High pile carpet presents a challenge to the average vacuum cleaner. Vacuums that work well on low and medium pile carpets are hard to push on high pile.

Worse, the carpet fibers might wrap about the roller brush and jam the machine. This can ruin your flooring and your vacuum.

So if you’re planning to install plush, shag, frieze, or ultrasoft carpet, it’s time to upgrade your vacuum cleaner.

Top Vacuums for High Pile Carpet

Fortunately, we found the ten best vacuums for high pile carpet. They can handle pile over ½-inch long and clean the fiber all the way down to the backing.

And our first pick is specifically recommended by a major carpet manufacturer.

Soniclean Soft Carpet Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Soniclean’s upright vacuum is the preferred tool for cleaning plush carpet made by Mohawk. There are several reasons why this is the case.

For one thing, this vacuum has an adjustable vent system. Instead of becoming stuck to the carpet because of its powerful suction, the vent allows air to enter so that the vacuum can move freely.

Next, the Soniclean upright cleans with sonic vibrations that loosen up grime from deep inside the fibers. And you can control the amount of suction it uses.

Plus, its brush bristles are gentle on ultrasoft fibers whether they are natural or synthetic. And if there is ever a jam, the vacuum shuts down automatically.

Furthermore, the vacuum has large wheels to accommodate high pile and shag rugs. It comes with a 35-foot power cord for convenient access without searching for power outlets.

And it’s covered by a 5-year warranty on the motor and a lifetime warranty on the belt.

Miele Complete C3 for Soft Carpet

Miele’s Complete C3 for Soft Carpet is a top of the line canister vacuum with their famed Electrobrush floorhead. But this particular attachment differs from the one that comes with other models.

This floorhead cleans delicate carpets safely even when they have high pile and long strands.

The SoftCarpet Electrobrush has a manual height adjustment for five levels of cleaning power, from bare floors to shag.

Also, you can remove it and replace it with the included Parquet Twister to clean tile, wood, or laminate flooring.

Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet-Friendly Ultra Plush Bagged Canister Vacuum

The Kenmore 81714 is a great choice if you have persons with allergies living in your home. It’s a bagged canister with a sealed HEPA filtration system.

And the filter is so good that the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America certified it.

Unlike many floorheads on canister vacuums that are nearly impossible to move on super-plush carpets, the ultra plush one on the 81714 is easy to push and pull.

There are also three other attachments including a motorized one for picking up pet hair.

Oreck LW100 Magnesium SP Bagged Upright Vacuum

Oreck’s LW100 Magnesium upright is very lightweight, and it glides over thick Mohawk Smartstrand carpet. It has the Carpet & Rug Institute Seal of Approval for safe and gentle cleaning of delicate surfaces.

Furthermore, it has side brushes for cleaning along edges and large wheels for freedom of movement.

Of course, it has a bagged HEPA filtration system. And like every Oreck vacuum, the Magnesium is protected by a 7-year warranty and comes with an offer for three yearly tune-ups.

Miele 41HAE032USA Dynamic U1 Maverick Obsidian

Experienced cleaners know that Miele makes excellent vacuums. Their Maverick Obsidian upright is ready to clean your shag and other surfaces around the house, too.

It has adjustable suction and adjustable height to suit hardwood, low pile Berber, and high pile frieze.

Just be careful with ultra-plush because the Electrobrush roller on the Maverick is very powerful.

There are many other features of this upright vacuum that are sure to please. For example, it has a 39-foot cord and a swivel neck for easy maneuverability.

It also lays flat to clean underneath furniture. And it has a sealed HEPA filter system with a debris collection bag that retains 99.9% of the particles it captures.

Kenmore Elite 31230 Pet-Friendly Crossover Ultra Upright Bagless Vacuum

Kenmore’s 31230 upright is compatible with ultra-plush super-soft rugs and a smart choice for pet owners. Although it has very effective suction, it moves easily on high pile carpets.

In fact, customers have reported shock over how much debris this vacuum pulls up from areas that were cleaned by a different vacuum in the past.

As for pet hair, the vacuum comes with a pet hair removal tool plus other accessories for cleaning all around the house.

It has a 35-foot cord, and an LED headlight, plus indicators for when there’s a clog or the bag is full.

Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet & Allergy Friendly Upright Vacuum

We included the 31150 Elite Upright from Kenmore in our selection for three reasons.

One is that it has adjustable suction. Two, there are five height adjustments.

And the third is that it’s possible to turn off the roller brush.

But note while it’s good for some high pile carpets, this is not the best choice for super-plush because of its sealed nozzle system.

On the other hand, if you plan to vacuum an assortment of surfaces, this is a solid pick.

It comes with attachments for pet hair removal, crevice cleaning, and dusting. And it has a HEPA filter, too.

Electrolux EL4335B Corded Ultra Flex Canister Vacuum

The EL4335B canister from Electrolux has three levels of height adjustment plus the ability to switch off the roller so that it can clean laminate, area rugs, and plush carpet, too.

Even better, it has a self-cleaning system for the brush roll, too.

Like many vacuums made for high pile carpet, this one has a HEPA filter. But it’s a bagless system that’s easy to empty.

It has a 33-foot reach, it’s lightweight and compact, and it includes a 5-year warranty.

Maytag M1200 Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Maytag’s M1200 upright vacuum has six levels of manual height adjustment to suit any surface from tile to high pile carpet.

But you can also leave it on the automatic setting, and the vacuum will adjust itself as you move from one area to another.

Remember those TV commercials with the bored Maytag repairman that never had any work to do?

Well, the M1200 upright comes with a lifetime belt warranty, and it’s built to last with reinforced metal parts.

Moreover, it comes with odor-absorbing charcoal filters and a six-stage HEPA system.

SEBO 90640AM Airbelt D4 Premium Canister Vacuum with ET-1 Powerhead

SEBO’s 90640AM Airbelt D4 canister has a 50-foot cleaning radius, something few other vacuums have.

It also features a 1.5-gallon filter bag, non-marring rubber wheels, and a quiet motor.

If you have a large house, this is the ideal vacuum for you.

The commercial-grade powerhead (or floor attachment) has four-level manual height adjustment.

Furthermore, the vacuum has adjustable suction and a beater bar you can switch off.

Together, these three benefits let you clean plush carpets with ease.

Conclusion

The best vacuum cleaners for high pile carpets have characteristics like adjustable height, good venting, and the ability to turn off the brush roller if needed. Among them, you can find both canister and upright vacuums with accessories for cleaning all around the home.