In today’s whirlwind of activity, a clean home offers a sanctuary of peace. The constant battle against crumbs, dust, and pet hair often feels never-ending. Handheld vacuums have emerged as essential allies in this fight, offering a swift and effective way to tackle messes on kitchen counters and sofas alike. The Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum WV201 enters this arena promising a potent and convenient cleaning solution. But does this sleek device truly deliver on its promises?
This comprehensive Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum WV201 review explores every facet of this popular cleaning tool. It provides you with the detailed information necessary to make a confident purchase decision. We will meticulously examine its design, performance capabilities, and standout features. This will allow you to compare it against other contenders in the market. From the strength of its suction to the duration of its battery life, we leave no stone unturned in our quest to determine if it’s the perfect cleaning companion for your unique needs.
Table of Contents
Product Specifications/Features
General Construction
The Shark WandVac immediately impresses with its robust hard plastic body, conveying a sense of durability and quality craftsmanship. Its modern, compact design is visually appealing, fitting seamlessly into any home. A comfortable grip ensures effortless maneuverability during cleaning sessions. The removable, clear plastic dustbin allows you to easily monitor the amount of collected debris. Best of all, the WandVac arrives fully assembled, so you can dive straight into cleaning without any delay.
Dimensions and Weight
The Shark WandVac’s thoughtfully designed dimensions contribute significantly to its exceptional portability and user-friendliness. It stands at a height of 15.16 inches, has a width of 4.13 inches, and a depth of 9.06 inches. Weighing a mere 1.37 lbs (0.62 kg), its remarkably lightweight nature makes it a breeze to carry around the house. It also allows for effortless navigation in those hard-to-reach, tight spaces.
Dirt Compartment
The dirt compartment has a capacity of only 0.02 gallons (0.07 liters). While this might suffice for quick, minor cleanups, its limited size necessitates frequent emptying. This is especially true during more thorough cleaning endeavors. The transparent plastic construction provides a clear view of the debris level. To remove the dustbin, a release button on top of the vacuum must be pressed, along with a separate yellow button on the dustbin itself. Some users find the removal process slightly cumbersome. For optimal maintenance, the dustbin should be emptied after each use and can be washed with water and detergent.
Filters
The Shark WandVac employs a fabric filter nestled within a pre-filter assembly inside the dustbin. Consistent cleaning is key to preserving optimal suction performance. While the manufacturer doesn’t specify a precise cleaning interval, frequent cleaning of the pre-filter and fabric filter is recommended. This can be achieved by gently tapping them against a garbage can or washing the fabric filter under water. It is essential to allow all washed components to dry completely for at least 24 hours before reassembling the unit. Although the included fabric filter isn’t HEPA-rated, aftermarket HEPA filters are available for enhanced air filtration. These are particularly beneficial for those with allergies. The filter part number for replacements, including HEPA filters, is XHFWV200.
Storage
Storing the WandVac is exceptionally convenient, thanks to its compact size and thoughtful design. It includes a low-profile, standup charging station. This charging station not only holds the vacuum upright, saving valuable space, but also provides designated storage for the included tools and accessories. This ensures everything remains organized and readily accessible.
Battery
The cordless design of the Shark WandVac offers unparalleled freedom of movement during cleaning tasks. However, its battery performance is a notable area of concern. The battery life is approximately 8 minutes of continuous use, which is considerably short for most cleaning needs. Recharging takes a lengthy 118 minutes, resulting in significant downtime between cleaning sessions. A battery life indicator on the power button displays a solid blue light when fully charged and blinks blue when the battery is running low. Frustratingly, the batteries are not removable, and there is no option to adjust the suction power to conserve battery life.
Attachments and Accessories
The Shark WandVac includes several useful attachments designed to amplify its versatility and cleaning prowess. These include:
- Combination crevice tool/extension wand/soft bristle brush: This ingenious three-in-one tool extends your reach and is ideal for cleaning tight spaces and delicate surfaces.
- Upholstery cleaner tool: Specifically designed for the effective removal of pet hair and other debris from fabric furniture.
- Charging station and cable: Ensures convenient charging and organized storage.
- User guide: Provides essential information on proper operation and maintenance.
The attachments effortlessly snap on and off, allowing for swift transitions between different cleaning tasks. A notable absence is a motorized turbo brush, which would significantly enhance its performance on carpets and upholstery.
Performance Analysis
Cleaning Performance
When put to the test in real-world cleaning scenarios, the Shark WandVac demonstrates varying degrees of success depending on the surface type.
- Hard Surfaces: The WandVac truly excels on hard surfaces. It effortlessly picks up medium-sized and even bulky debris with remarkable ease. However, it may require an additional pass to effectively capture finer particles like sand.
