Best vacuum for dog owners
9 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair 2022
9 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair 2022 | The StrategistEvery product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
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Pet fur has the habit of clinging like glue, especially to upholstered chairs and velvety couch cushions. You could use one of those removal rollers, but the easiest solution is a fur-guzzling vacuum. In addition to sucking up any shedding, a machine should tidy up (without getting tangled with hair) and work fast, especially if you have a skittish pet who hides whenever it’s on. To find the best vacuums for pet owners, we asked trainers, veterinarians, and notable animal people for their favorites. You’ll also see a few recommendations our own Strategist staffers swear by to keep their spaces fur free (or as close to that as humanly possible).
Best overall | Best less expensive | Best for carpets and hardwood floors | Best (less expensive) pet vacuum for carpets and hardwood floors | Best cordless | Best for heavy shedders | Best robot | Best (less expensive) robot | Best handheld
Cordless versus corded: A cordless vacuum relies on a battery rather than an outlet, while one with a cord can run for longer, which is convenient for when your carpet is in need of a deep clean. You should consider the size of your space when deciding between the two. (Overall, our experts favored corded models.) Depending on the type of vacuum, we mentioned the length of the cord or the running time.
Weight: You probably don’t want to lug a heavy-duty vacuum from room to room, so it’s important to know how much it weighs. Cordless models tend to come in at less than ten pounds, while corded versions hover around the 15- to 20-pound mark.
Extras: Here, we focused on the bells and whistles, mentioning features such as LED lights to see under-the-couch dust bunnies, detachable Swiffer-like brushes, or high-powered modes for quick cleanups below.
Additionally, we included the suction strength whenever it was available. This measurement will be listed as AW, or air watts, and Jon Gibbons, a cleaning consultant for the site Smart Vacuums, recommends choosing a model that lists at least 200AW in its specifications when shopping for a pet-specific vacuum. (Since the majority of the vacuums below don’t detail this, we didn’t think it was fair to include it as its own criteria point.)
Price: As always, affordability is one of our top priorities. Each of our picks is denoted as $, $$, or $$$ for under $200, under $400, and over $400, respectively.
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum
$500
30-foot cord | 17.5 pounds | High-reach wand, stair-specific tool, 227AW | $$$
Taking the Best in Show ribbon, Dyson earned high marks for its pet-hair performance and powerful motor. (It’s “undupeable,” in the words of former Strategist senior editor Margaret Rhodes.) The Ball Animal 2 is one of Dyson’s largest and heaviest models, at nearly ten pounds more than other Dysons, but it still offers industrial-strength cleaning without the size of industrial equipment. In fact, it’s a go-to for clean-ups at the George, a pet-friendly boutique hotel owned by Bobbi Brown. Compared with a cordless, this “very powerful” vacuum lasts longer, which is more practical for hotel staffers’ deeper cleans. When former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson tested it in her home, she emphasized how easily it sucked up tufts of cat fur and “unearthed layers of dust and crumbs that had been buried in my thick living-room rug for months — if not longer.
”
Part of what provides that suction is Dyson’s “tangle-free turbine tool,” an attachment designed to remove pet hair without twisting it into knots. And though this vacuum is corded, Payton Cosell Turner, the founder of the home-design firm Flat Vernacular and owner of three rescue cats, is another fan, as the vacuum spruces up area rugs with “absolute dexterity.” That cord also means there’s no limit on run time, so it’ll last until you’re finished cleaning. It is an investment, but Laura Colagrande, a co-founder of the dog-treat company Chippin, assures us that the one she has owned for years has persevered (if it doesn’t, Dyson has a five-year warranty on corded machines like this one).
$500 at Dyson
Buy
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Upright Vacuum
$222
$247 now 10% off
$222
30-foot cord | 14.2 pounds | Optional Febreze filter, LED lighted crevice tool | $$
Like our best overall pick, the Bissell Turbo Plus is specifically designed for pet owners and comes with a tangle-free brush roll. But at just under $250, it’s less than half the price of Ball Animal 2. The Turbo Plus comes highly recommended by Hadley Raysor, the founder of the Dandy Dogwalker. As the owner of a ten-pound Chihuahua and a 12-pound tabby cat, Raysor likes that the range of attachments — including a crevice tool and extension wand — can handle cleaning clusters of dander that are sometimes hidden. Former Strategist writer Chloe Anello used the Bissell on the second floor of her parents’ home, which is completely carpeted.
Even though her family vacuumed weekly, she and her family were disgusted by how much dirt and fur came up, Anello says. She even spotted fur from previous pets inside the canister.
