Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum HZ2002 review

In the market for a new vacuum, well, if you're looking for a lightweight unit that doesn't compromise on power, you're going to want to divert your attention to the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight vacuum. We tested the Shark HZ2002 Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum with Self-Cleaning Brushroll and we're ready to share our thoughts on this floor cleaning tool. 

Keep scrolling to see how this stick vacuum got on in our home then, check out our best vacuum cleaners guide for more top models that we've reviewed.

The Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight vacuum is a lightweight stick vacuum that rivals upright counterparts with its suction performance. The entire unit itself is just over 9 lbs., but the handheld component weighs in at under 3 lbs, making it extremely easy to carry around the home. An ample 30-foot cord ensures you'll never be too tethered to the wall, and can cover vast areas without having to unplug. Though, the .32 quart bin does fill up rather quickly, so you might not be finished with your cleaning job before having to empty the bin.  For instance,  I covered just my kitchen and entry hall before I had to empty the dust canister.

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Shark HZ2002 Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum with Self-Cleaning Brushroll Removable Handheld | $299.99 at Best Buy

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Who will the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum suit?

The Shark HZ2002 Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum is for those seeking a lightweight vacuum with lots of versatility for cleaning floors and around your home. Its small storage footprint makes it handy for apartment dwellers, and superior suction and anti-hair wrap technology is a godsend for pet owners.

Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum: Specifications

• Maximum power: 680 watts
• Dust capacity: .32qts
• Cord length: 30ft.
• Cleaning path width: 8.11in.
• Dimensions: 10.24" L x 10.24" W x 45.27" H
• Weight: 9.05lb.
• Filter: Foam and Felt
• Warranty: 5 years
• Attachments: crevice tool, dusting brush, self-cleaning power brush, onboard storage clip

Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum: features and functions 

DuoClean PowerFins:  The head of the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum features two rollers to suck up dirt and dust, and is the latest in Shark's technology. The PowerFins roller and a soft roller combine on all floors for continuous cleaning contact to dig deep into carpets, directly engage floors, and pick up more in every pass. The soft roller picks up small debris and dust while the silicone PowerFins dig deeper into carpets and directly engaging floors for better pet hair pickup, as opposed to vacuums with standard bristles. And even better: no hair wrap. The no hair wrap feature brings us too...

Self-Cleaning Brushroll
There's nothing worse than hair clogging up your vacuum and reducing its suction capabilities. Well, with the self-cleaning brush roll, human and pet hair doesn't get caught or wrapped in the rollers. The hair that is vacuumed conveniently wraps around a filter separate from the dust tank that is quite satisfying on its own to see the amount of hidden hair that this small but might vacuum picks up.  

Hypervelocity Suction
Right away, I noticed the strength of this vacuum. And when I transitioned from the hard floor to the carpet setting, I could feel the vacuum's power increasing, and I almost felt like it was driving me forward like it was in overdrive. Now, the hypervelocity suction feature offers more concentrated power for more suction than any Rocket stick vacuum. 

Converts to Hand Vacuum
For above-floor surfaces and hard to reach spaces, the Vertex easily snaps out of its stick vacuum base and into a 3-pound handheld that is reminiscent of a paintball gun. Use the attachments to easily clean up the stairs, in corners, on countertops, along with furniture and blinds, and more. 

LED Floorlights
Once you experience a vacuum with LED lights to guide the way, you never want to go back to a vacuum without. 

LED Floor Select
In addition to the floor lights, the Vertex has a digital LED display to denote the carpet or hard floor settings, making the vacuum feel both high-tech and high end. 

Vacuum Maintenance 
Yes, you do have to clean the vacuum from time to time. And though it is is decidedly less "fun" to clean the filters, canisters, and brush rolls, if you want to preserve your new vacuum, and keep it in good shape, it'll do you good to pay attention to the cleaning and maintenance. 

Emptying the dust cup is the easiest part, and is completely removed from the handheld. Due to the .32 quart size, it will fill up frequently, so it's imperative for it to be easy to remove and put back on. It does get caked in a layer of dust, but you can rinse it with water as you please, about once a month, but wait 24 hours before putting it back on to try.

There are two filters in the unit. The pre-motor filter should be washed with water about twice a month. Press the button marked "filter access" to reach the foam and felt filters. The post-motor filter is cleaned every 9 months, and releasing that part simply involves gently tugging the Shark label at the top of the handheld to access the post-motor filter. 

