What’s the thing that all pets have in common?
They shed hair (and lots of them).
What’s worse is that ordinary vacuums – despite claiming to do otherwise – are simply unequipped to suck up pet hair. No matter how hard you try or how many times you thoroughly sweep your floors, there’d always be a tumbleweed of pet hair that these models would leave behind.
This is why you need a dedicated vacuum for pet hair.
Apart from offering powerful suction, the best vacuums for pet hair on the market are lightweight, easy to maneuver and come with special pet hair attachments. Also, they have a system which prevents the pollutants from escaping into the air, thereby making your indoors breathable.
The Best Vacuum for Pet Hair On the Market of 2022
1. Best Overall: Shark NV752 Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: Shark
In addition to providing huge suction power, the Shark NV752 has a wide cleaning radius and comes with a large number of attachments. Add to the equation its TruePet Motorized Brush, and little wonder the NV752 is our top pick vacuum on the market.
Features
Starting with the best that this model has to offer, and its True Pet Motorized brush deserves a mention. It has a contoured nozzle which works in tandem with its soft bristles to make short shift of pet hair. Then comes the HEPA filtration system which provides relief against pet-hair related allergies.
Playing an equally important role in keeping your indoor air breathable is its Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology – which makes sure that the pollutants stay captured after you’ve emptied the dirt bin. So you can count on this model to ensure hygienic dumping.
Additionally, if you have carpets at home, you’d be pleased to find a motorized-brushroll in the package of this model. It forces the embedded pet hair out of your carpet’s fibers with its agitating action for the vacuum to effortlessly suck them up.
You also get a low-pile setting to clean lean carpets and a high-pile setting showcases its utility on rugs. And if you want to clean hardwood floors, this unit’s Main Floor tool will do exactly that without leaving any scratches on the surface.
Furthermore, since it is a “Lift-Away” vacuum, you can press a single button to convert the NV752 into a canister model. It provides fingertip controls to switch between bare floor and carpets mode and its dynamic swivel allows easy maneuvering around low-lying furniture.
On the flip side, one area where we thought that the NV752 could have done better is the length of its cord. For, when compared to other Shark models, you find the 25’ length of this model’s cord to be on the shorter side.
What We Like
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology
- HEPA Filtration system
- Lift away option
- High and low pile settings
What We Don’t Like
- Relatively short cord
2. Best Budget: Bissell 9595A Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: Bissell
Provided you can afford to haul some weight – as this model is anything but lightweight – the Bissell 9595A would justify its selection by providing more suction power than most other vacuum cleaners in the budget category.
Features
In a bid to give you more control, the Bissell 9595A has provided a dial to let you adjust the vac’s distance from the floor. As a result, when you’re working on a low-pile carpet, you can position this model close to the floor. Conversely, if you’re cleaning a deep rug, position the cleaning head away.
Additionally, this model relies on a cyclonic system to provide more suction power – with the result that you get a better airflow to pick up pet hair. It has multi-level filtration to keep pollutants away and the fact that the main filter is washable means its running costs won’t spiral out of control.
Impressively for a budget model, the 9595A doesn’t lack when it comes to attachments. It provides a motorized brushroll which relies on its rotating action to clean carpets. You also get a TurboBrush tool to rid your stairs, upholstery, and furniture off of pet hair.
Also available is an extension wand which is a great tool for cleaning baseboards, ceilings, and ceiling fans without putting too much exertion on your back. A crevice tool, meanwhile, cleans hard-to-reach areas with a dusting brush taking care of upholstery, curtains and other similar items.
Furthermore, to put its relatively heavyweight to good use, Bissell has provided the 9595A with a 2L capacity dirt bin. What’s more, once you’re emptying the bin, you won’t have to worry about the dirt blowing in your face. That’s because the tank opens/empties from the bottom.
Finally, apart from the fact that it’s heavy, the absence of a HEPA filter is another area where we think the 9595A could have done a bit better. That said, once you look at its meager price tag, we don’t think you can complain much.
