Shark Pet Plus Review: This Cordless Stick Vacuum is a Must-Have for Pet Owners
Updated: Jul. 23, 2024
Our Product Testing Team put the Shark Cordless Pet Pro to the test. Here's how it performed.
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As pet owners, we know the importance of a top-performing vacuum tailored specifically to the four-legged members of our households. With pet hair accumulating daily, we need a powerful tool that helps us tackle messes more quickly and easily. (And given that the vacuum is most pets’ nemesis, I’d have to say they also agree.)
In your search for the best pet vacuum, you may have stumbled upon the big Shark vs. Dyson debate. Our Product Testing Team recently tested the best Dyson vacuums alongside the most popular Shark models and was immediately impressed with the Shark Pet Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum. Not only is this cordless tool equipped with some impressive pet-centric features, it comes with an affordable price tag (even less than that of the most budget-friendly Dyson pick).
We put the Pet Plus to the test in our lab—sucking up a variety of messes and collecting various data points—and also took it home for long-term testing alongside a household of pets. Here’s how it performed.
What is the Shark Cordless Pet Plus?
With nearly 10 different models, Shark’s cordless vacuum cleaner lineup offers options for every family. The Shark Pet Plus combines Shark’s deep cleaning technology with powerful pet hair pickup designed specifically for pet-loving households.
Its lightweight design and removable hand vacuum offer floor-to-ceiling cleaning. It comes equipped with a crevice tool, an upholstery tool and an anti-allergen dusting brush (with the option to purchase additional attachments tailored to your cleaning needs).
For added convenience, the handle features a slider button, allowing you to easily switch between ‘Hard Floor’ and ‘Carpet’ modes (decreasing and increasing the speed of the brush roll). And a quick pull of the trigger inside the handle activates the vacuum’s ‘Max’ mode, offering a surge in power for cleaning more stubborn messes.
The Shark Pet Plus’s removable battery offers up to 40 minutes of cordless run time for enjoying the following Shark technology and pet-inspired features:
- Hypervelocity Suction:Â High-speed brushless motor provides intense suctioning power
- Slider Button: Easily switch between floor types at the slide of a button
- PowerFins: Flexible silicone fins are engineered to directly engage all floor surfaces and dig deep into carpets to pull up more hair
- Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Clears hair from brush as it cleans
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal: Captures 99.9% of dust, dander and allergens
- LED Headlights: Illuminates debris so you won’t miss any spots as you clean
- Handheld Vac: Converts easily to a handheld for powerful, deep cleaning in tight spaces and hard-to-reach crevices
- Above-Floor Reach: Clean high areas, such as floors, windows and ceiling fans
- Easy-Empty XL Dust Cup: A 0.34-quart cup capacity withstands longer cleaning sessions and features an easy-empty mechanism
When not in use, the Shark Pet Plus features compact and freestanding storage—simply detach the hand vac and clip it at the base of the wand.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Shark Pet Plus
Combining powerful suction with cordless convenience, it delivers deep cleaning from floor to ceiling.
How We Tested It
Our Product Testing Team put the Shark Pet Plus through 15 tests, sucking up handfuls of various types of debris in our lab. We observed the machine’s performance vacuuming up cornflakes and glitter after three passes on tile, high-pile and low-pile carpet, as well as its efficiency at pulling hair out of carpet. We also collected data points on battery runtime, maneuverability and clearance around and under furniture.
While performance was a top priority, we also considered packaging and setup, specs and features, accessories, cleaning and emptying, as well as the value of the product.
Carpet
Despite having smaller wheels than Shark’s pricier models, our testers loved that the Pet Plus glided effortlessly over carpet and easily maneuvered around furniture and under tables. It operated with near perfection on both high- and low-pile carpet and kitchen rugs, snatching up hair and debris without clogging the brush roll. It’s also similarly easy to clean, with all filters coming clean with plain running water.
Tile
That being said, one area where the Pet Plus struggled during testing was on tile. Instead of picking up debris, it pushed most of it around. But after comparing it against other Shark models, we’d say this is a solid choice—and price point—for anyone in search for a vacuum that tackles pet hair exceptionally well on carpets and upholstery.
Attachments
Our testing team next put each attachment to work. The anti-allergen dust brush (which swivels, we might add) made for easy cleaning and rocked on dusty shelves. The upholstery tool operated with such power that it changed the color of a dirty piece of furniture back to its original color by lifting and removing dirt and filth in its path. Lastly, the crevice tool worked quite well in both regular and boost modes to target hard-to-reach areas.
Given the lower price point, our testing team concluded that this is a solid choice for anyone expecting a vacuum that works incredibly well on pet hair, carpets and upholstery. Those looking for a machine that operates equally well on tile should spring for the more luxurious Shark Stratos (but be prepared to fork over roughly $150 more).
Long-Term Testing
We sent the Pet Plus home with our Market Producer and Set Stylist, Stacey Genaw. With a two-level home and a house full of dogs, she made good use of every feature of this vacuum over the course of a few weeks.
The first thing Stacey noted was the incredible convenience of the Pet Plus: “I absolutely love the cordless feature—the charge lasts just long enough for me to vacuum one level of my house,” she says. “But the best thing about it is it’s so lightweight!”
In regards to maneuverability, Stacey notes, “It lays flat and low, so it’s great for getting under couches and tables, and it’s effective at cleaning baseboards and corners.” She adds, “And the attachments work great for getting in all the nooks and crannies!”
Stacey boasts that the Pet Plus performs well even outside of her home. “I have three dogs and two of those are Golden Retrievers that I take everywhere, so you can imagine the mess in my car,” Stacey adds. “I love using the handheld vac in my car—it works great to get those hard golden hairs off my car mats!”
Echoing our Testing Team’s experience in the lab, Stacey notes that the Pet Plus did not perform as well on hard floors. “If you’re moving the vacuum forward, it cleans up nicely,” explains Stacey. “But any back and forth action just pushes the debris behind you and you must pick it up and go forward at it.”
Stacey also reports that while the vacuum does a great job of picking up all her dogs’ fur, she is constantly unclogging the vacuum. “I know I have two Golden Retrievers with lots of hair, but I clog this thing up every time I use it.”
Pros
- Cordless and lightweight
- Great maneuverability
- Converts to handheld vac
- Convenient attachments
- LED headlights
- High-capacity bin
- Reusable HEPA filter
- Upright storage
- Budget-friendly option
Cons
- Does not perform well on tile or hardwood floors
- May clog easily in multi-pet households
Why You Should Trust Us
When it comes to cleaning products, our Product Testing Team aren’t just testers—they’re users, too! We all have homes to keep tidy, and when a product impresses us, we bring it home and make it a part of our regular cleaning routine.
Our Product Testing Team has three years of combined experience testing and evaluating everything from the best toasters to the best grill brushes for backyard barbequing. For each test, our product testing experts spend over 40 hours conducting firsthand research in our Testing Lab, including researching and sourcing products. We strive to recommend the very best products using honest and fair testing practices.
Where to Buy the Shark Cordless Pet Plus
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Shark Pet Plus
Combining powerful suction with cordless convenience, it delivers deep cleaning from floor to ceiling.
The Shark Pet Plus is available at many retailers, including Amazon and Kohl’s. You can also buy it directly from Shark. It’s our top pick if you’re on a budget but still want cordless, pet-hair suctioning power.
Originally Published: July 23, 2024
