8 Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners of 2025

Don’t let its compact size fool you—this Bissell CleanView delivers full-size power in a featherlight 10-pound frame, making it a game-changer for small-space dwellers. With Scatter-Free Technology, it captures debris on hard floors without flinging particles everywhere—a common frustration in tight apartments and dorms. The quick-release wand transforms it from floor cleaner to above-floor warrior in seconds, tackling cobwebs and shelf dust with surprising agility.

In real-world use, the vacuum maintains strong suction across low-pile carpets and tile, though it struggles slightly on thick rugs due to its fixed-height design. The 10-pound build makes stair cleaning effortless, and the compact footprint fits neatly under desks or in closets. However, the smaller dust cup means more frequent emptying in larger homes, and the lack of height adjustment limits versatility. It’s best suited for quick cleanups in studios or bedrooms, not whole-house marathons.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, this Bissell trades some capacity and surface adaptability for ultra-portability and simplicity. It’s not as feature-rich as pricier models like the Dyson Ball Animal 3, but it excels where it counts—maneuverability, ease of storage, and scatter-free hard floor performance. For students or city renters who need a no-fuss, lightweight upright vacuum that doesn’t sacrifice core suction, this model outperforms its price tag and punches above its weight.

The Eureka PowerSpeed is a suction-packed powerhouse wrapped in a 10-pound frame, delivering heavyweight cleaning performance without the bulk. Its 960-watt motor drives consistent airflow across carpets, hardwood, and tile, while the 5-height brush roll adjustment ensures optimal contact whether gliding over plush rugs or bare floors. This level of surface-specific precision is rare at this price, making it a standout for homes with mixed flooring.

During testing, the extra-large 2.6-liter dust cup proved a major time-saver, allowing for uninterrupted cleaning of 1,500+ sq ft spaces. The onboard pet-ready attachments—especially the Turbo Brush—lift embedded fur from upholstery with minimal effort. However, the cord management is flimsy, and the plastic housing feels less durable than premium models. While it handles pet hair well, it lacks a HEPA filter, so allergen-prone households may need to look elsewhere.

Against the Bissell CleanView Compact, the PowerSpeed offers greater versatility and capacity, justifying its slight weight increase. It doesn’t match the de-tangling prowess of the Dyson Ball Animal 3, but for pet owners seeking a bagless upright vacuum with serious suction and smart surface adaptability, this model strikes a near-perfect balance. It’s the best lightweight design that doesn’t compromise on core cleaning performance or convenience.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 redefines what a high-end upright vacuum should be—intelligent, powerful, and effortlessly maneuverable. Its de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head is nothing short of revolutionary, automatically clearing pet hair from the brush roll so it never clogs during use. Combined with Radial Root Cyclone technology, it maintains 290AW of suction without fade, pulling deep-set debris from carpets and trapping 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

In real-world testing, the 3 suction modes let you dial in the perfect power for low-pile rugs, thick carpets, or hard floors—no guesswork needed. The ball technology makes steering around furniture feel like pivoting a shopping cart, and the advanced filtration is a must for allergy sufferers. It’s heavy at 17.6 pounds, but the smooth glide and deep-clean performance make it worth the effort. Only in tight closets or narrow hallways does its size become a minor hindrance.

Compared to the Shark NV752, it offers superior suction and build quality but at a steep premium. Against the Eureka PowerSpeed, it’s in a different league—more durable, smarter, and far more effective on pet hair. For large homes with pets and mixed floors, this is the best overall upright vacuum, delivering professional-grade cleaning with long-term reliability backed by a 5-year warranty.

If you’re tired of lugging around separate tools for ceilings, blinds, and baseboards, the Dirt Devil Extended Reach+ is your above-floor cleaning MVP. Its 15-inch extension wand and Click Lock tool system make high-reach cleaning seamless—think ceiling fans, window tracks, and top shelves—without needing a ladder. The PowerPass technology ensures strong suction across carpets and hard floors, and the 4-level height adjustment keeps performance consistent on varied surfaces.

In practice, the extended hose is stiff but durable, and the one-touch dirt cup release minimizes mess during disposal. It handles pet hair adequately, though not as well as Dyson or Shark models with powered brushes. The lack of LED headlights means you might miss debris in dark corners, and the build feels budget-grade. Still, for renters or busy parents who prioritize versatile, whole-home cleaning, this vacuum covers more territory than most in its class.

Next to the Bissell CleanView Compact, it offers far better above-floor reach and surface adaptability. It doesn’t match the pet hair mastery of the Shark NV752, but for multi-surface cleaning that includes vertical spaces, it’s unmatched under $70. This is the best upright vacuum for above-floor cleaning, turning tedious overhead chores into fast, one-tool jobs.

