8 Best Vacuums for Thick Carpets 2025

The Oreck Commercial XL is a suction powerhouse built for deep carpet cleaning, where its high-speed brush roll and automatic height adjust team up to conquer thick, plush carpets with surgical precision. At just 9 pounds, this featherlight upright defies expectations—delivering commercial-grade performance without the back-breaking weight. It’s engineered for those who dread dragging bulky vacuums over dense carpeting, offering effortless glide and relentless agitation that pulls up dirt others leave behind.

In real-world testing, the Oreck shines on high-pile and berber carpets, where its spinning side edge brushes and aggressive bristle roll dig deep into fibers to extract ground-in grime. The bagged system maintains strong suction across multiple rooms, and the automatic height adjustment ensures optimal contact whether on carpet or transitioning to hard floors. However, it struggles slightly on bare surfaces—its powerful agitation can kick up fine dust if not moved slowly. While it lacks a HEPA filter, the sealed system still traps most allergens effectively, though allergy sufferers may want stronger filtration.

Compared to the Shark NV752, the Oreck trades smart features like lift-away pods and LED headlights for raw carpet-cleaning muscle and durability. It’s the go-to for users who prioritize deep agitation over versatility, especially in homes with wall-to-wall thick carpeting. Where the Shark excels in maneuverability and pet tools, the Oreck dominates in consistent, no-nonsense carpet penetration—making it a top pick for carpet-focused households that want lightweight power without complexity.

The Shark NV352 is a game-changer for allergy sufferers, wrapping HEPA filtration and complete seal technology into a sleek, lift-away design that transforms from upright to handheld in seconds. Its standout feature—anti-allergen sealing—captures 99.9% of dust and pollen, making it a fortress against airborne irritants. With swivel steering and a lightweight build, it dances around furniture and glides up stairs, solving the common pain point of rigid, clumsy vacuums that fight you at every turn.

During testing, the NV352 proved exceptional on low-to-medium pile carpets and bare floors, thanks to its brushroll shutoff that instantly switches cleaning modes without flipping dials. The detachable pod makes cleaning under sofas or car interiors surprisingly efficient, while the included upholstery and crevice tools deliver precision for pet owners. However, on extra-thick carpets, the suction can feel slightly overwhelmed compared to heavier-duty models. The 0.6-quart dust cup also requires frequent emptying during whole-home sessions, interrupting workflow.

When stacked against the Bissell 2252, the Shark wins on allergen control and versatility, while the Bissell edges ahead in edge-to-edge pet hair pickup. The NV352 is ideal for urban apartments, multi-surface homes, and allergy-prone families who need a single vacuum that transitions seamlessly from floor to ceiling. It delivers more filtration and flexibility than budget models, offering a smarter balance of performance and health-focused design without overcomplicating the experience.

The Shark NV752 earns its title as the best overall with a rotating nozzle, powered lift-away pod, and self-cleaning Pet Power Brush that make it a full-home cleaning beast. This isn’t just a vacuum—it’s a maneuverable command center built for pet owners, parents, and anyone who demands no-compromise performance across thick carpets and delicate upholstery. The LED headlights expose hidden pet hair and dust bunnies like a forensic investigator, while the 0.88-quart dust cup keeps cleaning sessions long and uninterrupted.

In real-world use, the powered lift-away feature stands out—unlike competitors, the brush roll keeps spinning even when detached, allowing deep cleaning under beds or on stairs with full motor power. The multi-surface fingertip control lets you toggle between carpet and hardwood instantly, and the swivel steering makes tight corners feel effortless. It handles thick carpets with ease, though on extremely high-pile rugs, slight drag occurs. The self-cleaning brush roll is a revelation for pet owners, resisting hair wrap far better than most models.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, the Shark NV752 offers superior filtration, smarter design, and better pet tools, though it’s heavier and pricier. It’s the ideal upgrade for those who want one vacuum to rule all surfaces, especially in homes with pets and mixed flooring. Where others compromise on versatility or suction, the NV752 delivers best-in-class adaptability, blending HEPA-grade sealing, deep-clean power, and innovative lighting into a single, highly capable package.

The Eureka PowerSpeed is a sleek performer that punches above its weight, combining 960-watt suction and a 5-height brush roll adjustment into a 10-pound frame that’s a dream on stairs and tight spaces. It’s tailor-made for users who hate wrestling with heavy vacuums but still demand serious cleaning power on thick carpets. The extra-large 2.6-liter dust cup means fewer trips to empty—ideal for whole-home cleans—and the flip-to-empty bin keeps hands mess-free, solving a common frustration with bagless models.

On thick carpeting, the PowerSpeed digs deep with consistent suction, thanks to its cyclonic system that prevents clogging and maintains airflow. The height adjustment dial lets you fine-tune performance from plush rugs to hardwood, minimizing scatter on bare floors. The onboard pet turbo brush is excellent for couches and car seats, but the hose is short—limiting reach for ceiling or drapery cleaning. While it lacks HEPA filtration, it still traps 99.9% of dust and dander, making it decent for light allergy concerns.

Against the Bissell 2252, the Eureka wins on capacity and weight, but the Bissell offers better edge cleaning and scatter control on pet messes. This vacuum is perfect for renters, small families, and pet owners on a budget who want strong suction without bulk. It doesn’t have the frills of Shark models, but in terms of raw value and lightweight efficiency, it delivers more power per pound than nearly any other upright in its class.

