Top 12 Vacuum Cleaners for Pet Hair
1. Shark NV752 Rotator TruePet
2. Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Vacuum
3. Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Pet Rewind
4. Shark Rocket HV322 TruePet Ultra-Light
5. New Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog Vacuum
6. Shark Rotator NR96 Lift-Away Canister
7. Miele Complete C2 Canister Vacuum
8. Bissell 33A1 Pet Hair Eraser Handheld
9. BISSELL PowerEdge 81L2A Vacuum
10. Dyson V6 Animal Cord-free Vacuum
How to Choose The Right Vacuum for Pets
With pets in the household one of the chores that come with regular shedding is cleaning up pet hair. You can mop and sweep as much of it as possible but your best defense is a vacuum designed to tackle pet hair. The average vacuum, although great at picking up all kinds of dirt and dust, does not have the kind of suction required to pick up pet hair.
If you own a short-haired breed you will completely agree with that statement. Short-haired breeds shed hair that can attach to virtually any surface and hold on to it like a porcupine quill. The trick is to have a powerful vacuum and the right vacuum attachments for the job. That’s because you cannot rely everything on just the main vacuum to be able to remove all of the pet hair.
Pet Hair Vacuum Options
Of all the different styles of vacuums on the market some are very efficient at picking up pet hair. Before we look into what they do, you have to remember that not all pet hair is the same. Also, what may work for a friend of yours may not work for you. The breed of dog or cat will have as much effect on this as will your type of flooring.
In basic terms, the more powerful the vacuum, the better it will be at picking up pet hair. This means that upright and canister styles are effective. What makes the difference is the filtering system on each. If a filter gets clogged with a lot of pet hair and is not cleared soon enough, it will force the motor to work harder to maintain suction.
If left unattended, a clogged filter may result in engine burnout damaging your vacuum. Vacuums designed to pick up pet hair have a filter system that can be easily removed and cleaned to prevent this from happening. The next thing you need to look at is the tools and attachments that come with the vacuum.
Pet Hair Vacuum Tools and Attachments
Contour tools are designed to attach to the end of the vacuum hose and work in an interesting way. Their shape allows them to reach into corners and crevices to dislodge stuck pet hair. Another useful attachment will be a brush tool with a wide (often 6-inch) head and a rotating brush assembly that works on any surface.
Another thing to look for in the pet hair removal attachments is what they are made from. The rotating brush tools should have soft rubber fingers that can ‘grab’ stubborn pet hair and tug it away from many floor surfaces. The contour tools should also have soft edges to allow them to get into spaces that hard edged tools cannot.
Additional Help In Pet Hair Clean Up
One more way to reduce the amount of pet hair you may find yourself vacuuming is to regularly brush your pet. When they are shedding you can brush them more often. You won’t be able to collect the entire coat being shed but you will make clean up easier for your vacuum as a result. This will also extend its life and keep it in good working condition.
The Ultimate Vacuums To Finally Get Rid Of Pet Hair
1. Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.5 stars (1,371 Reviews)
- Powered Lift-Away Tech – vacuum pod easily detaches to allow users to reach under the lowest spaces with its powerful floor nozzle.
- Motorized brush roll lets you use the vacuum on carpet or hard floor
- 3-in-1 design provides Powerful Upright mode, Lift-Away Pod mode, or Canister with caddy
- TruePet Mini Motorized Brush Attachment
- Dynamic swivel steering technology for better control to maneuver around any obstacles
- A 10-inch cleaning path to cover a wide area
- Complete Seal Technology + Washable HEPA filter
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
POSITIVES: Consumers who have long haired cats and hairy Labradors rate the Shark NV752 as their best vacuum, saying it does a great job picking up pet hair from their carpets and furniture. The Shark vacuum offers 3 mode settings – 2 settings for different types of carpet and 1 for your hard floor. So it works great even on berber carpet or shag carpet. You just need to adjust the setting to the correct pile and thickness, and this vacuum can perform miracles for you. In addition, with its LED headlights which shine at floor level, the user can see much easier of all the pet hair on the floor compared with a vacuum with no LED lights. One consumer noted that the included pet brush offers better overall suction as compared with her older Dyson. Read More
NEGATIVES: One of the biggest complaints of its users is that the hose is short and stiff. But not when you’re using the vacuum as an upright. Some consumers were less impressed with how it picked up particles off their hard floors since the brush roll is turned off when on the hard floor setting. This can be addressed by using the included washable microfiber pad attached to the dust away, which really works when vacuuming hard floors.
2. Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.2 stars (1,015 Reviews)
- Features the most advanced Radial Cyclone technology of Dyson
- Self adjusting cleaner head
- 25% more brush bar power that drives bristles more deeply into the carpet, to remove more dirt
- Ball technology offers users instant change of direction, on the spot with no awkward maneuvering
- Tangle-free Turbine tool that prevents hair from tangling around the brush bar
- Washable HEPA filters
- 5 years warranty from authorized reseller
NEGATIVES: Many believe that this is the best vacuum available, but the obvious disadvantage of the Dyson DC65 is definitely its high price tag. Some consumers also pointed out that they are a bit worried about the handle of the vacuum as it bends. Lastly, Dyson’s ball design does limit the vacuum cleaner’s reach under chairs, sofas and such.
3. Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Pet Rewind Bagless Upright
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 3.8 stars (4,849 Reviews)
- Rolling brushes and rubber blades of pet attachments are easy to clean
- Folding handles will make storage a snap, good for limited storage spaces
- Filtration system includes, carbon filter to absorb pet odors, washable filter, and HEPA filter
- System check indicator to alert users when filter needs to be checked or cleaned
- No scuff bumper to protect your furniture
- Headlight that illuminates under furniture or dark corners for a thorough clean
- Five position carpet height adjustments
- Auto rewind cord, winds the 27 ft cord back inside
- 2 years warranty
The Hoover Pet Rewind Vacuum is a reliable vacuum cleaner that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. As Hoover uses more recycled plastic in their injection molded parts, they cut down costs. This, accompanied by good engineering – means they are able to provide an affordable vacuum that could compete with much higher priced models. Read More
NEGATIVES: Consumers wanted the hose to be longer, while only a few consumers wanted the power cord to be longer. Also, if ever the self-winding cord fails, it will be a problem to wind it back by hand. They also complained that the trap door of the dust canister isn’t that useful because only the dirt on the bottom part falls easily, while leaving some dirt trapped on the upper part. So it becomes a bit messy to clean.
4. Shark Rocket HV322 TruePet Ultra-Light Upright
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.4 stars (1,168 Reviews)
- Versatile for Floor to Ceiling vacuuming
- No loss of suction or power
- Advanced Steering for maneuvering around and under any obstacles
- TruePet Motorised Brush accessory for fast and easy removal of pet hair, dirt, dust and allergens from carpets or bare floors
- Dust-Away attachment for bare floor surfaces. Easily attach & detach using its quick release foot pedal
- Powerful LED headlights
- Multiple storage options
- Removable dust cup and washable filter
- 5 years warranty
POSITIVES: Definitely one of the ultimate vacuums to consider when you’re looking for a vacuum that has a small footprint and can remove pet hair easily on carpets, bare floors, upholstery, car and more. This vacuum can be one of the most versatile vacuum cleaners you will ever own. It is easy to use and to change when using different attachments. You can feel that you will have all of the attachments needed to clean your carpets, hard floors, furniture and pet hair. You will also be proud of its suction power.
Once again, the LED headlights from Shark proved to be one of the most likable features of the consumers. You can see all things on the floor much clearly, compared to just normal lighting or using a vacuum with no LED lights. There are many consumers who highly recommend this vacuum and it will be so worth the extra money if you buy the Shark Rocket HV322 vacuum. Read More
NEGATIVES: No HEPA filter, but will be easier to clean. Although you have to clean the filter more often than recommended in order to maintain good suction. And for some consumers, the dirt bin isn’t as big as they are used too because it isn’t a full-sized vacuum.
5. New Miele Dynamic U1 Cat and Dog Upright Vacuum
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 3.7 stars (206 Reviews)
- AirClean filter system – its multi-stage filter system ensures the consumers clean air while cleaning.
