If you need to clean a large area, upright vacuums are best. They are easy to use, have a larger dirt compartment, and usually excel in pet hair cleanup. Upright vacuums should excel in both carpet and bare floor performance, with powerful motors and height-adjustable brush rolls for deep cleaning. We reviewed 99 vacuums and certified 3 as the best, analyzing 151,810 reviews to ensure comprehensive insights.
Our approach uses our AI-powered True Score system, filtering out fake and low-quality reviews to present you with reliable options. The vacuums that made our list showcased superior build quality, suction power, and user-friendly features. This meticulous process guarantees that you invest in a high-performing, trustworthy vacuum for your cleaning needs.
How Did We Rank the Best Upright Vacuum?
With insights from more than 200 sites, our guide to the best upright vacuums is based on rigorous analysis of testing methods and expert reviews, complemented by customer feedback. We distilled the most important criteria into 2 required test results and 1 must-have specification. Our True Score provides you with the most accurate and reliable buying recommendations.
Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low-quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must be an upright vacuum
? Test Criteria
- Bare Floor Performance: The vacuum sucks up 95% of debris when cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
- Carpet Performance: The vacuum sucks up 70% of debris when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.
Latest Updates
- 06/26/2024: Republished the list to include the best upright vacuum cleaners based on our True Score system.
Top Upright Vacuum For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Powerline
Best Bagged
This versatile vacuum excels on bare floors and tackles carpets and pet hair well, though it’s heavier and requires bags. It’s a fantastic, high-performing choice, worth every penny.
True Score
87873Experts
896kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
$333.95Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Powerful suction force
- Great bare floor cleaning performance
- Good carpet cleaning performance
- Exceptional pet hair cleaning performance.
Reasons to Avoid
- Loud operation
- Limited range of attachments
- No HEPA filter
Specifications
Bagless No 
Bin Capacity 0.9 gal 
Brush Roll Shut-Off Unknown 
Carpet Height Adjustments No 
Cleaning Path Width 13″ 
Compatible Floor Type All floors 
Cord Length 30 ft 
Corded/Cordless Corded 
Filter Type Other 
Hypoallergenic No 
Pet No 
Product Weight 14.8 lbs 
Vacuum Type Canister 
Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 85 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 98 Noise Level (dB) 73 All Retailers
$333.95Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
The Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Powerline is a standout vacuum cleaner, especially for homes with hardwood, laminate, or tile floors. It boasts a best-in-class bare floor cleaning performance of 99.75% and doesn’t slouch elsewhere. At 84.69% and 98% for carpets and pet hair, respectively, it’s an outstanding “do it all” vacuum cleaner.
With a substantial bin capacity of 0.66 gallons, you won’t have to empty it very often as you clean. Plus, its noise level is 73.05 dB—around the level of a washing machine, but nothing earsplitting or particularly disrupting.
However, if maneuverability is a major concern for you, it’s important to note that at 14.8 pounds, this model is heavier than some of its competitors. Additionally, while this Miele model isn’t bagless, which will mean ongoing costs for bags if you prefer not to deal with dust plumes when you empty bins, it might be a plus instead.
The Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Powerline is a fantastic choice for those seeking a high-performing all-around vacuum cleaner. It performs fantastically on bare floors, excellently cleans carpets, and picks up nearly perfect pet hair. It also comes with a decently sized bin and doesn’t blow out your eardrums. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s worth every penny.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Stratos Ultralight
Best Apartment
With excellent performance on bare floors and pet hair, this lightweight vacuum is louder but cheaper than competitors. Its versatility and attractive price offset the small bin and higher noise level.
