Shark Stratos Ultralight HZ3002 Corded Stick Vacuum

4.2

(8)

Bottom Line

Choose the Shark Stratos HZ3002 if you want near-upright pickup and standout hair handling in a lightweight corded stick. Skip if cordless freedom is non-negotiable or you hate frequent, sometimes fiddly dust-cup emptying.

Best for

Pet owners and hard-floor-heavy homes that want strong everyday pickup and less hair wrap, with sealed filtration, and do not want to worry about battery runtime.

Not for

Anyone who needs true cordless grab-and-go convenience or has a large home where cord management and frequent dust-cup emptying would be frustrating. Also not ideal if you prioritize a self-standing vacuum for quick parking between rooms.

Verdict

Across lab tests and real-world use, the Stratos HZ3002 delivers unusually strong pickup for a stick vacuum, especially on hard floors and in pet-hair scenarios, backed by a DuoClean-style head and effective anti-hair-wrap design. A sealed HEPA filtration system impressed testers, and the odor-neutralizer cartridge can leave rooms smelling fresher. The tradeoff is convenience: it is corded, the cord can get in the way, and the compact dust cup may require frequent emptying and can feel finicky for some users. If you want consistent power without babysitting a battery, it hits a sweet spot.

Pros

Carpet — High-Pile Pickup 4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.9

High-pile carpet results are a highlight in lab testing, with near-total debris removal reported. Reviewers also note strong pet-hair extraction on deeper carpet when using the carpet mode.
Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.7

Fine dust pickup is consistently excellent, with tests reporting near-complete removal of powders/sugar and strong fine-dust containment in the bin. Several reviewers call it among the best-performing Shark sticks for fine debris.
Hair Pickup — Carpets 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.7

Hair pickup on carpets is repeatedly described as excellent, including 100% pet-hair removal in some tests with only a couple of passes. Real-world users also report strong performance on heavy dog-hair messes.
Filtration / Dust Containment 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.7

Multiple reviews highlight a sealed HEPA-style filtration system that keeps fine dust from escaping back into the air. Accessing and rinsing filters is manageable, though at least one tester noted the HEPA filter location is not obvious without the manual.
Build quality & durability 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.6

Reviewers generally describe the build as solid for the price, with attachments that feel well made. It is largely plastic, but testers did not flag obvious fragility in normal use.
Versatility 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.6

The modular build and included tools make it capable of floors, stairs, upholstery, and even cobwebs. Reviews consistently frame it as a do‑everything whole-home cleaner as long as you accept the cord.
Edge & Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors) 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.6

Edge and baseboard performance is repeatedly described as strong, including good cleaning along walls and into corners. This is a consistent strength in both lab notes and real-world use.
Pet-Ready Features 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.6

Testers repeatedly call out excellent pet-hair performance, including strong pickup and a powered pet tool for furniture and stairs. The main limiter for heavy shedders is the small dust-cup capacity, not the hair pickup itself.
Suction & Airflow 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5

Reviews describe strong real-world cleaning power for a corded stick, helped by above-average airflow at the head. One lab measured suction lower than average even though pickup remained excellent, so raw suction metrics are a slight mixed bag.
Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.5

HairPro/self-cleaning design prevents most tangles and helps keep the brushroll moving freely. A small amount of hair can still remain around the center in some tests, but overall tangle resistance is above average.
Odor control 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5

Odor-neutralizing technology is a standout perk for many reviewers, often leaving floors and carpets smelling fresher. A minority view it as more of a pleasant scent than true neutralization, and it adds a periodic cartridge replacement task.
Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.5

Medium-carpet and general carpet cleaning is described as powerful, including strong deep-clean results for embedded grit and solid pickup in one to two passes. Some users still report a bit more push effort on carpet compared with hard floors.
Convertible handheld design 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.5

Multiple reviews emphasize the removable handheld unit for above-floor cleaning, making it easy to tackle upholstery, stairs, shelves, and ceilings. Handheld performance is generally described as strong, though the cord and balance can make high-up cleaning less convenient for some.
Assembly and Setup 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.5

