Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners of 2023, Tested by TheHouseWire

Upright vacuums come in different types: bagged, bagless, corded, or cordless vacuums.

Bagged

Bagged upright vacuums tend to have the largest capacity. They collect the dust and dirt in a bag that needs to be disposed of and replaced when full.

If you’re cleaning a large space or vacuuming often, you should consider an upright vacuum with a big bag. This is so it lasts longer and you don’t have to replace the bag too often.

Some bags automatically seal the dust inside for cleaner disposal. If you have someone in the house with allergies or asthma, you should consider a sealed bag.

For example, this Hoover WindTunnel.

Bagless

Bagless upright vacuums have an in-built dust canister that holds the dirt and dust. This removes the need to buy and replace a vacuum bag when you clean. However, when you empty the dust canister on a bagless model it can be a messy job. And dust or tiny particles can be recirculated into the air.

Tiny dust particles and debris can also get stuck inside the dirt canister after a lot of use. And this can affect the performance of your vacuum’s suction power.

But, bagless upright vacuums are a cost-effective and environment-friendly option. This is because you have no bags to replace.

For example, this Shark Navigator Lift-Away vacuum is a bagless model.

Corded

Corded upright vacuums are not as portable as cordless models because you’re limited by the length of the cord. However, they often have more suction power than cordless vacuum cleaners do.

When you’re choosing a vacuum you’ll need to think about the closest power outlet in each room. Make sure you choose a vacuum that has a cord-length that can reach wherever your power outlets are.

Upright vacuums with long cords allow you to reach more floor as you clean before needing to move to a new power outlet. A vacuum with a retractable cord can also offer a lot of conveniences and can be easier to store.

The cord retracts back into the unit so you don’t have any visible cords lying around on the floor. For example, see this Shark APEX DuoClean corded vacuum.

Cordless

Cordless upright vacuum cleaners give you more freedom to move around your house without needing to think about where a power plug is available.

Higher voltage cordless vacuums have more power and they also have a larger battery life. These models have a longer run-time, so you can clean a lot of space before you need to recharge them.

The average battery life of cordless models is between 15 to 40 minutes before they need recharging.

It’s important to note that the rechargeable battery on your vacuum does have a limited lifespan. This means that they only handle a certain number of charges before you’ll need to buy a new battery.

For an example of a cordless vacuum model, see this Dyson DC33 Multi Floor Cordless Vacuum.

Then, consider the suction power of your upright vacuum. There are different ways that you can measure suction. However, there’s no agreed standard across the industry for measuring suction power.

For example, you’ll find some vacuums boasting 2000pa. This unit of measurement called Pascals indicates the unit of pressure. Whereas other vacuums will state wattage, how much RPM the motor does, or their air wattage.

So there’s no simple way to measure the suction power of one vacuum compared to another.

As an example, this Hoover vac has good suction according to reviewers. But, according to the manufacturer, they don’t show the measure of suction power.

So you should look for customer reviews to trust the suction power of your vacuum cleaner.

Next, consider the filter system on your upright vacuum. Each vacuum model has a filter system built into the unit.

The best type of filter that you should look for is certified HEPA filters. These filters trap more dirt than other filter types. HEPA filters have been tested and certified to remove 99.97% of microscopic particulates and airborne fine particles larger than 0.3 microns ⁽¹⁾.

Most vacuum models have foam filters that are easy to access and clean. These filters need regular cleaning so that the vacuum doesn’t expel dust back into the air.

If your vacuum utilizes water, such as a steam mop, you’ll need to clean out the filter more often. With water coming into contact with the filter it can get pretty nasty quickly if you don’t clean it.

For example, this Shark Navigator has a HEPA filter.

It’s important to consider the capacity of your upright depending on your cleaning needs.

The capacity size indicates how much dust your vacuum can pick up before you’ll need to empty it. A larger capacity will mean you’ll have to empty it less while you’re cleaning. And this can save you a lot of time.

Think about the size of the space that you intend to clean with your vacuum. If you’re cleaning a small space, you won’t need a vacuum with an overly large capacity.

But, for a larger house, you should consider a bigger capacity. This way you can concentrate on cleaning your floors without needing to empty your vacuum too often.

For example, this Bissell model has a dust cup with a 1-liter capacity. Whereas this Eureka model has a dust cup that can hold 3.9 liters of dust.

Considering the weight of your upright vacuum depends on where you need to use it.

If you have a house with lots of stairs, you should consider a lightweight model that’s easy to transport. The last thing you want is to be lugging a heavy unit up and down the stairs. A lighter model will make this a lot easier.

On the other hand, if your cleaning can be done on one level, weight isn’t too big of a factor.

Plus, the weight of your vacuum can factor into how powerful it is. A lighter model might not be powerful enough if you have a lot of dirt and debris to clean up. For this, you should consider a heavier vacuum that offers more power.

For example, this Hoover vacuum weighs 17 pounds. Whereas this upright Dirt Devil weighs much less at 9 pounds.

If you live close to neighbors, you might need to consider the noise level of your vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners are loud units, especially upright vacuums.

Low noise is considered to be a decibel output between 57-62 dBA. This level of noise can be operated during the day without disturbing others in the same building.

The average vacuum cleaner makes 84-89 dB. But a cordless stick model makes less noise than other types of vacuum cleaners.

If you live in a small apartment or have close neighbors, a noisy machine can be a nuisance. Look for units that have a noise level around or below 55dB which is a similar noise range as most conversations. Or, choose a unit with power settings that allow for quieter operation when you need it.

For example, this Shark Apex has noise reduction technology that’s tuned to reduce noise and soften pitch.

All upright vacuums offer a range of attachments to increase the versatility of your unit. However, it’s important to consider exactly what your requirements are so you don’t end up paying for unnecessary extras.

For carpet floors, better suction is needed to get rid of debris stuck in the fibers. So some of the best models offer motorized carpet brushing tools to deep clean the high pile carpet.

For wood floors, a soft brush is required so that your vacuum doesn’t scratch the surface. But we recommend focusing on how well the unit manages to transition between modes of bare floors and carpet cleaning.

Some vacuum cleaner models also include a pet tool nozzle to deep clean stubborn pet hair from carpet or furniture. This is perfect if you have pets in the house.

An upholstery tool can be helpful to use to vacuum furniture such as your couch without damaging the fabric. Mini motorized nozzles are also very efficient for this.

If you have hard-to-reach areas, a crevice tool is perfect for cleaning these spaces. It can reach down the side of appliances, along skirting boards, as well as other areas.

Lastly, if you have a lot of tight spaces or elevated areas, look for a model that has an extension hose attachment. This hose tool gives you the flexibility that some traditional vacuum models have lacked. They’re perfect for stair-cleaning, walls, and for reaching high areas in your home.

Many different brands offer different benefits. But, we recommend sticking to cordless upright vacuums. Some of the best selling upright vacuum brands are:

• Miele
• Shark
• Dyson
• Hoover

Upright vacuums have an average lifespan of 5 to 8 years. But this can depend on the brand and quality of your vacuum model.

According to the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA), an upright model has an average lifetime of 9 years
⁽²⁾.

But keep in mind that the lifespan of your vacuum will depend on how often you use it. It will also depend on how often you clean and maintain it.

Many factors can affect the suction power of an upright vacuum cleaner. These include the airflow, the nozzle design, and the filtration.

Having more fans and filters, as well as a nozzle, will increase airflow. And this can help your vacuum suction more efficiently for a deep clean.