True Score
83811Experts
861kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $181$399.99$219.00Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Good bare floor cleaning performance
- Decent carpet cleaning performance
- Great pet hair performance
Reasons to Avoid
- Below average suction power rating
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.2 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off No Carpet Height Adjustments No Cleaning Path Width 8.25″ Compatible Floor Type All floors Cord Length 30 ft Corded/Cordless Corded Filter Type HEPA Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 8.6 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 98 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 82 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Noise Level (dB) 77 All Retailers
$219.00$400Save $181Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes- $296.00
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No 
$299.99Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
If you have pets that shed constantly, the Shark Stratos Ultralight features impressive pet hair performance, plus excellent bare floor cleaning efficiency. With 99.33% of pet hair picked up in testing, it’s dependable and will help keep your home free of runaway clumps of fur and dander. Plus, the fantastic bare floor performance of 97.5% makes the vacuum much more versatile and able to tackle additional surfaces, like tiles, hardwood, and vinyl planks. Carpet performance is also great, with 82.25% of debris cleared, so you can move from surface to surface without worry.
However, the noise level of the Ultralight is slightly higher than the Miele C1, clocking in at 76.8 dB. This might be noticeable in quieter households and is noticeably louder (but still not deafening) than a washing machine. The Ultralight, however, is also around a hundred dollars cheaper than the C1. Hence, the trade-off in noise (and nearly nonexistent tradeoffs in performance) put the Ultralight ahead if you don’t mind a louder vacuum.
The Ultralight has a bin capacity of 0.2 gallons. This is small and will require frequent emptying as you vacuum – especially when it’s pet hair – but it also offers the convenience of a bagless design. No bags, no extra purchases, easy emptying, but you’ll have to deal with dust plumes now and again. At 8.6 pounds, the vacuum is very maneuverable and lives up to its name. The included HEPA filter is also a nice bonus and keeps you from sneezing constantly while vacuuming by keeping dust where it belongs: in the bin.
The Shark Stratos Ultralight is a capable and versatile vacuum that offers excellent pet hair performance and bare floor cleaning efficiency. Despite a higher noise level and smaller bin capacity, the performance, HEPA filter, and lightweight more than make up for it, and the vacuum comes at an extremely attractive price, too.
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Category Snapshot
Vacuum Cleaners
- Total Brands/Products Tested
31 Brands, 99 Products
- Top 2 Brands
Dyson, Miele
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$50-$400+
- Average True Score
75.70
- Important Test Criteria
Bare Floor Performance (%)
Carpet Performance (%)
- Most Trusted Testers
- Typical Warranty
1 year
- Covered by Insurance
Yes – Amazon, Best Buy
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister
This budget-friendly vacuum shines on bare floors and pet hair. Despite average carpet performance and a short cord, its value is unbeatable for homes without carpets.
True Score
65652Experts
676Customers
Meh
SAVE $8$79.99$71.92Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Outstanding cleaning performance on all floor types
- Excellent pet hair pickup rate
- Low-maintenance bagless design
- Outstanding filtration system
- Lightweight, portable construction
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited range of included tools
- Short power cord
- So-so build quality
- Relatively small dirt cup
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 2.5 L Brush Roll Shut-Off Unknown Carpet Height Adjustments Unknown Cleaning Path Width 15″ Compatible Floor Type All floors Cord Length 16 ft Corded/Cordless Corded Filter Type Disk Hypoallergenic Unknown Pet Yes Product Weight 8 lbs Vacuum Type Canister Wet And Dry Usage Unknown All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 69 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 96 Noise Level (dB) 72 All Retailers
- $71.92$80Save $8
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $124.49
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
Our Verdict
If you’re on a budget and looking for an upright or canister vac, the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister delivers surprisingly strong bare floor cleaning performance at a budget price. Successfully cleaning up 99.75% of debris from bare floors, it’s an excellent way to keep the tile, vinyl, or hardwood in your home clean. The 98% pet hair cleanup is fantastic and adds extra versatility to the Whirlwind.
Where the compromise comes in is with carpet performance. At 68.5% of debris cleaned, it’s not the best pick for keeping your carpet clean. It’ll do the job, but you will notice that not everything gets picked up. The Whirlwind’s cord length is also a bit shorter at 16 feet, which might mean more frequent outlet changes and could restrict your movement during cleaning. Fortunately, the 0.66 gal bin capacity also means you won’t need to empty the vacuum constantly while cleaning.
While it’s not truly quiet, its noise level of just 72.3 dB does make it one of the quietest vacuums on our list. However, it’s still as loud as a washing machine, so it’s not quite a “use it while people are sleeping” vacuum.
