Shark Ion W1 WV201 - Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum

If you have a few four-legged friends or preschoolers, you know all too well that messes are inevitable. Your fluffy dogs or cats can tramp in mudon to your carpets or your most-loved pieces of furniture.

Parents of 3 or 4-years-old kids perhaps feel like you can never keep your house neat. The minute you pack away your upright vacuum, you turn around to find trails of crumbs, stickers, crayon and pencil pieces and shavings all over the floor.

Guess what? You are not alone! Parents of young kids always find that keeping a tidy house is a challenge! Kids of this age simply love to delve into their surroundings with great curiosity and little care.

But these days there are many dustbusters of different shapes and sizes to make your life easier. However, with lots of inexpensive and attractive models on the market, choosing the right one can be an uphill task.

Each model comes with unique aspects. On top of that, there are at least a few models from only one manufacturer. And how many brands do you know of? Well, we can remember about 10 or 15, which means that you have lots of options to choose from. So which one is the most suitable?

A Shark portable vacuum like the WV201 is worth considering as it is convenient to use, yet inexpensive. We will go through its specifications, pros and cons, and how this device performs on different surfaces during the review. So read on for more details in this Shark WandVac review!

Overview

Shark - The vacuum brand of performance and affordability

With even as little as 2 minutes of online research, you will come across a series of vacuum models from the Shark brand. Shark is a valuable brand with a perfect combination of affordability and performance. Its business strategy revolves around making functional and easy-to-use products for everyone.

Shark is a brand owned by Euro-Pro Operating LLC. With a history of over  100 years, Shark’s household appliances, such as steam-mops, sweepers, and vacuums, have provided cleaning solutions that accommodate our increasingly busy lifestyle.

The company has provided customers with a wide range of vacuum types, from canister to uprights, from corded to cordless sticks, from handheld to, of course, robot vacuums. Shark’s machines excel in lots of lab tests in terms of their effectiveness and reliability.

Aside from many high-rating upright vacuums that have stood the test of time like Shark Apex Upright with DuoClean technology or Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet, the company has recently come up with a few cordless machines to meet the increasing needs of customers. One of these is the Shark Ion W1 handheld vacuum, or Shark WandVac...

Shark WandVac Via: Amazon

Shark WandVac's Pros and cons

If you’ve come across Shark Ion W1 or Shark WandVac or Shark Ion W1 WV201, do not get confused. They’re just different names for the same bagless handheld machine that has been on the list of top rated Shark vacuum. So if, and when, we use these names interchangeably in this article, you know that we are talking about the same machine.

Shark WandVac is a cordless, high-performing vacuum that works effectively on both hard and carpeted floors. But even the best seller has its strengths and weaknesses, and customers are bound to want to know as much as possible about the product that they are interested in.

Given this, let us look at this vacuum’s pros and cons in this Shark WandVac review before going into more detail.

Pros

• Strong suction

• Sleek and modern design

• Extremely lightweight, thus easy to carry

• The dust bin is easy to empty

• The filter is washable

• Charges quickly

• Multiple attachments included

Cons 

• Dust bin capacity is limited

• Motorized brush roll tool is not included

• The HEPA filter is not included

• A little loud

Shark WANDVAC Review

Key features

Dimensions and weight

Shark WandVac is ultra-lightweight as it weighs in at only 1.4 lbs (approximately 0.64 kg), which means users can have an excellent balance and control over this little device. Gone are the days when you lug around a huge clunky vacuum of 14 or 15 lbs to get the mess in the house under control.

The balanced and compact design of Shark WandVac lets you stay on top of your cleaning schedule with little effort. With dimensions of 16.5 x 2.5 x 2.4 inches, the device is comfortable to hold for multiple-surfaces cleaning.

If you have dogs and cats, you know how hard it is to keep your space mess-free and fur-free. Imagine pulling out a bulky canister vacuum to clear up pet hair on the sofa only to find mud on the floor just five minutes afterward!

Some dog breeds like Siberian Husky, Golden Retrievers, or Australian Shepherds are not just fur factories but also very active. They are tireless, high-energy, and require daily exercises. Unsurprisingly, they can turn your living rooms, kitchen, and even bedroom into a huge mess.

While they continuously itch to move on, they can turn your house into gardens and your bedroom into mini zoos. What’s better than stashing yourself in an extremely convenient handheld vacuum like Shark Ion W1 WV201?

