To see product details, add this item to your cart.
FREE Returns
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns. How to return the item? - Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
To see product details, add this item to your cart.
FREE Returns
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns. How to return the item? - Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Amazon Warehouse
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
- 7 VIDEOS
Shark WV201RGBRN WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac, Lightweight and Portable at 1.4 lbs. with Powerful Suction, Charging Dock, One-Touch Empty for Car & Home, Rose Gold
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Shark |
Special Feature | HEPA,Washable Filter |
Filter Type | Disk |
Included Components | Multi-surface pet tool, Charging dock, Dual onboard accessory storage, Duster crevice tool |
Is Cordless? | Yes |
|
| ||||
|
|
About this item
- POWERFUL CORDLESS SUCTION: High-speed, brushless motor delivers unbelievable suction power.
- ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT: At just 1.4 lbs., the hand vacuum is designed for maneuverability and easy cleaning.
- EASY TO MAINTAIN: Hand vacuum maintenance is simple with a detachable dust cup and easily removable filter housing.
- FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY: Filtration technology captures dust and large debris.
- ALWAYS CHARGING: Sleek charging dock designed for quick access and fast charging.
- ONE-TOUCH EMPTY: Empty debris with the single touch of a button—no getting your hands dirty.
- LED INDICATOR: LED light on control panel indicates charging status and remaining battery life.
- ERGONOMIC HANDLE DESIGN: Ergonomic handle design provides comfortable cleaning and heightened control.
- INCLUDES TOOLS FOR PET HAIR AND TIGHT SPACES: Use the Multi-Surface Pet Tool for upholstery, carpets, and pet hair. Zero in on tight spaces and car cleaning with the Duster Crevice Tool.
Customer ratings by feature
Frequently bought together
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
- Shark WV201BLBRN WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac, Lightweight and Portable at 1.4 lbs. with Powerful Suction, Charging Dock, One-Touch Empty for Car & Home, Cove BlueFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2
- Shark CH701 Cyclone PET Handheld Vacuum with PetExtract Hair, 8" Crevice Tool, HyperVelocity Suction, Navy Blue/Grey, No SizeAmazon's Choicein Handheld Vacuums17% offLimited time dealFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2
- BLACK+DECKER dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Home and Car Vacuum (BDH2000L)FREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2
- BLACK+DECKER dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Compact Home and Car Vacuum with Crevice Tool (CHV1410L), Blue, WhiteFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2
- BISSELL AeroSlim Lithium Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum, 29869, BlackFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2
From the manufacturer
Product guides and documents
Videos
Videos for this product
1:18
Click to play video
Watch before you buy this handheld vacuum!!!
kherich
Videos for this product
1:37
Click to play video
Our Point of View on the Shark Cordless Hand Vacuum
WTI | We Tried It!
Videos for this product
1:16
Click to play video
Awesome vacuum, especially for pet owners!
Vincent Sandoval
Videos for this product
2:04
Click to play video
Crumbs don't stand a chance with this handheld vaccum!
Amanda Nichols
Product information
Brand | Shark |
---|---|
Special Feature | HEPA,Washable Filter |
Filter Type | Disk |
Included Components | Multi-surface pet tool, Charging dock, Dual onboard accessory storage, Duster crevice tool |
Is Cordless? | Yes |
Capacity | 0.08 Quarts |
Wattage | 115 watts |
Form Factor | Stick |
Color | Rose Gold |
Model Name | WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac |
Product Dimensions | 16.61"L x 2.48"W x 2.49"H |
Noise Level | 80 dB |
Amperage | 3.6 Amps |
Manufacturer | SharkNinja |
Number of Items | 1 |
Controller Type | Push Button |
Control Method | Touch |
Cleaning Path Width | 3.6 Inches |
Portable | Yes |
Item Weight | 1.4 pounds |
ASIN | B0923841BK |
Country of Origin | China |
Item model number | WV201RGBRN |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #2,519 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen) #8 in Handheld Vacuums |
Specific instructions for use | Pet |
Batteries required | Yes |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Looking for specific info?
Product Description
The Shark WANDVAC Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum combines lightweight portability with the incredible suction power of a high-speed brushless motor. Weighing just 1.4 lbs., this lightweight handheld vacuum boasts a tapered nozzle for easy debris pickup and accessories for tackling pet hair, upholstery, and tight spaces. Between cleanings, return your vacuum to the charging dock for fast recharging.
