A Complete Guide to Finding the Best Vacuum For Pet Hair

We love our pets to bits. They are our loyal, loving companions, and they’re full of fun! For most of us, pets are more than animals—they are family.

But do you know what we hate about them? Pet hair. It’s such a pain to deal with! Everywhere you go, you see pet hair! On the carpet, the sofa, and not to mention, it sticks to your clothes.

Fortunately, there is an easy way to get rid of all the “pet hair hassle.”

Get the best vacuum for pet hair!

I have put together a guide that will help you fight the “pet-hair menace” with minimal effort.

You’ll also find a detailed explanation of various vacuum types and how they can keep your home in tip-top shape. 

Best Vacuums for Pet Hair- Short List

• Shark TruePet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter
• Dyson DC41 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum Cleaner
• Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum

Why Vacuum Cleaners?

Simply put, using a vacuum cleaner is the most efficient way to clean up pet hair. This device is capable of sucking dust, dirt, pollen, allergens, hair, skin particles, and lots of other small things in large quantities.

The use of a brush or other cleaning equipment is time-consuming and a hassle, not to mention it’s really not all that effective.

Since “shedding” is natural for our furry companions, the best option is to go for a vacuum cleaner specifically designed for pets. That means selecting a machine with the filters, suction, and tools to handle high volumes of pet hair.

Types of Vacuum Cleaners

The history of vacuum cleaners goes back to 1806, although the first domestic vacuum cleaner wasn’t built and marketed until 1905. And as we all know from walking through a store or after a quick search online, there have been many types of vacuum cleaners on the market ever since.

To simplify the process, when dealing with pet hair, we suggest that really, you only need to concern yourself with three types.

#1. Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Upright vacuum cleaners are best for cleaning floors and carpets. Despite having great suction power, they are heavy and not very useful for cleaning furniture and corners of the room.

They are what anyone thinks of when it comes to vacuum cleaners. Surprisingly, even these floor-specialized models have a few that are geared to clean up pet hair.

If your main problem is the floor area, an upright vacuum cleaner is your best choice.

#2. Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Canister vacuum cleaners are really high-powered. They have a relatively stationary base with a flexible handle. This flexibility makes a canister vacuum a great cleaner both on the floor and to use in high places.

Additionally, having the extra power is a great advantage in tackling fur that sticks to furniture as well. It’s a well-rounded vacuum cleaner; unfortunately, lugging around a canister is heavy and tiring. Also, this type of vacuum cleaners can tend to be on the expensive side.

Still, we highly recommend a canister vacuum cleaner for households with multiple pets or pets that shed heavily.

#3. Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Relatively new to the scene, handheld vacuum cleaners provide the user with a level of flexibility unlike any other.

It’s best for furniture cleaning and vacuuming hard to access high places. The small size provides a superior level of versatility and freedom. Handhelds come with many useful attachments. One con, the small suction area, makes it a poor choice for cleaning floor areas.

If you’re already capable of handling the floor, investing in a handheld vacuum cleaner is a good idea.

#4. Others

In addition to the previous three, there are many other types of vacuum cleaners, such as “stick vacuum cleaners” and “robotic vacuum cleaners.” They can do a decent job at cleaning regular household dirt; however, other than a few exceptional models, they can’t simply compete with vacuum cleaners specialized in removing pet hair.

Choosing the Right Vacuum Cleaner for Your Home

Before buying a vacuum, there are a few factors that need to be carefully considered. Don’t worry; you don’t need specialized knowledge for this; however, this list will ensure you can choose a product that you will be happy with, based on your needs.

Here are a few things you should pay attention to:

Type of House and Floor

You should always get a vacuum cleaner with the capacity to clean based on the size of your home. To clean large houses quickly, you need a big unit with long power cords. Usually, in this case, getting an upright vacuum cleaner is the ideal choice.

Keep in mind that while upright models are great for cleaning floors, you need to take special consideration if you have hardwood or glass floors. A vacuum cleaner with too much power might damage them.

Power and Performance

Suction power is an important factor when purchasing a vacuum cleaner. Keep an eye out for figures with CFM (cubic feet per minute) or AW (air watts). CFM measures how much air the unit takes into the bag per minute, and AW represents the power used to pull dirt inside.

Although there are no “right” numbers (because different cleaning units are modified for different purposes), for removing pet hair, higher numbers tend to be better. Upright vacuum cleaners should at least have 100 AW, and canisters should have 220 AW of suction.

