Buying guide for best pet vacuum
There are many wonderful things about having pets, but cleaning up after them doesn’t top the list. Whether you have a single dog or several cats, it can be difficult to keep up with all the pet hair and dander that collect on floors and furniture. Finding the best vacuum for pet hair can make staying on top of your cleaning easier.
To find the top pet vacuums, we tested and researched over 15 models to see how well they handled pet hair, dander, crumbs and more. We put the vacuums to work on both hard surfaces and carpeting, where pet hair tends to be harder to remove. We considered not only the vacuums’ ability to pick up hair and dander but also larger debris. Maneuverability and ease of use were other key considerations, as we wanted to identify models that would work in all homes.
Ultimately, our favorite pet vacuum is the Shark Rocket Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum, which provides the power of a corded vacuum with the lightweight, easy-to-move design of a stick. We loved its extra-large dustbin, which held plenty of hair during uninterrupted cleaning sessions, and the LED headlights that highlighted debris left behind by our furry friends.
Expert Tip
Back to School & Black Friday sales are the best times of the year to purchase a vacuum. Amazon and Walmart are two great online marketplaces to start your search.
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Our top picks
Best stick pet vacuum
Product Specifications
Cord Length: 30’ | Bin Capacity: 0.9 gal | Weight: 8.6 lb | Dimensions: 13” L x 10.25” W x 47.5” H
The Shark Rocket Pet Plus is a corded stick vacuum that delivers excellent suction power for pet hair and dander. It has two cleaning modes, and during testing, we found Mode I was great for hardwood and other firm surfaces, while Mode II provided strong enough suction for heavier carpeting.
Our testing area housed a short-haired dog that shed enough hair to gather in the corners of the rooms and along the baseboards. The Rocket Pet Plus had no trouble removing the hair from carpeting and hard surfaces. However, its rounded edge didn’t always fit into corners, so we sometimes had to manually sweep the hair away from the edge so the vacuum could pick it up.
Weighing just under 9 pounds, the Rocket Pet Plus is a breeze to maneuver. We loved how easily its cleaner head swivels to wrap around furniture and other obstacles. Its LED headlights make it easy to see hair and debris under furniture so you don’t miss anything when cleaning. As a corded model, we had to be mindful of where the outlets were in our testing area. But we found we could clean nearly any room without having to change outlets, and the cord was often long enough to stretch across multiple rooms.
For added versatility, the Rocket Pet Plus converts to a hand vacuum, allowing you to clean surfaces beyond the floor. It includes two accessories: a crevice tool for cleaning tight, narrow areas and a pet multitool for removing embedded hair from upholstered surfaces. The vacuum also has a large dustbin that can hold plenty of hair and debris. It detached completely from the vacuum, and emptying it at the end of our cleaning sessions was an easy task.
Best upright pet vacuum
Product Specifications
Cord Length: 30’ | Bin capacity: 2 L | Weight: 14 lb | Dimensions: 15” L x 14” W x 30” H
The Kenmore DU2012 Bagless Upright Vacuum is a powerful two-motor vacuum that maximizes airflow for effective suction on all flooring surfaces. This suction power allows it to remove pet hair and ground-in dirt even from deep carpeting. It has a hair eliminator brush that automatically moves hair away from the roll to prevent tangles. The LED headlights illuminate dark areas beneath furniture and in corners so you don’t miss any hair or debris.
If allergies are an issue, know that the Kenmore DU2012’s AllergenSeal System keeps all dust and hair inside the machine, trapping up to 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger. Its 2-liter dustbin is 50% larger than previous Kenmore models, allowing you to clean large areas without having to empty the container frequently.
The Kenmore DU2012 includes two versatile tools: a 3-in-1 combination tool and an upholstery tool. With the detachable wand that extends up to 10 feet, it lets you clean above-floor surfaces that can get covered with pet hair. Best of all, the tools are stored onboard, so you don’t have to worry about losing them.
