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Shark Stratos Flexology Powerfins Plus
Powerful suction, top cleaning performance, high quality design - just a few words that perfectly describe this Shark cordless vacuum.
A favourite among fans of cordless vacuums in the UK, Shark now ups its game with the Stratos range. Read on to find out what makes these models so special! 👇
Outstanding cleaning performance
Whether corners, edges, carpets or hard floors...
The Shark Stratos left our floors spotless in our test! 💪
Not many vacuums can achieve this, which makes the Shark Stratos a real hot tip. 🔐
DuoClean Anti Hair Wrap Plus floorhead - perfect for all floor types
A real highlight of the Stratos cordless vacuums is the dual floorhead - two motorised brush rolls working together to tackle both hard floors and carpets.
The Anti-Hair Wrap Plus roll at the back draws out embedded dirt in carpets and deals with hair pick-up, while the front roll gets to work on hard floor dirt.
This really works flawlessly. And the highlight:
This means you don’t have to change the brush! 💃
Anti-Odour Technology
The Stratos range features anti-odour technology to deal with any nasty odours produced by pet dander and other dirt and dust. Just pop a cartridge into the dust bin and any unwanted smells are masked with a clean, fresh scent.
Perfect for those of us with more sensitive noses! 👃
Automatic suction level adjustment - Clean Sense IQ
Yes, you heard right:
The Stratos automatically adjusts its suction power according to the dirt and the floor type.
This saves battery and increases cleanliness. 💪
Speaking of saving battery power:
Despite very good runtimes, the Stratos IZ420UKT model also features an extra removable battery pack and thanks to a clever charger, you can charge two batteries at the same time.
Conclusion: Should you buy it?
So do we recommend buying a Shark Stratos cordless vacuum cleaner?
Yes, definitely!
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, Shark offers many other clever solutions.
The device will be a real help in your everyday work.
Advantages
Powerful cleaning performance |
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Strong suction power |
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High quality |
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Smart, unique floorhead (DuoClean) |
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Practical storage function |
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Long battery life |
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Stick and handheld vacuum in one |
Disadvantages
Not the quietest |
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Expensive |
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No HEPA filter |
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Heavier weight |
What’s the performance of the Vorwerk VB100 in the cleaning tests?
One of the most important criteria when buying a vacuum is its cleaning performance.
That's why we gave the Kobold VB100 quite a challenge under extreme conditions.
We spread different kinds of dirt (lentils, sand and oatmeal) on various floor types (hard floor, short pile carpet and long pile carpet).
Then we removed the dirt at the highest suction level.
Cleaning on Hard Floors
It did a great job when cleaning hard floors and had no troubles with removing dirt.
Whether it was fine dirt like sand or coarser dirt like the lentils, the Vorwerk cordless vacuum cleaner hardly reached its limits. We were impressed.
The Kobold 100 is therefore very well suited for hard floors.
Cleaning on Short Pile Carpets
The cleaning performance was excellent on short pile carpet, too.
94% of the sand made its way back onto the scales, and the Kobold 100 also removed most of the other types of dirt.
This result is still more than decent, but it’s not as good as the performance on hard floors.
Cleaning on Long Pile Carpeting
When cleaning our high carpet, the Vorwerk didn’t really meet our expectations.
The VB 100 didn’t clean up all oat flakes straight away. It took a tad longer to remove everything.
The VB 100 still achieved a great result with an average of 95%.
The Vorwerk Kobold VB100 in everyday use
The cleaning performance of the Vorwerk VB100 is excellent in everyday use. We made good experiences with the device and used it mainly at the medium level. It removes regular dirt and also heavier dirt without any problems.
The Vorwerk reached its limits only on our very, very long-pile carpet in the living room. The brush got blocked from time to time, and the cleaning performance declined.
Conclusion
Overall, the VB100 achieved good to excellent results in our cleaning test. It removed an average of 92% of the dirt under extreme conditions. This puts it in the premium class regarding suction performance.
Review of the Kobold VB100’s Design
In our review, we found that Vorwerk placed a lot of emphasis on the design.
When you unpack the Kobold VB100, you’ll see a brand new cordless vacuum cleaner with a simple white design.
The simplicity of the design is elegant and refined.
Is that a requirement for a household appliance? In our opinion, it’s nice to have!
You can’t see the motor unit and the dust bag’s container because they are located inside the vacuum.
