With the best vacuum for pet hair, you will find cleaning up after your dog or cat a whole lot easier. Engineered with features to capture hair, dust, dirt, crumbs, dander and more, these vacuums are a must-have for pet-owners everywhere and can be kept close to hand in case of any catastrophe your furry companion might create. Show
Though they are often the source of unrivaled joy in a home, it's fair to say that pets can sometimes be less than discerning when it comes to your carpets and fabrics, which is why many of these vacuums also have specialist brushes for banishing dirt and hair. If you have guests on their way who suffer from allergies, using your pet vacuum can also help to keep things sanitized before their arrival, and prevent any sneezes or discomfort. This guide features in-depth looks at the best vacuum for pet hair and all of the choices that nearly made the top spot, so that your life living with pets can be made a little cleaner. Of course, the specialized models from brands such as Dyson, Bissell and Shark all feature, as well as models with features that can go further to clean up after your pet. The products you see with one of our Homes & Gardens badge have been meticulously tested at home to give you a full picture of what you will be investing in if you choose to buy. While the choices below are perfect for a home with pets, but our guide to the best vacuum cleaners has a wider range of choices for every cleaning need. (Image credit: Dyson) Best vacuum for tackling pet hair SpecificationsType: Cordless Stick Dust bin: 0.5 gallons Weight: 7.9lb Max dB: Not disclosed Battery life: Up to 120 minutes of run time (across two batteries) Reasons to buy+ Good sized dust bin +Excellent suction +Strong battery life +As powerful as a plug-in cleaner Reasons to avoid- Can be heavy to move around When it comes to ease of use and power, nothing comes close to the Dyson Outsize. Thanks to the powerful V11 motor, this is a cordless cleaner that has the power of a plug-in model. Smart tech Dust collection Anything else? The option of a second battery (available on the larger Outsize) for an extended run time would make this cleaner even better, – something that is an option with some other models in our list of the best cordless vacuums. (Image credit: Shark) 2. Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-awayBest upright vacuum for pet hair SpecificationsType: Upright Power: 1344W Dust bin: 1 quart Weight: 16.38lb Max dB : Not disclosed Reasons to buy+ Powerful suction power on hard floors and carpets +Powered Lift-Away motor and accessories offer flexible cleaning options for cleaning stairs, under furniture, and tight corners +Ample dust-bin capacity +Hair doesn't get caught in self-cleaning brushroll+HEPA filter Reasons to avoid- Quite bulky -Motor emits a lot of airflow -2 out of the 3 included accessories store on board, and are easily knocked off With the Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-away, you can largely say goodbye to hair wrapping around the floor brush which makes it a good choice for taming any unwanted pet hair from around the house. DuoClean Powerfins Powered Lift-Away Anything else? If you need the power of a plug-in upright with the flexibility of a cordless cleaner, look no further. This vacuum has been reviewed by one of our editors. (Image credit: Dyson) Best pet hair vacuum for fast and nimble cleaning SpecificationsType: Upright Power: 306AW Dust bin: .55 gallons Weight : 17.5lb Max dB: Not disclosed Reasons to buy+ Very maneuverable +Certified asthma and allergy-friendly +Extremely powerful Reasons to avoid- Too much suction on some surfaces -Few accessories in the box -Quite expensive With the Dyson Ball Animal 2, the company has solved how you make a supremely powerful vacuum cleaner extremely easy to push around. Big ball & power Floorhead & attachments For detail work, the hose removes and you can use the provided accessories: a combination tool (crevice tool and brush), stair tool, and the tangle-free turbine tool, which is brilliant for pets beds and upholstery. It’s a shame that there’s only storage for one tool on the vacuum’s body. Anything else? (Image credit: Miele) 4. Miele Classic C1 Cat and Dog CanisterBest pet hair vacuum for bagged cleaning SpecificationsType: Canister Power: 1200W Dust bag: 4.5qt. Weight: 16.1lb. Max dB: 80dB Reasons to buy+ Generous operating radius +Self-sealing bags +Easy to maneuver +Lots of power Reasons to avoid- Replacement bags are expensive -Limited Availability If you suffer from allergies and need a sealed system, the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum Cleaner could very well be for you. Large capacity Pet hair taming accessories Anything else? There’s a 29ft cleaning radius with this model, so you won’t need to keep swapping power sockets as you make your way around the house. Suction power is incredible, thanks