8 Best Upright Vacuum Sweepers of 2025

This game-changing upright vacuum delivers a rare blend of deep-cleaning power and intelligent design, making it a standout for pet owners and allergy sufferers alike. The Powered Lift-Away technology isn’t just a gimmick—it lets you detach the pod while the brushroll stays spinning, so you can power-clean stairs, under beds, or car interiors without losing suction. Combine that with HEPA-sealed allergen containment and LED headlights that expose hidden dust bunnies, and you’ve got a vacuum that tackles two of the biggest pain points: allergens and hard-to-see debris.

In real-world testing, the Shark NV752 shines across surfaces. Its 0.88-quart dust cup holds enough to clean a 1,500 sq. ft. home without emptying, and the fingertip switch for carpet-to-hard floor transitions ensures seamless transitions. The self-cleaning Pet Power Brush handled embedded dog hair on medium-pile carpet with ease, and the swivel steering made navigating tight corners in cluttered rooms feel effortless. However, it does struggle slightly on ultra-thick rugs where the suction can bog down, and the hose reach is limited without attachments.

Compared to the budget-friendly Eureka Airspeed, the NV752 is heavier and pricier but offers far more versatility and filtration. It doesn’t match the Dyson Ball Animal 3’s de-tangling prowess, but it beats it in value by including more tools and a lift-away pod. Ideal for households with pets and allergy concerns, this vacuum balances performance, features, and ease of use—delivering cleaning intelligence that justifies its premium over basic models.

Don’t let its featherlight 7.7-pound frame fool you—this Eureka packs a surprising punch for quick cleanups and small spaces. With a 10.5-inch cleaning path and 700-watt motor, it glides over hardwood and low-pile rugs, pulling up everyday dust and stray pet hair without fuss. It’s the ultimate grab-and-go vacuum for apartments, dorms, or homes where storage space is tight, solving the common frustration of bulky machines that are more chore than help.

In practice, the Airspeed excels at light-duty tasks: wiping up cereal spills, vacuuming under the couch, or doing a fast bedroom sweep. The washable filter eliminates ongoing costs, and the onboard crevice tool and dusting brush are always within reach—no rummaging through drawers. But when faced with deep carpet or heavy pet hair, the suction falters, and the small dust cup requires frequent emptying. It also lacks brushroll shutoff, so it can scatter debris on hard floors.

Next to the Shark NV752, it’s no contest in power or features—but that’s not the point. This Eureka is the minimalist’s choice, perfect for those who prioritize effortless storage and instant usability over deep-cleaning muscle. It doesn’t offer HEPA filtration or lift-away versatility, but for simple, no-frills cleaning, it outperforms its price tag by focusing on lightweight practicality over bells and whistles.

The Shark AZ2002 Vertex is a suction monster engineered for homes overrun by pet hair, with DuoClean PowerFins and a self-cleaning brushroll that live up to the hype. Its 1,344-watt motor and Active Glide technology deliver relentless cleaning across hardwood, tile, and plush carpet—digging deep without sacrificing glide. What sets it apart is the no hair wrap guarantee, a godsend for long-haired pets, combined with LED headlights that expose every hidden strand.

Real-world testing confirmed its dominance on pet-heavy floors: it pulled embedded fur from stairs and low-pile rugs where others left residue. The 1-quart dust cup minimizes interruptions, and the powered lift-away pod lets you clean ceilings or car seats with full motorized power. However, its 30-foot cord can tangle, and the weight (16.5 lbs) makes upstairs cleaning tiring. It also lacks automatic cord rewind, a missed convenience at this price.

Stacked against the Dyson Ball Animal 3, the Shark offers broader tool inclusion and a larger dust cup, but Dyson’s de-tangling Motorbar feels slightly more reliable on extreme mats. Still, for pet owners who demand maximum hair pickup and multi-surface mastery, the Vertex justifies its premium with unmatched DuoClean efficiency and a feature set that outguns even high-end competitors.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 redefines what an upright vacuum can do, combining radial root cyclone suction with a de-tangling Motorbar that slices through pet hair like a hot knife through butter. With 290 air watts and three suction modes, it adapts to everything from fine dust on hardwood to clumps of fur on shag rugs. Its ball steering offers buttery-smooth maneuverability, letting you pivot around furniture with a flick of the wrist—no wrestling required.

