Shark APEX Vacuums Review

With the combination of the DuoClean and Zero-M cleaner head, the Shark APEX AZ1002’s performance on hard floors and carpet is unmatched. Seriously, it’s really good.

The Shark APEX are full-size vacuums, but there’s only a 2.5 lbs difference between our recommended model and the smallest full-size upright Shark features on their website.

In general, we find that Shark uprights are on the lighter side when compared with other manufacturers. The 1350W motor is one of the biggest we’ve seen from Shark, and overpowers the Shark Navigator uprights.

If you’re tired of underpowered stick vacuums and want to go back to a full-size upright, then this is currently the best Shark has to offer.

Attachments are the primary difference between the different versions of the Shark APEX with DuoClean and Zero-M. The AZ1002 is the model available at many online retailers and comes with the popular Motorized Pet Tool.

About the Shark APEX Series

The Shark APEX vacuums are a recent addition to Shark’s vacuum lineup. As of late 2018, the leading Shark upright vacuums are the APEX, DuoClean, and Navigator series.

Shark has let the Rotator line fall behind a bit, as there are no DuoClean or Zero-M features on current Rotator models. We’ll see if they decide to continue updating the Rotator Series, or just stick with the APEX vacuums. It would be a lot less confusing if they just focused on a single upright line with a few different versions.

Shark’s naming conventions are somewhat confusing, and that’s why we have a section of this article dedicated to explaining it. Also, the sheer number of vacuums they produce with different names that have barely discernable feature differences doesn’t help.

On the newer models, you’ll see the names “Zero-M” and “DuoClean” used frequently. These names refer to the type of cleaner head built into the vacuums. The Zero-M cleaner head removes hair from the brushroll as you vacuum, whereas the DuoClean technology is an extra brushroll that specializes in vacuuming hard flooring.

So what does APEX mean?

Well, it’s just a name, like the popular Navigator and Rotator vacuums. The APEX name doesn’t refer to a specific technology, that we know of.

Now, if you’re interested in a Shark upright, then you’re in the right place because the APEX series has all the latest updates and technology available from Shark.

Use the links below to skip to the section that interests you. You can learn more about the Shark naming conventions in the next section, or skip to our review of the Best Shark APEX vacuum.

Shark Vacuum Names & Features

Shark names its vacuums by stringing together the names of the various technologies that are built into the vacuum, and it’s form factor.

Shark uprights generally carry the names Rotator, Navigator, or APEX. However, the first upright vacuum that featured the DuoClean brushroll was named “Shark DuoClean…”, and didn’t have one of the common Shark names.

The DuoClean brushroll was adapted to just about every type of vacuum Shark makes, so continuing to name their uprights with the DuoClean name would have led to confusion. Now, you’ll only see DuoClean included in the name of a vacuum if it has that technology.

APEX

This name simply refers to the latest series of Shark upright vacuums. It doesn’t refer to a specific technology inside the vacuums.

Shark APEX vacuums have either the Zero-M brushroll, DuoClean brushroll, or both. There are full-size and compact-size uprights with the APEX name.

Zero-M

Hair removal. That’s what Zero-M is all about.

Hair, either human or pet, gets wrapped around every vacuum’s brushroll. The Zero-M cleaner head actively removes hair as you vacuum.

This is accomplished by a bristle guard that sits along each row of bristles on the brushroll, and a comb that helps separate the hair from the bristles. Once the hair is detached, it’s suctioned into the dustbin like everything else.

This is incredibly convenient, and you don’t have to pull out your scissors and clean the brushroll nearly as frequently as most other vacuums.

DuoClean

Vacuum manufacturers have different approaches to handling hard floors with an upright. For a long time, you would simply turn off the brushroll to avoid throwing large debris around when vacuuming hardwood or tile.

That works, but there’s a better way.

You would like to have some brushing action on your hard floor to remove stuck-on dust and dirt that suction alone can’t pick up. So Shark and some other manufacturers have started including a brushroll that has dense fibers instead of a few rows of bristles. They look a lot like a paint roller.

