Shark Rotator Pro Lift-Away review: A budget vacuum that’s full of features
The $199 Shark Rotator Pro Lift-Away vacuum cleaner really had a lot to prove at the outset of this review. It claims to “clean carpets better than the Dyson DC41” on the box. So I tested it against the $649 DC41 (and the $499 DC50 for good measure). To diversify a bit more, I also compared it to the $399 Oreck Touch and the $309 Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean.
The $200 Shark is the least expensive of the five models and makes pretty lofty performance claims. So, is it really better than a Dyson? Well, yes and no. I would recommend it over either Dyson because it is a more well-rounded machine. It offers good design, usability, and performance, and it has excellent features. Both Dysons struggled in the design department, while the more expensive DC41 outperformed the Shark (on carpet and everywhere else) and the less expensive DC50 performed on par with the Shark.
And in comparison to the Oreck and the Electrolux, it’s much more a matter of preference. The Shark is a fantastic budget vacuum that holds its own against these two in usability and features, albeit with slightly lower performance marks. Still, I would highly recommend this vacuum. It offers the best value of any of the models and its multitude of accessories will delight the more thorough cleaners among you.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Design
This is a fine-looking vacuum, but it isn’t trying to appear high-end like the other models. It’s a glossy white machine with red accents that belie its more modern functionality. Fortunately, its slightly dated design doesn’t seem to hurt its construction in the least. It’s a solidly built vacuum with strong components.
The wand feels sturdy and secure, the transparent bin isn’t flimsy (as was observed in both Dyson models), and the vacuum is comfortable to carry around in canister mode. Just don’t expect this $200 budget buy to have the same design features as a more expensive model, and you won’t be disappointed.
I do kind of wish there was a way to get all of the various Shark attachments and accessories to fit on the vacuum, though. The different parts would likely end up scattered around my house.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Features
I gave the Shark the highest possible rating in this category. You really can’t get better than this, especially when you consider price and value. Using it as a upright model, it has a pivoting head and headlights. It also comes with a wand accessory like the other models and suction adjustment like the Electrolux.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
To the wand, you can add a flexible crevice tool for vacuuming corners, a multipurpose tool that does well on upholstery and hard surfaces, a straight suction floor nozzle for picking up stuff big and small from bare floors and area rugs, a power brush to take on pet hair and dirt from carpeted stairs and upholstery, a wide upholstery tool for getting pet hair and dust from fabrics, and a dusting brush. It can also switch between an upright and a canister vacuum so you can carry it around while using the cleaning wand, or set it on top of the canister caddy, which rolls around while you’re in wand mode.
The Dyson DC41 gets the closest to this number of brush accessories, but still can’t really compete with the Shark on features.
Usability
The Shark gets a very good usability score. Considering the number of accessories offered on this incredibly modular machine, there was a chance that it would seem cumbersome and awkward. However, that just isn’t the case. It couldn’t be easier to convert the vacuum from upright to canister, set the canister on the caddy, or extend the wand and add various brush attachments. The bin, too, is easy to open and put back in place, although not quite as easy as the Electrolux. Also, its pivoting head makes for one maneuverable model that can go anywhere and do pretty much anything. It’s also 15.5 pounds, which is lighter than the 17.2-pound Electrolux model I like so much.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Performance
In order to deliver a comprehensive review of this vacuum, I tested it on thin low-pile carpet, thicker midpile carpet, and hardwood. On each surface, I scattered fruity Cheerios, sand and sawdust, pet hair, human hair, and washers, nuts, and bobby pins to test different types of functionality. And I learned that the Shark does very well, although not as well as the Dyson DC41, the Oreck, or the Electrolux. Still, it really impressed me — it’s only $200, folks.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Cheerios
Cheerios, 1 oz. (percentage picked up)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
92
97
95
92
97
93
73
88
97
93
88
92
80
83
The Dyson DC41, the Oreck, and the Electrolux all did consistently well on this test, removing 88 percent or more of the Fruity Cheerios from thin carpet, thick carpet, and hardwood.
That’s good news for parents with young kids or really anyone dealing with larger things that need to be dust-busted. The Shark remained competitive on the carpeted surfaces, but on hardwood, it picked up only 73 percent of the cereal dropped. That’s not terrible, but it isn’t as good as the other three. The Dyson DC50 performed pretty well on carpets, but didn’t collect any Cheerios on the hardwood.
Sawdust/sand
Sand/sawdust, 2.5 oz. (percentage picked up)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
97
80
91
98
68
77
97
61
67
98
68
60
92
86
59
For this test, I mixed together sand and sawdust and spread it across each floor type.
