Any type of carpeting is an investment. You want it to look good and function well for as long as possible. Part of making certain that your carpeting lasts is using the correct tools when cleaning it. And that means that if you own Berber carpeting, you need the best vacuum for Berber carpet.
Everyone knows that all vacuums are not created equal, but what many do not realize is that every type of carpeting has different needs. That means that there could be a vacuum that is considered the best on the market overall, but it isn’t right for Berber. To clean your carpet correctly and help it last for years to come, you have to make certain you are using the correct vacuum. To help, here are our vacuum for Berber carpet reviews.
If you’re in a hurry and don't have time for the details, here are our best picks Vacuum for Berber Carpet
Contents
- What Is Berber Carpet?
- What Makes Berber Carpet a Good Investment?
- Features to Look for in a Vacuum for Berber Carpet
- Top 5 Vacuum for Berber Carpet - Comparison Chart 2019
- Top 5 Best Vacuum for Berber Carpet on the Market Reviews
- Should You Switch to Berber Carpet?
- General Care Instructions for Berber Carpeting
What Is Berber Carpet?
Originally, Berber carpet referred to rugs that were created by the Berber tribes of North Africa. These tribes used light colored material flecked with darker colors to create a dynamic look. They had a specific style of weaving they used as well that created a distinct appearance.
The term Berber carpet used in a modern sense refers to carpeting that uses the similar weaving pattern that creates loops, though usually done by machines rather than by hand, and often—but not always—has flecks of darker colors against a lighter background.
Modern synthetic versions of Berber carpeting are highly durable. This makes them a good choice for high-traffic areas, including commercial spaces. There are also wool carpets that can be purchased, but these are more delicate. Artisan carpets that are made by hand are available as well, but these tend to be very expensive and difficult to care for.
What Makes Berber Carpet a Good Investment?
With both large rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting, you are making a significant investment in your home. It is important to make certain this investment is a good one for you. So, is Berber ideal for your home? In most cases, yes. Here are two reasons why.
Berber Is Cost Effective
Part of what makes an investment a good choice is what it costs you. Compared to other carpeting options, Berber is one of the most affordable. Of course, this varies based on the options you choose. Your most affordable carpeting will be those using synthetic materials and made by machines. The more natural or artisan the carpet, the more expensive it will be.
Keep in mind that affordable does not equal cheap. Berber carpeting tends to be lower in price because it usually uses olefin rather than nylon and the loop-pile of it is cheaper for manufacturers than cut-pile carpets.
Berber Is Durable
With cut-pile carpeting, the ends of the fibers are open, leaving them vulnerable to damage. Because Berber carpets remain looped, there is less risk. However, it is not true that all Berber carpets are more durable than all cut-pile carpets.
The higher the quality of the carpet you purchase, the more durable it will be, no matter the cut. If you want a Berber carpet that is more durable than a cut-pile counterpart, you need to make certain that both offer the same level of quality.
Identifying Your Berber Carpet Fiber Type
If your home already has Berber carpeting, you need to know what the carpet fiber type is. This information can help you determine how to care for the carpet as well as how long to expect it to last. There are two tests you can use: a chemical test and a burn test. In both cases, you will want to test using fibers from an area of the carpet not easily visible—perhaps from underneath furniture—or on leftover carpet squares from when it was installed.
The Chemical Test
With the chemical test, you need different chemicals for different fibers. To prevent you from buying too many different chemicals, it is best to figure out the two most likely options and start there. For Berber carpeting, the most common fiber types are wool and olefin. Luckily, these tests require chemicals you likely have at home
Wool: Place the fiber in Chlorox. If it is wool, it will dissolve within five minutes. In the cases of wool blends, the wool will dissolve but leave the other fibers behind.
Olefin: This fiber floats on water, but so do some other fibers, so water alone is not a sufficient test. To be certain if the fiber is olefin or not, add a drop of dishwashing detergent to a cup of water. If it is olefin, it will still float; all others will sink to the bottom.
If neither of these tests turn up positive, you can test for other fiber types.
Nylon: Place a couple of drops of formic acid on the fiber. If it is nylon, it will start to dissolve within 60 seconds.
