If you're a pet owner, there's no doubt you've had to deal with the hassle of shedding from your pets. We all love our furry friends, but there's no denying that pet hair is a nuisance. It has a nasty tendency to get everywhere, so a vacuum that can clear this type of debris across a wide range of surfaces is crucial. Good maneuverability and portability are plus points, as they let you clean pet hair from underneath and around couches, tables, and other types of furniture.
We've tested over 105 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. These recommendations are based not only on their pet hair cleaning performance on different surfaces but also on their design and price. For more buying recommendations, make sure to check out the best handheld vacuums for pet hair, the best HEPA vacuums, the best apartment vacuums, and the best vacuums for high-pile carpet articles. If you're interested in robot vacuums, check out our recommendations for the best robot vacuums for pet hair. Alternatively, if you're looking for a way to keep your home free of allergens, check our article on the best air purifiers for pets.
Quick Look
We've independently bought and tested over 105 vacuums with no cherry-picked manufacturer samples. We run each vacuum through a gauntlet of tests whose results are validated by multiple teams to ensure you get an accurate picture of how each model will perform and can easily compare them. We keep the products in our lab so we can periodically go back and see how they stack up to the newest competition.
Want to learn more about our testing and review pipeline? Check out our How We Test Vacuums article for insight into our lab and writing processes.
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Best Vacuum For Pet Hair
Pets7.9Bare Floor7.8Low-Pile Carpet7.8High-Pile Carpet8.0Stairs8.7Vacuum TypeStick/HandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesSee all our test resultsWet CompatibleNoThe Dyson V15 Detect is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair we've tested. This high-end cordless stick vacuum has no problem dealing with pet hair on various surfaces, whether you're using the multi-surface floorhead or the soft-roller floorhead with an integrated laser light to help you see fine debris. Its built-in dirt sensor gives you a rough estimate of the amount of fine particles sucked into the dustbin, and its whole machine filtration system, which features an onboard HEPA filter, is effective at sealing in fine particles.
It's pretty comfortable to operate, as it has a fairly lightweight design with all major controls within easy reach. This vacuum can run for over 70 minutes in its most energy-efficient configuration, which is great for a cordless stick vacuum, but battery life drops to a little over 10 minutes when used in its Boost setting, so you'll need to work fast when dealing with stubborn debris. Also, while its filtration system seals in allergens, you'll have to be careful when emptying the dustbin to avoid releasing a cloud of dust and debris. The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is another option to consider for dust, as it comes with a self-emptying base station that has an internal dirtbag that prevents dust from escaping. It's fantastic for picking up pet hair but has a worse overall performance, especially on bare floors.
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Best Mid-Range Vacuum For Pet Hair
Pets7.5Bare Floor7.2Low-Pile Carpet7.4High-Pile Carpet7.6Stairs8.5Vacuum TypeStick/HandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesSee all our test resultsWet CompatibleNoThe Dyson V8 is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair at a mid-range price point we've tested. This cordless stick vacuum isn't nearly as powerful as the newer, pricier Dyson V15 Detect, and it lacks that model's particle sensor and automatic power adjustment system. However, it's still a good option for dealing with pet hair. Like the V15, it includes a floorhead with built-in anti-tangle vanes, which do a good job of trapping longer strands of pet hair before they can jam the mechanism. It's also lightweight and easy to maneuver, putting very little weight on your hand while in use. It comes with a handful of useful attachments, including a conical mini turbo brush tool that's effective in clearing away pet hair on furniture.
Unfortunately, its battery performance is unremarkable, especially when compared to the standard set by newer models like the V15. The V8 tops out at roughly 40 minutes of runtime, but its minimum run time on maximum power is an alarming eight minutes. Real-world battery life with mixed usage will be far from class-leading at this point.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Vacuum For Pet Hair
Pets6.3Bare Floor6.9Low-Pile Carpet7.3High-Pile Carpet6.6Stairs8.0Vacuum TypeStick/HandheldBaglessYesCordlessYesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesSee all our test resultsWet CompatibleNoCheck out the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S if you're looking for a vacuum for pet hair at a lower mid-range price point. This replaces our previous recommendation, the Wyze Cordless Vacuum, which has been discontinued. It isn't quite as effective in dealing with pet hair on carpets compared to the Dyson V8, and its floorhead doesn't have built-in anti-tangle vanes to trap pet hair. That said, it does pretty well with pet hair on bare floors. Its brushroll is fully removable, and you can cut or pull away any hair that gets caught in its bristles quite easily. Its onboard HEPA filter, a rare feature for a vacuum at this price point, helps seal in some fine allergens like pet dander.
Unfortunately, its bundled attachment set is limited to a crevice tool, which is too small to be of any real use when cleaning larger areas. A mini turbo brush or a motorized brush would help with pet hair, but those aren't available with the 'S.' Another downside is its mediocre build quality, with its mainly plastic body feeling a little delicate in places.
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Best Budget Vacuum For Pet Hair
Pets6.4Bare Floor7.3Low-Pile Carpet7.1High-Pile Carpet7.1Stairs7.7Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoSee all our test resultsWet CompatibleNoIf you want something more wallet-friendly, check out the Eureka Mighty Mite, the best vacuum for dog hair we've tested at the budget price point. As a bagged and corded canister vacuum, it doesn't have much in common with something like the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S. However, if you don't mind plugging it in, it's just as effective as the pricier models on this list for clearing away pet hair on hard surfaces like wood or vinyl floors. It has a pure suction floorhead with no brushroll, so you don't have to worry about pet hair getting tangled within the mechanism, though that also means that it isn't quite as effective on carpeted floors.
