Reviews You Can Rely On

Shark Stratos Cordless Review

Excellent cleaning performance, along with the convenience of this stick vacuum, left us wanting to take this home for ourselves
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Shark Stratos Cordless Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $500 List
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Manufacturer:   Shark
Rachael Lamore
By Rachael Lamore ⋅ Senior Review Analyst  ⋅  June 27, 2025
Contributions From: Chris Maxcer
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 18
  • Carpet Performance - 30% 6.4
  • Hardwood Performance - 25% 8.8
  • Pet Hair - 20% 6.4
  • Ease of Use - 10% 8.7
  • Filtration - 10% 7.4
  • Battery - 5% 6.7

Our Verdict

The Shark Stratos Cordless is a solid all-around performer that absolutely excels on hardwood floors, earning it a Top Pick from our testing crew in our review of more than a dozen cordless stick vacuums. Its 97% clean performance on hardwood during our stress test blew past the average as it sucked up Cheerios, rice, and sand with satisfying ease. It also sucked up 96% of the sand in our crevice test while also performing well above average with pet hair. Interestingly, we measured the suction power slightly below average. Still, the Stratos DuoClean dual brush roll system design seems to do more than makeup for it by guiding debris where it needs to go, no matter the surface. The Clean Sense IQ technology detects debris and boosts suction when needed, making short work of big messes while reducing suction (and battery usage) when it's not needed. Our backs were big fans of Shark's Multi-FLEX hinge, which lets you reach hard-to-access areas underneath furniture and fold and stow the unit upright without needing to mount it to a wall. While the large head wasn't as maneuverable as some vacuums we tested and struggled to transition from floor to area rugs; we fell in love with its ability to suck up big debris piles on hardwood, making it the best cordless Shark for wood or vinyl floors. For those with more carpet in their home than hardwood, the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight is very similar to the Stratos, but it outperforms on carpet with a slight drop in hardwood performance.
REASONS TO BUY
Efficient eco setting
Nearly perfect on hard surfaces
Good carpet cleaning
REASONS TO AVOID
Brush roll can't be removed
Struggles with dirt
Editor's Note: On June 27, 2025, we adjusted this review to reflect our newest test metrics and weightings.

Our Analysis and Test Results

"The Stratos is one of the easiest-to-use cordless vacuums I tested," noted another tester. “I liked the versatility of the DuoClean double brush roll system, which let me transition between carpet and hardwood without needing to change cleaner heads.” We also appreciated the excellent anti-allergen filtration, but we removed the Shark odor neutralizer cartridges, which smelled like cheap deodorant.

We put each cordless vacuum through a series of stress tests in our lab, checking performance with multiple debris types on multiple surfaces to reveal performance differences you can expect in your own home.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Carpet Performance


We run our multi-debris tests on both low pile and high pile carpets to help us tease out differences and help you match the right performance characteristics to the carpet styles in your own home. For instance, some vacuums are better at collecting large, lightweight debris like popcorn or potato chips. In contrast, others excel at deeply embedded sand or dirt — and our tests reveal how these abilities can change depending on the surface type.

Carpet Cleaning Performance (%)
ProductLow PileHigh Pile
Best9454
Shark Stratos Cordless8353
Average82.142.8
Worst2435

Low Pile


This cordless stick sucked up 82% of debris on low pile carpet, partially because it back plowed rice and Cheerios, which left some behind in 24 seconds.

In the first test run, this vacuum seemed to crush material easily; however, a pile of sand and rice fell out of the bottom when I lifted the vacuum. So, it clogged under the heavy load, but gravity was enough to free it. In these difficult challenges, intermittent clogs happen, but we don't worry until it becomes a definitive pattern, which we report.

I appreciated how well this vacuum did going forward, but it tended to backplow on the reverse, which pushed the rice and Cheerios away from the suction intake and left a pile of debris. When I had time, I turned around and got the little piles with head-on passes, which explains the higher collection rates in two of my tests.

shark stratos cordless - the tall front head lets this cleaner head roll right over big...
The tall front head lets this cleaner head roll right over big debris piles on every forward pass.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

While I was impressed by this model's ability to collect large debris moving forward, I still saw sand left over in the test runs. Even on its best runs, it was missing about 10% of the material, indicating that this vacuum has less intense suction for deeper, heavier debris. With just a little bit more time, I think this vacuum wouldn't have a problem finishing the job.

