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Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002: two-minute review
Product info
This is the vacuum on review:
Shark Stratos DuoClean PowerFins Hair Pro Upright Vacuum AZ3002
Shark will be erratic with its naming, so examine the product code to ensure you’re shopping for the mannequin you assume you are shopping for. There are comparable however barely completely different fashions obtainable within the UK and Australia (I examined a US vacuum).
The main floorhead is kitted out with headlamps to help you spot dirt and fluff in dark corners, as well as an odor-neutralizing puck to keep things smelling fresh. Underneath are two rollers that work in tandem to tackle different floor types – a softer roller helps polish hard floors, and a firm roller with rubber fins helps agitate carpet fibers.
It’s not the most advanced Shark Upright, and lacks some of the special features of newer models like the Shark PowerDetect Upright – together with an Auto mode, which I missed right here. However, it is nonetheless a wonderful all-rounder, and worthy of consideration in case you’re looking for the best vacuum in your wants.
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 review: price & availability
- List price: $529.99
- Launch date: Unknown
- Availability: US
The Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 launched several years ago, and is available to buy in the US. There are similar models in the UK and Australia, but with slightly different product codes.
At list price, this vacuum costs $529.99 on the SharkNinja website. It’s also available to buy via third party retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.
That price puts it in TechSwitch’s mid-range bracket for vacuums in general, but is rather expensive in the context of corded uprights. It’s a high-quality vacuum cleaner that works really well and comes with plenty of accessories, so I think the price is justified. There are cheaper, still capable, uprights on the market if it’s out of your budget, though.
- Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 specs
|
Type: |
Corded upright |
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Weight: |
22.7 lbs / 10.3kg |
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Bin size: |
1.5 qts / 1.4 L |
|
Size (H x W x L): |
46.5 x 11 x 12.2 in / 118.1 x 27.9x 31cm |
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Filter: |
HEPA, felt and washable foam |
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Max suction: |
Not provided |
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Modes: |
Hard floor, Carpet/low pile, Thick carpet/area rug |
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Cord length: |
25 ft / 7.62m |
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Flexible hose length: |
3 ft / 0.9m |
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Product code: |
AZ3002 |
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 review: design
- Modular design – can remove the motor section and hold in your hand
- Floorhead for any floor type, and fitted with odor-neutralizing cartridge
- Three suction levels to choose from but no auto mode
The first thing I noticed when unboxing the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 is the plethora of accessories. My review model came with a Crevice tool, Upholstery tool, and HairPro self-cleaning pet power brush for detail cleaning, plus an odor-neutralizer cartridge to slot into the floorhead. I found everything relatively easy to put together without needing to consult the manual.
As is almost always the case with upright vacuums, the Stratos AZ3002 is relatively bulky and heavy – especially compared to the best cordless stick vacuums available on the market. However, right here you possibly can detach the pod that comprises the mud cup and maintain it in your hand when you use the wand on a versatile hose, which makes issues like cleansing the steps far simpler.
This mannequin is corded, so you will must take care of the relative inconvenience of getting to unplug and re-plug as you clear. The twine can also be shorter than I’d like, at simply 25 ft / 7.62m.
One design characteristic I like is the power to select from three suction ranges: one for exhausting flooring, one for low-pile carpet and one for thick carpet. Plenty of corded uprights simply have one setting, however I admire that I can customise the cleansing primarily based on ground kind right here.
However, it isn’t essentially the most superior of the Shark uprights – the Shark PowerDetect Upright has an Auto mode whereby it will enhance or lower suction primarily based on how a lot dust 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 predominant floorhead comprises two motorized brushrolls that work in concord to wash completely different flooring varieties. In the entrance is the gentle curler, which picks up mud and helps polish exhausting flooring. In 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 exhausting flooring.
