The Best New Upright Vacuums
The latest upright vacs gobble up grime from rugs, stairs, drapes, moldings and more
These models make cleaning a whole lot easier. Lightweight and versatile, both the bagged and bagless units come with tools to help reach the trickiest nooks and crannies. Neat freaks and allergy sufferers might want to stick with the bagged units: When it's time to toss, the disposable sacks keep dust tightly contained. But you'll never have to buy bags again if you pick a model with a dirt container. The Good Housekeeping Institute tested 11 of the newest uprights (far more popular than canisters) for performance, suction and ease of use. The winners? Powerful dirt eaters with prices that are easy to swallow. And -- exclusive to the Web -- we bring you an additional review of a compact vacuum that anyone with limited storage space will love. Plus: How robot vacuums perform, rating the Dyson and Oreck models, how to get the most from your vacuum and ways to avoid accidents.
Best Upright Vacuum Overall
Hoover's Savvy U8145-900 (MSRP $279.99) was the top performer in the GH Institute carpet-cleaning tests, devouring ground-in sugar, oatmeal and sand. Its other delights are in the details: You can use the vacuum with or without a bag, and the sleek nozzle slips underneath furniture easily. The hand tool with a rotating brush is great for upholstery.
Best Warranty
Built to last, with a sturdy aluminum body, the Dirt Devil Cruiser 091700 (MSRP $199.99) also has a six-year backing (five years more than most of the models tested) on its motor and parts. Plus, it's self-propelled, so pushing and pulling are a breeze.
Top Value
A good cleaner at a great price, the Eureka Boss 5855 (MSRP $129.99) has all the essentials to get the job done. And the GH Institute home-care department was impressed that the vacuum didn't tip over when the hose was stretched tight -- a problem with some of the others models tested.
Compact Champ
Lightest of all the tool-bearing vacuums the GH Institute tested, Panasonic's True Trak MC-V7582 (MSRP $179.99) is easy to tote and has a slim design and adjustable handle for storage. Another great feature: its innovative dust container, which empties from the bottom for less mess.
The Real Dirt on Robot Vacuums
They're supposed to clean up while you're doing something else. But in the GH Institute tests, these devices didn't do a complete job. iRobot's new Roomba Discovery 4210 (MSRP $249) got under couches and tables, but it didn't deep-clean like a regular vacuum. And it spent a full hour on a medium-size room.
You'd hope that for $1,799, Electrolux's Trilobite would work better. But while its fancy ultrasound technology helped the Trilobite avoid bumping into furniture, the bulky design prevented it from fitting under the GH Institute's sofa, making this vacuum a mediocre cleaner.
Oreck and Dyson Vacs: What the Ads Don't Tell You
You've seen them on TV and in newspaper flyers: Oreck claims its vacuums are the lightest, and Dyson touts its suction. But will these pricey uprights get your house any cleaner? Not really. Although Dyson's DCO7 (MSRP $399) had the best pull, it takes more than that to be a great picker-upper. In the GH Institute tests, it didn't suck up debris nearly as well as the winners. And sure, at 10 pounds, Oreck's XL21 (MSRP $699) is a featherweight. But when it came to cleaning, the Oreck finished in the middle of the pack.
How to Get the Most from Your Vac
Tips from the GH Institute's home-care director, Carolyn Forte. (Yep, her house really sparkles.)
1. Bag change. To keep suction at its best, replace the bag when it looks about two thirds full. For a bagless model, empty the dirt container frequently.
2. Filter cleaning. Remove the filter from the dust cup of a bagless vacuum once a month and tap it clean, or rinse it, if possible. For all vacs, check any other filters once or twice a year.
3. Pay attention. Don't let a vacuum sit idly in one spot while the brush roll is spinning. This can ruin your carpet.
How to Avoid Vacuum Accidents
Most of the time, your trusty upright uses its power for good, not evil. But accidents can happen. Here's how to protect your family.
• Put small children in a playpen or crib before you clean.
• Wear shoes or slippers when the vacuum is on. The GH Institute found several vacuums that are raised as much as one inch off the floor when the handle is in the upright, locked position. That's plenty of room for bare toes to slide under and get burned.
• Shop for an upright with a hose connection near the base of the unit. In the GH Institute's stability tests, these models were least likely to tip over.
• Look for a vacuum that has a brush shutoff switch, a feature that stops the agitator. Be sure to turn off the brush any time you use the vacuum's attachments.
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