The best upright vacuums for 2026, tested and reviewed

A good vacuum is powerful, with unwavering suction. A great vacuum is also nimble, ideally with swivel steering and customizable settings for different types of cleaning jobs and floors. The best upright vacuums take it to the next level, with hardworking accessories and snazzy features that — dare I say it — make cleaning fun (or at least less of a chore).

As a senior home writer at Yahoo, I've tested more than 60 vacuum cleaners over the past few years, and while I can appreciate the agility of a cordless stick vacuum and the convenience of a robot vac , it's hard to beat the muscle of a corded upright vacuum. For this guide, I assessed each upright vac's agility and functionality, obstacle course-style, on both hardwood floors and carpets. I tested their prowess against Cheerios, kitty litter, sand and — perhaps most telling — pet fur that had been embedded in upholstery and plush carpets. For my final act, I gave their attachment tools a run for their money, using them to detail everything from baseboards to couch crevices.

Best upright vacuums for 2026

Factors to consider when choosing an upright vacuum

Upright vacuums consist of a cleaner head, a dust cup, a hose and a wand. Dirt travels to the dust cup via the hose. Detachable hoses (and wands) can be paired with attachment tools, but canisters usually remain in place. If you don't want to have to lug an entire vacuum when detailing the stairs, you may want a "lift-away"-style canister, which can be detached while cleaning. Also helpful: longer cords for greater reach, plus cord-rewind options so you don't have to wrap up the cord manually.

Here are some other things to look for while shopping:

✓ Size:Bigger vacuums generally have larger dust cups and cleaner (brush) heads. Longer hoses, wands and cords equate to greater reach. Longer brush rolls mean fewer passes. Wider and dual brush rolls mean shorter passes.

✓ Weight:The lighter the vacuum, the easier the lift (and steer). Lightweight designs glide across hardwood floors seamlessly but can mean less grip on thick carpets. Lighter models are often associated with smaller dust cups and fewer tech components (like LCD screens and the respective engineering that makes a vacuum top-heavy), though not always. Swivel cleaner heads and dust cups can help with maneuvering, especially when dealing with heavier vacuums.

✓ Bin capacity:Larger cups house more dirt so you don't have to take as many trips to the trash can. Aside from capacity, look for dust cups that release forcefully with the help of a lever so you don't have to manually unclip the cup lids and pull out debris with your fingers.

✓ Filters:Vacuum filters zap pollutants and improve air quality, with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters considered the gold standard. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , HEPA filters "theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns," with larger or smaller particles "trapped with even higher efficiency." Follow instruction manuals for how and when to replace ⁠or, in the case of washable options, clean filters for optimal results.

✓ Wattage:A higher wattage often correlates to greater suction power.

✓ Brushes and attachments:Most vacuums come with a detangling-style brush roller (in many cases, customizable or auto-adjusting) that can be used for multiple floor types. Brush cleaner headlights offer more visibility in low lighting and beneath furniture, while mini roller attachments help tackle tighter spaces (such as inside your car; they're also great for getting stubborn pet fur from sofas). Attachment tools aid in detailing and spot-treating cushions and curtains, and crevice tools are a must for navigating ceilings and wall corners.

How we test upright vacuums

I've tested more than 60 vacuums for Yahoo over the past two years. To evaluate them, I set up several obstacle courses with materials of varying shapes, textures and densities on different surfaces like carpet and hardwood. I also used the vacuums' respective attachments on sofas and other upholstered furniture. Then I put the vacuums through their paces in real-life scenarios, prioritizing homes that needed a good cleaning and/or had pet inhabitants. The nitty gritty:

• "Carpet course" test:I spaced out materials — faux fur, rice, Cheerios, kitty litter and sand — across a plush carpet to see how the vacuums managed to cut through the clutter.

• "Kitchen sink" test:I poured rice and Cheerios on a hardwood kitchen floor to gauge how well the vacuums could get a grip — especially against trims and in cabinet crevices.

• "Passenger pet" test:I asked family and friends to avoid vacuuming for a week, then used car mats to collect the fur their pet companions had shed, to see which vacuums had the best suction.

• "Vacs gone wild" test:I didn't stop there! I clocked hours testing these vacuums in different houses and settings to see if they could rise to different occasions.

Other upright vacuums we tested

So many great vacuums, so little time! I was impressed by a lot of these models, even if they didn't make it to my top picks.

Eureka PowerSpeed :This upright vacuum comes pretty much ready to go and is easily powered on and off via foot pedals. The dust cup is massive (2.6 liters) and, like with the Bissell CleanView, there's a dial on the base that lets you adjust the brush roll height for different floor types and debris. The prices are comparable, but I found the Bissell CleanView slightly easier to maneuver, and not having to manually wrap up the cord with every use during testing was a game-changer.

