The Best Vacuum for Shag Rugs
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Shag rugs can make any room look cozy and warm. Their soft, luxurious pile is loved by many, but it can be hard to maintain. As time passes your new rug can lose its charm as dust, debris, and pet hair settle in it.
If you find it hard to clean a shag rug you might be wondering if a vacuum could do the job. Luckily, there are vacuum cleaners specifically designed for cleaning thick, high-pile carpets.
The vacuums that are best suited for cleaning shag rugs offer adjustable settings for vacuum height, suction power, and brush roll functionality.
The best vacuum for shag rugs would also have greater dust bin capacity, so you don’t need to empty the vacuum again and again while cleaning. Another desirable feature is a HEPA filter that ensures your home is free from allergens and dust particles.
Related: Best Vacuums for Pet Hair
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best with HEPA Filter  | Miele Complete C3 Vacuum
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best for Pets  | Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete
| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
The Best Vacuum for Shag Rugs
We have looked at many different models of vacuums to create this list of the best vacuum for shag rugs. If you are finding it hard to choose a vacuum to invest in just have a look at this list. You are sure to find an option that is suitable for your cleaning needs.
- Best Overall: Shark Rotator Lift-Away TruePet Vacuum
- Best with HEPA Filter: Miele Complete C3 Vacuum for Soft Carpet
- Best for Pets: Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete
- Best Stick Vacuum: Dyson V11 Torque Drive
- Best Robot Vacuum: Roborock S5 Max
- Best Canister: Bissell Zing
- Best Value: Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum
Best Overall: Shark Rotator Lift-Away TruePet Vacuum
Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter
Shark is a reputable name in the market of vacuum cleaners. The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet vacuum is the best option for any house because it offers multipurpose cleaning. It does a great job of cleaning not just carpets but also hard flooring, furniture, stairs, and pet hair as well.
It is a full-sized upright vacuum in a bagless design that comes with a detachable pod for portable cleaning. The Powered Lift-Away technology allows you to detach the pod with the touch of a button to deep-clean areas that are hard to reach.
The fingertip controls on this machine help you power on/off and quickly transition between hard floor and carpet mode. The Advanced Swivel Steering and bright LED lights on the handheld vacuum also add to the ease of cleaning.
This vacuum comes with a HEPA filter that traps over 99.9% of dust and allergens for cleaner air. This feature is especially desirable for people who are allergic to dust or other allergens.
One thing to remember is that it is better to turn off the brush roll and set suction to medium when you are cleaning on a shag rug to avoid damaging the rug’s pile.
- Ability for multi-surface vacuuming settings from hardwoods to shag carpeting
- Includes a large dust bin, swivel steering, and LED lights
- Includes Lift-Away and TruePet technology for easy and powerful cleaning
- HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal to contain dust and allergens in the vacuum
Related: The Best Vacuums for Stairs
Best with HEPA Filter: Miele Complete C3 Vacuum for Soft Carpet
Miele Complete C3 Vacuum for Soft Carpet
Made in Germany, The Miele Complete C3 is an all-rounder vacuum cleaner that works well on deep pile carpets and hard floors alike.
The Miele bagged a canister vacuum is a powerful machine that has an electro brush specifically designed for soft cleaning carpets. This vacuum comes with a five-level height adjustment that allows the electro brush to adapt to all carpet heights. This feature makes sure that the vacuum smoothly glides over the surface of a shag rug while deep cleaning it.
The Miele Complete C3 also comes with a Parquet Twister with soft bristles that clean hard floors without leaving scratches. Also, it has 6 different suction power settings and a specific setting for the cleaning of soft carpets.
Miele’s unique Air Clean Sealed System works with an efficient HEPA Air Clean Filter to filter out more than 99.9% filtration of dust and dirt from the air, making it ideal for people who are prone to allergies.
- Gentle carpet cleaning with electrobrush technology
- 5 multi-surface adjustable height levels
- 6 adjustable settings for suction power
- HEPA filter and AirClean Sealed System technology
Best for Pets: Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete
Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete
The HOOVER Pet Max Complete is an incredible option for pet owners because this vacuum has been designed for optimal pet hair removal. It works well on both carpets and hard floors with an on/off switch for brush roll.
The 12 ft extended reach allows you to reach ceilings while the multi-purpose tools help tackle dirt and pet hair on all kinds of surfaces. The Hoover Pet Max has an XL dirt cup that allows you to clean longer without interruption.
This model features an Allergen block technology that captures 97% of pet dander, dust, and pollen particles so that they don’t escape back into the air as you clean.
With the many benefits for pet cleaning as well as various carpet needs, the Hoover Pet Max Complete made it on our Best Vacuum for Shag Rugs list.
