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The Best Upright Vacuums Will Make You Sit Up Straight!

Upright vacuums are an excellent option for homes that would like a powerful and versatile cleaner.

It is important to carefully inspect the best upright vacuum reviews as the quality between certain brands can vary wildly!

Vacuumit is here to aid you in that decision-making process by listing the best upright vacuum reviews.

We also go on to state the most important factors to inspect in good upright vacuums.

We finish by answering some common queries we get from upright vacuum owners.

Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners Australia 

The machines that have made our list of best upright vacuums are powerful.

As there were hundreds of types of vacuum to choose from, the ones that made our list are truly exceptional.

We’ve divided them on the basis of the best lightweight upright, the best cheap offering and the overall best performer.

Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser

Best Lightweight Upright Vacuum


Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser

Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser


Made for picking up pet hair, the attachments included will dislodge and suck up pet fur that is deeply embedded, while the sealed filtration system will keep the pet dander in check.

U.S.-based Bissell has perfected the art of playing to its strengths in a growing pet hair vacuum market in Australia.

Considering that Australia currently has some of the highest pet ownership rates on the planet, we wouldn’t say that their approach has been misguided!

With the Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum, Bissell shows that excellent pet hair vacuums can come in cost-effective forms.

Dust collection technology is one of the main reasons we love this vacuum. A state-of-the-art spooling system will separate regular dust from pet hair, thus ensuring that you don’t have to get your hands dirty when emptying.

The Tangle-Free brush roll on the vacuum head will keep your vacuum from ever clogging.

SuctionChannel technology maximises pet hair pickup by digging deep into carpet fibres with terrifying suction power to remove entangled hair.

With a 2-in-1 Pet Dusting brush and a Pet TurboEraser tool, the Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum will leave no stone unturned!

When it comes to hard floors, we found it especially useful that the brush roll could be switched off.

Bissell vacuum even includes an extension wand to make above-floor cleaning more comfortable.

A sealed filtration system makes an appearance in this vacuum, considering that pet owners have to often contend with microscopic pet dander.

At a little over 9 metres, there is a sufficiently long power cord in this vacuum.

We were, however, a little miffed that the cord is placed quite low, and we kept running over it constantly in our testing!
The dust canister capacity of 1.5 litres won’t be well-received in homes with multiple pets and plenty of fur being shed.

At 8.2 kilograms, this upright vacuum is quite the heavyweight.

From a pure pet hair perspective, we think it's extremely tough to find a better multi-surface pet vacuum cleaner that is better value for your money!

  • Impressive pet hair pickup tools included
  • Sealed filtration system
  • Long power cord
  • Swivel steering
  • Deals with all floor types admirably
  • Extendable wand helps above-floor cleaning
  • Spooling technology
  • Powerful suction from multi-cyclonic technology
  • The power cord is annoyingly low to the floor
  • Small dustbin of 1.5 litres
  • Heavyweight

Hoover Essential Upright Vacuum

Best Cheap Upright Vacuum


Hoover Essential Upright Vacuum

Hoover Essential Upright Vacuum


A powerful, yet affordable upright vacuum that is equipped with a motorised head for better carpet cleaning and with a 2.4-metre extending wand.

This unique upright vacuum also found a place in Vacuumit’s list of best vacuums in Australia.

In many ways, this vacuum represents all of the best parts of the world-famous Hoover brand.

It is also an incredibly affordable vacuum and was, by all means, the cheapest upright vacuum that made our list of best vacuums.

Just to start, this upright vacuum will convert to a handheld device for easier cleaning of tight spaces.

A motorised power head on this vacuum will lift fibres on your carpet and dislodge deeply embedded grime and debris.

We also loved that you could easily switch between carpeted surfaces to hard floors with the simple press of a switch.

The pet tool attachment makes pet hair easy pickings for the powerful suction in this vacuum.

The pet tool attachment can only be fit in when in handheld mode.

The wand on this vacuum can be extended up to 2.5 metres to reach underneath furniture easily.

That comes in handy, especially considering that the cord is quite short at only 6 metres!

It is also not the quietest upright we have come across.

As far as budget options go, you will have a tough time finding a better value-for-money upright vacuum in Australia!

  • Affordable price
  • Easily adjusts to floor type with a flick of a switch
  • Converts to handheld mode
  • Pet tool attachment makes it a good option for homes with pets
  • Motorised head technology makes carpet cleaning easy
  • The wand can be extended to 2.4 metres for reaching underneath furniture
  • Slightly noisy
  • Short power cord
  • The pet tool can only be used in the handheld mode

Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away

Best Performing Upright Vacuum


Sark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away

Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away


One of Australia’s best upright vacuums, this quiet machine can be detached for easy cleaning and is excellent on all floor types.

Another upright vacuum that is really impressive and has made our list of the best vacuums you can find in Australia.

Shark’s famous DuoClean technology makes an appearance, allowing your upright to clean both carpeted surfaces and hard floors.

The DuoClean technology comes with a hard bristle brush to thoroughly clean thick carpets.

There is also a soft brushroll will leave your floors looking polished.

This upright vacuum has an excellent filtration system, making it an ideal option for people with allergies.

Our team of reviewers noted how easy it is to manoeuvre this vacuum and also how quiet it is when going about its duties.

There is an immense Anti-Allergen filtration system as well as the always-excellent HEPA filtration.

The dominant feature of this upright, however, is the Powered Lift-Away technology when it converts to handheld mode.

The technology will allow your vacuum to send power directly to your brushroll in handheld mode, making handheld cleaning extremely effective.

If you attach the pet multi-tool accessory as well, you will be able to get pet hair out of your carpet easily.

