Upright Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide

Upright vacuum cleaners are vacuums that are composed of a cleaning head with a handle and bag attached. The motor, bag, hose and beater are usually all included in a single unit. Their wheeled carriages make them easy to maneuver around furniture. Some are even self-propelled so that they can cover large, open areas of a room. Upright vacuum cleaners work best on carpeting. Adjustment settings are sometimes available for carpets of different heights most have a bare floor setting. Upright vacuum cleaners provide a wide cleaning swath, is great at deep cleaning carpets, easy to store and have great suction.

Choosing a vacuum cleaner is an important and sometimes expensive decision. Before buying an upright vacuum cleaner it is important to consider a few key factors:

Filter: Consider any special filtration needs. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters have excellent filtration properties, that's why they are included on models like the Hoover U6634900 Self-Propelled WindTunnel Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner. They remove at lease 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter. Particles of this size are the most difficult to filter and are considered the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). HEPA filters are beneficial for asthma and allergy sufferers. They trap fine particles such as pollen and dust mite feces which trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Keep in mind that for a HEPA filter to be effective, the vacuum must be designed so that all of the air drawn into the machine is expelled through the filter so that none of the air leaks past it.

Bags vs. Bagless: Although most upright vacuum cleaners come with disposable bags to collect dust and dirt, more bagless models are being designed every day. Bagless models have a cylinder that collects dust and is emptied after vacuuming, like the Bissell 37604 Lift-Off Revolution Pet Bagless Vacuum Cleaner. With bagless upright vacuum cleaners there is no need to purchase bags and are easy to empty. Bagged models are cheaper and retain good suction longer. You’ll simply replace the bag when full. With bagless models, dirt and dust can be released into the air.

Tools and Attachments: Figure out what you will be cleaning the most and what attachments you'll need to help. Are you going to be cleaning drapes, furniture and stairs? Will you be switching from hardwood to rugs and carpeting? Both of these situations may call for specialized tools and brushes.

Maneuverability and Cleaning Benefits: If you need to clean bare floors as well as your carpeting and rugs, consider purchasing a unit that has a revolving brushroll that can be turned off, like the Eureka 4870PZ Boss SmartVac Upright Vacuum Cleaner. This ensures that your hard flooring will not be damaged. Long cords and long hose are great for cleaning large areas without having to plug into a different outlet. The hose makes it easy to clean high places with an attachment without worrying about the vacuum cleaner tipping over. If you want to vacuum underneath beds and other furniture, you'll need an upright with a low profile. One other helpful feature is edge cleaning. If a vacuum features edge cleaning, it means that it can pick up dirt under the entire areas of the cleaning head. This is most useful when cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting.