Affiliate Disclosure: I am grateful to be of service and to bring you content free of charge. In order to do this, please note that when you click links and purchase items, in most cases I receive referral commissions. Eventually, I may earn enough to buy a beer or two 🙂
Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners 2021
Looking for an upright vacuum that rivals everything else? Finding a reliable vacuum cleaner, that ticks all the boxes, is not an easy task which is why we’ve shortlisted the latest and greatest uprights to ease the time-consuming burden of endless searching amongst a sea of appliances.
An important thing to remember when searching for an ideal upright vacuum cleaner is not to look for the cheapest or the most expensive vacuum. Either end of the spectrum doesn’t guarantee reliability or great cleaning performance i.e. just because a vacuum cleaner costs more than $500 doesn’t necessarily mean that it will clean better than a $250 vacuum. On the other hand, we could say the same thing about cheap vacuums, which often tend to be false economy i.e. you could end up spending more money buying a series of cheap vacuums that break down in a short amount of time.
The upright vacuums on our shortlist have been chosen for their impeccable cleaning performance at sucking up small and large dirt whilst filtering the air of dust and allergens and providing durability. But they are more factors that extend beyond cleaning performance such as appliance weight, manoeuvrability, attachments provided, bin capacity, versatility and so on. Overall we are looking for an upright vacuum that provides most, if not all, of the above and gives good value for money.
Cleaning Your Carpets
Upright vacuum cleaners are mostly used by their owners for carpet cleaning so naturally, we want to look for vacuums that excel at this task. Preferably you should be looking for an appliance with a brush roll that sweeps carpets effectively whilst lifting dust, dirt and food items such as cereal, rice, flour, grains and so on. If an upright vacuum does a great job on carpets it should perform a similar job on hard floors. How many times does your upright need to pass through a patch of carpet to pick up all the dirt? The fewer times the better, you want to avoid buying a vacuum that needs to clean the same area over and over again as this will be time-consuming and less effective.
Let’s jump straight into our shortlist, I will start with the best of the best and work my way down.
#1. Best Overall Upright Vacuum Cleaner: Shark Rotator with DuoClean
At the top of our list is the Shark Rotator with DuoClean. This vacuum doesn’t shy away from giving a top performance for small, medium and tough tasks. This is one of my favourite vacuum cleaner ranges and the Shark NV803 has proved to be the best overall upright vacuum cleaner because of its versatility (it can be used as an upright or handheld), lightweight body, HEPA filtration, its deep cleaning capabilities and clever accessories to make the job easier.
As you can already tell, the Shark Rotator is a beast of a machine and houses plenty of features to provide you with a complete cleaning solution. The Rotator cleans any type of surface and is great at vacuuming hard floors, this is an agile appliance that steers around corners with precision. The Lift-away feature allows the machine to be removed from the upright chassis and transform into a lightweight handheld capable of cleaning hard to reach areas that a normal upright would struggle to reach including ceilings. You can navigate the Rotator underneath sofas, bed frames, furniture and lift up troublesome pet hair without much effort.
The Shark Rotator NV803 is reasonably priced and is the only vacuum you would ever need for a large, medium or small house. A minor drawback of the Rotator is that it topples over sometimes when using the hose attachment with the main body whilst it’s still sat on the floor cleaning base. However, this is a small drawback when compared to the arsenal of great features packed inside this machine. The Shark rotator does not cost as much as a Dyson but is the best upright vacuum by far. If you are looking for an upright vacuum without any compromises then the Shark Rotator is the absolute best.
Here are some of the great features:
DuoClean Technology is included inside the appliance’s portable enclosure which comprises of a dual brushroll system (bristle brush + soft brushroll) that delivers exceptional cleaning on carpets and hard flooring.
Top of the range HEPA filtration and an anti-allergen system ensure that dust and allergens are separated from the air, as it travels through the machine, and trapped inside the sealed system.
Intuitive controls to seamlessly switch from carpet to a hard floor setting and vice versa.
Clever LED lighting is built onto the nozzle to help you identify dirt easily as you move through the house.
The extension wand is highly useful to easily clean difficult confined spaces that the main machine cannot reach.
#2. Best Upright for Carpet Cleaning: Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly
Second on our list is the Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly which has been chosen for its supreme carpet cleaning abilities. Although the design is bulkier than the other vacuums on this list, it has been chosen for its sheer carpet vacuuming prowess. Elite Pet-Friendly is a bagged appliance without all the bells and whistles of rival vacuums but if your home is mostly carpeted and you want to keep your carpets in the best possible condition then I’d highly recommend the Kenmore Elite.
Kenmore’s brilliant cleaning comes with the compromise of manoeuvring a larger vacuum across your floors, it isn’t as agile as the Shark Lift-away, but it definitely outshines the rest of the vacuums for deep cleaning carpets. Hard floor cleaning is almost equivalent to Kenmore’s carpet performance, if you’re looking for uncompromising cleaning power in a busy household then this is a vacuum to consider.
Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly is ideal for large families in households with pets and messy kids. This appliance is built to stand the test of time. The attachments are of the highest quality, they don’t feel flimsy and are very sturdy when in use. The extension wand can extend to 10 feet and eliminates the need to fidget with various attachments.
