Ode to my Shark Vacuum cleaner - how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways

[Belleende]

Is it because you block every time I use you. EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Is it because even after spending 20 minutes unblocking you, then vacuuming after, you block again and spew everything out all over the floor the moment I switch you off, and I then have to do the unblocking rigmarole all over again.

Is it because you block not in one place but in three places, which can take multiple implements and 20 minutes to unblock.

Is it because the brushes are so harsh they have considerably hastened the need to replace the hall and stairs carpet.

Do not do what I did last year on a mumsnet recommendation and get one in the sales, I nearly launched ours out my bedroom window this afternoon.

I’m reasonably fond of my corded one but find lack of retractable cord a pain and make a mess emptying it.

I love my Eufy though and the Shark isn’t now out very much.

I love my shark but oh my Christ I sucked my sons xylophone cord up it Christmas Day it went straight up and smashed itself to pieces against the hoover. Honestly shit the life out of me.

It went with such a musical bang I kept imagining this is the sound Elton John would of made if he combusted when he played his piano.
Awful noise

I love my shark, we borrowed my SIL's after she said it made her enjoy hoovering and bought one the next day, it's never blocked but we do all have short hair I suppose.

The filter is just so easy to clean compared to the nightmare that was the old Samsung one and it's not as heavy to lug around as a Dyson.

The best bit is my children fight over who gets to use it because of the lights.

@Scbchl

Genuinely never have this issue. You need a henry if you are always sucking things up that blocks it. Henry can suck up anything with no issues.

Never had the problem with 2 previous dyson. It is definitely a shark design problem.

Whoever said Sharks just want show home conditions is correct.
It’s not a hoover for family home with pets and general rubble everywhere.
Shark: I don’t know, it’s all too much, I feel faint, I need a lie down.
Henry: Hold my beer...

Never had the problem with 2 previous dyson. It is definitely a shark design problem.

And yet I had that problem with my Dyson and not at all with my Shark.

My Dyson wouldn't suck up anything bigger than a single grain of dust. Faced with a tiny scrap of paper it would batten down the hatches and refuse to suck up anything.

I agree with a pp, mine can’t seem to handle anything bigger than a grain of rice, unless I lift the vacuum up, place it directly over the grain and wait until I hear it being sucked up.

It is absolutely shit on shaggy rugs. The hard floor setting doesn’t pull anything up, and just leaves balls of fluff everywhere. The brush setting gets stuck within 3 seconds and I have to rag it around.

It can’t fit well into corners, but I get so frustrated with it toppling over when using the wand.

I have a cordless Gtech to use in between. I couldn’t do the whole house in one go, but it picks up 10 times better than the shark for saying it feels so flimsy, like a child’s toy.

I can’t go back to Henry, because I need to avoid another ‘I told you so’ from my mum, so I think a Miele is next on the list but I can’t justify buying another hoover yet!

@Belleende
Ours will be launched out of a window by my husband very soon. We’re at the stage of having to psyche ourselves up to create mess every time we want to clean up. It felt like a great purchase for a while, but the unblocking of filters is a worse job than finding a plug would be. I deeply, deeply regret buying it - and worse recommending it to others!

I got one cos everyone said they were brilliant and its rubbish. Cant find the email receipt either. Doesnt suck anything up and the anti hair wrap doesnt work at all! How do I unblock it? I'm pissed off cos I thought it would be brilliant. Had really good reviews.

This thread has cheered me right up. I am considering pulling together some edited highlights and posting the reviews on amazon.

Why are people having such different experiences though?

“I can’t go back to Henry, because I need to avoid another ‘I told you so’ from my mum”

This has really made me laugh.

On the strength of this thread I have just ordered Henry a new hose.
gives Henry a little pat

soupdragon I don’t know! I was wondering this yesterday as I’ve asked about a particular thermal tumbler on a hillwalking page and the experiences range from ‘total crap’ to ‘best thing I ever bought’.
I’m no further forward. How can the same product draw such a range of opinions?

whatisapension - I had to have the ‘told you so’ from dh who said the Shark was all fur coat and nae knickers before I insisted on having one.
Bleh.

And on my fourth post on this thread this morning, I contemplate why a thread about vacuum cleaners has so engaged me and just what has become of my life.

Dyson was awful
Shark acceptable until it started to break
Miele absolutely fantastic, would highly recommend.

I've got 2 different Sharks bought yrs apart and they have both been fine. I wouldn't say they block more than any other and I try to vacuum up everything as I cba with housework. Wonder if it's the newer ones? I do prefer the older one.

Hate mine too. I always end up getting Henry out instead.

Wish I'd stick to my handheld Dyson 😢

OP what you have described is also fitting with my dyson - he’s a massive cock knocker...truly has high hopes but it’s been such a let down. Blocks every use - in multiple places so I have the pleasure of sticking my hand in pulling out dusty hair balls out of three different sections (because no one in the house can fathom it apparently)

Weird how a lot of people say they love their shark/Dyson - I think our problem is we have three long haired females which contributes to the blockages maybe...oh and a short haired twat of a DH who thinks he can suck up plastic - cardboard - lumps of all sorts 🙄

We have 4 long haired people and we aren't experiencing these level of blockages. I'm kind of fascinated as to why people are having such different experiences. We need a spreadsheet and model numbers.

I love mine, it’ll pick up anything but a bit of cat litter. That drives me mad.

It does need more cleaning and tending to. I useless lose my shit when it tells me the filter needs cleaned.

*usually

@Itsnotagazebo

Was tempted to get a Shark cos of love it gets from stuff I read. My mate let me vac her home before I went a shopping.

I came home and hugged my heavy, needs bags, warhorse of a Sebo. It is 15yrs old, only grumbled loudly twice and both times I had it fixed and happy again in 10mins.

Sebos love dirt, dust, hay, house extensions and animals shedding hair. Sharks want show house conditions.

Am feeling the Sebo love here too. I much prefer bags to bagless, so much cleaner. I'm sure there's a small German person inside my Sebo compacting down the contents of the bag - it hardly ever needs emptying. In fact I only really empty it to make sure it doesn't get smelly. Contrast that with my flashy Shark which I have to empty at least 3 times per vacuuming session (we have pets).

A colleague once said to me 'we're a Sebo family'. I get what she means now

I have a G tech Air ram, both types. Fucking love them. They make the vacuuming less of a chore.