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10 Best Vacuum For Shag Carpets 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 by1,340
Suction Power
Brush Roll
Weight and Maneuverability

Most important from
60183 reviews

Suction Power
The suction power is incredible, like a black hole on wheels, effortlessly tackling pet hair, crumbs, and even stray socks.
Brush Roll
The pet turbo feature is a game-changer for pet owners, effectively removing hair and debris with ease.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite its power, it's surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver, making vacuuming feel almost graceful.
Filtration System
Cleaning the vacuum is straightforward, with easy disassembly and maintenance of the container and filter.
Attachments and Accessories
The attachments are useful for getting into small places, especially with the extra pet-hair mini roller brush.

The Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner, also known as PowerSpeed, offers several features that make it a good fit for cleaning shag carpets. Its upgraded cyclone system ensures powerful suction that can handle larger debris, small dirt, and even microscopic dust, which is essential for deep cleaning shag carpets. The five height adjustment settings allow the vacuum to adapt to different carpet heights effectively, including thick shag rugs, ensuring optimal performance without causing damage or getting stuck.

The lightweight design (11.5 pounds) enhances maneuverability, making it easier to handle and move around, which is beneficial when cleaning larger areas or different rooms. The vacuum also includes a range of helpful accessories such as a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool, which can tackle hard-to-reach areas and various surfaces beyond just carpets, like curtains and car interiors.

It has a foam filtration system that traps 99.9% of dust, dander, and allergens, making it a good choice for those with allergies. However, the vacuum does require regular maintenance, particularly cleaning the brush roll and belt every two weeks to prevent clogs and potential malfunctions. This could be seen as a drawback for users looking for low-maintenance solutions. Additionally, it is not cordless, which might limit its range of movement compared to battery-powered models. With a noise level of 88 dB, it is relatively loud, which could be a point of consideration. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Eureka PowerSpeed stands out as a capable and versatile vacuum, particularly well-suited for households needing efficient cleaning on shag carpets and other surfaces.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,340
Suction Power
Brush Roll
Weight and Maneuverability

Most important from
60183 reviews

Suction Power
The suction power is incredible, like a black hole on wheels, effortlessly tackling pet hair, crumbs, and even stray socks.
Brush Roll
The pet turbo feature is a game-changer for pet owners, effectively removing hair and debris with ease.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite its power, it's surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver, making vacuuming feel almost graceful.
Filtration System
Cleaning the vacuum is straightforward, with easy disassembly and maintenance of the container and filter.
Attachments and Accessories
The attachments are useful for getting into small places, especially with the extra pet-hair mini roller brush.
#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
132461 reviews

Suction Power
The suction on this vacuum is amazing, especially compared to my previous Bissell.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite being a bit bulky, it maneuvers well around tight turns and furniture.
Filtration System
The dual latch system offers a better seal, keeping dust contained effectively.
Attachments and Accessories
The attachments work very well on stairs and upholstery.

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Vacuum is a solid choice for anyone looking to clean shag carpets effectively. One of its standout features is the lift-away functionality, allowing you to detach the pod and reach various areas like stairs and furniture without much hassle. This makes it very versatile for cleaning above-floor surfaces as well. The vacuum's powerful suction is designed to deep-clean carpets while remaining lightweight, which is a big plus for maneuverability.

The brush roll shutoff feature is particularly beneficial, as it enables you to switch between deep carpet cleaning and gentle cleaning of bare floors, ensuring you don’t damage delicate surfaces. Thanks to its swivel steering, navigating around furniture and tight spaces is easier, making the vacuum user-friendly. Another strength is the anti-allergen complete seal technology paired with a HEPA filter, which is ideal for allergy sufferers as it traps dust and allergens effectively.

The additional attachments, like the wide upholstery and crevice tools, enhance its cleaning capabilities, especially for pet owners, allowing you to tackle pet hair and tight corners with ease. One notable downside is that this vacuum is not cordless, which may limit your mobility during cleaning tasks. Being corded can sometimes be inconvenient, especially in larger spaces where you might need to switch outlets often. Additionally, while it’s lightweight, some users might still find it a bit bulky compared to more compact alternatives. Lastly, while it comes with a 5-year limited warranty, it's important to check the warranty details for specific coverage.

