10 Best Vacuum Cleaners for Shag Carpets in 2023

Shag carpet popularity has increased significantly over the last couple of years due to their beauty and uniqueness. A shag carpet adds a lot of visual appeal to a home. It brightens and adds a lot of character to space. Shag rugs are also very comfortable and durable if they are well cleaned and maintained. However, shag carpets are more prone to catch dirt, dander, and stains because of their long jungle fibers. They, therefore, need to be cleaned regularly and thoroughly to keep them in good shape.

One of the best and recommended ways to clean a shag carpet is by using a vacuum cleaner. But finding the right vacuum cleaner for shag carpets can be a daunting task, especially if you are planning to buy one for the first time. Luckily, today you have landed in the right place. We have conducted extensive research on your behalf by reviewing dozens of vacuum cleaners and compiled a list of the 10 best vacuum cleaners for shag carpets.

Important factors that we have considered when compiling this list include; quality of materials used, customer review and rating, ease of use, suction power, and most importantly, whether they work on shag carpets or not.

Top 10 Vacuum Cleaners for Shag Carpets in 2023

Preview	Products	Details
Best Overall	Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum	Weight: 6.68 pounds On shag carpets: Great	Buy on Amazon
Best Budget	Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum	Weight: 10 pounds On shag carpets: Great	Buy on Amazon
Best Robot	Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Robot Vacuum	Weight: 5.73 pounds On shag carpets: Great	Buy on Amazon
Best Canister	Miele Complete C3 Vacuum	Weight: 20 pounds On shag carpets: Great	Buy on Amazon
Best Performance	Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Upright Shampooer	Weight: 18.5 pounds On shag carpets: Excellent	Buy on Amazon
Best Lightweight	Shark Rocket HV292 Ultra-Light Vacuum	Weight: 3.7 pounds On shag carpets: Great	Buy on Amazon
Best Stick	Tineco A11 Hero EX	Weight: 5.5 pounds On shag carpets: Great	Buy on Amazon
	Shark ION F80 Lightweight Cordless Vacuum	Weight: 8.51 pounds On shag carpets: Good	Buy on Amazon
Best Upright	Shark APEX AZ1002	Weight: 24.8 pounds On shag carpets: Great	Buy on Amazon
	Shark Rotator NV752 Upright Vacumm	Weight: 15.4 pounds On shag carpets: Good	Buy on Amazon

And here follow the detailed reviews of these vacuums mentioned above…

1. Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum – Best Overall

** This product is currently not available.**

Dyson V11 is one of the lightest but powerful vacuum cleaners on the market. It has twice the suction of any cordless vacuum cleaner. The Dyson technology that this vacuum cleaner uses has been scientifically tested and proven to effectively capture bacteria and allergen for a cleaner and healthier home.

Its spin scrub brush system is made of stiff nylon bristle that captures and removes dirt, mud and debris that stay hidden deep into the carpet’s fiber. It is also equipped with soft, anti-static carbon filament fibers that trap and remove dust from the carpet fast.

This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a Dyson DLS system that automatically changes the motor speed based on the cleaning demand. If the carpet is filthy and requires more cleaning power, then the motor speed will automatically increase for powerful and thorough cleaning. On the other hand, if the carpet is not very dirty, then motor speed will change to moderate. The automatic change of motor speed helps to enhance power efficiency, enabling the vacuum cleaner to serve you for long before recharging. You can also control the suction power by switching between three settings, namely Eco, Auto, and Boost mood.

The LCD screen that it features indicates everything that you need to know including the current performance, remaining runtime, selected power mode (eco, auto or boost), filter maintenance reminders (reminds you when you need to clean the filter for optimum performance), and blockage report (informs you of any blockage and how to fix it).

Dyson V11 is also equipped with a powerful 7-cell lithium-ion battery that can power the machine for about 60 minutes non-stop before recharging. If even that is not enough for your vacuuming needs, then you can go for a corded vacuum.

2. Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum – Best Budget

** This product is currently not available.**

If you are looking for a powerful but affordable shag carpet cleaner, then Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless upright vacuum cleaner is a great choice for you. This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a powerful and dynamic motor. A nylon brush roll that it features can get rid of even the most stubborn dirt and heavy debris. The 12.6-inch wide nozzle that it is equipped with cleans fast and more efficiently.

Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless upright vacuum cleaner comes with all accessories needed to make your carpet cleaning process seamless. These tools include things like dusting brush, an extra 7-inch crevice tool, and upholstery tool. The five height adjustment setting enables you to choose the most suitable setting that will clean your carpet to perfection. The extra-large 4.1L dust cap that it is equipped with means that you will have less frequent emptying trips. The vacuum cleaner is also compact and lightweight (10lbs) hence easy to maneuver around the house. The vacuum has a large wheel on the front that enables easy movement when cleaning your shag carpet. We recommend this vacuum cleaner for anyone who is on a tight budget but is looking for a powerful and efficient vacuum cleaner.

3. Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Robot Vacuum – Best Robot

** This product is currently not available.**

Once you use a robot vacuum cleaner, you will never go back to a regular vacuum cleaner. Eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac, is one of the bestselling robot vacuum cleaners on the market. This is because it is equipped with outstanding features that most robot vacuum cleaners within its price range don’t have. It has been listed as the best robot vacuum of 2019 by Tom’s Guide.

Eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 11S robot vacuum cleaner is slimmer but more powerful. This robot cleaner is only 2.85 inches thin but boasts of 1300pa of suction power. The fact that it is thin means that it can maneuver underneath sofa sets and beds with ease without moving them as it is usually the case when using other vacuum cleaners.

The Boost IQ technology that it is equipped with automatically increases suction power in as little as 1.5 seconds when additional vacuuming strength is needed to eliminate all stubborn dirt, dust, and stain. On the other hand, when less suction power is needed, then the motor automatically reduces its speed.

If you are tired of using a noisy vacuum cleaner, then Eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 11S robot will not disappoint you. This vacuum cleaning machine not only delivers the best clean the machine is also super quiet. You won’t notice that it is operating unless you come very close to it. It comes with a large dust box (0.6L) that can hold more dirt per clean, thus reducing the frequency of emptying the dust box all the time.

This robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with a high-performance filter and a dual-layer filter that ensures that you achieve perfect results when cleaning your shag carpet. 

It has large wheels that enable it to roll over the shag carpet with ease for thorough cleaning. The drop sensing technology that it is equipped with helps to prevent the robot vacuum cleaner from falling downstairs. The infrared sensor, on the other hand, helps this vacuum machine to evade obstacles while cleaning.

Eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 11S robot is equipped with a powerful battery that can run for up to 100 minutes when operating at maximum suction power. It automatically recharges when the battery goes low, meaning that it is always ready to clean.

If you are looking for the best robot vacuum cleaner for your shag carpets then, Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Robot Vacuum would be your best option. As I said, not all vacuums work on shag carpets. So we needed to find out which ones do, and we found that this vacuum cleaner works great shag carpets.

4. Miele Complete C3 Vacuum – Best Canister Vacuum for Shag Carpet

** This product is currently not available.**

Miele Complete C3 vacuum cleaner is equipped with a powerful motor that delivers incredible suction that cleans all dirt and dust hidden deep in your shag carpet. This vacuum cleaner is specifically designed to clean soft shag carpets. It is equipped with an electro brush that is specifically designed to clean, soft carpet. It also has five different head levels meaning that you can choose the right level based on the surface that you are cleaning.

This vacuum cleaner has a motorized head that enables it to clean shag carpet efficiency without using high suction power that can damage delicate fiber in soft shag carpets. The included parquet twister and soft bristles allow smooth and gentle cleaning on hard floors. This vacuum cleaner has six different suction power settings and another special setting for cleaning soft shag carpet.

The canister vacuum is equipped with an easy to carry handle. Additionally, it is also equipped with a telescoping wand and long hoses, making it an ideal choice for those who want an easy to push upright vacuum cleaner.

