WARNING
If you notice pet hair building up on your rollers, turn the vacuum off before you do anything else. You can use a sharp knife of a pair of scissors to cut out the trapped hairs.
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Best Vacuum For Pet Hair
UPDATED April 2024
Best Vacuum For Pet Hair: A Specific Vacuum Is Often Necessary When Dealing With Our Fluffy Friends
BEST VACUUM
FOR PET HAIR 2024
BOTTOM LINE
This Dyson model is the best overall vacuum for pet hair. It has a cleaning head that works on all types of floors and a brush bar that lifts away more pet hair than other vacuums can.
PROS
This robotic vacuum gives you a convenient way to clean your home because you can turn it on and let it get to work. Pet hair technology designed by the manufacturer specifically targets hair and messes left behind by animals.
CONS
The Dyson name on this vacuum naturally makes it more expensive than its competitors. If you purchase parts from the wrong retailer or use an unauthorized repair shop, you may void your warranty too.
BOTTOM LINE
With an included remote control, you can turn on this vacuum and let it work in a single room or your entire home. It also has a timer and programs that you can select to let it clean when you’re away from home.
PROS
Thanks to built-in cyclone technology, you’ll get all the power and suction necessary for removing pet hair from your home. The brush bar on the bottom also reaches deeper into your carpets to remove more hair.
CONS
As with other robotic vacuums, this one may require that you use multiple vacuums to completely clean your home. A small number of the reviews we read came from people who had issues with pet hair tangling inside.
BOTTOM LINE
Designed for use on most common floor types, this Shark vacuum won’t damage any of your surfaces. The HEPA filter also removes up to 99.9% of the dander and other allergens found in your home.
PROS
This model comes with different brushes and tools that help you clean your home and remove all pet hair. It features a convenient power switch and will work on both carpets and harder floors.
CONS
Some customer reviews claimed that hair wrapped around the bristles and kept the vacuum from working. Those who have pets with long hair may need to remove more hair from this vacuum.
BOTTOM LINE
The Mighty Mite from Eureka is one mighty little vacuum cleaner that helps you remove dust and dander from your home without feeling weighed down. It comes with many accessories for cleaning your furniture and drapes too.
PROS
With a grab and go design, this vacuum makes it easy for you to clean up around your pets and remove hair from your home and vehicle. An included extension wand helps you reach tighter spaces also.
CONS
Some reviewers had problems with the roller on this vacuum tangling on the carpets in their homes. Other customers found that the plastic parts on this model broke from regular use.
BOTTOM LINE
For spot cleaning and minor accidents, this cordless vacuum is a great choice. It lets you clean up after your pets both inside and out without using a traditional upright vacuum.
PROS
With a HEPA filter, the Mighty Mite will remove more than 99.9% of the dust, particles and pet dander in your home. It also features a telescoping wand and a crevice tool for cleaning any surface you encounter.
CONS
Cordless vacuums like this one do not have as much suction as traditional vacuums do. It’s better for spot cleaning than daily cleaning too.
Shopping Guide for the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair
No matter how many pets you have, the chances are good that you’re tired of seeing pet hair. The best vacuum for pet hair is one that works on both carpets and other types of floors. With one of the vacuums for pet hair that we found, you can clean your hardwood floors and any tiled surfaces too. The top products can even clean furniture too. The attachments that come with the best vacuums for pet hair for 2024 also help you reach into tight spaces like behind your television or refrigerator.
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The problem with finding a solid pet hair vacuum is that some companies just take existing models, change the color of the case and add the pet name to the front. Using one of these models around your house can be extremely frustrating because the bristles don’t pick up all the hair that your pets shed. That is why our list includes only the top models. You’ll find standard upright vacuums as well as cordless models you can use to clean out your car and robotic vacuums that clean for you.
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Selection Criteria
Inferior cleaning products are a waste of both your time and your money. When you purchase the wrong pet hair vacuum, you’ll find yourself cleaning regularly without seeing any results. Those vacuums may only suck up a small portion of the hair clinging to your floors. The worst products will simply push that hair from one area of your floor to another. You may find yourself dealing with bristles that become clogged with pet hair after just a few minutes of cleaning too.
