A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated Sep. 13, 2024
Twelve vacuums went into our Testing Lab, but only nine made the cut. These are the best upright vacuum cleaners to keep your home clean, according to our expert product testers.
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Vacuuming is a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. The best upright vacuum cleaners are workhorses that’ll tackle messes on just about any surface in your home. These dependable machines are ideal for deep cleaning busy homes full of children or pets. Although they tend to be heavier, bulkier and noisier than stick vacuums or robot vacuums, they’re simple to use and easy to clean, and they can be stashed in a closet or spare room in between cleaning sessions.
In order to help you find the best upright vacuum cleaner for your home, we tested 12 of the top models from the biggest brands on the market. We tried everything from budget-friendly Amazon vacuums to high-end Dyson vacuums, but only nine machines lived up to our standards. Here are the best upright vacuum cleaners to keep your home spic and span.
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When it comes to the best upright vacuum cleaner your money can buy, look no further than the Hoover WindTunnel All-Terrain Dual Brush Roll. Our Product Testing Team was thoroughly pleased with its maneuverability, convenient features and, most importantly, its performance.
This vacuum impressed our testers right out of the gate. They appreciated the quality look and feel of the machine itself, the fact that all of the attachments fit on board and how the cord isn’t attached to the wand. But what really delighted them were the machine’s bright headlights and light-emitting diode (LED) light at the end of the crevice tool. “I love the LED light on the crevice tool. Corners are always dark, and this is a simple design feature that elevates the user experience,” says product tester, Sheri Kaz.
When it was time to get down and dirty in the Testing Lab, this vacuum rose to the challenge. It passed the edge-to-edge test with flying colors, cleaning well from the side and straight on and leaving no crumbs behind. It also worked well on vinyl and carpet, sucking up cereal, hair and most of the glitter that was scattered over vinyl and carpeted floors in just three passes. However, our team notes that there was considerable drag when in reverse on high-pile carpet, which they feel could be an issue for some users.
For their final test, the team used the crevice tool to clean in between chair cushions. They found that the tool’s nice soft bristles picked up the bread crumbs easily and without damaging the fabric. Once again, the team raved about having a light on the end of the crevice tool while they searched for crumbs. They also noted that the turbo tool did a fantastic job of picking up hair.
When they were finished testing this vacuum’s performance, the Product Testing Team set out to assess how easy this machine is to clean. And while it was a simple task, they noted that the chamber is a bit narrow, and they had to dig their hands in to get all of the debris out.
That being said, if you’re not concerned with putting in a little extra effort when vacuuming high-pile carpets or cleaning out a dusty canister, then this upright vacuum cleaner is a solid pick. “In terms of price, performance, and features, we think that the Hoover is ultimately the best all-around bang for your buck,” says the Product Testing Team.
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A new vacuum cleaner is an investment, but you don’t have to spend a small fortune on a top performer. The DirtDevil’s Multi-Surface Rewind+ is a powerhouse and it costs under $150. And while it may not have all of the bells, whistles and pretty colors that some other upright vacuums have, you can rely on this machine to get the job done. “Pleasant surprises all around from DirtDevil. High performance at a low cost, plus you even get some nifty extra features like a retractable cord,” raves Dylan Fischer, associate product tester on the Product Testing Team.
While our team wasn’t overly impressed with the aesthetics of this machine, they were quite pleased with its performance. During the edge-to-edge test, it sucked up the herbs scattered on the floor from the side and straight on. The team did point out, however, that this machine has very standard maneuverability. It can navigate around the furniture just fine, but the lack of a proper swivel makes it tricky to position this machine flush against the wall for edge-to-edge cleaning.
This machine continued to perform very well during testing. It offers pile-height adjustments on the roller head, which our team adjusted accordingly for each surface. Though they didn’t love having to bend over to make those pile height adjustments, our testers were pleased by the powerful suction and the machine’s ability to pick up almost all of the cereal, glitter and hair in just three passes. They also liked this machine’s attachments, noting that the crevice tool worked quite well. In addition to the crevice tool and dust brush, it also comes with an upholstery tool, which has a squeegee-type edge that provides less suction for more delicate surfaces, as well as a powerful pet turbo tool.
All in all, you can’t go wrong with this budget-friendly pick. “We think the value is pretty excellent on the DirtDevil. It’s one of the cheapest options but still performs quite well. We’re also impressed with some features, like the retractable cord,” says the Product Testing Team.
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Regardless of where you stand on the Shark vs. Dyson debate, there’s no denying that the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum is one of the best upright vacuum cleaners on the market. In fact, the entire Shark Stratos line is pretty stellar. “When we tested cordless vacuums, the cordless Shark Stratos was a top performer. We had the same expectations for this upright corded version, and it did not disappoint,” says Kaz.
