Ever feel like your vacuum cleaner is more of a decorative piece than a cleaning powerhouse? You’re not alone. Finding the best vacuum upright can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, with so many models promising the world. It’s frustrating when you just want a reliable machine that actually picks up pet hair and doesn’t leave you wrestling with cords.
Well, take a deep breath. We’ve done the messy work for you, testing all the top contenders on carpets, hard floors, and those tricky corners. This guide cuts through the marketing fluff to show you which models truly deliver on their promises, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying a spotless home. Let’s find your perfect match.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best Best Vacuum Upright
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe with Large Dust…
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9.7 |
Read Review |
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Shark | Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Navigator Lift-Away |…
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9.5 |
Read Review |
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Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter,…
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9.3 |
Read Review |
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Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel…
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9.1 |
Read Review |
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Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and…
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8.9 |
Read Review |
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Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and…
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8.7 |
Read Review |
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Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro…
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8.5 |
Read Review |
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Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away with Self-Cleaning Brushroll, HEPA…
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8.3 |
Read Review |
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Shark Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with Powerfins, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Anti-Allergen…
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8.1 |
Read Review |
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Shark Upright Vacuum, Stratos with DuoClean PowerFins, HairPro, Powered…
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7.9 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 Best Vacuum Upright
Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe with Large Dust Cup Capacity, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Crevice Tool, Blue, NV360
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 Upright Vacuum is designed to handle the diverse cleaning challenges of a typical home with a notable degree of flexibility and power. Its core strength lies in its POWERFUL SUCTION, which is engineered to transition effectively between deep-cleaning carpets and tackling bare floors without losing effectiveness.
This multi-surface capability means you’re getting a thorough clean regardless of the floor type, making it a versatile central appliance for your cleaning routine. A standout feature is the LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY. The main cleaning pod detaches from the vacuum’s body, allowing you to easily clean under low furniture like beds or sofas without having to drag the entire unit. Conversely, you can detach just the nozzle and wand to clean above-floor areas such as stairs, upholstery, and curtains.
This transforms the upright vacuum into a portable, powerful hand vac in seconds, which is incredibly convenient for spot cleaning or tackling a staircase. For households concerned with air quality, the ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY is a significant benefit. This system, combined with a HEPA filter, works to trap dust, dander, and allergens inside the dust cup, preventing them from being exhausted back into the air you breathe.
This is especially helpful for allergy sufferers or homes with pets. Speaking of pets, the vacuum is marketed as PERFECT FOR PETS, coming with specialized attachments like the upholstery tool that are particularly effective at lifting embedded pet hair from furniture and car interiors. Maneuverability is another strong point. The SWIVEL STEERING allows the vacuum to pivot smoothly around furniture legs, into corners, and through cluttered spaces with minimal effort.
Shark | Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Navigator Lift-Away | Swivel Steering | HEPA Filter | Vacuum for Pet Hair | Crevice Tool & Dusting Brush Included | For Carpets & Hard Floors | White/Silver | NV356E
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E upright vacuum cleaner is designed to tackle the varied messes of a busy home. Its core feature, the Lift-Away functionality, lets you detach the pod from the main body with a simple click. This means you can easily carry a powerful, portable vacuum up stairs, use it to clean upholstery, or reach ceiling corners without lugging the whole unit.
Combined with the swivel steering, which makes navigating around chair legs and through cluttered rooms remarkably easy, this vacuum aims to reduce the physical effort of cleaning.
For households with pets, this model is particularly relevant. It’s built to pick up pet hair from carpets and hard floors efficiently. The included Pet Power Brush works with the vacuum’s strong suction to pull embedded hair and dander from surfaces like sofas and curtains.
To protect air quality, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system works alongside a HEPA filter. This combination is tested to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, preventing them from escaping back into the room you just cleaned, which is a significant benefit for anyone with allergies or sensitivities.
Floor care is versatile thanks to the brushroll shutoff feature. On carpets, especially deeper piles, the spinning brushroll agitates and deep-cleans.