Simply switch from carpet cleaning to hard floor mode with the flick of a button and don’t be fooled by the size of this machine as it cleans quieter than most of the vacuums that I’ve tested. Below is a breakdown of Kenmore Elite’s features:
Kenmore Elite’s motor is designed to deliver 20% greater suction power than other upright vacuum cleaners.
A telescopic wand attaches to the machine to clean above floor level and areas that are difficult to reach. The wand is built from high-quality aluminium and extends to 10 feet.
In addition to HEPA filtration, the Kenmore vacuum is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
A specialist pet (handi-mate) tool is supplied for pet owners that want immaculate floors.
#3. Best Value Upright Vacuum: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional
Third on the list is another Shark vacuum. Yes, they are that good! The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional is a budget-friendly vacuum cleaner for anyone that doesn’t want to pay more than $200 but still wants a high-quality appliance. The Navigator excels at its dirt-lifting capabilities on carpets and is one of the front-runners at getting rid of pet hairs from floors. The machine has a good weight distribution and doesn’t feel too heavy or bulky. The swivel head makes it so easy to steer the vacuum around corners and throughout the house.
The Shark Navigator’s performance on hard floors isn’t as good as the top 2 vacuums on our list. It vacuums medium-sized dirt without issues but needs a few passes when cleaning smaller particles and larger debris. Overall, the Navigator vacuum is a front runner if you’re shopping on a lower budget.
The vacuum’s cleaning performance is on par with alternative vacuums that cost considerably more money. If you’re looking for a bargain high-performance vacuum cleaner that won’t break the bank then I’d highly recommend Shark Navigator as the ideal solution for all cleaning tasks around the house.
The Navigator is versatile too, simply remove the canister from its base to vacuum smaller areas, car interiors and stairs. The upholstery tool is equipped with a roller that activates as soon as it’s attached to the wand and will clean your sofas and drapes. The same tool can be used to vacuum the stairs. Shark also provides a long extendible wand to clean underneath furniture and between tight gaps.
The weight of the Shark Navigator has been significantly reduced compared to its predecessors. It also steers and pivots with pinpoint precision. The suction power can be adjusted depending on the type of floor, you can increase suction to clean thicker carpets and rugs.
This is a no-nonsense vacuum with exceptional dirt lifting abilities and this can be noticed from the moment you turn it on. Don’t be surprised if the canister rapidly fills up with dirt on its first use, a good sign that the vacuum does a significantly better job. There’s no doubt that the Navigator will vacuum better than your previous vacuums which is why it is in the top 3.
Here is a quick summary of the Shark Navigator’s features:
Lift-away functionality has the benefit of transforming this machine from an upright to a handheld so that you can easily clean stairs and confined spaces.
HEPA filtration comes as standard and traps dust and allergens inside the canister.
Pin-point manoeuvrability provides great steering and better handling of the machine around furniture and between rooms.
There’s a generous dirt bin capacity of 1.2 dry quarts and it is easy to empty.
Dyson makes some of the most innovative vacuum cleaners on the market and the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is an intuitive upright vacuum with heaps of suction power. Dyson’s cyclone technology optimises the airflow to catch more dirt and dust from your floors. Choosing a Dyson machine automatically guarantees you longevity and low maintenance i.e. their filters never need replacing and the attachments are built for long-term usage.
To truly understand the extent of this machine’s ergonomics and features you would need to use it. Dyson ensures that every feature is provided to the highest standard. Their HEPA filtration is certified by the Asthma Foundation and the Ball technology delivers the best steering I’ve experienced on any vacuum cleaner. Dyson was the original inventor of bagless vacuums so you can be assured that Ball Animal 2 is equipped with the cleverest bagless technology which ensures that dirt stays 100% trapped inside the canister until disposal.
To experience the sheer power behind the Dyson vacuum you should vacuum your floors with your existing vacuum then use Ball Animal 2 over the same area to see the amount of dirt that was left behind, you’ll be surprised by how much dirt it will still collect from recently vacuumed floors. It is equipped with an Epicyclic Drive cleaner head with a powerful brush bar that deep cleans carpets and optimises suction on hard flooring.
Dyson also provides a great variety of attachments to help clean furniture and other areas of the house that are above floor level. The tangle-free turbine tool is specially adapted for homes with pets and will ensure that you can vacuum hair effectively without tangles. You also get a stair tool and a combination tool to remove dust and cobwebs.
The hose can be unclipped from the machine and attached to the extension wand or any of the above tools. The Ball Animal 2 vacuums at a low noise level and feels very sturdy when in use. It is easy to handle especially when manoeuvring around corners and all its accessories can be conveniently stored on the machine for easy access. Emptying the canister couldn’t be any easier, simply detach with the click of a button and empty within seconds.
I would highly recommend this vacuum for those that suffer from airborne allergies and for busy households with pets. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a versatile vacuum with plenty of durable and innovative accessories to make cleaning easier and done in less time. Root cyclone technology maintains a consistent clean across all surfaces.
Don’t worry if your budget can’t stretch to buy a Dyson vacuum, there’s a cheaper alternative with virtually the same cleaning performance and it’s the Shark Navigator Deluxe (NV42). This vacuum is incredibly powerful. It performs on all types of surfaces including hard floors, rugs, carpets, furniture, upholstery without compromises. It seeks out pet hair from every inch of the house and eliminates troublesome dust and dirt without much effort.
