Top pick
This stylish, bagged upright vacuum offers formidable cleaning power, and it’s adjustable to suit different carpet types.
The SEBO Felix Premium offers excellent cleaning power and filtration, handles comfortably, and has an extra-long warranty. It can be adjusted to suit all types of carpets and rugs.
It’s an exceptional cleaner. Whether presented with glitter, fine dust, fur, or cereal, this model hungrily scarfed up more debris on our test carpet than almost any other vacuum we tested. In both the upright and canister categories, it was the top performer in picking up sand from our test carpet. It also picked up brushed-in cat and rabbit hair from medium-pile rugs in one pass.
Its electric cleaner head excels on all types of carpets. The Felix Premium vacuum comes with a motorized, self-propelling cleaner head that helps dig up and agitate dirt from carpets and ferret it up into the vacuum. You can adjust the cleaner head to four heights, and that contributes to its effectiveness on low-pile, medium-pile, and thicker carpets. A convenient warning light flashes if the cleaner head’s height needs adjusting or the cleaner head becomes clogged.
Unlike other machines we tested, the Felix Premium didn’t create wheel tracks or streaks and instead left the carpet in pristine condition.
It’s got excellent filtration. Carpets tend to hide extra-small debris, like dust, pollen, and dander, and if you suffer from allergies, good filtration is an important factor to consider in a vacuum. The Felix Premium’s bag, S-class motor, and exhaust filters capture virtually all of the debris and dust sucked up by the vacuum, so this one is an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.
It’s comfortable, quiet, and stylish. The SEBO Felix Premium feels light and comfortable to maneuver, and, compared with other upright machines, it’s relatively quiet. The Felix Premium comes in three colors (red, blue, and white), each with a coordinating patterned “skirt” that’s actually an exhaust microfilter. You can swap the skirt to match your style.
It converts to a handheld vacuum, with useful attachments. By removing the hose and attaching one of its two tools, the Felix Premium vacuum instantly transforms into a portable handheld, with a crevice tool and a swiveling triangular dust brush (which also works well for removing fur from surfaces and tight corners). You can purchase a turbo brush tool that’s helpful for cleaning carpeted stairs.
It’s durable, with great customer service and an excellent warranty. We have evidence that SEBO models can last for decades, and SEBO’s customer service is excellent. The company offers the most generous and comprehensive warranties of our picks—up to seven years on parts and labor and 10 years for the motor, if you buy from an authorized dealer and register your vacuum with SEBO.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s an upright. The Felix Premium vacuum shares its biggest flaws with most other upright machines. Compared with its canister cousin, this vacuum is noisy, can feel heavy on your hands and wrists, and lacks an automatic cord rewind.
It’s pricey. Currently costing $750, the Felix is more expensive than most of the vacuums we tried, but it performed better and should last much longer.
It’s less widely available than other upright vacuums. You have to order SEBO vacuums from SEBO’s website or buy them online from an authorized dealer. SEBO-authorized dealerships and repair services are sparse in the US.
Read more about the Sebo Felix Premium in our guide to the best upright and canister vacuums.
