Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners for Spotless Floors 2026

The best vacuum cleaners come in various shapes and sizes, but for powerful suction and cleaning results, a good old-fashioned upright vacuum is a sensible and reliable choice.

Brilliant at dragging up the kind of pet hair that seems welded into your carpet, it’s hard to beat the suction power of the best upright vacuums. They tend to come with bigger dust bins than stick vacs too, so you don't have to stop mid-clean to empty. Most models are corded (no dreaded battery fade just as you’re halfway through the living room), but if you’d rather ditch the cable, there are some cordless options too.

With huge variations in design, however, it can be hard to cut through the marketing spiel to find the best upright vacuum cleaner for your needs. From Shark to Dyson and Vax, we’ve tapped into the tried-and-tested views of Mumsnet users - the UK’s largest online network of parents - to get independent recommendations on the brands and models they rate and use in their own homes.

On top of that, we've also analysed the products vetted by cleaning industry experts and verified consumers to round up a selection of the very best products you can buy today. Where possible, we also conducted thorough, hands-on testing of selected upright vacuums in our own homes, assessing their performance when dealing with dirt, dust and hair.

After a different type of vac? We also have guides to the best cordless vacuums and best robot vacuums.

Best upright vacuum UK: at a glance

Best overall: Shark Stratos XL 2.6 Litre Corded Upright Vacuum, £299
Best budget: Vax Air Stretch Pet Max Upright Vacuum, £90
Best for pet hair: Vax LiftOut Reach Pet-Design, £219
Best bagged: Sebo Felix Pet Vacuum Cleaner, £445
Best cordless: Gtech AirRAM 3 Cordless Vacuum, £260
Best Dyson: Dyson Ball Animal Upright Pet Vacuum, £280
Best with sensors: Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum, £430

1

Best upright vacuum cleaner overall

Shark Stratos XL 2.6 Litre Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Argos Buy now from Shark

What we like

Impressive, powerful suction
Excellent at lifting even embedded pet hair from carpets and upholstery
Lots of attachments included
Lift-away feature for cleaning stairs or at height
Long power cord and reach
The LED headlight improves visibility under furniture

What we don't like

Quite heavy to manoeuvre
Suction can be too powerful on rugs or thin floor coverings

Key specs

Price on writing: £299 | Bagged or bagless: Bagless | Cord length: 8m | Capacity: 2.6 litres | Weight: 8.1kg

What Mumsnet users say

loudbatperson · Recommended product

[...] We have this one, and it is excellent. We have a beagle x pug that sheds like a beast, but this keeps up with him. The amount we got up when we first used this hoover was shocking, considering the previous hoover was also a pet variety.

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Youllnevergetabetterbitofbutteronyourknife · Recommended product

I have the Shark Stratos upright corded XXL version, and it is the only thing that will pick up my very long-haired cat’s fur! I tried cordless, but they don't have the power necessary.

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Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet home editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth Shark Stratos XL 2.6 Litre Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner review

As much as we adore our four-legged friends, homes with pets require a vacuum with powerful suction, capable of lifting away shedded fur and moult that quickly builds up on your carpets, sofa and stairs - or indeed anywhere your pet decides to settle for their afternoon nap.

Along with rave reviews from Mumsnet users, the Shark Stratos XL performed well in our in-depth testing. Despite two dogs and two cats making themselves very much at home, I was really impressed with the performance of this upright appliance - which led to it winning our coveted best vacuum for pet hair award.

While I found the powerful suction a little too strong on thinner rugs and floor coverings, the Stratos exceeded my expectations on carpets and hard floors, removing dust and lifting pet hair in a single pass. The anti-hair wrap technology lived up to its claims, gathering long hair without getting clogged or blocked, while the Anti-Allergen seal trapped bacteria and odours to leave my home smelling clean and fresh.

There’s no denying it’s a relatively weighty appliance, but the long reach and generous cable length make this upright vacuum ideal for more substantial clean-ups. I also loved the range of attachments and the removable hose; I was particularly thankful for the latter as it allowed me to clean the stairs without having to lug the whole thing up with me!

Read next: Best carpet cleaners

2

Best budget upright vacuum cleaner

Vax Air Stretch Pet Max Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Buy now from Argos Buy now from Currys

What we like

Affordable price
Substantial 13-metre cable length and extra-long hose provide excellent reach
Compact design
A wide range of tools are included
Effective at lifting pet hair
Powerful suction

What we don't like

Some reviewers prefer the telescopic handle of other VAX designs

Key specs

Price on writing: £90 | Bagged or bagless: Bagless | Cord length: 13m | Capacity: 1.5 litres | Weight: 5.6kg

Our verdict

If your budget won’t quite stretch to the Shark Stratos XL, you’ll be pleased to know you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a powerful upright vacuum. Currently on offer for less than £100, it doesn’t get much more affordable than the Vax Air Stretch Pet.

