Shark Detect Pro vs Stratos: which vacuum is better?

Here’s the difference between two main Shark vacuum lines

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If you’re in the market for a newSharkvacuum, you might well find yourself trying to decide between the Shark Detect Pro vs Stratos. These are two of thebest Shark vacuumsin the current lineup, and it can be tricky at a glance to discern the differences between them. This article is here to help with that, and make sure you choose the right option for your needs and budget.

Detect Pro and Stratos are the names of ranges rather than individual vacuums. We’ll get into the specifics in the Range & Price section below, but for the purposes of this article, we’re going to assume you’re mostly interested in the cordless stick vacuums. To read about each one individually, head to ourShark Stratos Cordless Stick vacuum revieworShark Detect Pro Cordless Stick vacuum review.

Both appear in ourbest cordless vacuumranking, so neither is a bad choice. It’s also worth pointing out that the Shark PowerDetect range, added in Fall 2024, theoretically combines the best bits of the Detect Pro and Stratos ranges, and is also worth considering. Read about how we got on with that one in ourShark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum review.

Back to the Stratos vs Detect Pro. The short version is that the Detect Pro cordless stick vacuum is the lighter and more feature-rich of the two, while the Stratos is heavier but more powerful. We’d recommend the Detect Pro if you have a mix of floor types or a complex layout to navigate, while the Stratos will be a better choice if you have mostly carpet in your home. The Detect Pro is often (but not always) cheaper, but the Stratos line also contains a corded stick vacuum that’s very budget-friendly. Read on for a more detailed look at the differences between these two popular vacuums…

Shark Detect Pro vs Stratos: range & price

The Shark vacuum range is huge, confusing and unwieldy, and there are a number of different models within both the Detect Pro and the Stratos ranges. Exactly which are available varies by country, and the naming conventions and product codes also differ by country.

For self-preservation reasons, we’ll just focus on just what’s available direct from Shark here – there may be other, slightly different models floating around at third party retailers, but you’ll need to figure those out for yourself.

Shark Detect Pro range

The Detect Pro range is the simpler of the two. There’s just one cordless vacuum, which you can read about in ourShark Detect Pro Cordless review. It’s available as a vacuum on its own or with an optional auto-empty base. Actually, in some places there’s also a robot vacuum, but we’ll assume you’re interested in the manual vacuums here.

In theUSit’s called the Shark Detect Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum with QuadClean Multi-Surface Brushroll, which really rolls off the tongue. There’s a version with just the vacuum (IW1111) for $379.99 or with an auto-empty base (IW3511) for $449.99.

In theUK, it’s called the Shark Detect Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. Originally, you could pick up just the vacuum for an RRP of £349.99, but now if you go direct to Shark, you have to get an auto-empty base. You can choose between a 1.3L base (IW3510UK) for £399.99 reduced to £299.99 at time of writing, or a 2L base (IW3611UKT) for £449.99 down to £349.99.

InAustraliait’s the Shark Cordless Detect Pro, available as just the vacuum (IW1611) for AU$599.99 down to AU$499.99, or with an auto-empty system (IW3611) for AU$799.99 down to AU$699.99 at time of writing.

Shark Stratos range

The Stratos range is a little more complex. There’s a cordless stick vacuum (read about that in ourShark Stratos Cordless vacuum review), a corded stick vacuum (head to ourShark Stratos Corded Stick reviewfor that one – we rate it amongst thebest cheap vacuumsyou can buy) and an upright vacuum, or if you’re in the UK, and whole bunch of upright vacuums (consult ourShark Stratos NZ860UKT Pet Pro Upright Vacuum reviewto see how we got on with one of those). Let’s take a look at pricing and availability.

In theUSthere’s the cordless stick (IZ862H) for $499.99, the corded stick (HZ3002) for $299.99 or one upright (AZ3002) for $449.99.

In theUKthe Stratos cordless stick vacuum is available with a single battery (IZ400UK) for £349.99, two batteries (IZ400UKT) for £429.99 down to £229.99, or with upgraded anti-hair wrap capabilitiesandtwo batteries (IZ420UKT) for £449.99. The corded stick vacuum (HZ3000UKT) costs £249.99. There are a number of upright models. We’ll leave you to explore theStratos upright rangeat your leisure – prices range from £299.99 to £429.99.

InAustralia, there are two cordless stick vacuums, and we’re not entirely sure about the difference between them. TheIZ400is $799.99 down to $599.99, while theIZ420costs AU$1,299.99 down to $999.99. There’s an upright (AZ913) for AU$649.99. There is no corded stick vacuum.

