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The 6 Best Vacuums For Pet Hair - Spring 2023 Reviews

Updated
Best Vacuums For Pet Hair

If you're a pet owner, there's no doubt you've had to deal with the hassle that comes with shedding. We all love our furry friends, but there's no denying pet hair is a nuisance. It has a nasty tendency of getting 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 130 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuums for pet hair. These recommendations are based not only on their pet-hair cleaning performance on different types of surfaces but also on their design and price. For more buying recommendations, look at our list of the best robot vacuums for pet hair, the best handheld vacuums for pet hair, the best apartment vacuums, and the best vacuums for high-pile carpet.


  1. Best Vacuum For Pet Hair

    The Dyson V15 Detect is the best vacuum for pet hair we've tested. This high-end cordless stick vacuum has no problem dealing with pet hair on a wide variety of surface types, 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 also gives you a rough estimate of allergen levels inside your home, and its washable HEPA filter is effective at sealing in fine particles. Meanwhile, its surface detection system lets it automatically increase its suction power on carpets. While this vacuum can run for more than 70 minutes in its most energy-efficient configuration, that drops quite a bit when used in its 'Boost' setting.

    Worried about running out of charge midway through a cleaning session? Check out the Samsung Bespoke Jet, which has a charging rack that can top up its two included batteries at once, so you can swap in a fully-charged pack when you run out, effectively doubling its runtime. The freestanding charging rack also works as a self-emptying base station, as it can suck debris from the Samsung vacuum's dustbin into an internal dirtbag, minimizing maintenance requirements. That said, its twin-roller floorhead makes it less maneuverable than the Dyson.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Vacuum For Pet Hair

    If you're looking to save a little bit of money on a vacuum for cleaning pet hair, the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate is a good choice. Compared to the pricier Dyson V15 Detect, it has a less powerful 140AW suction motor and a smaller dirt compartment. It also lacks the Dyson's particle sensor and automatic power adjustment capability. That said, it's also noticeably less expensive, slightly more sturdily built, and just as effective at tackling pet hair on a wide range of surfaces. The flagship Ultimate variant of this vacuum is extremely well-equipped and comes with a wide variety of accessories, including a secondary soft-roller floorhead for use on bare floors, a uniquely-designed Power Punch tool, which uses a vibrating interior component to shake loose dust or pet dander from fabric surfaces, and even an extra battery that can provide up to an additional hour of runtime, making it suitable for longer cleaning sessions. The LG is also fully compatible with LG's Power Mop nozzle, a uniquely-designed mopping floorhead that you can use to scrub away any dirt or mud your pet might track in.

    If you want a similarly-priced cordless stick vacuum with an automatic power adjustment feature, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is an excellent choice that also does a fantastic job of handling pet hair, though it has an extremely small dustbin and only comes bundled with a single battery. Unlike the LG, Dyson doesn't offer a comparable mopping floorhead for the V12.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Vacuum For Pet Hair

    The best vacuum for cat hair in the mid-range price bracket we've tested is the Tineco PURE ONE S11 Tango. This cordless stick vacuum can tackle pet hair on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpets at a much lower price point than the LG CordZero A9 or Dyson V15 Detect, with this variant coming with both a multi-surface floorhead and a hard-surface floorhead with a fluffy brushroll. The Tango model also comes equipped with a miniature turbo brush tool that does a great job of clearing away pet hair on fabric surfaces. All S11 models have Tineco's iLoop dirt sensor, which lets it increase its suction power when running over an area with a high concentration of debris. You can even pair the vacuum with your smartphone via the Tineco Life to check when it's time to replace its filters, monitor battery life, or even adjust its suction power mode. Unfortunately, the flip side of that lower price point is its less robust build quality and shorter battery life than the Dyson, which tops out at a maximum of a little over 40 minutes.

    This vacuum isn't the most maneuverable stick vacuum out there, with a tangle-prone floorhead that doesn't articulate very smoothly. If that's a concern, the Dyson V8 is worth considering, as it's easier to maneuver in tight spots. However, it lacks the Tineco vacuum's self-adjusting power function and has a smaller dustbin. You'll also need to pay a premium for a V8 variety with a separate floorhead with a soft roller.

    See our review

  4. Best Budget Vacuum For Pet Hair

    If you're shopping at the more affordable end of the market, the JASHEN V16 is one of the best vacuums for dog hair we've tested. Unlike the Tineco PURE ONE S11, it can't automatically adjust its suction power setting. That said, it's notably cheaper than the Tineco and just as effective for dealing with pet hair on a variety of surfaces. Unlike most other vacuums in this price range, it comes with two interchangeable brushrolls, one being a bristled multi-surface roller and the other being a soft roller that won't create micro-scratches on hard floors. Better yet, you can easily clear away any pet hair that accumulates on their rollers. Another rare-for-its-price feature is the onboard HEPA filter, which is pretty effective in helping seal in fine allergens like pet dander. The vacuum even comes with a miniature turbo brush tool that's impressively effective in clearing away pet hair on fabric surfaces.

    At under six pounds, this vacuum is also very lightweight, even by the standards of other stick models, making it a breeze to maneuver in tight spots. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel especially robust, with parts of its mainly plastic construction feeling quite fragile. It also struggles with bulky debris, like whole pieces of cereal, which can clog the entry to its dustbin. If you're looking for a budget-friendly vacuum that performs slightly better in this regard, the Wyze Cordless Vacuum is a good choice, but it comes with far fewer attachments than the JASHEN.

