Are you looking for a compact and efficient stick cordless vacuum cleaner? Look no further than the Shark WS632 vs WS642. This comprehensive review shares my firsthand experience with these two impressive machines. Despite their similarities, they each have unique features and capabilities that set them apart.
The Shark WS632 caught my attention with its sleek and compact design. With its ability to transform into a handheld cleaner, this vacuum is highly versatile, making it effortless to do various cleaning tasks. In addition, its outstanding performance on multiple surfaces, such as hardwood floors, tiles, and area rugs, impressed me.
The Shark WS642 is equipped with PowerFins technology to prevent hair from getting tangled around the brush roll, making cleaning effortless. The dust cup is designed for easy emptying with just one touch, making maintenance a breeze. Its compact and cordless design allows you to easily clean every nook and cranny, whether at home or on a camping trip.
Shark WS632 vs WS642: Comparison Chart
Shark WS632 vs WS642: Differences
After weighing the differences between these two vacuum cleaners, I found that the Shark WS632 and WS642 tied with each other. For the details, please read the breakdown below.
Cleaning performance
Tie
Compatible floor types
The Shark WS632 and WS642 are both highly effective at cleaning various surfaces. In my pick-up tests, both of them can easily pick up a range of debris and handle common household messes like flour, sugar, rice, cat litter, and Cheerios.
The Shark WS632 is a dependable cleaning tool for wooden floors and area rugs. It has strong suction power that removes dirt and debris without scattering it around on tile floors. However, although it works well on low-pile carpets and rugs, it may not function as efficiently on higher-pile carpets. Equipped with rubber blades, the PowerFins brushroll can handle debris of different sizes, but it may not be the best for deep-cleaning rugs.
On the other hand, the Shark WS642 proves to be a standout performer on high-pile carpets. The PowerFins brushroll is more advanced than WS632, enabling it to clean deep into the fibers of high-pile carpets efficiently. In addition to the rubber blades, the brushroll of the WS632 is also equipped with stiff bristle brushes, which are great for deep cleaning carpets.
The WS642 is an exceptional cleaning tool that effectively removes small and large dirt particles, such as spice spills and crumbs. It is highly efficient on hard floors and carpets and can easily reach hard edges and inaccessible areas. It is also versatile enough to clean high places and corners that are often overlooked during cleaning.
Pet hair performance
If you’re struggling with pet hair, the Shark WS632 and WS642 vacuums are excellent choices.
They are equipped with PowerFins brush rolls that can easily collect pet hair, leaving your space free of hair. These brush rolls are adept at capturing various types of small debris, including fine dirt and pesky pet hair, while preventing hair from tangling around the roller.
However, despite their impressive pet hair-cleaning capabilities, there is a minor concern regarding the wheels of these vacuums. Sometimes, pet hair can get stuck in the small wheels of the cleaning device, making it difficult to remove. Although this doesn’t affect the cleaning ability, it’s important to keep in mind when doing maintenance.
Storage
Tie
There is a difference in the storage methods of these two vacuum cleaners. So let’s take a closer look at their storage capabilities.
The Shark WS632 provides three convenient ways to store this versatile vacuum. The first option is to place the unit on the charging dock, ensuring the hook on the back of the wand securely hangs on the charging port. Keeping your vacuum in an upright storage position not only makes it easily accessible but also ensures that it stays charged and ready to use whenever you need it.
In addition, the WS632 provides a convenient storage and charging solution that saves space. You can detach the hand vacuum from the wand and slide the nozzle opening over the post on the storage arm. This design reduces the storage space needed, making it perfect for people with limited storage areas.
Besides you can also reassemble all the vacuum parts and store them on a shelf or a similar storage area. This option provides versatility and convenience, allowing you to tailor the storage method to your needs.
Unlike the WS632, the WS642 does not have side-by-side storage. However, it still offers two dependable storage methods. First, you can place it on the charging dock like the WS632. Alternatively, you can disassemble all the parts and store them on a shelf or in a suitable storage area.
Shark WS632 vs WS642: Similarities
Overall, the Shark WS632 and WS642 share many other similarities. With their compact size, lightweight build, and powerful cleaning capabilities, they are the ideal companions for any household cleaning needs.
Dirt bin and filtration
Dirt bin
The Shark WS632 and WS642 have a bagless system which is convenient for users. They don’t require traditional vacuum bags but use a dust cup to store dirt and debris collected during cleaning. The dust cups of both models have a capacity of about 0.13 liters, making them easy to store and manage.
In my opinion, their dust cups are pretty small, which may be limiting for those with larger cleaning tasks. Due to the limited capacity, the dust cup fills quickly and requires frequent emptying to ensure the best performance. If you have a larger home or tend to accumulate a significant amount of dirt and debris during cleaning, it’s important to consider this factor before purchasing.
It’s fairly easy to empty these dust cups. Just press the release button, and the cup lid will pop out. However, I still found that Shark has positioned the release button adjacent to the power button, which can increase the risk of accidentally triggering the dust cup release, leading to premature emptying.
