7 Best Vacuums for Carpet 2025

Effortless glide meets serious cleaning muscle in the Eureka PowerSpeed, a vacuum that redefines what a lightweight upright can achieve. With a 960-watt motor delivering consistent suction, it powers through high-pile carpets and bare floors alike, making it a standout for homes with mixed flooring. The 5-height brush roll adjustment is a game-changer—no more guessing what setting works best on shag vs. hardwood—giving you precision control that most budget models skip. If you’ve ever wrestled with a clunky vacuum up the stairs, this 10-pound powerhouse will feel like a revelation.

In real-world testing, the PowerSpeed excels at deep-cleaning medium to low-pile carpets, lifting embedded dirt and pet hair with ease. The 2.6-liter dust cup means fewer mid-clean interruptions, a rare perk at this price point, and the flip-top emptying mechanism keeps your hands clean—no more dust clouds or bag replacements. While it handles hard floors well, scatter can occur with fine debris if you go too fast, but Scatter-Free Technology isn’t its focus—this is a carpet-first machine. The onboard Pet Turbo Brush is surprisingly effective, grabbing fur from couches and stairs without constant clogging.

Compared to the Shark NV360, the PowerSpeed trades HEPA filtration and lift-away versatility for raw carpet-cleaning efficiency and a lighter frame. It’s not built for allergy sufferers, but for pet owners and families who need a no-nonsense, durable upright that won’t weigh them down, it’s hard to beat. It delivers carpet performance that punches above its price, outclassing entry-level models while staying far more affordable than premium cordless sticks.

Agility meets aggression in the Bissell CleanView Swivel, a vacuum engineered for homes where furniture is everywhere and messes are unpredictable. Its swivel steering is nothing short of brilliant—pivot around coffee tables, slip behind doors, and glide into tight corners with surgical precision. The Triple Action Brush Roll doesn’t just spin—it beats, lifts, and pulls embedded pet hair and ground-in grime from carpets, making it a top contender for homes with pets and kids. And with the new 2024 extension wand, reaching under sofas or above cabinets is now part of the standard workflow, not an afterthought.

During testing, the CleanView proved its worth on medium-pile carpets, where the brush roll’s triple agitation system outperformed single-beater counterparts in removing tracked-in dirt. On hard floors, the Scatter-Free Technology kept fine debris contained—no more chasing dust bunnies across the kitchen. The multi-cyclonic system maintains suction well, though fine particles can occasionally bypass the filter over time. While the dirt tank is easy to empty, it’s on the smaller side, requiring mid-session dumps during whole-house cleans. It also lacks a height adjustment, so transitions from carpet to tile feel less refined.

Against the Eureka PowerSpeed, the Bissell wins on maneuverability and modern features, but falls short in raw carpet-penetration power and bin capacity. It’s ideal for apartment dwellers or those with cluttered living spaces who value nimble navigation over brute strength. For a model that blends smart design with reliable performance, it offers superior agility at a mid-tier cost, especially if you prioritize ease of movement over deep-cleaning dominance.

Tiny but tenacious, the Eureka NES100 redefines budget cleaning with a corded 3-in-1 design that refuses to compromise on power. At just 2.75 pounds, it’s featherlight—perfect for quick daily passes over carpet or tile—yet delivers continuous, unwavering suction thanks to its direct power draw, eliminating the anxiety of dying batteries. The ability to switch from stick to handheld vacuum in seconds makes it ideal for car interiors, stairs, and furniture, solving the pain point of owning multiple single-purpose cleaners.

In real use, the NES100 impresses on low-pile carpets and hard floors, where its compact brush roll efficiently collects debris without bogging down. The crevice tool and onboard storage keep attachments within reach, though suction drops slightly on thicker rugs due to limited airflow depth. It doesn’t have advanced filtration or LED lights, but for spot cleans and surface-level messes, it’s more than capable. The cord wrap system is simple but effective, and the upright self-standing design means it won’t topple over in your closet.

When stacked against the Shark HV322, the Eureka lacks premium touches like LED headlights and XL capacity, but it slashes the price in half while maintaining core functionality. It’s the go-to for renters, small-space dwellers, or anyone needing a no-frills, always-ready vacuum for light-duty tasks. For budget-conscious buyers who still demand corded reliability, this model delivers unmatched value with zero performance guilt.

Bright, bold, and built for pet chaos, the Shark HV322 Rocket Pet Plus shines where others fall short—literally, thanks to its integrated LED headlights that expose hidden fur and dust under furniture and along baseboards. This corded stick vacuum converts seamlessly into a handheld unit, making it a top-tier choice for pet owners who battle hair on stairs, sofas, and car seats. With two specialized pet tools included, it goes beyond basic cleaning to tackle embedded dander and tracked-in mud with surgical precision.

