8 Best Upright Vacuums for Pet Hair & Hardwood Floors 2025

The Shark LA502 isn’t just another upright—it’s a pet hair annihilator engineered for real homes with real messes. With its DuoClean PowerFins technology, it delivers dual-action cleaning: a soft roller glides over hardwood to capture fine dust, while the PowerFin brushroll digs deep into carpets, maintaining constant contact even on transitions. Add in the self-cleaning brushroll that eliminates hair wrap, and you’ve got a machine that doesn’t just pick up pet hair—it defeats it, without constant maintenance. For pet owners tired of yanking fur from tangled bristles, this is a game-changing evolution in vacuum design.

In real-world testing across mixed flooring, the LA502 transitions seamlessly from plush rugs to tile with zero scatter, thanks to its sealed airflow and precision nozzle. The LED headlights are surprisingly useful—revealing pet hair lurking under sofas and baseboards you didn’t even know needed cleaning. At 16.7 pounds, it’s lighter than many competitors yet generates strong suction, especially on medium-pile carpets. However, while the lift-away pod is excellent for stairs and furniture, the full unit can feel slightly front-heavy when tilting back on low-clearance furniture. Still, for multi-surface homes with pets, its swivel steering and deep-clean capability make it a top-tier performer.

When stacked against the Eureka NEU801BL and Bissell 2252, the Shark LA502 stands out with superior filtration and smarter engineering—especially for allergy sufferers and heavy shedders. While the Eureka offers great value and the Bissell excels at edges, the Shark delivers a more complete, whole-home solution with HEPA-sealed allergen containment and true dual-surface optimization. It’s the best choice for pet parents who want one vacuum to rule all floors, without sacrificing performance or air quality. In terms of overall capability and innovation, it outperforms even pricier models by integrating features typically found in premium canisters.

The Eureka NEU801BL enters the ring as a pet-focused powerhouse, built to dominate hair-covered carpets and dusty hardwoods with its QuickShift Technology—a fingertip-controlled system that lets you switch between floor types without breaking stride. Its anti-tangle brushroll lives up to the hype, effortlessly pulling in clumps of dog hair without clogging, a common pain point for pet owners using budget vacuums. With dual-motor technology, it delivers both strong suction and independent brushroll control, making it one of the few mid-priced uprights that genuinely adapts to surface type instead of just pretending to.

During testing, the NEU801BL handled thick shag rugs and hardwood with impressive consistency, thanks to its floor-type dial that adjusts airflow and roller speed. The motorized pet tool is a standout—perfect for couches, car seats, and stairs, pulling embedded hair with authority. On hardwood, it minimized scatter thanks to controlled suction, though fine dust sometimes required a second pass near baseboards. While the HEPA complete seal effectively traps dander, the dustbin is on the smaller side (1.5L), demanding more frequent emptying in large homes. It’s not the lightest (14.3 lbs), but the handle and swivel neck make it manageable.

Compared to the Shark LA502, the Eureka trades some filtration sophistication and maneuverability for direct, no-nonsense pet hair performance at a lower cost. Against the Bissell 2252, it offers better motorized tools and surface adaptability, though it lacks edge-to-edge cleaning precision. Ideal for pet-heavy homes with mixed flooring, it’s the go-to for those who prioritize hair pickup and tool versatility over ultra-lightweight design or whole-home filtration. It delivers near-premium performance with a mid-tier price tag, outshining rivals in targeted cleaning tasks.

The Bissell 2252 doesn’t dazzle with high-tech features, but it dominates where it counts: edge cleaning and pet hair removal. Its triple-action brushroll aggressively loosens, lifts, and pulls embedded fur from carpets, while the edge-to-edge suction ensures not a single strand is left behind in corners or along baseboards—something many uprights fail at. With a massive 3.1-liter dirt tank, it’s built for large homes or heavy shedding seasons, reducing emptying frequency without sacrificing suction. For pet owners tired of vacuuming daily, this is a practical workhorse that gets the job done with reliability.