When you move to hard surfaces like wood, tile, or laminate, you can instantly shut the brushroll off. This gives you gentle yet effective suction that won’t scatter debris or risk scratching delicate floors. The extra-large-capacity dust cup, at 0.87 liters, means you can cover more area before needing to pause and empty it, a handy feature for larger homes or big cleaning sessions.
The vacuum comes with tools that extend its usefulness beyond just floors.
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender
The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is designed to be a versatile and effective cleaning tool for a variety of home environments. Its core innovation is the Lift-Away functionality, which allows you to detach the main pod from the vacuum’s body. This means you can easily carry a powerful, self-contained unit to tackle stairs, upholstery, and other above-floor areas without dragging the whole machine behind you.
It’s a feature that genuinely changes how you approach multi-surface cleaning. At the heart of its cleaning power is the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology. This system works in conjunction with a HEPA filter to ensure that dust, dander, and allergens it picks up are trapped inside the vacuum, not expelled back into the air you breathe. For households with allergy sufferers or pets, this is a significant benefit, helping to maintain a cleaner environment with every use.
The vacuum is notably powerful for its size, providing the suction needed for deep carpet cleaning while remaining lightweight enough for easy portability. You won’t feel like your wrestling a heavy appliance around your home. Maneuverability is a strong point thanks to the Swivel Steering. The vacuum head pivots smoothly, letting you navigate around chair legs, into corners, and under furniture with minimal effort.
For surface transitions, the Brushroll Shutoff feature is key; you can instantly deactivate the rotating brush when moving from carpets to bare floors like hardwood or tile. This protects your delicate floors from scratches while still providing effective suction to pick up debris. The Shark Navigator is particularly well-suited for homes with pets. The included Wide Upholstery Tool is excellent for pulling pet hair from sofas, curtains, and car interiors.
Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pick Up, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Easy Empty
The Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Vacuum is designed with pet owners in mind, tackling the specific messes that come with furry friends. Its core feature is the swivel steering, which gives you maximum maneuverability to easily navigate around chair legs, under tables, and through cluttered rooms without the constant back-and-forth struggle. It turns cleaning from a chore into a much more fluid task. When it comes to pet hair, this model is equipped to handle it.
The Triple Action Brush Roll works in three steps: first it loosens embedded hair and dirt, then it lifts it from the carpet fibers, and finally suctions it away. This is crucial for getting beyond surface-level cleaning and dealing with what gets ground into your carpets. For hard floors, the Scatter-Free Technology is a game-changer. It helps prevent the frustrating blast of dry kibble or litter across your floor, containing the mess instead of spreading it.
You’ll also apreciate the Edge-to-Edge cleaning capability, which allows the brush roll to extend to the very side of the vacuum head, pulling hair and dust from baseboards and corners where it loves to accumulate. The specialized pet tools that come with it, like a crevice tool and pet hair upholstery tool, let you detail-clean furniture, stairs, and car interiors.
The whole system is bagless, featuring a large-capacity dirt tank with a multi-cyclonic cleaning system to maintain strong suction by separating fine dust from larger debris. An airflow indicator alerts you when its time to check for a clog or empty the tank, which is a simple, one-step process designed to keep your hands clean. A note that many find meaningful: every purchase of this vacuum supports the BISSELL Pet Foundation in its mission to help save homeless pets.
Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, PowerSpeed, New Model,Blue,black/New Model
The Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner is designed to be a straightforward, effective solution for keeping your carpets and hard floors clean without the hassle of a heavy, complicated machine. This new model builds on a trusted formula with key upgrades that focus on improving your daily cleaning routine.
At its core, the PowerSpeed features an Upgraded Cyclone System.
This new technology is engineered to capture a wider range of debris, from larger particles to microscopic dust and allergens, trapping an impressive 99.9% of dust, dander, and allergens inside the vacuum. This means the air leaving the machine is cleaner, which is a significant benefit for households with allergy concerns.
