What type of vacuum is best for carpets

If the WindTunnel is any one thing, it is powerful. I have three rugs one thin, one medium-pile, one high-pile in my apartment, plus hardwood and tile floors, and this vacuum picked up nearly all the debris from all of the surfaces on the first pass. It has seven settings — one for hard floors and six for carpets of various heights — which ensured all of my rugs got a thorough cleaning.

The rugs are only two months old, but after vacuuming just two of them, the dirt canister was very full, proving just how well the WindTunnel had gotten all the dust, dirt, and hair strands my roommate and I shed more than her dog does out of them. I was thoroughly impressed, if not a little disgusted, at how much dirt the vacuum picked up the first time I used it. The dirt canister pops right out and empties through a flap at the bottom, which you control by a button.

The filter needs to be cleaned at least every two months, but all that entails is running it under cold water. The base is too big to fit under most of my furniture or in the corners, so I had to move all my furniture a few inches this way, then that way to get a good clean, and I had to swap in the crevice tool to reach all the corners.

At least my floors were exceptionally clean. Considering that the cheapest Elevate is intended only for vacuuming carpets — and that every upgraded model builds upon this basic function — I went into my testing with a hunch that carpeting is where the vacuum might shine. I started in my tiled bathroom using the hard-floor mode and the vacuum performed fine. It sucked up larger bits of cat litter and dust balls the first time, but I did have to go over spots covered in finer particles once or twice more.

This could be because tile is an uneven surface — when I moved into my hardwood kitchen, it seemed to suck up smaller particles the first time around. The rugs, however, were a different story. One reason for this, I should note, is almost certainly because most of my rugs do not have grippy mats beneath them, which is something I cannot fault the Elevate Command for. When I used it on the one rug I do have a mat beneath, which is higher-pile like many carpets, this gobbling was less of a problem and the vacuum managed to suck up even the smallest bits of cat litter.

Ease of use, though, is where the Elevate Command really shines. Its simple design makes the vacuum very easy to use because it really is just an upright vacuum — there are no hoses to get crevices in furniture or different heads to attach for spot-cleaning treatments.

This lightness makes it less exhausting to move around from the get-go, making the whole experience seem, well, less like a chore. Even when vacuuming in daylight, some nooks and crannies are always dark — and the lights actually did help me notice some dust and debris I might otherwise have not. One flaw is that the vacuum seems to lack a noticeable way to corral its foot cord that protrudes from the top handle.

There are little clips along its body that can hold the cord closer to the vacuum, but no dedicated system of hooks or anything to wind the cord around like most vacuums have.

Right out of the box, I was impressed with how easily the Shark Navigator Lift-Away was to put together. Within two minutes, I had it up and running. Once I got going Hoovering the floors, I found that the swivel-steering mechanism is a huge perk: It glides smoothly and makes it super-easy to pivot around corners. This also makes cleaning stairs and other nooks and crannies a breeze.

I did, however, wish the cord were a bit longer. I ended up having to keep plugging it into different outlets to reach different parts of the rooms. The Shark has two modes: One setting is for hardwood and the other, more powerful setting is for carpet. I found that it was very versatile and did a good job suctioning up dust and hair on both surfaces, but was particularly impressed by how well it deep-cleaned carpets.

The vacuum is also quite easy to clean. The bagless canister that collects all the debris and dust detaches from the rest of the vacuum, so you empty it over a garbage can with no mess. The Bissell IconPet cordless vacuum is easy to use and oddly comforting, so much so that I often found myself cleaning different rooms for the hell of it. If I dropped a crumb while eating snacks, I knew the Bissell was around the corner. I found that the Bissell worked well on both hardwood and shaggy carpets, which my dog loves to rest on.

That little light can catch all the hairs that hide under the couch or chairs and might not be visible to the naked eye. I could easily vacuum the entire house with a full charge, and the vacuum was quieter than the one I was previously using.

My dog often slept through the noise or walked by it without complaint. Clusters of creepy-crawlers were constantly showing up in places where my naked eye had failed to spot dinner remnants, and they were beginning to make me lose my mind.

