Shark APEX UpLight Vacuum LZ600, LZ601, LZ602: Best Stick Vacuum in 2024

Specifications

• Dimensions: 10.44” x 11.38” x 46.9”
• Full Weight: 11.2 lbs
• Lift-Away Canister.
• Wattage: 700W
• Voltage: 120V
• Amps: 5.8 amps
• Cord Length: 30ft.
• Dust Cup Capacity: 2.8 dry qts. maximum - 0-68 dry qts. up to fill line
• Cleaning Path: 9”
• Hose Length: 4.2ft.
• Included Accessories: 8-inch Crevice Tool & Pet Multi-tool
• Warranty: 5 years.

The Shark LZ600 APEX UpLight variant is painted a magenta color. It comes with the powerful motor that’s found in all APEX UpLight models and has the exact same performance level.

If you purchase the Shark LZ600 APEX UpLight Lift Away DuoClean, you get an 8-inch crevice tool and a Pet Multi-tool.

The color and the new bundle of accessories is what sets it apart from the LZ601 and LZ602.

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Specifications

• Dimensions: 10.44” x 11.38” x 46.9”
• Full Weight: 11.2 lbs
• Lift-Away Canister.
• Wattage: 700W
• Voltage: 120V
• Amps: 5.8 amps
• Cord Length: 30ft.
• Dust Cup Capacity: 2.8 dry qts. maximum - 0-68 dry qts. up to fill line
• Cleaning Path: 9”
• Hose Length: 4.2ft.
• Included Accessories: Pet Multi-tool & Duster Crevice Tool
• Warranty: 5 years.

Instead of magenta like the LZ600, the Shark LZ601 APEX UpLihgt will come in a bright blue color (called “Forest Mist Blue”). As always, the motor, performance, and design of the LZ601 are the exact same as the LZ600.

Besides the color, here’s a second difference: the Shark LZ601 APEX UpLight Lift Away Duoclean, you have a Pet Multi-tool and a duster crevice tool.

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Specifications

• Dimensions: 10.44” x 11.38” x 46.9”
• Full Weight: 11.2 lbs
• Lift-Away Canister.
• Wattage: 700W
• Voltage: 120V
• Amps: 5.8 amps
• Cord Length: 30ft.
• Dust Cup Capacity: 2.8 dry qts. maximum - 0-68 dry qts. up to fill line
• Cleaning Path: 9”
• Hose Length: 4.2ft.
• Included Accessories: 8-inch Crevice Tool & Dusting Brush
• Warranty: 5 years.

Finally, with the Shark LZ602 APEX UpLight Lift Away Duoclean, this vacuum will arrive at your door in bright orange, called “Terracotta.” There are no internal differences between the LZ602 and the other two variants we mentioned above: the motor, performance levels, and all inner components are the exact same. The same applies for the overall design of the vacuum.

Of course, like the other three variants, the accessory bundle you get with the LZ602 is different: there’s an 8-inch crevice tool and a dusting brush.

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Shark APEX UpLight Reviews

This vacuum series is the company’s answer to the rise of lightweight stick vacuums. For years, Shark’s reputation and sales figure were dominated by their popular line-ups of upright vacuums like the Shark Navigator and Rotator.

Although Shark’s uprights still sell like hotcakes, it’s undeniable that they have lost their luster. After all, why use a heavy, bulky, and ugly upright when you can have a lighter and more stylish stick vacuum elsewhere such as a Dyson?

So that’s how this vacuum model was born: as a statement that Shark is changing its image. Fortunately, from what I have seen, this is a very effective statement. The UpLights are among the most popular and well-rated stick vacuums today.

Now let’s get into the vacuum itself.

➤➤➤ Related Article: TOP 9 Best Shark Vacuums Worth Checking Out

How Is the Performance?

To answer the first question that I set out at the beginning of the article, my overall impression of the Shark APEX UpLight’s performance is very good.

When tested, this vacuum was able to deal with a wide range of contaminants without a hiccup. It can efficiently sweep up dust and stubborn dirt. Debris — both small and large — was dealt with quickly. Particularly stubborn and difficult particles like pet hair don’t seem to faze the UpLight very much, as well.