This upright vacuum cleaner scored high marks for its overall performance, design and features. It cleaned up all of the messes left on the floors and in between chair cushions, though our team noted that it’s on the bulkier side. “The swivel is nice on this guy, but he’s bulky,” explains the Product Testing Team. They also note that this machine’s large tank makes it more difficult to move around furniture as it can catch easily, though it’s not impossible. And if you’re worried about dings or dents from the tank, this vacuum features a powered Lift-Away Mode, so you can use it as a handheld machine.
Another notable feature of this machine is that the power control and settings are all on the handle. This is especially convenient if you are using this as a handheld unit or using the pole extension. Additionally, all of the buttons and switches on the vacuum are clearly labeled, making it one of the most user-friendly Shark vacuums we tested.
While this vacuum performed extremely well and is loaded with extra features, be sure to read through the instruction manual carefully before use and especially before cleaning, as our Product Testing Team had a small albeit messy hiccup while emptying the tank. “The first time Dylan detached the debris tank, the entire base of the Stratos popped off. A bit disorienting, but it became quickly apparent that there’s a different button you’re supposed to press to remove just the tank,” explains the Product Testing Team. But hiccups aside, our testers agree that the Shark Stratos is very well made and rose to the occasion on almost all the tests. It has a hefty price tag, but it’s worth it if you’re willing to spend it.
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Though effective and easy to use, upright vacuum cleaners can be on the bulkier side. That’s a problem if you don’t have a ton of space. If you’re in the market for something more compact, then the best upright vacuum cleaner for you is the Eureka OmniVerse. This vacuum weighs just 13 pounds and has a compact design that makes it easy to maneuver. It also has an adjustable canister, which you can shift higher onto the vacuum in order to reach further underneath furniture, allowing you to streamline the cleaning process.
In the lab, our testers were impressed by how well this machine performed during the edge-to-edge cleaning test. “[It] cleans up messes when attacking from the side or straight on. Five stars,” raves the Product Testing Team. They were also pleased by the machine’s strong suction, especially when used on carpets and upholstery. That being said, you may want to consider the types of flooring you’ll be cleaning before purchasing this machine. During testing, this machine merely pushed around the cereal that had been scattered across the vinyl and high-pile carpets as opposed to sucking it up. Overall, the team found that this vacuum was most effective on medium-pile carpet. “It might not have the same performance power as some of the others we tested, but where Eureka shines is its height-adjustable canister that allows for more flexibility when vacuuming under furniture or tucking away into storage,” says Fischer.
While this machine’s size and maneuverability make it ideal for small spaces, our testers were less than impressed by some of the brand’s design choices. The canister is rather difficult to attach back onto the machine once it has been removed. “It requires you to catch some plastic hooks at a very specific angle,” explains the team. So, if you’re hoping to use this machine as a handheld vacuum for your stairs, you may have to practice getting the canister on and off.
Moreover, the team was bewildered by the fact that the top of the canister isn’t secured. “The filter falls out if you even slightly tip the dust chamber, and this could cause all the debris to fall out everywhere,” explains the Product Testing Team. This questionable design choice just means you’ll have to be extra careful when emptying the canister, something you should do frequently, according to experts.
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Hauling a heavy vacuum cleaner around your house is a surefire way to make this chore less enjoyable. And while upright vacuums tend to be bulkier and heavier than stick vacuums, there are some quality lightweight options on the market. Bissell’s PowerForce Helix weighs in at just 10.10 pounds and has a compact design. But don’t let its small size fool you. This machine has powerful suction, multiple settings and costs under $100.
When it comes to performance, our Product Testing Team used words like “perfect,” “great job” and “intense suction” in almost every report. In fact, the suction is so strong that our testers found it hard to push and pull at times and noted that it was easier to move around on carpeted floors. They were pleased with how much this vacuum was able to clean up in just three passes. It was especially good at sucking up hair, glitter and crumbs from the carpets and chair cushions. And when it was time to empty the canister, our testers describe the process as “easy peasy” and note that there was no need to stick hands inside to get all of the debris out.
In addition to the best lightweight vacuum cleaner on our list, the team describes this machine as a great budget option. However, keep in mind that you certainly don’t get the high performance from this machine as you might from the more expensive models. Our testers found this vacuum to be loud and whiny and would have preferred to have the pile settings on the handle where they are easily accessible instead of down on the roller head. But if you’re simply on the hunt for a lightweight option that’ll get the job done without tons of luxe features and finishes, then this cheap vacuum is a smart buy.
