Abstract The rotary vibration of single-phase asynchronous motor under the rated condition are tested, the results show that there exist obvious rotary vibration, and its frequency is double of fundamental wave. The mechanism of the rotary vibration is analyzed, the amplitude and the speed changing of the elliptical rotating magnetic field are the main reasons, the situations of the elliptical magnetic field are simulated. The rotary vibration of single-phase asynchronous motor in variable voltage speed control conditions are measured, the measurement results are analyzed by spectrum feature, the relationship between the amplitude of main rotary vibration component and the voltage is found, and the reason of experiment results are analyzed.