What We Look at in a Vacuum Cleaner
There are certain characteristics we should look at when comparing Shark Vertex and Apex.
- First, what kind of cleaning performance do they provide? Both vacuums offer strong suction power, but the Vertex is more powerful with its 1500W motor. This makes it a great choice for deep cleaning carpets or removing pet hair from upholstery - making each of them an efficient upholstery tool which is especially important when dealing with tough messes.
- Next, how easy are they to use? It is important that you can maneuver your vacuum in tight spaces and around furniture without issue. The Vertex is lightweight and can lay flat on the ground for cleaning under furniture, while the Apex has adjustable height settings so it can handle any surface easily.
- Additional parts like a crevice tool - for cleaning hard-to-reach areas - are also something to consider. The Vertex has a specialized nozzle for pet hair and the Apex comes with a long stretch hose that is great for reaching high areas or stairs.
- Powerful suction and ergonomic design that helps clean a high pile carpet or an area rug, along with a specialized pet hair nozzle and adjustable height settings make the Shark Vertex an excellent choice for families. It is easy to use, lightweight and powerful, so it can handle any mess you throw at it. The Apex offers similar features but with less power that is more suitable for a low pile carpet, however, its long stretch hose is a great advantage when cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
Shark Vertex vs Apex: How We Tested
When comparing the Shark Vertex and the Apex, we looked at three key aspects: cleaning performance, ease of use, and additional parts. To test them out, we conducted both lab tests and real-world tests to get an accurate picture of how they performed in different scenarios.
- First, we did several cleaning tests on different surfaces to compare their cleaning performance. We also tested their suction power and maneuverability to see if they could handle tight spaces easily.
- We then used them in a real-world setting, testing both upright vacuums on different types of floors and surfaces. This allowed us to see how well they handled tough messes and pet hair, as well as how easy it was to get all the dirt out - whether the tools included LED lights and if the cord length was enough to carefully clean all the carpet fibers and get all the pet hair and things like kitty litter which are a real issue for most pet owners.
- And last, we tested out the additional parts included with each vacuum, like crevice tools and pet hair nozzles. We wanted to see how easy they were to use and if they offered any extra benefits when cleaning hard-to-reach areas. To determine the best vacuum cleaner, we gave the devices a hard time - cleaning fruit loops, flour, and other bits of debris - to see which one outperformed the other.
Shark AZ2002 Vertex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with DuoClean
Vertex and Apex Comparison: Common Points
Both the Shark Vertex and Shark APEX utilize the DuoClean brushroll in order to quickly and effectively clean carpets, rugs, and hard floors.
DuoClean Brushroll: Great For self-cleaning
DuoClean is a dual-action brushroll with improved performance and increased suction for cleaning large debris. Due to this self-cleaning brush roll, the Shark Vertex and Apex can easily handle the toughest messes, such as pet hair or small particles. The brushroll is designed for both carpets and hard floors, so it does a great job on both surfaces.
Attachments & Tools
The tools and accessories that come with both of these vacuums are the same. The Shark Vertex comes with several attachments which make cleaning easier: a dusting brush, crevice tool, pet hair nozzle, and an upholstery tool.
The Shark Apex also comes with the same set of tools but it has the added bonus of a long stretch hose to help you reach high areas or stairs. This makes the Apex great for cleaning hard-to-reach places.
Cord Length & Power
Both the Shark Vertex and Shark APEX are uprights with cords that are 30 feet long. This is plenty of length for a large living room or stairs.
When it comes to power, the Vertex is more powerful with 1250 watts compared to the Apex’s 1000 watts. This makes the Shark Vertex great for high-pile carpets and rugs while the Apex is better suited for thin carpets or hard floors.
Corded power offers full-size upright capacity and fade-free suction for extended cleaning sessions.
Lift-Away Canister Design
Each of these vacuums has a Lift-Away canister that can be removed for more mobile cleaning. This makes it easier to clean stairs, car interiors, and other hard-to-reach places.
The Shark Vertex offers a lightweight Lift-Away canister that can be easily removed from the vacuum for more maneuverability and comfort while cleaning. The Apex has the same feature, albeit with heavier weight since it is made of stainless steel.
