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The 5 Best Upright Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Here’s what we recommend if you only want to buy one vacuum this decade

A group of upright vacuums from Shark and HART sit on a carpet in The Spruce's testing lab.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Regular vacuuming is a reality for keeping a tidy home. An upright vacuum features the classic design of the machines you might remember from your parents’ and grandparents’ homes, with a powerful motor at the base, a built-in canister or bag to collect dust, and a vertical wand for easy steering. It can be a workhorse of a machine and a great choice to clean dust, dirt, and debris in homes large and small, especially if it's equipped with a HEPA filter.

We've tested over 50 upright vacuums in The Lab and at home. In our experience, cordless upright models don't offer the consistent power most people need, so all of our top picks are corded. These corded picks clean multiple flooring types efficiently (hardwood, rugs, and tile), are maneuverable, and come with a variety of attachments—including the beloved crevice tool to clean up edges and reach into tight corners. They also feature either a bagged or bagless design. A bagged design is where your debris is collected in a removable bag that can be sealed and tossed in the trash, which is particularly great for those with allergies; a bagless one features a reusable dust bin which you'll need to empty when full.

A Shark upright vacuum vacuums popcorn kernels on a carpet in The Spruce's testing lab.

Dera Burreson

Emily Rairdin, vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing advises, when shopping for a vacuum, you should look at what your house is like (flooring types or number of stairs, maybe) and what you're cleaning (a couch, pet's bed, or area rug). If you're looking to do everyday cleans around the house—or have trouble lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy objects—a stick vacuum or a robot vacuum may be a better choice for you.

With upright vacuums, the price point can really range (our picks go from $111 to $500), so narrowing down your priorities will help to keep you within your budget, too. For more guidance on shopping for an upright vacuum, see our What to Look for in an Upright Vacuum section below.

Editor's Note: This story was revised in March 2024 to include updated buying considerations for all five of our top picks.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum

Amazon Prime Day Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4/5
  • Portability
    4.8/5
  • Noise Level
    2.5/5
What We Like
  • Easy to set up, maneuver, and empty

  • HEPA filtration system

  • Spacious dust bin

What We Don't Like
  • Noisy

  • No headlight

One of our editors has owned and loved the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum for four years now. She's moved several times while owning it, and it's held up well against all kinds of dust and debris, particularly shining on carpeted floors, where it can really get into the fibers and leave behind those satisfying vacuum marks. While there's no light on the floorhead, multiple settings allow you to adjust for your surface—plus, this pick often goes on sale.

We found that the consistent theme with this vacuum is "easy." It’s easy to put together, easy to maneuver, and effortless in how it picks up dirt and debris. The 11-inch cleaning path means that each push or pull of this machine gets a wide swath of floor, and for higher surfaces such as stairways, counters, or ceiling corners, an extendable hose can reach up to 8 feet—you don’t have to reposition the entire machine for each stair. The pod can also be lifted away, so you can use the wand and the head separately (just like a canister vacuum). Variety is the spice of life, as they say, and this ability to adjust is great for different types of cleaning—and also if you ever just want a break from the upright configuration. 

While this vacuum is louder than many other upright vacuums we've tested, we think that's a fair trade-off for the amount of cleaning power it offers. (Though, if you or anyone in your household has sound sensitivities, it may not be the best fit. You’ll also want to steer clear of using it while a baby is napping as it’ll cause a ruckus.) The heft of this cleaning machine can feel cumbersome too, but that's true for many upright vacuums given their size and shape. Plus, the swivel steering mechanism makes the weight feel manageable, too; 16 pounds may not sound like a lot, but it’s roughly the equivalent of pulling a watermelon around your house so these small details are important.

We also appreciate the included HEPA filtration system, which traps more than 99 percent of dust, small particles, and potential allergens. HEPA filters aren’t uncommon on vacuums, but they’re also not a given. With the Shark NV360, the filter is also easy to maintain and just requires a quick rinse and air dry after you’re done cleaning. The dust bin is large enough to keep up with the cleaning necessary for a family home, and very easy to empty, too. Just position it over your waste bin, release the latch, and your mess falls away (as does your stress level, since your home is nice and clean!).

Weight: 15.96 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: Upholstery tool, crevice tool

What is a vacuum's cleaning path?

Throughout our piece and vacuum product listings, you'll see the term "cleaning path" or "cleaning path width." This refers to the width of the vacuum's floorhead: the section that sits on the floor and suctions everything up. The wider your vacuum's floorhead is, the wider its cleaning path is. With a larger cleaning path, you can cover more left-to-right surface area with every forward-and-backward push and pull.

