If you need something with supreme suction power for proper deep cleaning, one of today's best best upright vacuum cleaners will often be the best tool for the job. They typically come with generous sized dirt canisters and larger cleaner heads, making them an efficient choice for vacuuming large spaces, too.
We've thoroughly tested every upright vacuum listed here, assessing how well they perform on a range of floor types, how easy and comfortable they are to use, and whether they deliver good value for money.
If you need something lightweight and easy to maneuver, and don't mind sacrificing a bit of power for that convenience, you're better off with one of the best cordless vacuums. And if you're undecided, our general best vacuum cleaner ranking will walk you though all your various options.
The quick list
Best for most people
Packed with essential features including Anti Hair Wrap and odor control plus a powered lift-away mode, this is an outstanding all-rounder.
Best affordable
Hugely cheaper than its main rival, the Hoover HL5 delivers great suction and many more features for its low price, but it's heavy and loud.
Best for pets
Designed with pet hair in mind, the Dyson Ball Animal is really maneuverable with terrific suction, but it's the heaviest option on our list.
Best for hair
A cheaper alternative to the Shark Stratos, this one won't get clogged up with hair and has a lift-away design; you may find it a little bulky, though.
Best vacuum and mop
For keeping hard floors clean, this cordless upright is a fine option. It mops and vacuums and it's self-propelling, although battery life is short.
The best upright vacuums 2024: tried and tested
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The best upright vacuum for most people
✅ You want versatility: The bin section can be removed and the cleaner head used on the end of a flexible wand, making this suitable for more awkward spaces.
✅ You have a pet: This vacuum has an anti-odor puck designed to stop bad smells building up from the dust canister.
❌ You want a longer cord: The cord here is about standard length, but if you want more maneuvering room, the Dyson at #6 gives you a couple of extra meters.
❌ You want a bigger bin: Again, the bin is about standard size, but the Dyson #6 has a bigger one.
This is without the best upright vacuum we've tested. It's known as the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum in the US and Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Anti-Odour Upright Vacuum [NZ860UK] in the UK, and it comes with many of our favorite features from the best Shark vacuums.
The dust canister can be lifted off and held, enabling you to vacuum high-up or awkward spaces – like stairs – with the flexible hose. The Duo Clean floorhead is designed to work equally well on hard floor and carpet, and it has anti-hair wrap features so you won't need to manually clear matted hair from the rollers after every clean. On which note, our tester found this vacuum did a great job of pulling hair from carpet. It comes with an anti-odor puck designed to prevent bad smells from building up in the dust canister, and our reviewer found it left her home smelling fresh and clean.
One minor down-side is that we found debris could get wedged towards the top of the bin when full.
Read more: Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum review
The best budget upright vacuum
✅ You want versatility: Like other models here, it's possible to use the wand on the end of a flexible hose, to tackle awkward spaces.
✅ You're on a budget: This vacuum comes with a very wallet-friendly price tag.
❌ You want something easy to move about: We found the bin could pull away when used to lift this vacuum.
❌ You want something reasonably quiet: No vacuum is especially quiet, but this is one of the loudest we've tested.
If you're in the UK the best budget upright vacuum you can get is the Hoover HL5, which undercuts its main rival by almost £100. It comes in a standard spec, which is the model we reviewed, and a pet version that comes with a motorized pet tool. If looks are important to you, the Pets edition is available in a yellow/blue colorway, whereas this Homes edition is in a grey/red. Performance-wise there's no difference between the two.
The HL5 comes fully loaded with the features we look for in pricier models, including an Anti-Twist brush bar which genuinely didn't get any hair wrapped around it, and the ability to transform into a more flexible vacuum for reaching under furniture.
We found that the Hoover HL5 is loud, however. We measured between 78dB - 82dB using our decibel reader on our phones, from using the wand in portable mode through to using the motorized floor head on the floor. It is also mighty heavy and the bin had a tendency to lift off when we tried to lug the upright vacuum up the stairs.
Read more: Hoover HL5 Push&Lift Upright Vacuum Cleaner review
The best upright vacuum for pets
✅ You want the best suction: This upright vacuum is ultra-powerful and makes light work of pulling pet hair from carpet.
✅ You need a big bin: This model has the largest bin of any vacuum here, so you can get plenty of cleaning in without having to empty it.
❌ You want something not too heavy: This model is very weighty and difficult to shift about.
❌ You need to get into awkward spaces: The flex hose here isn't as flexible as we'd like.
The Dyson Ball Animal (called the Ball Animal 3 in some territories) is the best upright vacuum for pet hair. Our tester has two "crazy-hairy" spaniels and invited a heavily molting Labrador over for a sleepover during their review period, and the Ball Animal cleared up all traces of shedding with no issues at all. The powered main floorhead is outstanding at pulling up hair from carpets, and a very effective tangle-free turbine tool tackles any stuck on furniture and between sofa cushions. The massive bin capacity also means you won't be traipsing to and from the trash can too often, too.