Compare with similar items
This Item Shark WV201RGBRN WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac, Lightweight and Portable at 1.4 lbs. with Powerful Suction, Charging Dock, One-Touch Empty for Car & Home, Rose Gold | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | $129.99$129.99 | -29% $49.98$49.98 List: $69.99 | $129.99$129.99 | $129.99$129.99 | -17% $49.99$49.99 List: $59.99 | $89.95$89.95 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Suction power | 4.2 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.9 |
Battery life | 4.2 | — | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.7 |
For cleaning up hair | 4.0 | — | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
Easy to clean | 4.6 | — | 4.6 | 4.1 | — | 4.2 |
For stairs | 3.8 | — | 3.8 | — | 4.1 | 4.0 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Tranquil Home US | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
power source | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered |
special feature | HEPA,Washable Filter | Portable | HEPA,Washable Filter | Portable, Lightweight | Lightweight, Bagless, Portable | Portable, Lightweight, Washable Filter |
surface suggestion | Upholstery, Carpet | Hard Floor, Carpet | Upholstery, Hard Floor, Carpet, Bare Floor | Upholstery | Carpet, Car, Upholstery | All floors |
capacity | 0.08 quarts | — | 0.08 quarts | 0.1 quarts | 21 ounces | 0.11 gallons |
voltage | 10.8 volts | 12 volts | 10.8 volts | 14.4 volts | 16 volts | 10.8 volts |
noise level | 80 decibels | 80 decibels | 80 decibels | — | 78 decibels | 80 decibels |
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the size, suction, ease of cleaning, performance, and ease of use of the vacuum cleaner. For example, they mention it's easy to reach into small spaces, it has good suction power, and it'll clean away crumbs immediately. That said, some complain about the price.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the suction of the vacuum cleaner. They say it has good as any other vacuum, it is bagless, and easy to use. Some customers also mention that it's the best hand vacuum they have found in more than 15 years. Overall, customers are satisfied with the performance and functionality of the product.
"This is the best handheld vacuum I have ever used...." Read more
"...The suction is strong enough to hang it from your palm. If you try this, best to do it over a soft surface just in case...." Read more
"...about suction power from such a small unit, but it is an excellent vacuum and very easy to use...." Read more
"...brush attachment, if you hold the unit too vertically the suction won't be effective because the suction opening will be too far above the surface..." Read more
Customers like the performance of the vacuum cleaner. They say it does a great job, is surprisingly powerful, and is good for its intended purpose. Some mention that it's very useful and does the simple small jobs they purchased it for. That said, most are happy with the performance and functionality of the product.
"...She couldn't be happier with this choice. Not only is the performance good, but the size is nice and slender and easy to use, and the one touch..." Read more
"...That said, it has a surprisingly powerful motorized (not suction powered) anti-tangle beater brush attachment which is highly effective at what it’s..." Read more
"...It works great for these purposes BUT be sure to clean out the filter after vacuuming up fine dust and debris...." Read more
"...I found the suction power too low and would not work well on the area rug, no matter which attachment I used...." Read more
Customers like the ease of cleaning with the vacuum cleaner. They mention that it has nice storage and charger, and is convenient for small clean-up jobs. They also appreciate the quick release of the dirt cup and the ability to clean away crumbs immediately.
"...slender and easy to use, and the one touch button that dumps out the dirt is super cool." Read more
"...It's easy to empty: Just hold it over a trash can, press the release button, and the canister opens up to empty its contents...." Read more
"...Unlike many handheld vacuums, this one retains the "easy to empty" facility of much larger vacuums, with a drop-down cup to empty...." Read more
"...The quick release of the dirt cup is nice...." Read more
Customers like the size of the vacuum cleaner. For example, they say it's easy to use and barely takes up any space. Customers also mention that it has a small attachment that makes it great to get into small spaces. Overall, customers are satisfied with the size and functionality of the product.
