Why you possibly can belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we evaluation, so that you could be positive you are shopping for the very best. Discover out extra about how we take a look at.
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002: two-minute evaluation
Product information
That is the vacuum on evaluation:
Shark Stratos DuoClean PowerFins Hair Professional Upright Vacuum AZ3002
Shark could be erratic with its naming, so test the product code to be sure to’re shopping for the mannequin you suppose you are shopping for. There are related however barely completely different fashions accessible within the UK and Australia (I examined a US vacuum).
The primary floorhead is kitted out with headlamps that can assist you spot grime and fluff in darkish corners, in addition to an odor-neutralizing puck to maintain issues smelling recent. Beneath are two rollers that work in tandem to sort out completely different flooring sorts – a softer curler helps polish laborious flooring, and a agency curler with rubber fins helps agitate carpet fibers.
It is not probably the most superior Shark Upright, and lacks a number of the particular options of newer fashions just like the Shark PowerDetect Upright – together with an Auto mode, which I missed right here. Nonetheless, it is nonetheless a wonderful all-rounder, and worthy of consideration in the event you’re trying to find the very best vacuum in your wants.
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 evaluation: value & availability
- Checklist value: $529.99
- Launch date: Unknown
- Availability: US
The Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 launched a number of years in the past, and is available for purchase within the US. There are related fashions within the UK and Australia, however with barely completely different product codes.
At record value, this vacuum prices $529.99 on the SharkNinja web site. It is also available for purchase by way of third social gathering retailers like Goal, Walmart, and Finest Purchase.
That value places it in TechRadar’s mid-range bracket for vacuums usually, however is moderately costly within the context of corded uprights. It is a high-quality vacuum cleaner that works very well and comes with loads of equipment, so I believe the worth is justified. There are cheaper, nonetheless succesful, uprights available on the market if it is out of your funds, although.
- Worth for cash rating: 4 out of 5
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 specs
|
Kind: |
Corded upright |
|
Weight: |
22.7 lbs / 10.3kg |
|
Bin dimension: |
1.5 qts / 1.4 L |
|
Measurement (H x W x L): |
46.5 x 11 x 12.2 in / 118.1 x 27.9x 31cm |
|
Filter: |
HEPA, felt and washable foam |
|
Max suction: |
Not supplied |
|
Modes: |
Onerous flooring, Carpet/low pile, Thick carpet/space rug |
|
Twine size: |
25 ft / 7.62m |
|
Versatile hose size: |
3 ft / 0.9m |
|
Product code: |
AZ3002 |
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 evaluation: design
- Modular design – can take away the motor part and maintain in your hand
- Floorhead for any flooring sort, and fitted with odor-neutralizing cartridge
- Three suction ranges to select from however no auto mode
The very first thing I observed when unboxing the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 is the plethora of equipment. My evaluation mannequin got here with a Crevice instrument, Upholstery instrument, and HairPro self-cleaning pet energy brush for element cleansing, plus an odor-neutralizer cartridge to fit into the floorhead. I discovered all the pieces comparatively straightforward to place collectively without having to seek the advice of the guide.
As is sort of at all times the case with upright vacuums, the Stratos AZ3002 is comparatively cumbersome and heavy – particularly in comparison with the finest cordless stick vacuums available on the market. Nonetheless, right here you possibly can detach the pod that incorporates the mud cup and maintain it in your hand whilst you use the wand on a versatile hose, which makes issues like cleansing the steps far simpler.
This mannequin is corded, so you will have to take care of the relative inconvenience of getting to unplug and re-plug as you clear. The wire can also be shorter than I might like, at simply 25 ft / 7.62m.
One design characteristic I like is the power to select from three suction ranges: one for laborious flooring, one for low-pile carpet and one for thick carpet. Loads of corded uprights simply have one setting, however I admire that I can customise the cleansing primarily based on flooring sort right here.
Nonetheless, it isn’t probably the most superior of the Shark uprights – the Shark PowerDetect Upright has an Auto mode whereby it’s going to enhance or lower suction primarily based on how a lot grime is on the ground. This vacuum may even amp up energy when the vacuum nears the sting of a room, and has a floorhead that is designed to have the ability to decide up chunky particles when it is pulled backwards over it. None of these options are included on the Stratos Upright.
The primary floorhead incorporates two motorized brushrolls that work in concord to scrub completely different flooring sorts. Within the entrance is the delicate curler, which picks up mud and helps polish laborious flooring. Within the again is the PowerFins curler, which has rubbery fins to agitate carpet fibers, in addition to serving to to scoop up chunkier particles on laborious flooring.
One particular characteristic which crops up on a lot of the very best Shark vacuums is an odor neutralizer cartridge. Right here, it sits instantly in the primary floorhead, and could be rotated to boost or decrease the depth. I am delicate to some fragrances, however happily, on a low setting, the scent shouldn’t be overpowering. It is a gentle and clear perfume. If you happen to do not like this characteristic, the cartridge could be eliminated and will not have an effect on the vacuum’s precise efficiency.