The vacuum doesn't come with a turbo brush, but its combination stiff-bristle brush/upholstery tool is still effective when removing pet hair on fabric surfaces. Unfortunately, it isn't the best option if you're concerned about airborne allergens in your home, as some newer versions of the Mighty Mite lack the mounting clips that would allow you to install an aftermarket HEPA filter to improve its air filtration performance. Its power cord is also very short, forcing you to swap outlets when cleaning faraway areas.
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Best Upright Vacuum For Pet Hair
Pets8.3Bare Floor7.8Low-Pile Carpet7.6High-Pile Carpet7.7Stairs6.4Vacuum TypeUprightBaglessYesCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesSee all our test resultsWet CompatibleMopping OnlyIf you prefer the all-in-one design of an upright vacuum, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is among the best vacuums for dog hair we've tested. This bagless upright is far more of a hassle to set up and use than a cordless stick model like the Dyson V15 Detect, but it's the best pet hair vacuum we've tested in terms of performance and is worth a look if you prioritize debris-pickup performance above all else. It easily clears away pet hair on a range of floor types, and its floorhead offers three levels of surface adjustment and a set of built-in vanes that do a great job of preventing hair from getting tangled in the mechanism. The Extra variant comes with a dedicated pet grooming tool to clear away any loose fur from long-haired pets and a miniature turbo brush attachment to clear away hair on fabric surfaces.
This vacuum has an onboard HEPA filter to limit the spread of fine allergens like pet dander as you clean, though shaking out its dustbin can still release a cloud of dust and debris. You'll want to consider a bagged vacuum like the Kenmore Intuition Bagged if you have serious allergies. You can drop the Kenmore's dirtbag into the trash with the press of a single latch, so you don't have to worry about making a mess when emptying it. However, the Kenmore has a far more tangle-prone floorhead that doesn't do as well with pet hair on bare floors as the Dyson.
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Best Canister Vacuum For Pet Hair
Pets7.9Bare Floor8.1Low-Pile Carpet7.7High-Pile Carpet7.4Stairs8.3Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesSee all our test resultsWet CompatibleNoIf you dislike the bulkier all-in-one form factor of an upright, it's worth considering the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium, the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair with a canister design that we've tested. Right off the bat, it's important to note that this vacuum can be hard to find from major retailers or third-party marketplaces. Check out SEBO's website directly for purchasing options. The strong surface agitation from its ET-1 powerhead, combined with its powerful 1250-watt motor, allows it to easily clear away pet hair on surfaces like carpet floors. You can also remove the floorhead's brushroll and quickly clear out any tangled hair.
Its maintenance is very easy, as it has high-capacity self-sealing dirtbags and filters that can last for quite a while, therefore reducing replacement frequency. It's a good option if your pet sheds heavily, too, thanks to its multi-stage S-Class filtration system, which does a good job of locking in allergens like pet dander. While this is a pretty heavy, bulky unit, it also feels solidly built, sporting a high-grade plastic body and a robust stainless steel wand. It's a great option for larger living spaces, with a nearly 50-foot cleaning radius. That said, if you really want a lighter, more maneuverable canister model, the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog is a good choice. It has somewhat worse pet hair pick-up, but it still does a fantastic job, clearing away most hair in a single pass. Its upholstery nozzle also makes quick work of pet hair on furniture, couches, and car seats.
Notable Mentions
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Dyson V15s Detect Submarine:
The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is a lightly reprogrammed version of the standard Dyson V15 Detect that's designed to work with a purpose-designed mopping floorhead that can wet and scrub away dried-on stains, which is handy for dealing with any mud or dirt your pet might track in. That said, it's rather expensive, and its mopping floorhead isn't worth the price premium over the standard model.
See our review -
Dyson Gen5detect:
The Dyson Gen5detect effectively replaces the Dyson V15 Detect as the brand's flagship model and delivers similar performance to the best pet hair vacuum. Like its predecessor, it's great for dealing with pet hair, but aside from a few alterations to its control scheme and attachment set, it's very similar in design and does little to justify its much higher price.
See our review -
Miele Duoflex HX1:
The Miele Duoflex HX1 is a better-built alternative to the Dyson V15 Detect, but it doesn't perform as well on pet hair since its Electro Compact brush doesn't work as well as Dyson's Hair Screw tool on furniture. It also has a smaller dirt compartment, requiring more frequent emptying, and doesn't adjust its suction power automatically for floor surface type like the Dyson does.
See our review -
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight [IZ662H, IZ682H]:
The Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight is a good alternative to the Dyson V8 and performs similarly on pet hair on carpets and furniture. However, it's heavier with a more bulky dual-roller floorhead and harder to maintain.
See our review -
Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002:
The Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 is Shark's best upright corded bagless vacuum and does a great job on pet hair, but not to the level of the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra. The Dyson is easier to maintain and maneuver, and its stair tool is more effective on pet hair on furniture than the Shark's bulkier turbo brush.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 14, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock.
Jun 17, 2025:
We've verified our picks are available and represent the best choices.
Mar 24, 2025:
We replaced the discontinued Wyze Cordless Vacuum with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S and edited the text for accuracy. We also replaced the Miele HX2 for the HX1 as a Notable Mention, the Shark Stratos Cordless with the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight, and the BISSELL CleanView/CleanView Swivel Pet Rewind with the Shark Stratos Upright since all perform better on pet hair. We removed the Shark Cordless Pro as a Notable Mention and made some minor rewording for clarity.
Jan 23, 2025:
All picks are valid and available. No change in recommendations. Small text changes for conciseness and clarity.
Dec 05, 2024:
We've replaced the alternative to the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium, the Miele Complete C3 Alize, with the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog since that variant offers better performance for cleaning pet hair.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best pet hair vacuums 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's 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.