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Each year, 50 million vacuums are sold in the United States. However, standard vacuums may not be as effective for picking up stubborn dog and cat hair, dirt, and dander. “Suction power and airflow are the two most crucial factors to look for when selecting a vacuum,” says Gloria Sullivan, owner of MaidPro Alexandria, a professional cleaning company in Virginia.
The best vacuums for pet hair will often come with brush rollers. “Opt for a vacuum with a beater bar or a brush roller to agitate carpet fibers and dislodge dirt and debris, making it easier for the vacuum to pick up dirt and hair,” says David Ragsdale, a production manager and instructor at Servpro, a national commercial and residential cleaning service.
The best vacuums for pet hair should be durable, versatile, and have good capacity. Attachments that can grab pet hair in corners are also important. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Lift-Off vacuum is our overall pick for dog and cat hair. It ticks all the boxes without breaking the bank. We also examined vacuums for pet hair in seven other categories. From plug-in models to cordless ones, here are our favorites.
Our picks for the best vacuums for pet hair
Best overall: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Lift-Off Vacuum, w/ Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
Check the price at Wayfair
Why we like it: This pet hair vacuum’s slim design and swivel steering make it easy to navigate around a room, especially on carpets. We also like the “self-cleaning” brush roll that has grooves and a comb-like built-in to grab hair strands. Illuminated attachments help spot clumps of pet hair in dark corners or under cabinets.
HEPA filtration helps remove microscopic particles, such as dust and mold, which is especially useful in homes with pets. “[It’s] going to do the best job of filtering pet dander,” notes Ragsdale. The detachable canister is another great feature that lets you tackle stairs and other places that are hard to reach with a full-size vacuum. A big bonus beyond cleaning: The company has a foundation focused on helping animal welfare groups.
Keep in mind: The vacuum’s hose is retractable, but it’s a bit shorter than other vacuums’. You have to partially disassemble the brush roll to clean it, which can be time-consuming for households with many pets.
Product details: Style: Upright | Battery life: N/A | Bin size: 0.75 liters | Weight: 15.5 pounds | HEPA filter: Yes | Included attachments: TurboBrush pivot tool, LED-lit dusting brush, crevice tool
Best budget: Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Check the price at Wayfair
Why we like it: The Eureka PowerSpeed Turbo Spotlight Pet has five height adjustments to help pick up pet hair on different types of floors, from tile to deep shag rugs. The slim design and light weight (10 pounds) make it easy to maneuver under and around furniture.
Like the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, this pet hair vacuum also uses a HEPA filter and comes with accessories including a pet brush, crevice tool, dusting brush, and an upholstery tool. With a wider cleaning path than most vacuums on the market and an extra-large, 2.5-liter detachable canister, this vacuum covers plenty of ground with each pass, potentially decreasing cleaning time.
Keep in mind: This vacuum doesn’t have a retractable hose or headlights and doesn’t clean as well on hard floors.
Product details: Style: Upright | Battery life: N/A | Bin size: 2.6 liters | Weight: 10 pounds | HEPA filter: No | Included attachments: Dusting brush, upholstery tool, pet tool, crevice tool
Best cordless: Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Vacuum
Check the price at Wayfair and Dyson
Why we like it: What sets the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute vacuum apart is its high-tech features. A sensor purportedly identifies various types of surfaces and debris so the vacuum can adjust accordingly as you clean. The cleaner head is equipped with built-in laser illumination designed to help identify less-visible particles, as well as an LCD display with real-time updates on cleaning modes, blockages, battery life, and a count of particles collected.
The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute offers up to 60 minutes of steady power, according to the company, and a conical brush designed to prevent tangling around the brush bar. We also like that you can eject dust and debris directly into trash cans, minimizing exposure to allergens. Like other pet hair vacuums, the V15 Detect Absolute comes with attachments and can be used as a handheld for quick cleanups around the house or inside cars.
Keep in mind: You have to press down on the trigger to keep the vacuum running, which can be uncomfortable for some people. The vacuum works best on hard floors and has one battery, which some reviewers noted lasts an average of 10 minutes at maximum power.
Product details: Style: Stick | Battery life: 60 minutes | Bin size: 0.2 gallons | Weight: 6.8 pounds | HEPA filter: No | Included attachments: Anti-tangle hair screw tool; combination tool; dirt and dusting brushes; crevice tool
Best upright: Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter
Check the price on Amazon
Why we like it: The Shark Rotator NV752 is a robust vacuum for picking up dog and cat hair on all sorts of surfaces. At 15.6 pounds, it’s not the lightest pet hair vacuum out there, but the sturdy swivel steering helps provide good control for getting around furniture. Buttons on the handle make it easy to switch between carpet and hard floor cleaning modes, while LED lights on the nozzle help spot hard-to-see pet hair.
Like our overall top pick, the Shark Rotator NV752 has a HEPA filter and a detachable, portable canister for vacuuming stairs or other areas around the house. It also has a motorized brush designed to pick up pet hair and a large dust cup with attachments, including a crevice tool and a dusting brush.
