It’s not easy to keep a clean house with having pets, but decent vacuum cleaners can help. The best vacuum for dog hair are listed below, along with a concise explanation and our recommendations for each vacuum type and category.
what is the best vacuum for dog hair? A good pet hair vacuum should be simple to use and maintain, capable of cleaning a variety of floors and high surfaces, and have enough air filtration.
You may appreciate your cat in every aspect, but there’s one thing that irritates you. That is finding his fur all over the place. One of the most often asked questions at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab is, “What’s the best vacuum to get rid of pet hair?” This is because removing pet hair is one of the most challenging tasks for vacuum cleaners. This is especially true when dog and cat hair clings to garments so tightly that no amount of brushing or suction force seems to be able to remove it.
In the Cleaning Lab, we test a variety of vacuums to see which are the best, including handheld vacuums, stick vacuums, canister vacuums, HEPA vacuums, robot vacuums, and more. We put our vacuum cleaners through extensive testing to ensure that they meet ASTM industry standards. We lay out a uniform range of messes on a variety of surfaces. From hardwood to deep pile carpet to vinyl.
In the lab, we test each vacuum in the same way, but we also get feedback from customers on how easy it is to use each vacuum, including mobility, bag change (or dust cup removal), and controls. Perhaps most importantly, each vacuum we examine is put to the test using “pet hair” – fine rayon strands used to uniformly test carpets.
The following are the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair:
Best Bagged Upright Vacuum for Pet Hair at the Lowest Price: Miele Cat and Dog U1 Dynamic Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner.
Upright Vacuum for Pet Hair at the Lowest Price: Eureka FloorRover Upright Vacuum
The Most Effective Pet Hair Robot Vacuum: Amarey A900 Robot Vacuum.
Pet Hair Vacuum: The Most Powerful Robot Vacuum: Kenmore Pet Friendly Upright Vacuum
The Best Upright Vacuum for Pet Hair Allergies: Kenmore Pet Friendly Upright Vacuum
The Best Bagless Upright Vacuum for Pet Hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum.
Vacuum Canister for Pet Hair: Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum
Vacuum for Pet Hair Sticks: Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Vacuum
The Most Effective Vacuum Attachment for Pet Hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Handheld Vacuum
Best Per Hair Handheld Vacuum: Dyson Groom Tool
Upright Vacuums
Upright vacuum cleaners come in a range of styles, including some of the most powerful machines available. These ancient varieties are generally regarded as the original and strongest due to their cleaning efficiency. Pet hair can be easily removed using an upright vacuum cleaner.
They are, however, often less expensive than other types due to their lack of sophistication. They don’t need to be put together and are better for your back and posture. Despite the fact that vacuum technology has advanced well beyond their simplicity, many people still use vacuum cleaners.
The Advantages
They have a lot of power.
It is not necessary to assemble it.
It is healthier for your back.
Aspects that are negative
They aren’t adaptable in any way.
It has the potential to be very substantial.
Cordless Vacuums
These models have gained in favor in recent years, and they are praised for their versatility. They are lightweight, battery-free, and may be converted into handhelds for added convenience.
These are the most technologically advanced vacuums on the market today. They are great for pet owners due to their ease of use. They have the same suction power as traditional (or upright) vacuums, but they don’t have the mass, shape, or cable restrictions.
The Advantages
They are the most adaptable of the group.
They’re not too heavy.
Some of them can be transformed into handheld gadgets.
Batteries are used to power the device.
Aspects that are negative
They are not inexpensive.
They aren’t as long-lasting as uprights.
Stick Vacuums with Cords
Stick vacuum cleaners are similar to cordless vacuum cleaners in that they are small and adaptable. Due to their strings, they have a variety of limitations, but they also have some advantages.
For example, corded stick vacuums are less expensive than cordless vacuums. They also have more energy because they’re connected, allowing them to suction more effectively. The key benefit is that you can achieve more production with less effort than with traditional devices.
They’re also maneuverable, which comes in in for pet owners who need to clean up in hard-to-reach places.
Robot vacuums
Finally, there are robot vacuum cleaners. These aren’t widely used yet, but they’re gaining popularity. The benefit is that they take care of everything for you.
It is necessary to manually handle uprights and both corded and cordless sticks. Robot vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, employ advanced technology to clean without your assistance, saving you time and effort. They are also quieter than most other vacuum cleaners, making them suitable for pet-friendly houses. You don’t have to keep a constant check on them because they’re self-contained.