On test, we were also extremely impressed with the overall suction offered by this model. It aced our tests with large and small debris, requiring just a single pass to pick up both kinds of spillage on carpet. However, it didn't perform so well on hard floors, pinging around the oats rather than picking them up.
As is the case with all of today's best Dyson vacuums, the maneuverability of the floorhead is outstanding – it can pivot every which way, and get into any corner or crevice. However, overall this is a very cumbersome and heavy cleaner. Those used to lightweight stick vacuums will find it quite a departure – you'll find alternative recommendations in our dedicated guide to the best vacuums for pet hair.
Read more: Dyson Ball Animal review
The best upright vacuum for hair pick-up
✅ You want a more affordable option: Because it's a little older now, this is one of the cheaper uprights around.
✅ You want to be able to get into awkward spaces: Like our #1 pick, the bin part can be removed and held to enable you to get into awkward spaces.
❌ You want to be able to adjust suction: There's only one suction mode here.
❌ You want the latest Shark features: This is an older Shark model, so lacks some of the useful features of newer models.
This upright vacuum from Shark, known as the Shark Apex Upright Vacuum with powered Lift-Away, Duo-Clean, and Self-Cleaning Brushroll in the US, is ideal if you end up sucking up lots of hair when cleaning your floors because it won't get in a tangle. It's our former #1 and held this position for over a year, but since we reviewed it newer tech has swept in to claim its position; that said, we still think that it is one of the best uprights.
During testing, the vacuum made light work of collecting fine dust and larger debris, including cereal from carpets and hard floors. It also converts into a portable vacuum simply by lifting out the main body to ensure you can easily clean stairs, upholstery, and up high. We also found it glided well on both short-pile carpet and hard floors.
However, our reviewer was disappointed there was only one power level – most models nowadays let you adjust suction to suit different floor types. Because the suction is strong, it can be tricky to move about on deep pile carpets. It’s also a bulky appliance, which may cause storage issues for some.
Read more: Shark Anti Hair Wrap Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Powered Lift-Away NZ850UK review
The best upright vacuum and mob combo
✅ You want to give hard floors a proper clean: This wet-dry cleaner is excellent at tackling hard floors.
✅ You're dealing with lots of dirt and debris: It's a more heavy-duty option that not only mops but also deodorizes and disinfects.
❌ You need something for carpet: This vacuum can't be used on carpet.
❌ You're mainly just dealing with dust: It's probably overkill if you just need something for a light clean.
This is a little different from the other upright vacuums in our list – it's a wet-dry cleaner (in fact, the best wet dry vacuum we've tested). If you really want to keep your hard floors clean, then the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro is your best option. It both vacuums and mops, and it'll disinfect and deodorize at the same time.
It's a super-heavy model, weighing in at 21.5lbs / 9.76kg, but it's not a struggle to use as it's self-propelling and it'll glide across your floor with ease. The downside to this a a short battery life; at best you'll get 40 minutes out of one charge. It's also worth noting that there's no bin on this because there's no vacuum-only mode, and instead there's a clean water tank and a dirty water tank; you'll need to refill the first as well as emptying and rinsing the second on a regular basis.
The Floor One S7 Pro has an effective self-cleaning system, as well as voice prompts and an LED display, but what really matters is just how well it cleans. This one might not be cheap, but if you're tired of vacuuming and washing your hard floors separately, you'll almost certainly find it's worth the investment. It can't be used on carpet, though.
Read more: Tineco Floor One S7 Pro review
How we test upright vacuums
Before it can appear in this guide, each upright vacuum undergoes a vigorous testing process. Here's a quick run-down of what that involves:
Suction tests
Our reviewers try out each vacuum on spillages of different kinds. So we spill fine dust (biscuit crumbs and flour) on the floor and see how thoroughly it cleans it, on each suction mode. We then repeat the test for dry oats, to see how it copes with larger debris. Both tests are run on hard floor and on carpet.
Testers will also use the vacuum as their regular cleaner for a couple of weeks or more, to get a feel for how it performs in real-world scenarios. During this time, we focus particularly on how well the vacuum copes with hair (pet and human) and how versatile it is for different cleaning tasks.
Usability tests
We assess how comfortable the vacuum is to use, how easily it can be maneuvered into different spots in the house, and if the cord is long enough to allow for general cleaning tasks. We consider how easy it is to put together and swap attachments, as well as trying out any included tools to see how effectively they do the job they were designed for.
We rate each model on how simple it is to empty the dust canister, how loud it is during use, and how durable it is. In addition, for cordless models (rare for upright vacuums), we record how long they last in each power mode, and how long they take to recharge.
Read more on how we test vacuum cleaners.
Tested by
All the upright vacuums in this ranking have been rigorously tested, either by one of the TechRadar Homes team or an experienced reviewer. Meet some of the expert reviewers who put these vacuums through their paces.
