10 Best Upright Vacuums in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Upright vacuums are generally used to clear large areas of the floor in a relatively quick space of time, but they can also include features and accessories that help get under furniture and reach into tight spaces. With a wide variety of bagless and bagged, cordless and corded, and a host of other choices, it can be very difficult to know which is best and where it is worth spending any extra money.

To help you find the best option, you can find reviews of 10 of the best upright vacuums this year below as well as a guide to help you find the ideal model for you and your home.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Shark Rotator Lift-Away DuoClean Upright Vacuum	Rollers do a good job of lifting hair and dirt LED headlights do a good job of illuminating dark areas Removes 99.9% of dirt and most allergens	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Dirt Devil Endura Max XL Upright Vacuum Cleaner	Affordable Extra-large dust collector means fewer trips to the waste Four levels of floor height adjustment to tackle all surfaces	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		LG CordZero Stick Vacuum Cleaner Wet Mop	Includes a wet mop attachment to clean dry floors after hoovering Tower unit compresses and empties dust for you Maximum 2-hour runtime	CHECK PRICE
		Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum	Swivel head improves navigation Sealed HEPA filter effectively eliminates dust Comes apart to make it easier to clean tight spaces	CHECK PRICE
		Dyson V11 Torque Cordless Vacuum Cleaner	Lightweight cordless vacuum Automatically adjusts power and torque according to surface Does a good job of filtering dust and allergens	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Upright Vacuums

1. Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV DuoClean Upright Vacuum – Best Overall

Shark has made a strong name for itself in the past few years, primarily thanks to its lightweight corded vacuums but it has also introduced a good range of uprights and other vacuum models. The Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV DuoClean Upright Vacuum is about mid-range in terms of price but has some very useful features. Its PowerFin rollers work to lift dirt up off the ground before it is sucked up, which means that it removes more dirt.

A HEPA filter and anti-allergen complete seal technology ensure that 99.9% of dust and allergens are removed from the environment, too. The LED headlights are powerful and really help to illuminate the area you’re cleaning.

However, while the Shark comes with three accessories, it only provides storage space for two, and you won’t always have an accessory attached, so you will need to find somewhere to put the third. And, despite having a swivel head, the vacuum feels quite heavy to lug around. The lift-away action, convenient headlights, and reasonable price compared to some of the premium models of upright vacuum cleaners make this the best overall upright vacuum cleaner today.

2. Dirt Devil Endura Max XL Upright Vacuum Cleaner – Best Value

The Dirt Devil Endura Max XL Upright Vacuum Cleaner is a far cry from the portable handheld Dirt Devil. It is a very inexpensive hoover and available for a fraction of the price of many of the alternatives, but it offers powerful suction, has an extra-large dust cup with a quick empty button, and has four levels of floor height adjustment that allow for all eventualities and enable you to clean soft and hard floor.

The turbo head is also a handy touch for tackling stairs and upholstery. The Dirt Devil is a little lighter than the Shark Rotator, too, which means that it is easier to throw around, although there is no swivel head, so you will need the weight loss.

Although the Dirt Devil Endura Max XL Upright Vacuum Cleaner does not have a HEPA filter and it has basic movement with the lack of a swivel head or ball, it is really cheap and does a good job of cleaning hard and soft floors, stairs, and even upholstery. It is our choice as the best upright vacuum cleaner for the money.

3. LG CordZero Stick Vacuum Cleaner Wet Mop – Premium Choice

The LG CordZero Auto Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Wet Mop is an expensive vacuum, but it is much more than just a vacuum.

This is a cordless stick vacuum cleaner that also works as a wet mop so that you can vacuum up the dirt and debris before giving hard floors a mop. It also includes a tower unit. Place the vacuum in the tower and it will recharge both batteries while automatically emptying the dust collector into the tower collector unit. The battery gives up to 2 hours of use, although you will likely get less than this except with light use. And the unit has a compressor lever that compresses the dirt and dust so that you can store more before having to empty the bag in the tower. All the controls are managed with your thumb, too, so it’s easy and convenient.

