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10 Best Small Vacuum For Area Rugs 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is a versatile choice for small area rugs and other surfaces. It boasts strong suction power that effectively deep-cleans carpets and tackles bare floors with ease. The lift-away functionality is a standout feature, allowing you to detach the pod for cleaning stairs and above-floor areas, which adds to its versatility.

The brush roll shutoff feature is particularly useful, enabling you to switch between carpet and bare floor cleaning seamlessly. At 12.5 pounds, it is relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver, especially with the swivel steering that helps navigate tight spaces and around furniture effortlessly. The vacuum also includes a HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, which are excellent for trapping dust and allergens, making it a good option for those with allergies.

However, it is a corded model, which might limit mobility compared to cordless options. Additionally, the noise level is 80 dB, which is moderate but not the quietest. The wide upholstery tool and crevice tool are handy for pet hair and hard-to-reach areas, enhancing its functionality. While some assembly is required, the vacuum is generally user-friendly. It includes a 5-year limited warranty, offering some peace of mind. This vacuum is ideal for those looking for a reliable, multi-functional vacuum suitable for various surfaces, including area rugs, carpets, stairs, and bare floors.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Suction Power
The suction on this vacuum is amazing, especially compared to other brands like Bissell and Hoover.
Weight and Maneuverability
It glides effortlessly on both carpets and laminated floors, almost like going down a butter slide.
Filtration System
The dual latch system provides a better seal, keeping dust contained and preventing allergic reactions.
Noise Level
This vacuum is powerful yet quieter than previous models I've owned, making it perfect for apartment living.
#2

Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, PowerSpeed, New Model,Blue,black/New Model

The Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner stands out with its upgraded cyclone system, effectively handling larger debris, smaller dirt, and microscopic dust. Its powerful pick-up capability ensures deep cleaning, extracting embedded dirt from carpets, area rugs, and hard floors. Weighing just 11.5 pounds, it's lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it user-friendly for different cleaning surfaces, including hard floors and shag rugs, thanks to its 5 height settings.

The vacuum comes with multiple useful accessories like a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool, which are conveniently stored on the unit for easy access and versatility in cleaning hard-to-reach areas. The vacuum includes a foam filtration system that traps 99.9% of dust, dander, and allergens, which is a significant advantage for those with allergies. However, its noise level of 88 dB is relatively high, which might be a concern for some users seeking quieter operation.

Additionally, the vacuum is corded, which limits mobility compared to cordless models. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the roller brush and belt every two weeks, is required to prevent potential malfunctions and extend the vacuum's life. Despite its impressive features, the need for continuous maintenance and its noise level might be considered drawbacks for some users.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Suction Power
This vacuum is like a black hole on wheels, obliterating pet hair, crumbs, and even socks with its powerful suction.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite its immense power, the vacuum is surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver, making vacuuming feel almost graceful.
#3

Bissell® CleanView Swivel Vacuum with Triple Action Brush Roll, Swivel Steering, Extension Wand, Easy-Empty Dirt Tank, Multi-Cyclonic Suction System, New 2024 Model

The Bissell® CleanView Swivel Vacuum is a promising choice for cleaning area rugs. One of its standout features is the Triple Action Brush Roll, which effectively loosens, lifts, and removes embedded dirt and pet hair from various surfaces. Paired with the Swivel Steering, this vacuum is highly maneuverable, making it easy to navigate around furniture and corners.

At 16.87 pounds, it is slightly heavier than some other small vacuums on the market, which might make it less convenient for quick, everyday use, especially over larger areas or for those who prefer a lighter model. However, the weight does contribute to its solid build quality and stable performance. The vacuum includes a HEPA filter, which is a great addition for households with allergy sufferers, as it can capture fine dust and allergens efficiently.

The Multi-Cyclonic Suction System ensures strong and consistent suction power, which is essential for maintaining cleanliness on area rugs. Additionally, the vacuum features Scatter-Free Technology that reduces the scatter of debris on hard floors, a useful feature if you have mixed flooring types. The included extension wand is highly beneficial for reaching difficult spots, and the Easy-Empty Dirt Tank design enhances user convenience during the cleaning process. This vacuum is corded, which means you don't have to worry about battery life, but it does limit mobility to some extent. It may produce more noise compared to some other models, which could be a consideration if quieter operation is a priority. The Bissell® CleanView Swivel Vacuum offers robust cleaning capabilities, excellent filtering, and enhanced maneuverability, making it a solid choice for homes with area rugs and pets. Its weight and noise level could be potential drawbacks for some users.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Suction Power
The Bissell CleanView Swivel Vacuum has amazing suction power, picking up dirt and hair that other vacuums leave behind.
Brush Roll
The tangle-free brush roll is a great upgrade, enhancing the overall cleaning experience.
Weight and Maneuverability
Despite its solid build, the vacuum is not too heavy to carry up and down stairs.
Filtration System
The HEPA filters make it an excellent choice for allergy sufferers, capturing fine dust and allergens.
Corded vs. Cordless
The long electric cord is a time-saving feature, allowing for extensive cleaning without frequent re-plugging.

Buying Guide for the Best Small Vacuum For Area Rugs

When choosing a small vacuum for area rugs, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Area rugs can be delicate and may require a vacuum that is gentle yet effective at removing dirt and debris. Understanding the different features and how they align with your specific needs will help you make an informed decision.
Suction PowerSuction power refers to the vacuum's ability to lift dirt and debris from the rug. This is important because a vacuum with insufficient suction may not effectively clean your rug, while one with too much suction could damage delicate fibers. Suction power is often measured in watts or air watts. For area rugs, a moderate suction power is usually sufficient. If your rugs are delicate or have long fibers, opt for a vacuum with adjustable suction settings so you can reduce the power as needed.
Brush RollThe brush roll is a rotating brush that helps to agitate and lift dirt from the rug fibers. This is crucial for deep cleaning. However, for area rugs, especially those with delicate or long fibers, a stiff or aggressive brush roll can cause damage. Look for a vacuum with a soft brush roll or one that allows you to turn off the brush roll when cleaning delicate rugs. This will help protect your rugs while still providing effective cleaning.
Weight and ManeuverabilityWeight and maneuverability are important because a heavy or bulky vacuum can be difficult to move around, especially on area rugs that may shift or bunch up. A lightweight vacuum is easier to handle and less likely to cause damage to your rugs. Look for a vacuum that is easy to carry and has swivel steering for better maneuverability around furniture and other obstacles.
Filtration SystemThe filtration system in a vacuum helps to trap dust, allergens, and other particles, preventing them from being released back into the air. This is particularly important if you have allergies or asthma. HEPA filters are highly effective at capturing small particles and are a good choice for maintaining indoor air quality. Consider a vacuum with a high-quality filtration system to ensure a cleaner environment.
Noise LevelNoise level is an important consideration, especially if you have a sensitive household or prefer a quieter cleaning experience. Vacuums can vary significantly in how loud they are. Look for models that are specifically designed to operate quietly. Noise levels are usually measured in decibels (dB), and a vacuum with a lower dB rating will be quieter. This can make your cleaning routine more pleasant and less disruptive.
Corded vs. CordlessCorded vacuums offer consistent power and are generally more powerful, but they can be less convenient due to the need to plug and unplug as you move around. Cordless vacuums offer greater flexibility and ease of use, especially for quick clean-ups, but they may have limited battery life and slightly less power. Consider your cleaning habits and the size of the area you need to clean. If you prefer convenience and have smaller areas to clean, a cordless vacuum might be the best choice. For larger areas or more intensive cleaning, a corded vacuum could be more suitable.

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