HEPA Filters

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) is an essential function in vacuum cleaners. Many modern cleaners now come equipped with this feature, which is used to filter the air.

These filters may have to be replaced over time with use, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. Some brands also offer a lifetime warranty and washable variants.

Cord or Cordless

Corded vacuum cleaners offer power and consistency. When your aim is to clear all pet hair from your home, selecting a vacuum cleaner with a chord option is highly recommended. The downside is that chorded units have limited reach and are heavy to lug around.

Cordless vacuum cleaners offer excellent portability. Modern cleaners have excellent battery life that supports decent suction motors. Although they might not be as powerful as corded units and may suffer fluctuations from time to time, the advantage lies with cordless vacuum cleaners.

There are a few “hybrid” units that can transform or have detachable handheld units with them. They are highly recommended for users looking for both functionalities.

Attachments

There are a few attachments included when you buy a vacuum cleaner. Not all are useful, and depending on your home situation, additional attachments may be required.

A few important attachments include a pet brush, crevice tool, extension tool, dusting tool, upholstery tool, mattress tool, blind or ceiling fan tool, and grooming kit or tool.

Best Vacuum For Pet Hair – Our Recommendation

#1. Shark TruePet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter

The Navigator NV752 lift-away vacuum cleaner is not only great for cleaning pet hair but can perform equally well for normal household cleaning. The Shark Navigator is lightweight, powerful, easy to maneuver, and good for carpets and hardwood floors alike. It checks all the boxes that make a great vacuum cleaner. 

Shark Navigator prides itself on ‘never losing suction’ while dealing with really stubborn stuck-in pet hairs. TruePet Motorized Brush and Pet-Multi Tool can easily clean up any kind of pet hair with ease. The Shark Navigator has three modes – the upright mode, the life away mode, and the overhead mode. The lift-away technology makes it easy to clean hard to reach places.

The bright LED lights and fingertip controls make this cleaner very easy and handy to use. Additional tools can help extract dust, dirt, and allergens from pillows, upholstery, and more!

The Navigator NV752 also has an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology + a HEPA filter, which traps 99.9% dust and allergens.

Check the latest price on Amazon.

Best Upright Vacuums For Pet Hair

#1. Dyson DC41 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum Cleaner

The moment you see this vacuum cleaner, the first thing that comes to your mind is its exceptional design. As an upright vacuum cleaner, the suction of the Dyson DC41 is superb. It can easily remove pet hair from places other branded units have given up.

The unit has an active base plate that can automatically detect the type of flooring, so you don’t have to change modes when moving from carpet to floor. The radial core technology efficiently captures allergens and dust particles.

The unit also comes with a mini turbine head for cleaning corners and hard-to-reach places. Drayson includes a toolbag with different brushes for various surfaces.

Pros:

• Powerful suction
• Auto-adjusting baseplate
• Added accessories

Cons:

• Expensive
• Requires careful storage

Check the latest price on Amazon.

#2. HOOVER T-Series WindTunnel Pet Rewind Bagless Corded Upright Vacuum UH70213PC

When it comes to vacuum cleaners, Hoover is a very reliable brand. The T-series WindTunnel has good suction power and does a great job of removing pet hair. The automatic cord rewinder is a welcome feature!

The Hoover T-series Bagless vacuum cleaner doesn’t need any additional replaceable parts. The filters and the dust collection tank are both easily accessible. For pets with long hair, Hoover added an air-powered pet hand tool that does a great job of cleaning.

Despite being an upright vacuum cleaner, this unit is pretty quiet compared to the other models. The main handle folds down too, which makes it very easy to store.

Pros:

• Good suction
• Handy cord retractor
• Quieter than most

Cons:

• Plastic wheels
• Short cable length

Check the latest price on Amazon.

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Best Canister Vacuums For Pet Hair

#1. Eureka Mighty Mite Pet Lover Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner, 3684F

Eureka is one of the leading brands when it comes to canister vacuum systems. The Mighty Mite has an exceptional 20-foot extendable cord which makes it a superb option for small to medium living quarters. It’s also a great option for pet owners as the extra attachments provide a host of options for cleaning and reaching hard to get to spots.

The unit is definitely within budget. And even if you are living with husky-like shedding dogs in a room with a Persian carpet, the HEPA filter can clean up to 99.97% of dirt, dust, dander in the air.

