Best Upright Vacuums of 2023

Best Upright Vacuums

Last Updated on March 1, 2022

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Top 10 Best Upright Vacuums

  1. Shark NZ850UK (Editor’s Choice)
  2. Shark Upright Pet (Luxury Choice)
  3. Vax UCA1GEV1 (Best Value)
  4. Vax U85-AS-Be Air Stretch (Best Corded)
  5. Shark NV620UKT (Best Bagless)
  6. Hoover Breeze Evo TH31BO02 (Best for Pets)
  7. Duronic VC7 (Best Easy to Store)
  8. BISSELL 2-in-1 Design (Best Lightweight)
  9. Tooltime 600W (Best 2-in-1)
  10. Neo Corded (Best with Accessories)

A vacuum cleaner is an essential appliance for keeping your floors dirt-free, but not all models work the same. With a powerful model, you can relax a little and let the appliance put in all of the hard work for you.

Discover the best upright vacuum in the UK from our top 10 list below. Our selection of vacuum cleaners is extremely versatile for all floor types. We’ve included a range of vacuum cleaners with different dust canister capacities, various cleaning power and more. Because not everyone requires the same features from these upright machines, we wanted to provide a range to help you choose.

Read on and discover the best vacuum cleaner that suits your needs!

How we Compared Upright Vacuums

upright vacuums collage

To find the right upright vacuums we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Bagged or bagless
  • Cord or cordless
  • Compatibility
  • Noise
  • Attachments
  • Filter
  • Weight
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Battery Life

Our team independently examined and compared hundreds of products to help satisfy different needs. We spent our time researching upright vacuums and consulting customer reviews to ultimately bring you what, in our opinion, are the best options on the market right now.

To find out more about our editorial process, take a look here.

Upright Vacuum Reviews

Shark NZ850UK (Editor’s Choice)

This is the best upright vacuum in the UK and comes with a host of features and advantages. 

For example, it comes with Anti-Hair Wrap technology that separates and removes hair while you vacuum, which leaves the bristle roll tangle-free. This technology makes this upright vacuum cleaner ideal for both long and short hair.

Equipped with Shark’s DuoClean floorhead, this upright vacuum boasts two motorised brush rolls that work together to suck up both large and small particles from your home as well as stubborn dust and dirt from hard floors and carpets. As a result, you can move between rooms and navigate different floor types without switching the floorhead.

With this upright vacuum, you can clean more than your floors but the stairs, ceilings and underneath and around furniture. Equipped with powerful brush rolls that continually rotate, this vacuum will pick up any dirt, dust and debris along its route.

Another impressive feature of this vacuum is the built-in LED headlights that illuminate dust underneath furniture. These lights mean that you never miss a speck, even in hidden places or when it’s dark indoors.

On the other hand, this upright vacuum cleaner might be quite bulky for some people to navigate around. In addition, some people might prefer cordless vacuums. 

Pros:

  • Anti-Hair Wrap technology prevents hair from wrapping about the bristle roll
  • Works on both hard floors and carpets
  • Reaches up high and down low to clean stairs, underneath furniture and more
  • LED headlights illuminate hidden dust, so you never miss a speck
  • Includes a range of handy attachments to clean virtually all surfaces

Cons:

  • It might be too cumbersome for some people to lift
  • Some people might prefer cordless vacuums not to encounter any restrictions

Shark Upright Pet (Luxury Choice)

For a luxury cordless model, look no further than this Shark model! 

Offering 60 minutes of running time, you can clean your entire home in a single charge without any cords holding you back. Plus, the useful indicator light notifies you when the battery is running low, so you’ll never unexpectedly run out of charge.

Moreover, this cordless upright vacuum cleaner is great at removing pet hair thanks to the Anti-Hair Wrap Pet Tool, which comes with a bristle guard and comb to separate and remove hair while you clean. Best of all, the brush roll is specifically designed to prevent hair from tangling and clogging the vacuum.

