While we love our pets, their shedding can result in constant cleaning and allergy flare-ups. Finding a good vacuum for pet hair could solve these problems and help you keep your house clean.
To make sure you find the right vacuum for pet hair, consider these key factors:
- What’s the manufacturer? Dyson is known for premium vacuums, but other brands might be better for budget-minded shoppers
- Is it corded or cordless? A cordless stick vacuum with a good brush roll will let you vacuum everywhere, while a corded vacuum doesn’t have a battery you have to charge every day. You should also keep cord length in mind depending on the size of your space.
- Is it a robot vacuum or one you direct? Robot vacuums are often preferred thanks to their ease of use for pet owners — but they may scare your pet.
- Does the vacuum come with a dusting brush or other special attachments for puppy messes?
- Does the vacuum use a good air purifier or filtration system? If so, it’s a big benefit for allergy sufferers.
- What type of flooring does the vacuum work with? Turbo vacuums often work with pile carpet, hard floors, or wood floors without clogging, while other vac models might only work on certain surfaces.
In any case, you can find many top picks at a variety of retailers. Not sure where to start? Read on for our breakdown of the 12 best vacuums for pet hair.
1. Best for Portable cleaning: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum
Key specs: Three pounds, 17-minute battery
If you want to make sure you can clean up pet hair anywhere in the house, this is just the ticket. As a portable hand vacuum, you can use it to suck up pet hair in a car, in your bedroom, and even on tall upholstery without any problems.
Pros
- Three-stage filtration for maximum cleaning
- Very lightweight and easy to hold
- Lithium-ion battery, so it will last for a long time
- Dirt bin is large and easy to empty
- Has an upholstery tool and crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas
Cons
- Not the most powerful vacuum on the market
- Battery life could be a bit better
Best for Adjustable suction: Tineco Pure ONE S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Key specs: 6.8 pounds, 40-minute battery
Alternatively, maybe you’re in the market for a vacuum with adjustable suction and customizable cleaning action. In that case, this vacuum is perfect, as it features several different suction modes, plus an automatic mode for ease of use.
Pros
- Automatically adjusts suction power
- Has five-stage HEPA filtration to capture 95.9% of small particles
- Easy to empty the dustbin
- Appropriate for carpets, hardwood floors, and everything in between
- Anti-tangle brush roll
Cons
- A bit more expensive than the average pet hair vacuum
- Vacuum doesn’t weigh very much, but is a little unwieldy
Best for Automatic cleaning: iRobot Roomba j7 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
Key specs: 7.5 pounds, 75-minute battery
Alternatively, you can opt for a robot vacuum cleaner that’s perfect for pet hair. This intelligent, advanced device automatically sucks up pet dander, hair, regular dirt and debris, and other allergens.
Pros
- 10x powerlifting suction for powerful cleaning action
- Smartly recharges and resumes cleaning when needed
- Can identify obstacles in his path, including pet waste
- Can be controlled with a proprietary app or voice assistant
Cons
- You can’t completely control the vacuum
- Not ideal for getting under very low surfaces or into tight spaces
Best for Multipurpose cleaning: Kenmore DU1275 Bagless Upright Vacuum Lightweight Carpet Cleaner
Key specs: 11 pounds, corded
Kenmore’s Bagless Upright Vacuum is a great option if you’re not a fan of bagged vacuums, and it has a variety of extra heads and nozzles. With this vacuum, you can clean up pet hair, dirt in the couch cushions, and everywhere else. It’s a versatile machine through and through.
Pros
- Multiple heads for cleaning different types of debris
- Self-cleaning brushroll so it’s always hair-free
- Swivel steering system so it’s easy to navigate the vacuum around your home
- Very high capacity dust cup, for fewer interruptions
- Specialized Pet HandiMate Tool with rotating brushes to lift stubborn pet hair
Cons
- A little heavy compared to other vacuums
- Can be pricey to replace if needed
Best for Premium cleaning: Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Canister Vacuum
Key specs: 1,200 watts, corded
If price is no object, the Miele Blizzard is arguably the best overall vacuum for pet hair. Not only can it clean up pet hair, but it can also clean other debris quite well thanks to its powerful motor, unique suction hose design, and versatility.
Pros
- A lifetime HEPA filter for maximum filtration and long-term cleanliness
- Special power brush for both dog hair and cat hair
- Uses a flexible vacuum-hose design so it can reach wherever you need to go
- Comes with plenty of accessories for fitting between narrow areas
- Super-powerful suction thanks to proprietary Vortex technology
- Controllable suction power using a knob on the handle
Cons
It’s one of the most expensive vacuum cleaners on the market overall, which may make it less than ideal for some pet owners.