$222 at Amazon
Buy
$247 at Bissell
Buy
Shark AZ2002 Vertex DuoClean Vacuum
$450
30-foot cord | 16.38 pounds | HEPA filter, LED lights on nozzle, detachable pod | $$
If your home has a mix of flooring, you should consider this Shark model, which comes recommended by Jon Gibbons at Smart Vacuums. He describes it as a “massive bargain” for what you’re getting, including the brand’s signature DuoClean floorhead, which offers a soft roller for hard floors and a brush bar for carpets.
This feature comes with an updated version of Shark’s aptly named “Power Fins” bristles, designed to give carpets an even deeper clean and hard floors a polish, Gibbons adds. He describes the Vertex as one of the most powerful Shark models for its suction. And technically, the detachable pod, which is meant for places like stairs, makes this a two in one.
$450 at Macy's
Buy
$500 at Best Buy
Buy
Shark HV322 Rocket Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum
$200 now 8% off
$185
30-foot cord | 8.6 pounds | Handheld-convertible, LED headlights, pet crevice tool | $
For an alternative under $200, the Shark Pet Plus comes highly recommended by Sara Ochoa, a veterinary consultant for DogLab.
It has two settings to switch between different surfaces: One is designed to deep clean carpets (even the thick kind), while the hard-floor mode gets just about anything else. Ochoa likes how easy it is to toggle between the two while continuing to vacuum, so you’re not missing a spot in the process. This model has picked up after her succession of dogs, cats, and even a bunny, whose hair seemed to float around the house. Her cat now has a chair he likes to sleep in (and shed on), but the handheld function grabs the fur so well, it “looks like he has never been there.” Plus, it’s easy to clean, with a dust cup that empties out smoothly without pet hair getting stuck inside.
$185 at Amazon
Buy
$200 at Wayfair
Buy
Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
$550
60-minute run time | 5.
71 pounds | Handheld-convertible, hair screw tool, 150AW | $$$
Your best bet for a pet-specific cordless vacuum is the Dyson V11, which was raved about just as much as the Ball Animal 2 (remember the tie we talked about before). To help pick up the clumps of hair that her hypoallergenic goldendoodle sheds, Rebecca Fadden, founder of the dog-accessories brand Finn + Me, alternates between the head attachments so she can switch between carpet and couches without a problem. Rita Li, the founder of the pet-accessories brand Rororiri, uses her V11 inside her business, which sees a succession of different breeds every day and needs to be constantly cleaned. The vacuum is efficient and lightweight enough to maneuver around displays and underneath furniture. Zay Satchu, a co-founder and the chief veterinary officer at the start-up veterinary clinic Bond Vet, also considers it a must-have as pets come in “bringing New York City in with them.
” And because the vacuum has its own charging station, it works for the frequent cleanings the staff at Bond Vet does (rather than scheduling hours-long sessions).
Since the V11 is currently out of stock, we have two alternatives. The first is the Dyson Absolute V10, which beauty influencer Michaela Podolsky trusts to tidy up after her two shed-happy Rottweilers. With a soft brush head, the V10 keeps her floors in tip-top shape, she says. The second is the Cyclone version of the V10, which Sehaj Grewal of the Melrose Vet praises for its superior suction strength, which gives Grewal “peace of mind, knowing all pet hair is being removed.”
$550 at Target
Buy
$599 at Walmart
Buy
Shark Rocket HV302 Ultra-Light Upright Vacuum
$170 now 12% off
$150
30-foot cord | 7.5 pounds | Handheld-convertible, precision-duster tool | $
If you have a heavy shedder, we heard about two Shark models in particular. The first was the Shark Apex, which is a favorite of pet-grooming salon Canine Styles on the Upper East Side, which co-owner Mark Drendel says has depended on the brand for over 30 years. But the Shark Rocket stood out because it’s a corded stick vacuum that can handle lots of fur. “It’s the perfect industrial vacuum despite being so lightweight,” according to Tiziana Agnello, the founder of the pet-accessories label LoveThyBeast. She’s so devoted to this vacuum that she bought five of them — split between her company’s store locations and home — and she prefers it over the Dyson cordless vacuums she has used.
The Rocket also transforms into a shorter, portable vacuum.
$150 at Macy's
Buy
$266 at Amazon
Buy
Neato D8 Intelligent Robot Vacuum Cleaner
$400 now 43% off
$229
100-minute run time | 8 pounds | D-shape design, laser mapping, app-controlled | $$
We named the Neato our best overall robot vacuum for pet owners, so it’s only fitting to include it here as well. The D8 is the updated version of the now discontinued D7, which was name-checked by our experts, and this new model has almost identical features. One of those functions lets you create zoning and non-zoning areas.
“You can block off and control sections of a room from your phone,” explains Shelby Semel, a canine-behavior expert and trainer. This specificity is what Ryeon Kim, co-founder of pet e-commerce retailer Little Beast, likes, as you can use the app to spot clean (without having to do it yourself). The D-shaped design gets into the corners and crannies you might otherwise miss. Jamie Richardson, veterinarian and chief of staff at veterinary start-up Small Door, used hers to get all the sand up throughout her beachside Bermuda place.
