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How do you know which are the best vacuums for shag carpet?
Even though many vacuum cleaners make it easy to switch from cleaning hard floors to carpet, not all are equipped to handle long fibers.
There are two features to look for in a vacuum for a high pile.
First, can you turn off the roller?
And second, can you adjust the suction?
Those two benefits make sure that your carpet stays in top condition.
Today we’re reviewing upright and canister vacuum cleaners for a shag.
We hope this article helps you find the perfect tool for maintaining all the surfaces in your home.
Contents
Upright vacuum cleaners are popular because they have powerful suction. Most come with attachments for cleaning the furniture and more.
But here’s the problem: not all uprights allow you to turn off the beater bar.
If you have shag carpeting with long fibers, you run the risk of entangling the bar in them. You could end up damaging the shag rug.
Although the beater bar or brush roll helps loosen dirt, it could fuzz up your shag carpet. That trouble is especially common when you have wool-blend shag rugs.
Moreover, if you want to use an upright vacuum cleaner on hard floors, it’s handy to turn off the brush roll then, too.
The Soniclean upright was created in collaboration with carpet maker Mohawk Industries. It also holds a certification for high performance from the Carpet and Rug Institute.
It’s safe and easy to use on natural wool and synthetic, shag carpets like SmartStrand and Stainmaster.
One of the reasons why you’ll love using this vacuum is that it’s easy to push. It has an adjustable vent system and large wheels. As a result, it almost floats over soft shag carpet.
Also important, this shag carpet vacuum weighs only 10 ½ pounds. That’s an impressively lightweight vacuum for an upright which makes it easy to maneuver around.
But there’s more to appreciate. The Paramagnetic motor creates two hundred vibrations per second to loosen dirt down to the backing.
Then, the hospital-grade HEPA H13 filter system captures particles as small as bacteria. Yes, you’ll need to change the bag on occasion.
While you work, you can lay the vacuum flat to clean underneath beds (because it’s only 7 inches thick). Plus, the power cord is remarkably long at 35 feet.
Finally, if you choose to use the fragrance dispensing system, you can perfume your home every time you clean.
Maytag’s M1200 weighs about twice what the Soniclean vacuum does. That may be because the Maytag has two motors: one for bare floors and one for carpet.
There are six carpet settings for adjusting the height including an automatic setting. Or once you press the button on the handle, you can also turn off the roller completely.
The vacuum sports an LED headlight and a 35-foot cord. The three attachments include an upholstery brush, a tool for crevicing, and they all store onboard.
Next, the 6-stage HEPA filter system has charcoal filters to absorb odor.
In conclusion, this vacuum was built to last. It has commercial-grade belts, reinforced base plates, and other metal parts instead of plastic.
Eureka’s NEU182A lets you select from five height adjustments, from medium pile to shag.
It has a 12.6 inch-wide nozzle to help you cover ground quickly. And since it weighs just 10 pounds, it’s not a beast to maneuver and very easy to move around.
It comes with a stretch hose on a quick-release handle, plus a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool. In other words, it simplifies suctioning crumbs out of the couch cushions.
Then, when you’re done, just dump the dust cup and rinse the filter.
Hoover’s WindTunnel 3 for pet owners offers several advantages over the typical upright. For example, it has a 15-inch floor head so you can finish the job faster.
The HEPA filter with activated carbon captures pet dander and eliminates unpleasant smells.
This vacuum has a 15-foot reach between the air hose and attachments. But what’s also nice is that it has a 30-foot power cord.
The attachments include a pivoting dusting tool, a upholstery tool, and a motorized pet turbo nozzle. The latter scrubs hair off of furniture and stairs.
But what you want to know is whether you can use this vacuum on your shag carpets. And the answer is yes because you can turn off the roller with the press of a button.
The Hoover WindTunnel MAX differs from the one above in a few details. It doesn’t include a motorized turbo tool for pet hair. But it does have an air-powered hand tool for stairs, a crevice tool, and a dusting brush.
Like the one above, it has HEPA filter system. But it doesn’t come with carbon to get rid of odors.
The control to turn off the roller is a pedal on the base. The roller also turns off when you lock it into the upright position to use attachments.
There are seven-floor settings to adjust suction power on all sorts of surfaces. The 30-foot power cord and 15-inch base make the work go quickly.
When it’s time to change the bag, just press a button to drop it into the trash.
Shark’s Navigator NV356E allows you to turn off the beater bar for hard surfaces and deep shag carpet. It has HEPA filtration and useful attachments for furniture and dusting.
The highlight of this model is the fact that you can separate the canister from the upright frame. This makes cleaning overhead and on stairs a snap.
It’s hard to review vacuums without including a Dyson. Animal 2 senses when you move between different types of flooring. It automatically adjusts suction power to compensate. As a result, it’s very good at pulling up pet hair without damaging the typical shag carpet.
