While this definitely an improvement over my last cordless vac, which was also my first purchase of one. It does stand on its own. It didnt take me long to decide I would never buy another one that didnt stand up. Because my first one was so top heavy, that every time I had to stop for a minute and lean it on something. Down it went. Yntil it finally broke. I like the stand up one, but they could use a few more selectionsof them. The one I got doesnt seem to have as strong suction, and the basket for the dirt seems smaller. But I would say that is in the design so it wont be so top heavy.