Eufy Anker BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Self-Charging Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
$200
$229 now 13% off
$200
100-minute run time | 5.73 pounds | Quiet clean function, BoostIQ for carpets, remote control | $
This more affordable model from Eufy took our second-best ribbon in the aforementioned guide. Its slimness is the reason Minha Khan, an art director and owner of a longhaired cat, relies on it so much. “I love that this vacuum reaches areas that my stick vacuum can’t,” she says. The RoboVac also has the Strategist seal of approval: Senior writer Liza Corsillo describes it as the “robot vacuum that helped me avoid couples therapy.” Although it’s meant to be ignored, Corsillo couldn’t ignore how much it helped clean much-argued areas, including “devouring dust bunnies” underneath their bed.
$200 at Amazon
Buy
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Pet Vacuum
$79
17-minute run time | 3 pounds | Lithium-ion battery, upholstery tool | $
This vacuum is like a miniature version of our second-place winner. Raysor uses it whenever their Bissell Turbo misses a spot — with their two-pet household, they are constantly shifting between vacuuming and sweeping. The handheld model is strong enough to get deep-rooted dog hairs between couch cushions and the “renegade litter bits” that sometimes get stuck into corners. As a relatively new cat owner, Strategist writer Lauren Ro likewise depends on an older model of this Bissell to get what her canister vacuum can’t. When she tested out this Bissell, she was happy to find that it picks up everything from “tumbleweeds of cat hair” and dust bunnies to strands of her own long hair.
$79 at Amazon
Buy
$80 at Bissell
Buy
A handheld vacuum with a 30- to 60-minute run time
A vacuum for deep cleaning pet hair
$267
$320 now 17% off
Buy at Amazon
A lightweight but powerful German vacuum you'll enjoy using
Buy at Amazon
• Tiziana Agnello, founder of pet accessories label LoveThyBeast
• Chloe Anello, former Strategist writer
• Bobbi Brown, owner of pet-friendly boutique hotel the George
• Chelsea Brownridge, founder of DogSpot
• Laura Colagrande, co-founder of dog-treat company Chippin
• Payton Cosell Turner, founder of home-design firm Flat Vernacular
• Mark Drendel, co-owner of pet grooming salon Canine Styles
• Jon Gibbons, cleaning consultant for the site Smart Vacuums
• Sehaj Grewal, owner of the Melrose Vet
• Rebecca Fadden, founder of dog-accessories brand Finn + Me
• Minha Khan, an art director and owner of a longhaired cat
• Ryeon Kim, co-founder of pet e-commerce retailer Little Beast
• Rita Li, founder of pet-accessories brand Rororiri
• Sara Ochoa, a veterinary consultant for DogLab
• Michaela Podolsky, beauty influencer
• Hadley Raysor, founder of the Dandy Dogwalker
• Jamie Richardson, veterinarian and chief of staff at veterinary start-up Small Door
• Lauren Ro, Strategist writer
• Zay Satchu, co-founder and chief veterinary officer at Bond Vet
• Shelby Semel, a canine-behavior expert and trainer
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The 9 Very Best Vacuums for Pet HairEvery product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
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Best vacuum for pet hair 2022: tested by our expert team
(Image credit: Bissell)
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 deals
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.
Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum | was $429, now $299 at Shark Clean with code STRATOS130
Our tester Camryn loved this vacuum's anti-hair wrap technology, which saves you from the gross work of untangling pet hair, as well as an odor neutralising cartridge which gets rid of pet smells.
This special promotional price is available exclusively through Shark and includes a free under-appliance wand, which bends so you can easily reach under washer-dryers and other appliances.
Shark® Vertex™ DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum| was $349.99, now $199.99 at Walmart
If going cordless is a priority, the Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless model is a powerful option with up to 40 minutes of power and folds over for easy storage. It impressed us with its ability to tackle fur, dust, and debris.
iRobot Roomba j7+ (7550) Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum| was $799, now $599 at Amazon
The iRobot j7+ is quite simply the best robot vacuum for pet hair. Even better, it can detect and avoid any pet messes. iRobot are so confident in this that their P.O.O.P. (Pet Owners' Official Promise) will replace the unit for free if it runs through any accidents.
Excellent vacuuming performance and a self-emptying base make this a worthy investment.
Best vacuum for pet hair 2023
(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: Ease of use and power; it promises 99.
97 percent filtration, which is great for allergy sufferers.
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.
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: Great pick up, an anti-hair wrap feature and an odor neutralizer that gets rid of pet smells.
Why we love it
Our expert tester Camryn Rabideau loves this vacuum, and tested 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 comes with Powered Lift-away, which 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 Statos 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, wheras 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.
