Best upright vacuum for hardwood and carpet--
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5 Best Upright Vacuums for Hardwood and Carpet in the UK

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When choosing the best upright vacuum for your home, it’s important to find a model that can effortlessly tackle both hardwood floors and carpets. These surfaces require different cleaning approaches—hardwood needs a gentle touch to avoid scratches, while carpets demand powerful suction to remove embedded dirt. The ideal upright vacuum offers versatility, switching seamlessly between these surfaces while providing superior cleaning performance across the board.

In this guide, we’ll explore top-rated upright vacuums that excel on both hardwood and carpet, ensuring your home stays spotless regardless of flooring type

Top Pick

Features

  • 1.1L dust capacity
  • 750W motor
  • 8m cord length
  • Lift-Away Technology
  • LED headlights
  • Anti-Allergen Complete Seal
  • Includes Pet Tool, Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool

KEY ADVANTAGES

  • Converts into a portable vacuum for cleaning stairs and upholstery
  • Effective at capturing allergens with a complete seal system
  • Long cord allows for extended reach without switching outlets

Performance

  • Seamlessly transitions between carpet and hard floor modes
  • Handles pet hair effectively with included tools
  • LED headlights illuminate hidden dirt and debris

Summary

The Shark NV602UKT offers versatile cleaning with its Lift-Away Technology, making it easy to clean stairs and upholstery. Its powerful motor and anti-allergen feature ensure a thorough clean across both carpets and hard floors. The long cord and effective tools make it an excellent choice for comprehensive home cleaning.

Features

  • Anti-Twist Bar technology
  • Lightweight design at 5kg
  • Push&Lift feature
  • Adjustable suction control
  • LED lights
  • Includes wand and crevice tool

KEY ADVANTAGES

  • Anti-Twist technology prevents hair wrap around the brush
  • Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around furniture
  • Portable mode allows for cleaning stairs and car interiors

Performance

  • Consistent suction power across various floor types
  • Easy adjustment of suction power for different surfaces
  • LED lights help spot hidden dust in dark areas

Summary

The Hoover HL4 combines lightweight portability with robust cleaning performance. Its Anti-Twist Bar technology and LED lights make it suitable for both deep cleaning carpets and maintaining hardwoods. The versatile design and adjustable suction enhance its functionality for diverse cleaning needs.

Features

  • 17m reach
  • 4.9kg weight
  • Turbo Tool and 3-in-1 Tool
  • Bagless design
  • No loss of suction

KEY ADVANTAGES

  • Extensive reach allows for cleaning large areas without moving the vacuum
  • Lightweight for easy handling and manoeuvring
  • Effective at picking up pet hair with included Turbo Tool

Performance

  • Maintains strong suction power even when the dirt bin is full
  • Reach hose enables above-floor cleaning with ease
  • Lightweight design facilitates easy movement around the home

Summary

The Vax Air Stretch Pet Max provides excellent reach and lightweight handling, making it ideal for extensive home cleaning. It delivers consistent suction power and includes useful tools for tackling pet hair and above-floor messes. Its performance and ease of use make it a great choice for diverse cleaning tasks.

Best Budget

Features

  • 22.2V battery
  • 45-minute run time
  • 2.3kg weight
  • 3-in-1 functionality
  • Washable filter

KEY ADVANTAGES

  • Cordless design offers freedom of movement
  • Lightweight and easy to carry, ideal for multi-level homes
  • Versatile with a 3-in-1 tool for different cleaning tasks

Performance

  • Provides up to 45 minutes of cleaning on a single charge
  • Efficiently cleans various surfaces including carpets and hardwoods
  • Compact design allows easy storage and manoeuvrability

Summary

The VYTRONIX NIBC22 stands out with its cordless convenience and lightweight build, making it easy to use across different areas of the home. Its long run time and versatile 3-in-1 tool enhance its functionality for various cleaning needs. The compact design adds to its practicality for everyday use.

Features

  • 4L dust capacity
  • 5.6kg weight
  • Multi-cyclonic filtration
  • 10m power cord
  • HEPA filter

KEY ADVANTAGES

  • Large dust tank reduces the frequency of emptying
  • Multi-cyclonic filtration captures fine dust and allergens
  • Long power cord offers extended reach without frequent outlet changes

Performance

  • Efficiently cleans both carpets and hard floors with multi-surface compatibility
  • Wide anti-clog hose ensures uninterrupted suction
  • Motorized floor head with LED lights reveals hidden dirt

Summary

The Russell Hobbs Hypermax combines a large dust capacity with advanced multi-cyclonic filtration for thorough cleaning. Its long cord and powerful suction make it suitable for various surfaces, while the LED lights help ensure no dirt is missed. It offers practical features for an efficient cleaning experience.

Key Features to consider  

When selecting an upright vacuum for hardwood floors, it’s important to consider several key features that will ensure the best performance and care for your floors:

  1. Suction Power: A vacuum with strong suction power is essential for effectively removing dust, dirt, and debris from hardwood floors. Look for models with adjustable suction settings to suit different cleaning needs.

  2. Soft Wheels and Padding: To prevent scratching your hardwood floors, choose a vacuum with soft rubber wheels and padding around the base. This feature will protect your floors as you move the vacuum around.

  3. HEPA Filtration: A vacuum with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration is ideal for capturing fine dust particles and allergens. This is particularly important if you have allergies or asthma, as it helps to maintain cleaner air in your home.

  4. Lightweight Design: A lightweight vacuum is easier to manoeuvre, especially on hardwood floors where heavy vacuums can be difficult to push and may cause damage if accidentally dropped or dragged.

  5. Edge Cleaning Capabilities: Look for vacuums with good edge cleaning abilities to effectively remove dust and debris from corners and along the edges of the room, where dirt often accumulates.

  6. Noise Level: Consider the noise level of the vacuum, especially if you have a sensitive household or pets. Some vacuums are designed to operate more quietly, making them a better choice for regular use.

how to clean upright vacuum cleaner

Proper cleaning of your upright vacuum cleaner is essential to maintain its efficiency and extend its lifespan. Here are some steps to clean your vacuum thoroughly:

  1. Empty the Dustbin or Replace the Bag: For bagless vacuums, remove the dustbin and empty it into the bin. Use a damp cloth to wipe the inside of the dustbin to remove any residual dust. For bagged models, remove the full bag and replace it with a new one according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

  2. Clean the Filters: Most upright vacuums have one or more filters that trap dust and allergens. Depending on your vacuum’s model, these filters may be washable or replaceable. If washable, rinse them under cold water and let them dry completely before reinstalling. Replace non-washable filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

  3. Inspect and Clean the Brush Roll: Turn the vacuum upside down to access the brush roll. Remove any hair, threads, or debris wrapped around it. Some vacuums have removable brush rolls for easier cleaning. Ensure the brush roll spins freely and is not obstructed.

  4. Check the Hoses and Attachments: Detach hoses and attachments to check for blockages. Run water through detachable hoses or use a long, flexible brush to remove any clogs. Make sure all parts are thoroughly dry before reattaching.

  5. Wipe Down the Exterior: Use a damp cloth to wipe the exterior of the vacuum, removing any dust or dirt. Pay attention to the areas around the controls and handle, as these can accumulate grime over time.

  6. Reassemble the Vacuum: Once all parts are clean and dry, reassemble your vacuum carefully. Make sure everything is securely in place before plugging it back in and testing it.