The Shark Apex AZ1002 has a plethora of positive reviews, so I had to try it to see for myself. My doubts mainly stemmed from the overall look of the machine. It looks more like a vacuum cleaner that my mum had in the early 90s.
I know, I know, we shouldn’t judge things based solely on what it looks like, but it’s hard not to when you have those sleek, modern, beautifully designed robot vacuum cleaners rolling around.
While this Shark Apex Az1002 review does cover the design elements, my focus is on how effective it is, which is what’s important. The Shark Apex Az1002 hovers at around $380 in price, which can be quite steep, especially compared to its competition on the market.
Shark Apex AZ1002 Review
However, Shark is known for its top-quality, innovative technology and engineering, so you’ll definitely get what you pay for. One of my foremost requirements from a vacuum cleaner is that it’s able to clean all surfaces effectively and efficiently.
It’s incredibly disappointing when you’re excited because your hardwood floors are beautifully cleaned, only to find dust flying up from your carpets when you walk on it. Carpets create a warm, homey feel, but it’s a mission to keep clean. If you have carpets in your home or even area rugs, then an upright vacuum cleaner should be your first choice.
It’s why I was so eager to get my hands on the Shark APEX AZ1002 Upright Vacuum with DuoClean for Carpet and Hardfloor Cleaning – quite a bit of my home carpeted, and I was tired of dealing with the dirt embedded in it. Anyways, on to the meat of this review: the features. We’ll also cover the benefits, pros, and cons, and what I think of it after using it for the last three weeks.
Features of Shark Apex Az1002
Multiple Cleaning Modes
Upright vacuum cleaners are notoriously inflexible. It makes sense as the focus is on durability and strength, but it does mean that it can be cumbersome and more of a one-use kind of machine. I was pleasantly surprised by the multiple cleaning modes that the Shark Apex Az1002 Duoclean Vacuum has.
It has the upright vacuum cleaning mode, the above-floor cleaning mode, and the powered lift-away mode. The above floor and lift-away modes convert into a hand vacuum. It does require some accessory maneuvering and assembling.
With these modes, you can reach wall and cabinet corners, the inside of your cupboards, and you can even leave the vacuum cleaner on for a few minutes while you leave the room, and it will take suck the allergens out of the air.
Easy-to-Use Design
Coming in at 11.2 x 12.2 x 46 inches and weighing about 17.1 pounds (just over 7 kilograms), the Shark is lighter than other vacuum cleaners in the same price range, but still quite heavy if you have a small stature or if you’re elderly.
However, despite its weight, I found it easy to use and move around, likely due to the smooth-gliding wheels. The power cord is quite long, and when combined with the long cleaning hose and wand, the machine has an impressively long reach (hello, high ceiling corners, goodbye cobwebs!).
DuoClean Technology
I’ll be honest, while I love a good cleaning apparatus and pride myself on my home being – somewhat – orderly, the R2D2-like terminology flies right over my head. “DuoClean Technology” was one of those terms.
I get that duo means two things at once, but I didn’t really take the time to find out how it could put to use. However, when I opened the Shark AZ1002, I could see that something was different, and the duo clean light bulb went off.
The main cleaner nozzle has two different brush rolls that move at the same time. You can feel the difference in the brush rolls. The one is soft and designed to pick up small and large specks and fine dust from hard floors or carpets. The other brush is a little rougher as it has bristles that get deep into the carpets to remove entrenched dirt and pet and human hair.
Zero-M Technology
Another term that easily flies over my head, but is more than useful in vacuum cleaner land. This basically means that the second brush roll – the one that collects all the tough to get out tangled hair and other fibers – has self-cleaning technology.
The anti-hair wrap technology also ensures that the bristles and brush, not damaged by tangled hair. I did find that I sometimes had to manually take out hair and lint, but I didn’t have to do it nearly as often as with my other vacuum cleaners.
Anti-Allergen HEPA Filter
Praise the anti-allergen gods for the HEPA filter. My son and I both suffer from allergies. We also have cats and dogs, so I have to clean regularly. Doing so in the past meant enduring perpetual sniffles and sneezes for a few hours after cleaning.
With the advanced anti-allergen filter, I don’t have to worry about any of that. I also like to leave the cleaner for a few minutes without using it as it grabs the airborne allergens and gives the room a fresh, clean smell. It’s the ultimate dustbuster.
Benefits of Shark Apex Az1002
Suck it up! That’s all I want my vacuum cleaner to do. All the trinkets and accessories are great, but if it can’t suck up everything in its path, then it’s of no use. This gets us to why the Shark Az1002 Duoclean is my new favorite cleaner. The suction capacity is powerful.
It stays consistent throughout the cleaning process, it collects all manner of dust and debris, and that second brush roll means that it gets deep into your carpets to suck out all the dirt. It’s a proper deep-clean.
The main nozzle is about 11 inches (28cm), so it reaches a substantial cleaning path. Combine it with the suction power, and you’ve got a machine that can clean a large floor area effectively and with little effort from your side.
Pros
- Noise reduction technology
- LED lights for when you’re cleaning cupboards or dark spaces
- Advanced anti-allergen complete seal technology
- Self-cleaning brush roll delivers nonstop pet hair and fine dust cleaning
- Works well on high pile carpets and hardwood floors
Cons
- Can be bulky and heavy
- Not the best in the looks department
- Doesn’t have enough accessory holders when stored
Conclusion
My high pile carpets are singing for joy. After giving it a proper deep-clean and using the Shark Az1002 for almost a month now, I can see an obvious difference in the look of my carpets. The hardwood floors are also spotless, and you can smell the freshness when you walk into the room, thanks to that nifty HEPA filter. It’s the ultimate upright vacuum cleaner, and I’d certainly recommend buying it.
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