Most upright vacuums are best known for their strong suction power that are well-suited and most efficient for cleaning large areas and multiple floors. They are also generally easier to maneuver, than say a canister vacuum, especially when attending to carpeted surfaces.
Additionally, pet owners rely on upright vacuums for their advanced filtration systems as well as specialised features for removing pet hair from various surfaces. Not to mention that their wide cleaning paths and strong motors make them effective for tackling dirt and debris.
With that said, upright vacuums still hold varying levels of functionality and areas of application. So, choosing the right one for your premise may not be a straightforward choice. But don’t worry because in this article, we are sharing the results of our preliminary research and testing so that you don’t have to go down the rabbit hole yourself.
Alas, after going through dozens of high-rated upright vacuum cleaners, here are the best upright vacuum cleaners based on their type and purpose.
Read here for more information on the most quiet vacuum on the market.
If you’re wondering what’s the difference between robot vacuum and stick vacuum, read here.
Best Budget Upright Vacuum: Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner
The Eureka PowerSpeed (NEU182C) offers excellent value for its price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
True to its name, this vacuum cleaner boasts a lightweight design (10 lbs.) that’s easy to maneuver around furniture and between rooms. Its compact size also makes it relatively easy to store, which is great news for those with limited space but looking for a well-rounded, cost-efficient vacuum.
Despite its jaw-dropping price, the Eureka PowerSpeed upright vacuum is packed with strong suction power for lifting dirt, debris and pet hair from various surfaces. We especially adore its performance on hardwood floors where we find it most consistent.
While the unit does a decent job on rugs and carpet fibers, it’s nothing to write home about. Although, we are definitely pleased on average use. It’s 4.1-litre capacity is nothing to scoff at either as it’s well above average even when compared to pricier alternatives.
Lastly, the unit comes with its own set of accessories including a washable filter, wide nozzle and a crevice tool kit.
Best Luxury Upright Vacuum: Dyson Ball Animal
The Dyson Ball Animal is hands down one of the best luxury upright vacs on the market and is also one of the most powerful in its class. This is in no small part because of Dyson’s patented Radial Root Cyclone technology, which also captures microscopic dust particles and allergens more precisely than other cyclone technology.
Notably, this upright vacuum rides on a ball, which is another one of Dyson’s finest, patented creations. The ball design provides a low center of gravity, which enhances stability and control. Therefore, users will find near effortless to maneuver the vacuum or navigate corners and tight spaces.
Last but not the least, we love that the ball animal sports a fully sealed filtration system that when combined with HEPA filter can capture allergens and expel cleaner with relative ease and consistency. This makes it an ideal choice for households with pets, especially those who are looking to remove allergens and improve general air quality.
Best Cordless Upright Vacuum: Hoover ONEPWR WindTunnel Vacuum Cleaner
The cordless Hoover ONEPWRWindTunnel is our top pick for cordless upright vacuums due to its excellent mix of power and mobility. As a cordless vacuum, the Hoover WindTunnel supports freedom of movement without the hassle of cords, which in turn makes it easier to maneuver around furniture and clean multiple rooms without needing to plug and unplug the vacuum.
Instead of having a traditional power source, the unit is backed by interchangeable batteries that can be used with other compatible Hoover vacuum cleaners
Other standout features during our test runs are the multi-floor brush roll and adjustable height settings, which makes ONEPWR more adaptable in cleaning different floor types and settings.
Finally, the brand’s WindTunnel technology provides powerful suction for effective dirt and debris removal from various surfaces, including carpeted floors, which our ONEPWR was able to clear without any hiccups whatsoever.
Best Bagless Upright Vacuum: BISSELL CleanView Swivel
Bagless models are still quite new but the BISSELL CleanView Swivel is one that’s already made its mark for its functionality and affordable pricing. For one, the vacuum’s brush roll, which has triple action feature impressed on hard floors and in cleaning corners.
But it doesn’t stop there because BISSELL CleanView also comes with various attachments and tools, including a crevice tool and dusting brush, for more challenging cleaning tasks like removing embedded debris or dirt from upholstery, stairs and other above-floor surfaces.
Still, we think the biggest selling point of ClenView is simply its affordable pricing, which on this list is only second the Eureka PowerSpeed. On the other hand, if there’s one particular quality that we think can be improved at this price point, it has to be the vacuum’s noise level, which gets really loud during operation.
Quietest Upright Vacuum: Sebo Automatic X4 Upright Vacuum
While its certainly expensive, Sebo Automatic X4 Upright Vacuum makes good on its promises of exceptional build quality, impressive suction power and quiet operation.
The Automatic X4, in particular, is a unit that you can easily tell that is built to last, even with frequent use and heavy-duty cleaning tasks. It’s also one of the few upright vacuums that is actively designed with noise-reducing technologies, which allow the unit to go below 80 dB on quiet mode.
Power-wise, the Automatic X4 can compete with the best of the bunch. In fact, it’s easily one of our top performing vacuums on a deep pile carpet (high pile carpet), a surface area that most upright or canister vacuums struggle with.
Best Upright Vacuum for Pet Hair: Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away
The Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away is among the highest-rated upright vacuums in the market, especially for cleaning pet hair, bare floors and upholstery. But what makes it really different from other vacuums is its namesake Lift-Away technology.
With this functionality, you can detach the canister from the main unit, converting it into a portable vacuum cleaner that you can now conveniently use clean upholstery and other above-floor areas with precision and ease.
The Shark NV356E also comes with a range of attachments and accessories, including a crevice tool, dusting brush and pet power brush, which further enhance the vacs’ cleaning versatility, allowing you to tackle different surfaces, wall to wall carpets as well as pesky corners more effectively.
What is the Highest Rated Upright Vacuum?
Consumer ratings vary greatly and the lack of aggregate that puts together all ratings from various websites is a real challenge in itself. But for the purpose of this article, all vacuums on this list were rated at least 4.5 stars across multiple platforms to provide with the best options in the market.
However, between our writers and testers, we’re in agreement that the Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away vacuum cleaner is our top pick due to its affordability and fairly good performance across all areas.
What are the Top 5 Upright Vacuum Cleaners?
Along with Shark NV356E, we rated the Dyson Ball Animal, Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner, Sebo Automatic X4 Upright Vacuum Cleaner and the BISSELL CleanView Swivel as some of the most outstanding upright vacuums in the market.
Is Shark Better Than Dyson?
Both brands can outperform each other’s unit under certain circumstances. But if there needs to be a dichotomy between the two, it has to be Dyson’s limited lineup compared to Shark vacuums that have stacked and more dynamic lineup across all vacuum types.
Is Eureka or BISSELL Better?
Both Eureka and BISSELL are know for their affordable vacuum cleaners. With this in mind, we recommend exploring both lineups to find the best budget-friendly vacuum cleaner that fits your requirements.
What is the Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner Under $100?
Eureka and BISSELL are both popular for their affordable vacuums. However, for this list, Eureka PowerSpeed slightly edges BISSELL CleanView Swivel as our top pick for budget-friendly upright vacuums.
Summing Up the Best Upright Vacuums
Choosing the best upright vacuum involves a few important factors to consider and analyze. For example, if you’re buying your first vacuum, be mindful about the types of flooring in your property and their compatibility with your desired vacuum. Some units perform better on carpets, while others excel on hard floors.
Other factors to consider include noise level, product dimensions and storage options, budget, maintenance and of course, brand reputation and feedback. Once you’ve made a checklist of your priorities and preferences, you can revisit our blog and your choices against some of the best upright vacuums that we’ve tested and reviewed.
Read here for more information on the best robot mop and vaccum.
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