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Upright Vacuums

Upright vacuums are usually best for homes with a lot of carpet or larger floor areas. They typically offer strong carpet agitation, larger dust bins, and corded power for longer cleaning sessions. Many upright vacuums also include hoses and attachments for above-floor cleaning.

Best for: carpet-heavy homes, larger homes, deep carpet pickup, longer cleaning sessions, users who prefer corded power

Not ideal for: compact storage, quick handheld use, users who want the lightest possible vacuum

This is our Best Overall upright vacuum because it offers the strongest combination of carpet cleaning performance, hard floor capability, filtration, attachments, and overall usability in the category.

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum Cleaner at the Vacuum Wars Studio


The Shark PowerDetect swiftly became one of our favorites among upright vacuums, blending unparalleled power with groundbreaking features. Its exceptional performance in picking up all types of debris and hair on various surfaces, coupled with innovative technologies like the DuoClean roller and Shark's active hair removal system, solidifies its position as a top performer. The addition of 'detect' features—such as Floor Detect and Edge Detect—enhances its usability by automating adjustments for different cleaning scenarios, making it smarter than its predecessors. The Powered Lift-Away feature remains a standout, offering versatility in cleaning reach and method. Although it's on the heavier side and priced at a premium, the comprehensive capabilities and ease of use presented by the Shark PowerDetect justify its position as a leader in the vacuum cleaner market. See additional info

$399.99

Price as of August 8, 2026

See it at Amazon
See it at Shark

Automations: Edge Detect | Floor Detect | Dirt Detect | Direction Detect

Cleaning Heads: Swivel Head | Anti Tangle | LED lights | Powered Lift Away

Attachments*: Duster Crevice Tool | HairPro Self Cleaning Pet Power Brush | Pet Multi-Tool | Odor Neutralizer Technology Cartridge

Air Filtration: HEPA Filtration

ScoresShark PowerDetectAverage Upright Vacuum Tested
Vacuum Wars Overall4.63

3.22

Performance4.05

3.26

Features4.79

2.38

Hard Floor3.80

3.48

Carpet3.64

3.71

Attachments3.04

2.38

SpecsShark PowerDetectAverage Upright Vacuum Tested
Weight16.9 lbs

15.27 lb

Dust Bin Capacity1.9 L

2.56 l

Cord Length30 ft

30.54 ft

In the Box*: Duster Crevice Tool | HairPro Self Cleaning Pet Power Brush | Pet Multi-Tool | Odor Neutralizer Technology Cartridge
*Accessories may vary by retailer or package

This is our Best Value upright vacuum because it delivers strong cleaning performance and practical features at a price that compares well against more expensive upright models.


The Shark Detect Pro Lift-Away ADV LA802 is a corded bagless upright vacuum designed for whole-home cleaning across carpets and hard floors. It features Shark’s DuoClean Detect™ two-brushroll system that automatically senses debris and boosts suction and brushroll speed for improved pickup, while Direction Detect allows debris pickup in both forward and reverse passes. A network of sensors also enables Dirt Detect, Floor Detect, and Edge Detect functions that adjust cleaning performance based on hidden dirt, floor type, and proximity to edges. The Lift-Away ADV design lets the pod detach for portable cleaning of stairs, upholstery, and above-floor areas. The vacuum includes Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens, plus Odor Neutralizer Technology to help reduce vacuum odors. It uses a 960-watt motor drawing 6.5 amps, offers two power levels, and collects debris in a 0.8-quart dustbin. Additional features include LED headlights, swivel steering, rotating brushroll agitation, and tools such as a crevice tool, dusting brush, pet-multi tool, and odor-neutralizer cartridge.