The Shark Navigator Deluxe is very lightweight making it a dream to handle and steer. It vacuums quieter than similar upright vacuums and takes less than a minute to assemble for its first use. This is the best affordable upright vacuum for deep cleaning carpets and currently costs less than $130. At first, I was sceptical whether the Shark would clean to the same high standard as a Dyson but my doubts were put to rest after a few carpet sweeps. This machine is a cleaning beast and will clean even the grimiest of floors. The Shark Navigator Deluxe gives you brilliant cleaning performance at a fraction of the cost.
I was surprised to see a few unwarranted negative reviews against this Shark vacuum which I honestly don’t think it deserved. After reading those reviews I was expecting a terrible cleaning experience especially when I saw the low price point. After using the Shark for just a day I could confidently ignore the negative comments, I had no issues with its cleaning performance, handling or anything else for that matter.
If you are looking for a powerful and reliable vacuum cleaner that costs less than $130 I would recommend buying the Shark Navigator Deluxe. It costs considerably less than other premium vacuums but delivers an equivalent amount of dirt lifting performance.
The Bissell Cleanview upright is a very affordable vacuum cleaner with the unique advantage that it doesn’t require you to go over the same areas more than once to collect all the dirt. It is designed with a One Pass system that delivers powerful suction to make sure that dirt is not left behind. It works hand in hand with the brush bar to provide a combination of powerful suction and sweeping action.
I’m pleased to see that multi-cyclone technology is provided at such a low price point and the machine is built around a lightweight body for easier handling. The Bissell clean view provides high performance and good value. High-grade washable filters deliver multiple filtration to eliminate dust and airborne allergens, whilst keeping the maintenance costs very low.
The dirt bin is bagless and has a large capacity for less frequent emptying. Dirt disposal is fast thanks to the bottom-empty system that speeds up emptying whilst keeping the whole process hygienic. Bissell clean view comes equipped with attachments for smaller tasks and to clean areas that are harder to reach. You will get a crevice tool for tight gaps, a dusting brush for delicate surfaces, and a Turbo brush tool to clean stairs, furniture and sofas.
Bissell Cleanview upright is a champ at cleaning up pet hair. Unleash it onto your carpets and you’ll be impressed at the amount of dirt and hair it will collect in a short amount of time. Initial I wasn’t sure whether the one pass technology would live up to its claim of collecting dirt in one sweep, Bissell Cleanview did as stated on the tin and honestly didn’t need to go over the same area multiple times.
If you are looking for a low-cost upright vacuum cleaner with cyclone technology, great suction and a variety of useful cleaning tools then Bissell Cleanview is your answer. It cleans consistently well on multiple surfaces including carpet, shag rugs and hard floors. The hose is easy to use and attaches to tools without causing the main unit to topple over. With Bissell Cleanview you get the following features on a great budget:
You get great suction and brush bar sweeping to provide a uniform clean in a single pass. This speeds up cleaning and saves time.
Multi-cyclone suction delivers long-lasting suction power that lifts dirt and traps it inside the dirt bin.
The filters are washable and provide staged filtration to extract dust and allergens from the air as it travels through the machine.
I like that the appliance is lighter than it looks making it easy to handle whilst keeping a high level of performance.
#7. Black & Decker AIRSWIVEL Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Lite BDASL202
Last but not least is the Black & Decker Airswivel. This is the cheapest vacuum on our list but we’ve ensured that we’ve chosen an appliance that does a good job for anybody that doesn’t want to spend more than $55 on a vacuum cleaner. The best thing about the Airswivel vacuum is the high level of cleaning on carpets in households with pets. I wouldn’t expect a cheap upright to give such great results but it got the whole house clean in no time.
The Airswivel weighs just 8.8lbs making it an ideal lightweight upright vacuum that won’t cause fatigue to your arms and wrist. It handles well and the big shocker was the amount of suction power it produced. The Airswivel is very powerful for a lightweight vacuum! It excels at picking up fine particles of dirt such as flour and sand. It is easy to assemble and the instructions are easy to follow.
You might not expect this vacuum to clean as good as machines that cost more than 5 times its price but I think you’ll be surprised by its cleaning quality. Why not save yourself a lot of money and try out this Black & Decker vacuum. A spare replacement belt is also supplied with the machine should you need it later on.
Airswivel features and benefits
This upright is super light and weighs just 8.8 pounds for easier handling and minimises fatigue
It manoeuvres brilliantly with swivel steering.
There’s a large dirt bin capacity of 2 litres for longer intervals between bin emptying.
Clever user-friendly handle designed to optimise machine use.
The foam filters are washable and lower the cost of maintenance even further.
The dirt bin is extremely easy to empty.
The Black & Decker Airswivel is perfect for carpets and hard flooring. It cleans both types of surfaces consistently.
A transparent nozzle window to view the cleaner head and inspect if it needs cleaning out.
That concludes our shortlist of the best upright vacuum cleaners for 2021. We’ve included a range of vacuums to suit big and small budgets. Whether you’re after a versatile upright vacuum or one with HEPA filtration for allergy sufferers you will find the perfect appliance to suit your requirements and your wallet.