"...Not only is the performance good, but the size is nice and slender and easy to use, and the one touch button that dumps out the dirt is super cool." Read more
"...It's sleek and stylish, has a slim profile to fit in tight places, and comes in various colors, so it's definitely not an eyesore...." Read more
"...I find it to be the perfect overall length; it's long enough to grab some crumbs off the floor without too much exertion, but still short enough to..." Read more
"...Ergonomically, it's nearly perfect. It's long enough to reach the floor without having to stoop as much as you would with many other handheld vacs...." Read more
Customers find the vacuum cleaner easy to use. They say it's convenient, lightweight, and not cumbersome like the old-school vacuum cleaners. They also say it mounts quickly and easily in the dock, and is always charged and ready to go. Customers also mention that the length makes it easy to operate without bending all the way over. They appreciate the dock and the detachable dust cup.
"...only is the performance good, but the size is nice and slender and easy to use, and the one touch button that dumps out the dirt is super cool." Read more
"...It's lightweight, holds a charge, is easy to use, and it's very quiet compared to the last three I have owned...." Read more
"...It's extremely easy to use. It has two buttons. Yes, TWO. One of them is the power button, which you press to turn the device on and off...." Read more
"...It mounts quickly and easily in the dock. No issues aligning with the charging contacts in the dock. It drops into place every time...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the weight of the vacuum cleaner. They mention that it is small and light as a feather. Some appreciate the slim, compact design and the extra filtration. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...Not only is the performance good, but the size is nice and slender and easy to use, and the one touch button that dumps out the dirt is super cool." Read more
"...It's lightweight, holds a charge, is easy to use, and it's very quiet compared to the last three I have owned...." Read more
"...It's very lightweight, which makes it super easy to wield...." Read more
"...Lightweight and easy to store!" Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the vacuum cleaner. Some mention it's pretty reliable, well engineered, and strong enough to work as a primary vacuum in a dorm room or small. However, others say that the attachment is not as strong, the longevity just isn't there, and the docking station is flimsy.
"...Very handy!Anything I don't like about this vacuum cleaner? A few small picky things:..." Read more
"...I received a defective product at first because the vacuum kept shutting off on me...." Read more
"...Good insect capture device too - confirmed once with a large slow moving gnat on a wall and later with a medium sized cockroach on my garage floor...." Read more
"...Boy, am I glad I did! This thing is great! The build quality is top notch!..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the battery life of the vacuum cleaner. They mention that it stopped holding the charge after only 2 months, the battery lasts for about 10 minutes, and it depletes quickly when using it. The base is slender and needs a full charge to get the suction you want. Some say that the battery is non replaceable.
"...it’s larger, doesn’t have quite as much suction and does not have a user replaceable battery...." Read more
"...That's not a problem with the design it just doesn't run forever on a charge. I made a big mistake with one I had before and ran it without a filter...." Read more
"...It's lightweight, holds a charge, is easy to use, and it's very quiet compared to the last three I have owned...." Read more
"...Although those are great features the battery life is a joke. If you are doing very small clean ups you’ll be just fine...." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
You could, of course, use a whisk broom and dustpan, paper towels, or other tools for the task, or you could use a vacuum cleaner and just get it done. The problem with most vacuum cleaners is that you have to haul the large unit out of the cleaning closet, plug it in, and re-wind the cord afterwards. That's a lot of effort just to clean up some crumbs.
Enter the Shark Ion W1: a handheld, cordless, incredibly easy-to-use vacuum cleaner for small jobs. And just like that, the annoyance of having to drag out the "big" tool just to clean up my daughter's post-meal rubble is gone.
Here's why I really like this vacuum cleaner:
1) It's extremely easy to use. It has two buttons. Yes, TWO. One of them is the power button, which you press to turn the device on and off. The other is the button that opens the canister so you can empty it. The two buttons look a lot alike and are right next to each other, so fortunately the canister-emptying one is more of a "slide" than a button, which prevents you from opening the canister when you don't intend to.
2) It's very lightweight, which makes it super easy to wield. I find it to be the perfect overall length; it's long enough to grab some crumbs off the floor without too much exertion, but still short enough to feel like a compact unit.
3) It has two useful attachments. One is an upholstery-type tool, and the other is a narrow-opening "crevice" tool. The latter has a really neat little brush that flips down when you need it - a great way of getting two tools in one.
4) It has a very convenient charging station with a small footprint. Just drop the vacuum into the slot in the charger and it will be ready for the next mess.
5) It's easy to empty: Just hold it over a trash can, press the release button, and the canister opens up to empty its contents.
6) The filter is easy to clean: just pop it out and shake it over a trash can.
7) "Reminder" instructions on how to do things like open the filter cover, remove the filter, and clean the filter are printed right on the device. Very handy!
