10 Best Upright Vacuums 2025 in the United States

The Bissell PowerClean FurGuard is a cordless upright vacuum designed especially for pet owners, featuring a strong 280W motor and unique FurFinder headlights that help spot hidden pet hair and dust. It offers up to 50 minutes of cleaning on a single battery charge, allowing for cleaning multiple rooms without being tied to a wall. Weighing 7.3 pounds, it is fairly light and easy to carry around or switch between floor and handheld modes for furniture, stairs, or car interiors.

The self-cleaning brush roll prevents hair from wrapping and clogging, which is beneficial since pet hair often causes blockages in other vacuums. It uses a HEPA sealed allergen system to capture fine dust and allergens, helping to keep the air cleaner, which is useful for allergy sufferers. The vacuum includes useful attachments like a crevice tool and FurFinder upholstery tool to reach tricky spots. It stands up on its own and charges on a wall mount, making storage and recharging convenient.

The dust cup has a capacity of 0.3 liters, so it may require emptying more often during larger cleaning sessions. Cordless stick vacuums generally operate more quietly than corded upright models, which reduces disruption. This Bissell vacuum is well-suited for those seeking a versatile, pet-focused vacuum that is easy to use and stores neatly, although the smaller dustbin may require more frequent emptying.

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away (model NV356E), is a versatile and powerful vacuum designed to meet various cleaning needs, particularly for pet owners. Its lift-away functionality allows you to detach the pod for easy cleaning of above-floor areas like stairs and furniture. The vacuum features a robust HEPA filtration system combined with an anti-allergen complete seal, trapping 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is excellent for allergy sufferers.

The vacuum is slightly on the heavier side at 13.7 pounds, but it compensates with swivel steering for easy maneuverability around furniture and tight spaces. The brushroll shutoff feature allows you to switch between deep carpet cleaning and gentle bare floor cleaning effortlessly. The extra-large dust cup (0.87 liters) means fewer trips to the trash can during extended cleaning sessions. It also comes with useful attachments like a pet power brush, dusting brush, and an 8-inch crevice tool, making it highly versatile.

However, it is not cordless, which could limit mobility, and its noise level at 80 dB may be considered loud by some users. Despite these drawbacks, its powerful suction, excellent filtration, and multiple attachments make it a top choice for households with pets and varied flooring types.

The Shark SV1106 Navigator Freestyle is a lightweight (7.5 lbs) cordless stick vacuum designed for versatility on carpets, hard floors, and pet hair. Its 2-speed brushroll lets you switch between optimized cleaning modes for different floor types, enhancing pet hair pickup and cleaning efficiency.

Equipped with a 10.8V battery and a runtime of about 17 minutes per charge, it is ideal for quick to moderate cleaning sessions rather than heavy-duty or whole-house use. The XL dust cup (0.64 quarts) allows for longer cleaning without frequent emptying, and the bagless design eliminates ongoing costs for bags. Washable foam filters offer convenience but may require regular maintenance to sustain performance. The vacuum operates at a noise level of 80 dB, which is typical but may be noticeable in quiet environments.

Its cordless design and included precision charger make storage and use straightforward. The suction power (125 watts) is suitable for everyday tasks but less strong compared to corded or more powerful models. This vacuum is well-suited for those needing a portable, easy-to-handle device for spot cleaning or smaller spaces, especially in homes with pets. For those requiring longer cleaning times, deeper suction, or extensive attachments, higher-powered or corded options may be more appropriate.