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Best vacuum cleaner for pet owners

8 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2023

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1

Best Overall Vacuum for Pet Hair

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Lightweight Vacuum

1

Best Overall Vacuum for Pet Hair

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Lightweight Vacuum

Now 10% Off

$222 at Amazon

Credit: Bissell

Pros

• Sealed to trap allergens
• Hands-free dust cup emptying
• 7 ft. hose to clean hard to reach spots

Cons

• Some reviewers found it too heavy

Like many other models from the brand, Bissell's Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus did not disappoint our testers — in fact, it's one of the best Bissell vacuums we've ever tested in the Lab. It earned good scores for its ease of use and powerful suction, but our favorite feature is the mess-free dust cup's easy-to-empty, hands-free design, with a hair spooling system inside the canister that contains a tangle-free brush roll that prevents pet hair from clogging the bristles.

"This vacuum's combination of features and tools was ideal for picking up the hair of both small and large pets," said one impressed tester. When comparing this model to other upright vacuums we tested in our Lab, we rated it favorably for its weight, but some online reviewers say they found the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo too heavy and had trouble lifting it, especially on stairs.

Weight	13.75 lbs.
Corded or Cordless	Corded
Cord Length	30 feet
Run Time	N/A
Bag or Bagless	Bagless
Dust Cup Capacity	0.75 L
Filter	Washable foam and non-washable pleated
Included Accessories	LED Crevice Tool, Pet Turbo Eraser Tool and 2-in-1 Pet Dusting Brush

2

Best Value Vacuum for Pet Hair

Kenmore Pet-Friendly Upright Vacuum

2

Best Value Vacuum for Pet Hair

Kenmore Pet-Friendly Upright Vacuum

$249 at Amazon

Credit: Kenmore

Pros

• Air-powered hand tool with a rotating brush for easier pet hair pick-up
• Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation
• Five-position adjustable height nozzle

Cons

• May be heavy for some

Pet hair is an annoyance for most pet owners, but if you or someone in your family happens to be allergic to pet hair, it can also be a serious health issue. But this upright Kenmore has all the extras to keep pet hair where it belongs: inside the vacuum. Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA), this vacuum has a HEPA filter and passed AAFA tests for low emissions, both while vacuuming and changing the bag.

Although it lacks some of the features that other vacuum cleaners offer, like auto height adjustments for different floor types and a retractable cord, we're impressed by its large capacity dust cup, ample hose storage, variety of tools and that it can be manually height adjusted for easier pushing across all carpet styles.

While we haven’t yet tested this specific model in our Lab, Kenmore vacuums have done well in our previous performance tests; we also trust the rigid standards of the AAFA, and are impressed with their certification criteria. Reviewers say this vacuum maintains its performance even as the bag fills with dirt, and it’s loaded with features we love, like a powerful motor and an air-powered hand tool with a rotating brush to more easily remove stubborn pet hair from upholstery, bedding and stairs. Still, at just under 20 pounds, it may not be the easiest to lift up.

Weight	19 lbs.
Corded or Cordless	Corded
Cord Length	30 feet
Run Time	N/A
Bag or Bagless	Bag
Dust Cup Capacity	1.5 L
Filter	HEPA
Included Accessories	Dusting brush, crevice tool and bare floor tool

3

Best Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair

Dyson V15 Detect Stick Vacuum

3

Best Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair

Dyson V15 Detect Stick Vacuum

$689 at Amazon$750 at Home Depot$745 at Walmart

Credit: Dyson

Pros

• Comes with a unique tool for pet hair
• On-board tool storage
• Automatically adjusts suction across different flooring

Cons

• Expensive

Dyson's V15 Detect, a recent Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award winner, packs a lot of innovation into a lightweight design, with a laser that illuminates dust and other debris not visible in regular lighting, a fluffy brush that's great for picking up hair and dust from hard flooring and an LCD screen that shows you how big or small each particle your vacuum picks up is. Our testers found maintenance easy, thanks to a hair screw tool specifically made to ball up long and short pet hair and deposit it into the dust bin without tangling around the brush. The dust bin is smaller than those on most full-size upright vacuums and therefore requires more frequent emptying.

We found manually switching between cleaning modes easy, but the auto-mode automatically adjusts the suction power depending on the floor type it senses, instantly providing stronger suction when you need it most (like when removing debris from carpet fibers). Both the filter and fluffy brush are washable, plus you can store all accessories right on the wand. It has a powerful suction, so much so that it sometimes proved troublesome for testers vacuuming around lightweight rugs that were sucked up easily by the V15 Detect.

All of its innovative features and overwhelmingly positive consumer reviews online are impressive, and we especially like the battery runtime countdown on the LCD screen that tells you exactly how long (to the second!) you have before you’ll need to charge the device’s battery.