to the 1500W motor, so cleaning across the board, not just for pet hair, is exceptional. This vacuum has been reviewed by one of our editors. (Image credit: BISSELL) Best pet hair vacuum cleaner for overall cleaning SpecificationsDust bin capacity: 0.4ltrs Weight: 7lb. Noise: 81dB Battery life: 50 minutes Warranty: 3 years Reasons to buy+ Headlights useful for cleaning under sofa +Tangle-free brushes +Wall bracket for charging +Impressive design details Reasons to avoid- Heavier to use than some others The Bissell ICONPet is a beautifully engineered vacuum that combines the best in design, performance, and battery life. Powerful features It also easily swivels for ultimate maneuverability, and we're pleased to report that the tangle-free brushroll, is the real deal when it comes to having to deal with accumulated strands of hair from humans and pets. Plus, the Clean Slide technology makes for easy dust bin removal for as little contact with dirt as possible. A major moment for anyone who hates dealing with cleaning out the vacuum. Anything else? (Image credit: HOOVER ) 6. Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Upright VacuumBest pet hair vacuum for battery sharing SpecificationsType: Upright cordless Power: N/A Dust bin: 0.26 gallons Weight: 8.6lb Max dB: Not disclosed Battery life: 35 minutes Reasons to buy+ Compatible with all ONEPWR batteries +Powerful suction +Lightweight and easy to push +Antimicrobial floor brush Reasons to avoid- No attachments -Battery can’t be charged in-situ If you’re going to use removable batteries, it makes a lot of financial sense if they can work in lots of devices. That’s what you get with the large Hoover ONEPWR range, which covers everything from leaf blowers and carpet cleaners to the Evolve Pet Cordless Upright Vacuum. Cordless design This design gives the ONEPWR Evolve Pet a nimbleness and degree of flexibility that could suit those that don’t want a heavier machine. Even better, the vacuum stands up by itself: something few cordless models can do. Anything else? Thanks to the 20V battery, you get excellent suction, and the floor head has an antimicrobial brush roll and pet filter that cuts down on nasty odors. You can buy additional batteries (or borrow from other ONEPWR tools) to extend runtime. It’s a shame that the battery can’t be charge in-situ for ease of use, though. (Image credit: iRobot) Best robot vacuum for pet hair SpecificationsType: Robot Dust bin size: .42 gallons Noise level: N/A Battery life: 75-minutes Warranty: 1-year Reasons to buy+ Accurate Obstacle Detection +Self-emptying +Superb cleaning +Intelligently maps and shows where it cleans +Beautiful design Reasons to avoid- Replacement bags cost extra -Can't set Keep Out Zones until after a map is complete If your pet's sheds call for picking up the vacuum daily, it may be time to automate the process. Our first pick is loaded with obstacle avoidance detection, it's literally built to avoid the dreaded animal accident, and it looks quite chic too. It offers smart mapping, personalized cleaning schedules, and a self-emptying base. Obstacle Avoidance Technology iRobot engineers built over 100 prototypes of poop and 100,000 images to identify and avoid pet waste. iRobot even introduced a Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P) where they will replace your j7+ if the accident turns gets dragged into a larger one. Self-Emptying Clean Base Anything else? We were not able to establish Keep Out Zones until after a smart map was made, which means you'll want to carefully watch your robot the first few runs when operating in any sensitive areas. You may have to work to slowly introduce your pet to a robot vacuum as it might scare your pets, depending on their temperament, while you’re away. If that’s not an issue for you though, then this is a great choice for automatic, daily supplemental cleaning. Things to note (Image credit: Tineco) Best vacuum for pet hair for accessory lovers SpecificationsCorded or battery powered?: Cordless Dust bin: 0.47 liters Weight: 6.8lb Max dB: Not disclosed Battery life: Up to 40 minutes Reasons to buy+ iLoop sensor detects hidden dirt +Flexible and easy to use +Impressive LED screen +Built in headlights to catch dust +Dual batteries Reasons to avoid- Struggled with large debris in our tests A lot of vacuum cleaning is about having the right accessories for the job, and the Tineco Pure One S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum doesn’t disappoint on this front. Accessories included If that’s not enough, there are also two clever pre-filter cleaning tools that use vacuum power to remove dirt (the rear HEPA filter has to be cleaned with water). Long run time There’s a smart AI mode (iLoop) that detects when there’s dirt and adjusts power on the fly, but it’s not always very accurate, so you can override and choose your own power mode. Anything else? After