What We Like
- Moderately priced
- Provides a number of attachments
- Large capacity of the dirt bin
- Washable filter
What We Don’t Like
- No HEPA filter
3. Best Upgrade: Dyson V10 Animal Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: Dyson
Whether it is their design, portability or performance, Dyson vacuums have been leading the industry for ages. However, with the V10 Animal, the world’s most famous vacuum brand on the market has gone back to the drawing board to achieve better suction than ever before.
Features
In contrast to other V-10 series models, the V10 Animal has a front-facing barrel – with the benefit that you can directly connect all the attachments to it. Behind it sits Dyson’s V10 digital motor – which the manufacturer claims is the smartest it has ever engineered.
In fact, the motor is so intelligent that you can count on it to adjust its efficiency by detecting variables like temperature, air pressure, and altitude. And the best thing about the motor? It provides 20% more suction that than of the V8, despite measuring half in size
At the rear end of this vacuum sits the V10’s filter. It is incredibly easy to remove as all you have to do to disentangle is to simply twist it in a counter-clockwise motion. You also get an LED indicator which tells you when it’s time to wash the HEPA filter.
Moreover, while it comes as a stick vacuum, you can easily convert the V10 Animal to a handheld model by pushing a single red button. It also provides three cleaning modes which increase/decrease the vac’s overall suction power and lasts up to 60 minutes on a full charge.
What’s more, Dyson is aware that every person has different needs when it comes to cleaning. Which is why it supplied this model with two cleaning heads: a soft roller head for bare floors and a motorized brushroll for carpets.
Lastly, we weren’t impressed to note that in the “Max Boost” mode, the battery only lasts for 5-10 minutes. Even though Dyson insists that this mode is for spot cleaning – which means it should be activated sparsely – we still think that this mode’s power consumption could have been better.
What We Like
- Three cleaning modes
- Doubles as a handheld vac
- HEPA filter and LED indicator
- V10 motor provides huge suction
What We Don’t Like
- Power drains quickly in “Max Boast” mode
4. Best With Accessories: Tineco A11 Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: Tineco
One of those rare vacuums which combine the convenience of a cordless vacuum with the suction power of the corded, the Tineco A11 is one of your best bets to effortlessly pick up after your furry friend. And that too without costing bucket loads of money.
Features
One quirk in the design of the A11 which differentiates it from most vacuums on the market is the alignment between its motor and dustbin. Such a peculiar arrangement increases the airflow of this model. That, in turn, allows it to boast better suction power than the competition.
Furthermore, the A11’s Switch Lock feature allows you to enjoy the convenience of cleaning without having to hold the trigger all the time. The 2 rechargeable batteries which this vacuum comes with, meanwhile, provide it with a respectable runtime of 1hour.
The dust and debris picked up by this vacuum make their way into the A11’s four-stage fully sealed system. Of the two filters that you’d find inside the system, the first one rids the incoming air of dust particles. As for the second, it protects the motor from debris.
Moreover, since it features a see-through bagless design, you could easily gauge when it’s time to empty the bin. The dirtbag holds 0.6 liters of dirt, empties sideways to prevent the formation of a dirt cloud and is detachable as well as washable.
What’s more, to let you take its performance to a new level, the A11 provides a large number of attachments. Apart from the usual dusting brush and crevice tool, you also get a flexible extension hose and a hair cleaning tool. A spare pre-filter is also provided in the package.
On the flip side, the capacity of this model’s dirt cup is nothing to be proud of. You can see that by comparing it with other cordless models who can hold more dirt. And with less capacity for dirt, you’ve to make more mid-cleaning stops to empty the cup.
What We Like
- Huge runtime
- Power brushes with LED
- 4-stage filtration
What We Don’t Like
- Capacity of dirt cup is small
5. Best Robotic: ILIFE V3s Pro Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: ILIFE
The ILIFE V3S Pro is a robotic vacuum whose slim design allows it to get under the lowest of furniture. You can also schedule this vacuum to clean in your absence and it performs as brilliantly on hard floors as it does on low pile carpets.
Features
One problem which plagues the performance of other vacuums is that the sucked-in pet hair tends to cling to the brushes in their mouth. That blocks the airway and forces you to manually clean the pet hair. However, since the V3S Pro has a brushless design, it won’t suffer any such problems.