Hoover WindTunnel Pro :The WindTunnel Pro is similar in design to the Eureka PowerSpeed, but comes with fewer tools, a smaller dust cup and an additional setup step (a screw that goes into the wand/handle). The suction didn't compare to the Shark PowerDetect, but I'd consider the performance on par with the budget-friendly price, especially when you factor in that this Hoover has a cord rewind feature.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away :The Shark Navigator Lift-Away upright offers the same lift-away style canister as the Shark PowerDetect. The vacuum and canister are lighter and therefore slightly easier to maneuver. But it doesn't have lights or hold as much debris as the Shark PowerDetect. It took an extra pass in my "passenger pet" test — and missed some of the Cheerios and kitty litter in my carpet course — but it was effective at vacuuming everyday hair and dirt.

Kenmore Featherlight Lift-up :The Kenmore Featherlight zipped through my "kitchen sink" test. It fared slightly better than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away on higher piles of sand and Cheerios in my "carpet course" test, but it did slightly worse in the "passenger pet" test. Like many vacs on this list, the Featherweight doesn't have headlights and has manual surface settings, though I'd consider it a good bet for those with smaller spaces or who prefer a more compact option.

Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum :This compact version of Bissell's popular CleanView vac proved its suction prowess in testing: It only missed a few pieces of fur in the "passenger pet" test! It comes with brush tools and a crevice tool, but the cord is slightly shorter compared to other models.

Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum :I originally tested this vacuum as part of a pet vac segment . Its suction wasn't as strong as the Dyson Animal and it didn't have as much reach or as extensive an accessory suite. But it did get all the materials I tested it against — including pet fur from car mats — and features a streamlined base and swivel steering, plus an odor-neutralizing pod. I chose it as the best mid-priced option.

Hoover MaxLife Pro Pet Swivel Upright Vacuum :The MaxLife Pro Pet is similar to the Shark Rotator Pet, sans the odor-neutralizing pod. Performance was generally comparable, and you do get headlights and a lower price with the Hoover. The MaxLife Pro is slightly heavier, with a slightly wider cleaner head (read: less maneuverability), and the dust bin has slightly less capacity.

Kenmore Elite Upright Vacuum :This vacuum features powerful suction comparable to what I experienced with Dyson and has a similar design and tools to my top Bissell pick. But I wasn't able to move the Elite's heavier, non-swiveling design around as easily. Also of note: This vacuum requires the use of a bag for trapping dirt and debris (versus a reusable canister).

Other upright vacuums we plan to test

Shark Stratos DuoClean PowerFins HairPro Upright Vacuum :This vacuum has made a splash, earning rave reviews for its self-cleaning brush roll and powerful suction. Considering it's made by the brand behind two of our top picks, we have high expectations and will update this story after testing it.

Upright vacuum FAQs

What's the difference between a stick and an upright vacuum?

Stick vacuums typically consist of a handled vacuum head, complete with a battery, dust cup, control buttons, filter and sometimes a digital display screen (think of the head, or "upper," as its central processing and operating unit). The vacuum head attaches to a thin tube, which then connects to a cleaner head with roller brush(es). The "upper" can be attached to various tools for handheld use.

Like many upright vacuums these days, stick vacuums are often bagless (thanks to their dust cups). They are also often cordless, whereas most upright vacuums have a cord. Given their svelte silhouettes and detachable parts, cordless stick vacuums tend to be more nimble and storage-friendly. But they may not pack as much power as an upright vacuum.

Are upright vacuums better than cylinder vacuums?

Cylinder (aka canister) vacuums are often lighter and more compact, and therefore easier to maneuver and store, than upright vacuums. As they typically have more room to support bigger motors, cylinder vacuums can also prove more powerful than uprights. The downside is that because a cylinder vacuum's body trails behind the cleaner head, it's more likely to bump into things.

How often should you vacuum?

It depends on how many people (and pets!) are in your home. As a general rule of thumb, cleaning services like Molly Maid suggest vacuuming carpeted floors twice per week, and hardwood and tile floors once. Pet owners should aim to do a quick maintenance vacuum daily to keep fur and dander at bay.

How do you clean an upright vacuum?

To ensure your vacuum remains in tip-top shape, many brands, such as Dyson, advise cleaning washable filters at least once a month with regular use. I recommend consulting your vacuum's manual for tips, including when to wash and/or replace filters and brush rollers. Look for dust cups that have levers for forcefully ejecting dirt into the trash can. And, because vacuums are often at the center of the action, wipe yours down regularly to reduce the amount of dust and dirt that can emanate.

Best upright vacuums specs comparison chart

Update, June 22, 2026: We checked prices and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick remains unchanged, but we removed Shark's Navigator Light Upright Vacuum Cleaner because it's currently out of stock.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.