Credit:
Reviewed / Shark / Oreck / Dyson / Bissell
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Credit:
Reviewed / Shark / Oreck / Dyson / Bissell
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Powerful suction, smart sensors, and self-cleaning brushes make this Shark ideal for pet hair and deep cleaning. Read More
A reliable budget upright with strong suction and a detachable canister for versatile cleaning. Read More
Powerful pet-hair vacuum with top-tier suction and filtration, but heavy and expensive. Read More
This Bissell is a versatile 2-in-1 upright that wowed us by outperforming vacuums twice its price. Read More
A simple, lightweight, no-frills vacuum that is easy to lift and to maneuver under furniture, great for quick floor cleaning and ease of use. Read More
What’s the best upright vacuum cleaner? There’s no simple answer to that question. It depends on several factors, including floor types, living situation, and, of course, budget.
Over the years, we’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners of every type, from robots to canister vacuums to cordless sticks.
With upright vacuum cleaners, the best models are powerful and work well on carpeting and bare floors. They should also be easy to maneuver, easy to store, and come with several attachments that simplify cleaning.
In our experience, we say that Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum (AZ4002) (available at Lowe's for $549.99) hits all the right notes, offering powerful suction, even at edges, and a HEPA filter. Another Shark model, Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe (NV360) (available at Amazon)wins our best value pick. It's an upgrade to a favorite we’ve had in the past and delivers tons of bang for your buck.
If you’re curious about the offerings from other well-known vacuum brands, keep reading for great options from Dyson, Hoover, Bissell, and Oreck.
Detachable canister
Tangle-free brush
HEPA filtration
LED lights
Average suction
Shorter cord
Not great on deep carpet
Ultra-lightweight (10 lbs)
Bagged design
Powerful for size
Long cord
No hose or attachments
Not ideal for deep carpets
Noisy
Dual brush rolls
LED crevice tool
HEPA filter
Sturdy build
Heavy
Can clog with pet hair
Moderate noise
Great pet hair pickup
Tangle-free brush
Febreze filter
Cord rewind
So-so hard floor suction
Plasticky build
Filters need replacing
When testing vacuum cleaners, we consider each unit’s ability to clean up pet hair, grains of rice, uncooked macaroni, and, obviously, dirt.
We evaluate each vacuum’s performance on different floor types: on swaths of carpet (high-pile carpet and low-pile carpet) and on a hard floor surface. We also judge a vacuum on its ability to clean dirt and dust bunnies under furniture.
There’s more to a vacuum than how much dirt it picks up, however, so we also consider noise level, filter systems, attachments, cord length, weight, dirt capacity, warranty, mobility, battery life (for cordless models), and overall user experience.
When shopping for a new vacuum, you should think about how you’re going to use it.
For instance, someone with a cat or dog at home may want to buy a vacuum cleaner that specializes in pet hair, while someone who spends a lot of time in their vehicle might want to invest in a handheld vacuum.
When it comes to uprights, there are several things to consider.
Your vacuum must be compatible with your flooring types. Upright vacuums tend to be best at cleaning carpets and can do a good job on bare floors. If you have hardwood floors throughout your home, you may want to consider a cordless vacuum with a soft roller or a canister vacuum instead of an upright. While cordless vacuum cleaners are convenient, they are limited by battery life. Canister vacuums can be more difficult to store, but they generally do a better job on bare floors than uprights.
More attachments mean more versatility with your vacuum. However, you don’t want to pay for attachments that you will never use.
With the upright vacuums that we tested, a dusting brush and crevice tool are fairly common attachments, but they aren’t universally included.
Some manufacturers offer different packages, allowing you to tailor what attachments come with your vacuum.
How much you have to spend on a vacuum will impact what features you’re able to get—and how powerful your cleaning machine will be.
With vacuums that cost less than $100, every extra dollar you spend usually means more suction power. In this price range, you should be prepared for the bare minimum of attachments.
People who spend $100 to $400 will start to see a greater level of usability with their vacuum—more attachments, improved maneuverability, better warranties.
Anything above $400 enters the premium market. With these vacuums, you should expect brush heads that won’t scratch flooring, designs that won’t tip over, and powerful motors that can tackle all types of carpet—from low-pile to ultra-plush.
Many people wonder whether they should get a bagged vacuum cleaner or go with a bagless model. That really depends on what you prefer, but there are some differences to be aware of.
Bagged vacuum cleaners: Based on our testing, bag vacuums tend to have more raw power than bagless models. Typically, they offer better filtration and dust management. However, they can develop a bad odor because they are emptied less frequently.
Bagless vacuum cleaners: Bagless vacuum cleaners are increasingly popular in the 2020s, really starting to dominate the mainstream market. Often, they are more maneuverable than their bagged counterparts. For optimal performance, the dust cups of these vacuum cleaners should be emptied as soon as they reach the maximum fill level. Exceeding that level will likely mean less suction power. Empty a bagless upright with care to limit the amount of dirt that gets back into the air.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Leigh Harrington has 25 years experience as a writer and editor for myriad print and digital publications.
At Reviewed, Harrington manages Reviewed's overall content, including areas of focus like home improvement, cleaning, gardening, cooking, smart home, organization, and parenting. She focuses on developing and editing consumer ed content, product reviews and buying guides, but she also writes, too.
Harrington is also an experienced travel writer, and has authored books including Fodor's Boston, 100 Things to Do in Boston Before You Die, and Colorful Cities Boston, an adult coloring book. She was a respected, longtime regional editorial director at Where travel guide, and has written for other publications including the US News & World Report, USA Today, Boston Herald, Newport Life, Exhale magazine, Huffington Post, and many more. www.leighharrington.com
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