One particular characteristic which crops up on plenty of the best Shark vacuums is an odor neutralizer cartridge. Here, it sits immediately in the principle floorhead, and will be rotated to lift or decrease the depth. I’m delicate to some fragrances, however happily, on a low setting, the scent shouldn’t be overpowering. It’s a gentle and clear perfume. If you do not like this characteristic, the cartridge will 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 excess of you’d match right into a cordless stick vacuum, however not as beneficiant as you will discover on some upright fashions. However, it is good and simple 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 can want cleansing semi-regularly and ultimately changing.
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 review: performance
- Great suction on both hard floors and carpet
- Cleans under low furniture (sofas and beds)
- Reaches into tight spaces and above floor places
I was impressed with the powerful suction of the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum. The company does not specifically list the suction power, but it’s strong enough to easily remove debris on both hard floors and carpeted surfaces. While relatively weighty, it also propels itself forwards when turned on, which makes it easier to drive – although sometimes, when steering, it seems like the vacuum is almost going to topple over.
On hard floors, the brushroll is so strong that sometimes, during my tests with instant grits, a few specs would scatter or fly away. This did not happen on carpet, or with heavier types of debris – and I’m not deducting any points for the few scatters.
Throughout my time using the Stratos AZ3002, I never had any issues with hair getting tangled in the brushroll system. I don’t have pets, but this vacuum pulled up my own short hairs with ease, and in general I think it’d make a good vacuum for pet hair – corded uprights like this one nearly all the time 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 exams. In my first check, I opened a packet of dry apple cider tea and scattered it on the ground. I selected the exhausting ground mode, and the Shark Stratos simply eliminated it in a single go.
In the subsequent check, I sprinkled some prompt grits on the ground. Still in exhausting ground mode, the vacuum additionally eliminated a lot of the particles in a single go. However, within the left aspect of the photograph above, you possibly can see that the vacuum additionally scattered a few of the grits on the ground.
In the third check, I poured a few of the prompt 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 exams with dry apple cider vinegar tea and prompt grits. This time, I poured the tea and grits aspect by aspect. I switched the setting to carpet/low pile cleansing. The Shark Stratos made simple work of selecting up each the tea and grits – one go is all that was wanted for each varieties of spillage.
I have to admit that I do not all the time bear in mind to change modes when vacuuming, and I missed having an Auto mode the place the vacuum cleaner would regulate itself mechanically when going from one kind of flooring to the opposite.
One of my favourite options is the power to take away the pod and use the vacuum cleaner nearly like a stick vacuum. In this configuration, I discovered it simple to wash 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 all the time a given with an upright vacuum, and I appreciated it right here. I additionally discovered the vacuum’s headlights helped me spot dust in darkish areas.
I additionally tried including the Crevice device to the tip of the principle 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 aspect of the fridge. I discovered the Upholstery device very efficient for cleansing throw pillows and curtains, in addition to any upholstered furnishings. Finally, I used the Pet energy brush to wash 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).
- Performance rating: 4.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
Top of the mid-range bracket, but sometimes discounted. Great features help justify the price. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
Bulky, but modular design makes it versatile and it comes with lots of detail tools. Lacks advanced features of other Shark uprights and cord is a bit short. |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Strong suction on hard floors and carpet. Cleans under low furniture, and with attachments, it reaches into tight places and can be used on steps and upholstery. |
4.5 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002
I’ve had the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 for over a year, and used it on-and-off for months at a time in my two-bedroom home, which has a mix of carpet and hard floors.
For this review I used the Shark Stratos Upright as my primary vacuum cleaner for a couple of weeks, so I could determine cleaning effectiveness in the three modes. I also gauged how easy it was to maneuver the vacuum, and how easy it was to empty and maintain.
To measure performance more specifically, I conducted several tests on both hard floors and carpet, using dry tea and instant grits. I also tested how well the vacuum cleaner was able to clean up against baseboards, and how well it worked with the various attachments to clean stairs, upholstery, and in tight spaces.
Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners
- First reviewed November 2025