Pet hair can be a real challenge to keep under control, especially when it gets embedded in carpets, clings to upholstery, or floats across hardwood floors. Finding the right vacuum can make all the difference.
In this article, we’ll explore the best vacuums for pet owners, breaking down options like upright models for deep cleaning, canisters and cordless for versatility, robot vacs for automating, and handhelds for quick touch-ups. We’ll also cover features like powerful suction, specialized pet hair attachments, and HEPA filters to help you choose the perfect vacuum for your needs.
Best Vacuums for Pet Owners
Top Pick Overall: Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum
Best High-end: Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum
Best on a Budget: BISSELL CleanView Bagless Vacuum
Best Cordless: Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Best Budget Cordless: Shark IZ363HT Cordless Stick Vacuum
Best for Pet Grooming: neabot P1 Pro Pet Grooming Kit & Vacuum
Best Robot: iRobot Roomba E5 Robot Vacuum
Best Handheld: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vacuum
Best Budget Handheld: ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner
What to Consider When Choosing a Vacuum for Pet Hair
Types of Vacuums
When selecting a vacuum for pet hair, consider the type that best suits your home and cleaning needs. Upright vacuums offer powerful suction and are great for deep cleaning carpets, while canister vacuums provide versatility and maneuverability, especially on stairs and hard floors. Stick vacuums are lightweight and convenient for quick cleanups, and robot vacuums handle daily maintenance with minimal effort. For small messes or tight spaces, handheld vacuums are ideal for targeting pet hair on furniture, in vehicles, and other hard-to-reach areas.
Tools and Add-Ons
Specialized tools and attachments can significantly enhance a vacuum’s ability to tackle pet hair. Look for vacuums that include motorized brush rolls or turbo brushes, which are designed to lift and remove pet hair from carpets and upholstery. Crevice tools are perfect for cleaning tight spaces where pet hair accumulates, while upholstery tools help with furniture and fabric surfaces. Some vacuums also come with pet-specific attachments that are tailored to remove hair from your pet’s favorite spots.
Extra Features
Additional features can make a big difference in the effectiveness and convenience of your vacuum. HEPA filters are essential for pet owners, as they trap allergens like pet dander, improving indoor air quality. Self-cleaning brush rolls prevent hair from tangling, reducing the need for maintenance. Odor neutralizers or scent discs can help keep your home smelling fresh by combating pet odors. Lastly, consider battery life and runtime if you’re opting for a cordless vacuum, ensuring it can handle your cleaning needs without frequent recharging.
BEST OVERALL: Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum
For pet owners seeking the best balance of performance, features, and value, the Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum is our top pick overall. This vacuum excels in effectively handling pet hair, dust, and allergens, making it a reliable choice for maintaining a clean home.
The Shark AZ3002 Stratos is equipped with DuoClean PowerFins, which ensure continuous contact with surfaces for deep cleaning on both carpets and hard floors. This innovative design is particularly effective at picking up pet hair, ensuring that it doesn’t get left behind. The self-cleaning brushroll is a standout feature, designed to actively remove pet hair from the brush as you vacuum, preventing the tangles and clogs that can slow down cleaning.
Another key feature is the Shark Stratos’s Odor Neutralizer Technology, which helps to eliminate pet odors as you clean, leaving your home smelling fresh. The vacuum also includes an advanced HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology, capturing 99.9% of dust, dander, and allergens, which is crucial for pet owners concerned about indoor air quality.
With its powerful suction, versatile tools, and thoughtful design features, the Shark AZ3002 Stratos offers excellent overall performance at a reasonable price point. It’s a top choice for pet owners who need a vacuum that can handle the unique challenges of pet hair and allergens, providing a cleaner, healthier home environment.
BEST HIGH-END: Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum
When only the best will do, the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum stands out as the ultimate top-of-the-line choice for pet owners. This vacuum is engineered with German precision, offering unmatched cleaning power and durability. Its 1,200-watt Vortex Motor delivers deep and consistent suction, making quick work of pet hair and dander on both carpets and hard floors.
The Miele Complete C3 is designed with an Active AirClean filter that neutralizes pet odors and traps 99.9% of allergens, ensuring the air in your home stays fresh and clean. The vacuum also features a Parquet Twister floorhead for gentle cleaning of hard floors and an Electro Plus floorhead for deep carpet cleaning. The included mini turbo brush is perfect for removing pet hair from furniture and stairs, ensuring no corner is left untouched.