When it comes to upright vacuum cleaners the brand that standouts for me are Shark. Their lift-away range truly is the best of both worlds, it transforms from upright to handheld to give you that added flexibility and quite frankly I think we all need this type of convenience to simplify house cleaning and get it out of the way so we can get on with the thing we enjoy.
Are you considering buying one of the Upright vacuums from our list or do you already own one? Please leave your comments in the section below. I’d love to hear from you.
Affiliate Disclosure: I am grateful to be of service and to bring you content free of charge. In order to do this, please note that when you click links and purchase items, in most cases I receive referral commissions. Eventually, I may earn enough to buy a beer or two 🙂
The Best Toy Vacuum Cleaner For Kids: It Turned Out To Be Great Fun
My son likes to watch and mimic what I do when I’m vacuuming the floors. I often find him trying to play with the vacuum cleaner which he’s nearly broken because it’s too big for him. As his birthday was coming up, I decided to do some research for a toy vacuum that I could buy as a birthday gift.
After a lot of research, I decided to buy the Dyson Ball Toy Vacuum which imitates the sounds and suction of a real vacuum. I wasn’t too sure whether a toy vacuum cleaner would be a good gift idea and if my son would actually play with it. Nonetheless, I purchased the toy and crossed my fingers that the choice of gift wouldn’t backfire.
When his birthday finally came round I waited in anticipation to see if the gift would be well received. The smile on his face said it all. I had struck gold. He wouldn’t put the toy vacuum down and it soon took the top spot for favourite toy.
The best feature about the Dyson Ball upright Toy vacuum is that it’s a miniature version of the real thing and it looks just like the real one. If it wasn’t for the size difference I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. My son enjoys whizzing the machine through the house, playing with the adjustments and pretending to clean, little does he know he’s secretly training to be my housecleaning minion in a few years.
The Dyson Ball upright Toy cleverly imitates the cyclone action using the multi-coloured balls inside the transparent canister. This contributes to the fun and makes my son feel like he’s getting involved with the housework.
The toy vacuum also manoeuvres in a similar way to the real one and is fitted with actual suction at the base of the vacuum so it can lift tiny pieces of paper or small beads. There is a detachable dirt bin at the rear so that kids can remove and empty it out ready for the next “cleaning” session.
This type of toy can contribute to developing the child’s social skills. I noticed that whenever my son brought out his toy vacuum he would automatically get positive interactions with family and friends curious to know more about his gadget. He lets his friends play with the toy Dyson and it encourages him to share the fun.
The toy Dyson Ball vacuum keeps my son occupied for hours on end. Personally, I prefer for him to play with a toy like this and learn some life skills rather than watching endless hours of t.v. This alone makes the small investment of an educational toy worth buying.
The Dyson toy has a switch and a button that control the cyclone canister, suction and sound. The button at the top of the machine turns on the cyclone and the multi-colored beads start to swirl around inside the transparent canister. My son really enjoys watching the beads dancing around the chamber.
The switch found at the bottom of the machine activates the suction and sound. The compact toy vacuum is a perfect size for young children over 3 years old. It is also lightweight to ensure that little people can handle toy machine and play with it easier.
As mentioned before the Dyson toy resembles the real thing thanks to the attention to detail. The toy is designed by Casdon toy manufacturer and even uses the same colour scheme found on real Dyson vacuum cleaners. My son can’t tell the difference and this obviously makes my life much easier because I can take out the real vacuum and not worry about him crying to have a go at vacuuming. He simply brings out the mini Dyson and off he goes!
He enjoys pretending to clean the house and his favourite areas to vacuum are the living room and his sister’s bedroom. He must think that his own room is clean enough to not bother with the Dyson toy.
If you’re considering buying the Dyson Ball Toy vacuum cleaner for your child or children, but are not sure if they’ll enjoy playing with this unique toy, I’d highly recommend trying it out. I’ll be honest that I had my reservations but it actually turned out to be a great toy.
Why you should buy the Toy Dyson Ball
Below is a summary of the features your child will enjoy when playing with the Dyson toy:
The suction power for the Dyson toy can lift tiny pieces of paper or small polystyrene beads.
The design of this toy is a spitting image of the real Dyson Ball vacuum cleaner. Your child won’t be able to tell the difference except that the toy is small enough to play with.
The toy’s lightweight and compactness stop injury during play time. There is zero risk of the toy falling on top of children.
The cyclone canister, with swirling beads, is an entertaining feature that engages the child.
The Dyson toy simulates the movement of a real Dyson and steers around corners and between obstacles like a real machine. It keeps kids entertained whilst teaching them how to problem solve.
The suction from the bottom of the toy vacuum is a good way of showing children the effect of moving the vacuum across the floor.
The Dyson toy imitates the machine sound of a real vacuum to give children the closest experience of using an actual vacuum cleaner.
There is a detachable back behind the toy to empty debris.
It’s easy to store away.
Where can you buy the Toy Dyson Ball Vacuum Cleaner?
The Toy Dyson Ball might not be the usual Barbie doll or transformer figurine but it’s a unique toy which turned out to be great entertainment for my son and his friends.
It combines playfulness and skill building. Most importantly, I don’t need to worry about my son crying to use my actual vacuum cleaner whenever I need to do house cleaning.