The package also includes bags that eliminate any pet odors on the carpet. While the cleaner unit was not exactly designed for pets, it does a wonderful job with the attachments. A good unit within budget.

Pros:

• HEPA filter
• Good cord length and powerful suction
• Telescopic wand and many tools

Cons:

• The hose is not flexible
• It needs a separate space to keep attachments

Check the latest price on Amazon.

#2. Dyson DC39 Animal canister vacuum cleaner

Dyson—the company that innovated the ball technology and greater maneuverability now offers a canister vacuum cleaner: the DC39. The unit is filled with everything you’d expect from a Dyson product.

Their Radial Root Cyclone Suction is truly extraordinary—it captures more microscopic dust and allergens than most of its competitors. In fact, it’s the only canister vacuum on the market with a central steering mechanism in addition to the ball steering technology.

The handle has turbine control and does a great job picking up any and all pet hair in its path. The trigger-head tool automatically switches from carpet to floors so you can vacuum without stopping.

Pros:

• Superb suction
• Quiet operation
• Triggerhead tool

Cons:

• Expensive
• Needs special storage

Check the latest price on Amazon.

Related Reads: Best Dog Ear Cleaners Review: Natural & Safe Choices

Best Handheld Vacuum For Pet Hair

#1. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum, Corded, 33A1

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is everything you’d expect from a great handheld vacuum. It has a lot of power and comes with a cheap price tag. It can handle dense fur and does an excellent job clearing it up.

The wide head and soft bristles go deep into the fabric to easily capture and remove pet hair. The unit is very light—only 5 pounds—and with its compact design, it makes it very easy to use and store. It also has a HEPA filter and ensures clean air in your home.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Special furniture nozzle
• Lightweight & compact

Cons:

• Not cordless
• Very loud

Check the latest price on Amazon

#2. BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L 16V Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum

Black+Decker is another versatile handheld vacuum cleaner. In addition to being cordless, it’s powerful, lightweight, and slim. The long battery life gives the user the option for quick, easy cleaning to a thorough, deep clean.

Because the unit is only 2.6 pounds, it’s very easy to operate. The dirt bowl and filters are easy to empty and clean. Not only is a unit is a great option for cat/dog hair, debris, and dirt, this is also rather fun to use.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Long-lasting battery
• Affordable

Cons:

• Moderately powerful
• A bit loud

Check the latest price on Amazon.

Best Vacuum For Pet Hair And Hardwood Floors

#1. Shark Rocket TruePet Ultra-Light Upright Corded Vacuum HV322

Shark Rocket TruePet is probably the best Shark product for dealing with pet hair, and the features added to this model make it an effective hardwood floor vacuum cleaner. The unit is lightweight and can easily be used in tight spaces.

The TruePet has an innovative design and can be made compact to be used as a handheld vacuum cleaner. The attachments enable it to deep clean hardwood floors. The LED lights are a welcome addition as they help you spot missed debris around the house.

The fixed hose can sometimes be a limitation; however, it’s only a small inconvenience.

Pros:

• Lightweight and highly maneuverable
• Powerful suction for hardwood floors
• LED light

Cons:

• Awkward weight distribution
• Not for super large floors

Check the latest price on Amazon.

#2. Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hardwood Floor Bagless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, 81L2A

Stick vacuums don’t do great in cleaning both pet hair and hardwood floors, but the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A will change your mind. The suction is great and works wonders on hardwood floors.

The unit is light and easy to maneuver. One can operate this in one hand not leave any bristles while vacuuming. It has a great V-shaped nozzle that can get into tight spaces and can easily pick up large dirt pieces.

The 20-foot cord makes this unit good for medium to large-sized floors, and the quick-release function wraps up the chord automatically.

The only downside is probably the noise, which balances out against all its advantages.

Pros:

• Powerful V nozzle
• Easy operation and lightweight
• Long chord

Cons:

• Loud
• No HEPA filter

Check the latest price on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Well, by now, you’ve probably decided what to get for your home. We hope that this list has provided you with enough suggestions to make an informed decision.

There are many ways you can manage dog shedding; however, vacuum-cleaning remains the fastest and most effective way to keep your house hair-free.

Remember, electronic devices need maintenance, so caring for and maintaining your vacuum will keep it running for a long time. After making your purchase, read the instruction manual or booklet thoroughly to have a proper understanding of your vacuum cleaner.