The best vacuum cleaners for high pile, shag, and thick carpets should be powerful enough to do aggressive cleaning. That’s the main qualification whenever you are choosing a vacuum that can deal with these heavy fabrics. If the suction and cleaning action are all weak, you can eliminate the stubborn dirt embedded on the carpets.
Of course, there are other considerations that you need to mind whenever choosing a carpet cleaner. But this time, allow me to introduce some of the top-rated vacuums that can handle this arduous job.
Table of Contents
Best Vacuum Cleaners For High Pile, Shag, And Thick Carpets
Product Name | Type | Weight |
Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum | Upright | 17 Pounds |
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E | Upright | 13.7 Pounds |
BISSELL Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner | Upright | 17.61 Pounds |
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Upright | 17.42 pounds |
iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum | Robot | 7.44 pounds |
1. Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum – Editor’s Pick
The quality of the Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum makes it an ideal option for dealing with high piles and thick carpets. It features a radial root cyclone technology that allows it to collect more debris and microscopic dirt. Furthermore, it is also equipped with a self-adjusting cleaner head for optimized flexibility in cleaning.
The suction power of this device is never flimsy, as it is capable of eliminating stubborn and deeply embedded dirt. It rides on a ball-like platform so that you can steer it around and under hard-to-reach spaces. Meanwhile, its filtration system guarantees that allergens are fully sealed inside its dirt container.
Pros:
- Prevents re-circulation of dirt in the air
- Capable of aggressive cleaning action
- Reliable suction strength
- Almost omnidirectional ball steering
- Includes essential cleaning attachments
Cons:
- No significant drawbacks
You should also check the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E if you want a powerful machine for your thick carpets and shags. This one is designed for rigorous cleaning jobs in your household. It can work on different surfaces; it is also capable of floor-to-ceiling cleaning. The brush roll of this vacuum is engineered for deep carpet cleaning. At the same time, you can also use it for polishing your bare floors.
One of the notable features of this machine is its lift-away design. You can take the vacuum away from its body, and convert it as a hand-held vacuum cleaner. Interestingly enough, the Shark Navigator NV356E is geared with an anti-allergen complete seal construction. Such a design prevents the re-entry of dirt in your indoor air.
Pros:
- Capable of deep cleaning
- Powerful and consistent suction power
- HEPA filter traps microscopic pollutants
- Steering is pretty maneuverable
- Convertible as a hand-held vacuum
Cons:
- Not great for edge cleaning
3. BISSELL Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner – Budget-Friendly Pick
This bagless upright vacuum cleaner is always a suitable choice for cleaning your carpets. It features a triple-action brush roll that ensures that it can pick up debris and pet hair easily on any surface. Even if the dirt is embedded, this tool will never have difficulties eliminating them. It also has a scatter-free technology that prevents the debris from being blown.
The BISSELL Cleanview has a 27-foot power cord that automatically rewinds for hassle-free and tangle-free storage. Meanwhile, its vacuuming head has a cleaning path of 13.5 inches. Such a feature allows you to minimize the passes that you need to make a thorough clean. It got a swivel steering, too, for convenient maneuvering around your furniture.
Pros:
- Features edge-to-edge cleaning
- Comes with specialized cleaning tools
- Strong suction power
- Equipped with a triple-action brush roll
- Large dirt cup capacity
Cons:
- Quite noisy when running
4. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaner – Premium Pick
When cleaning thick carpets, shags, and high piles, it is important that the vacuum is strong and rugged. As much as possible, you should get the one with the most powerful suction. Of course, I am not saying that the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the strongest that there is. However, it is definitely a robust vacuum. Its suction strength has been tested to ASTM F558 standards and found out to be better than most of its upright counterparts.
This machine has a self-adjusting cleaner head, which seals in the suction that it generates. As a result, it can drive deeply into the fabric of the carpets and take all the dust, debris, and pet hair stuck there. It is not susceptible to tangling and features a large dirt collection system. Furthermore, it is fully sealed and equipped with HEPA filtration.
Pros:
- Comes with complete cleaning attachments with storage bag
- Ideal for deep and aggressive cleaning
- Doesn’t blow the dirt
- Features whole-machine filtration
- Maneuverability is top-notch
Cons:
- No noteworthy drawbacks
5. iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum
Powerful and quiet. These are the things that best describe the iRobot Roomba i7+. This robot vacuum generates a suction power that is ten times stronger than most robot vacuums. It can suck stubborn debris and manage them properly, thanks to its premium 3-stage cleaning system. It uses the vSLAM navigation that analyzes and memorizes the layout of your home. After that, it builds its own map so that it can navigate itself in cleaning.