It’s suitable for all floor types, including hard floors and carpets. Thanks to the Duo Clean floorhead and PowerFins, it’s easier than ever to switch between different floors without having to stop your cleaning session from switching heads. Best of all, the powerful suction and rotatable heads lift deep dust and dirt to provide an effective clean.

Unfortunately, while this upright vacuum is great for removing pet hair, it might not include a spare battery, which can be expensive to replace. Plus, it might not have as much suction power as other stick vacuums on this list.

Pros:

  • An indicator light lets you know when the battery is running low
  • Anti-Hair Wrap technology is ideal for pet owners 
  • Suitable for all floor types and switches easily between different materials 
  • Provides 60 minutes of use so that you can clean your entire home on a single charge
  • Prevents hair from tangling up inside of the rollers

Cons:

  • It might not come with a spare battery
  • It might not have as much suction power as other upright vacuums

Vax UCA1GEV1 (Best Value)

Get your hands on an upright vacuum that’s excellent value for money with this Vax model. It boasts a 1.5-litre bin, so you can clean it for longer without having to pause to empty it constantly. 

Most impressively, this upright vacuum sports multi-cyclonic technology for powerful suction that will pick up microscopic dust along its route. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about loss of suction.

Although this vacuum is powerful, it’s lightweight, which makes it ideal for cleaning stairs and navigating up and down the stairs while you clean your entire house. You can also connect the detachable handle to the hose to reach areas above the floor, on the stairs and in more areas. Overall, use this vacuum to clean hard floors and carpets.

However, this upright vacuum might not be best for lifting pet hair since there’s no mention of brush rolls that can combat mounds of hair. Also, emptying the cylinder might require some hand and wrist strength, not ideal for weaker ones.

Pros:

  • A large, 1.5-litre bin means that you don’t have to empty it constantly
  • Multi-cyclonic technology makes this a powerful vacuum
  • Lightweight design that makes it convenient for taking up and down the stairs
  • A detachable handle allows you to clean all around your home easily
  • Ideal for cleaning hard floors and carpets with ease

Cons:

  • It might not be suitable for cleaning pet hair
  • It might require some hand and wrist strength to empty the cylinder

Vax U85-AS-Be Air Stretch (Best Corded)

The Vax U85-AS-Be Air Stretch is also considered the best upright vacuum in the UK because it features a generous 17-metre cord for versatile home cleaning and a stretchy hose that can reach into awkward spaces.

This corded vacuum is a multi-cyclonic cleaner that promises never to lose suction during use for a constantly powerful pickup. Above all, you can clean virtually all spaces in your home using the extension hose and three-in-one tool that reaches into all crevices while remaining suitable for upholstery cleaning. Additionally, it includes the brand’s powerful multi-cyclonic technology for powerful suction on both hard floors and softer carpets.

On the other hand, this might not be one of the lightest corded vacuum cleaners as it weighs 5 kg and might require some strength to take up and down the stairs. Additionally, the flat cable might be difficult to store on the vacuum without it falling off neatly.

Pros:

  • 17-metre cord allows you to vacuum all spaces conveniently
  • Provides a powerful, consistent suction
  • Includes a three-in-one tool for versatile cleaning
  • Multi-cyclonic technology provides powerful suction on all flooring
  • Fairly quiet during use to minimise disturbing others

Cons:

  • 5 kg might be too heavy for some people to carry up and down the stairs
  • The flat cable might be difficult to wrap about the loop on the vacuum neatly

Shark NV620UKT (Best Bagless)

The Shark NV620UKT is the best upright bagless vacuum cleaner for your home. 

It instantly transforms into an upright vacuum by lifting the main unit away from the wand, making it great for cleaning stairs, ceilings, and furniture underneath. Best of all, you won’t have to endure any heavy lifting, and the brush roll continues to rotate for a consistent clean.

This bagless cleaner is great for allergy sufferers and places with pets. This upright vacuum captures 99.9 per cent of dust inside the vacuum using the brand’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, which ensures that it doesn’t release them back into the environment.

