Compare Simplicity Vacuums Allergy Upright Vacuum, S20EZM vs Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

Tools are useful and available, but Amazon reviewers split over whether the included set is adequate.

Included tools were useful, especially HairPro-style pet and upholstery tools, but some reviewers wanted more than the basic crevice and upholstery attachments.

The finish and styling draw light but positive comments, with reviewers liking the color or clean design.

Hard-floor debris blowback appears in negative Amazon feedback when litter was thrown back at the user.

Airflow blowback was well controlled in one home test, where rice and litter did not shoot across the floor.

Area-rug handling is polarized: some rugs revived, while one flat-weave rug was damaged by the roller.

Area-rug handling was a weakness versus newer PowerDetect-style designs and required more passes on shaggy rugs.

Assembly is treated as very easy, with reviewers emphasizing the simple handle and hose setup.

Setup was easy overall; one comparison called assembly more involved, but hands-on reviews found it simple and intuitive.

One reviewer praised the brush rolls stopping when upright as a useful safety behavior.

The bag-full indicator receives both praise for usefulness and complaints when it fails to reset.

The bagged system is a strength because users like simple bag changes, contained dust, and steady suction.

The dust bin was usually liked for size and easy removal, though dog hair could fill it quickly in real home use.

Build quality is disputed: video reviewers praise durable parts, while Amazon complaints cite cheap plastic and failures.

Build quality was praised, with reviewers calling out hefty plastic connections and sturdy hardware.

High-pile and thick carpet performance is generally strong, helped by brush agitation and height adjustment.

High-pile performance was mixed: some reviewers praised thick-carpet cleaning, while others found sugar, rice, or sand left in shaggy fibers.

Low-pile carpet evidence is positive but less detailed, mainly tied to nap revival and general carpet cleaning.

Low-pile carpet performance was excellent, including a 97% pickup result and strong real-world rug cleaning impressions.

Medium/all-pile carpet evidence is favorable, with reviewers calling the carpet performance outstanding or broadly ideal.

Medium-pile and general carpet pickup was strong, including high sand collection and praise for DuoClean carpet performance.

Clogging prevention is a weakness in Amazon feedback, with users reporting easy clogs and teardown hassle.

One test noted an initial odd debris transfer result but found the vacuum did not appear to clog in later trials.

Comparative comments often favor the Simplicity over Shark-type vacuums, though Rainbow-style deep cleaning can outperform it.

Comparative testing placed the Stratos near or ahead of key rivals overall, though some competitors beat it in specific carpet or suction tests.

Controls are mixed: the height dial is easy, but many users dislike the always-on roller and limited suction control.

Controls were praised as accessible and well-labeled, with handle-based floor settings making adjustments simple.

Powered Lift-Away was one of the strongest points, repeatedly praised for making the upright act like a more flexible canister-style vacuum.

Cord length is mixed across homes: some call it long, while others say larger spaces still require replugging.

Cord length was viewed positively, with reviewers calling the 30-foot range sufficient and convenient.

Cord management earns praise for simple wrapping and top cord routing, with some wishing for retractability.

Crevice pickup is praised when using the crevice tool for narrow gaps and hard-to-reach areas.

Crevice and groove pickup was a standout strength, with tests praising its ability to lift sand and debris from cracks.

Ease of use is mostly positive, though physical effort and control quirks keep it from being universally easy.

Ease of use was strong overall, with reviewers praising usability and all-around performance.

Edge and baseboard cleaning gets positive mentions from both the attachment layout and edge-cleaning system.

Edge and wall cleaning were strong across tests, with reviewers noting good pickup along wall edges and coffee/rice edge tests.

Emptying and mess control are strong because the bag avoids the dirty, dusty bin-cleaning process users dislike.

Emptying was generally clean and easy, with top and bottom dust-cup access reducing the need to touch debris.

Filtration and dust containment are among the strongest themes, especially for allergies and bagged dust control.

Filtration was a major strength, with reviewers praising the sealed HEPA setup and very low particle release in testing.

The floorhead has strong agitation but mixed design feedback because the brush roll cannot be shut off.

The dual-brush floorhead was usually praised as efficient and useful, though one reviewer wished it performed better on certain carpets.

Hard-floor sealing is weak where reviewers report no squeegee effect and debris being thrown back.

One comparison praised the head's ability to form a tight seal for deep cleaning.

Hair-channel and brushroll serviceability is a concern where users cannot easily clean a locked beater bar.

One lab review found hair could catch in tines and near the soft roller, creating a de-tangling concern.

Carpet hair pickup is usually praised, especially for dogs, cats, and high-shedding homes.

Carpet hair pickup was often praised, but one lab review found only average low-pile performance and weaker high-pile results.

Hard-floor hair pickup was supported by one review's combined bare-floor hair test, but evidence was limited.

Hair-wrap/tangle resistance is a concern in pet homes when long hair is linked to brushroll lockup.

Hair-wrap resistance was strongly praised by most reviewers, though one lab test found long hair tangling around the brush roller.

Fine dust hard-floor evidence is mixed, with some strong cleaning praise and other hard-floor complaints.

Hard-floor fine-dust performance was consistently strong, with reviewers praising dust pickup on bare floors and hardwood.