The Advantages
There won’t be any manual labor involved.
It is far quieter than the vast majority of vacuum cleaners.
They can help you save time.
Aspects that are negative
Use only level surfaces to work on.
They don’t come cheap.
There are several blind areas to be aware of.
How to Pick the Best Pet Hair Vacuum
Before vacuuming fur-covered carpets and couches, our cleaning professionals recommend using an anti-static spray like Static Guard to help strands come up easily. Then there are a few features to look for in a vacuum that is specially intended for pet hair:
Rubber trim and raised “fingers” on floor nozzles and attachments help zap static and disrupt hair-surface connections, making it simpler to remove.
Tangle-free brush rolls no longer clip long strands of hair (from pets or humans!) that tangle around the brush.
Keep in mind that the filters on newer vacuums retain more fragrances to eliminate odors in the vacuum and the surrounding.
Dust cups that are simple to empty for the inevitable and frequent vacuuming dumping. Keep in mind that the filters on newer vacuums trap more odors in order to remove odors from the vacuum and the environment.
2021’s Top 9 Vacuums for Pet Hair
The best vacuums for pet hair in Labs tests, as well as those with features that make them excellent for tackling difficult fur, are mentioned below:
FloorRover Dash Lightweight Upright Vacuum, NEU526
EUREKA
$165.00
This budget-friendly winner is an updated version of a previously tested model that scored near-perfect in our pet hair pick-up tests, and it comes with a Pet Turbo Brush, which is designed to remove pet hair from bedding, floors, stairs, and upholstery — an attachment you won’t find at this price point. Our consumer testers praised the ease with which they were able to maneuver in difficult-to-reach regions.
Vacuum Cleaner, Cat and Dog U1 Dynamic Upright HEPA
MIELE
$829.95
This Good Housekeeping Seal winner is ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers due to its self-sealing bag that keeps debris out of the air. It also has a HEPA filter, which traps even the tiniest pollutants like pet dander. In our pet hair pick-up test and pretty much every other test we gave it, its brother model performed admirably. It also comes with all of the cleaning tools you’ll need, including an upholstery tool, a crevice nozzle, and a dusting brush.
A900 Robot Vacuum
AMAREY
$135.00
Pet hair is a typical issue with robot vacuums, but among our top performers, the Amarey A900 was the best at collecting up pet hair. The ease with which any hair that did get lodged in the brush could be removed astounded us the most. Its small 2.75” size helps it to clean hard-to-reach locations where pet hair gathers, such as under beds and low furniture. You may send the Amarey out to fix specific concerns before people arrive, with four different modes to choose from, including spot and edge cleaning. The auto mode adjusts suction for different floor types when it detects carpet, boosting suction. Our tests revealed that Amarey was quiet and cleansed for up to two hours before returning to its charging dock.
Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum
BISSELL
$329.99
Because it’s packed with features that will suck up every last strand of pet hair, this Good Housekeeping Seal winner is our Lab’s favorite. A retractable canister, a tangle-free brush roll, and a light to discover hidden messes are all included. When emptying the canister, keep the mess to a minimum. Instead of individual strands, Bissell’s method “spools” the hair inside the canister, resulting in a single, easy-to-remove mass. It’s also good on both carpeted and bare floors, which is a plus.
Kenmore Pet Friendly Upright Vacuum
KENMORE
$246.24
Pet hair is an annoyance for most pet owners, but if you or someone in your family is allergic to it, it can be a serious health risk. This upright Kenmore vacuum’s accessories keep pet hair where it belongs: inside the vacuum. While we haven’t tested this specific model, it passed AAFA tests for low emissions both while vacuuming and after changing the bag. We know and trust the AAFA’s high standards, and we are delighted with their certification criteria. Kenmore vacuums perform well in our performance testing.
Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner
MIELE
$699.00
This vacuum keeps running even when the dirt bag fills up and clogs, and it’s loaded with features like a powerful motor, a five-position adjustable height nozzle for easier pushing across all carpet styles, and an air-powered hand tool with a rotating brush for removing stubborn pet hair from upholstery, bedding, and stairs.
Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Vacuum
DYSON
$674.99
In our lab tests, Miele vacuums consistently perform well, and this type is designed to clean up after cats and dogs. The Active AirClean Filter on the powerful Good Housekeeping Seal star helps eliminate any leftover pet odors, which is especially handy if you’re concerned about unpleasant odors. It also includes a mini turbo brush attachment that may be used to clean upholstery, stairs, and other tight spaces.