Despite some limitations, the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister offers unbeatable value. The low price, excellent bare floor performance, and pet hair cleanup make it easy to overlook the low carpet cleaning abilities, especially if you don’t have any carpets in your home.
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Which Criteria Matters for Testing Upright Vacuum?
By focusing on these criteria (X required, Y nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these [category] and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a [category] that will [use case/intent/spec].
| CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Floor Performance | > 95% | Yes | How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors. |
| Carpet Performance | > 70% | Yes | How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 120+ vacuum cleaner reviewers and found that 27 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for vacuum cleaner.
- Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
- Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
- Sabine Heinlein – Wirecutter, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every vacuum cleaner review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Vacuum Cleaner Test Data & Results
1. Bare Floor Performance Test Results
As the name suggests, bare floor performance references how well a vacuum does when it’s cleaning up tiles, vinyl planks, or hardwood flooring. Debris comes in a variety of sizes of course, and much of the testing revolves around picking up debris that ranges in size from cereal to bits of dirt to sand to a mix of everything above and more.
We recommend that a vacuum be able to pick up at least 95% of debris from a bare floor to ensure you end up with clean floors. Hitting a perfect score is obviously ideal, but the worse a vacuum performs here, the more work you need to do sweeping up or re-vacuuming. Missing debris is frustrating, and can invite pests if you miss bits of food, or annoyance if you step on something barefoot and hurt yourself.
Bare Floor Performance
> 95%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Scale
Why It’s Important:
A vacuum is supposed to clean, so if it can’t pick up most of the debris on a floor, it’s not doing its job.
Bare Floor Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
2. Carpet Performance Test Results
Carpet Performance
> 70%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Scale
Why It’s Important:
If you have carpet, how well a vacuum cleans directly impacts how your carpet feels to walk on, and prevents pests from moving in.
Carpet cleaning ability is another important part of how your vacuum performs. Whether you have low-pile, high-pile, or rugs, how effectively a vacuum cleans up the dirt and debris left behind on the carpet is enormously important to keeping your carpet comfortable.
Generally speaking, we recommend a carpet cleaning performance of at least 70%. You might notice this is much lower than bare floors, and that’s because carpet is harder to clean. Short of devoting the time to actually shampoo and dry out a carpet, thoroughly cleaning out a carpet is very difficult, and good vacuums will reach deep between fibers and pull out long-forgotten crumbs.
Carpet Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
Best Upright Vacuum: Mistakes To Avoid
- Ignoring Suction Power: Focusing only on price or appearance without considering the suction power can lead to unsatisfactory cleaning performance. Choose a vacuum with strong suction power to ensure it can effectively clean different surfaces, especially if you have carpets.
- Not Considering Your Flooring Type: Selecting a vacuum without thinking about your specific flooring type can result in inefficient cleaning. Ensure the vacuum is designed for your flooring needs, whether it’s carpet, hardwood, tile, or a combination. Some models come with adjustable settings for different surfaces. When choosing between canister vs upright vacuums, consider that canister vacuums often offer better maneuverability on hard floors and under furniture, while upright vacuums are typically more effective on carpets due to their powerful brush rolls.
- Overlooking Filtration Systems: Neglecting the type of filtration system can be problematic, especially if you have allergies. Opt for vacuums with HEPA filters to capture dust and allergens effectively. A good filtration system is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality. In addition, consider great bagged vacuums, as they often provide superior filtration and dust containment compared to bagless models.
- Ignoring Weight and Maneuverability: Choosing a vacuum without considering its weight and maneuverability can make cleaning cumbersome. Opt for a model that is lightweight and easy to handle, especially if you have stairs or multiple floors. Test the vacuum’s ergonomics, if possible, to ensure it’s comfortable to use.
The Best Upright Vacuum Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Bare Floor Performance
|
Carpet Performance
|
Pet Hair Performance
|
Noise Level
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Powerline
| 87 |
|
|
|
|  $333.95 |
| 83 |
|
|
|
|  $219.00 $400 $181 |
65 |
|
|
|
| $71.92 $80 $8 |
