Hair can be somewhat challenging for some vacuums. Long strands of hair can get caught in brushrolls or clog various components, compromising overall suction performance. Vacuums that are well-suited to deal with this kind of debris shouldn't only excel in cleaning pet hair but should also have removable brushrolls for easy cleaning of hair wraps or vacuum heads with some anti-tangling function.
We've tested over 140 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuums for hair. These recommendations are based on their hair cleaning performance on different types of surfaces, their design, and their price. If you're looking for alternatives, look at our list of the best vacuums for pet hair, the best cordless vacuums for pet hair, the best robot vacuums for pet hair, and the best handheld vacuums for pet hair.
The best vacuum for long hair we've tested is the Dyson V15 Detect. This cordless stick vacuum comes with separate floorheads for bare floors and carpets, each of which have removable brushrolls for easier cleaning, as well as built-in anti-tangle combs that can help trap any pet hair. The V15 has no trouble dealing with hair strands on floors and carpeting, while its surface detection system allows it to automatically increase its suction power on carpeted surfaces. It also has an onboard particle sensor, which you can use to estimate allergen quantities inside your home.
Unfortunately, this vacuum's all-plastic construction does feel a tad flimsy in places, which is a disappointment for something within this price bracket. Consider the Samsung Bespoke Jet if you want a better-built cordless stick vacuum. The Samsung also comes with a stand-up charging rack/base station that sucks debris from the vacuum's dustbin into an internal dirtbag, so there's no release of dust and debris when emptying the vacuum. That said, compared to the Dyson model's single roller floorhead, the Samsung vacuum's dual-brushroll head is bulky and tangle-prone.
Check out the Dyson V12 Detect Slim if you don't mind exchanging raw power for a lower purchase price. It also has a much smaller dustbin than the Dyson V15 Detect, but thankfully, it's similarly effective in clearing away long hair. Like the V15, it comes with two floorheads, one with a soft roller and the other with a multi-surface bristled brushroll. Both of these can be easily removed and cleaned—that said, the anti-tangling vanes in the V12's Motorbar floorhead are larger and spaced closer together than the ones in the V15's multi-surface head, so it does an even better job of trapping hair.
It shares a few other similarities with the V15, including its built-in piezo sensor, which counts and measures particles being sucked into the vacuum, and the surface and dirt sensor, which increases its suction power on carpeted floors or whenever it passes over an area with a lot of debris. Its max runtime of about 70 minutes is also rather long for a vacuum of this type. The vacuum's small size makes it easy to maneuver in tight spots. It also has a wide assortment of smaller attachments for dealing with hair on furniture or in hard-to-reach areas, like a conical turbo brush with an anti-tangle brushroll and a crevice tool.
Unfortunately, this vacuum feels fragile in places like its thin, easily dented metal wand and clear plastic dustbin. If that's an issue, the Ulitmate variant of the LG CordZero A9 is a solid substitute; it's a little heavier and lacks the Dyson vacuum's automatic power adjustment system, but it has a sturdier build, a higher-capacity dustbin, and comes with a similarly wide array of attachments.
The best vacuum cleaner for long hair we've tested in the mid-range price bracket is the Samsung Jet 75 Pet. This cordless stick vacuum doesn't have the automatic power adjustment feature found on the Dyson V12 Detect Slim or Dyson V15 Detect or their particle sensors. Still, it's much cheaper and just as effective when handling hair on various surface types, thanks to a 200AW suction motor that's very powerful for a cordless model in this price range.
Its brushroll is easy to remove and clean, though some hair can get wrapped around its bearings. The vacuum's five-stage filtration system, complete with an onboard HEPA filter, also does a great job of sealing fine allergens like dust or pet dander. The Pet variant of the 75 comes with a mini turbo brush that does a pretty good job of clearing away pet hair on fabric furniture. That said, the attachment is a little bulky, and you might need to make another pass with it to clear any shorter strands left behind. Alternatively, you could use its straight-suction upholstery tool instead.
