When selecting a vacuum for shag carpets, you’ll want to prioritize models with powerful suction and height-adjustable brush rolls to navigate the dense fibers effectively. Our thorough analysis included over 30 vacuum cleaners, resulting in three top recommendations. Features like a motorized brush head are essential for agitating and lifting embedded dirt.
We evaluated 146,886 reviews. Using our AI-powered True Score method, we certified and verified products to filter out fake and low-quality reviews. This method ensures that only the best vacuum cleaners make it to our final list. The winning vacuums performed superbly in testing, providing excellent carpet performance and ease of use.
How Did We Rank the Best Vacuums for Shag Carpet?
Our comprehensive buying guide for the best vacuums for shag carpets is the result of analyzing over 200 sites, including detailed testing methods, customer reviews, and expert opinions. We identified the 1 essential test result, 1 additional beneficial feature, and 1 critical specification needed for peak performance on shag carpets. By understanding the key pain points and focusing on what matters most, we ensure our recommendations provide the best performance and value.
Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must work on all floor types.
? Test Criteria
- Carpet Performance: The vacuum sucks up 80% of debris when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.
? “Nice To Haves”
- Pet Hair Performance: The vacuum sucks up 95% of pet hair from any surface.
Latest Updates
- 06/22/2024: Republished the list to include the best vacuum cleaners for shag carpets based on our True Score system.
Top Vacuums for Shag Carpet For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Dyson V15 Detect
Best Apartment
For quiet, lightweight cleaning on shag carpet, the Dyson V15 Detect shines with exceptional performance, though it comes at a higher price.
True Score
919119Experts
932kCustomers
Cosmic Wonder
SAVE $200$799.99$599.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Laser illumination technology
- Incredible performance on both carpets and hard floors
- Lightweight design
- Decent battery life
- Anti-allergenic HEPA filter
Reasons to Avoid
- Complicated maneuvrability on deep carpets
- Relatively low-capacity 0.45L dust cup
- Plastic construction
Specifications
Bagless Yes 
Bin Capacity 0.2 gal 
Brush Roll Shut-Off No 
Carpet Height Adjustments Yes 
Cleaning Path Width 10″ 
Compatible Floor Type All floors 
Cord Length Cordless 
Corded/Cordless Cordless 
Filter Type Other 
Hypoallergenic Yes 
Pet Yes 
Product Weight 6.7 lbs 
Vacuum Type Handheld vacuums 
Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 92 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Noise Level (dB) 73 All Retailers
$599.99$800Save $200
$631.95$750Save $118
$631.95$750Save $118
Our Verdict
If you need a vacuum cleaner for shag carpet that combines lightweight design with quiet cleaning performance, the Dyson V15 Detect is a fantastic choice. This model, the priciest on our list, boasts a noise level of 72.54 dB, ensuring a quieter cleaning environment. This could be a significant factor for households with children or noise-sensitive occupants.
The Dyson V15 Detect excels in bare floor performance, cleaning up to 98.59% of debris while having the best-in-class carpet cleaning performance of 91.77%. This high efficiency makes it a great choice for homes with a mix of shag carpets and hard flooring. As a cordless and handheld vacuum, the vacuum provides the freedom of unrestricted movement and excellent spot cleaning. However, this might pose a challenge when dealing with larger areas.
Additionally, it’s hypoallergenic, a vital feature for allergy sufferers, and is bagless, which adds convenience but requires regular maintenance for optimal performance. Weighing in at just 6.7 lbs, it’s one of the lightest vacuum cleaners, making it easy to maneuver on shag carpets. However, its bin capacity of 0.2 gallons might necessitate frequent emptying during extensive cleaning sessions, which could be a minor inconvenience. If you don’t mind losing cleaning efficiency, you can save some and get the more budget-friendly Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet with a larger 0.3-gallon bin capacity.
Wrapping up, the Dyson V15 Detect, while being expensive, offers excellent value with its bare floor cleaning efficiency, low noise level, and the convenience of being cordless and lightweight. Its hypoallergenic feature and superior performance on shag carpets make it a fantastic choice if you prioritize quality and convenience in their vacuum cleaner.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Stratos Cordless
Best Cordless
For shag carpets and bare floors, the Shark Stratos Cordless excels with outstanding performance and HEPA filtration, despite its higher noise level.