You get three cleaning modes with the V3S Pro: spot, edge, and whole floor. You also get two side brushes with this model which function by slipping the dust lying on the vacuum’s sides on its front – thereby allowing the V3S Pro to easily pick it up.
Since this model features an automatic recharging option, you can rest easy that even when its battery dies down, it would go back to the dock station on its own. Equally useful is its anti-bump technology which prevents collisions. It also has 3 cliff sensors to prevent falls.
Though it doesn’t provide a supporting app, the remote control of the V3S Pro performs equally well. You can rely on the control to check the remaining battery life, set cleaning schedules and activate one of the three cleaning modes.
Fortunately, the presence of remote doesn’t mean that you’d be lost if the remote is misplaced. Instead, with its onboard controls, you can as easily control the movement of this vacuum. Just press the “Click” button on its body, and the V3S Pro would automatically get to work.
Lastly, like all models on the market, not everything is perfect with the V3S Pro. During some of our cleaning sessions, it mysteriously shut down while transitioning between different floors. And as long as you didn’t manually turn it back on, it would stay dead.
What We Like
- Automatic recharging
- Impressive suction power
- Three cleaning modes
- Anti-bump and Anti-fall sensors
What We Don’t Like
- Shuts down sometimes when switching between floors
6. Best Canister: Kenmore Elite 81714 Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: Kenmore
As far as the design of this model is concerned, the Kenmore Elite 81714 isn’t any different from the vac your grandparents might have owned in the 80s. Other than that, luckily, this model has everything which earns it a place in the market.
Features
Like most other canister vacuums on the market, the Kenmore Elite excels in suction strength. It has a 2-motor system which provides this model with huge airflow and a Pet Powered attachment which makes full use of the extra suction power to effortlessly pick up after your furry friend.
To provide this model with a long shelf-life, Kenmore has equipped it with an overload protector. ON detecting agitator jam and belt damage, the protector shuts off the vacuum. As long as you don’t remove the obstruction which caused the jamming, it won’t restart.
Other than that, you also get a “Check Bag’’ indicator which lights up when the bag is nearing its capacity. Another safety feature is the filter which lies in the front of this vacuum’s motor. It makes sure that no amount of dust or debris could disturb the proper functioning of the motor.
While it might look age-old, the attachments which come with this model are anything but. Take, for instance, the Ultra-Plush nozzle which uses the power of air to get into the thickest of carpets to force out embedded dirt. Or the wand which allows you to clean ceilings and other high-lying areas.
Then comes its swivel steering which allows easy maneuvering of this unit in/around low-lying furniture. A couple of LEDs on the base illuminates dirt in its path to let you easily vacuum it. An integrated bare floor nozzle is also there, and you even get a Fan Cleaning tool in its package.
Unfortunately, for most people, the weight of this model might prove to be a deal-breaker. No matter which way you slice it – and even for a canister vacuum – you cannot ignore easily the fact that this model weighs a considerable 29 pounds.
What We Like
- Useful safety features
- Specialized pet hair attachment
- HEPA filtration system
- Works on both carpets and bare floors
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy
7. Best Bagged: Eureka 3670H Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: Eureka
The Eureka 3684F-Violet Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum combines huge suction power and versatility at a competitive price point. Also, it contains all the features which we urged you to ask for in a pet hair vacuum cleaner from the market.
Features
Starting with a glance at its attachments, and the Eureka Mighty Mite provides loads of them. You get a “Pet Power Paw” which picks up pet hair and dander from stairs and upholstery. A crevice tool cleans nooks and crannies and a dedicated pet hair attachment takes care of everything else.
To make sure that you can clean high-lying areas with ease, it also provides a telescopic wand in its package. Also, since you get a 20-foot cord with this model, that means you won’t have to switch between power outlets while cleaning a medium-sized room.
Making full use of these attachments is the huge 12AMP suction power of this lightweight vacuum. Joining its forces with the high-filtration dirtbag – which eliminates pet odors in addition to capturing pet dander – the suction power will let you capture the thinnest of pet hair.
