How to buy the best carpet

A good carpet makes a house feel like a home, adding warmth, style and, often, soundproofing. 

But there are so many different options and stages of the buying process that it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Read on for expert advice on how to choose a carpet, the pros and cons of carpet versus other flooring types, how to find a carpet fitter, why you need underlay, and more. 

If you need some maintenance tips, see our guide on how to clean carpet

How to buy a carpet: step-by-step

Consider your needs

Before you start looking for carpet, consider the pros and cons of different floorings and types of carpet (more on this below), and which is best suited for your lifestyle, and appetite for maintenance.

High-traffic areas, such as hallways, need more durable materials. If you've got children you'll need something that's easy to clean, while pets might rule out looped carpets, as their claws can snag easily.

Measure up

Measure the maximum length and width of the room, including alcoves, wardrobes and doorways. 

Measure twice to be sure, and add an extra 10cm to the length and width for trimming and fitting. Carpet retailers often have detailed online guides. 

If you don’t feel confident doing this, enlist a carpet fitter to do it for you.

Create a budget

Costs can vary from less than £5 per square metre for a simple synthetic to more than £100 per square metre for a premium, hand-woven design. Our pricing research, below, can help you set a budget.

Choose your type, pile and material

Now you know how much you can spend, and the features you are looking for, you can consider the type of carpet to purchase.

The way your carpet is made will affect how it looks, as well as how it feels underfoot. Think about whether you want a soft, plush pile you can sink your toes into, or something flatter and more stable.

You'll need to pick a type of carpet, specific pile, and material - all of which influence durability, maintenance, and cost. 

Pick your underlay 

Once you've got your carpet, you'll need to pick your underlay. 

Don't skip this step -  a good underlay provides thermal and sound insulation, improves the feel of your carpet, and will increase its longevity. 

Choose a carpet brand

Compare prices from a few different retailers, and ensure the costs include underlay, gripper rods and thresholds. If you want to book the in-house fitter, check exactly what the service entails.

Find a carpet fitter 

If you don’t wish to use the in-house service of the retailer you buy from, find your own carpet fitter, and check whether their price includes removal of the old carpet, and whether or not they’re happy to move the furniture in and out of the room as well. 

Considering other options? Read about the types of wood floor

How much does carpet cost?

We've looked across three carpet retailers to find the staring price for different types of carpet. 

Polypropylene is significantly cheaper per square metre than wool, because wool is more resource and labour-intensive to make. 

In many cases, you'll need to have a surveyor come round to give you a full price estimate for your carpet costs. This will include carpet and underlay plus extra accessories (such as door trims) and fitting costs. 

Carpets are mostly sold in rolls that are 4 or 5 metres wide, which will be cut to fit the length of your room. The carpet fitter will trim away any excess from the width, but you’ll still have to pay for this unused carpet. 

You can use offcuts to make doormats and rugs, or to carpet the inside of cupboards. They’re also handy for placing underneath the legs of furniture to avoid squashing the pile.

Does carpet add value to a home?

While new or clean, well-maintained carpet can increase buyer appeal, it rarely adds value to a home.

According to Aidan Coates, Director of Sales at Hamptons in Hyde Park and Bayswater: 'While quality hard flooring often represents an investment that buyers appreciate, carpeting frequently falls into the category of features that new owners plan to replace.

'It tends to trap dirt and makes stains or defects more noticeable. It's also considered to be a highly personal choice, as there are so many features to consider, like texture, colour and overall feel.

'However, neutral, well-maintained carpeting in bedrooms can create a sense of comfort and warmth that resonates with buyers. It can also be practical for certain areas, as it can improve acoustics.'

Carpet reviews from Which? readers

In November 2025, we asked 547 Which? members who have bought carpet in the last 10 years how much they spent, and how satisfied they are with their carpet and why. 

How much did our readers spend on their carpet?

A total of 422 members told us how much they spent.

Log in or join Which? to unlock the table below.

Spending ranged from under £250 to over £1,251.

How satisfied are our readers with their carpet? 

A total of 546 readers rated their level of satisfaction with their carpet. 