The best thing about this vacuum, in my opinion, is that it is able to do all of the above on every surface that I tested it on. From bare floors to high-pile carpeting, It also was able to adapt quickly and complete its job sufficiently.

The UpLight was able to do an almost perfect cleaning job on hardwood floors. Its high suction sucked up just about anything that I laid in its path. Surprisingly, even large debris was swept away by the vacuum with ease.

Its cleaning head contains two brushes: a stiff brush for carpets and a soft brush for bare floors. The soft brush tore apart any large debris the UpLight encountered, allowing the suction to easily suck them in.

Performance was similarly great on low-pile carpeting. The stiff-bristle brush inside of the floorhead combed through the thin piling and dug out all debris. The UpLight even managed to deal with smaller debris like sand, which is a very tough kind of debris for any vacuum to deal with on carpeting. They stick to the carpet fiber like glue due to static.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Shark APEX UpLight. When I compared it to other vacuum cleaners that I had tested, the LZ600-series’s performance on bare floors and low-pile carpets was better than many of them. It was even better than the Dyson V11, which cost almost twice as much.

But like I said before the vacuum isn’t perfect.

Though it did great on bare floors and low-pile carpets, its performance faltered slightly when it was placed on high-pile carpeting. While it was able to clean out most dust, debris, and pet hair, the vacuum left behind a trail of small debris along the way. So, it still did its job acceptably well on high-pile, but don’t expect too much from it.

All in all, the UpLight series’s performance was excellent. In fact, it was better than I expected from a fairly affordable, sub-$300 stick vacuum.

How Well-Designed is it?

Shark did a good job designing LZ600-series.

During my first inspection of them, I was thoroughly impressed with their modern aesthetic.

Most of the Shark vacuums that I reviewed before I got my hands on the Shark APEX UpLights all got an outdated, bulky, and industrial look. With this vacuum, I was pleased that the company has given them a more refreshed, more appealing external design. Unlike its predecessors, this machine model seems to be able to fit in well inside of a modern 21st-century household.

The vacuum is easy to use. It shouldn’t take you more than fifteen minutes to be completely acquainted with its operation and design. Additionally, thanks to the ergonomic handle, it is comfortable to wield, too. That is a huge plus for people with arthritis.

As for other design characteristics like dimension and weight, I also have nothing bad to say.

In terms of dimension, the vacuum is sleek and compact.

If you ever need to maneuver it into cramped, tight spaces like the underside of the furniture, it wouldn’t get stuck easily. As a matter of fact, the floor head is jointed and the vacuum can be inclined close to the ground to make fitting beneath low-ceilinged space easier.

The floor head has a pair of LED headlights to illuminate dark spaces and make it more convenient for you to clean.

However, the weight of Shark APEX UpLight is just barely acceptable. At 11.2 pounds, it is quite heavy even for an average stick vacuum.

Nonetheless, because you can remove the suction wand and use the vacuum separately as a handheld, its weight can be reduced. Without the wand, the UpLight only weighs about 5 pounds.

The last important category that I assessed in the design department is range. Just like its weight, the range of the UpLight is only acceptable. It has a decent 30-foot long power cord. But the short 4-foot suction hose reduces its range substantially. In addition to that, you can only use the suction hose with the suction wand removed.

Though the cleaning range can certainly be improved, this stick vacuum will still be able to clean large areas and spaces. Therefore, don’t worry too much if you have a large home.

LZ600, LZ601 and LZ602: What Are the Differences?

The Shark APEX UpLight Lift-Away DuoClean series consists of three models the LZ600, LZ601, and LZ602. You may be wondering what are the differences between all of them.

The answer is … not a whole lot.

The LZ600, LZ601, and LZ602 are all essentially the same vacuum. They have the same design, the same dimensions, and weight. All three also share an identical suction motor, dust cup, and filtering system.

Two small things that set them apart are the colors and the accessories. The colors being the sole visual cue that you got to distinguish between three models.

The Shark LZ600 has a hot pink color scheme (Shark called it “Magenta”). The Shark LZ601 is painted a bright blue (“Forest Mist Blue”). The third and last model, the Shark APEX LZ602 can be distinguished via its orange outer paint (“Terracotta”).

When you unpacked each model, the selection of complementary accessories is different.

