Shark AZ1002 Apex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with DuoClean & Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool & Pet Power Brush, for a Deep Clean on & Above Floors, Espresso

We have hardwood throughout our home, 2 dogs (one is a snowstorm of a shedder), and two cats. We had been using a combination of a "normal" everyday Hoover, a Dyson cordless stick (very good), rubber rake, and Swiffer to try and keep up with hair, dander, dirty dust that constantly looks as though we haven't cleaned in weeks (just 24 hours after a cleaning).The goal was to consolidate down to a single, versatile tool if possible. The Hoover just blows the hair on the floor around before it could ever pick it up, so almost useless. The Dyson (we like it a lot mind you) picks up the pet hair and CRAZY amounts of fine stuff, but can't pick up the most routine, everday debris if it's bigger than a cookie crumb (and it hadn't better be big cookie crumb...). The Dyson also struggles with clogs, longevity, and a real loss of suction effectiveness with it's non-motorized attachments. The rubber rake is a terrific way to do a quick sweep, but it leaves a lot of dust behind (aaaaand that's where the Swiffer comes in). Funny thing is, we end up a VERY sizable with a pile of hair/debris, and it would be great to finish that off with a vaccum, one blows the pile to the ceiling and the other clogs immediately.After watching several vids on YouTube (pos and neg), a couple Vacuum Wars (super thorough) review/comparisons had me convinced the Shark Apex Duo w/ZeroM was worth a try. Amazon had it for $100 off this week, so we gave it a shot. Put it together last night in 5 mins, read the warnings, got started. FANTASTICO! Played around with it open areas for a couple of minutes to get the feel of it, and the floors looked cleaned and dusted (thanks to the soft roller). Then on a lark I took it a raked pile of hair/debris and gave it a shot: Sucked that whole mess up like it was nothing. I went slow and careful, but I didn't have to go over the area twice. Have to say I laughed a little at how easily it happened.Stuff I had marked as concerns based on reviews I saw/read:Weight - I don't have an issue with it, and neither does my 5 foot wife. The thing glides on the newer rubber rollers Shark added. So, as long as they hold up (I under stand there used to be hard plastic wheels that ground down with use), we're good.Manueverability - It has a twist steer setup that is nice and smooth, but it does take a little getting used to. A little heavyish. Think family minivan, not F1 race car. Don't rush, don't take your corners too fast. Smooooooth though!Hose range for wand - I saw a couple of complaints about this, but if you pop off the canister to walk around with, I don't see the issue.Cord Clip - I saw complaints about "no cord clip" A LOT reviews...There's a freakin cord clip built right into the piece where you wrap the cord. Not sure how you can miss that...Versatility - Call me crazy, but I read directions. Be aware of the operative warnings and take a minute check out each "release" button. I found it really easy to pop the canister and wand off the base to do my stairs, baseboards, ceiling corners, and then put it all back together again. Also, popping the dust cup off and emptying was a cinch (easier than the Dyson!). I can see giving the dust cup a simple clean water rinse once a week to keep it from looking cruddy.I'll likely do another update (with a PILE of fur) after a few weeks or months, I'm not usually a review writer kind of a guy, but I was really impressed right away. Thought maybe my experience might help someone else who has paralysis by analysis like I usually do.

This product has a very strong suction. It is somewhat heavy. It works well on both luxury vinyl plank and carpeted floors. I have used Shark vacuums in the past and you really do not get rid of them based on failure. In fact, Shark sent me replacement parts for my last vacuum which is still in the garage and used for clean-up there as well as in our cars. Getting back to this model, it delivers subperb cleaning. The brushes really do avoid getting ensnared by threads and other debris that usually plague other vacuums. Overall, the unit is easy to assemble and dissemble to meet your cleaning needs. It can be easily opened to access the filters for cleaning or replacement. The decibel level is a little loud but it is in the range of most vacuums of type. I endorse and the high quality, dependability, and toughness of this unit. It is a very good investment for the money.

Seriously though, I purchased my first Apex back when Shark originally launched their “high-end” vacuum a few years ago (2019?) to compete with Dyson, and I was super impressed. It cleaned better than our previous (ridiculously overpriced) Dyson and Shark Navigator (which was good for the dollar!) vacuums. I found the Apex delightfully easy to use, had all the “empty bin” latches in the right places, the lift-away feature, was clearly made with high quality material, and even had a VERY helpful light on the handle for when you used the tube to get into corners! (How cool is that?!)Roll the tape forward… after using it relentlessly, cleaning up after a freakishly heavy-shedding golden retriever, a husky (known heavy shedder), cat, cat room (ew, gross!), and German shepherd, etc, the motor died. I was a bit disappointed as I expected it to last longer than 4 years, but relative to the abuse I subjected it to, maybe it’s fair to call it even. (The golden retriever has since moved out with his owner, and the husky and cat have sadly passed, so now it’s just our German shepherd. I figured it’s a good time to get a new vacuum cleaner.)So I looked for a new Apex, but saw Shark has a NEW high-end vacuum out, called Stratos. (And apparently, in between Apex and Stratos, they came out with Vertex). Stratos and Vertex reviews were very good, and I had the impression Shark was just keeping a good thing going with their high-end line. I guessed they probably made some minor improvements wherever improvements might be made (though I couldn’t think of many, except maybe making it lighter weight, and would it be too hard to add a duster/brush attachment on your high-end vacuum?), so I bought one.After one use, I put the Stratos back in the box and sent it back. Yes, it was a pound lighter than the Apex (oooh), but the materials seemed to be noticeably cheaper quality, and -what the frick- they discontinued the light on the handle?! And still no duster/brush attachment?? So in a way, it’s an overpriced Navigator, with a good brush upgrade. I then got online and checked the Vertex - it also had no handle light. Only Apex has it. Ok then.I got back on Amazon and found a new-in-box Apex *still available* and happily purchased it before someone else grabbed it. It just arrived today, and I went over one of the rugs I did yesterday with the Stratos and was surprised with how much additional dust and dirt the Apex picked up. It’s just a fantastic vacuum. I’m very happy to have a shiny, new Apex (with handle headlight!), and will absolutely wince each time the initial dings and scuffs happen and it no longer looks new. I’ll be super bummed the day it dies and can no longer be replaced, as based on the last 2 high end product releases from shark, they’re not on a trajectory of “better than last model”. I get it, corporations are always trying to be more profitable, and maybe for many people (non-Apex users), removing the handle light won’t be noticed, and maybe most (non-Apex users) won’t notice the cheaper materials. But in my opinion, it’s noticeable. Apex truly is the best vacuum I’m aware of. Get it while you can.