Shark APEX DuoClean AZ1002

There is a fine line between cheap and qualitative. Moreover, Shark APEX just begins to question that. The Shark APEX DuoClean is a unique vacuum that is both light on the budget yet heavy on the features. This upright vacuum uses two motorized brush rolls to pick up dirt and lift it into the vacuum.

Apart from the signature DuoClean technology, the Shark APEX also uses Zero-M technology. This self-cleaning technology removes pet hair from the brush rolls. Top that with the 99.95% efficient HEPA filter, and you have the best vacuum in the market.

These and multiple other factors drove us to write this Shark APEX DuoClean review. Also, if you have any doubts, then read on to experience the APEX for yourself.

Trust us when we say, you won’t be disappointed.

Shark APEX DuoClean review

Suction power

The Shark APEX DuoClean has a suction power of 1350 watts. This is higher than most upright vacuums. With a suction power this high, the Shark APEX DuoClean is able to clean carpets and pick up pet hair. To give you an idea, most robotic vacuums have a suction power of 500 watts. And most stick vacuums don’t go above 700 watts. This heavy amount of suction is what allows Shark APEX AZ1002 to fare every surface.

So, if you want to use the Shark APEX DuoClean on hardwood or tiles, the vacuum has you covered. However, if you prefer a carpeted floor, then the Shark APEX is your number one solution. The intense suction and power output allow it to lift up pet hair and dried dirt and grime. Food crumbs stuck deep inside the tangles of low pile carpets are easily lifted by the Shark APEX DuoClean.

However, the results in this Shark APEX DuoClean review were different for higher-pile carpets. The suction wasn’t able to lift up deep-set dirt and hair. And you needed to swipe a few times to pick up pet hair and dirt. This product is recommended for hardwood and low-pile carpet floors, where it gives 100% performance. On high-pile carpet, however, it doesn’t perform as well. But the results are a far cry from any other vacuum.

Dual motorized brush roll

The dual motorized brush roll, dubbed “DuoClean”, is featured in many of Shark’s products. In simple words, this cleaning system uses two motorized brushes. But the way that the system is implemented is what makes the Shark APEX AZ1002 unique. The two brush rolls are separated and are designed for different functions.

The first brush roll is the smooth brush roll. This brush contains smooth bristles that help grind dirt and lift it into the vacuum. This brush roll is best for picking up dirt on hardwood floors and tiled finishes. The brush roll also cleans and polishes the floor to give it a tasteful look.

The second brush roll is the bristle brush roll. This roll has sharp, bunched bristles that pick up dirt from carpets. With this brush roll, you can pick up embedded dirt and crumbs from carpets. It works exceptionally well on low-pile carpets. For high-pile carpets, however, you will need to press hard and swipe a few times. Otherwise, it just picks up dirt from the surface and doesn’t go too deep.

Both the brush rolls serve two purposes: to lift dirt and to polish the floor. On carpets, the bristles of the brushes help pull the dirt right out. This is then absorbed into the vacuuming unit, where the dirt is filtered out. On bare floors, the smooth brush roll polishes the floor and might pick up dirt in minute crevices.

Related: Shark Rocket DuoClean review

Zero-M Technology

In this section of our Shark APEX DuoClean review, let’s look at a feature that sets this vacuum cleaner apart from other Shark products.

The Shark APEX DuoClean features Zero-M technology. This technology is designed to remove hair actively and tangled fur from the brush rolls. It is called a “self-cleaning” technology, and rightfully so. The Zero-M contains tough spikes on a motorized roll that removes pet hair from the other two brush rolls.

If you’re wondering what Shark APEX technology is, then this is it. This self-cleaning technology is what makes the Shark APEX so unique and functional. With the Zero-M, the brush roll will require zero maintenance. Of course, an occasional wash is recommended to remove dirt and keep the brush roll sanitary. However, Zero-M technology makes it easier to clean when you need to.

Powered-Lift Away

Another cool feature of the Shark APEX vacuum cleaner is the powered lift-away. The Shark APEX vacuum has a few unique modes. Powered lift-away is just one of them. What this allows you to do is remove the canister completely and use the hose to extend your wand’s reach. In this way, you can clean above furniture and upholstery.