Product Specifications
Run Time: Up to 69 min | Bin Capacity: 0.2 gal | Weight: 6.83 lb. | Dimensions: 10.5” L x 9.8” W x 49.6” H
The Dyson V15 Detect is a cordless stick vacuum that delivers unexpected power for a non-corded model. It has three cleaning modes and reaches a maximum suction power of 240 air watts (AW) in its highest setting, Boost. Even in its Auto mode, which automatically adjusts suction based on the amount of dirt on the floor, the V15 offered an excellent cleaning performance with pet hair during testing.
Our testing area housed two dogs of medium to large size that shed constantly. The vacuum removed all visible hair from laminate and tile as well as low-pile carpet and medium-pile carpet. In most cases, it needed just one pass. It did such a thorough job that we were stunned to see the amount of hair in the dustbin after cleaning. This made us realize that the V15 also removed plenty of hair we hadn’t seen.
In addition to its powerful suction, the V15 Detect comes with a Fluffy Optic cleaner head for cleaning hard surfaces. Its precisely angled green light illuminates hidden dust and hair so you don’t miss any debris. Initially, we were skeptical of this feature, but it revealed a significant amount of hair and dirt on a floor that appeared clean.
The V15 includes a crevice tool for tight, narrow areas; a combination tool for dusting and upholstery and a hair-screw tool for removing long hair and pet hair. We were big fans of the hair-screw tool, which removed pet hair from upholstery and pet bedding extremely well.
As a stick vacuum, the V15 Detect weighs under 7 pounds. It was easy to maneuver around furniture and carry up and down stairs, allowing us to clean a set of carpeted stairs in our testing area. Because it’s cordless, you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet during cleaning, and it has an advertised battery life of up to 60 minutes. That said, it cleaned for 69 minutes during testing before recharging. We also appreciated its dustbin, which holds up to 0.2 gallons and has a point-and-shoot emptying system that keeps your hands clean.
Best lightweight pet vacuum
Product Specifications
Run Time: Up to 60 min | Bin Capacity: 0.09 gal | Weight: 5.22 lb | Dimensions: 9.92” L x 9.8” W x 49.4” H
While the Dyson V12 Detect Slim doesn’t have the maximum suction power of the Dyson V15 Detect, it can handle pet hair on hard floors and carpeting. We tested it on laminate and tile as well as low-pile carpeting and medium-pile carpeting. It removed visible hair from all surfaces in two passes or less. It also picked up large debris, including dry pet food, without trouble.
Like the V15 Detect, the V12 Detect Slim includes a Fluffy Optic cleaner head that reveals hidden hair and dirt on hard floors. We used it on laminate floors and were surprised to see how much debris it illuminated on a floor that appeared clean to the naked eye.
A compact, lightweight design may be its most impressive feature. It weighs just over 5 pounds, making it the lightest of all the sticks, uprights and canister vacuums we considered. It was easy to maneuver around furniture and in tight spaces. And it was the easiest full-size vacuum to carry up and down stairs.
The V12 Slim Detect has a one-touch on/off button. This allowed us to vacuum for longer periods without experiencing the hand fatigue associated with trigger models like the V15 Detect. Like the V15, it has an advertised battery life of up to 60 minutes. It came close during our testing, cleaning for 54 minutes in Eco mode. In Auto mode, which automatically adjusts its suction power based on how dirty the floor is, we cleaned for 41 minutes, which was more than enough time to cover over 1,000 square feet.
Best pet vacuum for hard floors
Product Specifications
Run Time: 22 min | Bin capacity: 0.34 qt | Weight: 7.17 lb | Dimensions: 10.24” L x 7.09” W x 46.1” H
With hypervelocity-accelerated suction, the Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum can handle pet hair and dander with ease. In our testing, it picked up all visible hair in one to two passes.
