10 Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners 2025 in the United States

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is a versatile upright vacuum cleaner designed with features that cater particularly well to pet owners. One of its standout attributes is its powerful suction, which effectively picks up pet hair and dander from various surfaces, making it a great choice for households with furry friends. The vacuum’s Lift-Away functionality allows users to detach the pod, facilitating easy cleaning of above-floor areas like stairs and furniture. This feature enhances its usability and makes it more adaptable for different cleaning tasks.

The HEPA filtration system works in tandem with the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, capturing 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is a significant advantage for allergy sufferers. Additionally, the extra-large dust cup capacity of 0.87L means you won’t have to empty it frequently, allowing for longer cleaning sessions without interruptions.

With swivel steering, the Shark Navigator is designed to maneuver easily around furniture and tight spaces, adding to its convenience. The included attachments, such as the dusting brush and crevice tool, extend its versatility for cleaning delicate surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe, is a strong contender in the upright vacuum cleaner category, especially for households with pets. One of its standout features is its powerful suction, which effectively deep-cleans carpets while also excelling on bare floors. The Lift-Away functionality is a game-changer, allowing users to detach the vacuum pod for cleaning hard-to-reach areas like under furniture or on stairs. This flexibility makes it user-friendly for various cleaning tasks around the home.

The vacuum also boasts an anti-allergen complete seal technology coupled with a HEPA filter, ensuring that dust and allergens are trapped inside, which is beneficial for allergy sufferers. Additionally, the large dust cup capacity of 0.9 quarts means less frequent emptying, which can save time during cleaning sessions.

Maneuverability is another strong point, thanks to the swivel steering feature that allows easy navigation around tight corners and furniture. The inclusion of pet hair attachments, like the upholstery tool, makes it particularly suitable for pet owners, as it simplifies the removal of stubborn pet hair. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe is a corded model, which may limit mobility compared to cordless options, particularly for larger areas or when moving between rooms. While the vacuum is relatively lightweight, those with limited strength might still find it cumbersome over prolonged use compared to other models. Another consideration is that while the vacuum's filters are washable, it requires time to air dry for 24 hours, which may not be ideal for users looking for immediate use. This vacuum is an excellent choice, particularly for pet owners and allergy sufferers, but potential buyers should weigh the importance of cordless convenience against its many strengths.

The Shark HV322 Rocket Deluxe Pro is a corded upright vacuum designed with pet owners in mind, boasting strong suction that handles pet hair well on carpets, hard floors, stairs, and furniture. Its 0.67 horsepower motor delivers powerful cleaning, while LED headlights on both the nozzle and handheld mode help you spot hidden dirt and hairs. Weighing just 8.6 pounds, it’s easy to carry and convert into a handheld vacuum, offering versatile cleaning from floors to ceilings.

The vacuum uses a foam filtration system, which captures dust effectively. The XL dust cup (0.68 quarts) allows for longer cleaning sessions without frequent emptying, making it convenient for larger spaces. Being corded, it provides consistent power without battery life concerns. Included pet-specific attachments like a multi-tool and crevice tool are great for reaching tight spaces and removing embedded pet hair. However, it has only one power setting, so suction strength cannot be adjusted for delicate surfaces or quieter cleaning. At around 80 dB, it is moderately noisy, which might be noticeable in quieter homes.

This vacuum is a solid choice for those seeking strong pet hair pickup, versatility, and a lightweight design without the need to recharge. It is well suited for pet owners who prefer corded models and need a vacuum that can efficiently handle multiple floor types.