However, as well as being on the very expensive side, the LG CordZero lacks a HEPA filter and it doesn’t have as strong of suction as a lot of other high-powered devices.

4. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum is one of Shark’s most affordable models. It has a large 0.9-quart dust cup which Shark claims should easily allow you to clean the whole house before you have to consider emptying it.

The swivel head makes navigation and movement easier, although this is another Shark that feels quite heavy, and the upright is designed to tackle both hardwood and soft floors as required. As well as a HEPA filter, the Navigator has a completely sealed housing unit, which prevents even more dust and allergens from escaping, so this is a good option for those that suffer from dust allergies.

While this is a decent cleaner, despite Shark’s claims, the dust cup needs frequent emptying, it is heavier than expected and the cord is quite short, so you will need to keep relocating the plug as you clean.

5. Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is one of Dyson’s entries into the cordless upright vacuum cleaner market. It is expensive, and while it doesn’t claim to have a HEPA filter, it does collect 99.9% of dust and allergens measuring down to 0.3 microns, so it does a decent job of preventing allergic reactions and symptoms.

The cleaner head detects what you are cleaning and adapts the suction and the amount of power it uses to match your requirements, negating the need to have to keep changing the vacuum head and attachment. It is also light for a vacuum, but it does have a small dust collector and it only offers 60 minutes of runtime, which is less than the 2 hours offered by some of its competitors.

If you have a small space and are looking for a way to avoid changing the head on your vacuum to tackle different surfaces, this is a good, albeit expensive, option, but it isn’t without its negatives.

6. Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless Vacuum

The Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless Vacuum is a cordless vacuum. It is a lightweight model that is much lighter than the other Sharks, and it has a swivel-head design which makes moving it around the floor and under low surfaces easier.

It is HEPA filtered, which means it removes more dust and allergens, and it has a soft roller to pull in particles as well as Shark’s PowerFins that help lift debris from the floor and into the path of the vacuum suction. The Vertex Pro also has a handy display screen that shows what mode you’re in, the amount of runtime you have left, and any maintenance requirements.

It is one of the more expensive vacuums and only has a 60-minute runtime but does a decent job of tackling pet hair and removing allergens from the environment while being portable and handheld.

7. Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Small Upright Vacuum

The Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Small Upright Vacuum Cleaner is a compact, lightweight, upright vacuum. It weighs less than 9 pounds which, according to Hoover, means it weighs around 3.5 pounds in the hand when being used. It has a 1-liter capacity which is up three times more than in a standard stick hoover, and it is small enough to stow away in virtually any space.

The compact design does come at a cost, however, as the battery only lasts around 35 minutes from a full charge, and you will need additional batteries if you want to extend that time. And, there are reports that the battery drains quickly and will need replacing, which eliminates some of the cost savings of this reasonably priced hoover.

8. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Lightweight Vacuum

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Lightweight Vacuum is specifically designed to tackle pet hairs, which can be difficult for most hoovers because they become entangled in the fibers of the carpet. It does this using a tangle-free brush that prevents hairs from getting matted and knotted in the roller, and it has a hands-free empty system, which is basically a button to open the dustpan section.

The Bissell has a smart seal allergen system that claims to capture allergens, therefore preventing or reducing the allergic symptoms that can be associated with pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. Although it is lighter than other Bissell products, the Pet Hair Eraser isn’t particularly light.

It is roughly mid-priced, and the wand is somewhat awkwardly designed because it doesn’t stretch far from the base, so you will have to lift the vacuum to reach higher areas.

9. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson has a somewhat extensive and varied range of vacuum cleaners including this, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaner. It is called the “Ball” because it has a ball head system that offers total flexibility of movement and is called the “Animal 2” because it is an upgraded version of the original Animal that is designed specifically to pick up animal hairs.

The head is designed to lift dirt from the carpet before it is sucked into the unit, but as well as being expensive, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a heavy vacuum cleaner, and it struggles to effectively vacuum thick carpets.

