7 Best Upright Vacuums with Detachable Handheld 2025

Unleash the beast—the Shark NV752 isn’t just an upright vacuum; it’s a powered cleaning powerhouse that redefines what a detachable handheld vacuum can do. With its Rotator Powered Lift-Away technology, the entire pod detaches while the brushroll keeps spinning, letting you deep-clean stairs, car interiors, and under furniture without losing suction power. The 0.88-quart dust cup and LED headlights make it a standout for pet owners who battle hidden fur and debris in dim corners, while the HEPA filter and complete anti-allergen seal ensure 99.9% of dust and allergens stay trapped—ideal for sensitive households.

In real-world testing, this vacuum dominates on carpets and transitions smoothly to hard floors with fingertip mode switching. The self-cleaning Pet Power Brush aggressively pulls embedded pet hair from plush rugs without tangling, and the swivel steering makes it nimble around furniture legs and tight corners. However, on ultra-low-pile rugs, the suction can feel overly aggressive, occasionally tugging the fabric—adjusting the height setting fixes this, but it’s a minor learning curve. While the full unit isn’t lightweight at 15.4 lbs, the detachable pod is surprisingly manageable for overhead cleaning.

Positioned against the Shark ZU503AMZ, the NV752 delivers more power, more tools, and deeper pet-focused engineering, making it the better pick if you want pro-level performance. It’s overkill for tiny apartments, but for pet-heavy homes with mixed flooring, it’s unmatched. Compared to budget models like the Eureka PowerSpeed, it trades simplicity for superior filtration, smarter ergonomics, and continuous powered cleaning in handheld mode—a clear leap in capability.

Pet hair meets its match—the Shark ZU503AMZ is a precision-engineered beast built for homes overrun by shedding. Its self-cleaning brushroll is a game-changer, actively removing pet hair during use to prevent clogs—a constant pain point for owners with long-haired dogs or cats. The Lift-Away functionality lets you detach the pod for handheld cleaning, though unlike the NV752, the brushroll stops spinning when detached, limiting deep-cleaning power on stairs or upholstery. Still, with 1200 watts of suction and swivel steering, it zips under sofas and around table legs with surgical precision.

In daily use, it tackles medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors with ease, and the pet crevice tool excels at digging fur out from between couch cushions and baseboards. The HEPA filter and complete seal trap allergens effectively, making it a solid choice for allergy sufferers. However, the 0.6-quart dust cup fills up faster than premium models, requiring more frequent emptying during whole-home cleans. While it handles transitions well, it lacks the LED headlights of its bigger sibling, so spotting dust under beds is more guesswork than science.

When stacked against the NV752, the ZU503AMZ sacrifices some power and features for a much friendlier price tag, but still outperforms budget options like the Amazon Basics model in suction and pet tool effectiveness. It’s the ideal middle ground for pet owners who want Shark’s best tech without paying top dollar. Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it offers better filtration, smarter brushroll design, and more reliable build quality, making it worth the extra investment for fur-heavy homes.

Power on a budget—the Eureka PowerSpeed punches far above its weight class with 10 lbs of agile cleaning muscle that’s perfect for quick cleanups and pet messes. Its 5-height adjustment settings let it adapt seamlessly from tile to thick carpet, while the 2.6L extra-large dust cup means fewer trips to the trash—ideal for larger homes where stopping to empty is a nuisance. The Pet Turbo tool delivers concentrated suction for upholstery and stairs, and with all tools stored onboard, it’s always ready for above-floor emergencies like spilled kibble or cat litter.

On test runs, it handles everyday debris and moderate pet hair with confidence, though it struggles with deeply embedded fur on high-pile rugs—requiring multiple passes. The foam filter is washable, keeping maintenance costs near zero, but it lacks HEPA-level filtration, so it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry up stairs, but the lack of swivel steering means it’s less nimble around furniture than Shark models. And while the suction is strong, the motor noise is noticeably louder than pricier competitors.

Compared to the Amazon Basics B0BN5F6MJY, the PowerSpeed offers better suction, larger capacity, and more tools, making it the clear value king for pet owners on a budget. It doesn’t match the Shark NV752’s filtration or powered lift-away, but for renters or small families needing reliable, no-fuss cleaning, it’s a smart pick. Against the Bissell 3508, it trades compactness for more power and versatility, delivering a broader cleaning range at nearly the same price.

Simplicity perfected—the Amazon Basics upright is the bare-bones champion of budget cleaning, delivering essential performance without frills. Weighing just 8.4 lbs and backed by a 25-foot cord, it’s built for effortless maneuvering across apartments or small homes where plug changes are a hassle. The 1.7L dust cup strikes a smart balance between capacity and size, and the quick-release button makes emptying fast and mess-free—no tipping or shaking required.

