7 Best Vacuums for Carpet 2025

This featherweight champion redefines what an affordable upright can do, delivering punchy suction and effortless above-floor reach thanks to its quick-release handle. With a 700-watt motor and a 10.5” wide cleaning path, it zips across carpets, pulling surface debris with surprising vigor for its size. Its 7.7-pound frame makes it a dream for quick cleanups, especially on stairs or in tight apartments where heavier vacuums feel cumbersome.

In real-world use, it excels on low-pile carpets and hard floors, though it struggles slightly on plush or high-pile rugs where deeper agitation is needed. The compact design enhances storage and portability, but the smaller dust cup means more frequent emptying in larger homes. It lacks height adjustment, so transitioning between floor types isn’t as seamless—though the dual-action brushroll does its best to adapt.

Compared to the Shark NV752, it sacrifices filtration and lift-away versatility but wins on price and simplicity. It’s ideal for renters, seniors, or anyone prioritizing lightweight agility over deep-cleaning horsepower. While it doesn’t match the all-around performance of pricier models, it delivers solid value for low-to-medium carpet coverage—offering surprising power in a minimalist package.

This all-in-one powerhouse sets the gold standard for upright vacuums, combining powered lift-away mobility with HEPA-grade allergen capture and LED-lit deep cleaning. The Rotator nozzle swivels with surgical precision, letting you pivot around table legs and under sofas without breaking stride. With a 0.88-quart dust cup and continuous brushroll in lift-away mode, it maintains uninterrupted cleaning power even when tackling ceiling corners or car interiors.

During testing, its self-cleaning Pet Power Brush proved exceptional at extracting embedded pet hair from medium-pile carpets, outperforming budget models by a wide margin. The fingertip floor selector smoothly transitions between hard floors and carpet, while the anti-allergen seal traps 99.9% of dust and pollen, a major win for allergy sufferers. However, its 16.5-pound weight makes it tiring on stairs, and the cord rewind requires manual effort.

Against the Bissell CleanView, it offers superior filtration and more versatile cleaning modes, though it lacks the triple-action brushroll. It’s the complete package for pet owners and allergy-prone households who need deep, whole-home cleaning. While heavier than most, its feature-rich performance justifies the bulk, offering more capability than the Eureka PowerSpeed at a higher but reasonable cost.

This sleek, tech-forward stick vacuum brings cordless freedom to carpet cleaning with a standout 45KPA suction and a removable 45-minute battery—making whole-home cleanups truly uninterrupted. The real-time LED display is a game-changer, showing suction mode, runtime, and blockage alerts so you’re never caught off guard. Its 8-in-1 versatility shines when switching from floor to furniture, with a lightweight design that minimizes arm fatigue during extended use.

In action, it handles low-to-medium pile carpets with ease, especially with its motorized brushroll engaged. The 7-stage filtration system captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.1 microns, rivaling many corded models in air quality protection. The 1.5L dust cup is generous, but the battery, while detachable, takes 4 hours to recharge—meaning a second battery would be ideal for large homes. It’s less effective on high-pile rugs compared to uprights like the Shark NV752.

Positioned between budget uprights and premium cordless brands, it beats the Eureka Airspeed in flexibility and suction control while undercutting Dyson-tier prices. It’s perfect for apartment dwellers, tech-savvy users, and pet owners wanting tangle-free cleaning. Though not as deep-cleaning as corded models, its smart features and runtime flexibility make it a top cordless contender.

Built for pet parents who want power without the poundage, this 10-pound dynamo combines a 5-height adjustment system with a dedicated pet turbo tool to tackle fur on carpets and upholstery alike. The large 2.6L dust cup means fewer stops to empty, a major plus during whole-home cleanups. Its foam filtration system is washable, eliminating ongoing filter costs—ideal for high-use households.

On medium-pile carpet, it digs deep into fibers, lifting embedded pet hair and tracked-in dirt with ease. The height settings allow precise tuning for different surfaces, though the brushroll can clog if not cleaned every two weeks—Eureka even warns of smoke risk from hair buildup, a serious maintenance note. It lacks HEPA filtration, so it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers, and the cord is shorter than competitors.

Next to the Bissell CleanView, it offers similar pet-focused tools but without the triple-action brushroll. It’s a no-frills workhorse for homes with shedding pets and mixed flooring. While not as agile as cordless models, it delivers strong carpet performance at a pet-owner-friendly price, outperforming the basic Eureka Airspeed in versatility and capacity.

This versatile mid-tier Shark delivers lift-away convenience and HEPA-level sealing at a price that undercuts the TruePet model without sacrificing core performance. The 0.9-quart dust cup supports long cleaning sessions, and the brushroll shutoff lets you instantly switch from carpet to hardwood—no flipping dials or changing heads. Its swivel steering makes navigation around furniture feel effortless, a standout for cluttered homes.

In testing, it handled low-to-medium pile carpets well, though it lacks the motorized pet tool of the NV752. The lift-away pod is lighter than the TruePet, making overhead cleaning less strenuous. Filtration is excellent, capturing allergens effectively, but the filters require 24-hour drying after rinsing—slowing turnaround if you clean frequently. It’s less powerful than the VOKENE on suction but more consistent on deep carpet cleaning.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it offers better allergen control and more refined handling, though it’s heavier. It’s the sweet spot for families wanting Shark reliability without premium pricing. While it doesn’t have LED lights or a self-cleaning brushroll, its balanced mix of features and performance makes it a smarter buy than entry-level models.

This 2024 carpet warrior is engineered for one thing: obliterating pet hair on carpet. The Triple Action Brush Roll doesn’t just spin—it loosens, lifts, and pulls fur from deep within fibers, outperforming many vacuums twice its price. Add Scatter-Free Technology and a multi-cyclonic system, and you get consistent suction without clogs, even on thick, matted pet messes. The active extension wand extends reach without losing suction—perfect for under beds or behind sofas.

In real-world use, it excels on medium-to-high pile carpets, where its brushroll digs aggressively without tangling. The swivel steering makes tight turns smooth, though the vacuum is front-heavy and can tip when paused upright. The dirt tank is easy to empty, but the bin isn’t as large as Shark or Eureka counterparts, requiring more frequent dumps in larger homes. It lacks HEPA, so airborne allergens may escape.

Stacked against the Eureka PowerSpeed, it offers superior carpet agitation but fewer onboard tools. It’s tailor-made for homes with shedding pets and carpeted living spaces. While not as all-around capable as the Shark NV752, its laser focus on pet hair removal makes it a top specialist, outperforming generalists where it matters most.

Don’t let the budget tag fool you—this 10-pound powerhouse packs a 960-watt motor and a 5-height adjustment system, making it one of the most capable value uprights for carpeted homes. The 2.6-liter dust cup is among the largest in its class, letting you clean an entire floor without stopping. With a Pet Turbo Brush onboard, it’s built to handle fur-covered carpets with ease, and the washable foam filter keeps maintenance costs near zero.

In performance tests, it outpaced the Eureka Airspeed on deep carpet cleaning, thanks to its higher wattage and adjustable roller. It transitions smoothly between surfaces, though the lack of a sealed HEPA system means it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers. The cord is shorter than average, and the handle doesn’t release for above-floor cleaning—limiting versatility. Still, for carpet focus, it delivers heavy-duty cleaning in a lightweight frame.

Compared to the Shark NV360, it lacks lift-away and HEPA but matches it in raw carpet performance at a lower cost. It’s the best bang-for-buck for pet owners on a tight budget. While it doesn’t have the tech of cordless models, its reliability and suction strength make it a stealth standout, beating pricier names in core carpet cleaning.