Best Upright Vacuums for No-sweat Home Cleanups in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 14, 2024
If you’ve got bare floors and carpets, removing grit and dust can turn into a daily routine. And if that’s the case, more likely ...Read more
PROS

The DuoClean™ brush boasts the innovative Anti Hair Wrap technology. Thank to that, no hair or fur will get tangled in it, which guarantees a consistently high suction power. The LED headlights illuminate hard-to-reach areas, ensuring you can see every dark corner. 

CONS

Some users point out that the vac's operation is not very quiet.

OUR VERDICT

The Shark NZ801UKT vacuum cleaner has a wide motorised DuoClean brush, making it equally efficient on hard floors and carpets. What's more, this brush is powered in a Lift-away mode, meaning you can get full performance no matter whether you use it in an upright or handheld mode.

detailed parameters
Type

Corded

Motor Power

750 watts

Brush System Control

DuoClean™ brush

Filter

Washable filters

Bagless

Yes

Dustbin Capacity

0.83 L

Usability

Powered Lift-Away technology, LED lights, Anti Hair Wrap technology, Onboard tool storage, 8-m cord, 1.6-m hose, Pet Power brush, Upholstery tool, Duster crevice tool included

Weight

6.5 kg

Warranty

5 years

PROS

A unique Floor Sensor Technology automatically adjusts the suction power and brush bar rotation speed to maximise the cleaning performance to the type of the floor surface and achieve excellent cleaning results.

CONS

Brush tool quality leaves something to be desired. 

OUR VERDICT

Fitted with a number of helpful technologies and all the necessary accessories, the Hoover HU500SBH is a solid choice for home use. Thanks to a 15m reach, it will meet the needs of bigger homes while a larger dust bin will save you the need to discard the wastes too often when doing spring cleans. 

detailed parameters
Type

Corded

Motor Power

700 watts

Brush System Control

Rotating brush bar

Filter

Washable HEPA filter

Bagless

Yes

Dustbin Capacity

1.5 L

Usability

Floor Sensor Technology, LED lights, 4.5 m hose, 10 m cord, 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush, Long crevice tool, Extension tube, Adjustable handle, Onboard tool storage

Weight

6.25 kg

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The model offers two operation modes for carpets and hard floors accordingly. It will automatically adjust the power and suction level to clean both types of flooring with maximum efficiency. 

CONS

It doesn't have tool storage posts for some attachments.

OUR VERDICT

If you seek a cleaner that will help you dedust various household surfaces, the Shark NV602UKT upright vac is for you. A snap to transform to a handheld model, distinguished by the anti-allergen complete seal, and decently powerful, it has all the chances to become your one and only household vac for a long time.

detailed parameters
Type

Corded

Motor Power

750 watts

Brush System Control

Motorised floor brush

Filter

Pre and Post washable filters

Bagless

Yes

Dustbin Capacity

1.1 L

Usability

Lift-away technology, Anti-allergen complete seal, Bright LED lights, 2 floor modes for carpets and hard floors, Swivel steering, 8 m cord and cord storage, 0.67 m hose, Tool storage posts, 3 wand accessories including a hard floor brush, Long nozzle, Small brush head

Weight

5.25 kg

Warranty

5 years (upon registration)

PROS

The high suction power of the vacuum combined with a swivel steering mechanism ensures perfect cleaning regardless of the surface you are using the device on. The hoover is equipped with bright LED lights for added convenience.

CONS

The hose is rather stiff.

OUR VERDICT

This corded Lift-Away NV681UKT will definitely ease the process of vacuuming. What makes this model interesting is its washable filter that helps remove allergens from both the floor and the air, making it a great choice for creating a healthy environment in your house. It's a great match for households with smaller kids and allergy sufferers.

detailed parameters
Type

Corded

Motor Power

750 watts

Brush System Control

Motorised floor brush

Filter

Anti-allergen complete seal, Washable filters

Bagless

Yes

Dustbin Capacity

1.1 L

Usability

Powered Lift-Away technology, LED lights, 8 m cord length, Pet Power Brush, Upholstery tool, Duster crevice tool

Weight

6.3 kg

Warranty

5 years

PROS

The multi-cyclonic technology applied in this model ensures high-quality cleanups and long-lasting high-performance operation of the unit with no loss of suction.