Suction power

Shark Ion handheld Via: Amazon

A Shark mini vacuum such as Shark Ion W1 has surprising power for its size. Thanks to a high-efficiency, brushless motor, and wattage of 120 Amps, the machine has impressive performance in its compact design. It has sufficient suction to pick up debris on both carpeted and hard floors with ease.

Given the modest size and weight of WV201, its suction strength is more than enough for a wide variety of cleaning tasks. But do not limit yourself to only those chores around the house. If you use your car every day, chances are crumbs, dust, and dirt have been building up in your vehicle’s interior.

So why are you still weighing up various vacuum options to take care of your car interiors? Look no further, as WV201 is your ideal Shark car vacuum cleaner. The machine’s power and design make it a perfect choice to prevent wear and tear on the upholstery and carpets of your car. Who does not want their vehicle to last longer and retain as much of its value as possible?

Design and ergonomics

Shark WandVac handheld vacuum Via: Amazon

Shark WandVac has a stylish, distinct design that draws your attention right from the first look. From our observation, this is one of the key points that differentiate this handheld from the other siblings of the Shark family.

Shark seemed to focus more on its machines' practicality in the previous models, even on its best sellers. For the WV201, it looks like there is a design overhaul to compete with other handheld vacuum manufacturers on the market. The device looks sleek, sitting on your living room’s sofa table or kitchen countertop.

Remember the days when you had to store away your full-sized vacuums right after finishing your cleaning jobs? With Shark WandVac, you can leave it on any tables or counters. Its elegant design will fit in nicely with a lot of interior design of your house.

You can put this Shark cordless handheld vacuum in a prominent place without worrying that it might look unsightly. More importantly, keeping it within your eyesight means that it is easier to access it when you need it for a quick cleaning job.

But we reckon customers would be hesitant to purchase a handheld only because of  its attractive appearance. Instead, they pay attention to their ergonomics more than anything else. If you are in this group of buyers, you’re probably looking at an appropriate vacuum for your needs.

WV201’s weight means excellent maneuverability. Moreover, this handy device is narrow, allowing you to use it in those tricky hidden areas easily.

Now picture this: you struggle holding an upright or a canister to vacuum those hard-to-reach corners like between sofas, cabinet interiors, or cornices. You’re fed up with installing the right tools to use for these spots.

These are the moments when a lightweight and compact device like Shark Ion W1 Handheld vacuum comes in handy. Its modest weight means that you will have less strain on your wrists.

So if you are thinking of purchasing an easy-to-handle device for your parents, the WV201 would be a great choice! In the same manner, if you are parents looking for an easy-to-use vacuum so that your teenage kids are keen on helping you with the daily house cleaning jobs, the WV201 is your machine!

Filtration

Shark WandVac is a mid-range handheld vacuum, so it does not have a HEPA filtration system. Therefore, if you are allergic to pollen, allergens, or if any of your family members suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, or chronic bronchitis, it’s best to consider other alternatives.

However, this handy vacuum has a fabric filter that effectively prevents medium-size particles from getting inside the device. Besides that, its filter is washable, saving you the replacement filter cost. Most handheld vacuums do not require much attention for maintenance, and WV201 is not an exception.

We will cover more details later about the maintenance in this Shark WandVac review post. So keep reading for more information.

Shark Ion W1 Via: Amazon

Battery and Charging dock

Shark Ion W1 WV201 vacuum is powered by a fade-free 10.8-volt Lithium-Ion battery takes 2.5 hours to charge fully. This machine is also equipped with a charging dock that provides quick access for easy and fast charging. Simply place the unit nozzle-side down once it is plugged.

Moreover, the WV201 users would find its onboard accessory storage super convenient. If you have used other handheld vacuums not installed with these specialized compartments for the attachments, you know how common it is to accidentally lose the tools and then have to spend money to purchase new ones.

You can immediately tell the status of your battery by merely looking at its light indicator, which is the LED blue light - located right next to the handle of the device. When the machine’s battery is low, this light blinks to alert you.

What about when it’s being charged? Well, the light fades in and out steadily. When it’s fully charged, the light will glow in solid blue. If this blue light splashes twice and then pauses, then there is a blockage or clog. So what to do in this situation? Simply turn the unit off and clean it carefully.

