Within the realm of vacuum cleaners, the brand Shark is frequently hailed as a beacon for budget-oriented neat freaks since their products are typically cheaper than those of industry titans, such as Dyson or Samsung. The question of Shark vacuum quality tends to stir the pot. But I’ve tested a few of their stick models, such as the Shark Rocket vs Shark Rocket Pro, and found them to be okay. Of course, don’t expect them to be in the same ballpark as Dyson models.
The Shark Rocket Pro is a bit better because it has a self-cleaning roller, which results in less maintenance and makes it ideal for pet owners. It is also more lightweight and comes with a larger dustbin. However, it comes with fewer accessories.
The Shark Rocket, on the other hand, works great on hard floors, but this is the only feather in its cap. It has no anti-tangle technology, is quite heavy, comes with few accessories, and has a small dustbin. In return, it does come with an attractive price tag.
Shark Rocket vs Shark Rocket Pro: Comparison Chart
Shark Rocket vs Shark Rocket Pro: Differences
The Shark Rocket Pro wins 2-1 and has one tie against the Shark Rocket. Keep reading for more information!
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark Rocket Pro
Suction Power & Floorhead
Shark doesn’t publicize the suction power of these devices in air watts (AW), so I measured them myself and found them to be about the same at nearly 100 AW. This puts them shoulder to shoulder with the Dyson V7 but far behind the latest models like the V15. A vacuum’s raw power is a significant factor, but its worth lies in its cleaning effectiveness. So to evaluate their performance, I put them through their paces.
Regarding the included floorhead (main nozzle), these machines come with only one multi-surface cleaning head. But while the HV302 sports a bristle-only roller, the Shark Rocket steps up its game with a self-cleaning roll equipped with Dirt Engage technology.
Hard Floor
The Shark Rocket HV302 did a great job, successfully collecting around 94% of fine and small debris and 100% of larger pieces on the initial sweep. The rest were also quickly picked up when I made an extra pass.
The Shark Rocket Pro also performed superbly on my hard floor. It easily picked up approximately 96% of fine debris and flawlessly captured 100% of medium and large debris. Its main nozzle boasts taller gates, allowing it to easily collect all the large debris that many models without soft rollers struggle with.
Carpet
On my low-pile carpet, both the Shark Rocket and Shark Rocket Pro handled all the large debris with ease and removed most of the fine and small debris on the initial pass. But the situation took a turn when they were confronted with my high-pile carpet. They shoved most of the larger debris forward and failed to pick up all the smaller bits, particularly those deeply embedded. Frankly, I wasn’t banking on their prowess in deep cleaning from the beginning, and I recommend using a Dyson stick for such a task.
Hair Test
Both vacuums performed admirably when it came to picking up hair and fur. However, the Shark Rocket Pro had the upper hand since, as mentioned above, it is equipped with a self-cleaning roller. Its brush roll has some rubber fins that claim to provide “nonstop removal of long hair and pet hair.” I found it wasn’t flawless, it was evident that the Shark Rocket Pro’s self-cleaning roller outshines the HV302’s bristle roller when it comes to reducing hair tangles.
Design & Usability
Winner: Shark Rocket
Attachments & Storage
| Shark Rocket | Shark Rocket Pro |
|---|---|
| Crevice tool Dusting brush Pet upholstery tool | Crevice tool An upholstery tool |
Shark stick vacuums are notorious for being sparse on attachments, and these models are no exception. I know some similarly-priced models that were generous with attachments, such as the Tineco A11 Hero.
The Shark Rocket doesn’t include a wall mount like the Dyson V12 or a self-standing charging station like the Samsung Jet 90, and it also can’t stand upright independently like the Shark Stratos. Hence, regarding storage, I had to lean it against the wall, and it was very easily flipped because it was a bit top-heavy. Fortunately, that’s not the only way – I could detach the top position from the wand and hang it on a hook near the main nozzle. There is no onboard storage space for accessories.
Similarly, the Shark Rocket Pro requires leaning against something for storage, and that’s the only way. I found its weight distribution to be well-balanced, so it didn’t tumble easily onto the floor. I also couldn’t stow any of the included attachments directly on the vacuum’s body, necessitating storing them in a dedicated accessory carrying bag.
Weight & Maneuverability
The Shark Rocket vs Shark Rocket Pro weigh 8.2 and 7.3 pounds, respectively. They are heavier than most of the sticks I’ve tested, but I still felt their movement and maneuverability to be quite good. They felt quite nimble, and the swivel steering worked well.
