8 Best Vacuums for Shag Carpet

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.

This time we are going to talk about choosing the Best Vacuum for Shag Carpet. A vacuum, also known as a sweeper, is a device that uses a centrifugal fan to create a vacuum to suck up dust, dry dirt, and debris from different surfaces. The dirt is then collected in a disposable dust bag or a built-in container.

Vacuuming is one of the easiest ways of cleaning your home, especially carpets, which cannot be swiped effectively. Vacuums for shag carpets come in different sizes and designs and with various features.

There are quite a few models on the market that are suitable for cleaning shag carpets. They all have both advantages and disadvantages. Some of them can perform wet and dry cleaning, others are good only for sucking up dirt and dust.

So, see a cool selection of proven products.

List of the TopF Vacuum for Shag Carpet in 2024

• Bissell 1825 Cleanview Plus Rewind Upright Bagless Vacuum
• Hoover Max Extract Dual F7452900PC
• Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional (NV356E)
• BISSELL 9595A Vacuum with OnePass – Corded
• Hoover FH50150 Carpet Cleaner
• Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum Cleaner
• Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Rewind Plus Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
• Shark DuoClean Rocket Vacuum HV382

Different shag carpet cleaning vacuums have customizable settings that allow you to get the perfect combination of suction and brush agitation that will thoroughly clean your carpet without damaging it. The following products are the top rated shag carpet vacuums in 2024.

1. Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E: Superb Vacuum for Thick Carpet

This is a lightweight device with a detachable canister used for portable power vacuuming. Developed by Euro–Pro, it is designed for superior cleaning without loss of suction power.

It traps dust inside a sealed system and a HEPA filter. Also has a shut-off button which makes it easier to shift from bare floors to shag carpet and vice versa. It has a relatively long cord. Does a great job dusting both hard floors and high pile (shag) carpets.

Interesting Characteristics

• Lift-away mode
• 2-in-1 vacuum
• Dust-Away hard floor attachment
• Anti-Allergen technology
• Microfiber pads
• Brush roll shutoff button

This model has a lift-away button which you can use to lift the canister if you want to clean in some hard-to-reach areas. Anti-allergen complete seal technology traps dust inside the vacuum and prevent irritants from penetrating into the air you breathe.

It is lightweight and powerful. It is easy to carry and maneuver. This is a 2-in-1 vacuum with the upright and lift-away modes which can be used interchangeably to satisfy all your housekeeping needs.

Overall

2. BISSELL 9595A Corded: Superlative Upright Vacuum

This is a lightweight Bissell model that uses a unique One Pass technology. It is equally perfect for high pile (shag) carpets and bare floors. It was rated number four among the top shag carpet vacuums in June 2017 and has over 7000 reviews on Amazon.

Useful Accessories

• Turbo brush tool
• Cyclonic system
• Multi-level filter
• Crevice tool
• One Pass technology
• Automatic height adjustment
• Open foot window
• Dusting brush
• Extension wand
• Twist and Snap hose

Performance

Turbo brush tool can be used to vacuum stairs, furniture, upholstery and other hard surfaces. The multi-cyclonic system ensures that the device does not lose suction power with time. The One Pass technology allows you to pick up all the dirt in the way on the initial pass. The vacuum comes with multiple attachments for faster and versatile cleaning. The powerful 12 amp motor and the turbo brush enable it to penetrate into the deepest parts of your shag carpet, cleaning its pile from all sides.

This vacuum weighs around 15 Ibs, and therefore, is easy to push and carry around. You can easily operate it using one hand.

It has a superior maneuverability. You can easily clean vertically, for instance, on stair risers. The extension wand helps you capture dirt and debris in every part of your house. You can use it to vacuum ceilings, ceiling fans, upper shelves, overhead cabinets, as well as baseboards, under the furniture and bathroom fixtures.

The main purpose of a crevice tool is to remove dirt and debris from nooks, corners, and other tight places.

Overall

3. Tineco A11 Hero Cordless Stick Vacuum: Super Vacuum Cleaner for Shag Carpet

This is one of the latest vacuums of 2024 and the most popular shag carpet cleaning model. It is a top rated vacuum for cleaning high-traffic areas and pet messes. This device weighs approximately 34.06 lbs. One of its significant features is the spin brush that enables a smooth transition from shag carpets to hard floors.

Key Features Include

• 12 amp motor
• Dual V Technology
• Spin Scrub brushes
• All-terrain cleaning feature
• Removable nozzle

Hoover Max Extract Dual V also has a three-level height adjustment tool. You can vacuum high and low surfaces interchangeably without getting stuck. Hoover Max Extract can also perform hot water cleaning to help you take extra care of your shag or medium pile carpets.

