Shark AZ3000 Stratos Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

Very well. The AZ3000 pulls a lot of dirt out of carpets and area rugs, sometimes enough to fill the canister in a single room. Suction adjusts on its own when you roll onto hard floors, so you don't have to change settings between rooms.

Yes. It handles hair from long-haired cats and from homes with several dogs, and the bristle-free roller keeps hair from wrapping around it. The Stratos also lifts away into a pod for hair on stairs and furniture, where pets tend to leave the most behind.

It's on the heavy side for an upright, at 19.91 lb. Pushing it isn't the issue, and one unit glides across the floor almost by itself. Carrying it up a flight of stairs is where the weight shows, so lift off the pod for the steps and leave the AZ3000's base at the bottom.

Swivel steering lets you navigate around furniture and into tight spaces. The Lift-Away feature detaches the canister for more versatile cleaning options.

It operates at a moderate volume that allows for comfortable conversation while cleaning.