You can access the full-size dustbin in addition to the canister, which is lighter in hand than pushing the full vacuum.
Although the canister is more portable, you will still have some restrictions due to the plug-in power cord.
Vertex and Apex Model Cleaning Modes
The cleaning modes offered by both of these vacuums can be manually changed on each vacuum's handle. There is no significant difference between the two models.
Here are the different surfaces modes offered by these fantastic vacuums:
- Low Pile Carpet Mode - This mode is great for carpets and area rugs with a shorter pile. To keep the air dry and adjust the performance to any floor type, you can use the comfortable handle to adjust the suction power.
- Area Rug or High Pile Carpet Mode - This mode is ideal for thick, plush carpets with a long pile. Due to the specific rotator lines and ergonomic hose length, it can handle the deep cleaning of high-pile carpets.
- Hard Floor Mode - This setting is perfect for hardwood, laminate, and tile floors. The hard floor setting uses higher suction power to pick up dust and debris from your hard floors. This mode is great for hardwood, tile, laminate, and other smooth surfaces.
So if you need a cleaning device for bare floors, the Vertex and Apex are great choices!
The Difference between the Two Vacuums
Apex and Vertex compared, the two vacuums have slightly different features. These differences include the following.
Power And Bin capacity
The Shark Vertex is more powerful with 1250 watts compared to the Apex’s 1000 watts. This makes the Shark Vertex great for high-pile carpets and rugs while the Apex is better suited for thin carpets or hard floors.
Vertex's dustbin is 0.12 quarts (1.0 vs. 0.88 quarts) bigger, which is not insignificant. While others may not give it much thought, for certain people that feature might be what makes the Vertex the best bargain available.
Suction Power and Attachments
The Shark Vertex has a little bit more suction power than the Shark APEX, yet we didn't detect a big difference in how well the two cleaned.
As to the attachments, they are the following:
Pet power brush: A motorized brush with rotating bristles made especially for cleaning pet hair without tangling it up too much.
- Dusting/upholstery brush: For use on upholstered soft furniture surfaces, such as a chair or couch, the upholstery tool can be connected to the wand.
- A crevice tool is a long, thin instrument for cramming into tight openings.
Price Comparison
The price difference between Vertex and Apex is significant. The Shark APEX is around $200 less than the Shark Vertex, so if you’re looking for a good vacuum without breaking the bank, then the Vertex is definitely the way to go.
Cleaning Heads And LED Lights
Both the Vertex and APEX come with LED lights located on the nozzle of the vacuum which helps you spot hidden dirt and pet hair in dark corners or under furniture. It makes it easier to see what you’re cleaning.
However, the Shark Vertex comes with a wide cleaning head that is designed to clean larger areas quickly and easily. This helps reduce the number of passes needed to clean your floors. The Apex has a more traditional, standard-size cleaning head that is ideal for smaller surfaces.
Conclusion: Shark Vertex vs Apex - Who Wins?
When it comes to choosing between the Shark Vertex and the Apex, both models offer excellent cleaning performance and great features. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific needs and budget.
If you are looking for a powerful vacuum cleaner with excellent suction power and a long-reach hose, then the Shark Vertex is the one you should choose.
Here are the benefits that helped us make the choice:
- Improved Brushroll: Shark claims that the redesigned DuoClean brushroll on the Vertex is an upgrade over the APEX, despite the fact that we found no appreciable performance differences.
- Lighter Upright - The Shark Vertex weighs 16.38 pounds compared to 17.1 pounds for the APEX model, which is a little but discernible difference.
- Greater Dust Bin: Vertex's dust bin holds 1.0 quarts as opposed to Apex's 0.88 quarts. This means you can cover more ground before having to empty the bin.
Overall, the Shark Vertex is the better choice of a portable cleaning device, for its larger dust capacity, improved brush roll, and lightweight design. It also offers a long-reach hose, LED lights, and a wide cleaning head which makes it a great value for its price.
If budget is your main concern the APEX might be worth considering as it does offer good performance at a lower cost. However, if you are looking for the best of what Shark has to offer then the Vertex is a clear winner.
