8 Best Vacuum Cleaners for Carpet and Vinyl 2025

The Shark NV356E doesn’t just clean—it dominates. With swivel steering, HEPA filtration, and a lift-away pod, this upright transforms from a deep-cleaning carpet warrior to a nimble above-floor specialist in seconds. If you’re battling pet hair, allergens, or cluttered living spaces, this vacuum answers with surgical precision, making it a standout for homes with mixed flooring like carpet and vinyl. Its 0.87L dust cup and brushroll shutoff let you switch surfaces without missing a beat—no more scattering debris when transitioning from plush rug to slick vinyl.

In real-world testing, the Shark NV356E delivers consistent, powerful suction across high-pile carpets and low-resistance hard floors. The anti-allergen seal traps 99.9% of dust and dander, a godsend for allergy sufferers, while the motorized pet brush digs deep into carpet fibers to extract embedded fur. On vinyl, the brushroll shutoff ensures gentle yet effective pickup without scratching or scattering. However, the upright’s weight (around 13 lbs) can make stair cleaning tiring over time, and the cord rewinding mechanism isn’t fully automatic—small friction points in an otherwise seamless experience.

When stacked against budget picks like the Eureka NEU10AE5 or compact sticks like the Bissell Featherweight, the Shark NV356E offers far superior versatility and filtration, though it demands more storage space. It’s ideal for multi-surface homes with pets, where performance across carpet and vinyl is non-negotiable. While pricier than entry-level models, its feature-rich design—complete with included tools and true HEPA filtration—delivers premium value without the cordless premium.

Don’t let its ultra-lightweight frame fool you—the Eureka NEU10AE5 punches above its weight when tackling carpet and vinyl. At just 7.7 pounds, it floats from room to room, making it a dream for quick cleanups or homes where lifting heavy vacuums is a challenge. The 10.5-inch cleaning path and bagless design mean you cover more ground with fewer passes, while the washable filter slashes long-term costs—perfect for budget-conscious buyers who refuse to sacrifice suction. It’s built for simplicity: plug in, click on, and go.

In action, the Eureka excels on low-to-medium pile carpets and smooth vinyl, lifting everyday debris and pet hair with ease. Its onboard crevice tool and dusting brush snap into place for instant furniture or baseboard detailing, eliminating the need to dig through a closet. However, it struggles with deeply embedded dirt in high-traffic carpet zones, and the small dust bin (under 0.5L) demands frequent emptying during whole-home sessions. While the suction holds steady, it lacks a brushroll shutoff, meaning you risk pushing debris around on hard floors instead of lifting it cleanly.

Compared to the Shark NV356E, it’s no contest in features—but the Eureka wins on accessibility and affordability. It’s not trying to be a do-it-all machine; instead, it nails the basics for renters, seniors, or small-space dwellers. If your needs are light and your floors are mostly hard surface or low-pile carpet, this upright delivers no-fuss functionality at a fraction of the cost. It won’t replace a high-end model, but for routine maintenance on mixed floors, it’s shockingly capable.

The Amazon Basics B0BN5F6MJY is the definition of quiet competence—it doesn’t shout, but it delivers. With a massive 1.7L dust cup, it laughs at frequent emptying, making it ideal for large homes or deep cleaning marathons across carpet and vinyl. Weighing 8.4 pounds and backed by a 25-foot cord, it balances reach and ease, letting you clean an entire floor without constant plug-swapping. The detachable handle doubles as a handheld unit, adding flexibility for stairs or car detailing—rare at this price point.

Performance-wise, it handles daily debris and light pet hair across both surfaces without drama. The 720W motor isn’t the strongest, but it maintains steady suction on low-pile carpets and sealed vinyl. The upholstery and crevice tools are functional, though not specialized—fine for occasional use, but don’t expect deep pet-hair extraction. Where it falters is edge cleaning; the nozzle design leaves a small gap along baseboards, requiring a second pass. And while the washable filter saves money, it needs frequent rinsing to maintain airflow.

Against the Eureka NEU10AE5, it trades a slightly heavier build for vastly superior bin capacity and cord length. It’s not as agile as the Shark, but for value-focused buyers wanting reliability, it’s a stealth champion. If you prioritize long runtimes and minimal maintenance over premium features, this vacuum offers unbeatable utility under $60—a true workhorse in disguise.

Meet the Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel, a pet hair annihilator built for homes where fur flies freely across carpet and vinyl. Its triple-action brush roll doesn’t just lift—it loosens, lifts, and removes embedded hair with a vengeance, while edge-to-edge cleaning ensures no stray clumps hide along baseboards. The swivel steering makes it feel almost alive, pivoting effortlessly around coffee tables and under sofas, and the large dirt tank means fewer trips to the trash. For pet owners, it’s a game-changer.