High Pile


This model sucked up an average of 53% of sand, rice, and Cheerios over three trials in just 24 seconds, an above-average performance.

We were surprised by this result, partially because most vacuums have a harder time with high pile carpet versus low pile carpet — and this one has less suction power than some of its higher-priced competitors. We believe the dual-powered brush roll, with a relatively tall head opening, is key to its success.

Before Testing After Testing
Before Testing photo comparison After Testing photo comparison
The Stratos (left) compared to the Black+Decker (right) in our high pile test. Longer pile length is a stiff opponent to all vacuums.

Some vacuums with carpet-specific heads, like the Dyson V15 Detect, have lower head gates in an attempt to create greater suction on the carpet. The problem is that large debris on tall, wavy, high pile carpet can float on top of the fibers, which lets the cleaner head push them around.

shark stratos cordless - because this vacuum has an exposed soft motorized brush, in addition...
Because this vacuum has an exposed soft motorized brush, in addition to the conventional brush roll behind it, I was able to roll over Cheerios and rice on forward passes, giving the head a fighting chance to scoot debris into its suction tube and lead to a competitive performance.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

I was delighted to watch this vacuum roll right over the top of high-floating Cheerios. For those who get tracked in leaves in the fall or yard debris dropped by their kids or dogs, this DuoClean head design does well with larger, lightweight debris.

Hardwood Performance


We use the same 1.5 cups of sand, rice, and Cheerios to test vacuums on hard floors. We spread the mixture over a 9' x 3' test section, then give each machine just 24 seconds to collect as much material as possible. We repeat this test 2-3 times to generate an accurate average collection rate.

The Shark Stratos DuoClean dual brush roll system powers both rolls, which helps it gobble up even large debris on hardwood.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Stratos Cordless was a standout in our hardwood floor tests, easily outperforming all but the Dyson Gen5detect, which scored the same but costs twice as much and requires the use of its hard floor-specific cleaner head. In contrast, the Stratos does it with its versatile single dual-purpose head.

Cleaning Performance


I only needed two trials in our hardwood test to see that this vacuum is a beast on hardwood. It easily sucked up a 97% average of material, which is an outstanding performance.


We're big fans of Shark's dual-powered brushrolls. The relatively large diameter soft front roll is one of the most versatile brush rolls we've ever tested. It easily overwhelms cereal while also whisking away small rice and nearly all sand.

I loved how even big piles couldn't stand up to this vacuum with a head-on attack! Still, while the Stratos was fantastic with large debris, it sometimes left a tiny bit of sand that the Dyson vacuums, with their hard floor-specific Fluffy Optic cleaner heads, were able to nab every time.

When both brush rollers run, this vacuum feels alive, as if it wants to run forward and eat, eat, eat.

This lab test video illustrates how well the Shark Stratos gobbles both large and small debris on the forward pass, as well as shows you how it backplows on the reverse.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Edges


In the final phase of assessing hardwood performance, we positioned coffee grounds along the floor's edge near the wall, running the vacuum head-on and parallel to the wall to see how much it could capture.

Before Testing After Testing
Before Testing photo comparison After Testing photo comparison
To our delight, this vacuum cleared nearly all visible coffee grounds in our tough edge-of-wall test, leaving just a few hard-to-see bits head-on and nothing on the parallel pass.

Regardless of the household debris accumulating around potential trouble spots, the Stratos Cordless proves more than capable. Whether it's dust bunnies lurking in corners or crumbs scattered under furniture, this vacuum effortlessly tackles them all, making it easy for us to recommend to anyone with a home filled with hard floors.

The key to effectively using this model is to hit everything head-on and give it a little more time for heavier debris like sand. The versatile dual-purpose head design delivered outstanding results for surface cleaning, beckoning a beneficial cleaning tool for hardwood floors.

Pet Hair


To test pet hair performance, we use 4 grams of pet hair, wiping 3 grams back and forth across 13 square feet of carpet and then scattering the remaining over the top. Then we toss 1 gram of long hair extensions over the top and press it all down with a heavy linoleum roller. If you're not sure what 4 grams of hair looks like, it's basically a big overflowing fistful of hair. We weigh it to ensure consistency and the ability to accurately identify how much hair each vacuum can deliver to its dustbin.

