Shark Stratos Upright Review [AZ3002]

We test the latest upright from Shark Ninja, the Stratos. Our review puts the Shark Stratos Upright against our 21 performance tests. 

Pros

• Excellent cleaning performance with 98.9% removal by weight
• Handles long hair without tangles
• Great for pet hair
• Fantastic usability with a variety of tools

Cons

• Slightly struggled with sugar on high pile carpet, removing 95.3% by weight

Scoring

In This Review

Cleaning Test | Long Hair Test | Pet Hair Test | Wind Speed Test | Smoke Sealant Test | Noise Test | Usability | Accessories | Size | Specs | Summary

There are two different versions of the Shark Stratos, the standard version and the TruePet upgrade version.

We tested the TruePet upgrade version, but both of the base vacuum models are the same, only the included accessories are different.

Performance Tests

To test the Shark Stratos, we put it through a series of 21 different tests from 6 critical performance categories.

These testing categories include:

• Cleaning test
• Hair test
• Pet hair test
• Wind speed test
• Smoke sealant test
• Noise test
• Usability test

Cleaning Test

For the cleaning test, we measure how well the Shark Stratos is able to clean up messes by putting it against 4 different debris types and 3 different floor types.

For each debris and floor type we use the vacuum on the maximum suction power and give each debris type one forward and one backward pass.

Here are the overall results for the Shark Stratos:

Across the board the Stratos was able to tackle the cleaning tests with ease. We see in all our vacuum tests to date, the average overall debris removal is 96.6%, making the Stratos 2.3% closer to perfection. 

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

On hardwood floors, the Stratos had no issues, removing 99.5% of debris by weight from the floor. 

On average, we see vacuums able to remove 94.6% of debris on hardwood floor. While most vacuums struggle with cereal with an average removal of 80.7%, the Stratos had no issues. 

There remained incredibly small amounts of kitty litter and sugar, but this performance is still practically perfect. This is partially thanks to the soft brush roll attached to the front of the cleaning head. It is designed to better clean hard surfaced floors.

Low Pile Carpet Cleaning

Low pile cleaning performance was also fantastic. Across all of our vacuum tests, we see they are able to remove 97.7% of debris on low pile carpet. 

The Shark Stratos was able to remove 99.0% of the debris leaving only sugar and 1 piece of cereal.

High Pile Carpet Cleaning

High pile carpet was where the Stratos struggled the most, but not by much. 

While most of the debris was picked up quickly, more sugar than we saw on the other floor types was left on the floor. On average, we see vacuums able to remove 97.4% of sugar across all of our tests. The Stratos’s 95.3% is worse, but only slightly.

However, this was only with one forward and backward pass. With more passes, I am sure the Stratos would remove the remaining debris. 

Long Hair Test

For the long hair test, we check to see how well the Shark Stratos can handle long hair without tangling around the brushroll. To test this, we measure 1.0 grams of long hair and place it on the hardwood floor. 

The Shark Stratos more than handled this test. All of the hair was removed from the floor and none of the hair tangled in the brushroll. 

Thanks to anti-tangle combs installed in the cleaning head, the hair is filtered through in such a way that it avoids tangles.

Pet Hair Test

To test how well the Shark Stratos can clean pet hair, we measure 1 gram of pet hair and rub it into high pile carpet. Next, we turn the vacuum to the highest suction setting and pass over the pet hair forward and backward 1 time. 

After cleaning with the Stratos, we then measure the remaining hair in the carpet and compare the post test data to the baseline. 

After cleaning the carpet with the Shark Stratos we found virtually no pet hair remained in the carpet. There was a small amount, but it was so small that it was barely visible. 

If your dog sheds a lot, the Stratos is a fantastic choice for handling fur.

Wind Speed Test

Vacuums with higher wind speed can create higher suction power. To measure the wind speed the Shark Stratos generates, we use an anemometer. We place it level with the next of the extension tube and run the vacuum on each mode, recording the results. 

Here’s what we found:

When in hardwood mode, the Stratos generates the highest wind speed at 17.7 mph. In contrast, it is also the quietest mode out of the 3, but we will discuss more about that later in the review.

Sealed System Test

For the sealed system test, we want to determine how well the entire vacuum system is sealed. Vacuums that are properly sealed ensure that dust and debris vacuumed stays inside the vacuum. Vacuums that are not properly sealed may spread dust and debris around your home. 

We set up a fog machine with the output nozzle facing directly toward the vacuum’s extension wand. Once the fog machine is primed, we turn the vacuum on the highest suction mode and release short bursts of smoke into the vacuum. 

We found the Shark Stratos Upright to be completely sealed. This is an excellent performance. Our test showed the Stratos was able to suck in the smoke without losing any from the various connecting pieces. 

Noise Test

To test the noise levels of the Shark Stratos, we ran it on high pile carpet in each power mode. While running, we use a sound meter to then measure the level of noise generated by the vacuum. Before starting the test, we also measure the ambient noise level of the room to compare vacuum to. 

Our tests showed the vacuum has a noise range of 73.3 – 74.7 dB.

Each mode generally falls at the same noise level. It’s fairly loud, so I wouldn’t try to hold a conversation while cleaning. 

Common noise levels:

• 20 dB – rustling leaves
• 30 dB – whisper
• 40 dB – quiet library, babbling brook
• 50 dB – refrigerator, moderate rainfall
• 60 dB – normal conversation, dishwashers
• 70 dB – traffic, showers
• 80 dB – alarm clock, telephone dial tone

Usability

Usability for the Shark Stratos is fantastic across the board. Setup is fairly easy, the controls are incredibly simple, and maintenance is straightforward. 