We’ve seen Dyson include a similar style cleaner head with their V6 and V8 series cordless stick vacuums. They work well and allow for large and small objects to get pulled up by the suction instead of thrown behind the vacuum. They also remove that layer of dust that’s often left behind by vacuums that rely on suction alone.

DuoClean is available on Sharks uprights, sticks, and cordless vacuums.

Powered Lift-Away

You will see “Lift-Away” in just about every Shark upright’s name.

There are two versions of the Lift-Away concept. The “Powered Lift-Away” phrase refers to the models that have the detachable pod and the handle that can be attached to the vacuum cleaner head. You can then use the vacuum like you would a canister-style vacuum.

The models that only have “Lift-Away” in the name have the detachable pod, but can’t be attached to the cleaner head. You can only use them with accessories or just pointing the nozzle at areas you want to vacuum.

The Powered Lift-Away feature lets you easily get under furniture that you might otherwise not be able to reach under in the upright form.

Lift-Away	Powered Lift-Away
Detachable Canister	Detachable Canister
Use non-powered attachments, such as crevice tools or dusting brushes.	Use motorized brush attachments for cleaning stairs or upholstery.
	Detach the vacuum cleaner head and use it like a traditional canister vacuum.

Speed

The Speed name refers to vacuums that are compact and lightweight. Kind of.

There’s generally about one pound difference between the weight of Shark’s full-size uprights and the compact models. One of the more notable differences is the lower wattage of the Speed models. This doesn’t seem to have a significant impact on cleaning power.

The dimensions of the Speed models compared to the full-size models aren’t much different. They’re generally within an inch or two in all dimensions.

Take the “Speed” name with a grain of salt. Look at the specifications carefully.

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More About the Shark APEX AZ1002

Comparison Table

Design

The most significant design update with the new Shark APEX vacuum is combining the Zero-M and DuoClean features into a single cleaner head. Dyson has bundled a brushroll similar to the DuoClean with its canister and stick vacuums, but it requires you to detach the standard cleaner head and swap them. It’s very convenient to be able to transition between different flooring types without having to take apart your vacuum, no matter how easy it is.

There’s more to it though:

In our Shark Navigator Review, we observed the latest Shark Navigator with the Zero-M cleaner head outperform the old Navigator model on picking up fine particles, such as coffee and sand, while also having a less powerful motor.

It’s true for the new Shark APEX too.

These newer vacuums form a better seal against the floor by using a row of bristles behind the cleaner head opening. Debris suctioned toward the opening isn’t slung behind the vacuum on hard floors, and the airflow is focused towards the front and sides of the vacuum.

See this for yourself in the Performance section below.

Hands down, this is a major leap for Shark. At this time, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile upright than the Shark Lift-Away uprights with DuoClean or Zero-M features. This is coming from someone that prefers Miele canister vacuums with a bag.

Now:

Currently, smaller vacuums are very popular, either stick or compact uprights. With stick vacuums, you obviously sacrifice more dustbin capacity and suction power. I guarantee if you go back to a full-size upright after relying on a stick vacuum, then you’ll be amazed at the difference in power.

The Powered Lift-Away feature gives you nearly the same versatility as a stick vacuum, but you get to keep the larger dustbin and suction power.

Size & Weight

Here’s a quick look at a few stats on the older Shark APEX vacuums, and the latest AZ1002.

We’re not endorsing any third-party filters here, but the link above has positive reviews and is significantly cheaper than the genuine Shark filters. Always do your own due diligence when buying non-genuine parts. Many times they’re great replacements, but sometimes they’re not. However, Amazon has an amazing return policy.

Attachments

By far, the Deep-Cleaning Motorized Pet Tool is one of the best attachments available from Shark for cleaning upholstery or stairs. Crevice tools are a staple for cleaning above the floor, but the extra versatility from having a smaller motorized brush is super handy.

That’s why we recommend the AZ1002 variant of the new Shark APEX vacuum. It always seems like the more pet-friendly models are the most popular. They’re good for cleaning up after more than just pets though, we humans shed our fair share of hair.

Is the Shark APEX Upright a Good Buy?