When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. James Brains/InsiderCats and dogs shed a lot and that means you must stay on top of your vacuuming or risk an infestation of dust bunnies.
A good vacuum makes it easy to keep floors and furniture free of pet hair while handling other messes. For this guide, I tested 22 vacuums to see how they cleaned up cat and dog hair, cat litter, flour, coffee grounds, and Cheerios on carpeting, hardwood floors, and furniture. I have reviewed vacuums for three years and have developed many objective tests to determine which models are best for different budgets and cleaning needs.
Below, I outline how I tested the vacuums and provide answers to pet vacuum FAQs. Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products. Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and research home products here.
Here are the best vacuums for pet hair of 2022Best overall vacuum for pet hair: Dyson Outsize Absolute Vacuum, $969. 99 on DysonThe powerful Dyson Outsize Absolute Vacuum picked up all the pet hair in our tests and came with two batteries for up to 160 minutes of continuous cleaning. Best budget vacuum for pet hair: Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner, $154.
59 on AmazonWhile there are cheaper options, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner is the most affordable vacuum that still does an outstanding job collecting pet hair. Best canister vacuum for pet hair: Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum, $748. 49 on AmazonThe pricey Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum picked up messes better than any other vac in our tests, and the disposable vacuum bag keeps you out of contact with the debris.
Best handheld vacuum for pet hair: Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model CHV1410L), $59 on AmazonThe Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model CHV1410L) was the only handheld vacuum we tested that picked up all pet hair on every surface, and it did a good job with other materials as well. Best robot vacuum for pet hair: Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum, $339. 99 on AmazonThe Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum picked up all the pet hair on carpet in our tests and has a great assortment of mop attachments and accessories.
Best vacuum for pet hair overallJames Brains/InsiderThe powerful Dyson Outsize Absolute Vacuum picked up all the pet hair in our tests and came with two batteries for up to 160 minutes of continuous cleaning. Overall size: 50. 39″ x 11.
02″ x 9. 06″Weight: 7. 98 poundsDustbin capacity: 1.
9 liters (or 64. 2 ounces)Filter type: Six-layer filtration designed to pick up 99. 99% of 0.
3-micron particlesBattery life: 15 minutes on high, 43 minutes on medium, 83 minutes in eco modeCharge time: 4 hoursWarranty: 2 yearsExtras/Attachments: Extra battery, slim cleaner head with laser, large cleaner head, hair crew tool, combi-crevice tool, fabric and mattress tool, dirt brush, mini soft dusting brush, wand clip, low-reach adapter, docking stationPros: Removed all pet hair in our tests, performed well on hardwood and carpeting, comes with an extra battery, wall-mounted docking station, contact-less debris disposal, strong suctionCons: Have to keep the power button depressed to operate, gets heavy during longer cleans The Dyson Outsize Absolute stick vacuum is designed to clean large areas with an 11. 5-inch-wide cleaner head that allows you to pick up more debris in a single pass. It comes with two batteries, so you can keep cleaning while the other charges.
Plus, the batteries last about 67% longer than other Dyson batteries we’ve tested. The vacuum picked up the pet hair on every surface in our tests without getting tangled. It also did great on hardwood and carpeting, picking up all debris except a trace of coffee grounds on carpeting and nominal amounts of flour on both surfaces.
Thanks to a spherical wheel on the cleaner head, the Outsize Absolute is easy to maneuver. I could move it from side to side by gently rotating my wrist. The non-Dyson vacuums I tested required more effort to turn.
The Outsize Absolute was less impressive but still good in handheld mode on furniture, leaving behind about 5% of the cat litter and flour. At about 6. 2 pounds, it’s heavy in the handheld configuration, and I didn’t like that you had to keep the power button depressed to run the vacuum.
This limited the positions in which I could hold it. The Dyson has a trap-door mechanism for emptying the dustbin, so you can avoid coming in contact with debris. However, you have to remove the attachments before emptying the bin and may miss your trash receptacle if you don’t position the dustbin just right.