Best Value

Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum

Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum with HEPA Media Filter

Walmart

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    5/5
  • Portability
    4.5/5
  • Noise Level
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Effective attachments can be stored on vacuum

  • Relatively quiet operation

  • Headlight

What We Don't Like
  • Not as easy to maneuver as some of our other picks

  • Hair on brush roll must be removed manually

In our testing, we challenged the Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum with high and medium-pile carpet, tile, and hardwood. While it did well on all surfaces, it’s especially well-suited for high-pile carpet and its upholstery tool is stellar at picking up pet hair on furniture. (This is good news for pet owners, and houses with lots of textured carpet, mats, and rugs!) Plus, it's relatively quiet for an upright model. Even though it’s almost the same weight as our best overall pick, it felt a bit more cumbersome in comparison and it’s not quite as easy to maneuver, but the swivel head helps with turns and angles and it transitions nicely between carpet and hard flooring.

For any bits of debris that the vacuum head left behind (which were easy to spot, thanks to the headlight), we were able to double back using the detachable handle—and we found that process to be smooth, too. We also love that the attachments store right on the machine. Hart isn’t the only brand to design its accessories this way, but nonetheless, we always appreciate that thoughtful feature when we see it, as it makes attachment storage a breeze. (Our best lightweight pick, the Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Bagless Vacuum, also has this feature.)

It’s easy to clear the vacuum dust bin, too. Similar to our best overall pick, you simply release the lower lid of the container, and gravity takes care of the rest. Clearing out the brush roll is a bit more complicated; we opted to use a seam ripper to loosen the wrapped hair. (Alternatively, you also can remove the entire brush roll with a screwdriver to clean it.) All that said, the Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum carries its weight and is a reliable machine to reach for four to five times per week, in our experience.

Weight: 16 pounds | Cord Length: Not listed | Attachments: Crevice tool, pet upholstery tool

Best Bagged

Hoover Complete Performance Vacuum

Amazon Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    3.8/5
  • Maneuverability
    3/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    5/5
  • Portability
    2.5/5
  • Noise Level
    2.5/5
What We Like
  • Bags allow for contact-free disposal

  • HEPA filtration system

What We Don't Like
  • Heaviest of our picks

  • Replacement bags sold separately

This Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum boasts powerful suction with a smooth and sturdy design, which is the ideal combination in our eyes. During our hands-on testing, it easily cleaned up popcorn kernels and Cheerios and removed hair from our upholstered chair in two swipes. What sets this pick apart from our other favorites is that it uses bags instead of a dust bin. This is another option that features a HEPA filter system, too, making it a better pick for those with allergies.

The vacuum comes with a 25-foot power cord, so you shouldn't have to use multiple outlets to clean a single room, either. Although, it's a bit bulkier than some of our other picks and takes a little elbow grease to manage on stairs. We do like that it has a 15-inch cleaning path (it's wider than our best overall pick), which will help you to clean faster since you’ll cover more area with each push—this is the heaviest of our picks, so extra coverage is key. There’s also an extendable hose that can reach up to 8 feet in the box and handy attachments, including a crevice tool and pet brush that make reaching under, or over, furniture doable. 

Weight: 22.4 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: Upholstery tool, crevice tool, extension wand

Best for Pet Hair

Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra

Amazon Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.8/5
  • Portability
    4.5/5
  • Noise Level
    4/5
What We Like
  • Sucks up hair without tangling

  • Unique, effective attachments like a pet grooming tool

What We Don't Like
  • Debris sometimes "spits" from the machine

If you can’t leave your house without a pass with a lint roller, then the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is fur—oops, we mean for—you. It comes with four unique attachments: a tangle-free turbine tool (which is great for collecting hair), a combination brush tool, a stair tool, and a pet grooming tool—that’s right, you can use it on your pet to brush and collect fur before it reaches the floor. One extra-impressive feature is that the machine is designed to keep hair untangled, so it doesn’t clog the dust bin or the brush roll—a big plus for pet owners (and humans with long hair, too). And this vacuum is yet another pick that offers HEPA filtration, another added perk for pet owners and anyone looking to reduce allergens in their home. 

And of course, as you can expect with many vacuums from this beloved brand, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra cleans well on hard floors and carpet and has incredible suction power. It's easy to maneuver around furniture, too, especially given its suction strength. The 35-foot cord is also the longest of this list, so if you like to clean multiple rooms without switching plugs, it’ll certainly help. We found the attachments were great for cleaning couches and upholstered chairs, and the large dust bin was great for a 1,400-square-foot home.