To ensure that you get the best product for your money, we created a list of the five best pet hair vacuums. Before starting our list, we took to the web and looked at the average ratings for the top vacuums. We then selected the models with the highest reviews. In the chart above, you can see the pros and cons of each vacuum and the bottom line on why each one is worth your money. You’ll see detailed vacuum reviews in our shopping guide too. Our guide makes the process of buying a pet hair vacuum easier because you can find out about all the top features and pick up some cleaning tips at the same time.
Signs of Pet Hair Allergies
Not everyone who suffers from pet allergies has such serious medical conditions that they must get rid of their pets. You may have a mild allergy that requires regular washing of your hands when you come into contact with animals or an allergy that requires you take an over the counter medication. Some of the signs that you might have a mild allergy include:
- Trouble breathing
- Red and/or watery eyes
- Runny and/or red nose
- Itchy eyes
One of the top names in the vacuum industry is Dyson, which revolutionized the world of vacuums after introducing its cyclone technology. Its ball vacuums are among its most popular products. As you run the DC65 across your floors, you can maneuver the ball in any direction to easily move around obstacles like your coffee table. You can more easily move from one room to another too. This model also has a flat base with straight sides that let you work closer to a baseboard or wall.
It also features a removable wand with a cable that extends out from the vacuum, which lets you vacuum your steps without carrying the entire base with you.
Thanks to the brush bar on the bottom, this vacuum can remove up to 25% more pet hair and debris than standard vacuums can. Those bristles penetrate into the carpet but won’t damage your carpet fibers. You can use this one on hardwood or tile floors too. Many customers also like that the turbine tool has a tangle-free design. No matter how often you vacuum or the amount of pet hair on your floors, those hairs will never tangle around the turbine.
How is a Pet Hair Vacuum Different From a Regular Vacuum?
When you live in a home with carpets or rugs, you must have a vacuum. Once you spend a few hundred dollars on one though, you might wonder why you should spend even more money on one designed specifically for pet hair. Pet hair vacuums are stronger and produce more suction than traditional models do. You can use one to remove the pet hair that you see on your carpets and on area rugs. Many come with included attachments that let you clean off furniture to keep pet hair from sticking to your clothing. Pet hair models often come with attachments that you can use to clean under your couch and to reach unusual spots like the ceiling fans in your home that attract hair.
Another difference between traditional and pet vacuums is that a pet vac usually has larger bristles that are more evenly spaced across the bottom. Traditional vacuums have tightly packed bristles that lead to tangles forming. As you vacuum up the pet hair, the hairs wrap around the bristles and keep the vacuum from working. You even risk overheating the vacuum motor because you continue cleaning after a tangle forms. If you have one or more pets in your home, you need a vacuum designed for animal hair.
Signs of an Overheating Motor
- Lights on the vacuum turn red
- The vacuum produces a burning smell/odor
- Strange or unusual sounds come from the motor
Bissell offers vacuums that are more affordable and work great like the TruePet Upright Vacuum. Though it looks like a standard upright vac, it comes with a removable canister. When you take off the canister, you can use it in tighter spots. This also reduces the weight of the vacuum for cleaning multiple rooms or working on your stairs. The brush will continue rotating and spinning at a top speed to remove more pet hair without those hairs clogging the brush. It also comes in different color options, which some shoppers like.
One of the top features of this model is that the vacuum will actually adjust itself and the height of its brush roller based on the type of floor you want to clean. It moves the roller higher when working on carpets and drops the roller lower when working on hardwood or tile. You also get both a roller designed specifically for picking up pet hair and a multi-tool that works on all types of floors. If you have one or more people in your home who suffer from allergies, you’ll also like the HEPA filter that removes up to 99.9% of allergens and particles from your home.
What are the Benefits of Using a Pet Hair Vacuum?