Powered lift-away is a great tool to vacuum above the floor. This works best with sofas, upholstery, beds, in crevices, and on tabletops. You can also use it on car seats. However, the large size of the canister and the vacuum inhibit use in confined or remote spaces. Apart from the powered-lift away, you can also use the vacuum as a regular upright. In this mode, it acts as stiff as a stick vacuum. But the canister remains attached at the back.

This mode is best for cleaning above-floor surfaces as it reduces the weight of the vacuum. You can attach multiple tools at the head to further enhance portability and use.

HEPA Filtration System

Filtration is the one thing that changes the game with vacuums. Most filters nowadays are HEPA standards. And the Shark APEX DuoClean uses a special kind of HEPA filter that makes it more efficient than predecessors. To be fair, HEPA standard filters are used by generally every modern vacuum. Both robotic and non-robotic vacuums make use of these.

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So what exactly is HEPA? HEPA isn’t a filter type or design. Rather, it’s a standard for air filters first used in the Manhattan Project. Ever since then, over 59% of vacuums have started using HEPA filters. HEPA filters are able to catch 99.95% of all particulates as small as 0.3 microns. For comparison, a human hair strand is about 50 microns. The filters normally use fiberglass or some other material.

The Shark APEX upright vacuum with DuoClean uses a HEPA standard filtration system. It also uses pre and post-motor filters that engage the filtration system. Shark APEX’s filtration is anti-allergen sealed, which means no allergenic particles can escape its systems. HEPA standard filters are recommended, especially if you have respiratory issues. They boost indoor air quality and are best for commercial as well as residential areas.

The problem with these filters is that every HEPA filter is made from a different material. And so, the efficiency and durability of the filter cannot be estimated. However, one beneficial fact about the Shark APEX AZ1002 is that its filter is washable. You can wash the filter and reuse it. This heavily reduces the cost of replacements. Still, it is recommended to replace the filter every 6 months.

Convenience and comfort

Almost every product on the market is ranked according to its convenience. Comfort in vacuum cleaners means ease of controls, no back pain, and no noise. It also means being able to wash and maintain the vacuum with ease.

For the Shark APEX DuoClean, user comfort is a bit indecisive. On the other hand, Shark DuoClean has some very neat controls. You can switch the suction from hard floor to carpet with just your fingertips. So, you don’t have to bend or squat to change settings. The controls are provided on the handle, which significantly reduces lower back pain.

However, on the other hand, the noise level of the APEX is detrimental. Of course, being an upright canister vacuum, it is bound to produce a ton of noise. The Shark APEX DuoClean has a noise level of 70 dB. In our previous Shark APEX DuoClean reviews, we saw that the AZ1002 was the quietest of them all. It is also slightly quieter than the 76 dB noise level that some other Shark models have. Moreover, the noise produced also depends on the setting you use. Carpet vacuuming will be louder than bare floor cleaning. A closed-door should be enough to block out the noise. But the Shark APEX will definitely disturb pets and infants.

Bin capacity

Coming on to the bin capacity, the Shark APEX DuoClean vacuum can hold up to 1652 ml in its bin. This is very high as compared to other models. Even Shark’s own models only offer up to 1300 ml. Bin capacity is a very important factor. The amount of dirt and debris the bin can hold decides how often you need to clean it. The more the capacity, the lesser frequent maintenance.

Depending on how often you use the vacuum, the Shark APEX’s bin will need cleaning after 2 months. And when you do need to clean the bin, the washable design makes it easier to empty. The bin comes off easily and re-attaches to the unit very smoothly. In this way, you get both comfort and capacity.

Related: Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet NV752

Hose length

Unlike stick vacuums, the Shark APEX DuoClean features a flexible hose. The hose connects the wand head to the canister. The hose is about 5 feet long, which is perfect for powered lift-away mode. In this mode, you can easily detach the canister and use the hose to clean under and over furniture. The hose length is pretty standard, so there isn’t much to it. But its presence provides flexibility and portability that not only cordless vacuums offer.

Hoses are typically made of plastic material and act as a conduit to the dustbin. The vacuums suction does not get lowered or watered down by the hose.