$329.99 $399.99

Price as of August 8, 2026

See it at Amazon See it at Shark

Automations: Edge Detect | Floor Detect | Dirt Detect | Direction Detect

Cleaning Heads: Swivel Head | Dual Brushrolls | Anti Tangle | LED lights | Lift Away

Attachments*: Crevice Tool | Dusting Brush | Pet-Multi Tool | Odor Neutralizer Cartridge

Air Filtration: HEPA Filtration

ScoresShark Detect Pro Lift-Away ADV LA802Average Upright Vacuum Tested
Vacuum Wars Overall4.41

3.22

Performance3.96

3.26

Features4.19

2.38

Hard Floor3.8

3.48

Carpet4.80

3.71

Attachments2.66

2.38

SpecsShark Detect Pro Lift-Away ADV LA802Average Upright Vacuum Tested
Weight14.3 lbs

15.27 lb

Dust Bin Capacity0.76 L

2.56 l

Cord Length25 ft

30.54 ft

In the Box*: Vacuum | Crevice Tool | Dusting Brush | Pet-Multi Tool | Odor Neutralizer Cartridge
*Accessories may vary by retailer or package

This is our Best Budget upright vacuum because it keeps the price low while still offering the core carpet and floor-cleaning performance needed from a full-size vacuum.

Kenmore Bagless Lift Up Vacuum Cleaner at the Vacuum Wars Studio


We are impressed by the Kenmore DU5092 bagless upright vacuum's performance, particularly in debris pickup on various surfaces and its versatility due to multiple attachments. Its standout features include a hair eliminator nozzle, LED lights for spotting hidden debris, and HEPA filtration for excellent air quality. Despite some drawbacks in unsealed suction, it offers great value for its price, making it a reliable choice for homeowners. See additional info

$199.99

Price as of August 8, 2026

See it at Amazon

Cleaning Heads: Swivel Head | Anti Tangle | LED lights | Lift Away

Attachments*: 3-In-1 combination tool, Pet HandiMate

Air Filtration: HEPA Filtration

ScoresKenmore DU5092Average Upright Vacuum Tested
Vacuum Wars Overall3.84

3.22

Performance3.61

3.26

Features3.68

2.38

Hard Floor2.60

3.48

Carpet4.80

3.71

Attachments2.66

2.38

SpecsKenmore DU5092Average Upright Vacuum Tested
Weight14 lb

15.27 lb

Dust Bin Capacity2 l

2.56 l

Cord Length30 ft

30.54 ft

In the Box*: 3-In-1 combination tool, Pet HandiMate
*Accessories may vary by retailer or package

While all vacuums under $100 come with trade-offs—like smaller bins, higher noise levels, and no sealed filtration—the Ultra Budget pick delivers the most balanced performance where it matters most.


The Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437F is a lightweight, bagless upright designed to deliver full-size suction in a compact form factor ideal for apartments, dorms, and small homes. It uses a cyclonic cleaning system with multi-level filtration and a foam filter to separate dust and debris while maintaining airflow. The vacuum features a 10-inch cleaning path, 1-liter easy-empty dirt tank, and compact upright design with a carry handle for portability. It is powered by a corded 120-V motor (about 700 watts, ~6.2–7.2 amps) and includes a 25-ft power cord and 5-ft hose for extended reach. A Quick-Release extension wand allows above-floor cleaning, while Scatter-Free Technology helps capture debris on hard floors. The vacuum includes several tools such as a Pet TurboBrush, crevice tool, and dusting brush for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and tight spaces. Additional features include three height settings, multi-surface cleaning for carpets and hard floors, and a standard rotating brush roll. See additional info


$89.98

Price as of August 8, 2026

See it on Amazon See it at Wal-Mart

Attachments*: Crevice Tool | Dusting Brush | Pet TurboBrush

Air Filtration: HEPA Filtration

ScoresBissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437FAverage Upright Vacuum Tested
Vacuum Wars Overall2.28

3.22

Performance3.26

3.26

Features0.80

2.38

Hard Floor3.70

3.48

Carpet3.31

3.71

Attachments3.04

2.38

SpecsBissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437FAverage Upright Vacuum Tested
Weight8.4 lbs

15.27 lb

Dust Bin Capacity1 L

2.56 l

Cord Length25 ft

30.54 ft

In the Box*: Vacuum, Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Pet TurboBrush
*Accessories may vary by retailer or package

Upright Vacuum Reviews

Upright Vacuum Cleaner reviews at Vacuum Wars are independent and non-sponsored. This approach ensures that you receive the most unbiased and trustworthy information from us.

Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum Review: A Solid Mid-Range Upright for Pet Owners

Image showing the Shark Rotator Pet ZU102 vacuum with bold text reading “Shark Rotator Pet ZU102 Review” and green arrows pointing to the vacuum.

The Shark Rotator Pet ZU102 is a mid-level upright vacuum that delivers strong cleaning performance and user-friendly features at a reasonable price. After putting it through weeks of hands-on testing, we break down the pros and cons of this pet-friendly model and reveal whether it earned a spot on the Vacuum Wars Top 10 Upright Vacuums list. If you’re looking for a reliable vacuum that balances power, features, and value, this review covers everything you need to know.

The Best Third-Party Vacuum Lasers You Can Buy

Third-party vacuum lasers video

Welcome to our competition and review of the best third-party vacuum lasers. Many vacuums have been made with bulb headlights to enhance cleaning and more recently, LED lights became more popular as they offer better illumination and are longer lasting. However, in 2021, Dyson raised the bar with the V15 Detect, introducing a green laser that illuminated dust and debris on hard floors in a way that was truly revolutionary. In this vacuum laser review, we will explore some popular third-party vacuum lasers and present our top choice.

Eureka Quickshift OmniVerse Upright Vacuum Review: The Best Value Upright?

Eureka Omniverse Quickshift Upright Vacuum Cleaner

At Vacuum Wars, we’ve tested countless upright vacuums—but the Eureka QuickShift OmniVerse quickly caught our attention with its affordable price and surprisingly strong performance. We purchased the OmniVerse and put it through our usual lineup of hands-on tests over several weeks. In this review, we explore its key features, cleaning ability, and usability, and explain how it earned a well-deserved place on our Top 10 Upright Vacuums list for 2025.

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum Review: Shark’s Most Powerful Model Ranked #1

Shark’s PowerDetect is its newest and most advanced upright vacuum to date. Promising next-level suction and smart features, it’s now ranked #1 in the Vacuum Wars upright vacuum leaderboard after rigorous testing. In this review, we reveal what makes it the most powerful Shark upright we’ve tested—and why it might be the best upright vacuum of the year.

Best Budget Vacuums of 2024: Top Affordable Picks from Vacuum Wa

The best budget picks from Vacuum Wars.

At Vacuum Wars, we’ve tested hundreds of vacuums, and while premium models often steal the spotlight, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that still perform well. In this roundup, we reveal our top affordable vacuum picks of 2024—covering robot vacuums, cordless models, uprights, and more—based on real-world tests and data.

Amazon Basics Upright Vacuum – It’s Cheap, but is it GOOD?

Amazon Basics Upright Review

Amazon Basics has entered the vacuum cleaner market with the Amazon Basics Upright. Their first offering is essentially a clone of one of the cheapest vacuums on the market, the Bissell PowerForce Helix 2112. We bought one and put it through a series of tests to see how it performed. Amazon

Shark Rotator Lift-Away DuoClean Pro ZU782 Review

Shark Rotator Lift-Away DuoClean Pro ZU782

Welcome to another Vacuum Wars upright vacuum review. This time it’s a Shark Rotator Lift-Away DuoClean Pro ZU782 review. Shark kept with its own traditions and gave it a long name that includes some of the brand’s proven technologies. The layman will likely call this vacuum the Shark ZU782 Rotator

Keeping Your Upright Vacuum in Top Shape with Simple Maintenance

Few of Vacuum Wars Upright Vacuums

At Vacuum Wars, we have to maintain a whole fleet of vacuums in good condition so that our upright vacuum tests and comparisons show each model at its full abilities.  Over time, we have learned that every vacuum needs some cleaning and maintenance, so that it’s always ready to go

Home • Upright Vacuum Reviews • Page 2

Our Top Picks

Current Vacuum Wars product rankings:

Best Cordless Vacuums
Best Robot Vacuums
Best Upright Vacuums
Best Carpet Cleaners
Best Air Purifiers
Best Spot Cleaners