• No more pet hair: The biggest benefit of having a pet hair vacuum is that you can target all the hair your pets produce. Animals usually shed hair as the temperature rises, but some breeds can shed throughout the year.
• Reduce allergens: In addition to working on pet hair, these vacuums will also work on other allergens in your home like pet dander and dust. If you want to remove even more allergens, you should look for those that have a HEPA filter or another type of dependable filtration system.
• Eliminate odors: Regular cleaning of your home can also reduce some of the strong or lingering odors that your nose detects. As pet hair and other debris builds up, it can leave your home smelling musty or dirty.
• Clean other surfaces: When you buy the right pet hair vacuum, you’ll also have an easier job of cleaning other surfaces in your home. While you might want an upholstery attachment, you may want a tool designed for cleaning stairs or a crevice tool. You can check out a list of the other types of attachments that often come with vacuum cleaners in another section in our shopping guide.
Many robotic vacuums aren’t suitable for homes with pets because those devices cannot keep up with the amount of shedding that cats and dogs do. This newer version of the ILIFE robot comes with features designed for pet hair though. It uses pet technology that specifically targets the hair that your animals shed and any other debris that your pets might leave behind like dried litter. The lower profile of the vacuum is another great feature. This lets it move quickly around your home and get under furnishings like your couch and chairs to remove the pet hair that you don’t usually see.
A large number of shoppers also like the built-in features on this model like an anti-bump option. Sensors along the sides of the robotic cleaner identify any nearby obstacles and will adjust the direction of the vacuum as it moves. This keeps it from scratching your walls and floors. You can use one mode to let it completely clean your home or use the timer setting to tell it when and where to clean. This robot will clean your home until its battery runs out while you’re at work or on vacation. The vacuum also comes with its own remote control.
Types of Vacuums
As you work your way through our shopping guide for pet vacuums, you’ll find our top five choices and some detailed reviews of those models. Many of those on our list are upright vacuums, but some of these models also function as canister vacuums. We also included a robotic cleaner and a hand-held cordless vac too. As you look at those models, you might find yourself confused about what each one does, what it looks like and even how it works. That is why we will take a look at the most popular types of vacuum cleaners and the pros and cons of those models.
Hand-Held Vacuum
A hand-held vacuum is one of the best options for those who have smaller homes and fewer spaces that they want to clean. These models come with a rechargeable battery and a charger. It can take a few hours to completely charge the battery, but some vacuums charge in an hour or less. You can use one in your car or garage and when cleaning outdoor spaces. Cordless models work well on furniture too. Many come with some nice attachments for cleaning other areas and surfaces. Some manufacturers refer to hand-held vacuums as cordless vacs because they lack any power cords.
Pros:
- Easy to use
Won’t damage most surfaces - Perfect for spot cleaning
- More lightweight than traditional vacuums
Cons:
- Not powerful enough for daily or regular cleaning
- May not come with all the attachments that you need for your home
- Does not always remove all pet hair
Canister Vacuum
A good choice for many homes is a pet hair canister vacuum. Designed for those who want to work on different floors and in different areas of their homes, these models come with a small or large canister with a motor inside. A hose extends out from this canister and attaches to a wand, which is what you actually run across your floors. The hose often extends to help you reach any spot in your home. Some companies like Dyson make models that look like an upright vacuum but come with a removable canister that gives you the best of both worlds.
Pros:
- Suitable for use on both carpeted and bare floors
- Long hose lets you clean without carrying the canister with you
- Comes with attachments for cleaning ceilings and other surfaces
- Works well on both stairs and furniture
Cons:
- Some models come with a hose that can develop kinks or tangles
- Heavier models are hard to use
- You may have problems using a canister vac on your stairs or carrying to a second floor
Robotic Vacuum
Using a robotic vacuum is the most convenient way to clean your home. Also called autonomous cleaners, these vacuums let you clean when you’re not there. You can adjust the settings and tell the machine to move across your floors while you’re at work. Some models also have timers and programs that you can set based on how much cleaning you want the vacuum to do. The lower profile of these vacuums also makes them perfect for homes with a large amount of furniture. You can use the robotic cleaner to reach areas like under your couch without getting down on your hands and knees.
