Shark Stratos Cordless Review

The Stratos is one of the easiest-to-use cordless vacuums we tested. We liked the versatility of the DuoClean double brush roll system, and we appreciated the excellent anti-allergen filtration, but we removed the Shark odor neutralizer cartridges, which smell like cheap deodorant.

Performance Comparison

Carpet Performance

In many homes, vacuums are expected to clean up a wide variety of debris, so in our tests, we utilize multiple types to evaluate each model's performance fully. On carpet, we spread out 1/2 cup each of sand, rice, and Cheerios over a 27-square foot area and then measured how much each vacuum was able to suck up in a 24-second stress test. Plus, we repeat each run 2-3 times to ensure consistent results. This is a very difficult stress test that no other reviewers are attempting with such rigor.

This model delivered an average performance on low pile carpet and an above-average performance on high pile carpet compared to 15 other vacuums we tested. We run our multi-debris tests on both low pile and high pile carpet to help us tease out differences and help you match the right performance characteristics to the carpet styles in your own home.

Low Pile

This cordless stick sucked up 82.82% 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, when we lifted the vacuum, a pile of sand and rice fell out of the bottom. 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.

“This Stratos vacuum did well going forward,” noted Rachael, our lead tester. If you attack messes head-on, you'll get better results in your own home." Still, we saw some leftover sand in our test runs, which likely means this model doesn't have enough suction power to grab it quickly.

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 vs 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 gate is key to its success. Some vacuums with carpet-specific heads like the Dyson V15 Detect have lower head gates in an attempt to create greater suction on carpet. The problem is that large debris on tall, wavy, high pile carpet can sort of float on top of the fibers, which lets the cleaner head push them around. We were delighted when we watched 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 head design does well with larger, lightweight debris.

Hardwood Performance

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, whereas the Stratos does it with a single dual-purpose head.

At nearly half the cost of the Dyson mentioned above, the Stratos earned a Top Pick award for midrange-priced hard floor excellence.

Cleaning Performance

The key to effectively using this model is to hit everything head-on. It tends to backplow on reverse strokes, but head-on, no cereal could avoid its gaping maw.

“Even the big pile it made on the backplow couldn't stand up to this vacuum with a head-on attack!” gushed Rachael. Still, she did note that while the Stratos was fantastic with large debris, it sometimes left a tiny bit of sand that the Dyson vacuums, with their hardfloor-specific Fluffy Optic cleaner heads, were able to nab every time.

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

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

Crevice

To conduct the crevice test, we placed sand in the crevices of a bamboo mat. After performing four forward and four backward passes, we weighed any remaining sand to evaluate the cleaning performance.

For those who have tile or crevices in their home, they'll be happy to learn that this vacuum was powerful enough to suck 96.07% of the sand we scattered in between slats of our bamboo test mat. Those who live in a sandy area or hit the beach often will likely be happy with this option. However, if sand is their constant nemesis at home, the Dyson Gen5detect sucked up a mind-blowing 99.56% of the sand in our crevice test and has the power to extract sand deeply embedded in carpet fibers.

Edges

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

Regardless of the household debris that accumulates around potential trouble spots, the Stratos Cordless proves itself 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.

Pet Hair

To test pet hair performance, we used 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 tossed 1 gram of long hair extensions over the top and pressed it all down with a heavy wheel roller over the carpet. If you're not sure what 4 grams of hair looks like, it's basically a big fistful of hair with spiky ends poking out everywhere. We weigh it to ensure consistency and the ability to accurately identify how much hair each vacuum can deliver to its dustbin.

This stick vacuum performed above average with pet hair, making it a good choice for pet owners. If you have several heavy-shedding pets, Gen5detect crushed our pet hair test, but it costs nearly twice as much as the Stratos Cordless.

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

The Stratos ranks just about average in this combined rating. In our rigorous clean room test, we monitor 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, which Dylos considers excellent and rivals any high-end stick vacuum on the market.

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.

Suction

The suction test essentially reveals the practical suction capability of the vacuum, considering both the brush roll head's design and the motor's power.

Unfortunately, the Stratos didn't demonstrate much power in this aspect, which is somewhat disappointing. However, this limitation didn't appear to hinder its performance in our previous metrics. This lower-than-average suction power, combined with the results of stress tests on carpet and hardwood, tells us that this vacuum cleaner head design is very effective in moving debris into its intake suction tube.

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.

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

Maneuverability

Our testers rated this cordless Stratos maneuverability as very good, ranking it one of the best overall for this metric. Our testers though it could be a little hard to push on carpet at times due to its good suction — and sometimes hard to pivot on carpet — but the flexible shaft gave it a versatility boost that was impossible to ignore.

Maintenance

Removing the dustbin provides access to both the pre-motor and post-motor filters. To clean the two pre-motor filters positioned atop the dust cup, rinse them with water until the water runs clear, and then let them dry for at least 48 hours before reinstalling. The post-motor filter, located above the dustbin within the motor head, can be simply pulled out, and you can follow the same cleaning instructions as for the pre-motor filter.

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

Uphostery & Attachments

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

We love the anti-allergen tool to tackle dusting on hard surfaces like tables or window blinds — it's basically a flat wand with soft bristles. It required 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.

One drawback to the included accessories is the lack of a mini motorized brush roller. We really like, for example, the mini motorized Hair screw roller accessory that comes with the Gen5detect because it works so well on stairs 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. For comparison, the V15 Detect ran for 63.7 minutes on low and 8.8 minutes on high.

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.

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

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.

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