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They look wonderful in your home, but cleaning shag carpets is not an easy task. That’s the only reason you require to buy the best vacuum for shag carpet.

Regular maintenance doesn’t mean damaging your great carpet. With that in mind, it’s necessary to pick a vacuum carefully. Excessive suction tends to tear the pile while too small wheels can get stuck.

So maybe now it’s time for you to get the right product!

Best Vacuum for Shag Carpet: Top 10 Reviews in 2025

Getting a vacuum that makes cleaning and maintaining the shag carpet easier should be your priority. So here’s a list that I created to present the top 10 picks currently available on the consumer market.

Below that, you’ll find the detailed review of each model. So keep reading to discover what suits your carpet needs and preferences the most.

1. Hoover ONEPWR SmartWash Cordless – Highest Rated Vacuum for Shag Carpet

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Every list is incomplete without a creation by Hoover. The brand has been a part of the broad vacuum industry for many years. And it has penetrated the consumer market for all the right reasons. So let’s find out everything we can about the Hoover ONEPWR SmartWash Cordless.

This lightweight unit is an ideal pick for cleaning shag carpet. Without damaging the surface in any way! But that’s not the most compelling part. The component that steals the show is the combination of HeatForce and TruMAX . The features prevent stray particles from spewing back into your home atmosphere.

This best vacuum for shag carpet is suitable for cleaning all types of unwanted particles. Both surface debris and ingrained dirt! You get to work with five different settings. So what does that mean? It implies that the Hoover ONEPWR SmartWash Cordless is cleaner a suitable for bare flooring. Along with low pile and high pile carpeting!

Next in line is the unique WindTunnel technology. It enables smooth, light operation. While also getting rid of all debris and dust! The useful power cord is long enough to take care of maneuverability. So this pick is nothing but a smart selection for your home carpets needs!

Cordless design allows for greater mobility and flexibility, making it easier to clean large areas without worrying about cords.
SmartWash technology takes the guesswork out of cleaning, ensuring optimal results every time.
Dual tank system maintains hygiene by preventing clean water from mixing with dirty water.
Wash and dry modes offer a comprehensive solution for both cleaning and drying, saving time.
Rotating brush roll deeply cleans carpets, lifting dirt, debris, and stains with ease.
Lightweight and ergonomic design makes it easy to use for extended periods without discomfort.

Although it provides cordless convenience, the battery may run out faster with extended use, requiring time for recharging.
The Hoover ONEPWR SmartWash may be more expensive compared to traditional carpet cleaners.

2. Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum – For Mixed Flooring

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The first pick on the list is one that’s suitable for homes with mixed flooring. That’s because the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum provides fingertip controls. And you can use these to switch from bare floor mode to carpet. Without having to break your stride!

On top of that, the unit offers a brushroll that you can turn off. This is very useful for cleaning shag carpet. While also preventing damage to those long fibers!

Furthermore, you might also appreciate the not-so-heavy weight of the machine. Such a lightweight design brings tons of convenience into play. So maintaining your carpet and other floor surfaces is not going to be a tedious task.

I found the invaluable swivel steering component to be hugely beneficial. As it enables easy movement of the Shark! Even on something as thick as shag carpet!

If that wasn’t enough, you also have access to LED lights. As a result of which cleaning under your furniture or any other gloomy areas is quite possible. And that too with maximum ease!

Lastly, there’s the HEPA filtration and Anti-Allergen Seal Technology. Due to which, you don’t have to worry about rogue particles escaping the cleaner to soil the home air. In all, when using this best vacuum for shag carpet, leave all your worries behind. Even pet hair related!

The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum is packed with plenty advanced features. But the two most important ones are the finger controls and swivel steering technology. The former makes room for effortless mode switching. And the latter gives you excellent maneuvering control. In my opinion, these are the two primary reasons for the popularity of the Shark.

The major disappointment comes in the form of excessive power. The power you get with the machine is so strong that it ends up pulling you with it. But this only happens when that dustbin is not attached.

The rotating head offers easy operation.
Detachable canister allows deep cleaning.
The motorized brush is ideal for eliminating pet hair.

The power of this vacuum is too strong.
It tips over quite easily.

3. Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean Upright Vacuum – For Groundbreaking Technology

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The Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean Upright Vacuum is a premium, high-performance cleaning machine specifically engineered for homes with pets and heavy foot traffic. Combining advanced Dyson technology with a user-friendly design, this vacuum cleaner excels at removing dirt, dust, allergens, and pet hair from various surfaces, including carpets, hardwood floors, and upholstery.

Thanks to Dyson’s revolutionary Ball Technology, the vacuum offers exceptional maneuverability, making it easy to navigate around furniture, corners, and tight spaces with effortless control.

At the heart of the Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean is the Radial Root Cyclone Technology, which creates powerful suction to capture dirt and microscopic dust particles that other vacuums might leave behind. This ensures deep, thorough cleaning performance without clogging or losing suction, even when tackling the toughest messes.

Designed with pet owners in mind, the vacuum features a Tangle-Free Turbine Tool, which makes it incredibly easy to remove pet hair from upholstery, stairs, and other tricky surfaces without worrying about hair tangling around the brush. Additionally, it comes with a variety of specialized tools and attachments, including a combination tool for all-purpose cleaning, a crevice tool for reaching into narrow gaps, and an upholstery tool for cleaning furniture.

The HEPA filtration system is another standout feature of this vacuum. It effectively captures 99.97% of allergens, dust, and particles as small as 0.3 microns, making it an excellent choice for allergy sufferers or homes with sensitive individuals.

With a large dustbin capacity, the Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean allows you to clean more areas without frequent stops to empty the bin.

The large dustbin reduces the need for frequent emptying
Effectively cleans carpets, hard floors, and upholstery while removing pet hair and debris.

it can be relatively noisy on higher suction settings
This vacuum is heavier than some other models

4. Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe – For Budget-Friendly Users

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The Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner is a powerful, versatile, and user-friendly cleaning machine designed to deep clean carpets, area rugs, and upholstery. This carpet cleaner is ideal for homes with children, pets, or high-traffic areas, as it combines effective cleaning power with easy maneuverability. The PowerScrub Deluxe features SpinScrub Technology, which offers multiple brushes that rotate to clean carpet fibers from all angles, ensuring deep, consistent cleaning results with every use.

With its HeatForce technology, the Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe also speeds up drying time, allowing your carpets and upholstery to dry faster after cleaning, which is particularly useful when you need to get back to normal use quickly. The machine’s Dual V Nozzle ensures even suction across the entire cleaning path, lifting dirt and debris from carpets with maximum efficiency.

The Smart Tank System simplifies the cleaning process by separating clean and dirty water into two separate tanks, allowing for a hassle-free filling, emptying, and cleaning process. The PowerScrub Deluxe is designed with convenience in mind, featuring a lightweight and ergonomic design for easy handling. Whether tackling tough stains, spills, or everyday dirt, this carpet cleaner offers the performance needed to keep floors looking their best.

Quick drying
Versatile for different surfaces
Lightweight and maneuverable
Multiple cleaning options

No automatic carpet solution dispensing
Limited cord length

5. Bissell 2554A CrossWave Cordless Max Vacuum – For All Types of Carpet

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Panasonic is a brand that does an excellent job of manufacturing high-quality products. They have been in the business for many years now. So you can rely on the Bissell 2554A. Especially when it comes to performance, durability, and affordability!

So what are the unique features of this best vacuum for shag carpet? Well, the unit is capable of cleaning all types of carpet. Including shag and berber! But the most appealing feature is the invaluable HEPA filtration. It promotes a cleaner environment. Plus, the system offers benefits of thick, plush carpet. Without making cleaning a difficult task!

The fact that the Bissell 2554A detects the carpet automatically is quite impressive. Based on the type of surface, the machine fine-tunes the operation accordingly.

You also have the option to illuminate the cleaning path. Thanks to the presence of headlights. As a result of which every dirty spot comes into view. Even when the room lights are slightly dim!

The agitator of this little monster prepares all ingrained dirt. To make the task of maintaining your carpet more convenient! So you have nothing major to worry about when using the Bissell 2554A Bag Upright Vacuum Cleaner.

