Buying guide for Best upright vacuums
If there is one cleaning appliance you cannot do without, it's likely a vacuum. An upright model’s versatility and ease of use make it the go-to item in many cleaning situations. The only problem is an upright vacuum is so popular that you have a plethora of products to wade through to find a quality unit.
Finding the best means finding the best for you. The most important consideration is getting the most power in your price range. After that, you want a model that is light enough to easily maneuver, has a long power cord, is bagless, and has a high-quality filter. Although some households require a wide variety of attachments, the right vacuum for you is the one with the number and styles of attachments that fit your cleaning needs.
Best Upright Vacuums available now
Types of vacuums
In addition to the standard upright vacuum, you can find several other types of vacuums available for purchase. Each has its pros and cons.
Canister vacuums consist of the main body with separate head and hose components. Because the canister remains on the ground while you vacuum, all you need to contend with is the lightweight hose portion with the vacuum cleaning head. Canister vacuums are a good option for those with reduced upper body strength, and they are an excellent option for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, like window coverings and stairwells. Their size makes them a bit tougher to store, and while the hose and head portions are lightweight, you still need to lug the unit with you from room to room as you vacuum.
"Your top priority should be finding the vacuum that provides the highest level of suction in your price range."
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Stick vacuums are perfect for small spaces but provide less power than uprights because they often use batteries for power. They’re light and easy to maneuver, but they are not a good choice for heavily carpeted homes, nor are they suitable for homes with pets and/or people with severe allergies.
Handheld vacuums are a great option for cleaning the tough-to-reach areas in a home. They’re lightweight and can clean virtually anywhere since they’re usually fairly compact. You can find both cordless and corded handhelds, and because of their size, they’re easy to put away when the task of cleaning is complete. They’re not as powerful, though, and they need to be emptied much more often than uprights.Robot vacuum cleaners are convenient because they clean on their own. However, they sometimes get stuck under furniture and pass right by areas that have not yet been vacuumed.
Expert Tip
Keeping your filters clean will help your vacuum maintain its suction.
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Advantages of upright vacuums
There are some advantages to choosing an upright vacuum for your home cleaning needs over any other kind of vacuuming device.
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More powerful suction
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A wide design allows units to suck up more dust and debris at once than other types of vacuums
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Suitable for various surfaces, from hardwood floors to high-pile carpet
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Comfortable to use, since there’s no need to bend down when vacuuming
During our research, we consider whether a vacuum is easy to maneuver. Does it glide easily over flooring surfaces? Does it feel lightweight or heavy? These are questions consumers have when shopping for upright vacuums.
In our assessment of upright vacuums, we keep information about other types of vacuums in mind as well: canister, handheld, stick, and robot vacuums, for example. We inform our readers about their features, benefits, and drawbacks.
When we assess an upright vacuum, we want to know if it’s noisy. We note that some manufacturers include information about the decibel level a vacuum produces.
Vacuuming a home requires a cord that’s long enough to provide a decent reach. We consider cord length, as well as the type of onboard storage available to keep the cord stored neatly when the vacuum isn’t in use.
While some vacuums collect dirt and debris in a disposable bag, others have reusable dirt canisters. We factor in the good and the bad of each in our research.
Upright vacuums have filters that trap contaminants for more thorough cleaning. When we evaluate them, we check to see if they are reusable and washable. We also want to know if replacement filters are expensive.
Many upright vacuums come with attachments for tackling different cleaning jobs around the house. We take this into account when we analyze vacuums to recommend.
Because we want our readers to get the most out of their new vacuums, we include cleaning tips from expert cleaning consultant Tia Daniel.
It’s important that a vacuum is versatile enough to clean different flooring surfaces. We assess each model we consider to determine if it works well on hard floors and carpets with low and high pile.
In our research of upright vacuums, we evaluate suction to determine if it’s powerful enough to pick up most dirt and debris. We also want to know if the suction tends to decrease over time.
Upright vacuum features
When deciding which upright vacuum model to purchase, don’t forget to consider the following features and functions.
Size, weight, handling
Choose a vacuum that you feel comfortable pushing around the house. A unit that’s too heavy may be difficult to move, and it could put undue stress on the body. Not to mention, it will make the task of cleaning seem more daunting than it should be. An upright vacuum should be easy to push, and it should have a comfortable handle. It should glide smoothly over surfaces, and you should not have to struggle to move it around. Users in homes with multiple levels should also make sure that they can transport the vacuum to each level. Size matters, especially when it comes time to store the vacuum. If you have limited storage space, make sure your selected model fits inside your cleaning supply closet – or wherever you plan to put it when not in use.
Expert Tip
Check underneath your vacuum to make sure that your brush rolls and hose are free from debris. This will help your vacuum keep its suction power.