- Auto height adjustment – a spring loaded brushroll that automatically adjust to the surface being vacuumed
- Swivel neck technology & has LED headlight
- 14 meters reach and ComfortTwister with double swivel joints making it particularly agile
- Slimline design makes it convenient to clean under your bed, table, and such
- Large HyClean dust bag holds 6 liters volume to save money and time in preventing constant bag replacement
- Excellent array of accessories included such as dusting brush, crevice and upholstery nozzle
- 7 years warranty for motor & casing, and 1 year warranty on all other components
POSITIVES: Consumers were quite amazed with the Miele U1 cat and dog vacuum. Cleaning their carpets with just a single stroke using the Miele upright vacuum, there isn’t a single visible hair left that they can see. As compared to their old vacuum that they have to go through many times on their carpets to rid off dirt and pet hair. As bagged vacuums go, this is the best bagged vacuum out there. Users loved that the vacuum has a large bag capacity so they don’t have to empty it very frequently, when compared to most vacuums for pet hair. The bag compartment of the Miele vacuum is so easy to open and to change bags as well.
If you can afford the Miele vacuum, buy it. Consumers highly recommend this vacuum as it does a great job with unbelievable suction, it’s quiet to operate, offers a long cord, it is sturdy and well-built, has LED headlights, hose is easy to release and the unit swivels easily to go around edges or corners. Read More
NEGATIVES: The Miele U1 Cat & Dog upright bagged vacuum cleaner is very expensive. Buying new bags can become quite pricey as well. The unit is a bit heavy to push around at 21 pounds.
The Best Canister Vacuums for Pets
6. Shark Rotator NR96 Powered Lift-Away Canister Vacuum
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings:
4.3 stars (207 Reviews)
- 2-in-1 vacuum (Lift-Away pod and Canister vac)
- Small pet brush attachment
- HEPA filter + Shark’s Anti-Allergen Seal Technology
- Powerful Suction
- Manual Suction Control
- Fingertip controls to turn its roller brush on/off
- Advanced Swivel Steering
- LED headlights
- Automatic Cord Rewind
- 23 feet power cord
- Bagless
- Includes a dusting brush, crevice tool, straight suction nozzle and accessories bag
- 5-Year warranty
Consumers love how amazing the Shark Canister Vacuum picks up pet hairs and human hairs. The Vacuum includes a small pet power brush that easily picks up the hair from carpeted stairs and upholstery. Consumers are also glad that it incorporates a very good filtration system. The Shark vacuum features a Complete Sealed HEPA System (Anti-Allergen Seal Technology + HEPA Filter) that’s very helpful to people with extreme dust allergies. The design of the vacuum is quite amazing too, that if only looks could kill, then taking it out of the box would be fatal.
7. Miele Complete C2 Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings:
4.5 stars (315 Reviews)
- Superior Suction
- Variable suction control with 6 speed settings
- STB205-3 Turbo Brush
- AllTeQ Combination floor tool
- AirClean sealed system
- Effective in cleaning pet hair, pet food and cat litter
- Safe to use on laminated floors
- Easy to maneuver
- Durable
- Cord rewind
- 33 ft. cleaning radius
- On-board accessories: dusting brush, upholstery tool & crevice nozzle.
- 1-year warranty for parts
- 7-year warranty for power head motors & body casing
POSITIVES:The Miele Canister Vacuum is designed to be powerful and made to last. This is a canister vacuum cleaner which gained popularity because of its efficiency in cleaning bare floors, pet hair, low-pile carpets and rugs. The vacuum can pick up pet hair, pet food, and cat litter with ease. You can rely on its superior suction as the vacuum can even pick up the entire plate when cleaning pet food. The Miele C2 Vacuum features 6 speed settings to provide the right suction power for the type of cleaning – from vacuuming the surface to cleaning delicate furniture. Consumers also find the vacuum quite easy to maneuver as the unit is not too big, nor too heavy. Plus, it features three 360-degree rotating wheels which makes it pretty maneuverable and not just a gimmick.
