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Cordless vacuums have come a recollective way in the retiring few age . Battery content and runtime have increase , and major manufacturers are constantly better their models . Dyson and Shark produce some of thebest cordless vacuumson the grocery store , so I wondered which would come out on top when I quiz two very similar models in a read/write head - to - head contention .
While you may receive pricier picks in the Dyson and Shark lineups , theDyson Outsizeand theShark Stratosare both highly rate and have like features . I put both to the test on carpet and intemperate flooring , rating their suction ability , weight , noise degree , and convenience . Both turned out to be top performers , but each has some professional and cons you may want to consider before purchasing .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Dyson Outsize Cordless Vacuum: At a Glance
Rating:4.75/5
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Dyson Outsize cordless vacuum at :
Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum: At a Glance
Rating:4.5/5
Get the Shark Stratos cordless vacuum at :
What are the Dyson Outsize and the Shark Stratos?
The Dyson Outsize is a cordless vacancy with a couple of supersize features , such as its 0.5 - gallon dustbin , which hold more detritus than the popularDyson V11 . The Outsize ’s Motorbar clean header is also broader , which means it will pick up a extensive belt of detritus , reducing cleaning time . It also comes with Dyson ’s detangling engineering , something I especially appreciate because I have recollective - hair dogs ; I ’d rather not spend my clip cutting wound - up fur from the roller .
TheOutsizealso feature Dyson ’s powerful Hyperdymium motor and a six - level filtration organization that entrap vexing dust and hackles , forbid it from escaping the emptiness and recirculating through your home .
The Shark Stratos has more suction power than any of Shark ’s othercordless stick vacuum , largely thanks to Hypervelocity Plus technology . It also has some features I found very ready to hand , including a sabot - complimentary roller bar , an odor - neutralizing mental faculty that prevent the air smell fresh while I vacuumed , and a flexible baton that allowed me to vacuum under furniture without bending over . Like the Outsize , the Stratos also features a high - end filtration arrangement that foreclose junk and preferred dander reintroduction into the air .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The Outsize and Stratos are both plan to blame up pilus more effectively than earlier models . Both contenders in this vacuity showdown are on the cutting sharpness of cleaning applied science .
The Suction Showdown
When I ’m shopping for a vacancy , suction top executive is my number one consideration . The amount of suction a vacuum delivers tells me how well it will suck up rubble on hard floor as well as how well it will remove ground - in dirt from thick , dense carpeting .
To test the suction power of each vacuum , I sprinkle rice on a carpet and then noted how many passes the Outsize and Stratos took to gain a belt completely . The results were very close , and both vacuums perform well here , but the Stratos sucked up closely all the rice in its path with just one back - and - forth pass . The Outsize demand one additional pass ( onward only ) , and that was it . I was impressed with the high level of suction from both vacuums .
Power and Performance
Two all important metrics for any cordless vacuum are its runtime on a full charged battery and how long the battery takes to recharge . Both theDyson Outsizeand the Shark Stratos arrived with some succus in their batteries ; the Outsize had 28 percent , and the Stratos had 40 percent . I did n’t start examination , however , until both vacuum batteries were fully charged .
Both the Stratos and the Outsize are advertise as have a runtime of up to 60 minutes , but this vary free-base on which mogul setting the vacuum run at . Each vacuum has three power modes . When I tested the most potent mode , the Outsize lasted 24 minutes , and the Stratos endure 26 minutes . On the least powerful modes — still plenty powerful to vacuum-clean detritus from hard floor — the Outsize ran for 48 moment , and the Stratos ran for 46 minutes . So the solution were similar there , too , but neither model ran for 60 hour .
When both void ’ batteries were depleted , I timed how long each took to gain a full charge . The Outsize have about 3.5 hour , and the Stratos to the full charged in just over 2.5 hours . The useful tip is to call back to blame the vacuum as soon as you finish cleaning so that you may begin vacuuming with a full charge next time .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Dustbin Size Matters
When it hail to wastebin capacity , theOutsizeis the clear winner . It comes with a enceinte 0.5 - gallon dustbin , which holds more than any cordless stick emptiness I ’ve test . By compare , the Stratos ashbin nurse just 0.72 quart , which translate to 0.18 gallons .
