A weak upright leaves pet hair and crumbs behind on carpet. Consumer Reports tested upright vacuums for suction and cleaning
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A weak upright vacuum leaves pet hair and embedded crumbs behind on carpet no matter how many times it passes over the same spot. Bagged and bagless models trade off differently on suction power, noise and how well they capture the dust they pick up.
Consumer Reports tested upright vacuums for pet hair pickup, bare floor and carpet cleaning, suction and noise.
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The Kenmore BU1018 sits in the mid-range price tier for this lineup and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a stellar performer at sucking up pet hair. CR rated it very good at cleaning carpets and even better on bare floors, backed by a light-up dirt indicator and headlamp that flag spots that might have been missed. Testers found it weighed in on the heavier side, tipping the scale at 21 pounds, which could feel unwieldy for some, and noted it ran noisier than the other bagged models tested. CR's member surveys give Kenmore as a brand middling marks on how well its vacuums hold up and how happy owners tend to be with them.
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The Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly 31150 sits in the mid-range price tier for this lineup and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation for living up to its name at removing pet hair. CR found it nailed bare-floor cleaning tests and performed impressively on carpets too, with hose suction stronger than every other upright tested in this lineup. Testers noted the 21-pound weight keeps this model from being lightweight, and some owners have complained about a short hose, though CR found the hose length actually measures roughly average for this category. That strong suction paired with solid all-around cleaning makes it a compelling pick for anyone prioritizing raw power.
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The Kenmore Intuition BU4050 sits at the budget end of this lineup as a less expensive alternative worth considering, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation for strong bare-floor performance well suited to kitchens, bathrooms and other uncarpeted areas. CR found it also does a solid job pulling embedded dirt out of carpets. This upright weighs just 15 pounds, lighter than the other bagged models CR recommends, and includes a lift-away design that boosts portability along with adjustable suction settings. CR also pointed to a brush roll built to resist tangled hair getting caught up over time.
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This model, sold under the name Kenmore Pet-Friendly Cross-Over DU3017, sits in the mid-range price tier for this lineup and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a solid all-around performer. CR found it excelled at lifting pet hair off both carpet and hard flooring, with decent results clearing debris from carpet as well. Testers noted strong results in clean emissions testing, meaning the vacuum traps the dust it collects instead of releasing it back into the air, a meaningful benefit for anyone managing allergies or respiratory issues. CR flagged a shorter-than-average cord as the main drawback, one that may require some outlet planning while vacuuming.
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The Shark Detect Lift-Away LA492 sits at the premium end of this lineup as a feature-rich model, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation for excelling in both performance and innovation. CR found multiple smart detection features on board, including a sensor that reads whether the vacuum is being pushed or pulled to adjust suction accordingly, plus automatic brush roll speed changes based on detected floor type. Testers rated it excellent at pulling up pet hair and bare-floor debris and very good on carpet, though hose suction came back a notch below top-tier. CR noted the detachable pod, shared with other Lift-Away models, comes off easily for cleaning stairs or furniture.
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The Shark Navigator Lift-Away LA300 sits at the budget end of this lineup and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as one of the top-rated lower-priced bagless uprights tested, weighing just 12 pounds, lighter than nearly every other model in this category. CR found convenient extras including a pod that detaches from the main body and a suction dial built into the handle, with excellent scores for cleaning bare floors and pet hair, plus very good carpet performance. Testers rated suction power very good as well, rounding out a well-balanced showing across every test. CR's member surveys give Shark as a brand very good marks for both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
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The Shark Navigator Professional NV360 sits at the budget end of this lineup as an inexpensive pick well suited to homes with a lot of carpet, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as the only bagless upright to earn a top score in carpet cleaning tests. CR found it does just as well grabbing loose pet hair as it does sweeping debris off hard flooring. This 14-pound upright includes a pod that pops off the base for more flexible cleaning around the house. CR called it a standout value for anyone whose home leans heavily toward carpeted rooms.
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The Shark PowerDetect AZ4002 sits at the premium end of this lineup and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as the current top-scoring bagless upright in its ratings. CR found it excels at pet-hair and bare-floor cleaning while running quieter than many other models tested, backed by a sensor that ramps up power on its own once it senses heavier debris. Testers noted floor-type detection that adjusts brush roll speed automatically, along with a self-cleaning brush roll designed to prevent hair tangles from building up. Strong cleaning, lower noise and tangle-resistant design together explain its top ranking.
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The Shark Stratos AZ3002 sits in the mid-range price tier for this lineup and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a good fit for homes with a mix of surfaces, especially useful for pet owners. CR found this 17-pound upright performs very well on carpet and delivers standout results lifting debris and pet hair off hard flooring, aided by a power lift-away feature that lets it work like a canister vacuum. Testers praised top-notch hose suction, useful for vacuuming upholstery, along with several included attachments. CR also noted a scent-neutralizing feature the manufacturer says can be dialed up to help freshen the air while cleaning.