9 Best Vacuums for Shaggy Carpet 2025

The EUREKA PowerSpeed delivers a surprisingly robust clean for shaggy carpets, punching above its weight class with 5 height adjustments that let you fine-tune the brushroll engagement. Its 10 lbs frame makes lifting and dragging across thick pile a breeze—ideal for users who dread wrestling with heavy vacuums. With 2.6L dust cup capacity and a foam filtration system, it handles deep-cleaning sessions without constant pauses, solving the all-too-common problem of clogging and loss of suction on plush flooring.

In real-world testing, it excelled on medium to high-pile carpets, where the adjustable settings prevented the roller from getting bogged down. The powerful motor maintained consistent suction even when tackling embedded dirt, though performance dipped slightly on ultra-dense shags compared to higher-end models. It transitions smoothly to hardwood with brushroll-off functionality, but scatter-free tech is missing, so light debris can skitter ahead on bare floors. While it’s not cordless, the 25-foot power cord offers generous reach, minimizing outlet changes.

Compared to the Bissell 2252, it sacrifices swivel steering and triple-action cleaning but wins in portability and ease of storage. It’s a smarter pick than the Amazon Basics model for homes with mixed flooring and pets, thanks to its included pet turbo tool and larger debris capacity. For those seeking a budget-friendly yet capable performer on shag, the PowerSpeed strikes a rare balance between lightweight agility and deep-cleaning muscle.

When it comes to shaggy carpets choked with pet hair, the Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel stands out with its triple-action brush roll—a game-changer for loosening matted fur and deep-seated dirt. The swivel steering gives it exceptional maneuverability, letting you weave around furniture legs and navigate tight corners without yanking the cord. Its multi-cyclonic airflow maintains strong suction across thick pile, making it one of the few budget models that truly deep cleans without clogging.

During testing on high-pile rugs, the vacuum consistently pulled up hair and debris from the base of fibers, thanks to its edge-to-edge cleaning path and aggressive bristle roll. The scatter-free technology proved effective on hardwood, preventing kibble or litter from scattering during transition. However, the 3.5-quart dirt tank, while large, can be awkward to empty one-handed, and the unit feels slightly top-heavy when leaned over. It also lacks a detachable canister, limiting above-floor reach compared to lift-away models.

Against the Shark NV360, it trades HEPA sealing and lift-away versatility for lower cost and simpler maintenance. It outperforms the Eureka PowerSpeed in pet hair pickup but isn’t as nimble on stairs or furniture. For pet owners with wall-to-wall shag, this vacuum delivers targeted power and smart design—making it the best overall pick for homes battling fur and fluff, even if it sacrifices some allergen control.

The Eureka NEU10AE5 redefines what’s possible in the sub-$60 vacuum segment, especially for homes with shaggy carpets and mobility challenges. At just 7.7 pounds, it’s one of the lightest uprights available, making it ideal for quick cleanups or users who struggle with heavier models. Its 10.5-inch cleaning path covers ground fast, while the direct-drive motor provides enough suction to pull surface-level debris from medium-pile shag—though it struggles with deeply embedded dirt.

In practice, it performs best on low to mid-pile carpets and transitions cleanly to hard floors, but on thick, plush rugs, the fixed height setting can cause the brushroll to skip or lose contact. The washable foam filter keeps maintenance costs near zero, and the onboard crevice and dusting tools add versatility for stairs and upholstery. However, the 1.7L dust cup, while decent, fills quickly on full-room shag cleanings, requiring mid-session emptying.

Compared to the Amazon Basics model, it’s lighter and more compact, but lacks a detachable handle for above-floor cleaning. It doesn’t match the Bissell 2252 in deep-cleaning power, but for renters or small-space dwellers with light shag, it offers unmatched value and portability. If your priority is easy storage and hassle-free maintenance over brute force, this Eureka model is a quiet champion of convenience.

The SMOTURE 550W cordless vacuum brings 45KPA of professional-grade suction to shaggy carpet cleaning—rare in its class—and delivers it with intelligent auto mode that senses floor type and adjusts power accordingly. This means it automatically boosts suction on thick pile, ensuring deep agitation without manual input. The self-standing design and wall-mount charging eliminate storage hassles, while the color touch screen offers real-time feedback on battery and performance, making it feel like a smart home device.

In real-world use, it handled medium to high-pile carpets with ease, lifting pet hair and fine dust from the base of fibers thanks to its high-torque motor. The 60-minute runtime (in eco mode) is impressive, covering large homes on a single charge, though boost mode lasts only 25–30 minutes. On ultra-thick shag, the brush head occasionally bogged down, requiring slow passes. The lack of a motorized pet tool limits its upholstery performance compared to competitors.

Versus the Bieiao model, it offers twice the suction power and smarter automation, though at nearly double the price. It doesn’t match the Shark NV360’s lift-away flexibility but wins in freedom of movement and modern convenience. For tech-savvy users who want power, intelligence, and cordless freedom on shag, this vacuum is a top-tier performer that redefines expectations.