The Shark had some issues with consistency, here. It picked up only 59 percent of the mixture from the low-pile carpet, 86 percent from the midpile and 92 percent from the hardwood. Averaged together, that’s a fine score, but what went wrong on the low-pile carpet?
To be fair, the top-performing Dyson DC41 only got 60 percent of the mixture from the low-pile carpet, the Oreck 67 percent, and the Dyson DC50 77 percent. The Electrolux did the best by far, picking up 91 percent of the sand and sawdust. Unfortunately, a lot of people probably need top performance in this category. Low-pile carpets are more common in high-traffic areas where small particles like dirt thrive. Going over the same spot multiple times would take care of this issue. Per our test design, I only rolled over each material twice.
Pet hair
Pet hair, 0.2 oz. (percentage picked up)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
100
100
100
100
100
100
92
100
100
75
100
100
100
100
CNET’s own Katie Pilkington shaved her Labradoodle Lola so we could perform this test.
I spread hair clumps of various sizes across both carpets and the hardwood. The Shark picked up 100 percent of Lola’s hair from both carpeted surfaces and none from the hardwood. That’s because you’re supposed to turn off the brush when you’re vacuuming on a bare floor. Without that spinning brush to help drive debris inside, you’re at a disadvantage. If you decide to be a rebel and use the brush on your hardwood anyway, you run the risk of scratching your floor, but it will pick up everything like it did on the carpets. Say you aren’t interested in harming your bare floors — you might want to opt for one of the Shark’s many brush attachments or just use a broom instead.
Human hair
Megan Wollerton/CNET
Nuts, washers, bobby pins
Conclusion
I highly recommend the Shark vacuum to anyone looking for a budget option with very good performance and optimal versatility.
It’s also a great choice for, how shall I put this, more meticulous cleaners. Since it has so many accessories, you never have to worry about having “that perfect attachment.” There’s bound to be a brush for nearly every home vacuuming situation. That’s quite a feat for a $200 machine. None of the others come close to this level of choice, not even the $649 Dyson DC41 Animal Complete. I think the Shark has earned some bragging rights in that respect.
As nice as that is, I have a feeling that most of those Shark attachments would end up collecting dust in my closet rather than making regular or even semiregular appearances when I’m vacuuming. So, if you too are a more straightforward vacuumer who doesn’t want all that extra stuff, the $300 Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean is also an excellent option. It’s a more traditional upright that still offers a wand and a couple of brush attachments to suit various tasks — and it performed a bit better than the Shark. Still, the Shark is a very good vacuum that stood up to the competition, and when you factor in its $200 price, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Shark Rotator Pro Lift-Away review: A budget vacuum that’s full of features
The $199 Shark Rotator Pro Lift-Away vacuum cleaner really had a lot to prove at the outset of this review. It claims to “clean carpets better than the Dyson DC41” on the box. So I tested it against the $649 DC41 (and the $499 DC50 for good measure). To diversify a bit more, I also compared it to the $399 Oreck Touch and the $309 Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean.
The $200 Shark is the least expensive of the five models and makes pretty lofty performance claims. So, is it really better than a Dyson? Well, yes and no. I would recommend it over either Dyson because it is a more well-rounded machine. It offers good design, usability, and performance, and it has excellent features. Both Dysons struggled in the design department, while the more expensive DC41 outperformed the Shark (on carpet and everywhere else) and the less expensive DC50 performed on par with the Shark.
And in comparison to the Oreck and the Electrolux, it’s much more a matter of preference.
The Shark is a fantastic budget vacuum that holds its own against these two in usability and features, albeit with slightly lower performance marks. Still, I would highly recommend this vacuum. It offers the best value of any of the models and its multitude of accessories will delight the more thorough cleaners among you.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Design
This is a fine-looking vacuum, but it isn’t trying to appear high-end like the other models. It’s a glossy white machine with red accents that belie its more modern functionality. Fortunately, its slightly dated design doesn’t seem to hurt its construction in the least. It’s a solidly built vacuum with strong components.
The wand feels sturdy and secure, the transparent bin isn’t flimsy (as was observed in both Dyson models), and the vacuum is comfortable to carry around in canister mode. Just don’t expect this $200 budget buy to have the same design features as a more expensive model, and you won’t be disappointed.