With a robust, long-lasting design, quiet operation, and a 20-year life expectancy, the Miele Complete C3 offers unparalleled performance for those who want the very best. While it comes with a premium price tag, its advanced features and superior build quality make it a worthwhile investment for any pet owner who demands top-tier performance and longevity.
BEST ON A BUDGET: BISSELL CleanView Bagless Vacuum
For pet owners looking for an effective yet affordable solution to tackle pet hair, the Bissell 2252 CleanView Bagless Vacuum is an excellent choice. This vacuum combines powerful suction with user-friendly features, making it the top contender in the budget category.
The Bissell CleanView 2252 is equipped with OnePass technology, which delivers powerful suction and an innovative brush design that cleans on the first pass, reducing the need to go over the same spot multiple times. This is particularly useful for picking up pet hair embedded in carpets and rugs. The vacuum’s multi-cyclonic suction system also ensures that dirt and debris are kept away from the filter, maintaining strong suction over time.
One of the standout features of the Bissell 2486 is its Scatter-Free technology, which prevents debris from scattering across hard floors, making it easier to clean up pet hair on various surfaces. The vacuum is also lightweight and easy to maneuver, allowing you to reach under furniture and in tight spaces where pet hair often accumulates.
The CleanView 2252 comes with specialized pet tools, including a TurboBrush tool for stairs, upholstery, and more, ensuring that pet hair is effectively removed from all areas of your home. The large-capacity dirt tank is easy to empty, and since the vacuum is bagless, you won’t have to worry about buying replacement bags, making it even more cost-effective.
Overall, the Bissell 2252 CleanView Bagless Vacuum offers solid performance and thoughtful design features at a budget-friendly price, making it a great option for pet owners who want an affordable and reliable vacuum.
BEST CORDLESS: Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
When it comes to cordless vacuums that can handle pet hair, the Dyson V15 Detect stands out as the top choice. Known for its powerful suction and cutting-edge technology, the V15 Detect is designed to make pet hair cleanup effortless and efficient.
The Dyson V15 Detect features a powerful Hyperdymium motor that generates 230 air watts of suction, making it one of the most powerful cordless vacuums available. This ensures that pet hair, along with dirt and debris, is thoroughly removed from carpets, rugs, and hard floors. The vacuum also includes a laser detection system that illuminates dust and fine particles invisible to the naked eye, ensuring a more thorough clean, especially in homes with shedding pets.
One of the key features of the Dyson V15 is its advanced filtration system, which captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including pet dander and allergens. This makes it an excellent choice for households with allergy sufferers. The vacuum’s anti-tangle brush bar is specifically designed to prevent pet hair from wrapping around the brush, ensuring continuous, hassle-free cleaning.
With up to 60 minutes of fade-free power, the Dyson V15 Detect provides ample runtime to clean large areas without needing to recharge. It also comes with a variety of attachments, including a mini motorized tool that’s perfect for removing pet hair from upholstery, stairs, and tight spaces.
The Dyson V15 Detect combines powerful performance, innovative features, and cordless convenience, making it the best choice for pet owners who need a versatile and efficient vacuum that can easily tackle pet hair in any part of their home.
BEST BUDGET CORDLESS: Shark IZ363HT Cordless Stick Vacuum
For pet owners seeking a budget-friendly cordless vacuum without compromising on performance, the Shark IZ363HT Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum is an excellent choice. This vacuum is designed to deliver powerful cleaning capabilities, particularly for homes with pets, all while maintaining affordability.
The Shark IZ363HT features a powerful HyperVelocity suction system that effectively picks up pet hair, dirt, and debris from carpets, rugs, and hard floors. Its self-cleaning brushroll is designed to prevent hair wrap, making it particularly efficient at handling long pet hair without the usual tangles. This feature alone saves time and frustration, allowing for a smoother cleaning experience.
One of the key benefits of the Shark IZ363HT is its lightweight, cordless design, which offers up to 50 minutes of runtime on a single charge. This makes it ideal for quick cleanups and extended cleaning sessions alike. The vacuum also includes Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology and a HEPA filter, which trap 99.9% of dust and allergens, ensuring that your home stays clean and fresh.
Additionally, the Shark IZ363HT is versatile, easily converting into a handheld vacuum for cleaning pet hair from furniture, stairs, and other above-floor surfaces. The vacuum’s low-profile design and flexible wand allow it to reach under furniture and into tight spaces where pet hair often accumulates.
Overall, the Shark IZ363HT Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum combines strong performance, versatility, and affordability, making it the best budget cordless option for pet owners who want a reliable and efficient tool for keeping pet hair under control.
