The 8 Best Vacuums For Wool Carpet in 2021
Are you dealing with dirty wool carpets? The truth is, this can be virtually impossible to clean without a good vacuum.
We’ve sifted through a vast number of user reviews to bring you the best solution to your problem. After outlining the pros and cons of these vacs, we’ll show you what to prioritize when choosing one.
Stay tuned as we dive right into the reviews on the best vacuum for wool carpet.
And if you’re in a rush, check out our top 5 picks for wool carpet:
- Our Top Pick for Wool Carpets: Shark Navigator Lift-Away (Upright)
- Best Canister for Wool: ProTeam Commercial (Canister)
- Best Commercial Vacuum for Wool: Hoover Commercial CH32008
- Best Affordable Option: Bissell Zing
- Top Lightweight Choice: Sanitaire SC3683B
| Product Name | Type | Weight | Cord Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Navigator | Upright | 12.5 lbs | 25 ft |
| ProTeam Commercial | Canister | 12 lbs | 50 ft |
| Hoover Commercial CH32008 | Canister | 10.75 lbs | 40 ft |
| Bissell Zing | Canister | 8 lbs | 16 ft |
| Sanitaire SC3683B | Canister | 10 lbs | 20 ft |
| Soniclean Soft Carpet Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Upright | 10.5 lbs | 35 ft |
| Shark HV382 Rocket DuoClean | Stick | 9.9 lbs | 30 ft |
| Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner | Stick | 5.75 lbs | 40 min |
Top Vacuums For Wool Carpet
Shark Navigator Lift-Away (Upright)
(Our Top Pick for Wool Carpets)
Shark always serves up top-notch vacuums at a very reasonable price, and the classic Navigator 2-in-1 is no exception.
The innovative design allows you to use it as a handheld, which is ideal for spot-cleaning.
You’ll get all the power you need for handling a stained wool carpet without any risk of damaging the fibers.
The HEPA-filter that accompanies Shark’s Complete Seal technology is a great addition for anyone with asthma or allergies. The air left behind will be free of pet hair and almost all fine particles.
Most users are blown away by how lightweight the vacuum is and its powerful suction. Throw in a HEPA filter and a very attractive price tag, and it’s no surprise the Navigator continues to be a favorite for cleaning different soft carpet types.
Specifications
- Weight: 12.5 lbs
- Dust Cup Capacity: 1.2 dqt
- Hose Length: 5 ft
- Cord Length: 25 ft
- Cleaning Path Width: 9.25 in
Although a few customers have complained of parts breaking, the 5-year limited warranty will undoubtedly come in handy should there be any manufacturing issues.
Pros
- Converts into a handheld vacuum
- Weighs less than 13 pounds despite such power
- HEPA filters for a clean atmosphere
Cons
- Questionable manufacturing quality for certain parts
ProTeam Commercial (Canister)
(Best Canister for Wool)
If your cleaning normally includes large wool carpets, ProTeam has a commercially-rated canister that also works well in the home.
This is quite a big vacuum, so if you have a split-level home, you might want to look at a more compact alternative.
Since there’s no brush roll, it’s particularly well suited to the demands of cleaning a wool carpet.
An innovative 4-stage filter keeps even the smallest pathogens safely trapped inside.
Overall, the ProTeam’s main fans are either professional cleaners or individuals who struggle with heavy conventional vacuums.
While this is a corded model, you’ll get the extra power you’re looking for along with a more than generous 50-foot extension cord to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Specifications
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Dust Cup Capacity: 10 dqt
- Hose Length: 6.5 ft
- Cord Length: 50 ft
- Upholstery Tool Width: 5 in
Pros
- No motorized tools
- Hose and wand enables above-floor cleaning
- 4-stage filtration system is not HEPA but still highly effective
Cons
- Not as easy to empty
Hoover Commercial CH32008
(Best Commercial Vacuum for Wool)
Hoover dominates the upright carpet cleaner market, and the CH32008 is a strong challenger in the canister field.
Designed with commercial cleaning in mind, you’ve got more than enough cable up to your sleeve for cleaning large areas.
The suction is strong, but not so strong as to damage a delicate wool carpet.
With a HEPA-filtration and super-low 62-decibel noise rating, this nifty canister from Hoover is truly a fully loaded package.
Due to its impressive functionality and very competitive price tag, consumers are clearly impressed with this Hoover as seen in countless positive reviews.
