4 Best Upright Canister Vacuums of 2026

The Bissell CleanView Compact punches above its weight with a surprisingly robust suction system for such a featherlight frame, making it a game-changer for small-space dwellers. Weighing under 8 pounds, it’s effortlessly portable—perfect for college dorms, studio apartments, or quick cleanups between deeper sessions. Its Scatter-Free Technology is a quiet hero, preventing debris from scattering on hard floors, which means less frustration and more efficiency during daily sweeps. If you’re tired of wrestling with clunky vacuums that dominate your closet, this one solves storage and mobility pain points in one sleek package.

In real-world testing, the CleanView handled low-pile rugs and tile with ease, though it struggled slightly on high-pile carpets where deeper agitation was needed. The 0.5-liter dust container fills quickly during whole-room cleaning, requiring frequent emptying—especially in pet-heavy homes. The removable extension wand is a standout, letting you reach under beds or along baseboards without awkward bending. However, the lack of a HEPA filter or specialized pet tools limits its appeal for allergy sufferers or homes with shedding animals. It’s best suited for light-duty, everyday maintenance rather than deep cleans.

Compared to the heavier-duty Shark models, the Bissell trades filtration and versatility for unmatched portability and simplicity. It’s not trying to be an all-in-one powerhouse—instead, it excels as a nimble, no-fuss cleaner for minimalists or those with limited storage. While it can’t match the dust-trapping precision of bagged systems like the Kenmore, it delivers solid performance where convenience matters most—making it a smarter pick than bulkier vacuums for targeted cleanups.

The Shark NV356E Navigator is a pet owner’s dream machine, engineered to conquer stubborn pet hair with relentless suction and a suite of smart attachments. Its Lift-Away pod transforms it from floor cleaner to handheld wonder in seconds—ideal for attacking couch cushions, stairs, or car interiors without lugging the whole unit. The HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal work in tandem to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens, a lifesaver for sensitive households. If you’ve ever sneezed through a vacuum session or watched fur cling stubbornly to fabric, this model delivers a genuinely allergen-conscious clean.

On mixed flooring, the Shark shines: swivel steering makes it agile around furniture legs and into corners, while the brushroll shutoff lets you glide over hardwood without scattering debris. The 0.87L dust cup holds more than most in its class, reducing emptying frequency during extended sessions. In testing, it pulled embedded pet hair from medium-pile rugs with ease and handled cereal spills on tile without scatter. However, the pod feels slightly unbalanced when detached, and the cord rewind mechanism isn’t automatic—requiring manual winding. It’s near-silent on hard floors but ramps up noticeably on carpets.

Pitted against the NV360, the NV356E offers slightly better tool variety with its included dusting brush and pet power brush, giving it an edge in versatility. While both share Lift-Away DNA, this model’s focus on pet-specific cleaning makes it a more complete package than the stripped-down deluxe version. It doesn’t match the raw power of the dual-motor Kenmore, but for most homes, it strikes the ideal balance between performance, filtration, and ease of use—especially when tackling fur, dander, and daily messes.

The Shark NV360 is a budget-savvy powerhouse that delivers premium features—like Lift-Away convenience and HEPA filtration—without the premium price tag. Its 0.9-quart dust cup is among the largest in its segment, allowing for longer cleanups with fewer interruptions to empty. The swivel steering remains a standout, giving it laser-guided precision around furniture and into tight corners. For renters or families needing a do-it-all vacuum on a tight budget, this model removes the compromise between cost and capability.

Performance-wise, it matches the NV356E on carpets and hard floors, lifting pet hair and fine dust with equal efficiency. The brushroll shutoff ensures gentle bare-floor cleaning, while the detachable pod makes above-floor cleaning far more manageable than with traditional uprights. However, the tool selection is leaner—only a crevice tool and upholstery nozzle are included, missing the dusting brush found on pricier Shark models. The build feels slightly less robust than the NV356E, though durability hasn’t been an issue in extended use. It’s best for whole-home cleaning, not targeted detail work.

When compared to the Bissell 3508, the NV360 offers superior filtration, capacity, and versatility, making it a clear upgrade for larger homes. Against the Kenmore 600 Series, it lacks the dual-motor punch and bagged convenience but wins on maneuverability and ease of emptying. It’s the most value-packed upright in the lineup, delivering 90% of the performance of higher-end models at a fraction of the cost—ideal for cost-conscious buyers who still demand real cleaning power.

The Kenmore 600 Series redefines what a canister vacuum can be—blending industrial-grade suction with thoughtful ergonomics and true pet-focused engineering. With a dual-motor system, it delivers 280 air watts of hose-end suction, making it the most powerful unit in this lineup—effortlessly pulling embedded debris from carpets and crevices alike. The Pet PowerMate is a revelation: a motorized brush that lifts matted fur without clogging, while the Pop-N-Go brush snaps onto the wand for instant bare-floor cleaning. If you’ve ever battled tangled hair on rollers or weak suction on stairs, this vacuum solves those frustrations at the source.

In real-world use, the 30-foot retractable cord and aluminum telescoping wand (extending to 10 feet) make whole-home cleaning seamless—from basement corners to ceiling cobwebs. The triple HEPA filtration traps 99.97% of particles, making it a top choice for allergy sufferers. The bagged system keeps dust contained during disposal, a huge upgrade over bagless models that puff allergens into the air. However, the 22.6-pound weight makes it less agile than uprights, and transitioning between floor types requires nozzle swaps. It’s overkill for small apartments but unbeatable for large, multi-surface homes with pets.

Compared to the Shark NV356E, the Kenmore offers superior suction and filtration but sacrifices some convenience in maneuverability and tool integration. While the Shark wins on swivel agility, the Kenmore dominates in deep-cleaning stamina and dust containment. It’s the most complete package for serious cleaning demands, blending commercial-level performance with user-friendly storage and a full suite of tools—all without the fragile feel of cheaper models.