We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners 2025 in the UK

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner, 0.83L with Anti Hair Wrap Technology & DuoClean, Pet Model, Powered Lift-Away, LED Headlights, Anti-Allergen, 8m Cord, 750W, 4 Attachments, Black/Copper NZ801UKTBK

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,359
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Cord Length
Suction Power
The Shark vacuum impresses with its powerful suction, making carpets look almost new with ease.
Weight and Maneuverability
Easy assembly and handling make it user-friendly, despite its slightly heavier build.
Cord Length
Cord length is sufficient, allowing for extensive reach without frequent unplugging.
Attachments and Accessories
Attachments are versatile, enhancing the vacuum's utility for various cleaning tasks.

The Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner, model NZ801UKTBK, stands out with its Anti Hair Wrap Technology, making it exceptionally suited for households with pets or individuals with long hair. This feature ensures that hair doesn't tangle around the brush roll, which reduces maintenance time. The DuoClean technology is a versatile perk, allowing seamless cleaning transitions from carpets to hard floors, enhanced by its LED headlights that highlight hidden dust and pet hair. With a powerful 750W motor, it promises strong suction performance.

The vacuum is not cordless, meaning you’ll rely on an 8-meter cord, which might limit your reach to some extent. However, the Powered Lift-Away function adds convenience, transforming the vacuum into a portable cleaner for stairs, ceilings, and under furniture areas, all while maintaining consistent brush-roll rotation.

Weighing 7.29 kg, it may not be the lightest option available, but users who prioritize high suction power over maneuverability might find it manageable. It's equipped with a 0.83-liter dust capacity, which could require frequent emptying for larger homes. The Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology is notable for users sensitive to dust, as it captures 99.9% of allergens within the vacuum.

The package includes four attachments, enhancing its versatility, particularly the Pet Power Brush, which is excellent for pet owners. While it operates with a foam filter, regular maintenance is necessary to maintain optimal performance.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,359
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Cord Length
Suction Power
The Shark vacuum impresses with its powerful suction, making carpets look almost new with ease.
Weight and Maneuverability
Easy assembly and handling make it user-friendly, despite its slightly heavier build.
Cord Length
Cord length is sufficient, allowing for extensive reach without frequent unplugging.
Attachments and Accessories
Attachments are versatile, enhancing the vacuum's utility for various cleaning tasks.
#2

Vax Mach Air Upright Vacuum Cleaner; High performance, Multi-cyclonic, with No Loss of Suction; Lightweight - UCA1GEV1, 1.5 Litre, 820W, Purple

Rating
9.6
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Cord Length
Suction Power
The suction power is incredible, effortlessly picking up dirt, debris, and pet hair from both carpets and hard floors.
Weight and Maneuverability
It's easy to maneuver around the house and up and down stairs, thanks to its lightweight and compact design.
Cord Length
The long cord is a great feature, allowing multiple rooms to be vacuumed without constantly switching outlets.
Filtration System
Easy to empty and clean dust canister, with washable filters that save money on replacements.
Noise Level
While the vacuum is a bit noisy, its powerful performance and budget-friendly price make it a fantastic choice.

The Vax Mach Air Upright Vacuum Cleaner is a strong contender for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient cleaning tool. One of its major strengths is the powerful suction, thanks to its multi-cyclonic technology, which ensures no loss of suction over time. This makes it excellent for deep cleaning carpets, as evidenced by its high rating in carpet cleaning performance. The lightweight design, at just under 5 kg, makes it easy to maneuver and carry up and down stairs, which is a significant plus for multi-story homes.

Additionally, the 1.5-litre dust capacity means you can clean for longer periods without needing to empty it frequently, adding to its convenience. The inclusion of a 2-in-1 dusting brush and crevice tool enhances its versatility, allowing you to tackle various cleaning tasks with ease. The HEPA filtration system is another strong point, especially for allergy sufferers, as it effectively traps dust and allergens. On the downside, it's a corded model, which might be limiting for those who prefer the freedom of cordless operation.

The noise level, at 80 dB, is relatively high, so it might not be the quietest option available. Also, its performance on hard floors is average, so if your home has many hard floor areas, you might want to consider this. The Vax Mach Air is a solid choice for those prioritizing suction power, lightweight design, and effective filtration, though it may not be ideal for those seeking a quiet or cordless vacuum cleaner.

Rating
9.6
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Cord Length
Suction Power
The suction power is incredible, effortlessly picking up dirt, debris, and pet hair from both carpets and hard floors.
Weight and Maneuverability
It's easy to maneuver around the house and up and down stairs, thanks to its lightweight and compact design.
Cord Length
The long cord is a great feature, allowing multiple rooms to be vacuumed without constantly switching outlets.
Filtration System
Easy to empty and clean dust canister, with washable filters that save money on replacements.
Noise Level
While the vacuum is a bit noisy, its powerful performance and budget-friendly price make it a fantastic choice.
#3

Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner 1.1L with Lift-Away Technology, Pet Model, LED Headlights, Anti-Allergen, 8m Cord, 750W, Pet, Crevice & Multi-Surface Tools, Red/Black, NV602UKT

Rating
9.4
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Dust Capacity
Suction Power
This vacuum cleaner picks up dirt so effectively, it feels like the floor has never been cleaned before.
Weight and Maneuverability
The lift-away feature is incredibly convenient for reaching tricky spots.
Dust Capacity
Despite its strong performance, the vacuum is easy to empty and holds a lot before needing to be emptied.

The Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner NV602UKT is a versatile cleaning tool with several notable features. Its Lift-Away technology allows it to transform into a portable vacuum, making it convenient for cleaning stairs, sofas, and other hard-to-reach areas. This model is equipped with two floor modes and adjustable suction control, enabling easy transitions between carpet and hard floor cleaning. The LED headlights are a helpful addition, illuminating dark corners and under furniture areas. The anti-allergen complete seal captures 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it suitable for allergy sufferers.

Its filtration system is a HEPA filter, known for its efficiency in trapping fine particles. The vacuum is particularly beneficial for homes with pets, thanks to its specialized pet tool and anti-hair wrap feature. The 8-meter cord provides a decent range without needing to switch outlets frequently, and the 1.1-liter dust capacity is sufficient for most household cleaning tasks. Weighing 5.1 kg, it is relatively lightweight for an upright vacuum, enhancing maneuverability.

However, it is not cordless, which might limit mobility compared to cordless models. Assembly is required, which could be a drawback for some users. Despite these minor inconveniences, the vacuum receives high praise from customers, reflected in its 4.6 out of 5-star rating based on 19,023 reviews. This vacuum cleaner is best suited for pet owners and individuals with allergies who need a powerful and adaptable cleaning tool.

Rating
9.4
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Dust Capacity
Suction Power
This vacuum cleaner picks up dirt so effectively, it feels like the floor has never been cleaned before.
Weight and Maneuverability
The lift-away feature is incredibly convenient for reaching tricky spots.
Dust Capacity
Despite its strong performance, the vacuum is easy to empty and holds a lot before needing to be emptied.

Buying Guide for the Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Choosing the right upright vacuum cleaner can make a significant difference in maintaining a clean and healthy home. Upright vacuum cleaners are popular for their powerful suction and ease of use, but with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one. To make an informed decision, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they relate to your needs. Here are some essential specs to consider when selecting an upright vacuum cleaner.
Suction PowerSuction power is a measure of how effectively a vacuum cleaner can pick up dirt and debris from various surfaces. This spec is crucial because higher suction power means better cleaning performance, especially on carpets and rugs. Suction power is often measured in watts or air watts. For homes with thick carpets or pets, a vacuum with higher suction power (above 200 air watts) is recommended. For hard floors and low-pile carpets, a moderate suction power (100-200 air watts) should suffice.
Filtration SystemThe filtration system in a vacuum cleaner determines how well it can trap dust, allergens, and other particles. This is important for maintaining indoor air quality, especially for allergy sufferers. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are the gold standard, capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. If you have allergies or asthma, look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter. For general use, a standard filter may be adequate, but ensure it can be easily cleaned or replaced.
Weight and ManeuverabilityWeight and maneuverability affect how easy it is to use and move the vacuum cleaner around your home. Lighter models (under 15 pounds) are easier to carry up and down stairs and maneuver around furniture. Heavier models may offer more stability and suction power but can be cumbersome to use. Consider your physical strength and the layout of your home when choosing the weight and maneuverability that best suits your needs.
Cord LengthCord length determines how far you can move the vacuum cleaner without needing to switch outlets. A longer cord (20-30 feet) is beneficial for larger homes or rooms, allowing you to clean more area without interruption. For smaller spaces, a shorter cord (15-20 feet) may be sufficient. Think about the size of your home and how often you need to change outlets when deciding on the ideal cord length.
Dust CapacityDust capacity refers to the amount of dirt and debris the vacuum can hold before needing to be emptied. Larger capacities (above 1 liter) are useful for bigger homes or if you prefer less frequent emptying. Smaller capacities (under 1 liter) may be suitable for apartments or homes with minimal cleaning needs. Consider how often you vacuum and how much dirt your home accumulates to choose the right dust capacity.
Attachments and AccessoriesAttachments and accessories enhance the versatility of a vacuum cleaner, allowing you to clean different surfaces and hard-to-reach areas. Common attachments include crevice tools, upholstery brushes, and pet hair tools. If you have pets, look for models with specialized pet hair attachments. For homes with various floor types, consider vacuums with multiple brush heads. Think about your specific cleaning needs and choose a vacuum with the appropriate attachments.
Noise LevelNoise level is an important consideration if you prefer a quieter cleaning experience or have young children or pets sensitive to loud sounds. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), with lower numbers indicating quieter operation. Vacuums with noise levels below 70 dB are considered quiet. If noise is a concern, look for models specifically designed for low noise operation. Consider your tolerance for noise and the environment in which you'll be using the vacuum.