10 Best Lightweight Upright Vacuums 2026 in the United States

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is a strong contender in the lightweight upright vacuum category, particularly for pet owners and those looking for effective allergen control. Weighing in at 13.7 pounds, it’s relatively easy to maneuver, especially with its swivel steering feature that allows you to navigate furniture and tight spaces with ease. The lift-away functionality is a standout, enabling you to detach the pod for cleaning stairs and other above-floor areas without much hassle. This can be very handy for those who need flexibility in their cleaning routine.

The vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter and an anti-allergen complete seal, which effectively traps 99.9% of dust and allergens. This is a significant advantage for allergy sufferers, making it a solid choice for maintaining cleaner indoor air quality. Additionally, the extra-large dust cup (0.87 liters) is a plus, allowing for longer cleaning sessions without frequent emptying, which is especially useful during heavy cleaning tasks.

In terms of performance, the brush roll shutoff feature allows you to switch between deep carpet cleaning and gentler bare floor cleaning, providing versatility across different surfaces. The included attachments, such as the dusting brush and crevice tool, enhance its usability for detailed cleaning. However, there are some drawbacks. While the vacuum is effective, its corded design may limit mobility compared to cordless options, particularly in larger spaces. Moreover, with a noise level of 80 dB, it may be quite loud during operation, which could be a concern for some users. Finally, while it excels with pet hair, those with larger homes or extensive carpeting might find it slightly heavy to push over long periods.

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is a robust vacuum that excels in pet hair removal and allergen filtration, making it a great choice for households with pets or allergy concerns.

The Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum is a solid choice if you're looking for a vacuum that's easy to carry but still powerful enough for most home cleaning needs. Weighing just 10 pounds, it’s light and manageable, which makes moving it around stairs or furniture less of a chore. Its 960-watt motor delivers strong suction that works well on various floor types, including carpets, hardwood, and tiles, so you can trust it to handle different surfaces in your home. The vacuum includes a 2.6-liter dustbin, which is larger than many lightweight models, meaning fewer stops to empty it during cleaning. It’s also a bagless design, which makes the emptying process quick and less messy. The foam filter is washable, helping keep maintenance simple.

Another handy feature is the 5-height brush roll adjustment, allowing you to fine-tune the vacuum for better cleaning on carpets or bare floors. On top of that, it comes with useful attachments like a Pet Turbo Brush, crevice tool, and dusting brush, which are great if you have pets or want to clean hard-to-reach spots. One thing to note is its cord length and noise level: it has a standard cord length and runs at about 88 dB, which might be a bit loud for some. Also, it has just one suction power setting, so you won't have the option to adjust the strength based on your cleaning needs.

If you want a lightweight, easy-to-use vacuum with strong suction and pet-friendly tools that works well on multiple floor types, the Eureka PowerSpeed is worth considering. It balances portability and performance without complicated controls, making it a practical choice for everyday home cleaning.

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is a versatile and efficient cleaning tool that balances power and portability. At 12.5 pounds, it's lightweight enough for easy maneuverability and carrying around the house, including up and down stairs. The vacuum's powerful suction makes it effective on both carpets and bare floors, and it includes a brushroll shutoff feature for seamless transitions between different surfaces.

The HEPA filtration system combined with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology ensures that dust and allergens are trapped inside, making it a good choice for allergy sufferers. The vacuum is also pet-friendly, coming with useful attachments like a wide upholstery tool for pet hair and a crevice tool for tight spaces. The 8-foot hose and 25-foot power cord provide ample reach, though the cord might feel short for those with larger spaces. The dustbin capacity of 1.1 quarts is reasonable, but it may require frequent emptying during extensive cleaning sessions.

Assembly is required, but the vacuum comes with a 5-year limited warranty for added peace of mind. Some users may find the noise level of 80 dB a bit high. The Lavender color adds a touch of style to its functional design. With strong customer reviews and being a bestseller in its category, the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is well-suited for homes with carpets, bare floors, pets, and those needing a lightweight, effective vacuum cleaner.