Carpet comes in all different shapes and sizes. If you have a high pile carpet, it means that the carpet fibers are higher, a little looser and very comfortable. However, in that height, a lot of dust and debris can hide, which is why it’s important to find the best vacuum for high pile carpeting. No one wants to constantly sneeze while walking on their carpet. That’s why we’ve found six vacuums to consider.

Each of our six vacuums comes with an in-depth product review. While all of our products are outstanding in their own way, our editor’s choice is the Soniclean Soft Carpet upright vacuum. This is an amazing vacuum that is lightweight and incredibly easy to use. It works with bristles up to one inch thick and removes all unwanted debris. If, however, this isn’t the vacuum for you, don’t worry because we have many other great selections.

In addition to our detailed product reviews, we’ve also put together a buying guide. Here you’ll find more information on features to consider as well as frequently asked questions about vacuum cleaners. Vacuum cleaners can suck, in a good way, but we want your buying experience to be enjoyable.

The 6 best high pile carpet vacuums

Soniclean soft mat

The Soniclean Soft Carpet upright vacuum is both highly rated and inexpensive. Weighing only 10.5 pounds, it’s incredibly light and perfect if you need to move it up and down stairs. And even though it’s small, it’s no less powerful. It can work on many carpet styles, including one-inch high pile carpets.

As far as technical features go, the Soniclean Soft Carpet Upright Vacuum won’t clog thanks to its advanced clog protection. It also has a sophisticated venting system that allows you to push it across thicker carpets without it getting stuck.

There’s no need to move furniture, either, because the Soniclean Soft Carpet upright vacuum lays flat and can get under chairs and beds with a 6-inch clearance. If you’re switching from hardwood to carpet, simply press a button on the handle to increase the suction power.

The Soniclean Soft Carpet upright is a bagged vacuum, so you’ll need to buy new bags and remove the old ones. However, it also has a HEPA filter that traps dust and allergens.

Miele Complete C3

Miele is one of the elite leaders in vacuum cleaner construction. And the Miele Complete C3 is probably the best of the best.

The Miele Complete C3 is a canister vacuum, which means it has a large canister to hold dirt and a long hose and suction to get into all those tight corners.

While some canister vacuums lack ease of use, this one is top notch. You can adjust the height of the handle in five positions. That means you won’t have to strain your back trying to push the vacuum.

Inside the canister is storage space for all your vacuum accessories. That way, if you realize there are cobwebs on the ceiling, you won’t have to rush to the closet to find the right accessory.

If you’re concerned about allergens in your home, the Miele Complete C3 is perfect because it has a HEPA air filter. When it comes to mobility, this canister vacuum has three 360-degree swivel wheels for extreme ease of use. It weighs 10 kg, which is light, but you might have some trouble moving it up and down stairs. And while the hose is long enough, unless you have a landing halfway up your carpeted staircase, it might be difficult to reach each step for a thorough cleaning.

Still, from a construction standpoint, you can’t beat the Miele Complete C3. It comes in a rich red color, instantly giving your cleaning routine a touch of elegance. It also comes with an impressive seven-year motor and one-year bumper warranty. Miele stands behind its products, and even with its hefty price tag, this is an extraordinary vacuum.

Roborock E25

Yes, Roomba is the gold standard in robot vacuums, but there are other models that work just as well. In fact, the Roborock E25 can easily hold its own as the best robot vacuum for long pile carpeting.

Taking advantage of smart technology, the Roborock E25 does a great job of cleaning your home. It has 13 on-board sensors that allow it to track every room in your home. Dirt is no match for this machine and it cleans efficiently without hitting any objects.

The Roborock E25’s size, which measures 13.8 inches in diameter, means it has a larger dust collector. You won’t have to empty it as often, which is always a good thing.

The Roborock E25 runs for 100 minutes on a full charge, which should be enough to clean your home. When the battery starts to run down, it automatically returns to its charger.

This is a great vacuum if you have high pile carpeting. During use, if the Roborock E25 detects a high pile carpet, it automatically increases its suction to penetrate deep into the carpet fibers.

The Roborock E25 isn’t super affordable, so you’ll need to keep its price in mind, though it’s cheaper than other Roomba models. The only real problem with this model is its sensors. If you have a carpet with dark lines, the Roborock E25 may mistake it for an edge and therefore won’t cross it. However, this is a shortcoming of most robot vacuums.

Sirena vacuum cleaner

There are many different models of vacuum cleaners. Our pick for the best canister vacuum is the Sirena vacuum. This is a powerful, bagless vacuum that works well on all types of carpeting.

