10 Best Carpet Vacuum Cleaners 2026 in the United States

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is a versatile upright vacuum designed to work well on carpets, hard floors, and upholstery, making it a good choice for pet owners and allergy sufferers. It offers strong suction powered by a 1200-watt motor, which helps pick up pet hair and debris effectively. The vacuum includes a brush roll that can be turned off, allowing you to switch easily between deep carpet cleaning and gentle bare floor cleaning, which adds to its versatility.

One of its standout features is the Lift-Away function, letting you detach the canister to clean hard-to-reach places like stairs and furniture with ease. Maneuverability is enhanced by swivel steering, so moving around corners and furniture feels smooth despite the vacuum's 13.7-pound weight—not the lightest, but manageable for most users. The vacuum uses a bagless system with a large 0.87-liter dust cup, which means no bags to replace and less frequent emptying. Its filtration system is excellent for allergy relief, combining a HEPA filter with a sealed system that traps 99.9% of dust and allergens. The filters are washable, reducing replacement costs.

Included attachments like the crevice tool and dusting brush increase its usefulness for detailed cleaning tasks, especially on delicate surfaces. Noise level is on the moderate side at around 80 decibels, which is typical for upright models but might be noticeable in quiet environments. If you want a reliable vacuum that covers multiple surfaces, handles pet hair well, and helps with allergies, this Shark model is a solid pick. For those who prefer something ultra-lightweight or quieter, other options might be worth considering.

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is a versatile and user-friendly option, particularly well-suited for homes that require cleaning on both carpets and bare floors. Its powerful suction ensures a deep clean on carpets while the brush roll shutoff feature allows you to switch to gentle bare floor cleaning with ease. The lift-away functionality is a standout, letting you detach the pod to clean stairs and furniture effectively. Its Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, combined with a washable HEPA filter, makes it an excellent choice for those with allergies, as it traps dust and allergens inside the vacuum.

At 12.5 pounds, it strikes a good balance between being lightweight and powerful, making it easy to maneuver, especially with its swivel steering feature that helps navigate tight spaces and around furniture. The vacuum is bagless, which means you'll save on bag replacements, though you'll need to empty the dust cup regularly. It comes with useful attachments like a wide upholstery tool and a 12-inch crevice tool, enhancing its versatility for different cleaning tasks.

However, at a noise level of 80 dB, it is on the louder side, which might be a consideration if you prefer a quieter vacuum. The Shark NV352 is backed by a five-year limited warranty, reflecting the manufacturer's confidence in its durability. This vacuum cleaner is ideal for households with pets or allergy sufferers, offering a robust set of features in a compact, easy-to-use design.

The BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Cleaner is designed mainly for spot cleaning carpets and upholstery, making it great for tackling stains and small messes rather than full-room vacuuming. It uses strong suction combined with a triple-action cleaning formula that helps lift and remove over 100 types of common stains while also reducing odors.

Its 48-ounce water tank is fairly large for a portable device, allowing longer cleaning sessions without needing a refill. The cleaner is corded, so you don't have to worry about battery life, but it weighs about 9.65 pounds, which is moderately heavy for a handheld device. This might affect maneuverability during extended use, but it’s still manageable for most users. Unlike regular vacuums, it doesn’t have a brush roll for deep agitation but includes specialized stain tools that help scrub tough areas effectively.

Since it’s a wet cleaner, it does not use bags, and its filtration focuses more on removing dirt and moisture rather than trapping dust like traditional vacuum filters. It comes with helpful accessories including a self-cleaning tool that keeps the machine in good condition after use. This machine is best suited for people needing a reliable, portable option to deep clean spots on carpets, upholstery, or car interiors, rather than general vacuuming or large area cleaning. It offers strong stain removal and ease of use but isn’t a substitute for a full carpet vacuum.