8 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair in 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We love our pets. But cleaning up pet hair? Not so much. Shop our top list of vacuum cleaners, from handhelds to uprights, that will de-shed your home with ease.

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Updated on February 01, 2024

Our Top Pet Hair Vacuum Picks

Living with pets comes with a lot of positive benefits, like increased happiness and lower stress levels. But those sweet, four-legged roommates can also create a big mess. Every piece of upholstered furniture is suddenly a pet-hair magnet, and tumbleweeds can magically appear overnight. This is where a good pet vacuum cleaner comes into play. Not every vacuum is created equal, though — but you probably know that by now if you have pets. There are several important factors to consider when choosing the right one to efficiently de-shed your home. Carpet and area rugs will benefit from great suction and a rotating brush to pull hair out of the carpet fibers from an upright model. Hardwood and tile require a vacuum specifically for floors like a cordless or canister model and one that won’t just blow the hair around, creating a bigger mess. And if you have stairs, you should consider the weight of the machine.

How We Tested

Our team of editors tested a variety of top-rated vacuum cleaners in homes with one or more pets who regularly shed. We determined our top picks based on several factors including ease of use, maneuverability, weight, how it works on various surfaces (including upholstery, hard floors and carpet), how it handles dirt, pet hair, litter, food debris and more, plus the usefulness of the specified features and included attachments. We compared with other models we've tested and tried with similar specs and features to make our final decisions.

What We Like
  1. Canister lifts out to help you reach under furniture
  2. Equipped with tons of special features to help with heavy messes
What We Don't Like
  1. Floor settings aren't as clear
  2. Too heavy for homes with lots of stairs

In tests, Shark was clearly a high performer. And although their pet-specific vacuum is slightly more expensive and weighs more, we found it to be a better heavy-duty option for those who regularly vacuum up a lot of hair and other large debris, especially from carpets. It’s equipped with an extra-large capacity canister to hold more debris at a time (super important for pets that shed), a grippy base to attract hair, a self-cleaning brush roll, odor-neutralizing technology (helpful for getting rid of those pet smells), and a HEPA filter. It also has a light to help you spot anything you might otherwise miss.

In tests, the vacuum, which weighs a hefty 15.18 pounds, did a fantastic job cleaning pet hair and of cleaning both full and crushed Cheerios from carpets. On carpets, the machine sucked up every Cheerio in just two passes; it removed all crumbs in a single pass. It struggled a little bit on hardwood — after a few passes, there were still some Cheerios present — though it’s worth noting that the settings aren’t as clear on this model, so this could be attributed to user error.

And although it’s heavy, it does have the same Lift Away canister our top overall and top value picks do. This makes it easier to clean under furniture and other tight spots, but we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this model for large homes with multiple sets of stairs — it’s simply too cumbersome for that kind of cleaning.

  1. Weight 15.18 lbs
  2. Cord Length 25.69 feet
  3. Dustbin Size Not specified (3XL capacity)
  4. Battery Life N/A
  5. Accessories Crevice tool, pet multi tool
What We Like
  1. Affordable
  2. Good suction
  3. Washable filter
What We Don't Like
  1. No clean filter indicator

Offering powerful pet hair pickup with an affordable price tag, the Bissell Cleanview Pet Upright Vacuum conquers pet messes on hardwood, carpet, vinyl and tile with ease. The triple-action brush roll lifts, loosens and removes embedded pet hair, and its soft bristles work gently on hard surfaces to remove fine dust and debris while also keeping it contained with scatter-free technology. Swivel steering gets around and under furniture and other obstacles without a problem, while edge-to-edge cleaning capabilities pick up pet hair from one edge of the brush roll to the other. (This means you’ll spend less time cleaning.) Clean hard-to-reach areas with a 6-foot stretch hose and specialty tools including a corner tool and a TurboEraser tool. The multi-cyclonic suction system offers top-notch suction needed to grab pet hair, while a multi-level filtration system (with a washable filter!) helps trap dust and debris. Done cleaning? A bottom, easy-empty dustbin is quick and delightfully mess-free. And at just 13.5 pounds, it’s easy to carry up and down stairs or from room to room without breaking a sweat.