Pet Hair Eraser Corded Handheld Vacuum
BISSELL
$36.99
Don’t want to spend a fortune on a new vacuum cleaner? This Bissell (less than four pounds!) is perfect for removing pet hair on the fly. We enjoy how it has a rubber nozzle to help lift stuck-on hair and how easy it is to get every last strand around chair arms and stair treads.
Goom Tool
DYSON
$65.00
If you already own a Dyson, consider adding this unique grooming device to your cleaning arsenal to create a next-level hair vacuum. By sucking strands into the vacuum, it grooms your dog and removes stray hair.
Spring 2021 Reviews: The 7 Best Vacuums For Pet Hair
If you own a pet, you’ve undoubtedly dealt with the annoyance that comes with shedding. We all adore our pets, but there’s no denying that pet hair is an annoyance. Because it has a nasty habit of going everywhere, a vacuum that can remove this type of waste from a variety of surfaces is essential. Cleaning pet hair from underneath and around couches, tables, and other types of furniture is easier with good maneuverability and portability.
We tested over 90 vacuum cleaners and have included our top picks for the best vacuums for pet hair below These picks are based on not just how well they clean pet hair on various surfaces, but also on how attractive they are and how much they cost. Check out our lists of the best vacuums, the best robot vacuums for pet hair, and the best vacuums for high-pile carpet for more buying advice.
On Bare Floor, Best Vacuum For Pet Hair: Shark Rocket Pet Pro with MultiFlex IZ163H
The Shark Rocket Pet Pro with MultiFlex IZ163H is the best vacuum we’ve ever tested for pet hair on bare floors. On bare, level surfaces like hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring, this cordless stick vacuum performs an excellent job sucking up pet hair. Even better, the brushroll on the vacuum head is said to automatically disentangle hair wraps, but we haven’t tested it yet.
Its bagless design, washable pre-motor, and allergen-trapping filters result in minimal recurring expenses because they shouldn’t need to be replaced very often if cleaned regularly. Its thin shape and lightweight construction make it easy to maneuver even in crowded areas. It can also be used as a portable vacuum to clean up spills on furniture or shelves.
Unfortunately, using it continually in its high-suction “MAX (BOOST)” mode will exhaust its battery in just over 10 minutes, however this may be extended somewhat if you use it more cautiously. There are a number of parts that must be serviced on a regular basis, albeit they are generally easy to access. Overall, this vacuum’s outstanding bare-floor performance and extremely maneuverable design make it one of the best laminate floor vacuums we’ve tested.
Canister Alternative: Miele Complete C3 Alize Powerline
If you want a vacuum that can clear up pet hair but prefer a canister design, the Miele Complete C3 Alize PowerLine is a good option. This canister vacuum isn’t as easy to pick up and carry around as the cordless Shark Rocket Pet Pro with MultiFlex IZ163H, but it has a near unlimited runtime thanks to its cordless construction.
It is quite effective at sucking up pet hair from a variety of surfaces. It seems incredibly well-made and is also really simple to maintain, with only a few pieces that need to be cleaned on a regular basis. It’s also incredibly easy to maneuver, even over high-pile rugs, despite its rather substantial weight. Unfortunately, the allergen-trapping HEPA filter and dirtbag must be replaced on a regular basis, resulting in hefty ongoing costs.
If mobility and a long range are your top priorities, the Shark is the way to go, but the Miele is the way to go if you want a better-built vacuum with an almost infinite runtime.
On Carpet, Best Vacuum For Pet Hair: Dyson Ball Animal 2
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the best vacuum we’ve tested for pet hair on carpet. On low and high-pile carpet, this corded upright vacuum removes a significant amount of pet hair. It also includes a variety of equipment and accessories, such as a turbo brush for removing stains from upholstered surfaces and a specific pet grooming equipment. It also contains a HEPA filter, which is useful if you have allergies.
By unlatching the wand from the main body, it may be operated in a semi-handheld mode, making it easier to clean on top of furniture and shelves. It isn’t too difficult to maintain, with the majority of its components being accessible. Because of its bagless design and washable, reusable filters, it has a near-zero ongoing cost. Its dirt container is also pretty spacious, so it shouldn’t require frequent emptying.Unfortunately, even with the vacuum head’s capacity to self-adjust to varied surface types, its high suction force can make it difficult to maneuver on high-pile rugs. Its primarily plastic build also lacks sturdiness, which is disappointing given its price. Aside from that, its outstanding cleaning performance and extensive tool and brush set make it one of the best vacuums for carpets we’ve tested.