This vacuum cleaner has one cleaning head, but there is a switch to change settings for hard floors or carpeting. Unlike other models with an agitating brush roll that doesn’t turn off, we used the hard-floor setting to turn off the roller to prevent damage to our hard surfaces, including hardwood. When we needed extra power to pull hair or ground-in dirt from a rug or carpet, the Pet Power’s Boost mode allowed us to thoroughly clean even heavier carpeting.
The Pet Power weighs just over 7 pounds. Its compact, lightweight design promoted easy maneuverability and storage during testing. Its swivel head allowed us to navigate around furniture and other obstacles with ease. It was even flexible enough to reach under the sofa in our testing area without having to move it.
We were also impressed by this vacuum’s versatility — it converted to a hand vac and included attachments like a crevice tool, pet multitool and dusting brush. We used it to clean above-floor surfaces, including sofa cushions and fabric armchairs, and it easily removed all dark pet hair from those light surfaces.
Pet owners with allergies will appreciate the Pet Power’s high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The sealed system can trap up to 99.9% of dust, dander and other allergens that are 0.3 microns or larger to keep the air in your home cleaner. The one issue we ran into during testing was the Pet Power’s battery life. While Shark advertised a 40-minute run, we only vacuumed for 22 minutes before needing to recharge.
Product Specifications
Run Time: 17 min | Bin capacity: 0.7 L | Weight: 3 lb | Dimensions: 16” L x 4.5” W x 5” H
For convenient cleaning on the go, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is an outstanding tool. It weighs just 3 pounds, so it’s lightweight enough to clean hair from a sofa, a pet bed and even your car. The well-balanced design makes it comfortable to use, even when cleaning large spaces. Its built-in 14.4-volt lithium-ion battery can clean for up to 17 minutes on a single charge, so you can cover fairly big areas with it.
Its dirt cup can hold up to 0.7 liters, which is a significant amount of pet hair. The bin is easy to empty, so you can return to cleaning as soon as possible.
For added versatility, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser includes three accessories: a crevice tool, an upholstery tool and a motorized brush roll tool. The motorized brush roll is particularly helpful for pet owners because it can remove embedded hair and dirt from carpeting and other surfaces. Unfortunately, the hand vac doesn’t offer onboard storage, so keeping track of the accessories may be tricky.
Those with allergy concerns may appreciate that the Pet Hair Eraser offers triple-level filtration to capture small particles. The filters require regular maintenance. Bissell recommends cleaning them every three months to keep the machine running properly.
Types of pet vacuums
The first step to selecting your new pet vacuum is deciding which type you want. Four primary varieties exist: handheld pet vacuums, stick pet vacuums, canister pet vacuums and upright pet vacuums.
Handheld vacuums
A handheld vacuum is suitable for spot cleaning and cleaning upholstery when you don't want to get out your primary upright vacuum cleaner. They are also useful when cleaning your car. The best handheld vacuum cleaners are lightweight with decent battery life and good suction.
Note: While a handheld vacuum certainly has its place in your cleaning arsenal, it isn't large or powerful enough to function as your only vacuum cleaner.
Stick vacuums
A stick vacuum has a similar one-piece design to an upright vacuum. However, stick vacuums are much more compact and lightweight, which makes them easier to maneuver around furniture and carry up and down stairs. With the lighter construction comes a smaller motor. Because of this, they generally don’t provide as much suction power as upright models. Thus, they aren’t always the best choice for removing pet hair from carpeting.
You can find some corded stick vacuums, but many are cordless, which makes them convenient to use anywhere in your home. Remember that battery life is crucial to have enough time to clean if you opt for a cordless stick vacuum.
Canister vacuums
A canister vacuum has a separate motor in the body of the unit, with the intake port attached by a hose. Due to its compact size, it is usually easier to store than its upright counterparts. A canister vacuum has a narrow cleaning path and a range of attachments that make it suitable for homes with a lot of furniture.
On the downside, you may need more time to clean a large, open area with a canister vac. Further, in most cases, a canister vacuum doesn't have a beater brush, so it may not lift hair from as deep within the carpet fibers as an upright vacuum would.
