What are the 3 Top Upright Vacuums?

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Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Jun 26, 2024 12:07 PM
best upright vacuum guide that shows the top best vacuum cleaner model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

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 100 vacuums and certified 3 as the best, analyzing 152,328 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

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

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    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.

    Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Powerline Review →

    True Score

    87
    87
    3

    Experts

    89
    6k

    Customers

    SAVE $21
    $349.00
    $328.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    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.

    Shark Stratos Ultralight Review →

    True Score

    83
    81
    1

    Experts

    86
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $181
    $399.99
    $219.00

    Category Snapshot

    Vacuum Cleaners

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      31 Brands, 100 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

      vacuum top trusted testers

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – Amazon, Best Buy

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    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.

    Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister Review →

    True Score

    65
    65
    2

    Experts

    67
    6

    Customers

    SAVE $8
    $79.99
    $71.92

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].

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Bare Floor Performance> 95%YesHow much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Carpet Performance> 70%YesHow 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.

  1. Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
  2. Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
  3. 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 in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

2. Carpet Performance Test Results

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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
87
  • 99.75%

  • 84.69%

  • 98%

  • 73.05 dB

$328.00
$349
$21

Shark Stratos Ultralight

  • Best for Apartment

83
  • 97.5%

  • 82.25%

  • 99.33%

  • 76.8 dB

$219.00
$400
$181
65
  • 99.75%

  • 68.5%

  • 96.33%

  • 72.3 dB

$71.92
$80
$8

Upright Vacuum Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in the best cordless stick vacuum?

When choosing the best cordless stick vacuum, look for features such as long battery life, strong suction power, lightweight design, and versatile attachments. HEPA filtration for better air quality and easy-to-empty dustbins are also important for convenience and maintenance.

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