The Shark APEX UpLight is a very good overall stick vacuum. It's ideal if you have pets as it easily vacuums hair on any type of surface. Bare floors don't pose any challenge to this vacuum because it sucks up any type of debris without a problem. Even though it doesn't have power or surface type adjustment features, it's still great to use on low-pile carpet but it struggles with small and large debris on high-pile carpet. There are a lot of parts to this vacuum that need maintenance, such as the two brushrolls and three different filters, but they're all fairly easy to access. You can also use this vacuum in a handheld mode, but sadly, its hose length is quite short. The variant we tested comes with a few convenient tools, such as a turbo brush, crevice tool, and hard bristle brush, but there are variants that come with other brushes. Overall, this vacuum performs well for any type of use.
Our Verdict
The Shark APEX UpLight is a great vacuum for use on bare floors. It easily cleans up any type of debris on this surface, such as hair, rice, or cereal. It's fairly well-built and it has good maneuverability. It's okay to maintain as there are a lot of parts you need to take care of, but luckily, there aren't any recurring costs.
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Excellent performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet.
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Good maneuverability.
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No recurring costs.
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A lot of parts that need maintenance.
The Shark APEX UpLight is very good for low-pile carpet. Even though the Shark APEX UpLight doesn't have any power adjustment settings, it sucks up all hair and most large debris on low-pile carpet, and it does a good job with finer debris like baking soda. It's easy to maneuver and it has a decently-sized dirt compartment, but there are a lot of parts that you need to maintain.
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Excellent performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet.
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Good maneuverability.
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No recurring costs.
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A lot of parts that need maintenance.
The Shark APEX UpLight is good for high-pile carpet. It easily cleans up hair and sucks up a decent amount of large debris. Sadly, its performance is disappointing with small debris on this surface. It has good maneuverability but with the brushroll turned on, rugs could get stuck. On the upside, the vacuum has a decent build quality.
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Easily cleans hair on high-pile carpet.
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Good maneuverability.
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No recurring costs.
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Struggles a bit with debris on high-pile carpet.
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A lot of parts that need maintenance.
The Shark APEX UpLight is a good choice for cleaning pet hair. It easily vacuums hair on any type of surface and it comes with a turbo brush to pick up hair on furniture. Sadly, you can't remove the main brushroll, so you need to slightly lift the cover underneath the head to remove any tangled hairs. On the upside, there are virtually no recurring costs for this vacuum.
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Excellent performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet.
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Easily cleans hair on high-pile carpet.
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No recurring costs.
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A lot of parts that need maintenance.
The Shark APEX UpLight is good for stairs. You can use it as a handheld vacuum but it's not as light as other handheld vacuums. It performs well on any type of surface and it has a turbo brush to help clean on steps. Unfortunately, its hose range is short, so you may have to bend down a bit while vacuuming the stairs.
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Excellent performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet.
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Easily cleans hair on high-pile carpet.
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Struggles a bit with debris on high-pile carpet.
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Limited range.
Great for cars. The Shark APEX UpLight can be used as a handheld vacuum and it comes with a few tools to help you clean your car such as a turbo brush and a crevice tool. It has excellent performance on low-pile carpet and it has a decently-sized dirt compartment. Unfortunately, its hose range is limited, which isn't ideal for cleaning a car in the handheld mode.
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Excellent performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet.
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Crevice tool included for all variants of this vacuum.
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Limited range.
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A lot of parts that need maintenance.
- 8.0 Bare Floor
- 7.8 Low-Pile Carpet
- 7.6 High-Pile Carpet
- 7.7 Pets
- 8.1 Stairs
- 7.8 Cars
- 5.7 Workshop
- Updated Dec 14, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
- Updated Feb 10, 2023: Added a link to the Shark Stratos UltraLight in the 'Quality of Life' section to provide an alternative with surface type settings.
