Our Verdict: The Shark WV200UK is a useful vacuum to have in the house for quick clean-ups, such as spilt cereal or crumbs. We were also impressed by the suction power of this slimline vac during our tests. However, the tiny dust capacity and 8-minute run-time make it unsuitable for bigger cleaning jobs.
Shark WV200UK
Pros:
- Excellent suction for a handheld (one of the strongest we’ve tested)
- Stylish design that doesn’t look out of place on a kitchen worksurface
- Lightweight and easy to use
- 2.5 hour recharging time and a docking station mean it’s always ready to use
Cons:
- No motorised brush bar (or turbo tool)
- Only 8-10 minutes battery life
- Very small dust capacity and bin can spray dirt when emptying
- Louder than we expected
Thinking of buying a Shark handheld vacuum? In our Shark WV200UK review, we take an in-depth look at this innovative vac’s features, accessories and performance.
The Shark WV200UK handheld cordless vacuum is a lightweight model that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use.
During our tests, we were impressed by this vacuum’s suction power and cleaning performance. We also liked the easy-to-use design and how sleek it looks when in the docking station.
However, it’s important to point out that this vacuum is designed specifically for smaller cleaning jobs. It’s not meant to replace a full-size vacuum, or even rival cordless vacuums. Instead, it’s a convenient device for quickly cleaning crumbs in the kitchen, loose dirt in car interiors, or small amounts of pet hair.
How does it compare to other handheld vacuums? And is it worth the relatively high price? Keep reading our in-depth Shark handheld review to find out.
Appearance, Design, And Ease of Use
As soon as we unboxed the Shark, we were impressed by the sleek and stylish design. Unlike bulky Dyson handheld vacuums, we don’t think most people will mind displaying the Shark on a counter-top or side table.
This is important, as Shark’s goal for this vacuum is that it should be convenient and always available for quick spillages. In fact, this is the only way the vacuum is worth buying, as the 8-10 minute run-time means it constantly needs to be on charge when not in use.
We were slightly surprised by the length of the vacuum. It’s bigger than it appears in the promotional photos, which is something to keep in mind if you want to place the docking station below a kitchen cupboard. However, the long design also provides more reach, making it easier to clean floors or ceilings.
The WV200UK also one of the lightest vacuums we’ve reviewed, weighing just 0.6kg. This is considerably lighter than the Dyson V7 Trigger, which is around 1.4kg. The lightweight design makes it easy to clean higher locations that would be awkward with a regular upright or cylinder.
A benefit of the lightweight and balanced design is that it’s allowed Shark to make the WV200UK much longer than a typical handheld vacuum – especially when you’re using the crevice tool. A longer design makes it much easier to clean cobwebs on ceilings, car interiors or around furniture.
With that said, there’s no extension tube like you get with the Gtech Multi Mk2, so shorter people might have trouble reaching higher locations.
We like that the Shark has an “On/Off” button rather than a trigger system. While a trigger system helps conserve battery life, a standard button is more convenient and great for people who might struggle to hold a trigger for extended periods.
A downside of this system is that it’s harder to conserve battery life compared with a trigger which means the vacuum is only running when in use. We didn’t find this to make a big difference to the WV200UK, however, as it’s easy to turn the vacuum on and off with the conveniently placed button.
One of our biggest issues with the Shark WV200UK is the tiny 0.25 litre dust canister. This is one of the smallest on the market and fills up very quickly, so be prepared to empty it often.
Noise Output
Despite the small and lightweight design, the Shark handheld is surprisingly loud. We actually think it’s slightly louder than Dyson handhelds, even though it doesn’t have a motorised brush bar.
If you’re looking for a quiet handheld vacuum for cleaning when your kids (or spouse) are asleep, this isn’t the model to choose!
Battery Life
A drawback of the WV200UK compared to other handhelds is the short 8-10 minute run-time.
Battery life of close to 10 minutes is fine for light tasks and quick spills, but the Shark isn’t a good choice for anything else. You may even struggle to clean an entire car interior before needing to recharge.
For comparison, the Dyson V7 Trigger has a maximum run-time of 30 minutes, although this is in lower power mode and without a motorised tool.
We also found it tricky to judge how much battery is remaining. Unlike models like the Gtech Multi Mk2, the WV200UK doesn’t have indicators for battery level. Instead, the “On” button changes from solid to flashing when the battery is getting low.
An upside of the WV200UK’s battery is the correspondingly short charge time though. As the battery holds less charge, it can be fully charged in as little as 2.5 hours.
Tip: Want to learn more about how Shark vacuums compare to Dyson – including their handheld models? Click here for our Dyson Vs Shark comparison.
Filtration
The Shark Handheld WV200UK comes with a HEPA filter. This is great news for allergy sufferers, as HEPA filters are much more effective at removing dust, pet dander, and other allergens from the air.
This HEPA filter is washable too, so it should last a long time.
