According to our tests, the best vacuum for carpeted floors is the Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick. It is strong, but is still very easy to handle. It doesn't tangle and will clean just about every type of carpet after one pass.
Here are some of our other top picks for carpet floor vacuums
VAcuum | summary |
|---|---|
Eureka NEU188A PowerSpeed Turbo  | This vacuum is an absolutely amazing value for the price. You get features and power that you wouldn't expect to find in a vacuum for under $100. |
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional  | This extremely versatile and powerful vacuum comes packed with a ton of accessories. It excels at cleaning carpet but has attachments to help with tile and wood. |
Editor's Choice Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick  | This simple upright vacuum does one thing, and it does it incredibly well, clean carpets. For the price, you simply can't get a vacuum that will clean more effectively. |
Tineco A10 Master  | This reasonably priced Dyson V10 knockoff can hold its own against more expensive models. It's a powerful cordless stick vacuum that weighs less than 3 lbs. |
Bissell 959A Cleanview  | A budget friendly option that is good for its price point. It cleans most messes effectively but struggles on hard surfaces. A basic vacuum at a low price. |
A vacuum is a staple product in every home with carpet.
The question becomes "With so many choices, which vacuum should I get?" Vacuums have been around since the turn of the 20th century, and the technology behind them has grown substantially.
Manufacturers are quick to produce sub-par products to meet the ever-increasing demand. This creates a problem for the consumer.
How do you know which brands and which models of vacuums are worth purchasing? Just because a vacuum is more expensive, does it mean it will perform better and last longer?
What the bottom line?
In this article, we aim to squash those questions and provide our readers with an unbiased look at some of the best vacuums for carpet in today's market.
We will cover what to look for in a vacuum cleaner for a home with carpets, as well as discuss the different types of vacuums available and which are the best in their category.
Before we get started, here is a quick preview of our top picks:
Pros:
- Excellent value
- LED headlights
- Pet turbo brush included
- Lightweight - 10 lbs
Cons:
- Can be hard to push on high-pile carpet
- Struggled with pet hair
More About The Eureka PowerSpeed Turbo
For under $100, this vacuum is an absolute steal! It performs just as well as vacuums 2 and even 3 to 4 times as expensive. Unlike a lot of other vacuums in this price range, this model can switch between carpet and hardwood efficiently and effectively. It does best on low pile carpet but can handle high pile and shag rugs as well.
One big plus to this vacuum is the pet turbo brush that comes included. You usually don't see great accessories like this on other models in this price range, and it does quite a good job. It was able to clean off thick pet hair from the sofa and had no problems the stairs either.
Another great thing about this vacuum is the detachable wand. You can remove the handle from the central unit, and it is still attached to the hose. This gives you the ability to use this vacuum to clean as high as the ceiling without issues. You can connect all the accessories to this wand, making it an overall very versatile and impressive vacuum.
>> Related Content: High Pile Carpet Vacuums
Pros:
- Large dustbin
- Tons of useful accessories
- Extremely versatile
- Powerful
Cons:
- Struggles with hard surfaces
- Not all accessories can be stored on the vacuum
More About The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional
If your budget is around $200, this is the best vacuum you are going to get for that price point hands down. This vacuum is extremely versatile and can effortlessly switch between an upright or a canister vacuum.
It comes with more accessories than any other vacuum on this list, but here's the thing, they are actually useful! Shark is known for producing top quality machines, and the Lift-Away Professional is no different. The accessories included range from your traditional upholstery heads all the way up to full-fledged dust heads to help clean up messes on hardwood. Its strength is definitely carpet, but it's comforting to know that Shark realized this and gave you an accessory to boost its performance on wood.
When it comes to versatility and power, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional is a big contender coming in at a small price. As far as value goes, this is an excellent option if you need to clean large areas and have multiple floor types.
>> Related Content: Best Carpet Sweepers
Pros:
- Low profile for its size
- Better suction power than Dyson
- Quiet
- Great for all types of carpet, low and high
Cons:
- Heavy - 20 lbs
- Minimal attachments
More About The Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick
A lesser known brand, the Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick deserves to be a household name. The power to noise ratio on this vacuum will blow you away. When pitted against Dyson on carpet, the Meile outperformed the higher priced machines time and time again.
This vacuum has no problems picking up large and small debris ranging from cereal to hair and dirt and just about anything else. It is able to switch between different heights of carpet effortlessly and does it all quietly and effectively.
