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Vacuum cleaners that pick up pet hair


9 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair 2022

9 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair 2022 | The Strategist

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9 items in this article 5 items on sale!

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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

$247

$247

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.

$247 at Amazon

Buy

$279 at Target

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 20% off

$160

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.

$160 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 Amazon

Buy

Shark Rocket HV302 Ultra-Light Upright Vacuum

$170

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.

$170 at Macy's

Buy

$209 at Amazon

Buy

Neato D8 Intelligent Robot Vacuum Cleaner

$400 now 43% off

$230

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.

$230 at Amazon

Buy

$280 at Target

Buy

Eufy Anker BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Self-Charging Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

$150

$229 now 34% off

$150

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.

$150 at Amazon

Buy

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Pet Vacuum

$73

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.

$73 at Target

Buy

$80 at Amazon

Buy

A handheld vacuum with a 30- to 60-minute run time

A vacuum for deep cleaning pet hair

$268

$320 now 16% 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 Hair

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Best vacuum for pet hair 2022 to banish dust, dander and hair

(Image credit: BISSELL)

With the best vacuum for pet hair, you will find cleaning up after your dog or cat a whole lot easier. Engineered with features to capture hair, dust, dirt, crumbs, dander and more, these vacuums are a must-have for pet-owners everywhere and can be kept close to hand in case of any catastrophe your furry companion might create.

Though they are often the source of unrivaled joy in a home, it's fair to say that pets can sometimes be less than discerning when it comes to your carpets and fabrics, which is why many of these vacuums also have specialist brushes for banishing dirt and hair. If you have guests on their way who suffer from allergies, using your pet vacuum can also help to keep things sanitized before their arrival, and prevent any sneezes or discomfort.  

This guide features in-depth looks at the best vacuum for pet hair and all of the choices that nearly made the top spot, so that your life living with pets can be made a little cleaner. Of course, the specialized models from brands such as Dyson, Bissell and Shark all feature, as well as models with features that can go further to clean up after your pet. The products you see with one of our Homes & Gardens badge have been meticulously tested at home to give you a full picture of what you will be investing in if you choose to buy. While the choices below are perfect for a home with pets, but our guide to the best vacuum cleaners has a wider range of choices for every cleaning need.

Best vacuum for pet hair 2022

(Image credit: Dyson)

1. Dyson Outsize

Best vacuum for tackling pet hair

Specifications

Type: Cordless Stick

Dust bin: 0.5 gallons

Weight: 7.9lb

Max dB: Not disclosed

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

Reasons to buy

+

Good sized dust bin

+

Excellent suction

+

Strong battery life 

+

As powerful as a plug-in cleaner

Reasons to avoid

-

Can be heavy to move around

Today's Best Deals

When it comes to ease of use and power, nothing comes close to the Dyson Outsize.  Thanks to the powerful V11 motor, this is a cordless cleaner that has the power of a plug-in model.

Smart tech
It’s the smart tech that sets this machine apart with sensors that adjust vacuum power to suit the floor type automatically. Even better, there’s an LCD screen at the rear that gives you the current battery life in minutes and even shows you handy videos, such as how to clean the filter should suction drop.

Dust collection
It’s easy enough to remove and clean the filter at the rear, but a bit trickier to disassemble the filter inside the bin. Dyson promises 99.97 percent filtration, which is great for allergy sufferers and has a clever eject system for the sizeable 0.2-gallon bin, so you get the mess out without the cloud of dust.

Anything else?
For getting into fiddly areas and dealing with upholstery, you get a mini motorized tool (great for pet hair on stairs and upholstery), combination tool, crevice tool, and a stubborn dirt tool. There’s enough storage for most of these, with two clips on the wall-mounted charging dock that the V11 hangs from and one on the cleaner’s wand.

The option of a second battery (available on the larger Outsize) for an extended run time would make this cleaner even better, – something that is an option with some other models in our list of the best cordless vacuums.

