10 Best Upright Vacuums 2025 in the United States

The Bissell PowerClean FurGuard is a cordless upright vacuum designed especially for pet owners, featuring a strong 280W motor and unique FurFinder headlights that help spot hidden pet hair and dust. It offers up to 50 minutes of cleaning on a single battery charge, allowing for cleaning multiple rooms without being tied to a wall. Weighing 7.3 pounds, it is fairly light and easy to carry around or switch between floor and handheld modes for furniture, stairs, or car interiors.

The self-cleaning brush roll prevents hair from wrapping and clogging, which is beneficial since pet hair often causes blockages in other vacuums. It uses a HEPA sealed allergen system to capture fine dust and allergens, helping to keep the air cleaner, which is useful for allergy sufferers. The vacuum includes useful attachments like a crevice tool and FurFinder upholstery tool to reach tricky spots. It stands up on its own and charges on a wall mount, making storage and recharging convenient.

The dust cup has a capacity of 0.3 liters, so it may require emptying more often during larger cleaning sessions. Cordless stick vacuums generally operate more quietly than corded upright models, which reduces disruption. This Bissell vacuum is well-suited for those seeking a versatile, pet-focused vacuum that is easy to use and stores neatly, although the smaller dustbin may require more frequent emptying.

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away (model NV356E), is a versatile and powerful vacuum designed to meet various cleaning needs, particularly for pet owners. Its lift-away functionality allows you to detach the pod for easy cleaning of above-floor areas like stairs and furniture. The vacuum features a robust HEPA filtration system combined with an anti-allergen complete seal, trapping 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is excellent for allergy sufferers.

The vacuum is slightly on the heavier side at 13.7 pounds, but it compensates with swivel steering for easy maneuverability around furniture and tight spaces. The brushroll shutoff feature allows you to switch between deep carpet cleaning and gentle bare floor cleaning effortlessly. The extra-large dust cup (0.87 liters) means fewer trips to the trash can during extended cleaning sessions. It also comes with useful attachments like a pet power brush, dusting brush, and an 8-inch crevice tool, making it highly versatile.

However, it is not cordless, which could limit mobility, and its noise level at 80 dB may be considered loud by some users. Despite these drawbacks, its powerful suction, excellent filtration, and multiple attachments make it a top choice for households with pets and varied flooring types.

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360, offers a solid combination of features and performance, making it a great choice for households dealing with pet hair and allergens. One of its standout strengths is its powerful suction, which effectively cleans both carpets and hard floors. The detachable pod enhances usability by allowing users to clean under furniture and reach high-up areas with ease.

Its anti-allergen complete seal technology, paired with a HEPA filter, significantly reduces allergens, making it suitable for allergy sufferers. Additionally, the large dust cup capacity means less frequent emptying, which is a plus for longer cleaning sessions. The included upholstery tool and crevice tool are handy attachments for tackling pet hair, while the swivel steering makes maneuverability around furniture effortless.

There are some drawbacks to consider. Weighing nearly 16 pounds, it might feel a bit heavy for some users, especially during extended cleaning. The noise level at 80 dB is reasonably loud, which could be a concern for those who prefer quieter appliances. Also, being corded, it limits mobility compared to cordless models, although the cord length is sufficient for most rooms.