10 Best Upright Vacuums

The Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner NV602UK offers strong suction power with its 750W motor, making it effective on both carpets and hard floors thanks to its two floor modes and adjustable suction control. It uses a washable filter with an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system that captures 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is great if you have allergy concerns. This vacuum is bagless with a 1.1L dust cup, so you won’t need to buy replacement bags, though emptying it might be a bit messier compared to bagged models.

Weighing around 5.1 kg, it’s relatively lightweight for an upright and includes Lift-Away technology to convert into a portable vacuum for cleaning stairs, sofas, and hard-to-reach areas, improving maneuverability. The 8-meter cord offers decent reach, though it’s not cordless, so you will need to manage the cord during use. Included attachments like the crevice and upholstery tools add versatility for detailed cleaning tasks. LED headlights help illuminate dark spaces like under furniture.

This vacuum cleaner represents a solid choice for those seeking powerful, allergen-conscious cleaning combined with the flexibility of portable use, especially if you don’t mind plugging in and managing a cord. While some might find the cord limiting compared to cordless models, and the unit bulkier than stick vacuums, it balances effective cleaning features with convenience.

The Shark Detect XL is a corded upright vacuum designed to handle all floor types, making it especially useful for homes with pets thanks to its powerful hair pick-up and anti-hair wrap technology. Its DuoClean Detect system, with two brush-rolls and smart sensors, adjusts automatically to clean carpets and hard floors efficiently. The DirectionDetect feature allows cleaning both forwards and backwards, which can speed up your vacuuming.

Its anti-allergen HEPA filtration traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it a good choice for allergy sufferers. The vacuum is bagless with a large 2.5-litre dust cup, so you can empty it easily without buying bags. However, it weighs about 9.36 kg, which might feel a bit heavy for some users, especially when carrying it upstairs. The cord length of 8 metres offers decent reach but requires plugging and moving between rooms, as it’s not cordless.

Lift-Away technology lets you detach the pod for portable cleaning of stairs or upholstery, adding versatility. This vacuum is a strong option for pet owners and allergy-conscious users who are comfortable with a slightly heavier model and do not require cordless convenience.

The Shark Detect Corded Upright Vacuum is designed to deliver strong suction power, especially effective at picking up pet hair thanks to its Anti Hair Wrap Plus feature that prevents hair from tangling around the brush. This makes it a great choice if you have pets shedding fur. It uses DuoClean Detect technology with two brush rolls and sensors that automatically adjust to different floor types, so it works well on both carpets and hard floors without needing manual settings. The DirectionDetect feature means you can clean moving the vacuum forwards or backwards, which can save time and effort.

For allergy sufferers, the vacuum has a HEPA filtration system combined with an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal that traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, helping improve air quality in your home. It also includes Anti-Odour technology to keep the vacuum smelling fresh.

The vacuum weighs about 6.7 kg, which is moderately heavy but still manageable with its Lift-Away technology that allows you to detach the canister and clean stairs, upholstery, or even your car more easily. Being corded, it avoids the battery life worries of cordless models, though the cord length might limit mobility in very large spaces. With a 1.2-litre dust capacity, it requires less frequent emptying than smaller vacuums, and the range of included pet tools adds versatility. The weight and corded design might not fit everyone’s preferences, especially if a lighter or more cordless model is preferred, but it remains well-suited for pet owners and allergy sufferers looking for powerful cleaning and smart floor-adaptive features.