10. Hoover Windtunnel T-Series Tempo Bagged Upright Vacuum

The Hoover Windtunnel T-Series Tempo Bagged Upright Vacuum is a reasonably priced vacuum from Hoover. Its HEPA filter claims to trap 99.7% of dirt and dust while filtering allergens down to 0.3 microns in size. It has five adjustable height settings, so it should be capable of vacuuming multiple different surfaces easily. The 30-foot cord should be ample to prevent you from having to unplug and plug in in every room you vacuum.

This is a bagged vacuum cleaner, which means you will need to purchase replacement bags, but it also prevents the dust cloud that can form when using bagless models. The Hoover is a basic vacuum cleaner. It is heavy and most people prefer bagless variants to bagged ones.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Upright Vacuum

The range of upright vacuum cleaners is extensive with options ranging from inexpensive bagged devices to corded, bagless devices that will even empty themselves. The most important aspect of a vacuum is its ability to clean up the mess that you are faced with, but while this might mean powerful suction requirements for some potential buyers, light users may not need the same level of power and can enjoy benefits such as lighter weight and corded options. Below are some of the features and options to consider when shopping for the best upright vacuum.

Corded vs. Cordless Vacuums

All modern vacuums need to get power from somewhere. While most get their power from using a cord to connect to the wall socket, some are cordless. Cordless vacuums contain rechargeable batteries. These need to be recharged between uses, and the vacuum will only work while the battery has power.

Bagless vs Bagged Vacuums

Another relatively common feature in modern vacuums is the bagless design.

HEPA Filter

HEPA filters are found in some vacuums and are especially beneficial to allergy suffers and people that show allergic symptoms when around dust, pet dander, and other allergens. The filter blocks allergens, usually as small as 3 microns. The filter does need occasional cleaning, but it really can improve the environment within your home. Not all vacuum cleaners have this feature, but some do still claim to be able to capture more dust and allergens. If you are an allergy sufferer, be sure to look for a HEPA filter or some other filter technology.

Pet Hair Vacuums

Pet hair is a real challenge for some vacuums. The hair can become entangled in the pile of the carpet and in rugs and even when it doesn’t, it can become entangled in the brushes that a vacuum uses to lift and remove dirt. Different vacuums use different methods to try and overcome these problems, but most have a different brush head design and may use some method to pull hairs up and out of the carpet before they are sucked into the vacuum itself.

Ball Vacuums and Swivel Heads

Vacuuming is a chore and it’s made all the harder if the vacuum itself is heavy and cumbersome. Lightweight vacuums that are easy to maneuver not only make vacuuming easier on the wrists and hands, but they also enable you to get into tighter spots and clean more floor space. Swivel heads allow you to angle the head sideways so they can get in and under some low furniture while ball vacuums have a ball joint at the neck. This can actually prevent you from getting under low furniture, but it makes turning and steering much easier.

Self-Emptying

The self-emptying feature is more commonly seen in robot vacuums but a few, typically very expensive, cordless, and bagless premium models do offer a form of self-emptying. When you return the vacuum to its base unit for charging, it will automatically empty the dustpan into a separate chamber in the base unit. This can be convenient but is unlikely to be a deal-breaker for most buyers.

Conclusion

Vacuums are an essential piece of equipment for most homes and upright vacuums, although not necessarily as portable as other styles and certainly more effort than robot vacuums are the mainstay of the vacuum world. However, they have advanced considerably in the past few years, and modern variants can be bagless, cordless, incorporate HEPA filters, and be designed to pick up pet hair.

Above, we have included reviews of 10 of the best upright vacuums this year to help you find the best for your needs. We believe the Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV is the best available upright vacuum. It is quite expensive, although certainly not the most expensive, but it has a HEPA filter, LED headlights to illuminate the area you’re cleaning, and does a good job of removing dirt, which is its primary function. If you’re looking to spend less, the Dirt Devil Endura Max XL is an inexpensive vacuum with a large dust collector and enough levels of height adjustment to tackle most floor types and surfaces.

See also: 7 Best Corded Vacuums – Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Cottonbro, Pexels