The Best 5Aggregated review·12 sources·updated October 16, 2026·checked October 9, 2026

Best Upright Vacuum

Top 5 upright vacuum ranked by aggregate score from 12 published reviews.

This guide aggregates 12 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 2. How we rank.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

Quick answer

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 is our top pick for upright vacuum — an averaged 4.2/5 across 2 published reviews at about $529.99. Runner-up: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 (~$149.99).

Read the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 review →$529.99 · Buy at sharkninja.com

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review

#	Product	Rating	Price	Best for
1	Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002Top Pick	4.2 2 sources	$529.99	Homes with a mix of hard floors and low-pile carpet, and allergy-conscious buyers who want sealed HEPA filtration	$529.99 · Buy at sharkninja.com
2	Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360	4.1 1 source	$149.99	multi-floor users seeking good filtration	$149.99 · Check Price on Amazon
3	Dyson Ball Animal 3	3.9 2 sources	$347.95	pet owners seeking high-performance cleaning	$347.95 · Check Price on Amazon
4	Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352	3.9 1 source	$179.99	budget-conscious buyers seeking versatility	$179.99 · Check Price on Amazon
5	Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252	2.9 2 sources	$139.99	budget-conscious pet owners	$139.99 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance5 products ▾

1Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002Top Pick

4.2

2 sources

$529.99Best for: Homes with a mix of hard floors and low-pile carpet, and allergy-conscious buyers who want sealed HEPA filtration

$529.99 · Buy at sharkninja.com

2Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360

4.1

1 source

$149.99Best for: multi-floor users seeking good filtration

$149.99 · Check Price on Amazon

3Dyson Ball Animal 3

3.9

2 sources

$347.95Best for: pet owners seeking high-performance cleaning

$347.95 · Check Price on Amazon

4Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352

3.9

1 source

$179.99Best for: budget-conscious buyers seeking versatility

$179.99 · Check Price on Amazon

5Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252

2.9

2 sources

$139.99Best for: budget-conscious pet owners

$139.99 · Check Price on Amazon

Reviews aggregated from

TechGearLabVacuumcleaneradvisorVacuum WarsTechRadarThe New York TimesPeople

The full ranking

How we rank →

#1 · Top Pick

★ Premium Pick

Best for: Homes with a mix of hard floors and low-pile carpet, and allergy-conscious buyers who want sealed HEPA filtration

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002

4.2

2 sources$529.99as of Oct 16

The Shark Stratos AZ3002 is a corded upright with a dual-roller DuoClean head, a HEPA seal and a Lift-Away pod for above-floor cleaning. TechGearLab named it Best Overall in its upright test with a score of 81, picking up 97% of test debris on low-pile carpet and hardwood. TechRadar, after a year of use, rated it 4 out of 5. Both note limits: average results on shag carpet and pet hair (TechGearLab), and no Auto mode plus a self-propelled head that can run away from you (TechRadar).

Strengths

— Picked up 97% of test debris on both low-pile carpet and hardwood, per TechGearLab
— Aced TechGearLab's filtration test with its HEPA filter

Watch-outs

— Only average on thick shag carpet and pet hair (64% in TechGearLab's pet hair test)
— No Auto mode, and the self-propelled head can feel like it is running away, per TechRadar

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Picked up 97% of test debris on both low-pile carpet and hardwood, per TechGearLab
— Aced TechGearLab's filtration test with its HEPA filter

Watch-outs

— Only average on thick shag carpet and pet hair (64% in TechGearLab's pet hair test)
— No Auto mode, and the self-propelled head can feel like it is running away, per TechRadar

$529.99 · Buy at sharkninja.com Full review →vs. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 →

Best for: multi-floor users seeking good filtration

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360

4.1

1 source$149.99as of Oct 11

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 is solid value, with the Lift-Away feature, washable filters, and decent performance across floor types. Reviewers noted it is well-built for its price range and picks up debris effectively, though it does not turn sharply and the power cord is short. Some users found the brushroll tangles with pet hair, and the vacuum's balance makes it somewhat unstable when upright. Buyers who want an affordable, multi-floor vacuum with good filtration are the fit; anyone who needs superior edge cleaning or sharp maneuverability is not.