The biggest drawback is that they are a bit top-heavy because of their design. In the handheld configuration, they are lighter and more compact but still challenging on the arm and wrist over time, especially when you clean overhead areas, such as ceilings.
Corded & Cordless
As a corded vacuum, the Shark Rocket doesn’t lose power over time, and your cleaning schedule can last as long as you like. Nevertheless, it sports a 25-foot power cord, which leans towards the shorter end of the spectrum. Therefore, if you reside in a large house, you’ll find yourself either constantly swapping outlets or reaching for an extension cord.
The Shark Rocket Pro, on the other hand, is a cord-free vacuum, so you can take it anywhere without the worry of hunting for an outlet to plug it in. But you must ensure your cleaning is wrapped up before its battery taps out. I ran it with the main nozzle attached to check its battery life, and here’s what I got:
| Standard | Boost | |
|---|---|---|
| Bare Floor mode | ≈ 23 mins | ≈ 11 mins |
| Carpet mode | ≈ 18 mins | ≈ 9 mins |
| Charging time | ≈ 3.5 hours | |
This model features a removable battery, meaning you can prolong its operational time and bid farewell to downtime by purchasing an additional battery (available on Amazon).
Dustbin & Filtration System
Winner: Tie
The Shark Rocket features a 0.3-liter dustbin, while the Shark Rocket Pro’s dirt tank is slightly larger at 0.32 liter. They are quite small and need to be emptied often. This may or may not be an issue for you, but I don’t want to make multiple trips to the trash can during the vacuuming process.
I’ve found emptying the Shark Rocket’s cup quite complicated: I had to unplug the unit, detach the top portion, and open the bottom of the dust cup. The release button is near the bottom, so my fingers got a bit of dirt. Meanwhile, as for the Shark Rocket Pro, all I had to do was push a slider down.
Both have some pre-motor and post-motor filters, but none of these is HEPA grade. So if you want a HEPA filter, consider another model. All are very easy to access and washable. Shark doesn’t recommend how often to wash them, but I think they should be rinsed in water once per month. Ensure they are completely dry before reuse.
Utilities
Winner: Shark Rocket Pro
The Shark Rocket vs Shark Rocket Pro shares a slide switch on top that switches between two settings: one for hard floors and one for carpets. This only changes the brushroll speed rather than its height or motor power (the roller spins very quickly on carpets and slows down on hard floors).
The Shark Rocket Pro takes the lead with a boost trigger that needs to be pulled to engage “Boost” power, which is ideal for dealing with stubborn messes. But you’ll need to keep the trigger pressed continuously if you want to do extended vacuuming with this mode, resulting in hand/wrist fatigue.
Quick Rundown Of Shark Rocket Pro
- THIS PRODUCT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH LITHIUM ION BATTERY XBAT200.Specific uses:carpet
- Powerful suction for whole-home cleaning: dirt, debris, pet hair, and tough messes. Cleaning path width (in.): 10.63
- Self-cleaning brushroll with Dirt Engage technology allows nonstop removal of long hair and pet hair
- Dirt Engage technology delivers unbeatable cleaning performance on carpets and bare floors compared to all Shark cordless vacuums by removing deeply embedded debris on carpets and by directly engaging bare floors
- Up to 40 minutes of runtime in Standard mode, measured at the hand vacuum. Removable battery delivers the ability to charge in or out of the unit
Quick Rundown Of Shark Rocket
- SHARK ROCKET PET CORDED STICK VACUUM: Ultra-powerful, corded cleaning on carpets and hard floors.
- PERFECT FOR PETS: Powerful pet hair pickup attachments like the pet-multi tool make cleaning pet hair a breeze.
- SWIVEL STEERING: For excellent control and a low-profile design for under-furniture reach.
- CONVERTS TO A HAND VACUUM: With the touch of a button, this stick vacuum cleaner transforms into a lightweight, portable handheld vacuum to take your cleaning above the floor, to tackle stubborn pet hair, and to access hard-to-reach areas.
- CONVENIENT STORAGE: Easily hang the handheld vacuum from the hook on the bottom of the wand.
Product Video
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References:
- Shark Rocket Pro: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403090874130-IZ162H-Series-Shark-Rocket-Pet-Pro-Cordless-Stick-Vacuum-FAQs
- Shark Rocket: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403090644370-HV300-Series-Shark-Rocket-Corded-Stick-Vacuum-FAQs
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.