The entire motor unit is in the lower parts of the VB100.
At the top, there’s a slim handle.
Thanks to this structure, the centre of gravity is at the bottom. The weight is well distributed so you’ll barely notice it when vacuuming.
The slim handle of the VB 100 is pleasant to hold and thus improves the cordless vacuum cleaner’s manoeuvrability.
The vacuum cleaner is designed to stand on its own on the electric brush.
We were pleasantly surprised when we found this out. This way, you can simply put it down while vacuuming and you don't have to bend down to continue cleaning.
Of course, this is particularly suitable for older people who have troubles bending down (possibly because of back problems).
The unit has three switches.
One is for switching on and off. You can switch between the different suction levels with the second one, and the third one is on the EBB100 floor brush. You can vary the floor roller’s speed with it.
While using the appliance, you can monitor the cleaning process thanks to the sophisticated LED system.
For this purpose, Vorwerk has installed LEDs in three different places. They will indicate when, for example, the battery is running low, or when the brush is blocked.
Cordless but Not Bagless
You only need a cable to charge the battery of the Vorwerk Kobold VB100. Otherwise, you can vacuum without any cable clutter.
However, unlike all other products in this market, the VB100 comes with a conventional dust bag.
The bag has a capacity of 0.8 litres, which is large enough to vacuum our family home three times.
Afterwards, you can simply remove the bag and throw it away
Vorwerk UK says it relies on bags because no dust can escape when you “empty” or change it.
This is a great plus for allergy sufferers.
And indeed, the flap of the bag ensures that no dirt finds its way back into the home.
Vorwerk has even got a certificate by TÜV-Nord for this.
However, we think that if you’re a bit more careful, you can empty the bagless cordless vacuum cleaners from other manufacturers without dirt sneaking back into the home.
But we have to admit that it’s quite hard to measure the amount of evaded dust during the emptying process.
Since the bags have a price of 19 pounds per 5-pack, they are also a cost factor you have to consider when deciding what to buy.
The bag is a clear disadvantage regarding the costs. From an environmental perspective, too, because the disposable bags generate a lot of waste.
However, the suitability for allergy sufferers is quite plausible. However, if you use a bagless vacuum correctly, allergy sufferers won’t have to worry about that.
How big is the Vorwerk VB100?
You can comfortably push the vacuum cleaner around because it’s got a height of just under 1.10 metres (43 inches). The floor roller’s width is good, and it picks up the same amount of dirt over its full width.
At 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs), the VB100 is a lightweight among the premium vacuum cleaners.
The floor roller has a width of 25 cm (9.8 inches).
| Category | Dimensions |
| Height | approx. 110 cm (43 inches) |
| Width of the Floor Roller (without case) | 25 cm (9.8 inches) |
| Weight | 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs) |
The Vorwerk VB100 as a Hand Vacuum
Unlike other competing premium vacuums, you can’t convert the VB100 into a cordless hand vacuum.
However, you can attach the Vorwerk 2-1 Tool to vacuum on the ceiling or in corners.
Vorwerk offers another device instead of the 2 in 1 solution, the Kobold VC100.
This one’s a cordless hand vacuum cleaner. You can use it whenever its big brother can’t do the job.
At 129.00 pounds, the VC100 is affordable, but it only works in combination with an upright vacuum for the entire cleaning process.
What accessories come with the Vorwerk VB100?
The accessories are as simple as the design of the Kobold VB100.
It’s an advantage for the design vacuum cleaner’s design, but it’s more of a disadvantage when it comes to the accessories. At least the accessories of the "Basis Plus Set" are limited.
We are used to other standards because most cordless vacuum cleaners come with accessories for every situation.
Vorwerk, on the other hand, supplies only one other attachment, the 2-in-1 accessory nozzle, in addition to the electronic main brush of the EBB 100. That’s also because you can’t convert the VB100 into a hand vacuum, as we described earlier.
If you want more accessories and more flexibility, you can buy many additional accessories on the Vorwerk UK website (www.vorwerk.co.uk). It's expensive, but it's also impressive how creative Vorwerk was.
After a lot of deliberation, we chose the "VB100 cordless vacuum professional set".