Anything I don't like about this vacuum cleaner? A few small picky things:
1) It's not a loud device, but its noise can be a little annoying; it's surprisingly high pitched and kind of "whiny."
2) I wish there was a way to mount it on the wall! I would love to have this thing on the wall of our laundry room instead of having to find a small shelf space for it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
A FEW TIPS FOR USING THIS VACUUM CLEANER
-----------------------------------------------------------
- When using the brush attachment, if you hold the unit too vertically the suction won't be effective because the suction opening will be too far above the surface you are cleaning (see my photo which demonstrates this). If you have it angled more than about 45 degrees you'll lose suction power. Unfortunately this means you may have to bend over quite a bit to vacuum things off the floor.
- There is a hinged flap inside the vacuum which you can see when you open the filter cover (show in one of my photos). I found that debris tends to accumulate around this hinge, so you may want to check it and clean it out periodically.
Overall I'm very pleased with this little cleaner. It's not something you would use as your primary vacuum cleaner, but for small messes it is absolutely fantastic.
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2018
You could, of course, use a whisk broom and dustpan, paper towels, or other tools for the task, or you could use a vacuum cleaner and just get it done. The problem with most vacuum cleaners is that you have to haul the large unit out of the cleaning closet, plug it in, and re-wind the cord afterwards. That's a lot of effort just to clean up some crumbs.
Enter the Shark Ion W1: a handheld, cordless, incredibly easy-to-use vacuum cleaner for small jobs. And just like that, the annoyance of having to drag out the "big" tool just to clean up my daughter's post-meal rubble is gone.
Here's why I really like this vacuum cleaner:
1) It's extremely easy to use. It has two buttons. Yes, TWO. One of them is the power button, which you press to turn the device on and off. The other is the button that opens the canister so you can empty it. The two buttons look a lot alike and are right next to each other, so fortunately the canister-emptying one is more of a "slide" than a button, which prevents you from opening the canister when you don't intend to.
2) It's very lightweight, which makes it super easy to wield. I find it to be the perfect overall length; it's long enough to grab some crumbs off the floor without too much exertion, but still short enough to feel like a compact unit.
3) It has two useful attachments. One is an upholstery-type tool, and the other is a narrow-opening "crevice" tool. The latter has a really neat little brush that flips down when you need it - a great way of getting two tools in one.
4) It has a very convenient charging station with a small footprint. Just drop the vacuum into the slot in the charger and it will be ready for the next mess.
5) It's easy to empty: Just hold it over a trash can, press the release button, and the canister opens up to empty its contents.
6) The filter is easy to clean: just pop it out and shake it over a trash can.
7) "Reminder" instructions on how to do things like open the filter cover, remove the filter, and clean the filter are printed right on the device. Very handy!
Anything I don't like about this vacuum cleaner? A few small picky things:
1) It's not a loud device, but its noise can be a little annoying; it's surprisingly high pitched and kind of "whiny."
2) I wish there was a way to mount it on the wall! I would love to have this thing on the wall of our laundry room instead of having to find a small shelf space for it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
A FEW TIPS FOR USING THIS VACUUM CLEANER
-----------------------------------------------------------
- When using the brush attachment, if you hold the unit too vertically the suction won't be effective because the suction opening will be too far above the surface you are cleaning (see my photo which demonstrates this). If you have it angled more than about 45 degrees you'll lose suction power. Unfortunately this means you may have to bend over quite a bit to vacuum things off the floor.
- There is a hinged flap inside the vacuum which you can see when you open the filter cover (show in one of my photos). I found that debris tends to accumulate around this hinge, so you may want to check it and clean it out periodically.
Overall I'm very pleased with this little cleaner. It's not something you would use as your primary vacuum cleaner, but for small messes it is absolutely fantastic.
Important side note: Immediately after unpacking and before charging, remove the filter housing and look at the label that lies underneath. I have two of these. One of the labels ID's the model number as 'WV201 14' and the other 'WV201 U4'. They are virtually identical in external appearance. Both were advertised as WV201. No distinction between the two in the advertising. The 'WV201 14' is rated at 10.8v and the 'WV201 U4' at 7.2v. Both were advertised as new, not used.
The chargers are likewise identical externally but have different wall warts. The 'WV201 14' dock/charger is rated at 13.3v and 0.9a and the 'WV201 U4' dock/charger is rated at 9.6v and 500mA.