Pros:
- Program settings let you select how and when you want to vacuum
- Reaches areas that you cannot usually reach
- Cleans when you’re home and when you’re gone
- Many models will move effortlessly around obstacles
Cons:
- Some cheaper models can leave behind marks on your walls and floors
- Many do not do an efficient job of picking up pet hair
- Can track mud and other debris that it runs across through your home
- More expensive than other types of vacuums
Stick Vacuum
Stick vacuums are among the smallest and most lightweight of all vacuums on the market. Manufacturers use this name because the vacuums actually look like sticks that have an attached roller base with brushes inside. This stick gives you control over where the vacuum moves and helps you manoeuvre it around any obstacles in your way. Stick vacuums often come with a bag inside that you can dump later, but some have a dustbin in place of a bag. You can use one on any type of surface like a tiled patio or the hardwood floors in your living room.
Pros:
- Great for spot and basic cleaning
- Works great on tile, hardwood and simple carpeting
- Easy to use
- Simple design lets you easily empty any debris you collect
Cons:
- Will not work on heavier types of carpets or rugs with a thick pile
- Can not replace the regular vacuum that you use
- Some come with a battery that has a short life
Upright Vacuum
If you ever vacuumed as a child, you probably remember using an upright vacuum. These models have an upright design that puts the brushes on the bottom and a handle on the top. You’ll push and pull the vacuum around your home with this handle. The bristles on the bottom rotate at a fast speed to grab pet hair and other debris. It then pulls that debris through the rollers and into a dustbin inside. Upright models come in both bagged and bagless options. You can buy models made by some of the top vacuum manufacturers, including Bissell and Eureka.
Pros:
- Often cheaper than other models
- May come with height adjustment settings for use on different flooring types
- Available in corded and battery powered options
- Works with a variety of attachments
Cons:
- May not be quite as powerful as you need
- Will not work with all types of attachments
- Usually work better on carpets than other types of floors
- Can be both heavy and bulky
Bissell makes one of the only pet hair vacuums we found that lets you see how it works. The front has a clear case that lets you view all the hair that it sucks up. This vacuum is cordless and lets you work anywhere you want. As long as you keep the battery charged, you can use it when removing debris from your floors or furniture and then head outside to work on your car. If you frequently take your pet with you on car rides, you’ll likely how easily this tool removes the hair it leaves behind.
This vacuum comes with its own set of attachments and tools. You’ll get a crevice tool that lets you get into tight or cramped spaces like beneath the seats in your vehicle and an extension wand that helps you clean hard to reach spots without stretching. It also comes with an upholstery tool that cleans upholstery without damaging the material. The dirt bin collects the pet hair and other debris that you encounter and then lets you empty that bin in seconds. It also features a two-part filtration system that attracts the smallest of particles like pet dander.
Bagged vs. Bagless
The older vacuums that you used as a child likely came with a bag inside, but many of the modern vacuums have a bagless design. Bagged vacuums feature a bag, usually made from fabric or another lightweight material. As the suction pulls debris up from the floor, the vacuum moves that debris into the bag. Some models require that you completely replace this bag. Others let you empty the bag and use it again. This depends on the model that you buy. Bagged models are often messy because you have less control over where the debris goes as you dump it.
Bagless models are popular with those who want an easier and more convenient way to clean. Though these vacuums still produce a lot of suction, the debris that they pick up then moves into a canister inside. You’ll usually see latches on the side of the canister. Once you flip up each latch, you can lift the canister up and remove it from the vacuum. One or more latches on the bottom let you take the bottom off, which causes all the debris to fall into your trashcan. Bagless vacuums are often easier to maintain and use than bagged models are.
This Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum model gives you a cheaper way to remove pet hair from around your home. Priced significantly less than other pet vacuums, it is suitable for both small and large homes. The vacuum comes with a dusting brush that lets you remove pet hair stuck to your ceiling fans and other surfaces. You also get a crevice tool that snaps right to the side of the vacuum and comes off quickly. This tool helps you reach tight and cramped spaces. You can use the crevice tool to clean between sofa cushions and under appliances.
The filter system used in this model looks like a small cup. You can quickly access that cup and remove it when it becomes clogged. Rinsing it with fresh water in your sink ensures that the system will continue catching and removing pet hair and other particles. Eureka claims that the filter will also work on pet dander and other types of allergens. A height adjustment setting also makes this vacuum suitable for most homes. You can select from five different settings based on the height and type of floors you have. The vacuum works on rugs and carpets as well as tile and wood.
Corded vs. Cordless
As important as choosing between a bagged and bagless vacuum is, so too is the choice between a corded and a cordless vacuum. Cordless vacuums often go by the name of hand-held vacuums because you carry and use one with your hands. The lack of a cord makes it easier to use that vacuum around your home because you aren’t confined to spaces with power outlets. These models are more lightweight than standard vacuums too. You shouldn’t have any problems vacuuming each individual step when working on your stairs. They do a good job of removing the hair your pets shed and the debris that they track through your home.
Corded vacuums are a more popular choice for most homes because these models have more suction and a stronger motor. While you will need to use an outlet, you can use an extension cord to work further away from one. Many models also come with a longer power cord and a cord management system. Latches or buttons on the side fold down to let you release the amount of cord that you need. You can also use this system to wrap the cord around the vacuum and keep it in place when storing it.
Vacuum Cleaner Attachment Types
Even after buying one of the best pet hair vacuums, you may still want to use some attachments around your home. That is why you’ll want to look at the different types of attachments.
- Upholstery brush: An upholstery brush is an attachment that has some durable brushes on the end. Those brushes will remove debris and pet hair from your furniture without damaging the coverings or fabric.
- Dusting brush: Similar to an upholstery brush, a dusting brush is a tool that allows you to remove the pet hair clinging to your counters and other surfaces. Not only does it brush the hair off those areas, but it also pulls the hair in your vacuum.
- Pet grooming tool: If you want to keep pet hair from building up, look for pet grooming tools. These tools allow you to use your vacuum on a low setting and actually pull shedding hair right off your animals.
- Stair cleaner: With a stair cleaner or cleaning attachment, you can more easily clean your steps. These tools look like long brushes that remove pet hair, kitty litter and other types of debris and waste from your stairs without damaging the carpet fibers.
Other Types of Attachments You Can Use
- Blind attachment
- Ceiling fan attachment
- Extension wand
- Crevice tool
- Mattress tool
How to Get Rid of Pet Hair in Your Home
While vacuuming on a regular basis can help you seriously cut down on the pet hair that you see, you might still notice some stray hairs floating through the air. Even dogs and cats with short and wiry hair can shed a small amount. The longer that you put off cleaning, the more work it will take to remove that hair later. Pet hair can actually embed itself in your carpet, which makes it extremely hard to pick it up with an ordinary vacuum. When you follow all the steps that we laid out in this section, you can eliminate all the hair from your home.
Use a Rubber Broom
One of the best tools for removing pet hair from your carpets is a rubber broom, which you can use before vacuuming. Rubber brooms look like standard brooms but have rubber bristles on the bottom. You’ll place the broom flat on the carpet and apply some pressure as you pull the broom towards you quickly. Moving in small sections and using short strokes will help you peel the hair off the floor. You can then gather the hair together in small sections that you sweep into a dustpan. When you don’t have enough time to completely vacuum your home, you can use the broom to collect some of that hair.
Expert Tip: You can use a pumice stone in place of a rubber broom. This will require that you get closer to the floor though.
Try Rubber Gloves
Though you might think that the hair your pets shed will just stick to your carpets and floors, some of the hair can actually move through the air. You may find that it builds up around the edges of the room too. A good way to check on the build up that you have is with an inspection of your corners and the areas along your baseboards. If you see spots that are darker than the rest of your carpet, you have some serious build up. While wearing a pair of rubber gloves, dip your hands in cool water before running your hair along the carpet. The water works with the rubber to attract the hair.