If you want the indefinite lifespan of a corded vacuum, go with the Ball Animal 2, but if you frequently find yourself cleaning far away from an outlet or simply don’t want to deal with the nuisance of a power chord, go with the V15 Detect.
Cordless Alternative: Dyson V15 Detect
Take a look at the Dyson V15 Detect if you want something a little less cumbersome and cherish the unrestricted freedom of movement that comes with a cordless vacuum. This one has more parts that need to be cleaned on a regular basis than the Dyson Ball Animal 2 and has a smaller dirt bin, but because of it is cordless, you can clean in places where there isn’t an electrical outlet.
This cleans pet hair from both low and high-pile carpets in a comparable manner. It provides anything from 10 to over 70 minutes of runtime on a single charge, depending on usage habits and power settings, which should be enough for most people. In comparison to the Ball Animal 2, its small shape makes it easier to operate in small spaces or under furniture.
It’s simple to convert it into a handheld vacuum. However, its powerful suction power, like that of the Ball Animal 2, can make it difficult to push on some carpets or even lead it to drag around lighter rugs
Best Pet Hair Handheld Vacuum: Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+
The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is the best handheld vacuum for pet hair that we’ve tested. This handheld device excels in sucking up pet hair from bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. It comes with a turbo brush that is well-suited to remove pet hair from upholstered surfaces, as well as a brushroll that is advertised to disentangle hair wraps on its own, though we don’t have any current information on this.
The lightweight, compact form of this vacuum allows you to operate it effortlessly in small locations, such as the interior of your automobile. Because just the dust cup filter needs to be replaced every six to nine months, recurring costs should not be a huge worry. Overall, the plastic build feels solid, and disassembly for routine maintenance isn’t difficult.
Unfortunately, this vacuum does not include a HEPA filter to catch allergens as you clean, which could be a major pain if your pet sheds a lot. It may only provide a little more than 10 minutes of runtime on a single charge, depending on your usage patterns, so you’ll need to work swiftly when spot cleaning multiple areas. Aside from that, its small size, easy-to-maintain construction, and excellent carpet performance make it one of the best vehicle vacuums we’ve tried.
The Most Effective Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair: iRobot Roomba S9
The iRobot Roomba S9 is the best robot vacuum for pet hair that we’ve tested. This robot model includes a self-adjusting brushroll that can manage pet hair on a variety of surfaces, including bare hardwood floors and shag carpeting. It can maneuver successfully on rough surfaces without becoming stuck thanks to its softly rolling wheels.
Its battery life is excellent, with 50 to 155 minutes of continuous use expected. Its iAdapt 3.0 navigation system enables it to detect difficult-to-see barriers, plan battery-saving cleaning routes, and highlight areas that require more cleaning. Set virtual boundary markers or schedule cleaning hours for individual rooms with the companion app. It has a HEPA filter, so you shouldn’t have to worry about allergens spreading while it cleans.
Unfortunately, because there are so many parts that need to be updated on a regular basis, the prices can quickly build up. User maintenance can be difficult due to the large number of components that need to be serviced. Nonetheless, it has one of the best pet hair-cleaning performance of any cordless vacuum we’ve tested.
Most Affordable Vacuum For Pet Hair: BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet
The BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet is the best vacuum for pet hair we’ve tested in the budget category. This corded upright vacuum cleaner effectively removes pet hair from a variety of surfaces, including bare floors and high-pile carpet. It also includes a variety of brushes and equipment, including as a turbo brush and a triangle-shaped upholstery tool for cleaning problems in tight spots.
With its wand and crevice cleaner attached, it can be used in a semi-handheld form to clean pet hair between couch cushions or under furniture. Its dirt container is also pretty large, so it shouldn’t need to be emptied all that frequently. It also includes a lengthy power chord, allowing you to clean big or remote areas without having to switch outlets. Despite its large size, the inbuilt tool storage makes it very easy to store.
Unfortunately, it lacks an allergen-trapping HEPA filter and has an all-plastic structure that feels cheaply constructed. There are also a number of parts that must be serviced on a regular basis, however they are quite easy to reach. Its size can also make cleaning small or confined spaces challenging.
Still, if you’re searching for a low-cost upright vacuum that can easily clear pet hair, this is a good option.