Best budget pet hair vacuumJames Brains/InsiderWhile there are cheaper options out there, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner is the most affordable vacuum that still does an outstanding job of collecting pet hair. Overall size: 45. 5″ x 13.
5″ x 12. 5″Weight: 13. 65 poundsDustbin capacity: 1 literFilter type: Multi-level filtrationPower source: CordedWarranty: 4 yearsExtras/Attachments: Crevice tool, combination dusting brush and upholstery tool, extension wand, Pet TurboEraser tool, pet hair corner tool.
Pros: Picked up all of the pet hair in all of our tests, great on hardwood, features a retractable cord, powerful suctionCons: Messy debris disposalPerhaps unsurprisingly, the four vacuums I tested that cost less than the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner (model 2256) performed poorly. I can’t recommend any of them. Consequently, our budget pick is still somewhat pricey at $150, but it’s well worth the price.
The CleanView Swivel Rewind was one of three vacuums that picked up all the pet hair on all of the surfaces in our tests. Also, the hair didn’t get tangled in the brush. While its ability to pick up other debris was just average on carpeting and furniture, it did exceptionally well on hardwood.
On every surface, it picked up all of the cat litter and Cheerios. It struggled with the coffee grounds on carpeting and only did a so-so job of collecting flour in all of the tests. I appreciated how simple the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind was to use.
The swivel head makes it easy to maneuver with one hand. The cord never got in my way thanks to the easy retraction feature (the “Rewind” in the name), and since it’s upright, I didn’t have to support the weight of the vac. I just guided it as it made quick work of messes.
And the hose detached effortlessly to reach elevated areas. However, I had a hard time emptying the dustbin without getting my hands dirty or inadvertently sending gunk flying outside of the trash can. Your best bet is to release the trap-door mechanism with the bottom inside your trash receptacle.
Best canister vacuum cleaner for pet hairJames Brains/InsiderThe pricey Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum picked up messes better than any other vac in our tests, and the disposable vacuum bag keeps you out of contact with the debris. Overall size: 40. 5″ x 20″ x 18″Weight: 21 poundsDustbin capacity: 4.
5-liter vacuum bagFilter type: HEPA and charcoalPower source: CordedWarranty: 1 year; 7 years for key components (including motor)Extras/Attachments: Brushless floorhead, dusting brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool, handheld motorized brush, extra filterPros: Did an impressive job of collecting all debris on all surfaces, disposal bags keep debris contained, runs quietlyCons: Not particularly user-friendly, have to buy replacement bags, heavy, expensiveFor those who can afford them, canister vacuums provide a powerful, yet quiet and mess-free way to clean up after your pet. The benefits of a canister vacuum were exemplified in our testing of the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum. The Classic C1 was the best overall at picking up debris.
In addition to picking up all of the pet hair on all of the surfaces we tested — while remaining free of pet hair tangles — the vacuum picked up almost all of the other materials on carpeting, hardwood, and furniture. The only substance it seemed to have any difficulty with was flour, but it still picked up at least 90% of the flour on each surface. My main gripes with the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum have to do with how user unfriendly it can be.
At over 20 pounds, it’s the heaviest vacuum we tested. Fortunately, you don’t have to support the weight. The motor and debris collect in the wheeled canister which is connected by hose to the handle and vacuum head.
However, I didn’t like the feel of dragging the canister behind me as I cleaned. While the hard plastic handle felt durable, it wasn’t comfortable in my hand. Also, the bulky powerbrush head didn’t lend itself to easy maneuverability.
I have mixed feelings about the disposable dust bag. The Classic C1 was the only vacuum we tested that used bags. On the one hand, I don’t like the idea of producing more garbage, and replacement bags are an added expense ($18.
75 for four replacement bags and two filters). (Miele also makes a bagless version of its pet vacuum, the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog. ) On the other hand, the 4.