Compared to other bagless, upright vacuums, it provides complete versatility when you’re cleaning your home. This includes being suitable for both carpets and hard floors. You have to select the floor settings using the hand controls to move freely between different floors. Moreover, switch to the Powered Lift-Away mode to clean the stairs, up high, around and underneath furnishings and more. With consistent, clean and powerful performance, your home will look dust- and dirt-free.

However, this bagless vacuum might not automatically switch the settings once it reaches another surface, so you’ll need to manually switch the vacuum to move between hard and soft surfaces. Additionally, the eight-metre power cord might be too short for small areas in a home.

Pros:

  • Transforms into an upright vacuum cleaner in a heartbeat
  • Brush roll provides a consistent clean in your home
  • Removes dust allergies, making it ideal for allergy sufferers
  • Provides a versatile home clean, allowing you to vacuum various floor surfaces and underneath furniture 
  • Boasts a portable factor and is ideal for cleaning all areas of your home

Cons:

  • It might not automatically switch settings as it moves between hard floors and carpets
  • An eight-metre power cord might be too short for larger homes

Hoover Breeze Evo TH31BO02 (Best for Pets)

Cleaning pet hair can be difficult, but this Hoover makes removing stubborn pet hair from your floors easier. In particular, the pet turbo brush is the perfect attachment for cleaning your home free from hair if you have a four-legged friend.

Furthermore, this upright vacuum includes an array of accessories, including a two-in-one dusting brush and an upholstery tool, enabling you to remove dust, debris and hair from all areas of your home like furniture, the stairs, on curtains and even up high on the ceilings.

It also boasts a three-litre dust container that provides the ultimate convenience for collecting dust without constantly stopping vacuuming from emptying it. Most impressively, it features a one-touch release button that makes it more hygienic and convenient to dispose of dust and debris that you’ve collected around your home.

Another great feature of this upright vacuum is the adjustable brush bar. This allows you to adjust the height of the rotating brush to suit your floor types. You can even set it to various pile lengths to deep clean grubby carpets. In addition, comfortably and conveniently clean up to 13 steps on your stairs, thanks to the 4.5-metre stretch cord. So you won’t have to unplug and manoeuvre the vacuum again.

What that being said, this upright vacuum cleaner’s filter might regularly get clogged up, so you may need to empty any hair and dust regularly. Also, this unit might be quite loud during use, which could disturb others.

Pros:

  • Effortlessly removes pet hair from your home
  • Generous-size three-litre dust bin 
  • The bin features a one-touch bin release, so you can hygienically dispose of dust and debris
  • Adjustable brush bar allows you to change the settings to suit different floor types
  • Can comfortably reach and clean 13 steps thanks to the 4.5-metre stretch hose

Cons:

  • The filter might be prone to getting clogged up often
  • It might be louder than other upright vacuums, potentially disturbing others

Duronic VC7 (Best Easy to Store)

Storing an upright vacuum cleaner can sometimes require a lot of extra space, but the Duronic VC7 is one of the best upright vacuum cleaners for putting away after use. It’s suitable for smaller places and even single rooms thanks to its slim design that requires very little storage room.

Despite its small form, this bagless vacuum provides high-power suction that you can use as a handheld or upright device with many accessories. It’s also super lightweight and easy to move around, making it ideal for anyone who struggles with lifting heavier items. As such, it’s the perfect upright vacuum for whipping out to clean up a small mess.

Furthermore, it’s one of the best bagless cleaners for converting from an upright to a handheld vacuum cleaner in just seconds. With its removable dust container, it collects all dust and dirt that it comes in contact with. And with a transparent bin, it’s super easy to see when the container needs emptying without any fuss.

Your purchase includes a HEPA filter, which is great for allergy sufferers. The HEPA filter picks up even the smallest dust particles that are hard to see to keep your home clean and tidy. You’ll also receive a turbo brush and a two-in-one tool. 

