent hair wrap, a common frustration with long pet hair. This technology ensures nonstop removal of both long human hair and pet hair, maintaining cleaning performance without frequent manual untangling. Furthermore, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology combined with a HEPA filter traps dust and allergens inside the vacuum, which is a significant benefit for households with allergy sufferers or sensitivities to pet dander.
With up to 40 minutes of runtime in Standard mode (measured at the hand vacuum), it provides ample time for most cleaning tasks, and the removable battery allows for flexible charging. While it offers the ultimate convenience in pet hair management with its specialized brushroll and cordless nature, it does come at a higher investment compared to its corded Rocket counterparts. Its cordless freedom and self-cleaning brushroll are significant advantages over corded models like the Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro HV322, though the HV322 offers consistent corded power at a more budget-friendly price point.
Choosing the Right Shark Rocket Vacuum for Pet Hair
Understanding Your Needs
Shark Rocket vacuums are popular for pet owners, but with several models available, selecting the right one requires considering your specific needs. Here’s a breakdown of key features to help you decide.
Key Features to Consider
1. Suction Power: This is arguably the most important factor when dealing with pet hair. Models like the Shark HV371 Rocket Pro DLX Corded and SHARK HN175 Rocket Pro Corded consistently emphasize “deep carpet cleaning” and “powerful pet hair pickup.” Stronger suction means better removal of embedded hair from carpets and upholstery, reducing allergens and keeping your home cleaner. Lower suction means you will have to go over the same spot multiple times.
2. Weight & Maneuverability: If you have a multi-story home or simply prefer effortless cleaning, weight matters. Shark Rocket vacuums are generally lightweight (under 10lbs for many models), but the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded stands out for being exceptionally easy to maneuver, especially with its swivel steering. This is especially helpful for navigating furniture and tight spaces. Heavier models can still be effective, but may cause fatigue during extended use.
3. Conversion to Handheld Vacuum: This is a hallmark of the Shark Rocket series. All of the models listed offer this feature, allowing you to easily clean upholstery, stairs, and car interiors. Models like the Shark HV322 Rocket Deluxe Pro and SHARK HV370 Rocket Pro Corded make this conversion particularly simple. Consider how often you’ll use the handheld mode – if it’s a primary need, a quick-release mechanism (like the foot pedal on the HN175) is a plus.
4. Dust Cup Capacity: Larger dust cups (0.68-0.8 quart) like those found in the SHARK HN175 Rocket Pro Corded and HV322 Rocket Deluxe Pro, mean fewer interruptions to empty debris. This is particularly helpful if you have shedding pets or a large home. Smaller dust cups require more frequent emptying, which can be inconvenient.
Other Important Features
- LED Headlights: Illuminate hidden pet hair and debris.
- Specialized Pet Tools: Crevice tools and upholstery brushes are essential for tackling pet hair in various locations.
- Odor Neutralizer Technology: (SHARK HN175) Helps eliminate pet odors during vacuuming.
- Self-Cleaning Brushroll: (Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless) Prevents hair from wrapping around the brushroll.
- Corded vs. Cordless: Corded models offer consistent power, while cordless provide greater freedom of movement. The Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless offers up to 40 minutes of runtime.
- Warranty: Look for a warranty (like the 5-year limited warranty on the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded) for peace of mind.
| Feature | Shark HV322 Rocket Deluxe Pro | Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded | SHARK HN175 Rocket Pro | Shark HV371 Rocket Pro DLX | SHARK HV370 Rocket Pro | Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Not specified | Under 9 lbs | Less than 10 lbs | Less than 10 lbs | Lightweight | Not specified |
| Corded/Cordless | Corded | Corded | Corded | Corded | Corded | Cordless |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.68 Quart | Not specified | 0.8 Quart | 0.68 Quart | XL-capacity | Not specified |
| Pet Hair Tools Included | Pet Multi-Tool & Pet Crevice Tool | Upholstery Tool, Anti-Allergen Dust Brush, Crevice Tool | Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool & Precision Dusting Brush | Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool & Anti-Allergen Dust Brush | Pet Multi-Tool and Pet Crevice Tool | Self-cleaning brushroll with Dirt Engage technology |
| Swivel Steering | Not specified | Yes | Advanced Swivel Steering | Advanced Swivel Steering | Advanced Swivel Steering | Not specified |
| Handheld Conversion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Odor Neutralizer | No | No | Yes | No | No | Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology & HEPA filter |
| Runtime (Cordless) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Up to 40 minutes (Standard) |
| Headlights | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not specified |
Data-Driven Analysis of Shark Rocket Vacuums for Pet Hair
Evaluating the “best” Shark Rocket vacuum for pet hair requires moving beyond feature lists and examining performance data and user feedback. We analyzed reviews from major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart) and independent testing sites (Consumer Reports, Wirecutter – where available) focusing on keywords like “pet hair,” “suction,” and “performance.”
Our analysis indicates a strong correlation between models marketed for “pet hair” (HV371, HN175, HV322) and consistently positive user ratings regarding hair removal efficacy. We cross-referenced this with reported suction power (often measured in Air Watts, though Shark does not consistently publish this spec) and found models with consistently higher user-reported suction performed better in tackling embedded pet hair.
Comparative analysis of customer reviews revealed that while cordless models offer convenience, corded options (particularly the HV371 and HN175) generally receive higher marks for sustained suction power. We also noted a trend: models featuring self-cleaning brushrolls (e.g., Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless) received overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding maintenance and reduced hair tangling, but at a higher price point. Statistical analysis of review sentiment scores prioritized the HN175 and HV371 as top performers balancing price, features, and proven pet hair removal capabilities.
FAQs
Which Shark Rocket vacuum is best for homes with multiple pets?
For multiple pets, the SHARK HN175 Rocket Pro consistently receives high ratings due to its powerful suction, odor-neutralizing technology, and larger dust cup capacity. This minimizes emptying and helps manage pet dander and smells.
Are Shark Rocket vacuums good on hardwood floors?
Yes, Shark Rocket vacuums are generally safe for hardwood floors. Many models come with a soft brushroll attachment designed to gently clean hardwood without scratching. Always check the model’s specifications and use the appropriate attachment.
How often will I need to empty the dust cup?
The frequency depends on the amount of pet hair and debris. Models with larger dust cups (like the SHARK HN175 Rocket Pro with a 0.8-quart capacity) require less frequent emptying. Expect to empty it every 1-2 cleaning sessions for a heavily shedding pet.
What is the difference between corded and cordless Shark Rocket vacuums?
Corded models offer consistent, powerful suction for the duration of cleaning, while cordless models provide greater maneuverability. The Shark Rocket Pet Pro Cordless offers up to 40 minutes of runtime but may have slightly less sustained suction than corded options.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Pet Hair Solution
Ultimately, the best Shark Rocket vacuum for pet hair hinges on your individual needs and home environment. Prioritize powerful suction and convenient features like handheld conversion and specialized pet tools, as highlighted in our analysis of top models like the HN175 and HV371.
Consider factors like corded versus cordless operation, dust cup capacity, and budget to narrow down your choices. Don’t hesitate to explore user reviews and compare specifications – investing in the right Shark Rocket will make tackling pet hair a significantly easier and more effective task, leaving your home cleaner and fresher.
