The Best Upright Vacuums: Our Top Picks
As an authority on home cleaning equipment, it is important to note that while upright vacuums are the most commonly used type of vacuum, it is crucial to recognize that not all models are created equal. In fact, the differences between models can be substantial.
To ensure that your home cleaning routine is as efficient and effective as possible, it is essential to carefully consider your options when selecting an upright vacuum cleaner. The wide range of available choices and features can be overwhelming, particularly for those who are new to vacuum shopping.
To make an informed decision, it is important to evaluate factors such as the size of the space you will be cleaning, any specific cleaning needs you may have, and your budget. By taking these factors into account, you can confidently choose the best upright vacuum cleaner for your home.
We created this guide to simplify the shopping process and help you make an informed choice when purchasing your new upright vacuum. Read on to learn more about what each of our favorite vacuums offer and how they can help in your home.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Zero-M Speed Upright Vacuum (ZU561)
- Best Budget: Bissell Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Cordless: Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Elite Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Splurge: Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with DuoClean
- Best for Pet Hair: Dyson Animal 2
Best Overall: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Zero-M Speed Upright Vacuum (ZU561)
Easy to maneuver deep cleaning upright vacuum with anti-allergen technology.
In a Nutshell
- Self-cleaning roller for a deep carpet clean
- 17.6 pounds
- Anti-allergen HEPA filter
Why we Picked It
The Shark Navigator offers swivel steering that makes it easy to control on carpets and hard floors. You can also detach the canister and use it in “Lift-Away” mode to clean areas like stairs and blinds.
The brush roll gets down into carpets for a deep clean. It’s also made to be self-cleaning and can even remove stubborn hair from the roll. The Shark features complete seal technology to trap allergens and a HEPA filter to protect against allergens.
It comes in at just over 17 pounds and is lighter weight than many other models that offer the same features. With a cord length of 30 feet, the vacuum is convenient to move around.
The self cleaning roller bar is large enough to make deep cleaning easier. Because of that, it may not fit under tight furniture or other small, hard to reach places.
Best Budget: Bissell Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
Cyclonic technology and a large cleaning path make this vacuum perfect for any location.
In a Nutshell
- Cord rewind feature
- 15.4 pounds
- Multicyclones provide above average suction
Why we Picked It
The Bissell Cleanview ‘s One Pass technology and cyclonic suction makes the vacuum more powerful when getting deep down into low pile carpets and stairs. The vacuum can switch between hard floors and low pile carpeting. With a cleaning path of 13.5 inches, the vacuum even works in large areas.
The detachable hose is six feet long and can easily get into cracks and corners. Its 25-foot cord makes the Bissell easy to take from room to room without having to switch outlets. The cord winds up with the automatic rewind button. At just 15.4 pounds, the Cleanview is light enough to move around.
Multi-level filtration traps dust and allergens inside, though the Cleanview does not have true HEPA filtration. Its bagless design makes the Bissell easy to clean up when you’re done vacuuming. The canister detaches and can be dumped right in the trash.
Since the filters are made to be reusable, they’ll need to be cleaned regularly to stay in the best shape possible.
Best Cordless Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Elite Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Lightweight and easy to use cordless model.
In a Nutshell
- Up to 25 minutes of battery usage
- 9.6 pounds
- Great for carpets and hard floors
Why we Picked It
The Hoover Air offers up to 35 minutes of usage with no power loss or battery fade. The Hoover Air use cyclonic technology that provides surprisingly strong suction for a small, lightweight and rechargeable vacuum. The charging base is easy to use and is small enough that it does not take up a lot of space.
Hoover’s LED headlights and crevice tools make it easy to not only get into tight spaces but also see into those spaces to ensure they’re properly vacuumed. The easy clean and empty dirt cup makes maintaining the vacuum a breeze. Weighing under 10 pounds, the Hoover Air is easy to maneuver and is a great option for those who are looking for a light upright vacuum.
While the battery lasts for up to 35 minutes – perfect for small spaces or room-by-room vacuuming – it might not be enough charge to vacuum an entire home at once.
Best Splurge Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with DuoClean
With DuoClean and lift away technology, this vacuum works great on all surfaces.
In a Nutshell
- Powerful suction technology
- 17.1 pounds
- Self-cleaning brush roller
- Great for Pet Hair
Why we Picked It
The Shark’s DuoClean capabilities make it an excellent choice for homes that have carpet and hard floors. It can easily switch between both flooring types without causing any tangling issues. The vacuum also has anti-hair wrap technology that keeps long strands of hair and other things from getting caught in the roller.
The Apex can be used on floors or other areas of your home. It’s liftaway feature allows users to move a portion of the vacuum around, which is perfect for stairs or even in a vehicle. The 30-foot cord makes it possible to vacuum more without having to switch outlets.