The dustbin can maintain 1.5 quarts / 1.4 liters of mud and particles at a time, which is way over you’d match right into a cordless stick vacuum, however not as beneficiant as you will discover on some upright fashions. Nonetheless, it is good and straightforward to empty: merely press the discharge button on the highest of the pod after which push the extent on the again to open the lid.
There are two varieties of filters within the vacuum: the HEPA filter, and the pre-motor filters (foam and felt filters), each of which is able to want cleansing semi-regularly and ultimately changing.
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 evaluation: efficiency
- Nice suction on each laborious flooring and carpet
- Cleans below low furnishings (sofas and beds)
- Reaches into tight areas and above flooring locations
I used to be impressed with the highly effective suction of the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum. The corporate doesn’t particularly record the suction energy, but it surely’s robust sufficient to simply take away particles on each laborious flooring and carpeted surfaces. Whereas comparatively weighty, it additionally propels itself forwards when turned on, which makes it simpler to drive – though typically, when steering, it looks like the vacuum is sort of going to topple over.
On laborious flooring, the brushroll is so robust that typically, throughout my assessments with instantaneous grits, a number of specs would scatter or fly away. This didn’t occur on carpet, or with heavier varieties of particles – and I am not deducting any factors for the few scatters.
All through my time utilizing the Stratos AZ3002, I by no means had any points with hair getting tangled within the brushroll system. I haven’t got pets, however this vacuum pulled up my very own brief hairs with ease, and usually I believe it’d make a good vacuum for pet hair – corded uprights like this one virtually at all times have extra suction than cordless stick vacuums, and I used to be definitely impressed with this mannequin’s cleansing energy.
To get a extra goal view of the AZ3002’s efficiency, I ran a sequence of suction assessments. In my first take a look at, I opened a packet of dry apple cider tea and scattered it on the ground. I selected the laborious flooring mode, and the Shark Stratos simply eliminated it in a single move.
Within the subsequent take a look at, I sprinkled some instantaneous grits on the ground. Nonetheless in laborious flooring mode, the vacuum additionally eliminated a lot of the particles in a single move. Nonetheless, within the left facet of the photograph above, you possibly can see that the vacuum additionally scattered a number of the grits on the ground.
Within the third take a look at, I poured a number of the instantaneous grits alongside the sting of the ground to check how intently the Shark Stratos cleans there. The vacuum cleaner eliminated the overwhelming majority of the grits when vacuuming sideways and people left had been picked up once I vacuumed head-on.
On carpet, I carried out the identical assessments with dry apple cider vinegar tea and instantaneous grits. This time, I poured the tea and grits facet by facet. I switched the setting to carpet/low pile cleansing. The Shark Stratos made straightforward work of choosing up each the tea and grits – one move is all that was wanted for each varieties of spillage.
I need to admit that I do not at all times bear in mind to change modes when vacuuming, and I missed having an Auto mode the place the vacuum cleaner would alter itself routinely when going from one sort of flooring to the opposite.
One among my favourite options is the power to take away the pod and use the vacuum cleaner virtually like a stick vacuum. On this configuration, I discovered it straightforward to scrub below my sideboard in addition to below my couch, and the floorhead was capable of clear proper as much as the baseboards. Such thorough cleansing is not at all times a given with an upright vacuum, and I appreciated it right here. I additionally discovered the vacuum’s headlights helped me spot grime in darkish areas.
I additionally tried including the Crevice instrument to the top of the primary wand. This setup was nice for cleansing mud from the HVAC vent covers on the ceiling, in addition to in tight areas like below and on the facet of the fridge. I discovered the Upholstery instrument very efficient for cleansing throw pillows and curtains, in addition to any upholstered furnishings. Lastly, I used the Pet energy brush to scrub my carpeted stairs.
In all of those eventualities, the Shark Upright Stratos did a wonderful job of eradicating mud and particles in only one ahead movement (though I tended to go ahead and backward when cleansing anyway).
- Efficiency rating: 4.5 out of 5
Do you have to purchase the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
High of the mid-range bracket, however typically discounted. Nice options assist justify the worth. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
Cumbersome, however modular design makes it versatile and it comes with numerous element instruments. Lacks superior options of different Shark uprights and twine is a bit brief. |
4 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
Sturdy suction on laborious flooring and carpet. Cleans below low furnishings, and with attachments, it reaches into tight locations and can be utilized on steps and fabric. |
4.5 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
How I examined the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002
I’ve had the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 for over a 12 months, and used it on-and-off for months at a time in my two-bedroom dwelling, which has a mixture of carpet and laborious flooring.
For this evaluation I used the Shark Stratos Upright as my major vacuum cleaner for a few weeks, so I might decide cleansing effectiveness within the three modes. I additionally gauged how straightforward it was to maneuver the vacuum, and the way straightforward it was to empty and preserve.
To measure efficiency extra particularly, I performed a number of assessments on each laborious flooring and carpet, utilizing dry tea and instantaneous grits. I additionally examined how effectively the vacuum cleaner was capable of clear up towards baseboards, and the way effectively it labored with the assorted attachments to scrub stairs, upholstery, and in tight areas.
Learn extra about how we take a look at vacuum cleaners
- First reviewed November 2025