Upright vacuums
An upright vacuum cleaner is a one-piece machine with brush bristles and an intake port (where the vacuum suctions up dirt) on the bottom of the unit. The motor is in the middle, and the handle is at the top. Usually, an upright vacuum has a rotating brush roll, also sometimes known as a beater brush, which is highly efficient at lifting hair from the carpet.
If you have a large home, an upright vacuum will clean it faster than other types, as it has a wider cleaning path and can quickly move over large, open spaces. However, unless you choose a folding model, an upright vacuum requires a taller storage space. They also have a hard time cleaning on stairs.
Expert Tip
Clean your vacuum's filter regularly between uses. Most upright vacuums have washable filters and are easy to maintain. I also recommend only using water to clean the filters. Using detergent or bleach could ruin them.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Pet vacuum features
Filter
A pet vacuum cleaner should have a quality air filter to help prevent the dust and dander you pick up from blowing back out into your home through the exhaust port. We recommend a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These are the gold standard of air-filtration systems.
The Dyson V15 Detect and V12 Detect Slim both feature whole-machine filtration, with a filter near the top of the vacuum that easily twists off. During testing, we didn’t see any particles expelled from the exhaust ports, so the air remained clean.
Brushes
On carpeted floors, a brush roll is essential for pulling pet hair from the pile so it can then be sucked up by the vacuum. The trouble when you have pets, especially long-haired cats and dogs, is that shed hair can get wrapped around the rotating brush. When this happens, it may need to be cut with scissors to be removed. A good pet vacuum will have an easy-clean beater brush with effective bristles to save you time and effort.
Even better than an easy-to-clean brush roll is an anti-tangle brush. The Dyson V15 Detect, Dyson V12 Detect Slim and Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum all have anti-tangle brushrolls. After cleaning with each model, we didn’t find any hair tangled around the brushes. In fact, we observed only a few stray hairs that easily brushed away with our fingers.
Power
Pet vacuums are generally more powerful than regular vacuums, as you need strong suction to pick up the hair, dander and dirt left behind by furry bodies and muddy paws. Power is measured in air watts and should be listed in the manufacturer's specifications. Anything offering less than 200 air watts of power is likely insufficient for the task at hand.
Attachments
Like most vacuum cleaners, pet vacuums tend to come with a range of attachments. These accessories are generally designed to clean above-floor surfaces and reach into areas a standard cleaner head can’t reach.
Some of our favorite attachments from testing include:
- Hair screw tool: The Dyson V15 Detect and Dyson V12 Detect Slim both include a hair-screw tool. This tool pulls pet hair and long hair from small spaces. We were impressed by how well these heads removed hair from the dog beds in our testing area.
- Upholstery tool: The Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum comes with an upholstery tool designed for removing hair and other debris from mattresses, furniture, curtains and delicate fabrics. We used it to remove cat hair from the sofa and armchairs in our testing area and were pleased with how quickly it cleaned.
- Crevice tool: All of the vacuums we tested, including the Shark Rocket Pet Plus Corded, Dyson V15 Detect, Dyson V12 Detect Slim and Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless came with a crevice tool, a thin attachment that reaches into narrow spaces. We found these tools especially effective for removing hair along the edges of walls and between sofa cushions, where crumbs and hair can collect.
Dustbin
When shopping for your new vacuum cleaner, if you opt for a bagless model, take note of the dustbin size. The larger the dustbin (also called a dust cup or dirt cup), the less frequently you will have to open up the machine and empty debris into your garbage can. Of course, if you elect to purchase a bagged vacuum cleaner rather than a bagless one, you will not be dealing with a dustbin at all.
What to consider in your search for the best pet hair vacuum
What type of flooring do you have?
If you have pets, a beater brush is a must-have for carpeted floors. However, it is unnecessary — and could even be detrimental — for cleaning hardwood floors, laminate, tile and other non-carpeted areas.