Complete seal technology and a HEPA filter mean better anti-allergen properties. The 17.1-pound weight gives the vacuum plenty of power without causing it to be too heavy.
Even though the higher price point comes with many additional benefits, it may be overkill for a smaller home with average cleaning needs.
Best for Pet Hair Dyson Animal 2
Cyclone root technology picks up even the most stubborn pet hair from carpet and hard surfaces.
In a Nutshell
- Radial root cyclone channels
- 17.35 pounds
- Automatic floor detection
Why we Picked It
If you want to keep the pet hair in your house to a minimum, there’s a reason the Dyson Animal is the gold standard; it simply attacks pet hair better than any other vacuum. Dyson’s Animal 2 vacuum uses cyclonic technology to provide powerful suction that doesn’t get weaker over time. The vacuum is able to get deep down into floors and pick up dirt, dust and pet hair that other vacuums might leave behind. One-click dirt emptying allows hygienic clean up of even the dirtiest floors.
You can switch between carpet and hard floors with automatic floor detection that adjusts to create perfect suction for your flooring type. The combination tool, stair tool and attachments like the upholstery tool allow you to clean up pet hair even when it’s in your stairs or furniture. Dyson’s ball joint makes it easy to move around corners and into small spaces despite the vacuum weighing 17.35 pounds.
Since the vacuum uses suction to get deep down in carpets, it may not glide easily over carpeted floors.
How We Chose the Best Upright Vacuums
Want to learn more about our process for choosing the best upright vacuums? Check out our criteria and how we analyzed each vacuum:
Versatility
Since versatility means a vacuum can work for more than one purpose, it was one of the most important factors we considered. When it comes to versatility, we assessed whether a vacuum could handle bare floors and carpet equally. The vacuums should be able to switch between the different flooring types with minimal effort. We also looked at whether a vacuum could handle both high pile and low pile carpets.
Cleaning Power
For cleaning power, a vacuum should have enough suction that allows it to clean deep down in carpets. We also looked at a vacuum’s ability to clean pet hair and clean different surfaces equally. When we looked at cordless models, we also determined how long the battery lasted before the lack of power started to have an impact on the vacuum’s suction.
We looked at the suction power and type of suction used to determine if the vacuum would lose cleaning power over time.
Useful Features
Vacuums may have features that seem unimportant, but these can actually be very useful over time. Things like self-cleaning brushes, upholstery attachments and lift away features are all useful features users will appreciate in the long run.
The attachments on a vacuum can be very important and they impacted our decision to include some vacuums on the list. With pet hair attachments, stair technology and more, the vacuums automatically become more useful.
Reputation and Customer Satisfaction
Most of the vacuums we reviewed have been on the market long enough for customers to know whether they like them and to build up a reputation. Customer reviews and satisfaction factored into our best upright vacuum choices.
We got a clear idea of what each vacuum was able to do once customers had it for some time. Vacuums that lasted longer and continued working received higher ratings than those that quit or had issues.
Customer satisfaction also told us if customers were pleased with their purchase and if each of the name brand models held up to the reputation they had gained on the market.
What to Look for in an Upright Vacuum
These may not be things you would typically think of, but can be very important when you’re considering a vacuum you’ll be using regularly.
Bagged vs. Bagless
Bagless vacuums are usually the best option because they are simpler to use and do not require the added cost of bags. They are typically easier to clean than bagged models, but they might not be the best for allergy sufferers. Bagged models work well if there are a lot of allergens or if someone in your household has allergies because the allergens get sealed in and can be thrown away. The tradeoff, of course, is that you have to buy and replace bags regularly.
Weight
Vacuum weight is an important factor to consider, especially if you are going to be using the vacuum on stairs or you’re going to vacuum the whole house at one time. Consider the weight of the vacuum and how it will feel when you have to maneuver it around your house. A vacuum might seem light when you first pick it up, but spend some time holding it to determine if it’s going to become a burden when you have to use it on stairs.
Price
Setting a budget in advance is important, but you’ll need to also remember that more expensive vacuums typically come with more features and with better suction. The higher price usually comes with more benefits and can be justified in that way. When you’re setting a budget for your vacuum, consider how long you want the vacuum to last, what you need it to be able to do and any extra features you want to get with it. In general, if you have a pet or a child, it’s better to spend a little more money.
Accessories
Some vacuums can actually make cleaning an easier chore. Unique attachments, like ones for blinds or upholstery, allow your vacuum to work in situations where most vacuums would not be able to go. You’ll also need to determine if other accessories, like lift away canisters, are easy to use and something you could justify getting with your vacuum. If you have a pet, upholstery and stair accessories are imperative to take care of pet hair.