Rating
9.8
Suction Power
Weight and Maneuverability
Filtration System

Most important from
132461 reviews

Suction Power
The suction on this vacuum is amazing, especially compared to my previous Bissell.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite being a bit bulky, it maneuvers well around tight turns and furniture.
Filtration System
The dual latch system offers a better seal, keeping dust contained effectively.
Attachments and Accessories
The attachments work very well on stairs and upholstery.
#3

Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away with Self-Cleaning Brushroll, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Pet Crevice Tool, Perfect for Pets & Multi-Surface, Teal, ZU503AMZ

Rating
9.6
Suction Power
Brush Roll
Weight and Maneuverability

Most important from
8571 reviews

Suction Power
The Shark's suction power is impressive, leaving the room very clean and even improving air quality.
Brush Roll
Turning off the beater bar makes it effective on hardwood floors, eliminating the need for a broom.
Weight and Maneuverability
Comparing to Dyson, Shark feels like it's gliding above the floor, making vacuuming smoother.
Attachments and Accessories
The vacuum's versatility is highlighted by its ability to convert to a canister, making it suitable for various cleaning needs.

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away, is a versatile vacuum that offers strong suction power with its 1200-watt motor, which is essential for deep cleaning shag carpets. The self-cleaning brush roll is designed to handle pet hair effectively, preventing hair wrap, which makes it a great option for pet owners. Additionally, the lift-away functionality allows you to clean under furniture and above floor areas, adding convenience and flexibility to your cleaning tasks.

However, this vacuum does not feature height adjustment, which can be a drawback for optimizing performance on different carpet heights, particularly thick shag carpets. Weighing just under 15 pounds, it is relatively lightweight and, combined with the swivel steering, it’s easy to maneuver around tight spaces and furniture. The HEPA filtration system with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology is a notable strength, as it traps dust and allergens, providing cleaner air—a significant benefit for allergy sufferers.

Included accessories like the upholstery tool and pet crevice tool enhance its usability for diverse cleaning needs. Despite the strengths, the vacuum can be somewhat noisy at 80 dB, and it is not cordless, which might limit its portability. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away also boasts a large dust capacity of 5.3 liters, reducing the frequency of emptying. This vacuum is ideal for pet owners and those needing a versatile machine for multi-surface cleaning, but if height adjustment is a critical feature for you, you might need to consider other options.

Rating
9.6
Suction Power
Brush Roll
Weight and Maneuverability

Most important from
8571 reviews

Suction Power
The Shark's suction power is impressive, leaving the room very clean and even improving air quality.
Brush Roll
Turning off the beater bar makes it effective on hardwood floors, eliminating the need for a broom.
Weight and Maneuverability
Comparing to Dyson, Shark feels like it's gliding above the floor, making vacuuming smoother.
Attachments and Accessories
The vacuum's versatility is highlighted by its ability to convert to a canister, making it suitable for various cleaning needs.

Buying Guide for the Best Vacuum For Shag Carpets

Choosing the right vacuum for shag carpets can be a bit tricky due to the unique nature of these carpets. Shag carpets have long, thick fibers that can easily trap dirt and debris, making them harder to clean than regular carpets. The right vacuum will help you maintain the beauty and longevity of your shag carpet without damaging it. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting a vacuum for shag carpets.
Suction PowerSuction power refers to the vacuum's ability to lift dirt and debris from the carpet. For shag carpets, you need a vacuum with adjustable suction power. Too much suction can damage the fibers, while too little won't clean effectively. Look for vacuums that allow you to control the suction level. If you have a very thick shag carpet, you might need a vacuum with higher suction power, but always ensure it can be adjusted to avoid damaging the carpet.
Brush RollThe brush roll is the rotating brush that helps lift dirt from the carpet fibers. For shag carpets, a vacuum with a brush roll that can be turned off or adjusted is ideal. A stiff or aggressive brush roll can damage the long fibers of a shag carpet. If your carpet is particularly delicate, look for vacuums with soft bristles or the option to use suction only.
Height AdjustmentHeight adjustment allows you to raise or lower the vacuum head to suit the thickness of your carpet. Shag carpets are thicker than regular carpets, so a vacuum with multiple height settings is essential. This feature ensures that the vacuum can glide smoothly over the carpet without getting stuck or causing damage. If your shag carpet is very thick, make sure the vacuum can be adjusted to a higher setting.
Weight and ManeuverabilityWeight and maneuverability are important because shag carpets can be difficult to navigate with a heavy or bulky vacuum. A lightweight vacuum with good maneuverability will make cleaning easier and prevent you from getting tired quickly. Consider vacuums with swivel steering or those designed to be easy to push and pull over thick carpets.
Filtration SystemA good filtration system is important for trapping dust and allergens, especially if you have pets or allergies. Look for vacuums with HEPA filters, which can capture small particles and improve indoor air quality. If you or someone in your household has allergies, a vacuum with a high-quality filtration system is a must.
Attachments and AccessoriesAttachments and accessories can enhance the versatility of your vacuum. For shag carpets, look for vacuums that come with specialized tools like upholstery brushes, crevice tools, and dusting brushes. These attachments can help you clean hard-to-reach areas and delicate surfaces without damaging the carpet fibers. Consider what additional cleaning tasks you might need to perform and choose a vacuum with the appropriate accessories.

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