  1. Weight 13.65 lbs
  2. Cord Length 27 feet
  3. Dustbin Size 1 liter
  4. Battery Life N/A
  5. Accessories Crevice tool, combination dusting brush, upholstery tool, pet TurboEraser tool, pet hair corner tool
What We Like
  1. Multiple suction modes
  2. Lightweight
  3. Comes with five attachments
What We Don't Like
  1. Battery doesn't last full hour on boost mode
  2. No continuous vacuum mode

Engineered for homes with pets the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is a great option for pet owners who want the ease of a cordless vacuum but the power of a pet hair vac. While it doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles of the newer models like laser lights and LCD screens, it handles pet (and human) hair extremely well and meets the basic requirements like decent battery life, powerful suction and cleaner heads that detangle hair to make it a great value for pet owners.

With a max output of 150 AW, this vacuum works well on both carpeted and hard floors. Our tester found that this vacuum even worked better than her older Dyson upright vacuum. This vacuum comes with five attachments: a Motorbar cleaner head, hair screw tool, crevice tool, combination tool and a mini soft dusting brush. Our tester especially liked the hair screw tool because it worked incredibly well removing stuck-in hair and debris on upholstered furniture.


It features three suction modes: suction mode 1, suction mode 2 and boost mode. Unlike the Detect models, this vacuum can’t automatically adjust suction when changing surfaces or in areas with more dust, so it’s up to the user to manually switch to boost mode when needed. While this model is rated for an up to 60-minute runtime, the battery usage isn’t quite as efficient and didn’t last quite as long in testing without the auto mode option. With the battery lasting about 30 minutes on the middle suction power mode, this vacuum would be great for spot cleaning and daily maintenance as a supplemental vacuum in a home that already has an upright one. For larger homes with a lot of carpet and pet hair, both of which might require boost mode (and more battery juice) frequently, opting for a V15 Detect or V15 Detect Absolute would be a better choice for a primary vacuum for whole-house cleaning sessions.

One con but not a dealbreaker is that this vacuum doesn’t feature a continuous vacuum mode, but this accessory clamp would also work on this model if you want to hack a trigger lock feature.

  1. Weight 5.71 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.2 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 60 minutes
What We Like
  1. Cordless
  2. Portable
What We Don't Like
  1. Charger is not wall-mountable

If you already have a larger upright vacuum that takes care of your more extensive vacuuming jobs, but you want something for quick pickups, cars, furniture and raised surfaces, this cordless handheld might be exactly what you need. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion Vacuum has an easy-to-empty .14-gallon dustbin, a triple-level filtration system and a 17-minute battery life. Three specialized pet tools offer optimal cleaning for various surfaces: the motorized brush tool removes embedded dirt and pet hair, the upholstery tool cleans soft surfaces and furniture, and the crevice tool cleans hard-to-reach places. It also weighs just 3.5 pounds and is convenient to keep near a pet station where small, everyday messes are likely. (One editor keeps it feet from her cats’ litter boxes to pick up that infuriating litter scatter.) While this handheld is definitely smaller than most vacuums and still fairly easy to store, one con is the charging base is not wall mountable.

