Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner Reviews (2025): Top Picks Compared
Looking for honest upright vacuum cleaner reviews? In 2025, Shark, Dyson, Hoover, Vax and Tower are leading the way with powerful uprights that keep carpets and hard floors spotless. We’ve compared the top models head-to-head - testing suction, handling, pet hair performance and value for money—so you can find the one that’s right for your home.
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Top Picks at a Glance
- Best Overall (Pets): Shark Anti Hair Wrap NZ801UKT
- Best Premium: Dyson Ball Animal
- Best Mid-Range: Hoover HL4 Push&Lift Pet
- Best Budget: Tower TXP30 Bagless Upright Vacuum
- Best Lift-Out: Vax Air Lift 2 Pet
Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners (2025)
Shark Anti Hair Wrap NZ801UKT — Best Overall (Pets)
Excellent suction on carpets and hard floors, with Shark’s Anti Hair Wrap tech that stops hair tangling around the brush—ideal for pets and long hair households. The Lift-Away mode lets you detach the pod for stairs and above-floor cleaning without losing power.
Why it wins: Consistently strong pick-up, easy maintenance, and versatile modes make it the most well-rounded upright for busy homes.
Dyson Ball Animal — Best Premium
Dyson’s signature Ball steering glides around furniture, while high-efficiency filtration captures fine dust and allergens. Powerful on deep pile carpets with strong edge cleaning, plus a set of tools for stairs and upholstery.
Good to know: Heavier than budget models, but build quality and filtration are top tier—great if you want a long-lasting machine.
Hoover HL4 Push&Lift Pet — Best Mid-Range
Great balance of suction, handling and price. Push&Lift transforms it for stairs and above-floor cleaning, while the pet turbo tool helps pull hair from sofas and car seats. Easy-empty bin and washable filters keep running costs low.
Best for: Mixed-floor homes that want versatility without premium pricing.
Tower TXP30 Bagless Upright Vacuum — Best Budget
Simple, lightweight and wallet-friendly. The TXP30 is easy to push, has straightforward controls and solid pick-up on hard floors and low-to-medium carpets—ideal for smaller spaces or a first upright.
Trade-offs: Fewer premium tools and a smaller bin than pricier models, but for under £100 it’s excellent value.
Vax Air Lift 2 Pet — Best Lift-Out
Hybrid design gives you upright power with the option to lift out the canister for stairs and tight spaces. Pet tool helps with embedded hair; good filtration for everyday dust.
Consider if: You’ve got lots of stairs or awkward areas and want flexibility without going cordless.
How to Choose an Upright Vacuum
- Suction & brush head: Look for strong carpet agitation and a hard-floor mode/soft roller for crumbs and fine dust.
- Hair management: If you have pets or long hair, anti-tangle tech saves time and keeps suction consistent.
- Weight & handling: Under 7.5kg feels easier for whole-home cleans and stair work.
- Filtration: Sealed systems and HEPA-grade filters matter for allergies and fine dust.
- Maintenance: Washable filters and easy-empty bins reduce running costs.
- Tools: A powered pet tool makes a big difference on sofas, car mats and stairs.
Final Verdict: For most homes (especially with pets), the Shark NZ801UKT is the most balanced, do-everything choice. If you want premium build and top filtration, go Dyson Ball Animal. On a tight budget, the Tower TXP30 punches well above its price.
Quick Answers
Which upright vacuum is best for pet hair?
Shark’s Anti Hair Wrap models keep hair from tangling on the brush, which helps suction stay strong. The NZ801UKT is our top pick for pets.
Are uprights better than cordless?
For deep cleaning and long sessions, uprights usually have stronger sustained suction, bigger dust bins, and no battery limits. Cordless is better for quick daily tidy-ups.
What weight is comfortable to use?
Under 7.5 kg feels manageable for whole-home cleans and stairs. If you have lots of stairs, consider a lift-out upright like the Vax Air Lift 2 Pet.