In real use, this vacuum thrives on high-traffic carpet zones and vinyl floors littered with dry kibble or tracked-in dirt. The scatter-free technology is a quiet hero—no more chasing pellets across the kitchen after vacuuming. However, the bin’s easy-empty design can still leave residue on the walls, and while suction is strong, it’s not HEPA-sealed, so allergen-sensitive homes may need supplemental air filtration. It also lacks a brushroll shutoff, so on delicate vinyl, you must manually tilt the head to avoid scratching.

Stacked against the Shark NV356E, the Bissell trades allergen sealing for superior pet-focused engineering. It’s not as versatile for above-floor cleaning, but for pet owners on mixed flooring, it’s purpose-built and highly effective. With a mid-range price and robust toolset, it delivers targeted performance where it matters most—right where the mess lands.

The BISSELL Crosswave Pet Pro 2306A isn’t just a vacuum—it’s a floor resurrection tool for vinyl and sealed hard floors. If your kitchen or bathroom vinyl sees daily spills, paw prints, or sticky messes, this wet-dry hybrid vacuums and mops simultaneously, eliminating pre-sweeping. The dual-tank system keeps clean solution and dirty water separate, ensuring every pass is hygienic—a rare win in the all-in-one category. And with a tangle-free brush roll and pet solution, it tackles hair and odors without clogging.

In practice, it’s unmatched on vinyl, lifting dried-on sauces, muddy paw marks, and cereal spills with a single pass. The self-cleaning cycle simplifies maintenance, and the included pet solution leaves floors smelling fresh. But it’s not for carpets—only area rugs. On thick pile, it risks over-wetting. And while it vacuums dry debris decently, it can’t match the deep suction of uprights on dusty carpets. The tanks also require frequent refilling on large floors, and the machine feels bulky in tight corners.

Compared to dry-only vacuums like the Shark or Eureka, it serves a different mission: deep cleaning sealed floors, not whole-home dry pickup. For vinyl-heavy homes with pets, it’s indispensable. It costs like a premium upright but replaces both vacuum and mop, making it a high-value specialist where wet messes dominate.

The Eureka 3670M revives the canister vacuum legacy with surprising power and reach. At 8.6 lbs, it’s light for a canister, yet the 12-amp motor delivers relentless suction that doesn’t fade, even on thick carpets. With 5 included bags and a 2.5L capacity, it’s built for endurance—ideal for larger homes where frequent emptying kills momentum. The two extension wands and specialty attachments turn it into a stair, upholstery, and under-furniture assassin, outreaching most uprights.

In real use, it glides over carpet and vinyl with consistent pickup, and the bagged system means no dust clouds when emptying—perfect for allergy sufferers. The hose reach lets you clean ceiling corners or car interiors without contorting. However, the lack of swivel steering makes maneuvering around furniture awkward, and the canister tends to drag, requiring constant repositioning. It also lacks a HEPA rating, so while it captures dust, it may not seal allergens as tightly as top-tier models.

Against uprights like the Shark NV356E, it trades agility for superior reach and suction stamina. It’s not the fastest room-to-room mover, but for homes with stairs, rugs, and tight spaces, it’s a quiet powerhouse. If you value deep cleaning over speed, this canister delivers old-school reliability with modern convenience.

The Vacmaster B08CF34DJV is a suction sprinter—light, fast, and relentless. At just 3.7 lbs, it’s the lightest in the lineup, yet its 14Kpa motor delivers surprisingly strong suction for a corded stick. The telescopic wand extends to clean baseboards or ceiling fans, and the 2-in-1 brush tool transitions from crevices to upholstery seamlessly. As a handheld hybrid, it’s perfect for quick carpet spot-cleans or wiping down vinyl after dinner spills.

In action, it handles light carpet debris and surface dust on vinyl with ease, and the washable HEPA filter traps fine particles—rare at this price. However, the 3.7L dust cup feels oversized for the body, making it top-heavy when full. On thick carpets, it lacks the motor power to deep-clean, and the cord is only 16 feet, limiting range. Still, for quick cleanups, cars, or small apartments, it’s unbeatable.

Compared to the Bissell Featherweight, it offers stronger suction and HEPA filtration for the same price. It’s not a whole-home solution, but as a secondary or portable vacuum, it delivers disposable-level convenience with reusable savings.

The Bissell Featherweight 2033 is the snack-time savior—small, quick, and always ready. Weighing next to nothing, it’s designed for surface-level messes: cereal spills on vinyl, dust on baseboards, or fur on stairs. The 15-foot cord and 0.67L cup make it practical for spot cleaning, and the crevice tool helps target tight spots. As a stick-stair-handheld hybrid, it’s incredibly flexible for a single-purpose tool.

It performs well on low-pile carpets and sealed floors, but don’t expect deep cleaning—suction fades on thick rugs. The dirt cup is small, and the filter lacks HEPA certification, so it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers. Still, for quick pickups, it’s always within reach, and the low cost means no guilt if it lives under the sink.

Against the Vacmaster, it’s slightly lighter but weaker. It’s not a primary vacuum—it’s a sidekick. For renters or those needing a no-fuss backup, it’s compact genius at rock-bottom cost.