Setup is generally quick and simple, with the wand and floorhead clicking into place. The main extra step is unwrapping and installing the odor-neutralizer cartridge during initial assembly.
Accessories & Tools 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5

Included tools like a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and powered pet brush are consistently considered useful for above-floor work. Tool quality is viewed as solid, though not every accessory has a dedicated storage spot on the vacuum.
Comparative performance 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.4

Compared with other stick vacuums, several reviews say it performs unusually close to a full-size upright, especially for fine dust and hair. The tradeoff versus competitors is convenience: cord management, a small dust cup, and sometimes less nimble floorhead behavior.
Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.4

Above-floor cleaning is a consistent strength: reviewers report strong pet-hair removal on upholstery and good reach for cobwebs and shelves using the handheld unit and attachments. The main limitations are cord management and, for some users, balancing the handheld when cleaning high up.
Tool-change simplicity 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.4

Switching between floor use and attachments is generally described as quick and straightforward, with tools clipping on easily. Some accessories are friction-fit, but reviewers still found swapping parts hassle-free overall.
Stair Cleaning 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.4

With the handheld configuration and powered pet tool, reviewers report it works well on stairs and other tight areas. Long reach with the wand plus a crevice tool helps for corners and step edges.
Floorhead Seal on Hard Floors 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.4

Crevice and seal-related testing suggests a strong seal on hard floors, which supports efficient pickup without excessive blowback. This is cited as a factor behind its above-average crevice results.
Floorhead design 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.4

The DuoClean-style head with PowerFins/HairPro earns high marks for pickup and hair handling, and the head includes LEDs and an odor-cartridge compartment. Some reviewers still note the head can feel bulky or not tilt as smoothly as expected.
Controls & UI 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.4

Controls are intentionally minimal, typically a power button plus a mode switch for hard floor vs carpet with a simple indicator display. Reviewers generally liked the simplicity and clear mode feedback.
Weight 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.3

Weight is commonly described as light for a corded stick (roughly 8.7–9 lb assembled, around 3 lb handheld). Reviewers still note the cord can add perceived heft or awkwardness when cleaning higher surfaces.
Cord length 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.3

The cord is consistently reported around 30 feet, providing good reach across rooms and even small apartments without frequent outlet changes. Most reviewers call the length a meaningful advantage over typical short-cord vacuums.
Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3

Crevice and groove pickup results are described as above average in testing, supporting good performance in floor seams and tight gaps. Combined with the head seal, it tends to pull debris from cracks better than many sticks.
Self-propel feature 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.3

At least one hands-on review noted it can feel like it slightly propels itself on carpet, making forward passes easier. This is not universally highlighted, but it may reduce perceived effort on some rugs.
Headlight & LED lights 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.3

Integrated LED headlights are frequently praised for making dust and hair easier to spot in dim areas. Reviewers consider the lights a practical, not gimmicky, aid during daily cleaning.
Clogging & debris prevention 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.3

Anti-hair-wrap design reduces clogging from hair and fibers, and reviewers describe accessible paths for clearing blockages when needed. Some tests still saw larger debris get pushed or scattered, which can slow cleanup in certain scenarios.
Aesthetic design & finish 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3

The vacuum is described as striking/attractive in a dark blue and silver colorway. It is mostly plastic, but still looks well thought out and premium for the category.
Ease of use 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.3

Overall usability is widely rated as high thanks to simple controls, strong cleaning results in few passes, and a lightweight feel. The main usability downsides mentioned are the small dust cup, occasional stickiness in parts (cup or floorhead), and managing a long cord while moving room to room.
Price & Value 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.2

Value is often rated positively for the cleaning performance and features, especially when discounted. At full list price, at least one review argues you could buy a more powerful upright or a more convenient cordless alternative, so deals matter.
Maintenance requirements 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.2

