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9 Best Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuums (November 2026)

Updated on · By the Post Fifty team

The best lightweight bagless upright vacuums include the Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner for whole-home cleaning, the Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner for carrying up stairs, and the Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum for budget whole-home cleaning.

On this page (10 sections)
  1. The best lightweight bagless upright vacuums for every home
  2. How these lightweight bagless uprights compare
  3. How we compared these vacuums
  4. What should you check before buying a lightweight bagless upright?
  5. How big a dust cup do you need in a bagless upright?
  6. Do you need height settings for carpet and hard floors?
  7. Which features make a bagless upright easier to live with?
  8. Are bagless uprights better than bagged for light cleaning?
  9. How much should you spend on a light bagless upright?
  10. Verdict: which lightweight bagless upright should you buy?

The best lightweight bagless upright vacuum for most homes is the Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed. Its 12.6 in nozzle covers more floor per pass, and the 4.1L dust cup means fewer trips to the trash.

At about 10 lb it stays easy to push through a whole home without feeling like a workout. Pick the Amazon Basics when you carry a vacuum up and down stairs, or the Kenmore DU1040 when pet hair on furniture is the main job.

Weight is only one number that matters. A light vacuum with a narrow nozzle takes more passes, and a big cup adds bulk to the body.

The picks below balance those trade-offs for different homes.

If you want to weigh bagged against bagless first, our guide to bagged upright vacuums covers what changes. For the wider picture on upright types, read what is the best upright vacuum before you choose.

Our picks at a glance

  1. 1 Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
    Best for whole-home cleaning

    Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

    9.7/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2 Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
    Best for carrying up stairs

    Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

    9.6/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  3. 3 Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum
    Best for budget whole-home cleaning

    Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum

    9.5/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  1. 4Dirt Devil Endura Lite Upright Bagless Vacuum CleanerCheck it
  2. 5Kenmore Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum CleanerCheck it
  3. 6Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

    Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

    Best for switching between floor types
    Check it
  4. 7Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437F

    Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437F

    Best for apartments and dorms
    Check it
  5. 8Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind Pro

    Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind Pro

    Best for no cord wrapping
    Check it
  6. 9Kenmore FeatherLite DU1275

    Kenmore FeatherLite DU1275

    Best for long hair on the brush roll
    Check it

The best lightweight bagless upright vacuums for every home

The Eureka NEU182B wins on cleaning coverage and cup size. Every other pick below is the best choice for a named need, from stair carrying to pet hair.

1

Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner: Best for whole-home cleaning

Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
9.7/10Our score
  • 12.6 in wide nozzle
  • 10 lb body
  • 4.1L dust cup
  • 5 height adjustments
  • 7 ft hose with three tools

A wide cleaning path and an extra-large dust cup cut down both passes and emptying trips. Three onboard tools handle stairs and above-floor dust.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Widest nozzle in this group
  • Largest dust cup here
  • Tools store on board

Cons

  • 10 lb is mid-weight for a light upright
  • 3.6 A motor draws modest power

The Eureka NEU182B suits a whole-home clean in one go. A 12.6 in nozzle covers more floor with each pass, and the 4.1L dust cup holds more dirt so you empty less often.

Five height settings let the same vacuum work on shag rug, low pile carpet and hardwood. Eureka says the smooth wheels won't scratch or gouge bare floors, so you can move from carpet to wood without swapping machines.

The 10 lb body is light enough to steer with one hand, though it sits in the middle of this group rather than at the bottom. A 7 ft hose and quick-release handle reach above-floor spots, and the crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery tool all store on board.

The handle material may be plastic or metal depending on the batch.

The trade-off is bulk. If you regularly haul a vacuum upstairs, the Amazon Basics saves about 1.6 lb.

The 3.6 A motor is also modest next to the Dirt Devil and Hoover models. For most single-floor homes, the wider path and bigger cup are worth the extra weight.

Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum CleanerCheck it on Amazon
2

Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner: Best for carrying up stairs

Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
9.6/10Our score
  • 8.4 lb body
  • 25 ft power cord
  • 1.7L dust cup
  • Washable filter
  • Detachable handle

The lightest full upright here at 8.4 lb, with a cord long enough to cross a room. The small dust cup means more trips to the trash.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Lightest pick in this roundup
  • Washable filter
  • Detachable handle for high spots

Cons

  • One of the smallest dust cups here
  • Single speed, no height settings

The Amazon Basics is the pick for anyone who carries a vacuum between floors. At 8.4 lb, it's the lightest full upright in this roundup, and the detachable handle helps with high shelves and curtains.