I do kind of wish there was a way to get all of the various Shark attachments and accessories to fit on the vacuum, though. The different parts would likely end up scattered around my house.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Features
I gave the Shark the highest possible rating in this category. You really can’t get better than this, especially when you consider price and value. Using it as a upright model, it has a pivoting head and headlights. It also comes with a wand accessory like the other models and suction adjustment like the Electrolux.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
To the wand, you can add a flexible crevice tool for vacuuming corners, a multipurpose tool that does well on upholstery and hard surfaces, a straight suction floor nozzle for picking up stuff big and small from bare floors and area rugs, a power brush to take on pet hair and dirt from carpeted stairs and upholstery, a wide upholstery tool for getting pet hair and dust from fabrics, and a dusting brush. It can also switch between an upright and a canister vacuum so you can carry it around while using the cleaning wand, or set it on top of the canister caddy, which rolls around while you’re in wand mode.
The Dyson DC41 gets the closest to this number of brush accessories, but still can’t really compete with the Shark on features.
Usability
The Shark gets a very good usability score. Considering the number of accessories offered on this incredibly modular machine, there was a chance that it would seem cumbersome and awkward. However, that just isn’t the case. It couldn’t be easier to convert the vacuum from upright to canister, set the canister on the caddy, or extend the wand and add various brush attachments. The bin, too, is easy to open and put back in place, although not quite as easy as the Electrolux. Also, its pivoting head makes for one maneuverable model that can go anywhere and do pretty much anything. It’s also 15.5 pounds, which is lighter than the 17.2-pound Electrolux model I like so much.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Performance
In order to deliver a comprehensive review of this vacuum, I tested it on thin low-pile carpet, thicker midpile carpet, and hardwood.
On each surface, I scattered fruity Cheerios, sand and sawdust, pet hair, human hair, and washers, nuts, and bobby pins to test different types of functionality. And I learned that the Shark does very well, although not as well as the Dyson DC41, the Oreck, or the Electrolux. Still, it really impressed me — it’s only $200, folks.
Colin West McDonald/CNET
Cheerios
Cheerios, 1 oz. (percentage picked up)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
92
97
95
92
97
93
73
88
97
93
88
92
80
83
The Dyson DC41, the Oreck, and the Electrolux all did consistently well on this test, removing 88 percent or more of the Fruity Cheerios from thin carpet, thick carpet, and hardwood.
That’s good news for parents with young kids or really anyone dealing with larger things that need to be dust-busted. The Shark remained competitive on the carpeted surfaces, but on hardwood, it picked up only 73 percent of the cereal dropped. That’s not terrible, but it isn’t as good as the other three. The Dyson DC50 performed pretty well on carpets, but didn’t collect any Cheerios on the hardwood.
Sawdust/sand
Sand/sawdust, 2.5 oz. (percentage picked up)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
97
80
91
98
68
77
97
61
67
98
68
60
92
86
59
For this test, I mixed together sand and sawdust and spread it across each floor type.
The Shark had some issues with consistency, here. It picked up only 59 percent of the mixture from the low-pile carpet, 86 percent from the midpile and 92 percent from the hardwood. Averaged together, that’s a fine score, but what went wrong on the low-pile carpet?
To be fair, the top-performing Dyson DC41 only got 60 percent of the mixture from the low-pile carpet, the Oreck 67 percent, and the Dyson DC50 77 percent. The Electrolux did the best by far, picking up 91 percent of the sand and sawdust. Unfortunately, a lot of people probably need top performance in this category. Low-pile carpets are more common in high-traffic areas where small particles like dirt thrive. Going over the same spot multiple times would take care of this issue. Per our test design, I only rolled over each material twice.
Pet hair
Pet hair, 0.2 oz. (percentage picked up)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
100
100
100
100
100
100
92
100
100
75
100
100
100
100
CNET’s own Katie Pilkington shaved her Labradoodle Lola so we could perform this test.
I spread hair clumps of various sizes across both carpets and the hardwood. The Shark picked up 100 percent of Lola’s hair from both carpeted surfaces and none from the hardwood. That’s because you’re supposed to turn off the brush when you’re vacuuming on a bare floor. Without that spinning brush to help drive debris inside, you’re at a disadvantage. If you decide to be a rebel and use the brush on your hardwood anyway, you run the risk of scratching your floor, but it will pick up everything like it did on the carpets. Say you aren’t interested in harming your bare floors — you might want to opt for one of the Shark’s many brush attachments or just use a broom instead.
Human hair
Megan Wollerton/CNET
Nuts, washers, bobby pins
Conclusion
I highly recommend the Shark vacuum to anyone looking for a budget option with very good performance and optimal versatility.