Although the suction level might disappoint if you were looking for an industrial carpet cleaner, this best vacuum works wonders with more delicate materials like those in wool carpets.
Specifications
- Weight: 10.75 lbs
- Dust Cup Capacity: 9.5 dqt
- Cord Length: 50 ft
- Floor/Carpet Nozzle Width: 10.5 in
- Warranty: 1 Year
Pros
- 50-foot cord
- Rolls along nicely as you clean
- Generous 9-liter capacity
Cons
- Not the most powerful suction
Bissell Zing
(Best Affordable Option)
Bissell’s Zing is an extremely affordable canister from a brand you can rely on when it comes to cleaning wool carpet and hard-to-reach areas.
The superlight nature of this wool carpet vacuum lets you move around with relative ease. It all comes down to the way the head is designed, making it simpler to swivel and turn in place.
There’s a handy indicator to alert you when the bag starts to get full. Never allow it to get too full without changing the bag or its performance will drop.
Most fans of the Bissell like the combination of price and performance, claiming that the compact and maneuverable Zing is a great bargain.
Although the multi-surface Zing has a motorized carpet brush, you can easily deactivate it when cleaning wool carpets.
Related Post: Best Multi-surface Vacuums
Specifications
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Canister Vacuum Type: Bagged
- Hose Length: 5 ft
- Cord Length: 16 ft
- Cleaning Path Width: 10.3 in
Pros
- Lightweight (8 pounds)
- Swiveling head
- Great value for money
Cons
- Fairly noisy
- Not ideal for dealing with pet hair
Sanitaire SC3683B
(Top Lightweight Choice)
If you want a canister without having to drag around a big unit, the Sanitaire is the obvious answer for cleaning your wool carpet.
It comes with HEPA filter bags, trapping tiny allergens, pet hair, dust, and pollen. This makes it an ideal vacuum for allergy-prone people.
The 1200-watt motor gives you all the power you need for stubborn debris while the sleek red vacuum is light enough to use for long periods of time. That’s because it’s specifically designed for commercial cleaning.
Although the Sanitaire works wonderfully on hard flooring, it’s one of the best for large wool carpets as well as hard-to-reach areas.
Of all the many benefits of this vacuum for wool carpet, its best features are its powerful suction and motor strength.
Yet, the power cable is too short for a comfortable cleaning experience, so you might want to think about using an extension cord.
Specifications
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Canister Vacuum Type: Bagged
- Cord Length: 20 ft
- Cleaning Path Width: 10 in
- Warranty: 2 Years
Pros
- Ideal for high-traffic wool carpets
- Very lightweight despite such power
- Powerful suction for pet hair
Cons
- Power cable could be longer
Soniclean Soft Carpet Upright Vacuum Cleaner
This Soniclean is one of the most popular upright vacuum for wool carpets. It’s designed to clean all wool carpet types that aren’t thicker than an inch.
It comes with patented Sonic Carpet Cleaning Technology, featuring a sonic bar that produces 200 vibrations per second.
The high-frequency sonic energy helps to dislodge embedded particles, dirt, dust, and pet hair. Still, you might want to try it on a remote part of your wool carpet first.
It has a brush roll with gentle bristles that won’t damage the wool fibers. Plus, this vacuum for wool carpets is quite lightweight for an upright vacuum cleaner, so you probably won’t have any issues pushing and pulling it around.
The patented EZ-Push vent system acts as suction control for some added convenience and ease of use.
Specifications
- Weight: 10.5 lbs
- Filtration: HEPA
- Cord Length: 35 ft
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 14 x 43.5 in
Pros
- HEPA filter
- Full-bag indicator
- Long 35’ power cord
Cons
- A bit bulky
Shark HV382 Rocket DuoClean
Shark HV382 might be your best vacuum for wool carpet if you’re looking for a corded stick. It features a 30’ long cord and has LED headlights for cleaning in low-light conditions.
This vacuum for wool carpet uses the brand’s popular DuoClean technology, featuring a dual brush roll system for deep cleaning carpets and polishing hard floors.
The brush is easy to access so that you can clean it when needed.
Another thing worth noting is that it weighs only 4.5 pounds when used as a handheld vacuum. This allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas and above-floor surfaces, like your stairs and furniture. It weighs 9.9 pounds when used as a stick vacuum for wool carpet.
Also, this Shark comes with specialized pet tools to remove embedded pet hair and dander from various surfaces including a wool carpet.