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Noise
Vacuum noise is measured in decibels. To find out if a vacuum is at the noisier end of the spectrum, check to see its listed decibel level. Don’t expect most vacuums to be super quiet, though. Nearly all upright models will produce some kind of noise.
Cord length
What kind of space are you working with? Will the cord length of your potential vacuum be long enough that you don’t need to switch outlets constantly? Thankfully, most upright vacuums have long cords, so you don’t have to worry about struggling to move furniture to gain access to inconvenient outlets to clean the other side of a room.
Did you know?
Most vacuums have some kind of cord storage solution. Some cords can be wrapped around the vacuum, while other models have retractable ones.
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Bag or no bag
Upright vacuums are available in either bagged or bagless options. In bagged units, the bags contain dirt and keep it from going back into your home’s environment when you empty the vacuum. The downside? You’ll need to replace and purchase new bags every so often, which is an extra cost to think about.
Bagless units are more convenient in that you don’t need to worry about having bags on hand to use your vacuum; canisters on these units are very easy to empty. When emptying a bagless vacuum, however, dust and debris are more likely to spill or escape back into the air accidentally. It’s easier to see when a bagless vacuum is full, but some bagged models feature indicators to let you know they need to be emptied.
Filter type
Upright vacuums all come equipped with some kind of filter to trap allergens and keep them from flying back into the air. For households with pets or occupants with respiratory issues, HEPA filters are the Rolls Royce of filters, since they’re able to trap nearly 100% of airborne dust and allergens. When selecting an upright vacuum, it’s also important to consider whether the unit’s filter is reusable and if it can be washed. You might also check to see how much replacement filters for a particular model cost. Keep in mind that even reusable filters clog up over time and cannot be reused anymore.
Expert Tip
Cleaning your filters also helps to keep the air in your home clean and clear from allergens.
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Accessories
Some vacuums come with accessories and attachments that increase the usefulness and versatility of the unit. The number of accessories a vacuum comes with shouldn’t be your sole reason for choosing it, but attachments like rods, upholstery brushes, hard floor cleaners, and dusting attachments can add to the utility of a device.
Upright vacuum prices
Inexpensive
You can find plenty of basic upright vacuum models available for under $100.
Expensive
For more powerful suction and filtering, you should expect to pay over $200. Pricier models usually come with more attachments, are lightweight (despite the power they provide), and feature more efficient filters.
Vacuuming tips
A vacuum can make your life infinitely easier. Unlike a broom and dustpan, it’s far less likely that dust and allergens will escape back into the air during cleaning. Vacuuming is usually a quicker process than sweeping, and a vacuum can help you to clean places that are harder to reach. Here are a few pointers to help you use your vacuum more efficiently.
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Don’t let things get overly soiled in the first place. Remove shoes in the home, wipe pet paws before they come in from outdoors, and sweep up large spills and messes as soon as they occur.
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Don’t just go over an area once. To really get your floors clean, you’ll need to pass the vacuum over an area a few times to pick up all that sneaky dust and debris.
Expert Tip
If you have issues that may cause problems using and transporting a vacuum, you'll want to know a vacuum's total weight of the vacuum before purchasing it.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
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Vacuuming more often can actually make the task a lot easier. If you wait to vacuum until visible pet hair and dust fill your house, chances are that passing the vacuum will take a larger chunk of time, and you may need to empty the vacuum multiple times.
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Don’t leave dirt inside your vacuum. Empty it frequently. A full canister will make vacuuming less efficient.
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Do a quick check to move obstacles out of the way before vacuuming, and pick up anything that might accidentally get sucked into your device.
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Dust before you vacuum so you can be sure you’re picking up every last bit of dirt.
"A robot vacuum is an excellent option for the busy homeowner, but you’ll likely need to do a pass with an upright vacuum once in a while to ensure your floors are thoroughly cleaned. "
STAFF
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FAQ
Q. My vacuum is fairly new but seems to be losing suction. What’s going on?
A. Your filter may need to be replaced or washed. Most upright vacuum filters can easily be accessed. You’ll know just by looking at the filter if it’s time to swap it out or clean it.
Q. How can I tell whether a vacuum will provide enough suction for my needs?
A. Check the wattage of the vacuum you’re eyeing. Most upright vacuums should provide at least 1000 watts to pick up dirt effectively.
Q. I have allergies, so I want a vacuum that can keep dust bunnies at bay. What should I look for?
A. Anyone with allergies should opt for a vacuum with a high-quality filter, such as a HEPA filter. A bagged model may also be a good choice, as it’ll be more effective at keeping dust from being released back into your home.
Q. I have two big hairy dogs that shed a lot. What should I look for in an upright vacuum?
A. To minimize the incidence of allergens in your home, choose a model with a quality filter. Look for vacuums marketed as “pet vacuums.” They will often provide stronger suction than other models.
