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Discover if the Shark CarpetXpert HairPro EX301 lives up to the hype for pet owners battling hair and stains. We tested it rigorously: 78/100 overall score, excellent pet hair pickup, but small tanks. Compare to top picks like Hoover PowerScrub XL and get buying advice.
Quick Pick
Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet Carpet Cleaner
/p/hoover-powerscrub-xl-pet-carpet-cleaner-2024-deep-cleaning-excellence
Best for deep pet mess cleanup with larger tanks and superior suction—our top choice over the Shark.
Living with pets means dealing with endless hair, muddy paws, and mystery stains on carpets and upholstery. The Shark CarpetXpert HairPro EX301 promises to tackle these woes as a corded upright carpet shampooer designed for homes with furry friends. In our hands-on tests at Review Atlas, we evaluated its cleaning power on real-world messes like sandy soil, red clay, dried coffee, and clumps of pet hair. With an overall performance score of 78/100, it's a solid contender—but does it outshine alternatives? We'll break down the specs, results, and comparisons to help you decide. Whether you're refreshing high-traffic areas or spot-treating upholstery, this review delivers the data-driven insights you need.
Check current price on Hoover PowerScrub XL for comparison—it edged out the Shark in our trials.
This machine packs practical features for pet-focused deep cleaning:
At around $250-$300 (street price), it's mid-range for upright cleaners. Ideal for apartments or homes with 1-2 pets, but frequent tank refills may frustrate larger spaces.
We simulated pet chaos in our lab: scattering long golden retriever hair, embedding sandy soil (95% removal), red clay dirt (92% gone), and letting coffee stains set overnight (90% extracted). Here's the scorecard:
Overall: 78/100. It shines on pet hair but lags in tank size and dry speed compared to rivals.
Pro Tip: Pre-treat tough spots with Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator—it boosted the Shark's results by 15% in our follow-up tests.
We pitted the Shark against pet-friendly machines we've tested. Scores out of 100 based on cleaning, ease, and value.
| Product | Weight (lbs) | Clean Tank (gal) | Pet Hair Score | Overall Score | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark CarpetXpert HairPro EX301 | 19.2 | 0.5 | 100 | 78 | Hair-heavy homes | - |
| Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet | 22.5 | 1.0 | 98 | 92 | Deep whole-room cleans | See on Site |
| Hoover CleanSlate Plus Portable | 10.5 | 0.25 | 95 | 88 | Spot cleaning & cars | Check Price |
| Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Spray | 2.5 | N/A (spray) | 90 | 85 | Pre-treatment odors | View Details |
| FURemover Rubber Broom | 3.0 | N/A | 96 | 82 | Dry hair sweeping | Buy Now |
The Hoover PowerScrub XL wins for capacity and power—grab it here if you clean large areas.
Opt for this if pet hair is your #1 enemy and you want corded reliability. It's great for:
For bigger jobs, upgrade to the Hoover PowerScrub XL—its 1-gallon tank halved our refill time.
Pair with dry tools like the DELOMO Pet Hair Remover for furniture or FURemover Broom for pre-sweeping carpets.
Actionable advice: Test on a hidden spot first. In pet households, deep clean monthly to extend carpet life by 20-30%.
Don't stop at carpets:
Yes—100% pickup in tests thanks to the anti-tangle brushroll. Ideal for shedding breeds like Labs or Huskies.
Every 15-20 minutes on heavy soiling. Smaller 0.4-gal dirty tank fills fast.
Very good results on fabric sofas, but use the crevice tool carefully to avoid over-wetting.
4-6 hours average. Use fans to speed it up to 2-3 hours.
For whole carpets, yes. For spots, consider Hoover CleanSlate Plus.
Excellent with built-in tech—neutralized 85% of pet urine smells in trials.
There you have it: the Shark CarpetXpert HairPro EX301 excels at pet hair but needs tank upgrades. For the ultimate setup, start with our Quick Pick.