CONS

The handle could be more comfortable.

OUR VERDICT

The Vax Mach Air is a budget-friendly and highly manoeuvrable vacuum cleaner complete with all necessary modes and settings for daily sweep-ups. Besides, it has an A-class rating, which means you'll be able to run it as often as you need without increase in your electricity bills.

detailed parameters
Type

Corded

Motor Power

820 watts

Brush System Control

Motorised floor brush

Filter

Pre-motor filter (washable), Post-motor HEPA filter

Bagless

Yes

Dustbin Capacity

1.5 L

Usability

Multi-cyclonic technology, Easy dirt container release button

Weight

4.9 kg

Warranty

1 year

All-Around Cleaning Solution

The Shark NZ801UKT is a strong performer and deservedly a top-liner with a number of aces down its sleeve. To begin with, it's fitted with an innovative DuoClean motorised head that is capable of removing messes of any size. The main brush roll with a soft roller effectively catches large debris and fine dust on both hard floors and carpets alike, smoothly transferring between different types of flooring with no suction loss. Contributing to the efficiency of the unit is the DuoClean head's wide design, which makes it possible to clean any surface without pushing dirt around. On top of that, the vacuum is equipped with a set of twin LED headlights that illuminate tricky areas to make sure you won't miss a thing.

Tired of removing pet and human hair from your brush roll? Well, with the Shark NZ801UKT you won't have this kind of issue as it is featured with the Anti Hair Wrap technology that prevents the brush head from getting tangled in hair. The unique bristle-guard automatically separates and removes hair, thus, preventing it from clogging up the rollers, which will come in especially handy for families with pets.

For extra convenience, the vac comes with a special pet hair tool that does a brilliant job of removing fur from sofas, car seats, and stairs. Also, the set includes a crevice tool and a brush attachment, both of which clip onto the body of the cleaner for neat storage.

Yet another thing worth mentioning is that the Shark NZ801UKT has a powered lift-away design and can be turned into a handheld when you need to reach more challenging areas. What’s especially handy though, is the fact that the brush bar is still powered in the lift-away mode. So, if you'd like to get full performance in both upright and handheld modes, the NZ801UKT is an incredible all-rounder.

Cleans the Floors and the Air

A really good vac is not only about powerful suction but also about efficient and reliable dust capture and retention, therefore checking its filtration system is important. With regard to the Shark NZ801UKT though, you have little to worry about. The unit comes with a combined filtration system that utilises branded Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology, meaning it not only removes impurities but also kills germs and bacteria that may cause allergies and other breathing illnesses. As a result, you get a universal vac that can become a solution to several problems!

All things considered, the Shark NZ801UKT is an excellent multipurpose vacuum that will suit everyone who is looking for a device to keep their living place both clean and healthy.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £297.20
Stock In stock
ASIN B07WQH7TJ4

Floor Cleaning Wizard

If you live in a house with different types of flooring, you know firsthand how things usually go: a vac does an excellent job on one type of floor and fails on another one. Therefore, in order to achieve good cleaning performance, in most cases, you need to adjust the suction intensity manually and sometimes even use a different brush when transitioning between floor surfaces. With the HU500SBH upright vac from Hoover, however, there will be no such hassles.

Right off the bat, the model boasts the branded Floor Sensor Technology. A built-in sensor will immediately detect when you transfer to a different floor surface, say from hard floors to carpets or vice versa, and automatically adjust the vac operation accordingly. It will select the optimal suction intensity and brush bar rotating speed to pick up dust and debris from hard floors and beat them out from high-pile carpets like a charm.