Despite its budget-friendly price tag, this compact vacuum comes with numerous handy accessories to help combat dirt, dust, and grime. We love that it has a crevice nozzle for those hard-to-reach areas, while the upholstery nozzle can quickly gather the trail of crumbs left by your kids on the sofa. If you have four-legged friends, however, you’ll be thankful for the powerful turbo brush, which provides the strongest suction to efficiently lift ingrained pet hair from your pets’ snoozing spot.

Thanks to the long hose and a substantial 13-metre cable, you should be able to clean your entire house from top to bottom without moving between plug sockets repeatedly. In fact, unless you have a huge house, you'll likely only need to switch plugs between levels.

While some reviewers prefer the telescopic handle of other Vax designs, the high-capacity dustbin allows for longer cleaning sessions without the need for frequent emptying. Impressive stuff for a budget vacuum.

3

Best upright vacuum cleaner for pet hair

Vax LiftOut Reach Pet Design

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Vax Buy now from John Lewis

What we like

Excellent at lifting pet hair from carpets and rugs
Turbine Pet tool is the real deal on stairs and clingy rug hair
LiftOut pod makes stairs much less of a balancing act
Big 2L canister = fewer emptying trips in a high-shed home
Long cord and the floorhead light helps you spot the “invisible” fluff

What we don't like

Heavy to carry upstairs (8.85kg)
Long hair wraps around the Turbine Pet brush bar (expect some detangling)
Bulky to store

Key specs

Price on writing: £219 | Bagged or bagless: Bagless | Cord length: 9m | Capacity: 2 litres | Weight: 8.85kg

Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Vax LiftOut Reach Pet Design review

For pet hair, you want two things: strong suction on carpets and a tool that can really get into the hairy hotspots (hello, stairs). This Vax does both. In testing, it was powerful and thorough on carpets and rugs, and the Turbine Pet tool made a visible difference where hair tends to build up. It also cleared crumbled cereal in one forward pass.

It’s practical day to day too: easy to steer with a swivel head, a long cord, a big bin that copes with a full clean, and a floorhead light that highlights dust you’d otherwise miss.

The compromise is weight and maintenance. At 8.85kg it’s a heave upstairs, and long hair will wrap around the brush bar so you’ll need to clear it occasionally. But if your priority is getting pet hair properly out of carpets without spending a fortune, it’s a sensible, hardworking pick — and a strong choice for best upright vacuum cleaner for pet hair.

4

Best bagged upright vacuum

Sebo Felix Pet Vacuum Cleaner

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Robert Dyas

What we like

Powerful suction
S-Class filtration to remove the tiniest particles of dust and bacteria
Includes stair and upholstery turbo brush
Large capacity
Easy to empty

What we don't like

Costly (and need to factor in the cost of bags)
Heavy when the bag is full

Key specs

Price on writing: £445 | Bagged or bagless: Bagged | Cord length: Not specified | Capacity: 3.5 litres | Weight: 6.8kg

What Mumsnet users say

MemorableTrenchcoat · Recommended product range

Sebo Felix or X7, depending on your preference. I’ve had a Felix for years, by far the best vacuum I’ve ever owned.

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JanefromLondon1 · Recommended product range

Sebo Felix. Fab German engineering and excellent for allergy sufferers.

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Our verdict

Another excellent upright option for homes with pets, the German-manufactured Sebo Felix range comes highly rated by Mumsnet users and reviewers for overall build quality, capacity and suction power.

With a sturdy yet easy-to-manoeuvre upright design, cleaning up after even the longest-haired cats and dogs is a breeze with this powerful appliance. The activated charcoal filter can lock away the pungent odour of your pup’s post-dinner farts (if you know, you know), while the high-performance turbo tool removes even embedded pet hair nestling deep within your carpet fibres.

We love the innovative S-Class filtration system, trapping the smallest allergens and dust particles, making it ideal for families with asthma, allergies, or sensitive skin.

While it's worth factoring in the cost of additional bags into the already significant purchase price, there’s no dust cloud or messy emptying once your cleaning’s complete. A reliable appliance with an impressive 3.5-litre capacity and an 11-metre cable, the Sebo Felix can handle pretty much everything your children and pets can throw at it.

