Based on 7,882 analyzed reviews
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NerdWallet Shopping’s scoring of the best vacuums for carpeted floors is based on our analysis of the opinions of experts and shoppers like you.
Picking a vacuum isn’t easy. We researched some of the most popular models on the market to make your decision less confusing. To narrow down the field, we looked at expert opinions from review sites such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. Next, we analyzed user reviews to see what shoppers were saying about the various attributes of each vacuum.
We recognize that consumers look for different qualities in vacuums, so we scored users’ observations on multiple features of top models, including their performance on carpet and hard surfaces.
Our analysis
Our scores range from a low of 1 to a high of 10. Here’s how we devised them:
Overall score: The overall score reflects reviewers’ satisfaction with each vacuum in 10 categories, including how well it cleans across various surfaces, ease of use, durability and noise.
How well it cleans carpet: This score reflects reviewers’ satisfaction with the vacuum’s performance on carpet. It also considers their satisfaction with the vacuum’s ability to clean up pet hair and debris.
Ease of use: This score reflects reviewers’ satisfaction with the vacuum’s ability to maneuver, including its weight and cord length; the process of emptying or cleaning it out; and whether it was considered easy to operate.
Here are our top 10, in no particular order.
The vacuums
Dyson V6 Motorhead
The powerful, lightweight Dyson V6 Motorhead stick vacuum is a user favorite. It features a direct-drive cleaner head that reaches deep into carpet, giving users 20 minutes of fade-free suction per 3.5-hour charge, and it easily converts into a hand vac to clean hard-to-reach places.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 9.3 | 10 | 9 |
Buyers Like
- Performance on carpeting and hard floors
- Ability to clean stairs
- Ability to clean pet hair
Buyers Dislike
- Length of charge
- Difficult-to-empty dust cup
Miele Jazz S7280
The upright Miele Jazz S7280 was named one of our best vacuums for hardwood flooring, but it’s also an overachiever when it comes to carpeting. Its electrobrush digs deep into carpets and rugs, removing all dirt and debris in its path.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 8.8 | 9.8 | 7.7 |
Buyers Like
- Performance on both carpet and hard floors
- Ability to clean pet hair
- Automatic adjustment to different surfaces
Buyers Dislike
- Ability to clean stairs, especially carpeted ones
- Weight
Hoover Linx BH50010
The Hoover Linx BH50010 stick vacuum features a powered brush roll that transitions seamlessly from hard floors to carpeting. Its low-profile head maneuvers under furniture with ease.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 8.4 | 9.8 | 9.2 |
Buyers Like
- Performance on carpeting and hard floors
- Ability to clean stairs
- Weight and maneuverability
Buyers Dislike
- Ability to hold a charge
- Not very durable
- Less-than-helpful customer service
Panasonic MC-CG917 Optiflow
Named one of NerdWallet’s best canister vacuums, the compact Panasonic MC-CG917 Optiflow earned high scores for its stellar performance on carpets and rugs and the ease with which users were able to empty the machine.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 8.5 | 9.7 | 8.6 |
Buyers Like
- Easy-to-change dust bag
Buyers Dislike
- Weight
- Ability to clean stairs
- Less-than-helpful customer service
Shark Rotator NV752
This user favorite came in second in NerdWallet’s roundup of best vacuum cleaners and grabbed a top spot in our roundup of best vacuums for pet hair pick-up. It cleans carpeting, hard flooring, stairs and pet hair better than models that cost hundreds of dollars more.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 9.5 | 9.6 | 8.8 |
Buyers Like
- Performance on carpet and hard floors
- Ability to clean stairs
- Easy-to-clean dust container
- Ability to clean pet hair
Buyers Dislike
- Weight
- Maneuverability
Hoover Platinum UH30010COM
The ultralight Hoover Platinum UH30010COM is an upright vacuum with a removable canister that helps with off-the-floor jobs. It also has illuminated fingertip controls, two speed settings, a self-sealing HEPA bag, and the ability to extract pet hair from the deepest carpets.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 9.1 | 9.6 | 9.5 |
Buyers Like
- Ability to clean stairs
- Ability to clean pet hair
Buyers Dislike