While it isn't included with the Pet variant of the vacuum, all Jet 75 models are fully compatible with a self-emptying base station. You can dock the vacuum on this station and have the debris sucked from its dustbin into a dirtbag inside the rack through an airtight seal, so you don't need to worry about making a mess when emptying it. That said, it's worth noting that this accessory is rather pricey.
If you're on a budget, the best vacuum for hair is the Wyze Cordless Vacuum. It might not feel as sturdy as the pricier Samsung Jet 75, but it still does a fantastic job sucking up hair from bare floors or carpets at an even more affordable price point. The included HEPA filter is effective in trapping allergens and is a rare inclusion for a vacuum at this price point. Its max battery life of almost an hour isn't necessarily class-leading but still compares favorably to many other pricier models and is much better than most other budget-friendly cordless stick vacuums. Accessing most of its components for regular maintenance isn't all that hard, and you can quickly remove its floorhead's bristled brushroll to clear out any hair that does get tangled around the roller. No built-in anti-tangle vanes are built into the floorhead, so you'll need to do this often.
Unfortunately, its selection of attachments is pretty limited, as it only comes bundled with a crevice tool and a combo upholstery nozzle/dusting brush. The latter isn't especially effective for dealing with pet hair on fabric surfaces, and you'll be better off purchasing the miniature turbo brush tool from Wyze's website.
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a great option for dealing with long hair if you prefer using an upright. You don't have the grab-and-go convenience of a comparably-priced cordless model like the Dyson V12 Detect Slim or the go-anywhere range, but it's a much better option for long cleaning sessions that require a lot of power. Its floorhead features a set of built-in plastic vanes that are highly effective in capturing hair before it can get tangled around the brushroll and jam the mechanism. The Extra variant, which sits at the top of the model lineup, even comes with a dedicated pet grooming tool for heavily shedding pets, not to mention a miniature turbo brush for cleaning couches and chairs.
If you want a vacuum that's easier and more hygienic to maintain and don't mind replacing a dirtbag now and then, the Kenmore Intuition Bagged is worth a look. However, it's less effective than the Dyson in clearing away hair and has a more tangle-prone floorhead.
If you want to go corded but prefer the more maneuverable design of a canister over an upright vacuum, the Miele Complete C3 is a great choice. The upper mid-range Cat & Dog variant is pricier than the Dyson Ball Animal 3, but it does have its fair share of advantages. It comes with Miele's SEB 228 powerhead, which offers five levels of height adjustment and is quite effective for dealing with hair on carpeted surfaces, as well as a straight suction floorhead for dealing with hair on bare floors.
The upholstery tool, included with all C3 models, is also great for dealing with long hair on fabric upholstery. However, this Cat & Dog variant comes bundled with a miniature turbo brush, which can clear away any shed hair on fabric or carpet. This model also comes bundled with an exhaust filter containing activated charcoal, which can help reduce odors as you clean. It feels amazingly well-built and has a fully sealed construction, so you won't have to worry too much about allergens as you clean.
The SEBO Airbelt D4 is a great alternative if you want something that incurs lower ownership costs, as it uses larger dirtbags and longer-lasting filters that won't need replacing as often. That said, the SEBO is heavier and bulkier. If you don't mind the lack of an onboard storage compartment and a shorter range, the Cat & Dog variant of the Miele Classic C1 is a good mid-priced option, while the flimsy-feeling Eureka Mighty Mite is still worth a look if you want something budget-friendly but still powerful.
Jan 23, 2024: Removed the Shark APEX UpLight from Notable Mentions due to current availability.
Nov 24, 2023: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best fit for user needs.
Sep 26, 2023: Replaced JASHEN V16 with Wyze Cordless Vacuum as 'Best Budget Vacuum For Long Hair' due to current availability. Added Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute and Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute to Notable Mentions.
Jul 28, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to improve clarity of information.
Jun 01, 2023: Replaced Tineco PURE ONE S11 Tango with Samsung Jet 75 Pet as 'Best Mid-Range Vacuum For Long Hair' due to current availability.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best vacuums for dealing with long hair to buy. We factor in a fairly wide range of factors, including availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our vacuum reviews ranked by their pet hair cleaning performance. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.