Weight	6.8 lbs.
Corded or Cordless	Cordless
Run Time	Up to 60 minutes
Bag or Bagless	Bagless
Dust Cup Capacity	0.76 L
Filter	HEPA
Included Accessories	Hair screw tool, combination tool, stubborn dirt brush, crevice tool, mini soft dusting brush and digital motorbar

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4

Best Vacuum for Pet Hair and Hardwood Floors

Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister

4

Best Vacuum for Pet Hair and Hardwood Floors

Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister

Now 16% Off

$294 at Amazon$341 at Walmart

Credit: Kenmore

Pros

• Comes with a motorized attachment for pet hair
• Bagged so less dust escapes during emptying

Cons

• Heavier than other similar models

For those that prefer a bagged vacuum that keeps pet hair and dander sealed after cleaning, there's the Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go canister vacuum from Kenmore, a 2022 Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Award winner. To clean hardwood floors, you can use your foot to press the button that opens up the bare floor brush storage and attach it hands-free, though one tester found that the compartment doesn't open all the way each time, so you may have to nudge it a bit to get the brush out. We found its Pet PowerMate tool to be great for cleaning hair from upholstered furniture and carpets, and it can be stored along with all other tools right on the vacuum.

In our Lab tests, it proved to have powerful suction, picking up dry oats from our test carpets and hard flooring easily. One of our consumer testers used this vacuum right after another model, and found that it picked up debris that the first vacuum missed. “The suction was phenomenal,” our tester said. We also found it easy to maneuver and transition from carpet to hard floors, thanks to its large wheels.

Keep in mind that this vacuum clocks in at over 20 pounds, so it'll take two hands to carry up or down stairs, though it is possible to clean stairs without having to pick it up thanks to its 10. 5-foot telescoping wand, long hose and retractable cord. These features are also helpful for cleaning large areas without having to switch outlets too often.

Weight	24 lbs.
Corded or Cordless	Corded
Cord Length	26 feet
Run Time	N/A
Bag or Bagless	Bag
Duct Cup Capacity	N/A
Filter	HEPA
Included Accessories	Crevice tool, bare floor tool, upholstery brush and pet PowerMate

5

Best Cordless Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair

BLACK+DECKER Furbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum for Pets

5

Best Cordless Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair

BLACK+DECKER Furbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum for Pets

$96 at Amazon$85 at Home Depot$115 at Walmart

Credit: Black + Decker

Pros

• Powered pet head has rubber bristles to lift pet hair off furniture and stairs
• Affordable

Cons

• Doesn’t come with many attachments that others have

This cordless handheld vacuum from Black + Decker is a great affordable vacuum for pet hair that's especially great for cleaning up the car. It has a motorized pet brush tool that uses rubber bristles to lift pet hair off upholstery, car seats and carpets efficiently.

The only other tool included is an extendable crevice tool that makes cleaning hard to reach areas especially easy. Like many of the best handheld vacuums, it has a long runtime of up to 32 minutes, but requires four hours for charging and does not have a removable battery so you'll have to plug in the whole device (and when the battery eventually stops working, you'll have to purchase a brand new hand vacuum). Its filter is washable and the dust cup empties with the push of a button, allowing for easy maintenance.

This vacuum’s powerful suction and large battery indicator were a tester’s favorite features on this model, who said, "while a small device will never be as powerful as a full-size model, this little vacuum's suction was impressive." With an average 4.4-star rating on Amazon from over 7,300 reviewers, this handheld vacuum is fan-approved, too.

Weight	4.2 lbs
Run time	Up to 32 minutes
Bag or Bagless	Bagless
Dust Cup Capacity	0.75 L
Corded or Cordless	Cordless
Filter	Washable filter and pre-filter
Run Time	N/A
Included Accessories	Crevice tool and motorized pet brush

6

Best Canister Vacuum for Pet Hair

Miele Boost CX1 Cat & Dog

6

Best Canister Vacuum for Pet Hair

Miele Boost CX1 Cat & Dog

$680 at Amazon

Credit: Miele

Pros

• Included turbo brush floorhead for pet hair pickup on carpet
• Four suction power settings

Cons

• Pricey

Miele’s newest canister vacuum model comes with a turbo brush floorhead specially designed for picking up dirt and hair from low to medium pile carpets. Our experts are always impressed by the design and performance of Miele vacuums in our tests, and this canister vacuum was no exception, picking up dry oats from carpets, hardwood flooring and tiles without leaving anything behind. Thanks to its small size, it can be easily stored in small spaces and its 32-foot operating radius is great for cleaning large areas. There's even a spot on the canister body to park the hose so it stays upright during storage.

This Boost CX1 model also includes a universal floor head for pet hair pick up on bare floors. This Miele canister vacuum is one of the most expensive of our picks, but because it offers four suction power options that make it gentle enough for cleaning curtains and strong enough for cleaning carpets, our experts find that the cost is justified as you'll be able to tackle messes from floor to ceiling with just one device.

One of our consumer testers said, "It worked well on all surfaces, but really impressed with the power it had with the area rug. " It impressed our expert testers, too, earning it a 2022 GH Best Cleaning & Organizing Award.