(Image credit: Shark)

2. Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-away

Best upright vacuum for pet hair

Specifications

Type: Upright

Power: 1344W

Dust bin: 1 quart

Weight: 16.38lb

Max dB : Not disclosed

Reasons to buy

+

Powerful suction power on hard floors and carpets

+

Powered Lift-Away motor and accessories offer flexible cleaning options for cleaning stairs, under furniture, and tight corners

+

Ample dust-bin capacity

+

Hair doesn't get caught in self-cleaning brushroll+HEPA filter 

Reasons to avoid

-

Quite bulky

-

Motor emits a lot of airflow

-

2 out of the 3 included accessories store on board, and are easily knocked off

Today's Best Deals

With the Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-away, you can largely say goodbye to hair wrapping around the floor brush which makes it a good choice for taming any unwanted pet hair from around the house.

DuoClean Powerfins
Double the contact, double the clean, with the latest in Shark's vacuuming tech: DuoClean Powerfins: two rollers suck up dirt and dust to maximize floor contact for continuous cleaning.  The silicone PowerFins roller and a soft roller uncover dust and debris from carpets, directly engage floors, and pick up more in every pass. Both are designed to be self-cleaning and anti hair-wrap so you can spend less time cutting through the hair, and more time playing with Fido.  It’s a relatively easy vacuum to push around, although the bulk of cleaner means it’s not as maneuverable as some.

Powered Lift-Away
For more delicate jobs and precision cleaning, there’s Powered Lift-Away mode. This lets you pop out the main cylinder and bin, leaving you with a smaller, more nimble cleaner and hose for getting under furniture and into tight spaces.  

Anything else?
Once full, the bin lifts out the front and is cleanly emptied via the flap at the bottom. You can clean the whole lot out, too, once it gets quite dirty. It’s just as simple to clean the two HEPA filters.

If you need the power of a plug-in upright with the flexibility of a cordless cleaner, look no further.

This vacuum has been reviewed by one of our editors.

(Image credit: Dyson)

3. Dyson Ball Animal 2

Best pet hair vacuum for fast and nimble cleaning

Specifications

Type: Upright

Power: 306AW

Dust bin: .55 gallons

Weight : 17.5lb

Max dB: Not disclosed

Reasons to buy

+

Very maneuverable

+

Certified asthma and allergy-friendly

+

Extremely powerful

Reasons to avoid

-

Too much suction on some surfaces

-

Few accessories in the box

-

Quite expensive

Today's Best Deals

With the Dyson Ball Animal 2, the company has solved how you make a supremely powerful vacuum cleaner extremely easy to push around.  

Big ball & power
Thanks to the ball underneath, this upright can be steered at speed easily, darting around furniture and between chair legs. Yet, it’s powered by the company’s most powerful motor delivering a staggering 305AW of power.

Floorhead & attachments
The floor head automatically adjusts its height to match the surface you’re vacuuming, although some people complain that the suction power makes this vacuum hard to push on carpet. There are no complaints about how well this cleaner removes pet hair and other mess, though.

For detail work, the hose removes and you can use the provided accessories: a combination tool (crevice tool and brush), stair tool, and the tangle-free turbine tool, which is brilliant for pets beds and upholstery. It’s a shame that there’s only storage for one tool on the vacuum’s body. 

Anything else?
The bin removes easily from the front, letting you eject dust without making a mess. And, thanks to the washable HEPA filter, the Animal 2 is certified asthma and allergy-friendly, too. 

(Image credit: Miele)

4. 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

Reasons to buy

+

Generous operating radius

+

Self-sealing bags

+

Easy to maneuver

+

Lots of power

Reasons to avoid

-

Replacement bags are expensive

-

Limited Availability

Today's Best Deals

If you suffer from allergies and need a sealed system, the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum Cleaner could very well be for you.

Large capacity
With its spacious 4. 5qt bags that self-seal on removal and provide additional filtration, this is a cleaner that’s great for allergy sufferers, as you remove and throw away everything. Of course, the downside is that replacement bags are a fairly hefty investment.

Pet hair taming accessories
Fortunately, the hose and wand come off the back, letting you use the crevice tool and small turbo brush for smaller areas; the latter is particularly useful for dealing with pet beds and upholstery.

Anything else?
Miele's models designated for "Cats & Dogs" use a special charcoal filter called Active AirClean filter that captures and retains over 99.9% of lung-damaging particles plus hair and fur, but that will actually help prevent odors.

There’s a 29ft cleaning radius with this model, so you won’t need to keep swapping power sockets as you make your way around the house. Suction power is incredible, thanks to the 1500W motor, so cleaning across the board, not just for pet hair, is exceptional.