It also comes with various heads, including a high-torque cleaner meant for rugs and an anti-tangle spiral for pet hair, as well as some other little brushes to get into crevices. For my mostly hardwood space, however, the only attachment I need right now is the fluffy head.

But in this mode, I can tell you, the machine functions fabulously. I take it to our dining area and it gets up every section of visible mess on the first swipe, while its green laser beam illuminates the more microscopic particles, too the V15 also has an internal sensor that allows it to self-adjust its suction power according to how much debris it detects.

It maneuvers so smoothly, whether in corners or over the bumps of brass table legs, that the cleaning experience is actually soothing. And the gentle whirr of the machine is not unlike the white noise of my bedside Dohm. I finally understand what it means to stress-vacuum. Vacuuming with the Stylus is a surprisingly pleasant experience. While a big upright vacuum requires more effort to pivot around corners or get into tight spots, you can easily change directions with the Stylus — and even do a full degree spin — with just a light flex of the wrist.

I even tried vacuuming in the dark and was impressed with how the headlights illuminated every crumb and tumbleweed of cat hair. From spilled flour and kitchen scraps to cat litter strewn outside the box, it cleaned up nearly every mess with a single pass, even on the lower of two power settings. My apartment is all hardwood floors with two semi-thick rugs that like to shed, and the Stylus handled both surfaces with ease.

The dustbin detaches with a click for easy emptying. The Stylus handle also detaches to become a handheld vacuum you can use it on its own or plug it into the floor nozzle, crevice tool, or dusting brush , which is very convenient for getting into little corners or in between couch cushions. It basically eliminates the need to have both an upright or stick vacuum and a handheld. The minute battery life is more than long enough to clean my entire apartment.

The powerful suction is one of the main selling points of the Miele Triflex — it has three power settings, with the highest feeling particularly strong and substantial. When used on hard surfaces, the max setting picked up almost everything on the first pass, from crumbs to hair to small pieces of plastic and packaging.

I say almost everything, because I did find it slightly less effective at picking up dust. Quality and Durability The quality of your vacuum cleaner is also important and will determine whether your vacuum cleaner will be replaced in a year or two or will last for many years and even decades. When evaluating durability, look at the quality of the construction. Look for solid components of good quality as opposed to flimsy or brittle appearing materials.

Look for good fit and finish without rough edges. The seals should be heavy duty and components that open and close should do so with a nice solid feel. Generally, mass-market, low-priced products are not designed for long-term use. Once you compare a mass-market vacuum cleaner to those made by companies specializing in high-quality, long lasting machines, the differences will be obvious. Another indication of quality and durability can also be partially determined by the length and specifics of the warranty.

Look for longer warranties, especially on the motor. Ease of Use No matter how great a vacuum cleaner might be in terms of specifications, it must be easy for you to use. Think about what you don't like about your current vacuum cleaner and look for a new one that eliminates those problems.

Consider whether you have any specific issues concerning weight or personal preferences concerning uprights versus canister vacuum cleaners.

If there are specific reasons for buying a new vacuum cleaner, remember to be sure that your new one provides solutions to these cleaning challenges. Regardless of your specific situation, the vacuum cleaner you choose should feel good in your hand and not be fatiguing to use.

It should maneuver easily without straining to get under furniture or around corners. Noise Level Noise is also a significant consideration. Some vacuum cleaners can be so noisy that they're almost unbearable to use. Many good vacuum cleaners can operate at levels that are quite comfortable and will allow you to hear the phone or doorbell ring quite easily.

The amount of noise a vacuum makes while operating is rated in decibels dB. To give you some idea, a conversation at home is rated at 50dB, a garbage disposal at 80 dB and a motorcycle or lawnmower at dB. Extremely quiet vacuum cleaners can operate at decibel levels in the mids while cleaners in the dB range are still relatively quiet compared to the vacuum cleaner you grew up with.