The powerful suction doesn’t just skim the surface; it penetrates deep into carpet fibers to pull out embedded dirt and debris that other vacuums might leave behind.
Despite this strong performance, the vacuum remains notably lightweight. It’s easy to carry up stairs or maneuver around furniture, so it does the hard work while you don’t have to. You’ll find five height adjustment settings on this model, allowing you to quickly optimize it for different surfaces.
It glides smoothly from plush shag rugs to bare hardwood floors, with wheels designed to protect your floors from scratches or gouges during use.
For cleaning beyond the floor, the PowerSpeed comes with a suite of handy accessories. The quick-release handle connects to a stretch hose for above-floor tasks. You get a 7-inch crevice tool, a dusting brush, and an upholstery tool, which are perfect for extracting dirt and pet hair from furniture, car interiors, curtains, and tight corners.
Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, Powerful Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Home Pets, NEU181A, Blue
The Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner NEU181A is designed to tackle the everyday messes of a busy home without adding extra hassle to the job. Its core promise is straightforward: strong cleaning power in a package that’s easy to handle. If you’ve ever struggled with a bulky, heavy vacuum that feels like a workout just to get it out of the closet, this model’s lightweight build is a significant change of pace.
Weighing only about 10 pounds, the PowerSpeed is genuinely easy to maneuver around furniture, under tables, and up and down stairs. Don’t let the light weight fool you, though; it’s powered by a 960-watt motor that provides consistent, strong suction. This means it can effectively pull dirt and debris from a variety of surfaces. Whether you’re cleaning bare hard floors, tiles, low-pile area rugs, or thicker wall-to-wall carpeting, the vacuum maintains its performance.
You won’t need to make multiple passes over the same spot to get it clean, which saves you time and effort. A key feature for maintaining that cleaning momentum is the extra-large 2.6-liter dust cup. It holds a substantial amount of dirt, pet hair, and dust before it needs to be emptied. This is especially helpful in larger homes or for those with pets that shed. When it is time to empty it, the process is simple and mess-free; you just flip the bin open over the trash.
There’s no bags to buy or replace, which is both convenient and economical in the long run. To further customize it’s cleaning for different floors, the brush roll has five height settings. A quick adjustment with your foot optimizes the vacuum’s contact with the surface, ensuring effective agitation on deep carpet and gentle, efficient cleaning on delicate hard floors. For households with furry friends, the included pet tools are a major plus.
Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Charcoal, 2.9 L Dust Cup
The Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro & Odor Neutralizer Technology is designed specifically for households with pets, adressing the unique challenges of fur, odors, and allergens. Its core focus is on effective hair removal, improved air quality, and convenient cleaning, aiming to make your routine simpler and more thorough. A standout feature is the PowerFins HairPro brushroll system.
Unlike conventional rollers that can push hair around, its fins are engineered to actively grip and capture stubborn strands—whether its long human hair, short pet hair, or a mix of both—from both carpets and hard floors. This is complemented by the self-cleaning brushroll, which significantly reduces the frustrating problem of hair tangling and wrap. You’ll spend less time cutting hair from the roller and more time actually cleaning. For air quality, this model employs a two-part system.
The Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology creates a sealed pathway that, when combined with the included HEPA filter, traps 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum. This means what you pick up stays in the dust cup, not recirculated back into your home’s air. Additionally, the built-in Odor Neutralizer Technology works to guard against bad odors inside the vacuum itself, helping to ensure that the appliance contributes to a fresher-smelling environment as you clean.
Practicality is a key theme. The large 2.9 L (3XL) dust cup capacity allows for longer cleaning sessions without frequent stops to empty it. Maneuverability is enhanced by Swivel Steering, letting you navigate smoothly around furniture legs and into corners. When you need to clean above the floor, the extendable hose provides up to 12 feet of total reach, making stairs, upholstery, and ceiling corners much more accessible.
Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away with Self-Cleaning Brushroll, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Pet Crevice Tool, Perfect for Pets & Multi-Surface, Teal, ZU503AMZ
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away ZU503AMZ is an upright vacuum designed to tackle the common headaches of home cleaning, especially in households with pets. Its core promise is versatility, moving beyond just carpets to handle a wide range of surfaces and tasks with a set of thoughtful features. A standout feature is the Self-Cleaning Brushroll. It’s engineered to pick up more pet hair while actively preventing hair from tangling and wrapping around the roller.
This means you can spend less time cutting hair off the brush and more time actually cleaning. The brushroll works across multiple surfaces, and the 1200-watt motor provides strong suction to lift dirt from both carpets and hard floors. The real flexibility comes from the Lift-Away functionality. With a simple release, the main pod detaches from the vacuum’s body.
This lets you easily clean under low furniture like beds or sofas, or you can detach the entire nozzle to carry the lightweight pod for cleaning stairs, upholstery, or even shelves and curtains. It effectively transforms from an upright into a portable, handheld cleaner in seconds. Maneuverability is another key point.
The Swivel Steering allows the vacuum to pivot and turn smoothly, making it much easier to navigate around chair legs, through crowded rooms, and into corners without constantly bumping into things or having to reposition the whole machine. For air quality, this model utilizes Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology combined with a HEPA filter.
Shark Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with Powerfins, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, No Hair Wrap, LED Headlights, and Advanced Swivel Steering, Eggplant, ZD201
The Shark Lift-Away ZD201 Upright Vacuum in Eggplant is designed to tackle the kind of cleaning challenges that make up a real home. Its core innovation, the PowerFins brushroll, is a key part of this. Instead of traditional bristles, it uses flexible fins that maintain constant contact with your floors.
This design digs deep into carpet fibers to pull out ground-in dirt while also engaging directly on hard floors for efficient pickup, all without the need to switch modes.
For households with pets or long hair, the brushroll system adresses a major frustration. It’s engineered specifically to pick up more hair with significantly less wrap.
The self-cleaning action helps prevent hair and fibers from tangling around the roll, which means you spend less time cutting hair off the brush and more time actually cleaning. This focus on powerful pet hair pickup is supported by the included attachment tools, which are perfect for upholstery, stairs, and those tricky corners where fur loves to collect.
Maneuverability is another strong point.
The Advanced Swivel Steering makes navigating around chair legs, under tables, and into tight corners feel intuitive and easy. When you need to clean above the floor, the vacuum’s pod detaches from its upright base with the simple press of a button. This Lift-Away feature transforms it into a portable, powerful canister vacuum, letting you clean curtains, car interiors, or staircase with full suction power.
Shark Upright Vacuum, Stratos with DuoClean PowerFins, HairPro, Powered Lift-Away, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Navy, AZ3002
The Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro, model AZ3002 in Navy, is designed to tackle the toughest cleaning challenges in your home, particularly if you have pets or deal with a lot of hair and allergens. Its core promise is powerful, versatile cleaning with features aimed at reducing maintenance and improving your indoor air quality. At its heart, this vacuum offers ultra-powerful suction, which Shark states is their best for hair pickup.
This raw power is channeled through the innovative DuoClean PowerFins HairPro system. Instead of a single brushroll, it uses two. A soft front brushroll directly engages hard floors to pull in large debris, while the PowerFins brushroll behind it digs deep into carpets. The fins flex to conform to carpet fibers, agitating and pulling embedded dirt to the surface.
This dual-action system is engineered to capture everything from fine dust to bulky debris in a single pass, and it’s specifically tuned for picking up pet hair. Dealing with hair wrap is a major frustration with many vacuums. The Stratos adresses this with its self-cleaning brushroll technology. The brushroll is designed to actively remove long hair and strands as it cleans, directing them into the dust cup instead of tangling around the roller.
This means less time spent cutting hair free with scissors and more time actually cleaning. Furthermore, the Odor Neutralizer Technology works to guard against bad odors that can develop inside the vacuum from pet dander or other debris, helping to keep the air in your home fresher with each use. For versatility, the Powered Lift-Away feature is a game-changer.
