Cleaning will always be a necessary chore, but the best upright vacuums are designed to make the process of trapping dirt underfoot easier than ever. These machines are designed with large dust bins and strong suction power to help lift away grime, dust, pet hair and other debris that continuously collects on your floors. While many impressed us, our top pick is the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, which features a convertible design and range of helpful accessories.
The best upright vacuums feature powerful suction, handy accessories and are designed to trap dirt ... [+]
Anyone can benefit from an upright vacuum, but these machines are particularly handy if you have many rooms with carpeting that need a deep clean, says Katie Dills, senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority. “Upright vacuums are great because they often have stronger suction options,” says Dills. An upright machine can also tackle a large range of flooring in one pass. “It's especially useful for those with large areas to clean because of its wide cleaning path and ease of maneuverability,” says Donna Dougherty, founder and CEO of Go Green Cleaning Experts.
To choose the best upright vacuum for your interior spaces, consider what details and functions will be most effective in your home. For example, the size of the dust bin, suction power, weight of the machine and the best type of vacuum that would work for the flooring you have. Naturally, budget is also a factor, although there is typically a range of price options with these vacuums.
These are the best upright vacuums available now to help you create a cleaner home.
- Best Upright Vacuum Overall: Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
- Best Lightweight Upright Vacuum: Eureka Airspeed
- Best Upright Bagged Vacuum: Hoover WindTunnel Complete
- Best Upright Corded Vacuum: Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum
- Best Upright Vacuum For Hardwood Floors: Bissell 2554A CrossWave Cordless Max
- Best Upright Vacuum For Carpets: Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Upright Vacuum For Pet Hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lift-Off Upright Vacuum
- Best Cordless Upright Vacuum: Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Cordless Upright Vacuum
- Best Value Upright Vacuum: Eureka PowerSpeed Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- Best High End Upright Vacuum: Prolux Upright Sealed HEPA Vacuum
How We Chose The Best Upright Vacuums
To choose the best upright vacuums, we consulted with two cleaning experts for their input on what to look for in these essential cleaning devices. From there, we scoured the market to analyze the most popular options available for a range of factors, including power, cord length, attachments and value. Reviews from real owners were considered as well to ensure we had the best understanding on how these vacuums perform across a range of homes and flooring over time.
What To Look For In Upright Vacuums
There are a few different elements to keep in mind as you shop for an upright vacuum. Consider these details as you shop.
Type
As a whole, upright vacuums have a basic structure: They feature a large dust bin and intact body that you push around. From there, you’ll see a little variety in the functionality and design. Some vacuums, including our top choice, the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, have lift-away pods that allow for seamless cleaning in hard to reach areas. Others offer different attachments to help you get a more targeted clean—between couch cushions, over upholstery, on stairs and more. The Bissell 2554A CrossWave Cordless Max even has a built-in mop to help you tackle all your cleaning needs at once.
Corded Vs. Cordless
Like many other forms of vacuums, there is the option of choosing a cordless upright. However, these are not common. Only two options that made our list—the Bissell 2554A CrossWave Cordless Max and Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Cordless Upright Vacuum—are cordless. Both offer about 30 minutes of run time before they’re due for recharging. If you have a smaller home or want an upright vacuum to deliver more targeted clean-ups, a cordless model offers convenience. But corded vacuums can offer more consistent power without a time limit, and they often feature a higher level of suction than you’d get with a cordless model.
Weight
It’s important to consider the weight of an upright vacuum before you purchase a model. If you have arthritis or dexterity issues, a lighter-weight option is likely a good choice. When it comes to a solid lightweight option, we like the Eureka Airspeed. With its under-8 pound weight, it’s simple for most people to push around. Consider the weight of your vacuum, too. Also, consider if you need to carry your machine between floors. You’ll want to be certain that you can easily hoist it up and down stairs as needed.
Ease Of Use
Vacuums are designed to be simple to use, but some are easier than others. If you want a vacuum you can quickly pull out, use and stow away, consider a cordless model like the Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Cordless Upright Vacuum. However, all of the vacuums that made our list are easy to get up and running quickly. Many also boast features like a one-touch dust bin emptying to make clean-up a breeze.
Included Attachments
Not everyone needs or wants attachments, but they’re a nice feature to have. A crevice tool can help you get debris stuck between couch and seat cushions, and can also help tackle baseboards. Several models that made our list feature some kind of pet power tool that’s designed to suck up hair embedded on upholstery—that’s definitely an element worth considering if you have pets at home. Other attachments like a dust brush and the ability to use your vacuum’s pod for above-floor cleaning may also be helpful.
Suction Power
Suction power is important for a vacuum, but it’s not necessarily everything. If you’ll primarily be using your vacuum on hard floors, you can get away with a lower level of suction power. However, if your home is mostly carpeted, you’ll want a vacuum with strong suction. The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum Cleaner features powerful suction, along with stiff nylon bristles that dig dirt and dust out of your carpets, for a deep clean.
Who Makes The Best Upright Vacuums?
There are a lot of brands that make great upright vacuums, and there’s not necessarily one that will meet everyone’s needs. If you have a pet, you may want to consider the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lift-Off Upright Vacuum, which is specially designed to target pet hair. People who preferred bagged vacuums should consider the Hoover WindTunnel Max—it allows you to empty the bag without ever touching it. But for the vacuum that meets the needs of most, we like the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum. It features powerful suction and swivel steering, along with a lift-away pod to allow for cleaning hard to reach spots.
Who Should Consider Buying An Upright Vacuum?
Experts say that pretty much everyone can benefit from an upright vacuum—but they’re particularly helpful for people with carpets. “An upright vacuum can benefit anyone who has carpeted floors and wants a powerful and efficient way to clean them,” Dougherty says. When you shop, Dills suggests that you consider elements like the design and structure of the vacuum, filtration system and available accessories to see if it will work for you and your lifestyle. “You may also want to look for features such as a bagless design, adjustable height and ease of maintenance,” Dougherty says. If you’re tight on storage space, an upright vacuum can also be a good fit—they typically stash away easily in most closets.
Are Upright Vacuums Ideal for Cleaning Hardwood Floors Or Carpet?
It depends on which upright vacuum you choose. Upright vacuums have a reputation for being the best choice if you have carpets, given their large dust bins and powerful suction. “Upright vacuums are particularly great for cleaning carpets,” Dills says. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use them on hardwood floors. “Upright vacuums can work well on both hardwood floors and carpet, but it's important to choose a model with adjustable height settings and brush roll controls,” Dougherty says. If you plan to use your upright vacuum on both hardwood and carpets, just be mindful of the settings you use. “For hardwood floors, you'll want to turn off the brush roll to avoid scratching the surface, while for carpet, you'll want to keep it on to agitate and lift dirt and debris,” Dougherty says.
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