However, this bagless vacuum provides 800 watts of power, which might not be as powerful as other upright vacuum cleaners on this list. In addition, due to its smaller size, the bin container might be smaller than other vacuums, too.

Pros:

  • Slender design makes it convenient for storage in small spaces
  • The lightweight form makes it great for those with little strength
  • Conveniently converts from an upright vacuum to a handheld model
  • A transparent bin container makes it easy to see when it needs emptying
  • It comes with a HEPA filter, which is ideal for allergy sufferers 

Cons:

  • It might not be as powerful as other upright vacuum cleaners 
  • Bin container might be smaller than other vacuums 

BISSELL 2-in-1 Design (Best Lightweight)

The BISSELL 2-1-in Design is the best lightweight, upright vacuum. 

Weighing around 2 kg, it’s super convenient for cleaner, smaller spaces. Despite its compactness, this upright vacuum picks up clumps of dirt (whether that’s small or large particles).

It’s equipped with easy-to-remove, washable filters to help you save money. All the while, its bagless design provides a quick and convenient way to empty the bin while helping to save you money.

On the other hand, this upright vacuum might not be the best choice for picking up pet hair. In addition, some people might prefer a cordless model without any cords to restrict their movement. 

Pros:

  • It only weighs around 2 kg, making it ideal for cleaning smaller spaces
  • Ideal for quick cleaning tasks around the home 
  • Excellent suction power for picking up small-to-large particles 
  • Filters are removable and washable to save you money 
  • The bagless design makes it convenient to empty the bin

Cons:

  • It might not be ideal for picking up pet hair 
  • Some people might prefer a cordless alternative 

Tooltime 600W (Best 2-in-1)

This two-in-one upright vacuum comes with a high-efficiency particulate air HEPA filter to filter out 99.7 per cent of small particles. This filter is also ideal for keeping the air clean and pure in their home.

Furthermore, this vacuum includes all the attachments you could need to remove dust and debris from your home, including a floor brush and a crevice nozzle. As a result, you can use this vacuum to conveniently remove from storage to pick up any little messes made throughout the day.

This upright vacuum cleaner conveniently and quickly turns into a handheld model to perform smaller jobs with a functional and slender design. Once you’ve finished cleaning, emptying this vacuum is easy, thanks to the user-friendly bin storage that unlocks in a second. Plus, this container is transparent, so you can see when it needs emptying.

Unfortunately, this two-in-one upright vacuum offers 600 watts of power, which might not be as powerful as other vacuum models on this list. Additionally, the four-metre cord length might be too short of reaching some areas of your home.

Pros:

  • Includes a HEPA filter to filter out 99.7 per cent of small particles
  • It comes with a floor brush and a crevice nozzle 
  • Portable design makes it convenient for taking out of storage to remove small messes throughout the day
  • Conveniently converts into a handheld vacuum
  • The bagless design allows you to see when it needs emptying 

Cons:

  • It has 600 watts of power, which might not be as powerful as other upright vacuums 
  • Cord length might be too short for some chores 

Neo Corded (Best with Accessories)

Finally, this is one of the best-corded vacuums you can buy as it comes with all the accessories you need to clean your home: a floor brush, a nozzle for corners, a nozzle for bristles, and an extendable telescopic metal tube.

This bagless vacuum is suitable for cleaning all floor types, including carpets, tiled, laminate and hardwood floors. Compared to other corded models that can sometimes be restrictive, this model includes a generous five-metre cord, making it convenient for cleaning all areas in your home.

Most importantly, it offers excellent suction power with a 600-watt dual cyclone design to not miss any stubborn dirt, debris or hair on your floors. Additionally, you can easily convert it to a handheld vacuum via the quick-release button.

It’s worth noting that this bagless vacuum might not have brush rolls that prevent hair from gathering. Also, the suction might not be as powerful as other vacuums we’ve reviewed.

