This review is worth the read if you really want to know about it. This Shark lift-away isn't totally perfect, but I am still giving it 5 stars. It has a lot going for it, and it has some features to it that tells me that someone who actually vacuums has designed it. Here are the stand out features for me--someone who vacuums every single day (I clean homes for a living, and sometimes even my own, haha). I need something that can truly grab fur off carpets, can be used on bare floors (without spitting), and have functional attachments. Also, I have never had it clog, or give me any hassles. I'm pleased. This LIFT AWAY is something I bought after one of my clients bought it for their house. I already have a couple of Shark Vacuums for use in my own house, so I totally did not need another. I kept telling myself that.. BUT, every time I used their vacuum, I just really liked the features it has over my own. I eventually couldn't resist the temptation to buy one for myself, and finally splurged. Adult toys, hehe OK, here are some details: ---The vacuum has excellent suction, and the suction control is on the handle. It is so easy to change it up on the fly. This is important because the suction on this vacuum is strong. So much so, that it will grab a cord if not careful. How to avoid that? Dont vacuum close the cord/dangling material, etc, or simply adjust the suction level. Keep this in mind when using vac over throw rugs. --The wand release is also very easy to take out and put back in. All within easy reach, feels intuitive. Many of the other vacuums have a hose plus a hard tube that can be pulled out for versatile vacuuming, but I find that the wand is so much quicker and easier to use on the go. No need to bend, or work it back into place. Also, since the wand narrows a bit, it is really effective for sucking stuff off the floor, corners, under stuff. Grab an ON BOARD attachment for further functionality. --ON BOARD tools. I dont know why, but not all vacuums have on board storage. It is ridiculous. I find this true of Dyson and even among some Shark models. THIS vacuum has a spot for a narrow tube tool, and a spot for a brush tool. The included stair/furniture tool does not have a spot unfortunately, so it will need to be stored separately. I imagine it would add weight otherwise. But still having the option would be nice. --EASY release cup. Here too the function of take it on or off is intuitive, quick, and easy. Some are a chore to take off and put back on. I have one older Shark where there cups have clips that need to be undone. It adds time! So this cup is just a quick, one handed pressed of a button, and it pops out. Super easy to get back in, so wrestling to get it in place just right. --LARGE capacity cup. I had used a dyson where the cup had to be emptied every 5-10 minutes, or every 1-2 rooms. In one cleaning session, I would have to stop to empty the cup 4-5 times. Every time. THIS cup is large, holds a lot, and I usually empty 1-2x per vacuuming session. IN ADDITION, the cup is large enough to stick my hand in to grab any stubborn bits of debris, hair balls, etc. After using many vacs (looking at you dyson) that has a narrow inner chamber.. this cup is a breeze to shake out into the trash. ONE MORE awesome detail-- the UPPER portion of the cup can be opened for additional access to the inner cup. Nothing is going to get clogged up, and if it does, it is a quick, easy task to take care of. In my life, time is money. I am either making mine, or people are wasting theirs (If I am fighting with a vacuum, then that is time adding up that I am not spending time on elsewhere. Or in my own home, I dont want to add time to doing a chore). --INTUITIVE design all around. Easy step paddle to get vacuum into reclined position. Similar paddle located just above (but colored, red) for engaging the LIFT AWAY mechanism. Off/hard floors/carpet option easy to adjust, easy to reach. Suction control on handle- again, easy to reach, use. Dirt cup easy to take on/off- easy to use, good placement. Simply everything is where it makes sense.. to me. --Once in Lift-Away position, you now just have the body/canister portion of the vacuum. This is nice for walking around to get into corners high and low. Also great for using the stair tool with--much easier and lighter to maneuver the canister without the added weight and bulk of the power bar. Snaps back into place when done. --Power/beat bar has lights, and a nice swivel. It moves/drives in an easy to control manner, yet adjusts to maneuver around object with ease. No fighting. --Good length cord. I have had shorter, I have had longer (dyson usually has an extra long cord). IF I had any one suggestion for improvement, and for all I know maybe there is an option out there.. that would be to have a wide floor brush tool. I would love to use the pole and put on a wider floor tool for quick vac of the hard floors, rather than always using it upright in hard floor mode. And next, a pole extender. It would just make this a total product. Even if sold as separate product for this unit. I would totally buy it. While it hasn't happened on mine, I did notice that my clients vacuum occasionally overheats. It happened a couple times during very hot, humid weather, and long duration vacuuming. SO I while I took that into consideration, it did not stop me from eventually buying one for myself. I have had mine for about a month, and I use it nearly daily (so much fur!). I love it. Few extra thoughts: I clean homes for a living. I often get asked what vacuum is best. There really isnt a "best" vacuum. It comes down to what you need, and what type of features you prefer. I used to only like canister vacuums, but they are really no longer available (I only see Miele, and I dont trust that one to be able to handle all the fur. I use them in fur free homes, and find the beater bar "ok", also they tend to need servicing). There are super cheap, lightweight vacs that are best for fur free homes, or very light cleaning. Basically, the carpets will be cleaned at a very superficial level. Not for me. I need a vac that will grab the carpet and pull up fur and debris from the surface and down deep. I have used high end, and low end. I have used so many brands and styles over the years that anything within the past ten years have been just OK. Vacuums from the 80s, 90s, early to mid 2000's have been good. Then I noticed a degrade in quality and availability ever since. With prices remaining high for quality that didn't cut it. Some vac brands folded. And some came on the scene. Shark/Ninja products helped fill a gap that was sorely lacking. Quality product at reasonable price. Some models are throw-away, some will last. I figure if I can get 3-5 years that is good. I expect at least 1 year of hard use from me. Any more is a bonus. It's joked that the Ninja blender is the poor mans Vitamix, and the Shark vacuum is the poor mans Dyson. I've had both. Funny thing, is that with my extensive experience with both, I recommend over and over Shark/Ninja products. The performance is there and the price is budget friendly. Dyson has been a throw away product for me, unfortunately. Good while it lasted, but not as intuitive as the Shark. Now, does that mean that it will last forever. Nah. Unless you vacuum just a couple times a year, no vacuum is going to last for decades. I have gone through a couple of Dysons ($500-600) in the past 3-4 years. After the second, I stopped. Having this Shark has been a joy. SO far so good. If it falls apart or I experience something else worth sharing, I will be sure to do so. I am genuinely enthused for this product, and I hope it serves me (and anyone else) well for time to come. PS. This vacuum is around 12-13lbs. Not heavy by most standards, but it may be too much for some. KNOW your limitations. An ultra lightweight vac (unless an Oreck--they have a totally different design that allows it to