With this model, almost all of your money goes towards a high-quality machine. This means that there aren't a lot of attachments, but if you don't need them, this is a plus. All of the accessories are basic hose and crevice tools that fit nicely onto the back of the machine.
If you're in the market for the best of the best vacuums for carpet, the clear winner is the Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick. It is an astoundingly powerful machine that struggles with almost nothing on the carpet.
>> Related Content: Best Carpet Cleaner
Pros:
- Under 3 lbs
- Cordless, so you can clean anywhere
- HEPA filter captures 99.99% of particles
- Extremely maneuverable
- 50 minutes of run time
Cons:
- Need to remember to charge
- Switching to hardwood requires changing brushes
More About The Tineco A10
Another relatively new player in the game, Tineco could be viewed as a Dyson knockoff. A lot of their products and selling points are similar. The Tineco A10 is very similar to the Dyson V10 but at about 1/3 of the price.
This vacuum is a cordless stick vacuum, which means that you don't have to worry about being tethered to a cord, but you do have to worry about battery life. With two batteries, you can expect this vacuum to last almost an hour, which is more than enough time to vacuum most homes.
If you are willing to give a somewhat new company a shot, Tineco seems to be very promising right out of the gate. They are obviously mirroring Dyson's most famous vacuum models and undercutting them on price. This is an excellent option if you would consider a cordless vacuum and value the versatility that comes with it.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Suction control capabilities
- Long lasting suction
Cons:
- Terrible on hard surfaces
- Hard to maneuver
More About The Bissell 9595A CleanView with OnePass
When it comes to inexpensive vacuums, you will probably see this one in just about every list. It is one of the most popular vacuums you can buy online, most likely because it is one of the cheapest. For the most part, it does a pretty good job, but it definitely has its drawbacks.
The Bissell CleanView with OnePass is best suited for low pile carpeting and cleaning up dirt and other small debris. It does an excellent job with pet hair and small particles, but struggles with larger particles and does an abysmal job on hardwood floors. It made its way onto this list, because this is a list of the best vacuums for carpets, and it is good at that.
It has powerful enough suction to make easy work of a variety of messes, and comes with a few accessories as well, including basic hose attachments and an air powered upholstery tool. This does a decent job with pet hair but did leave some behind.
If you are looking for a vacuum that does a decent job on carpet, and you don't have a lot of money to spend, the Bissell Cleanview with OnePass is definitely an option to consider.
Choosing A Vacuum For A Home With Carpeting
Carpet is easily the most common flooring in homes today. It is also arguably one of the most difficult to keep clean. While it is cost effective, you have to worry about stains, dirt, and odor that you don't have to worry about with other flooring types. With carpets, if you don't take preventative measures and opt for a quality vacuum thats meant for the type of carpet you have, you may need to invest in carpet cleaners down the line.
With this being said, choosing a vacuum for a home with either all or primarily carpeting, you need to consider a few key factors.
Price:
Vacuums are generally priced into three categories -- budget-friendly models under $100, medium-grade models under $200, and premium models for $300+. When shopping for a vacuum, the price is going to be one of the most important factors to consider, and for a good reason.
You likely already have a price in mind that you want to spend, so here is what to expect in those price ranges.
Under $100: Don't let big vacuum cleaning companies fool you into thinking you need to buy an $800 vacuum to get the best machine. High prices tend to create an illusion of quality that doesn't always ring true. In a lot of cases, a more expensive vacuum is made with more expensive parts but can be just as likely to break down and stop working.
This being said, for under $100 you can expect a vacuum that is good at one thing. For the most part, vacuums are designed for carpeting, so if your home has mostly carpets, you're in luck! For under $100 you can buy yourself a vacuum that cleans well on carpet but may have trouble with hard surfaces. You also probably won't get a ton of accessories like extra cleaning wands or motorized pet brushes. To cut costs, you get a basic machine without the bells and whistles of their high-cost companions. You're likely passing up on things like a digital display, cordless functions, HEPA filters, and larger dustbins.
If you're just looking for a vacuum to clean carpets and you don't care about any of those things, get yourself a vacuum under $100 and call it a day! Spend the rest of your budget on a weekend getaway.
Under $200: If you up your budget just a smidge, you're going to have a lot more variety of vacuums to choose from. This is the most common price range for consumer vacuums, and for this price, you can get a quality machine with some useful features.
