Shark APEX vs Vertex vs Stratos Vacuum Cleaners

Shark's has vacuum cleaners for every need. A cordless vacuum is the most convenient option for quick cleanups; a corded version is a cordless alternative but with more power; an upright, vacuum for all surfaces.

Shark has four premium lineups, the APEX, Vertex, Stratos, and POWERDETECT, all similar but not that much.

Cleaning technology

Since those models are in a premium category, the four have a similar dual roller system. It is a mix of a soft roller ideal for picking up everything on hard floors and a standard brushroll that agitates debris and small particles off carpets. So far this is one of the best cleaning mechanics on the market that is not only capable of surface cleaning but also gets deep into carpets. The dual roller system also does a great job dealing with long hair-resisting tangles.

The APEX as the oldest uses DuoClean, the upgraded Zero-M technology that previously was the best at dealing with hair tangles. DuoClean now does it even better with the ability to deep clean carpets.

The Vertex uses DuoClean PowerFins. It is a dual roller system, similar to DuoClean but has an upgraded standard roller that outperforms DuoClean at deep carpet cleaning since DuoClean is already nearly perfect on hard floors.

The Stratos uses an upgraded system called DuoClean PowerFins HairPro. The manufacturer claims this one performs the best. Only the Stratos lineup uses this technology.

The POWEDETECT has DuoClean Detect, which has sensors to recognize floor type, dirt, edges, and direction. This is so far the most advanced roller system.

Other models also have PowerFins or DuoClean but not all are Vertex or APEX, however, all APEX, Vertex, Stratos, POWERDETECT models have a a two-brushroll system.

Filtration

Most Shark vacuums do not leak, dust stays inside the cleaner when you vacuum and it's called a sealed filtration system. Most premium Shark cleaners additionally use HEPA filters to be safe for everyone.

Premium Shark cleaners have a sealed anti-allergen filtration system  

Cordless Cleaners

Even tho cordless cleaners do not have as much power as uprights do, some of these are capable of deep carpet cleaning. The Shark cordless cleaners are ideal for pet owners because of the self-cleaning roller.

What is Multiflex? This feature folds a cleaner to get under some furniture and makes storing easier.

What is Powered Lift-Away? It is normally presented in upright vacuums since it helps to release a part of a cleaner allowing one to use it as a stick. This way it doesn't tire a hand since all the weight is located on the bottom.

The Shark Stratos IZ862H automatically adjusts suction when it detects big messes. It uses DuoClean PowerFins HairPro, the latest cleaning system, and has odor-neutralizer technology. Compared to the Vertex series, its display shows a Sense IQ status that modifies suction and battery levels automatically.

The smartest in the lineup, it detects dirt, floor type and direction to adjust suction power depending on cleaning tasks.

The smartest in the cordless vacuum lineup

The best Shark cordless vacuum cleaners compared

Speaking of carpet cleaning or picking ability, those are about the same. The latest Shark PowerDetect IP1251 is the most powerful so it is good for carpet cleaning and is the smartest which makes the user's experience smooth. It uses the most advanced cleaning system so is the best cordless vacuum in the lineup.

The IZ682H Vertex Pro is good for pet owners since it has the biggest dustcup.

The Shark Stratos IZ862H with Clean Sense IQ detects dirt and has advanced cleaning technology so is good if you don't need extra features the IP1251 has.

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Corded: HZ3002 Stratos vs. HZ2002 Vertex vs. ZS362 APEX

All four are good at dealing with long human hair and picking up different kinds of things on all types of surfaces thanks to the dual roller system. Keep in mind, that the corded modifications are not suitable for deep carpet cleaning but do a good job on low-pile carpets and hard floors since they are not powerful enough to get deep into thicker carpets. Although two of them are not HEPA, they have a standard Shark filter that catches allergens and pollens, however, the filtration system is not sealed and is not recommended for dust-sensitive people.

The Shark HZ3002 Stratos Ultralight uses the upgraded cleaning system, the DuoClean PowerFins HairPro which resists hair tangles, allows it to get deep into carpets, and is a pro at picking up stuff off all surfaces. It has a display and automatically increases suction power levels in messy areas. With odor-neutralizing technology, the cleaner gets rid of odors.