Most beater brushes are height-adjustable, so you can raise the brush out of the way when you clean your floors without carpets. If you live in a home without carpeting or area rugs, you may decide to remove the beater brush altogether.
During testing, the Shark Rocket Pet Plus Corded and the Dyson V15 Detect were our favorite models for carpeting because these models have specific modes or cleaner heads for pulling hair out of heavier fibers.
For hardwood, we loved the Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless because it has a mode that turns off the beater brush to protect delicate surfaces. The Dyson V12 Detect Slim and V15 Detect are our top choices for laminate and tile floors, though, because they feature a special cleaning head that illuminates hidden dirt and hair on hard surfaces for thorough cleaning.
Do you prefer a bagged or bagless vacuum cleaner?
Despite the hype, bagless vacuum cleaners perform with the same efficiency as bagged vacuums, so your choice comes down to personal preference. It can be less messy and less problematic for people with allergies to simply throw away a bag instead of emptying a dust cup or dustbin after a cleaning session.
That said, bagless varieties are more environmentally friendly, as you're not throwing an extra item into the trash, and you can avoid stale smells by emptying them more often than you might replace a bag. Furthermore, with pets, you may find that you fill up vacuum bags faster than average, so you could theoretically end up spending a lot of money on replacements.
Do you want a corded or a cordless model?
Vacuuming is not a chore most people relish. After all, you have to lug your vacuum cleaner out of the closet, plug it into an outlet, haul it around and continue unplugging it and plugging it back in when you run out of cord length.
A cordless vacuum cuts down the effort involved in cleaning. However, cordless vacuums have a limited battery life of about 15 to 30 minutes, and they aren't quite as powerful as corded models — although newer cordless vacuums are starting to catch up.
Note: If you're extremely reluctant to vacuum and believe a cordless model would encourage you to vacuum every few days (instead of once a month), you may decide to go cordless even though these models aren’t quite as efficient.
How we tested
To help us evaluate the pet vacuums we considered, we conducted several tests to assess how well they pick up not only pet hair but also other types of debris. We tested their performance on hard surfaces and carpeting.
Handling pet hair
We tested the vacuums in areas that housed dogs and cats. To evaluate how well they removed pet hair, we placed small piles of hair on laminate, tile, hardwood, low-pile carpeting and medium-pile carpeting. When pet hair wasn’t available, we used faux fur. We then recorded how many passes each model needed to pick up the pet hair or faux fur completely.
Handling fine debris
To see how well the vacuums handled fine debris, we used sugar and ground coffee. We placed measured piles of debris on laminate, tile, hardwood, low-pile carpeting and medium-pile carpeting. We then noted how many passes each vacuum required to fully remove the debris.
Handling medium debris
We assessed how well the vacuums picked up medium debris using coarse kosher salt. We placed measured piles of the salt on laminate, tile, hardwood, low-pile carpeting and medium-pile carpeting. We then recorded how many passes each model needed to fully remove the debris.
Handling large debris
To see how well the vacuums handled large debris, we used dry pet food and cereal. We placed measured piles of debris on laminate, tile, hardwood, low-pile carpeting and medium-pile carpeting. We then noted how many passes were required to fully remove the debris.
How much does a pet vacuum cleaner cost?
Inexpensive
Many of the best budget pet vacuums cost between $100 and $200. A vacuum in this price range should be perfectly serviceable for most people, but you shouldn’t expect miracles. In other words, if you have a couple of constantly shedding 200-pound Saint Bernards, a low-end model is unlikely to be powerful enough to keep their daily messes at bay.
Furthermore, inexpensive pet vacuums are likely to be bulkier and heavier than pricier choices, and they tend to lack the extra features offered by costlier models.
Mid-range
A mid-range pet vacuum should cost between $200 and $400. While these machines offer handy features, they lack some of the bells and whistles you often find on high-end models. They usually have a few disadvantages, too, such as a smaller dust cup or hoses and less efficient attachments.