Like many other upright vacuums, this machine is a bit heavy and not ideal for stairs (which, again, is where those attachments will come in handy). We also found that the machine occasionally “spit” some of the larger debris back out, requiring us to follow back with additional passes. Still, despite these issues, we found it to be an impressive vacuum for pet hair, pet owners, or anyone that's looking for an upright pick, especially given its efficiency on multiple floor types and its smooth handling of hair. 

Weight: 17.3 pounds | Cord Length: 35 feet | Attachments: Tangle-free turbine tool, combination tool, stair tool, pet groom tool

Best Lightweight

Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Vacuum

Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Vacuum, 3534

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Maneuverability
    4/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.8/5
  • Portability
    4.5/5
  • Noise Level
    5/5
What We Like
  • 10-foot hose reach, with extension

  • Retractable cord

  • Attachments store on machine

What We Don't Like
  • No swivel head

  • Fewer bells and whistles than other picks

At just shy of 14 pounds, the Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Bagless Vacuum is lighter than many other upright models, but don’t confuse it for flimsy. It still packs a punch when it comes to suction and cleaning, zipping through our testing challenges, and collecting cereal and popcorn kernels in just a few passes. The hose and included wand allow for up to 10 feet of reach, so it’s also useful when it comes to your shelves, stairs, and even cobwebs in the corner of your ceiling.

The 13-inch cleaning path width is right in the middle of the range of our list, although this pick doesn’t maneuver quite as smoothly as some of our other favorites so the satisfying marks in the carpet might not be quite as straight as you hope. Without a swiveling head, that means it’s on the user to turn and angle it as necessary (although, if a swiveling head is important for you, there are other Bissell CleanView models that do offer this feature, like the Cleanview 2252 or the CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Reach).

Still, this vacuum has other conveniences, like the onboard attachment storage and the retractable cord, so you never have to wind it up or worry about tangles in storage. We see this as a great “starter” vacuum for a home that doesn’t need or want all of the extras of some of our other favorites, or a good trade for someone who may be used to older, heavier models. 

Weight: 13.5 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: TurboBrush tool, crevice tool, dusting brush

Compare

Effectiveness Maneuverability Ease of Emptying Portability Noise Level
Amazon Prime Day Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum
Best Overall:
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum
5 5 4 4.8 2.5
Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum with HEPA Media Filter
Best Value:
Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum
5 4.5 5 4.5 4.5
Amazon Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Best Bagged:
Hoover Complete Performance Vacuum
3.8 3 5 2.5 2.5
Amazon Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra
Best for Pet Hair:
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra
5 4.5 4.8 4.5 4
Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Vacuum, 3534
Best Lightweight:
Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Vacuum
4 4 4.8 4.5 5
Final Verdict

We found the best upright vacuum is the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum, an impressive machine that is easy to use from start to finish and has smooth swivel steering. We also like the Hoover Complete Performance Vacuum, a bagged option for more contained disposal of dust, dirt, and allergens. It’s a particularly good option if you or someone in your household has allergies.

Person emptying dirt container on a Shark AZ2002 Vertex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

How We Tested the Upright Vacuums

We've tested over 300 vacuums in The Lab and at home during our many vacuum tests—many of which are upright vacuums. Our multi-step testing process allows for a thorough assessment of multiple attributes we believe are important to consider when shopping.

  • Setup: To start each test, we unbox the vacuum and take notes on its assembly process, as well as the clarity of the instruction manual.
  • Effectiveness: In the lab, we test vacuums on hardwood and three types of carpeted surfaces (low, medium, and high piles). We spill measured amounts of hair, popcorn kernels, and Cheerios on the surfaces and note how many passes are needed to clean them up. At home, each vacuum is tasked with the regular cleaning for that household. 
  • Maneuverability: In the lab, we challenge the upright vacuums' maneuverability by running them through a living room–inspired obstacle course, noting how well they navigate tight areas (such as under a coffee table) and transition from smooth floors to carpeting. When we have a vacuum at home, we use it just as we would any vacuum—pushing it into tight corners, up stairs, behind couches, and under furniture as necessary—and assess accordingly.  
  • Ease of Emptying: We consider whether the dust bin or the bags are designed for convenient emptying and clearing, paying particular attention to the capacity of each vacuum and whether we had to stop to empty the vacuum often. If an otherwise high-performing vacuum needs to be emptied every couple of minutes, this is where we would note it. 
  • Noise Level: While some noise is to be expected from a vacuum, we also take into account what’s reasonable for the category. Upright vacuums, since they do offer more powerful cleaning than other styles, can be a loud category. But we’re still noting whether or not a conversation could be had or TV could be watched while one is running nearby. 
  • Value: Once testing is completed, we take into account whether we, as buyers, would be willing to spend our personal money for the listed price of each vacuum, and the reasons why the cost does or doesn’t seem reasonable.