reviewing this model, we found that the is vacuum is great for deep cleaning, and has a number of great features to make it easier to pick up dust and debris. (Image credit: Bissell) 9. BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand VacuumBest handheld vacuum for pet hair: tame pet hair with the handy pet tool SpecificationsType: Handheld cordless Weight: 3lb. Battery life: 17 mins Charge time: 6 hours Capacity: 23.6oz Reasons to buy+ Super easy to use +Pet-hair tool included Reasons to avoid- On the expensive side Wherever they go, pets seem to leave a trail of something or another. Consider one of the best handheld vacuums to tackle small cleans up from dirt tracked into your after a trip to the park, spilled food crumbs, and tufts of hair that escape after grooming. Our go-to: the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand Vacuum. Powerful Design Top-notch attachments Anything else? How we test the best vacuum cleaners for pet hairAt Homes & Gardens we like to get hands-on experience with all the products which we decide to feature in our buyers' guides, which you can learn more about in our guide to how we test products. The reason for this is to simply help you; we share our experiences so you can be confident in what you are buying. Each new vacuum we get the opportunity to review is tried and tested in our own homes, undergoing rigorous testing on a range of flooring and household challenges (rice crispies on the floor, pet hair on the sofa, etc). We test the vacuum cleaners for a number of weeks (sometimes months) so we get a feel for the longevity and durability of each model. In some instances, we are also fortunate enough to keep the vacuum cleaners after writing up the review so we can continue to learn about them and share our findings with you. We look out for factors such as maneuverability, run-time, emptying of the dust bin (or bag), and general controls so you know exactly what you are getting for your money, and whether or not it is worth it for what you need it for. The feedback from other users is also something we look out for, especially if we are in the process of reviewing a product and we felt it was (already) a good enough product to feature in our round-ups of the "best of" guides. Below, you can discover more about the team responsible for testing these vacuums. Jaclyn is the US eCommerce editor for Homes & Gardens, where she oversees sleep content including mattresses and bedding. She has also tested a number of vacuums within this list, including our standout top pick, the Dyson Outsize (opens in new tab), the Dyson Ball Animal 2 (opens in new tab) and the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum (opens in new tab), which means she's well informed to tell you which one to invest in for your home. How do I choose a vacuum cleaner for pet hair?Pet hair is a rather specialist item to suck up and get rid of with any deal of efficiency, so you’ll typically need a cleaner with the right types of accessories, rather than raw power, as such. For dealing with carpets or rugs, this means a motorized brush bar, which uses rigid bristles to agitate and loosen hair so that it can be sucked up into the bin. For hard floors, having pure suction flow through the cleaner makes more sense for hair, but look out for a cleaner that has a soft brush, designed to pick up pet dander and microscopic bits of dust first. Tools for dealing with pet hair around the house are just as important. A mini motorized brush can be your best friend, giving you the same qualities as a floor brush in a smaller package that can help clean up pet beds and upholstery with ease. Any motorized tool with tangle-free technology is worth looking for, as you won’t have to worry about cleaning the tools so often. Otherwise, look out for regular accessories (dusting brushes, crevice tools and so on) for getting into those hard-to-reach areas and removing all traces of pet hair from your home. While power isn’t the most important aspect, vacuum cleaners designed for pet hair tend to be at the more powerful end of the spectrum, particularly for plug-in models. Typically, these cleaners have a 1500W or higher motor. You’ll have a choice between cordless and plug-in models. Generally speaking, plug-in models, as discussed above, will give you a deeper and more thorough clean, but the trade-off is a large and more unwieldy cleaner. A cordless cleaner doesn’t quite have the same level of power but can do a great job with the right accessories designed for pet hair removal. As cordless cleaners are lighter and easier to move around, you’ll more likely use them more often, too. Regular, targeted cleaning can be just as, if not more effective as a weekly deep clean. Are HEPA filter vacuums worth it?When sucking up dust and pet hair, it’s not what you can see that can cause irritation and allergic reactions, but the microscopic dust that you can’t. Pet dander, for example, are microscopic skin cells shed from animals that cause reactions in people with allergies. HEPA filters are designed and rated to prevent these particles from escaping the vacuum cleaner, sealing in the dirt that’s collected. This is very important in a pet vacuum cleaner, particularly if anyone in the house (or a regular visitor) has sensitivities to your animals. Are bagless or bagged vacuums better for allergies?As discussed above, a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters is what you need if you have allergy sufferers, keeping the microscopic irritants sealed inside the dust bin. However, the big issue is what happens when you empty a vacuum. For bagless cleaners, emptying has to be done with care, as opening the bin can create a cloud of dust, releasing smaller particles back into the air, causing issues for those with allergies. Bagged vacuum cleaners have an extra level of protection, as the bags act as both additional filters to prevent particle escape, but you also remove and throw away the dirt without exposing it to fresh air. Look for a cleaner that has self-sealing bags for the best results. As such, bagged vacuum cleaners are often easier to deal with for households where members are very sensitive to allergens. That doesn’t make bagless cleaners a poor choice, though: just be careful how and where you empty the vacuum’s bin. To prevent the spreading of allergens, a vacuum bin should be ejected either down, directly into a larger internal bin or, for additional safety, emptied in the same way into an outside bin. Would I be better off with a corded vac for pet hair?Corded vacuums tend to be more powerful than cordless vacuums, with the additional benefit of never running out of power. They’re still a solid choice for large homes, as you’ll never suffer from "range anxiety" and running out of power. They tend to be much bigger and bulkier though, which can be a pain when it comes to easily and quickly tending to a room. We can’t speak for everyone, but for most people, and especially those in apartments, cordless vacuum cleaners have evolved to a point where they’re more than powerful enough to take care of tough pet hair, while remaining light and nimble enough to not make the process a tiring and frustrating one. See some top cordless vacuum picks (and how we compared them) in the shoppable video below). Other tips for cleaning up after petsIf you're not quite convinced that a vacuum for taming pet hair will help in your household, then there are plenty of other options which are worth consideration. Lint rollers (opens in new tab) are really handy to have in the home, or in the car. They are a roll of single-sided adhesive paper that is mounted over a barrel with a handle. These can be rolled over most materials including the clothes on your back, the seats in the car and the upholstery on the sofa. When the stickiness fades or the paper becomes loaded with fibers, it can simply be torn off and thrown in the bin. Another option is getting a fur rake (opens in new tab) which is more for your pet rather than your home, although it will benefit you in some way. By raking (grooming) your pet regularly, loose fur can be removed without damaging your pet's new coat. This will keep your pet's coat looking healthy and free your home from any stray fur landing on the surfaces where you really don't want to see it.
What is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair and hardwood floors?After testing both types in our lab, we found that the Shark Navigator Zero-M Self-Cleaning Brushroll Pet Pro is the best upright vacuum for pet hair. Our experts were very impressed by how easily this device sucked up pet food, fur, and debris alike from carpet and hard floors.
What is the very best vacuum for pet hair?Best vacuum for pet hair 2022. Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-away. ... . Dyson Ball Animal 2. ... . Miele Classic C1 Cat and Dog Canister. ... . Bissell ICONpet. ... . Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Upright Vacuum. ... . iRobot Roomba j7+ ... . Tineco Pure One S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum. ... . BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand Vacuum.. What vacuum cleaner do professionals use?The Henry Hoover by Numatic was the most-recommended by the professional cleaners we spoke to. Six of them picked Numatic vacuums, with four mentioning the Henry model specifically.
What is the best vacuum cleaner on the market?What are the best vacuum cleaners?. Shark Apex DuoClean with Zero-M Powered Lift-Away. ... . Miele C3 Complete Calima. ... . Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet Friendly. ... . Dyson V11 Torque Drive. ... . Eureka RapidClean Pro Lightweight Cordless Vacuum. ... . Black+Decker Dustbuster cordless vacuum. ... . iRobot Roomba s9+ ... . iLife V3s Pro.. |