Performance

Powerful 12 AMP motor is one of the top on the market. It works to ensure that dust is thoroughly removed from the carpet. The Dual V Technology ensures equal suction across the nozzle for deep and effortless carpet cleaning. It pulls dirt out of the very depth of your shag carpet and removes even the most stubborn stains using its automatic detergents mixing technology. It can also rinse automatically leaving less detergent residue on your carpet.

The all-terrain cleaning feature enables you to take care of all surfaces in your home, from carpets to hard floors, using only one device. The heat cleaning mode is used to apply heat power directly to the surface you want to take extra care of.

The Removable transparent nozzle assists in automatic rinsing. The spin scrub technology features three counter-rotating brushes that clean carpet fiber from all sides. They rotate around 360 degrees to deep clean your shag carpet from all angles.

Recommendations

Website

The manufacturer has a fully functional website with video tutorials on how to use and maintain this vacuum. Reviews of Hoover Max Extract Dual V state that the instructions in the manual are easy to follow. You don’t have to spend many hours putting your machine together and figuring out how it works. It is also very easy to take care of.

4. Hoover FH50150: Great Vacuum for Shag Pile Carpet

Hoover Carpet Basics, also known as a deluxe carpet cleaner, can help you extend the life of your shag carpet. It works well not only on carpets but also on other surfaces in your home. It combines an elegant design with durable features that guarantee you many years of excellent service.

Useful Accessories

• Spill-free tank
• Spin Scrub brush system
• Power scrub deluxe feature
• Dual V Nozzle
• Automatic detergent mixer
• Rinse option
• 8-foot hose
• Mesh tool storage bag

Performance

The Spin Scrub brush system rotates 360 degrees removing dirt from every angle of your shag carpet and the surrounding area. This vacuum comes with the upholstery tool that can be used on carpeted stairs, furniture and drapes. Dual V Nozzle provides equally strong suction across all its length to clean surfaces evenly, with fast drying time and forced heated air. Automatic detergent mixing system gives you a correct mix of detergents and water for the great cleaning results. The automatic rinse tool gently removes residue from your shag carpet. Hoover Carpet Basics Power Scrub Deluxe vacuum also comes with large and medium suction tools for sucking up spills and rinsing the carpet respectively.

Conclusion

5. Bissell 1825 Upright: Vacuum for Shag and Frieze Carpet

This is an extended version of Bissell Clean 9595A. It has upgraded suction and improved look. It is one of the most attractive-looking vacuums on the market.

This model is better for vacuuming shag and long pile carpets due to its ability to pick up both hard particles and hair. This is the type of vacuum, with which you realize the benefits of a small size device. This vacuum works great on both shag carpets hardwood floors.

Bissell vacuums enjoy an above-average reliability rating based on consumer online reviews.

Features and Specifications

• Triple action brush roll
• Multi-Level Filtration
• Crevice Tool
• TurboBrush tool
• Easy Empty Dirt Tank
• Pet Turbo Eraser Tool
• Dirt Filter Indicator
• Dirt Holder
• Automatic Cord Rewind
• Multi-Cyclonic Suction System

Settings

Bissell 1825 has five different height settings which allow you to adjust to different types of floor, including shag and long pile carpets. Its triple action brush roll takes care of all types of surfaces, whether hardwood or carpet. It loosens, picks up and removes embedded dirt and pet hair from shag carpets. Extra large dirt holder is also a major advantage of this vacuum. As much as it is an advantage, it can be a drawback, since some people do not want their vacuum to be too heavy.

Multi-cyclonic suction system captures dirt and traps it in the attached bin. Organizing cords can be stressful, but with Bissell 1332 vacuum, you can instantly retrieve the cord by pressing a rewind button.

This is a bagless vacuum, therefore you don’t have to take the trouble to purchase spare bags. However, bagged vacuums are not bad at all, they can even be beneficial to people with allergies.

This model also has automatic cord rewind. This is a very useful feature that makes Bissell 1332 vacuum one of the most fascinating models on the market. With automatic cord rewind, you will use only as much of the cord as you need, so it will not get tangled up or mess up your room.

Overall

6. Dyson DC65 : A Versatile Suction Only Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson Animal was introduced to the market 3 years ago but still remains popular among American homeowners. It has several technological features that increase its consumer value and make it preferable over other upright vacuums of the same class. One of them is Dyson patented Ball technology, which facilitates easy and strain-free navigation in spite of the device being rather on the heavy side.

