Best Upright Vacuum List Published by Vacuum Cleaner Advisor

Finding the best upright vacuum cleaner can be a difficult job. There are hundreds upon hundreds on the market today and many of them just aren't up to the task, despite marketing claims to the contrary. Vacuum Cleaner Advisor's 2012 Best Upright Vacuum list will help consumers make the right buying decision.

Manufacturers represented in the list include Hoover, Miele, Bissell, Euro-Pro and Dyson. In all, ten upright vacuums made the cut and they range in price from about $200 to $800. The models were chosen based on cost, features, consumer ratings and warranty.

The number one upright vacuum cleaner on the list is Euro-Pro`s Shark Navigator Lift Away Pro. This bagless upright gets top-notch reviews from owners and works well on both bare floors and carpet. It is also powerful, easy to maneuver, and lightweight (at 14 lbs). In addition, it includes the "Lift-Away" feature, which is a portable canister with carry handle. The canister provides easy above-floor access and can even be used to clean automobile interiors. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro can be found online for about $200 and carries a lengthy 5-year warranty.

In second place is the Hoover UH30010COM. This was last year's Best Upright Vacuum. Like the Euro-Pro it has a 5-year warranty and excellent consumer ratings. It is extremely light at about 12 lbs and has HEPA filtration, making it a very good choice for those with allergies or asthma. This bagged vacuum comes with a portable canister unit with shoulder strap for getting into hard to reach areas and for above-floor cleaning. It should be noted however that the brushbar on the UH30010COM has no on/off switch. Prices vary from store to store, but it can usually be found for just over $200.

The Miele Cat and Dog comes in at third place. This is a well-built vacuum and consumer ratings are fantastic. This bagged upright also ranks #1 on Vacuum Cleaner Advisor's Best Vacuum For Pet Hair list due to its ability to effectively vacuum up pet hair. The Miele Cat and Dog features variable suction controls, a filter with active charcoal to help eliminate odors, a very long 39 foot power cord, and a 7-year warranty on the motor. The Cat and Dog is manufactured in Germany and is more expensive than most of the other uprights on the list. It can usually be found for about $650. Some owners find the machine a little heavy however, as it weighs in at 22 lbs.

The remaining vacuums on the list are the Dyson DC41, Hoover Commercial Elite C1404, Miele Bolero, Dyson DC25 Animal, Bissell Healthy Home 16N5, Miele Twist, and Shark Navigator Lift Away. Visit vacuum-cleaner-advisor.com to find out why each of these was chosen. Also see costs and learn about each model's strengths and weaknesses. Vacuum Cleaner Advisor has been online since 2007 providing expert vacuum reviews and best vacuum cleaner lists.