Log in or join Which? to see their ratings, plus more details on their reviews, issues they are experiencing, and their tips for prospective buyers. 

For tips on keeping your carpet looking good, see our guide on how to deep clean a carpet

Types of carpet: tufted vs woven

There are two main types of carpet in the UK: tufted and woven. 

Woven carpets are labour-intensive to make, and therefore more expensive, while tufted carpets are easier to produce. Most carpet sold in the UK is tufted.

Tufted carpets

Tufted carpets are by far the most popular in the UK. They're made by a machine that punches pile yarn into the base material, and come in a variety of styles and materials. 

Prices vary, starting from a couple of pounds per square metre for the cheapest synthetic carpets, and from around £12 per square metre for very basic wool carpets.

There are several types of tufted carpet, including:

• Saxony carpets have a soft, deep, cut pile, but they’re easily flattened and show vacuum cleaner marks, so are best avoided in busy areas such as hallways.
• Twist carpets are smooth, hardwearing and practical, which makes them very popular. They don't show footprints or furniture marks, and are good at hiding dirt. 
• Loop carpets are generally hard-wearing and practical, so they're good for high-traffic areas. But loop carpets are a no for pet owners, as animals with claws – especially cats – are likely to get them caught in the looped fibres.
• Berber carpets are made from uncut loops of pile, with a distinctive knot effect. They tend to be affordable and hard-wearing, and often have a lightly flecked colouring which makes them excellent at hiding dirt. Like other looped carpets, they can get pulls and snags.

Woven carpets

Expect to pay from around £60 per square metre for an authentic woven carpet. They're made using traditional methods that date back to the 16th century.

They have a reputation for high quality and rich colours, and also tend to be durable. This makes woven carpets a popular choice for well-trodden areas that are regularly on show, such as hallways and living rooms.

There are two main types of woven carpet:

• Axminster carpets are made by weaving fibres in and out through the backing material. They're known for their intricate patterns
• Wilton carpets are made on a loom of the same name, which weaves the yarn in a continuous strand.

Carpet pile types

The pile of a carpet describes its individual fibres. These can be looped (where the fibres loop back into the backing material) or cut (cut off at the top). A carpet's pile can have a big impact on how durable it is. To check this, press your thumb into the carpet pile – the more quickly it springs back and recovers, the more dense and resilient it should be.

A carpet's density (how closely knitted together its fibres are), also affects durability. In general, short, dense, heavy carpets are more durable and hard-wearing than those with long, loose, shaggy fibres. To check this, look at the back of the carpet to see how closely packed the tufts are. 

Also check its weight. This should be printed on the back of your sample swatch. 

Read our guide on underfloor heating pros and cons

Carpet materials

Some popular carpet materials include:

• Polypropylene carpet This is a great choice if you're on a budget. Polypropylene carpets are also fairly stain resistant and easy to clean. However, they are flammable, and prone to flattening. They also attract oil, so any oil-based stains on these carpets will be difficult to remove. 
• Polyester carpet Popular because it looks and feels similar to wool, polyester is soft, but stain-resistant and easy to clean. However, it is prone to flattening, so it isn't suitable for high-traffic areas. 
• Nylon carpet The most durable of synthetic fabrics, nylon is great for high-traffic areas, like dining rooms. It is also stain-resistant and holds colour well. But like polypropylene, it can attract oil-based stains. 
• Wool carpet Wool is beautiful and luxurious natural fibre, which provides brilliant heat and sound insulation. It is not as stain-resistant as synthetics, nor does it hold colour as well. Plus, it can be popular with hungry carpet moths and beetles (read: How to get rid of clothes and carpet moths). 
• Plant-based carpet These are growing in popularity because of their contemporary appearance. But they aren't as durable or cheap as synthetics. Some examples include sisal, jute, seagrass and coir carpets. 