Are you considering buying the Dyson Ball Toy Vacuum Cleaner or have you already bought one for your child? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Affiliate Disclosure: I am grateful to be of service and to bring you content free of charge. In order to do this, please note that when you click links and purchase items, in most cases I receive referral commissions. Eventually, I may earn enough to buy a beer or two 🙂
What Is The Best Heavy Duty Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re searching for a reliable heavy duty upright vacuum cleaner you should consider the Oreck brand. The company builds robust appliances that are strong enough for commercial usage. Their vacuum cleaners can be used in hotels, offices, hospitals, shops and various commercial outlets.
The Oreck XL Commercial Upright Vacuum is one such vacuum that delivers incredible commercial performance accustomed to the Oreck range. This multipurpose cleaner simplifies difficult tasks and keeps your business looking its best.
Unlike bulkier alternatives, this machine is user-friendly and can easily manoeuvre around furniture, chairs and workstations. It’s designed to work on various floor types including carpets, wooden flooring and tiles. It automatically transitions between different floor types without requiring a change of settings.
The Oreck XL is a lightweight vacuum cleaner which ensures that vacuuming your floors never a strenuous ordeal. At the base of the machine you will find a wider cleaning path capable of vacuuming a larger space in less time.
The Microsweep function automatically adapts the machine as it changes between different surfaces, leaving you to concentrate on cleaning without worrying about adjustments.
This Oreck model is fitted with a 630 cubic inch “top fill” bag to retain high suction power as the dirtbag fills up with dust and dirt. A convenient cable guard, located at the rear, stops damage to the electric cable.
The machine on/off button is placed within easy reach and the Oreck XL is supplied with a one-year commercial warranty together with a one-year warranty on the belt.
Oreck XL Multi-Surface Vacuum Cleaner
The Oreck XL vacuum cleaner is highly favoured, in commercial environments, because of its ability to seamlessly switch between various floor types with strong immediate suction.
Usually, commercial cleaning appliances are big, difficult to operate and often heavy but the Oreck XL tackles all these issues. It weighs just over 8.2 pounds (3.7 kgs) which is incredibly light for an upright vacuum.
In addition to commercial usage, the machine’s lightweight and portability makes it suitable for home usage. It is easy to transport between rooms and takes up very little storage space. If the Oreck XL can withstand filthy offices and stores, it can clean your home with no problems.
Adapts to different floor types thanks to Microsweep technology.
Rapid roller brush to tackle stubborn dirt.
Low profile design to reach underneath furniture.
Side edge brushes for corners and room edges.
Disposable Top-Fill Inner Bag.
The 12-inch cleaning path has the advantage of a wider cleaning footprint and captures more dirt in a single sweep.
The Helping Hand handle is praised for user-friendliness and is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation. The power switch is fittingly located close to the handgrip.
The roller brush power is in a class of its own. It spins at 6,500 RPM with double helix brushes and sweeps dirt closer to the suction inlet with greater efficiency.
Extra-long cable length measuring 35 Foot.
Oreck XL Bumpers Prevent Scuffing and Marring
The built-in bumpers found on the Oreck XL ensure that the machine doesn’t ruin furniture if the machine accidentally bumps into anything. The bumper also prevents scuffing of walls and baseboards. This handy function avoids unnecessary wear and tear to your prized assets during vacuuming.
Oreck’s Helping Hand Handle
The handle removes any strain from the wrist and stops you from squeezing your hand unnecessarily whilst operating the machine. I definitely noticed the difference using the Oreck handle and it really does eliminate strain when moving the vacuum cleaner around. The handle was presented with the Ease of Use Award by the Arthritis Foundation which is well deserved.
Testing Oreck XL Commercial Upright Vacuum
I tried the Oreck XL vacuum in my own home and in a friend’s convenience store. Given that the machine is suited for both commercial and domestic usage I’m happy to see that it’s priced competitively. The Oreck XL is definitely a great investment and good value for money.
Commercial Cleaning:
I waited for the store to complete a full day’s trading and upon entering the store I feared that the mammoth task of cleaning an entire store would defeat the Oreck XL. Nonetheless, I got to work paying attention to high traffic areas. The floor was a mixture of vinyl flooring and carpet.
Given that the task of cleaning a whole store would take much longer than cleaning a house, I was impressed at how quick I got around the entire store thanks to the wider cleaning path.
It took just 45 mins to vacuum everywhere. The roller brush was relentlessly effective and left nothing behind. The Helping hand handle provided extra comfort to increase efficiency and work faster.
Domestic Cleaning:
My household is extremely busy, I’ve got a dog and kids running around with endless amounts of energy. Mess and pet hair is plentiful. The flooring in my house ranges from carpets to wooden floors to tiles. The Oreck XL was incredibly effective at removing pet hair. The rapid roller brush swept away stubborn dirt and gave the carpets a new lease of life.
The bags have a high dirt-holding capacity and it’s very easy to swap an old bag for a new one- simply pull out the full bag and insert a fresh one in a few seconds. What you are getting with the Oreck XL is a high functioning vacuum cleaner that can be used in demanding environments.