Pros:

  • It comes with a range of attachments for cleaning your home
  • Suitable for cleaning all floor types
  • It has a powerful dual cyclone design to pick up hair, dirt and dust
  • The five-metre cord makes it convenient to clean all spaces in your home 
  • It easily converts into a handheld vacuum for cleaning the stairs and hard-to-reach places

Cons:

  • Hair might get caught up inside the brush rolls
  • The suction might not be as powerful as other vacuums we’ve listed 

Things to Consider When Buying an Upright Vacuum

When choosing the best upright vacuum cleaners, there are several factors that you’ll need to consider throughout your buying process. Below are some of the most important features to keep at the front of your mind.

Bagged or Bagless

Not sure if you should choose a bagged upright vacuum cleaner or a bagless vacuum? An upright bagged vacuum cleaner is generally more hygienic since all of the dirt and debris that it accumulates is enclosed within a bag. Plus, technological advancements help to keep as many allergens as possible inside of the bag.

cleaning equipment tool and brown sofa

Furthermore, bagged models typically require less maintenance than a bagless vacuum since bags can hold up to two pounds of waste, resulting in less charging time. Since the filter is designed within the bag, you don’t need to worry about cleaning this every time.

On the other hand, it’s easy to know when to clean and empty a bagless vacuum since you can see when the container is full. You can also see the evidence of the dirt that the vacuum has accumulated from your home. 

Moreover, bagless models tend to be more eco-friendly since you don’t need to buy bags to collect the dirt. Throughout a bagged vacuum’s life, you’ll buy hundreds of bags, which could then end up in landfills. As you needn’t buy any bags for a bagless model, you’ll end up saving a lot of money in the long run.

Cord or Cordless Vacuum

Probably one of the biggest considerations is whether to choose a corded cleaner or a cordless vacuum. There are pros and cons to both, which we’ll look into deeper now.

First of all, an upright corded vacuum cleaner will typically offer more suction power than a cordless one, meaning that it can provide impeccable cleaning results to keep your home clean and free from dirt and debris. Plus, having a cord means you needn’t worry about the battery running out midway through cleaning the floors. 

Although there’s the fact that a corded model is more restrictive than a cordless unit, there are several models available that include a detachable battery-powered, handheld vacuum for cleaning hard-to-reach spaces around your home.

On the other hand, a cordless vacuum is greatly less heavy since it’s built for portability. Not only is this ideal for lumbering out of the storage cupboard, but a lighter upright vacuum is best for those with less strength and weaker wrists.

Best of all, some of the best cordless models can be just as powerful as corded ones, although you might need to increase your budget for this kind of benefit. Best of all, without any cords restricting you from moving around and cleaning your home, you can clean the floors, ceilings, stairs and even underneath furniture. Finally, a battery-powered vacuum can be used indoors and outdoors, enabling you to clean your home and car interiors conveniently.

Compatible Floor Type

Ideally, your chosen upright vacuum will be suitable for every floor type: hard floor, laminate, carpet and more. Most upright vacuums come with a button that you switch to alternate between different floor types. Still, there are also high-end vacuums that automatically detect the surface and adjust accordingly. 

Noise

The last thing you want is for your upright vacuum cleaner to be loud during use. Therefore, look at customer reviews to see what past owners have to say about the volume. This is especially important if you tend to vacuum in the evening or live in a shared home to prevent disturbing others. 

Attachments

For the ultimate versatility, your upright vacuum cleaner will come with a plethora of attachments to suck dirt out of carpets, blinds, mattresses, upholstery and drapery. These attachments are also perfect for removing dirt, dust, debris and hair from awkward spots like the corners of stairs or in smaller crevices. Look out for a combination tool, stair tool and a crevice tool to assist with your cleaning.

Allergies

If you or other people in your home suffer from allergies, it’s worth considering an upright vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters to reduce the number of pollutants in your home. Generally speaking, HEPA filters can collect up to 99 per cent of pollutants in your home. But you don’t need to have allergies or pets to consider a vacuum with a filter because they can improve the air quality in your home, which is a great health benefit in itself.