Acetate: Pour acetone into a plastic cup and then add the fiber. If it dissolves, it is acetate.
Polyester: Place the fiber in di-methylformamide. It is polyester if it dissolves.
The Burn Test
With the burn test, you set the fiber aflame and then observe three specific factors: the look of the flame, the look of the ash, and the odor as it burns.
With wool, the fiber will flame orange and then die out, leaving no smoke. The ash will be irregular, and the odor will be similar to that of burning hair.
Olefin will have a blue base and an orange tip to the flame. It also leaves to smoke. The ash will resemble round beads, light tan to brown in color and hard. The smell is similar to asphalt.
Other fibers you may need to test for are as follows:
Fiber Type | Flame Appearance | Ash Appearance | Odor |
Nylon | Blue base, orange tip, no smoke | Round beads; gray, brown, or black in color; hard | Celery |
Cotton and Jute | Even orange flame, no smoke | Irregular; glowing embers; gray or black; becomes a fine powder | Burnt paper |
Polyester | Orange, sputtering flame with sooty black smoke | Round, shinny, black, and hard | Fruity |
Rayon | Orange flame that fapidly burns | No ash or bead | Burnt paper |
Features to Look for in a Vacuum for Berber Carpet
There are many features to consider when purchasing a vacuum. Things you might want to consider are weight, cord length, bagged or bagless, and easy of use. However, these are all general features and not specific to the needs of Berber carpeting. For the best vacuum for Berber carpet, you will want to look for the following features:
No Beater Bar or One That Can Be Turned On and Off
With most types of cut-pile carpeting, you want a powerful beater bar because that is how the dirt at the bottom of the pile gets pulled out. For any type of loop-pile carpeting, including Berber, you want to avoid this. This is because the brush can catch on the loops and create a snag in the carpeting.
Another concern with Berber carpeting is that much of it is made from olefin. Olefin can melt when it gets too hot and the friction from a beater bar can generate enough heat for it to reach the melting point. As such, if your Berber carpet is made from olefin, having a vacuum without a beater bar or one that can be turned off is incredibly important.
In some cases, vacuums will have a beater bar with a brush that is designed specifically for use on Berber carpeting. These beater bars tend to be adjustable in both height and speed. If you locate a vacuum with this feature, it is suitable to Berber carpeting not made from olefin.
Powerful Suction
Because you cannot rely on the brush to dig dirt out, you need powerful suction. If you have multiple types of flooring in your home, adjustable suction is best since some carpets can be damaged by strong suction. If you only have Berber carpeting or hard floors, then you can purchase a vacuum with powerful, non-adjustable suction.
Canister or Upright?
Finally, you need to decide between a canister vacuum or an upright model. Canister vacuums have a few specific benefits for Berber carpeting. First, they tend to offer incredibly powerful suction. Given that Berber carpeting relies on suction alone to get clean, this is a major plus. Second, the brushes used are generally attachments that can be switched out, so you can switch between a rolling brush to a suction tool depending on the surface you are cleaning.
Upright vacuums tend to be less powerful, but there are some models that get the job done. With an upright, you do not switch the tool to clean but use the vacuum itself, so the brush it important to consider. Also, many uprights automatically adjust to different types of flooring, making them easier to use.
Top 5 Vacuum for Berber Carpet - Comparison Chart 2019
| Image | Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Editor's ChoiceEditor's Choice Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright Vacuum |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
 | Rank: #2Rank: #2 Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum Cleaner |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
 | Rank: #3Rank: #3 Eureka 169K 2-in-1 Quick-Up Bagless Stick Vacuum Cleaner |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
 | Rank: #4Rank: #4 Severin Germany Nonstop Corded Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
 | Rank: #5Rank: #5 Miele Classic C1 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
Top 5 Best Vacuum for Berber Carpet on the Market Reviews
#1 Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright Vacuum
Our editor’s choice for the best vacuum for Berber carpeting goes to the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright Vacuum. It offers excellent performance overall and is known to be long-lasting, which means that its price tag is less of an expense and more of an investment. The long cord makes it easy to clean entire rooms without needing to unplug and replug the machine. It will also automatically adjust itself as you move over different types of flooring, which means no guesswork for you, and you can turn the brush off.