Oreck XL Maintenance
The scent tabs are an added bonus that leaves the carpets smelling fresh for several days. I went through about 2 scent tabs in 4 weeks but replacements were cheap to stock up. You can buy a packet of 25 scent tabs for approximately $15. The spare maintenance parts (belt/roller) are readily available online and cost less than $10.
Pros:
Commercial grade vacuum cleaner.
Robust machine built with strong materials.
Powerful suction and high-performance roller brush.
Scent tabs for long-lasting fresh smelling carpets.
Affiliate Disclosure: I am grateful to be of service and to bring you content free of charge. In order to do this, please note that when you click links and purchase items, in most cases I receive referral commissions. Eventually, I may earn enough to buy a beer or two 🙂
Recommended Upright Vacuum Cleaners: We Expose the Best.
Instead of giving you a long list of potential vacuum cleaners, I’ll cut straight to the chase. In this review, I’d like to recommend just one upright vacuum which stands proudly above the rest and provides the best course of vacuuming that I’ve tested so far.
Upright vacuum cleaners are still the most popular type of vacuum and there’s a good reason why. If you buy the right machine, the suction power on an upright vacuum is incredibly strong thus achieving all-around fresh carpets and floors in the least amount of time. You need to choose carefully though, as it’s easy to get stuck with a bulky machine that is difficult to operate. What’s the point of that?
Upright vacuums are bigger than their counterparts but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re less convenient to operate. It’s possible to find a lightweight upright cleaner that is built with similar user-friendly functions as a cylinder or handheld vacuum cleaner.
Convenience Prevails
Nowadays, there’s no reason you should compromise with the type of upright vacuum cleaner to buy. Consider functions such as, ease of steering, weight distribution, bagless convenience, HEPA filtration, integrated accessories to target areas that are more difficult to reach. After trying out numerous uprights I believe that there is an all-purpose solution to address the above needs and more.
If you’ve not heard about the Dyson DC65 then you should continue reading. If you have heard of it, I’d like to reaffirm why you should buy this great piece of kit.
Almost everyone knows the Dyson brand, I like that the company’s ingenuity continues to break boundaries. They gave us bagless technology and also the Dyson ball which equips your vacuum with steering prowess.
Thankfully the features described above can be enjoyed with the Dyson DC65. So what exactly should you expect from this upright vacuum cleaner?
DC65 Cleans All Floors and Carpets
DC65 is equipped with the latest cleaner head that automatically adapts as it moves between different floor types. There are no fiddly controls to adjust which means you get the optimal cleaning settings for every floor.
My home has a combination of low/high pile carpets, tiles, wooden, rugs and I like that I don’t need to remember to change the setting when I move between rooms. It’s all done for me.
Dyson’s leading Radial Root Cyclone suction power is fitted as standard. From the moment you switched on the machine, you will instantly notice the suction power that travels deep into thick carpets and seeks out dirt buried deep.
The cleaning power is evident when you see the dust, dirt and carpet fluff that starts to build up immediately within the dirt transparent bin. Nothing gets left behind.
Dyson DC65 Filter System
Dyson has ensured that their machine can address the problem of separating dust from the air as it travels through the machine. HEPA filters ensure than allergens floating in the air are sucked into the machine and trapped inside the sealed system. This is a huge benefit for anyone that suffers from airborne allergies or if you want to breathe cleaner air.
The integrated Dyson ball that sits at the base of the machine is a big bonus for steering the DC65 with ease. Bulky machines with rigid steering are not fun or easy to use, which often means that you are less willing to clean the house.
DC65 can turn around corners with great precision, it can move beneath furniture and tables thanks to the multi-directional tilting angles.
It is so easy for the machine to go wherever you want it to, it instantly responds to a simple twist to change direction.
False Economy
You should try not to buy a cheap upright vacuum cleaner. Cheaper machines are often unreliable and have a shorter lifespan. In the long run, it will be more expensive, to replace a cheap vacuum than buying a durable machine from the onset.
Although Dyson vacuum cleaners are slightly more expensive than competing brands, you will save money in the long run. Dyson machines are extremely hardy, they do not break down (I’ve owned my oldest Dyson for over 8 years and it still works just good as the first day I switched it on). The combination of lifetime washable filters and bagless bin means there are no extra costs. You will save money.
Dyson DC65is packaged with a full set of accessories to ensure that all areas of your home are within easy reach. The integrated extension hose, found at the rear of the machine, is where most of the accessories are attached depending on the area of the house that needs cleaning.
You are provided with a nifty Stair Attachment. When attached to the extension hose it can suck dirt from stairs with impressive results. It will reach into the furthest corners and leave nothing behind.
The 2-in-1 Combo Tool can be adjusted between a dirt nozzle and dusting brush. Use it to suck up dust from tight gaps. There’s nowhere that the DC65 won’t go.
The Multi-angled Brush is a U-shaped attachment that can tilt into multiple angles to clean high areas that are hard to reach such as ceiling fans, chandeliers, above the closet and so on.
The Tangle-Free Turbine Tool is designed to suck up pet and human hair without it getting tangled up in the attachment. It is ideal for narrow spaces, upholstery and stairs.
Stiff Bristle Brush. The bristles on this small brush are stiffened to work into the carpet, agitate stubborn dirt or mud and loosen it.
The Soft Dusting Brush is an extended soft-bristle attachment that helps to dust furniture, bookshelves and delicate furnishings.