Capacity The capacity of a vacuum cleaner relates to the size of the dust bag or cup. The bigger it is, the less often it needs to be changed. In this case, consider a full-sized vacuum cleaner.

This way, you won't have the inconvenience of constantly changing the bag or emptying the cup. Storage Some homes have plenty of storage space and some don't have an inch to spare. If storage space is at a premium in your home, be sure to give some thought to where you will store your new vacuum cleaner.

Will it fit in the space where you stored your last one? Attachments All quality vacuum cleaners come with a set of come with a set of accessory tools that cover most floor and above-floor vacuuming needs. But there are some jobs that need special tools and some tools that just make the job easier and the availability of add-on accessory tools will extend the utility and, often, improve the performance of your vacuum cleaner. Take the flexible crevice tool, for example.

The flexible crevice tool can. Another popular tool is the soft-bristle dusting brush. By far the favorite accessory tool among Best Vacuum customers is the mini-turbobrush. How much should you spend on a better quality vacuum? Within that range you can buy something that is made well and will last years.

If that seems like a lot of money, consider this: a vacuum is something you use at least once a week and sometimes every day. At this level, you may not get all the extra features you want, but you will get higher-quality materials, durable motors and excellent performance. While it is never absolutely necessary to purchase something in this range, extra features like these make vacuuming a bit less of a chore and are well worth it if the budget allows.

Menu Mobile. How to Choose the Best Vacuum Cleaner There are so many different types of vacuum cleaners on the market that it can be confusing to decide how to choose a vacuum cleaner that best fits your needs. Overall, the steel construction and over-engineering of components in this vacuum give you a hint about how long it will last. Allergy sufferers report an improvement in their health when this Miele vacuum is used regularly.

If severe allergies are an issue in your household, this Kenmore bagged vacuum will suck the dust away with every use. It begins with the triple HEPA filter system removing The other feature helping you breathe easier is the cloth bag for a dustbin.

You never need to touch the debris when removing and disposing of the bag, and replacement of it is easy to do. Proprietary brand bags and filters are available as multipacks at a reasonable cost. The vacuum senses when dirt stays in the rug, with an LED light alerting you to an area that needs another pass. Chief complaints about this vacuum seem to center on the wand and other attachments.

Consumers also comment that the suction seems too much to move the machine at times. Others note the amount of fresh air exhaust from the back is too strong, stirring up dust in areas yet to clean. If keeping allergens to a minimum is your concern, though, the suction and fresh air can be positives.

The strengths of this machine outweigh that risk , though, with a significant following of happy users who feel healthier for the job it does. Suction is king, and this Dyson stick model is reported to have the highest suction rating of any cordless stick unit. It runs for 60 minutes in its regular cleaning mode, and 20 minutes when set at high power required by some of its tool attachments. Full charge time is three and a half hours. Two things set this stick apart: its effectiveness in homes with pets and its filtration system that picks up microparticles.

Emptying it over your trash can is easy with a single lever press. Some also note that the dustbin does not empty as easily as stated, depending on what kind of debris is inside. Remember that any cordless power use drains a battery. Running it for a while on a high suction setting means you have less low power setting left, too.

However, if you want a stick to use in between your deeper cleanings, for low-pile area rugs or as a handheld, this Dyson vacuum should be a serious contender. This is a corded unit that gives the Shark more motor power to pick up pet hair and pieces of whatever on the floor while offering you flexibility since that cord is 15 feet long.

While a handheld will probably not be your primary vacuum for carpeting, it fills a specific need for quick cleanups and areas like on stairs, under furniture, and in hard-to-reach corners.

The noise it makes is minor when compared to full-size vacuums. A few complaints of broken dustbin hinges have been noted. Some people would like a longer power cord, and others would like to remove it for winding when not in use.

All in all, this Shark Rocket can be a great companion to your regular full-sized vacuum , or for those with small area rugs and vacuum storage constraints.

It accomplishes the same job as many lift-away components on upright vacuum systems. This robotic carpet vacuum has a spiral combo brush that will pull all the dust and dirt from deep within your carpet fibers.