The Accessories of the VB100 cordless vacuum professional set
Included in the accessories:
- Kobold VB100 Battery Vacuum Cleaner
- Kobold VB100 Battery
- Kobold VB100 Charger
Attachments and accessories for the VB100:
- Kobold EBB100 Battery Electric Brush
- Kobold SPB100 battery-powered suction mop (incl. cloth plate)
- Kobold SB100 Suction Hose
- Kobold SD15 Soft Nozzle
- Kobold VD15 Vario Nozzle
- Kobold VB100 2-1 Accessory Nozzle
Consumables for the VB100:
- 3 Kobold MF600/601 Universal Cleaning Cloths
- 1 Koboclean Universal (500 ml)
- 5 Kobold FP100 Premium Filter Bags
Let's take a closer look at the accessories:
Since most of the accessories of the VB100 are very special, we took a closer look at the individual parts.
The 2-in-1 Accessory Nozzle
It’s a mix between a small crevice nozzle and a brush tool with which you can vacuum objects. This makes the attachment very suitable for cleaning corners or skirting boards and the like.
Electronic floor brush of the EBB100
Vorwerk gave the EBB100 its own motor. The motor can vary the suction power. You can operate a button on the top of the brush with your foot to adjust the setting.
The Kobold SPB100 battery-powered vacuum-mop (incl. cloth plate)
The SPB100 is an attachment that you can use instead of the standard brush. You can vacuum and mop parquet, stone floors, laminate, tiles and vinyl at the same time. We have tested how this works. Below you can find our review for this function.
The Kobold SB100 Suction Hose
You can’t reach every spot with the VB100. If you want to increase your flexibility when vacuuming, you can simply use the suction hose. Then you can use it just like a conventional vacuum.
The Kobold SD15 Soft Nozzle
You can use the soft nozzle to dust furniture, books and anything else that’s standing around. You can even modify the extension of the soft bristles.
This looks funny at first glance, but it makes sense. This way, you can adjust it to a sensitive surface of objects.
Kobold VD15 Vario Nozzle
Vorwerk got creative here. At first, we thought: Oh no, not another attachment!
But the Vario nozzle proved to be very practical during use. Thanks to the extendable attachment, you can reach even the narrowest spots.
The "drill attachment" is also interesting. You can hold this under the drill hole while drilling, and it directly collects the dirt.
You can attach the small brush, too, which works excellent when vacuuming the skirting boards, e.g. after drilling.
Conclusion on Accessories
In summary, Vorwerk has come up with a whole bunch of useful accessories here.
They are also of very high-quality and fit perfectly into the design. You get a well-rounded product that’s got a lot to offer.
The only thing you have to consider is whether you have enough space to store all the accessories properly.
How does the Vorwerk VB100 clean?
The cleaning system of the Kobold VB100 is a combination of the motor of the actual vacuum cleaner and the brush’s motor power.
Depending on the floor and your needs, you can select different suction levels here.
How many suction levels does the new Vorwerk VB100 have?
The vacuum has three suction levels: Soft, Med, Max, which you can by using the button on the handle.
Unfortunately, the soft suction level was too weak during use.
We used mostly the other two suction levels.
Most of the time, the medium level was completely sufficient here.
How long can I vacuum with the Vorwerk VB100?
Of course, the battery runtime depends mainly on which suction level you choose on the device and the brush.
The battery runtime of the VB100 at a glance
| Suction Stage | Battery Runtime in Minutes |
| Level 1 (Soft) | 44 minutes |
| Level 2 (Med) | 32 minutes |
| Level 3 (Max) | 12 minutes |
In terms of battery power, the VB100 lags behind its competitors.
Even though the runtime of approx. 44 minutes in soft mode is good, you can use this mode for very fine dirt only.
The approx. 30 minutes in Med mode are relatively short. They’re only sufficient for our single-family house if we hurry and focus on vacuuming for half an hour.
Vorwerk solves this problem with a replaceable battery. However, you have to buy this for a whopping 99 pounds.
Vorwerk Kobold SPB100 cordless vacuum cleaner - The VB100 can mop now, too
More and more manufacturers are trying to add a wiping function to their cordless vacuums.
The advantages are obvious: vacuuming and mopping in one go saves valuable time. We bet most people prefer spending time with their family or do their favourite hobby instead of cleaning.
Unfortunately, in our experience, most manufacturers didn’t get the hang of combining these functions well yet.
But how did the master engineers at Vorwerk do? We put it to the test.
Vorwerk has developed its own suction head for the vacuum mop function: The SPB100.
And there’s a reason why we say developed: The master engineers found a new approach and redesigned the entire thing.