Jenny is now the editor of Top Ten Reviews, but prior to she was TechRadar's Homes Editor. As part of that role, she tested dozens of vacuum cleaners of all shapes and sizes, trying to find one that could deal with the levels of dust generated by her ongoing home renovation project.
Helen is a freelance writer who specializes in kitchen and home appliances, and has been testing vacuums since 2008. She has reviewed well over 100 different models, from the likes of Shark, Dyson and more. Although her preference is for a lightweight, maneuverable vacuum, she appreciates the extra suction power you get with an upright model.
Best upright vacuum FAQs
What to consider when buying an upright vacuum
There’s a range of upright models to choose from, which may leave you confused when selecting the right one for you. However, if you focus on these considerations, you’ll quickly be able to identify the model that’s best suited to you.
Start by deciding whether you want a corded or cordless upright vacuum. Those that rely on electrical sockets often have larger dust canisters and wide cleaning heads than cordless models, which means you can vacuum sessions will be completed quickly. However, they’re also heavier than the best cordless vacuums, which may be a problem when punching one around your floors. In addition, depending on how long the cable is, you cannot reach certain parts of your home without unplugging the vacuum and moving it to a closer electrical socket.
If you’ve opted for a cordless upright vacuum cleaner, check how long the battery will last between charges and whether it’s swappable. If the battery runs out of power mid-clean, you don’t have to wait for the vacuum to recharge before you can carry on.
If you have hard floors, look for an upright vacuum with different floor modes, which see the brush roller switched off, so it doesn’t damage the flooring, or for models that come with an additional cleaning head featuring a softer brush roll designed for this purpose.
Also, check the vacuum will be able to reach under furniture and in any tight spaces, you have in your home to ensure you’re thoroughly cleaning your floors every time you push a vacuum around.
If you’re still unsure, read our advice on which type of vacuum should you buy?
What's the difference between a stick and an upright vacuum?
With so many styles of vacuum to choose from, you may be left wondering exactly what the difference is between them – especially when it comes to stick and upright vacuums as they look very similar.
Upright vacuums tend to be larger and heavier than stick vacuums (a name they gained due to the long thin wand that connects the motor and dust canister and floor cleaning head), which are extremely compact and lightweight. However, upright vacuums have larger dust canisters and wider floor cleaning heads, so you'll be able to get through the chore of floor cleaning much quicker and with fewer interruptions than when using a stick vacuum.
Upright vacuums are also freestanding, so if you want to pause your floor cleaning session, perhaps you need to answer the door, or the telephone rings, then you can leave the vacuum in the middle of the floor, without worrying about leaning it somewhere. However, as they're larger they are harder to store.
The majority of stick vacuums (but not all) are powered by a rechargeable battery. This means that you do run the risk of running out of power mid-way through your floor cleaning session, depending upon how big your home is, whereas upright vacuums are mains-powered so you can vacuum for as long as you like.
Stick vacuums are also more versatile and can be converted into handheld cleaners by removing the wand and floor cleaning head. They usually ship with several attachments that can be used in handheld mode for cleaning everything from upholstery to crevices and hard-to-reach corners. Upright vacuums are only really suitable for floors, while the extension tube does enable you to clean in crevices and up high but it's far less flexible than a stick vacuum in handheld mode.
Are upright vacuums better than cylinder vacuums?
Traditionally, vacuum cleaners are wired and come in two styles; upright vacuums and cylinders, also referred to as canister vacuums, but which is better?
Canister vacuums are extremely compact, with the motor and dust bag contained in a tiny unit. This has a hose and floor cleaning head attached to it. Lighter and easy to maneuver around your home, cylinder vacuums make it far easier to clean flights of stairs. Still, the smaller size has a downside - it requires you to be hunched over when compact size means you'll be bent over far more than using an upright vacuum.
Meanwhile, Upright vacuums are bulkier and heavier, making them harder to push around your floors. As you'd expect given the name, the floor cleaning head is attached to a tall unit that holds the motor and dust canister or bag, with a handle usually at waist height or slightly above - so you can clean your floors without having to hunch over.
For a further in-depth look at how the two vacuum styles differ, read our comparison of canister vs upright vacuums.
How often should you vacuum?
How many times a week you need to vacuum your floors to keep them dust and allergen free is something that's been a concern since the first vacuum cleaners appeared on the market.
Is once a week really enough to keep your floors as clean as possible, or should you be vacuuming every couple of days? For those without one of the best robot vacuums on hand to help out, it's a hard question to answer.
We recommend vacuuming most floors once a week while increasing this to twice a week in high-traffic areas such as hallways and doorways. Especially if you have carpet, as the longer dust is left, the more it becomes embedded in the fibers making it hard to thoroughly clean.
While this may seem like a lot, vacuuming regularly will ensure there is less dust to suck up each time, making cleaning your floors quicker.
For more on this, head to our full feature on how often should you vacuum?