Miele Complete C3 is equipped with a unique Airclean sealed system and HEPA Airclean filters, which ensures that over 99.99% of dirt and dust are filtered. This vacuum cleaner is therefore ideal for people who suffer from allergy caused by dust. This vacuum cleaner will not only leave your room clean but will also leave air inside the room cleaner. Miele Complete C3 comes with all set of tools, including an upholstery tool, crevice nozzle, dusting brush, electro plus floorhead, and Miele Airclean filter bag.

Miele Complete C3 is a great choice for individuals who own soft shag rugs as well as those who don’t want to buy more than one vacuum cleaner. Its powerful suction power also does a great job when cleaning hard floors.

5. Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Upright Shampooer – Best Performance

** This product is currently not available.**

If you are searching for a carpet cleaner with excellent performance, then look no further then Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150. This vacuum cleaner is one of the few vacuum cleaners on the market that can deep clean thick shag carpets thoroughly. It is equipped with a spin scrub brush system that quickly reaches the roots of the carpet’s fibers where dirt, mud, grease, crumbs, and stains tend to hide. Its brushing system rotates 360 degrees for thorough and efficient cleaning of the carpet regardless of how severe the stains are. The soft nylon brush only cleans the carpet without damaging the fiber of the carpet.

Its big front wheels make it easy to move the vacuum cleaner on the deep soft pile with ease for thorough cleaning of all surfaces. The dual V nozzle that it features provides powerful suction to clean the carpet evenly and quickly. Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150 uses dual tank technology. It features two separate tanks, one for storing clean water and the other one for storing dirty water. This makes cleaning and rinsing of the tanks easy when you are done cleaning.

You don’t have to mix detergent by yourself, as it is usually the case with other vacuum cleaners. Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150 features an automatic detergent mixing equipment that provides the right mix of water and detergent for optimal cleaning results. This vacuum cleaner directly applies forced heated air to the carpet’s fabric to speed up drying time. This vacuum cleaner is also extremely lightweight (only weighs19 pounds), meaning that you will not wear yourself down while cleaning the shags on the stairs. We recommend this vacuum cleaner for anyone looking for a high-performance shag carpet vacuum cleaner.

6. Shark Rocket HV292 Ultra-Light Vacuum – Best Lightweight

** This product is currently not available.**

If you are searching for a sturdy but lightweight handheld vacuum cleaner that never loses suction, then the Shark Rocket vacuum cleaner is an excellent choice for you. Due to its lightweight, this vacuum cleaner is ideal for cleaning shag carpet on the car’s interior, stair, and those located above the floor surface.

Check also: top rated lightweight vacuum cleaners

The TruePet motorized brush that it features combined with its incredible motor power enables it to extract dirt, dust, and allergens with ease, leaving your shag carpet sparkling clean.

Shark Rocket Ultra-light handled vacuum cleaner equipped with an easy to empty dust cup, meaning that you don’t need a bag for collecting dust. The dust cup empties with the touch of a button. The 15-foot long power cord that this vacuum cleaner has will enable you to clean the entire room freely without recharging the vacuum cleaner. Its filters are washable and reusable, meaning that you will never incur maintenance cost as it is usually the case with other vacuum cleaners.

7. Tineco A11 Hero EX – Best Stick Vacuum for Shag Carpets

** This product is currently not available.**

The Tineco A11 is equipped with a 450W high-performance digital motor that provides super quiet yet powerful suction. The 120W suction power that this vacuum cleaner provider is five times the suction power of an ordinary cordless vacuum cleaner that uses a DC motor. This vacuum cleaner is powered by a 2000mAh lithium-ion battery that provides up to 50 minutes continuous runtime when the vacuum cleaner is operating at full suction power. This is enough time to enable you to clean the entire room before recharging the vacuum cleaner.

Tineco A11 is equipped with a multi-task power brush that is ideal for cleaning shag carpets and hard floors. The LED light that it features helps to enhance elimination, thus enabling you to spot all the dirt, including those that have hidden deep beneath.