Scope of delivery of the vacuum mop package
Included in the delivery scope of the vacuum mop package are:
- The SPB100
- 5 reusable mops
- The cleaning agent
Advantages and disadvantages of the SPB 100 battery-powered vacuum cleaner at a glance
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
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The SPB 100 Review
There is a water tank on the side of the SPB 100. You have to remove it and fill it with water.
Then add 3 ml of the included cleaning agent (or use a similar one).
Lastly, you have to attach the mop to the underside of the brush.
When you re-attach the water tank, the reusable mop is slowly supplied with water, and you are ready to go. Thanks to this system, you save a lot of water.
You can wash the mop after use.
When it starts, you feel the oscillating wiping motion, similar to a (weak) vibrating plate, the device pushes itself across the floor and leaves a clean, damp trace.
It sucks up loose dirt at the same time through the front suction slots.
The SPB100 is twice as big and twice as heavy as the EBB100 (with which you can "only" vacuum). However, thanks to the two wheels and the rhythmic movement, it effortlessly glides over the floor.
Conclusion and Cleaning Result of the Vorwerk Kobold SPB100
Of all the vacuum mops we have tested so far, the system of Vorwerk is the most powerful.
The cleaning was good, but it’s still cleaner with a conventional mop because you can simply put more pressure on the floor and the dirt.
A small drawback of the cleaning performance is its manoeuvrability in the corners.
The mop can’t reach the corners and edges due to the suction nozzles and the rollers’ arrangement. It’s always a distance of approx. 5 cm (2 inches) to the wall.
Well, the suction nozzles have to go somewhere.
On the other hand, there is also a huge advantage that we can’t dismiss: You don't have to carry water buckets and wring out the dirty mop again and again. It’s enough to mop once after vacuuming.
The test showed that wiping after vacuuming is particularly suitable for getting rid of fine dust and light dirt.
Therefore, we can recommend the SPB 100 especially for allergy sufferers and for households with pets.
How easy is it to use the Vorwerk VB100?
Commissioning
The commissioning of the VB100 is simple. They even inserted the first bag already.
After three hours of charging, you just have to attach the cleaning brush and off you go.
Vorwerk has developed a simple plug-in system for changing the attachments, which is very user-friendly and works well. Vorwerk’s workmanship leaves nothing to be desired: it’s great!
How loud is the Vorwerk VB100?
Do you know that feeling when you are annoyed the whole time, and you don't know why? But once the vacuum turns off and it gets quiet, you know what the problem was.
That’s very unlikely with the VB100.
| Suction Level | Volume in dB |
| Level Soft | 70 |
| Level Med | 72 |
| Level Max | 72 |
Vorwerk achieved great scores in our volume test of the Kobold VB100.
With 72 dB in medium mode, it’s one of the quietest vacuums in its category.
What’s the manoeuvrability of the new Vorwerk VB100 like?
The manoeuvrability of the VB 100 is excellent.
The interplay of its weight, well-cut design and low centre of gravity ensure a smooth movement of the battery-powered vacuum cleaner.
The joint of the EBB100 main brush adds the last touch to the perfect mobility.
The Maintenance of the Vorwerk B100 in the Review
The review of the VB100 showed that the maintenance is also very user-friendly.
The maintenance tasks for the Kobold cordless vacuum cleaner are more than manageable. It comes down to:
- Changing the vacuum bag
- Cleaning the filter
- Battery replacement
- Cleaning the brush
How to empty the Vorwerk VB100
You simply have to remove the flap at the back with the push of a button. It falls into your hand, including the full dust bag.
The flap of the dust bag is automatically closed so that no dust can escape.
Now you can simply remove the bag, throw it in the trash and replace it with a new bag.
Close the lid, and you’re good to go.
You can also remove and tap out the small filter underneath. You can also replace it this way if necessary.
Is it possible to replace the battery?
If you take off the cover at the back, you can simply pull out the battery of the Kobold VB100 and replace it with a new one.
That does not only extend the runtime. If the battery ever breaks, you can replace it in just a few steps.
That’s a huge plus regarding sustainability.
The charging time of the VB100
The charging time of the Vorwerk Kobold VB100 is approx. 3 hours.
Three hours is a great value compared to the competition. Thanks to the exchangeable battery, you can vacuum for a long time.
Can you remove the brush of the EBB100?
The EBB100 has a removable lid at the front on both sides.