Setup

Depending on the version you get of the Stratos, there are a lot of items in the box.

With the TruePet upgrade you get:

• Shark Stratos Body
• DuoClean PowerFins cleaning head
• Extension wand
• Handle and tube
• HairPro power brush
• Crevice tool
• Upholstery tool
• Duster crevice tool
• Pet power brush
• Under-appliance wand
• Anti-allergen dust brush
• Multi-angle dust brush
• Odor cartridge 3x
• Accessory Bag

Setup for one person takes between 10-20 minutes as the vacuum does not come put together out of the box.

You need to:

• Attach extension wand to cleaning head
• Attach Stratos body to extension wand
• Attach handle to the extension wand
• Attach hose to the Stratos Body
• Plug in odor cartridge

From there, the needed accessories can be attached and the vacuum configured as needed to complete the job. 

Controls & Display

Controls are incredibly simple for the Shark Stratos. There is a button on the handle to turn the vacuum on/off.

In addition, there is a 3-setting switch to toggle between the different modes of the Stratos. Instead of using low, medium, and high, Stratos labeled the modes based on which floor type they would best fit: hardwood, low pile carpet, and thick carpet. 

Additionally, there are also various levers and buttons located across the vacuum to help detach various parts as needed. 

Maintenance

There are a few maintenance tasks required to keep the Shark Stratos running like new. 

First and foremost, you will need to empty the dustbin as it fills. This can be done easily thanks to the buttons to remove the dustbin from the vacuum, and quickly open the bottom of the dustbin to empty it out. 

Additionally, you will need to clean the HEPA and pre-motor filters. The pre-motor filters can be washed, dried, and replaced every 2.5 years according to Shark.

Shark also recommends replacing the HEPA filter every 3 years, and that filter is not washable. 

Accessories

In terms of accessories, there is a lot to choose from with the Shark Stratos. 

As with other vacuums, there is a crevice tool and duster crevice tool for cleaning along edges. 

For more robust dusting, you can use the multi-angle or anti-allergen dust brush. They both can be rotated, with the multi-angle having more rotational options, and the anti-allergen having finer bristles for finer dust and allergen particles. 

When cleaning cars or couches you can attach the upholstery tool, which is always nice to have. 

Furthermore, Shark included the HairPro Self Cleaning Pet Power Brush. This brushroll is designed to avoid hair tangles. In testing it works quite well, however the standard DuoClean cleaning head manages long hair as well. 

To clean under areas like couches or beds, you can use the under appliance wand which has an extended reach for those hard to get places. 

Finally, Shark included odor cartridges which install into the cleaning head of the vacuum. These help neutralize unwanted odors that can be created while vacuuming and replace it with something more pleasant.

Size & Dimensions

Size and weight of the Shark Stratos matches what we see with other upright vacuums on the market. It can lay low down to the ground and stands fairly tall. 

Here are the dimensions of the Shark Stratos:

• Width – 10.63″
• Length – 11.02”
• Height – 46.46”
• Weight – 17.2 lbs

In addition, you have a 30 ft. cord that offers a good amount of maneuverability while cleaning.

Shark Stratos vs. Stratos TruePet

With the Shark Stratos there are 2 versions: the standard and the TruePet version. While the vacuums have a different color, they are functionally identical. The difference between the models lies in the included accessories.

	Stratos Standard	Stratos TruePet
Cord Length	30 ft.	30 ft.
Dust Bin	0.37 gallons	0.37 gallons
Weight	17.2 lbs	17.2 lbs
DuoClean PowerFins Cleaning Head	Yes	Yes
Odor Neutralizer	Yes	Yes
Crevice tool	Yes	Yes
Upholstery tool	Yes	Yes
Under Appliance Wand	Yes	Yes
HairPro power brush	No	Yes
Duster Crevice tool	No	Yes
Multi-Angle brush	No	Yes
Anti-Allergen Brush	No	Yes
Accessory Bag	No	Yes

The standard Shark Stratos comes with your standard set of accessories, which are suitable for most cleaning situations. 

If you need the exact tool for the job, the TruePet upgrade has you covered. It comes with various extra dusting tools, and accessories to manage hair and upholstery. 

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 Specifications

Specifications
Type	Upright
Manufacturer	Shark
Model	AZ3002
Height	46.46″
Width	10.63″
Length	11.02″
Floor Type	All (indoor)
Filter	Felt & Foam, HEPA
Dust Bin Capacity	0.37 gallons
Cord Length	30 ft.
Bagless	Yes
Returns	Varies by retailer
Warranty	5 years
Price	Check Price

Should you buy the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum?

I would recommend the Shark Stratos Upright if you are looking for the following features:

• Fantastic cleaning performance: Across our cleaning tests the Shark Stratos showcased excellent performance. It removed 98.9% of all 4 debris types across all 3 floor types. Regardless of debris size or location, the Shark Stratos has you covered. 
• Manages long and pet hair: For those with long haired pets or pets that shed a lot the Shark Stratos is a great option. The DuoBrush cleaning head itself can handle hair without getting tangled. But if you are concerned about hair you can get the TruePet upgrade for the Pet power brush which is designed to manage long hair. 
• Highly modular device: The Stratos comes with a ton of attachments and accessories. These attachments increase the flexibility of how and where you can clean, giving you extra reach where you need it.

For more information or to buy the Shark Stratos Upright, click here.