In real use, it handles light carpet and hard floor debris with surprising efficiency, though it lacks the power to deep-clean high-pile rugs or extract stubborn pet hair. The detachable handle doubles as a handheld wand, letting you clean shelves or car seats, but without a powered brush, it’s limited to surface dust and crumbs. The washable filter keeps costs low, but again, no HEPA means allergens may escape back into the air. It’s not built for large homes or heavy shedding, but for dorms, offices, or second-home use, it’s impressively functional.

Stacked against the Eureka PowerSpeed, it’s less powerful and has fewer height settings, but wins on ultra-lightweight design and cord length. Compared to the Bissell 3508, it offers larger capacity and included tools, though with less suction intensity. For anyone who needs a no-nonsense, affordable upright with detachable convenience, this is the most cost-effective entry point into reliable cleaning—especially if you’re not battling pets or deep carpet grime.

Tiny but mighty—the Bissell 3508 is the apartment dweller’s dream, packing serious suction into a sub-8-pound frame that fits in closets and car trunks. Its removable extension wand transforms it into a handheld unit for quick cleanups on stairs or furniture, and the Scatter-Free Technology keeps debris from scattering on hard floors—a common flaw in lightweight models. The push-button dirt ejection is satisfyingly simple, making disposal quick and hygienic, which is a win for busy users.

In testing, it excels on low-pile carpets and sealed floors, handling cereal spills and tracked-in dirt with ease. However, it’s not built for deep carpet cleaning or heavy pet hair—on thick rugs, it requires multiple passes and occasionally leaves behind fine dust. The compact motor lacks the torque of heavier models, and there’s no height adjustment, so it can’t optimize for different floor types. Still, for small spaces where storage is tight, its nimble footprint and easy transport make it a standout.

Versus the Amazon Basics B0BN5F6MJY, it’s lighter and has better scatter control, though it sacrifices dust cup size and cord length. Compared to the Eureka NEU10AE5, it offers similar portability but fewer tools and no onboard storage. It’s not a replacement for full-sized vacuums, but for dorms, studios, or travel, it delivers maximum convenience in minimal space—a true specialist for those who value lightweight performance over power.

Cord chaos solved—the Bissell 3534 is the organization enthusiast’s dream, featuring automatic cord rewind that eliminates the tedious wrap-and-tuck routine. With a 10-foot active extension wand, it reaches high corners, ceiling fans, and under beds with ease—perfect for users who hate fumbling with separate tools. The OnePass Technology claims deep carpet cleaning in a single sweep, and in real tests, it holds up well on medium-pile rugs, though very dense carpets need a second pass.

Its 720W motor delivers solid suction for everyday messes, and the scatter-free design keeps hard floors tidy during cleanup. The wand stores neatly on the unit, and the washable filter keeps maintenance simple. However, the build feels more plastic than premium, and the cord rewind mechanism, while convenient, adds slight bulk to the design. It’s not the most powerful in the lineup, but for frequent, methodical cleaners who hate clutter, it streamlines the entire process.

Compared to the Bissell 3508, it trades compactness for smarter cord management and longer reach, making it better for whole-home use. Against the Shark ZU503AMZ, it lacks pet-specific tools and HEPA filtration, but wins on user-friendly design and stress-free storage. For anyone who values cleaning efficiency and post-vacuum simplicity, it offers a unique blend of convenience and performance that budget models can’t match.

Effortless cleaning for tight spaces—the Eureka NEU10AE5 is a featherweight champion at just 7.7 lbs, making it the go-to for quick cleanups in studios, RVs, or upstairs bedrooms. Its quick-release handle instantly converts into a handheld vacuum, letting you clean car seats or window sills without lugging the whole unit. With all tools stored onboard—crevice and dusting brush—it’s always ready for spot jobs, and the 10.5-inch cleaning path covers ground fast despite its small size.

In real use, it handles light carpet and hard floor debris with ease, though it lacks the power to tackle deeply embedded dirt or pet hair on thick rugs. The washable filter keeps running costs at zero, and the compact design fits in closets or under sinks—perfect for multi-location storage. However, it has no height adjustment, so it can’t optimize for different floor types, and suction drops slightly on high-pile carpets. It’s not for large homes, but for small-space dwellers who hate hauling heavy vacuums, it’s a game-changer.

Versus the Bissell 3508, it offers better onboard storage and slightly wider cleaning path, though with similar suction. Compared to the Amazon Basics model, it’s lighter and more compact, but with a smaller dust cup. It’s the ultimate specialist for minimalists, delivering eco-friendly, low-maintenance cleaning where space and weight matter most. For those who prioritize portability and convenience over raw power, it’s a top-tier choice.