To ensure consistently high suction performance, the hoover hosts quite a powerful 700-watt motor. In a combo with stiff and resilient brush bristles, it will let you tackle all sorts of dirt and contaminations including pet dander, hair, and other tricky debris. In the meantime, a multi-cyclonic technology applied in this model will make sure there will be no loss of suction and all captured wastes will go straight into the dust bin.

Speaking of which, 1.5 L dust bin capacity will save you the need to discard the waste too often. And when you do need to empty it, you’ll be able to do it in a quick and hygienic manner without contacting the dirt inside the bin.

With Everything You Can Possibly Need

The Hoover boasts a complete bundle of features and accessories that make it maximum easy and convenient to use. At a bit more than 6 kg, the model is on the heavier side in terms of weight. That said, it is very agile and manoeuvrable nevertheless, thanks to its hefty wheels and a swivelling floor nozzle that will let you smoothly navigate it around the house. The low-profile brush easily glides under the furniture and the LED lights on the floor head improve visibility in poorly lit spaces and corners. In addition, it has a long 10m power cord and a 4.5m flexible hose giving you a wide cleaning radius of up to 15 metres, so you'll be able to dedust elevated surfaces and clean the stairs without the need to move the vac.

Along with the vac, you’ll get a number of attachments including a 2-in-1 dusting brush and a crevice tool, an extension tube, and a long crevice tool. With a set like this, cleaning in distant corners, hard-to-reach areas, and at heights won't be a hassle at all. In the meantime, a washable HEPA filter will work to trap the finest dust and allergens inside, making the air in the room cleaner, which is especially important for allergy sufferers and homes with kids and pets.

To cut to the chase, the HU500SBH upright vac from Hoover is a solid choice for home use. It’s a quality and functional piece of cleaning equipment stuffed with helpful technologies to bring the cleaning performance to the next level.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £148.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B089QM31VF

A Thought-out Combination Cleaner

Shark is one of the most popular vacuum cleaner brands. Offering a whole range of both heavy-duty and handheld models, the manufacturer always strives to provide its customers with technological yet pretty simple solutions to make home clean-ups maximum easy and efficient. The NV602UKT bagless upright vacuum cleaner is one of such smart cleaning solutions.

At a glance, the model looks like an ordinary upright cleaner and it seems there's nothing special about it. Yet, it's not true. The use of technologies alongside many functional options allow this model to stand out from the crowd. The first thing where the NV602UKT differs from the rest is a wheeled Rotator head which gives it more manoeuvrability. You will be able to navigate the vac easily around the corners and reach tight spaces under the furniture with ease. Though this model is corded, you won't experience the lack of mobility due to its long power cord and cleaning wand which will allow you to reach distant nooks and areas without any discomfort. The Shark Duo-clean brush installed on the motorised brush head ensures seamless gliding between hard and soft surfaces and provides maximum dirt pickup.

One more Shark-specific option is a built-in LED light on the brush head that will add convenience when cleaning in poor light conditions and will allow you to easily spot dust flocks and debris even in concealed areas. Finally, you should appreciate that this vac supplies a wide bunch of accessories, making it a solid choice for those in need of an all-in-one model that will be capable of managing the majority of cleaning tasks.

With a Good Degree of Adjustability

Something else to like about this vacuum cleaner is its adjustability ensuring maximum efficient and comfortable cleans. At 750 watts, the NV602UKT is a decently powerful vac capable of picking up pretty much any sort of debris. Yet, to further optimise its cleaning performance and achieve perfect cleaning results on different surfaces, it offers two cleaning modes - for hard floor and for carpets. Each of these modes features different power settings and varies in suction to deliver equally high efficiency. Furthermore, the branded Lift-Away technology allows converting the vac into a portable handheld unit for tackling dust at heights and/or cleaning stairs without excess fatigue.

Wrapping things up, the Shark NV602UKT is a functional and smartly designed upright vac with inherent smartness, and chances are good that it will become your one and only home vac for all surface cleaning tasks.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £189.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B08CKWG1L9

A Powerful Hoover Thought out to the Last Detail

What do you expect from a really good household vac? Powerful performance, versatility, the convenience of use, and good manoeuvrability, right? You’ll get these and even more with the NV681UKT upright vac from Shark.