5-liter bag holds an impressive amount of debris, and it did a great job of keeping particles contained, which makes it a smart solution for allergy sufferers. How often you need to change the bag depends on a variety of factors, but I didn’t come close to filling it despite sucking up more than two pounds of debris in my tests. Best handheld vacuum for pet hairJames Brains/InsiderThe Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model CHV1410L) was the only handheld vacuum we tested that picked up all pet hair on every surface and did a good job with other materials as well.
Overall size: 17. 25″ x 7. 75″ x 5.
5″Weight: 2. 6 poundsDustbin capacity: 609 milliliters (or 20. 6 ounces)Filter type: Washable clothBattery life: 14 minutesCharge time: 4 hoursWarranty: 2 yearsExtras/Attachments: Charging stand, attached brushPros: Easy-to-access brush attachment, large dustbin for a handheld, performed well on all surfaces, convenient charging base, lightweight, user friendly, picked up all pet hair during testingCons: Hard to put back together after emptying, long battery recharge, loudWe laid out debris on hardwood, carpeting, and in a car to test vacuums for our best handheld vacuums guide.
The only vacuum to clean up all pet hair on every surface was the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model CHV1410L). Well balanced and only weighing 2. 6 pounds, the Dustbuster AdvancedClean is user-friendly.
While cleaning, I didn’t experience arm fatigue. You can quickly flip the brush in place as it’s attached to the head, a feature I liked because I tend to lose attachments when they aren’t connected. The charging station is also user-friendly: Just place the Dustbuster on it.
The charging indicator light turns off once the vacuum is charged, and the vacuum will then run for 14 minutes. Emptying the big dustbin without getting dirty is simple. You remove the forward section and shake the debris out or remove the entire dustbin and pull out the filter.
Regardless of how you empty it, the vacuum takes some finessing to snap back together. The Dustbuster AdvancedClean vacuum is about as loud as a hairdryer, making it louder than most. If you live in an apartment with thin walls, you might want to choose a different handheld vacuum for pet hair, like the Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner.
Best robot vacuum cleaner for pet hairJames Brains/InsiderThe Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum picked up all the pet hair on carpet in our tests and has a great assortment of mop attachments and accessories. Overall size: 12. 25″ x 12.
25″ x 3. 25″Weight: 7. 5 poundsDustbin capacity: 0.
4 litersFilter type: Carbon foam and pleatedBattery life: 130 minutes (in low mode per manufacturer)Charge time: 5 hours (per manufacturer)Warranty: 1 yearExtras/Attachments: Wi-Fi app connectivity (available for iOS and Android), water tank with spinning mop pads, extra mop pads, trial-size cleaning formula, damp-proof mat, extra side brushes, extra air filter, cleaning toolPros: Quiet operation, app connectivity, picked up all of the pet hair in our tests, small size, great mop attachment and accessories, great job on corners and hardwoodCons: Gets stuck easily, can’t set up no-go zones, can’t clean furniture If you have pets that shed heavily and are tired of vacuuming every day, a robot vacuum may be your best bet. Since these robots try to pack a lot of features into a small space, they tend not to have the suction power or dustbin capacity of other vacuums. For daily, automated cleaning, though, a robot vacuum is indispensable.
Since robot vacuums have a mind of their own, I put them through a different testing methodology. You can read more about how we test in our robot vacuum guide. Based on my testing of dozens of robot vacuums, the Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum is the best for pet hair.
It picked up all of the pet hair mix I laid out on hardwood and carpeting. And it only left traces of flour and kitty litter behind on hardwood. It also did a great job of going deep into corners.
Pets are sometimes skittish around robot vacuums. Fortunately, the SpinWave is one of the quietest models I’ve tested. On high suction, it’s 65 decibels (a little louder than a normal conversation), and it’s just 58 decibels on quiet mode.