What’s really innovative about the Sirena vacuum cleaner is that it uses water-based technology. In fact, this vacuum cleaner contains water, where the dust and debris sucked up eventually accumulates. So there’s no risk of clogging.

Fortunately, you get a very clean house. Unfortunately, you also get a container full of disgusting water that you have to empty yourself. This is an environmentally friendly approach since there are no bags, but it may not be for the faint of heart.

The Sirena vacuum still has a lot going for it, including its outstanding warranty. It comes with an extensive 10-year warranty on its motor and 3-year warranty on its parts. It’s a vacuum designed to last a long time, which is rare in today’s modern world.

The technology includes two speed modes. You can easily switch to more power when using it along high pile carpet. Six attachments are also included. You can clean your entire home, like your floors, furniture and even your mattress. This is a total cleaning package that is worth its weight in gold.

Just be aware that the addition of water makes the Sirena vacuum quite heavy. Weighing in at just over 40 pounds, it’s best left on one level of your home.

Miele Blizzard CX1

Another canister vacuum from Miele, the Miele Blizzard CX1 has a revolutionary design. It has a canister, but unlike the older models, it is bagless. There’s no need to spend extra money on bags or try to remove them without blowing them up. Instead, just detach the tank with the push of a button, empty it and put it back in. It’s that simple.

The Miele Blizzard CX1 comes with a hefty price tag, but you can expect excellent performance from it. Its 1,200 watts of power is perfect for high-pile carpeting, but it’s also capable of cleaning hardwood floors, so you can move from one floor to the next without having to search for a new tool.

Speaking of tools, the Miele Blizzard CX1 comes with a nice selection of accessories, including a dusting brush, upholstery tool, and flat nozzle. Wherever there’s dirt or dust, this vacuum can handle it.

One of the best features of the Miele Blizzard CX1 is its easy-to-control vacuum button. Simply turn it to the right to increase suction on high-pile carpets, then to the left for a more delicate approach to curtains. It’s so simple, even your kids can use it!

Overall, there are two factors that may affect your purchase of the Miele Blizzard CX1. The first is its price, which shouldn’t be a surprise, given the brand. The second is its weight. At just over 30 pounds, it’s a heavier vacuum and may not be the best option if you live in a townhouse with multiple stairs.

Features to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner for high pile carpeting

High pile carpet vacuums are complex appliances. There are many components and many features to consider. For those who are still overwhelmed with vacuum cleaner selection, pay close attention to these key features.

Type

A vacuum cleaner is just a vacuum cleaner, right? Unfortunately, no. Within this product category, there are many different types. And you need to match the type of vacuum to your carpet for optimal results.

Stick Vacuums

For those with low pile carpets and a small space, a stick vacuum is perfect. It’s lightweight and very portable. It is usually bagless, but the tank can be quite small and needs to be emptied regularly. Stick vacuums are not very powerful, but they can work just as well on carpets as on laminate or wood floors. They are also fairly inexpensive.

Canister vacuums

If you want to have great mobility and a lighter product, a canister vacuum cleaner may be right for you. It consists of two parts: the tank and the hose. The canister has wheels to help you move it around, and a handle to carry it. The hose should be long enough to reach every corner of a room without having to move the canister itself. These are heavy-duty vacuums, and they can work with all types of carpeting and flooring. They may be expensive, but they will last a long time.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

This is the traditional idea of a vacuum cleaner. It stands upright but has a button or lever that allows you to tilt the handle for better results. These vacuums can be heavy, but since you’re pushing them, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem unless you have to continually go up and down stairs. They range in price from cheap to expensive, usually depending on how sturdy they are. Upright vacuums can be bagged or bagless, depending on the brand. They are ideal for long pile carpeting.

Robotic vacuums

At some point, someone realized that there had to be a better way than having to manually vacuum a house. And that’s how robot vacuum cleaners came about. This machine consists of two parts. The roving part, which comes in the form of a disc, moves around the house to pick up the dirt. Then there is the home or docking station where the vacuum cleaner returns to recharge.

Depending on the size, you may need to remove dirt more often with a robot vacuum. Charging also varies. Expect to have to charge your robot vacuum every night so it can run for a few hours the next day. Robotic vacuums vary widely in price and capability. In general, the more you invest in a robot, the more thoroughly it can clean. They work well on high pile carpeting, but some brands don’t perform as well as others on stairs.

Power

Vacuum cleaners should suck, right? And the better they suck, the happier you’ll be. Behind that suction is power. The average is 1,200 watts, which is the case with the Miele Complete C3 and the Miele Blizzard CX1. If the power is higher, expect more suction, and vice versa with lower power. High pile carpets need more power to suck up all the hidden debris. You should look for at least 1,000 watts of power.