Specifications
- Weight: 9.9 lbs
- Wattage: 505
- Cord Length: 30 ft
- Dust Cup Capacity: 0.91
Pros
- Ideal for hard-to-reach areas
- Long cord
- Pet tools included
Cons
- Top-heavy design
Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson V8 Absolute is a cordless vacuum for wool carpets, providing unique convenience and relatively long battery life. It has two suction modes, so its run time might vary depending on which mode you use.
Standard mode allows some 40 minutes of run time, but that’s significantly reduced when using its Max mode. Although Max mode operates at 115 AW, it allows for only 8 minutes of run time.
Still, Max mode is often too powerful, especially for cleaning wool carpets. It takes four hours to recharge.
This cordless vacuum has a HEPA filter that ensures all pet hair, dirt, and debris are safely trapped inside. This is particularly important if you’re dealing with pet hair and dander.
Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is powered by the brand’s digital V8 motor and comes with a Direct Drive cleaner head.
Specifications
- Weight: 5.75 lbs
- Filtration: HEPA
- Run Time: 40 min
- Suction Power: 115 AW
Pros
- Whole-machine HEPA filter
- Instant-release trigger
- Two suction modes
Cons
- Small dust bin
Picking The Right Vacuum For Wool Carpets
Choosing the best vacuum for wool carpet might seem overwhelming, so you might want to consider a few factors that can help your search.
Size Of Your House
Before anything else, consider the dimensions and layout of the space you’ll be cleaning.
For extremely large houses, getting a suitably rugged vacuum is a must. But it doesn’t end there though, as you need to think about stairs and portability as well.
As for offices with carpets, you might want to consider using a commercial vacuum instead. They might be a little bit heavier, but they definitely get the job done.
There’s no need to focus on bigger being better. Aim for the right balance between power and maneuverability, according to the layout of your home.
Also, with a larger vacuum comes the issue of storage, so think about if you have enough space for when you’re not using it.
Attachments & Accessories
As you know, the best vacuums for wool come with several accessories and attachments. Some accessories are more useful than others, so consider the type of wool rug you have and the dirt you usually deal with.
The most common accessories include a crevice tool, upholstery nozzle, and a dusting brush. Some models also come with an extension pole or a hose, making it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas. Keep in mind that smaller accessories help to clean pet hair from tight areas.
Ensure that all its brushes are tough but gentle so that they don’t damage your soft carpet. Also, you might want to avoid motorized brushes.
Filtration
Wool carpets tend to hold lots of dirt, dust, and pet hair, and dander. And while you need powerful suction to extract these particles, you also need your vacuum to keep them trapped inside.
The last thing you want is the dust to end up back in your breathing space. To prevent this, check if your best vacuum for wool has reliable filtration.
Having a good filtration system makes all the difference, especially if all your wool carpets are high-pile. It’s also a significant factor to consider if you’re prone to allergies.
There are several filtration options, although a HEPA filter is by far the most popular and efficient.
Weight & Design
The design of your vacuum plays a major role in its ease of use. For this reason, ensure that it’s user-friendly with controls that are within hand’s reach.
Note that the designs differ from vacuum to vacuum, meaning that your canister vacuum might not have fingertip controls. In this case, you should be able to press its buttons with your foot.
Also, check how heavy your vacuum for wool carpets is. It should be lightweight enough to allow easy portability, but still with some weight so that you don’t have to apply too much pressure when vacuuming.
Suction Power
If your prime goal is keeping wool carpet pristine, it’s critical to aim for a product with powerful suction.
All the models we review are sufficiently powerful to clean the fibers of wool carpets and suck up even heavily embedded dirt.
You might want to consider adjustable power if you have more than just wool carpets. Having several power settings allows you to customize your vacuum depending on the surface and type of dirt you’re cleaning.
On top of that, adjustable power is ideal for gentler wool carpets. It makes it easy to pick up loose debris without pulling on the carpet fibers. Still, sticks and uprights are typically the most adjustable.
Versatility
Versatility is always an important factor, but even more so if you have more floor types than just wool carpets.
It usually depends on a few things like suction control, adjustable height, and the accessories included. For example, you should avoid using motorized tools for your wool rug, but you might want them for other carpets.
Also, check if your vacuum for wool rugs has adjustable power. It allows you to adapt its powerful suction according to the type of floors you have in your home. Height adjustment settings are equally as helpful if you have other floors combined with wool carpeting.
