Our team analyzed over 99 vacuum cleaners and evaluated 151,329 reviews to bring you a curated selection of the top four. Carpets can hold a lot of dirt and debris deep down in their fibers. You need a vacuum with powerful suction, efficiently removing embedded dirt and pet hair from low-pile, high-pile, and shag carpets without getting tangled.
Our rigorous process certifies vacuums as tested and employs an AI-powered Trust Score to filter out fake and low-quality reviews. These winning models demonstrated exceptional carpet cleaning performance and usability. Only the best-performing vacuums earned a spot in our buying guide, ensuring you get reliable and effective recommendations.
How Did We Rank the Best Vacuum Cleaner for Carpets?
We scrutinized testing methodologies, sifted through countless customer reviews, and parsed expert opinions to deliver our comprehensive buying guide for the best vacuum cleaners for carpets. Our analysis spanned over 200 websites, focusing on what truly matters: 1 essential test result and 1 critical specification. By distilling key criteria from a wealth of sources, we ensure our recommendations are backed by robust, data-driven insights.
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
- Work on all floor types.
? Test Criteria
- Carpet Performance: The vacuum sucks up 75% of debris when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.
Latest Updates
- 06/24/2024: Republished the list to include the best vacuum cleaners for carpets based on our True Score system.
Top Vacuum Cleaner for Carpets 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 Cordless For Hardwood
The Dyson V15 Detect excels in homes with extensive carpeting, offering powerful suction for high-pile carpets and pet hair, ensuring thorough cleanliness.
True Score
919219Experts
942kCustomers
Cosmic Wonder
$629.00Read 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
$629.00
$629.00$750Save $121
$649.99$800Save $150
Our Verdict
The Dyson V15 Detect is tailored for homes with extensive carpeting, delivering powerful suction that excels on high-pile carpets, bare floors, and pet hair. It provides a best-in-class carpet cleaning performance of 91.77%, efficiently extracting deep dirt and debris to keep your carpets pristine. Additionally, it removes 100% of pet hair and 98.59% of debris from bare floors, ensuring thorough cleanliness across all surfaces in your home.
The Dyson V15 Detect operates at a noise level of 72.5 dB, which is moderately loud but generally acceptable for household use. Its bin capacity is 0.2 gallons, so you may need to empty it frequently, but this contributes to the vacuum’s light weight of 6.7 lbs. This, along with its cordless design, makes it very maneuverable on large carpeted areas.
Both vacuums are lightweight and cordless, with similar bin capacities. The Dyson, though pricier, is quieter and cleans carpets slightly better, making it an excellent option if your home has a lot of carpeting and you need superior cleaning power. The louder Shark Stratos Cordless still provides good value with solid performance at a lower cost, making it the better option if you have a tighter budget.
Despite its premium price, the Dyson V15 Detect’s robust performance across various flooring types, especially in lifting pet hair and carpet debris, makes it a valuable addition to your home. If you need a vacuum that blends efficient, powerful cleaning into a lightweight and cordless design, the Dyson V15 Detect is an excellent investment for ensuring your carpeted home remains clean and comfortable.
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Category Snapshot
Vacuum Cleaners
- Total Brands/Products Tested
31 Brands, 99 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
Samsung Bespoke Jet
Best Cordless For Pet Hair
Samsung Bespoke Jet excels on carpets with a low noise level and great pet hair removal, ideal for quiet homes and maintaining air quality with its HEPA filter.
True Score
87867Experts
91554Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $200$899.00$699.00Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- The cleaning station simplifies emptying the dust cup
- Two battery packs
- Lightweight design
- Turbo brush accessory
- Excellent performance on carpets and hard floors
Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn’t support wet cleaning
- Bulk two-in-one floor head
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.2 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off No Carpet Height Adjustments No Cleaning Path Width 9.8″ Compatible Floor Type All floors Cord Length Cordless Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type 5-stage, Cyclonic, HEPA Hypoallergenic Unknown Pet Yes Product Weight 6 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 98 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 92 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Noise Level (dB) 71 All Retailers
- $699.00$899Save $200
- $699.99
Our Verdict
If your home includes carpeting and you’re concerned about noise, the Samsung Bespoke Jet has a best-in-class noise level of 70.5 dB, ensuring vacuuming doesn’t disturb your household. It effectively removes 91.70% of debris from carpets and 99.5% of pet hair, ideal for keeping your carpets pristine and free of stray hairs.
The bin capacity of the Bespoke Jet is 0.2 gallons, which might require frequent emptying, but its low weight at just 6 lbs and cordless design significantly boost maneuverability. That’s especially useful for cleaning carpeted stairs and multi-floor homes without the inconvenience of a cord. It features a 5-stage cyclonic filtration system with a HEPA filter, ensuring optimal air quality by capturing fine particles and allergens. With a cleaning path width of 9.8 inches, it efficiently covers a broad area on all types of flooring, making it versatile for any room.
Compared to the Dyson V15 Detect, the Bespoke Jet offers similar bin capacities and cleaning efficiency across floor types. However, the Bespoke is a little quieter and offers better value. The Dyson is more expensive, but its well-rounded, superior cleaning performance justifies the price, making it ideal if you prioritize vacuum suction power over all else.
Despite its smaller bin capacity, the Samsung Bespoke Jet is notable for its comprehensive cleaning capabilities, quiet operation, and ease of use. It’s an excellent pick if you’re looking for an efficient vacuum on carpets that won’t disrupt your children or pets.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Stratos Cordless
Best Cordless Stick
Lightweight and easy to maneuver, the Shark Stratos Cordless excels on bare floors and carpets, perfect for small homes with mixed flooring.