Product Specs

Weight	18 lbs.
Corded or Cordless	Corded
Cord Length	21 feet
Run Time	N/A
Bag or Bagless	Bagless
Dust Cup Capacity	1 L
Filter	HEPA
Included Accessories	Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, two floor nozzles and dusting brush

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7

Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair

eufy RoboVac 15C MAX

7

Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair

eufy RoboVac 15C MAX

Now 40% Off

$150 at Amazon

Credit: eufy

Pros

• Removes pet hair from thick carpet with ease
• Slim design gets under low furniture

Cons

• Filters not washable

From our extensive testing of robot vacuums, we've found that most models are not ideal for picking up pet hair, especially from carpet. But this budget-friendly robot vacuum from Eufy bucked the trend, easily removing pet hair from carpet and hardwood floors. It was also one of the quietest robot vacuums we tested and ran for almost two hours on a single charge.

Like most other robots on the market, it automatically returns to its charging base when the battery runs low, but lacks the ability to resume cleaning after it finishes charging like some more expensive models do. With its slim profile of just under three inches, it can glide beneath beds, low furniture and hard-to-reach places to nab stray pet hair. Its BoostIQ Technology also automatically increases suction power when it detects extra cleaning is needed and advanced sensors keep it from tumbling off ledges and stairs or running into furniture.

For a budget-friendly price, it packs quite a few of the best robot vacuum features, like spot- and edge-cleaning, but does lack some other key capabilities that some consumers might miss, like a floor mapping feature or the ability to mark off no-go zones in your home. The device's filter cannot be washed, but a replacement filter is included with the robot vacuum and can be purchased separately at an affordable price on Amazon. Its two side brushes and roller brush action helped secure its spot as the third-best performing robot vacuum amongst 15 models we recently tested.

Weight	6 lbs.
Corded or Cordless	Cordless (Base is corded)
Run Time	Up to 100 minutes
Bag or Bagless	Bagless
Dust Cup Capacity	0.6 L
Filter	Non-washable
Included Accessories	Cleaning tool and side brushes

8

Best Corded Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Handheld Vacuum

8

Best Corded Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Handheld Vacuum

Now 14% Off

$33 at Amazon$64 at Walmart

Credit: Bissell

Pros

• Compact
• Lightweight
• Rubber nozzle to help lift stuck-on hair

Cons

• Not for narrow, hard-to-reach spots

This small-but-mighty Bissell is perfect for quick pet-hair fixes. We like that it's designed with a rubber nozzle to help lift stuck-on hair and that it's easy to maneuver around chair arms and stair treads, though its shape makes it a little awkward to hold and it's not the best option for tight, hard-to-reach spots.

Our testers rated this hand vac highly because it took just four swipes to pick up every bit of hair in our pet hair pick-up tests — in fact, in our latest round of handheld vacuum tests, it earned the highest overall performance score out of 19 models tested.

Its 16-foot power cord is long enough to navigate small messes and it comes with an attachment for hard floors to nab pet hair or dry messes like kitty litter on tile and more. It's a little heavier than a lot of other handheld vacuums we've tested, but worth the extra weight for the larger than usual dust cup capacity it affords users.

Weight	5 lbs.
Corded or Cordless	Corded
Cord Length	16 feet
Run Time	N/A
Bag or Bagless	Bagless
Dust Cup Capacity	0. 78 L
Filter	Multi-layer filtration
Included Accessories	Specialized rubber nozzle and suction nozzle

How we testvacuums for pet hair

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test dozens of vacuum cleaners throughout the year. Each vacuum model we evaluate is tested exactly the same way, according to ASTM standards. As a member of ASTM International's F11 Vacuum Cleaner Committee, our Cleaning Lab's executive director helps to develop the standards used across the industry to assess vacuum’s performance, ease of use, durability and more.

In the Cleaning Lab, we assess how well vacuums pick up dirt and debris from carpets, hardwood, tile and linoleum flooring. Perhaps most importantly, every vacuum we evaluate gets tested on "pet hair,” a.k.a. fine rayon fibers that we apply to test carpeting in a uniform way. After a specified number of passes, the percent of pet hair pickup from the carpeting is determined.


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In addition to performance testing, each vacuum must also undergo ease of use evaluations that include assessing the weight, battery runtime, maneuverability and ease of emptying and using the controls of the devices. Models that are tested in consideration for our annual Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards are also sent to consumer testers who rate and provide feedback on the vacuum’s maneuverability, ease of use and more. Our picks are the vacuums that performed best on in-Lab pet hair tests, plus ones with features perfectly suited to tackle stubborn fur.

What to look for when shopping for the best pet hair vacuums

To help any vacuum do a better job at removing pet hair, our cleaning pros recommend giving fur-covered carpets and couches a spritz of an anti-static spray, like Static Guard, before vacuuming to help strands come up easier. Then, there are a few features to look for in a vacuum for pet hair:

✔️ Bag vs. bagless: Dust cups or bags are essential considerations for the inevitable and frequent dumping that happens as you vacuum up after your pet. Bagged vacuums are best for keeping pet hair, dust and debris out of the air when emptying the vacuum, ideal for homes with allergy sufferers. Bagless vacuums are often sealed to prevent debris escaping and going back into the air of your home as you clean, but have to be emptied directly into the trash bin where dust can escape and find its way into the air or back on the floor. Bagless models are great for homes that don't want to re-up on bags periodically. Make sure that the dust cup is sizable and easy to empty, or that the bag is easily disposed of for the easiest post-cleaning cleanup.