Read next: Best steam cleaners

5

Best cordless upright vacuum

Gtech AirRAM 3 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Argos Buy now from Lakeland

What we like

Up to 30 minutes run time
Fast charging
Super lightweight
Excellent suction for a cordless
Flexible head and LED headlight for cleaning under furniture

What we don't like

No additional tools included
Cleaning the stairs is tricky

Key specs

Price on writing: £260 | Bagged or bagless: Bagless | Cord length: N/A | Capacity: 0.7 litres | Weight: 3.8kg

What Mumsnet users say

AllBlackEverything · Recommended product range

I have the GTech Air Ram, and it's been fantastic for the last few years that we have had it. I'd really recommend it.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · Recommended product range

I bought a G-Tech Air Ram for my [parents], mainly for safety as it has no cord and it was lightweight. Easy to empty the cannister and everything is well designed to snap it back in position. [...]

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Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet floor care editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth Gtech AirRAM 3 review

Gtech AirRAM models are well regarded by Mumsnet users for their lightweight, portable designs, and their latest fancy model is no exception.

Admittedly, this isn’t a ‘traditional’ upright, but we felt it deserves a spot on our list thanks to its impressive performance. The AirRAM 3 has more in common with stick vacuums (cordless, ideal for quick clean-ups, and a smaller capacity), but what qualifies it as an upright is that it stands on its own, so there’s no awkward balancing act in the cupboard between cleans. Weighing in at under 4kg, it’s also our lightest pick, making it a particularly good choice for those with mobility issues.

During hands-on testing, I was highly impressed by its suction power on both hard floors and my thick-pile rug. It tackled fluff, hair and debris such as cornflakes in a single sweep.

The self-propelling wheels make it easy to manoeuvre, while the comfortable handle helps during longer cleaning sessions. That said, the broad head does make cleaning steps tricky. There are also no additional tools included, so you may need to stick to your handheld vacuum to catch those crumbs between sofa crevices.

As you might expect from a cordless design, the dustbin capacity is relatively small. However, with a battery life of up to 30 minutes - impressive for this level of suction - the AirRAM 3 is perfect for quick clean-up tasks, such as cereal spills and toast crumbs after the morning rush.

Read next: Best floor mops

6

Best upright Dyson vacuum cleaner

Dyson Ball Animal Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner

Buy now from Argos Buy now from Dyson

What we like

Powerful motorbar suction
Ball design is easy to manoeuvre around your home
Affordable price point (compared to some Dyson models)
Tangle-free turbine tool performs well on pet hair

What we don't like

The smaller capacity dustbin requires emptying more regularly

Key specs

Price on writing: £280 | Bagged or bagless: Bagless | Cord length: 9.5m | Capacity: 1.1 litres | Weight: 7kg

What Mumsnet users say

JoyApple · Recommended product range

Dyson Animal - upright one.

See Post

Our verdict

This Dyson Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner is instantly recognisable thanks to the giant ball at the base, which is innovatively designed to glide and manoeuvre around your furniture with ease.

One of the more affordable Dyson models, this powerful corded appliance is an excellent choice for households with pets, thanks to its strong multi-cyclone suction and tangle-free feature that effectively devours pet hair without losing suction. Meanwhile, Dyson’s five-stage advanced filtration system captures 99.9% of nasties, including allergens and bacteria.

With three suction modes, the Dyson Ball Animal can be used on all floor types, including short, medium, and deep-pile carpets, as well as hard floors. While it doesn't come with the largest capacity on our list, we love that it has an extra-long hose and a reach of 14 metres. There's also an easy-release wand included to help combat those hard-to-reach spots.

7

Best upright vacuum with sensors

Shark PowerDetect Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Argos Buy now from Shark

What we like

Lift-Away feature for portability
Multiple sensors adapt to your floors
HEPA filter to trap small particles and pet dander
DirectionDetect provides suction in both forward and reverse motion
Includes a variety of tools
Anti-Allergen Complete Seal traps 99.9% of dust and allergens

What we don't like

Some reviewers found it a little noisy
The capacity is smaller than that of other uprights in the Shark range

Key specs

Price on writing: £430 | Bagged or bagless: Bagless | Cord length: 8m | Capacity: 1.3 litres | Weight: 7.72kg

What Mumsnet users say

suki1964 · Recommended brand

I'm really happy with my Shark Lift-Away - with having a cat and dog, [it] does a great job.

See Post

Our verdict

While it doesn’t have the huge capacity of our top pick, the Shark Stratos XL, this corded Shark with Lift-Away is a high-performing choice for most homes.

Thanks to Shark’s DuoClean technology, the large floor head automatically responds as you move from room to room, adjusting the rollers and sensors to work effectively on both carpets and hard floors. Designed to pick up more dirt, debris, and hair, the impressive suction works during both forward and reverse motions. Additionally, the side suction reaches right to the edges, including the build-up of fluff around your skirting boards.

We love the range of tools included, with the combination of a motorised pet tool and Anti-Hair Wrap technology proving invaluable for pet owners. Odours and pet dander are trapped securely inside, leaving your home free from dust and allergens.

