If you have a dog or cat, odds are that vacuuming is more of a necessary daily task than a once-in-a-while deep clean like it used to be pre–pet owning. Obvi, running a wheely little machine over your rugs and floors a little more often is WORTH it for the endless love of a fur baby, but that doesn’t make cleaning up after your pet any less of a drag, especially if you’re working with a substandard machine.
For the first year of having my French bulldog, I used a cheap vacuum from Amazon, but I recently splurged and my life has CHANGED. I am now (usually) pet hair-free. And because of this great improvement in my quality of life, I now feel as if it's my civic duty to help you, too, find the perfect vacuum for sucking up pet hair.
But, of course, I couldn't do that blindly, so I reached out to some pet experts (trainers and CEOs alike) to get the scoop on the best pet-hair vacuums around (and no, not all of them are Dyson). From a lightweight handheld vacuum to a cordless one that can be converted into a mini version to a robot vacuum, there's a vacuum cleaner that'll work perfectly for you and for your pet.
Our top recommendations for the best vacuums for pet hair:
1. Eureka WhirlWind
Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum
Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum
| Extras | 1 crevice tool and dusting brush |
|---|---|
| Power | 16 ft. cord |
| Weight | 8.29 lbs |
| Dimensions | 14.17" x 12.2" x 9.65" |
The Eureka WhirlWind Bagless vacuum cleaner features a canister design with a separate wand so you can have more precise suction and reach high places without having to lift the entire machine. Plus, it's designed to clean multiple surfaces and has a power button on the handle.
2. Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum
Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum
Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum
| Extras | 1 removable extension wand |
|---|---|
| Power | 23 ft. cord |
| Weight | 8 lbs |
| Dimensions | 25" x 11" x 10" |
It can be stressful if you think your pet requires a vacuum the size of a small closet, especially if you live in a small space. But this Bissell machine is compact and lightweight for easy storage and transport around the house while still getting the job done. According to testers, the small vacuum packs a punch when it comes to cleaning up cat and dog hair, and, let’s face it, you just can’t beat the price.
3. Dyson Cordless V10 Absolute
Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute
Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute
| Extras | 1 Motorbar cleaner head, 1 Fluffy cleaner head, 1 hair screw tool, 1 combination tool, charger, 1 mini soft dusting brush, 1 stubborn dirt brush |
|---|---|
| Power | cordless with up to 60 minute charge |
| Weight | 5.71 lbs |
| Dimensions | 48.74" x 9.53" x 9.84" |
There is, hands down, no better vacuum for pet hair than a Dyson cordless vacuum. It’s got way more suction than other vacuums and the bristles pick up even the most ground-in pet hair. Russell Hartstein, dog trainer and behaviorist at Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles, recommends the Dyson cordless vacs because the HEPA filter (a sifter that can trap really, really tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns, to be exact) can be washed, emptied, and reused forever. That prevents fleas and ticks from staying in the vacuum bag (TBH, gross and didn’t even think of that).
Matt Clayton, founder of Pet Hair Patrol (aka a guy whose opinion you def want), also recommends the V10 model for both dogs and cats.
4. Roomba j7 iRobot Vacuum
iRobot Roomba® j7
iRobot Roomba® j7
| Extras | 1 Home Base charging station, 1 filter, 1 extra corner brush |
|---|---|
| Power | Cordless |
| Weight | 7.49 lbs |
| Dimensions | 13.3" x 3.4" |
If your pet isn’t scared of robot vacs, the Roomba is the best. Stacie Grissom, director of content and communications at BARK, loves her Dyson V10 but also fell in love with a Roomba after being mesmerized by the one they had in their office. “The Roomba busily cleans up any toy fluff I’ve missed from the night before while I’m at work, but is quiet enough not to drive my dog crazy if I turn it on while she’s home.”
Pro tip: This j7 model can be connected to your phone via an app, so you can control where it goes and when it runs from your phone. No more watching your Roomba bump into the walls (unless you want it to, that is).
5. Roomba i7+ Vacuum
iRobot Roomba i7+
iRobot Roomba i7+
| Extras | 1 Clean Base automatic dirt disposal, 2 dirt disposal bags, 1 line cord, 1 extra corner brush |
|---|---|
| Power | cordless |
| Weight | 7.49 lbs |
| Dimensions | Roomba: 13.3" x 3.4" Clean Base: 15.7" x 13.3" |
Dr. Michelle Burch, veterinary adviser at Catological, also likes the pricier Roomba i7+ model, as it can pick up a ton of pet fur in one run and is self-emptying, so you can keep your hands clean from any fur or floor dirt.
6. Shark Rocket Ultra Light
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum
| Extras | 1 crevice tool, 1 upholstery tool |
|---|---|
| Power | 30 ft. cord |
| Weight | under 9 lbs |
| Dimensions | 10.5" x 9.8" x 46" |
Kendyl Skinner, workplace experience manager at BARK, swears by her Shark Rocket Ultra Light for her two medium-size dogs (including one with a thick undercoat that sheds all year long). “It is super lightweight and converts to a handheld as well. We can get all those hidden fur tumbleweeds that hide under beds and in all the nooks and crannies that we might miss otherwise,” she says.