Working on a tight to moderate budget? At the same time, you want a product that’s high in quality, right? In that case, you’re looking at the perfect vacuum cleaner. This appliance is specifically crafted for cleaning shag carpet. Everything about it is designed in the most effective manner to deliver best results. Right from the powerful motor and auto height adjustment! To the wide enough nozzle and HEPA filter!

Unfortunately, some cleaners have high noise levels. And the current product falls into that category. So don’t expect the Bissell 2554A to deliver best results without a sound.

The Bissell vacuum captures the tiniest particles.
​Various useful tools included for cleaning above-floor elements.
The brush eliminates stubborn pet dander.

Tool extension hose is short.
The working mechanism is not silent or low in volume.

6. Oreck Commercial XL Vacuum Cleaner – For Maximum Durability

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The Oreck Commercial XL Vacuum Cleaner is a highly efficient, lightweight, and powerful upright vacuum designed for commercial and residential cleaning tasks. Known for its durability and exceptional performance, the Oreck XL is perfect for those who require a reliable vacuum cleaner that can handle large spaces with ease. Its sleek, compact design and ease of use make it an excellent choice for both professional cleaning services and home users who need a high-performance vacuum for regular use.

One of the key features of the Oreck Commercial XL is its direct suction system that provides powerful suction power, allowing it to easily lift dirt, debris, and dust from carpets and hard floors. The vacuum is equipped with a hyper-velocity motor that delivers strong, consistent suction to pick up even the smallest particles. Weighing in at just 8 pounds, the Oreck XL is incredibly lightweight, which makes it easy to carry, push, and store, especially in tight spaces or areas where heavy-duty vacuums might be difficult to maneuver.

The Low-profile design allows the vacuum to easily glide under furniture, ensuring that dust and dirt can be thoroughly cleaned in places where traditional vacuums may struggle. It also features a 1-year commercial warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing that it is built to withstand heavy use.

With its high-speed roller brush, the Oreck Commercial XL is ideal for picking up debris on carpets and bare floors, ensuring that dirt is removed quickly and efficiently. The vacuum’s simple yet robust design makes it easy to use and maintain, even for those who aren’t familiar with commercial-grade equipment. Additionally, the durable construction of the Oreck XL ensures it can handle frequent cleaning tasks without compromising performance.

Extremely Lightweight
Powerful Suction
Easy to Use and Maneuver
Durable and Reliable

No HEPA Filtration
Smaller Dust Bag Capacity

7. Shark LA555 Rotator Pet Pro Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum – For Maximum Flexibility

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The Shark LA555 Rotator Pet Pro Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum is a powerful and versatile vacuum cleaner designed specifically for homes with pets. Equipped with advanced technology and features, this vacuum offers deep cleaning power while ensuring ease of use and convenience.

The Lift-Away Technology allows for quick and easy detachment of the canister, turning the upright vacuum into a portable canister vacuum for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach areas. This feature provides exceptional flexibility for tackling multiple surfaces in your home.

The Shark LA555 Rotator Pet Pro is particularly effective at removing pet hair thanks to its Self-Cleaning Brushroll that helps prevent hair from tangling around the brush. Whether you have short-haired or long-haired pets, this vacuum ensures that you won’t have to worry about constantly untangling the brush. The Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology paired with a HEPA filter traps dust, allergens, and pet dander, making it a great choice for homes with allergy sufferers.

For convenience, this model comes with multiple attachments and tools, including a Pet Power Brush, which is ideal for removing stubborn pet hair from furniture, upholstery, and carpets. The LED headlights on the vacuum head help illuminate dark or hidden areas, ensuring that no dirt or debris is missed.

Excellent for Pet Hair
Effective Allergy Control
Lightweight and Easy to Use

Smaller Dustbin Capacity
Not Ideal for Large Carpeted Areas

8. Bissell 2252 CleanViewBagless Vacuum – Another best Affordable Vacuum for Shag Carpet

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When it comes to manufacturing the best vacuum for high pile carpet, Bissell does not disappoint. It’s a budget-friendly pick that’s also well-constructed. To deliver remarkable durability!

The motor of this little beast is strong and offers resilient suction force. So it’s not only the affordable price tag that you might appreciate.

The Bissell 2252 comes with an extendable TurboBrush tool. What this does is help in cleaning furniture and stairs. Along with tight spaces! And what’s even better is that the unit is bagless. So you don’t need to worry about emptying that dirt cup. The job gets done in the simplest manner.

