What to Look For in a Carpet Vacuum Cleaner

Carpets are comfortable and attractive but they also trap dirt, dander, dust pollen and other pollutants. Regular vacuuming prevents gritty particles from wearing out the carpet's fibers.

A carpet vacuum cleaner needs to include advanced features specifically designed to clean and maintain carpets of different types. These include high suction, adjustable settings and a detangling roll for the toothbrush.

High Suction

The best carpet vacuum cleaner for your needs should have high suction power to keep your floor clean and snag dirt and debris that may be pushed deeper into the carpet. Choose a model with strong attachments. A motorized brush is ideal, and a nozzle that can target particular areas. This Miele model combines the strongest suction of any vacuum we've tested with an hose, wand, and attachments kept inside to make it easy to access. This bagged canister vacuum also offers excellent filtration for those who suffer from allergies.

If you have a thicker carpet, it can be difficult to obtain the appropriate amount of suction from your vacuum cleaner. If the power is too high, the fibers may entrap the brush roller and stop the intake, which can choke the vacuum. This can damage the carpet and reduce its lifespan, so it's crucial to check the power level while cleaning high-pile carpet. Adjusting the height and suction manually will allow you to fine tune the model to suit different surfaces.

Regularly vacuuming your carpets is vital to ensure they are looking their best. However, it can be a burden. Depending on the level of foot traffic that passes through your home, you might need to vacuum high-traffic areas frequently and rooms that are less frequent or biweekly. A canister vacuum that has a motor designed specifically for the carpet you have can make this task a lot more manageable.

Robotic vacuum cleaners are an excellent way to save time and energy. We've discovered a few that are suitable for carpets and hard floors. The SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium, for example is a fantastic option for low- and medium-pile rugs. It's bundled with an ET-1 powerhead that is able to handle pet hair and solid particles well. It also has a function for dry cleaning that does not require an cleaning solution which decreases cleaning time and increases the likelihood of damaging your carpet.

To help you choose the right carpet vacuum cleaner, we consulted experts who shared their tips for what to look for in models that are effective on various floor types. Nicolette Accardi, who has written in-depth guides for Better Homes & Gardens also incorporated insights gleaned from our tests of vacuums and discussions with professionals in the field.

Adjustable settings

Vacuum manufacturers offer height adjustment options so that owners can get the best possible clean from their cleaner. Most vacuums come with a range of settings. The lowest setting is ideal for bare floors or thin carpeting, whereas the highest setting is designed to work with thicker carpets and carpets that are used for area.

When you are choosing a new vacuum, it is recommended to test out the different levels of height on a low area of your carpet to determine how they perform with the carpet in your home. This can be accomplished by setting the vacuum to its lowest setting and pushing it across the carpet. There shouldn't be any apparent loss of suction.

The majority of vacuum cleaners have a lever or knob you can adjust the height of the base of your vacuum. The higher you place the vacuum cleaner to, the more power it will have to clean carpets. Many people who own vacuums are unaware that a lower setting does not necessarily provide a more thorough or deeper clean. A vacuum that is too low could cause damage to longer or thicker pile carpets.

So long as you don't agitate the carpet fibers excessively and you don't disturb the carpet fibers too much, a vacuum with the highest setting will work for most types. It is also recommended to move at a slower pace while using the vacuum and make several passes over heavily soiled or high-traffic areas of your home. Cleaning regularly will improve the appearance of your home as well as reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality.

When it comes to your carpet, proper maintenance includes regular vacuuming and thorough cleaning once or twice per week. A high-quality carpet cleaner will help keep your carpets in good condition for many years. The type of vacuum that is ideal for your home is determined by the type of carpet and its thickness, the amount of traffic, and how many pets you have.

Brush Rolls Tangle-Free Brush Roll

If you are removing pet hair, or other debris incorporated into carpet fibers, your machine should have a brush roll that is free of tangles. This kind of floorhead comes with a soft brush on the front and an internal comb to prevent hair from getting wrapped around bristles. This feature is particularly important for vacuums designed to remove pet hair and other allergens from your home.

Some models include another brush on the floorhead that is intended to lift and loosen deeply embedded dirt and debris out of the carpet. This is particularly beneficial if you have carpets with a high or medium pile that require additional agitation to loosen particles trapped within the carpet's fibers.

The majority of vacuums have various suction settings that allow you to regulate the power of the machine. While lower settings are fine for quick cleaning on hard surfaces, higher-powered settings work best on carpets according to Toogood. The higher powered setting is designed to improve agitation and help break up larger particles such as pet dander or cat litter.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the most upright vacuum cleaner for carpets. It has an untangled brushroll and three different surface settings and a tangle free brushroll. It's also a much more maneuverable option than our previous favorite, the Miele Classic C1, which is less durable and has many components that require periodic cleaning, such as the brushroll, which requires removing 10 screws with a Philips-head to get access.

Other important features include a hose that's long enough to reach under furniture and a turbo tool for tackling heavy-duty debris, and crevice tools that are great to reach between sofa cushions and other tight spaces. The Dyson comes with a large dust bin, and an LED light to illuminate dark areas while you vacuum.

Another good choice for an upright vacuum that is bagless is the SEBO Felix Premium, which has a powerful motor, excellent filtration and cleaning power, and a long warranty. It is also lighter and more maneuverable than the Dyson, but does not have as many tools as other models.

Stores

The storage options available for carpet cleaners will vary according to the size and shape of the machine. The majority of upright and canister models can be tucked away in closets or pantries while handheld models that are portable can be hidden under a sink or in a drawer. For larger cordless and portable vacuums, it might be easier to find a dedicated space in a hallway or laundry room to keep them within reach when they're needed.

The capacity of carpet cleaners is another important aspect to take into consideration, especially when you'll be cleaning heavy-duty or large stains often. You'll need a sufficient dustbin to accommodate the dirt and other debris you'll be collecting. In the ideal scenario, you'll be capable of emptying the bin easily. Certain manufacturers provide easy-to-clean bins that self-empty and can be emptied while still inside the vacuum for extra convenience.

Choose a carpet cleaning machine that is light and user-friendly if you plan to use it frequently. Choose a model that has an ergonomic design and comfortable grip that makes it easy to use. The SEBO X1 OMNI for example comes with an adjustable handle that can be positioned to the most comfortable place and folded up when not in use. It also has large 1.75-gallon tanks that are easy to fill, carry and replace and a spinning flow indicator that indicates when the tank is nearing full.

Find models that can double as home décor if you are looking to conceal your carpet cleaner in a more subtle manner. Ottomans or benches for storage can be used to conceal vacuum cleaners. They come in various styles and colors, and come with open or hidden storage. These solutions are also great for those who live in small houses or apartments and cannot dedicate a whole room to storage for their vacuum. Make room for your carpet cleaner when you design a new kitchen office, utility room or utility room. This will ensure that it is stored where it is where it belongs. You can't afford to be without a reliable carpet cleaner so it's worth spending time in finding a space that will be a convenient one for your home and lifestyle.