Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum review

This corded stick vacuum packs a punch when it comes to suction

Shark Stratos Corded Ultralight
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum cleaner delivers excellent suction on both hard floors and carpet, and including along edges and into the corners of rooms. The versatile design can tackle anything from cobwebs to upholstery, and the flexible floor head lets you get deep under furniture. And, a bonus – it leaves your floors smelling fresh. If you don't mind the fact it's not cordless, and can handle the small and slightly difficult-to-empty dust canister, it could be perfect vacuum cleaner for you.

Pros

  • +

    Powerful suction

  • +

    Good along edges

  • +

    Lightweight

  • +

    Versatile modular design

  • +

    Odor neutralizer tech is a treat

Cons

  • -

    Dust canister a bit small

  • -

    ... and tricky to empty

  • -

    Corded

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Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum: two-minute review

Product info

The model I tested is no longer part of the Shark range in the US (although it may be available from 3rd party retailers). This is the model in the UK:

UK:
Shark Stratos Corded Stick Pet Pro Model HZ3000UKT

In the US, this model is very similar, but with a larger dust cup and no flexible wand:

US: Shark Stratos Corded Stick Vacuum HZ3002

I was excited to put the Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum (known as the Shark Stratos Corded Stick Pet Pro in the UK) to the test, and was impressed with what I found. The fact that it's not cordless might put some off, but what you lose in roaming freedom, you gain in suction. It's far more powerful than I was expecting, and performed equally well on hard floor and carpet. Shark is fast cementing its name as one of the best vacuum cleaner brands around, and the Stratos Corded Stick doesn't disappoint; in fact we rate it as the best cheap vacuum

While you don't quite have the same freedom you'd find with one of the best cordless vacuums, the super-long cable means you won't feel tethered to the wall, the supplied attachments are useful for a range of cleaning scenarios, and the modular design is versatile. (If corded is a deal-breaker for you, there are plenty of alternatives in TechRadar's best Shark vacuum guide, most notably the cordless model in the same range, which you can read about if our Shark Stratos Cordless review.)

An anti hair wrap floor head minimizes the chance of things getting clogged up with hair, and LED headlights ensure you won't miss any spots in poorly lit areas, too. The odor-neutralizer cartridge might seem gimmicky, but I was quickly sold on this addition – it leaves carpets smelling lovely and fresh.   

My main complaint was that the dust canister is too small – I had to make six trips to the bin when clearing two weeks' of dog hair from my bedroom; all the more annoying because the canister is a little fiddly to empty. That's the short version – read on for my full Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum review.

Shark Stratos Corded vacuum in reviewer's living room

(Image credit: Future)

Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum specs

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Header Cell - Column 0 US version (HZ3002)UK version (HZ3000UKT)
Name:Shark Stratos CordedShark Stratos Corded Stick Pet Pro Model
Power supply:CordedCorded
Weight:8.68lbs4.55kg
Dimensions (L x W x H):9.66 x 10.24 x 46.26"26 x 41 x 118cm
Cord length:30ft10m
Bin volume:0.79qt0.3L
Filtration:HEPAWashable
Tools:Crevice tool, Upholstery Tool, Hair Pro Pet Power BrushCrevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Anti Hair Wrap Pet Tool

Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum review: price & availability

  • List price: $299.99 / £249.99
  • Availability: US and UK 

At list price, the Shark Stratos Corded will set you back $299.99 in the US, while the UK's equivalent Shark Stratos Corded Stick Pet Pro is £249.99. For both that's in TechRadar's mid-range price bracket for vacuum cleaners. (Although at time of checking, the UK version was discounted to £199.99, which is right at the top of the budget bracket). 

That might seem quite steep, but, when it comes to vacuums, you get what you pay for – and with the Shark Stratos Corded, you're getting good value for the price. Shark does offer cheaper stick vacuums, but you'll have to make sacrifices in terms of suction and features. 