Keep in mind: The vacuum is heavy, potentially making it more challenging to use daily. Some reviewers expressed frustration about frequently removing tangled pet hair from the roller.
Product details: Style: Single brush roll | Battery life: N/A | Bin size: 0.88 quarts | Weight: 15.6 pounds | HEPA filter: Yes | Included attachments: Upholstery tool, crevice tool, pet brush
Best handheld: Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Handheld Pet Vacuum
Check the price at Chewy
Why we like it: This Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ handheld pet hair vacuum is one of the easiest to use on dog or cat hair. It has a motorized brush with rubber bristles that help grip fur, dander, cat litter, and even kibble crumbs. Because it’s cordless, you can clean all around the house. We also appreciate that it’s easy to keep clean—the filter is washable and the dustbin detaches.
Keep in mind: Navigating through the vacuum’s low- and high-speed settings to turn it off can be tedious. Some reviewers noted there was a delay when switching between speeds and powering down.
Product details: Style: Handheld vacuum | Battery life: 4 hours | Bin size: 0.18 gallons | Weight: 2.6 pounds | HEPA filter: No | Included attachments: HHVK515JP07 hand vacuum, motorized pet brush, extra-large extendable crevice tool, washable pre-filter and filter (HHVKF10), jack plug charger
Best stick: Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with All-In-One Clean Station
Check the price on Amazon
Why we like it: Sleek and modern, Samsung’s Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum comes with many unique features, including a stand that’s also a charger. It has a dual brush head that reviewers said worked particularly well on hardwood floors and five layers of filtration. We also love the button-activated cleaning system that automatically empties the dustbin into a bag stored within the stand.
A big bonus: This pet hair vacuum comes with an extra battery and charger. The digital display on the handle tells you when to swap out the battery.
Keep in mind: Unlike other high-end vacuums for pet hair, this one doesn’t have a headlight, so you’re on your own for spotting smaller clumps in dark corners.
Product details: Style: Cordless | Battery life: 2 hours | Bin size: 0.5 liters | Weight: 6 pounds | HEPA filter: Yes | Included attachments: Brush combination tool, crevice tool
Best robot: Roborock Q5 Pro+ Robot Vacuum and Mop, Self-Emptying
Check the price on Amazon
Why we like it: Gloria Sullivan, the cleaning service owner, notes that robot vacuums have become increasingly popular in recent years. That’s understandable. Robot vacuums can be programmed to clean continuously throughout the day—especially useful if you have pets that shed heavily. The Roborock Q5 Pro+ Robot Vacuum and Mop works with Alexa, Google, and Apple. You can set up “no-go” zones and “virtual” walls for areas you don’t want it to clean.
The company claims that the 240-minute battery life means the robot vacuum can clean a whole house without recharging. It’s quiet on turbo mode, has washable filters, and comes with an ample bin that’s easy to empty.
Keep in mind: This vacuum doesn’t have a base cleaning feature, so you must empty the dustbin by hand every few days. While the app integrations and room mapping capabilities are impressive, the robot may accidentally ingest charger cords and other unwanted items.
Product details: Style: Robot vacuum | Battery life: 4 hours | Bin size: 2.5 liters | Weight: 16.5 pounds | HEPA filter: No | Included attachments: N/A
Best for hardwood floors: Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop for Hard Floors
Check the price on Amazon
Why we like it: The Tineco Floor One S5 conveniently combines vacuuming and mopping capabilities. It’s also equipped with various cleaning modes, plus sensors that purportedly detect dirt so the machine can automatically adjust suction power and water flow.
Because it’s cordless, you can easily chase pet hair dust bunnies from room to room. It’s one of the quieter vacuums on the market and has a handy LED display and a self-cleaning function. The slim design and docking station don’t take up too much space, making them especially ideal for smaller homes and apartments.
Keep in mind: The Tineco Floor One S5 has a short battery life and four-hour charging time.
Product details: Style: Wet dry vacuums | Battery life: 35 minutes | Bin size: .21 gallons | Weight: 10 pounds | HEPA filter: No | Included attachments: Cleaning tool
Our review process
We looked at many elements to determine the best vacuums for pet hair.
Third-party reviews: We consulted consumer product experts and product owners in various settings for their unbiased opinions.
Brand reputation: Established brands tend to have a good product quality track record, readily available customer service, and a standard one-year limited product warranty.
Durability: Pet owners often need to vacuum frequently to manage shedding. The best vacuums for dog and cat hair should be able to withstand heavy, repeated use over time.
Value: Value goes beyond the purchase price. We weighed cost and benefits, plus long-term expenses such as maintenance, replacement parts, and energy efficiency.
Ease of use: A crucial factor in our decision-making is how easy a vacuum is to use. A vacuum that’s easy to operate is more likely to be used—an important consideration for households with pets that are heavy shedders. From weight and maneuverability to emptying the dustbin—we carefully considered every aspect of a vacuum’s design and controls to determine the best vacuum for cat hair and dog hair.
Taryn White is a freelance writer covering a variety of topics for publications including Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Smithsonian Magazine, and more. Follow her on Instagram.
*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
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