Shark Stratos Cordless Stick - IZ420UKT

Overview

Practicality

The Shark Stratos IZ420UKT is a stick hoover. The heavy-duty motor, filtration system and dirt container are located close to the user's wrist. To reach the most inaccessible corners, the user can turn the machine in any direction - with or without the suction tube coected. In handheld mode, it weighs only 1.66 kg, which means it can be handled without too much effort. However, when you attach the tube and the suction head, the scale goes into overdrive and shows 4.01 kg.Although most of the weight is borne by the floor, you soon get tired of pushing and pulling the Stratos IZ420UKT, even though the rotating brushes tend to make it easier to move, at least towards the front. Good point: the head is flexible enough to take the tightest of turns without skidding. In addition, the suction tube has an articulation system similar to the Rowenta X-Force Flex 8.60 Animal Kit RH9679WO. At the touch of a button, the hose unbends to make it easier to get under furniture. This makes it easier to get under a table, but this feature has another advantage. By completely folding the suction tube, the Stratos IZ420UKT adopts a compact storage position and does not require a floor or wall base, a real plus for small spaces or those who do not want to take the drill out to install a wall base.But back to the main reason for the Stratos IZ420UKT's heavyweight, its massive suction head. It weighs 1.86 kg on its own, as it has two rotating brushes and the motorisatioeeded to turn them.But that's not all, as Shark has also fitted it with a front LED system to illuminate dark floors or the underside of furniture and a cleanliness indicator. The latter forms a light bar on the back of the head. The longer it is, the dirtier the floor. If all goes well, the size decreases when the floor is vacuumed, and you change areas when the bar has almost disappeared.Two sensors near the air intake of the main body analyse the dust content of the air being sucked in to determine whether the floor is clean. The system works quite well, and you quickly get the hang of it. The Stratos IZ420UKT also uses the results to modulate the suction power of the automatic mode according to immediate needs (auto IQ system). Once again, everything works perfectly, and you can clearly feel the motor speed decreasing when you stay in the same place for a long time, and less and less dust (theoretically) passes in front of the famous sensors.This automatic mode is not the only one available, and the user can choose between this last one, an eco mode and a boost mode. To switch from one to the other, you must press the button decorated with a fan that falls perfectly under your thumb. Of course, the Stratos IZ420UKT must first be switched on. The rest of the control panel consists of an electronic display that indicates the remaining battery life using a percentage. This method is more informative than a simple trio of LEDs, but it is also less accurate than a one-second estimate like the one offered by the Dyson V11.Shark is quite generous with its accessories. Apart from the hoover itself, the tube and the suction head, the box contains a classic brush, a contoured brush for tight spaces such as radiators, a mini brush and an extended nozzle. Our version also has a battery charger that can accommodate two batteries simultaneously, which is rare enough to be worth mentioning.

Vacuuming

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4.7

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The Shark Stratos IZ420UKT has a dual brush system that is very good on all surfaces.You can expect to remove 100% of the dirt on shaggy carpets in two minutes, even without switching on the boost mode. However, this mode tends to vacuum a little too hard, and, in certain conditions, it can even swallow the edges of the carpet, so be careful to choose the right suction power to ensure the task is simple.The suction performance is also excellent on fine carpets in both normal and boost modes. In the first case, the efficiency rate reaches 97% in 30 seconds. In the second mode, the efficiency rises to 98% in the same time frame. In one minute, the floor is immaculate.Finally, on hard floors, the Shark Stratos IZ420UKT swallows 98% of the waste in 30 seconds in automatic or boost mode. The result is still impeccable after one minute.

CONCLUSIO