Large-debris hard-floor intake is a weakness because users report thrown particles and litter blowback.

Large-debris hard-floor pickup was strong, with little scattering and successful pickup of rice, oatmeal, crumbs, and mixed debris.

The headlight is consistently useful in positive feedback, though one reviewer questioned non-LED longevity.

LED lighting evidence was limited and mildly negative, with one comparison saying the Stratos lights were less pronounced than another Shark.

Hose reach is mixed: videos praise long reach, while some owners find the attached hose too short or awkward.

The hose and wand reach were praised for giving more than 8 feet of extended reach.

Innovation centers on the five-level height system, described as unusual for uprights in this class.

The Stratos was treated as an advanced flagship that combines Shark's prior best upright features with newer suction and odor technology.

Low-profile reach is favorable when reviewers say it gets under furniture better.

Low-profile cleaning was a strength because Powered Lift-Away helped reach under furniture where uprights often struggle.

Maintenance is mixed-to-negative because belts, filters, and brushroll cleaning can require ongoing attention.

Maintenance was mixed: washable filters were a plus, but odor cartridges and hair cleanup could add extra work.

Handling is mixed: it rolls or maneuvers well for some, but weight and suction make pushing difficult for others.

Handling was split: reviewers liked the swivel and obstacle navigation, but some found the bulky canister harder to maneuver.

Noise is a recurring concern, though a few users find the tone tolerable or quieter than prior vacuums.

Noise was a recurring tradeoff: one test found it only slightly louder than a cheaper Shark, while another called it clearly noisy.

Odor control was mixed: one review liked the idea or masking effect, but multiple hands-on reviewers barely noticed it or saw it as added maintenance.

Onboard tool storage is a clear convenience when the tools stay accessible and easy to use.

Ownership costs are a concern because OEM bags, belts, and optional pet tools add expense.

Ownership costs were seen as reasonable because filters last a long time and are not expensive to maintain.

Longevity feedback is mixed, ranging from multi-year praise to early belt, hose, motor, and handle failures.

Overall opinion is positive but not unanimous: reviewers praise cleaning power while noting convenience and durability tradeoffs.

Overall sentiment was strongly positive, with multiple reviewers calling it one of the best uprights or a favorite despite weight and shag-carpet caveats.

Packaging quality was praised in one hands-on review for organized wrapping and easy unboxing.

Pet-ready performance is a major strength for carpet hair and allergens, though long-haired pets can expose brushroll issues.

Pet-focused evidence was generally positive, especially for pet hair pickup and sealed filtration, though pet-hair results varied by surface in broader testing.

Value is generally favorable, especially against higher-end vacuums, but ongoing parts costs temper the score.

Value was viewed positively because reviewers saw premium cleaning, filtration, and versatility at a lower price than some rivals.

Reverse-pass carpet performance was good but not perfect, with one test noting the Stratos missed more sand than Dyson on the return pass.

The forward-propel feel helps some users, but others still miss true self-propelled drive.

The brush rollers gave a mild self-propel feel, helping the vacuum move forward during use.

Stair use is limited by weight and lift-handle complaints despite useful step/edge attachments.

Stair usability was mixed but mostly workable: Lift-Away helped, while the full unit's weight made carrying it upstairs less ideal.

Storage is mostly good thanks to compact footprint, though stability concerns appear in owner feedback.

Stability was a clear weakness in one hands-on review, where the vacuum tipped easily during stretched-hose cleaning.

Suction is the strongest recurring praise, with multiple reviewers calling it powerful or excellent.

Reviewers consistently described the Stratos as extremely powerful, with strong suction and airflow that helped it excel in deep debris pickup.

Heavy-duty suitability is good for frequent pet-home use when the unit stays intact, with workhorse praise from some owners.

Reviewers saw it as capable of serious cleaning, with enough power and hardware quality for heavier-duty use cases.

Small-space suitability is strong because several users cite compact footprint and easy closet storage.

Small-space suitability was supported by precise swivel motion and easy navigation around tight spaces and obstacles.

Support and reliability are mixed: warranty backing and refunds help, but some service attempts disappoint.

Surface safety is a serious caveat because the active brush can damage rugs or beat one spot while using the hose.

Tool changes are usually easy with the included setup, though compatibility with older attachments is limited.

Tool changes were generally easy, with reviewers praising the removable wand and straightforward access for brushroll cleaning.

Under-furniture pickup is favorable when the machine or tools reach beneath furniture well.

Under-furniture cleaning was a standout benefit because Powered Lift-Away made low-profile furniture and hard-to-reach areas easier.

Above-floor pickup is mixed: hose suction can be strong, but upholstery and long cat hair disappoint some owners.

Above-floor and upholstery cleaning were strong, especially with the removable canister and HairPro-style powered tool.

Versatility is good for carpets, tools, and above-floor cleaning, but hard-floor limitations reduce flexibility.

Versatility was a major selling point, with the lift-off canister making it feel like two vacuums in one.

Weight is one of the clearest tradeoffs, with users calling it substantial or hard to push despite cleaning power.

Weight was the main ergonomic drawback, with reviewers calling it bulky, heavy, or cumbersome to carry.

Wool-rug evidence is limited but positive, with one owner saying wool rugs looked better after use.