Best for Hardwood floor cleaning: Shark AV911S EZ Robot Vacuum with Self-Empty Base
Key specs: 12.23 pounds, 30-day battery
Here’s another robot vacuum if you would rather make pet hair cleaning an automatic process. It’s particularly good at cleaning up hardwood floors thanks to its special bristles and suction power, making it a good choice for homes without a lot of carpet.
Pros
- Especially good for bare floor cleaning
- Reasonably good home coverage
- Easy to control via an app or voice control
- Automatically empties the dustbin when needed
- Automatically recharges itself when necessary
Cons
- Suction power could be a little better over carpet
- Can sometimes miss areas
Best for Couch cleaning: BLACK+DECKER Furbuster Handheld Vacuum for Pets
Key specs: 23.7 ounces, four-hour battery
The Black + Decker Furbuster is one of the best handheld vacuums for pet owners. It’s easy to use and good for cleaning your car, the couch, or other places where you can’t use a traditional vacuum.
Pros
- Very easy to clean with one hand
- Has pretty good adjustable suction for a vacuum of its size
- Filter life can be washed and reused
- Comes with an optional steam mop and a crevice tool for tight spaces
Cons
It is not great for cleaning large areas, like entire floors around your home.
Best for Tough pet hair: Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet
Key specs: 18.1 pounds, corded
You may alternatively consider this Hoover vacuum, which is specifically designed for pet hair cleanup. One of the best upright vacuums thanks to several nozzles that add versatility and proprietary Windtunnel 3 technology to maximize pet hair pick-up.
Pros
- HEPA filter specifically designed for picking up pet hair
- Adjustable height controls
- Hose can reach up to 15 feet away
- Excellent suction power for cleaning up pet hair on the floor
- Extra nozzles provide further cleaning versatility
Cons
- A little unwieldy sometimes due to its weight
- Power cord can be a bit fragile
Best for Height adjustments: Eureka NEU181D PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Key specs: 10 pounds, corded
This corded vacuum cleaner is relatively lightweight with a flexible design. Specifically, you can adjust its height so it is comfortable to walk around vacuuming your home rather than having to hunch over or stand on your toes.
Pros
Many pet parents prefer this vacuum cleaner thanks to its exceptional design elements:
- Multiple cleaning heads
- Adjust the height between five different levels
- Easy-to-empty dust cup with a large capacity
- Special pet tool that’s perfect for cleaning pet hair embedded into furniture or the carpet
- The release handle makes it easy to get to hard-to-reach places
Cons
The floor nozzle suction on this vacuum leaves something to be desired, so it may not be the best option.
Best for Washable filters: Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus
Key specs: 2.8 pounds, 10-minute battery
If you’re looking for portability, the Shark cordless vacuum could be just what you’re looking for. Though the battery isn’t great, it still features an exceptional washable filter, providing top-tier value for money.
Pros
- Uses a motorized self-cleaning attachment to pick up pet hair on flat surfaces and textured surfaces alike
- Filter can be washed, so you don’t have to buy new filters all that often
- Extra large dust capacity for a handheld vacuum
- Very easy to empty the dust cup when needed
Cons
- Battery life is not very long
- Suction isn’t amazing for surfaces other than furniture
Best for Frequent cleaning: Belife BVC11 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Key specs: Six pounds, 40-minute battery
Maybe you need to clean up pet hair frequently. In that case, the Belife Cordless Vacuum cleaner is easy to maneuver around the house thanks to its cordless design and long-lasting battery.
Pros
There are many positives to this vacuum if you decide to purchase it:
- Handy LED touch display for ease of use
- Very lightweight and easy to move
- Battery life is pretty reasonable for a cordless vacuum
- Excellent for cleaning pet hair and other debris around the entire house, not just some areas
Cons
Still, it may not be the right choice for you given the following reasons:
- Lack of corded functionality limits run time
- LED touch display can break down sometimes
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, you should think about what you’re looking for in a vacuum cleaner before purchasing. For instance, the BLACK+DECKER Furbuster Handheld Vacuum for Pet is a fantastic choice for cleaning your couch, chairs, or other cushions. On the other hand, the iRobot Roomba j7 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum is a pretty good robot vacuum for automatic cleaning. Consider what will make your home most comfortable and what will fit your cleaning routine. Then enjoy a home free of pet hair.
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