An upright vacuum plugs into the wall, so there’s no battery to run down. Here’s how to choose one, plus four uprights from the top 10 of the Upright Vacuums Best Sellers.
Quick answer
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Vacuum often, and pick a vacuum with a HEPA filter. The Canadian Lung Association suggests a central vacuum or one with a built-in HEPA filter, used at least once a week. Health Canada says to vacuum carpets, curtains and soft furnishings frequently.
A simple place to start: the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV380C, ranked #2 in Upright Vacuums when we checked. Its product page names a HEPA sealed system and a detachable pod for stairs and furniture. Want the lightest one? The Eureka PowerSpeed is listed at 5.22 kg.
Four upright vacuums, by what matters to you
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Shark Navigator Lift-Away upright vacuum (NV380C) | Best for stairs and furniture as well as floors. Corded and bagless, with a push-button detachable pod, swivel steering and a HEPA sealed system. Listed at 8.86 kg. #2 in Upright Vacuums when we checked. | See price |
| Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFin upright vacuum (AZ2002C, Canadian version) | Best if you want HEPA in the product name. Corded and bagless, listed with a HEPA filter, a self-cleaning brushroll and a powered lift-away pod. Listed at 7.43 kg and 1344 watts. #6 in Upright Vacuums when we checked. | See price |
| BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet upright vacuum (2258B) | Best for pet hair and tight spaces. Swivel steering, a multi-cyclonic system and a Pet TurboEraser tool for upholstery and stairs. Listed at 6.35 kg and 960 watts. #4 in Upright Vacuums when we checked. | See price |
| Eureka PowerSpeed upright vacuum (NEU280C) | Best if you want the lightest of the four. Listed at 5.22 kg, with five height settings, a pet turbo brush, a crevice tool, a dusting brush and an upholstery tool. #1 in Upright Vacuums when we checked. | See price |
Weights and features come from the retailer’s product pages and can change, so check the current page before you order.
What do Health Canada and the Canadian Lung Association say about vacuuming?
Both point to the same two habits: vacuum often, and use a filter that traps small particles.
- Health Canada: vacuum carpets, curtains and soft furnishings frequently. It suggests a central vacuum that is vented outdoors, or a vacuum with a HEPA filter that traps small particles.
- Canadian Lung Association: use a central vacuum system or a vacuum with a HEPA filter built in, and vacuum at least once a week. It calls carpeting a reservoir for dust, dust mites, chemicals and moulds, and says to remove it where possible.
- Vacuum soft furniture too. The Lung Association says to vacuum it regularly to remove crumbs, pet dander and dust mites.
How do you pick an upright vacuum?
- Filter: only the Shark pair name a HEPA filter on their product pages (the NV380C a HEPA sealed system, the Vertex a HEPA filter). The BISSELL and Eureka product pages don’t name HEPA, so check before you order if allergies are the reason.
- Weight: you’ll carry it up stairs. The product pages list 5.22 kg for the Eureka, 6.35 kg for the BISSELL, 7.43 kg for the Shark Vertex and 8.86 kg for the Shark NV380C.
- Stairs and furniture: both Sharks have a lift-away pod, and the BISSELL has a Pet TurboEraser tool. The Eureka comes with a hose, crevice tool and upholstery tool.
- Floors: the Eureka’s product page says it works on carpet, shag rugs and hard floors, and lists five height settings.
Common questions
Is a HEPA filter worth looking for? Health Canada and the Canadian Lung Association both point to vacuums with a HEPA filter, which traps small particles.
How often should you vacuum? The Canadian Lung Association says at least once a week. Health Canada says frequently and gives no set number.
Which of these four is the lightest? The Eureka PowerSpeed, listed at 5.22 kg. The Shark NV380C is the heaviest at 8.86 kg.
Corded or cordless? An upright plugs in, so there’s no battery to charge. If you’d rather skip the cord, see our cordless stick vacuum guide.
Before you buy
- Decide what matters most: HEPA on the product page, low weight, or a pod for stairs.
- Check the weight against where you’ll store it and how many stairs you have.
- Measure the space for the vacuum and think about where the cord will reach.
- Prefer a robot for bare floors? See our robot vacuum guide.
- Washing carpet instead of vacuuming it? See our carpet cleaner guide.
Sources: Canadian Lung Association, Air quality in your home; Health Canada, Dust and dust mites. Product details come from the manufacturers’ and retailer’s product pages, so check the current page before you order.
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