Whether it’s bagged or bagless

If you’re of a certain age, you remember the dreaded task of changing your vacuum’s bag. How many times have you left your vacuum bag until it bursts because you didn’t want to bother with it? And then, once you do, the inevitable chaos and mess of trying to get your old bag out and put a new one in.

Fortunately, times and technology have changed. There are now bagless vacuums, and those that still use them are much easier to remove.

Bagless vacuums use canisters to hold the dirt. The canister must be removed from the vacuum cleaner, but this is usually an easy operation that is done with the push of a button. Then simply dispose of the contents of the canister in the household trash and return the empty canister to the vacuum cleaner.

Opting for a bagless system is good for both your wallet and the environment. You don’t have to worry about buying new bags and you don’t have to add more waste to the world. However, these cans can be a little tricky to use. Often, they are small and you may even have to use a knife to slide out all the contents. Particles can also get stuck, forcing you to become more intimate with your dirt than you’d like. However, bagless vacuum users quickly pick up the pace and find the best ways to remove all that debris.

With bagged vacuums, there is much less hassle. The dirt is completely contained, and you simply remove the bag and insert a new one. You need a supply of vacuum bags, and they can be hard to find because they are usually model specific. It’s best to order vacuum bags online in bulk so you can continue to clean your home whenever you want.

Cord Length

You’ve finally found the rhythm of cleaning. You move from room to room, only to move an inch forward and see the cord suddenly rip off the wall. Ugh, what a nuisance. Not only do you have to stop and move your vacuum and its cord, but the repeated tearing can start to warp the pins, which can be a problem in the long run.

The average length of a vacuum cleaner cord is 30 feet. That should allow you to plug into an outlet in a hallway and cover a few rooms before you have to move. Of course, there are cordless options that run on batteries. You’ll need a dedicated outlet for the dock, but not having to deal with a cord is a pretty appealing idea.

Run time (for robotic models)

Robotic vacuums, like the iRobot Roomba s9+ and Roborock E25 on our list, are battery-powered. Each has a docking station that it will return to and charge before it can be used again. A full charge for the iRobot Roomba s9+ will result in 120 minutes of battery life, while the Roborock E25 has 100 minutes of battery life. It’s best to keep your robot vacuum cleaner in its charger at all times so that it’s ready whenever you need it.

Dimensions

Vacuum cleaners come in all shapes and sizes. For example, the iRobot Roomba s9+ is the smallest on our list with a diameter of just 12.2 inches. At the other end of the spectrum is the Soniclean Soft Carpet upright vacuum, which is 43.5 inches tall.

Always think about where you’re going to store your vacuum when it’s not in use, as this can affect the size you want to buy.

Warranty

It’s always surprising how expensive vacuum cleaners are. And when you spend hundreds of dollars on a product, you want to be sure it will last as long as possible. A warranty is extremely important, especially since vacuum cleaners have become complex machines.

Warranties on our products vary widely. Some, like the Roborock E25 and the iRobot Roomba s9+, only have a one-year warranty. Others, like the Sirena vacuum, have a tiered approach. It offers a 10-year limited warranty on the motor, a three-year limited warranty on parts and a one-year limited warranty on labor.

Tips for keeping your shag carpet clean

Shag carpeting is finally coming back into style. Who doesn’t love that luxurious feeling of walking barefoot on soft carpet? Unfortunately, those long strands of carpet can harbor a lot of dirt and dust.

If something spills on your shag carpet, clean it immediately. Use a clean cloth to absorb the liquid, then apply a carpet cleaning solution.

This can be a bit tedious, trying to vacuum every day or two. While less-traveled rooms, such as guest rooms, can be cleaned once a week, high-traffic rooms, such as the living room, should be vacuumed regularly. Vacuuming will not only trap dirt but also allergens, making your home much healthier.

Our verdict

The Soniclean Soft Carpet upright vacuum cleaner is both powerful and inexpensive. It easily fits in any closet and when in use, it can tackle thick, high-pile carpeting.

For those on a budget, consider the Miele Complete C3. It may be expensive, but it will last a long time and guarantees a deep clean.

Finally, if you’re tired of vacuuming by yourself, why not have a robot do it for you? The Roborock E25 easily makes our list of the best high pile carpet vacuums. Just charge it up and let it do its thing to rid your home of dirt. Walking on your high pile carpet should be a luxury, so invest in the right vacuum and keep your home looking great.