This design choice may be a potential inconvenience for users, particularly if they unintentionally discharge the contents of the dust cup while vacuuming.
Filtration
The Shark WS632 and WS642 utilize PTFE filters, renowned for their non-stick properties and resistance to high temperatures and chemicals. PTFE filters are commonly employed in vacuum cleaners due to their effective filtration capabilities.
These filters can capture and trap dust and particles, ensuring cleaner air in your home. However, I want to emphasize that while PTFE filters offer efficient filtration, they do not match the performance of HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration systems.
The filtration systems in both the WS632 and WS642 consist of a fabric filter and a cyclone filter. These filters can be cleaned with water, making the process very simple. However, since these filters are rather small, you may need to clean them quite often.
Specifically, remember that you need to clean the dust cup’s pre-filter regularly. To properly clean, removing any dirt or hair that may be stuck in the mesh cone is important. Performing this task is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and suction capability of the vacuum. Despite being a minor inconvenience, carrying out this task is essential.
Design and convenience
Maneuverability
The Shark WS632 and WS642 boast a compact and lightweight design that makes cleaning a breeze. These stick vacuums are lighter than most, weighing only 5.9 pounds, which makes them easy to maneuver. They are designed with a sleek structure that makes them operate on solid surfaces effortlessly. You can effortlessly glide around household items and fit into narrow spaces with just one hand.
What’s more, these versatile vacuums offer the convenience of dual functionality. By simply clicking, you can detach the motorized base or extension wand, which will transform the unit into a handheld vacuum that weighs only 2 pounds, making it even lighter.
With stick vacuum and handheld modes, the Shark WS632 and WS642 offer great flexibility for cleaning tasks. With this handheld configuration, you can easily handle quick cleanups or reach high spots.
Besides, both models have swivel heads that increase their agility and maneuverability. These heads enable the vacuum to move smoothly and seamlessly across various surfaces, effortlessly cleaning around corners, edges, and hard-to-reach areas. As a result, no dust or dirt is left behind, making cleaning hassle-free.
Battery
The Shark WS632 and WS642 feature a reliable and efficient lithium-ion battery system. These cordless vacuums offer the freedom to clean without being tethered to a power outlet.
According to the manufacturer, the battery can provide up to 20 minutes of runtime per charge, allowing you to tackle multiple cleaning tasks before recharging.
However, it’s important to note that actual battery performance may vary. My tests found that the battery lasted approximately 10–15 minutes when operating continuously with the power head attached. In Boost mode, the unit will run for around 8 minutes.
Therefore, the device’s battery life may only be enough for small areas and quick cleanups. If you need to clean larger spaces or use the machine longer, you may need to recharge it intermittently.
Their battery takes around 3.5 hours to recharge fully. This fast charging time helps minimize downtime and lets you get back to cleaning as soon as possible. Note that the battery’s runtime may vary based on the cleaning mode, surface type, and specific cleaning tasks.
Quick Rundown Of Shark WS642
- POWERFUL AND LIGHTWEIGHT: HyperVelocity accelerated suction power provides incredible cleaning performance in an ultra-lightweight frame.
- QUICK CLEAN ANYWHERE: Versatility for on the floor and above-floor cleaning – easy switch between cleaning modes with only one touch.
- DEEP-CLEANING TECHNOLOGY: PowerFins technology for continuous cleaning contact to dig deep into carpets and directly engage floors.
- NO HAIR WRAP: Self-cleaning brushroll for no hair wrap.
- ALWAYS CHARGING: Sleek portable charging base, always charging so it’s ready when you need it.
Quick Rundown Of Shark WS632
- POWERFUL AND LIGHTWEIGHT: The most powerful cordless hand vacuum under 2.1 pounds. Based on ASTM F558, measured at the hand vac, versus stand-alone and cordless stick hand vacs under 2.1 lbs.
- ALWAYS READY FOR A QUICK CLEAN: Includes a portable charging base that fits almost anywhere in your home, with two unique storing and charging setups to match the way you clean.
- INCREDIBLE CORDLESS SUCTION: HyperVelocity accelerated suction power provides incredible cleaning performance in an ultra-lightweight frame.
- ONE-TOUCH HYGIENIC DUST CUP EMPTY: One quick touch to empty the dust cup with no mess.
- BOOST MODE FOR TOUGH MESSES: Press the Boost button for extra bursts of strong suction for tougher messes.
Product Videos
Related Articles to Shark Ws632
- Shark WS632 vs WS633: Are There Any Differences Between These Models?
- Shark WS630 vs WS632: The Ultimate Showdown of Power and Performance
References:
- Shark WS642: https://www.sharkclean.com/products/shark-wandvac-system-lightweight-cordless-vacuum-steel-grey-zidWS642
- Shark WS632: https://sharkclean.com.au/products/ws632
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.