7 Best Upright Swivel Vacuums to Buy in 2025

The Shark ZD201 isn’t just another upright—it’s a maneuverability powerhouse engineered for homes that demand deep cleaning without compromise. With PowerFins that dig into carpets while maintaining direct floor contact, this vacuum delivers uninterrupted suction across all surfaces. Its self-cleaning brushroll is a game-changer, especially for pet owners who dread tangled hair, and the advanced swivel steering makes it feel almost weightless as it glides around furniture legs and tight corners. If you’ve ever struggled with a clunky vacuum that fights you at every turn, this one flips the script—offering precision agility where it matters most.

In real-world testing, the ZD201 shines on both high-pile rugs and hardwood, thanks to its dual-surface design and powerful 1200W motor. The LED headlights reveal dust bunnies hiding under sofas that other vacuums would miss, and the lift-away pod transforms it into a handheld unit for stairs and upholstery—no awkward attachments needed. However, while the HEPA filtration traps 99.99% of allergens, the dust cup isn’t the largest in its class, requiring more frequent emptying during whole-house cleans. It also lacks onboard storage for tools, which can be a minor annoyance if you’re always grabbing the crevice tool.

Compared to the Eureka MaxSwivel Pro, the Shark ZD201 offers superior filtration, better pet hair handling, and a more refined lift-away system, making it ideal for multi-surface homes with pets and allergy concerns. While it’s pricier than budget models, the build quality, versatility, and innovative brushroll tech justify the investment for users who want an all-in-one powerhouse. It outperforms the Bissell 2252 in agility and above-floor cleaning, though the Bissell edges ahead on edge cleaning width.

Don’t let the budget-friendly tag fool you—the Eureka NEU350 is a surprisingly agile workhorse built for homes that need solid performance without the premium price. Its max swivel steering delivers sharp turns that make navigating around coffee tables and dining chairs feel effortless, while the dual cyclone technology maintains strong suction across both carpets and bare floors. For pet owners, the included pet turbo brush is a standout, lifting fur from couches and car seats with ease, and the LED headlights help expose hidden messes in dark corners—small touches that add up.

During hands-on use, the NEU350 handled everyday debris like cereal crumbs, tracked-in dirt, and pet hair without clogging, thanks to its cyclonic separation system that prevents loss of suction. The manual brushroll shutoff lets you switch between carpet and hard floors, though it’s not as seamless as automatic models. While lightweight at just under 12 pounds, the vacuum’s plastic build feels less durable than higher-end rivals, and the dust cup seal can be finicky when emptying—sometimes spilling debris back onto the floor. It also lacks HEPA filtration, which is a drawback for allergy sufferers.

When stacked against the Shark NV356E, the Eureka trades filtration and lift-away convenience for a lower cost and simpler operation. It’s not as versatile for above-floor cleaning, but for renters or small homes where straightforward, no-frills cleaning is the goal, the NEU350 delivers. It beats the Bissell 2252 in maneuverability and price, though the Bissell wins on edge cleaning and scatter control for pet messes.

If you’re drowning in pet hair and need a nimble, no-nonsense cleaner, the Shark NV151 is a targeted solution that excels where others falter. Its swivel steering makes it feel like a scalpel rather than a broom, slicing effortlessly under tables and around chair legs, while the Pet Power Brush aggressively lifts fur from upholstery and deep carpet fibers. With HEPA filtration capturing 99.9% of allergens, this vacuum is a breath-of-fresh-air upgrade for homes with shedding pets and sensitive lungs. And at just 13 pounds, it’s light enough for daily use without sacrificing suction.

In testing, the NV151 tackled mixed flooring with confidence—its sealed system and strong motor maintained consistent performance from rug to tile. The 11-foot hose made cleaning stairs and car interiors a breeze, and the included tools snapped securely into place for quick access. However, the dust cup is on the smaller side, requiring mid-clean emptying in larger homes, and the lack of a lift-away pod means you’re stuck maneuvering the full unit for above-floor cleaning—less convenient than Shark’s own lift-away models. It also doesn’t have LED lights, so dark corners stay hidden.

Compared to the ZU503AMZ, the NV151 skips the self-cleaning brushroll, making it more prone to hair wrap over time. But it’s also lighter and more affordable, making it a smarter pick for pet owners who clean frequently but don’t need the latest brushroll tech. It outshines the Eureka NEU350 in filtration and pet tool quality, though Eureka wins on price and swivel tightness.

The Shark NV356E is the original lift-away done right—a versatile, full-featured upright that balances power, portability, and smart design. Its detachable pod transforms cleaning stairs and furniture into a one-handed task, eliminating the need for heavy hoses or awkward attachments. With brushroll shutoff, you can instantly switch from aggressive carpet cleaning to gentle hardwood mode, preventing scratches and preserving finish. The 0.87L dust cup is one of the largest in its class, allowing longer cleaning sessions before emptying, and the HEPA filtration ensures allergens stay locked inside.