✔️ Filter type: Filters not only help the dust from recirculating back into the air but can actually help neutralize pet smells in your home. Look for models with multi-layer filtration that can trap more debris than a single layer filter can. Models with pre-filters and whole machine filtration also offer multiple levels of filtration at different parts of the vacuum to further prevent dust and debris from re-entering your home's air. And if allergies are a concern, HEPA filters are the most effective, since they trap 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a minimum size of 0.3 microns (nanoparticles).

✔️ Type of flooring: Many vacuum cleaners come with attachments that are specifically designed for cleaning different types of flooring. Models with brushes that can be turned off or soft brushes are the best option for hardwood flooring as they are less likely to cause scratches than brushes with harder bristles. For thick carpets, rotating brush rolls with stiff bristles help get into the individual fibers of the carpet to get as much dirt and debris out.

✔️ Corded vs. cordless: With a corded vacuum, you’ll never have to worry about running out of battery power, however, cordless vacuums are easy to take from room to room or use in a car. Deciding if you need a corded or a cordless model should be chosen depending on your usage: Do you plan to tote it around the house and outside, or perhaps you're more likely to use it for long stretches of time? If you're leaning toward a cordless model, look for ones that include a second battery for longer run time

✔️ Size and weight: Portability is also an important factor when shopping for a vacuum cleaner. If you’re frequently vacuuming small amounts of pet hair, you may want a handheld or stick vacuum that’s compact and lightweight to quickly suction up tiny amounts of pet hair. However, if you find yourself vacuuming large areas often to pick up pet hair you’ll want a corded canister or upright vacuum that never runs out of power. Keep in mind that heavier vacuums will be harder to carry up and down stairs if you have multiple levels to clean in your home.

✔️ Pet tools & features: Pet hair-nabbing features are crucial, like rubber trim and raised “fingers” on floor nozzles or attachments that help zap static and break the bonds so fur comes up more easily. Tangle-free brush rolls also put an end to clipping long strands of hair (from pets or humans!) that get twisted around the brush.

Is a vacuum with a HEPA filter worth it?

Yes, vacuums with HEPA filters are especially great for homes with allergy sufferers as they trap 99.97% of microscopic airborne allergens. In fact, research conducted by NASA showed that HEPA filters remove almost all nanoparticles from a space cabin. Vacuums with “HEPA-like” filters are less expensive but often are only able to trap airborne particles as small as 0.5 microns, which makes a big difference when it comes to reducing airborne viruses and bacteria in your home. Sealed vacuums that don’t allow any particles to escape from side vents or any other part of the vacuum are helpful for allergies, as are bagged vacuums that minimize the release of dust when emptying the dust cup.

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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Carolyn Forté has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops and other major (and minor) home appliances for over 40 years. She oversees all testing done in the Cleaning Lab and continually tests new products, including cleaning products made for tackling pet messes like floor cleaners formulated to remove pet odors and carpet cleaning machines that remove dried on urine stains. She is an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.

Carolyn Forté

Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

Jodhaira Rodriguez

Home Care & Cleaning Lab Reviews Analyst

Jodhaira (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tests and writes about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH in 2021, she graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens.

Best vacuum for pet hair 2023: tested by our expert team

Cleaning up after dogs or cats is easy with the best vacuum for pet hair. Designed to capture hair, dust, dirt, and dander, these vacuums are a must-have for pet owners. Using a pet vacuum can also make your home hypoallergenic, which works wonders when seasonal allergies hit. 

Our panel of expert reviewers meticulously tested the best vacuums for pet hair, so you can trust our judgement on what's best to buy. Thanks to our hands-on experience of trialling these vacuums in our homes, I'm certain that every single one of them is a good buy.  

The specialized models from household names like Dyson, Shark and Bissell all have features that go further to clean up after your pet, which puts them among the best vacuum cleaners.

Best vacuum for pet hair 2023

Why you can trust Homes & Gardens Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

(Image credit: Dyson)

1. Dyson Outsize +

Best vacuum for tackling pet hair

Specifications

Type: Cordless Stick

Power: 220AW

Dust bin: 0.5 gallons

Weight: 7.98lb

Max dB: Not disclosed

Battery life: Up to 120 minutes of run time (across two batteries)

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Large dust bin

+

Excellent 220AW suction

+

Advanced de-tangling brush bar technology

+

Strong battery life 

+

As powerful as a plug-in vacuum

Reasons to avoid

-

Bulky to carry around

Why you should buy it
It's the best vacuum for pet hair you can buy.

Why I love it
Nothing comes close to the Dyson Outsize +. With 220 AW, this cordless vacuum packs all the power of a plug-in model. Loaded with all of Dyson's most exciting technology, the newly revamped detangling brush bar means that hair doesn't get tangled, and sensors that automatically adjust the suction power to each floor type. Even better, there’s an LCD screen at the rear that gives you the current battery life in minutes and even shows you handy how-to videos to keep the vacuum running its best. The most notable feature is - unbelievably - a laser. Mounted on the hard floor head, it's more than just a gimmick, revealing all the dust and dirt the eye can't see. 