This vacuum cleaner features a fully sealed HEPA filtration system that effectively captures particles, dust, and allergens and expels clean, fresh air leaving the room clean and fresh. It is equipped with two power modes. They include the trigger mode, which eliminates dirt debris and dust for instant cleaning and continuous mode that is used when cleaning a large surface.

Its lightweight body makes it easy to maneuver around the house. This vacuum cleaner can easily convert into a hand vacuum by the press of a button to clean stairs, furniture, cars, and much more. The one-touch extra-large dustbin (0.6L) will enable you to clear all the dirt, dust, and pet hair with a press of a button. There are no complicated removal or dust bin or filter, as is usually the case with other vacuum cleaners. The wall-mounted storage provides easy and safe storage of the vacuum cleaner when it is not in use.

8. Shark ION F80 Lightweight Cordless Vacuum

** This product is currently not available.**

This lightweight and compact vacuum cleaner is ideal for people who are looking for a vacuum cleaner that is powerful and easy to maneuver around the house. It uses a multiFLEX technology that enables you to bend the wand to clean hard to reach areas like under bed and sofa. The powerful motor that it is equipped with plus two brushrolls enables this vacuum cleaner to quickly get rid of all dirt, dust, and debris, including those that have hidden deep beneath the carpet’s fabric.

Shark ION F80 is equipped with two powerful lithium batteries that provide up to 80 minutes runtime. This is sufficient to enable you to clean shag rugs in all rooms. The machine automatically switches to the other battery when the first battery runs low. The two lithium-ion batteries that it uses are removable. This means that you can charge one battery while using the other one for continuous use of the vacuum cleaner. It also comes with a charging dock.

Shark ION F80 can be transformed into a handless vacuum with the touch of a bottom to clean your cars run, stair carpets and much more. This vacuum is super light, hence easy to hold it with your hand for a long time.

9. Shark APEX AZ1002 – Best Upright Vacuum for Shag Carpets

** This product is currently not available.**

Shark APEX upright vacuum cleaner uses the latest innovative technologies that combine power and resilience to deliver great performance. It has a dual brushroll system that deeps clean the shag carpet and engages the floor directly for a polished look. This upright vacuum cleaner allows you to detach the canister to extend the reach of the head while cleaning under bed and sofa.

The zero M technology that it features automatically removes hair wrap from the brushroll, meaning that you don’t have to remove accumulated hair all the time when cleaning. This vacuum cleaner is also equipped with an advanced anti-allergen complete seal technology and HEPA filter that effectively captures particles, dust, and allergens and expels clean, fresh air leaving the room clean and fresh. It also features an extra-large dust cap that traps dirt, dust and debris without the need to empty the dustbin frequently when cleaning your shag carpet.

If you are looking for a powerful, efficient, flexible and affordable upright vacuum cleaner, then look no further than Shark APEX upright vacuum cleaner.

10. Shark Rotator NV752 Upright Vacumm

** This product is currently not available.**

If you have a lot of ground to cover, Shark Rotator upright corded Bagless vacuum cleaner is the ideal option for you. It delivers unparalleled suction power to enable you to clean your shag carpets fast and with ease.

This upright vacuum cleaner has many cleaning modes including the upright mode that enables you to maneuver the vacuum cleaner using the dynamic swivel steering, allowing you to cover more ground quickly. The lift-away mode, on the other hand, allows you to extend the cleaner’s head to reach in hard to reach places such as under bad and dining tables without losing the power of the motor. The pet power mode allows you to extract dust, dirt and allergens from deep inside the carpet with ease while the above floor mode allows you to extend the handle from the wand to clean shag carpets in places such as the stair, making it a vacuum of the stairs.

All controls of the vacuum cleaner are strategically located for easy access and use. You can easily switch from one setting to another while operating the vacuum cleaner. The LED light that it is equipped with helps to enhance visibility to ensure that you don’t miss any dirt and dust while cleaning your shag carpet. The large dust cup will enable you to clean a large area without emptying the dustbin frequently.

How to Buy the Best Vacuum Cleaners for Shag Carpet?

