Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Review

Hey, it's me with the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum! © Vacuumtester

Vacuum cleaner brand Shark has a wide range of vacuum cleaners. Increasingly, the brand launches cordless stick vacuums, including one specifically designed for pet hair removal. I decided to purchase one of the newest Shark stick vacuums and thoroughly test it: the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum (IX141). Let's dive into my review quickly because the question is, is this vacuum worth considering?

Design: wireless, bagless stick vacuum

The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum – as the name suggests – is a wireless and bagless stick vacuum. The vacuum feels sturdy and is made of high-quality plastic. The included components also feel robust, and I have the sense that the vacuum can withstand some bumps.

Unboxing Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum

Below, take a look at the complete contents of the packaging of the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum IX141:

1. Main body
2. Motorized floor brush
3. Crevice tool
4. Furniture brush/Pet Hair Tool
5. Vacuum Rod
6. Charger

Suction Performance Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum

Let me begin with the investigation into the suction performance. In other words, how powerful is this Shark vacuum? I always measure suction power in kilopascals (kPa) and AirFlow in meters per second. With these metrics, I can compare vacuums and assess how well this Shark performs compared to other vacuums in my reviews.

Suction Power and AirFlow measurements

The suction power of the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum measures at 4 kPa. This is relatively low compared to other stick vacuums. However, the vacuum also features a turbo mode. When I activate this, the suction power jumps to 9 kilopascals. Still, it's not exceptionally high. For instance, in the Tineco Pure One S15 review, I measured a suction power of 10 kPa in the normal mode.

Suction Power Measurement © Vacuumtester

The AirFlow of this cordless Shark stick vacuum measures at 7 meters per second in the normal mode and 14 meters per second in the turbo mode. This is also significantly lower than other stick vacuums I have tested.

Airflow measurement. © Vacuumtester

Cleaning Performance Shark Pet Stick Vacuum

Time to actually test the vacuum on various floor types. I tested the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum on three different floors (high-pile carpet, wooden floors, and low-pile carpet) with different sizes of debris (macaroni, rice, and pet hair).

Tested on Different Floor Types

While vacuuming with the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum, I encounter no issues on wooden floors. The motorized floor brush even pulls the vacuum forward a bit, making it feel less heavy. There is no debris left behind, and nothing is pushed forward. The same applies to high-pile and low-pile carpets: here, too, the dirt is vacuumed up neatly, leaving nothing behind. I do notice that vacuuming feels slightly heavier and more challenging than on the smooth wooden floor.

I've tested the vacuum on different floors. © Vacuumtester

Adjustable Suction Power and Turbo Mode

The suction power of the vacuum can be adjusted for different floor types. There is a mode for soft floors (carpet) and hard floors (delicate wooden floors). The suction power increases when the vacuum is set to carpet mode. Additionally, there is even a turbo mode available, where the suction power is temporarily increased with a trigger. However, this does have a negative impact on the battery life. I'll discuss that in more detail shortly.

© Vacuumtester

Usability of this Shark Stick Vacuum

How comfortable do I experience the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum when I'm vacuuming with it? That depends on various factors. For instance, weight is an important point since it's a cordless vacuum that you have to hold constantly. And of course, we don't want to vacuum with an enormous noise maker… In short, user-friendliness is determined by various factors.

Noise level: average

If you're looking for the best quiet vacuum, opting for a stick vacuum might not be the ideal choice. A cordless bagless vacuum tends to produce more noise. This is highlighted by the sound measurement of the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum, which registers at 75.4 decibels.

No, it isn't a quiet vacuum… © Vacuumtester

Comparing this to other stick vacuums, it falls within the average range. However, it's still a relatively high noise level.

Battery Life: lasts not very long

Whereas with corded vacuums, I consider the cord length to assess the cleaning radius, with cordless stick vacuums, it's the battery life that matters. And not only the battery life after a full charge but also the lifespan of the battery. Nowadays, it's crucial to conduct thorough research in this regard. The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum has a battery life of only 21 minutes. This is relatively short compared to other stick vacuums. For instance, looking at Dyson, the comparable Dyson V8 stick vacuum has a battery life that is twice as long (read my Dyson V8 review here).

Unfortunately, there is also no easily replaceable battery. 🙁 A drawback in my opinion, as it is increasingly evident that the batteries of stick vacuums can wear out quickly. For example, at Dyson, replacing the battery seems to have become a standard practice.

Weight: Feels a Bit Heavy

A stick vacuum is carried in its entirety, unlike, for example, a canister vacuum that you can drag behind you. Therefore, weight becomes a more critical factor here than with other vacuums, and this factor carries more weight in assessing user-friendliness. The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum weighs 3.186 kilograms. It may not be the lightest vacuum, but I want to emphasize that the vacuum does not feel heavy during use.

The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum on the scale. © Vacuumtester

Maintenance

The vacuum is equipped with a dustbin with a capacity of 0.78 liters. You should be prepared to empty the vacuum regularly. Fortunately, this turns out to be very easy: you can easily detach the dustbin from the wand, allowing you to empty it effortlessly above the trash can.

Under the hood, I discover three different filters: a pre-filter, a foam filter, and a motor filter. Unfortunately, I don't find a HEPA filter, a filter that ensures good filtration and low dust emission. Not entirely unimportant in a household with pets, for which this vacuum is supposed to be suitable…🤔

Price: low-priced Stick Vacuum

Last but not least: the price! The vacuum has an average retail price of $260. In my opinion, this is a very attractive, low price for a stick vacuum of this caliber. To circle back to the – in my opinion – comparable Dyson V8; it is about $100 more expensive. It's wise to check in advance if the vacuum is on sale, as it is available on various retailers, including here at Amazon.

Conclusie Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum

The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum performs well on every floor type, delivering excellent cleaning results on both hard and soft floors. This is thanks to the motorized floor brush, which can be adjusted for specific floor types. The included accessories make it versatile.

I find the vacuum less suitable for removing pet hair. Although a mini brush is included, it is not motorized, which, in my opinion, is essential. Also, it lacks a HEPA filter, which I consider necessary for a vacuum used in a household with a dog or cat.

If you're looking for a simple vacuum suitable for every floor type, then this is a good choice, especially considering the price of around $260 (at the moment, it's even on sale for $199 on Amazon!) which is quite affordable. However, if you're specifically looking for a top vacuum for pet hair removal, I would recommend skipping this vacuum and checking out the list of the best-tested vacuums for pet hair.