I love the enormous half-gallon dust bin, which holds plenty of dirt and keeps you from going to the trash too often. The attachments are fantastic too, especially if you have pets. The most useful for pet hair is the mini motorized tool, which is great for pet hair on stairs and upholstery, but you also get a combination tool, a crevice tool, and a stubborn dirt tool with plenty of storage on the charging dock and the vacuum itself.  

Good to know
The enormous half-gallon capacity makes the Outsize a lot bulkier than other cordless vacuums, so it's noticeably heavy when cleaning moldings and stairs. The eject system on the dust bin is usually effective, but if you overfill the bin you'll have to reach in to pull out clumps of dust. Like all Dysons, it comes with a considerable price tag.

Find out more in my Dyson Outsize review.

(Image credit: Shark)

2. Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum

Best upright vacuum for pet hair

Specifications

Type: Upright

Power: 1344W

Dust bin: 1.48 quart

Weight: 17.2lb

Max dB : Not disclosed

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Powerful suction

+

Versatile design

+

Easy to maneuver

+

Odor-neutralizing cartridge

+

Self-cleaning brushroll

Reasons to avoid

-

Quite bulky

-

Small Dust bin

Why you should buy it
Exceptional suction and an odor neutralizer that banishes pet smells.  

Why we love it
Our expert tester Camryn Rabideau loved this vacuum after testing it in a house with two long-haired dogs. It has two hard and soft rollers that work together to uncover dust and debris from carpets and hard floors alike. Like many Shark vacuums, it stops hair wrapping around the floor brush and saves you the gross job of detangling your vacuum. 

Upright vacuums can be too bulky for delicate jobs, but the Shark Stratos comes with a Powered Lift-Away mode. Camryn said that 'This allowed me to pop out the main cylinder and bin, leaving me with a smaller, more nimble hand held cleaner and hose for getting under furniture and into tight spaces'.

We also love the Odor Neutralizer Technology, an innovation we've never seen before. It's a cartridge that releases a 'light, fresh scent that makes the room feel cleaner', which is especially welcome in homes with pets. 

Camryn found that the bin, which lifts out the front, could be cleanly emptied via the flap at the bottom. She also liked that you can clean the whole bin out too, too, once it gets dirty. It’s just as simple to clean the two HEPA filters.

Good to know
While Power Lift-Away makes it a little lighter to hold, this vacuum typically weighs 17lbs, so it might not suit people with mobility problems. You should also watch out for the two different versions. It seems pedantic, but the AZ3000 is just a vacuum, whereas the AZ3002 comes with an effective motorized HairPro Pet Power Brush, a duster-crevice combination tool, a multi-angle dust brush, an anti-allergen dust brush, an accessory bag, and two extra odor cartridges.

Camryn's Shark Stratos upright vacuum review has more details. 

Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum | was $429.99, now $299.99 at Shark
Use the code STRATOS130 for a discount on the Shark Stratos. Saving you $130, it's the best-value vacuum deal on offer today.

(Image credit: Samsung)

3. Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum with All in One Clean Station

Best cordless vacuum for allergies

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: .5 liter

Weight: 6.28lb

Power: 200W

Noise : N/A

Battery life: Up to 60 minutes

Warranty: 1 years

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Exceptional cleaning on all surfaces including hard-to-reach areas we often miss

+

Versatile with loads of accessories and attachments

+

Easy to maneuver

+

Hassle-free emptying

+

Plenty of accessories

Reasons to avoid

-

Set up is complicated

-

0.5L bin would be small for a large home

-

Heavy clean station

-

Telescopic tube doesn't extend by much

Why you should buy it
The best cordless vacuum for allergies.

Why we love it
Much as we adore them, pets can cause a lot of problems if you suffer from allergies. This is especially true when vacuuming, which lifts up pet hair and dander and increases the chance of irritated sinuses. However, the Samsung Bespoke could be the solution. Like other vacuums, it has 5-layer HEPA filtration system to trap allergen particles inside the dustbin. However, it goes even further. 

The Bespoke is charged on a 'clean station', which not only powers the vacuum but sucks out any collected dust into a sealed bag. That means that when the clean station is full, you can lift out a sealed bag, removing the chance of breathing in any allergens.

On test we found it easy to maneuver, with a good 60 minute runtime. We also appreciated the handy digital screen, which displays notifications of the power level and alerts about airflow issues, clogs, missing filters, and more. 

Good to know
The powerful Jet mode is incredibly effective but the payoff is that it's very loud. Our 5"9 tester also found that the telescopic shaft is a little short, so it might not suit taller readers. 

Our full Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra review has more detail.

Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum | was $899, now $549 at Best Buy.
By sheer discount, this is one of the best deals around. You can now save $350 on the Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick vacuum, our choice for the best vacuum for tackling allergies.