This vacuum has been reviewed by one of our editors.

(Image credit: BISSELL)

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

Reasons to buy

+

Headlights useful for cleaning under sofa

+

Tangle-free brushes

+

Wall bracket for charging 

+

Impressive design details

Reasons to avoid

-

Heavier to use than some others

Today's Best Deals

The Bissell ICONPet is a beautifully engineered vacuum that combines the best in design, performance, and battery life. 

Powerful features
At the center of the ICONpet Pro is a 25V Lithium-Ion Battery for up to 50 minutes of fade-free suction. For reference, the high-powered motor spins at 420 miles per hour for a powerful clean, and suction. 

It also easily swivels for ultimate maneuverability, and we're pleased to report that the tangle-free brushroll, is the real deal when it comes to having to deal with accumulated strands of hair from humans and pets. Plus, the Clean Slide technology makes for easy dust bin removal for as little contact with dirt as possible. A major moment for anyone who hates dealing with cleaning out the vacuum. 

Anything else?
The 50-minute run time is ample time to get through a cleaning job, and we enjoyed the small design details like the LED crevice tool, progress indicator on the inside of the charging dock, and simply how easy it is to mount the dock level.   

(Image credit: HOOVER )

6. 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

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

Today's Best Deals

If you’re going to use removable batteries, it makes a lot of financial sense if they can work in lots of devices. That’s what you get with the large Hoover ONEPWR range, which covers everything from leaf blowers and carpet cleaners to the Evolve Pet Cordless Upright Vacuum.

Cordless design
As the name suggests, this works and acts like a regular upright cleaner, only there’s no power cord to worry about. Although relatively light at 8.6 lb, Hoover says that this cleaner feels more like a 2 lb vacuum when you push it around, with the weight towards the bottom of the cleaner.

This design gives the ONEPWR Evolve Pet a nimbleness and degree of flexibility that could suit those that don’t want a heavier machine. Even better, the vacuum stands up by itself: something few cordless models can do.

Anything else?
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 floor. 

Thanks to the 20V battery, you get excellent suction, and the floor head has an antimicrobial brush roll and pet filter that cuts down on nasty odors. You can buy additional batteries (or borrow from other ONEPWR tools) to extend runtime. It’s a shame that the battery can’t be charge in-situ for ease of use, though.

(Image credit: iRobot)

7.

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

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

Today's Best Deals

If your pet's sheds call for picking up the vacuum daily, it may be time to automate the process. Our first pick is loaded with obstacle avoidance detection, it's literally built to avoid the dreaded animal accident, and it looks quite chic too.  It offers smart mapping, personalized cleaning schedules, and a self-emptying base. 

Obstacle Avoidance Technology
The iRobot Roomba j7+ is the first iRobot to use PrecisionVision Navigation to recognize objects and avoid obstacles like pet waste and charging cords. After each run, the app gives you a summary of any potential obstacles that you can confirm to set no-go zones, mark as a temporary obstacle, and instruct it to go back to clean those missed spots. 

iRobot engineers built over 100 prototypes of poop and 100,000 images to identify and avoid pet waste. iRobot even introduced a Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P) where they will replace your j7+ if the accident turns gets dragged into a larger one.

Self-Emptying Clean Base
Our new favorite standard in robot cleaning: the self-emptying base. Since regular bins tend to fill pretty quickly with pet hair, they're especially useful for minimal interruption of your cleaning. 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. Though you will need to purchase additional ones.  

Anything else?
The robot operates in clean, methodical lines with the ability to recharge or empty the dust bin in the middle of cleaning before resuming. The vacuum is effective at pulling up pet hair, eradicating crumbs, and navigating deftly throughout the home.  

We were not able to establish Keep Out Zones until after a smart map was made, which means you'll want to carefully watch your robot the first few runs when operating in any sensitive areas. 

You may have to work to slowly introduce your pet to a robot vacuum as it might scare your pets, depending on their temperament, while you’re away. If that’s not an issue for you though, then this is a great choice for automatic, daily supplemental cleaning.

Things to note
Though this robot cleaner aced our tests during the review process, we haven't placed it the top of this ranking due to the fact that not everyone will be looking to buy one of the best robot vacuum cleaners. 