    See our review

  5. Best Upright Vacuum For Pet Hair

    If you prefer the all-in-one design of an upright vacuum, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is among the best vacuums for dog hair we've tested. This bagless upright is far more of a hassle to deploy than a cordless model like the Dyson V15 Detect, but it's worth a look if you prioritize 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 to prevent hair from getting tangled in the mechanism. It's also allergen-sealed and has an onboard HEPA filter to limit the spread of fine allergens like pet dander as you clean. The Extra variant of this vacuum comes with a dedicated pet grooming tool to clear away any loose fur from long-haired pets as well as a miniature turbo brush attachment to clear away hair on fabric surfaces.

    Unfortunately, you still might want to watch out for the plume of dust that can get kicked up when emptying its dustbin. If you suffer from serious allergies and don't want to worry about that, consider a bagged vacuum, with the Kenmore Intuition Bagged being a good option. You can drop its dirtbag into the trash with the press of a single latch, making it much easier and more hygienic to empty than the Dyson. However, the Kenmore also has a far more tangle-prone floorhead that doesn't do as well with pet hair on bare floors.

    See our review

  6. Best Canister Vacuum For Pet Hair

    If you prefer the more maneuverable design of a canister vacuum over an upright vacuum, the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog is a great option. It might be a lot pricier than the Dyson Ball Animal 3, but that's reflected in its design, as this vacuum has a sturdy body made of high-grade plastic and a wand made from stainless steel. It's also substantially easier to maintain, with quickly replaceable dirtbags and filters. The Cat & Dog variant also comes with an activated charcoal filter to trap odors as you clean, not to mention Miele's SEB 228 powerhead, which can easily handle pet hair on everything from low-pile rugs to plush carpeting. It also has a parquet tool to tackle pet hair on bare floors.

    If you're looking for a bagged vacuum that'll incur lower recurring costs, the SEBO Airbelt D4 is a good option that uses larger dirtbags and longer-lasting filters. It's also heavier and bulkier, making it a little less easy to maneuver in cluttered rooms. Conversely, if you're shopping for something more affordable, the Cat & Dog variant of the Miele Classic C1 is a good option that comes with a similar array of features, though it doesn't feel as sturdy, and unlike the C3, doesn't have an on-board tool storage compartment.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • BISSELL CleanView Swivel: The BISSELL CleanView Swivel is a budget-friendly bagless upright that does a fantastic job cleaning pet hair on several surfaces. However, it's bulky and doesn't have a HEPA filter, unlike the Dyson Ball Animal 3. See our review
  • Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away: The Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away is a cordless upright vacuum that represents a good alternative to the Dyson Ball Animal 3 if you want the go-anywhere range of a cordless mode. However, it has a somewhat short battery life when used as an upright and lacks any floorhead height adjustment, meaning it can get tangled on rugs. See our review
  • Airsign HEPA Vacuum: The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is a mid-range canister vacuum that represents a good alternative to the Miele Complete C3 thanks to its similar overall performance on bare floors and slightly more compact size. However, it has a shorter range, isn't as well-built, and doesn't come with a motorized floorhead. See our review
  • Eureka Mighty Mite: The Eureka Mighty Mite is a great option if you're on a tight budget, thanks to its back-to-basic design and superb pet hair cleaning performance make it a solid option. However, it feels far less well-built than pricier canister vacuums like the Miele Complete C3 and is pretty minimalistic in quality-of-life features. See our review
  • Samsung Jet 90 Complete: The Samsung Jet 90 Complete is a cordless stick vacuum that's among the best vacuums for pet hair and hardwood floors we've tested, as it does a fantastic job of handling pet hair on a wide variety of surfaces. However, it lacks the Dyson V15 Detect's automatic power adjustment feature and dirt sensor. See our review
  • Shark Stratos Cordless: The Shark Stratos Cordless is an upper mid-range cordless stick vacuum that is among the best vacuums for pet hair and hardwood floors we've tested. However, unlike the LG CordZero A9, its primary brushroll isn't removable, and despite its billing as being self-cleaning, it can still collect pet hair, making it a hassle to clean. It also doesn't come bundled with a miniature turbo brush tool. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Mar 17, 2023: Swapped Dyson V12 Detect Slim for LG CordZero A9 Ultimate as 'Best Upper Mid-Range Vacuum For Pet Hair' and Wyze Cordless Vacuum for JASHEN V16 as 'Best Budget Vacuum For Pet Hair' pick. Added Shark Stratos Cordless to Notable Mentions.

  2. Feb 17, 2023: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best option for user needs. Removed less relevant Notable Mentions picks.

  3. Jan 16, 2023: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best option for user needs.

  4. Dec 23, 2022: Removed 'Best Lower Mid-Range Vacuum For Pet Hair', replaced JASHEN V16 with Wyze Cordless Vacuum as 'Best Budget Vacuum For Pet Hair'.

  5. Nov 25, 2022: Replaced Samsung Jet 90 Complete with Dyson V12 Detect Slim as 'Best Upper Mid-Range Vacuum For Pet Hair' due to current product pricing. Added Samsung Jet 90 Complete to Notable Mentions.

All Reviews

Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best 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.

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