A 25 ft cord means fewer outlet swaps in a long hallway or a small apartment. The 1.7L dust cup releases with a quick button, and the filter is washable, so ongoing costs stay low.

The trade-off is capacity and control. That 1.7L cup fills quickly in a home with pets or heavy foot traffic, so plan on emptying it after a room or two.

There's also a single speed and no height settings, so it suits one main floor type better than a mix of deep shag and bare wood. The 6 A motor is a step up from the Eureka's 3.6 A, but there's no height dial to make use of it on different piles.

Choose it for stairs, small flats and quick daily tidy-ups. For a larger home with varied flooring, the Eureka's five settings and 4.1L cup do more work per session.

Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum CleanerCheck it on Amazon
3

Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum: Best for budget whole-home cleaning

Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
9.5/10Our score
  • 12.6 in wide nozzle
  • 10 lb body
  • 5 height adjustments
  • Washable filter
  • Crevice tool and dusting brush

The same wide nozzle and five height settings as the top pick, with a smaller dust cup. A good fit if you empty after each room or two.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Same wide 12.6 in nozzle as the winner
  • Washable foam filter
  • Five height settings for rugs and hard floors

Cons

  • Smaller cup than the NEU182B
  • Brush roll needs cleaning every 2 weeks

The Eureka NEU182A gives you most of the top pick's strengths at a lower position on this list. It shares the 12.6 in wide nozzle and five height settings, so carpet, rugs and hard floors get the same treatment.

Where it differs is the dust cup. At 2.6L it's smaller than the NEU182B's 4.1L, so you'll empty it more often in a big home.

The washable foam filter and the crevice and dusting tools keep everyday upkeep simple. The hose is a bit shorter too, at 4.9 ft against 7 ft.

Eureka notes this model doesn't include a pet tool. It also warns that the brush roll and belt need cleaning every 2 weeks, since hair and dirt can clog them and, in serious cases, cause the belt to break.

If shedding pets are the main issue, the Kenmore DU1040 or the DU1275's Hair Eliminator brush roll fit that job better.

Its 10 lb body is easy to move room to room. Pick it when the lower cost matters more than the biggest cup, and you don't mind a couple of extra trips to the trash each week.

Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright VacuumCheck it on Amazon
4

Dirt Devil Endura Lite Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner: Best for small closets

Dirt Devil Endura Lite Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
9.3/10Our score
  • 9 lb body
  • 10 x 11 in footprint
  • 6 ft quick-release wand
  • Multi-floor brush roll
  • One-touch dirt cup

The narrowest cabinet here at 11 in wide and 9 lb. A multi-floor brush roll and a rinsable filter keep upkeep simple.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Narrow 11 in footprint
  • Quick-release wand reaches 6 ft
  • Rinsable foam filter

Cons

  • No numbered height settings
  • 6 ft wand reach is shorter than some rivals

The Dirt Devil Endura Lite is the pick for tight storage. Its 11 in wide, 10 in deep cabinet slips into a closet or a corner where wider uprights won't fit, and the 9 lb body is easy to lift onto a shelf.

The multi-floor brush roll means you don't switch settings between carpet and hard floor. A quick-release wand gives 6 ft of reach for corners and above-floor dust, and the one-touch dirt cup empties with a button press.

The full hose measures 6.5 ft, so there's a little more slack than the wand alone suggests.

The rinsable foam filter cuts down on replacement parts. Dirt Devil says the Endura filtration system keeps suction steady as the cup fills, and the 7.2 A motor draws more power than either Eureka.

The trade-off is reach and control. There are no numbered height settings, so deep shag may need a couple of passes.

The 6 ft wand is also shorter than the 7 ft hoses on the Eureka and Kenmore models. Pick it when the closet is the constraint.