This is important for two reasons. If you have two in the same household and accidentally place one in the wrong charger, it probably won't be dangerous but may lead to charging issues as I found out. When swapped, I got a continuous double blink from the vac's LED and it didn't charge.
Secondly, the 'WV201 14' has noticeably more suction than the 'WV201 U4'. The 'WC201 U4' is no slouch but in comparison, it gets the job done while the 'WV201 14' dominates the job and will be more effective for things like pet fur on cloth and carpet. More suction power.
To differentiate the two, Shark should identify these with different model numbers. There's nothing wrong with updating products during their product cycles but if there are functional differences and they aren't compatible with each other, there should be different model numbers.
Short take:
Truly powerful suction. Sophisticated external design. Ergonomically excellent. The important part: as long as the filter is removed and cleaned *frequently* and the tank is emptied more frequently than you would with a larger vac, expect reliable long term performance. The filter is very small and not as forgiving about being cleaned compared to larger vacs with larger filters. Filter removal and cleaning is easy, ~1-2 minute process. Great product. After ~15 months of usage, very happy customer.
Long take:
Probably stating the obvious, this is a great product in its swim lane but it won't replace a more capable vac with a larger ingress point, larger tank and more power. This is first and foremost a supplemental cleaning device for short duration vacuuming of small, light and dry debris. That said, I’ve found that it has enough performance overlap with larger and more powerful vacs to dramatically reduce the need for a larger vac.
I like that it can be staged just about anywhere without drawing attention to itself. It's a design I'd expect from a Scandinavian or German design studio. It doesn't look like a science project or a Fisher Price child's toy as so many cordless hand vacs do.
The motor is surprisingly powerful and more than up to the task of what this seems to be designed for. You'll get a confidence inspiring palm slap when testing it with your hand. The suction is strong enough to hang it from your palm. If you try this, best to do it over a soft surface just in case.
Ergonomically, it's nearly perfect. It's long enough to reach the floor without having to stoop as much as you would with many other handheld vacs. Very comfortable to use. With the ~6 inch crevice tool attached, you’ll have additional reach for both floors and ceilings.
Given the dock, it’s always ready to go. No preparation required. The dock is a tip back design which saves some vertical space. It measures 15” tall when docked. It fit easily underneath my kitchen countertop cabinets. The accessories mount single file behind the vac which keeps the front profile low. It mounts quickly and easily in the dock. No issues aligning with the charging contacts in the dock. It drops into place every time.
The passageway into the collection tank measures approximately 1/4" x 1". Although this seems large enough for a variety of debris, my experience is that it has trouble pulling in solid objects larger and heavier than a pea.
It does well with refrigerator debris, small onion skin remnants, packaging remnants, crumbs, coffee and pepper grounds, etc. It’s great for pet food crumbs and fur on hard floors, table and counter top debris, and window sills. It has the reach and slim size to work well in drawers and cabinets. It’s also great for debris on and around stove tops. It did a fair job with spider webs. I'd guess that it would be great for cat litter as well.
It’s a decent basic car vac for anything within its reach. For detailing and to remove ground in debris, a more powerful and corded hose vac with a crevice tool and other attachments is a better choice. A corded vac will also provide unlimited run time. Most cordless hand vacs seem to have run times of about 9-15 minutes at high power which won’t be enough for some to get the job done.
It might be the ultimate stairs vac. Light, one hand to use, the other to brace yourself as you move up the stairs. No cord to trip on or hose to manage. Good for everyone but great for people that might be a bit unsteady on their feet. The pet hair attachment exceeded my expectations on a thinly carpeted stairway and was almost as effective as using a powered beater brush. It did a great job of removing embedded dog fur from the stairs.
Good insect capture device too - confirmed once with a large slow moving gnat on a wall and later with a medium sized cockroach on my garage floor. Note that large cockroaches might not make it through the intake into the tank but the suction will be enough to keep it attached to the intake until you dispose of it.
Good bathroom vac. Stray hairs, nail clippings, small pieces of packaging, etc. I tried vacuuming single sheets of single ply TP. It pulled one sheet in easily, two stacked sheets pretty well but with three stacked sheets I had to help push it in. They did go in though. If you try this, remove the TP immediately after. The TP will block the filter intake and block air flow to the motor and exhaust.