In testing, it aced every surface: the Motorbar cleared tangled hair in real time, and the whole-machine HEPA filtration ensured allergens stayed trapped. The 30-foot cord covers large homes, and the 5-year warranty signals Dyson’s confidence. But the dust bin is smaller than rivals (0.77 quarts), requiring more frequent emptying, and the lack of a powered lift-away limits above-floor cleaning versatility. It also lacks onboard tool storage for the stair tool.

Compared to the Shark AZ2002, it trades some convenience for superior engineering and reliability. It doesn’t have DuoClean rollers or a detachable pod, but its suction consistency and de-tangling precision are best-in-class. For larger homes with pets and varied flooring, it’s the gold standard in performance and durability, outperforming even pricier models in long-term reliability.

The Shark NV352 Navigator is a maneuverability masterclass, built for homes with tight corners, stairs, and cluttered layouts. Its swivel steering lets you glide around furniture like it’s on ball bearings, while the lift-away pod detaches for effortless overhead and stair cleaning—no need to wrestle a full upright. The brushroll shutoff is a quiet hero, instantly switching to hard floor mode to prevent scattering.

In real use, it handled transitions between carpet and tile with precision, and the wide upholstery tool made quick work of couches and drapes. The HEPA seal captured visible dust and dander, making it strong for allergy sufferers. However, the suction isn’t as strong as higher-end Sharks, and the dust cup is smaller (0.67 quarts), requiring more frequent emptying during whole-home cleans.

Against the Eureka PowerSpeed, it wins on steering and allergen control, but loses on dust capacity and weight distribution. It’s lighter than most but feels less stable on deep carpet. Ideal for apartments, townhomes, or pet owners who value agility, it delivers nimble cleaning intelligence—a top pick when navigation beats raw power.

The Eureka PowerSpeed is a mid-range powerhouse, packing 960 watts of suction into a 10-pound frame that’s easy to lug up stairs. Its extra-large 2.6-liter dust cup is a game-changer—fewer stops, longer cleanups—making it ideal for busy households. With 5-height brushroll adjustment, it adapts precisely to surface type, from plush carpet to bare wood, eliminating guesswork.

Testing showed it outperformed cheaper Eurekas on embedded pet hair, thanks to the Pet Turbo Brush stored onboard. The wide cleaning path (12 inches) cuts cleaning time, and the flip-to-empty bin keeps hands clean. But the cord wrap is manual, and the swivel isn’t as smooth as Shark’s—tight turns require muscle. It also lacks HEPA, so allergy sufferers should look elsewhere.

Next to the NV352 Shark, it offers larger capacity and better value but lacks HEPA and lift-away. For families needing a durable, no-nonsense cleaner that handles both floors and pets, it’s a sweet spot of power and practicality, delivering heavyweight results without the weight.

The Bissell CleanView Rewind solves one of the oldest vacuum frustrations: cord management. With a one-button automatic rewind, you’re done in seconds—no hand-winding, no tangles. Paired with an active extension wand that extends to 10 feet, it’s a dream for cleaning ceilings, blinds, or second-floor landings without lugging the whole unit.

Performance-wise, it uses OnePass Technology to clean carpets thoroughly in a single sweep, and Scatter-Free Tech keeps debris contained on hard floors. The suction is solid for mid-pile carpet, but it struggles on high-pile rugs. The dust cup is average, and the wand, while useful, feels flimsy under pressure.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it trades raw power for convenience and cord control. It doesn’t have height adjustment or HEPA, but for homeowners who hate cord hassles, it’s unmatched. It’s not the strongest cleaner, but for stress-free storage and reach, it delivers effortless functionality that few rivals match.

The Eureka NEU10AE5 is the lightest warrior in the upright arena, tipping the scales at just 7.7 pounds—perfect for quick cleanups, upstairs jobs, or users with limited strength. Despite its minimal weight, it delivers strong all-floor suction and a 10.5-inch cleaning path that covers ground fast. The washable filter and onboard tools mean it’s always ready, no extra costs or hunting for attachments.

In real use, it handled daily messes on hardwood and low-pile carpet with ease, and the quick-release handle made above-floor cleaning intuitive. But like other Eurekas, it lacks HEPA and struggles with deep carpet cleaning. The dust cup is modest, and the build feels utilitarian—no frills, no durability upgrades.

Versus the Airspeed Green model, it’s nearly identical—same weight, motor, and features—just with a color swap and included spare filter. For renters, seniors, or anyone prioritizing ease of lift and storage, it’s a no-brainer lightweight champ, offering effortless cleaning where power takes a backseat to portability.