Real-world use confirms its multi-surface mastery—the vacuum transitions smoothly between thick rugs and tile, and the swivel steering makes tight hallway turns feel natural. The included pet power brush is effective on couches and car seats, though it lacks the turbo spin of higher-end models. One downside: the hose is short, limiting reach when using tools, and the power cord is on the shorter side, requiring frequent outlet changes in larger rooms. It also lacks LED headlights, so debris under furniture can go unnoticed.

Against the ZD201, the NV356E trades PowerFins and self-cleaning brushroll for a larger dust cup and lower price, making it ideal for users who prioritize convenience and capacity over cutting-edge pet hair tech. It beats the Oreck in versatility due to the lift-away design, though Oreck wins on filtration longevity thanks to its bagged system. For those who clean whole homes in one go, this Shark delivers endurance with elegance.

Pet owners, meet your hair-wrapping nemesis—the Shark ZU503AMZ is engineered from the ground up to defeat tangled fur with its self-cleaning brushroll, which actively removes hair during use. This isn’t just marketing hype; in side-by-side tests, it outperformed bristle-based vacuums by leaving zero strands wrapped after cleaning a long-haired dog’s favorite nap spot. Paired with lift-away functionality, it becomes a two-in-one cleaning beast—tackle baseboards with the upright, then detach the pod for couch crevices and stair bannisters. The pet crevice tool is perfectly sized for digging into tight spots where fur accumulates.

Performance-wise, the 1200W motor delivers strong suction across low-pile carpets and vinyl flooring, and the HEPA filter traps allergens effectively, making it suitable for allergy-prone homes. The swivel steering remains responsive, though the unit feels slightly bulkier than the NV151. One limitation: the dust cup is smaller than the NV356E, so frequent emptying is needed in larger homes. Also, while the upholstery tool is useful, there’s no turbo brush included—just basic attachments.

Compared to the ZD201, the ZU503AMZ lacks PowerFins and LED headlights, but it shares the same no-hair-wrap promise and lift-away convenience. It’s a more focused upgrade for pet households that prioritize brushroll performance over lighting or deep carpet agitation. Against the Bissell 2252, it wins on versatility and allergen capture, though Bissell offers better edge cleaning.

The Oreck HEPA Swivel is a breath of fresh air for allergy sufferers, offering hospital-grade filtration in a featherlight 8-pound frame. Its HEPA media filter captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, and when paired with SaniSeal bags, it locks in dust and dander—no cloud of debris when you empty it. That’s a huge win over bagless models that kick up allergens during disposal. The swivel steering is incredibly tight, allowing pinpoint control in cramped spaces, and the two-speed brushroll adapts seamlessly from plush carpet to hardwood without scratching.

In practice, the Oreck excels in daily maintenance cleaning—its low-profile nozzle slips under beds and sofas with ease, and the 4X larger capacity than most bagless vacuums means fewer trips to the trash. However, the bagged system, while hygienic, adds ongoing cost and inconvenience. It also lacks a lift-away pod or hose extension, limiting its reach for stairs and ceilings. And while powerful, the suction doesn’t match Shark’s deep-cleaning intensity on high-pile rugs.

Versus the Shark NV356E, the Oreck trades versatility and above-floor tools for superior allergen containment and lighter weight. It’s not ideal for pet owners who need handheld cleaning, but for allergy-focused users in smaller homes, it’s a hygienic, no-mess alternative that outperforms bagless rivals in air quality. It’s pricier than most, but the long-term health benefits may justify the cost.

The Bissell 2252 is built for one thing: conquering pet messes from edge to edge. Its triple action brush roll doesn’t just spin—it loosens, lifts, and extracts deeply embedded fur and dirt, making it a top performer on high-traffic areas. The edge-to-edge cleaning design ensures bristles reach right up to the housing walls, so no dust hides along baseboards—a common blind spot in many vacuums. And with Scatter-Free Technology, it won’t kick up kibble or litter when cleaning hard floors, a real pain point for pet owners.

In real use, the large dirt tank is a blessing—fewer stops to empty during deep cleans—and the easy-empty design minimizes hand contact with debris. The swivel head turns on a dime, though it’s not as fluid as Shark’s. It handles multi-surface transitions well, but lacks a brushroll shutoff, so you must manually adjust height settings. Also, while it includes pet tools, they’re basic and don’t match the effectiveness of Shark’s Pet Power Brush.

Against the Shark NV151, the Bissell wins on edge cleaning width and mess containment, but loses on filtration (no true HEPA) and lightweight design. It’s a specialist tool for pet households that prioritize floor coverage and scatter control over portability and allergen capture. For those who clean daily and hate baseboard dust, it’s a no-brainer upgrade.