If the perfect pet-friendly vacuum is what you’re after, then my comparison of the Shark Rocket Pet vs Shark Ultralight Pet is for you.
The Shark Rocket Pet IZ162H performs excellently on hard floors and carpets. Better yet, its roller is equipped with Dirt Engage technology, proving highly effective in reducing hair tangling issues. But it would be better if the dustbin was bigger and the battery life was longer.
The Shark Ultralight Pet HZ702 is also a good choice for pet owners with its PowerFins roller. However, it doesn’t do a good job of removing larger debris, has a small dust canister, and features a somewhat short cord.
Shark Rocket Pet Vs Shark Ultralight Pet: Comparison Chart
Shark Rocket Pet Vs Shark Ultralight Pet: Differences
There is no clear winner here, and both have their own pros and cons! So let’s delve into detail to determine which fits your needs best!
Design & Usability
Winner: Tie
Attachments & Storage
| Shark Rocket Pet IZ162H | Shark Ultralight Pet HZ702 |
|---|---|
| Multi-surface cleaner head Upholstery tool Crevice tool Charger Removable battery (x1) | Multi-surface cleaner head Crevice tool Upholstery yool Precision duster Wand clip Odor neutralizer cartridge Removable battery (x1) |
Neither the Shark Rocket Pet nor the Shark Ultralight Pet come equipped with a wall mount or a freestanding station. Further, owing to their top-heavy design, they can’t stand upright on their own. Thus, leaning them against a wall is the only storage solution. It is worth noting that if you opt for the Shark IZ162H Magenta, you will find it can stand on its own thanks to its MultiFlex wand.
What the Shark HZ702 has in its favor is the included wand clip, which allows me to store the crevice and upholstery tools on the vacuum’s body for easy access during vacuuming. Regrettably, this small yet significant tool is absent in the Shark IZ162H.
Weight & Maneuverability
The Shark IZ162H weighs around 7.17 pounds, while the Shark HZ702 is significantly heavier at 9.74 pounds. These machines generally lean towards the heavier end of the spectrum, and transporting them between floors may be a considerable challenge for elderly individuals or those with physical constraints.
These machines can also be used as portable handheld vacuums, where they are lighter and more compact but still considerably heavier than many other models. They also caused swift hand fatigue during prolonged use, especially when cleaning high areas like curtains or bookshelves.
Both can lay down almost completely flat, allowing them to reach further under furniture easily. However, this task requires bending over. So if you have a bad back, consider the Shark IZ162H with the MultiFlex wand. LEDs on their nozzles come into play when cleaning such dimly lit areas.
Battery Life & Cord Length
As a cordless vacuum, the Shark IZ162H allowed me to carry out cleaning tasks anywhere within its battery lifespan. This one is advertised to run unimpeded for up to 40 minutes when used with an accessory and kept at the lowest power setting. However, my tests with the cleaning head attached painted a different picture, revealing a more rapid battery depletion than originally stated.
| Maximum Battery Life | ≈ 29 mins |
| Minimum Battery Life | ≈ 9 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 3.5 hours |
The Shark IZ162H uses a detachable and swappable battery. So for those residing in expansive, multi-level residences, investing in an additional battery is a savvy decision to double the vacuum’s operation time. For charging, just plug the charger straight into the battery.
On the other hand, the Shark HZ702 is a corded stick vacuum, so you won’t need to keep an eye on the clock while vacuuming since the power source is continuous and uninterrupted. However, its power cord is quite short at 25 feet. Assuming you live in a spacious house, you will find yourself perpetually on the lookout for electrical outlets. But the constant outlet-switching can be mitigated by using an extension cord, allowing you to vacuum larger areas without disruption.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Shark Rocket Pet
Floorhead
Both come with a multi-surface cleaning head that can work on both hard floors and carpets. Better yet, their rollers are engineered to minimize hair wrap issues, earning them the label of being “self-cleaning.”
The Pet IZ162H’s roller features rubber fins called Dirt Engage technology, while the Shark HZ702 has a PowerFins brush roll, which melds rubber fins and bristles – These technologies, unique to the Shark brand, are reputed to decrease hair tangle significantly.
Hard Floor
| Large Debris | Small Debris | |
|---|---|---|
| Shark Ultralight Pet HZ702 | 59% | 100% |
| Shark Rocket Pet IZ162H | 97% | 99% |
The HZ702 picked up all the fine and small debris without hassle, but this one pushed a significant amount of large debris forward due to its low-clearance nozzle. On the other hand, the IZ162H demonstrated impressive prowess in capturing nearly all the debris, leaving only a minimal amount behind.