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A powerful vacuum for pet hair is one of the most important things pet parents can have in their cleaning arsenal. Not only is Bissell’s MultiClean Allergen Pet Rewind adept at picking up stubborn hair and other debris from all types of surfaces, but it also features a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) sealed allergen system. This system holds allergens like dust and pet dander inside the vacuum instead of releasing them back into the air of your home.
This machine impressed our testers right out of the box, thanks to its tidy profile, retractable cord and discreet hose. And when it came to putting this vacuum cleaner to the test, it did not disappoint. This heavy-duty vacuum cleaner performed very well on all surfaces. Our testers appreciated how easily this vacuum moved around the space, as well as the fact that it wasn’t painfully loud or whiny. But what really impressed them was how well this vacuum sucked up hair. “This vacuum did a great job sucking all the hair up,” says the Product Testing Team. “The air suction caused the hair to swirl together in a way that kept it in a singular clump and didn’t cause strands to get tangled in the veins.” And when it came to emptying said hair from the canister, it couldn’t have been simpler. According to our testers, this machine does a good job keeping debris from getting packed too tightly so that it all falls out without having to stick your hand in.
Although this upright vacuum cleaner was a top performer and designed especially for people with pets, our testers found its attachments to be lacking. While it works well, the upholstery brush doesn’t lock into place. Therefore, if you press down too firmly, the crevice tool will come out, and the brush will get pushed out of place. And they describe the Pet TurboEraser tool as bulky and not fun to navigate. Moreover, this particular tool actually damaged the fabric in the lab. “The Pet TurboEraser did a good job lifting all debris, but it did cause damage to our upholstery,” shares the Product Testing Team. “Assuming a pet owner would want to use this to remove pet hair from their upholstered furniture, that’s a big no-no.”
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Your home is loaded with places that just seem to attract dust and hair. Unfortunately, those spots can be hard to reach with your everyday vacuum head. This lightweight machine from Bissell comes with an array of user-friendly attachments that are specially designed for picking up pet hair in all of your home’s nooks and crannies. “We were very impressed with the accessories packaged with this Bissell. The Corner Pet Tool is extremely versatile and lets you get into any corner or crevice you could imagine. And the Pet Turbo Eraser attacks loose hairs with gusto,” raves Fischer.
Though it can be a bit overwhelming at first glance due to all the accessories and buttons, our testers agree that it won’t take you long to familiarize yourself with this machine. And once you get going, you’ll have some of the cleanest floors around. According to our Product Testing Team, this upright vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, which allows it to attack hair with a vengeance, sucking it up from 3 inches away. It also performed exceptionally well on the edge-to-edge test, likely due to tiny brushes that stick out on the sides and help sweep up any hard-to-catch debris.
Like the Bissell MultiClean Allergen Pet Rewind, this machine also uses air suction that causes hair to swirl together in a way that keeps it in a singular clump, preventing it from getting tangled in the veins. But that’s where the similarities between the two machines end. Our team found that this vacuum cleaner’s attachments are a significant upgrade from the MultiClean’s attachments. They described the upholstery tool’s bristles as being softer and nicer than those on the MultiClean. “The Corner Pet Tool worked very well and had a swivel head to it, so you could use it at different angles. Very user-friendly,” says the Product Testing Team. And finally, they found that the Pet TurboEraser was much gentler on the fabric than the MultiClean’s pet tool. No upholstery was harmed during this test!
The only thing you may want to consider is this vacuum cleaner’s maneuverability. According to our testers, the swivel works very well, but the head is wider than most of the others. “It’s a bit tricky to fully navigate around furniture due to its width, but it’s doable,” says the Product Testing Team. And anyway, with so many handy attachments, there’s not a speck of dust or hair that’ll escape this machine—no matter how wide it is.
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Lift-Away vacuums are a total game changer when it comes to your cleaning routine. These versatile machines are some of the best vacuums for stairs, thanks to their transportability. But that’s not the only thing we love about Shark’s Rotator Lift-Away upright vacuum. This machine is easy to use, comes with an array of handy attachments and is jam-packed with additional features like a quick-release wand, odor neutralizer, pile adjustment and suction control that make cleaning a breeze. “I appreciate well-designed products, and this vacuum isn’t over the top with needlessly sophisticated gadgets or settings. It is user-friendly for all types of messes on multiple surfaces. The lift-away feature is nice because it easily converts to a handheld. The cord is generous, and I can adjust the suction control to use on draperies or lightweight rugs,” shares Kaz.
