In 2002, NASA flew an experimental version of Dyson’s Root Cyclone technology on Space Shuttle Discovery. Even in space, they have to keep things clean! The technology was used to clean the shuttle’s filters. But what about us regular folk? We need to vacuum our homes too, and we want something that will do a great job. That’s where upright vacuums come in.
We’ve tested 35 models and prepared a list of the 6 best upright vacuums. Our Editor’s Choice was won by the BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Pet Lift-Off Vacuum. There are bagless options for those who hate dealing with vacuum bags, and bagged ones for those with allergies. These great suction vacuums can absorb the smallest particles. They all have a cord of at least 30 feet, so you won’t have to constantly change outlets as you clean.
More features: foam filter, supports BISSELL Pet Foundation, HEPA system, LED lights
The BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Pet Lift-Off Vacuum is our Editor’s Choice because it is a powerful, versatile vacuum that can tackle any cleaning job – from pet hair to dust and allergens. It features a tangle-free brush roll, making it ideal for homes with pets, and the HEPA-sealed allergen system ensures that 99.97% of dust and allergens are trapped in the tank.
It can be used on various surfaces like carpets and hardwood floors, and its LED lights help you see dust and dirt that may be hiding. This is a bagless model, so there is no need to worry about replacing bags, which can be costly and time-consuming over time. Instead, the cyclonic pet hair spooling system ensures that hair is separated and trapped, and the one-touch empty makes it easy to get rid of pet hair and debris. It is also easy to maneuver due to its swivel steering, making it perfect for getting around furniture and other obstacles. Plus, BISSELL is a proud supporter of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, which strives to save homeless pets.
Compared to the BISSELL CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum, another popular option from the same manufacturer, this Multi-clean Allergen Pet Lift-off model features a more powerful motor. Therefore, while the CleanView Compact can handle regular dirt, this option can handle even pet hair for a more thorough cleaning job. Additionally, thanks to a foam filter and the HEPA system, it can eliminate allergens on your floor surface.
More features: HEPA filter, edge brushes
The Oreck XL Commercial Upright Vacuum is the best commercial vacuum for a number of reasons. First of all, it has a 12″ cleaning path, which means that it can cover more area in less time. Second, it weighs only 9 pounds, making it easy to maneuver around tight spaces. Third, its low-profile design makes it easy to fit under most furniture and clothes racks. Fourth, the 35-foot power cord allows you to reach all areas of a room without having to stop and plug in multiple times. Fifth, the edge brushes and high-speed roller brush make it easy to clean along walls and in corners. Sixth, the disposable inner bag ensures that you don’t have to worry about emptying or cleaning the vacuum frequently. Finally, the Helping Hand handle eliminates the need to squeeze the hand or bend/twist the wrist, making it much more comfortable to use.
Only two upright vacuums on this list have 35-feet cables: this model and the Kenmore Floor Care Elite Upright Bagged Vacuum. They’re both also bagged models. However, with this vacuum only weighing 9 lbs and having a low-profile design, it’s much better suited for longer cleaning sessions. Also, its 2.25-gallon capacity is better suited for large commercial premises, and filling the bags should take a while.
More features: vacuum tangle free turbine tool, new unfit combination tool, stair tool, articulating hard floor tool, carbon fiber soft dusting brush, mattress tool, reach under tool, multi-angle brush, tool bag
When it comes to having strong suction, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is in a class of its own. This vacuum has been specifically designed to tackle tough jobs easily, making it an ideal choice for parents and pet owners. The Ball Animal 2 also features an advanced self-adjusting cleaner head that automatically adjusts between carpets and hard floors – sealing in suction across all surfaces to give you a thorough clean.
In addition, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 comes with six extra tools and a tool bag for removing fine dirt and dust from hard-to-reach places. Plus, with whole-machine filtration, this vacuum traps allergens and bacteria inside the machine so you can breathe easier knowing your home is clean.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Kenmore Floor Care Elite are the two most expensive upright vacuums on the list, although this model is significantly more costly. That said, the extra cost may be worth it, given the eight attachment tools in the package. Additionally, compared to the Floor Care model, this Dyson vacuum is more powerful, even offering the best suction on the market.