(Image credit: Dyson)

4. Dyson Ball Animal 2

Best upright Dyson

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: .55 gal

Weight: 17.5 lb

Power: 270AW

Noise : ~90 dba

Cord length: 35 feet

Warranty: 2 years

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Very powerful

+

Particular excellent on carpet

+

Long hose and extension reach

+

Maneuvers easily

+

Large dustbin

Reasons to avoid

-

Hair wraps around the brush roll

-

Only one power setting

-

Heavy to carry between levels

Why you should buy it
The best upright Dyson

Why we love it
Dyson's Ball Animal 2 is an older release than the Ball Animal 3, but we actually think it's better than its successor.  

Though not as powerful as the Ball Animal 3, it's incredibly effective on all floor types, and particularly good at getting pet hair up from carpets. When we rolled it down a carpeted hallway, the big half-gallon dust bin filled up with hair and fur which other vacuums in the same test had missed. 

A 35-foot cord means you cover whole rooms without needing to unplug and replug, which means that in some single-story homes you can clean the entire place. The hose has an enormous 40-foot reach, making it easy to clean stairs and catch cobwebs in the corner of your rooms.  Despite the size, Dyson's famous ball design makes it nimble when moving around furniture. 

Good to know
Like most uprights, it weighs in at 17lbs, so while it's nimble at moving around furniture, it can be awkward to carry up and down stairs. 

There's more detail in our full Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuum review.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 | was $499. 99, now $349.99 at Dyson
This is probably the best Dyson deal you'll see — $150 off an old Dyson upright that we think can more than match some of the newer models. 

(Image credit: Dyson)

5. Dyson Ball Animal 3

Best pet hair vacuum for carpets

Specifications

Type: Upright

Power: 290AW

Dust bin: .55 gallons

Weight : 17.3lb

Max dB: Not disclosed

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Powerful suction

+

Easy to maneuver

+

Performs extremely well on carpets

+

Three suction settings

+

Other models available with different tools

Reasons to avoid

-

Heavy 

-

Awkward control placement

-

Hard-to-use hose/wand

Why you should buy it
The best suction on carpets and area rugs; great for large homes.   

Why we love it
Dyson's latest upright, Camryn's tests of the Ball Animal 3 found that iconic ball design of the Animal range means it easily steers around furniture and between chair legs. It's powered by a mighty 290 AW, and has three suction settings with settings for high and low pile carpets and bare floors. Though it has great performance on hard floors, this vacuum truly shines on carpets and rugs. Camryn found that it does 'an unbelievable job pulling dirt and dog hair out of the fibers', lifting up pet hair and dust she couldn't even notice with the naked eye.

The Ball Animal 3 also has a newly designed brush head. It incorporates “hair removal vanes” to prevent long hair from getting wrapped around the brush roll, saving you from detangling it. 

For detail work, the hose removes for use with the combination tool (crevice tool and brush), and stair tool. Additional variations are available too that include the likes of a pet grooming tool, a mini-motorized tool for cleaning upholstery, and even a mattress cleaning attachment.

The bin removes easily from the front, letting you eject dust without making a mess. And, thanks to the washable HEPA filter, the Animal 3 is certified asthma and allergy-friendly, too. 

Good to know
Like the Shark Stratos and Ball Animal 2, this vacuum weighs in at 17lbs. It might not suit people with mobility problems or homes with several floors. This is made worse by the fact the three suction settings are changed by a button on the floorhead, so if you struggle to bend over it can be frustrating to use. 

In some ways it struggles from success — while not a problem Camryn faced, some users complain that the suction power makes this vacuum hard to push on the carpet. 

Camryn's full Dyson Ball Animal 3 review goes into more detail

Dyson Ball Animal 3| was $499.99, now $399.99 at Best Buy
If you want to save a little money, there's $100 off this powerful vacuum at Best Buy.

(Image credit: iRobot)

6. iRobot Roomba j7+

Best robot vacuum for pet hair

Specifications

Type: Robot

Dust bin size: .42 gallons

Noise level: N/A

Battery life: 75-minutes

Warranty: 1-year

Today's Best Deals

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

Why you should buy it
The best robot vacuum, effective pet hair

Why I love it
I adore the iRobot Roomba j7+. It's the first iRobot to use PrecisionVision Navigation to recognize objects and avoid obstacles like pet waste and charging cords. It operates in clean, methodical lines and spots any obstacles in its path. On test, it flagged everything from dog toys to shoes and even thin power cords, with a photo of the obstacle so you can mark out no-go areas if needed. 

My new favorite standard in robot cleaning is the self-emptying base. When the iRobot Roomba j7 detects that it is full, it automatically goes to eject into the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, a sealed system that can hold up to 60 days of debris. The j7+ comes with a bag pre-installed, and an extra one. 

I found this vac incredibly effective at pulling up pet hair, eradicating crumbs, and navigating throughout the home. The only reason I haven't placed it at the very top of this ranking because not all of you will be looking to buy one of the best robot vacuum cleaners. 

