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10 Best Small Vacuum For Area Rugs 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, PowerSpeed, New Model,Blue,black/New Model

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,369
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability

Most important from
60025 reviews

Suction Power
This vacuum is like a black hole on wheels, obliterating pet hair, crumbs, and even socks with its powerful suction.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite its immense power, the vacuum is surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver, making vacuuming feel almost graceful.

The Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner stands out with its upgraded cyclone system, effectively handling larger debris, smaller dirt, and microscopic dust. Its powerful pick-up capability ensures deep cleaning, extracting embedded dirt from carpets, area rugs, and hard floors. Weighing just 11.5 pounds, it's lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it user-friendly for different cleaning surfaces, including hard floors and shag rugs, thanks to its 5 height settings.

The vacuum comes with multiple useful accessories like a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool, which are conveniently stored on the unit for easy access and versatility in cleaning hard-to-reach areas. The vacuum includes a foam filtration system that traps 99.9% of dust, dander, and allergens, which is a significant advantage for those with allergies. However, its noise level of 88 dB is relatively high, which might be a concern for some users seeking quieter operation.

Additionally, the vacuum is corded, which limits mobility compared to cordless models. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the roller brush and belt every two weeks, is required to prevent potential malfunctions and extend the vacuum's life. Despite its impressive features, the need for continuous maintenance and its noise level might be considered drawbacks for some users.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,369
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability

Most important from
60025 reviews

Suction Power
This vacuum is like a black hole on wheels, obliterating pet hair, crumbs, and even socks with its powerful suction.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite its immense power, the vacuum is surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver, making vacuuming feel almost graceful.
#2

Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender

Rating
9.8
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Filtration System

Most important from
132151 reviews

Suction Power
The suction on this vacuum is amazing, especially compared to other brands like Bissell and Hoover.
Weight and Maneuverability
It glides effortlessly on both carpets and laminated floors, almost like going down a butter slide.
Filtration System
The dual latch system provides a better seal, keeping dust contained and preventing allergic reactions.
Noise Level
This vacuum is powerful yet quieter than previous models I've owned, making it perfect for apartment living.

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is a versatile choice for small area rugs and other surfaces. It boasts strong suction power that effectively deep-cleans carpets and tackles bare floors with ease. The lift-away functionality is a standout feature, allowing you to detach the pod for cleaning stairs and above-floor areas, which adds to its versatility.

The brush roll shutoff feature is particularly useful, enabling you to switch between carpet and bare floor cleaning seamlessly. At 12.5 pounds, it is relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver, especially with the swivel steering that helps navigate tight spaces and around furniture effortlessly. The vacuum also includes a HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, which are excellent for trapping dust and allergens, making it a good option for those with allergies.

However, it is a corded model, which might limit mobility compared to cordless options. Additionally, the noise level is 80 dB, which is moderate but not the quietest. The wide upholstery tool and crevice tool are handy for pet hair and hard-to-reach areas, enhancing its functionality. While some assembly is required, the vacuum is generally user-friendly. It includes a 5-year limited warranty, offering some peace of mind. This vacuum is ideal for those looking for a reliable, multi-functional vacuum suitable for various surfaces, including area rugs, carpets, stairs, and bare floors.

Rating
9.8
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Filtration System

Most important from
132151 reviews

Suction Power
The suction on this vacuum is amazing, especially compared to other brands like Bissell and Hoover.
Weight and Maneuverability
It glides effortlessly on both carpets and laminated floors, almost like going down a butter slide.
Filtration System
The dual latch system provides a better seal, keeping dust contained and preventing allergic reactions.
Noise Level
This vacuum is powerful yet quieter than previous models I've owned, making it perfect for apartment living.
#3

Eureka 3670M Canister Cleaner, Lightweight Powerful Vacuum for Carpets and Hard floors, w/ 5bags,Yellow

Rating
9.6
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Filtration System

Most important from
16206 reviews

Suction Power
An amazing vacuum cleaner for such an affordable price point. It's light, has a long cord, and good suction, making it a fantastic value.
Weight and Maneuverability
This vacuum is SO LIGHT and well designed. It works great and is easy to assemble and disassemble.
Filtration System
The vacuum uses convenient bags backed up by a HEPA filter, which is effective in capturing dust and pet hair.
Noise Level
Not fancy, not expensive, but it works exceptionally well. Light and quiet with an amazing amount of suction.
Corded vs. Cordless
An amazing vacuum cleaner for such an affordable price point. It's light, has a long cord, and good suction, making it a fantastic value.