The Shark Stratos is the only of the three that has a sealed anti-allergen filtration

The Stratos has the biggest accessory kit. Ideal for those who are sensitive to dust and have to deal with lots of hair.

The HZ2002 Vertex uses DuoClean PowerFins which is an advanced modification of DuoClean and it does a better job picking up things especially getting deeper into carpets. The Vertex is the most powerful of the three but also has the smallest dustbin which is not very convenient to empty after every cleaning or even in the middle of the cleaning cycle. A display shows additional cleaning info.

This is a good option for those who don't deal with lots of debris or have more than one pet because of its small dustbin. Since filtration does not contain a HEPA filter, it is not safe for allergy sufferers.

The APEX ZS362 uses Zero-M and DuoClean technologies that both resist hair tangles and pick up everything off hard floors and carpets. A relatively big dustbin makes it good for those who have to deal with lots of hair and debris. It is the heaviest of the three and doesn't have a display.

HZ3002 Stratos vs. HZ2002 Vertex vs. ZS362 APEX

• Shark APEX DuoClean Zero-M ZS362 corded is a good option for thin carpets and hard floors but would not be good for allergy sufferers. It also has a big dustbin so is suitable for pet owners.
• Shark HZ2002 Vertex is the most powerful yet has the smallest dustbin so would not be an option for pet owners. Good for small areas.
• Shark HZ3002 Stratos Ultralight is smart, has a big dustbin, and has the most-advanced filtration which makes it safe for everyone. Along with that, it includes the biggest accessory kit of the three. Ideal for all types of surfaces except for thick carpets, and pet owners.

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Upright vacuums

Powered Lift-Away

The Powered Lift-Away is a function that helps to clean above the floor without tiring your hand. Upright vacuums normally have this option since the main weight is located on the bottom, unlike the cordless alternatives that are heavier on the top part.

Power

The upright vacuums are the most powerful in the lineup. Those are designed for vacuuming carpets. Unlike the cordless alternative, those are heavier and ideal for all types of a surface.

The best overall would be the brand-new Shark POWERDETECT AZ4002.

The Shark POWERDETECT AZ4002 has advanced cleaning rollers and is a pro at dealing with long hair. It has more power than the previous Vertex and does slightly better at deep carpet cleaning even tho the Vertex already was good at it.

To date, the Shark POWERDETECT AZ4002 is the best vacuum cleaner in the lineup

The advanced roller system makes the Stratos one of the most effective cleaners to deal with hair and dirt hidden deep inside the carpet. Additionally, it has odor-neutralizing technology, and the biggest dustbin.

Great if you need all this power with no extra features like dirt detect, etc

The Vertex is a Stratos predecessor, it uses PowerFins which is not as advanced as the Stratos system yet still one of the best on the market. Ideal for carpets and hard floors deals amazingly good with long hair leaving the rollers clean. The Vertex AZ2002 is still the best value in the whole Shark lineup.

The Shark Vertex AZ2002 is an ideal balance between power and performance, and the price

The Shark APEX is one of the premium machines with DuoClean and Zero-M technology, one of which reduces hair tangles, and the second one picks up any kinds of particles off hard floors and carpets. It has the smallest dustbin but is the most affordable of the three and still pretty good at its job.

The Shark APEX is the cheapest premium upright

The Shark APEX AZ1002 vs. Vertex AZ2002 vs. Stratos AZ3002

The Shark APEX is the cheapest option among the three. It is good for pet owners and different surfaces and those who want a powerful vacuum that would not break the budget.

The Shark Vertex uses a better cleaning system that gets deeper into carpets and resists hair tangles slightly better compared to the APEX rollers. A bigger dustbin makes it a better option for pet owners and those who deal with lots of debris. The Shark Vertex is the best value in the lineup.

The Shark Stratos uses the newest, most advanced cleaning system, has the biggest dustbin, and reduces odors. It is a good option for all kinds of surfaces, pet owners, and especially if your home is covered mostly with carpets.

The Shark POWERDETECT AZ4002 is powerful and the smartest upright vacuum on the market. Ideal for carpets and pet owners to make the cleaning experience smooth.

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