Good to know
You can't set Keep Out zones until after a map is finished, which is a little counterintuitive. The app can also be a little glitchy, and like all robot vacs, it's not always effective when cleaning tight corners. 

There's more detail in my full iRobot Roomba j7+ review.

(Image credit: BISSELL)

7. Bissell ICONpet

Best pet hair vacuum cleaner for overall cleaning

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: 0.4ltrs

Weight: 7lb.

Noise: 81dB

Battery life: 50 minutes

Warranty: 3 years

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Headlights useful for cleaning under sofa

+

Best performance on hard floors

+

Tangle-free brushes

+

Wall bracket for charging 

+

Impressive design details

Reasons to avoid

-

Heavier to use than some others

-

Edge cleaning could be better

Why you should buy it
Good for allergy sufferers, hard floors and low pile carpet

Why we love it
Expert tester and pet owner Courtney Irwin found that the Bissell ICONPet's 'powerful suction traps pet hair and dander', and it's great for those with allergies. It also swivels for fantastic maneuverability, and Courtney reports that the tangle-free brush roll is the real deal when dealing with accumulated strands of hair from humans and pets. This cordless vacuum is perfect for hardwood and area rugs. 

At the center of the ICONPet is a 22V Lithium-Ion battery which gives you up to 50 minutes of fade-free suction, ample time to do a thorough cleaning job of an average sized house. The Clean Slide technology makes for easy dust bin removal with as little contact with dirt as possible. This a major moment for anyone who hates dealing with cleaning out the vacuum. Courtney also enjoyed the small design details like the LED crevice tool, which lights up nooks and crannies as you clean, as well as the handy progress indicator on the inside of the charging dock

Good to know
If you've got high-pile rugs and carpets, look elsewhere. Courtney found that 'it didn’t live up to my expectations on the plush carpet in my bedroom', struggling to perform on even the strongest setting.  

We tested the original ICONPet, but Bissell has since released Edge and Turbo editions. Everything we've seen so far indicates an improvement on the original, with the Edge promising better edge cleaning and the Turbo offering more powerful suction.

Courtney's Bissell ICONpet review has more details.

(Image credit: Miele)

8. Miele Classic C1 Cat and Dog Canister

Best pet hair vacuum for bagged cleaning

Specifications

Type: Canister

Power: 1200W

Dust bag: 4.5qt.

Weight: 16.1lb.

Max dB: 80dB

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Generous operating radius

+

Self-sealing bags

+

Easy to maneuver

+

Lots of power

Reasons to avoid

-

Replacement bags are expensive

-

Limited Availability

Why you should buy it
A sealed bag system makes this great for allergy sufferers.  

Why we love it
The Miele C1 Cat and Dog Canister vacuum has spacious 4.5qt bags that self-seal on removal and provide extra filtration on top of a HEPA filter. Miele's models for pets use a special charcoal filter called Active AirClean filter that captures and retains over 99.9% of lung-damaging particles as well as hair and fur. Not only is this great for allergy suffers, catching and sealing fur, dirt and dander, but it prevent odors too. 

The hose and wand come off the back, so you can use the crevice tool and small turbo brush for smaller areas. The latter is particularly effective for tackling pet beds and upholstery. 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.

Good to know
The obvious downside to these self-sealing bags is that they're a recurring cost. Miele only make high-end products, so this recurring cost is on top of an already high price. 

This vacuum has been reviewed by one of our editors and the full review will be available shortly. 

(Image credit: Tineco)

9. Tineco Pure One S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum

Best vacuum for pet hair for smart features

Specifications

Corded or battery powered?: Cordless

Dust bin: 0.47 liters

Weight: 6.8lb

Max dB: Not disclosed

Battery life: Up to 40 minutes

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

iLoop sensor detects hidden dirt 

+

Flexible and easy to use

+

Impressive LED screen

+

Built in headlights to catch dust 

Reasons to avoid

-

Struggled with large debris in our tests

-

Can only be charged via Floor Dock

Why you should buy
Smart features, deep cleaning, and quick pick ups.

Why I love it
The Tineco Pure One S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum adjusts power on the fly for different surfaces and levels of dirt. I love the neat screen at the back which shows you battery life, and has a colored progress ring around the outside: it’s red when there’s dirt and turns blue to show you when you’ve finished cleaning. The battery lasts up to 40 minutes when you use the auto-suction feature – not the longest I've tried but good enough to whizz around an average-sized house. 

The Pure One S15 comes with tons of accessories: a 2-in-1 dusting brush, a crevice tool, a soft dusting brush, and it all conveniently stores on the included Floor Dock. The stand out is the mini power brush, which is great for cleaning pet beds.

If you struggle with mobility, this vacuum is one of the lightest in this feature, weighing in at just 6.8lbs. 

Good to know
While it's great for deep cleaning of pet hair and dander, it struggled to pick up larger debris like rice and cereal, requiring extra passes.  The only way to charge this vacuum is through the dock, which takes up floor space. 