True Score
84866Experts
85776Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $200$499.99$299.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Impressive suction power
- Great bare floor performance
- Great Carpet cleaning performance
- Excellent pet hair cleaning performance
Reasons to Avoid
- Attachments are very limited
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.18 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off Unknown Carpet Height Adjustments Yes Cleaning Path Width 10″ Compatible Floor Type All floors Cord Length Cordless Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type HEPA Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 8.9 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 89 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Noise Level (dB) 77 All Retailers
- $299.99$500Save $200
- $319.95$400Save $80
Our Verdict
If you need a vacuum cleaner that is great for shag carpets and bare floors, the Shark Stratos Cordless is a fantastic choice, thanks to best-in-class bare floor cleaning efficiency of 98.83%. Combined with its carpet performance of 89.28% and 100% cleaning of pet hair, it is ideal for homes with pets and mixed flooring.
Additionally, the Shark Stratos Cordless is the heaviest model on our list at 8.9 lbs, which could make it more challenging to maneuver on shag carpets. However, it should be noted that it registers a slightly higher noise level at 76.65 dB and has a small bin capacity of 0.18 gallons. The Dyson V15 Detect operates more quietly at 72.5 dB and features a slightly larger bin capacity of 0.2 gallons, though it comes at a higher price point. This difference might be significant if a quieter cleaning experience is important to you.
The Shark Stratos Cordless features a HEPA filter, which is excellent at trapping fine particles and allergens, making it a great choice for those with allergies. The bagless design also adds to its convenience, allowing for quick and easy debris disposal. It strikes a unique balance of power and convenience. Its exceptional performance and HEPA filtration system make it a fantastic choice if you need a versatile, allergy-friendly vacuum cleaner for shag carpets and bare floors.
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Category Snapshot
Vacuum Cleaners
- Total Brands/Products Tested
31 Brands, 100 Products
- Top 2 Brands
Dyson, Miele
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$50-$400+
- Average True Score
75.70
- Important Test Criteria
Bare Floor Performance (%)
Carpet Performance (%)
- Most Trusted Testers
- Typical Warranty
1 year
- Covered by Insurance
Yes – Amazon, Best Buy
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet
For a budget-friendly option on shag carpets, the Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet offers ample bin capacity and a wide cleaning path, ideal for larger homes.
True Score
78785Experts
81159Customers
Mixed Reviews
$319.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Interchangeable battery
- Easy to assemble
- Large dirt bin capacity
- Easy to maneuver
- Lightweight
Reasons to Avoid
- No HEPA filter
- No attachments included
- Mediocre build quality
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.3 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off Yes Carpet Height Adjustments Yes Cleaning Path Width 11″ Compatible Floor Type All floors Cord Length Cordless Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type Reusable, Washable Hypoallergenic No Pet Yes Product Weight 8.6 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 94 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 85 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 98 Noise Level (dB) 79 All Retailers
- $319.99
Our Verdict
If you need a more budget-friendly vacuum for shag carpet, the Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet is a strong choice for larger homes. With a bin capacity of 0.3 gallons, it provides ample space for debris collection, reducing the frequency of emptying and enhancing overall convenience. Additionally, this vacuum has the largest cleaning path width of 11”. This can be a significant advantage for larger cleaning tasks.
It boasts a commendable debris cleaning efficiency of 93.83% on bare floors, making it a valuable choice for homes with a lot of hard flooring. Its carpet performance of 84.91, while lowest on the list, still offers excellent cleaning efficiency for shag carpets and most households with mixed flooring types. If you don’t mind paying more, the Shark Stratos Cordless offers better performance across the board but has a smaller bin capacity of 0.18 gallons, so frequent emptying may be necessary for larger cleaning tasks.
The Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet weighs in at 8.6 lbs, which could potentially impact its maneuverability on shag carpets. Additionally, it is the loudest on our list, with a noise level of 78.63 dB, which could be an important factor to consider if you prefer quieter cleaning sessions. This stick vacuum offers a good mix of power and portability. Its bagless design also adds convenience by allowing easy debris disposal without needing replacement bags.
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Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Vacuums for Shag Carpet?
By focusing on these criteria (1 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these vacuum cleaners and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a vacuum cleaner that will meet your needs.
| CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet Performance | > 75% | Yes | How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile. |
| Pet Hair Performance | > 95% | No (Nice to have) | How much pet hair the vacuum sucks up from any surface. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 120+ vacuum cleaner reviewers and found that 27 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for vacuum cleaner.
- Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
- Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
- Sabine Heinlein – Wirecutter, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every vacuum cleaner review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Vacuum Cleaner Test Data & Results
1. Carpet Performance Test Results
Carpet Performance
> 80%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Scale
Why It’s Important:
If you have carpet, how well a vacuum cleans directly impacts how your carpet feels to walk on, and prevents pests from moving in.
Carpet cleaning ability is another important part of how your vacuum performs. Whether you have low-pile, high-pile, or rugs, how effectively a vacuum cleans up the dirt and debris left behind on the carpet is enormously important to keeping your carpet comfortable.
Generally speaking, we recommend a carpet cleaning performance of at least 80%. You might notice this is much lower than bare floors, and that’s because carpet is harder to clean. Short of devoting the time to actually shampoo and dry out a carpet, thoroughly cleaning out a carpet is very difficult, and good vacuums will reach deep between fibers and pull out long-forgotten crumbs.
Carpet Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
2. Pet Hair Performance Test Results
If you own pets, the ability of a vacuum to suck up pet hair, be it with attachments or the brush itself is extremely important. Pet hair can stick to furniture, dig itself into the carpet, and clump together under beds and in corners. If you have allergies and need to keep pet hair out of your home as best as you can, you’ll need a vacuum that gets rid of as much pet hair a possible when cleaning.
We recommend that a vacuum has a pet hair cleaning performance of at least 95%. Higher is always better, but if you can get rid of most of the pet hair, you’ll have an easier time breathing and less dander flying away and sticking to clothes and furniture. Poor pet hair cleaning performance can invite repeated vacuuming and more annoyance for anyone who suffers from allergies.
Pet Hair Performance
> 95%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much pet hair the vacuum sucks up from any surface.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Speed-checking software
Why It’s Important:
If you have pets and want to keep your home free of pet hair, you need good pet hair cleanup performance.
Pet Hair Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
Best Vacuums for Shag Carpet: Mistakes To Avoid
- Ignoring Suction Power: Disregarding suction power can be a significant mistake. Some vacuums might compromise on suction to reduce noise, but this can result in poor cleaning performance on shag carpets. Make sure the model you select provides adequate suction to clean your carpet thoroughly. If you have pets, choosing a vacuum for pet hair with strong suction is crucial to ensure all fur and debris are effectively removed. For added convenience, a cordless vacuum for pet hair offers mobility and ease of use while maintaining powerful performance.
- Not Considering Adjustable Height Settings: Shag carpets have dense, high-pile fibers that can be difficult to clean with a standard vacuum. Avoid models without adjustable height settings, as they may struggle to navigate the thick carpet fibers effectively. Height-adjustable brush rolls are essential for optimal performance.
- Choosing the Wrong Vacuum Type: Not all vacuums are suitable for shag carpets. Consider the differences between canister vs upright vacuum models. Canister vacuums often provide better maneuverability and are easier to handle, while upright vacuums usually offer stronger suction. Choose based on your specific cleaning needs.
- Neglecting Maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your vacuum performing well. Make sure to clean or replace filters, empty the dustbin, and check for blockages frequently. Proper maintenance ensures the vacuum’s longevity and effectiveness.
The Best Vacuums for Shag Carpet Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Bare Floor Performance
|
Carpet Performance
|
Pet Hair Performance
|
Noise Level
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 |
|
|
|
|  $599.99 $800 $200 |
| 84 |
|
|
|
|  $299.99 $500 $200 |
78 |
|
|
|
|  $319.99 |