As for the beater brush, you can easily turn that thing off. So depending on the thickness of your carpet, you either use it or not. Another important inclusion is the height adjustability. The five different levels offer tons of versatility for cleaning.

So if what you require is an affordable, basic machine, here’s what you should buy!

The Bissell 2252 CleanViewBagless Vacuum is highly efficient. The product is supplied with OnePass technology. Now what this does is deliver powerful suction. Along with a phenomenal brush design! The kind that cleans in a single pass!

The negative takeaway here is that the Bissell 2252 has a short cord. So unplugging to replug is something that you have to deal with in this case.

The Bissell vacuum is incredibly lightweight.
​It has a large-capacity dirt bin.
The multi-cyclonic system for suction provides deep cleaning.

The lack of additional attachments is disappointing.
Cord is not long enough.

How to Assemble the CleanView Bagless Vacuum Cleaner? BISSELL

9. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E Vacuum – For Heavy-Duty Applications

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Do you know what makes the Shark Navigator Professional NV356E perfect for heavy-duty cleaning? It’s the fact that the product is manufactured by none other than SharkNinja. The appliance is the epitome of versatility. And it delivers the best results.Especially when it comes to keeping shag carpet showroom-clean!

So what about it, in particular, contributes to success? Upon testing, I found the combination of the invaluable HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Seal Technology to be very useful. What the features do is keep all debris and dirt inside most securely. All this to prevent the unwanted elements from contaminating your home air!

How about those wheels? These are not so large to cause the vacuum to sink down into the high pile during cleaning. Overall, the unit is lightweight. So you know that it works well in a deeper pile. And the high maneuverability is perfect for you if you consider vacuuming to be a huge strain.

I’m going to use this section to highlight the two unique features. The Shark Navigator transforms from upright to portable. Only with the help of a single switch! Such functionality allows you to use the vacuum in awkward areas. Then comes the effective brushroll with an on/off button. So you can clean shag carpet and mixed flooring. That too without damaging the surface!

So what’s the problem here? It’s the hose of the cleaner. The thing is too short and offers no give at all. I tried to stretch it but it doesn’t seem to loosen up.

The Shark Navigator has a solid construction.
​The detachable canister makes cleaning above-floor elements easier.
Well-placed handle provides additional comfort during operation

It tips over quite easily.
Too short hose causes inconvenience.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional (NV356E): How to Assemble?

10. Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum Cleaner – The Bonus Pick

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The bonus pick does an excellent job of cleaning the texture of shag. No wonder it’s ranked as the best vacuum for plush carpet! The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum is very effective, performance-wise. And modern, design-wise!

The cleaner head of the appliance is self-adjusting. That means the vacuum is well equipped to detect the height of the surface. And then carry out the job accordingly. When you combine this with Dyson’s unique suction design, what’s the outcome? Expect nothing short of exceptional performance from this best vacuum for shag carpet.

Furthermore, you can turn off that beater brush if you don’t require it. And that will be the case since the feature tends to damage high pile carpet.

Then comes the easy, quick maneuverability. Pushing the unit around the thick texture of shag is not a tedious task. On top of that, the phenomenal HEPA filter makes room for clean, fresh air. What more could you have asked for, right!

Let me bring to your notice that the product includes a very practical extendable wand. This you can use for stairs cleaning. Getting rid of pet hair is also another huge benefit. Thanks to the effectiveness of the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum.

It took at least 4-5 tries for me to make that switch to upright mode. So this can be quite frustrating to deal with during operation.

The Dyson vacuum offers powerful suction.
​Long, integrated extension is useful for cleaning stairs.
The canister is easy and convenient to empty.

Switching to upright position is slightly annoying.

Best Vacuum For Shag Carpet: Buyer’s Guide

Mixed flooring has become quite common in many homes now. And when that’s the case, finding a vacuum for all the different surfaces is nothing but a headache.

The majority of vacuums work well with carpets and hardwood floors. But as far as shag carpets are concerned, they’re pretty much useless. These vacuums are not crafted to deal with carpets that have a longer pile.

For shag carpets, you require a unit specifically designed for the job. But why is that?