When the device runs low on battery, it automatically returns to its charging port. The same happens when its dirt tank is already full. However, unlike other robot vacuums, this one has a self-emptying mechanism. You don’t need to drain its dirt tank by yourself.
Pros:
- Low-profile design; can pass under appliances and furniture
- Quick charging robot vacuum
- Automatically changes its suction depending on the flooring
- Easy to operate; comes with a voice control feature
- Uses sensors to avoid obstacles
Cons:
- Runtime suffers from inconsistencies
How To Choose The Best Vacuum Cleaners For High Pile, Shag, And Thick Carpets
Carpets and high piles are a nice addition to your home. They can improve the aesthetics of your flooring and overall appeal of your home. Moreover, they are a good match for bare floors and hardwood surfaces.
But for you to retain the quality of these fabrics, cleaning them regularly is essential. One of the best ways you can do it is through vacuuming. It is efficient, time-saving, and effortless.
However, let me remind you that not all vacuums are suitable for carpet cleaning. Otherwise, you can just get any vacuum cleaner that you spot in the market. Several specifications should be taken into account if you want to ensure that your carpets are clean all the time.
Type of Vacuum
Cleaning carpets is considered a big job. Hence, the most appropriate vacuum cleaner that you can get here is upright. The reason for this is the powerful suction that upright vacuum cleaners generate. They can easily pick up dirt and debris that are stuck on the carpet.
Upright vacuums are usually heavier than canister vacuums; however, they are certainly cheaper. Compared to robot vacuums, upright vacuums are indeed stronger. But at the same time, robot vacuums can still provide a deep-cleaning action, especially if it is equipped with ergonomic brush roll and strong suction.
Brush Roll
The brush and bristles of the vacuum are essential components in cleaning carpets and high piles. Without them, it would be impossible to pick up the dirt on the fabrics. Alongside with the suction of the machine, these bristles are the ones that take out the debris forcibly. They are great in dealing with pet hair and embedded residues.
It is also ideal that the brush roll has a switch. I will just assume that your entire space is not really carpeted. Once you are dealing with bare floors, it is necessary that the brush roll is turned off. In this way, it will not scratch the surface of hardwood floorings. Soft and flexible bristles are an optimal choice in this setting.
Suction Strength
Again, let me highlight that the strength of the vacuum is crucial when dealing with carpets. After all, these carpets can cause dirt and debris to stick on them. If the suction power is weak, then the vacuum will never be able to clean the carpet at all.
Now, let me emphasize that the power rating of the motor doesn’t indicate the suction power of the vacuum. It is just a classification of the potential power needed for the vacuum to operate. In short, it specifies the amount of electricity that the device uses. Suction ratings are often expressed in “airflow” and “waterlift.” You can check these details on the product manual of the vacuum cleaner.
Dirt Container Capacity
Most upright models are bagless. It is an advantageous design because it eliminates the recurring costs of replacing dirtbags. At the same time, these bagless units have a fully sealed system that prevents the dirt from escaping and re-circulating in the air. However, keep in mind that the capacity of these containers is fixed; you can no longer expand them. Hence, you should pick a unit that flaunts a large dirt collection system. In this way, you don’t need to empty them from time to time.
Filtration System
Of course, you should never ignore the filtration system of these vacuum cleaners. As much as possible, you should get a unit with HEPA filters. They are the ones that can capture microscopic dust and ultra-small pollutants that can cause allergies and respiratory illnesses. Pre-filters are also essential in trapping large debris and pet hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long should I stay away from my carpet after cleaning it?
A: After vacuuming your carpet, it would be best if you stay away from it for at least 3 to 6 hours. You have to give it time to “recover” from the vacuuming.
Q: Why does my carpet look worse after vacuuming?
A: There are numerous reasons that can cause this problem. It could be due to the residues left on the carpet. It could also be due to wicking. Therefore, aside from vacuuming, you should also scrub and shampoo the carpet, if possible.
Q: Should I vacuum first before using a steam washer or cleaner?
A: Yes. In fact, you should vacuum before and after using a steam washer. In this way, the carpet remains free from any dirt that could spread or diffuse when the carpet gets wet.
Conclusion
It is essential that you can maintain the cleanliness of your carpets and other fabrics in your home. Aside from improving the aesthetics of your abode, clean carpets will never become a source of allergies, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. Since they are prone to collect dust and dirt, you should clean regularly.
Get the best vacuum cleaners for high pile, shag, and thick carpets, and you will be able to accomplish this errand easily.
For other related inquiries, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.