Photoshop alert: The advertised picture of this pulling in a raging torrent of cereal from about 3 inches off of a counter top was almost certainly created in Shark’s art department. It’s more than up to the task of vacuuming the cereal but you’ll have to be closer. To be fair, vacs rapidly lose suction power with distance. Even an inch can mean dramatically reduced suction. I'm not sure my 12 gallon, 5.5 horsepower shop vac would be able to do what the advertised picture shows.
If vacuuming a lot of hair and pet fur on cloth and carpets is the primary battle, a more powerful corded vac with a hose attachment and beater brush is a better choice. Or a cordless handheld with a powered beater brush. For short duration clean ups, the WV201 and pet tool attachment works surprisingly well.
Shark sells another cordless model called the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus. I purchased this for a family member and can attest to its effectiveness with pet fur, hair and general debris. Compared to the WV201 wandvac, it’s larger, doesn’t have quite as much suction and does not have a user replaceable battery. That said, it has a surprisingly powerful motorized (not suction powered) anti-tangle beater brush attachment which is highly effective at what it’s designed for. The UltraCyclone is usually about about 20 dollars less than the WV201. With the motorized anti-tangle brush doing most of the work agitating and releasing debris, having a lot of suction isn’t as important. Two others to consider based on good reviews are the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum and the Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Handheld Pet Vacuum.
Frequent emptying of the tank will be required for optimal performance. I'd suggest emptying it after every use. Hold it over a trash can, release the access door and gently tap out the debris. Best to visually check the interior when doing this. Occasionally things like a small leaf or piece of plastic will hang and have to be pulled out. ~10-15 seconds from start to finish. Note that the tank door doesn’t always spring open fully. A light push or tap will be required when this happens. The tank door is removable which allows for easier cleaning.
The filter should be cleaned frequently, significantly more so than larger vacs with larger tanks and filters which are more forgiving about the frequency of cleaning. I usually remove the filter and tap it out over a sink after about 4-5 uses. Doing so is quick and easy, ~1-2 minutes from start to finish. I occasionally take it outside along with another filter from another vacuum and blow out the filters and vacuums with compressed air. If you don’t have a compressor, a can of compressed air works just about as well and is useful for many other things.
The filter is easy to remove but it takes a little technique.
Step one: release the tank access door so it is fully open.
Step two: With interlocked or overlapping fingers, cup the vac in both hands so the open tank is facing you.
Step three, use both thumbs to push the filter housing out and into the tank.
Step four: place the vac on a flat surface and remove the filter housing from the tank.
Step five: remove the filter from the filter housing. When new, the filter housing can a little hard to push out but it smooths a bit with usage and becomes easier.
The filter that ships with this Shark is HEPA compliant. This is unusual for cordless hand vacs. The Vacuum Wars site did roundup of 15 cordless hand vacs in 2021. Only four did well with the HEPA test. This was one of the four that did well. HEPA compliance means that it will filter 99.97% of debris down to 0.30 microns. For reference, a human hair is roughly 70.00 microns thick and there are 25,400.00 microns per inch. I consider HEPA filtration to be a baseline requirement for residential vacuum cleaners. Given that I frequently use this in my kitchen, it’s good to know that the nearly invisible debris that HEPA filters catch is not spewing into food products, tableware, glassware, etc. If you are sensitive to airborne allergens and dust, HEPA filtration is important.
Use caution when buying third party replacement filters within Amazon. Definitely read through the advertising and specs before purchasing. There are quite a few third party options but not all mention HEPA filtration. As of this writing, Shark charges $15.95 for one filter in its website. Unknown what the shipping charges are if any. Reference filter model # XHFWV200. Shark’s Amazon store front currently charges $24.95 for one filter. Third party suppliers sell multi-packs for far less. The least expensive I found was 8 for $15.95 or about $2.00 per. The only downside is that it’s almost impossible to know if third party filters from mystery suppliers are manufactured to the same performance/filtration specs as the original.
Against Shark usage recommendations, I tried vacuuming small 13 mm steel screws I happened to spill but it wouldn’t pick them up. Curious but I guess the screws are heavy relative to their size. Not enough surface area for the vac to catch them I suppose.