(Image credit: Tineco)

8. Tineco Pure One S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum

Best vacuum for pet hair for accessory lovers

Specifications

Corded or battery powered?: Cordless

Dust bin: 0.47 liters

Weight: 6.8lb

Max dB: Not disclosed

Battery life: Up to 40 minutes

Reasons to buy

+

iLoop sensor detects hidden dirt 

+

Flexible and easy to use

+

Impressive LED screen

+

Built in headlights to catch dust 

+

Dual batteries

Reasons to avoid

-

Struggled with large debris in our tests

Today's Best Deals

A lot of vacuum cleaning is about having the right accessories for the job, and the Tineco Pure One S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum doesn’t disappoint on this front.  

Accessories included
You get two motorized floor brushes (one for carpet, one for hard floor), a 2-in-1 dusting brush, a mini power brush (great for pet beds), crevice tool, soft dusting brush, and a flexible crevice tool. 

If that’s not enough, there are also two clever pre-filter cleaning tools that use vacuum power to remove dirt (the rear HEPA filter has to be cleaned with water).

Long run time
There's 40 minutes of run time available from this model - more than enough for most homes, and likely enough to clean up any trouble that your pets have created.

There’s a smart AI mode (iLoop) that detects when there’s dirt and adjusts power on the fly, but it’s not always very accurate, so you can override and choose your own power mode. 

Anything else?
The neat screen at the back shows you battery life, and has a colored ring around the outside: it’s red when there’s dirt and turns blue to show you when you’ve finished cleaning. It also has a smartphone app.

After reviewing this model, we found that the is vacuum is great for deep cleaning, and has a number of great features to make it easier to pick up dust and debris. 

(Image credit: Bissell)

9. BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand Vacuum

Best handheld vacuum for pet hair: tame pet hair with the handy pet tool

Specifications

Type: Handheld cordless

Weight: 3lb.

Battery life: 17 mins

Charge time: 6 hours

Capacity: 23.6oz

Reasons to buy

+

Super easy to use

+

Pet-hair tool included

Reasons to avoid

-

On the expensive side

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Wherever they go, pets seem to leave a trail of something or another. Consider one of the best handheld vacuums to tackle small cleans up from dirt tracked into your after a trip to the park, spilled food crumbs, and tufts of hair that escape after grooming. Our go-to: the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand Vacuum.

Powerful Design
Packed with a 14V Lithium battery, this Bissell remains powerful while remaining lightweight. It easily removes crumbs, dust, and pet hair from around the home. We also like sleek design and quick-charge base make it super-easy to handle — just grab it when you need to do some quick cleaning in focused areas. This Bissell handheld vac is 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. 

Top-notch attachments
The best part, though, is the detachable motorized brush that helps remove embedded pet hair from surfaces like upholstery and area rugs. Need something a little more delicate? Pop in the upholstery attachment to cleans soft surfaces and furniture and attracts pet hair at the same time. 

Anything else?
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. 

How we test the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair

At Homes & Gardens we like to get hands-on experience with all the products which we decide to feature in our buyers' guides, which you can learn more about in our guide to how we test products. The reason for this is to simply help you; we share our experiences so you can be confident in what you are buying. 

Each new vacuum we get the opportunity to review is tried and tested in our own homes, undergoing rigorous testing on a range of flooring and household challenges (rice crispies on the floor, pet hair on the sofa, etc).

We test the vacuum cleaners for a number of weeks (sometimes months) so we get a feel for the longevity and durability of each model. In some instances, we are also fortunate enough to keep the vacuum cleaners after writing up the review so we can continue to learn about them and share our findings with you. We look out for factors such as maneuverability, run-time, emptying of the dust bin (or bag), and general controls so you know exactly what you are getting for your money, and whether or not it is worth it for what you need it for. The feedback from other users is also something we look out for, especially if we are in the process of reviewing a product and we felt it was (already) a good enough product to feature in our round-ups of the "best of" guides.

Below, you can discover more about the team responsible for testing these vacuums.

Jaclyn is the US eCommerce editor for Homes & Gardens, where she oversees sleep content including mattresses and bedding. She has also tested a number of vacuums within this list, including our standout top pick, the Dyson Outsize , the Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum , which means 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 .

How do I choose a vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

Pet hair is a rather specialist item to suck up and get rid of with any deal of efficiency, so you’ll typically need a cleaner with the right types of accessories, rather than raw power, as such.

