Shark HV301 vs Bissell Featherweight 2033M: Best Corded Stick Vacuum Under $100? (2026)
By Alex Chen • Last updated: May 5, 2026 • 11 min read
Both the Shark Rocket HV301 and the Bissell Featherweight 2033M are corded stick vacuums priced under $100. Both have rabid customer followings — the HV301 has over 11,500 reviews at 4.5 stars; the Featherweight has more than 116,000 reviews at 4.2 stars. And both are among the lightest stick vacuums you can buy. But despite the surface similarities, these are fundamentally different cleaning tools.
The Shark HV301 ($99, 7.5 lbs) is a full-power corded stick vacuum with a motorized brush roll, 25-foot cord, and detachable canister that converts to a handheld. It is built to be your primary vacuum — the one tool that handles every room in the house.
The Bissell Featherweight 2033M ($40, 2.6 lbs) is the lightweight 3-in-1 specialist. It is a corded stick that converts to a handheld, but it has no motorized brush roll and a shorter 15-foot cord. It is designed for quick pickups on hard floors, not deep whole-home cleaning.
We tested both side-by-side over four weeks of normal household use to figure out which one belongs in which home. Here is what we found.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Shark HV301 if you need one vacuum to handle the whole home, especially if you have carpet or pets. The motorized brush, longer cord, and more substantial build justify the higher price.
Buy the Bissell Featherweight 2033M if you live in a small space (apartment, dorm, RV), have mostly hard floors, or want a lightweight secondary vacuum to complement an existing upright. At 2.6 lbs and $40, nothing beats it for grab-and-go cleaning.
Side-by-Side Specs
| Spec | Shark Rocket HV301 | Bissell Featherweight 2033M |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$99 | ~$40 |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs (8.2 lbs with accessories) | 2.6 lbs |
| Type | Corded stick (converts to handheld) | Corded 3-in-1 stick |
| Brush Roll | Motorized | None (suction only) |
| Cord Length | 25 feet | 15 feet |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 1.3 quarts | 0.67 liters (~0.7 qt) |
| Filter | Foam + felt (washable, non-HEPA) | Single washable (non-HEPA) |
| Carpet Performance | Strong (motorized brush) | Surface only (no brush roll) |
| Hard Floor | Excellent | Excellent |
| Customer Rating | 4.5 / 5 (11,539 reviews) | 4.2 / 5 (116,000+ reviews) |
| Warranty | 5-year limited | 2-year limited |
Suction & Cleaning Power
This is the most important difference between the two vacuums. The Shark HV301 uses a motorized brush roll — a powered cylinder of bristles that spins to agitate carpet fibers and lift embedded debris. Combined with strong corded suction, it produces deep-clean results on carpet that the Featherweight simply cannot match.
The Bissell Featherweight 2033M relies on suction alone. There is no motorized brush, just an open nozzle that pulls in surface debris. On hard floors this works great — the Featherweight picks up crumbs, dust, hair, and small particles cleanly. On carpet, the difference becomes obvious: the Featherweight skims the surface but leaves anything pressed into the fibers behind.
In our tests on a medium-pile rug with sprinkled flour, the HV301 cleared the test area in two passes. The Featherweight required four passes and still left a faint outline of flour in the fibers. For pet households especially, the lack of a motorized brush on the Featherweight is a significant limitation.
Weight & Ergonomics
The Featherweight earns its name. At 2.6 lbs, it is one of the lightest corded vacuums available — about the weight of a thick paperback book. You can carry it up stairs in one hand, vacuum overhead cobwebs without arm fatigue, and reach awkward spaces (under low furniture, on top of bookshelves) with ease.
The HV301 at 7.5 lbs is still light for its category — most full-size uprights are 12-18 lbs — but it is nearly three times the Featherweight's weight. The trade-off is that the extra weight comes from a real motorized brush head, larger dust cup, longer cord, and more durable construction. The HV301 also features swivel steering, which lets you maneuver around furniture with a flick of the wrist.
For older users, anyone with shoulder or back issues, or homes with lots of stairs, the Featherweight's weight advantage is a real quality-of-life upgrade. For everyone else, the HV301's extra weight is hardly noticeable in normal use.
Long-Term Value & 5-Year Cost
Both vacuums have effectively zero ongoing costs. Both have washable filters — rinse, dry, reinstall. Neither uses bags. Neither has a battery to replace.