Outside of these categories, we also have room for any and all other notes that arise during the testing process, which can be everything from musings on cord length to complaints about the height of the handle. Our editors take all of the data collected from testing and boil it down to the upright vacuums we believe are the best.

Hand using hand attachment from a Shark AZ2002 Vertex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum to sweep a blue and green multicolor rug

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

What to Look for in an Upright Vacuum

Whether It's Compatible With Your Flooring Type

While most vacuums will work on all surfaces, some vacs are more suitable for certain surfaces. Our selected favorites proved efficient on both hard flooring and carpet, but if you deviate from this list, you might notice that some vacuums are more suited for one type of flooring over another. Be sure to carefully read the product description and specifications for your pick, and reference reviews and testing.

While a product may be advertised as suitable for both hardwood and high-pile carpet, testing will show you where the vacuum really shines. Our best overall pick, the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum, is a great example of a vacuum that handles both well, thanks to its multiple surface settings. However, from testing we can tell you that it's particularly good at lifting debris from carpet fibers.

The Included Hose and Attachments

Because your upright vacuum will be too large to fit into tight corners, you can expect to make good use out of its hose and attachments for nooks, crannies, and stairs. The most common attachments include upholstery brushes, pet hair tools, crevice tools, stair tools, and extension wands. They help your product to be more effective at cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of your home, or the places where fur and dust collect. Robyn Pook, co-founder of Mint Cleaning, says you can use these tools when cleaning everything from baseboards and toilets to bed frames and window sills: "We love a vacuum with smaller attachments for these areas." Our best for pet hair option, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, even includes a grooming tool for use with medium and long-haired pets.

HEPA Filtration

As we mentioned above, some of the best upright vacuums have a HEPA filtration system that can capture 99.97 percent of particles with diameters of 0.3 microns or less, which includes pollen and dust mites. HEPA filters are known for being a great feature for those with allergies for that very reason, since they're able to capture and trap away potential common allergens. Now, it's essential to know that not every HEPA filter works the same. Vacuums can have different layers of filters, like air purifiers, for removing certain types of particles. True HEPA filters are also more effective—these filters have a serial number assigned to them to note that they perform very highly and meet a top-notch, tested standard.

Within our picks, our best overall, the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum, best for pet hair, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, and best bagged vacuum, the Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum, have HEPA filtration.

Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

FAQ
  • How long do upright vacuums last?

    Upright vacuums can usually last about eight years, but the exact amount will be determined by how frequently and heavily it’s used, and the care and maintenance it receives. Your model of choice also may come with a warranty that covers repairs, so take advantage of any coverage to ensure your machine runs for a long time.

  • What is the difference between an upright vacuum and a stick vacuum?

    Upright vacuums are a very traditional style of vacuum. They often have a dust bin or bag located near their floor head and a bulkier design that matches their increased level of suction power. Stick vacuums, on the contrary, often feature a dust bin near the top of their handle. They feature a much slimmer profile that makes them lighter, easier to maneuver, and perfect for reaching tight spots in your home.

    While both are effective at cleaning multiple surfaces—carpet, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate—upright vacuums aren't as versatile. They can only clean through brush heads and hoses and can't often reach under furniture well. In addition, stick vacuums can be more gentle in their approach. However, if you're looking to clean your entire home, larger messes, or carpet that needs more agitation, an upright vacuum is a tried and true choice.

Man using Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum with HEPA Media Filter to clean carpet

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Why Trust The Spruce?

Dena Ogden is an associate editor for The Spruce who’s been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022. She specializes in appliances, cleaning, and organization topics, and has written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums. For this story, she referenced testing data from The Lab and our at-home testing, where we take vacuums home to see how they perform in real life. Ogden has also tested the Shark AZ1002 Apex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, which she really likes, but considers to be a bit bulky to recommend widely.

Our Experts:

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. What is a HEPA filter?. Environmental Protection Agency.

  2. How Long Do Vacuum Cleaners Last? Consumer Reports.