7. Dyson Corded Vacuums
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean
| Extras | 1 Tangle-free turbine tool, 1 combination tool, 1 multi-angle brush, 1 articulating hard floor tool, 1 stair tool, 1 reach under tool, 1 carbon fiber soft dusting brush, 1 mattress tool, 1 tool bag |
|---|---|
| Power | 30 ft. cord |
| Weight | 17.5 lbs |
| Dimensions | 42.13" x 15.35" x 13.39" |
If you prefer a traditional plug-in model, Sarah Forde, owner and head trainer at Dog Defined, recommends the Dyson Animal Ball. She says it not only is incredibly durable and easy to maneuver but also has a canister large enough to hold lots of fur. Her previous version lasted 12—yes, 12 years.
“Some pet hair is stickier than others, weaving its way into fabric,” says Jon Gibbons, actual vacuum cleaner expert at Smart Vacuums. He also recommends the Dyson Ball Animal 2. It’s ideal for long hair and “it also has fantastic suction, thanks to the wider airways.”
And for the bird owners out there, while your bird might not shed as much as a cat or dog, they can also sometimes make a mess in their own...creative...ways (shout-out to my family’s old parrot, who would pick his feathers off). David Bobek, of World Dog Finder and owner of a dog and an African gray parrot, loves the Dyson Animal 2.
8. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
| Extras | 1 crevice tool, 1 upholstery tool, 1 dusting brush, 1 charger |
|---|---|
| Power | Cordless |
| Weight | 3 lbs |
| Dimensions | 4.5" x 16" x 6.75" |
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is great if you just need small touch-ups. Rupert Pople, founder of Your Smart Home Guide, recommends this one, as it is lightweight and easy to maneuver and comes with a special rubber nozzle that’s effective at attracting and pulling out hair from a variety of surfaces like upholstery.
Meg Marrs, founder of K9 of Mine, also likes the Bissell for getting hair out from between couch cushions and an easy emptying experience without any complicated snaps or panels to deal with.
9. Shark APEX DuoClean
Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum
Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum
| Extras | detachable head extension, LED lights on handle and floor nozzle |
|---|---|
| Power | 30 ft. cord |
| Weight | under 16 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12" x 11.2" x 46" |
Claudine Sievert, a vet from Kansas and cat mom, says that since cat hair is much thinner than dog hair, it can get deeper into carpets, making it more annoying to clean up. She likes the Shark APEX DuoClean and calls it “indispensable” for the owners of long-haired cats, especially during shedding season. It removes fur effectively but also self-cleans any hair that wraps itself around the brush roll. Bonus: It’s quiet enough, and the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal (a compartment that holds dust and allergens so they aren’t released back into the air) makes it clutch for anyone who is allergic to cat fur and dander.
Dr. Burch also vouches for the same model, citing the dual-brush system as being especially great for getting out fur that’s woven hella deep.
Garner's Garden Organic Pet Shampoo
Garner's Garden Organic Pet Shampoo
| Size | 8 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | water, potassium cocoate, potassium oleate, Lauryl Betaine, glycerine, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Palm Kernelate, Palm Kernel Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Citrate, and Essential oils |
A really easy way to limit how much your pet sheds day-to-day is to give them baths and regular brushing! Enter: Garner's Garden Organic Pet Shampoo, a shampoo that will leave your pet smelling fresh and encourage you to scrub some of those stray hairs away so they end up in your tub—not on your couch.
How to choose the right vacuum for your pet—and your home
There are a few key things to consider before buying a vacuum for pet hair, but, as always, the first thing you need to do is set your budget. Do you want to splurge on a Dyson? Or are you looking to save money? Once you determine how much you're willing to spend, it's time to think about what you actually need.
Long-haired pets might need more specific tools
Long hair tends to get tangled more easily in a vacuum, so those with long-haired pets might want to invest in a tool that won't require constant unclogging, with filters that won't tangle easily and a self-cleaning nozzle that combats tangles as it vacuums. Parents of short-haired pets will have a bit more leeway in terms of necessary features.
Figure out what room(s) you'll be vacuuming the most
Do you have a small apartment? A big house? Take stock of what, exactly, you need your vacuum to clean. Most vacuums on this list are made to work on both carpeting and hardwood floors, but depending on the makeup of your living space, you might want to get a vacuum specifically made for one or the other.
Make note of the outlets in your space
There's really no denying the fact that cordless vacuums are more convenient than those that need to be plugged in at all times, but do you really need it? Take a look at the rooms in which you want to use your vacuum. Where are the outlets? Would a corded vacuum be able to move about your room with ease? Are there places that might be out of a corded vacuum's reach?
Other things to consider if you're a paranoid pet parent, like myself, are how much noise your pet can tolerate and what vacuum shape or design they might be the least afraid of, but still not want to play with.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an entertainment and culture writer and editor who will never turn down a romance or superhero movie. Her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