The 2024 Bissell CleanView Swivel is engineered for tight spaces and furniture-packed rooms, thanks to its ultra-responsive swivel steering that pivots on a dime. The Triple Action Brush Roll aggressively loosens embedded dirt and pet hair, while the multi-cyclonic suction system maintains airflow for consistent performance across surfaces. With Scatter-Free Technology, it’s one of the few budget-friendly models that truly tames messes on hardwood without spreading debris.

During testing, the active extension wand made cleaning under sofas and behind toilets effortless, and the easy-empty dirt tank reduced hand contact with dust. However, the cord is shorter than average (22 ft), requiring frequent outlet changes in larger homes. It performs well on low- to medium-pile carpets but lacks the power to deep-clean high-pile rugs. Still, for apartment dwellers and pet owners who value precision maneuvering, it’s a top contender.

Against the Shark NV360, it offers similar swivel agility but less suction power and no lift-away pod. Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it’s more focused on corner-to-corner reach than raw capacity. For those seeking the best swivel maneuverability in a mid-tier upright, this new 2024 model delivers smart upgrades where it matters most—agility, pet hair removal, and scatter control.

The Shark NV360 hits the sweet spot between performance and value, offering lift-away versatility and HEPA filtration at a mid-range price. Its detachable pod lets you clean under sofas or carry the nozzle upstairs without dragging the whole unit, a game-changer for spot cleaning. The brushroll shutoff feature is brilliant—switch instantly from carpet to hardwood without changing settings, preserving floor finish and suction efficiency.

In real use, the 0.9-quart dust cup lasts through multiple rooms, and the swivel steering makes it easy to navigate around legs and corners. The HEPA filter traps allergens effectively, making it ideal for sensitive households. However, the plastic joints feel less sturdy over time, and the cord rewind is manual. It doesn’t de-tangle hair as well as Dyson, but for allergen control and flexibility, it’s exceptional.

Versus the Bissell CleanView Swivel, it offers better filtration and lift-away function, though slightly less agile steering. Against the Eureka PowerSpeed, it has superior allergen trapping but a heavier build. For families needing a reliable, mid-range upright vacuum with true multi-surface adaptability, the NV360 delivers where it counts—cleaning flexibility, air quality, and convenience.

The Eureka Airspeed is the lightest warrior in the upright vacuum arena—just 7.7 pounds—making it the go-to for quick cleanups, upstairs bedrooms, or anyone with limited strength. Despite its ultra-light build, it packs a 700-watt motor and a 10.5-inch cleaning path that covers ground fast. The quick-release handle doubles as an above-floor tool mount, letting you snap on the crevice or dusting brush for instant versatility.

In testing, it handled cereal spills and tracked-in dirt on hardwood with ease, though it struggled with deep carpet stains. The washable filter eliminates replacement costs, and the compact size fits in closets or under sinks. But the suction pales next to 900+ watt models, and the dust cup fills quickly. It’s not built for pet owners with heavy shedding, but for spill-prone kitchens or dorm rooms, it’s unbeatable at this price.

Next to the Bissell CleanView Compact, it’s even lighter and more portable, but less powerful. Against pricier models like the Shark NV360, it lacks filtration and lift-away features. Still, for those seeking the best budget-friendly upright vacuum, this featherweight champion proves that affordable doesn’t mean underpowered—just focused.

When it comes to pet hair annihilation, the Shark NV752 stands alone—its self-cleaning Pet Power Brush grabs fur from stairs, rugs, and upholstery without clogging. The 2-in-1 powered lift-away is a revelation: detach the pod and keep the brushroll spinning to deep-clean under beds or carry it up stairs. LED headlights expose hidden pet hair in dark corners, and the HEPA filter with complete seal traps 99.9% of allergens—critical for homes with shedding pets.

In real-world use, the fingertip floor mode switch lets you toggle between carpet and hard floor instantly, and the 0.88-quart dust cup handles moderate messes without overflow. The rotator steering offers better corner access than standard swivel models. However, the hose can kink, and the weight (16.5 lbs) makes it tiring for long sessions. It’s overkill for pet-free homes, but for multi-pet households, it’s essential.

Compared to the Dyson Ball Animal 3, it offers similar pet hair performance at a lower cost, though with slightly less suction. Against the Eureka PowerSpeed, it’s far superior in pet-specific tools and filtration. For anyone asking, ‘What’s the best upright vacuum for pet hair?’—this Shark TruePet model is the definitive answer, combining targeted tech, deep-clean power, and allergen control in one rugged machine.