5 Best Vacuums for Carpet (2023 Guide)

In This Guide: 5 Best Vacuums for Carpet | Buyer’s Guide | FAQ | Our Methodology

Carpets are a great way to add comfort and style to your home, but they can also turn it into a haven for dust, dirt, and allergens. In this review and buying guide, our team examines the five best vacuums for carpet, taking into consideration factors like suction power, maneuverability, ease of use, and more.

By the end, we hope that you’ll be able to choose the perfect vacuum cleaner to keep your carpets looking and feeling their best. Here are our top picks.

Top 5 Vacuums for Carpet

• Best Robotic: Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop
• Best Upright: Bissell CleanView Vacuum
• Most Versatile: Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum
• Best Canister: Kenmore Elite Canister Vacuum
• Best Cordless: NEQUARE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Best Robotic: Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a mopping pad that lifts when it recognizes carpet and lowers on hardwood floors
✔ Uses LiDAR Navigation to create accurate floor maps
✔ Works with the Roborock app and voice assistants

✘ Has a small 470-milliliter dustbin
✘ Cost more than other types of vacuums

What Customers Are Saying

Akin to a Roomba, our team discovered that many customers liked this robot vacuum’s powerful suction, long-lasting battery, and remote control. Some users did struggle to clean its dustbin, though. Others said that its mopping function left streaks on their hard floors.

Best Upright: Bissell CleanView Vacuum

Pros and Cons

✔ Can store the included attachments directly onboard
✔ Features a dustbin that’s both large and easy to empty
✔ Has a wide 13.5-inch cleaning path

✘ Doesn’t include as many accessories as other vacuum cleaners
✘ Has a bulky build that can be difficult to move around corners

What Customers Are Saying

According to our verified-buyer research, satisfied customers said this model was lightweight for an upright vacuum. They also appreciated its ability to clean multiple surfaces with powerful suction. Alternatively, we did find a small percentage of customers were unsatisfied, stating that the vacuum was difficult to maneuver and didn’t clean up their home as expected.

Most Versatile: Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes a crevice tool for furniture and a floor nozzle for stairs
✔ Works on countertops, hard floors, rugs, carpets, and other types of flooring
✔ Weighs 3 pounds for easy handling

✘ Doesn’t offer a motorized brush to reach deeply embedded debris
✘ Has a fairly short 15-foot power cord

What Customers Are Saying

Users liked this vacuum’s versatility and easy assembly. We also found several reviews that said it effectively picked up pet hair. However, a common complaint among unhappy customers was that it didn’t have enough suction power for large pieces of debris. They also didn’t like how difficult it was to find the replacement filters online.

Best Canister: Kenmore Elite Canister Vacuum

Pros and Cons

✔ Uses a nub on the underside of the canister to grip stairs
✔ Has a 26-foot retractable power cord
✔ Features two wheels and a handle

✘ Weighs 22 pounds, which is heavier than other types of vacuums
✘ More expensive than most models of upright or stick vacuums

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who left positive reviews for this vacuum liked that it lifted large amounts of pet hair, had a long, retractable cord, and used a HEPA filter to remove allergens. However, we also learned that a minority of users struggled with the attachments, and one person indicated that the accessories routinely slipped off the hose.

Best Cordless: NEQUARE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a large 1.2-liter dustbin capacity for a portable vacuum
✔ Uses a five-stage filtration system to capture 99.99% of fine particles
✔ Swivels 180 degrees side to side and 90 degrees up and down

✘ Not designed for whole-house cleaning
✘ Has a short 40-minute runtime

What Customers Are Saying

Those we found who were pleased with this cordless stick vacuum said that it was easy to use with its lightweight and maneuverable build. They also thought that it was a reasonable value for the price tag. Some customers pointed out a few design flaws, including its tendency to clog, lack of power on its lower setting, and low overall battery life.

Buyer’s Guide to Vacuums for Carpet

A lot goes into choosing a vacuum that can clean your carpeted floors. To help you find the carpet cleaning tool, we created this guide to outline some of the most important elements.

Vacuum Type

There are several types of vacuums that can clean carpets and rugs.

Canister

Canister vacuums are a step up from upright vacuums. They have a powerful motor and a large dustbin, so they’re ideal for deep cleaning. They have their downsides, though, as they’re bulky and expensive.

Handheld

Handheld vacuums are similar to stick ones in that they typically have a portable, cordless build and a small dustbin. The main difference is that handheld vacuums don’t have the skinny piece of the body separating the handle and dustbin from the head, so they’re slightly more compact and lightweight.