Expert Tip
A rubber squeegee works just as well as a rubber broom and will pull up hair stuck to the edges of a room.
Apply Baking Soda
Many companies make products that they claim will help loosen any pet hair stuck to your floors and furniture. What you might not realize is that most of those products are simply baking soda with some added fragrance. You can get the same results from the baking soda that you keep in your kitchen. Apply a light and even coating of the white powder to the floor, making sure that you sprinkle baking soda over all areas. When you start at one wall and work your way to the opposite wall, you’ll ensure that you cover all carpet fibers. Let the baking soda sit for at least five to 10 minutes before you vacuum.
Expert Tip
If you like the fresh scent that carpet cleaning products leave behind, you can add a few drops of essential oils to your baking soda.
Vacuum
Once you get as much pet hair off your floor as you can, it’s time to vacuum. No matter what type of vacuum you buy, you’ll want to start in one area and slowly work your way across the room. You can start in one corner and work your way to the opposite corner of the room as you move in a back and forth motion. When cleaning a living room or bedroom, you can lower the head of the vacuum to move it under any large or heavy pieces of furniture. If your vacuum has a pet mode or attachment, use it on your vacuum.
Expert Tip
To avoid the dark lines that you usually see after you vacuum, move with the pile of the carpet rather than against it.
Tips for Using a Pet Hair Vacuum on Furniture
- Use a sponge or gloves: In the same way that you can use rubber gloves to remove pet hair build up from your floors, you can also use gloves to remove hair from your furniture. You can also use a damp sponge that you run across the furniture to loosen the hair first.
- Remove cushions and pillows: If you have chairs or a couch with removable cushions or pillows, take them off before you clean. Run your vacuum under those spaces to remove pet hair that might come loose and move onto the surface of the furniture.
- Move in different directions: Once you start vacuuming, make sure that you move the vacuum in different directions. Simply changing directions as you clean your furniture will help the vacuum remove more of the loosened pet hair.
- Use a lint roller: You may not have enough time to vacuum your furniture once a week or even once a month, but you will have enough time to use a lint roller. These rollers have a sticky material on one side that picks up pet hair and similar debris. You can use one to remove pet hair in between cleanings.
How to Clean a Pet Bed
- Place a blanket or another type of cover on the bed to keep your pet comfy and happy. It's often easier to wash the blanket than the whole bed.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the bed and on top of the blanket to absorb any odors that build up over time.
- Wash the blanket that you use at least once a week to remove pet hair. You can wash the bed once every two weeks or once a month.
Vacuum Guidelines and Tips
- Follow a schedule: If you have a hard time remembering when you last vacuumed, you might put off cleaning, which lets pet hair build up. We recommend creating and following a schedule, which lets you know exactly when you need to run your vacuum.
- Treat stains and spots: Spot treating lets you take care of stains before they set. You can also remove the debris that causes stains and foul odors. Having a spot cleaning tool makes it easy for you to clean up accidents that both your kids and pets have.
- Make use of attachments: Leaving the attachments that come with your vacuum in its onboard storage is like tossing away money. Read the instructions to find out what each one does before using those attachments around your home.
- Watch the canister: Keep an eye on the canister as you clean to make note of when it reaches its maximum capacity. Emptying the canister before it fills to the top helps you maintain the vacuum and prevents you from overusing it.
- Steam cleaning: Vacuuming alone may not remove all the odors and stains left by your pets. When you combine regular vacuuming with deep cleaning, you can remove all pet stains.
Tips for Vacuuming Hard Floors
- Adjust the vacuum height based on the height of your floor before you get to work. When you use it at the wrong height can leave behind scratches on your floor.
- Sweep up any larger pieces of waste or debris from the floor before you vacuum. Hair and paper can lodge inside the vacuum and cause the motor to overheat.