For detailing work, the expandable hose makes it easy to reach even the most difficult of spots. The canister is designed to empty with just one hand, and it does not fill up too fast. The ball design is also very easy to work on Berber carpeting, other low-pile carpets, and hard floors. In terms of suction, it offers the most powerful suction of any upright vacuum on the market, so it is ideally suited to Berber carpeting.
While we think this is going to be the best purchase for most customers, it is not without its downsides. It is 15.6 pounds, which isn’t exactly heavy, but not as lightweight as some vacuums. If you have high-pile carpeting, the ball design can actually be less maneuverable than a standard vacuum. Finally, it does not have on-board storage for attachments.
#2 Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum Cleaner
If you want a canister vacuum, the Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum Cleaner is our suggestion. Now, we know that the steep price tag may feel like too much to some, but if you are willing to invest in a vacuum, then you cannot go wrong with Miele products. In addition to being known to last decades, they are also protected by an industry-leading warranty, including a 5-year motor-specific warranty.
This machine comes with a special Electro-Brush which is incredibly powerful, using electricity rather than air to keep it moving. Yes, we know this is not good for Berber carpeting, but it is excellent news if you have other types of carpeting. Plus, you can turn the brush off when going over your Berber, so all is well.
The suction is incredibly powerful, so your floors will be clean. The HEPA filtration system does well at removing most allergens and pet hair from the room. Other features customers like are the LED lights, retractable cord, and filter change indicator.
The greatest downside for most customers is the price. Others also note the weight of the machine. However, there are ultimately few cons to owning this vacuum.#3 Eureka 169K 2-in-1 Quick-Up Bagless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Great vacuums for Berber carpet do not have to be large. In fact, they can be upright stick vacuums. The Eureka 169K 2-in-1 Quick-UP Vacuum Cleaner proves this point. It is a stick vacuum that converts to an even smaller vacuum cleaner. Its design is freestanding. You can store it anywhere without a base. This is extremely unusual for a stick vacuum.
Unfortunately, the Eureka 169K is a corded stick vacuum. That means you will need to deal with an electrical cord. However, the cord gives the vacuum more power, ideal for cleaning Berber carpet. The lightweight design is also perfect for Berber carpet. The 169K will not sink into the carpet and cause damage.
You can turn the brush roll on and off as well. This feature means that Eureka 169K can clean Berber and other types of carpet as well as hard floors. Finally, the .65 liter dust bin is small. Yet, relative to the overall size of the vacuum, it is reasonable. For small jobs or vacuuming a Berber rug, the Eureka 169K is an ideal choice.
#4 Severin Germany Nonstop Corded Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner
If you are willing to spend just a little bit more for a higher quality vacuum, consider the Severin Germany Nonstop Corded Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner, which is our choice for the best allergen-reducing option. It has one of the highest-rated HEPA filters on the market; the air blown out is cleaned by filtering up to 99.95% (h13) or 99.995% (h14).
As it uses multi-cyclone technology, it is excellent for pulling dirt out of Berber carpeting, though not good for high-pile carpeting, so keep this in mind. It is incredibly lightweight, coming in at less than 10 pounds. It also has a 5 foot hose, so reaching under furniture and other difficult-to-reach spots is easy.
The vacuum comes with numerous accessories so you can tailor your approach to your cleaning needs. The rubberized wheels mean you can use the vacuum on hard flooring without damaging the floors. Finally, the container is large enough that you can clean the whole house without emptying it. The primary downside noted is the short cord, but this is a small sacrifice given the other features.#5 Miele Classic C1 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Finally, if you are looking to manage pet hair and want a vacuum specifically designed for this task that can easily handle Berber carpeting, try the Miele Classic C1 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner, our choice for the best pet-hair option. It can be operated at six different speeds and has a power filtration system to remove pet hair and dander from the air. The cord is 18 feet long while the hose is 7 feet in length, so you do not need to unplug and replug the machine very often.
