I’m reluctant to use a full-size vacuum for smaller cleanup jobs. However, smaller hand vacuums often lack the suction and overall power needed, especially when removing pet hair.
The Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum has a compact design and very strong suction, similar to what you’d get when using a traditional vacuum. It is easy to use, with a 20-foot power cord and accessories, including an extension wand. Plus, it features a dust cup that can be quickly emptied, or you can pair it with vacuum bags for even easier cleanup.
And the best part? It operates at a surprisingly low noise level, making it one of the best wet/dry vacuum cleaners for use in a home with pets or a quiet environment.
The Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum proved its effectiveness on pet-related cleanup tasks. It handled challenging jobs like removing cat hair from a cat tree and easily cleaning up cat litter.
Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum: Key specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
| Capacity | 1 gallon |
| Attachments | Squeegee tool, carpet tool, crevice tool, extension wand |
| Cord Length | 20 feet |
| Wattage | 950 watts |
| Voltage | 120 volts |
| Dimensions | H13.5 x W16.5 x D10.5 inches |
| Weight | 9.8 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum: Price & availability
The Shark MessMaster, available directly from Shark and retails for $129.99, offers great value for money. It is also available from Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohl’s, and Ace Hardware. The vacuum’s price is in the mid-range for a wet/dry vac.
For reference, Bissel wet-dry vacuums range from $103 to more than $300, while shop vacuums cost anywhere from about $40 to more than $200.
Price & availability score: 4.5 out of 5
Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum: First impressions & setup
The Shark MessMaster shipped double-boxed and arrived in excellent condition. The packaging features cardboard inserts, an eco-friendly alternative to styrofoam, and all components securely in place. Each piece was packaged in a protective plastic bag.
While the vacuum body is lightweight and easy to lift, it also has a solid, quality feel. The attachments are thicker plastic, so they don’t feel cheap or like they would break easily. I had assumed that this vacuum would be a lightweight machine suitable for quick and easy cleanups around the house, and I was surprised to find just how solid it feels.
I was able to assemble the vacuum in less than five minutes. The instruction manual includes detailed written instructions accompanied by clear diagrams. There are also printed stickers on the attachments and the vacuum itself, and they also helped to guide me through the assembly process.
The assembly process starts with the simple connection of the hose to the vacuum. The hose connector effortlessly locks in place with a single upward push of a lock button, a task easily manageable with one hand. The accessory holder seamlessly fits into a notch on the side of the machine, and the accessories can be pressed into place, making the entire process a breeze.
The vacuum offers versatility, allowing you to use it with or without bags and any suitably sized bag. I used the sample bags included, and the process was a cinch. Installing a bag takes mere seconds: lift the dust bin, place the bag in the bin, attach any excess to the bag holder, and close and lock the lid. Attaching accessories to the hose is a straightforward process. There's no need to fumble with a locking mechanism - the attachments can be easily pressed and pulled off.
Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum: Design
The vacuum’s design is not only impressive but also incredibly convenient. Its compact size and lightweight nature make it easy to lift, while the lid latch, operable with just one hand, ensures a secure closure. This is particularly useful as the vacuum is lifted using a handle built into the lid. I was pleasantly surprised that the entire vacuum could fit into my cupboard for storage, adding to its convenience.
The vacuum can store two attachments on one end, and the hose wrap keeps the hose contained. The 20-foot-long cord can be neatly wrapped around the top of the machine. While there isn’t storage for the extension wand, it’s important to note that storing them on the vacuum would add bulk and make it awkward to use.
The vacuum's internal components are not just well-designed; they are also incredibly user-friendly. The dust bin easily fits into the holder, and components like the filter are easily accessible.
Design score: 5 out of 5
Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum: Performance
With a single power button and no other settings to worry about, this vacuum is user-friendly and simple to operate. It also includes a detailed quick-start guide that not only helps you choose the right attachment for the type of cleaning you’ll be doing but also provides tips on how to effectively use each attachment.
It’s highly versatile. According to the guide, you can use the vacuum on fine debris, soil, cat litter, sawdust, crumbs, eggs, mud, broken glass and liquid, and clogged sinks and drains.
I was immediately impressed by the vacuum’s powerful suction. It rivals a full-size vacuum, providing you with the assurance that it can handle even the toughest cleaning tasks. When I tested it on the large crevices between my wide plank wood floors, which is the ultimate test of any vacuum in my house, it easily removed the dirt. The only other vacuum that I’ve found with the suction capable of cleaning those crevices is my Bissell upright vacuum.
The MessMaster also easily cleans up heavy debris, like cat litter. A single pass using the carpet tool cleaned up every bit of litter in its patch. I also liked that the tool is highly agile, so I could get litter out of the corners of the room, where it so often collects.
The carpet tool also did a fantastic job pulling cat hair out of the carpeted cat tree. The tool is designed to be drawn back and forth, and after about a dozen passes, the hair was nearly completely gone. That hair is stubborn and stuck in, so the fact that the vacuum accomplished this is impressive.
I also found that pairing the vacuum with the carpet tool did an excellent job cleaning my carpeted stairs. The tool is small enough to get into the corners and sides of the stairs, which is a challenge with an upright vacuum.