Here’s a summary table of pricing for just the most basic cordless stick vacuum option:

Shark Detect Pro vs Stratos: design & features

Here, we’ll focus on the standard cordless stick vacuum in each range. If you want a corded stick vacuum or an upright, your decision is easy as you’ll only find these in the Stratos range; there are no Detect Pro options here.

The headline difference is that the Stratos vacuums are designed to offer most in the way of outright suction power, and are a bit more basic in terms of features and a little heavier than the Detect Pro vacuums. In contrast, the Detect Pro vacuums have slightly less power but are lighter and smarter.

Because Shark doesn’t publish suction specs, it’s extremely difficult to quantify or objectively compare that bit, but we can explore the design/feature differences. You will probably find ourShark vacuum technologies guideuseful to refer to, as there are some features that appear across both models.

Detection capabilities

Both the Shark Stratos Cordless stick vacuum and the Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum are able to detect how dirty the floor is, and adjust suction in response when used in auto mode. In the Stratos, this is called Clean Sense IQ.

In the Detect Pro, it becomes ‘DirtDetect’, and that’s because that vacuum can detect a whole bunch of other things besides just dirt. It also has EdgeDetect (where it amps up suction on the relevant side of the floorhead when it’s near the edge of a room), FloorDetect (where it increases suction on carpet compared to hard floors) and LightDetect (where the LED headlamps get brighter in dingy areas).

Floorhead

The Stratos has a DuoClean floorhead, which means it contains two brushrolls: a soft one designed specifically to clean and polish hard floors, and one for carpet, with rubbery ‘PowerFins’ that dig in and pull up embedded dirt and hair.

In contrast, the Detect Pro has a QuadClean floorhead, which means it has… just the one brushroll, but with different bits to tackle different kinds of tasks, from large debris, to embedded dirt and hair, to fine dust. QuadClean rollers are mostly made from fluffy microfiber, but they have inbuilt PowerFins, as well as firmer bristles, and ribs.

Both are designed to prevent hair from tangling around the rollers. In the UK this is called ‘anti hair wrap technology’ while in the US it’s a ‘self-cleaning brushroll’.

Special features

Those are the basics, let’s get into the fun extras. Both have a wand that can bend forward, enabling you to clean under furniture without having to get down on your hands and knees. It’s the one thing that people seem to consistently love about Shark’s vacuums.

The Stratos also has an odor-neutralizing puck in the floorhead. Officially (as implied by the name) this neutralizes potential bad smells rather than creating new, better ones, but reviewers tend to rave about how fresh-smelling it leaves their home after vacuuming.

The Detect Pro does have this, but not on the vacuum itself. Instead, it appears on the auto-empty base, an optional extra that Shark is increasingly offering with its new vacuums. Dock your Shark cordless vac here and it’ll suck all the dust and debris out and into a larger dustbin in the stand. It’ll also recharge the vacuum. It’ll cost you more to go for this option, but there are benefits for allergy-sufferers in particular because it means you won’t have to empty the bin nearly as often.

Shark Detect Pro vs Stratos: which should I buy?

Buy a Shark Detect Pro if…

You have a large home and different types of flooringThe Detect Pro can adapt intelligently to a whole range of different environments for a low-effort but efficient clean. It’s also lighter than the Stratos stick vac, so better for extended use.

You suffer from allergiesWith the Detect Pro, you have the option of adding an auto-empty base. This sucks all the dust out of your vacuum, via a sealed system, into a larger receptacle in the base. That means you won’t have to empty it nearly as often, and there are less chances for dust to escape back into the air.

Buy a Shark Stratos if…

You have mostly carpet in your homeThe Stratos doesn’t have as many detection capabilities as the Detect Pro, but it does have more outright power. This makes it a better choice if you have a lot of carpet in your home.

You want an upright or a corded stick vacuumIn the Detect Pro range, it’s only a cordless stick vacuum. The Stratos range encompasses lots of different vacuum types: there are uprights and a very budget-friendly corded stick vacuum.

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Ruth is a TechRadar Homes Editor. She has covered a wide range of home kit, but currently specializes in aircare (vacuum cleaners, fans, air purifiers), and haircare (hair dryers, straighteners and stylers). Prior to making the shift to Homes, Ruth was TechRadar’s Sleep Editor, testing and reviewing mattresses and other sleep products.

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