Be sure to periodically check the handheld, wand, and floor nozzle for any blockages. While the silicone brushroll won't require much maintenance, the blue soft roller requires periodic cleaning. Clean the soft roller by tapping loose debris off, and using a dry paper towel to wipe it clean. It can then be hand-washed, as needed, and left to air dry for 24 hours. 

What I love about the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum

Easy to Use
In less than five minutes, the Shark Vertex Cored Ultralight Vacuum was ready to use! I especially loved the clear LED digital display to help me identify which setting to use. The LED headlights made it possible to see what I was vacuuming in dark areas like under the table, and now I never want to go back to a unit without that feature. It also has an intuitive swivel steering that made maneuvering a breeze and is lightweight, so my arm never grew tired. 

Versatile
While this Shark stick vacuum performed beautifully on both carpeted and bare floors. I was also extremely impressed with the versatility of the hand-held component. I plugged on the Self-Clean Pet Power Brush to tackle the stairs and noticed right away the difference in the matted carpet that has been on the stairs for decades. For refreshing wooden blinds, a dusting job that usually takes about 15-20 minutes per window, was cut down to about five with the dusting brush, and the crevice tool, of course, is in itself for dusting around baseboards, above door frames, and more. 

Suction Power
Enter some joke here about where I mention how THIS THING SUCKS. Perhaps, the only time that word has a positive connotation. It was so satisfying to see the dust and debris accumulate in the dust bin, and made me realize just how dirty my floors were. At the same time, it was a relief to know that the Shark Vertex was ready to pick it up. It had me whizzing past a runner, though it was so powerful, on the pull-back, it did pull up the rug. I soon came to the conclusion, that this thing is designed for a one-pass kind of clean, and I had to get out of my head the idea that I would have to run the vacuum over the same spot over and over.  Thanks hypervelocity power. 

This thing also picked up a lot of hair... hair that had been indiscernible to the eye... I hadn't realized just how much hair of my own had landed in the kitchen. It neatly wrapped around a filter inside the dust bin. 

How does the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum rate online?

The Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum is a relatively new model from Shark, but early reviews are quite favorable. As of Feb. 2021, it has a 4.5 rating on Amazon and a 4.7 rating on Shark's website, the highest of any other corded stick model.  

How does the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum compare to other Shark vacuums? 

The $249.99 price tag puts the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum right in the middle of Shark's vacuum line up.  

If you're comparing other Shark corded stick models, the Vertex Cored Ultralight has the addition of the DuoClean PowerFins, which as discussed earlier makes use of a PowerFin roller and a soft roller to maximize contact with floors,  as well as the self-cleaning brush rolls and handheld vacuum modes of other stick models.  

If you require your vacuums to have a HEPA filter, you'll need to look at Shark Vertex, Navigator or Apex upright models. As this is a stick vacuum with an emphasis on its lightweight body, the HEPA air filter would have added too much weight and rather uses an easy to clean foam and felt filtration system.

Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum: our verdict

Whether you're an apartment dweller with limited storage space, seeking something both lightweight and versatile, a pet owner, or all of the above, you'll want to take a serious look at the Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum. 

As far as cleaning goes, it was an absolute pleasure and easy to use, until it was time for a pause... then I had to go about the task of finding a wall to prop it up against, careful not to scratch the walls (it does have a rubber bumper on the handle) or completely remove the handheld motor and clip it into 

If anything, fumbling to get the clip to align was my biggest pain point. Granted, this storage set-up does reduce the amount of clearance you need to dedicate to it in a closet ( 33-inches vs 46 inches when completely upright).  However, given that all the parts are made of rigid plastic, I'd be nervous about how constantly removing and replacing the handheld from the wand would have on the wear and tear of the machine.  

The .32 quart dust bin did fill up rather quickly, but it was enough for me to get through my generously sized kitchen and entry hallway. Luckily,  the dust bin has a clear, easy to see max fill marking to indicate when its time to empty, which isn't much of a pain either. I just snapped it out, and let the accumulated dust and dirt slide into my garbage can. If you're expecting to clean your whole house with this vac in one go, you're better off choosing an upright built for marathon cleaning sessions but for general upkeep and room targeted cleaning jobs, this vac is it. I never felt confined by the 30-foot cord, it never got blocked or lost suction power, and never felt my arm getting tired. 

Shark Vertex Corded Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins Stick Vacuum: where to buy