All models come with a two-slot accessory holder that can be mounted on the suction wand. Whenever you’re done using the accessory, you can put them onto the holder for easier storage.

Therefore, choosing which model to buy mostly boils down to what accessory you prefer to have. If accessories aren’t important to you, then it comes down to what color you want your vacuum to have.

Shark APEX UpLight: What Are the Values You Get for the Price?

Now that we’re done with the basics, let’s delve deeper into this vacuum. Specifically, what are the things that make this vacuum such a popular model?

Powerful Suction

Most of the reviews coming from past users all mentioned the vacuum’s surprisingly strong suction. During my personal tests, the suction that this compact vacuum was able to produce was pretty bizarre to witness, too.

There are two factors that contribute to a vacuum’s suction power: the suction motor itself and the path of the airflow.

Firstly, the suction motor. The Shark APEX UpLight corded Lift-Away comes with a decent 700-watt motor. It is capable of producing more than enough suction to clean anything that you may have in mind.

The motor is a little bit underpowered compared to most other corded vacuums (which tend to have 1,000-Watt and up motors). Nonetheless, considering the fact that Shark was attempting to design as light and compact a stick vacuum as possible here, the reduced motor is forgivable.

Besides the motor, a second (and arguably more important) factor that affects suction performance is the airflow’s path. If the path isn’t optimized, the airflow is going to be weakened when it passes through the vacuum.

Fortunately, Shark has integrated into the LZ600-series what it called “HyperVelocity Suction” design. The airflow is streamlined to reduce as much suction loss as possible.

Together, the strong suction motor and HyperVelocity suction give the vacuum excellent suction performance. This suction is particularly useful for cleaning bare floors and surfaces.

Self-Cleaning, DuoClean Brushrolls

One of the most distinctive aspects of this vacuum mode is the DuoClean brushrolls. The floorhead of most vacuums on the market only contains a single brushroll. UpLight, on the other hand, comes with two.

Inside of the UpLight’s floorhead is a stiff-bristle brushroll for cleaning carpets. Right next to it is a soft-bristle brushroll for cleaning bare floors. Together, they can scrub out stubborn dirt and debris on all kinds of surfaces.

In addition to having two brushrolls, the floorhead also has a special “Self-Cleaning'' design. If you’re a pet owner, the brushrolls can resist being tangled up by pet hair. It is easier for you to pick out hair clumps from the bristles of the UpLight’s brushrolls, too.

➤➤➤ Related Article: Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair: Best Products to Buy in This Year

Lift-Away Pod

Most Shark vacuums today come with a “Lift-Away” pod. If you don’t know what that is, basically, the pod is the core of the vacuum. It contains the vacuum motor, the dust cup, the filtering system, and all the other essential components.

The special part about this pod is that it is detachable.

Just by pressing a button, you can transform this one from a stick vacuum to a canister vacuum. Just attach a suction hose to the pod!

The UpLight’s Lift-Away pod is small and portable enough that if you attach a dusting brush to it, you can also use it as a handheld vacuum.

In other words, you get a 3-in-1 vacuum. The Shark APEX UpLight can be a stick vacuum, a canister vacuum, or a handheld vacuum as needed. This versatility is one of the biggest reasons why the UpLight has gained so much traction on the selling chart.

When detached from the larger stick vacuum frame, the Lift-Away pod only weighs around 5 pounds. The extra portability means you can use the vacuum to perform more jobs than previously would either be very uncomfortable to do.

Car cleaning, for example, is now easier. Cleaning the stairs and the ceiling is much less of a hassle, too.

Dust Cup

The dust cup is fairly small.

According to Shark, the cup has a maximum capacity of 2.8 dry quarts. The actual capacity is much smaller. The cup could only store around 0.63 dry quarts up the fill line. If you attempt to fill up the cup any more than this, suction performance is reduced drastically.

Still, the cup’s size is decent enough that you would have no issues cleaning out the entire house. You won’t have to empty the cup in the middle of a session.

As for how easy it is to empty, the cup is merely okay. When you remove the cup from the vacuum, the top portion can be opened up. Then, you have to pour the dirt inside out and into a trash can like a pitcher.

This can present some issues. The first and biggest issue is that it can kick up a lot of dirt in the process. If you have an allergy or are sensitive to dust, this can be pretty irritating. You may even have to wear a facial mask while emptying the cup.

