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 Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean is a powerful corded upright vacuum designed especially for homes with pets and multiple floor types, including carpets and hard floors. It offers strong suction at 290 AW, thanks to Dyson’s Radial Root Cyclone technology, which helps efficiently lift dirt and pet hair. A major highlight is the self-adjusting cleaner head that automatically adapts to different floor surfaces, combined with a motorized brush bar that deeply cleans carpets. Its ball design improves maneuverability, making it easier to steer around furniture and obstacles, which is helpful given its relatively heavy weight of about 17.4 pounds.

This vacuum uses a bagless cyclonic system with a sizable 0.45-gallon dustbin, so you won't need to buy bags, though emptying it can be a bit messy if not done carefully. It features advanced HEPA filtration that traps allergens and dust inside the machine, making it a good option for allergy sufferers. The vacuum comes with eight useful attachments, including a tangle-free turbine tool for pet hair, a stair tool, and a soft dusting brush, providing versatility for various cleaning tasks.

Dyson uprights are known to have moderate noise levels, which might be a consideration for noise-sensitive users. While it only has one power level, its strong suction and multi-floor adaptability compensate for that. The vacuum is corded, so you won’t have battery life concerns but will be limited to plug-in use. The included 5-year warranty and Dyson’s customer support add peace of mind. This vacuum is a solid choice if you want a strong, pet-focused cleaner that handles multiple floor types well, but keep in mind its weight and potential noise.