Upright Vacuums

Upright vacuums  are probably the most popular type of vacuum cleaner on the market. They are less expensive as a group than canister vacuums,  although individual models can cost a few hundred dollars. Also, due to their size, they usually have more power and can therefore pick up additional dirt on most surfaces. There are lots of vacuum cleaner models out on the market, ranging in price and style. Read on below to find out what's best for you.

Bag or Bagless?

• Bagging Vacuums 
• Pros
• Cleanup is easy; just remove the bag and put a new one in.
• Good for people with allergies who might be sensitive to vacuum dust.
• Cons
• You have to keep buying bags; all the money and extra waste start to add up.
• Unless you have a "bag full" light, it can be hard to tell when the bag is full (except that the vacuum won't work as well).
• Bagless Vacuums 
• Pros
• Easy to see when it's full as they usually have a clear canister.
• Less waste, and no need to keep buying bags.
• Cons
• Can be messy to empty. Look for one that empties from the bottom to make it a little easier.
• Dust released during emptying could be bad for people with serious allergies.

Important Features

Look for the following in any vacuum:

• The Filter
• HEPA  is the way to go if you have bad allergies.
• Unless your allergies are severe, you'll probably be ok with most vacuums; filter technology has improved significantly in the past few years.
• Hard Floor Attachments
• If you plan to use your upright on hard floors, make sure it has a revolving brushroll  with an on/off switch.
• Long Cords and Hoses
• The longer the better.
• Longer cords mean fewer times that you'll have to change outlets to reach another part of the room.
• Longer hoses will make it easier to clean hard-to-reach places, like the tops of cabinets and under furniture.
• Tools and Attachments
• If you have many different surfaces to clean, such as furniture, high places, and drapes, you might want a vacuum with a number of special attachments.
• Standards include crevice and upholstery tools  as well as a telescoping tube.
• Location of Hose
• Look for a vacuum with the hose attached as low on the body as possible. This will help prevent the vacuum tipping over when you use an attachment.
• Full Bag Indicator
• Takes the guesswork out of changing the bag, if you opt for a bagging model.
• Self Propulsion
• Self-propelled models make pushing and pulling less difficult.
• Self-propelled vacuums also tend to be heavier.
• Clean/Dirty Indicator
• This indicates whether the vacuum is still sucking up any dirt, not whether the carpet itself is still dirty or not.
• Manual Pile Height Adjustment
• Sometimes you'll want to set this yourself for best results while cleaning.

Va-Va-Voom Vacuums!

Check out these recommendations for top notch upright cleaning machines.

Hoover U5175900 Fold Away Widepath Bagless Vacuum  This vacuum has a fold down handle for easy storage and a dirt cup that lets you empty debris without bags.	Shark V1930 VX1 Cordless Floor and Carpet Cleaner  This cordless vacuum cleaner has swivel steering and can run up to 30 minutes on one charge. Can be used on a wet or dry surface.	Hoover UH 50000 Turbo Anniversary Edition WindTunnel Self Propelled Bagged Upright Vacuum  This vacuum uses wind tunnel technology and is easy to maneuver. Comes with accessories like a pet hair cleaning tool and telescoping wand, as well as adjustable handle height.	Dirt Devil M083410 Swift Stick Upright Bagless Vacuum  This model is light enough to take anywhere and is designed with a low nozzle so it can clean underneath low furniture.	Electrolux EL100B Pronto Stick Vacuum  This vacuum can be used on furniture, floors and upholstery. It has cyclonic suction and can be utilized as a handheld or upright vac.

Roomba

Looking for a vacuum to do all the work for you? It doesn't get much easier than this!

Roomba  is a series of robot vacuums from iRobot  that cleans your floors while you do whatever else you want to do. The models on the market mainly differ by features and included extras. Pros Its slim design can get under furniture without any trouble. Lets you do something else while your carpets get vacuumed. It's a robot. Don't you want a robot? Cons Generally good for light cleaning, but won't deep clean your carpets. In addition, it has some trouble with walls and corners. You'll want to keep your trusty upright or canister vac around somewhere. Smallish capacity means more frequent emptyings. Needs to recharge after three medium-sized rooms, and takes 45 minutes to do one room. Product Recommendation: iRobot Roomba 560 Vacuuming Robot  (pictured left)

Related Guides

Canister Vacuums	Handheld Vacuums	Vacuums	Steam Cleaners