The other problem is stuck debris. Because the cup doesn’t have a dirt ejecting mechanism, dirt and dust can get stuck in the corners. If you want to clean out the cup completely, you probably have to reach your hands in to dislodge them. That’s far from hygienic in my book.

Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology

Another one of Shark’s patented technology is similar to the Lift-Away pod. Anti-Allergen Complete Seal is Shark’s name for the vacuum’s sealed construction.

What this means is that the body is made so that it is completely airtight. The only way for a particle to enter and escape the vacuum is either through the front nozzle or the back vent. This also means that any dirt particle that passes through is going to be filtered out by the vacuum’s filtration system.

Nothing can leak through the vacuum’s body via cracks or seams.

This is great news for allergy sufferers.

HEPA Filtration

Besides Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, this kind of machine also comes with HEPA filtration.

HEPA, which stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, is the best kind of filtering system currently available commercially. For a filter to be considered “HEPA-grade”, it must be able to filter out 99.97% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns.

With such high efficiency, a HEPA filter isn’t just able to take out common irritants like pollen or fine dust. It will also take care of dangerous airborne microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.

Therefore, having HEPA filtration makes this vacuum a great choice for everyone during these difficult times.

The HEPA filter is only one part of the vacuum’s full filtering system, however. Next to HEPA, this product also contains two conventional filters. One is made from foam and the other is made of a felt-like material. They help the HEPA filter by capturing large dirt particles and debris.

Are There Any Recurring Costs?

Yes, but fortunately, if you maintain the vacuum well enough, you probably won’t ever have to shell out extra money.

The filters are the only components on the vacuum that may require replacement. However, they are designed to be washable and reusable. If you are careful enough and give them proper cleaning every now and then, they can last all through the vacuum’s service life.

What’s the Maintenance Routine Like?

This is one of the very few things about the Shark APEX UpLight that I dislike. There are a lot of parts that have to be meticulously maintained.

The three filters have to be washed every few months. Because you cannot machine-wash them and must rinse them out by hand, cleaning all three filters is going to take some time.

Additionally, the dust cup must also be rinsed out frequently to ensure that there’s no stuck debris or dirt inside that could impede the performance.

Last but not least, you have to give the main brushroll a thorough cleaning every once in a while to make sure that clogs won’t form. The primary difficulty with this is that the brushroll is not removable. Thus, if you need to clean it, you have to lay the entire vacuum on your lap.

The brushroll cover can be removed using a flathead screwdriver. Once removed, the brushrolls will be exposed and you can pick debris and pet hair from the bristles.

When you finish the job, you can check the indicator light on the vacuum to see if everything is in working order. If the light is green, the vacuum can function normally.

If it is red, the brushrolls are jammed and you must uncover them to try and find the clogs.

And if the light is flashing red, then the brushrolls are overheating due to a clog somewhere. Stop the vacuum immediately or you could risk burning out the motor.

What Are the Accessories Like? Which One to Choose Between LZ600, LZ601 & LZ602?

Like I mentioned before, each serial number of the Shark APEX UpLight comes with a different combination of accessories. All in all, depending on what you get, here is a shortlist of all possible tools that you can get:

1. 1. Pet Multi-tool: A combination tool specifically designed to clean up pet hair and pet-related messes. Onboard is a stiff-bristle brush for clearing out stuck, stubborn debris. There is also an upholstery tool for you to comb off pet hair on your upholstered furniture.
2. 2. Duster crevice tool: Like the Pet Multi-tool, the duster crevice tool is also a combined accessory. It has a soft-bristle brush to help you clean sensitive surfaces like draperies and upholstery. It also has an extendable crevice tool to help you clean tight nooks and crannies.
3. 3. 8-inch crevice tool: Quite self-explanatory. It is a crevice tool that measures 8-inch long that you can use to reach into tight corners, baseboards, and the ceiling.
4. 4. Dusting brush: A standalone dusting brush but with a jointed head that you can angle. Its flexibility gives you the ability to clean high shelves, windows, and furniture and appliances in the house.
5. 5. Self-cleaning Pet Power Brush (Turbo Brush): The most premium tool that UpLight offers. It is an air-driven brush that can be used to quickly eliminate pet hair from furniture and other surfaces. Compared to other tools like the Pet Multi-tool, the Turbo Brush can resist being tangled by pet hair far better.