The mop attachment has spinning mop pads that do an outstanding job of scrubbing dried-on liquids while avoiding carpets. The cleaning tool that comes with the vac is perfect for cutting away hairs that get tangled in the brush, though this wasn’t a common problem in my testing. You can schedule the SpinWave to clean at the same time every day or mix it up using the Bissell Connect app (available for iOS and Android).
The biggest negatives were the robovac got stuck on a one-inch threshold between rooms. You can’t set no-go zones to avoid it, so you may need to put a physical barrier in the way. Also, if your pets tend to have frequent accidents, a robot vacuum may not be a good choice since it could potentially spread the mess and destroy the vacuum.
What else we testedJames Brains/InsiderWe tested 22 vacuums for this guide. These are the ones that didn’t make the cut. What else we recommend and why:Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner: The versatile, user-friendly Powerseries Extreme vacuum cleaned well on all surfaces, has mess-free emptying, and is lightweight in its handheld configuration.
However, the battery has a short run time and long charge time and left behind pet hair when cleaning hardwood and carpeting. Bissell MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet, Model 2852: This and the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind were the best upright vacuums we tested. We decided to include the CleanView Swivel Rewind because it’s more affordable and did a better job of picking up pet hair.
Still, if you find the MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet on sale for cheaper, consider picking it up, especially if your home is heavily carpeted. Bissell ICONpet Edge, Model 2894A: The ICONpet was easy to use, had one of the longest battery runtimes, and charged the fastest. It also did a great job of sucking up cat litter and flour on furniture in its handheld configuration.
Emptying the dustbin was mess-free. However, it left behind 23% of the pet hair on carpet and furniture. Dyson V15 Detect: At $700, this is the most expensive model we tested.
It has a bunch of fancy, high-end features, such as a screen that gives you a rundown of what size and how much particulate matter it sucked up. It did a great job of cleaning all of the surfaces, except it left behind traces of pet hair on carpeting and furniture. I liked that the battery charged in under four hours, but it only lasted for eight minutes on top power.
I also found the unit was tiring to hold in handheld mode, and I didn’t like that I had to keep the trigger depressed for it to run. Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins, Model AZ2002: The suction and rollers were so powerful with this upright vac that I felt like I was trying to rein in a shark. It excelled on carpet and hardwood.
It was also easy to use. The biggest negative was the large dustbin was hard to empty without sending particles flying. What we don’t recommend and why:Black+Decker Dustbuster, Model HHVK515JP07: This handheld was easy to use, affordable, and had one of the longest battery runtimes.
However, it didn’t do a good job of cleaning on any surface. It appears to have a loose flap leading into the dustbin, which caused a lot of the debris it sucked up to just fall back out onto the floor. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser: After testing this corded handheld vac on carpeting and hardwood, I gave up on it.
It’s just not pleasant to use. The head has a narrow opening so cleaning a mess takes several passes. Cheerios clogged it.
Flour would come pouring back out of the head after I turned off the power, and it was hard to stay clean when disposing of debris. Black+Decker Spillbuster Portable Carpet Cleaner: In all fairness, this cordless handheld is designed for cleaning up wet messes. This is a guide for vacuums that clean up pet hair, a dry mess.
It did not do well in our tests, but if I ever write a guide about the best vacuums for pet waste, I look forward to putting this vac through its paces. Shark Vertex Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins, Model HZ2002: This corded stick vacuum showed promise, initially picking up all of the materials except flour. As I used it more, I noticed that debris was escaping from the dustbin.
This was a dealbreaker. Our pet vacuum testing methodologyJames Brains/InsiderWe put each vacuum in this guide through several tests. The most important factors to consider when buying a vacuum are how well it picks up pet hair on a variety of surfaces and how easy it is to use, empty, and maintain.