Best Vacuum Upright Buying Guide
An upright vacuum is that classic, all-in-one cleaning workhorse you push in front of you. It’s great for quickly covering large areas of carpet, but a good one needs to handle hard floors and those tricky corners too. When looking for teh best vacuum upright, you’ll want to balance power, convenience, and how it fits your specific home.
Floor Type & Suction Power
Your flooring decides everything. Do you have mostly plush carpet? You’ll need strong suction and a motorized brush roll to lift dirt. For mostly hard floors, look for a setting that turns the brush roll off, so it doesn’t scatter debris. Many vacs now automatically adjust between surfaces, which is a huge time-saver.
Maneuverability & Weight
If it’s a struggle to push and pull, you won’t use it. Check for a swivel steering head—it makes navigating around furniture legs much easier. Also, consider the weight. A heavier model might have more power, but lugging it up stairs can be a real chore. Lightweight models have gotten surprisingly powerful.
Filtration System
This is key for air quality, especially if you have allergies. A HEPA filter is the gold standard, trapping 99.97% of fine particles like dust and pollen. Ensure the system is sealed so dirty air doesn’t leak back into the room. Remember, filters need regular cleaning or replacement to stay effective.
Corded vs. Cordless
Corded uprights offer unlimited runtime, which is perfect for big homes. You never have to stop mid-clean to recharge. Cordless models provide ultimate freedom from outlets, but battery life is limited, often 30-60 minutes. They’re fantastic for quick clean-ups, but might not finish a whole large floor on a single charge.
Dust Capacity and Emptying
How often do you want to empty the bin? A larger capacity is better if you have pets or a big space. Look at how you empty it too. Bagless models let you see the dirt, but dumping them can be dusty. Bagged models tend to contain allergens better, but you have the ongoing cost of buying replacement bags.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Vacuum Upright
What’s teh main advantage of an upright vacuum?
Upright vacuums are great for covering large carpeted areas quickly. They’re usually self-standing, so thay’re easy to store. Many people find them more intuitive to push around than a canister model.
Are upright vacuums good for hard floors?
Many modern uprights are good for hard floors. Look for a model with a brush roll shut-off feature. This stops the spinning bristles so it won’t scatter debris. A good seal around the head helps too.
Is bagged or bagless better?
This depends on your preference. Bagless models save you buying bags, but you have to empty the dust cup, which can be messy. Bagged vacuums tend to hold more dust and allergens sealed inside, which is better for allergies.
What features should I look for?
Key features include adjustable height settings for different carpets, a long power cord, and easy-to-maneuver swivel steering. A HEPA filter is a big plus if you have allergies. Don’t forget to check the attachments it comes with for furniture and stairs.
How important is suction power?
Suction is important, but airflow and the design of the cleaning head matter just as much. A vacuum needs good suction to pull dirt from deep in carpets. But if the brush roll or seal isn’t good, strong suction alone won’t clean effectively.
Can I use an upright on stairs?
Yes, but it can be awkward due to their size and weight. Most uprights come with a hose and tools for this job. You detach the hose and use the upholstery or crevice tool. It’s a bit more work than with a lightweight stick vacuum, but it works.
How often do I need to maintain it?
Regular maintenance keeps it running well. For bagless models, empty the cup after each use. You should check and clean the brush roll every few weeks to remove hair and string. Also, replace or wash the filters as the manual recommends.
Quick Recap
So, that’s a look at what makes a good upright vacuum. The main things to remember are your floor type, the weight you’re comfortable with, and any special features you really need. It’s all about finding the right tool for your specific home. Once you know your priorities, comparing models gets much easier.
We hope this guide helps you sort through the options. Taking a moment to think about what you need will point you toward the best vacuum upright for your space. Then you can get back to keeping your floors clean without to much fuss. Good luck with your choice!