Consumer Reports: Best vacuums for plush carpets

New carpeting marketed as "ultraplush" or "ultrasoft" is posing an ultra-problem for many vacuums. Consumer Reports experts give tips on what you can do to fix it.

Luxury carpets feel great underfoot, but these super cushy carpets can really challenge your vacuum.

Consumer Reports' Dave Trezza said carpets like this Caress from Shaw or this Karastan from Mohawk are so thick that vacuums can't move freely back and forth.

"The vacuum creates such a tight seal, it sucks in the carpet and you're unable to move it," Trezza said.

Some vacuums like this are nearly impossible to move. Even leaning with all his body weight, Trezza couldn't get it to budge.

Carpet manufacturers actually recommend specific vacuums they say will work on plush carpets. Consumer Reports tried some out.

"We did find vacuums that are easier to move on these types of carpets, but you also want a vacuum that performed well in our regular cleaning tests," Trezza said.

For plush carpets, Consumer Reports recommends the $400 Kenmore Elite canister, with its "ultraplush" system. It cleans up on both regular carpet and bare floors very well.

If an upright is more your speed, this Hoover Wind Tunnel handles the carpets just fine, and at $180 is a Consumer Reports Best Buy.

But before you go out and buy a new vacuum, Consumer Reports said another solution is to try raising the powerhead to a higher setting. If that's not an option, try adjusting the airflow on the suction control dial. That might be enough to get your vacuum moving.

Consumer Reports said that raising the powerhead and reducing the airflow might reduce cleaning power. So you may need to go over the same spot to thoroughly remove dirt.

Another very good upright option is the Miele Dynamic U-1 Twist for $450. It costs more than the Hoover, but it's quieter and is even better than the Hoover on carpets.

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