Best Carpet for DIYers
Carpet adds warmth, quiet, and softness, especially in bedrooms and living rooms. The fiber (nylon, polyester, triexta) sets durability and stain resistance; the pad underneath matters more than people expect. Match it to traffic and pets.
What to look for
- ·Nylon is the most durable and resilient; triexta (SmartStrand) and polyester resist stains well and feel soft; match the fiber to traffic and pets.
- ·Do not skimp on the pad: a quality pad extends carpet life, adds comfort, and is cheap insurance under any carpet.
- ·For pets and kids, choose built-in stain and moisture protection (Shaw R2X/LifeGuard, Mohawk SmartStrand, Stainmaster).
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaw Carpet (R2X / LifeGuard) | Editor's pick | $3 to $7 per sq ft | Durability and spill protection |
| Mohawk SmartStrand | Editor's pick | $3 to $7 per sq ft | Families, kids, and pets |
| Karastan Carpet | Editor's pick | $4 to $9 per sq ft | Luxury softness and style |
| Mohawk EverStrand | Best value | $2 to $4 per sq ft | Value durable carpet |
| Stainmaster Carpet (Lowe's) | Best value | $2.50 to $5 per sq ft | Pet-friendly value |
| Phenix Carpet | Best value | $2.50 to $5 per sq ft | Mid-value pet protection |
| TrafficMaster Carpet (Home Depot) | Budget pick | $1 to $2.50 per sq ft | Budget rooms and rentals |
| Builder-Grade Carpet | Budget pick | $1 to $2 per sq ft | Budget whole-home |
| Store-Brand Polyester Carpet | Budget pick | $0.80 to $2 per sq ft | Lowest-cost soft floor |
Editor's pick
Shaw Carpet (R2X / LifeGuard)
$3 to $7 per sq ft
Premium carpet with R2X stain and soil resistance built into the fiber and an optional LifeGuard waterproof backing. The pick for durability and spill protection.
Best for: Durability and spill protection
Typically available at Flooring retailers, Home Depot.
Mohawk SmartStrand
$3 to $7 per sq ft
Triexta carpet with exceptional built-in stain resistance and lasting softness, ideal for families with kids and pets. The pick for soft, worry-free carpet.
Best for: Families, kids, and pets
Typically available at Flooring retailers, Home Depot.
Karastan Carpet
$4 to $9 per sq ft
A luxury carpet brand known for plush textures, refined styles, and quality construction. The pick for a high-end, comfortable, great-looking floor.
Best for: Luxury softness and style
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Best value
Mohawk EverStrand
$2 to $4 per sq ft
A durable, stain-resistant polyester carpet made from recycled content at a value price. A strong, eco-minded value for everyday rooms.
Best for: Value durable carpet
Typically available at Home Depot, Flooring retailers.
Stainmaster Carpet (Lowe's)
$2.50 to $5 per sq ft
A recognized name now exclusive to Lowe's, with nylon fiber and built-in stain guards, strong for families and pets without premium pricing. A solid value.
Best for: Pet-friendly value
Typically available at Lowe's.
Phenix Carpet
$2.50 to $5 per sq ft
Quality carpet with good stain and odor protection at mid-range prices, a leader for pet-friendly flooring. A dependable value with broad selection.
Best for: Mid-value pet protection
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Budget pick
TrafficMaster Carpet (Home Depot)
$1 to $2.50 per sq ft
Home Depot's budget carpet line for bedrooms, rentals, and basements at the lowest prices. Basic but serviceable for low-traffic spaces on a budget.
Best for: Budget rooms and rentals
Typically available at Home Depot.
Builder-Grade Carpet
$1 to $2 per sq ft
Inexpensive builder carpet for whole-home jobs and rentals where price leads. Thinner and shorter-lived, but a cheap way to carpet a lot of space.
Best for: Budget whole-home
Typically available at Flooring retailers, Home Depot.
Store-Brand Polyester Carpet
$0.80 to $2 per sq ft
The cheapest soft polyester carpet for low-traffic rooms on a tight budget. Limited durability, but the lowest cost for a warm, soft floor.
Best for: Lowest-cost soft floor
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Frequently asked
What carpet fiber is best?+
Nylon is the most durable and resilient, ideal for high-traffic areas. Triexta (like SmartStrand) is soft and naturally stain-resistant, great for families and pets. Polyester is soft and budget-friendly with good stain resistance but less resilient. Match the fiber to your traffic and budget.
What carpet is best for pets?+
Look for built-in stain and moisture protection: Mohawk SmartStrand, Shaw with R2X and LifeGuard waterproof backing, and Stainmaster pet-friendly lines resist stains, odors, and spills. A waterproof or moisture-barrier backing is especially valuable with pets and kids.
How important is carpet padding?+
Very. A quality pad cushions footsteps, reduces noise, insulates, and significantly extends the carpet's life by absorbing wear. Skimping on the pad is a common mistake; it is relatively cheap and makes even mid-grade carpet feel and last better.
How much carpet do I need?+
Measure each room's length times width for square footage, then add about 10% for waste, seams, and pattern matching. Carpet comes in 12 or 15 foot widths, so room dimensions and seam placement affect how much you actually buy; a retailer can optimize the layout.
Can I install carpet myself?+
Stretch-in wall-to-wall carpet needs tack strips, a knee kicker, and a power stretcher and is tricky to do well, so many hire it out. Carpet tiles and some loose-lay products are much more DIY-friendly. For a big room of traditional carpet, professional installation is often worth it.
Planning a bigger job? See the full Flooring Installation project guide: cost, DIY vs. hire, and the whole plan.
Open the Flooring Installation guide →