Pet Hair Cleaning Performance (%)
ProductLowHigh
Best8474
Shark Stratos Cordless7464
Average73.648.3
Worst4820

The Stratos visually sucked up the majority of the hair I could see except for a couple of lingering small clumps at either the end or beginning of my strides with the vacuum. The percentage capture tells the story of where the hair went, getting caught around the PowerFins roller.

This cordless Stratos sucked up most of the smaller pet hair with relative ease, but longer hair can still wrap.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Filtration & Suction


Our filtration tests reveal how well you can expect your vacuum to keep tiny particles contained and out of the air you breathe, while our suction tests give you an idea of how powerful the motor is. Sometimes, vacuums that perform well in filtration underperform due to poor suction, so seeing these metrics can help people choose the right balance they need in their own home environment.

Filtration & Suction Performance Ratings
ProductFiltrationSuction
Best9.09.5
Shark Stratos Cordless9.04.7
Average7.75
Worst2.03.0

Filtration


In our rigorous clean room test, we monitored air quality with two separate Dylos air quality monitors before, during, and after vacuuming up flour. This vacuum managed to filter and contain nearly all the particles, resulting in a particulate spike of less than 75 particles counted by the meter, which Dylos considers excellent and rivals any high-end stick vacuum on the market.

Filtration Particle Count
 Shark Stratos Cordless
Small Particle Count55
HEPA Filter
Dylos Air Quality DesignationExcellent

What does this mean to most people? For those concerned about potentially harmful sources of indoor particulate matter or are sensitive to dust or allergens in the air, this vacuum is unlikely to increase anyone's sniffly agitations.

Ease of Use


While this model effortlessly glides across multiple surfaces with minimal effort, transitioning between carpet and hardwood may require a bit more effort due to its relatively large dual-purpose head design.


One feature I particularly appreciated was its MultiFLEX hinge because it requires less bending to clean under furniture. Plus, the hinge system makes free-standing storage simple.

This bending feature makes reaching under furniture incredibly easy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability


Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed using this stick vacuum. While the decent suction occasionally made it a bit challenging to push and pivot on carpeted surfaces, the flexible shaft added a significant level of versatility that was hard to overlook, even if it wasn't entirely flawless.

When bending in half to glide under furniture, it was a little hard for me to maneuver on carpet because it doesn't lock into a fixed position. Like riding a bike for the first time, you need some practice to get the vacuum head where you want it to go. After a few wild rides pushing it around, I could gain control and use it to this day unconsciously in my routine.

Perhaps not as maneuverable as other models, the Shark is still a very capable vacuum and leaves your carpet looking untouched.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maintenance


Removing the dustbin provides access to both the pre-motor and post-motor filters. To clean all the filters, rinse them with water until the water runs clear, and then let them dry for at least 48 hours before reinstalling.

I was surprised and delighted by how easy it was to empty the dustbin on the Stratos Cordless without making a mess.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

On the side of the vacuum, there is a small blue button that can be pushed to release the soft brush for cleaning and to remove hairs from the comb. We're big fans of how simple it is to remove this roller. However, the other brush roller cannot be removed, so any caught hair has to be cut away with it attached to the cleaner head.

shark stratos cordless - on big tests, pet hair could accumulate between the two rollers...
On big tests, pet hair could accumulate between the two rollers, having to remove the hair when it affected the roller's ability to turn.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente

Uphostery & Attachments


To round out our Ease of Use test metric, we test a number of attachments on everyday household items like coffee tables, furniture, and throw pillows.

shark stratos cordless - shark's included anti-allergen brush worked well to while vacuuming...
Shark's included Anti-Allergen Brush worked well to while vacuuming up coffee grounds from upholstery.
Credit: Rachael Lamore

I loved the anti-allergen tool for dusting on hard surfaces like tables or window blinds — it's basically a flat wand with soft bristles. It took me more than one pass to suck up coffee grounds on a pillow during one test, but a couple of extra passes cleaned it in a jiffy!

shark stratos cordless - the included crevice tool fits into tight spaces and has a built-in...
The included crevice tool fits into tight spaces and has a built-in soft brush extension you can slide down.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

One drawback to the included accessories is the lack of a mini motorized brush roller. We like, for example, the mini motorized Hair Screw roller accessory that comes with Dyson products because it works so well at agitating upholstery on couches and pet beds.