With that said, we don’t think this is a great vacuum for people with allergies. The bin emptying system is one of the worst we’ve seen (see the next section), as it flicks dust and other allergens into the air.
Emptying, Cleaning & Maintenance
As you would expect from a vacuum designed for simplicity, we found the Shark handheld easy to maintain.
Emptying the Shark is as simple as pressing a switch on the main body. This flips open the dust canister, allowing dust and dirt to fall into a bin.
This system is simple and quick – but we noticed some major issues during our testing.
One thing to note is that we found the dust canister opens quite violently, which allows smaller particles and allergens to escape into the air. We even found that some of the pasta we used for testing was flicked outside of the bin. We think a hinge that opens slowly would be a much more hygienic solution for future Shark models.
We’re also not big fans of how the dust canister hinges down. The problem is that this makes it difficult to aim where the dust is going to fall – plus, as it needs to be held horizontally, you can’t put it deep inside a bin. A trap door system would be much easier to use.
We liked how easy it is to access the HEPA filter for cleaning though. There’s also the option to fully remove the dust canister. This is great for properly cleaning the canister, which is sometimes difficult on other vacuum cleaners.
Tools and Accessories
As with most handheld vacuums, the WV200UK doesn’t have a traditional floorhead. Instead, the primary nozzle is built into the vacuum’s head.
This nozzle doesn’t have a rotating brush bar. We still found that the WV200UK provided strong cleaning performance, but powered brush bars are more effective at removing dirt and debris from carpets, as they agitate fibres while cleaning.
Sadly, the Shark Handheld WV200UK also doesn’t come with a motorised attachment. A non-motorised pet tool is included (see the photo above), which we found useful for sucking up hair on carpets or car interiors, but a turbo tool would have been a welcome addition.
Aside from the pet tool, the WV200UK comes with a combination crevice/dusting brush attachment. This adds to the vacuum’s long and thin design, making it a useful tool for cleaning under furniture or in other awkward places.
The brush attachment is perfect for cleaning delicate surfaces, such as blinds and polished tables. We found that you need to be a bit careful when using it though, as the brush fibres are quite short. If you accidentally press too hard then the harder plastic may scratch a delicate surface.
When you want the reach without the dusting brush, you can just flip the brush back using a hinge to turn the attachment into a crevice tool. We like this feature, as it’s easier than the usual system of sliding the brush down the tool.
However, the crevice tool is relatively short, which limits its usefulness. This is probably so that it fits into the docking station, but we would have preferred a longer tool.
The WV200UK also has a docking station for charging and storage. This ensures the vacuum is always ready to go, which is important as the Shark’s main purpose is to quickly clear up spills and small patches of dirt.
It’s also great that Shark has included tool storage slots on the docking station. You’re much less likely to lose an important tool if they are always stored in the same place.
A potential drawback, depending on where you want to store the vac, is that the docking station can’t be mounted on a wall. You also need to detach the tools before charging, which is a minor frustration if you tend to use a specific tool.
Suction Power and Cleaning Performance
We put this vacuum through its paces with a variety of cleaning jobs around the home – and we were impressed by the WV200UK’s all-round performance.
But let’s be clear: the Shark handheld vacuum isn’t designed to replace your main vac.
It certainly offers plenty of suction power for a handheld vacuum. If you’ve ever tried to clean with a low-quality handheld, the difference in suction is instantly noticeable. The small capacity and lack of a pet tool mean it’s only suitable for small jobs though.
Our first test involved using the vacuum on a carpeted staircase. We found the WV200UK does a great job at picking up small or medium debris on most surfaces, so it’s brilliant for cleaning up quick spills or sprucing up a staircase.
However, the 8-minute run-time meant we had to rush to clean the entire staircase in one go. It’s possible to clean a staircase in this time, but the Shark is better suited to a quick clean before guests arrive rather than deep cleaning.
We also found it to be a useful vacuum for cleaning up crumbs on the table after a meal. During our testing, it provided plenty of suction power for picking up crumbs in cracks, while the dusting brush protected the table surface.
The only slight drawback during this test was the narrow width of the dusting brush. A wider brush would speed up the job – especially on a large table.
We also liked using the dusting brush for cleaning along the tops of skirting boards. These are often tricky to clean with a regular vacuum cleaner.
For cleaning sofas, we found the non-motorised pet tool to be the best attachment. The Shark’s strong suction power did a decent job during this test, including getting rid of pet hair and crumbs.
Car interiors are another area where the Shark WV200UK comes in handy. The lightweight design, long body and powerful suction make it a great tool for quickly cleaning your car.
However, just like with cleaning around the home, the Shark isn’t a great option for deep cleaning your car. For example, the long, rigid design makes it hard to get into tight spaces or under seats. But for quickly cleaning the dashboard and car seats it’s a useful tool.
