The 4 Best Upright Vacuums of 2020
Updated April 19, 2020
Upright vacuums are essential tools for the home. However, not all upright vacuums are the same. Before moving on to the important specifications of the 4 best upright vacuums of 2020, we will explain some key features of upright vacuums.
Weight - the weight of the upright vacuum itself (not the shipping weight including the box and packaging material as some sites use) - some consider this the most important feature as a lighter vacuum is easier to maneuver and less tiring to use
Tank/Bag Capacity - the volume of dust and debris held in the tank of a bagless upright vacuum or the bag of a bagged upright vacuum; this is an often overlooked specification that is important as smaller tanks or bags will require more frequent emptying (often multiple times in one session depending on the condition of your floors)
Cleaning Path Width - the width of the exposed roller brush opening on the bottom of the vacuum; more is not always better - narrower upright vacuums with smaller cleaning path widths will allow you to get into tighter spots while only slightly increasing your number of passes on larger areas
Swivel Steering - the ability to steer the vacuum by rotating the handle; upright vacuums with swivel steering are much more maneuverable than those without
Carpet Height Adjustment - the ability to raise and lower the vacuum to accommodate carpet of various heights and bare floors such as hardwood or tile; although some prefer this feature, it is not essential - the Shark for example does very well on most any carpet and has a separate "hard floor hero" or "straight suction floor nozzle" attachment for bare floors
Converts to Canister - canister vacuums offer portability, so the ability to convert an upright vacuum to a canister vacuum is a nice advantage
Bagless - whether the upright vacuum uses a bag or a tank to collect the dust and debris
HEPA Filter - HEPA filters in upright vacuums trap smaller particles and allergens than non-HEPA filters, so HEPA filters are preferred
Power Consumption - measured in Watts at 120 VAC; less is better
Auto Cord Rewind - an auto cord rewind is more convenient, but some complain about reliability issues
Tools - essential tools to look for are the turbo brush or power brush, dusting brush, and crevice tool
Warranty - the warranty may vary based on where you purchase the upright vacuum, so make sure to check with the seller and/or manufacturer before purchasing
Specifications
| Manufacturer and Model | Weight | Tank/Bag Capacity | Cleaning Path Width | Swivel Steering | Carpet Height Adjustment | Converts to Canister | Bagless | HEPA Filter | Power Consumption (120 VAC) | Auto Cord Rewind | Tools | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell CleanView with OnePass (9595A) | 15 lbs | 2.2 L | 13.5 inches | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | 1440 Watts | No | turbo brush, dusting brush, crevice tool, extension wand | 2 Year Limited |
| Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind (UH71250) | 16.1 lbs | 1.29 L | 13.5 inches | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 1440 Watts | Yes | turbo brush, dusting brush, crevice tool, extension wand | 2 Year Limited |
| Shark Navigator Professional (NV356E and NV370) | 14 lbs | 4.16 L (4.4 quarts) | 9.5 inches | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1200 Watts | No | hard floor hero, turbo brush, dusting brush, crevice tool | 1 Year Limited |
| Shark Rotator Professional (NV501) | 15.5 lbs | 2.93 L (3.1 quarts) | 10.5 inches | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1200 Watts | No | straight suction floor nozzle, power brush, multi-tool, multi-angle dusting brush, wide upholstery tool, 2 crevice tools | 1 Year Limited |
| Manufacturer and Model | Weight | Tank/Bag Capacity | Cleaning Path Width | Swivel Steering | Carpet Height Adjustment | Converts to Canister | Bagless | HEPA Filter | Power Consumption (120 VAC) | Auto Cord Rewind | Tools | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell CleanView with OnePass (9595A) | 15 lbs | 2.2 L | 13.5 inches | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | 1440 Watts | No | turbo brush, dusting brush, crevice tool, extension wand | 2 Year Limited |
| Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind (UH71250) | 16.1 lbs | 1.29 L | 13.5 inches | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 1440 Watts | Yes | turbo brush, dusting brush, crevice tool, extension wand | 2 Year Limited |
| Shark Navigator Professional (NV356E and NV370) | 14 lbs | 4.16 L (4.4 quarts) | 9.5 inches | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1200 Watts | No | hard floor hero, turbo brush, dusting brush, crevice tool | 1 Year Limited |
| Shark Rotator Professional (NV501) | 15.5 lbs | 2.93 L (3.1 quarts) | 10.5 inches | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1200 Watts | No | straight suction floor nozzle, power brush, multi-tool, multi-angle dusting brush, wide upholstery tool, 2 crevice tools | 1 Year Limited |
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