More features: HEPA filter, pet upholstery tool, crevice tool, dusting brush, and built-in headlights
If you have pets, you know that they can leave a lot of hair behind, literally on any surface. The thing you need is the Hoover MaxLife Pro Pet Swivel. This powerful vacuum is designed with the new MAXLife System, which delivers longer-lasting suction and minimal maintenance. Plus, it comes with multi-purpose pet tools to help you reach and remove stubborn dirt and pet hair from all those hard-to-reach places. Plus, its included odor-minimizing filter will help keep your home smelling fresh and clean. With its high-intensity LED headlights, you won’t miss a spot, while the extendable wand and crevice tool help you clean tight spaces easily. This easily maneuverable vacuum is also easy to empty with a large-capacity dirt cup. When you’re done, just press the button to release the dirt and hair directly into the trash.
The Hoover MaxLife Pro Pet Swivel is easily comparable to the Editor’s Choice. They both have HEPA filters, 30 ft. cords, and 5-year warranties. They’re also pretty effective against pet hair. The BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Pet vacuum is great at removing allergens and pet hair on the floor. However, if you need extra power, the Hoover MaxLife offers almost double what the BISSELL provides.
More features: 3D inducer motor, flexible hose, 3 filters
The Kenmore Floor Care Elite Upright Bagged Vacuum is the Best Bagged vacuum because it provides great power even if the bag is full. When the cleaning is over you can throw away the whole bag, no need to touch the dirt.
The 3-motor direct drive system is a combination of two motors in the nozzle with no belts to change plus an inducer motor for powerful suction. Plus, this device has advanced HEPA filtration that captures 99.97% of debris, trapping the smallest particles inside the vacuum. The LED dirt sensor alerts you to the dirt you can’t see and lets you know when an area is truly clean.
There are 4 versatile tools that are stored on the unit for easy access and storage including a pet HandiMate tool for quick and effective pet hair pickup and stairs cleaning.
Regarding the power output, this Kenmore Floor Care Model is comparable to the Hoover MaxLife Pro Pet Swivel, which outputs 1320W. Additionally, they both have the same capacity at 0.40 gallons. The Hoover is great for those with pets due to the inclusion of accessories like a pet upholstery tool. However, this model is preferable for those who don’t want to get their hands dirty dealing with a dirt cup.
More features: HEPA filter, lift away function
If you’re worried about lugging around a bulky machine, don’t be – the Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum is powerful yet lightweight, weighing only 13.7 lbs. This versatile machine offers two ways to clean – with the main vacuum body for large areas, or detaching the lift-away pod for spot cleaning or cleaning stairs. And thanks to its XL dust cup capacity, you can keep going longer before having to stop and empty it out. Even better, the Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum comes with advanced swivel steering, making it a breeze to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. So whether you’re cleaning your carpets or hard floors, you’ll be able to get into all the nooks and crannies for a thorough clean.
The Shark NV356E S2 is an upgrade to the Shark NV352 Navigator, mostly in capacity. While the NV352 can hold up to 0.27 gallons in its dirt cup, the NV356E tops that up with a 0.55-gallon capacity, offering more value. Other than that, they’re mostly the same, with both being corded and bagless. Furthermore, they share the HEPA filter and lift-away features.
An upright vacuum is a type of vacuum cleaner that has the motor, filter, and dust bag all in one unit. The power head is also part of the unit, which users push in front of themselves during cleaning. All-in-one designs make uprights feel heavier than they really are, however they do provide more power and deeper clean carpets. Consider all the features before buying one and you will not be upset.
Bagged upright vacuums are a popular choice for many homeowners because they offer powerful cleaning performance and easy-to-empty dust bags. These vacuums are typically more expensive than their bagless counterparts, but many people feel that the extra cost is worth it for the convenience and performance that they provide.
There are disposable and reusable options for bagged vacuums, so you can choose the type that best suits your needs. Disposable bags are more convenient because you can simply throw them away when they’re full, but they can be more expensive in the long run. Reusable bags can be emptied and reused multiple times, which can save you money, but they can be more of a hassle to deal with.
Bagged upright vacuums are best for people who have allergies or asthma because the bags capture all of the dust and dirt particles. These models are also good for people who have pets because they can help to keep pet hair under control.
