Shark’s HZ2002 Vertex corded stick vacuum is light, but that’s not all it has going for it. By taking advantage of the company’s new DuoClean PowerFins head, this vacuum delivers better performance than its motor output suggests. Add in a flexible design that lets the Vertex act like a handheld, and you have an ultralight vacuum that works well for everything from pet hair to stair cleaning.
Shark HZ2002 Vertex Power and Performance
The motor in the Vertex is rated at 680 watts and 5.7 amps. Expect suction power to be a little better than a high end cordless vac, and about average compared to other corded stick vacuums. However, in real world use, its performance holds up to more powerful vacuums, thanks to its advanced cleaning head.
The HZ2002 has Shark’s new DuoClean Powerfins head, which uses a roller with soft brushes to pick up small debris and lift dust, while a second paddle-covered roller picks up everything else. This head design is effective on everything from fine particles to cereal. Both rollers stay on when the vacuum is in hard floor mode.
While Shark is known for their HEPA filtration, you won’t find this feature on the Vertex. This shouldn’t be a surprise, since few stick vacuums have HEPA filters due to the added load on the motor.
Shark’s HZ2002 Vertex Usability
A fully assembled Vertex weighs just under 3 lbs. This weight is well-balanced, reducing hand fatigue.
The DuoClean head has an 8.11 inch cleaning path. This makes it easy to get the vacuum into tight places, but vacuuming large areas takes significantly longer than an upright vacuum. The head can tilt almost 90 degrees, making it easy to clean under furniture.
The 0.32 quart dust cup is on the small side. For comparison, Shark’s own Rocket cordless stick vac has double the capacity. However, the cup has a clear, easy to see max fill mark, so you don’t have to worry about suction dropping off before you notice it’s full.
The DuoClean Powerfins head has the best self-cleaning system available today. Most self-cleaning heads will still have plenty of hair to remove from the rollers after vacuuming. However, with the DuoClean, you may see at most a couple hairs wrapped around the rollers after vacuuming. this head remains clean. You may be able to go months before needing to clean the rollers, making this vacuum ideal for dealing with pet hair.
The 30 foot cord gives the HZ2002 as much reach as an upright. If you’re buying this vacuum for an apartment or a small vacation home, you may be able to vacuum everything from one outlet. However, the HZ2002 isn’t self-standing when fully assembled, so you’ll need to find a place to prop it up each time you need to change outlets or move something out of the way. When it’s time to store the vacuum, the motor body can be moved to a hook in the middle of the wand. This shifts the weight balance, so the Vertex can stay upright. It would have been nice if Shark included the hinged head used on other stick models, which lets you lower the motor to the self-standing storage position while in use.
The floor nozzle has a built-in light, but there isn’t one on the body of the vacuum like some other Shark stick vacuums.
Shark’s HZ2002 Vertex Attachments
The HZ2002 comes with a dusting brush, a crevice tool and a self-cleaning pet power brush. Shark offers compatible versions of most of their attachments, including a variety of crevice tools.
The head of this vacuum can be replaced by attachments, letting you use the wand to reach up high. Take the wand off, and the Vertex becomes a handheld vacuum. The DuoClean head can attach directly to the vacuum body, which is great for cleaning stairs. A single hook lets you store one attachment onboard.
Shark’s HZ2002 Vertex Setup and Maintenance
The body of the vacuum must be separated from the wand before the dust cup can be removed. The cup works like the ones on Shark’s upright vacuums. Pushing a button on the side opens a bottom-mounted door, dumping debris directly into the trash can.
The HZ2002 uses two sets of paper and foam filters. The pre-motor filters clip onto the dust cup, while the post-motor filters clip into the exterior of the vacuum body. Both are easy to access, and the foam filters can be washed in soap and water. Shark recommends washing the pre-motor filters one a month, and the post-motor filters once every 9 months. It takes a full day for these filters to dry before they can be used again.
The DuoClean head’s self-cleaning works better than any other vacuum on the market. Even if you have pets, you may never need to cut hair away from the rollers. Most problems stem from buildup on the head behind the front roller. This hidden dirt reduces air flow, which leads to increased noise and overheating. Fortunately, the roller can be removed without tools, making this hidden surface easy to clean.
Warranty
Shark guarantees the HZ2002 for 5 years of residential use. They also offer a 60 day money back guarantee, if you don’t like your vacuum.
Conclusion
While there are a few drawbacks to the Shark AZ2002, all things considered, it’s a well-executed design. It isn’t the most powerful corded stick vacuum out there, but the DuoClean head delivers excellent vacuuming performance. The low weight and flexibility of the attachment system makes it great at vacuuming any surface, although it has to lean on something when you need to set it down. Thanks to the long power cord, it’s as easy to use as a cordless vacuum in small spaces, while delivering better performance at a lower price tag.
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