This vacuum, however, does come with a hefty price tag.

A dust canister capacity of only about a litre is a big disappointment.

  • Lift-away technology
  • Extra power to attachments in handheld mode
  • DuoClean technology helps to transition excellently from carpet to floor cleaning
  • Excellent filtration because of the presence of an anti-allergen filter plus a HEPA filter
  • Accessory for pet hair included
  • Converts to a handheld vacuum
  • Steep price
  • Low capacity dust canister

What Should I Be Looking At Before Purchasing An Upright Vacuum?

Upright vacuums are widely varied in features and price as you move between brands.

Ideally, the top upright vacuum will have excellent suction power, easy manoeuvrability as well as the ability to clean both carpeted surfaces as well as hard floors.

Let’s take a look at the most distinctive features that you need to look out for to ensure you make a great purchase for your home.

Carpet Performance

If your home is predominantly carpeted, then there are more than a few upright vacuums that are right for you.

Look out for upright vacuums with rotating brush bars on the vacuum head as only they do a good job of stirring up debris from carpet fibres.

Hard Floor Performance

If your home is mainly made of laminated floors, porcelain tiles or even wooden floorboards, then you need an upright vacuum which has a soft brush roll.

Brushes with soft bristles ensure that debris is not pushed away on hard floors and also maintains your hard floors without scratching it.

Look out for a vacuum where the rotation of the brush bar can be slowed down or stopped.

Staircase Cleaning

This is an obvious area where most heavy upright vacuums fail big time.

To combat that weakness, however, many brands now allow you the option to detach a part of the upright vacuum.

By doing so, you can carry the portable unit up and down your stairs as you clean it.

If you have staircases, look for upright vacuums that have this kind of “lift-off” technology.

Your Stamina and Strength

Upright vacuums are rarely light machines, often weighing between 7 - 12 kilograms.

If you have a history of back problem or arm sprains, upright vacuums probably aren’t for you.

Cleaning is a hard enough job without it being a physically challenging task as well!

Watch Your Back

The worst kind of pain is the type that can affect your spine.

Most people that experience back pain are reaching out with their arms while also constantly bending their back muscles.

This excessive bending as well as vigorous movement while your feet remain firmly planted can be a recipe for disaster.

Even simply rotating too fast while your feet remains immobile is a bad idea.

Doing any of these things can seriously aggravate your spinal discs while also affecting the soft tissue that make up your back muscles.

It is always best to stick to a lightweight stick vacuum or a handheld vacuum when you have a history of back trouble.

If you are stuck with a heavy upright vacuum, then you can do one simple thing to prevent back aches!

Changing your stance slightly can greatly help in reducing aches by redistributing body weight.

The right approach is to adopt a "fencer's stance", where you put all of your weight on one foot.

You should then use the other foot to move along with the vacuum as you push it forward or back.

Make use of the foot where you have put all of your weight to pivot when you have to turn around.

Engage your core muscles around your tummy or hips to give you the necessary power to complete the task.

All this while keep your back straight and undisturbed.

Anytime you have to bend lower to get underneath furniture, use your legs to bend down while keeping your back steady.

If things are way out of reach, then consider going down on one knee instead of extending your back muscles.

Don't try too hard to reach those tight corners, get someone with a better back to vacuums those spots.

Your safety comes first and a lot can go wrong while vacuuming!

Remember that the key is to keep your feet, shoulders and hips busy, instead of your back muscles and trunk.

Pets

Were you interested in upright vacuums but have pets at home?

In order to combat the pet hair that will inevitably be shed, go for an upright vacuum with a pet tool attachment.

Look for an upright with a rotating brush bar to agitate carpet fibres and dislodge pet hair.

Allergies

This is an important thing to check for if you have members at home with severe breathing difficulties or allergy sufferers.

The powerful suction on upright vacuums will suck up a lot of dust.

If the filtration is poor, then vacuums practically turn into dust blowers!

Keep an eye out for HEPA filtration, which is one of the best kind of filters around.

Capturing allergens is an essential part of maintaining a hygienic home.

Opting for a bagged upright instead of a bagless model will also reduce the risk of dust re-entering.

Dust Capacity

Upright vacuums are powerful machines that suck up a lot of dust, grime, hair and debris.

You would want to make sure that the upright vacuum you choose for your home has a large dust canister or dust bag.

The larger the capacity of your canister or dust bag, the less often you will have to empty the insides.

Power Outlets

If you are opting for a large upright vacuum, it most probably is a corded machine.

If you don’t have too many power outlets, opt for a vacuum with a long cord.

This may seem like a minor annoyance, but it could be the difference between you enjoying the idea of cleaning or completely hating it!

If you wanted a cordless option, then you may have to stick to a cordless stick vacuum cleaner with good battery life.

Battery powered upright vacuums are a rarity.

Noise

Powerful suction and cyclones to redesign airflow often mean one simple thing.

More often than not, upright vacuums are loud machines.

Keep an eye out for quiet vacuums that produce decibel levels around 65 - 75 dB.

Anything above 100 decibels is equivalent to a helicopter or a chainsaw!

Final Verdict

Upright vacuum cleaners are a versatile option in home cleaning as they are easy to use and powerful.

Consider the unique needs of your home before making a decision.

If we wanted a quick recommendation on our pick for best performer, the Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away is right up there with the best.

If you want affordable options, the Hoover Essential Upright is what you need.

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser uses spooling technology and excellent pet hair attachments to be a formidable cleaner.

Before making a purchase, go for a choice that displays strong suction power, is easy to steer and can clean different kinds of surfaces.

Carefully weigh the pros and cons of different vacuum brands before spending a dime!

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