It’s also a great choice for, how shall I put this, more meticulous cleaners. Since it has so many accessories, you never have to worry about having “that perfect attachment.” There’s bound to be a brush for nearly every home vacuuming situation. That’s quite a feat for a $200 machine. None of the others come close to this level of choice, not even the $649 Dyson DC41 Animal Complete. I think the Shark has earned some bragging rights in that respect.
As nice as that is, I have a feeling that most of those Shark attachments would end up collecting dust in my closet rather than making regular or even semiregular appearances when I’m vacuuming. So, if you too are a more straightforward vacuumer who doesn’t want all that extra stuff, the $300 Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean is also an excellent option. It’s a more traditional upright that still offers a wand and a couple of brush attachments to suit various tasks — and it performed a bit better than the Shark. Still, the Shark is a very good vacuum that stood up to the competition, and when you factor in its $200 price, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Why is my Shark vacuum brush not spinning? (Reasons and Corrections)
The Shark vacuum cleaner has been one of the leading brands for many years, and 7 out of 10 homes must have used a Shark vacuum cleaner to clean their home. Three of my friends use Shark Vacuum, myself included. One thing I am a fan of this brand for is its quality and the value it offers. However, even if they are the best and how good their build quality is, you can still run into some annoying issues like the shark vacuum brush that stops spinning.
The main reasons for the Shark Vacuum Brush not to rotate are a loose attachment, debris on the brush, a broken belt, or the roller brush switch is off. The Shark vacuum brush also does not rotate if the vacuum cleaner is set to floor mode.
But the good news is that you can easily fix this shark vacuum brush not spinning in minutes using this guide, keep reading to solve this problem easily.
Contents
Signs that your Shark Vacuum Brush has stopped working
We have already talked about the 3 main reasons why the Shark vacuum cleaner is not spinning or has stopped working.
But before we start troubleshooting this problem, let’s first understand the symptoms.
- Most Shark vacuum cleaners are equipped with a roll indicator. If the light is red or off at all, this is a clear sign of a problem.
- The Shark vacuum does not pick up dirt and debris.
- The suction does not have the usual power that used to suck up dirt and debris.
- The brush has stopped rotating or working.
- Shark has started spitting dirt and debris on the floor even when not in use.
All of the above 5 signs are frustrating, especially when the shark vacuum cleaner starts spitting dirt and debris on the floor.
But what are the causes of these signs and what causes these problems? Let’s go through them below.
Why doesn’t my Shark vacuum brush rotate?
There are 5 possible reasons why the Shark Vacuum Brush does not rotate./2SP4176719_HeroSquare-a20a1e4abb33495f82a075952839db84.jpg)
They are –
- Roller brush switch off
- Disconnected floor nozzle
- Roller belt broken
- 9 0005 Clogged hose
- Debris or dirt on the brush
Roll switch brushes off
Shark vacuum cleaners have a roller switch or carpet mode that rotates the vacuum brush. When you need to rotate the brush, you must toggle this button. If your Shark is not set to power or brush roller mode, your vacuum brush will not rotate.
When it is set to brush roller mode, the indicator light will show free color, otherwise it will be red. You need to make sure your shark vacuum cleaner is tilted slightly for brush movement.
Disconnected floor nozzle
In most cases, the nozzle is loose or not secured properly. In such a situation, your vacuum shark brush will not rotate even if the vacuum cleaner has power.
Press the handle to make sure the nozzle is connected correctly. If the nozzle tightens, turn off the vacuum cleaner. Detach the nozzle and remove any remaining debris from it, and then properly connect the nozzle to the vacuum cleaner.
Roller belt broken
If you are using an old shark vacuum cleaner, the vacuum brush may not be turning due to a broken belt that is turning the brush. The new models of Shark vacuum cleaners use a “triggered” reset system and do not contain a belt.
If you find that the roller belt is broken or worn, replace it with a new one. You can check out our roller belt replacement guide below.
Hose blocked
You can check if the hose or dust cap is blocked if you see low suction power. Therefore, pay attention to blockages in the dust cover when you open it to shake out dust and debris.
You just need to step on the quick release pedal to remove the hose and check if the hose is clogged.
Blockages may not completely stop suction, but if this is the case, you will hear an altered sound from your vacuum cleaner.
Debris or dirt build-up on the brush
Debris build-up is a common problem that you may find with a Shark vacuum after extended use. Especially the hair stuck in the brush and prevented it from spinning.
So, if you find a buildup of hair on your comb, use scissors to cut it out.