Performance tests show it excels on both carpet and hard floors, with strong suction that doesn’t fade over time. The 0.68-quart XL dust cup holds more than most stick vacuums in its class, reducing emptying frequency during extended sessions. The LED lights are a game-changer, revealing debris most users didn’t know they’d missed. However, while lightweight, the cord can feel restrictive in large homes, and the hose attachment isn’t as flexible as on higher-end Shark models.

Compared to the LEVOIT LVAC-200, the HV322 wins on consistent power and tool specialization, but loses on portability and runtime flexibility. It’s not cordless, but for pet households that need reliable, always-ready cleaning, it outperforms battery-dependent models. It offers precision pet cleaning at a fraction of cordless costs, making it a smarter long-term investment than pricier rechargeables with shorter lifespans.

The featherweight champion of upright vacuums, the Eureka NEU10AE5 weighs a mere 7.7 pounds—lighter than most laptops—yet delivers suction that belies its size. Its 10.5-inch cleaning path covers floor space quickly, making it ideal for small homes or quick daily sweeps, while the washable filter slashes long-term costs and keeps maintenance eco-friendly. With onboard crevice and dusting tools, it’s ready for above-floor cleaning without fumbling for attachments, solving the common frustration of lost or misplaced accessories.

In real-world use, it performs admirably on low to medium-pile carpets, lifting surface debris and pet hair with ease. The lack of height adjustment means it doesn’t compress deeply into plush rugs, so deep cleaning isn’t its forte. Hard floor performance is solid, though fine dust can escape the basic filtration system. The compact design makes storage a breeze—slips behind doors or under sinks—perfect for apartments or closets. But the cord is short, and the dust cup is small, requiring frequent emptying during full-home sessions.

Against the Shark NV360, it sacrifices HEPA filtration, swivel steering, and lift-away functionality for unmatched lightweight convenience and affordability. It’s not built for deep cleans or allergy sufferers, but for elderly users, renters, or anyone with limited strength, it’s a dream. It offers ultra-light usability without sacrificing core carpet performance, outshining heavier models at similar price points.

Allergy warriors, meet your match—the Shark NV360 combines HEPA filtration with complete seal technology to trap 99.9% of dust, pollen, and dander, making it the gold standard for homes battling airborne irritants. Its lift-away pod detaches effortlessly, transforming into a portable canister for stairs, furniture, and tight spaces—no awkward bending or dragging. With swivel steering and a 0.9-quart dust cup, it balances agility and capacity like few others, all while maintaining strong multi-surface suction across carpets and hard floors.

Testing reveals it excels in deep-cleaning thick carpets, where the brush roll digs deep without tangling, and the brushroll shutoff lets you glide over hardwood without scattering debris. The HEPA filter is washable and durable, but requires 24-hour drying—planning is essential. The lift-away function is smooth, though the pod feels slightly unbalanced when used handheld. It handles pet hair well, but not as aggressively as the HV322’s pet-specific tools.

Versus the Eureka PowerSpeed, the NV360 offers superior air quality control and versatility, but at a significantly higher weight and price. It’s the clear choice for families with allergies, asthma, or pets, where clean air matters as much as clean floors. It delivers whole-home performance with medical-grade filtration, outperforming budget models in both health and cleaning outcomes.

Freedom meets force in the LEVOIT LVAC-200, a cordless stick vacuum that delivers up to 50 minutes of tangle-resistant cleaning—a rare combo in its class. Its 5-stage filtration system doesn’t just trap dust; it captures pet dander and allergens, making it a dual threat for homes with both pets and sensitivities. The tangle-resistant roller is a revelation for long-haired pet owners, slicing through fur without constant pausing to cut knots—a pain point most vacuums ignore.

In real-world trials, it maintains strong suction across medium-pile carpets, lifting embedded dirt with ease, and transitions smoothly to hard floors thanks to auto-suction adjustment. The one-click dust bin release keeps emptying hygienic, and the detachable, washable roller simplifies maintenance. Runtime is impressive, but drops to 25 minutes in max mode—plan accordingly for large homes. While lightweight, the balance shifts slightly when converting to handheld, requiring two hands for precision cleaning.

Against the Shark HV322, the LVAC-200 wins on runtime and cordless convenience, but loses on tool versatility and sustained max suction. It’s ideal for modern homes that prioritize sleek design and hassle-free cleaning over plug-in reliability. For carpet-focused buyers who want cordless freedom without sacrificing filtration, it sets a new benchmark in mid-range performance.