- Performance on hard flooring
- Noise
Bissell CleanView Onepass 9595a
It was designed to clean carpet and upholstery, but users love how the upright Bissell CleanView Onepass 9595a sweeps their stairs clean of dirt and debris. It also weighs in at a relatively light 15 pounds.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 8.5 | 9.7 | 8.2 |
Buyers Like
- Ability to clean stairs
- Ability to clean pet hair
Buyers Dislike
- Performance on hard flooring
- Too-short cord and hose that hinder maneuverability
Hoover Anniversary U6485-900
The self-propelled Hoover Anniversary U6485-900 is a bagged upright, featuring an embedded DirtFinder System, an extension wand with a stretchable hose, and a pet-hair tool with rotating brushes.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 7.6 | 9.8 | 7.6 |
Buyers Like
- Ability to clean stairs
- Easy-to-empty debris bag
Buyers Dislike
- Noise
- Performance on hard flooring
- Weight
Oreck Insight
The Oreck Insight is NerdWallet’s top-rated vacuum overall, as well as our top-rated upright vacuum and the best for hardwood flooring.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 9.6 | 9.6 | 9.6 |
Buyers Like
- Performance on carpets and hard flooring
- Ability to clean stairs
- Weight and maneuverability
- Noise
Buyers Dislike
- Ability to clean pet hair
Shark NV356
The Shark NV356’s Turbo Brush attachment earned it a place in our list of best vacuums for picking up animal fur. And people without pets found this lightweight upright’s powerful suction and lift-away technology an effective way to clean hard floors, carpeting, and stairs.
| Overall score | How well it cleans carpet | Ease of use |
| 8.7 | 9.7 | 8.8 |
Buyers Like
- Ability to clean pet hair
- Weight
Buyers Dislike
- Difficult-to-empty dust container
- Maneuverability
Buying guide: best vacuums for carpeted floors
Whether your home is covered in lush carpeting or wide wooden planks from the turn of the 19th century, picking the most effective vacuum can be a tricky proposition. Consider these categories as you shop:
Surface
Some vacuums work equally well on carpeting, rugs, tile, hardwoods, stairs and linoleum, but most machines are better at cleaning one or two of those floor types. For example, the Oreck Insight is a powerhouse on any surface, while the Hoover Anniversary U6485-900 excels on carpets and rugs over hard flooring. Factor your home’s surfaces into your vacuum search.
Special uses
If your living space has ornate moldings, strongly consider a model that converts into a hand vac and can easily get into small spaces, such as the Dyson V6 Motorhead. Pet owners should look for a machine that picks up fur, such as the Shark Rotator NV752, which conveniently gets into nooks and crannies and eliminates pet hair.
Weight
Even the best vacuum won’t do you much good if you can’t lift it. Uprights tend to be heavier, so if you’re going to carry your vacuum up and down stairs, you might want to opt for a stick vac. For example, the Hoover Linx BH50010 weighs in at a sleek 7.3 lbs.
Noise
Maybe you’re sensitive to loud noises, or perhaps you live with an infant, too-close neighbors, or a skittish pet. Whatever the reason, if sound is an issue, consider opting for the subtle purr of the Oreck Insight over the dull roar of the Hoover Anniversary U6485-900.
Corded or cordless
You don’t have to worry about recharging corded vacuums, but your cleaning area is tethered to an outlet, which can be inconvenient. People who live in small homes, or those who prefer short bursts of cleaning over daylong endeavors, might be able to get the job done with one 20-minute charge. In that case, a cordless, such as the Hoover Linx BH50010 or the Dyson V6 Motorhead, might make sense. But if you live in a larger home and would rather get your cleaning done all at once, you’ll probably prefer a corded model.
Emptying
It doesn’t make sense to clean your floors only to make a big mess as you empty your vacuum cleaner’s dust cup. When you make your choice, weigh the need to replace bags with the messiness of emptying some dust cups.
For more vacuum roundups, check out:
- The best vacuums
- The best canister vacuums
- The best robot vacuums
- The best upright vacuums
- The best stick vacuums
- The best vacuums for pet hair
- The best vacuums for hardwood floors
- The best Shark vacuums
- The best Dyson vacuums
- The best lightweight vacuums
- The best bagless vacuums
Compare other popular vacuums here:
For more vacuum buying advice, check out:
Top image via iStock.
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