The machine comes with numerous tools, including an upholstery tool every pet owner requires. There is no brush, so Berber carpeting is safe. And the suction is incredibly powerful when run at the highest speed, so it can really pull dirt and debris out of carpet fibers.
As with the other Miele on our list, it isn’t cheap—but it is cheaper, coming in at roughly half the price. It is also good for high-pile carpeting and hardwood floors, making it a versatile purchase. But no matter what you choose, if you pick a vacuum from this list, you will be happy.
Should You Switch to Berber Carpet?
Are you researching vacuum for Berber carpet reviews because you are considering making a switch in your flooring choices? Or maybe you have Berber carpeting but are not certain if you want to stick with it? Berber carpeting is a solid choice. However, it is not the right option for all homeowners. To help you make your decision, here are the pros and cons of Berber carpeting.
Pros
- Low cost
- Easy to remove stains
- Resistant to absorbing spills
- Color options hide dirt and soiling
- Wide variety of options available
- Resists wear and tear, even in high-traffic areas
Cons
- A single snag can ruin the whole carpet
- Pets can catch their claws in the loops
- Cats will often sharpen their claws on the carpet
- It is not plush, so it gives little cushion when standing on it
- The low flashpoint of olefin means it is quite flammable and can be problematic in the even of a home fire
General Care Instructions for Berber Carpeting
The exact manner in which you care for your Berber carpeting will depend on the fibers used in its creation. With that said, there are some things that are the same. Caring for Berber carpeting in general requires the following steps:
- Vacuum the carpet daily to prevent dirt and debris from discoloring the carpet.
- Be sure your vacuum is suited to Berber carpeting and adjust the vacuum if needed.
- Look for snags and seek repair if you see any.
- Never drag heavy or sharp objects across the carpeting.
- Take off shoes before walking on the carpet.
- Keep food and drink away from the carpet to reduce the likelihood of staining.
- If there is a spill, blot it dry and then use a spot cleaner.
Now, other steps will depend on the fiber type. These steps are as follows.
- Olefin Carpets: Steam clean once a month but use a special low-heat steam cleaner in order to avoid melting the carpet fibers.
- Nylon Carpets: Dry clean once a month.
- Wool Carpets: Have them professionally cleaned once a month or as needed and treat them with great care, as these carpets are delicate and expensive.
With the Right Vacuum, Your Berber Carpets Will Last
Having Berber carpeting can make your home more comfortable and functional, but you also want it to be beautiful. Keeping your carpet looking great means using the right tools, including the best vacuum for Berber carpet. You will be happy with any of the five options on our list—we are certain of it.
Jennifer is a work-from-home freelance writer, editor, and dog mom. So, like Angela, she understands how important it is to keep her floors clean. Jennifer currently lives in a home with carpet and tile floors. Therefore, she is an expert in cleaning those specific types of floors.
When you don’t find Jennifer at her computer writing and editing, you will see her with a vacuum in hand. She greatly appreciates the chance to provide content for this website with Angela and looks enjoys spreading her floor cleaning knowledge with the world.
I need to clean my wool berber rugs, but I am told by a carpeting professional that they will shrink. I was told to use a “dry” method, but my research indicates that even the dry method requires an amount of water. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you.
The dry method would be best for cleaning your wool berber carpet. When finding a product to use, look for the WOOLDSAFE logo. You can also go to this website to find products to use on your carpet. https://www.woolsafe.org/woolsafe-approved-carpet-care-products/consumer-products/. When using a dry WOOLSAFE product, make sure that you can just spray the foam or powder directly on the carpet, wait for it to dry, and then vacuum it up. Using that method means that you will not have to worry about putting any water on the carpet and potentially shrinking it. We hope this helps!
I would like a good quality vacuum that I could use on my basement Berber carpet that would also work for my large wool area rug. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
For a home with berber and wool carpet, we’d recommend the Miele Complete C3. We’ve described it above, but because Miele has designed it for all surface types and included five different height settings and variable speeds, it will work well for both wool and berber.
We’ve just recently installed olefin berber carpet and appreciate the advice on the vacuum cleaners. Curious to know when it comes time to have the carpets cleaned do you think that the standard hard suction service works ok with berber?