How do I clean the Shark vacuum brush roller?
Vacuum the shark in such a way that the accumulation of debris does not interfere with the rotation of the brush.
Here are the steps to clear the buildup of hair on the brush.
- Turn off the shark cleaner.
- Unlock the 3 plastic handles on the roller plate.
- Remove roller belt.
- Now use scissors to cut the hair, or you can use a razor to remove the hair from the brush.
- Thoroughly clean the boom and check that the suction power is working properly.
How to replace Shark roller belt (Shark Rotator NV502)?
If the roller belt is broken or worn, it must be replaced with a new roller belt. You can get a new roller belt in here .
To replace the roller belt you will need 2 boards: a metal spatula and Philips screwdriver .
- Press the lift button to remove the vacuum cleaner body.
- Use a metal spatula to remove the 2 small wheels located at the bottom of the base.
- Now it’s time to use a screwdriver and remove the 9 16mm screws located on the panel.
- After you remove the panel, you will see 2 screws 13.5 mm, unscrew them too.
- Remove the top cover and then remove the wire attached through the small pin. You just need to squeeze and pull it.
- Again, you will see two 11 mm screws, unscrew them and pull out the transparent cover.
- Remove the brush.
- Remove the roller belt from the roller brush side and replace with a new one.
- Now tighten all removed screws and install all removed parts one by one in descending order.
You can follow the steps above if you have a traditional Shark belt driven vacuum cleaner.
Conclusion
The above guide is enough to help you solve every brush related problem you’ll ever have with a Shark vacuum cleaner.
We all want the perfect vacuum cleaner without any problems, but trust me, whichever vacuum cleaner you choose for your home will have some problems.
Shark is one of the best vacuum cleaners and you get many innovative features to choose from.
So if your vacuum brush stops spinning, don’t worry. Just a few of the steps we included above are enough to fix your vacuum brush problems.
Related topics
Where is the brush panel reset button on my Shark? The Shark Vacuum does not have a dedicated reset button. However, you can reset it by turning off the power button and then unplugging the vacuum cleaner.
Can I clean my Shark vacuum felt filter with water? If you are using a Shark with a felt filter, do not wash it as this may damage the filter. So just take it out and carefully take out the dirt.
Sharing care!
Segmental / Habr
It so tragically happened that I ended up on the list of some experts, who occasionally get various projects and start-up ideas for formal and informal examination. In itself, being an expert amuses self-esteem, sometimes you arch like a chess horse from bouts of your own significance, but in fact, being a good expert is not easy, and I even described my attitude to various kinds of examinations in my short article for a while. So this time, one project came to me for examination, the attitude towards which I can’t form in any way. It seems interesting, but there are doubts. I decided to consult with a respected community. For those who are not too lazy to also be an expert for a couple of minutes and express an opinion, I ask under the cat.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Shark-Freestyle-Pro-Cordless-Vacuum-4-630dd254ef6f4ac2a5fc5aefe97669d3.jpg)
We will talk about spherical touch screens with a speaking name – segmental.
What is it?
The idea of this device has been around for a long time. Segmental – a round, convex monitor with high graphic resolution, which is part of a sphere. The curvature of the convexity of the proposed display (spherical segment) is given by a ball (sphere) with a radius of 75 cm. The height of the convexity of the screen is 10 cm. The screen diameter is also 75 cm.
The monitor is on the wall. The task of the device is to provide a new quality of presentation of visual information. First of all, associated with meteorological data, space scenes, as an element of something new in interior design. The monitor can be round or oval.
In principle, any information can be transmitted to the monitor, for example, to emit an aquarium or a kind of window.
On such a screen, visual tracking of cargo, transport, satellites, whether it be airline aircraft, a flotilla of ships, tankers, etc.
, will be well displayed. It is possible to use Segmentals as an additional monitor by dispatching and other services of transport, military and other companies, as well as for any other scientific and everyday purposes.
Such screens will look good on airline counters at airports, in museums of science and technology, when teaching students and schoolchildren. However, the most interesting use of the display in my professionally distorted view is the use for visualization of environmental and meteorological monitoring.
One way or another, the device is positioned as a high-tech device, on board HDMI, USB, VGA, mini-jack, RCAx2, composite, component, S-Video, Wi-Fi and external speaker outputs, etc. Segmental can support touch control. The device is patented, while quite original. The industrial design is patented as a cartographic device. Like a globe, to put it simply.
I think the reader has already formed a general idea about this display. Of course, there are analogues.