- Updated Jan 12, 2023: We've updated the 'Differences Between Variants' section of this review to include the Shark QU603QBK, QU603QBL, QU603QPK, and QU603QRW models.
- Updated Aug 18, 2022: This vacuum's suction force has been retested with a more accurate manometer. The test results for the 'Maximum Suction' and 'Normal Suction' fields have been updated. All relevant scores have been updated.
- Updated Aug 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Apr 22, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Jul 08, 2020: Review published.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Shark APEX UpLight with an orange body, and there are similar variants in different colors with different included parts, which are listed below.
| Model Number | Body Color | Included Brushes and Tools | Notes |
| LZ600 | Purple | Upholstery tool, hard bristle brush, crevice tool | |
| LZ601 | Blue | Upholstery tool, crevice tool, soft bristle brush, hard bristle brush | |
| LZ602 | Orange | Turbo brush, crevice tool, hard bristle brush | |
| LZ602C | Orange | Turbo brush, crevice tool, hard bristle brush | Sold in Canada only |
| QU601QBK | Black | Turbo brush, upholstery tool, dusting tool, crevice tool | |
| QU601QBL | Light Green | Turbo brush, upholstery tool, dusting tool, crevice tool | |
| QU601QPR | Burgundy | Turbo brush, upholstery tool, dusting tool, crevice tool | |
| QU603QBK | Black | Turbo brush, crevice tool | |
| QU603QBL | Light Green | Turbo brush, crevice tool | |
| QU603QPK | Burgundy | Turbo brush, crevice tool | |
| QU603QRW | Orange | Turbo brush, crevice tool |
If someone comes across an APEX UpLight vacuum that's different from ours, let us know in the discussions and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The Shark APEX UpLight is a very good, well-rounded stick vacuum. Even though it doesn't have the same unlimited range as cordless stick vacuums, you don't have to worry about its battery life and since it's corded, it has a bit more power, which gives it better performance on low-pile carpet than some other cordless vacuums, like the Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX.
Also see our recommendations for the best vacuums, best vacuums for hardwood floors, and best vacuums for high-pile carpet.
The Shark APEX UpLight and the Dyson V11 are similar stick vacuums. The Shark has better performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet, while the Dyson is slightly better on high-pile carpet. The Shark has a better build quality, and the Dyson is more versatile as it's a cordless vacuum, but that means you have to worry about its battery life, which doesn't last very long on the max power settings.
The Shark APEX Upright and Shark APEX UpLight are differently-designed vacuums with different intended use cases. The UpLight is a more portable, maneuverable corded stick/handheld vacuum with fewer parts that need to be cleaned regularly, not to mention slightly better performance on carpeted floors. Meanwhile, the Upright has a larger dustbin that doesn't need to be emptied quite as often.
The Shark APEX UpLight and Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe are differently designed vacuums with different use cases. The APEX is a corded stick/handheld vacuum that's much easier to maneuver, weighs notably less, and performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpets. It also feels better built and has fewer parts requiring regular maintenance. Meanwhile, the Navigator is a corded bagless upright with a much larger dustbin that doesn't need to be emptied as often.
The Shark APEX UpLight is better for the most part than the Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean/Origin. The Shark has better performance on bare floors, it's more portable, and it feels better built. However, the Dyson cleans better on carpets and has a bigger dirt compartment.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Speed and Shark APEX UpLight are differently designed vacuums with different use cases. The Navigator is a bulkier upright vacuum with a larger dirt compartment that does a better job on low and high-pile carpets. Meanwhile, the APEX is a corded stick/handheld vacuum that's much easier to maneuver, is better built, and has fewer parts requiring regular maintenance. It also clears slightly more debris on bare floors.
The Shark APEX UpLight and Shark Stratos UltraLight each have strengths. The APEX has a higher-capacity dustbin and a wider array of attachments, and it exerts a slightly stronger suction force, resulting in better debris pickup in cracks and crevices. Conversely, the Stratos is lighter and more compact. It also features an odor-neutralizing system to help tamp down on unpleasant scents.