Expensive
A high-end pet vacuum should cost between $400 and $700. These machines offer superior cleaning power and all the bells and whistles you could hope for. They tend to be lightweight and easy to maneuver. You'll often find that models on the lower end of this price range are as good as, or almost as good as, the priciest units. A primary difference is that they may not have the same brand recognition.
How to use your pet vacuum cleaner
You may be wondering if there is a certain technique that would make your vacuuming sessions with your new machine more efficient. The answer is yes. One of the most important techniques to keep in mind is to vacuum slowly, giving your machine plenty of time to pick up pet hair, dander and debris.
The direction of your vacuuming path matters. Not only should you move back and forth in a straight line, but you should also turn your vacuum 90 degrees and move in that direction as well. By vacuuming the fibers of your carpet from different angles, you are more likely to pick up hair and other debris.
Lastly, don’t just empty the dustbin when you are finished. Clean the bristles on the brush roll, too. The bristles will trap hair (human hair as well as pet hair) which, left unattended, could hamper the effectiveness of the machine.
FAQ
Q. How often should I change the air filter in my pet vac?
A. It's generally recommended that you change the air filter once a year — sooner if you begin to notice a musty odor when you vacuum. Some air filters can be removed and cleaned, but this action is likely to damage a HEPA filter. Check the manual to learn how to change the filter in your machine.
Q. Should I replace my regular vacuum with a pet vacuum?
A. We're not ones to fall for marketing gimmicks, but we absolutely recommend pet vacuums for dog and cat owners. If your current vacuum cleaner is doing a sufficient job, you might not need to upgrade to a pet model until it needs replacing. However, many pet-owning customers have said they didn't realize how much dirt was getting left behind, deep in their carpet, until they switched to a pet vacuum.
Q. Are there any robot vacuums strong enough to pick up pet hair?
A. Yes. Although we do not focus on robot vacuums for pet hair in this guide, there are plenty of excellent robotic vacuum cleaners available that are built to take on pet hair challenges.
For example, several competent products exist in the iRobot Roomba line that we would recommend. Eufy and Shark also make high-quality robotic vacuums that are able to eliminate pet hair. If you opt for a robotic vacuum, take note of its run time, battery life, and customer reviews before making a purchase.
Q. How often do I need to vacuum up pet hair?
A. This depends on how much your pet sheds and how clean you prefer your carpets to be. If you run a tight ship, you might find yourself vacuuming daily. Others with more relaxed standards might only perform a deep clean once every week or two, plus the occasional bit of spot cleaning where needed. In short, do whatever works for your situation.
Q. My pet vacuum seems to have lost its suction power. What should I do?
A. This is a common complaint with vacuum cleaners of all types, especially those in the lower price ranges. If your cleaner appears to have lost suction, the first order of business is to check the dirt cup or bag. If it’s full, empty it. Take note of any other areas of the vacuum cleaner where debris, including long pet hair, may have created a clog. Familiarize yourself with the detachable parts of your vacuum cleaner so you don’t inadvertently miss the chance to clean out any pesky clogs.
Sometimes, when a vacuum cleaner is taken apart and emptied, it is not put back together properly, resulting in an air leak or other issues. This could be the cause of the malfunction, too. Make sure all snap-on parts and joints are fitted correctly.
Lastly, check the filters of your vacuum cleaner. They may need to be cleaned or replaced, depending on the type of vacuum you have. If you’re unsure what to do with a dirty filter, check the product manual. If you don’t have the product manual at home, look it up online. Most manufacturers keep digital copies in an online library for consumer reference.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair has written about vacuums and other home-cleaning products for BestReviews since 2017, penning over 100 articles on the topic. She has two fairly large dogs that shed year-round, so she is constantly struggling to keep her floors clean. At home, she relies on an upright for deep cleaning, a robot vacuum for maintenance and a cordless stick vacuum for the stairs and spot cleaning. She has tested more than a dozen vacuums for BestReviews, including Dyson, Shark and iRobot models.