While some users usually get their handheld vacuum charged after the battery is completely depleted, Shark recommends us to return your WandVac to its charging dock after each use. This advice is probably to ensure the battery’s longevity and readiness whenever you need emergency cleaning. Besides, remember to always keep the charger cord away from heated surfaces to avoid ruining it.

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Little maintenance required

Shark WV201 Via: Amazon

Maintaining WV201 is pretty straightforward. We will keep things as easy as possible by walking you through the cleaning process of its key components: dust canister and filter.

Emptying the dust cup is within one single press of the button. Simply push on the slider, which is located close to the light indicator, tap it on a dustbin, and you're done! So you do not have to get your hands dirty, and this is definitely what we love about this slim-designed vacuum.

If there is lots of accumulated dust and debris in the dust cup, just press the orange button inside the cup itself and it will come off right away. Now you can wash it with soap and water, slide the table on the dust cup into its slot. Once there is a click sound, you know that it is already in place. Note that you should only install it back in when it’s dry.

The filter is easy and straightforward to access. Once the dust cup is removed, you can slide off the filter, tap it on a dustbin to remove dust and large particles, and rinse it off under cold water. We recommend you to leave it aside till it is dry before sliding it back in. Cleaning the filter couldn’t be easier, right?

Do not attempt to brush the filter as brushing can lead to damage, making it useless afterward. Also, you might want to use two filters for your convenience. One is in the unit. The other one is only ready to be used once it is dry after being washed.

It is essential to let this Shark portable vacuum dry for at least 24 hours. Although this might sound like common sense, we believe it is worth mentioning in this article. If you accidentally put back a wet filter into the machine, you can damage the motor, but even worse, mold can grow within the un-dry filters.

The last thing you want is blowing back mold around the house. So avoid putting a wet filter back into the machine at any cost. For more details on maintaining your Shark WV handheld vacuum, click on the below link:

Short charging time for a comparatively good runtime

Cordless vacuums are becoming more popular because of its ease of use. The length of its cord or wand is not a concern. However, the charging time on some models seems to be one of the most common complaints among users. You might face the same problems with some handheld machines on the market.

However, the WV201 is a different story entirely. Its charging time is 2.5 hours for a run time of 10 minutes. We’ve looked at the charge time of several best handheld machines, and the WV201 takes the least time to charge. For comparison, the Dyson V7, one of the best handheld vacuum for cars and boats, takes 3.5 hours to charge.

You will need to charge the Black & Decker 9.6-Volt Cordless Hand Vacuum for 10 hours to use it for 10 minutes while you can use the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum for about the same time after charging it to full for 3 hours.

While we’ve come across customers’ concerns regarding this machine's run time, we find it decent enough for its price. There are a few handheld vacuum models with about the same battery life but they come at a higher price point.

Moreover, the WV201 has two times more suction power than some of the best dust busters on the market. So if you put charging time, run time, price, and suction strength together for a comparison, the WV201 has certain competitive edges. Not a surprise then that the WV201 has been rated as the best rated Shark vacuum.

Shark hand held vacuum Via: Amazon

Performance

Shark WandVac uses a high-speed brushless motor to ensure strong suction on multiple floor types. Now, let’s see how it works on several different surfaces. Besides that, we will also see how it handles pet hair, one of the biggest challenges of any vacuum type.

On carpet

The machine works excellently on low to medium pile carpet. It effectively picks up small to large size debris. However, we recommend that users should not rely on this device to pick up large chunks of debris as it might clog easily.

The device has relatively weak performance when it comes to tackling ground-in-dirt on high pile carpet. However, we do not find this a weak point for small size vacuums. Handheld machines are not meant to replace full-sized machines on challenging cleaning jobs, which require devices with much more durable power.

On hard floors

Shark WV201 does its job well on hard floors like tiles or hardwood. It clears up dry messes scattered on these surfaces with ease. So if your house floor is a mix of rug, carpet, tile, or hardwood, the WV201 would be a great choice.

Pet hair

You may adore your canine or feline, but you would not love their fur all over the place. The good news is many decent vacuums can tackle pet hair effectively. While many customers assume that only canister or upright vacuums can get rid of pet hair, many robust handheld machines can also leave your space fur-free.

One of those is the Shark Ion W1 WV201. Its excellent performance on pet hair has been recognized by many users that the machine is even called a pet hair handheld vacuum. On medium pile carpet, it picks up hair with ease. However, it slightly struggles with ground-in fur on the rug.