Our Tineco Pure One S15 review has more details

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How we test the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair

At Homes & Gardens we like to get hands-on experience with all the products we feature. You can learn more how we test products in our dedicated guide, but the reason for this is to simply help you: we share our testing 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 (cereal on hard floors, pet hair on the sofa, debris on carpet, and more).

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 tested a number of vacuums within this list, including our standout top pick, the Dyson Outsize, the Shark Vertex, Tineco Pure One S15, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum, so she's well informed to tell you which one to invest in for your home.

Homes Editor, TechRadar

Jen is Homes Editor on TechRadar. Previously she has written for Ideal Home, Real Homes and Homes & Gardens as our Appliances Editor. She has tested out a number of vacuums in this guide, including the Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-away, and the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum Cleaner.

Product Reviewer

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer who has been testing home goods, including cleaning tools, for several years. She tested the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Vacuum and Shark Stratos Upright from her small homestead in Rhode Island. As the owner of two dogs and a cat, she’s always looking for the best products to help keep her home (at least somewhat) free of pet hair.  

Contributing Editor

Midwestern product tester and writer Courtney Irwin is a working mom of three who loves nothing more than a good deal. Courtney has spent years curating home renovation and appliance content, and has tested a range of products for Homes & Gardens, including mattresses, kitchen appliances and vacuums.

Vacuum cleaner for pet hair FAQs

How do I choose a vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

How do I choose a vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

Pet hair is a challenge for vacuums to pick up, and you also need to contain fur and dander to prevent allergies. You need a cleaner with good suction, the right types of accessories, and HEPA filters.

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.

Bissell IconPet tested on hard floor

(Image credit: Courtney Irwin)

What's the best cordless vacuum for pet hair?

Our top pick, the Dyson Outsize+ is a great option if you're after a powerful design with all the bells and whistles, and several attachments to make cleaning up after pets a lot easier. Its power replicates that of a corded design and offers up to two hours of battery life, more than enough time to clean. The half-gallon dust bin is the largest dust bin available on a cordless, so if your pet sheds excessively, you won't have to empty the dust bin every five minutes.  However, it costs nearly $1000

Our runner up is the Shark Stratos Upright . It's hundreds of dollars cheaper, and offers anti-hair wrap technology that will save you picking pet fur out of your vacuum, and an odor neutralizer that banishes pet smells. 

(Image credit: Camryn Rabideau )

What's the best vacuum for pet hair on a carpet?

When it comes to homes with ample carpet, we continue to love Dyson upright models, including the newly upgraded Dyson Ball Animal 3 or its predecessor, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 . Both offer tremendous suction power and cull out the most embedded dust and dander from carpets. 

We were also impressed with Shark's corded offerings, be it the Shark Stratos or the Shark Vertex , which are slightly easier to push or maneuver over the carpet as they have a built-in propellant. 

What's the best vacuum for pet hair on hardwood floors?

Again, the Dyson Outsize + is a great option for cleaning on hard floors, especially with the addition of the Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head, which is specifically built for cleaning on hard floors.  

We also like the design of the Shark Stratos and the Shark Vertex collection, both upright and cordless models with its Duo Clean Power Fins Technology that incorporates a silicone PowerFins roller and a soft roller to swiftly suction dust and debris, even larger pieces and stays well-engaged with floors. 

(Image credit: iRobot)

What's the best robot vacuum for pet hair?

The best robot vacuum for pet hair is without a doubt the iRobot Roomba j7+ . Not only does it have decent pickup performance, an auto-emptying bin so you can basically set it and forget it,  and amazing navigating skills, but it also has features designed specifically for pet parents, including the ability to avoid pet accidents, pet toys, food bowls, cords, among others. They also offer this very unique proposition: the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P) where iRobot will replace your j7+ if the accident turns gets dragged into a larger one.

What's the best vacuum for pet hair on a couch?

For removing pet hair from a couch or other upholstery, you'll want to select a vacuum that comes with attachments such as a mini-upholstery tool that make it easy to vacuum across delicate fabrics. Most cordless and handheld vacuum styles will be sufficient for removing pet hair and dander from upholstery. 

The Dyson Outsize + comes with a mini-powered tool, and many of the best Dyson vacuums come with one as well. As the base model, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 does not come with a hair turbine tool, but it can be found on upgraded models like the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra or the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete  

However, the Shark Stratos base model does indeed come with its own non-motorized tool which is just OK, but its upgraded model comes with the HairPro Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush, a motorized tool for furniture.

Which is the best vacuum for pet hair from the car?

For removing pet hair from places like the car, we recommend one of the best handheld vacuums like the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand Vacuum which has a built-in hair tool attachment that's easy to slide across upholstered seats. It's compact enough to stay in your trunk too if you want a dedicated product. otherwise, you'll get on with one of our other cordless options that also have a hair tool attachment. 

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.

Round up of today's best deals

Reduced Price

Shark Stratos upright vacuum

£399. 99

£299

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Samsung Bespoke Jet

£529.99

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Dyson Ball Animal 2

£420

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Reduced Price

iRobot Roomba j7+

£1,299

£836.44

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Bissell ICONpet Cordless Vacuum

£499

View

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Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog

£159.

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