When I used the carpet tool on a low-pile rug, I found that it didn’t fully close down on the rug, reducing the suction. Using the squeegee tool instead worked very well, pulling cat hair and dirt out of the rug.
I also tested the squeegee tool on my vinyl tile kitchen floors and paired it with several substances. It easily cleaned up milk and ketchup. It also suctioned up two eggs and left nothing behind on the floor.
Using the extension wand with the crevice tool allowed me to clean corners, door frames, windowsills, and furniture. Since the hose is just three feet long, I had to hold the vacuum while vacuuming corners near the ceiling, but the machine is lightweight enough, so this wasn’t an issue.
While its powerful suction made cleaning quick and easy, the suction created a brief problem when the nozzle sucked up a cat toy that I didn’t think was within its reach. I had to disconnect the hose and push the toy out with a curtain rod.
The vacuum reached 78.4 decibels, which I would describe as average for a vacuum cleaner. For comparison, my Rigid Shop Vac reaches 85 decibels.
All in all, the vacuum performed impressively well. I would choose it to replace a traditional upright vacuum for chores like cleaning my carpeted stairs or cleaning between the wooden floorboards. However, it’s compact and convenient, so it would be just as practical for smaller cleaning chores and messes here and there.
Performance score: 5 out of 5
Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum: Care & maintenance
The MessMaster dust cup simply lifts out of the unit for quick and hassle-free emptying. For even less messy, you can pair it with a plastic bag. The cup is also dishwasher safe, offering a more thorough cleaning option, although a quick rinse in the sink is usually sufficient.
The maintenance process is straightforward after using the machine on any wet or organic mess. Simply empty the dust cup and vacuum up 10 ounces of clean water from a container. If dust and debris remain inside the vacuum, rinse the lid and debris screen. The lid can be detached from the hinges, and the debris screen easily twists, making it easy to rinse in the sink. Once the debris screen is dry, it can be fitted back into the lid and the hinge reattached.
You’ll also need to rinse the squeegee or crevice tool after cleaning wet messes. The tools are also dishwasher safe.
Shark recommends regularly rinsing and replacing the foam and felt filters to maintain the vacuum’s suction power. You must also clean the pre- and post-motor filters once a month and replace them yearly. All filters are easily accessible and reinserted, lifting out of the vacuum. Shark sells replacement filters on its website, ensuring you can easily maintain your vacuum's performance. The pre-and post-motor filters are available for $6.95 each.
Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum: User reviews
The MessMaster, with its 4.5-star rating on Shark’s website, is a versatile cleaning tool that 92% of reviewers recommend. Many users are excited about the vacuum’s powerful suction and the range of tasks it can handle with its various attachments. The vacuum's lightweight, convenient design and easy-to-empty feature have also been frequently commended. The fact that the vacuum can maintain its suction power with any bag is a feature that has impressed many users.
Negative reviews often mention that the hose is so short that you must carry the vacuum while cleaning. Other complaints included the fact that the vacuum is loud, and one reviewer felt the vacuum felt flimsy, but these complaints were rare and weren’t reflected across multiple reviews.
Home Depot buyers have left the MessMaster a 4.7-star rating. Many reviewers praise the vacuum’s suction power and compact design. Several negative reviews criticized the short hose, making the vacuum difficult to use.
The Shark MessMaster has a 4.7-star rating at Ace Hardware. Again, reviewers frequently commented on the vacuum’s powerful suction, compact design, portability, and ease of use.
Should you buy the Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum?
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | The vacuum retails for $129.99 and is available from Shark, Home Depot, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Ace Hardware | 4.5 |
| Design | The design is convenient and compact, the vacuum is lightweight, and most of the attachments can be stored on the vacuum | 5 |
| Performance | This vacuum is highly versatile, easily handled every test I performed, and displayed very powerful and consistent suction | 5 |
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How does the Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum compare?
The Shark MessMaster is competitively priced compared to other wet/dry vacuums. Shop vacuums start at around $40 and can cost more than $200, but many are large, difficult to move, and lack the versatility of the Shark MessMaster.
Upright wet/dry vacuums designed for home use cost around $200 and as much as $500. I found the DeWalt Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum, which retails for $145, to be the most similar to the Shark MessMaster.
How I tested the Shark MessMaster Wet/Dry Vacuum
At Top Ten Reviews, we are committed to providing our readers with honest and reliable reviews of products, including the best wet and dry vacuums. Our expert reviewers conduct extensive research and thorough testing to ensure we recommend only the best products to our readers.
Our reviewers possess experience and industry knowledge, allowing them to identify and analyze the most critical features of every wet/dry vacuum. They put these products through a series of tests, evaluating setup, performance, ease of use, maintenance, and more, to deliver comprehensive and consistent reviews.
We test each wet/dry vacuum to ensure our reviews are accurate and reliable. We aim to provide readers with authentic and trustworthy reviews to help them make well-informed purchase decisions when buying a wet/dry vacuum. For more information about our testing protocols, please visit our comprehensive guide on how we test.
