Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuums: Which One to Choose

High score Our score: 9.6/10

Shark

Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vacuum, Dark Blue, WV410BL

9.6/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

See it on Amazon

Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vacuum

Best for: Pet homes wanting longer runtime

Pros

• Boost button for heavy debris
• 50% more runtime than original
• Bristle pet tool
• Onboard tool storage on dock

Cons

• Slightly heavier at about 1.5 lbs
• Single listed power level

Best for: A gold-finish WANDVAC gift

Pros

• French Gold finish
• 4 lbs, 16.5 inches long
• Pet and crevice tools
• LED battery indicator

Cons

• Same core specs as base WV201
• Small dust cup

Best for: Gift-givers who want a stylish finish

Pros

• Luxe Collection premium finish
• 4 lb brushless motor
• Pet tool and crevice tool
• Charging dock with LED

Cons

• Tiny 0.08 quart dust cup
• Runtime not listed

The Shark WANDVAC Cordless Handheld Vacuum in the Luxe Collection (model WV201LBL) is the WV201 dressed up for display. The listing describes four premium finishes, and this one comes in Harbor Slate. Underneath, it is the familiar WANDVAC: a high-speed brushless motor, a 1.4-pound body, a Multi-Surface Pet Tool for upholstery, carpets and pet hair, and a Duster Crevice Tool for tight spots and the car.

You also get the charging dock, a one-touch empty button that drops debris out without touching it, and an LED on the control panel that shows charging status and remaining battery. The specs list a 7.2-volt battery, 80 watts and a 0.08-quart dust cup, which is small, so plan on emptying it after each quick job. The listing does not specify runtime.

Pick this one if the vacuum will live out on a kitchen counter and you want it to look good there, or if you are buying a housewarming gift. If looks do not matter, the standard WV201 below does the same job.

High score Our score: 9.8/10

Shark

Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum, Lightweight at 1.4 Pounds with Powerful Suction, Charging Dock, Single Touch Empty and Detachable Dust Cup,Graphite, Slate

9.8/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

See it on Amazon

Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum

Best for: Quick car and couch touch-ups

Pros

• Just 1.4 lbs
• Washable fabric filter
• One-touch empty
• Charging dock

Cons

• Single power level
• Small dust cup

The Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum is the original WANDVAC in Graphite and Slate. It weighs 1.4 pounds, uses a high-speed brushless motor, and comes with the same pet tool, crevice tool, charging dock, one-touch empty and LED indicator. This listing adds a few details the Luxe listing skips: a washable fabric filter, a 3.6-inch cleaning path, one power level and an 80 dB noise level, which is roughly as loud as a kitchen blender.

One small inconsistency: the capacity is shown as 0.08 liters here, while the other WV201 listings say 0.08 quarts. Either way it is a small cup made for quick pickups. Recommended uses are car interiors, upholstery, carpet and above-floor surfaces such as shelves.

This suits the first-time buyer who wants a simple crumb catcher for the car and couch. If you have a shedding dog or cat, the WV410 below adds Boost mode and longer runtime.

The Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vacuum in French Gold (model WV201GD) is another WV201 variant. The features match the base model: brushless motor, 1.4 pounds, pet and crevice tools, charging dock, one-touch empty, LED indicator and a filtration system that captures dust and larger debris. It uses a fabric filter, a 7.2-volt battery and 80 watts, and it measures 16.5 inches long, 2.5 inches wide and 2.4 inches tall, which is the only WANDVAC here with dimensions listed.

The listing recommends it for beds, cars and pet hair. Choose it if the gold finish suits the recipient’s kitchen; otherwise there is no functional reason to pick it over the standard WV201.

The Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vacuum in Dark Blue (model WV410BL) is the WANDVAC Power Pet. Shark claims it has the most suction of any cordless hand vacuum under 1.5 pounds, based on the ASTM F558 test standard, which is a lab method for measuring vacuum airflow and suction. It adds a Boost button for extra bursts of suction on heavier debris and claims 50% more runtime than the original WANDVAC, measured in its standard mode.

The Pet Tool here has a bristle brush for pulling stubborn hair off delicate fabrics and furniture, and the dock stores accessories onboard. Maintenance is simple thanks to a detachable dust cup and removable filter housing. The cup grows to 0.1 quarts and the battery to 14.4 volts. The description says it weighs 1.5 pounds, a touch heavier than the WV201.

This is the WANDVAC to choose for pet owners or anyone who found the original a bit short on battery. For a whole-home pet hair routine, our guide to Shark vacuums for pet hair covers the full-size options.

Best for: Heavier pet hair and bigger cleanups

Pros

• Motorized self-cleaning pet brush
• Three included tools
• XL dust cup
• Washable filter

Cons

• Heavier at 2.8 lbs
• Not a WANDVAC model

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus Cordless hand vacuum (model CH951) is not a WANDVAC, but it is the step up if a wand feels too small. It weighs 2.8 pounds and uses two cyclonic air streams, which spin air to separate dirt, and the listing says this supports long filter and motor life. It is described as 4-in-1 because you can use it bare or with three tools: a crevice tool, a scrubbing brush and a motorized self-cleaning Pet Power Brush that stops hair wrapping around the brush roll.

Other features include a CleanTouch dirt ejector for hands-free emptying, a washable filter, an XL dust cup listed at 0.1 quarts, a lithium-ion battery and a 2.55-inch cleaning path. The listing does not mention a charging dock. It suits homes with heavy shedders and bigger spills, and gives way to the lighter WANDVAC models when you just want quick crumb duty.

Best for: Buyers happy with a renewed unit

Pros

• Power Pet suction claim
• Renewed via Amazon Renewed
• 1 quart cup

Cons

• Very thin listing details
• Color and specs conflict

The Shark Wandvac WV410CO Cordless Handheld Vacuum is a renewed Power Pet, sold under the Amazon Renewed brand. Renewed means a previously used or returned unit that has been inspected and restored for resale, not a brand-new item. The listing repeats the Power Pet suction claim and gives a 0.1-quart capacity, 160 watts and a handheld form factor.

This listing is thin and inconsistent. The title says Black while the color field says Dark Blue, the filter type says Paper where other WANDVAC listings say fabric, the voltage reads 10.85, and the 3.8-pound weight and 19.8 by 7.7 by 14 inch size look like packaging figures rather than the vacuum itself. The listing does not say which accessories are included. Consider it only if you are comfortable with a renewed unit and can check the contents on arrival; for a gift, the new WV410 is the safer choice.