The Best Upright Vacuums We’ve Ever Tested
Upright vacuums are a classic option for cleaning all types of floors, including hardwood, carpet, and vinyl. Thanks to their wide cleaning path and advanced suction power, these vacuums can be quite effective at cleaning up tough messes like pet hair, dust, and spilled snacks.
“If you’ve got a high-traffic area in your home, like the living room or hallway, where dirt, dust, and who knows what else gets deeply embedded in the carpet, that’s where an upright vacuum shines.” shared Elizabeth Shields, Operations Manager at Super Cleaning Service Louisville.
We tested dozens of vacuums in our lab to find the best upright vacuums for every floor type, across every vacuum style. We evaluated how each device performed on hardwood, carpet, and upholstery, in addition to taking into account each vacuum’s weight, cost, attachments, and more. In addition to Shields, we also consulted CompanyClean founder Ronnie Kendrick for expert insights on what specific factors you should prioritize when browsing different vacuums.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stratos-43598924054245cf8933c46cad2c9f63.jpg)
-
The vacuum was extremely effective on all floor types.
-
The dustbin was challenging to reattach after emptying.
This Shark Stratos vacuum is incredibly quick to set up right out of the box. Just pop the odor neutralizing cartridge and the vacuum is ready to go. The whole process took us less than a minute. Once fully assembled with the cartridge, this vacuum did an outstanding job at cleaning our test floors. On grout and hardwood surfaces, all of the debris was completely picked up with one single pass from the vacuum. On carpets, about 98% of the debris was picked up on the first pass.
The vacuum transitioned with ease between different floor types thanks to the handle that allows you to toggle between different floor settings and suction settings. It’s easy to maneuver, even though the Shark Stratos doesn’t have a swivel base like some of the other vacuums we’ve used.
The dustbin capacity was also solid, and we didn’t have to empty it more than once while cleaning, even though we were picking up a fair amount of hair and debris. However, reattaching it after emptying was a tad bit difficult. Despite this small drawback, our favorite feature of this vacuum was the self cleaning brush roll, which picked up pet hair without getting tangled. Overall, the Shark Stratos is a versatile pick for all sorts of floors and messes, making it a top contender for anyone in need of a strong upright vacuum.
Weight : 16.7 lbs | Corded vs. Cordless: Corded (30ft) | Dustbin Capacity: 0.4 gal | HEPA Filter: Yes | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool, and HairPro self-cleaning pet power brush
-
![A person using the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum to clean a mess on a wooden floor]()
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rsp-vacuums-hardwood-floors-july-24-test-shark-stratos-upright-dburreson-004-5-4fa7285286bb4ff4a952b2552d52725b.jpeg)
PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
-
![The Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum on a wooden floor]()
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rsp-vacuums-hardwood-floors-july-24-test-shark-stratos-upright-dburreson-004-10-266a543a62da437499e19dbe9bc36fd5.jpeg)
PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
-
![A person using the Shark Stratos AZ3002 Upright Vacuum small attachment to vacuum a dog bed]()
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rsp-shark-vacuums-june-24-test-stratos-upright-dburreson-003-14-4b4286e2d3d74b6786a107bd928f9ac4.jpeg)
PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
-
![A person emptying the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum into a bowl]()
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rsp-vacuums-hardwood-floors-july-24-test-shark-stratos-upright-dburreson-004-11-2136fb2e12954918bdd9a82f7d0f611b.jpeg)
PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
-
![Two shark vacuums including the Shark Stratos AZ3002 Upright Vacuum being tested on a high pile rug]()
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rsp-shark-vacuums-june-24-test-stratos-upright-dburreson-003-7-566cdd283af04234ac54c289afd8890b.jpeg)