BEST FOR PET GROOMING: neabot P1 Pro Pet Grooming Kit & Vacuum
Groom your pets like a professional with the neabot P1 Pro Pet Grooming Kit & Vacuum. Your pet will look like a show animal when you use this grooming vacuum kit. The kit includes a grooming brush, rake brush, electric clippers, nozzle head, and cleaning brush to cover each step of the grooming process.
There’s five adjustable trimming comb options (3 mm, 6 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm) and a detachable guide comb so you can use the right option for every hair length.
The vacuum cleaner is a game changer and will keep your house clean and hair-free as it collects the hair as you groom. There’s a one year warranty and 45-day return window with 24/7 customer support available.
BEST ROBOT VAC: iRobot Roomba E5 Robot Vacuum
For pet owners seeking a dependable and efficient robot vacuum, the iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) is a standout choice. This vacuum is designed specifically to tackle the challenges of pet hair, offering strong suction and intelligent features at a competitive price point.
The Roomba E5 uses a powerful 5x suction system, which works in tandem with dual multi-surface rubber brushes. These brushes are designed to adjust and flex to stay in constant contact with different floor types, whether it’s carpet, hardwood, or tile, ensuring thorough cleaning. The rubber brushes are particularly effective at picking up pet hair without tangling, a common issue with traditional bristle brushes.
The Roomba E5 also features a high-efficiency filter that captures 99% of allergens, pollen, and particles as small as 10 microns, making it an excellent option for homes with pets and allergy sufferers. Its Dirt Detect sensors help it focus on areas that need more attention, such as high-traffic zones where pet hair tends to accumulate.
Control of the Roomba E5 is simple and convenient via the iRobot HOME app, where you can schedule cleanings, monitor cleaning activity, and access support. It’s also compatible with voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant. With up to 90 minutes of runtime before it automatically docks to recharge, the Roomba E5 efficiently handles pet hair, keeping your home cleaner with minimal effort on your part.
BEST HANDHELD VAC: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vacuum
When it comes to tackling pet hair in hard-to-reach places, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum is the top choice for pet owners. This handheld vacuum is designed specifically to deal with pet hair, offering convenience and power in a compact, portable form.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser features a powerful lithium-ion battery that provides up to 17 minutes of fade-free suction, making it perfect for quick cleanups around the house, in the car, or on furniture. Its motorized brush tool is designed to lift and remove embedded pet hair from upholstery, stairs, and other surfaces where pet hair tends to accumulate.
In addition to its motorized brush tool, the vacuum comes with a specialized crevice tool and an upholstery tool, making it versatile enough to handle various surfaces and tight spaces. The triple-level filtration system helps improve cleaning performance by trapping more fine dust and debris, ensuring that pet hair and allergens are effectively captured.
One of the standout features of the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is its lightweight design and easy-to-empty dirt bin, which allows for quick disposal of pet hair without any mess. Its cordless operation adds to its convenience, making it easy to grab and use whenever and wherever you need it.
Overall, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum offers powerful suction, specialized pet tools, and the convenience of cordless operation, making it the best handheld vacuum for pet owners who need an effective solution for removing pet hair in smaller areas.
BEST BUDGET HANDHELD: ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re looking for an affordable yet effective solution to tackle pet hair around your home, the ThisWorx Portable Vacuum Cleaner is an excellent budget-friendly choice. This compact handheld vacuum is designed with versatility and convenience in mind, making it perfect for quick cleanups of pet hair and other debris.
Despite its compact size, the ThisWorx vacuum delivers strong suction power, thanks to its 106-watt motor, which is more than capable of lifting pet hair from car seats, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas. The vacuum comes with three different attachments—a flathead for reaching into tight spaces, an extendable brush nozzle for upholstery, and a flexible hose for general cleaning—making it versatile enough to handle various cleaning tasks.
One of the standout features of the ThisWorx vacuum is its 16-foot power cord, which provides ample reach for cleaning the entire interior of your car without needing to switch outlets. It also includes a HEPA filter to trap fine particles, ensuring that dust and allergens are captured effectively. The vacuum’s lightweight design and convenient carrying case make it easy to store and transport, adding to its overall value.
While it’s designed primarily for car use, the ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner is equally effective at handling small pet hair messes around the house. Its affordability, portability, and versatile attachments make it the best budget handheld vacuum for pet owners who need a simple and effective tool for quick cleanups.