Buying guide for best carpet sweepers

Whether you like it or not, keeping your floors clean is a day-to-day chore that must be done. If you don’t clean your floors regularly, you’ll likely see dire results within a week or two.

A carpet sweeper can help you do the job. You can use it either as an alternative to or in addition to a vacuum cleaner. Sweepers can clean bare floors in addition to cleaning carpets. The problem is, you'll find many options on the market. It’s not always clear which products perform well and offer the most for the money.

Some carpet sweepers handle corners and clean around objects with ease. Others aren't as maneuverable and are better suited to sweeping wide-open stretches of the floor. Consider the maneuverability of your chosen carpet sweeper before making a buying decision.

Carpet sweeper benefits

Perhaps you're still on the fence about buying a carpet sweeper. After all, you probably already own a vacuum cleaner or carpet cleaner of some type. Here are some benefits of owning this affordable cleaning tool.

• The rotating brush rolls can pick up large debris that may be too big for a vacuum cleaner to handle.
• Manual and cordless electric carpet sweepers can erase dirt in places where you don't have power outlets, such as a shed or screened-in porch.
• Carpet sweepers can help with quick cleanups between vacuuming days. Many models don't need to be plugged into a power outlet, so it's a fast and easy process.
• Manual carpet sweepers are eco-friendly; they require no electricity to run. Many brands also use 100% recycled plastic.
• Because carpet sweepers are quieter than vacuum cleaners, they're good for use around pets or when the baby's sleeping. You can clean any time of day or night without disturbing downstairs neighbors.
• Most carpet sweepers are very user-friendly and easy to operate.
• Their slim design makes for easy storage.
• Because most carpet sweepers are far lighter than vacuums, they are less tiring to use.

Types of carpet sweepers

There are two main types of carpet sweepers to choose from: manual carpet sweepers and electric carpet sweepers. Below, we examine the pros and cons of each.

Manual carpet sweepers

Manual carpet sweepers don't run on electricity. Rather, they rely on your physical push power.

Pros:

• Because they require no electricity to run, manual carpet sweepers are an extremely eco-friendly cleaning option.
• You can use a manual carpet sweeper anywhere. You do not need access to electricity.
• Unlike cordless electric carpet sweepers, manual models don't have a limited run time. There’s no chance of running out of juice.

Cons:

• Manual carpet sweepers aren't quite as effective as electric carpet sweepers. You may need to make multiple passes.
• You may have to put a lot of weight behind your manual carpet sweeper in order to get good results.

Electric carpet sweepers

Though they don’t have suction, electric carpet sweepers have motors that power rotating heads and brushes.

Pros:

• Electric carpet sweepers have some extra oomph to their cleaning power. This makes them a bit more effective than their manual counterparts.
• You may find that electric carpet sweepers are better at cleaning up pet hair from deep within the pile.
• Compared to manual models, it takes less effort to clean with an electric carpet sweeper.

Cons:

• You're limited as to where you can use a corded electric carpet sweeper, and a cordless model could run out of battery power.
• Electric carpet sweepers make more noise than manual carpet sweepers.

Considerations for selecting the best carpet sweeper

Weight

From the lightweight to the hefty, you can find carpet sweepers of varying weights. The lightest models weigh in at under 2 pounds, whereas heavier options weigh up to 6 pounds.

As a rule, manual carpet sweepers are lighter than electric models because they don't have motors weighing them down. However, other factors also affect the weight of a carpet sweeper, including material, brush width, and overall size. If you have trouble lifting heavy objects or want a sweeper that's easy to carry from place to place, opt for the most lightweight sweeper you can find.

Brush width

Some carpet sweepers have wider brushes, or "sweeping paths," than others. The most compact options have brush widths of less than 8 inches. Large models have brush widths exceeding 12 inches.

While carpet sweepers with smaller sweeping paths are easier to maneuver and get into nooks and crannies, they're not as quick at sweeping large areas of the floor. If you'll mostly be sweeping big, open rooms with few obstacles, a larger brush width is best.

Blades or bristles?

Carpet sweepers clean through the use of rotating brushes, rubber bristles, or blades.

• Bristles are the most common option. Bristles are excellent at going into the pile of a carpet to pull out worked-in hair. They’re also highly suitable for sweeping up larger debris, such as dropped food or clumps of mud. They are usually made of electrostatic vinyl or animal hair.
• Rubber bristles work well for pet hair and human hair as they do not get clogged or tangled easily.

• Rubber blades are better at picking up extremely fine debris, especially from tile or hardwood floors.

Since these types have pros and cons, some carpet sweepers use a combination to reap the benefits of each. For example, a bristle blade may sit at the front of a sweeper to clean up larger debris and hair while a rubber blade goes behind to pick up fine particles of dust and dirt.

Make note of whether a brand sells replacement brush rolls. If any part of a carpet sweeper needs replacing, it’s usually this one.

Dustbin capacity

Though you will most likely use your carpet sweeper for light jobs, a larger dustbin capacity means you won’t need to empty it after every use. Though most companies don’t disclose the size of the dustbin, look for carpet sweepers with around 16 ounces of capacity.

Bear in mind that higher dustbin capacity often comes at the expense of a compact design.

