Unless you have a house cleaner or a maid, odds are you are vacuuming up debris and pet hair from your carpets on a regular basis. It seems that no matter how much we vaccum, carpets and flooring just don't get back to their original condition. With almost 2 out of 3 homes having a pet, it seems that owning a vacuum that sucks up pet hair is an essential tool to have in the house. For decades we have seen claims about vacuums that don't always hold true when put to the test. Upright vacuums are the best solution for vacuuming carpets as they supply the most suction power to remove dust, debris, and hair. The new bagless vacuums save you money by not having to replace the bag every month or so, but emptying these "dust bins" can be a messy job. Upright vacuums are cheaper than canister models with pricing usually between $100 and $500. The top brands for uprights are Kenmore, Hoover, Eureka, Electrolux, Kirby, Bissell, Oreck, Dyson, Panasonic, Sebo, Miele, and Dirt Devil. What features are the most important in an upright vacuum?

You want one that is easy to push or pull as the heavier they are, the more fatigued you will become while vacuuming. Some are very good at trapping in things like pollen, dust mites, ragweed, and mold spores, although don't assume that everything you pass over is getting sucked up into the vacuum. Models with easy to reach on/off switches are the best - most people prefer an easy to find button the handle somewhere. Some offer full-bag/bin indicator lights so you know when the vacuum is full. Uprights with a manual pile adjust let you raise or lower the pile height depending on the surface you are going over. This is best for adjusting over thin carpets and then switching back to thicker carpets. Hepa filters and dust filters are what advertisers try to sell, especially to those who suffer from allergies. I prefer the bagless vacuums versus the bagged models simple because I can empty the bin at any time and it seems that an empty bin means more suction power. Also, who wants to have to change out a vacuum bag these days.

You will find some vacuums have a small light at the front to help guide you in dark rooms or areas. The one drawback to some uprights is that they can be heavy and hard to push. They are also not the most efficient at vacuuming up stairs. We found reviews for the latest upright vacuums in Consumer Reports which tested 65 models. Good Housekeeping also does a fine job of rating and comparing the newest vacuum cleaners for ability to keep carpets looking new and clean. , in their 'home' section. Consumer Reports test the vacuums the most thoroughly for the ability to clean carpets, bare floors, noise levels, emissions, handling, removing pet hair, and tool airflow. All of these are essential features on any upright vacuum and we that CR results are the most valid. You can buy vacuums in almost all major department stores like Target, Sears, Macy's, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Linen N Things. - carries the best selection online. RECOMMENDED - When it comes to cleaning, no other vacuum did as well as the Kenmore Progressive with Direct Drive 35922 ($250) which rated high in almost all categories.

It runs a touch noisy and isn't necessarily the easiest to handle, but it cleans carpets, floors, and pet hair very well. The Kenmore vacuum kept emissions to a minimum with a HEPA filtration system and the brush on/off switch made for switching from carpets to wood floors quite easy. The direct drive beltless agitator provides plenty of power and consumers like the fact there is no costly belt to replace. The attachments work great on upholstery, stairs, and those difficult to reach areas. good housekeeping vacuum cleaners site or in their stores. cheap vacuum cleaners maltaYou might wonder why isn't Kirby listed here, but for the price ($1350) it's hard to justify spending that kind of money when you can get similar results from a machine $1000 less. vacuum cleaner aqua filter

We also recommended viewing the Dyson vacuum cleaners here. Want an upright for around $100? The Hoover U5507-900 Elite Rewind Bagless Upright ($90) rates fairly high given it's price. You get the automatic cord reel with a 24' cord that will rewind with the simple push of a button. You get a lifetime Hepa filter and quality attachments like a Powered Pet Tool and a Deluxe Stretch Hose (10 feet). The bagless system has an E-Z Empty Dirt Cup that you pour into the garbage when full. Some say you are better off with a more expensive model like the Kenmore above while others say it performs just fine. We did notice that more complaints were for it's ability to pick up pet hair (didn't do so good). See all the Hoover upright vacuum cleaners online here. Pet hair can be a real nuisance if you don't have a vacuum that can suck up all those tiny hairs throughout your house. We have all seen commercials for the perfect vacuum that will tackle pet hair in your house, but there is truly one upright vacuum that takes on this chore with no problems, the Eureka Boss Smart-Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner, 4870MZ ($150).

The Eureka vacuum has a HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of all pollen, dust, and allergens. Comes with upholstery nozzle, dusting brush, and crevice tool so no place goes unclean. It's does require you to replace the vacuum bag periodically, but the ability to clean up pet hair (dog, cat, hamster) is unmatched by most vacuums in this category. and in stores like Target and Wal-Mart. Eureka has an excellent repair history that is only bested by the more expensive Kirby vacuums. See all the top selling Eureka upright vacuums here. The Bissell PowerForce 6579-2 ($50) is a solid selection for those with hardwood floors. Bissell is a well respected name in the vacuum industry and they offer a variety of upright vacuum cleaners. The PowerForce series do well with pet hair and cleaning bare floors. Do not buy this model if you plan on using it on carpets as it will not do the best job. We like the Electrolux Oxygen but at $400 it's not easy justifying the added cost although it will clean carpets pretty well too.