First things first, thanks to a convertible design, this model can be used both as a stationary and as a handheld vacuum. So, you’ll be able to roll it around for easy floor cleaning or press a button on the handle to release the device from the base and turn it to a portable handheld vac. As such, it will come in helpful for all sorts of spot cleans and reaching any tricky or hard-to-get areas as well as for cleaning at heights, vacuuming stairs, and sprucing up your car interior. Despite a corded construction, the NV681UKT boasts quite a long reach with an 8m cable, extendable wand, and a flexible hose. Hence. cleaning at distant corners and covering larger areas won’t be a problem.

Coming down to the cleaning performance, with a 750-watt electric motor, the vacuum is a true dustbuster. It will pick up debris and dust particles of different sizes in a single stroke. In the meantime, the powered roll brush continuously rotates to beat out dust from carpets and a special LiftAway technology lifts the pile to get rid of a flattened carpet look and make it look clean and refreshed.

The LED lights of the cleaning head will improve visibility when cleaning under the furniture or getting into poorly lit spaces while an advanced steering mechanism makes manoeuvring in between the obstacles and navigating through the house a breeze. Thus, despite the unit weight of 6.5 kg, it is very easy and convenient to steer and move around.

Removes Allergens Once and for All

A powerful multi-tasker, the Shark NV681UKT upright vac has one more significant ace down its sleeve. Specifically designed for pet owners and, as such, capable of tackling some stubborn dirt and picking up hairs, the device also boasts the anti-allergen seal. The anti-allergen technology implemented here captures up to 99.9% of the finest dust particles and allergens into a sealed container. The washable HEPA filter traps them inside and prevents them from getting back into the air, thus, maintaining your home environment clean. It is a big plus for households with smaller kids and allergy sufferers.

All in all, the Shark NV681UKT is definitely worth your attention if you are looking for a powerful corded upright vacuum cleaner that can clean almost any surface quickly and effectively and has some handy perks to offer.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £489.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00HBZ4N1E

A Bargain for a Thrifty Homeowner

In any house, there are numerous surfaces that require regular cleaning, from rugs and carpets to tile, wooden, stone, and vinyl floor to upholstery to furniture to window sills and ceilings. And it’s hard to imagine how one can do without a good vacuum cleaner. Modern vacuums are suitable for all sorts of clean-ups and a functional hoover will successfully replace a whole arsenal of cleaning tools, including brooms and brushes, wipes and clothes. Yet, not all vacs are the same - they differ in functionality and price. Premium top-liners from Dyson and Shark stand out for the high-end functionality but are distinguished by pretty high price tags that might not fit those who are on a budget. This is where the Mach Air upright hoover from Vax will come in handy. At a bargain price, this model offers up-to-par performance and functionality for your home needs.

First things first, the unit is packed with 820 watts of power to deliver really powerful suction. Along with a multi-cyclonic action, it ensures consistently high vacuuming performance without the loss of suction since all dust and debris will be collected up to the last particle and held in the dust bin. A 1.5L bin is capacious enough enabling you to clean longer without the need to empty it. Though powerful, this model features energy class A, thus minimizing your energy costs.

Two filters, including a pre-motor and post-motor filter, provide efficient air cleanup. One of them is a HEPA filter perfectly retaining bacteria and allergens that is essential for allergic individuals and families with kids. Meanwhile, the other filter is washable. So, you can be sure that after vacuuming, not only the surfaces but also the air in your dwelling will be clean.

Efficient Dust Buster

It’s notable that a decent power of the Vax Mach Air comes embodied in an ergonomic lightweight construction. Weighing less than 5 kg, it is a breeze to handle and carry around. You can easily lift it up the stairs if necessary and move from one room to another without fatigue. And a convenient stick design will save you the trouble of constantly bending to get into all nooks and corners.