Why Buy The Best Vacuum For Shag Carpets?

What is it that sets shag carpets apart from the rest? Let’s find out!

Shag carpets consist of a soft texture and high pile. This is how the fiber offers the perfect luxurious feel, right? In that case, the vacuum tends to suck deep down into that carpet. It’s like a car getting bogged down due to thick, soft mud or snow. Likewise, a regular vacuum ends up plowing into the carpet’s soft pile. And this is how it becomes difficult and even impossible for you to move the unit’s suction head.

So tell me, would you dare to drive off in a sedan for an SUV adventure? Of course not, right? In the same way, you shouldn’t opt for just any vacuum cleaner for carpets with longer pile. Unless the model is specifically created for that particular purpose!

Manufacturers of the best vacuum for shag carpet keep certain design principles in mind. And these unique characteristics are what make the machine capable to handle the texture of such carpets. These vacuum cleaners are built to deal with extra depth and soft fibers.

So now is the time to get to know everything about the special features of the best vacuum for shag carpets.

What Factors To Keep In Mind When Buying The Best Vacuum For Shag Carpet?

The thing about carpets is that not all of them share the common design and feel characteristics. The same applies to vacuum cleaners as well. So if you want to buy the best vacuum for shag carpet, this is what you need to know.

1. Suction Force

Dealing with the deep pile of shag carpet doesn’t mean opting for very powerful suction. When you use excessive force, the chances of damaging carpet fibers are quite high.

So the best way to go about it is to strike a perfect balance between too strong and too mild suction. Mid-range force is ideal for thorough cleaning while also preventing carpet damage. (Causes of vacuums losing suction)

2. Wheels

Always select a vacuum cleaner with not tiny but only small wheels. Especially when you know you’re going to use it for shag carpets. Otherwise what happens is the appliance gets bogged down due to the fibers.

With relatively smaller sized wheels, navigation becomes easier. Plus, the unit avoids getting caught or stuck during cleaning.

3. Beater Bar

Cleaning carpets on a regular basis requires a model that offers the beater bar. But don’t ever use it on hardwood flooring. As it can ruin and scratch the surface! On the other hand, when used on medium or low pile carpet, it delivers spotless results. Quite literally!

However, shag carpet contains higher piles, right? And not medium or low! So for such a texture, it’s better to buy a unit without the beater bar. Or one that allows you to turn the feature off! Failing to do so might result in causing damage to your expensive shag carpet.

4. Weight

A heavy vacuum serves little to no purpose. These types of cleaners are nothing but a nuisance. Especially when it comes to moving them around! And this can result in even more trouble when working with shag pile.

Now you should know that if the vacuum gets stuck, it doesn’t end up spoiling the carpet. But it does make way for a lot of straining. As a result of which you might postpone cleaning. And eventually, put it off until more dirt enters the carpet. And worsens the condition!

So to avoid such a tragedy from taking place, do yourself a favor and choose a lightweight machine. But make sure that it offers enough power/suction for deep, thorough cleaning. This way, you won’t find the task inconvenient or tedious in any way.

5. Filters
Thick carpets attract more debris, dust, and dirt, correct? In that case, the process demands the use of a filter. What this particular component does is prevent the mess from belching back into your home atmosphere.

So don’t forget to buy a unit that comes with a strong air filter (HEPA filter). It does an excellent job of delivering clean air and best results.

6. Cleaning Mechanism
This is when you need to take the distance between the carpet and cleaning mechanism into account. The higher the latter, the less thorough your cleaning efforts will be. At the same time, a mechanism very close to your carpet results in bedraggling and fuzzing it up. And that might lead to ruining the luxurious appearance you love so much.

So in this case too, just like the suction force, opt for something that falls in between. When choosing the best vacuum for shag carpet, balance is essential with the majority of features.

The End

My Choice: Hoover ONEPWR SmartWash Cordless

Finally, what is the best vacuum for shag carpet? It’s none other than the Hoover T-Series Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner. Its unique WindTunnel technology lifts and eliminates dust. This includes surface debris as well as dirt present deep down on that carpet.

The little beast is pretty light in weight. So you don’t even have to worry about moving it around. Overall, in terms of performance and design, the product is well constructed to deliver best results.

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