The Eureka 3670M Canister Cleaner is a lightweight and powerful vacuum ideally suited for cleaning carpets and hard floors, including area rugs. Weighing only 8.6 pounds, it is easy to maneuver around the house, making it a good choice for those who need to carry the vacuum up and down stairs. The 1200-watt motor provides strong suction power, which is effective for deep cleaning area rugs and other surfaces.

Additionally, the vacuum comes with multiple attachments, including extension wands and specialty tools, allowing it to clean various types of surfaces and hard-to-reach places like under car seats and high ceilings. The dust bag has a 2.5-liter capacity, which means fewer bag changes and less maintenance hassle. The replaceable dust bag also helps in collecting dust and pet hair without creating a mess, which is convenient for pet owners.

However, the vacuum operates at a noise level of 90 dB, which might be quite loud for some users. Also, since it is a corded model, it limits mobility compared to cordless vacuums. The filtration system consists of a foam filter, which may not be as effective as HEPA filters in capturing tiny allergens. Despite these drawbacks, the Eureka 3670M Canister Cleaner is a strong performer in its category, particularly for those who prioritize suction power and lightweight design over noise level and corded operation.

Rating
9.6
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Filtration System

Most important from
16206 reviews

Suction Power
An amazing vacuum cleaner for such an affordable price point. It's light, has a long cord, and good suction, making it a fantastic value.
Weight and Maneuverability
This vacuum is SO LIGHT and well designed. It works great and is easy to assemble and disassemble.
Filtration System
The vacuum uses convenient bags backed up by a HEPA filter, which is effective in capturing dust and pet hair.
Noise Level
Not fancy, not expensive, but it works exceptionally well. Light and quiet with an amazing amount of suction.
Corded vs. Cordless
An amazing vacuum cleaner for such an affordable price point. It's light, has a long cord, and good suction, making it a fantastic value.

Buying Guide for the Best Small Vacuum For Area Rugs

When choosing a small vacuum for area rugs, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Area rugs can be delicate and may require a vacuum that is gentle yet effective at removing dirt and debris. Understanding the different features and how they align with your specific needs will help you make an informed decision.
Suction PowerSuction power refers to the vacuum's ability to lift dirt and debris from the rug. This is important because a vacuum with insufficient suction may not effectively clean your rug, while one with too much suction could damage delicate fibers. Suction power is often measured in watts or air watts. For area rugs, a moderate suction power is usually sufficient. If your rugs are delicate or have long fibers, opt for a vacuum with adjustable suction settings so you can reduce the power as needed.
Brush RollThe brush roll is a rotating brush that helps to agitate and lift dirt from the rug fibers. This is crucial for deep cleaning. However, for area rugs, especially those with delicate or long fibers, a stiff or aggressive brush roll can cause damage. Look for a vacuum with a soft brush roll or one that allows you to turn off the brush roll when cleaning delicate rugs. This will help protect your rugs while still providing effective cleaning.
Weight and ManeuverabilityWeight and maneuverability are important because a heavy or bulky vacuum can be difficult to move around, especially on area rugs that may shift or bunch up. A lightweight vacuum is easier to handle and less likely to cause damage to your rugs. Look for a vacuum that is easy to carry and has swivel steering for better maneuverability around furniture and other obstacles.
Filtration SystemThe filtration system in a vacuum helps to trap dust, allergens, and other particles, preventing them from being released back into the air. This is particularly important if you have allergies or asthma. HEPA filters are highly effective at capturing small particles and are a good choice for maintaining indoor air quality. Consider a vacuum with a high-quality filtration system to ensure a cleaner environment.
Noise LevelNoise level is an important consideration, especially if you have a sensitive household or prefer a quieter cleaning experience. Vacuums can vary significantly in how loud they are. Look for models that are specifically designed to operate quietly. Noise levels are usually measured in decibels (dB), and a vacuum with a lower dB rating will be quieter. This can make your cleaning routine more pleasant and less disruptive.
Corded vs. CordlessCorded vacuums offer consistent power and are generally more powerful, but they can be less convenient due to the need to plug and unplug as you move around. Cordless vacuums offer greater flexibility and ease of use, especially for quick clean-ups, but they may have limited battery life and slightly less power. Consider your cleaning habits and the size of the area you need to clean. If you prefer convenience and have smaller areas to clean, a cordless vacuum might be the best choice. For larger areas or more intensive cleaning, a corded vacuum could be more suitable.

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