A surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning head having a pivoting connector, an upper end of the pivoting connector providing an air outlet of the surface cleaning head. A support consisting of an upflow duct is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head by the pivoting connector. A surface cleaning unit is vertically removably mounted to an upper end of the support. The surface cleaning unit comprises a cyclone unit, a pre-motor filter, a suction motor and flexible hose.