What’s more, to prevent the flare-ups of dirt-related allergies, Eureka has provided the Mighty Mite with a HEPA filter. You also get 2 options for height-adjustment – one for bare floors and the other for carpets. And with a 10’’ cleaning path, it lets you vacuum more area in less time.
On top of everything else, the Eureka 3684F serves as an example of how other vacuums should arrange their attachments. For, tt has provided onboard space not only for cord storage but also for all of the attachments.
Lastly, if you’re a user who has thick carpets at home, take note that this model doesn’t come with a brushroll. As we have explained in the buying guide, this attachment is a must-have if you want to remove pet hairs embedded in carpets.
What We Like
- HEPA Filtration System
- Onboard tools storage
- Telescopic wand
- “Pet Power Paw” attachment
What We Don’t Like
- No brushroll in its package
8. Hoover UH 70210 Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair
image: Hoover
Available in three colors – blue, deluxe and shadowy metallic – the Hoover UH70210 is an upright bagless vacuum whose specialty lies in the way it transitions between multiple types of floor.
Features
Whether you’re going to use it on thick carpets or bare floors, the Hoover UH70210 will do justice to both with its 5-height adjustment settings. The highest of these settings is for hardwood floors whereas the deepest takes care of thick rugs.
Right next to where you’d find the height adjustment button is an indicator light. It alerts you when the vacuum’s filter needs some rinsing. One thing which we liked about both these features is that they’re right on the handle – so you don’t have to bend to use either.
You might find it good to know that the WindTunnel technology of this vac does much more than providing consistent suction. It also powers the Pet Power tool, which you can rely on to vacuum pet hair and dander.
And to make sure that no damage is done when this model bumps against your furniture, the UH 70210 comes with a no-scuff bumper. A HEPA filter traps allergens and dust particles, whereas a folding handle makes way for easy storage.
To further sweeten the deal, this vacuum comes with a healthy number of attachments. Apart from the usual crevice tool and dusting brush – which we expect from upright vacuums – it provides a highly useful extension wand as well as a turbo tool in the package.
Finally, of all the positive points that this model has, its dirt-emptying mechanism lets the Hoover UH 70210 down. That is, because, to remove the dirt from its bag, you have to get your hands dirty. Or else, the dirt is entrenched so deep that it won’t get out.
What We Like
- 5-position height adjustment
- Folding handle makes storage easy
- Specific pet hair tools
- 25’ rewind and retractable cord
What We Don’t Like
- Dust emptying mechanism isn’t hygienic
9. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair
image: Dyson
At a time when Dyson has announced that the future is cordless, vacuums like the Dyson Ball Animal 2 serve as proof that corded vacuums might still remain in vogue years from now.
Features
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 comes has a self-adjusting cleaner head which does exactly what the name implies. It adjusts its height when transitioning between different types of floor, freeing you from the labor of having to manually adjust the head every time the floor height increases/decreases.
Furthermore, if you have allergy and asthma sufferers at home, this machine’s HEPA filtration system might be a blessing for them. It rids the vacuumed air off of any dirt particles and won’t expose you to allergens upon emptying the bin.
Apart from doing away with dust bags – as it has a bagless design, Animal 2 offers a one-click dust ejection mechanism. Pull the button, and all the dirt would slide down – leaving no troubling cloud of smoke in its wake.
What’s more, it was reassuring for us to note that the Animal 2 copied its predecessor when it came to providing attachments. You get a stairs tool which does what you expect it to do, a wand to clean high-lying areas and a combo tool for cleaning narrow spaces and dusting.
Despite its relatively heavyweight, its two handles make the Animal 2 a cinch to carry around. The length of its power cord – when combined with that of an extendable hose – gives you 50feet of reach, which is the most of any upright vacuum in this review.
Concluding our review, one thing you might want to know if you have a back problem is that this model is anything but lightweight. So if you plan to clean stairs or have to clean different floors of your home, its heavyweight might end up troubling you.
What We Like
- Whole-machine HEPA filtration
- Self-adjusting cleaner head
- Hygienic dirt ejector
What We Don’t Like
- Is heavy
10. Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum for Pet Hair
image: Miele
If ever there was a vacuum whose price tag stunned us, it has to be the astronomically-priced Miele Compact C3 Cat and Dog Canister. However, as its inclusion in this review suggests, this model was able to justify its asking price with its features.