Lightweight Design

Is it important that your upright vacuum is lightweight? If you’re unsure whether this feature is necessary for you, ask yourself if you don’t have much strength. To navigate your home and up and down the stairs, you will require a lot of strength to use a cumbersome upright vacuum. Moreover, if you have a lot of floors in your home, the last thing you want is for your chosen vacuum to be heavy and awkward to carry around your home.

You should also way up to where you’ll store your upright vacuum cleaner in your home. A taller, wider model will need more storage space than a smaller one.

Energy Efficiency

Everyone wants to save money where they go, so it’s a good idea to look into your chosen vacuum’s energy efficiency. Vacuums are rated from A+++ to G, with A+++ being the most energy-efficient. 

You should also remember that vacuums with powerful suction will consume more energy than a lower-watt unit. Therefore, ask yourself whether power is more important than improving your carbon footprint and saving money on your energy bills.

Battery Life

If you’re interested in a cordless upright vacuum cleaner, we recommend researching the battery capacity beforehand and considering the size of your home. A larger space requires a bigger battery, whereas a small battery will suffice with a smaller apartment. 

Additionally, take into consideration how long upright vacuum cleaners takes to charge. Some of the best vacuum cleaners have a quick-charge feature to provide a quick boost. This is ideal for moments when you haven’t completely charged the upright vacuum but still need to use it to clean.

Maintenance Tips for Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum cleaners are a great way to keep your home clean. Below are some useful tips for maintaining the best upright hoovers to keep them in their best quality.

Replace the Bag Often

One of the simplest ways to care for your vacuum cleaner is to change the bag regularly. Most people tend to replace their bag once it’s full, but to keep your vacuum cleaner working to its full potential, we recommend replacing it when it’s around ⅔ full. If there’s already a large amount of dirt in the bag, there won’t be room for more or the bag could burst once you remove it to empty it.

Furthermore, ensure that you attach the new bag properly. If you’re unsure how to do this thoroughly, read the manufacturer’s guide to check for step-by-step instructions for attaching it. For example, if you need holders or clips, ensure that you firmly attach them in place.

Empty Bagless Models Often

On the other hand, you still need to empty the contents of an upright bagless vacuum cleaner. Fortunately, most vacuum cleaners come with a transparent dust container so you can see when it needs emptying before it fills right to the top. You should also refrain from letting dirt and debris settle in the container as it can make it more difficult to remove.

Furthermore, once you put the dust container back into it, you must add the filter back, but make sure to clean the filter before placing it back thoroughly. Before rinsing the filter, knock it against the bin to loosen any tiny particles that might trap in it.

Clean the Dusting Brush

The next step is to ensure that the head doesn’t have any hairs and threads attached to it. Never pull these pieces out of the head. It would help if you cut them out while being careful not to cut the bristles. Some brush heads contain indents through the length to accommodate scissors. Once you’ve removed dust or hair fibres from the vacuum cleaner, it’s time to clean it in warm water while massaging the bristles to clear away any loose dust fibres. Allow the component to dry thoroughly before adding it back to the machine.

Rinse the Dust Canister

Are you experiencing a nasty smell from your upright vacuum cleaner? Then it might be time to rinse the container. Once you’ve emptied dust and debris from the container of a bagless appliance, take some warm, soapy water and wipe down the sides to remove any nasty smells left behind. This is a particularly good protocol if your upright vacuum cleaner doesn’t have HEPA filters to prevent an unpleasant aroma in your home.

The Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner

We hope this article has helped you to choose the best upright vacuum in the UK for you. But if you’re still unsure as to which upright vacuum cleaner to buy, we recommend the Shark NZ850UK. This vacuum cleaner has a brush head that glides from hard floors to carpets, while the LED headlights enable you to see any dirt, hair or crumbs on the floor. Also, the Anti-Hair wrap prevents pet and human hair from accumulating on the brush roll as you clean.

Do you have another stick vacuum that you’d love to recommend? Share the brand and model in the comments.

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