Not all vacuum cleaners are ideal for your carpet cleaning needs. You, therefore, need to be careful when choosing one so that you don’t end up regretting later. There are many things that you need to consider when deciding on the best system for you. In this section, we are going to give you tips on important factors to consider when choosing the best vacuum for shag carpets.

Type of vacuum – which vacuum is best for shag carpets?

There are many types of vacuum cleaners, but not all of them are suitable for cleaning shag carpet. So, the first thing to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner if it has been designed to clean shag carpet. It is important to note that a vacuum that cleans a regular carpet well may not clean your shag rug thoroughly. The most recommended vacuum for cleaning shag rugs is the upright vacuum cleaner. A majority of them not only have great suction power that cleans the carpet fast and effectively, but they are also easy to operate. The fact that they are upright and means that you can easily control it while cleaning your carpet. They are also equipped with a wheel that enables easy maneuverability when cleaning your carpet. Other recommended vacuum types to use include canister, robotic, and canister vacuum cleaners. They are all equipped with incredible features, including high suction power, flexibility, wheel for easy mobility, among many others.

Consider suction power

This is one of the essential features to consider when buying a vacuum cleaner for a shag rug. Unlike a solid flooring where the vacuum head can rest on the material, the vacuum head on a shag usually floats above it. This means that you need to purchase a vacuum with the high suction power to get rid of dust, dirt, and debris that have hidden deep underneath the rug’s fiber. The higher the suction power, the better the vacuum cleaner will pick up debris, dirt, and dust from the shag rug. If the suction power is too weak, then the vacuum will not draw out debris and dirt from the carpet’s fiber.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to determine how good the vacuum is at sucking particles because it depends on many factors. They include how high the vacuum heat rider over the material, how open or deep the pile is, among many others. However, if you want to be on the safe side, then we recommend that you choose a vacuum with high adjustable suction power. This is important because you will not need high suction power all the time. An adjustable suction power option will allow you to choose a power level that suits your rug. For instance, when cleaning a smaller carpet, you need low suction power. If the vacuum does not have powerful suction power, check whether it has a concentrated sealed suction.

Consider ease of use

You don’t want to buy a vacuum cleaner that will give you a hard time to operate. Another critical factor to consider when purchasing a vacuum cleaner for a shag rug is its ease of use. Some important things to consider when checking if the vacuum is easy to use include where its controls are located, mobility and whether most of its functions have been digitized or not. For instance, it is quite easy to use a vacuum cleaner that has wheels compared to one that has none. Similarly, it is easy to operate a vacuum cleaner that has strategically placed controls. Regardless of how powerful the vacuum cleaner is, if it is hard to clean, then you will not enjoy using it. You better buy an average vacuum cleaner that is easy to use then one that is of high quality but difficult to use. So, before you make your final decision, analyze the vacuum cleaner to see if it is easy to use or not.

Consider filtration options

Shag carpet attracts more dirt, debris, and dirt. Filter helps to purify the air, thus ensuring that the room being vacuumed is clean and fresh. If you are prone to allergies, then this is a critical factor to consider. Choose a vacuum cleaner that is fitted with two or more filters. This will guarantee the proper filtration of air. One of the most efficient filters on the market today is HEPA filters. This filter is capable of eliminating 99.995% of all air particles for the size of 0.3 microns. It uses an electrostatic field and has a unique fiber that enables it to remove dust, debris, and allergen effectively, thus ensuring that you have clean and fresh air.

If you want to buy a vacuum cleaner with a low maintenance cost, then you should purchase one that is fitted with washable filters. Just its name suggests washable filters have been designed in such a way that they can be washed and reused once they dry.

Consider noise level

The noise level differs between vacuum cleaners. Some are louder than others while operating. Typically the larger the motor size, the louder the vacuum. Modern vacuums use cutting edge technology that enables them to deliver an enormous amount of suction power without emitting a lot of noise. If you don’t want to purchase a vacuum cleaner that produces a lot of noise, then you should buy one that has excellent noise reduction capabilities. The lower the noise, the enjoyable the experience will be when using the vacuum cleaner.

