Shark UltraCyclone vs Shark WandVac: Which Handheld Fits You?
The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 holds 0.43 L of debris and weighs 1.27 kg with a self-cleaning pet brush; the Shark WandVac WV201 is 0.64 kg with a 0.095 L bin and a charging dock. Choose by how much mess you pick up at once.
Data last updated:
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer and retailer listings, not hands-on testing. A listed feature such as a HEPA filter is a specification, not a health or allergy claim.
| Spec | UltraCyclone Pet Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum | WandVac Cordless Handheld Vacuum |
|---|---|---|
| Type? | Handheld Vacuum | Handheld Vacuum |
| Power source? | Cordless (Battery) | Cordless (Battery) |
| Battery voltage? | 10.8V | 10.8V |
| Weight? | 1.27kg | 0.64kg |
| Capacity? | 0.43L | 0.095L |
| Noise level? | 80dB | — |
| Runtime? | 10 min | 10 min |
| Warranty? | 2 years | 1 year |
| Color | Process Black | Slate |
| Bagless? | Yes | Yes |
| Washable filter? | Yes | — |
| App-controlled? | No | No |
| Self-emptying dock? | No | No |
| 2-in-1 mop & vacuum? | No | No |
| Wet & dry capable? | No | No |
| Surface compatibility? | upholstery, multi-surface | multi-surface, upholstery |
| Best for? | pet-hair, small-apartments, stairs | pet-hair, multi-surface, small-apartments |
Can't decide? Ask someone
The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ holds 0.43 L of debris to the WandVac's 0.095 L, but it weighs 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) to the WandVac's 1.4 lb (0.64 kg). That trade-off, plus a 2-year limited warranty against 1 year, is most of the story. The Shark UltraCyclone handheld Pet Pro+ CH951 and the Shark WV201 WV201 are both cordless, bagless 10.8 V handheld vacuums, built for different jobs. This comparison uses manufacturer and retailer specifications only. We have not tested either model.
Shark UltraCyclone vs Shark WandVac: bin size, weight and warranty
Bin size. At 0.43 L (about 0.45 qt) the UltraCyclone's bin is roughly four and a half times the WandVac's 0.095 L (0.1 qt). If you vacuum a shedding dog's bed or a staircase, expect to empty the WandVac often.
Weight. The WandVac at 1.4 lb (0.64 kg) is clearly the lighter, shorter option, with the UltraCyclone at 2.8 lb (1.27 kg). Shark's own pages give different weights for each model (marketing copy versus spec table), so treat the figures as approximate. Both are small enough for a one-handed grip.
Warranty. Shark lists a 2-year limited warranty for the UltraCyclone and 1 year for the WandVac, so the larger handheld carries the longer cover. Limited warranties have conditions, so read the terms on Shark's site.
- Pick the UltraCyclone if you want to clean pet hair from stairs, upholstery or car seats and would like a motorized brush and a larger bin.
- Pick the WandVac if you want something light and small for crumbs, dust and light spills, with a charging dock that keeps it and two tools ready in one spot.
Specs side by side
| Spec | UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 | WandVac WV201 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Cordless handheld, bagless | Cordless handheld, bagless |
| Voltage / battery | 10.8 V, Li-ion (included) | 10.8 V, Li-ion (included) |
| Dust bin | about 0.45 to 0.5 qt (0.43 L) | 0.1 qt (about 0.095 L) |
| Weight | about 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) per Shark's description; its spec table lists 3.09 lb | about 1.4 lb (0.64 kg) per Shark's description; its spec table lists 2.29 lb |
| Length (retailer listings) | about 20.8 in (528 mm) | about 17.9 in (454 mm) |
| Charge time | 4 hours per Shark | Not published by Shark |
| Included tools | Crevice tool, scrubbing brush, self-cleaning motorized pet power brush | Duster crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool, charging dock holding two accessories |
| Emptying | CleanTouch dirt ejector | One-touch empty |
| Other features | Dual cyclonic air streams, LED lights | Brushless motor, LED battery and charge indicator |
| Limited warranty (Shark) | 2 years | 1 year |
Shark does not publish suction wattage or battery capacity for either model, so there is no fair numeric power comparison. The specs here show size, tools and capacity, not cleaning performance.
Brush, tools and charging
The UltraCyclone's motorized pet brush is the main reason to choose it. Shark describes it as self-cleaning, which is aimed at hair wrapping around the bristles. The WandVac comes with a multi-surface pet tool and a duster crevice tool, which suit light pickups rather than embedded hair.
The WandVac includes a charging dock with room for two accessories, so it stays charged and ready. The UltraCyclone ships with a charger, and Shark sells a charging dock separately. The UltraCyclone's larger bin makes longer sessions more practical, though its listed maximum runtime is only about 10 minutes.
Which job each handheld suits
Choose the UltraCyclone if pet hair on fabric, stairs or a car is your main job. Choose the WandVac if you mainly want a handy, always-charged tool for kitchen crumbs, desks and shelves, or you live in a small space where wall storage matters.
If you need a handheld to back up a full-size vacuum, either works; if it will be your only vacuum, neither is designed for whole-home cleaning. A cordless stick would suit that better, and you can browse Shark cordless vacuum cleaner for those, or look at Shark robot vacuum reviews for hands-off floor upkeep. The wider Shark family range and our tool to compare vacuum models show other options.
Unpublished and conflicting figures
- Runtime: Shark's page for the UltraCyclone lists 10 minutes. We could not confirm a runtime for the WandVac on Shark's page, so we do not compare them on it.
- Suction and noise: neither is published by Shark in comparable terms.
- Weight and bin size: manufacturer sources disagree slightly, as shown in the table.
- Accessories: Shark sells extra tools and replacement parts for both models, so check what is included before you buy.
Other handhelds are collected on the Shark handheld vacuums page, and the handheld category category explains how to choose one.
Shark also lists the PowerBoost handheld, which has its own specifications page.
Open either product page for full specifications and current offers.
Are the Shark UltraCyclone CH951 and Shark WandVac WV201 wet/dry vacuums?
No. Both are dry-only cordless handheld vacuums with bagless dust bins. The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 and the Shark WandVac WV201 each run on a 10.8 V Li-ion battery and neither is sold as wet and dry, self-emptying or app-controlled. Their dust bins are small, 0.43 L on the UltraCyclone and 0.095 L on the WandVac, so avoid using either for liquids and use a wet/dry shop vacuum for spills.
Does the Shark WandVac come with a charging dock?
Yes. The Shark WandVac WV201 includes a charging dock that holds two accessories, according to Shark's product page. It also comes with a duster crevice tool and a multi-surface pet tool. The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 comes with a charger rather than a dock, and Shark lists a charging dock as a separate purchase for it.