In this price range, you can expect a vacuum that can handle multiple floor types but still is probably only strong in 1 or 2. It is rare to find a vacuum for under $200 that can handle high pile carpeting and hardwood floors effectively. If you have a home with low pile carpet and tile, wood, or laminate floors, this is the price range for you.
For under $200 you can expect a decent amount of accessories like different wands and heads, but you still probably won't find anything fancy like a motorized upholstery attachment. Most vacuums in this price range are either cordless or upright vacuums. I would shy away from purchasing a stick vacuum for under $200. While super convenient, most lower priced stick vacuums will either lose their suction or stop working after a year.
$300+: Once you get to the $300 price point, the proverbial floodgates open. In this price range, you can expect a high-quality vacuum cleaner with a full set of techy features and versatile capabilities. If you have a large home with pets or someone with long hair, this may have to be the price point for you. For this price range, you start to get into things like superior suction and less noise or cordless vacuums that actually do a good job, anti-tangle brushes, pet-friendly upholstery cleaning heads and much more.
I would caution you to tread lightly when looking at vacuums over $600 though. Up in that range, you start to get into the unknown. While some extremely high priced vacuums may be great, a lot of them arguably aren't twice as good as their $300 counterpart. You should really be after the best vacuum for the money.
Style of Vacuum:
Upright: You probably already have an idea in your head as to what style of vacuum you want for your home with carpets. The most common type of vacuum in today's market is an upright bagged or bagless vacuum. These are the standard vacuum design and offer the user the ability to clean a variety of areas and provide the best mix of power and maneuverability.
>> Related Content: Best Bagged Vacuums
Canister: Canister vacuums are great if need heavy duty cleaning. Since the motor and dustbin are separate from the suction hose, canister vacuums can pack a ton of power. These are great for large homes with kids or pets, but should not be used on wood floors because they can easily scratch them.
Robo-vac: The newest style of vacuum you're going to find, robot vacuums have come a long way since their debut. Generally speaking, you are paying more for the privilege of not having to actually clean, but end up sacrificing power and attention to detail.
Most robot vacuums are at least $200, and some go up as high as $1000 for premium models. The basic models typically do not have smart navigation and cannot tell where they are in a room. They just go forward, hit something then turn another direction and repeat.
Premium robot vacuum models can map your floor and actually do a phenomenal job cleaning. My personal favorite vacuum is a robot vacuum, the Neato Botvac Connected. It does a great job cleaning on multiple floor types and turns vacuuming from a chore to not even an afterthought.
Pets:
If you have a home with pets, you need to prioritize power and anti-tangle technology. You want a vacuum that can clean up pet hair and dander, but one that also doesn't get tangled after every use.
If you have pets you also probably want to consider a vacuum that has accessories specifically design for pets. A motorized upholstery head can go a long way towards keeping dog and cat hair off the couches and chairs, and also makes cleaning stairs much more manageable.
Power:
One of the most important things to think about when choosing a vacuum for carpets is the vacuum's power output. You need to have a vacuum that is powerful enough to get deep into your carpet to pull out the dirt, dander, and hair that may be hiding inside.
You also want to make sure the vacuum you choose does not have a history of losing suction after a certain period of time. The best vacuum cleaners are not necessarily the most powerful right off the bat, but they are the ones that hold their power for years. They are the ones that continue to clean as well as they did when you first got them.
Noise Level:
This isn't a huge deal, but is definitely something to think about when you're potentially stuck between two comparable vacuums. Noise output can vary a lot, and some models can get to be as loud as a lawn mower. If you care about your neighbors or not disturbing the entire house every time you vacuum, the quieter, the better.
Sale Frequency:
Since the vacuum industry is so flooded, it isn't hard to find a good sale. Always be on the lookout for premium vacuum cleaners that are on sale.
Most good sales can be found online, so make sure you jump on it when you see something good. Some deals are flash sales and only last 24 hours, and others can last for a few days or weeks.
What Vacuum is Best For Carpets?
The answer to this question is ultimately up to you and is dependent on the specifics of your situation. Budget plays a prominent role, but the best value vacuum should always be what you shoot for. You don't want to overpay for features you'll barely use.
When looking for a vacuum for carpets, consider the ones outlined in this list:
Now It's Your Turn!
We love to hear from you. Let us know what type of vacuum you plan on getting, and if you think this article was helpful. If you believe there is a particular model we should have included, let us know why in the comments section below!