Cleaning path width

The cleaning path is the width of the area a carpet sweeper covers on each pass. Most carpet sweepers have a cleaning path between 6 and 12 inches.

A wider path is typically more efficient, but narrower cleaning heads give you more maneuverability and the ability to reach tight spaces. Similarly, a low-profile design and a wide-range joint or swivel allow you to clean underneath furniture.

Electrostatic carpet sweepers

Both electric and manual carpet sweepers may be electrostatic. This means they generate an electrostatic charge as they clean to attract small particles the brush roll would otherwise miss. This can reduce the need to mop after you vacuum.

If you plan to replace your vacuum with a carpet sweeper, electrostatic bristles are crucial.

Handle flexibility

In addition to the cleaning path width and size of the cleaner head, handle flexibility is a major factor in determining how well a carpet sweeper can handle tight spaces and reach under furniture.

Carpet sweepers with a simple hinged handle have the flexibility of up to 90 degrees but no side-to-side flexibility. If your carpet sweeper isn’t your primary cleaning tool, this may be okay. Otherwise, you may find the limited flexibility frustrating.

Swivel joints are far more flexible and allow you to clean around corners without totally repositioning. Like hinged handles, make note of the limit of a swivel joint. Up to 90 degrees is ideal.

Bear in mind that the height of the cleaner head and handle joint can limit what furniture you are able to reach under.

Corded or cordless

If you opt for an electric carpet sweeper, you'll need to decide whether to buy a corded or a cordless model.

• Corded carpet sweepers have an unlimited run time, but you need to have access to a power outlet. You also have the hassle of plugging it in, unplugging it, trailing the cord around the house, and coiling the cord up when you're done. These models are uncommon for a reason. Many people would instead use an upright vacuum cleaner.

• Cordless sweepers don't require a power outlet. You're free to roam wherever you please. The downside is that their rechargeable batteries have a limited runtime, so you could end up losing power before you finish sweeping. If you plan to clean larger areas, this could be especially problematic.

How much do carpet sweepers cost?

Carpet sweepers are generally less expensive than vacuum cleaners and more expensive than brooms, but their cleaning capability and maneuverability puts them in a unique spot.

Inexpensive

Budget carpet sweepers start at $20 to $40 and are almost always manual and non-electrostatic. While they may lack additional features like corner brushes and swivel heads, they can supplement a traditional vacuum.

Mid-range

For $40 to $60 are electrostatic and electric carpet sweepers that often have larger capacities and roller brushes that can handle multiple floor types.

Expensive

High-end carpet sweepers for $60 to $100 are usually electric models with long run times and quiet operation. They can typically clean a variety of surfaces with ease.

Tips

• Most carpet cleaners can only handle low-pile carpets, area rugs, and hard surfaces. If you have a shag carpet or fur rugs, you may need a traditional vacuum cleaner.
• Consider the bristle material of the brushes on your chosen carpet sweeper. Many bristles are made from synthetic materials, but "natural bristles" are usually made from animal hair. Vegans, vegetarians, and anyone who avoids using certain animal products for religious reasons may want to steer clear of natural bristles.
• Make note of what types of floors a sweeper can handle. Some are only designed for carpets. Others are multi-surface cleaners due to their softer bristles.
• Think about the shape of your chosen carpet sweeper. Most models have rectangular sweeping heads, but some are triangular or have angled edges to more easily get into corners.
• Consider how durable your chosen carpet sweeper is. Commercial models are usually extra-tough and long-lasting, and there are no rules against using them at home.
• Look at the run time of your chosen carpet sweeper. If you select a cordless electric model, make sure its specified run time is long enough to meet your needs.
• Dampen the roller brush on a manual carpet sweeper to increase dust pickup. Note, however, that you should never do this to an electric carpet sweeper.

While carpet sweepers aren't as powerful as vacuum cleaners, they're great for compact, low-traffic homes or for giving your floors a quick once-over between vacuuming sessions.

FAQ

Q. I have pets. Do I need a specific kind of carpet sweeper?

A. Homes that belong to dogs and cats usually require a bit of extra cleaning power thanks to muddy paws and shedded fur. While you don't need to have a particular kind of carpet sweeper if you have pets, note that electric models are more powerful than their manual counterparts, and electrostatic units are effective at picking up hair. Rubber bristles are also far easier to clean than vinyl bristles.

Q. How do carpet sweepers collect dirt?

A. Unlike brooms, carpet sweepers don't simply push the dirt around the floor, leaving you with a pile to clear up at the end. Instead, they sweep dirt and debris into a dustpan or collection canister as they go along. Once you’re finished (or the container is full), you simply empty the debris into the trash.

Q. Are carpet sweepers suitable for all kinds of flooring?

A. Carpet sweepers are suitable for use on a wide range of flooring. Despite the name, you can use them on non-carpeted floors such as hardwood, linoleum, and tile. Although they work well on short-pile carpets, most models don't handle thicker piles very well.

Q. Do carpet sweepers clean as they move backward as well as forward?

A. Yes, almost all carpet sweepers have gears that revolve regardless of the direction you push the sweeper, always rotating the roller brush inward so it picks up debris. This means the motion of using a carpet sweeper feels much the same as using a regular vacuum cleaner.