Features
The Miele Compact C3 comes with 2-floor tools – the first of which, named Powered Floor Brush, is electrically motorized for soft plush carpeting as well as low-to-high-pile carpets. The second tool, meanwhile, is ideal for pet hair removal on bare floors.
Containing activated charcoal, the sealed filter system of this canister vacuum neutralizes pet odors and traps dirt and dander. It is housed in a large 4.76-quart bag, whose large size saves you from the trouble of having to change it frequently.
With special sound insulation and an ultra-quiet motor, all the models of the C3 series won’t trouble your ears. Their rubber wheels with swivel canisters, meanwhile, would neither leave scratches on hardwood floors nor would they sink into carpets.
Moreover, every model of the C3 comes with one Super Air Clean Exhaust Filter and 4 pre-motor filters. While the former makes sure that the air this vacuum sends into your room is cleaner than the one it sucked in, the 4 pre-motor filters increase the shelf life of the motor.
Other notable features of this model include a stainless steel wand (cheaper vacuums opt for aluminum). It also provides a handheld pet turbo brush for upholstery and stairs and a full-bag indicator which alerts you when it’s time to change the dirtbag.
Lastly, while we didn’t find any major problem with this model, one area where we think it could have done better is the design of its turbo head. For, even though Miele claims it rids your stairs of pet hair, the width of the turbo head makes it too large for stairs.
What We Like
- Effortlessly sucks up pet hair
- Quieter than most
- Brilliant performance on all types of floors
What We Don’t Like
- Is heavy
11. iRobot Roomba 650 Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair
image: iRobot
Provided you’re unwilling to pay a king’s ransom for a modern robot vacuum on the market, the tried-and-tested Roomba 650 – despite being on the market for years – is still a worthy option. If anything, the passage of years has brought down its price, so you’d get it at a discount.
Features
Designed to clean hardwood, tile, carpets and laminate floors, the Roomba 650 is one of those vacuums which you can leave unattended and expect to have completed its job by the time you’re back. That’s because this robot vacuum relies on three sensors to navigate its path.
The first of those sensors is an object sensor which helps this model in bypassing obstacles. Its cliff sensors, meanwhile, emit infrared signals to help the Roomba 650 adjust its height based on that of the next surface. Also provided is a wall sensor using which it can clean edges without bumping into them.
In moments where the Roomba 650 would get stuck, this lightweight robot vacuum won’t go down silently. Instead, it starts emitting a female voice whenever it encounters a major impediment. For technical issues, however, it just beeps to attract your attention.
As this is a relatively old model, you won’t get an app or remote which modern robot vacuums provide. All you have to control this vacuum are the buttons on its body. Pressing the center “Clean” button would get the vacuum to work without forcing you to dive into any technicalities.
That said, it would have been great had this model come with remote control. The restriction to go to the vacuum every time you want to adjust its freedom means you won’t have that freedom which other robot vacuums provide by letting you adjust their operations from the comfort of your sofa.
One feature which modern robot vacuums borrow from the 650 is that of the scheduled cleaning. Once a day and seven days a week, you can schedule the cleaning routine of this vacuum. Also, once its battery is about to die down, it would automatically go back to its recharging station.
What We Like
- 3-stage cleaning system
- Automatic recharging
- Convenient scheduling options
- Impressive suction power
What We Don’t Like
- No remote control
Pet Hair Vacuum Buying Guide
What’s it that separates the best pet hair vacuum from the riffraff? Are there any specific features that you should be looking forward to? To answer both these questions, this section comes into play.
Before You Choose a Vacuum for Pet Hair
In contrast to what some people might believe, not all pet hair vacuums come in the one-size-fits-all category. Instead, here are things you should consider BEFORE buying a pet hair vacuum from the market.
Type of Pet You Have
As you might already know, there are two types of pets: those who shed more and others who less so. So you need a vacuum whose features complement the type of pet you may have. For instance:
- If your pet sheds more: You might have no choice but to invest in a model with huge suction power and extra-large dust capacity.