True Score
83866Experts
85759Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $71$399.99$329.00Read 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
- $329.00$400Save $71
- $349.99$500Save $150
Our Verdict
If you need a vacuum adept at cleaning bare floors and carpets, the Shark Stratos Cordless is tailored for small homes with mixed flooring. It has a best-in-class 98.83% cleanup rate of debris on bare floors. It also lifts 89.3% of debris from carpets, effectively tackling dirt embedded deep within. It achieves a perfect 100% pet hair removal rate, ensuring your carpeted spaces remain hair-free.
At just 8.9 lbs, the Shark Stratos Cordless is easy to maneuver, whether you’re navigating stairs or different levels in your home. However, its noise level of 76.7 dB is noticeable in quieter settings, and the small bin capacity of 0.18 gallons can require frequent trips to the trash bin, which might be inconvenient in larger, busy homes.
Both the Shark Stratos Cordless and the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away are cordless, offering you convenient maneuverability and comparable cleaning efficiency across various surfaces, including excellent pet hair pickup. The Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away boasts a larger bin capacity and a lower price point, making it a more cost-effective choice for your large home. However, the Stratos Cordless is the better option if you prefer a vacuum that’s easier to handle due to its lighter weight.
Despite its louder noise level and smaller bin capacity, the Shark Stratos Cordless excels in deep cleaning carpets and bare floors. If you have a small home without noise-sensitive housemates and need a reliable yet easy-to-handle vacuum, the Shark Stratos Cordless is an excellent investment to ensure your space remains pristine.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away
Best Long Hair
The Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away is ideal for large homes. It offers a spacious bin and easy maneuverability, perfect for extensive use.
True Score
83842Experts
87340Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $1$399.99$399.00Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent performance on all floor types
- Good battery life
- Outstanding pet hair pick-up rate
- Low on-going costs
- LED headlights
Reasons to Avoid
- The brush roll is not removable
- Poor stain-removal performance
- Lacks a turbo brush
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.34 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off No Carpet Height Adjustments No Cleaning Path Width 10″ Compatible Floor Type Carpet, Hardwoods Cord Length Cordless Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type HEPA Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 12.4 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
- $399.00$400Save $1
- $399.99
- $602.87
Our Verdict
If you’re on a budget and have a large home, the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away is an excellent vacuum with a large bin capacity of 0.34 gallons. It conveniently reduces the need for you to empty it often, and its cordless design simplifies navigating around your stairs and through different rooms without the hassle of a cord. However, at 12.4 lbs, this model is the heaviest on our list, which should be considered if you have to clean extensive staircases or larger homes. It also operates at a noise level of 77 dB, which may not be the best fit if you need a quieter environment in your home.
If you’re a pet owner with a big home, the Lift-Away removes pet hair 100% of the time. It’s also well-suited for keeping homes with various flooring types looking pristine, clearing 98.6% of debris on bare floors and 89.4% on carpets.
Both the Shark Stratos Cordless and the Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away are cordless, providing excellent maneuverability and similar cleaning efficiency on various surfaces, especially pet hair removal. The Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away features a larger bin capacity and a more affordable price, offering better value for larger homes. However, the Stratos Cordless is the better option if ease of use and a lighter vacuum weight are important to you as you clean.
Despite its weight, the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away remains an exceptional vacuum, particularly if you live in a larger home with stairs and pets. Its robust cleaning efficiency across all types of floors and debris and its generous bin capacity make it a great value if you demand effective pet hair and dirt management from a vacuum.
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Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Vacuum Cleaner for Carpets?
By focusing on these criteria (1 required), 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. |
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
> 75%
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 75%. 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)
Best Vacuum Cleaner for Carpets: Mistakes To Avoid
- Overlooking Strong Suction Power: Underestimating the importance of strong suction power can result in ineffective cleaning. Carpets, especially thick ones, require vacuums with powerful suction to remove embedded dirt and debris.
- Neglecting Brush Roll Features: Using a vacuum with the wrong type of brush roll can damage your carpet. Opt for a vacuum with a motorized brush roll specifically designed for carpet cleaning, and ensure it can be turned off or adjusted for different carpet types. Additionally, knowing how to get hair out of a vacuum roller is crucial to maintain its efficiency and prevent potential damage. Regularly checking and cleaning the roller helps to ensure that hair and debris do not accumulate, which can hinder performance and increase wear on your carpets.
- Not Considering Filtration Quality: Neglecting the quality of the filtration system can lead to poor air quality and the re-circulation of allergens. Choose a vacuum with a high-efficiency filtration system, such as a HEPA filter, to keep the air clean while you vacuum.
- Overlooking Maneuverability: Selecting a heavy or difficult-to-maneuver vacuum can make cleaning carpets cumbersome and tiring. Choose a lightweight and agile vacuum to easily navigate through your home and efficiently clean all carpeted areas. For quick clean-ups and hard-to-reach spots, complement your main vacuum with a great handheld vacuum.
The Best Vacuum Cleaner for Carpets Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Bare Floor Performance
|
Carpet Performance
|
Pet Hair Performance
|
Noise Level
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 |
|
|
|
|  $629.00 |
| 87 |
|
|
|
|  $699.00 $899 $200 |
| 83 |
|
|
|
| $329.00 $400 $71 |
Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away
| 83 |
|
|
|
| $399.00 $400 $1 |