What owners have noticed is that when they switch it to bare floor mode manually, the roller retracts and stops spinning. That’s great news when you’re cleaning hard floors or high pile carpet.
The vacuum comes with six attachments and a tool storage bag. One of the attachments is a tangle-free turbine tool to pick up pet hair from upholstery.
The five-year warranty includes free parts, labor, and shipping.
The European-made SEBO X5 might be expensive, but it is specifically designed to last up to 20 years. It has an electronic sensor that automatically adjusts for different kinds of carpet including shag.
The double roller is made to take good care of everything from wool to Berber to cotton.
Instead of HEPA, it has an S-Class filtration system, which is about the same. It includes a 3-layer filter bag, electrostatic microfilter, and an exhaust filter that captures particles as small as 3 µm.
The manufacturer offers a 5-year warranty on the motor, a 3-year warranty on non-wearing parts, and one-year free labor.
Miele is another top manufacturer of vacuums. They offer an astonishing 7-year warranty on the motor and casing plus a one-year warranty for parts and labor. That’s no surprise when they test their products to withstand up to 20 years of use.
The U1 pet vacuum is perfect for cleaning up after Fido and Fluffy. It has an Electro Plus floor head and two motors: one for shag carpets and one for floors. One press of a button turns off the roller to protect your shag rug.
Choose between 4 suction settings for any surface from carpet to drapes. Then use whatever attachment you need, from the dusting brush, the crevice tool, or the Turbobrush. Meanwhile, the LED headlight lights up the dust bunnies under the sofa.
Although there is no HEPA filter, Miele’s AirClean system retains 99.9% of harmful particles.
We included Panasonic’s MC-UG471 because it can adjust to clean floors, low pile, and high pile shag carpets. But as far as we can discover, it’s not possible to turn off the roller.
The advantages of this upright vacuum include HEPA filtration, a 15-inch cleaning path, and automatic cord rewind. It includes two wands, a crevice tool, and a brush for dusting.
Canister vacuums may be a better choice for you if you frequently clean stairs. That’s because they tend to have long air hoses, so you don’t have to lift the body of the vacuum steps.
The canister vacuum cleaners in our article today are suitable for carpet and floors.
Furthermore, these vacuums come with plenty of attachments for cleanup of furniture and vehicles.
One of our top picks for shag carpet vacuums is this one from Electrolux. Although it only has three height adjustments, it has a button to turn off the roller.
There’s something you should know about the roller, though. It cleans itself when you press the button to detangle it.
Next, the 33-foot cord helps you clean large spaces without hunting for another power outlet.
Also, note that it has a HEPA filter even though there’s no bag.
The Kenmore Elite pet vacuum is made to move smoothly on plush and super plush shag carpets. That’s because the nozzle keeps the air flowing so that it doesn’t get stuck. It’s also good at picking up pet hair from a variety of surfaces.
The HEPA filter captures dander and other allergens. Plus, the vacuum comes with a motorized pet attachment and three other tools. Then when you’re done, just hit the switch to retract the power cord.
Miele’s C3 Marin is German-made to last. It’s ideal for carpet and floors. Use the Electrobrush floorhead for your shag rugs and the Parquet Twister for tile, hardwood, and laminate. Both fit easily underneath furniture.
The motorized floorhead even adjusts suction when you move from one surface to the next.
The motor is noticeably quieter than some leading brands. Moreover, this vacuum cleaner has a 30-foot-plus deep cleaning radius. Once you’re done, hit the button to retract the cord.
Also Read: Miele C1 vs C2 vs C3: Ultimate Comparison
The C3 Brilliant has more advanced features than the C3 Marin. It’s power-efficient and has a 6-stage variable-speed motor that you can control with your fingertips.
The premium Electrobrush floorhead has an integrated LED light and five height adjustment settings. It’s even better suited for cleaning shag rugs and carpets.
The package also comes with the Parquet Twister that rotates 180° to clean hard to reach areas and places.
Other details you may appreciate include the AirClean filter system, a velvet bumper strip to protect furniture, and light underneath the body to help you park the vacuum in dark closets.
Hoover’s SH30050 has a switch on the handle to turn off the roller. It also features 5-speed suction control. If you pair that last feature with the dusting brush, it will become your new favorite way to clean lampshades and drapes.
The HEPA filter helps keep allergies at bay. And the hard floor brush simplifies cleaning laminate and tile.
We’ve all been guilty of vacuuming the wrong way. But if you want your shag to stay pristine, try these tips.
Taking a few extra minutes to do it right means your carpet stays fresher, cleaner, and prettier for longer.
We hope you discovered the perfect match for your cleaning needs today. It’s not hard to protect your shag carpets when you have the right vacuum cleaner. Do keep in mind to clean them regularly.
Drop us a comment below to tell us about which vacuum you chose and what you think about its performance.
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