Seasonal shopping events like the Black Friday sales are often a good time to buy a new vacuum, and it's worth keeping an eye out for Shark promo codes to take the price down, too. 

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum review: design

  • Lightweight, modular design with anti hair wrap floorhead
  • Cord is plenty long enough to reach across rooms
  • LED headlights to illuminate dark areas

Available in a dark blue and silver colorway, the Shark Stratos Corded definitely looks striking once set up, even if it can't stand up on its own. Take a closer look, and you’ll see that all the parts are attractive and well thought out.

The floor head utilizes a dual-brush roll system – one fabric, one bristled – that can be seen in all its black and red glory through the transparent top. Plus, the self-cleaning brush rolls ensure that no hair becomes wrapped or tangled around the barrels to slow down cleaning. The front of the floor head is also home to a strip of LED lights to illuminate the path in front so you don’t miss any dirt and debris, as well as the nozzle that houses the odor-neutralizer cartridge.

Shark Stratos Corded Ultralight floorhead closeup

(Image credit: Future)

What I mistook as the lever to adjust the angle of the floor head turned out to be the locking mechanism for the telescopic tube. The telescopic tube easily clips into place, while the handheld vacuum clips into the top of it.

The handheld vacuum is essentially the brains of the operation. The two buttons that control the vacuum sit on its base right below an LED panel that indicates whether the vacuum is in carpet or hard floor mode. It’s here that you’ll also find the dust canister, whose 0.79qt / 0.13L capacity is fairly small. For example, it had to be emptied six times when vacuuming up two weeks' of dog hair in the master bedroom.

Shark Stratos Corded vacuum cleaner and all attachments

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a button on the front of the dust canister to pop it out of the handheld, and then two buttons on either side of the canister to open it on top. While I found it easy to empty, some might prefer a dust canister that opens from the bottom, allowing for quick emptying into the trash without any chance of any dust escaping.

Weighing in at just under 9lbs – or 3lbs, using the handheld on its own – the Shark Stratos corded is pretty lightweight (note that the UK version is heavier at 4.55kg). It's not quite as nifty as the WandVac range though (read our Shark WandVac System review for more on that one). 

You might at first think that the fact that it’s corded could hold you back, the cord offers more than enough length, 30ft to be exact (10m in the UK), to reach across rooms. If you would prefer cordless, this brand makes some excellent options – read TechRadar's Shark Detect Pro Cordless review for our favorite – although don't expect the same suction power. 

Shark Stratos Corded vacuum cleaner resting against a wall

(Image credit: Future)

The Shark Stratos’ modular design means that removing the handheld or the tube from the base and attaching one of the three included attachments is hassle-free. In addition, I found that the included crevice tool, upholstery tool, and pet power brush were sufficient to cover just about all my cleaning needs. Note that there are several other attachments available for purchase.

Shark Stratos Corded on floor stand

(Image credit: Future)

To those who might be wondering about how to keep the vacuum upright if it can’t stand on its own; simply unclip the handheld from the telescopic and clip it on the front of the floorhead stand. Then, it will happily stand unsupported all day long.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum review: performance

  • Excellent suction, regardless of use case
  • Dust canister and floor head a little sticky
  • Odor neutralizer makes everything smell fresh

When it comes to performance, I wasn’t expecting the Stratos Corded Stick Vacuum to be quite as powerful as it is. It takes just one or two passes over an area of mess to achieve a spotless floor, whether that’s on hard flooring or carpet. It proved just as adept at cleaning the edges and into corners of rooms with its wide brush rolls and floorhead. And, using the handheld portion with any supplied attachment delivered similarly stellar results when pulling pet hair off upholstery and sucking cobwebs from the ceiling.

Shark Stratos Corded Ultralight

(Image credit: Future)

The Shark Stratos Corded handled dust and small particles, pet hair, and large-ish bits of debris with aplomb. It even sucked up a piece of plastic that was a couple of inches in diameter in an instant. Of course, the LED light on the front helped ensure I didn’t miss anything.