  1. Weight 3 lbs
  2. Cord Length Cordless
  3. Dustbin Size 0.7 liters
  4. Battery Life Up to 17 minutes
  5. Accessories Upholstery tool, crevice tool
What We Like
  1. Easy for everyday use
  2. Affordable
What We Don't Like
  1. No app or WiFi capability
  2. Small dustbin

Pet hair will be a nuisance of the past thanks to the ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum. Not only is this robot vacuum budget-friendly, but it also puts in the work to remove hair, crumbs, debris and more from hardwood, tile, laminate and low-pile carpets. The feature that sold us the most on this vacuum is the tangle-free pet-hair suction. Because the robot doesn't have a roller brush on the bottom (and instead has two spin brushes), it eliminates the tangled mess that often occurs when pet and human hair get wrapped around that roller. While testing, our editor let the pet hair accumulate in her home and found that the vacuum sucked up a full bin's worth of hair, litter and more, with no obvious hair left behind. In fact, she even says the areas under her couch and coffee table have never looked better. The ILIFE V3s Pro also features anti-bump and anti-fall sensors to avoid obstacles, furniture and stairs as well as a 90-100-minute run time.

A downside of this vacuum, however, is the small dustbin capacity of 300 milliliters (0.3 L), so expect to have to empty it frequently throughout a session if it will be picking up a lot of hair and debris. Keep in mind that this model also doesn't have a companion app or Wi-Fi capabilities to control the vacuum (though it does come with a remote), and it bounces around the space it's in when vacuuming with no no-go zone feature. So while this robot vacuum may not be ideal for those who want all the bells and whistles, it's great for those who want a little extra help around the house without spending a fortune.

  1. Weight 4.85 lbs
  2. Cord Length N/A
  3. Dustbin Size 300 ml
  4. Battery Life UP to 90 minutes
  5. Accessories None
What We Like
  1. Great suction power with HEPA filter
  2. User-friendly yet sophisticated
What We Don't Like
  1. Expensive

Miele's Blizzard CX1 vacuum has a futuristic, spacecraft-like appearance. We found it generally user-friendly and appreciated the advanced features. This canister vacuum has a powerful motor with 62 miles-per-hour air suction and a HEPA filter that captures more than 99.9 percent of indoor allergens, including dust, pollen and pet dander.

The floorhead lever allows you to change the angle and avoid lifting it to place it on top of messes. After we adjusted the incline, it picked up all the Cheerios in a couple of passes. This vacuum also captured tons of dust, even on rugs that had already been vacuumed multiple times with previous tests.

The Blizzard CX1 is heavy and bulky, so it's not ideal for carrying up and down stairs. But the base glides smoothly and swivels around furniture with ease. And the accessories will come in handy when removing pet hair from furniture. We also like that the dirt canister pops right off and releases with a simple lever squeeze to dump the contents.

  1. Type Bagless
  2. Weight 19 pounds
  3. Cord Length 21 feet
  4. Attachments Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, Parquet Twister floorhead, Electro Plus floorhead, mini turbo brush
What We Like
  1. 2-in-1 machine
  2. Easy to maneuver
What We Don't Like
  1. Can be expensive
  2. May be heavy for some

Whether it's tracked-in mud or accidents, the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro handles tough pet messes thanks to its Pet Pro Cleanup System. The system includes an onboard pretreater to remove spots and stains, a 2-in-1 pet upholstery tool to remove pet hair, stains and odors from furniture and a removable brush roll cover for quick access to clean and maintain the cleaner. Need a professional-grade cleaning? Max Clean Mode uses 12 rows of rotating dual, dirt-lifter power brushes to remove deep, embedded stains, dirt and odors. We used it to remove muddy pawprints and senior dog slip-ups in a rug that we'd previously treated multiple times with spray cleaners and paper towels. This deep-cleaning machine handily removed the telltale shadows of our failed previous cleaning attempts and left our rug looking like new. If you’re looking for a quick yet powerful clean, Express Clean Mode delivers dry carpets in 30 minutes or less. The lightweight design (less than 18 pounds) and low-profile foot makes it easy to maneuver around and under furniture.