Strengths

— Lift-Away feature allows for easy access to stairs and vehicle interiors
— Three washable filters including a HEPA filter

Watch-outs

— Short power cord at 25 feet, per TechGearLab

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Lift-Away feature allows for easy access to stairs and vehicle interiors
— Three washable filters including a HEPA filter

Watch-outs

— Short power cord at 25 feet, per TechGearLab

$149.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 →

Best for: pet owners seeking high-performance cleaning

Dyson Ball Animal 3

3.9

2 sources$347.95as of Oct 11

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 cleans exceptionally well, with a 99.4% debris removal rate in review tests. Its adjustable cleaning head and advanced motorbar system work across floor types and handle pet hair, and reviewers noted it detangles long and pet hair automatically. Some users find the dustbin smaller than its predecessor's, and availability is limited at many retailers. Pet owners after high-performance cleaning are the fit; budget-conscious buyers, or anyone who wants wide retailer access, are not.

Strengths

— Adjustable cleaning head enables effective cleaning on varied floor types
— Handles pet hair easily with automatic tangle-free operation

Watch-outs

— Slightly smaller dustbin compared to previous model

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Adjustable cleaning head enables effective cleaning on varied floor types
— Handles pet hair easily with automatic tangle-free operation

Watch-outs

— Slightly smaller dustbin compared to previous model

$347.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 →

Best for: budget-conscious buyers seeking versatility

Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352

3.9

1 source$179.99as of Oct 11

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 has been a Wirecutter pick for years, on the strength of strong suction, durability, and lift-away operation that reaches high spots. TechGearLab's review confirms its solid carpet performance and HEPA filtration while noting it falls short on hardwood floors and tangles with pet hair. It is not the best vacuum available, but it holds up as a reliable budget option under $200 with a five-year motor warranty. The warranty's limited scope and the small dustbin are the noted drawbacks.

Strengths

— Impressive suction and airflow that easily picks up sand, glitter, and fur
— Lift-away feature transforms it into a handheld tool for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and shelves

Watch-outs

— Struggles with deeply embedded pet hair that tends to clump and tangle
— Tiny dustbin holds less than a quart, requiring frequent emptying

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Impressive suction and airflow that easily picks up sand, glitter, and fur
— Lift-away feature transforms it into a handheld tool for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and shelves

Watch-outs

— Struggles with deeply embedded pet hair that tends to clump and tangle
— Tiny dustbin holds less than a quart, requiring frequent emptying

$179.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 →

Best for: budget-conscious pet owners

Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252

2.9

2 sources$139.99as of Oct 11

The Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252 is an affordable upright that does better than expected on both carpet and hard floor tests, particularly with pet hair. TechGearLab praised its suction indicator and powered pet tool, and Vacuum Wars called it strong value for budget-conscious buyers. Reviewers flagged filtration problems, a brush that is hard to clean, and no suction control. It suits anyone who wants an economical vacuum that still delivers solid performance; allergy sufferers may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths

— Good pet hair collection
— Suction Power Indicator shows clogs visually

Watch-outs

— Brush roller hard to clean
— Poor filtration system that releases airborne particles

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Good pet hair collection
— Suction Power Indicator shows clogs visually

Watch-outs

— Brush roller hard to clean
— Poor filtration system that releases airborne particles

$139.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 →

Reviews aggregated from

TechGearLabVacuumcleaneradvisorVacuum WarsTechRadarThe New York TimesPeople

Spec comparison

5 products

Spec	Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002	Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360	Dyson Ball Animal 3	Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352	Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 2252
Weight	16.6 lb	12.5 lb	17.3 lb	—	15 lb
Cord Length	30 ft	25 feet	35'	—	27 ft
Dust Capacity	—	1.2 dry quarts	Smaller than previous model	Less than a quart	1.0L
Filter Type	—	—	HEPA	HEPA	Washable foam disk filter
Cleaning Head	—	—	Adjustable	—	Swivel Head \| Height Adjustment Knob
Warranty	—	—	5-year manufacturer’s parts and labor warranty	Five-year motor warranty	—

Spec	Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002	Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360
Weight	16.6 lb	12.5 lb
Cord Length	30 ft	25 feet
Dust Capacity	—	1.2 dry quarts
Filter Type	—	—
Cleaning Head	—	—
Warranty	—	—

Frequently asked questions

Which upright vacuum should I buy?

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 is the top pick for upright vacuum — 4.2/5 averaged from 2 published reviews. The Shark Stratos AZ3002 is a corded upright with a dual-roller DuoClean head, a HEPA seal and a Lift-Away pod for above-floor cleaning. TechGearLab named it Best Overall in its upright test with a score of 81, picking up 97% of test debris on low-pile carpet and hardwood. TechRadar, after a year of use, rated it 4 out of 5. Both note limits: average results on shag carpet and pet hair (TechGearLab), and no Auto mode plus a self-propelled head that can run away from you (TechRadar).

Is this upright vacuum guide up to date?

This guide was last re-checked in October 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.

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