Battery


In our tests, this model's battery delivered 55.1 minutes on its lowest setting and 11.4 minutes on its high.

Measured Battery Runtime
ProductLowHigh
Best689
Shark Stratos Cordless5511
Average44.111.9
Worst2911

Those who have a large house with heavy-duty vacuuming needs might need to vacuum over multiple sessions with this model, particularly because it took us 4.3 hours to recharge it.

It was easy to store when we finished using the Stratos Cordless. We simply folded it in half, making it even more compact. It was ready to be stowed in a closet without needing a wall-mount system installed.

A compact solution to small storage spaces!
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Shark Stratos Cordless?


If your budget permits, investing in the Shark Stratos Cordless is a wise choice, as it stands out as an excellent stick vacuum for a wide variety of circumstances — with truly great hard floor performance. While it may not be considered budget-friendly for everyone, you'll acquire one of the top stick vacuums we evaluated. Moreover, it's even more affordable than some of its high-ranking competitors. Whether you're dealing with messes under your child's high chair on the kitchen or dining room floor or dirt tracked onto a carpeted area of your home, you'll be delighted with the exceptional performance of this powerful and convenient vacuum.

What Other Stick Vacuum Should You Consider?


This model offers premium features. However, consider the Dyson V15 Detect if you desire better suction performance. It delivers high-end operations but comes at a cost. The Levoit LVAC 200 is an excellent alternative for those seeking to save money while still seeking top-tier performance. Although it may not match the Stratos in performance, it is easier to clean and maintain and comes at a lower price. Within the Shark family, the Vertex performed similarly to the Stratos (actually beating it in carpet cleaning), looks very similar, and a great alternative we highly recommend.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best for Most People
 Best Buy Award
Best on a Budget
 
Price $500 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line The cleaning performance and convenience of this stick vacuum impressed our testers and made them want one for their own homesOffering the convenience and cleanliness of an empty station and powerful cleaning performance, this vacuum sets a high bar for the competitionThis stick vacuum has all the cleaning performance most need in a lightweight packageThis vacuum delivers an impressive clean for a budget-friendly model, holding its own against competitors that cost two or even three times as muchA vacuum that gets the job done without breaking the bank
Rating Categories Shark Stratos Cordless Shark PowerDetect C... Shark Vertex Pro Li... Smoture VAC01 Levoit LVAC-200
Carpet Performance (30%)
6.4
7.6
7.3
6.4
6.2
Hardwood Performance (25%)
8.8
8.2
8.7
6.9
6.4
Pet Hair (20%)
6.4
7.7
6.2
5.0
5.1
Ease of Use (10%)
8.7
8.0
8.7
7.8
8.0
Filtration (10%)
7.4
7.7
8.2
7.2
8.0
Battery (5%)
6.7
6.0
6.1
5.8
5.3
Specifications Shark Stratos Cordless Shark PowerDetect C... Shark Vertex Pro Li... Smoture VAC01 Levoit LVAC-200
Max Mode Runtime 11 min 12 min 12 min 14 min 17 min
Low Mode Runtime 55 min 47 min 48 min 43 min 35 min
Storage Foldable standalone Docking station Foldable standalone Standalone Standalone
Handheld Weight 3.6 lbs 3.9 lbs 3.8 lbs 3.5 lbs 3.3 lbs
Suction 647 Pa 373 Pa 323 Pa 249 Pa 274 Pa
Low Pile Cleaned 83% 94% 90% 87% 86%
High Pile Cleaned 53% 54% 56% 42% 42%
Hardwood Cleaned 97% 97% 96% 85% 77%
Pet Hair Cleaned 69% 79% 67% 54% 52%
Charge Time 4.3 hrs 4.7 hrs 3.2 hrs 4.1 hrs 2.8 hrs
Dustbin Capacity 0.7 L 0.7 L 1.0 L 1.5 L 0.8 L
Noise Level 80 dBA 79 dBA 77 dBA 80 dBA 80 dBA
Trigger No No No No No
Variable Suction Control Yes, automatic Yes, automatic Yes No No
Model Number IZ862H IP3251 IZ662H VAC01 LSV-V201-WUS

Rachael Lamore and Chris Maxcer