The base of the vacuum is designed in a shape of a large ball, which rolls around the floor very smoothly and allows you to maneuver around the furniture, turn and twist the device in every direction.

Many owners of previous upright model of this brand used to have a common question: “why is my Dyson so hard to push?”.  Apparently, this model does not have such an issue.

In spite of having a built-in brush roll in the head, this item can be used as suction only vacuum cleaner. With the brush roll is turned off you can clean bare floors and delicate surfaces, which you wouldn’t want to be damaged by the bristles.

Pet owners might benefit from using a special turbine tool with two counter-rotating brushes that spin hair into a ball that easily gets sucked in without tangling inside the tool.

In order to facilitate versatile cleaning, the vacuum is supplied with multiple attachments. Alongside with the turbine tool that has already been mentioned, the package includes the following items: a multi-angle tool for high-up places, a soft brush, a flexible tool for tight places, a tool for stairs, a stiff brush, a 2-in-1 crevice tool and a mattress tool. So there is literally no space in the house that could not be reached by this vacuum.

Special features

Engineers of Dyson have also taken care of smooth transition between carpets and bare floors and vice versa. The cleaner head has an adjustable base plate that keeps it tight to the floor regardless of the type of the surface it is used on. As such, there is a very little chance for any dust particles to be left out.

Overall impression

7. Hoover T-Series UH70120: Excellent Vacuum Cleaner for Wool Carpets

Wool carpets might be pretty challenging to maintain. They tend to collect dust and dirt deep between the fibers; moreover, they act like magnets for pet hair. Regular suction-only vacuums won’t be able to manage the cleaning job. What you will need is a powerful vacuum with an active brushroll. So if you are looking for the top vacuum for frieze carpet, Hoover T-Series WindTunnel vacuum might be an option to consider.

This is a sturdy, heavy-duty device that is able to cover large cleaning areas without interruption thanks to its large dust canister and a long power cord. Unlike other upright vacuums, this one has an automatic cord-rewind system.

The cleaner head in this vacuum has a rotating brushroll. In combination with the Hoover exclusive WindTunnel technology it works great picking up dirt, debris and pet hair off carpets and rugs. However, it cannot be turned off, so several precautions need to be made when using this vacuum. When using the device in the hand-cleaning mode you should keep it away from delicate surfaces, since bristles on the brush can cause damage. Better still, you should not let it stand in the upright position without movement continuously when on.

Aside from this nuance, the cleaner head is rather functional. It has several height modes, which can be adjusted according to the type of surface you’re cleaning. Normally you would want to use low mode on bare floors and high mode on carpets, but there can be variations to this rule.

For versatile cleaning, you will have several attachments at your disposal, including a crevice tool, a turbo brush for carpeted stairs and upholstery, a dusting brush, and an extension wand. All the tools are on board for easy access at any point in time during cleaning.

Common Impression

8. Shark DuoClean Rocket HV382: An Outstanding Solution for Cleaning with LED Lights

This is a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner with a long cord which can be used for household tasks of any complexity. The device works better for various types of floors and carpets. However, it is also suitable for vacuuming a car, mattresses, curtains and the majority of other surfaces.

The details of the appliance are designed in charcoal and grey colors. Shark DuoClean is delivered dismantled in a box with all the additional accessories, so it needs an assembly before usage. It’s quite easy to put it all together: the device comes with a detailed user’s guide where you can see how to do it properly.

Generally, a device is easy to use and quite lightweight. It’s possible to switch between a regular vacuum and handheld, making stairs, furniture, window ledges, etc. easy to clean. Both floor nozzle and hand vacuum are equipped with the LED lights. That’s why you can barely miss even the smallest particles of dirt.

Essential Features of HV382 Shark DuoClean

The most significant feature of this vacuum cleaner is DuoClean Technology for so-called Triple Particle Cleaning. It means that the appliance’s working part consists of two brushes: a bristle brush for dirt and stuck-in small debris and an additional soft brush roll for larger particles.

How does it work? A regular brush is pushing debris into the powerful airflow achieved due to a great suction, while an additional one quickly gathering big particles due to its pull effect. Both brushes are involved in two available modes. A sparing setting is indented for bare floors cleaning. The strong one is used for more complicated tasks.

LED lights are located on the floor nozzle and hand vacuum. They will come to the rescue in low light conditions or in case of cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

A hand vac is a fully functional part of a device which can be used for above-floor vacuuming. Only one press is needed to detach it from the body of an appliance.

A device’s bin is enough to clean 5-6 rooms on average. You can easily remove the bin and pour out the debris. It’s not the only convenience of the device’s design. There are a brushroll garage and a hair removal tool inside a kit. They will make brushes’ storage and maintenance less complicated and time-consuming.