While the main unit is a little on the heavy side, the Lift-Away feature is a great addition, helping you combat stairs and hard-to-reach areas with minimal fuss.

What is an upright vacuum cleaner?

As the name suggests, an upright vacuum features the brush head, motor and dust bin in a single vertical unit which stands up by itself. Available in both corded and cordless designs, uprights are used by pushing the vacuums in front of you, with a broad, motorised brush head providing powerful suction across carpets and hard floors.

Upright vacuum cleaners are generally easy to use and can be more comfortable to hold than other types, as they avoid the repeated stooping movement required with some handheld or cylinder models.

They're also capable of covering large floor areas, making them ideal for busy family homes. As many of them are corded, you can vacuum all your floors in one go, without worrying that your vacuum will run out of charge and conk out midway. This is the pay-off for a bulky unit though, with the majority of uprights weighing in heavier than their stick counterparts.

Should I go for a bagged or bagless upright vacuum?

The vast majority of upright vacuums have bagless designs, with one-touch release dustbins that can be triggered over the bin to empty the contents hygienically.

Bagged upright vacuums can also be a sensible choice for those with allergies, as they keep the dirt, dust, and debris securely sealed inside. You do need to factor in the additional cost of bags, but they tend to offer higher capacity than bagless designs, making them ideal for larger homes or more substantial clean-up tasks.

What should I consider when buying an upright vacuum?

Before committing yourself and your credit card to a new upright vacuum cleaner, here are some things you may want to consider:

Suction power: Strong suction makes all the difference for lifting dirt, dust and pet hair, especially on carpets. While corded models often deliver the most consistent power, many cordless designs are now impressively effective too - so it’s worth checking the specifications before you buy.
Cordless vs. corded: For everyday clean-ups, lightweight, cordless uprights can provide the freedom to clean without restrictions. For larger, whole-house cleaning tasks, a robust corded vacuum provides continuous run time, suction, and power without battery or charging limitations.
Bin capacity: The larger the bin capacity, the longer you can clean without needing to empty it. However, it may make the vacuum heavier as a result. The lightest of corded uprights tend to have dustbins of 1.5 litres or less, but if you’re using it for complete house cleaning rather than everyday touch-ups, you may find yourself taking more trips to the dustbin as a result.
Weight: The upright vacuum cleaners on our list vary quite considerably in weight. A lightweight vacuum, such as the Gtech AirRAM 3, is easier on the back and is better suited for people who may have mobility issues, such as arthritis. While the Shark appliances are heavier, the Lift-Away feature improves portability for use on stairs and cleaning at heights.
Tools and accessories: Consider whether your upright vacuum includes any additional tools such as motorised pet tools, crevice nozzles and brushes for upholstery.

How do I maintain an upright vacuum?

To keep your upright vacuum cleaner running at its best, it’s essential to perform some basic maintenance. Here are some simple steps to help protect your vacuum’s suction power, performance and life span:

For bagless designs, empty the dustbin regularly. Avoid overfilling or leaving the bin full for long periods between uses.
Once empty, occasionally clean the inside with a cloth to remove any debris that may be left clinging to the interior.
While many uprights have anti-tangle rollers, it's essential to check the brush regularly to prevent clogs. If you have particularly long hair or pets, you may want to use scissors to gently remove any hair caught in the bristles.
Check the tubes and attachments regularly for any blockages.

How we chose the best upright vacuums

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

For reliable, first-hand experiences, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums, collating feedback from our discerning users on the upright vacuum models, brands, and ranges that they rate, recommend, and use in their own homes.

We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, lacked suction power, or struggled to cope with debris from children and pets.

Expert opinions

Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the upright vacuums we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by floor care and cleaning experts.

Authentic consumer reviews

We also thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on major retailer sites such as Amazon, Argos and Currys to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.

Hands-on testing

To bring you our definitive list of the best upright vacuum cleaners on the market, we also conducted our own rigorous testing. Mumsnet home editors Natasha Gregson and Poppy O'Neill tested the Shark Stratos XL and Gtech AirRAM 3 in real homes, to see how they tackled everyday cleaning tasks. They also conducted a highly scientific 'cereal spill' test to assess the vacuums' cleaning power.

Each model we tested was then scored on suction power, ease of use, ease of emptying, and overall value for money.

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in home and kitchen product reviews and roundups. Having written reviews on her own blog - Real Mum Reviews - for over a decade, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising expert opinions and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.

Whether she’s tackling muddy footprints on wooden floors or removing her cat’s fluff from thick-pile carpets, Lucy knows a thing or two about floor care. She’s written several Mumsnet articles on vacuum cleaners, including the best lightweight vacuums, best vacuums for pet hair and corded vs cordless vacuums, to name just a few.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.