The powerful vacuum will then suck up all the dirt and place it in an airtight waste bin. The Neato Robotics D7 is ideal for people who have pets that shed fur regularly.

This tiny machine will remove stubborn pet hair from your carpets without hassle. This robo carpet vacuum works on a battery that will provide power for up to minutes per charge. Lastly, you can connect the Neato Robotic D7 to Alexa so you can operate the device remotely. This means you can get your robo carpet vacuum to start working even before you get home. For those of us on a tight budget but with wall-to-wall carpeting to clean, the Bissell covers your basics and then some, but sacrifices some features.

It has a built-in hose with a cleaning tool for stairs or furniture. Bissell calls its dustbin a dirt tank , which is large and empties with the press of a lever. The foot power cord rewinds at the touch of a button. This might not be the best system for high-allergy households because it lacks a HEPA filter. Bissell calls its dust bin a dirt tank , which is large and empties with the press of a lever.

Past these rudimentary features, though, we face choices about the whats and the hows of how effectively this is done. Styles range from cordless vac handhelds to super-suction canisters and a range of options in between. The wrong one will leave you frustrated. This category encompasses those systems that separate the canister or dustbin from the hose and head.

Over the years, these vacuums were often sold door -to-door for a substantial price tag, and people liked their special features, like air that bubbled through water reservoirs to eliminate odors and well-sized replaceable bags to capture the dirt. As they became a common household tool, most major manufacturers jumped on board with models cloned to market suction power and offer an array of attachments for non-carpet uses.

While making cleaning easy is a huge benefit, these systems are often loud. Still popular, though, these canisters today come in both bag and bagless models , with an astounding number of attachments for upholstery and other uses. As the name suggests, these vacuums have the motor, dustbin, and head all in one upright piece.

They come in models with wheels that roll straight forward and back, and with multi-directional swivels too. Dust bins have transformed as well, with many of these units now offering bagless canisters you empty as needed.

Some have air fresheners, most have extra hoses for attachments, and a few offer lift-off handheld mini-vacs too. Bottom line: You still move the whole unit, making ergonomics particularly important in this category.

The negatives for uprights come down to a subset of features, like if the cord retracts or needs to be wound by hand. Users typically question how hard it is to change the bag or empty the bagless canister, and where settings and controls are located.

Still, this is what most consider the workhorse style of vacuum that will endure until something much better comes along. Just as important, stick vacuums are lighter and easier to use for those challenging places like stairs and tight corners, and for light uses like low pile rugs or small areas, they are hard to beat. They typically come as bagless canisters with a dustbin you open over your trash can to empty. Multipurpose uses are easy to accommodate, as the stick itself disconnects to shorten the unit or add on attachments.

The chief complaint for stick units has been the length of time you can vacuum before your battery loses power: 40 to 60 minutes on regular, and 20 or less on high. Advancements in these units seem to arrive daily, though, which means the newest offerings run longer and have even more power in their battery life. These systems are programmed to run in designated areas around your floor to pick up whatever it finds.

The dust bin is inside the unit, and some empty into larger receptacles at the home station. These units have no attachments or accessories to allow you to vacuum carpeted stairs or clean furniture. Handheld units are uniquely matched to some applications like long, carpeted staircases. Some have awesome suction to get deep pile clean, too. These vacuums are also good for apartments and condos with very limited storage space and only area rugs and bare floors, because their suction is not as intense as the larger models.

Many of these units also come with a full array of attachments to make them an all-around answer to your cleaning needs. Complaints about handhelds usually mention the lack of power , which makes sense given their relative motor size. They have a place in homes, sometimes alongside larger siblings and sometimes as the sole unit in tight spaces. What do you need to make your vacuuming as pain-free as possible? Take a look at the things people commonly ask. Name your favorite: textured or sculpted, deep shag , low pile, wall-to-wall, or area rugs.

Each type of carpet brings its own specific needs. There are no wrong answers here, only choices.