For allergy sufferers battling pet dander in shaggy carpets, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off is a revelation—thanks to its HEPA-sealed allergen system that traps 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. The tangle-free brush roll effortlessly slices through long hair without wrapping, a common pain point on plush rugs. But its real innovation is the lift-off detachable pod: you can carry the lightweight canister upstairs or under furniture, turning a full-sized vacuum into a portable spot cleaner in seconds.

During testing, it pulled fine dust and dander from deep within shag without scattering debris, and the 1L easy-empty dirt tank released contents cleanly with one press. The scatter-free tech worked well on transitions, and the included TurboEraser tool deep-cleaned pet beds and sofas. However, the corded design limits range, and the pod’s battery life is short when used standalone. It also feels less stable on thick carpet when upright.

Compared to the Shark NV360, it offers superior allergen control but less maneuverability and no swivel steering. It’s not as powerful as the SMOTURE cordless model but wins in health-focused filtration and portability. For pet owners with allergies and shaggy floors, this Bissell is a precision instrument for clean air and deep fiber hygiene.

The Shark NV360 dominates the shaggy carpet scene with its lift-away functionality—a feature that lets you detach the pod and clean under furniture or stairs like a canister vacuum. Its anti-allergen complete seal technology, paired with a HEPA filter, makes it one of the few uprights that truly traps dust and allergens, not just move them around. With swivel steering and brushroll shutoff, it transitions seamlessly from deep carpet to bare floors, solving the friction issue that plagues many uprights on hardwood.

In performance tests, it delivered consistent, powerful suction on high-pile rugs, pulling up hair and dust with minimal passes. The 0.9-quart dust cup is easy to remove and empty—no mess, no touch. The included crevice and upholstery tools are useful, though basic. One limitation: the cord rewind is manual, which feels outdated at this price. It also weighs more than competitors, making it tiring for large homes.

Against the Bissell 2252, it offers better allergen control and more versatility, though at a higher cost. It outshines the Eureka PowerSpeed in maneuverability and deep-clean capability. For multi-surface homes with shag and pets, the NV360 delivers professional-grade cleaning with unmatched flexibility—making it the gold standard for lift-away performance.

The Bissell Featherweight Stick is the lightest contender in this lineup—perfect for quick cleanups on low-pile shag or area rugs. At under 5 pounds, it’s effortless to carry and store, making it ideal for apartments or second-floor cleaning. Its stick-to-handheld transformation lets you vacuum stairs, car seats, or under couches in seconds, offering three tools in one without complexity. The 0.67L dirt cup is modest but sufficient for spot jobs.

In real use, it handles surface debris and light pet hair well, but lacks the power to deep-clean thick shag—suction drops noticeably when brushroll is engaged on high pile. It’s best suited for maintenance cleaning, not full-room deep dives. The floor nozzle is basic, with no height adjustment or motorized roll, so it glides over dirt rather than agitating it.

Compared to the Eureka NEU10AE5, it’s lighter but less capable on carpets. It doesn’t compete with the Shark or Bissell uprights in performance but wins in simplicity and portability. For renters or seniors needing a hassle-free tool for light shag upkeep, this Featherweight is a nimble, no-fuss solution—though not a primary vacuum for heavy-duty use.

The Bieiao 6-in-1 cordless vacuum delivers remarkable value with its 28KPA suction, 6-layer filtration, and removable battery—all under $80. The rotatable floor brush swivels 180° side-to-side and 90° up-and-down, allowing effortless navigation under furniture and along baseboards, a major win for shag owners with tight spaces. Its LED display shows battery life and mode, adding a premium touch rarely seen at this price.

During testing, it performed admirably on medium-pile shag, pulling up pet hair and dust with consistent power. The 40-minute runtime (low mode) is adequate for small homes, though high suction cuts it to 20 minutes. The 1.5L dust cup with one-touch dump is hygienic and spacious. However, the 2200mAh battery lacks the punch of higher-wattage models, and suction trails behind the SMOTURE 550W on dense carpets.

Against the SMOTURE model, it offers better value and portability but less power and automation. It outperforms the Bissell Featherweight on carpets but isn’t as lightweight. For budget-conscious buyers wanting cordless freedom on shag, this Bieiao is a smart, feature-packed choice that punches above its price—making it the best budget cordless for mixed flooring.

The Amazon Basics Upright is the entry point for shaggy carpet cleaning, offering solid basics at a rock-bottom price. Weighing just 8.4 lbs and packing a 1.7L dust cup, it’s light and practical for small homes or apartments with low to medium-pile rugs. The 720W motor delivers adequate suction for surface dirt, and the washable filter keeps long-term costs near zero.

In testing, it handled light debris and pet hair on thin shag well, but struggled with deep-set dirt and required multiple passes. The detachable handle adds versatility for stairs and furniture, but the tools are basic and lack motorization. The 25-foot cord is a plus, but the build feels plasticky and less durable than competitors.

Compared to the Eureka NEU10AE5, it’s slightly heavier and less compact. It doesn’t match the Bissell 2252 in performance but undercuts it by over $60. For first-time buyers or temporary spaces, this Amazon model is a no-frills, functional starter vacuum—ideal if you need basic shag maintenance without breaking the bank.