Maintenance is generally described as easy: empty the cup, rinse filters on a schedule, and check for blockages. Odor-neutralizer replacement (often cited around a 6-month cadence) is an extra ongoing task for those who want that feature.
Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.2

Large-debris pickup on hard floors is mixed across tests: some reports show strong intake, while others saw rice/cereal get pushed around or trapped at the sides of the head. It may take extra passes or angles for chunky spills on smooth flooring.
Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0

Low-pile carpet performance is generally strong but not always perfect; some lab results showed a little residue left behind, especially for finer particles. It remains effective overall, but it is not the very best case surface for this model.
Maneuverability & Handling 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 3.9

Handling is frequently praised as light and controllable, with good maneuvering for a corded stick. However, experiences vary: some found it slightly harder to push on carpet or more upright-like and less nimble, with occasional stiffness in the floorhead tilt.
Cord management 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.9

The wand includes hooks/guides for wrapping and storing the cord, which helps for storage. During cleaning, multiple reviewers still complain the cord can catch on furniture or become a tripping hazard, so in-use management requires attention.
Onboard tool storage 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.8

An onboard storage clip can hold smaller tools like the crevice and upholstery tools for quick access. Larger accessories such as the powered pet brush may still need separate storage.
Emptying & Mess Control 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.8

Emptying is straightforward in concept with a removable cup and top-opening design, and some reviewers found it simple. Others report the cup is small, needs frequent emptying, and can feel fiddly or sticky to remove and dump cleanly.
Under-Furniture Pickup 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.7

Under-furniture reach varies by home: some reviewers praise the flexible head for getting far under furniture, while others found the head height or handle geometry limited access under low-profile pieces.
Noise level 3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.5

Noise is reported as moderate to loud depending on the test: one lab measured roughly 69–70 dB, while another recorded mid/high‑70s dB. It can sound closer to an upright than a quiet cordless stick.
Storage footprint & upright-stand stability 3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.5

Several reviewers note it does not naturally stand upright on its own and storage can feel awkward. Others point out workarounds such as clipping the handvac into a stand/rest position or using storage hooks for a more upright footprint.

Cons

Bin & Bag 3.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.2

The dust cup is repeatedly described as compact (around 0.75–0.79 qt/L-class), which can mean frequent trips to the bin in pet-heavy homes. Capacity is one of the most common complaints despite strong cleaning performance.
Cordless convenience 2.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 2.0

Because this is a corded stick vacuum, it cannot offer cordless freedom for quick grab-and-go cleans. Reviewers frame the upside as consistent suction and effectively unlimited runtime, at the cost of always managing the cord.

FAQ

How well does it handle pet hair and long hair?

Reviews and lab tests consistently report excellent hair pickup and strong anti-tangle performance, including 100% pet-hair removal in some tests. A powered pet tool is also included for furniture and stairs, though the small dust cup may fill quickly in heavy-shedding homes.

Is it good on carpet, or mainly hard floors?

It performs well on both, with a dedicated carpet mode and several tests showing near-perfect results on high-pile carpet. Some reviewers found it takes a bit more effort to push on carpet or can leave a little behind on low-pile carpet compared with its best-in-class hard-floor results.

How long is the cord?

Multiple reviews cite a cord length of about 30 feet. That is generally enough to cover most rooms (and even smaller apartments) without constantly switching outlets, but you will need to manage it while moving around furniture.

Does it stand upright on its own?

Several reviewers note it does not naturally stand up by itself for parking. Storage can involve clipping the handheld to a stand/rest position or using hooks, which works but may feel less convenient than a true self-standing stick.

Is the dust cup easy to empty?

Emptying uses a removable cup and a top-opening dump mechanism that some reviewers found simple. Others report the cup is small and can be a little fiddly or sticky to remove and empty cleanly, especially after large pet-hair jobs.

How loud is it?

Noise reports vary by test setup, ranging from around 69–70 dB in one lab to mid/high‑70s dB in another. Expect it to sound more like a compact upright than a quiet cordless stick.