In real-world use, the swivel steering makes navigation around furniture smooth and intuitive, though the unit feels bulkier than its weight (15.4 lbs) suggests. On hardwood, it performs adequately but can scatter lightweight debris due to strong suction—Scatter-Free Technology helps but doesn’t eliminate the issue entirely. The easy-empty dirt tank is a standout feature, minimizing mess during disposal, a frequent complaint with bagless vacuums. However, the foam filter requires frequent rinsing, and there’s no HEPA certification, making it less ideal for allergy sufferers despite decent dander capture.

When compared to the Eureka NEU801BL and Shark LA502, the Bissell 2252 wins on dirt capacity and edge cleaning, but falls short in filtration and surface adaptability. It lacks the smart transitions and sealed systems of its competitors, making it better suited for pet owners who prioritize floor coverage and convenience over air quality. It’s the ideal pick for those with wall-to-wall carpeting and persistent shedding issues. For raw cleaning volume and corner-to-corner reach, it outperforms more expensive models, offering unmatched value in high-debris environments.

The Eureka PowerSpeed is the definition of budget efficiency—a lightweight, no-frills upright that punches above its price point for pet owners on a tight budget. At just 10 pounds, it’s one of the easiest uprights to maneuver, especially up stairs or under furniture, and the 5-height adjustment settings allow surprisingly precise tuning between plush carpet and bare floors. The 2.6L dust cup is generous for its class, letting you clean longer without interruption, while the onboard pet turbo tool adds real value for spot-cleaning couches and car interiors.

Performance-wise, it handles light to moderate pet hair with competence, though it struggles on high-pile rugs where suction dips under heavy loads. On hardwood, it picks up fur and debris effectively but lacks advanced features like scatter control or LED lighting. The foam filtration system is basic—fine for general use but not for allergy sufferers—and requires regular washing to maintain airflow. Most critically, the warning about roller brush maintenance is not trivial: without biweekly cleaning, hair buildup can lead to belt damage or overheating, turning a low-cost vacuum into a liability.

Against the Amazon Basics model, the PowerSpeed offers better suction and a larger dust cup, justifying its higher price. Compared to the Kenmore DU2015, it’s lighter and more portable but lacks HEPA filtration and swivel steering. It’s best for apartment dwellers or light pet owners who need a simple, portable solution without advanced features. While it doesn’t match premium models in durability or filtration, it delivers solid core performance at an entry-level cost, making it a smart starting point for budget-conscious buyers.

The Amazon Basics Upright is the minimalist’s answer to pet hair—a stripped-down, ultra-lightweight vacuum that prioritizes function over frills. Weighing just 8.4 pounds, it’s the easiest upright to carry up stairs or store in tight spaces, and the 25-foot cord eliminates constant outlet-hopping, a rare win in budget models. Despite its low wattage (720W), it delivers respectable suction for light cleaning, handling everyday dust, crumbs, and moderate pet hair across low-pile carpets and sealed hardwood.

In testing, it performed best on hard floors and low-loop rugs, where its 1.7L dust cup filled slowly and emptied cleanly with the quick-release button. The detachable handle adds versatility, letting you convert it into a basic handheld for stairs or car cleaning—though without a motorized tool, performance there is limited. The washable foam filter holds up well with maintenance, but there’s no HEPA rating, and airflow diminishes if not cleaned regularly. It lacks swivel steering, making tight corners a chore, and the nozzle isn’t sealed, so fine dander can escape back into the air.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it’s lighter and cheaper but offers less suction and a smaller dust cup. Against the Kenmore DU2015, it loses on filtration and attachments. Yet, for renters or those with minimal pet mess, it’s a no-nonsense, reliable cleaner that gets basic jobs done without fuss. It’s the ideal pick for small spaces or secondary homes where deep cleaning isn’t a daily need. While it can’t compete with premium models, it delivers exceptional value for its price, outperforming expectations in simplicity and portability.

The Kenmore DU2015 is a hidden gem for allergy-prone pet homes, combining true HEPA filtration with a sealed allergen-trapping system that outperforms many pricier vacuums. It captures 99.7% of particles down to 0.3 microns, making it a standout for homes where dander and dust are serious concerns. Its 2-motor system provides strong, consistent suction across both carpet and hardwood, while the suction control dial lets you fine-tune performance—perfect for delicate rugs or deep-cleaning thick piles. With swivel steering and a wide cleaning path, it covers ground quickly without sacrificing agility.