As mentioned, unclipping the handheld and clipping on attachments is super easy. The only issues I’ve encountered when using this vacuum are when trying to pull out the dust canister, which can stick a little, and adjusting the floor head, which doesn’t tilt smoothly – although, when it does, it goes far enough to easily reach under furniture.

Shark Stratos Corded Ultralight floorhead on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

I thought the odor-neutralizer technology, which is essentially an air freshener in cartridge form, was a gimmick, but after testing, I'm a convert. There’s only one scent available but you can adjust the strength of the scent by turning the cartridge in place, and it leaves floors feeling and smelling fresh. I’m definitely a fan.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Shark Stratos Corded Ultralight?

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Attribute Notes Score
Value A mid-range vacuum that's well worth the money. 4 / 5
DesignIt’s modular and lightweight; but the dust canister is a bit too small.4.5 / 5
Performance This vacuum is easy to use and does a great job of vacuuming up debris, big and small.4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a lightweight cleaner

Considering its handheld vacuum comes in at 3lbs and the whole vacuum comes in at just under 9 lbs, this is an incredibly lightweight vacuum.

You want excellent performance

Whether you’re vacuuming hard flooring, carpets, or upholstery, the Shark Stratos Corded offers decent power and suction to complete the job.

You want fresh-smelling floors

It may sound like a gimmick, but the odor-neutralizer technology does leave floors with a clean scent once they’ve been vacuumed.

Don't buy it if...

You want to be untethered

As great a vacuum as this is, you’ll still have to be mindful of the cord while cleaning and be within reach of a power outlet for use around your home.

Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 Shark Stratos CordedShark Stratos Upright VacuumTineco Pure One S11
Watt:600 watts1,416 watts450 watts
Suction power:Not specifiedNot specified130 watts
Speeds:Carpet / Floor32
Bin volume:0.79qt / 0.75L1.48qt / 1.4L0.63qt / 0.6L
Filtration:HEPAHEPAFour-stage sealed HEPA filtration
Noise volume:84dB81dB – 100dB72dB
Tools:Crevice tool, upholstery tool, self-cleaning pet power brushCrevice tool, upholstery tool, self-cleaning pet power brushLED multi-tasker power brush, mini power brush, 2-in-1 dusting brush, crevice tool, pre-filter cleaning tool with pre-filter, hair cleaning tool
Weight:8.68lbs / 3.94kg17.2lbs / 6.7kg5.96Ibs (2.7kg)

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

The Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum shares a lot of DNA with the Shark Stratos Corded including odor neutralizer tech, a dual-brushroll system and, unfortunately, price. It does have a larger capacity dust cup, but somewhat reduced maneuverability.

Read our full Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum  review

Tineco Pure One S11

Great battery life and maneuverability are just some of what makes this cordless Shark competitor such a stellar option. It can also automatically detect different levels of dirt plus it’s cheaper than the cordless version of the Shark Stratos.

Read our full Tineco Pure One S11 review

How I tested the Shark Stratos Corded

To test the Shark Stratos Corded, I used it for a week to vacuum both carpets and hardwood floors in my house as well as the stairs, upholstery, ceilings, and under furniture. I tested the odor neutralizer to gauge whether it actually brings any benefit, and paid particular attention to how the vacuum performed along edges and into the corners of rooms, as well as its handling of debris of all sizes.

I’ve tested a lot of gear over the years from laptops and audio equipment to vacuum cleaners and air fryers, and so have been able to use my expertise to give an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2023

James Holland
Freelance writer

James Holland loves checking out gadgets of all sorts, whether it's audio equipment, laptops, or vacuums (especially of the robot variety), and does so for a number of Future Publications including TechRadar, Top Ten Reviews, Homes & Gardens, and T3. He's built up an expertise for in-depth reviewing over the last four years. When he's not putting in the work on the latest tech, he loves to travel, play music, and eat questionable food.

With contributions from