Consider brush options

The quality of brush that the vacuum cleaner is equipped with determines its effectiveness. A brush helps to dislodge dirt, dust, debris, and pet hair from the carpet’s fiber. The best type of brush for cleaning a shag rug is a fully motorized one. This ensures that the brush scrubs actively while you are vacuuming. It should also have multiple height selection to enable you to choose the ideal height for cleaning your shag rug. Shag carpet fiber is very sensitive and needs to be handled with great care. If the brush is too tough, then it can damage the carpet’s fiber. The ideal brush for cleaning a shag rug is one that is made of soft materials such as nylon.

Consider if height can be adjusted or not

You need to adjust the wand height frequently based on where you are cleaning. For instance, the height that you will use to clean a living room is different from the one that you will use when cleaning the stairs. It is, therefore, important to choose a vacuum cleaner that is easy to adjust the height. Additionally, a vacuum cleaner without adjustable height is at higher risk of getting jammed, thus damaging both the vacuum cleaner and your rug.

Consider your rug (high or low profile)

Shag can be either thick or thin. The rug’s fibers can be tight and wide or loose. Before you buy a vacuum cleaner, you should first check your shag to determine if it is high or low profile. If you have different types of shag rugs in different rooms, then you need to choose a vacuum cleaner with adjustable settings to suit the cleaning needs of all rugs.

Consider the weight of the vacuum

Vacuum cleaners are available in different weights. The heavier the vacuum cleaner, the more difficult it is to maneuver around the house. If you want to have an easy time when cleaning your rug carpet, then you should buy a lightweight vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning Problems with Shag Carpets — How to Do It Right?

The shag carpets are tough to vacuum

There are cases where cleaning the carpet is difficult because it is too rough. If you stay for a long time without vacuuming your shag rug, then it might be quite challenging to vacuum because of dust, dirt, and hair build-up. When you realize that you have a hard time to clean your rug, don’t force your way through. Instead, use a blower to blow out dirt and grit that has accumulated before vacuuming. This will make the vacuuming process easier.

Carpet browning

You have probably experienced brown spots appearing after cleaning the rug. This problem is usually caused by carpet wicking. Carpet wicking occurs when a carpet is stained deep on its fiber. When the fiber is vacuumed or cleaned, the stains become more pronounced on the surface. The best way to avoid this is by drying the carpet quickly.

More on this on Hanker.

Rippling

This is another common cleaning problem that most people experience when cleaning their shag carpets. Rippling is a problem that occurs when you overstretch your rug too much when cleaning it. Ripping your rug is costly, considering that you might end up replacing it with a new one. The best way to avoid this is by washing your rug gently to ensure that you don’t overstretch it.

Fading of color

Shag rugs usually lose their original color with time after constant washing and using different cleaning chemicals. Continuous accumulation of contaminants and pollutants on the carpet also contributes to the fading of color. Fading is a natural process that you cannot avoid. Every carpet fades with time. However, there are some things that you can do to slow down the fading process, including washing the carpet less and vacuuming more. Limiting the number of times you use chemicals when cleaning the carpet will also help to slow down the fading process. You can also re-dye the carpet to restore its initial color.

Odor

You can experience some odor issues right after you have vacuumed your carpet. This smell mainly occurs if the carpet was not cleaned properly. Another thing that can cause this smell is if the underlying padding or backing got wet or was not dried properly. This can cause mildew to form or a sour smell to come out until the padding completely dries. The best way to prevent odor from coming out after vacuuming the carpet is by ensuring that it is well cleaned to remove all dirt, grit, and dust. Once you are done cleaning, allow the carpet to dry completely.

Final Verdict

Shag Rugs play a crucial role in enhancing the look of your home. However, they need regular cleaning and maintenance to maintain their good look. Vacuuming the Shag rug regularly using the right vacuum cleaner can help keep your rug clean and attractive. If you are looking for the best vacuum for shag carpets, then we recommend that you choose from our list above. All vacuum cleaners that we have listed have been tested and proven to work. They are also among the bestselling and have excellent customer reviews and ratings.