You can easily remove one of the brushes on each side and clean it.
You should do this from time to time, as sometimes hair gets wrapped around the brush, leading to a decrease in cleaning performance.
The small openings on the bottom side of the brush are another practical feature of the EBB100.
Here you can take a look if the vacuum is clogged and remove some dirt if necessary.
Vorwerk Kobold VB100 Review (UK): Is it worth buying a Vorwerk VB100 cordless vacuum cleaner?
Our review showed that the bags you need to operate the vacuum cause follow-up costs. They aren’t as sustainable as bagless devices either. However, the bag is a clear advantage for allergy sufferers.
Allergy sufferers get their money's worth with the Vorwerk cordless vacuum. The bag does a great job in holding the dirt back.
Unfortunately, the 2-in-1 function is missing. It’s not possible to convert it to a cordless hand vacuum.
You can make it up with various gadgets, e.g. the suction hose combined with the Vario nozzle.
Or you can get the hand-held vacuum from Vorwerk, which is an excellent addition to its big brother (to the Kobold VC 100 review).
In the end, however, all we can say is:
WOW!
If you’ve got the budget, get the Vorwerk Kobold VB100!
You’ll get a powerful and versatile premium product for your money. The cordless vacuum cleaner will be fun to use and saves a lot of time.
Quality has its price, or as my grandma used to say: If you buy cheap, you buy twice!
Powerful suction, chic appearance and unique German engineering are the key ingredients for this well-rounded product. It helps people to clean the home all over the world.
You’ve got the means and have many floors in your home that you have to mop? Then treat yourself with the battery mop set with the SPB 100. This attachment took a lot of workload off our shoulders.
Contact Vorwerk UK
Customer Service: To contact Vorwerk UK directly, please call their customer Care service 03300 6600 834 or write an email to: info(at)vorwerk.co.uk The Customer Care Service is available Monday to Friday (9 am - 5 pm).
Registered office:
Vorwerk UK Limited - Ashurst Manor, Church Lane, Sunninghill, Berkshire, SL5 7DD, UK
Table of Content
Find out more about our favorites now
What’s the performance of the Vorwerk VB100 in the cleaning tests?
Review of the Kobold VB100’s Design
What accessories come with the Vorwerk VB100?
How does the Vorwerk VB100 clean?
Vorwerk Kobold SPB100 cordless vacuum cleaner - The VB100 can mop now, too
How easy is it to use the Vorwerk VB100?
The Maintenance of the Vorwerk B100 in the Review
Vorwerk Kobold VB100 Review (UK): Is it worth buying a Vorwerk VB100 cordless vacuum cleaner?
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How we test our cordless vacuum cleaners
Joe, our wireless vacuum expert on the Smart Home Fox team, has spent over half a decade meticulously testing every model that has landed with us.
His vast experience allows him to evaluate and assess each product accurately.
Backed by rigorous testing of numerous models, our reviews provide comprehensive, unbiased advice.
We assess the cleaning performance of each vacuum cleaner, compare it to the competition, and then rate it.
Curious about us? 🤔
Learn more about the Smart Home Fox team on our 'About Us' page.
Our ratings are always based on a standardised practical test.
We evaluate cordless vacuum cleaners in different categories, such as:
- Suction Test: How effectively does it clean different types of debris on various floor surfaces?
- Usability: How practical is the vacuum for daily use?
- Design: Is it well-made? Was user-friendliness a priority during design?
- Package Contents: Does it come with useful, high-quality attachments?
- Model Comparison: How does the vacuum compare to other models?
- Cleaning Features: What factors contribute to the vacuum's cleaning performance
- Hand Vacuum Usability: Can it be used as a handheld vacuum, and if yes, how well does it function?
- Ease of Use: How user-friendly is the vacuum?
- Battery Performance: How long can it clean on a single charge?
- Maintenance: What maintenance is required, how often, and how much time does it take?
- Value for Money: Is the hoover worth its cost in terms of performance?
With these standard tests, we aim to compare different vacuum cleaners and offer you the best possible advice.
This way, you can make an informed decision for your next purchase! 🛍️
If you're interested in understanding how we test our products, check out our detailed cordless vacuum testing procedure.
Frequently asked questions
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Can I buy Vorwerk products on Amazon UK?
The Vorwerk VB100 is not available on Amazon UK. Only accessories such as dust bags, filters etc. can be found on Amazon in the UK.
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