Upright vacuums are not the only options for pet hair, some vacuums will do everything for you, just check the 8 best robot vacuums for pet hair.
The opposite of bagged vacuums is known as bagless vacuums. These types of vacuums have a dustbin that collects the debris and dirt instead of using a bag. Many people prefer bagless vacuums because they are easier to empty and don’t require replacing bags as often.
These models also tend to have more suction power because there is no bag to clog up and reduce the amount of airflow. There is also no need to pay extra money for replacement bags.
Bagless vacuums usually have a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens. If you are allergic, it’s better to check the 5 best vacuums for allergies. Some models also have an activated carbon filter to help remove odors.
Bagless vacuums are not without their drawbacks, however. The dustbin can be difficult to empty, and the vacuum can release dust and dirt back into the air when it is being emptied.
Continuing our guide, next we’re going to be talking about the capacity of an upright vacuum. This is an important consideration, as you want to make sure that your vacuum can hold enough dirt and debris to get the job done properly.
Most uprights have a dustbin that can hold around 0.5 liters of dirt, dust, and debris. Some models may have a slightly larger or smaller dustbin, but this is generally the average size.
Upright vacuums come in a variety of cord lengths, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. The average cord length for an upright vacuum is about 30 feet, but some models can have cords as long as 35 feet. This gives you plenty of room to move around while you’re cleaning, and it also means that you won’t have to worry about constantly plugging and unplugging your vacuum. If you have a large home, or if you often clean in tight spaces, an extended cord length can be a real lifesaver.
If you’re to clean hard-to-reach surfaces, and the cord will only mess around, you can read the 15 best cordless vacuum cleaners.
Not any less important point of consideration is the power of an upright vacuum. An upright vacuum’s power is measured in watts. The higher the wattage, the more powerful the vacuum. Upright vacuums typically have an input power rating of between 700 and 1,200 watts. However, this is not always an accurate measure of a vacuum’s suction power. A badly designed vacuum might have a powerful motor but fail to deliver that power to the brush head or other working parts. Therefore, it’s important to consider both the wattage and the suction power when choosing an upright vacuum.
When it comes to suction power, AirWatts (AW) is a more accurate measure than watts. Dyson is one of the few manufacturers that list their vacuum output ratings in AirWatts. However, not all manufacturers provide this information, so you may need to do some research to find out the suction power of a particular model.
In general, an upright vacuum with a higher wattage and/or higher AirWatts rating will have more powerful suction. Therefore, if you’re looking for a vacuum with strong suction power, look for models with high ratings in both watts and AirWatts.
Most upright vacuums weigh between 13 and 18 pounds, though there are some lighter and heavier options available. Comparing the weight of different models can help determine which one will be the most convenient for you to use. Heavier vacuums tend to be more powerful, but they can also be more difficult to carry around. If you need to clean stairs or other hard-to-reach surfaces, a lighter vacuum may be a better option. However, lighter models may have smaller dust bins or weaker suction.
Warranty is the last but not least point on our list of features to consider. Upright vacuums have a variety of warranties, with some as short as 1 year and others lasting up to 5 years. The warranty is a reflection of the quality of the vacuum and how confident the manufacturer is in its product. In general, we found that the best upright vacuums have at least a one-year warranty. But if you can find a model with a longer warranty, that’s always a good sign.
The BISSELL vacuum is a powerful, versatile vacuum that can tackle any cleaning job – from pet hair to dust and allergens. It is easy to maneuver due to its swivel steering, making it perfect for getting around furniture and other obstacles. Moreover, BISSELL is a proud supporter of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, which strives to save homeless pets.
The Oreck XL Commercial Upright Vacuum is one of the best upright vacuums for commercial use. It has a 12″ cleaning path, making it quick and easy to cover large areas. Additionally, its low-profile design helps it fit under most furniture and clothes racks. Finally, the Helping Hand handle makes it much more comfortable to use.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a top-of-the-line vacuum cleaner that offers unbeatable suction power and an advanced self-adjusting cleaner head. With six extra tools and whole-machine filtration, this vacuum leaves your home clean and dust-free.