The Miele Complete C2 Vacuum features an AirClean sealed system that captures and traps harmful particles inside the vacuum. The vacuum is also very quiet to use compared to uprights. If your house is mostly composed of hardwood floors, then you’re in for some real treat as the Miele C2 is one of the best hardwood floor vacuums of today. With its powerful suction and rubber caster wheels, it can efficiently and safely clean laminated floors. This is a very reliable canister vacuum for pet hair and hardwood floors!
NEGATIVES: This is an expensive vacuum cleaner. But remember it is made to last and Miele even provides a 7-year warranty so you are sure that it will still work for years to come. Consumers also find it costly when buying bags (unlike with their previous bagless vacuum), but they did not really complained about it since the bag does what it’s supposed to do quite well, and that is to trap harmful particles.
The Best Budget-Friendly Vacuums for Under $100
8. Bissell 33A1 Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum, Corded
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.4 stars (5,086 Reviews)
- Pet attachments are easy to clean
- Made for quick cleaning of pet hair or dry messes
- Cyclonic Cleaning System
- Includes hard nozzle and flexible contour nozzle
- Specialized rubber nozzle attracts the hair and then pulls out the dirt or dust on areas such as upholstery, auto, stairs and many surfaces
- Lightweight with 16 feet power cord
- Multi-Level Filtration
- HEPA filter
- 1 year warranty
- Affordable, great for gifts
Pointers: Excellent when used on bed, couches, car seats, high pile carpets such as the ones found on stairs. But there are low pile surfaces that this device isn’t that effective on, such as cleaning pet hair on carpet floors of a car.
Consumers loved the rubberized comb on the device. The rubber nibs can efficiently attract hair, pulling it up for the vacuum to suck it in. A consumer had so many embedded hairs in her stairs that it looked dirty. With just a few swipes, piles of hair are being sucked up by the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum. As this is a corded model, there might be a time that you have to switch outlets as you go along cleaning the stairs. The vacuum does have amazing suction power and it is suited for cleaning small areas or some touch ups. But it is not intended to clean a whole room. Consumers were pleased with its clear dirt container, making it easy to see when it is time to empty. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is durable and affordable, making it a great gift for family and friends who own a pet. Read More
NEGATIVES: Since the Bissell handheld vacuum produces powerful suction, it needs to expel exhaust air. Bissell placed the exhaust on the sides of the unit’s body, causing some air to blow forward at 45 degrees on each side. This will cause problems when cleaning on a hard, non fabric surface, as it blows around small particles (hair, powder and such) before you even get close enough to suck them up.
9. BISSELL PowerEdge 81L2A Pet Hard Floor Corded Vacuum
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.2 stars (6,450 Reviews)
- Captures debris around edges and tight spaces
- V-shaped design directs large debris into the center suction, while the ends of the V design capture the small and fine debris
- Swivel head makes it easier to vacuum around furniture
- Dirt cup is easy to empty
- 7.5 lbs
- 20 feet power cord
- Designed for hard floors
- 1 Year Warranty
NEGATIVES: It only picks up dirt and hairs effectively in forward motion, not when moving it backwards. It also requires a longer stroke to suck up all the hair and dirt. This is due to its design, which funnels debris into certain areas of the cleaning head to get sucked up, making it less than ideal for kids to use. There are also some consumers who felt that the cord should be longer and the unit feels cheap plastic.
The Best Cordless Pet Vacuums
10. Dyson V6 Animal Cord-free Vacuum
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.3 stars (1,369 Reviews)
- It has 75% more brush roll power compared to the Dyson V6 cordless vacuum, plus extra tools for tougher cleaning tasks.
- Direct-drive cleaning head, drives the bristles deeper into your carpet to remove more dirt.
- Dyson’s digital motor V6 makes the most powerful cord-free vacuum.