Dirt Devil Endura Lite Upright Bagless Vacuum CleanerCheck it on Amazon
5

Kenmore Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner: Best for pet hair on furniture

Kenmore Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
9.1/10Our score
  • 12 lb body
  • Swivel steering
  • 7 ft flexible hose
  • Pet HandiMate tool
  • 4 height settings

A pet tool and a 7 ft hose make furniture and stairs easier to reach. Swivel steering helps around chair legs, though 12 lb is the heaviest here.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Pet HandiMate tool included
  • Swivel steering
  • Four height settings

Cons

  • Heaviest pick in this roundup
  • Lowest noise figure here

The Kenmore DU1040 is the pick for homes with pets. A Pet HandiMate tool lifts hair from upholstery and stairs, and the flexible hose stretches to 7 ft for the spots an upright can't reach.

Swivel steering helps it turn around chair legs and table feet without lifting the body. Four height settings cover bare floors and different carpet piles, and a 3-in-1 combination tool adds a crevice tool and dusting brush in one piece.

All the tools clip to an onboard holder.

Kenmore says the under 12 lb design keeps suction strong while staying light enough to carry. At 12 lb it's the heaviest pick here, so it's better for a single floor than a house with lots of stairs.

The 8 A motor is one of the stronger draws in this group.

The 72 dB noise figure is the lowest in this group, so it stays quieter than the rest. If you want the lightest possible body, look at the Amazon Basics or Dirt Devil Endura Lite.

Pick the Kenmore when pet hair is the reason you're buying.

Kenmore Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum CleanerCheck it on Amazon
6

Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner: Best for switching between floor types

Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
8.1/10Our score
  • PowerPass airflow
  • 4 level height adjustment
  • 12 in extension wand
  • 2-in-1 crevice and dusting tool
  • Washable filter

Four height levels and PowerPass airflow keep dust from scattering on hard floors. The 1.5L cup is one of the smallest in this group.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • PowerPass keeps debris on the floor path
  • Washable filter
  • Click Lock tool kit stores onboard

Cons

  • One of the smallest dust cups here
  • 12 lb body is on the heavy side

The Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ suits a home that moves between carpet and hard floors often. PowerPass technology keeps dust and dirt from scattering across bare floors, and four height levels match low or high pile carpet.

A 12 in extension wand and an 8 in 2-in-1 crevice and dusting tool store on board, so above-floor cleaning is a grab away. The washable filter keeps maintenance costs down, and the 8 A motor gives it more pull than the Endura Lite.

The trade-off is the dust cup. At 1.5L it's one of the smallest capacities here, so a big clean means several emptying trips.

The 12 lb body is also heavier than the lightest picks, which matters if stairs are part of your routine. Its 31.5 in height makes it shorter than most of the group, which helps in a low closet.

Pick it when scattering on hard floors is your main complaint. For a bigger cup and lighter body, the Eureka NEU182B covers more before you stop.

Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ Upright Bagless Vacuum CleanerCheck it on Amazon
7

Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437F: Best for apartments and dorms

Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437F, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
7.9/10Our score
  • Compact upright body
  • Scatterfree technology
  • Quick-release extension wand
  • Easy-empty dirt tank
  • Foam filter

A compact cabinet built for small floors. Scatterfree technology helps on hard surfaces, but the 1L tank fills fast in a busy home.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Compact for tight rooms
  • Scatterfree hard-floor cleaning
  • Quick-release wand

Cons

  • Smallest tank in this roundup
  • No height adjustment

The Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo is built for small floors. Its compact cabinet suits apartments and dorms, and Scatterfree technology helps it capture messes on hard floors without spreading them.

A quick-release extension wand moves from floor cleaning to curtains and high corners. The easy-empty dirt tank releases with one button press, so your hands stay clean.

At 41 in tall it's one of the taller bodies here, but the narrow 10 x 12 in footprint keeps it out of the way.

The limits show up in capacity and control. The 1L tank is the smallest in this roundup and fills fast, and there's no height adjustment, so one brush height has to handle every surface.

At 10.9 lb it's also heavier than the Amazon Basics and Dirt Devil Endura Lite.

Bissell also donates to the BISSELL Pet Foundation with each purchase. That's a nice extra, but the buying decision comes down to floor size.

Pick it for a studio or a dorm room. For a family home, the Eureka's 4.1L cup and five settings do more.

Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437FCheck it on Amazon
8

Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind Pro: Best for no cord wrapping

Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind Pro, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
7.8/10Our score
  • Cord rewind button
  • 25 ft power cord
  • WindTunnel suction
  • 5-level height adjustment
  • 13.5 in cleaning path

A push-button cord rewind saves the wrap-up routine after every clean. WindTunnel suction and a 13.5 in path suit larger floors, but the body is heavy for stairs.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Push-button cord rewind
  • Widest cleaning path here at 13.5 in
  • Five height settings

Cons

  • Heavy for stair carrying
  • 10 A motor

The Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind Pro is the pick if wrapping a cord is the chore you dread. A push-button rewind retracts the 25 ft cord in seconds, so putting the vacuum away takes one press.

WindTunnel suction and a 13.5 in cleaning path cover large floors in fewer passes. Five height settings handle plush carpet, area rugs and bare floors, and the 10 ft extension wand reaches stairs and upholstery.

Multi-cyclonic filtration is meant to hold suction steady as the cup fills.

The trade-off is weight. This is a full-size upright in a roundup of light ones, so carrying it upstairs is a chore.

The 10 A motor is also the strongest draw here, which matters if your outlets share a circuit. The 1.29L cup is on the small side for the floor area it's meant to cover.

Choose it for a big single-floor home where the cord rewind saves real time. For stairs and small spaces, the Amazon Basics or Dirt Devil Endura Lite are easier to carry.

Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind ProCheck it on Amazon
9

Kenmore FeatherLite DU1275: Best for long hair on the brush roll

Kenmore FeatherLite DU1275, lightweight bagless upright vacuums
7.2/10Our score
  • 11 lb body
  • Hair Eliminator brush roll
  • 3L dust cup
  • Swivel steering
  • 6 ft hose

The Hair Eliminator brush roll strips hair and string automatically, so you skip the scissors routine. The 3L cup holds plenty, though 11 lb is no featherweight.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Automatic hair removal from the brush roll
  • 3L dust cup
  • Swivel steering

Cons

  • 11 lb is heavier than the lightest picks
  • Single power level

The Kenmore DU1275 FeatherLite is the pick for long hair. Its Hair Eliminator brush roll strips hair and string automatically, so you skip the scissors routine on the roller.

The 3L dust cup holds plenty before you empty it, and swivel steering turns around furniture with less effort. Four height settings cover bare floors and carpet piles, and a 6 ft hose with an upholstery tool and a 3-in-1 combination tool reaches stairs and furniture.

At 11 lb it's light enough for most rooms but not the lightest here. There's also a single power level, so you can't dial suction down for delicate rugs.

The 8 A motor matches the other Kenmore and the Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+.

Kenmore backs it with a 1-year warranty. Pick it when hair wrapped around the brush roll is your recurring problem.

For the lightest carry and the biggest cup together, the Eureka NEU182B remains the better all-rounder.

Kenmore FeatherLite DU1275Check it on Amazon

How these lightweight bagless uprights compare

The table lines up the numbers that decide a purchase: weight, dust cup size and height settings. Read across a row to see where each pick gains or gives up ground.

ProductBest forWeightCapacityHeight settingsOur score
Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleanerwhole-home cleaning10 lb4.1L59.7
Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleanercarrying up stairs8.4 lb1.7L9.6
Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuumbudget whole-home cleaning10 lb2.6L59.5
Dirt Devil Endura Lite Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleanersmall closets9 lbMulti-floor brush roll9.3
Kenmore Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleanerpet hair on furniture12 lb49.1
Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleanerswitching between floor types12 lb1.5L48.1
Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo 3437Fapartments and dorms10.9 lb1LFixed7.9
Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind Prono cord wrapping57.8
Kenmore FeatherLite DU1275long hair on the brush roll11 lb3L47.2

How we compared these vacuums

We ranked these models on the specs that matter to someone shopping for a light bagless upright. Weight and dust cup size carried the most weight, since those are the two numbers you feel every time you clean.

Next came floor coverage and control. A wide nozzle means fewer passes, and height settings let one vacuum handle carpet and hard floors without swapping machines.

The Hoover's 13.5 in path and the Eureka's 12.6 in nozzle lead here, while the smaller Dirt Devil and Bissell bodies cover less ground per pass.

We also looked at reach and upkeep. Hose length, onboard tools and washable filters affect how much extra work a vacuum creates between cleans.

The 7 ft hoses on the Eureka NEU182B and Kenmore models reach further than the 4.9 ft hose on the NEU182A. Motor draw also went into the score, since a stronger motor like the Hoover's 10 A or the Dirt Devil's 8 A usually means more pull on carpet.

