10 Best Carpet Vacuums 2025 in the United States

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 is a solid choice for anyone seeking an effective carpet vacuum. It boasts powerful suction, making it capable of deep-cleaning carpets and handling various floor types. The vacuum's lift-away functionality allows for versatile cleaning, letting you reach under furniture or clean upholstery with ease, which is especially beneficial for those with pets. Speaking of pets, the included upholstery and crevice tools enhance its capability to pick up pet hair, a common challenge for pet owners.

In terms of filtration, it features HEPA technology combined with anti-allergen complete seal, effectively trapping dust and allergens, making it a good option for allergy sufferers. The large dust cup capacity (0.9 quarts) ensures you can clean longer without frequent emptying, which many users appreciate.

On the downside, the vacuum weighs about 15.96 pounds, which may feel a bit heavy for some users during extended cleaning sessions. The noise level of 80 dB can be a concern if you prefer a quieter cleaning experience. Additionally, since it is not cordless, you will need to manage the cord while vacuuming, which may limit maneuverability in larger spaces. Maneuverability is aided by swivel steering, making it easier to navigate around furniture and corners, but it's still something to consider based on your living space. Lastly, assembly is required, which might be a minor inconvenience for some users, although it should be straightforward.

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 stands out for its powerful performance and versatility, especially for pet owners and allergy sufferers, but users should weigh its weight and noise level against their cleaning needs.

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is a solid choice if you’re looking for a vacuum that handles carpets and hard floors well. Its suction power is strong enough to tackle pet hair and deep-clean dander from upholstery, making it especially useful for pet owners. The HEPA filtration system works with a sealed design to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is great if allergies are a concern.

Although it weighs about 13.7 pounds, which might feel a bit heavy for some, the swivel steering and Lift-Away feature make it easier to maneuver around furniture and clean stairs or above-floor areas. The dust cup holds a generous 0.87 liters, so you can clean longer before needing to empty it. It comes with helpful attachments like a crevice tool and dusting brush, which add versatility for tight spaces and delicate surfaces.

The vacuum operates at around 80 decibels, which is somewhat noisy compared to quieter models. It’s corded, so you won’t get the freedom of cordless movement, and it has only two speed settings, which may limit customization. With strong cleaning performance, HEPA filtration, and useful features, this vacuum suits households looking for reliable, allergen-conscious cleaning, especially where pet hair is a challenge.

The Shark NV352 Navigator is a solid choice if you need a vacuum mainly for carpets but also want good performance on bare floors and stairs. It offers powerful suction, thanks to its 1.61 horsepower motor, which helps get deep into carpet fibers and pick up pet hair effectively. The lift-away pod is a handy feature, making it easier to clean above-floor spots like stairs and furniture. Its HEPA filtration combined with anti-allergen technology is great for trapping dust and allergens, which is especially useful if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies.

Weighing about 12.5 pounds, this vacuum is relatively lightweight for an upright model, and the swivel steering makes it easier to move around furniture and tight spaces. However, it's not cordless, so you’ll be limited by the power cord length and need to switch outlets for larger areas. The dust capacity is 1.1 quarts, which is decent but might require frequent emptying for bigger cleaning jobs. Included tools like the wide upholstery and crevice attachments add versatility for cleaning furniture and tricky corners.

The noise level is around 80 decibels—louder than some other models—so it might be noticeable during use. Also, the brushroll can be turned off for bare floors, preventing damage and scattering debris, which is a nice touch. This vacuum is well suited for people looking for a reliable, allergen-trapping cleaner that handles multiple floor types and pets. Its portability and tools enhance usability, though the cord and noise level could be less convenient depending on your space and preferences.