The Dyson DC65 is among our list of recommended upright vacuum cleaners because of its uncompromising performance, great design and all the premium features that can be enjoyed by the Dyson brand i.e. Root Cyclone power, a plethora of accessories, HEPA filtration, bagless bin and a durable vacuum cleaner that will last for many years.
If you would like to read the full review click this link to discover the full cleaning potential that awaits you. Are you considering buying the DC65 or do you currently own one? Please leave your comments in the section below and let me know your thoughts.
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What is the best suction vacuum cleaner for your home or apartment and how do you decide which one to buy? Are you tired of using low powered vacuums that never seem to get rid of the mess deep-rooted in your carpets? I’ve had my fair share of inferior vacuum cleaners and can share your frustration.
Whether you’ve got a large property or a small abode, you don’t need to put up with filthy floors. Find the right vacuum cleaner and it will serve you well for many years. Suction power is highly important to eliminate dirt and dust floating around, but other features such as manoeuvrability, weight, accessories and machine maintenance play an equally important role.
My friends call me the vacuum lady for a good reason, I’ve tested a lot of vacuum cleaners and I can say that suction performance varies massively. On one end of the spectrum, you’ll find plenty of cheap poor quality vacuums and on the other end, you’ll find expensive premiums that don’t always deliver.
Don’t worry because there’s a happy medium. After reading this review you’ll see that good vacuums are not difficult to source. I’ll break each section by machine type and reveal which ones have the best suction power to suit your requirements.
Best Suction Upright Vacuum Cleaner
It’s no surprise to see that upright vacuums are still a popular choice. They were the first mainstream design when vacuums were invented and most people like to stick to what they know.
Be careful though! If you choose the wrong machine you might be stuck with a bulky machine that is arduous to operate.
My favourite upright vacuum is the Dyson DC65. It’s sleek, extremely lightweight and houses the best features on a full-sized vacuum to provide a comprehensive cleaning solution.
It delivers 215 AW which is twice the suction power of its closest rival. The machine has a unique base plate that maximises contact with your floor for unbeatable suction.
Why should you consider the Dyson DC65? Because it’s easy to handle, ultra-portable and backed up by a strong brand that guarantees a reliable machine. A Dyson vacuum doesn’t lose suction, it’ll always work just as good as the day you first switched it on.
Best Suction Canister/ Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner
Cylinder or canister vacuums are portable cleaners that are easier to store in homes with limited space. They might be smaller than upright vacuums but provide an equivalent amount of suction power. If you’re looking for the perfect cylinder, I would suggest the Dyson DC39 vacuum cleaner which delivers 280AW of suction power.
The DC39 gives you the convenience of swivel steering thanks to the Dyson ball fitted at the chassis. It will never get stuck when travelling around a corner.
Dyson vacuums provide the best bagless technology over their rivals. The unique bin emptying mechanism has been improved to simplify dirt disposal. Simply press a button to release the dirt into your garbage can and prevent it from making contact with you.
The Dyson DC39might be a small machine but it’s fitted with premium HEPA filtration that you’ll appreciate from the moment you turn on the vacuum. The air smells fresher after within moments of usage. This vacuum is a wise choice if you are prone to airborne allergic reactions.
Best Suction Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson V8 has the strongest suction power in a cordless stick vacuum. The unit is incredibly portable and it delivers a maximum suction of 115 AW. It deep cleans floors with the direct-drive cleaner head that provides 150% more brush power and a separate soft roller cleaner is included specifically for hard flooring.
The V8 is unique to its rivals because it’s designed with HEPA filtration to filter out dust and allergens from the air. Just remember that the V8 vacuum weighs only 2.61kg, which makes it nimble and possible to clean all areas of your home. It provides the stick best suction on all floor types and high reaching areas.
Dyson V8 has the added advantage of switching between stick and handheld mode and is provided with plenty of accessories to clean stairs, car interiors, hard to reach areas i.e. tight gaps between and underneath furniture. A mini motorised tool, combination tool, rigid crevice tool and soft dusting brush are provided.
Most stick vacuums provide a maximum runtime of about 20 minutes but the Dyson V8 doubles that to 40 minutes runtime of powerful cleaning. The docking station can be mounted in an area close to high traffic rooms for immediate access to the vacuum. The dock not only provides a convenient storage solution, it charges the machine and stores additional accessories.
Best Suction Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums offer the convenience of autonomous floor cleaning. The Neato Robotics Botvac D80 is a robust cleaner with lots of handy functions and suction power to eliminate dirt that’s determined to stay hidden in your carpets.
It’s driven by a high powered Spinflow cleaning system that lifts more dirt than its competitors. I like the D-shape design that ensures all areas of the room are reachable including corners and along walls.
The D80 robot requires little help and is easy to maintain. It will travel between rooms seeking out dirt and when the battery is running low it will automatically head back to the charging dock to power up, it will then pick up where it left off.
In addition to high suction power, the D80 vacuum is equipped with a spiral blade brush that is adapted for all floors and a combo brush specially designed to pick up troublesome hairs.
The dirt canister has a larger capacity of 0.7 litres. It holds more dirt so that the D80 robot requires less frequent emptying. The bin design has been improved for easier dirt disposal, all you need to do is lift the bin from the top of the machine and empty it in a matter of a few seconds.