  1. Weight 17.5 lbs
  2. Cord Length 25 feet
  3. Dustbin Size 1 gallon clean water tank
  4. Battery Life N/A
  5. Accessories 3-inch tough stain tool, 2-in-1 pet upholstery tool, pet stain and odor formula, Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator
What We Like
  1. Portable
  2. Quick setup
What We Don't Like
  1. Not for large areas

At just 1.4 pounds, the Shark WANDVAC combines lightweight portability with the suction power of a high-speed brushless motor. It features a tapered nozzle for easy debris and dust pickup and comes with two accessories — a duster crevice tool and a multi-surface pet tool — for tackling pet hair, upholstery and tight spaces. Without its attachments, we found it works best on hard surfaces (like hardwood floors) and low-pile rugs or upholstery. You’ll want to use the attachments for higher-pile rugs and softer fabrics to really pull up the pet hair and dirt locked in the fibers. Our favorite feature is the one-touch debris-emptying system that makes cleanup a breeze. It kind of balls up all the hair and dirt inside the canister and just pops it out. It's also very easy to empty and clean the tiny, little filter. It runs for almost 10 minutes on a full charge and takes less than three hours to juice back up, which is a much faster charging time than most cordless models. Although it’s small and takes up little space, it doesn’t conveniently mount to the wall. Luckily, the device itself is sleek and attractive enough to leave out in the open if you need to. Plus, we love that the charging dock offers onboard accessory storage — no stray or misplaced attachments!

  1. Weight 1.4 lbs
  2. Cord Length N/A
  3. Dustbin Size 0.08 quarts
  4. Battery Life Not specified
  5. Accessories Crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool

What to Consider When Buying the Best Pet Hair Vacuum

Decide the type of vacuum you want, based on your home’s needs. From upright vacuums to robot vacuums to stick vacuums, there’s something for everyone — and every home. We found upright vacuums to be the best overall option for pet hair on a variety of surfaces, with handheld models as a solid supplemental cleaning device. Nowadays, vacuum cleaners can boast a variety of features that may or may not be useful for you and your home. There are a few features, though, that should be considered specifically for your pet hair problem.

Suction Power: The most important feature to look for is suction power. A vacuum with 12 amps is your best bet, but as long as special pet hair attachments are included, you’ll be able to tackle those hairy situations with ease

Dustbin or Bag: While bagless models are more convenient than their bagged counterparts, emptying a dust cup may irritate those who suffer from pet allergies. This is just personal preference, as either option will get the job done.

HEPA Filters: HEPA air filters are designed to remove at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and other particulates 0.3 microns or larger. Pet hair or fur can collect pollen, mold spores and other outdoor allergens, so it’s important to remember what your pet’s hair is bringing into the house. This is an especially important feature if anyone in your household suffers from allergies.

Rotating Brush: As we mentioned above, a brush agitator is essential for homes with carpet or heavy-shedding pets. This can come on the vacuum itself or as an accompanying attachment.

Accessories and Attachments: Most, if not all, vacuum cleaners will come with some standard attachments like a crevice tool and an upholstery tool. Vacuums specifically for pet hair may even include specialized pet tools so you can conquer the sofa, ceilings, corners and more to pick up hair you can't even see.

FAQs

What's the difference between a pet hair vacuum and regular vacuum?

Not all vacuums are marked as designed for pet hair. Those that are tend to have stronger suction power, better brush heads and can be easier to clean. Pet hair vacuums also have better filtration systems.

What kind of filter does a pet hair vacuum come with?

Most pet hair vacuums come with a HEPA filter, which can capture 99.7% of 0.3 micron particles. These filters are commonly found in air purifiers. These can help significantly in households with allergies or intolerances to pet hair.

What attachments are best for cleaning up pet hair?

When to comes to cleaning pet hair off of floors, a solid brush roll is all you need. For cleaning accessories and furniture like couches, dog beds and more, you'll want a smaller attachments with a motorized brush roll or bristles to loosen debris.

How do you clean a pet hair vacuum?

Pet hair vacuums are just as simple to maintain as other vacuum cleaners. Regularly discard the debris in the waste compartment and swicth the bag out often in bagged models. In addition, check the brush roll to make sure it's not clogged with hair. For further cleaning, follow manufacturer's instructions.

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