Among the ‘DO NOTS’ in the manual, Shark cautions end-users that this should not be used for drywall dust, fireplace ash, screws, nails, glass shards, etc. I’d add finely ground powders such as flour, talcum powder, baby powder, etc. Finely ground powders and ash will become impacted in the filter media and cut off airflow to the motor. When this happens, the motor can overheat. If finely ground powders and fireplace ash need to be vacuumed on a regular basis, an ash vac or shop vac with the appropriate filtration should be used. These are somewhat generic warnings given that most indoor residential vacuums should not be used for these things. That said, you can probably get away with vacuuming very small amounts of powders if the filter is removed immediately after, tapped out or blown out. Maybe even washed given that the filters are washable. Regardless, not recommended for this or any indoor residential vac.
I read an Amazon review that said this was loud. Compared to other vacs I've used over the years, this seems to be marginally quieter than others I’ve used. I'm unfairly comparing this to larger vacs for the most part. Perhaps high-end vacs from companies such as Miele offer truly quiet vacs but I can't say from experience. Vacs are just loud. The only household vac I've used that was nearly silent was a whole-house model with the canister permanently mounted and isolated in the basement and a network of hose ports for an electric beater brush attachment installed around the house.
Nitpick: The exhaust ports are side mounted and can stir up dust when working in tight spaces. A hose vac is a better choice for this type of cleaning. On the upside, this will reach into areas that many other hand vacs will not. Perhaps future revs of this vac will baffle or re-route the exhaust ports in such a way to mitigate this. Not an issue ~95% of the time.
The instructions say to turn it on immediately after purchase and let it run until the battery is depleted. After doing so, it should be docked until it is fully charged. I didn't find anything in the manual about having to condition the battery more than once after unpacking it. It probably wouldn't hurt to do so once in a while but maybe not necessary. If you’re experiencing run time issues and have ruled out a clogged or highly restricted filter, it wouldn’t hurt to turn it on, let it run until depleted and then put it in the dock and try again after it’s fully charged.
It should be docked at all times when not in use. Shark customer service says a charge is good for 9+ minutes. A video review I watched seems to confirm a run time of about 9.5 minutes. I haven't measured but experience with many other battery powered devices points in the direction of advertised info being somewhat optimistic or measured in a laboratory-like environment under ideal conditions with a new battery. Maybe not tested at all and calculated based on the motor’s power draw and battery specs. Probably best to assume that a charge is good for ~90% of advertised in real-world conditions. Li batteries lose capacity over time with charge cycles so a year or two in, expect less. If the battery fails out of the warranty period, Shark sells replacements. There are also third-party options.
Note that among the customer reviews in Amazon, you’ll read two types of complaints about the battery life for this vac. One has to do with battery life of only about 8-10 minutes. This is normal. Shark says this will provide 9+ minutes of run time so the estimated 8-10 minute complaint is a non-issue.
The other type of complaint has to do with the vac powering itself down very quickly after turning it on. I have this model and the WV403BR. It’s likely that the WV201 has a thermistor or logic circuitry that will shut it down if airflow is reduced to a point where the motor starts to overheat. This is why it's important to empty the tank and clean the filter frequently. Doing so will keep airflow optimal. I’ll speculate that the end-users in question were not cleaning the filters as frequently as needed. It could also be that they don’t know how to remove the filters to clean them. Or maybe the filter reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced. The filter is mounted in a small housing which slides into a recessed area. It’s not visible when installed. Very little will kill a vac motor more quickly than blocking or greatly restricting the air flow necessary to keep vac motors within the thermal limits of their design.
If and when the battery needs to be replaced, it’s easy to do. The battery is user replaceable but unlike the Shark WV403BR wandvac which is very similar to the WV201, this does not have a pinch-to-release battery design. Instead, it has slots which will require a small pry tool. I’d recommend an automotive pry tool for plastics and delicate surfaces. They’re cheap and useful. They’re made from ABS (I think) and won’t gouge plastics. You can also use a flat head screwdriver but it’s likely to leave small gouges. If using a screwdriver, I’d suggest using a flathead (aka slotted) screwdriver that measures at least 3/8” wide along the blade. The battery release slots are 1/2” inch long.
Very useful product. Definitely recommended. In my experience, it's become one of those products that I wouldn't want to be without. Max convenience, time saving and high performing. Nice work Shark.
Lastly, avoid the shameless mystery companies that were quick to copy or closely emulate the design and sell at less cost. Shark is a well established brand at this point and is backed by solid and responsive customer service.