The unit performance and functionality are second to none as well. A motorised cleaner head features a rotating brush with stiff bristles capable of beating out dust from soft floor coatings and scraping out dirt from hard floors. What’s more, when moving, the cleaner head self-adjusts to seal in suction for the smooth transition between soft and hard floors. A 2-in-1 tool features a dust brush and a crevice tool for vacuuming flat surfaces and getting into any awkward places in between and underneath the furniture. Besides, an extendable wand with a long hose will let you clean at heights and get into distant places.

Summing up, what you’ll get with the Vax Mach Air is a powerful multi-functional hoover that will perfectly match your domestic cleaning needs and won’t cost you a fortune.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £89.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B078M13FRR

What Is an Upright Vacuum?

Whether we like it or not, we can't do away without cleaning our homes. But it's easy to see why so many people find this duty a chore they'd rather deviate from it if possible. Vacuuming floors and lugging around a huge hoover doesn't sound all that exciting itself, but that's only half the trouble. Before that, in most cases, you'd need to go through a few other circles of hell, like extracting your hoover from the closet (possibly even finding it first), then picking all the attachments and then putting it all together, which usually takes quite a lot of time and effort. Knowing that many people feel this way, manufacturers of household appliances have come up with a new solution - an upright vacuum. Compared to conventional models, this type of hoover has a more lightweight body, holds all nozzles onboard, and can be propped upright against the wall for space-saving storage. What's more, it can be transformed into a handheld unit, letting you clean not only floors but also up high, under furniture, and in the corners. Other than that, they are also easy to clean thanks to the bagless technology implemented in most models and can be used for a variety of cleaning jobs due to additional nozzles.

And if you look for portability, you may want to invest in a handheld vacuum cleaner that will allow you to pick up small debris from furniture or upholstery of your car with ease.

What Features to Compare

Type

The first thing to decide on before choosing an upright vacuum is its type. There are two types of vacuums represented on the market - corded and cordless. While restricting your movement to some degree, corded models offer you the advantage of continuous runtime allowing you to run cleanups as long as you need. On top of that, they usually pack more power and, as a result, deliver more powerful suction to perform great, whatever debris you have to tackle. Cordless models, in turn, do not depend on electricity and give you the advantage of the freedom of movement. With that, as you may have already guessed, unlike corded models, they do run out of charge and thus offer only limited runtime.

Operation

The next aspect you should take into account is how effective a chosen vacuum is. Note that the suction power of the appliance depends on its motor performance. As to the tools, a turbo brush nozzle is appropriate for removing stubborn pet dander and small particles of dust from the floor in your apartment. Having adjusted a brush roll, you will be able to perform a thorough cleanup of various surfaces. Besides, check for added attachment heads that will extend the cleaner capabilities and will let you complete a variety of cleaning tasks.

Consideration of vacuum's effectiveness would not be full without paying attention to its filtration system. Although vacuums can be equipped with various filters, removable units stand out from their counterparts. Since they can be washed in running water, they are much more hygienic in use.

Usability

The usability of the appliance is worth your consideration, too. Aside from its stylish appearance, an upright vacuum delivers a perfect performance and keeps dust at bay. Since the device is pretty lightweight, you can operate it easily and move around with no physical effort. You should also pay attention to the controls. Some models can be controlled with a pedal switch so as to save users from bending over all the time when they need to change the mode. Others may have buttons right on a handle. Consider what type of dust cup has been used. Basically, there are only two types on the market - bagless and bagged. Bagged models trap bacteria and dust pretty well, but you would need to regularly buy new bags. In this sense, bagless vacs may seem a more beneficial option, yet, their suction power, as a rule, isn’t as strong. With that said, it’s worth making a point that both types of vacs tend to lose suction power when they get filled and need emptying.

Sources:

1. Vacuum Buying Guide, Consumer Reports. September 2016.

2. Vacuum Cleaners Buying Guide, John Lewis.

3. Chris Barnes Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide, choice. July 26, 2016.

4. Jamie Wiebe 7 Mistakes You Make Vacuuming, HouseBeautiful. November 26, 2014.

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