Our score weighs specs, features and how well each model fits what a light-upright shopper wants. We didn't run these vacuums in our own homes.

The details here come from the manufacturers' published specs and features. Our rated upright vacuum guide explains how we score models across the category.

What should you check before buying a lightweight bagless upright?

Start with the weight you can carry, not the weight on the box alone. Under 10 lb is the practical line if stairs are part of your routine.

Above that, a vacuum is light for its class but still a load on the way up.

Carry weight versus cleaning weight

A light body helps on stairs but can feel less stable on thick carpet. The Amazon Basics at 8.4 lb is the easiest to carry here.

The Eureka NEU182B at 10 lb balances that with a wider path. The Dirt Devil Endura Lite at 9 lb sits between them, with a smaller body that's easier to grip on steps.

Cord length and outlet spacing

A 25 ft cord reaches across most rooms without a swap. That's the Amazon Basics and the Hoover.

Shorter cords mean more unplugging, which adds time in a long hallway. The Hoover's rewind also means you never kneel to coil the cord by hand.

Body size and storage

Check the footprint if the vacuum lives in a closet. The Dirt Devil Endura Lite is the narrowest at 11 in wide and 10 in deep, and the Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ is the shortest at 31.5 in tall.

The Hoover stands 35 in tall and the Eureka models 44 in, so measure a shelf before you buy.

How big a dust cup do you need in a bagless upright?

Match the cup to your floor area and how often you're willing to empty it. A 3L to 4L cup suits a whole-home clean, while 1L to 2L cups fit small flats and quick tidy-ups.

The Eureka NEU182B's 4.1L cup is the largest here. The Bissell's 1L tank fills fastest, so it's better for a studio than a family house.

A bigger cup also adds bulk to the body, so weigh it against carry weight.

When a small cup is fine

If you vacuum one or two rooms at a time, a 1.5L to 2L cup is enough. Emptying after each session keeps suction steady.

The Amazon Basics, Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ and Hoover fit that pattern. So does the Bissell, as long as the floor area is small.

When to go large

For a whole floor in one pass, a 3L or 4L cup saves trips. That's the Eureka NEU182B and the Kenmore DU1275.

Empty when dirt hits the fill line, not when the cup is packed.

Do you need height settings for carpet and hard floors?

Yes, if your home has both. Five height settings cover shag, low pile and bare floors, and four settings do most of the same job.

A fixed-height vacuum works best when one floor type dominates.

The Eureka picks and the Hoover offer five levels. The Kenmore models and the Dirt Devil Multi-Surface+ have four.

The Dirt Devil Endura Lite relies on a multi-floor brush roll instead. The Bissell has no height adjustment at all.

Carpet and rug homes

Deep shag needs a high setting to keep the brush from dragging. Low pile and area rugs do better a notch lower.

If most of your floor is carpet, a model with four or five settings gives you room to adjust. The Eureka NEU182A's five levels make it an easy fit for a mix of rugs and carpet.

Mixed and bare floors

Smooth wheels and a height setting protect hardwood from scratches. Eureka says its wheels won't gouge bare floors.

For tile and laminate, a scatterfree design like the Bissell's or the Dirt Devil's PowerPass helps keep debris in the path.

Which features make a bagless upright easier to live with?

The features that matter most are the ones you touch every clean: the dust cup release, the filter and the tools. A washable filter and a one-touch cup cut the upkeep between sessions.

Onboard tool storage saves hunting for a crevice tool. A quick-release wand turns the upright into a stair and upholstery cleaner in seconds.

Cord rewind on the Hoover removes the wrap-up routine.

Tools for stairs and furniture

A 7 ft hose gives more reach than a 6 ft one. The Kenmore DU1040 adds a Pet HandiMate tool for furniture.

The Eureka NEU182B includes a crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery tool. The Hoover's kit adds a pivoting dusting brush and telescopes to 10 ft for high corners.

Filters and running costs

Bagless models skip replacement bags. A washable filter means you rinse instead of buy.

Eureka and Dirt Devil use foam filters on these models, and the Bissell uses a foam filter too, so the ongoing cost stays low. Hoover uses a cartridge filter.