If you’re a pet owner, you should get the LZ602. With the Turbo Brush, it is a much better purchase overall and can help you deal with your pets’ shedding more efficiently.

For everyone else, there really are no special recommendations I can give. All three models are perfect for average household usage regardless of the selection of tools.

It will have to come down to your personal preferences and, of course, which color you like best.

What’s the Shark APEX UpLight Like Compared to Other Vacuums?

Dyson V11

Dyson V11 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Via: Amazon

During the performance review section, I had compared this type to the Dyson V11, a machine that costs twice as much. The results are quite amusing: the UpLight performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpets than its costlier competitor.

There are only two areas that the V11 that is substantially better than the vacuum model.

The first thing is that since it is a cordless vacuum, it is much more versatile than the UpLight.

The second thing is all of the technological innovations it got (like the LCD screen panel at the back of its motor) make it a far more convenient and modern vacuum to use.

Still, for being twice the price, the V11 losing to the UpLight on two surface types is very good news for consumers. You now have a more affordable but also just as good alternative to the costly V11.

Shark Rocket Ultra-Light

The Shark Rocket is another one of Shark’s lightweight-and-compact-oriented vacuum cleaner series. For the most part, the Shark APEX UpLight is better. It has better performance (especially on low-pile carpets), a better design, a larger dust cup, and a wider cleaning radius.

Shark Rocket Ultra-Light, on the other hand, has an even more compact body than the UpLight. At 8.1 pounds compared to the UpLight’s 11.2 pounds, the Rocket is no doubt the lighter vacuum to carry.

Thus, if you prefer a slender and light vacuum, the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is a better choice. There are many trade-offs, of course. But if you have medical conditions that make using heavy vacuums difficult, it will be better for your health.

➤➤➤ Related Article: Shark Rocket Zero-M ZS351: What is This Ultra-light Vacuum Best for?

Dyson Ball Animal 2

Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Animal 2 Via: Amazon

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the lesser-known upright vacuum offered by Dyson. But does having a bigger motor, stronger brushroll, and a bigger price tag mean that the Ball Animal 2 is better?

Well, no.

In all performance tests, the Shark APEX UpLight performs significantly better than the Ball Animal 2 on bare floors. That is in spite of the fact that the Ball Animal 2 seems to offer stronger suction overall than the UpLight.

Carpeting is the only area where the UpLight doesn’t perform as well. And since the Ball Animal 2 is an upright vacuum, it also has a bigger dust cup.

Aside from carpet performance and dust cup capacity, the UpLight seems to be the more well-rounded choice. It is lighter, sleeker, and easier to maneuver. With the Lift-Away pod, the UpLight is much more portable, too.

Shark Rotator Lift-Away

Shark Rotator Professional Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor Via: Amazon

Then, there is the name that has quite literally built Shark’s success and reputation as a vacuum cleaner manufacturer: the Shark Rotator Lift-Away.

Because the Shark Rotator is a full-size vacuum cleaner, of course, it won’t be as good as the Shark APEX UpLight in terms of size and weight. Maneuverability is also another thing that this model does much better than the Rotator, too.

But the battleground is a fair bit more even when it comes to performance. The vacuum has the advantage when it comes to cleaning low-pile carpeting.

But when it comes to scrubbing bare floors and high-pile carpets, the beefier motor and stronger brushroll of the Rotator won out. The upholstery tool of the Rotator is also better designed, so you can clean furniture more effectively with the Rotator, too.

All in all, performance is the only part that the Rotator triumphed over the Shark APEX UpLight. When it comes to design and convenience, the LZ600-series won easily.

Conclusion

So, all in all, is the Shark APEX UpLight a decent vacuum?

It certainly is.

No matter what kind of floor type you have and regardless of whether you own a pet or not, this stick vacuum can deal with it all. For the price, its value is simply unbeatable.

I hope that you have enjoyed this detailed Shark LZ600-series review and that you have found exactly the information that you were seeking. Better yet, if you have decided to make it your new vacuum, I hope that you’re going to be happy with your purchase!