Compare Β· Updated 14 Oct 2026
Dreame R20 vs Shark Stratos Cordless
For most homes, get the Dreame R20. If your home is mostly thick carpet and rugs, the Shark Stratos digs deeper.
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The short answer
The R20 is light, easy to steer and has a battery that lasts a whole-home clean, for less money. The Stratos has a perfect carpet deep-clean score and a brush that won't wrap with hair, but it weighs about 3.9kg and runs about 10 minutes on max.
Get the R20 if
- βYou have a mix of hard floors and carpet.
- βYou want something light for stairs.
- βYou want one charge to do the whole home.
Get the Stratos if
- βYour home is mostly thick carpet and rugs.
- βLong hair wraps round every brush you own.
- βWeight doesn't bother you.
Key differences
Deep carpet
Picks up well; open the head's vent on thick pile
R20
Excellent, glides over thick carpet
Stratos
Battery
Lasts a whole-home clean
R20
About 10 minutes on max
Stratos
Weight
Light and easy to steer
R20
Heavy, about 3.9kg
Stratos
Hair wrap
Handles pet hair, but pull hair from the bin
R20
Brush built not to tangle
Stratos
Price
Lower
R20
Higher
Stratos
Pros and cons
Dreame R20
- +Long battery for the price
- +Light and easy to steer
- +Handles pet hair without tangling
- βThe trigger is easy to set off by accident while you carry it.
- βThe bin is small, and pet hair often has to be pulled out by hand.
- βHarder to push on thick carpet unless you open a small air vent on the head.
Shark Stratos Cordless
- +Excellent on carpet
- +Hair doesn't wrap the brush
- +Bendable wand, swappable battery
- βDebris can collect behind the head when you pull it backwards.
- βThere's a scent capsule in the head; take it out if strong smells bother you.
- βMax-power runtime is about 10 minutes.
- Is the R20 worth it?
- Is the Stratos worth it?
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, Vacuum Wars, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 14 Oct 2026How we decide