The Shark APEX UpLight is better overall than the Shark Rocket Corded. It has a better build quality, a bigger dirt compartment, and a longer range. The Rocket, instead, is easier to maintain and lighter to hold.
The Shark APEX UpLight is slightly better than the Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX. They're both outstanding vacuums on bare floors and perform well on high-pile carpet, and the APEX is much better on low-pile carpet. The APEX also has a bigger dirt compartment and there are no recurring costs. The ION is a cordless vacuum so it has an unlimited range, it has a decent battery, and it has great maneuverability too.
The Shark Rocket Pet Pro is better than the Shark APEX UpLight. The Rocket is a wireless vacuum with decent battery life. It cleans a bit better on all surface types and has better maneuverability. However, the UpLight comes with more tools and has a bigger dirt compartment.
The Shark APEX UpLight is a better vacuum for most uses than the Shark ION P50 Cord-Free Powered Lift-Away, although they have drastically different designs. The APEX UpLight is a corded stick/handheld vacuum that's better performing on bare floors and low-pile carpets, has a larger dirt compartment, and can be used for extended periods without worrying about draining a battery. Meanwhile, the cordless upright/handheld P50 is a little easier to carry around, especially up and down flights of stairs, and is more effective at sucking up most kinds of debris on high-pile carpet.
The Shark APEX UpLight is a little more versatile than the Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV. The APEX UpLight is lighter, far more maneuverable, and cleans more debris on low-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Rotator is more effective on bare floors and high-pile carpets and comes with an upholstery tool to deal with messes on furniture.
The Shark APEX UpLight is better overall than the Shark Vertex UltraLight Corded. The APEX has a bigger dirt compartment, lower recurring costs, and superior cleaning performance on everything from bare floors to high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Vertex is smaller and lighter, with a fully handheld alternate configuration that can be held in a single hand.
The Shark APEX UpLight is better overall than the Eureka FloorRover. While it's not as effective at picking up fine debris on high-pile carpets, it performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpets. The Shark is easier to maneuver and has a more portable handheld configuration that makes it better suited to cleaning stairs and cars. It also has no recurring costs as long as its parts are well maintained. The Shark's biggest downside is that its dirt compartment is considerably smaller, so it needs more frequent emptying.
The Shark APEX UpLight and Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight are differently designed vacuums that suit different needs. The UpLight is a corded stick/handheld vacuum with a virtually indefinite runtime. It's a little heavier than the Pro and isn't as maneuverable, but it does perform better on low-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Pro is a cordless vacuum with a practically unlimited range and better high-pile carpet performance.
The Shark APEX UpLight and BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro are different types of products intended for differing uses. The Shark is a more conventional corded stick/handheld vacuum. It features an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, takes up less room, has a slightly larger dirt compartment, a longer power cord, and is easier to maneuver. It also does a better job of clearing debris on various surface types. Meanwhile, the BISSELL is an upright hybrid mop vacuum with a detergent-spraying feature, allowing better stain-removal performance. It can also deal with liquid spills, unlike the Shark.
Test Results
The Shark APEX UpLight has a decent build quality and it's better-built than the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light. It's mainly plastic except for the metal wand. The dirt compartment is made out of transparent plastic and it feels like it could break if dropped. There's a light on the vacuum head indicating the status of the vacuum, as to whether there's a jam in the brushroll or if the vacuum is overheating. The vacuum is easy to assemble as the parts fit well together, and switching between the configurations is easy.
This vacuum is okay to maintain. There are several parts you need to take care of and they're fairly accessible.
- Dirt compartment: There's a button on the dirt compartment to take it off the vacuum for when you need to empty it. The dirt empties from the bottom and you can also open the compartment from the top to clean the lint screen.