Edges & Cramped Spaces

While most handheld vacuums come in a bulbous shape in one end and more narrow form in the other end, the WV201 is different. Its design is slim from end to end. This unique look, together with the machine’s ideal weight of 1.4lbs, allows users to maneuver it effortlessly.

Thanks to a long and narrow design, the W1 is useful for cleaning up tight spaces, edges, and hard-to-reach areas. The WV201’s tapered nozzles also add to its maneuverability. This Shark handheld vacuum does a decent job of picking up every speck of dirt and debris instantaneously.

Accessories

The WV201 WandVac comes with only two tools, but both are crucial: a crevice tool and a multi-surface pet cleaning tool. Users can attach both of them to the end of the nozzle to clean a more extensive range of floor types and furniture surfaces. We will go through their functions below.

Shark car vacuum Via: Amazon

Crevice tool

Once this tool is installed, you will have around 5.5 more inches of reach to go deep into the upholstery cushions. So picking up the most stubborn crumbs accumulated years ago between your sofa is no longer a challenge. 

This crevice tool is convenient if you need to get around or behind furniture. Also, getting under the seats of your vehicle becomes much more accessible thanks to this tool.

Now you can say goodbye to back pain while vacuuming your car! Unsurprisingly, many customers choose to pick WV201 as their favorite Shark car vacuum cleaner.

Multi-surface pet tool

True to its name, this attachment is an ideal addition for homes with pets. If you are parents of a few four-legged friends, you know that they are the perfect family friends. However, having pet hair stuck to your sofa and furnishings can be a bit of a pain.

If you have an active dog, you might find it challenging to keep your house clean. Even worse, you might have mud all over your floors, as dogs love bringing the whole garden into your living room. We can’t blame them as some dog breeds are only happy when they are on the move.
 
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Regardless of how often these pets can leave a mess in our home, we still love their furry face. We can all keep their company as long as we stash a high-performing pet handheld vacuum like the WV201.

The machine’s multi-surface pet tool can nip your pet fur issues in the bud. It works perfectly for quick cleanups of pet hair on multiple surfaces. Even though the machine’s function shouldn’t be compared with vacuums included with a motorized brush tool, its performance is impressive for its weight and size.

Alternatives 

#1- Shark Pet-Perfect II Cordless Bagless Hand Vacuum - An excellent alternative handheld vacuum for pet hair 

Shark Pet Perfect II Via: Amazon

If you’re looking for a powerful handheld vacuum to tackle pet hair but are hesitant to purchase the WV201 because of its high price point, Shark Pet-Perfect II is worth considering as it is more affordable. Even though the machine weighs more than WV201, its suction power justifies the weight difference. Its wider head is useful to remove pet fur.

The pet perfect tool is a unique selling point of this machine. Thanks to a roller brush inside this tool, once you start to vacuum, it agitates pet hair and dust before lifting them up. While the crevice tool is perfect for hidden spots, the dusting brush cleans up hair on upholstery surfaces.

#2- Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro + Cordless Handheld vacuum - More powerful suction in a slightly heavier device

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ Via: Amazon

If you love the sleek design of the WV201 but are in need of a machine with better suction strength, consider the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro +. It has cyclonic air streams to ensure excellent suction power. Moreover, the machine’s detachable self-cleaning pet power brush reduces hair wrap so that you can vacuum pet fur effectively.

The device’s washable filter lets you clean it with ease. What is more, its CleanTouch dirt ejector allows you to dispose of debris hygienically. This portable handheld vacuum also comes with a crevice tool and a scrubbing brush to reach awkward spots and remove stuck-on dirt quickly.

Conclusion

Handheld vacuums are not as powerful as their upright counterparts. However, these handy little devices genuinely shine when you need quick touch-ups or spot-cleaning. If you have pets or toddlers, you would also find handheld machines, great companions, thanks to their compact size.

The WV201 has been a well-known Shark cordless handheld vacuum for its well-thought-out design and outstanding performance. The machine also picks up dirt and debris on multiple surfaces with ease. Besides that, its lightweight and easy-to-maneuver design is a plus point.

We hope our Shark WandVac review has provided you with useful information to make a well-informed purchase decision. Regardless of several concerns about its runtime, we believe the machine is the right choice for many.

If you are looking for more powerful handheld vacuums with longer battery life, our two above alternative options are good options for consideration. Feel free to leave us your questions or comments below.