Shark Stratos Review

We review the Shark Stratos AZ3002. Tests are performed on carpet, hard floors, and hair. Comparisons are made to a host of other upright vacuum cleaners. See the Stratos at Shark: https://sharkclean.sjv.io/DV7Drd or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WvVFWG

See the written Stratos review: https://vacuum-cleaner-advisor.com/Sh...

We show and describe what is in the box when you get your Shark Stratos - model AZ3002. We then walk through the three tools that are provided in detail. We also describe how the Stratos pet power tool is not a motorized tool but that is run by vacuum suction.

We were a little disappointed that the Stratos tools attach using compression fit – meaning they do not click into place securely. We often find that this approach leads to the tools being put on too loosely or too tightly. Also, we show that two tools can be stored on-board the vacuum. Unfortunately the pet power tool does not fit easily on the vacuum – but the dusting brush and crevice tool do.

We feel that the controls on the Stratos are intuitive and easy to use. We walk through the controls on the handle including the floor settings. Note: in all floor setting the brushrolls on this vacuum will continue to spin – they are just noticeably slower in hard floor mode.

We also show the powered lift-away release button, the dust canister release button, the wand release tab, the handle release tab, and the hose release button. We highlight the advantages of Shark’s lift away feature and we show how it can be used with tools. We also compare powered lift-away to non-powered lift-away (the Stratos has powered lift away). We show this using the Shark Stratos and the Shark NV360.

We investigate the cleaner head – both top and underside. You can see the DuoClean Technology which consists of two brushrolls. A soft brushroll is on the front of the cleaner head and, in the case of the Stratos, a combination fin/bristle brushroll is in the middle of the cleaner head. We also show how the soft brushroll can be easily removed for cleaning.

Also, installed in the cleaner head is the odor neutralizer cartridge. We show how to install it, how to remove it, how to change the cartridge and how to set the intensity. In addition, we discuss what it is like to use this feature.

The vacuum has two pre-motor filters and one post motor filter and we show how to access, remove, and replace all of them. While we cannot test it, Shark has indicated that the Stratos has a sealed system which means that no unfiltered air leaks from the vacuum. All the air entering the machine gets filtered before being exhausted back into the room.

The dust canister on the Stratos is large enough that you will not find yourself having to empty it all the time. The Shark Vertex canister is rather narrow and it has a tendency to get hair and dust bunnies stuck in it, but Shark made improvements with the Stratos. They call the dust canister an “Anti-Wrap Dust Cup”. It is designed so that the debris falls out and you shouldn’t have to put your hand inside to pull out stuck-in debris.

We performed a noise level test and found that the Stratos is fairly loud. It
turned out it was the loudest upright we’ve tested to date.

We also weighed the Stratos and it came in at 16.4 lbs. This isn’t too heavy but it’s also not lightweight – although it is a little lighter than the Vertex which we weighed at 16.7 lbs.

Movement on low pile carpet is reasonable – but you can feel the vacuum weight and the spinning brushroll fight you little on the pull-back. Movement on hard flooring is easier but still requires some muscle. We also tested movement on 1 inch deep pile carpet and while everything worked ok, movement was an effort.

We undertook a host of cleaning tests. Carpet, Hard Floor, Hair, Edge. The Stratos performed good to very good in all of them. We also tested the power tool.

DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

DISCLAIMER: I am a participant in the Shark affiliate program. As a Shark Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.