Pet hair performance

Picking up pet hair can be a menace when you’re using a vacuum cleaner. Normally we rely on special tools to pick up pet hair. The Shark APEX DuoClean itself doesn’t provide much lift for pet hair. However, with the special pet tools included, you can definitely get a decent lift. The Shark vacuum comes with two special pet tools. The first is the motorized pet tool. This accessory has a deep cleaning feature that picks up hair from even high pile carpets. However, it doesn’t do as well on high pile carpets as it does on low pile ones.

The second is the pet multi-tool. This handy tool conjoins two cleaning tools and makes them one. There is a tough bristle brush that picks up any and all pet hair strands from carpets. And the upholstery tool at the back can be used on furniture surfaces and upholstery. This tool is truly a helpful accessory.

Apart from that, the Zero-M technology discussed above removes pet hair from the brush roll. This is a self-cleaning technology that we have already talked about previously.

Carpet performance

There’s a reason why carpets are harder to vacuum. Most vacuums suck up debris. And unless the suction is ridiculously high, you can’t just suck up hair from a carpet. Which is why most vacuums use hard-bristled brushes. The Shark APEX DuoClean vacuum uses two types of brush rolls. The smooth and the bristle brush roll. The bristle brush roll is what mainly contributes to good carpet performance.

This dual motorized brush roll technology is present in other Shark products as well. However, the brush rolls combined with the intense suction power make the APEX a better candidate for carpets. When we tried it for this Shark APEX DuoClean review, it was able to pick up a decent amount of dirt from carpets. On low-pile carpets, it handled pet hair and food crumbs with ease. On high-pile carpets, food crumbs were easily picked up. But pet hair needed a few swipes.

In short, we rate low-pile carpet performance a 5 out of 5. The high-pile performance is closer to 3 out of 5.

Accessories and tools

Let’s be honest: true satisfaction comes from all the extra goodies you get with products. Investing in a vacuum cleaner becomes more exciting when you know accessories are arriving as well. The Shark APEX DuoClean Zero-M features tons of accessories. To begin with, the two pet hair tools we just talked about are included. The motorized pet tool is used to clean pet hair from carpets and bare floors. And the pet multi-tool can be used on both carpets and upholstery.

After that, you have a flexible extension wand. The extension wand makes it easier to vacuum and clean underneath furniture. With this, you won’t have to bend and risk pain and injury to your lower back. The wand can bend under tables and sofas and pick up dirt and debris. Other than that, a duster crevice tool is also provided. This tool combines the functionality of a crevice tool with that of a duster. The crevice tool has a bristled brush at the end that makes cleaning crevices easier. Use this in combination with the extension wand, and you can get into every nook and corner of the house.

An anti-allergen brush is also provided. The brush has a very soft and smooth surface and picks up very fine particles. This is for very light-hearted cleaning, usually to be used on furniture and polished surfaces. The pressure of a vacuum can damage some delicate equipment. So the anti-allergen brush is best for delicate surfaces.

Related: Bissell 9595A CleanView bagless vacuum with OnePass Technology

Warranty policy

Last but not least, the Shark APEX DuoClean vacuum offers a warranty of 7 years. This is quite a decent offer. The other products of Shark APEX only offer up to 5 years of warranty. However, we have seen some market products that have a 10-year warranty. But most vacuums show signs of faults within a few months. So the warranty should last you enough. The warranty doesn’t cover user damage. With this warranty policy, you can get free replacements and easy returns.

Shark APEX DuoClean review: final thoughts

The Shark APEX DuoClean has its own pros and cons. While we tried our best to be neutral, we didn’t see how the APEX wasn’t worth the praise. With its multiple technologies and HEPA filter, the APEX performs well on almost every surface. Even high-pile carpets are somewhat tackled by this vacuum.

Writing this Shark APEX DuoClean review was a lot of fun. We got to experience Shark’s modesty and services first hand. The Shark APEX is a reliable unit that takes customer satisfaction to a whole new level.

Of course, there was a high noise and lack of comfort. And the high suction may cost you in the long run. But other than that, we could only see benefits with the APEX DuoClean. The use of DuoClean with Zero-M technology was one unique move. And without that, the APEX AZ1002 would be just like every ordinary Shark product.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about the Shark APEX. Tell us about your own experiences with the vacuuming unit.