- If your pet sheds less: You can save money by investing in a cordless model with less suction power and smaller dirt capacity.
Your Flooring and Home Layout
Luckily for you, most vacuums in this review offer multi-floor capability. That means you can use them on most (if not all) types of floor. However, if you’re going to choose a vacuum yourself, then you might need to make sure it offers attachments which are compatible with your flooring.
- Carpets and Rugs: If you have a carpeted home, make sure your vacuum offers a brushroll. Also known as a rotating brush, it helps pull pet hair out of carpet fibers.
- Hardwood and Bare Floors: If you intend to clean bare floors with your model, it must have huge suction power. Or else, the pet hair might blow away in the face of weak suction.
- Stairs: It goes without saying that you won’t be able to haul a heavy vacuum up and down the stairs. So you need to invest in one which is lightweight and fairly compact.
Type of vacuum cleaner
Since there are different types of vacuum cleaners on the market – all of whom provide a unique set of features, their prices vary widely. It’s for this reason that we decided to include benefits which each type provides.
1. Upright pet vacuums
Due to their modern design, upright vacuums make sure that you don’t have to bend a lot. Also, since they come with loads of attachments, you can use them on bare floors as well as carpets. Their upholstery tool attachment, meanwhile, lets you clean furniture with them.
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2. Canister pet vacuums
Producing less noise than their upright counterparts, Canister vacuums also offer more suction power. That’s because they have two compartments providing more space to store a bigger motor. Though they aren’t the easiest to maneuver.
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3. Stick pet vacuums
Lightweight and compact, Stick vacuums don’t offer as many features as their canister or upright cousins. However, they weigh less heavily on your pocket. As long as you aren’t looking for a full-home cleaning solution, they might be worth a shot.
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4. Robot pet vacuums
Do you want a model that can work in your absence? Would love to see your home devoid of pet hair after waking up in the morning? If your answer to both these questions is in the affirmative, then robot vacuums deserve your money.
If you are interested in robot vacuums, you can read our post: Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair On The Market
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5. Handheld pet vacuums
Even though suction power isn’t their strongest point, Handheld vacuums do brilliantly when cleaning small messes. It is for this reason that they no matter who you might ask, these vacuums are the most recommended for pet hair.
If you are interested in Handheld vacuum, you can read our post: Best Handheld Vacuum For Pet Hair On The Market
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How To Choose A Vacuum For Pet Hair
Now that we’ve gone through the pre-requisites, let’s turn our attention to the features which every pet hair vacuum on the market needs to have.
HEPA Filtration System
As medical experts tell us, pet dander (the dead skin which they shed) are the biggest cause of pet-related skin allergies. What you need your vacuum to do, therefore, is to make sure that once it has captured the pollutants, it won’t let them escape.
That’s exactly what HEPA filtration system does.
Vacuums that have this system have a mesh of fine interwoven fibers through which they pass the captured air – to ensure that the pollutants remain captured even when you empty the dirt bin.
Powerful suction
In contrast to what most people believe, it isn’t only the corded vacuums which boast good suction. Instead, there are some cordless models out there – i.e. the Dyson Cyclone V10 – which boast enough power to suck in pet hair.
However, if you have your heart set on getting a corded vacuum – as their unlimited runtime is a huge plus point – check out the Shark NV752. It provides a 30ft cord using which allows this vac to rival its cordless counterparts in terms of maneuverability.
Brushroll / Roller Brush Attachment
Unless your house doesn’t have carpets, make sure that your vacuum comes with a roller brush. This feature agitates the upper layer of carpets to force out the embedded dirt. So it becomes easy for the vacuum to suck it up.
For more convenience, you can get a model which offers an on/off switch for this attachment. In this way, you can turn off the brush when vacuuming hard floors – as it tends to blow dust and air away on bare surfaces.
Conclusion
In contrast to what most people believe, no single type of vacuum is the best for pet hair. Instead, as we told you in the buying guide, it is the type of pet you have, the flooring and layout of your home and the features of a vacuum cleaner which makes it the best for pet hair.