(Image credit: Dyson)
3. 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: Incredibly thorough 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, this vacuum weighs in at 17lbs, so 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
(Image credit: iRobot)
4. 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: Great for homes pet hair; automatic; obstacle avoidance detection; smart mapping; personalized cleaning schedules; self-emptying base.
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)
5. 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: 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.
Coutney's Bissell ICONpet review has more details.
(Image credit: Miele)
6. 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)
6. 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
(Image credit: HOOVER )
8. Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Upright Vacuum
Best pet hair vacuum for battery sharing
Specifications
Type: Upright cordless
Power: N/A
Dust bin: 0.26 gallons
Weight: 8.6lb
Max dB: Not disclosed
Battery life: 35 minutes
Today's Best Deals
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
Why you should buy it: Good pick up, lightweight, cordless.
Why we love it:
The ONEPWR Evolve Pet works and acts like a regular upright cleaner, only there’s no power cord to worry about, which gives it a nimbleness and degree of flexibility you want for quick clean ups.
It's relatively light at 8.6lb, and reviewers say that this cleaner feels really maneuvrable, with the weight towards the bottom of the cleaner. Even better, the vacuum stands up by itself: something few cordless models can do. 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 charged in situ for ease of use, though.
Good to know:
The downside of the design is that there’s no hose or accessory for detail cleaning, so this is cleaner strictly for floors, with three operating modes to suit all types of carpet and hard floors.
This pet vacuum is on our testing wait list, but comes recommended by 73% of independent, verified reviewers on Amazon.
(Image credit: Bissell)
9. BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand Vacuum
Best handheld vacuum for pet hair
Specifications
Type: Handheld cordless
Weight: 3lb.
Battery life: 17 mins
Charge time: 6 hours
Capacity: 23.6oz
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Super easy to use
+
Pet-hair tool included
Reasons to avoid
-
On the expensive side
Why you should buy it: The best handheld vacuum for tackling small messes, from dirt in the car to tufts of hair from grooming.
Why we love it:
Running on a 14V lithium battery, this Bissell is powerful while remaining lightweight. It easily removes crumbs, dust, and pet hair from around the home.
We also like the sleek design and quick-charge base, making it super-easy to handle – just grab it when you need to do some quick cleaning in focused areas. Suitable for use on stairs, hair floors, and deep-pile carpets. It also works well on kitchen work surfaces and car seats, so there's really no surface it can't cover.
The best part, though, is the detachable motorized brush that helps remove embedded pet hair from surfaces like upholstery and area rugs. You can also pop in the upholstery attachment to clean soft surfaces and furniture and attracts pet hair at the same time.
Good to know:
Given its great capability for handling pet hair, we feel it represents an excellent value. We can't forget its triple filtration performance to keep allergens at bay, either.
This pet vacuum is on our testing wait list, but comes recommended by 92% of independent, verified reviewers on Amazon.
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 in our buyers' guides.
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, TechRadarJen 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 ReviewerCamryn 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.
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.
How do I choose a vacuum cleaner for pet hair?
Pet hair is a challenge for some vacuums to suck up thoroughly, then there's the dander that you want neatly contained. So you’ll typically need a cleaner with good suction, the right types of accessories, and clean disposal.
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 with unlimited cleaning power, 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.
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.
It's 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, due to its size, it's inevitably heavier and bulkier than other cordless options on the market.
We also recommend the Bissell IconPet series as it easily swivels for ultimate maneuverability and is the real deal in all its claims from the tangle-free brush roll, powerful suction, and easy dust bin removal with as little contact with dirt as possible.
Tineco is also showcasing its technology as a contender among the best pet vacuums with its Tineco Pure One S15 Pet vacuum. It offers incredible cleaning performance and we love the gamification of its iLoop Dust Sensor detects hidden dirt and automatically adjusts power. However, the biggest drawback is that long strands of hair are inevitably wrapped around the brush roll.
Luckily, there is a tool to cut it out, and it didn't affect performance, but it is a pain point of extra maintenance.
(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.
Round up of today's best deals
Shark Stratos upright vacuum
£399
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Reduced Price
iRobot Roomba j7+
£899.99
£619
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Bissell ICONpet Cordless Vacuum
£499
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Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog
£159.
99
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BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion
£379.99
£266.21
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Jaclyn is H&G's eCommerce editor and oversees all things shopping. She's also a bonafide sleep expert, and previously managed all sleep content on Homes & Gardens and Real Homes– in fact, she has passed our five-step certification process to become a verified customer advisor on mattresses. She regularly scouts out the best of the best for buying guides to help you fill your home with only the best. She joined the team in January 2021. She has previously worked with Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, The Spruce, The Spruce Eats, and MyDomaine.