The manufacturer has taken care of those who have pets in their house, so Shark DuoClean comes with a pet multi-tool. It’s indispensable when you need to remove embedded pet hair from any surfaces.

The complete version also includes such accessories as:

• duster crevice tool – useful for narrow and hard-to-reach areas;
• upholstery tool – great for spot cleaning;
• wall mount storage hook – makes the storage easier;
• multi-angle dusting brush – may be applied from a variety of angles;
• under-appliance wand – another tool for hard-to-reach areas.

Let’s consider pros and cons of the device and find out how effective are those features in practice.

General Verdict

Top Vacuum for Shag Carpet – Buyer’s Guide

Cleaning your home is an essential daily routine and it should be as painless as possible. Some surfaces are easy to maintain, but shag carpets can be a real challenge. A shag carpet is a high pile rug or wall-to-wall carpet with fluffy appearance.

Shag carpet is soft to the touch and gives your home a cozy and warm vibe. It is a trendy element of décor, as well as a luxury accessory. At the same shag carpets collect huge amounts of dust, pet hair, allergens and small debris deep inside the fiber. Not all vacuums can deal with shag carpets, so you will need a specialized one.

Features and Specifications

When looking to buy the best shag carpet cleaner, it is important to consider the following aspects:

1. Upright versus cylinder vacuums. The decision here is determined by the kind of cleaning style you prefer. Cylinder vacuums are easy to store, but pulling them around can be quite annoying. Upright shag carpet vacuums are preferable since they have relatively large cleaning heads.
2. Bagged versus bagless. Bagless vacuums will not lose suction over time. On the downside, they can send dust back into the air if not emptied on time. Bagged vacuums are preferable for people, who suffer from allergies. They prevent allergens from spreading all over the house. On the other hand, they require frequent changing of bags, which adds up to high maintenance costs.
3. Handheld They are perfect for quick daily pick-ups because they are light and portable. Using such a vacuum to clean a large shag carpet will be inconvenient and, most likely, ineffective, but it works great when you need to pick up a mess made by your pet or child. In spite of their small size, handled vacuums can be very powerful, so you can rely on them to do the job well.
4. Robotic cleaners. The latest robotic vacuums can be controlled via a special mobile app on a smartphone. They are very convenient, but cannot perform a deep cleaning. Moreover, such vacuums are quite costly.
5. Central vacuums. They are easy to operate since they don’t have a vacuum body. However, they are rather expensive and require professional installation services.
6. Corded versus cordless. Cordless vacuums are convenient and absolutely portable. You can use them literally everywhere. However, they are quite expensive and work only for a limited time.

Features to Look for in Vacuum Cleaners for Shag Carpet

When taking care of your shag carpet you need to use high-quality tools to achieve the great result. While low and medium volume carpets can be more or less effectively cleaned with regular vacuums, shag and high pile carpets require specialized care. Thorough cleaning is important, since it helps maintain hygiene and increases the lifespan of your carpet.

Vacuums for shag carpets should have special features to protect your carpet from being damaged. Shag carpets are usually rather expensive and ruining them is the last thing you would want to do.

Choose a model with a detachable power head, which you can remove when vacuuming to avoid overheating. Getting a shag carpet grooming rake is also a good idea. It can clean pet hair and large debris out of your shag carpet and refresh its look without causing any damage.

When shopping for a vacuum for shag carpets it is important to note that small wheeled units are not the great choice, since they will be difficult to push. You should also pay attention to the proximity of a cleaning mechanism to the surface. Devices with high or raised vacuuming heads do not remove dirt very well.

Varied surfaces

Look for vacuum cleaners that can work on different surfaces (not only shag carpets) and have various cleaning modes.

Noise. Silent or low noise vacuums are the most preferable. Keep in mind that some of the vacuums make a lot of noise when transitioning from carpets to hard floors.

Length of the cord. The length of the cord is an important aspect to consider. Long cords make the cleaning process easier and more enjoyable. However, if you buy a vacuum with a long cord, make sure it has an automatic cord rewind system.

Conclusion

Vacuums help us get our cleaning tasks covered quickly and easily. Using the right vacuum you can keep your shag carpet looking fresh and new for a very long time. This review comprises some of the best vacuums for shag carpet on the market. Each of them has its own advantages and serves its specific purpose. I believe you will find among them the one that will suit your need just perfectly.

As technologies develop, more advanced vacuums emerge on the market. Check out some of the latest models, such as Neato new high-end robot vacuum, or the newest Dyson vacuums. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Further Reading

• Back to Carpets