Here’s a breakdown of how much of each material (in grams) the top picks cleaned up on each surface in our tests:Surface – MaterialDyson Outsize AbsoluteBissell CleanViewMiele Classic C1Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedCleanCarpet – Cheerios50505044Carpet – Litter10010010085Carpet – Coffee98779690Carpet – Hair1111Carpet – Flour94889245Hardwood – Cheerios50505047Hardwood – Litter1001009791Hardwood – Coffee1009798100Hardwood – Hair1111Hardwood – Flour97939348Furniture – Litter485050n/aFurniture – Hair111n/aFurniture – Flour474445n/aHere are the main attributes we look at and how we test them:Carpet cleaning: One at a time, I poured 100 grams of different substances on a 5-square-foot patch of carpeting. I used 100 grams of flour, coffee grounds, and cat litter; 50 grams of Cheerios; and a 1-gram mix of cat and dog fur of varying lengths. Then I vacuumed up as much of each substance as I could in 30 seconds.
Finally, I compared the weight of the dustbin after vacuuming to its starting weight to determine how much of each material the vacuum collected. Hardwood cleaning: The process was the same as with carpet cleaning, only the tests were conducted on 5 square feet of hardwood flooring. Furniture cleaning: I poured 50 grams each of cat litter and flour plus the 1 gram pet hair mix on a chair with fabric upholstery.
I used the manufacturer-recommended cleaning configuration for furniture. Again, to determine how much debris the vacuum collected in 30 seconds, I compared the weights of the dustbin before and after sucking up each material. Battery (if applicable): I fully charged the vacuum.
Then I timed how long it could run on top power until the battery died. Lastly, I timed how long it took to fully charge the vacuum. Ease of use: This is a somewhat subjective experience measurement.
As I used each vacuum, I observed what made it difficult or easy to use. For example, the Dyson vacuums are harder to use because you need to keep your finger on the trigger to keep the vacuum running. Also, they are heavy in the handheld configuration.
The cord got in the way with some of the corded vacuums I tested. The Miele lost points because of its suboptimal maneuverability. Disposal: Aside from the Miele, which has a disposable vacuum bag, I emptied the dustbins of the vacuums at least a dozen times each.
As I did this, I noted how messy the process was and if I came in contact with the debris. Preference was given to vacuums that were easy to empty and didn’t send dust flying outside of the trash bin. Pet vacuum FAQsJames Brains/InsiderDo you need a vacuum for pet hair, or is it just marketing?There are certainly vacuums that aren’t specifically marketed for pet hair that will work just fine.
However, some characteristics set the best ones apart from ordinary vacuum cleaners. The main features that make a vacuum ideal for pet hair are strong suction, excellent filtration, and specialized cleaner heads and attachments. A good cleaner head will loosen up debris stuck deep in the fibers of carpeting and furniture.
The strong suction will suck it up, and a well-sealed filtration system will ensure the debris doesn’t end up back in the air you breathe. If you’re concerned about allergens in your air, be sure you choose a vacuum that has a true HEPA filter. These filters (commonly found in air purifiers) capture 99.
7% of 0. 3-micron particles. What are the best attachments for pet hair?Powerful suction alone doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to remove pet hair that is embedded in your carpeting or furniture.
To get pesky pet hair, you need a cleaner head that agitates the surface you’re cleaning. The brushroll on the main head of most vacuum cleaners will loosen the pet hair enough for the vac to suck it up. But, for furniture, cat trees, dog beds, and other elevated surfaces, look for attachments that have mini-motorized brushrolls or at least bristles that will free up pet hair.
What can you do to ensure the longevity and top performance of your vacuum?I’m guilty of not maintaining my vacuum until it gets so clogged that it doesn’t work. Today’s vacuums are so easy to clean, and the few seconds you take to clean them will increase their cleaning performance so drastically that you’ll save time in the long run. Though maintenance varies from vacuum to vacuum and you should consult your user manual for the most accurate information, most models can benefit from regular filter cleaning and checking the brushroll and removing any debris that’s built up.
Check out our guides to more great vacuum cleanersJames Brains/InsiderThe best vacuumsThe best handheld vacuumsThe best affordable vacuum cleanersThe best cordless vacuumsThe best robot vacuumsRead the original article on Insider.
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