A highly debated point by many manufacturers is bagged versus bagless technology.

A bagged upright cleaner stores the dirt and dust in a bag which you dispose of when it is full and replace with a new bag. Some of the bags are self sealing and trap dust and other allergens inside the bag, making disposal less messy which is better for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. However, suction power can decrease as the bag fills, gradually reducing its ability to pick up dirt.

With bagless vacuum cleaners there is no need to insert clean bags as they use cyclone technology to confine dirt to a chamber or reservoir that can be detached and emptied into a bin, which can be easier and cleaner than with a bag.

Bagless cleaners tend to be more expensive because of the technology they use. However the additional cost is compensated for by the savings you make not buying bags.

The greatest cleaning power is provided by ‘no loss of suction’ (NLOS) technology, which uses multi-cyclonic action to prevent the filter from clogging, keeping the suction power at its maximum.

Power is measured in watts (W). Higher wattage generally means a more powerful cleaner. Some models feature variable power which reduces suction where necessary and is useful when cleaning rugs and upholstery.

Pet hair can not only be difficult to remove from your carpets and other areas around your house but also leave odours. Some uprights are Pet models, which are specially designed to lift hair and fluff from surfaces. These use a combination of high speed brush bars, which pull pet hair from carpet pile, and strong suction power.

They can also include accessories which can be used to lift obstinate pet hairs from your upholstery. These are known as mini turbo tools, and feature brushes that help to lift and remove pet hair without damaging your furniture.

Many Upright vacuums are designed to be easy to steer and manoeuvre around the home with specialist technology per manufacturer.

Upright vacuum cleaners weigh between 1 kg to 9.5 kg, so it can be important to consider where you will be using your vacuum cleaner. Heavier vacuum cleaners can be difficult to carry up and down stairs, so it may be important to consider a lighter model if this is a requirement. Uprights are not so well suited to cleaning stairs without using special tools.

The dust capacity of vacuum cleaners is measured in litres (l), ranging between 1 and 6 litres. Larger capacity cleaners can clean more of your home before needing to be emptied, so you don’t need to replace the bag or empty the container as often. These are ideal for larger homes with more substantial areas to clean.

But larger capacities can also mean a larger vacuum cleaner. If you prefer a smaller vacuum cleaner, it may be necessary to find a balance between capacity and size that suits your needs.

To allow you to clean throughout your home, many upright vacuum cleaners include a variety of tools that are designed for specific jobs.

Many uprights include a crevice tool that allows cleaning of hard to reach spaces such as behind and between furniture and kitchen appliances.

Upholstery tools can be used to vacuum furniture such as seats and sofas, whilst dusting brushes allow delicate cleaning of surfaces using soft bristles.