Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins, HairPro, Powered Lift-Away, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Navy

I have 2 golden retrievers, so live with constant dog hair. Everywhere. Recently had my carpets professionally cleaned prior to getting new furniture, and the carpet technician recommended Shark as the best vacuum. Period. So I indulged. This Shark is far superior to my Oreck in most ways - better suction power, the powered lift away (which I haven’t even used yet!) - but there are still some areas where the Oreck rates higher, in my opinion. For one, this Shark is HEAVY. Once you’ve turned it on and are using it, this is no longer an issue, but if you have to carry it up and down stairs, or into a different room, it really is heavy. Secondly, the dust bin is crazy small. I can get less than 2 rooms cleaned before it has to be emptied, whereas a standard vacuum with a bag, like my Oreck, could clean my whole house several times before the bag was full. And the there is my biggest peeve with the Shark: The maneuverability. Below the dust bin there is a pivoting type connection that allows the base of the vacuum, where the brushroll is, to turn easily. Maybe it’s just me, but I seem to have almost ZERO control over the base - the handle and the attached dustbin are the parts your arm is pushing, and suddenly the base will turn 90 degrees to the right or left, like it has a mind of its own: ooh - let’s suddenly zag and go under this chair here! And then the Shark laughs as I lose my balance because my momentum is still moving forward. LOL; good one, Shark. It’s very easy to assemble, and very easy to access all the features. I have not tried the liftaway yet, but will soon. The self-cleaning brushroll is genius! I was used to cleaning the brushroll on previous vacuums every time I had to clean, because the dog hair really gets wrapped around them, but so far, so good with the Shark! I wish all the attachments came with a dedicated accessory bag; I’ve just collected them all in a plastic grocery bag. I do love my Shark, and won’t be going back to a bag-type vac. Just wish it would let ME decide which way I want to go when we clean!

I have been on the hunt for the “perfect” (BUDGET) vacuum. I have tested sooo many of them, and have been let down nearly every time. We have 6 dogs and a cat, which include a GSD and rottie, who leave trails of hair wherever they lay. Theres just so. much. hair. All the time. No matter how often I vacuum. Ive been using a Bissell Cleanview, which I actually really like and it does a pretty decent job. BUT, for some reason, nearly every month, I have to replace the belt because it loosens to the point that the roller stops spinning mid-vacuum. I would suck it up and replace the belt monthly IF it didnt involve disassembling the whole underneath of the vacuum to do so. Its such an ordeal that Im just over it. My original vacuum cleaner when I moved out many years ago was a Shark. When it died, I replaced it with another newer model, and that seemed to die on me much quicker. Again, I replaced it with another Shark, and when that went on me too, I swore off Sharks. Most recently, I tried a Hoover, another Bissell, and even a Miele. I came across the Vertex, and was curious. It was much more expensive then I wanted to spend, but curiousity got the best of me. I was honestly hoping to hate it, so I wouldnt have to mull it over about returning it. Well.... it wont be going back. Shark has FINALLY redeemed themselves. Even with the cons, it does such an amazing job that it is totally worth it. The cord doesnt auto-rewind. The tank is ridiculously small. Its hard to manuveur. And despite these things, it picks up SO much that every other other vacuum left behind. I ran each of the Hoover Pet Max Complete, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Rewind, and the Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Canister Vacuum in separate rooms. I then went over each room with the Vertex. Each room gave me nearly a full tank on the Vertex, except the Miele, which was about a quarter full. I then ran the rubber hair remover brush over the carpet in each room. The Vertex picked up SO much, that the floors were nearly completely hair free. Shark has finally redeemed themselves in the vacuum world, in my eyes. If you found this review at all helpful, please click the Helpful rating underneath :D I strive to be as thorough as possible, since I also rely heavily on Amazon reviews.