- Main brushroll: You can't remove the brushroll, which makes cleaning it a bit more difficult. You can lift the cover underneath the head by unscrewing it with a flathead screwdriver or a coin, and you can remove any tangled hairs in the brushroll that way. There's also an indicator light on the vacuum head. If it's green, the vacuum is working properly; if it's solid red, the brushroll is jammed; if it's blinking red, the vacuum is overheating.
- Soft brushroll: You can remove the soft brushroll and wash it with cold water if needed.
- Turbo brush brushroll: Like the main brushroll, you can also clean the brushroll on the turbo brush by lifting the plastic cover.
- Pre-motor filters: There are two pre-motor filters: a white foam cylinder and a black felt frame holding the cylinder. They're accessible by removing the dirt compartment and you should wash them with cold water once a month.
- HEPA (post-motor) filter: To access the HEPA filter, just remove its cover on the body of the vacuum. Clean it once a year with cold water.
Any part that you wash with water must be dry before you use it again. If you'd prefer a vacuum with fewer parts to maintain, check out the Dyson Micro 1.5kg.
There are virtually no regular costs associated with the Shark APEX UpLight. If the pre-motor and HEPA filters are well-maintained, you should only need to replace them every few years.
Decent storing capabilities. It takes up a good amount of space and it has wheels that hold it up in place, so you don't need to worry about leaning it onto something. There's also onboard storage for the hard bristle brush and crevice tool, but you can't place the turbo brush on it.
The Shark APEX UpLight has a decent dirt compartment. It's a good size for a stick vacuum as it's a bit smaller than the Dyson V11 and much bigger than the Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX.
- Vacuum body (with hose attached)
- Wand
- Vacuum head
- Dirt compartment
- Turbo brush (Self Clean Pet Power brush)
- Hard bristle brush
- Crevice tool
- Onboard tool clip
- Pre-motor foam filter
- Pre-motor felt filter
- HEPA post-motor filter
- Post-motor filter cover
- User guide
The UpLight has a limited range. The cord has a standard length for a vacuum and it's long enough for you to vacuum an entire room. The hose is short and you can only use it when you're using the vacuum in the handheld mode. If you're looking for a similarly-performing cordless stick vacuum, consider the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight.
Decent portability. The vacuum itself is fairly heavy overall but you can use it as a handheld vacuum without the wand, making it lighter. If you're looking for something lighter and easier to carry around, take a look at the Shark Vertex UltraLight Corded or the Dyson Omni-glide.
The UpLight doesn't have a battery.
This vacuum has limited extra features. It has a rotating head and headlights, but unlike the Shark Stratos UltraLight, it doesn't have a surface type adjustment or power setting.
The Shark APEX UpLight vacuum has a few included tools. The Pet Power brush isn't a pet grooming tool like on the Dyson Ball Animal 2, but rather it's a turbo brush to help clean hair on carpet or upholstery.
The Shark APEX UpLight can be used as a handheld vacuum by removing the wand and using the hose. You can only use this hose in this configuration.
Outstanding performance on bare floors. It easily picks up any type of debris and the soft brushroll helps crush large debris like cereal so that it's easier for the vacuum to suck it up.
The Shark APEX UpLight has excellent performance on low-pile carpet. It sucks up all hair and most large debris like sand. It also cleans up a good amount of small debris like baking soda. Unfortunately, it slightly loses its performance as the dirt compartment fills.
Good on high-pile carpet. Once again, it cleans almost all hair and it's decent with large debris. However, it struggles a bit with smaller, fine debris. Consider the Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV if you want a vacuum that performs more effectively on this kind of surface.
The Shark APEX UpLight has good maneuverability. The rotating head helps you navigate around objects and it's easy switching between the stick and handheld configurations. The head is a bit bulky so you need to bend down to reach all the way under couches and tables. It's also simple to clean furniture in the handheld mode with either the hard bristle brush on the table or the turbo brush on the couch. The vacuum sucks up rugs a bit and the brushroll light turns red if the rug gets stuck. If you want a stick vacuum that's easier to maneuver, look into the Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX.