Are bagless uprights better than bagged for light cleaning?

Bagless is the better fit when you want low running costs and can see when the cup needs emptying. Bagged models seal dirt in a bag, which some people prefer for dust sensitivity.

Neither type is lighter by default.

For light daily cleaning, a bagless cup is quick to empty and needs no supplies. If you'd rather not handle dust, a bagged upright keeps it contained.

Our bagged upright vacuum guide covers the models worth a look.

When bagless wins

Bagless suits homes that vacuum often and want to see the dirt level. It also avoids buying bags.

The Eureka NEU182B's 4.1L cup is a good example of a bagless design built for whole-home work.

When bagged makes sense

Bagged models suit allergy-sensitive homes and people who dislike emptying a cup. They also tend to hold more before you change the bag.

If that sounds like you, compare the bagged options before settling.

How much should you spend on a light bagless upright?

Most of the picks here sit in the budget to mid-range band. You don't need to spend a lot to get a light body and a decent cup, as the Eureka NEU182A and Amazon Basics show.

Spending more tends to buy extras: cord rewind, swivel steering or a pet tool. Those are worth it only if they match a job you actually do.

A stair-heavy home gets more from light weight than from a rewind button.

Budget picks that still clean well

The Eureka NEU182A and Amazon Basics cover the basics at the lower end. Both have washable filters and enough reach for stairs.

Neither adds cord rewind or swivel steering. The NEU182A also brings the wide nozzle and five settings, which are the features that save time on every clean.

Our upright vacuum under 200 roundup lists more options in that band.

When to pay for extras

Pay more when a specific feature solves a real problem. Swivel steering helps in cluttered rooms.

Cord rewind helps in large homes. A pet tool helps in homes with shedding animals.

The Kenmore DU1275's Hair Eliminator is another extra worth paying for if hair on the brush roll is your constant chore. Otherwise the basics do the job.

Verdict: which lightweight bagless upright should you buy?

The Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed is the best lightweight bagless upright vacuum for most people. Its wide 12.6 in nozzle, 4.1L cup and five height settings handle a whole home without constant emptying or nozzle swaps.

Pick the Amazon Basics if you carry a vacuum up and down stairs, since 8.4 lb is the lightest here. Pick the Kenmore DU1040 for pet hair on furniture.

For long hair on the brush roll, the Kenmore DU1275 saves the scissors work. And for a big single floor, the Hoover's cord rewind is the time-saver.

The main decision is weight versus capacity. A lighter body is easier on stairs, while a bigger cup means fewer trips to the trash.

Decide which chore you dislike more, and the right model follows from there.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

  1. 1 Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
    Best for whole-home cleaning

    Eureka NEU182B PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

    9.7/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2 Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
    Best for carrying up stairs

    Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

    9.6/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  3. 3 Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum
    Best for budget whole-home cleaning

    Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Lightweight Bagless Upright Vacuum

    9.5/10 our score

    See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What weight counts as a lightweight bagless upright vacuum?

Most light uprights land between 8 and 12 lb. The Amazon Basics at 8.4 lb is the lightest here, while the 12 lb Kenmore and Dirt Devil models sit at the top of the range.

Under 10 lb is a good target if you carry the vacuum up stairs.

Is bagless cheaper to run than a bagged upright?

Bagless models skip replacement bags, so the ongoing cost is lower. You empty a cup and rinse a filter instead.

Bagged vacuums seal dirt in a bag, which some people prefer for dust sensitivity.

Compare both in our bagged upright vacuum picks.

How often should I empty a bagless dust cup?

Empty it when the dirt reaches the fill line, usually after one or two rooms in a busy home. A 1L cup fills much faster than the 4.1L cup on the Eureka NEU182B.

Overfilling reduces suction and makes the cup harder to empty cleanly.

Do lightweight uprights work on both carpet and hard floors?

Yes, if the model has height settings or a multi-floor brush roll. Five settings on the Eureka picks and four on the Kenmore models cover low pile, shag and bare floors.

Fixed-height models like the Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo suit one main floor type.

Can a light bagless upright handle pet hair?

It can, especially with a dedicated pet tool. The Kenmore DU1040 includes a Pet HandiMate tool for furniture, and the Kenmore DU1275 removes hair from the brush roll automatically.

Empty the cup and clean the brush roll often in homes with shedding pets.