The Bissell 2252 is a pet parent’s best friend, armed with a triple-action brush roll and scatter-free technology that turns chaotic pet messes into tidy cleanups. Its standout strength lies in edge-to-edge cleaning, where dual-side brushes pull fur and debris from corners that most vacuums miss—solving the universal frustration of “almost clean” floors. The swivel head adds agility, letting you pivot around table legs and baseboards with surgical precision.

In practice, the Bissell excels on medium-pile carpets and hard floors, effortlessly lifting embedded pet hair without scattering kibble or litter. The multi-cyclonic system maintains suction across rooms, though fine dust can escape the filter—making it less ideal for severe allergies. The dirt tank is large, but the emptying mechanism, while easy, can be messy if not angled correctly. On thick, shaggy carpets, the brush roll occasionally struggles to maintain optimal contact, requiring slower passes.

Compared to the Shark NV352, the Bissell offers better edge cleaning and pet-specific engineering, but lacks HEPA filtration and lift-away convenience. It’s the top choice for households with shedding pets and mixed flooring who prioritize hair pickup and corner coverage over portability or allergen control. While it doesn’t have the high-tech flair of Shark models, it delivers focused, reliable performance where pet owners need it most—making it a smarter pick for fur-focused homes.

The Hoover WindTunnel Cord Rewind Pro redefines corded convenience with a 25-foot auto-retracting power cord and WindTunnel suction technology that lifts embedded dirt without fading. It’s built for users tired of untangling cords or hunting for outlets, offering a set-and-forget cleaning rhythm that keeps momentum going room after room. The 5-level height adjustment ensures optimal contact on everything from tile to thick carpet, while the built-in 10-foot extension wand makes overhead and stair cleaning surprisingly simple.

In real-world use, the WindTunnel system proves effective at removing deep-down grime from medium-pile carpets, though it lacks the high-speed agitation of the Oreck or Shark models. The multi-cyclonic filtration maintains strong suction, but the dust cup is smaller than competitors—requiring more frequent emptying. The automatic cord rewind is a game-changer, especially in larger homes, eliminating the tedious wrap-and-store ritual. However, the vacuum is bulkier and heavier, making upstairs cleaning a chore compared to lightweight rivals.

When compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, the Hoover wins on cord management and filtration consistency, but loses on weight and portability. It’s ideal for homeowners with large, carpeted spaces who value reliable corded power and minimal maintenance over agility. While it doesn’t have the pet-specific tools of Shark or Bissell, its versatile attachments and robust build make it a dependable workhorse for deep, whole-home cleans—offering more stability and reach than most cordless or lightweight options.

The Eureka PowerSpeed (New Model) is a budget-savvy powerhouse, upgraded with an advanced cyclone system that tackles everything from gravel to microscopic dust without clogging. At under $65, it delivers surprising suction depth on thick carpets, where its 5-height settings let you fine-tune cleaning for plush rugs or hardwood—all in a lightweight chassis that won’t strain your arms. It solves the classic budget vacuum flaw: weak performance—by packing serious cyclonic power into an affordable, no-frills design.

Testing reveals strong performance on medium to high-pile carpets, with the brush roll effectively pulling up embedded dirt and pet hair. The onboard accessories—including a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool—are well-placed and easy to access, making above-floor cleaning viable despite the short hose. The 99.9% dust-trapping filter is impressive for the price, though not HEPA-rated. However, the roller brush requires biweekly cleaning to prevent hair wrap and potential smoke—a real maintenance drawback for busy users.

Against the Hoover WindTunnel, this Eureka model wins on price and weight, but loses on cord convenience and durability. It’s perfect for college students, renters, or small homes where affordability and carpet cleaning are top priorities. While it lacks premium features like LED lights or automatic cord rewind, it offers exceptional value for thick carpet cleaning, delivering more suction and versatility than most vacuums in its price range.

The Shark NV360 is the smart budget upgrade, packing 0.9-quart dust cup capacity, HEPA filtration, and lift-away functionality into a sub-$120 package that outperforms many pricier rivals. It’s engineered for users who want allergy protection and versatility without overspending—delivering complete seal technology that traps dust and dander, making it a stealthy ally for sensitive households. The swivel steering and brushroll shutoff ensure smooth transitions between carpet and hardwood, solving the friction many budget vacuums create on bare floors.

In practice, the NV360 handles low-to-medium pile carpets with confidence, and the detachable pod allows for easy cleaning under furniture or on stairs—though the motorized brush doesn’t stay powered when detached, unlike the NV752. The large dust cup reduces emptying frequency, and the included upholstery and crevice tools add real utility. However, on extra-thick carpets, suction dips slightly, and the plastic build feels less durable than premium models. Still, for daily maintenance cleans, it’s impressively capable.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, the Shark NV360 offers better filtration and lift-away convenience, while the Eureka wins on price and raw suction. It’s ideal for small-to-medium homes with pets and allergies, where air quality and multi-surface cleaning matter. It doesn’t match the NV752’s innovation, but it delivers 90% of the performance at half the cost, making it the best value in the mid-tier upright market.