Brush Design & Soft Bristles
Your best vacuum for wool should have several tools to allow versatile cleaning. However, nothing is as important as a quality brush.
The brush should have tough bristles or it could wear out quickly. Still, its tough bristles must be soft, or else they could damage your soft carpet fibers.
As we said, motorized tools are best avoided. Still, many brands include them because they’re ideal for other floor types. If you go for a motorized tool, you should be able to remove or shut it off before vacuuming wool carpets.
The same goes for a beater brush; you should remove it when vacuuming your wool rug.
Different Best Vacuums for Wool Carpet
We’ll stick to the three categories of cleaners for wool carpet.
Canister
If you have lots of different surfaces to clean beyond just the flooring, then buying a canister vacuum would be a smart move.
One issue with this type of vacuum is the need to physically lug it behind you. This makes canisters less than ideal in homes with lots of stairs and multiple levels.
If you’re looking for better comfort, you might want to consider getting one that’s worn on your back, which is also called commercial backpack vacuums.
Most canisters have powerful suction, allowing you to deal with the most persistent debris.
Canisters are almost exclusively corded, so ensure that the cable is long enough for you to reach the areas you want to clean.
Upright
Generally, upright vacuums are the most powerful of all models. If it’s raw power you’re looking for, an upright might be your best bet.
Available in both corded and cordless versions, ensure the vacuum you’re looking at has an adjustable beater bar if you’re cleaning homes with mixed flooring, not just wool carpets.
The swivel steering available on many uprights makes moving around the house a stress-free experience.
Most uprights come with a generous range of accessories. However, look out for those that will give your wool carpets those crucial finishing touches.
Cordless
Depending on the layout of the house you’re cleaning, a cordless vacuum might make the most sense.
The chief advantage of a cordless vacuum is the completely free movement you enjoy without any frustrating plugging and unplugging.
On the downside, run time is normally pretty limited and most of these can’t vacuum for a particularly long time. Be prepared for some down time while you wait for your battery to get a boost.
Not all batteries last a long time, many of which run for a set number of cycles. When budgeting, think about the cost of a replacement or extra battery.
A cordless vacuum also tends to be slightly weaker than the corded alternative. Because of this, you’ll want to consider the type of grime in your wool rugs and whether your cordless vacuum of choice can remove it.
Picking The Right Vacuum For Wool Rugs
Wool carpets require special maintenance if you want to keep them looking good for the longest time. This is even more important if your wool carpets are in high-traffic areas.
The first thing you should pay attention to is soil accumulation.
You might want to take your outdoor shoes off before stepping foot on a wool carpet. Also, ask your guests to do the same, but make sure you have some slippers to offer.
Another critical step is regular vacuuming. You should go for the best vacuum for wool to achieve the best results.
As we said, these vacuums are made specifically for this type of surface. Most models have adjustable suction, several useful tools, and are easy to use.
Take the time to clean the carpet regularly, depending on how dirty your wool carpets usually get. In most cases, it’s enough to vacuum once or twice a week, although pet owners and allergy-prone people might want to do it more often.
Also, remove all spills immediately. Letting liquids dry on your wool carpet will create a stain you won’t be able to remove. For this reason, act quickly and remove all spills right when the accident happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Should I get one with a beater bar?
A: In a word, no. A vacuum that comes with a brush roll might be useful for dirt embedded in synthetic carpets. As wool sheds easily, a brush roll is too aggressive for a soft carpet.
If your vacuum has this tool, you should be able to disengage it when deep cleaning wool carpets.
Q:
Will it remove pet hair that’s on a rug?
A: The suction of the vacuums we looked into today should be good enough to suck up pet hair, even though they’re not specialty vacuums. If you have lots of animals in your household, check out our article on vacuums designed for pet hair for more options.
Conclusion
Looking for an appropriate vacuum for your wool carpets can be tough. It’s a delicate balancing act between getting powerful suction that won’t damage your wool carpeting.
Vacuums with no brush roll work most effectively on wool carpets. If you do have wool rugs in your home, then either look for a vacuum that doesn’t have a brush roll or choose a vacuum that has the ability to switch it off.
When you think about the size of the space you need to clean in relation to the power of the vacuum you’re considering, you should end up with a good idea of whether you need a large upright or if a smaller canister makes better sense.
By taking a little time to think about these basics and by reading plenty of honest user feedback, finding the best vacuum for wool carpet is not such a difficult task after all.
