Shark Ch701 vs Bh102: Which One Should You Buy?
The Shark CH701 and Shark BH102 cordless handheld vacuums compared by runtime, power, weight, tools, charging and dust cup, with a verdict on which side suits your car.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- 1
Shark Cyclone PET Handheld Vacuum9.4/10View on Amazon - 2
Shark PowerBoost Cordless 2-in-1 Car/Home Handheld PowerVac9.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Shark StainStriker HairPro Portable Stain Cleaner9.6/10View on Amazon
Verdict: In shark ch701 vs bh102, pick the BH102 if you want the longest runtime, three cleaning modes and a dust cup with a stated 0.43 quart capacity for car and home; pick the CH701 if you want the lightest vacuum, USB charging and a washable filter for quick cleanups.
Both are cordless Shark handheld vacuums aimed at car interiors, pet hair and quick home cleanups. They differ in where the maker put the effort: the BH102 chases runtime and cleaning modes, while the CH701 chases lightness and simplicity. This comparison covers both sides, then the two listings as concrete examples.
GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Shark PowerBoost Cordless 2-in-1 Car/Home Handheld
An 18V cordless 2-in-1 handheld vacuum with 40 minutes of runtime, 3 cleaning modes, an LED screen and pet tools.
Pros
- 40 minutes runtime in ECO mode
- 18V and 181W with 3 cleaning modes
- LED screen
- 0.43 quart dust cup, 2x the WV400's
Cons
- 2.5 lb, heavier than the CH701's 1.6 lb
- 4 hour charge time
- No noise figure stated
- No warranty term stated
Shark Cyclone PET Handheld Vacuum, Navy Blue/Grey
A 7.2V cordless handheld vacuum at 1.6 lbs with USB charging, a washable foam filter and pet tools.
Pros
- 1.6 lbs, light in the hand
- USB charging, no dock needed
- Washable foam filter, no replacements
- 8 in crevice tool plus multi-surface pet tool
Cons
- 10 minutes runtime
- 7.2V and 65W, the weaker stated power
- 80 db stated noise
- Warranty description is just 'Warranty.', no term
Shark CH701 vs BH102 side by side
| Shark CH701 | Shark BH102 | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runtime (stated) | 10 minutes | 40 minutes (ECO mode) | BH102 figure is for ECO mode |
| Power | 7.2V, 65W | 18V, 181W | |
| Speeds | 1 | 3 | |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (bullets), 1.5 lbs (table) | 2.5 pounds | CH701 listing contradicts itself |
| Size | 16.34 in L x 3.5 in W x 4.33 in H | 9.65 in L x 3.5 in W x 13.23 in H | |
| Charging | USB | 4 hour charge (stated) | |
| Tools | 8 in crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool | Duster crevice tool, FurFins tool | |
| Dust cup | XL bagless, capacity not stated | 0.43 quarts | |
| Filter | Washable foam | Cloth | |
| Noise | 80 db | Not stated | |
| Warranty | Not stated | Not stated | CH701 warranty reads only ‘Warranty.’ |
Example figures are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 21 October 2026.
Runtime and power
Runtime is the biggest split. The Shark BH102 listing states up to 40 minutes on a single charge in ECO mode, which it calls up to 4 times longer than the WV201. The Shark CH701 listing states 10 minutes. If your job is a full car interior, the BH102 side has the clear runtime advantage; if it is a quick seat and console cleanup, the CH701 side gets it done.
Power follows the same pattern. The BH102 lists 18 volts and 181 watts with 3 cleaning modes, and the maker calls it the most powerful handheld in its line, with up to 3 times the suction of the CH700, CH900, WV200 and WV400. The CH701 lists 7.2 volts and 65 watts with a single speed. The CH701 leans on its HyperVelocity suction claim instead of raw wattage, but the listings only let us compare the stated volts and watts, and the BH102 side states more of both.
The mode count matters in practice. The BH102 listing ties its 40-minute figure to ECO mode, one of its 3 cleaning modes; the CH701 has one speed, so its 10 minutes is the whole story. Neither listing states a usable suction figure, so the stated volts, watts and mode count are the comparison you can actually make.