Over a 5-year ownership window, the all-in cost is essentially the purchase price:
- Shark HV301: $99 purchase + ~$10 in optional filter replacements = ~$109 total
- Bissell Featherweight 2033M: $40 purchase + ~$8 in optional filter replacements = ~$48 total
The HV301's longer 5-year warranty (vs. 2 years on the Featherweight) also adds peace-of-mind value for buyers planning to keep the vacuum for the long haul.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Shark HV301 if…
- You need one vacuum to clean your whole home
- You have carpet or area rugs that need real cleaning, not just surface dusting
- You have pets — the motorized brush is essential for pet hair
- You want a vacuum that converts to handheld for stairs and furniture
- You value the longer 25-foot cord for larger rooms
- You want a 5-year warranty
Buy the Bissell Featherweight if…
- You need a secondary vacuum for quick cleanups
- You live in an apartment, dorm, or RV with mostly hard floors
- You want the lightest possible vacuum (2.6 lbs)
- You have a tight budget — $40 is hard to beat
- You have low-pile carpet at most, no thick carpet or pet hair
- You need a vacuum for stairs that you can carry one-handed
Many households own both. The HV301 lives in a closet for weekly whole-home cleaning; the Featherweight stays in the kitchen or near the door for daily quick pickups. At a combined $140, that is still cheaper than a single mid-range cordless vacuum — and you get the best of both worlds.
What About Other Alternatives?
Two vacuums often come up as alternatives in the under-$100 corded stick category:
- Eureka Blaze NES215A — A 4-lb 3-in-1 corded stick at around $30. Slightly heavier than the Featherweight but a very capable budget option. Read our full Eureka Blaze review.
- Eureka Whirlwind NEC222 — A bagless corded stick with similar positioning to the Featherweight. Generally heavier and with mixed reviews on durability.
- Shark HV371 / HV322 — Newer Shark Rocket variants that add features like Zero-M anti-hair-wrap technology. The HV301 remains the highest-rated and most-reviewed of the Rocket line.
For most buyers comparing the HV301 and Featherweight, these alternatives do not change the fundamental decision: do you want a primary vacuum (HV301) or a lightweight supplement (Featherweight)?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Shark HV301 better than the Bissell Featherweight 2033M?
It depends on your cleaning needs. The Shark HV301 ($99) is the better pick if you want one vacuum to clean your entire home — it has a motorized brush roll, 25-foot cord, and handles carpet and hard floors. The Bissell Featherweight 2033M ($40) is better as a lightweight (2.6 lb) secondary vacuum for quick cleanups on hard floors. The HV301 is a primary vacuum; the Featherweight is a complement.
What is the weight difference between the Shark HV301 and Bissell Featherweight?
The Bissell Featherweight 2033M weighs 2.6 lbs, making it nearly 3x lighter than the Shark Rocket HV301 at 7.5 lbs (8.2 lbs with all accessories). The Featherweight is one of the lightest corded vacuums on the market, while the HV301 is still light for its category but has more substantial cleaning hardware.
Which has stronger suction, the HV301 or Featherweight 2033M?
The Shark HV301 has significantly stronger suction. It uses a motorized brush roll that agitates carpet fibers and lifts embedded debris, making it suitable for carpets and rugs. The Bissell Featherweight 2033M relies on suction alone with no motorized brush, so it works best on hard floors and low-pile rugs. For pet hair on carpet, the HV301 is the clear winner.
How long is the cord on each vacuum?
The Shark Rocket HV301 has a 25-foot power cord, while the Bissell Featherweight 2033M has a 15-foot cord. The 10-foot difference matters for larger rooms — with the HV301, you can typically clean an entire room from a single outlet, while the Featherweight may require switching outlets in larger spaces.
Can the Bissell Featherweight clean carpet?
The Bissell Featherweight 2033M handles low-pile carpet and area rugs reasonably well for surface debris and dust. However, without a motorized brush roll, it cannot pull deep-embedded dirt or pet hair from medium or thick carpet. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, the Shark HV301 is a much better choice.
Do either of these vacuums have a HEPA filter?
Neither the Shark HV301 nor the Bissell Featherweight 2033M has a true HEPA filter. The HV301 uses foam and felt filters; the Featherweight uses a single washable filter. Both capture most household dust effectively, but neither is HEPA-certified. If you have severe allergies or asthma, look for a vacuum with a sealed HEPA filtration system.