In the lab, this user-friendly vacuum cleaner picked up everything on the floors in just three passes and was the top performer on vinyl floors. Our testers especially liked having the suction control on the handle and not having to unwind the entire cord with each use. “The cord is on the side, so when you release the wand, you don’t have to unwind all the cord like you do with the Stratos,” explains the Product Testing Team. This design choice makes it easy for users to clean up small messes quickly without going through the hassle of unwinding and rewinding the cord.
The only thing our team didn’t love about this machine was the price tag. However, because of its convenient features and overall performance, they agree that this vacuum is extra user-friendly and a worthwhile investment. Plus, it comes with a five-year warranty. “This machine seems durable enough to last. It’s expensive, for sure, but you’re getting that Shark seal of quality,” says the Product Testing Team.
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Whether your home has wall-to-wall carpeting, hard floors or a mix of both, you want a vacuum that can tackle messes on any surface. Kenmore’s versatile AllergenSeal Bagless Upright Vacuum is an effective and affordable tool for keeping all of your floors clean. Not to mention the fact that it’s one of the most stylish machines on our list. Our testers really liked the chrome grill on the front, noting that it looks and feels vintage.
According to our testers, this vacuum cleaner worked like a charm, picking up everything in its path in three passes. They did note, however, that it fared better on vinyl floors when switched to the carpet setting. The Product Testing Team acknowledged that doing this felt counter-intuitive, but surmised that the brushes helped to push the cereal into the chamber. This vacuum also includes a crevice tool and an upholstery tool, which can connect directly to the hose as opposed to requiring the wand extension. Both tools quickly removed all of the crumbs and hair from our chair cushions, leaving them looking as good as new.
The only hitch came during the initial assembly. According to several Amazon reviews, the wand doesn’t always stay locked into place when assembling the machine. Our testers experienced the same issue, which they dubbed odd. “It finally locked after we legitimately slammed it into place, per an Amazon customer suggestion,” says the Product Testing Team. But aside from that, our team was impressed by the performance of this vacuum cleaner and pointed out that at $150, it’s a great value.
Our editors and Product Testing Team have years of experience testing and evaluating every type of vacuum cleaner on the market. From handheld machines to robot vacuums and even vacuum-mop combos, we’ve tried them all. In our efforts to find the best upright vacuum cleaners, our product-testing experts on the Product Testing Team spent around 40 hours conducting firsthand research in our Testing Lab, performing roughly 15 tests on each product. Of the 12 upright vacuum cleaners the team tested, only nine made the cut. We strive to recommend the very best products using honest and fair testing practices regardless of a product’s price point or popularity.
There are tons of upright vacuum cleaners on the market which all claim to be the best. And while there certainly are tons of quality options out there, there are just as many vacuum cleaners that are a total waste of your hard-earned money. In order to create this list of the best upright vacuum cleaners, we began by gathering 12 of the top models from the most reputable brands on the market. From there, we spent approximately 40 hours on batch testing, including researching, sourcing, intaking and testing the products. We performed 15 tests on each vacuum and collected 450 data points.
Our Product Testing Team personally tested each machine on real everyday messes, including hard-to-pick-up debris like cereal, glitter, short hair and long hair. These messes were scattered over vinyl floors, medium-pile carpets and high-pile carpets. Additionally, crumbs and other debris were dumped into chair cushions so our testers could evaluate the performance of each vacuum’s crevice tool. Our testers assessed how much debris was removed after three passes, making sure that the hair and larger debris were fully sucked up and not just wrapped around the vanes.
We took into consideration suction, maneuverability, accessories and special features like headlamps, odor neutralizers and retractable cords. We also made sure to include options for every budget, with picks ranging from $79 to $399. With those things in mind coupled with our thorough testing, we’re confident that these nine picks will significantly improve your cleaning routine.
Are upright vacuums easy to use?
Yes! All of the vacuums on our list are corded and bagless. Simply plug them in and start vacuuming. When you’re finished, all you have to do is empty the canister over your trash can, pop it back on and you’ll be ready for your next cleaning session. All of the vacuums on our list also have on-unit storage for their included attachments, so you have everything right there when you need it.
Do upright vacuums work on all floors?
Yes. Upright vacuums have hard floor and carpet settings. Some will even have pile adjustment settings so you can adjust the suction based on the type of carpet you have.
Should I get an upright or stick vacuum?
This depends on your needs. If you have a busy home full of pets or children that requires frequent deep cleaning, an upright vacuum will be your best bet since they tend to have more cleaning power. But if you have a smaller space and find yourself using your vacuum for quick cleanups, then a stick vacuum will suffice. Just keep in mind that cordless models have limited runtimes and their batteries can deteriorate over time.
Originally Published: July 30, 2024