Weight and handling
The CH701 side wins on weight. Its bullets say 1.6 lbs while its spec table says 1.5 pounds; either way it is well under the BH102’s listed 2.5 pounds. The CH701 measures 16.34 in long against the BH102’s 9.65 in, so the CH701 is the longer, lighter wand shape while the BH102 is the shorter, heavier block at 13.23 in tall. For overhead console work and long sessions, lighter matters.
Dimensions tell the rest of the handling story. The CH701 is 16.34 in long, 3.5 in wide and 4.33 in high, a slim wand shape. The BH102 is 9.65 in long, 3.5 in wide and 13.23 in high, a taller block shape. Both are indoor-use handhelds.
Tools and dust cup
Both ship two tools. The CH701 includes an 8 in crevice tool and a multi-surface pet tool. The BH102 includes a duster crevice tool and a FurFins tool aimed at pet hair on car interiors and upholstery. The crevice tools cover the same job, seat rails and console gaps, while the pet tools differ in name more than in stated function.
On dust cups, the BH102 states 0.43 quarts and claims 2 times the capacity of the WV400; the CH701 claims an XL bagless cup but states no capacity figure, so the listing leaves that comparison unclear. Bagless with one-touch emptying is the CH701’s stated advantage, while the BH102’s stated advantage is the measured capacity of 0.43 quarts.
Charging and filter
The CH701 charges over USB from its lithium-ion battery, which means no dock and no proprietary charger to keep track of; a USB source tops it up. The BH102 listing states a 4 hour charge time, so plan an afternoon between deep cleanups. On filters, the CH701 has a removable washable foam filter, so maintenance is a rinse rather than a replacement. The BH102 lists a cloth filter with no washable claim, and states no noise figure, while the CH701 states 80 db.
Filter maintenance decides long-term suction more than most buyers expect. A washable filter that actually gets washed keeps airflow up. The BH102 listing states a cloth filter but no wash routine, so how it is maintained is left unclear. Neither listing states replacement filter availability, so the CH701’s washable design is the safer stated bet.
Which side for which mess
Match the vacuum to the mess you make most. Daily driver with kids and a dog: the BH102 side, with its 40-minute ECO runtime, 0.43 quart cup and FurFins pet tool, is built for the full back-seat reset. Quick tidy of the front seats and console between washes: the CH701 side, at 1.6 lbs with USB charging, is the grab-and-go answer. Both are indoor-use handhelds aimed at car interiors, upholstery and pet hair, so the choice is about session length and weight, not about different jobs.
Choose the BH102 if
- You want up to 40 minutes of runtime per charge
- You want 3 cleaning modes and an LED screen
- You want the 0.43 quart dust cup and pet tools for car interiors
- You prefer the stronger stated power figures
Choose the CH701 if
- You want the lightest vacuum here at 1.6 lbs
- You want USB charging with no dock
- You want a washable filter with no replacements
- Your cleanups are quick seat and console jobs
Example vacuums
For more choices, see the best car vacuum for pet hair and the best car vacuum handheld guides.
Keep electric pressure washers on a GFCI outlet, never point the wand at people or pets, wear eye protection with polishers and chemicals, and read the label before mixing any cleaning products. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Shark handheld vacuum is more powerful?
On stated figures, the BH102: 18 volts and 181 watts with 3 cleaning modes, which the maker calls its most powerful handheld vacuum. The CH701 states 7.2 volts and 65 watts with a single speed.
How long does each vacuum run?
The BH102 listing states up to 40 minutes in ECO mode; the CH701 listing states 10 minutes. Actual runtime depends on the cleaning mode and the mess.
Which is better for pet hair?
Both ship pet tools: the BH102 with the FurFins tool and the CH701 with the multi-surface pet tool. The BH102 pairs its tools with the longer runtime and a stated 0.43 quart dust cup, which suits pet-heavy cars.
Can either replace a full-size car vacuum?
For quick cleanups, yes; for a full detail, a larger vacuum still wins. The BH102’s 40-minute runtime and 0.43 quart cup stretch further than the CH701’s 10 minutes, but neither matches a corded canister for a whole-car detail.
Do these vacuums come with a warranty?
The CH701 listing’s warranty description reads only “Warranty.”, with no term, and the BH102 listing states no warranty. Treat both as unstated.
Related: the best car vacuum for pet hair, the best car vacuum handheld, our car detailing hub and the cordless vs corded car vacuum comparison.