Best carpets by room

• Best carpet for bedroom Look for high-pile carpets for a plush feeling underfoot and to help with sound and thermal insulation. Wool carpets are a great choice – they feel luxurious underfoot and are naturally insulating and stain-resistant. Saxony carpets, made from nylon or soft polyester, offer similar features.
• Best carpet for living room For a carpet that can withstand stains and heavy-use, consider nylon, which offers a balance of softness and durability. Avoid polypropylene or polyester, which can be prone to flattening. If your living room has less traffic, and you want to create a cosy feel, consider wool or Saxony carpets. 
• Best carpet for hallways Opt for a low-pile carpet that can withstand wear and tear. Densely woven carpets, like Berber carpets, will resist crushing, stains and dirt. Solution-grade nylon can be a great option in these cases. Twist or loop carpets are smooth, hardwearing and practical – they don't show footprints or furniture marks, and are good at hiding dirt. 
• Best carpet for stairs This high-traffic area needs a low-pile, densely woven option like nylon Berber carpet. It's also important to choose the correct underlay to dull the noise of people traipsing up and down, especially if your stairs are old and creaky. To prevent your stair carpet from moving, consider using carpet tape, tack strips, grippy underlay, or a combination of all three. 

Victoria Purcell, Which? Home content editor

'When choosing a carpet for your stairs, consider whether you want a full stair carpet or just a runner. A runner is cheaper, so it's a great way to refresh your stairway on a budget. Carpeting the whole staircase is a good option if you're looking for something plusher and warmer. 

'You can also opt for a variety of accessories for your stair carpet, like carpet stair rods or clips. Not only do they hold the carpet in place, they are an easy way to make your staircase look more luxurious.'

If you're considering redecorating your living room, see the best sofa shops

How to choose the best carpet underlay

If you're planning to splash out on a luxurious new carpet, it can be tempting try to keep costs down by opting for cheaper underlay – or even reusing your existing underlay. 

Is carpet underlay necessary?

The truth is, regardless of how much you spend on carpet, it will only be as good as its underlay. 

A good underlay will improve how your carpet looks and feels, and how well it lasts. It will also boost heat and sound insulation.

Types of carpet underlay

• Polyurethane (PU) foam underlay PU is made from recycled furniture foam and is soft underfoot, making for a great insulator. 
• Rubber underlay Brilliant for low-traffic areas, rubber underlay is soft and feels great underfoot. It's not as bouncy as other types.
• Felt underlay This is a natural and often more eco-friendly choice, especially if it's made from recycled materials. Felt underlay is typically made of wool, although it can also be combined with other materials.

Underlay comes in different thicknesses, typically between 6mm and 12mm. Generally, the thicker the better. 

Tog ratings for carpet underlay

Carpet underlay also has a tog rating, which refers to its level of heat insulation – the higher the tog rating, the better the insulation. A tog rating is influenced by the underlay composition, density and thickness, and the ratings typically vary from 1 to 4 togs, with 2.5 being a common rating. 

If you're thinking of getting underfloor heating, the tog rating of the carpet and underlay combined needs to be low enough to allow the heating to work effectively. Consult your underfloor heating supplier or carpet retailer for more advice.

How much does carpet underlay cost?

Depending on the type and quality, the cost of underlay can range from £3 to more than £11 per square metre. In high-traffic areas (such as stairs), it's worth spending a bit more for a higher-quality underlay. 

Your carpet retailer is likely to recommend a particular underlay, but if you're keen to cut costs, you might find you can get cheaper options elsewhere.

Considering upgrading your bedroom? Discover the best fitted bedroom furniture brands according to our research

Finding a carpet fitter

Before you book your carpet fitter, make sure they've been accredited or endorsed by an organisation that you can trust. This includes professional trade associations such as the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF).

Which? Trusted Traders also vets and endorses flooring businesses and fitters.

Once you've found a fitter, ask them for a quote. You'll need to discuss and agree the following:

• The position of joins in carpets (if any are needed)
• Who will be responsible for moving furniture before and after installation
• Who will remove and dispose of old flooring
• Whether the doors into the room will need to be adjusted (so that they open and close smoothly if the new carpet is thicker than your old carpet, for example).

A good installer will factor these into their quote; check that's the case before you get the final figure.

You'll typically pay for your carpet in two stages: 

• For the carpet and underlay upfront, when you purchase them 
• For the labour after the carpet has been laid

This is usually the case even if you get all the services from the same place.