- Large capacity dust cup to collect dirt, debris, and pet hair
- Various vacuum attachments to assist in the removal of stuck-on pet hair
- Long-lasting suction ability that doesn’t fade over time
- 4 height adjusting settings
Best Stick Vacuum: Dyson V11 Torque Drive
Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Handheld Portable Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson V11 Torque drive is a cordless vacuum that has a lightweight build with enhanced maneuverability. The design is rather symmetrical so that it is easy to use for both left and right-handed people.
The Dyson V11 boasts twice the suction of any cordless vacuum and intelligently optimized suction power that adapts to all floor types. With this machine, you get 60 minutes of run time which is impressive for a cordless vacuum.
The Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) system of Dyson V11 adapts the motor speed intelligently as it shifts between carpets and hard floors. It also features an advanced whole-machine filtration that traps 99.99% of particles, dust, and allergens as small as 0.3 microns so that your air is cleaner after vacuuming.
- Strong suction for cordless vacuum
- Self-adjusting suction and power for different flooring and cleaning needs
- Ability to capture the tiniest particles, allergens, and dust
Best Robot Vacuum: Roborock S5 Max
Roborock S5 MAX Robot Vacuum and Mop Cleaner
For those who don’t have the time to vacuum themselves, a robot vacuum is always the best choice. If you are willing to invest in one, then the Alexa compatible Roborock’s S5 Max would be an excellent choice for your home. This modern vacuum also mops with customizable water flow intensity and allows you to set up maps and scheduled cleans of your house.
A prominent selling point of the Roborock S5 Max is its large water tank having a 290 ml capacity, which is impressive for a robot vacuum. The customizable mopping settings enable you to assign mopping zones, no-go areas, and deep cleaning spots. You can save up to three maps for the different floors or parts of your home.
The Roborock S5 max packs a maximum of 2,000 Pa suction power that is strong enough to clean both hardwood floors and carpets. In addition, the Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) system detects the type of surface it is cleaning and automatically changes the motor speed between carpets and hard floors.
- Programmable mapping for controlled cleaning
- Strong suction ability along with Carpet Boost technology
- Controlled manually, via app as well as by voice
Related: The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Best Canister: Bissell Zing
BISSELL Zing Lightweight
The BISSELL Zing is a compact and lightweight canister vacuum that weighs less than eight pounds. The bagless design comes with an integrated handle and swivel steering that makes it easy to carry and maneuver around furniture and between rooms.
Bissel’s cyclonic technology offers powerful, continuous suction across carpets and hard floors. The 2 liters Easy Empty Dirt cup allows mess-free, bottom-tank emptying for your convenience. With this vacuum, you can easily transition from cleaning carpets to hard floors with the flip of a switch. The Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) system automatically changes the motor speed between carpets and hard floors.
This vacuum also features a reusable and washable dirt cup filter and post-motor filter that efficiently captures fine dust and particles.
- Multiple filters to ensure fine dust and small particles are captured within the vacuum
- Long and auto retract cord by just hitting a button
- Light-weight and easy to maneuver
Best Value: Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum
BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering
The Bissell Clean View swivel pet comes with powerful suction and specialized pet tools at a great price, which is why it is a perfect addition to our Best Vacuum for Shag Rugs list. The triple-action brush roll on this vacuum lift loosens and removes embedded pet hair. The silk-like bristles gently clean hard floors to clean up fine debris while scatter-free technology makes sure no dirt particles can escape.
The clean view swivel steering allows you to easily maneuver the machine around furniture. Also, the edge-to-edge cleaning makes sure no corner is left dirty. For your convenience, this vacuum has an easy empty dirt bin that makes it easy to empty the bin without getting your hands dirty.
- Designed to suck up pet hair, debris, dirt, and dust
- Built-in technology to avoid scattering debris with the brush roll
- Effortlessly vacuums room edges, corners, and around furniture
Related: The Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best with HEPA Filter | Miele Complete C3 Vacuum
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best for Pets | Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete
| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
Related: The Best Vacuum for Fleas
Final Thoughts on the Best Vacuum for Shag Rugs
Shag rugs add a cozy vibe to any living space but it can seem like a hassle to clean their thick pile. As time passes dirt, dust, and pet hair begin to settle into the lush depth of shag rugs making them look old and dull. Many people wonder how to restore the original shine and luster of a shag rug.
While there can be different ways of maintaining a shag rug, a vacuum cleaner offers a quick and easy method. Since all vacuums are not suitable for thick pile carpets and rugs it is best if you choose one that has been specifically designed to gently clean shag rugs.
We have done thorough research to curate this list to help you find the best vacuum for shag rugs so that you don’t have to go through the trouble yourself. Our list features different types of vacuums that cater to various cleaning needs and you are sure to find one that fulfills your requirements.