Conclusion
When selecting a new machine, suction power is important but it’s also important to choose a reliable vacuum cleaner that houses a good set of features and user convenience. The above short list should help you decide what is the best suction vacuum cleaner for your home or apartment.
Are you considering one of the vacuums from the above list or do you already own one? Please leave your comments in the section below and thanks for reading.
Who Makes The Best Vacuum Cleaner? This is the most common question that I get asked by prospective customers looking to buy the ultimate vacuum cleaner. Before we select the best brands we need to first look at what type of vacuum cleaner is best for your home. Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
Do you require a cordless or a corded vacuum cleaner?
Do you need a stick, upright, canister or handheld vacuum cleaner?
Do you want a vacuum that is lightweight and quieter to operate?
How much are you willing to spend on your new vacuum cleaner?
Vacuum Cleaner Budget
Paying more money for a premium vacuum doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the best features.
After reviewing a countless amount of vacuums I’ve found budget vacuum cleaners that can sometimes outperform their pricier counterparts.
Personally, I like the Dyson brand because when you buy one of their vacuums you’ll notice the difference in performance straight away. You want a vacuum cleaner that is easy to handle, the machine shouldn’t weigh a tonne and of course, it should never lose suction.
Time-Saving Vacuum Cleaners
If you struggle to find the time to vacuum clean regularly I would highly recommend a robot vacuum that can be programmed to clean whilst you’re out and about. Here is a list of the Best Robot cleaners that we’ve tested and found to be just as effective as doing the job yourself.
If you can’t decide whether to buy canister or upright vacuum cleaner, why not choose a 2-in-1 cleaner that combines the power of an upright with the portability of a canister cleaner. For this, I’d highly recommend the Shark brand.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a good example of great functionality and convenience fitted into a single machine.
If you are looking a low priced 2-in-1 vacuum with identical performance as an expensive premium then Shark Navigator Lift Away Pro NV356E is suited for the job. The transformation between upright and canister mode lets you make light work of cleaning stairs, carpets, hard flooring and hard-to-reach areas.
Cordless Suction Power
I’ll be honest that when I first heard about battery-powered vacuum cleaners I wasn’t convinced that they could produce enough suction power to lift dust, carpet fluff and stubborn dirt.
After testing several brands I recommend staying away from cheap cordless cleaners and pay a little extra for a Dyson V6 handheld vacuum. Why? Because the V6 is very powerful and not as expensive as the Dyson V8 but delivers similar performance albeit a slightly shorter battery life.
I found myself using the Dyson V6 more than my full sized vacuum and achieving similar cleaning results. You can mount the V6 stick vacuum on a nearby wall in the most frequented room and you’ve got immediate access to a powerful vacuum.
The wall bracket ensures that the battery is always fully charged and ready. Its great to see it at work considering how small and light it is.
Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
If you’d prefer an upright vacuum cleaner but hate power cables getting in the way, the Bissell AirRam is a unique cordless upright that weighs just 3.5 kgs. It’s classed as a full-sized vacuum cleaner but it doesn’t come with the bulk of one.
Bissell AirRam runs for 40 minutes on a single charge, which is more than enough time to vacuum the entire house without worrying about the battery running out halfway through cleaning.
The machine is bagless and is fitted with a special bin that compresses the dirt to avoid clouds of dust escaping back into the air. Simply slide the ejector arm in one single motion to empty the bin. I like the LED lights fitted on the front of the cleaner head to help see dirt hidden in dark areas.
Portable Canister Vacuum Cleaners
Canister vacuum cleaners are a popular choice for those looking for a compact machine that is easy to store but shares the equivalent power of an upright vacuum. The Dyson DC39 Animal is a remarkable compact vacuum that delivers 257 AW of suction power.
At its base, the DC39 animal, swivels on top of the Dyson ball for the best manoeuvrability. The machine is certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly and is fitted with washable lifetime filters.
What stands out the most is the set of accessories provided- the turbine head works on most floor types including thick carpets and hard floors, the combination tool and stair tool ensure that every part of your home is accessible. DC39 Animal is compact, stylish and provides a comprehensive cleaning solution for large homes and small apartments.
Best Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner
I recently reviewed the Dyson DC65 Upright cleaner and was so impressed by the machine’s performance that I bought one for my parents.
Dyson has balanced the weight of the machine and the Dyson ball to give the best handling that I’ve ever experienced on a full-sized upright.
If you’re worried that stairs and high reaching areas are hard to clean with an upright cleaner, the DC65 features a detachable extendable hose specifically for tight gaps, ceilings and stairways.
It lifts double the amount of dirt than its closest rival and purifies the air with its HEPA filters as the air travels through the machine. Dyson gave us bagless technology and Root Cyclone Power- if you’re expecting to use the best, DC65 will not disappoint.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot and I’m confident that you’ve found a vacuum cleaner to suit your lifestyle and home. Choosing a vacuum cleaner can be tricky business, it’s much easier to first decide on the type of machine suited for your home, to decide who makes the best vacuum cleaner.
Are you thinking of buying a vacuum from the above list or do you already own one? Please could you leave your comments in the section below. I’d love to hear from you.
Oreck XL Maintenance
It’s no surprise to see that 