Robotic

Built for convenience, robotic vacuums clean your floors for you. Entry-level models move around your floor when you turn them on, using bumpers to avoid objects. If you want a more intelligent machine, you can purchase a model that offers remote control, scheduling, and mapping.

Stick

Stick vacuums are usually cordless, though some corded models exist. They have a long, skinny body that connects the handle and dustbin at one end to the head at the other. Because they don’t have a large dustbin or a lot of power, they’re meant for the occasional mess instead of deep cleaning.

Upright

An upright vacuum cleaner is likely the machine that comes to mind when you think of a vacuum. It gets its name because it stands straight when you’re not using it. When you’re ready to start cleaning, you can press a button or pull a lever to tilt the handle back while keeping the head flat on the floor.

Power Source

Vacuums either have a corded or cordless design. Cordless vacuums are lightweight and portable, but they only last for an hour or two—or maybe less on a high setting—before they die and need to be recharged. Corded vacuums are more powerful, but you’re limited by the cord’s reach and the machine’s bulky build. If you opt for a corded vacuum, make sure that its cord is at least 15–20 feet long so that you don’t have to pause as frequently to move to another outlet.

Dustbin

The dustbins found on robotic, stick, and handheld vacuums typically hold less than 1 liter of dirt. Upright and canister machines, on the other hand, have larger dustbins that can hold a few liters of debris. The trade-off, though, is a bulkier build. Additionally, most modern vacuum cleaners are bagless vacuums.

Weight

If you will be transporting your vacuum from room to room or upstairs, consider a lighter stick or handheld vacuum. Though bulky and heavy, a canister vacuum is another viable option because it often has wheels and handles. If performance is more of a priority than weight, you’re better off with an upright vacuum that can clean any flooring.

Suction

The stronger your vacuum’s suction is, the more debris it can pick up and the thicker and higher the carpet it can clean. If you have a high-pile carpet, you likely need the stronger suction that a canister or upright vacuum offers. For low-pile carpet or fine dirt, the lower suction of a stick, handheld, or robotic vacuum should suffice.

Floor Type

In addition to carpeting, many homes have hard floors, such as wood, tile, laminate, and vinyl. To save you money and storage space, choose a vacuum that can clean all of the surfaces in your home.

Attachments

Many vacuums come with attachments in addition to the main head to help you clean different surfaces and debris. For example, you often see pet hair, crevice, and stair tools to expand the functionality of the vacuum cleaner.

Brands

If a certain product has enough positive customer acclaim, it’s likely trustworthy regardless of the brand. However, as a general reference, several well-known vacuum brands include:

• Bissell
• BOSCH
• Dyson
• Eureka
• Hoover
• Maytag
• Roomba
• Shark

Tips for Removing Difficult Stains from Carpets 

Using a high-quality vacuum for carpets can help eliminate dirt, debris, and most stains. However, some stains are particularly difficult to remove and may require additional elbow grease. If you encounter especially stubborn spots, here are some tips on removing stains from your carpeting and rugs for good. 

Blot Stains

For liquid stains like coffee or wine, start by blotting the stain with a clean, white cloth or paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can cause it to spread further.

Try Club Soda

For fresh stains, you can pour some club soda onto a cloth and blot the stain gently. Repeat as needed until the stain is lifted. Afterward, rinse the area with water and blot dry.

Use a Vinegar Solution

Another way to treat tough stains is by creating a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply the solution to the stain using a spray bottle or a clean cloth. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then blot the area with a cloth. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Utilize Hydrogen Peroxide for Stubborn Stains 

This method is suitable for removing stubborn stains like blood. Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain, then blot with a clean cloth. Be cautious when using hydrogen peroxide, as it may lighten the color of the carpet.

Vacuums for Carpet FAQ

What type of vacuum cleaner works best on carpets?

Upright vacuums tend to work best on carpeting since the machine’s weight is concentrated on its head. This weight distribution helps the vacuum penetrate through the carpet’s pile.

How often should I vacuum my carpet?

It depends on various factors, including how much foot traffic it gets, how many pets you own, and how much your pets shed. However, a general rule is once a week. If you have allergies, young kids, or heavy-shedding pets, consider vacuuming a few times per week.

What vacuums offer the best suction?

Upright and canister vacuums are typically the most powerful. The same is true of corded machines over cordless models.

How can I ensure that my vacuum lasts a long time?

Empty the canister, and wash or replace the filter regularly. Also, check the vacuum’s beater bar, belt, and other components every few months to ensure they’re not damaged or broken. You can consult your owner’s manual for additional instructions from the manufacturer that pertain to your specific model.

How We Chose the Best Vacuums for Carpet

To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of vacuums with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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