- High-Pile Carpet: It delivers commendable performance on high-pile carpets, efficiently tackling medium and large debris. Similar to its performance on hard surfaces, finer debris may necessitate multiple passes for complete removal.
- Low-Pile Carpet: On low-pile carpets, the WandVac continues to exhibit strong performance, adeptly managing bulky and medium-sized debris. It typically clears most fine debris in a single sweep, although an additional pass may occasionally be required.
- Pet Hair on Low-Pile Carpet: Pet hair presents a significant challenge for the WandVac. Its performance is mediocre, often smearing shorter, lighter strands of hair across the surface. Hair frequently becomes lodged on the lint strip at the front of the vacuum. Using the Multi-Surface Pet Tool improves performance.
- Upholstery: The upholstery tool performs adequately in removing pet hair from fabric furniture. Longer strands are easily cleared, but shorter strands may require extra attention and multiple passes.
Suction Performance
The Shark WandVac boasts a maximum hose suction of 39.0 inH₂O (9.71 kPa), and a maximum head suction of 39.0 inH₂O (9.71 kPa). These figures translate to good real-world suction performance, aided by the relatively flat suction nozzle. However, its maximum hose airflow is only 18.7 CFM (0.5 m³/min), indicating poor airflow performance. This limitation means it struggles to move large quantities of air and effectively lift heavier debris.
Noise Level
The Shark WandVac is not the quietest cleaning companion available. It registers 77.8 dBA on bare floors and 75.1 dBA on low-pile carpets. Many users find it to be somewhat loud. The high-pitched noise it produces can be disruptive to conversations and other activities.
Maneuverability
Despite some performance drawbacks, the Shark WandVac truly shines in its maneuverability. Its compact and lightweight design makes it incredibly easy to move around, under, and on top of furniture. The combination extension wand proves particularly useful for cleaning shelves and those hard-to-reach tight spaces. However, some users have noted that it can be tricky to push forward on upholstery due to the tight seal it forms against fabric surfaces.
Crevice Cleaning
The Shark WandVac performs admirably when cleaning crevices. The narrow suction inlet effectively captures debris, even without using the crevice tool attachment. For optimal results, draw the vacuum toward you while maintaining an upright angle.
Filtration
The Shark WandVac effectively seals in fine allergens, outperforming many non-HEPA handheld vacuums in this regard. While the standard fabric filter isn’t HEPA-rated, you can easily enhance filtration by purchasing aftermarket HEPA filters. This makes it a suitable choice for allergy sufferers seeking to minimize airborne allergens during cleaning.
Other Performance Aspects
It’s important to acknowledge that the Shark WandVac is not designed for all cleaning scenarios. It has no impact on dried-on stains and is not suitable for cleaning up liquid spills.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact and Lightweight Design: Easy to carry and maneuver around the home.
- Versatile Cleaning Capabilities: Suitable for a variety of surfaces and messes.
- User-Friendly and Easy to Maintain: Simple operation and straightforward maintenance.
- Good Suction Power: Provides effective cleaning performance for its size.
- Effective at Sealing in Fine Allergens: Helps reduce airborne allergens for a healthier home environment.
Cons
- Expensive: Priced higher than many comparable alternatives on the market.
- Terrible Battery Life: Short runtime significantly limits cleaning sessions.
- Mediocre Overall Cleaning Performance: Struggles with certain types of debris and surfaces.
- Small Dust Bin Capacity: Requires frequent emptying, interrupting cleaning flow.
- Loud Operation: Can be disruptive due to its high noise level during operation.
Comparison with Similar Products
When evaluating the Shark WandVac, it’s crucial to consider its competitors and how they stack up in terms of features and performance.
- Black+Decker Flex Vac BDH2020FL: A more affordable alternative that offers a noticeable improvement in overall performance.
- Bissell AeroSlim: Well-suited for light messes in small areas, boasting a slim design for easy storage.
- Tineco Pure One X: A competitively priced option that delivers good overall quality and performance.
- Mini Broom and Dustpan Set: A simple and effective complement for quick counter clean-ups.
Price
The Shark WandVac positions itself at the higher end of the handheld vacuum market. To see the current price and any available deals, check it out at Amazon
Conclusion/Verdict
The Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum WV201 is best suited for quick and efficient clean-ups in small spaces. It is particularly useful for managing pet hair and dust. Its compact design and decent suction power make it a convenient tool for tackling everyday messes.
However, its high price and subpar battery life make it a difficult recommendation when compared to better-performing and more affordable alternatives. For those seeking better value, the Black+Decker Flex Vac or Tineco Pure One X are worth considering. Ultimately, the Shark WandVac offers convenience, but its limitations might leave you wanting more from your handheld cleaning device.