- If you have a vacuum with a rotating brush, turn off that brush before placing the vacuum on a wood or tile floor. Rotating brushes can worsen any existing scratches or damage on the floor.
Signs You Could Benefit from a Vacuum for Pet Hair
- You notice pet hair clinging to your clothes when you leave the house. This can be a sign that your pet shed hair on your furniture.
- Your old vacuum doesn’t do a good job of picking up pet hair. When you buy a new vacuum, you’ll usually notice that it works great. As the machine ages though, it stops working as well. If you see pet hair on your floor just a few hours after cleaning, this is a sign that you need a new vacuum.
- You see a thick layer of pet hair on your furniture and/or floors. No matter how often you vacuum, you may still experience problems with pet hair attaching itself to your floors and furniture. The right vacuum will let you clean any upholstered furniture in your home as well as your floors.
- Your old vacuum develops tangles and clogs that keep it from running. While some products designed for pets don’t work very effectively, pet hair vacuums are far better for use in animal-friendly homes than standard vacuums are. The combination of bristles and rotating rollers practically eliminates the clogs and tangles that you experienced in the past.
Vacuum for Pet Hair Buying Guide – Top Considerations
We believe in crafting detailed buying guides that give our readers all the information they need to know about a subject. Our shopping guide for the best vacuums for pet hair for 2024 includes this section, which functions as a buying guide. Unlike the rest of the shopping guide, which provides you with some helpful tips on vacuuming and removing pet hair from your home, this section deals with the top considerations that make a vacuum worth your money. You’ll want to look at these features and things as you compare vacuums.
Sound
Whether you have dogs or cats in your home, you should consider the amount of noise that a pet hair vacuum produces. Many animals have a fear of vacuums. The louder it runs, the more your pets will run away. If you have nervous or skittish pets, you may find that those animals have accidents on the floor too because they’re so scared of the machines. As you look at the reviews that other customers wrote, you can see what they said about those noises to ensure that you buy a vacuum for your home that won’t scare any of your pets.
Attachment Compatibility
An important thing you may want to consider is the number and type of attachments that come with each vacuum. Even if you think that you just need a machine designed for cleaning your floors, you may want to clean other areas of your home because of how much your pets shed. Pet hair can move through the air faster than you ever expected and create build up that you can’t just wipe away with your hand. If the vacuum doesn’t come with attachments or only comes with a few, you can find out whether it’s compatible with other tools that you can buy separately.
Canister/Bag Capacity
Before you buy any type of vacuum, you should decide between one that uses bags or one that comes with a canister. Another thing to think about is its overall capacity. You may find that you want to take your time and divide up your vacuuming over the course of multiple days. When you buy a pet vacuum with a larger canister or bag, you don’t need to clean or empty the vacuum each time that you use it. Models that have a smaller capacity weigh less though and are suitable for small homes.
Overall Weight
When shopping for a standard vacuum, you might assume that weight doesn’t matter because you only plan on using it on your floors. Weight is important because this tells you how easily you can push it across the floor and carry it to another room. If you want a vacuum that you can use for removing pet hair from your stairs and cleaning your first and second floors, you’ll want a lightweight model. Heavier models have a cumbersome design and are quite hard to use. Some of the commercial vacuums that professionals use to clean clients’ homes are both heavier and larger because of the powerful motors inside.
Brand and Manufacturer Name
As you look at vacuum cleaners and read buying guides, you’ll notice some of the same names popping up over and over again. The most popular brand and manufacturer names include Shark, Eureka, Dyson and Bissell. Shark started selling products on late-night television through infomercials before becoming a household name. Eureka and Bissell both have a long history of providing shoppers with durable products, while Dyson built a strong reputation due to its innovative products. You may find a few Kirby products mentioned on other lists, but we skipped those models because you usually cannot buy Kirby vacuums online.
Cost
Buying a pet hair vacuum can cost as little as $50 or as much as $600 or more. We dedicated an entire section to the average price of these machines, which you can find down by the frequently asked questions section. While we won’t go into detail about prices here, we do recommend that you get an idea of how much you want to spend before you shop. When you create a budget, you can decide whether you should buy a basic model today or save up for one of the larger and better models like a Dyson vacuum that you buy in the future.