For dealing with carpets or rugs, this means a motorized brush bar, which uses rigid bristles to agitate and loosen hair so that it can be sucked up into the bin. 

For hard floors, having pure suction flow through the cleaner makes more sense for hair, but look out for a cleaner that has a soft brush, designed to pick up pet dander and microscopic bits of dust first.

Tools for dealing with pet hair around the house are just as important. A mini motorized brush can be your best friend, giving you the same qualities as a floor brush in a smaller package that can help clean up pet beds and upholstery with ease.

Any motorized tool with tangle-free technology is worth looking for, as you won’t have to worry about cleaning the tools so often.

Otherwise, look out for regular accessories (dusting brushes, crevice tools and so on) for getting into those hard-to-reach areas and removing all traces of pet hair from your home.

While power isn’t the most important aspect, vacuum cleaners designed for pet hair tend to be at the more powerful end of the spectrum, particularly for plug-in models. Typically, these cleaners have a 1500W or higher motor.

You’ll have a choice between cordless and plug-in models. Generally speaking, plug-in models, as discussed above, will give you a deeper and more thorough clean, but the trade-off is a large and more unwieldy cleaner.

A cordless cleaner doesn’t quite have the same level of power but can do a great job with the right accessories designed for pet hair removal. As cordless cleaners are lighter and easier to move around, you’ll more likely use them more often, too. Regular, targeted cleaning can be just as, if not more effective as a weekly deep clean.

Are HEPA filter vacuums worth it?

When sucking up dust and pet hair, it’s not what you can see that can cause irritation and allergic reactions, but the microscopic dust that you can’t. 

Pet dander, for example, are microscopic skin cells shed from animals that cause reactions in people with allergies.

HEPA filters are designed and rated to prevent these particles from escaping the vacuum cleaner, sealing in the dirt that’s collected. This is very important in a pet vacuum cleaner, particularly if anyone in the house (or a regular visitor) has sensitivities to your animals.

Are bagless or bagged vacuums better for allergies?

As discussed above, a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters is what you need if you have allergy sufferers, keeping the microscopic irritants sealed inside the dust bin. However, the big issue is what happens when you empty a vacuum.

For bagless cleaners, emptying has to be done with care, as opening the bin can create a cloud of dust, releasing smaller particles back into the air, causing issues for those with allergies.

Bagged vacuum cleaners have an extra level of protection, as the bags act as both additional filters to prevent particle escape, but you also remove and throw away the dirt without exposing it to fresh air. Look for a cleaner that has self-sealing bags for the best results.

As such, bagged vacuum cleaners are often easier to deal with for households where members are very sensitive to allergens. 

That doesn’t make bagless cleaners a poor choice, though: just be careful how and where you empty the vacuum’s bin. To prevent the spreading of allergens, a vacuum bin should be ejected either down, directly into a larger internal bin or, for additional safety, emptied in the same way into an outside bin.

Would I be better off with a corded vac for pet hair?

Corded vacuums tend to be more powerful than cordless vacuums, with the additional benefit of never running out of power. They’re still a solid choice for large homes, as you’ll never suffer from "range anxiety" and running out of power.

They tend to be much bigger and bulkier though, which can be a pain when it comes to easily and quickly tending to a room. We can’t speak for everyone, but for most people, and especially those in apartments, cordless vacuum cleaners have evolved to a point where they’re more than powerful enough to take care of tough pet hair, while remaining light and nimble enough to not make the process a tiring and frustrating one.

See some top cordless vacuum picks (and how we compared them) in the shoppable video below).

Other tips for cleaning up after pets 

If you're not quite convinced that a vacuum for taming pet hair will help in your household, then there are plenty of other options which are worth consideration.

Lint rollers are really handy to have in the home, or in the car. They are a roll of single-sided adhesive paper that is mounted over a barrel with a handle.

Round up of today's best deals

Dyson Ball Animal 2

£329.95

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Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog

£159.99

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Reduced Price

Bissell ICONpet Cordless Vacuum

£235.53

£219.33

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iRobot Roomba j7+

£899. 99

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BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion

£379.99

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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.  When Jaclyn's not working, she loves browsing real estate listings, unwinding with a chilled glass of Rosé, and entertaining her Cavapoo, Reese.  

With contributions from

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