In real use, it transitions smoothly between surfaces, pulling pet hair effectively thanks to its anti-tangle design, though not as aggressively as the Shark LA502. The 10-foot hose and 4 attachments—including a Pet HandiMate tool—make above-floor cleaning thorough and convenient, ideal for furniture and stairs. At under 14 pounds, it’s easy to push, though the dust cup (2L) isn’t as large as the Bissell 2252’s. The HEPA filter requires periodic replacement, adding minor long-term cost, but the peace of mind for allergy sufferers is worth it.

Versus the Kenmore DU4080, it offers similar filtration but fewer above-floor features; against the Shark LA502, it trades LED lights and lift-away convenience for superior allergen containment at a lower price. It’s the best pick for families with allergies and pets who need reliable, health-focused cleaning. While it lacks some modern bells and whistles, it delivers exceptional filtration and solid performance, making it a smart alternative to premium models without the premium markup.

The Kenmore Green 2-Motor Upright is a performance-focused machine that leverages its dual-motor system to deliver deep-cleaning power across all floor types, from hardwood to high-pile carpet. With 1200 watts of suction, it outmuscles many competitors in its class, making quick work of embedded pet hair and tracked-in debris. The suction control dial allows precise adjustment, ensuring optimal airflow whether you’re cleaning delicate area rugs or muddy entryways. Combined with a 2-liter dust cup and HEPA filtration, it balances capacity, power, and air quality in a single efficient package.

During testing, it excelled on thick carpets where sustained suction made a visible difference, though on hardwood, it occasionally scattered lightweight particles due to aggressive airflow. The 10-foot hose and 3-in-1 tool provide solid above-floor reach, though the limited attachment count (only two) feels sparse compared to the DU2015’s four. At under 14 pounds, it’s easy to push, and the swivel steering helps navigate tight spaces, though the cord is shorter (20 ft) than others in this lineup. Filtration is strong, but the HEPA filter isn’t washable, requiring replacements over time.

When compared to the DU2015, it offers similar suction and filtration but fewer tools, making it better for carpet-heavy homes with fewer above-floor needs. Against the Eureka NEU801BL, it matches motor power but lacks fingertip mode switching. It’s ideal for pet owners who prioritize deep carpet cleaning and allergen control over versatility. For raw dual-motor performance at a mid-range price, it delivers excellent value, outperforming several more expensive models in sustained suction and build quality.

The Kenmore DU4080 redefines above-floor cleaning in an upright with its Featherlite Lift-Up technology, transforming from a full-sized vacuum into a lightweight, 12-pound pod in seconds—perfect for stairs, upholstery, and ceiling corners. This isn’t just a gimmick: the 9-foot hose and 2-motor system maintain strong suction even in handheld mode, making it one of the most capable lift-up vacuums on the market. Its HEPA-sealed air path traps 99.97% of dust, rivaling medical-grade standards, and the LED headlight ensures no dust bunnies escape detection under furniture.

In practice, it transitions effortlessly between floor types, with swivel + LED headlight combo enhancing maneuverability and visibility. The 2-motor system delivers consistent power on both carpet and hardwood, though the 2-liter dust cup fills faster during whole-home cleans. The 3-in-1 tool and upholstery brush cover most above-floor needs, but the lack of a motorized pet tool limits deep fur removal on couches. Still, for homes with stairs, pets, and allergy concerns, it’s a rare all-in-one solution that doesn’t sacrifice performance for portability.

Compared to the Shark LA502, it matches lift-away convenience but with better HEPA specs and lighter pod weight. Against the Bissell 2252, it wins on filtration and above-floor reach but loses on edge cleaning. It’s the best choice for multi-level homes with pets and allergens, where stairs and air quality matter. For lift-up functionality and health-focused filtration, it outperforms similarly priced models, offering specialized performance where others compromise.