Floor Type
As you look at pet hair vacuums, think about the types of floors you have in your home. Even if each room has carpeting, you should consider the thickness and the piles of those carpets. Many homes today have carpeting in some rooms and tile in the bathroom and/or kitchen. You may have a home with some hardwood floors too. The right vacuum for you is one that adjusts to work with each type of floor. You can adjust the height via a knob on the vacuum. When you choose the right roller height, it will keep the brushes from rubbing against an easily damaged type of flooring.
Vacuum Type
Vacuum cleaners generally fall into one of five types: stick, canister, upright, robotic and hand-held. Manufacturers like Dyson offer combo vacuums that look like an upright but also function like a canister model. The best type for you can depend on the overall size of your home, the number of pets that you have and how you want to use the vacuum. If you have a smaller home or want to do some basic cleaning without dragging out a full-size vacuum, a hand-held model is a good option. Those who want to do efficient cleaning when they’re not there may prefer a robotic cleaner that features pet hair technology.
Warranty
You should always check the warranty that comes with a vacuum to ensure that the manufacturer backs up all its claims. If you ever purchased an electronic device in the past and found that the manufacturer wouldn’t let you file a claim, you know how frustrating that experience can be. Many customers buy from Dyson because the company offers such as a great warranty. You might get coverage that lasts for up to five or even six years after buying a vacuum. It’s often helpful to buy from companies that let you pay extra for extended coverage too.
Reviews
In addition to the chart that shows the top five products at the top of this screen and our detailed product reviews of pet hair vacuums, we highly recommend checking out what customers said about their purchases. Amazon offers hundreds of thousands of reviews submitted by customers who made purchases online and wanted to share their experiences with others. When you click on the links that we supplied in our chart, you can view those products on Amazon. Before you add one of the top pet hair vacuums to your shopping cart, read through all the available reviews, paying special attention to both the negative and positive ones.
What is the Average Price for a Pet Hair Vacuum?
Buying a pet hair vacuum may not cost as much money as you thought. You can get a solid vacuum for around $100 or less. The Eureka AirSpeed model that made our list retails for $100, but you can often find this model on sale for much less. When buying a cheaper model though, keep in mind that these vacuums may lack some of the features that you need. You may find yourself dealing with frequent tangles or a motor that burns out due to the amount of pet hair in your home.
We recommend that you spend a little more to get one of the best vacuums for pet hair for 2024. Many of those on our list retail for between $150 and $300. Spending more helps you get a vacuum that will remove all traces of pet hair from your floors without the motor overheating or burning out. If you have more money in your budget, you can feel confident buying a vacuum from Dyson. The cyclone technology that Dyson developed ensures that you never see pet hair left behind after you vacuum. You’ll also appreciate the tangle-free design that keeps the bristles running and rolling.
What is a Spot Cleaning Machine?
A spot cleaning machine is a cleaning tool specifically designed for cleaning basic messes. These tools are great for cleaning up after pet accidents too. Many models work like miniature steam cleaning machines and will send steam deep into your carpets.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The frequency with which you clean will depend on how many pets you have and how much they shed. You can usually keep your home clean with once weekly vacuuming, but you may find that you need to vacuum more often as your pets shed. Those who live in homes with long-hair pets will need to vacuum more often.
A: No matter which pet hair vacuum you buy, it should come with a filtration system. Knowing when to change the filter helps the vacuum last longer. You usually only need to change it around once a year. Marking the date down on your calendar or putting an alarm on your phone will help you stay on top of things.
A: We would never tell someone exactly what to buy because we know that all homes are different. Our list of the best pet hair vacuums includes five models that we think are the best for different types of shoppers. Experts typically recommend canister or upright vacuums for pet owners though. You can keep a hand-held vacuum around to tackle minor spills and messes without using a larger vacuum.
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