- 15 cyclones that are arranged across 2 tiers, and working in parallel to increase airflow, capturing more of the fine dust
- 20mins of fade-free suction
- Features max power mode
- Includes a convenient docking station that stores and charges the V6 unit
- Mini motorized tool with stiff nylon bristles to remove pet hair & ground-in dirt on your furniture, chairs, and tight spaces
- Includes mini soft dusting brush
- Hygienic bin emptying
- 2 years warranty
POSITIVES: Even though consumers feel that the V6 animal cordless vacuum is a bit too pricey, they still gave it 5star ratings as the vacuum saves them so much time in cleaning pet hair and dirt. This is our top pick for cordless pet hair vacuum. If you’re an owner of Golden Retriever, then you know vacuuming is a daily chore, the V6 animal cord-free vacuum just makes this daily task a breeze. Using the regular suction of the cordless vacuum is fine for cleaning pet hair on hard wood floors, but many consumers loved using the max suction since it does a greater job, especially on carpets.
Consumers are grateful for its storing/charging dock, making it very convenient. The device is always charged and ready for use when needed. The Dyson V6 is also lightweight, a very handy tool for cleaning stairs, car seats, and hard to reach areas, as well as for any spot cleaning tasks. Its consumers highly recommend the Dyson V6 suggesting that you won’t regret getting one, as it makes cleaning jobs as painless as possible. Read More
NEGATIVES: The Dyson V6 Animal is expensive, and as with most cordless vacuums, the dust bin is not sable to hold as much dirt as an upright vacuum, so users need to empty its bin frequently. There are few consumers who also felt that its run time is limiting. Dyson doesn’t include interchangeable battery packs to avoid the frustration having to stop in the middle of vacuuming when the charge is low.
11. bObi Pet Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.5 stars (634 Reviews)
- Designed for cleaning up pet hair & paw prints
- 5 in 1 Clean – Simultaneous sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, air purifying & UV sterilizing
- Edge and obstacle sensors
- Free of Hazardous materials
- TouchMe Texture
- Washable and submergible dust bin
- Includes bObi block digital barrier to create boundaries
- Programmable cleaning schedule using the remote control
- Auto charging and battery runs for up to 1hr and 30mins
- Easy transition between floors
- 2 years warranty
NEGATIVES: There are minor cons of the bObi pet robot vacuum that consumers pointed out. The bin needs frequent empty and sometimes while it’s running you have to empty the bin. There are times as well that Bob can’t make its way back to its charging dock. But this doesn’t happen often.
12. Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, BH50010
Amazon’s Consumer Ratings: 4.1 stars (9,183 Reviews)
- Bagless cyclonic and cordless stick vacuum with Windtunnel technology to remove embedded dirt
- Edge cleaning bristles to remove dirt up against corners or edges
- 18V lithium ion battery ensures no drop of suction power as its battery drains
- Interchangeable battery with charger
- One-touch control for activating the brush bar
- Great for carpeted areas and non-marking wheels also makes it ideal for hard floors
- Extreme recline handle to easily reach far under furniture
- Wide cleaner mouth to quickly clean up dry spills
- Bottom release dirt bin lets users see when it is time to empty, simplifying dirt disposal
- 2 years warranty
NEGATIVES: Some consumers wished it came with an extra battery for them to vacuum longer. It also does not include attachments such as crevice tool. It does not offer a removable, handheld vacuum to make it easier when cleaning stairs and hard to reach areas. And if you reach too far when cleaning underneath the bed or cabinets, the cleaning head tends to lift off the surface. But with all its cons, the Hoover LiNX stick vacuum is still a revelation for consumers in cleaning dirt and pet hair.
We have 2 dogs who shed hair, especially the Labrador Staffie X! The Power Roller does a brilliant job at deep cleaning hair and gunk off the carpet, leaving it looking brand new and fresh. The good thing about this roller, it gets right down into the fibres and I am always rather shocked at how much is whizzing around in the barrel. And it sure beats scrubbing away with your regular cheapie vacuum and getting tired arms. It’s definitley worth investing more in a quality vac like a Dyson as far as I am concerned. We have had ours for 10 years now and I LOVE IT!!
Hi Claire, I am glad that the Dyson vacuum is making your house free of pet hairs. Dyson vacuum cleaners do really have a very powerful suction. It just gets the job done and with less effort compared to using budget vacuums.