My biggest gripe is how short the hose is. You can’t just undo the hose from the machine and use the furniture attachment without tipping it over as you try to clean the sofa or even just a recliner. You basically have to detach the vacuum canister from the floor unit and tote it around anytime you want to do something like that. A minor gripe is that there is no place to store even one attachment on the machine. Every time you want to do a crack or crevice or furniture you have to stop and go back to the last place you left them unless you wear a tool belt to store the attachments. I do like the job the dual brush does on the floor, both hard and carpet. The soft brush does a really nice job on the wood floors. And it does pick up the pet hair great, if you can catch it. This next gripe is not unique to this vacuum, but has been an issue with every upright I have ever had. The exhaust comes straight out the front. So the cat hair I was just about to vacuum up all the sudden is no longer there It may be more noticeable with this vacuum because it is so powerful. If it is creating a strong suction because it is moving a lot of air, that air has to go somewhere. But why does it have to go out the front. I cant be the only one who has noticed this. Why cant the designers vent it out the back or something. Like I said, this is not unique to this vacuum, they all seem that way. Finally, the dust bin is really skinny and hair gets stuck up at the top ( I have many pets), and I have to go get my back scratcher to teach up and dislodge it to get it out of the bin.

I’ve owned or used all the major brands over the years and have even owned two Kirby brand vacuums. This is so much better. Easier to empty than a Dyson. Better for hardwood floors than any other, it doesn’t kick out bits to the side or leave anything behind like my Dyson stick did. Better for carpet/rugs because unlike many vacuums you have a bleed valve that allows for pile height or backing. The ease of use and multiple ways to configure means I can actually vacuum my hardwood stairs, get underneath the beds, and in corners without stoping and starting. I love the mini rotating tool, it gets the pet hair and doesn’t clog. This vacuum can do it all. I may get another for upstairs just so I don’t have to carry it up and down, although it isn’t a problem because it isn’t too heavy (throwing shade at you Kirby)

We like the power but this vacuum is much heavier than you would think it should be. So far its working as advertised against hair. Maneuvering is more difficult than some weve used - the twisting requires significant wrist strength.

The only drawback for my wife is the weight of the canister if you are going Nader the couch and chairs. That’s going to be different for every individual depending on strength, age, joint conditions. I find it okay to lift but I’m a lot bigger and stronger than my wife. But it’s hefty, which also means well buil and sturdy to me.

I have gone through 3 vacuums with my labs. This is the best one for hair that never stops coming...it doesnt clog the roller and its easy to use. The suction is great and I like the fact you can clear the hoses easily.

This is my first purchase of a Shark vacuum. After exhaustive research I settled on the Shark Vertex model based on reviews and comparative shopping. First, the positives, excellent suction, large dust storage container, multiple adjustments for roller height, ability to remove storage container to vacuum in difficult to reach areas, useful attachments, and overall sturdy feel while vacuuming. For all the positives, it is a little clunky. It is somewhat difficult to roll around during vacuuming because the the roller provides significant resistance on the back stroke, and it’s large size feels awkward, generally speaking. In conclusion, I will gladly take the relatively few negatives for the excellent overall performance and quality this vacuum offers.

What a fabulous replacement for my precious Hoover WindTunnel. This is why we are loving it: 1. suction is even better (though WindTunnel has been amazing), 2. like the fact I can now easily vacuum up my rabbits fur under the bed without crawling under, 3. so far no long hair wrapping around barrel (though weve used just once but filled up the entire canister - much bunbun fur), 4. it propels itself forward (but a big harder to move back to ones self; not a deal breaker unless you are on the much weaker side), 5. doesnt feel cheaply made, and fulfills our needs. Hands down would recommend......

This is my second Shark Vertex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins. My other is still working. However, there was a great deal on this one, and I decided to buy just in case. I first want to mention that I have had to call a few times in the last 5 years about my original vacuum, and shark came through every time! They are easy to contact. They offer on the spot video technical support and then if they need to send out replacement parts, they are delivered within a week. Secondly, I own a Newfoundland dog and if you know anything about the breed, you will understand that a clean freak will be vacuuming every single day! Their hair is super long and it is NO JOKE you will have hair like you could never believe hair. This is the only vacuum that does the job! Ive tried cheaper brands, but poor Hudson Douglas kills them or they just cant even do it! Great vacuum! Great warranty program! Totally worth the price! Only neg on my review is the pet attachment! I dont like it, and it definitely needs improvements. My original one is fantastic but this one I dont think does a good job with hair... I think they tried to save money when they designed the pet attachment!