Before choosing base solely on dustbin capacity , however , consider that you will probably empty the dustbin after every vacuuming . Even if your vacuity has a small dustbin , unless your home has a portion of dust , debris , or favored fur , you may not need to stop and empty the bin in the eye of your cleaning number anyway . Even with my four furred friends who shed a lot , I fill out an entire rug and floor cleaning with theStratoswithout demand to floor it before I stop .
I vacuum day by day . However , those who vacuum less frequently may have unlike results and dustbin capacity requirements .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Comfort and Convenience
Small variations in system of weights between vacuum models may not be too noticeable when it come to basic floor - vacuuming tasks , but they can make a big departure when perform trickier social movement , like trying to hoover cobwebs along the ceiling with a cleft or dusting tool attachment .
TheDyson Outsizeweighs 7.94 Egyptian pound . That ’s in line of credit with many of today ’s cordless reefer vacuums , and I did n’t find it unmanageable to concur it up and vacuum upper wall and ceiling for a minute or two at a time . The Stratos weighs a act more at 8.9 pounds , but it did n’t feel too sullen either . Still , holding either of them up for longer than a few moment might lead to shoulder joint or back fatigue duty .
The dustbins on both stick vacuum empty well with just the push of a lever . I found that ready to hand and much fresh than tipping a canister upside down or remove an internal dust bag .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
TheShark Stratoshas an reward in damage of comfort : It features a swell collapsable wand , which allowed me to easily vacuum-clean under piece of furniture at the energy of a button . When I needed the vacuum to reach beneath a piece of furniture farther than I comfortably could with the vacuum in square stick mode , I simply pushed a button on the underside of the verge , and it bend at the inwardness until the dowry relate to the crimper head was parallel with the floor . Then , it was a snap bean to vacuum-clean all the way to the far side of the furniture without bow over . This is a feature article I go for all stick vacuum cleaner manufacturers will consider follow up .
Both vacuums come with a crevice dick and a dust tool , but the Outsize also include a hair prison guard , which is a powered upholstery creature specially designed to loosen and remove stuck - on pet hair from shock absorber and pillows . This was one of my favorite features since I have pets in my habitation .
Which cordless vacuum is right for you, the Shark or the Dyson?
Ultimately , whether you prefer the Dyson Outsize or the Shark Stratos , you ’ll probably be happy with your alternative . Both offer powerful suction and plentiful runtime to clean most homes if you get going from a fully charged stamp battery .
The Outsize has a rampart - mounted docking post that handily stack away the vacancy while charge it . I like this characteristic , but if you do n’t have a spot to deploy the docking place near an release — or you rent and are n’t allowed to establish one — that wo n’t be a consideration .
If you do n’t like bending down to utilize a control stick vacuum cleaner when cleaning underneath furniture , theStratosmight be the selection for you thanks to its collapsible sceptre . Plus , it has a useful light on the front , a feature the Outsize lack .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The Outsize ’s dustbin is more than double the capacity of the Stratos , but if you usually empty your emptiness ’s dustbin after each cleansing , that might not be a game record changer for you either way .
Both were achiever , but found on the result of this cordless vacuity battle , if I had to choose only one , I ’d pick the Dyson Outsize . The grounds ? The hair prison guard tool for upholstery . The motor heads on both vacuity are notable forvacuuming up pet pelt , but the Outsize ’s fuzz screw shaft sets it asunder . Because I have four PET that shed , having a specialized tool that promptly absent hair from shock absorber and pillow create common sense .
Still , both cordless spliff vacuum cleaner are so much better than the early models that came out a few years ago , and the foundational technologies are only make better , so I ’m wait onward to what both companies have in store for next class .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Where to Buy the Dyson Outsize and the Shark Stratos
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and author specialise in the construction , remodeling , and real demesne industries . She and her married man own a general contracting party , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications . She tests a spacious mountain chain of exponent tools as well as other home betterment , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
keep your grass greenish and your plants thriving does n’t just take a green thumb — it starts with the right tools and supplies .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
