SHARK UV580 Corded Stick Vacuum (Open Box)

I was looking for a lightweight vacuum to keep upstairs and the battery powered ones I tried didn't last the time I needed. I found this corded Shark that had been refurbished and I was leary. I never buy used items, except a car once years ago. This one had great reviews so I decided to give it a try. It is my first Shark. I was hoping I wouldn't get a beat up one and ordered the 3 year protection plan, just in case. It came carefully packaged in a Shark box. I could see a small dent on the metal tube but the attachments looked brand-new and it was clean. One of the reviewers said the mainpole was too long for them and couldn't be shortened. The length did not affect me, and I am only 5'1". As soon as it was assembled I put it through its paces. On my laminate flooring in the kitchen, breakfast room, powder room and laundry room, it maneuvered easily around chair legs, under cabinets and in the space next to the toilet, where my larger vacuum doesn't fit. I have waterhog mats at all our house entrances. This vac easily picked up the bits of dirt, dust, pet hair, sand, shavings (I have horses and a barn) that accumulate there. It didn't matter if I used the carpet or hard floor setting. It still picked up the grit either way. The rest of the house is carpeted with medium pile carpet that is old. On the carpet setting the vacuum pulls itself along making moving it easy. Pulling it back to me took more effort, but was doable, and I am 73. If I went too fast the vac's head would slightly lift off the carpet on the back stroke because it has good suction. To remedy this, I just put my free hand lightly on the pole to keep the vac's head on the carpet.(This isn't an issue on hard flooring.) This vac picked up the nap on our older carpeting which is a plus! I did not mind cleaning the vacuum. The cup isn't huge and at first I could see it quickly fill up with not just pet hair (we have a shedding dog and two fluffy cats that live inside.) but dust and grit from way down deep in my old carpeting. I know this because I vacuum weekly with our German made central vac that I thought was getting everything. I am vacuuming a lot more frequently with this Shark since it is so easy to set up. I think that with repeated vacuuming the dust cup won't need to be emptied as frequently. I do like the way the dust,dirt and hair easily drops out of the dust cup into the trash when I push the button. (I sent one cordless back because the dust and hair wound around the filter and I had to use my fingers to remove it so it would empty into the trash. Not fun.) Compared to my central vac this is a snap to set up. No long hose to drag around. It is light and easy for me to carry up and down the stairs. So far I keep it downstairs and it easily fits in our laundry room closet leaning against the wall. It doesn't stand up on its own but that isn't an issue for me. I can lean it against something or lay it on the floor. The light weight and maneuverability make it easy for me to use. There are some cons. The cord is about 25 feet long so it isn't quite long enough to reach as far as needed. A 30 foot cord would be ideal. Although opening the dirt cup is easy by pushing a button, I was not sent any replacement filters. The directions say to change/clean them monthly. Hoping I am able to easily find the filters online. It would be nice to have a new set included. The switch that changes from hard flooring to carpeting sometimes sticks and has to be pushed several times. I hope this is not a weak point that may fail in the future. I discovered that Shark has so many new models that it was difficult to choose one. For now I am happy with my selection since I was able to buy this refurbished vac for less than $100 including the 3 year protection plan with free shipping. I think that in a two story home with four bedrooms more than one vacuum is needed. As I've aged, I find I am more apt to clean if it is convenient. I still love my central vac for heavy duty cleaning and my cordless for quick clean ups in small areas. But this corded Shark is doing a great job of cleaning upstairs (fits under the beds easily) and downstairs, including on the carpeted stairs, my least favorite place to clean. So this is my honest review of the shark refurbished UV580 extra light corded stick vacuum. Oh, and no hair wrap noticed either.