A good quality vacuum cleaner is an absolute must-have when it comes to keeping your home clean and tidy. While there are many different types on the market - check out our round-up of the best handhelds and even best robot vacuums if you don't believe us! - upright vacuums remain a popular choice. Benefitting from powerful suction, as well as a bigger floorhead and greater bin capacity than their hand-stick rivals, uprights are ideal for cleaning large areas quickly and efficiently.
We've tried and tested leading upright vacuums from big name brands like Shark and Hoover, as well as challengers from smaller brands, and we're here to share our findings! Read on for our pick of the best upright vacuums, selected for their performance, durability, and value for money. Whether you have hardwood floors, carpets, or both, there's an upright vacuum on our list that will suit your needs.
Best upright vacuum cleaners on the market
Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus
Vax's budget-friendly Air Life 2 Pet Plus boasts powerful suction and VersaClean technology, which uses two brush bars to help lift big and small debris on hard floors and carpet alike.
Although a little on the heavy side at 6.5kg, in return you get powerful suction and a generous 1.5l capacity dust bin. Attachments include a 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush, as well as the Turbo Tool aimed specifically at picking up pet hair. - plus, the vacuum can also detach into a nifty handheld for awkward areas and upholstery. Our reviewer Lisa rated it 17/20 in our Vax vacuums round-up.
Hoover HL5 Upright pet vacuum cleaner with Anti-Twist ™and Push & Lift™
While on the heavy side at 5.9kg, our reviewer found the HL5 efficient at picking up debris from both hard flooring and carpets.
The HL5 also comes with a mini turbo brush to help remove stubborn pet hairs, while ` touch of the Push & Lift™ foot pedal detaches the stick to transform this upright into a portable vacuum, useful for cleaning tighter areas like stairways and car interiors, as well as upholstery.
Other features include easy-to-adjust suction controls and a touch-release large capacity dust bin. At £299 with a five-year warranty, our reviewer Anna-Lisa found it great value for money and rated it 17/20.
Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor
At 7.4kg, the Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor is among the heaviest upright vacuums we reviewed, so it may not be suitable for all users and homes. However, the rotating telescopic handle familiar Dyson ball joint makes turning and steering easier than you might expect given its bulk. Plus, that size includes a larger-than-average 1.8l capacity dust bin.
The self-detangling brush bar and stiff nylon bristle brush head are particularly well-suited to pet owning households, scraping up stubborn hair and ingrained dirt with ease. Our reviewer Anna-Lisa also appreciated the combination tool, stair tool and soft dusting brush, as well as the individual suction setting for different surfaces - read her full review here.
Shark Stratos Pet Pro Anti Hair Wrap plus Anti-Odour upright vacuum NZ860UKT
One of the disadvantages of an upright vacuum is being tied to an electrical outlet, but the 8m cord and 1.5m hose here means you won’t have to switch plug sockets often, according to our reviewer Lisa.
The 6.5kg body isn’t the easiest to manoeuvre, but the main unit cleverly detaches for use as a more lightweight portable vacuum for harder-to-reach areas and soft furnishings.
A crevice tool, multi surface tool and pet tool featuring Shark’s clever Anti Hair Wrap all come as standard with this model, and the anti-odour technology to mask musty, dusty smells is a nice bonus, too.
SEBO Felix Vogue ePower vacuum cleaner
The Felix Vogue ePower Vacuum from German brand SEBO is an efficient and versatile upright vacuum cleaner offering a range of useful features.
At its core is a powerful brush motor that can clean all surfaces with ease, from carpets to hard floors. The machine's clever L-shaped floor head helps reach awkward corners, while the body can be folded down as low as 15cm to get under low furniture. The vacuum also comes with crevice and upholstery nozzles, making this a great choice for tackling a range of cleaning tasks.
What's more, its light-touch manoeuvrability and soft bumper make it ideal for scuff-free cleaning around furniture - not always a given with an upright vacuum!
Still undecided? Browse our ultimate guide to the best vacuum cleaners to see our picks of everything from cordless to robot vacuums!
