The 4 Best Handheld Vacuums For Pet Hair - Summer 2024 Reviews

The best handheld vacuum for pet hair we've tested is the Shark WANDVAC. While this is also typically the most expensive pick on this list, it occasionally drops to around the price of our best mid-range pick below, so it can be worth watching for a sale. This cordless handheld vacuum does a fantastic job of handling pet hair on hard surfaces like countertops and shelves, not to mention bare floors and carpets. While it doesn't come with a turbo brush tool for cleaning furniture, it has an upholstery tool that does a decent job of clearing away pet hair on upholstered surfaces.

The vacuum feels decently well-built and has a user-friendly design that makes it easy to maintain. Though not HEPA-rated, its post-motor filter still does a good job of trapping fine allergens like pet dander. You can get third-party compatible HEPA filters if you want to further improve the vacuum's allergen-trapping performance. Like any bagless vacuum, you must be careful when emptying its dustbin, as shaking it out can release a cloud of fine grit and dust.

Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly for a vacuum of this size, the dirt compartment is tiny and needs frequent emptying. Bulky debris can also clog the entry to its dirt compartment. Its battery life of a little over 10 minutes is short, even for a handheld model, so it's best suited for quick clean-ups.

If you want a handheld vacuum that costs a little less and can hold a relatively large amount of hair, the Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet is worth a look. This handheld vacuum feels less sturdy than the Shark WANDVAC and takes up much more room when not in use due to its larger body. Still, the flip side of those bigger dimensions is a higher-capacity dustbin, so you won't have to empty it as frequently. It does a fantastic job of sucking up pet hair on bare surfaces and carpets and performs quite well in clearing away hair on furniture. There's also a built-in crevice tool/extension wand to give you a bit of added reach when cleaning pet hair and other debris in awkward spaces. It can run for about 30 minutes in its default power mode, which is pretty long for a vacuum of this type.

Unfortunately, the battery isn't removable, so you can't just buy another battery and swap in a replacement if its ability to hold a charge degrades over time. This vacuum also does a terrible job of sealing in fine particles like pet dander, so it isn't the best option if you suffer from allergies.

If you want to spend as little as possible on a handheld vacuum for cleaning up pet hair, look at the BISSELL AeroSlim/TurboSlim. It has a shorter battery life than the Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet and a less potent suction motor, but it's a good alternative if you're looking for something cheaper and smaller. It does a fantastic job of dealing with pet hair on rugs and bare surfaces like hardwood floors or shelves and tables. Unlike the Black+Decker, there's no included miniature turbo brush for cleaning fabric surfaces; however, it has a crevice tool/extension wand to help you clean tight spots and a slip-on soft-bristle tool for cleaning surfaces that scratch easily.

This handheld vacuum is remarkably compact, taking up roughly the same amount of space as a bottle of wine, allowing you to store it in a large drawer or at the back of a cupboard or cabinet. Its simple design makes it easy to maintain, and despite its affordable price point, the dense plastic body feels reasonably solid. Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, given its size, its dustbin will need emptying after almost every cleaning session.

If you suffer from allergies and require better-than-average air filtration performance, the Wyze Handheld Vacuum is one of the best hand vacuums for pet hair we've tested. It's similar in design and intent to the Shark WANDVAC, with a highly compact size that makes it easy to stow in a cupboard or drawer. However, unlike the Shark, its standard exhaust filter is HEPA-rated, so there's no need to buy a separate third-party HEPA filter. Just note that emptying its tiny dustbin can release a cloud of dust and debris. Battery performance is rather good for a compact handheld model; you can expect roughly half an hour of runtime when you use the vacuum in its default power setting.

Performance is quite good for a handheld model across a range of surface types. It can easily handle pet hair and small debris on bare floors and carpets, though bulkier material can clog its rather narrow suction inlet. The vacuum doesn't come with a miniature turbo brush tool, but its straight suction upholstery nozzle cleans fabric surfaces well. There's also a crevice tool and even an extension hose to give you more reach.