We tested this vacuum’s suction strength by using it on dry pasta, which is the type of job the WV200UK is designed to tackle. As you can see from the image above, the WV200UK had no trouble picking up pasta in a single pass on hard floors.
We saw the same result during the pasta test on low-pile carpet, which is impressive for such a small machine.
The downside is that the strong suction means the 0.25 litre capacity fills up very quickly. In fact, it was almost full after the tests above.
Another drawback is that the Shark doesn’t have a motorised brush bar or a turbo attachment. This means it doesn’t do a great job of digging into carpet fibres to remove dust and dirt, although it’s not really designed for deep cleaning.
Despite the lack of a motorised pet tool, we found the Shark WV200UK performs surprisingly well when cleaning pet hair. Don’t expect the performance of more powerful vacuums that have a powered brush bar though.
Price and Value for Money
The Shark handheld WV200UK is an expensive vacuum, with an RRP of around £130 (although you may be able to find it for cheaper than this in a sale).
Is it worth the money though?
If you’re looking for a small and lightweight handheld to use as a complement to your primary vacuum, we think the Shark is an excellent choice. It’s great for cleaning up small spills in the kitchen, or patches of pet hair on rugs, making it a useful extra tool in the home.
If you’re looking for a handheld that can do the bulk of the vacuuming in your home, however, there are better options for the money.
Specification Table
| Ninja Column 1 | Ninja Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Battery | 3.6V |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
| Bagless/Bagged | Bagless |
| Max Run-Time | 8 minutes |
| Charge Time | 2.5 hours |
| Weight | 0.6kg |
| Capacity | 0.25 litres |
| Filter | HEPA |
| Motorised Pet Tool | No |
Comparison With Other Handheld Vacuums
Shark WV200UK Vs WV251UK – What’s the Difference?
The pricier WV251UK has one main advantage over the WV200UK – an extra battery and the ability to swap when one runs out. This gives you an effective run-time of up to 16 minutes, although you’ll need to change the battery half-way through.
If the 8 minute run-time of the Shark WV200UK handheld is the only thing putting you off, the WV251UK could be the perfect solution.
Shark WV200UK Vs Gtech Multi Mk2
While these are both handheld vacuums, they have very different purposes. The right choice depends on what you need from a handheld vac.
The Shark is a sleek and compact vacuum designed for quick jobs, such as vacuuming up dry spills or removing hair from a pet bed. It’s built to be kept within easy reach at all times on the docking station, so it’s always ready to go. The short run-time and narrow floorhead limit how this vacuum can be used though.
In contrast, the Gtech Multi Mk2 is designed to be kept in a cupboard and brought out for longer cleaning sessions (although the 20-minute run-time is still only suitable for shorter cleaning sessions). It’s bigger and bulkier than the WV200UK, but has a wider floorhead for cleaning bigger areas and a long wand for ceilings. Our tests also found that the power tool makes it more effective for cleaning carpeted stairs.
So, if you want a powered brush bar, bigger capacity, and a wider range of tools, go for the Gtech Multi Mk2. But if you want a lightweight handheld vacuum for quick jobs, then the Shark is an excellent choice.
| Ninja Column 1 | Vacuum 1 | Vacuum 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gtech Multi Mk2 | Shark WV200UK | |
| Bag | Bagless | Bagless |
| Filter | Washable | HEPA |
| Price Range | ££ | £ |
| Maximum Run-Time | 20 | 10 |
| Weight (kg) | 1.6 | 0.6 |
| Capacity (Litres) | 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Motorised Tool | Yes | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can The Shark WV200UK Clean Polished Tables?
Yes, the Shark WV200UK can clean polished tables as long as you use the soft dusting brush attachment. Don’t use any of the harder tools, as these could mark the surface.
Can You Use The WV200UK to Clean Carpets?
The WV200UK is capable of vacuuming dry spills on carpets. However, the small nozzle size and lack of a motorised tool mean that it’s unsuitable for deep cleaning carpets.
Can The Battery Be Removed?
Yes, the battery can be removed from the handle of the Shark WV200UK when it needs to be replaced. You should only use genuine replacements bought from Shark.
Summary And Who Should Buy It
We think the Shark WV200UK Handheld is a convenient appliance that’s a useful complement to your main vacuum.
It’s great for quick cleanups and doesn’t look out of place on a kitchen worksurface or sideboard. Our testing also showed the vacuum has enough power to pick up light and medium debris, while doing a decent job with pet hair.
The biggest drawback is the short 8-10 minute battery life. This is fine for quick jobs, but the Shark simply isn’t designed for long cleaning sessions. It also has a small dust capacity, and the lack of a motorised brush bar limits its effectiveness on carpets.
Even so, we still think the Shark handheld provides good value for money – but only if you’re looking for a lightweight handheld to complement your main vacuum cleaner. Don’t buy it as a replacement for your main vacuum, but as an extra cleaning tool.