Carpet
| Large Debris | Small Debris | |
|---|---|---|
| Shark Ultralight Pet HZ702 | Low-Pile Carpet: 99% | Low-Pile Carpet: 95% |
| High-Pile Carpet: 64% | High-Pile Carpet: 99% | |
| Shark Rocket Pet IZ162H | Low-Pile Carpet: 97% | Low-Pile Carpet: 99% |
| High-Pile Carpet: 95% | High-Pile Carpet: 97% |
The Shark HZ702 exhibited excellent performance on my low-pile carpet, collecting nearly all the debris in its initial pass. However, when it came to the high-pile carpet, it encountered difficulties in handling larger particles once again.
The IZ162H still passed my test with high scores across the board – it successfully gathered the majority of debris without a hitch. These are admirable results for a mid-range stick vacuum.
Hair Test
As I pointed out earlier, these models are fitted with anti-tangle rollers. So, I wasn’t taken aback when they effectively picked up all the hair from the floor and sent most of it into their dustbins. At the end of the test session, only a negligible amount of long hair remained on their rollers, which were easily and swiftly removable. So if you’re a pet owner constantly battling the ceaseless shedding of their furry companions, you’ll be fine with either of these.
Dustbin & Filtration System
Winner: Tie
The Shark HZ702 boasts a dust canister with a capacity of 0.37 liters, which is almost identical to the IZ162H’s 0.38-liter dustbin. In the realm of stick vacuum cleaners, these capacities are comparatively small, necessitating frequent emptying that could prove to be a source of annoyance for many users.
While the process of emptying the HZ702’s dustbin is a breeze with a simple push of a button, it becomes slightly more intricate for the HZ702. In particular, it necessitates completely removing the dustbin from the top portion and pressing a button to open the top lid. I found myself using my hand to remove dusty clumps of hair from their cups, which is a prevalent issue with bagless vacuum cleaners.
A vacuum’s sealed system is a crucial factor, particularly for individuals with allergies, as it ensures that all debris and dust remain contained within the unit. Without a sealed system, the filters would be unable to achieve their maximum effectiveness. Fortunately, these machines are all equipped with a fully sealed filtration system.
However, both don’t have HEPA-level filters. Instead, they feature washable foam and fiber filters. There is no set rule on how often to wash them, but I recommend rinsing them under the tap at least every 3 months.
Utilities
Winner: Shark Ultralight Pet
User Interface & Control Method
The control panel of the Shark HZ702 is designed to be incredibly user-friendly, consisting of two buttons: the left one powers the vacuum on or off, while the right one allows for adjustment of changing the suction mode.
The Shark IZ162H has a slide switch within thumb reach to turn the vacuum on and off and toggle between the two surface-type settings: hard floor and carpet. These settings only increase or decrease the spin speed of the brush roll: slower on hard floors and faster on carpets. To tackle more stubborn messes, I just had to pull a Dyson-like trigger. There is no trigger lock feature, but it wasn’t a big deal for me since I don’t use boost mod all the time.
Odor Neutralizer
I discovered a slot on the cleaning head designed for an odor-neutralizer cartridge. This nice-to-have feature enhances the vacuuming experience by emitting a pleasant aroma, adding a touch of freshness to the surrounding environment. The aroma’s concentration can be increased or decreased by turning its handle clockwise or counter-clockwise. Depending on how often you use the vacuum, the cartridge must be replaced every 6 months or more frequently.
Quick Rundown Of Shark Ultralight Pet
- POWERFINS HAIRPRO: Actively grips and captures stubborn long hair, short hair, and pet hair, on carpets and floors.
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
- ODOR NEUTRALIZER TECHNOLOGY: Guards against bad odors inside your vacuum for a fresher-smelling home (vs. Shark HZ702 without Odor Neutralizer Technology).
- ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT: Lightweight design for easy portability and convenience.
- DETACHABLE HAND VAC: Powerful suction in a hand vacuum that weighs less than 3 pounds.
Quick Rundown Of Shark Rocket Pet
- 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
Product Video
Reference:
- Shark Ultralight Pet: https://origin-m.sharkclean.com/exclusive-offer/HZ702WK/shark-ultralight-pet-pro-corded-stick-vacuum-with-odor-neutralizer-technology/
- Shark Rocket Pet: http://origin-www.sharkclean.com/support/product-series/1212/shark-rocket-pet-pro-cordless-stick-vacuum-with-self-cleaning-brushroll/?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r
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.