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When your fur friend sheds constantly, you have to stay on top of your vacuuming or risk an infestation of dust bunnies. A good vacuum makes it easy for you to keep your floors and furniture pet hair-free while also handling other messes.
For this guide, I tested 13 vacuums to see how they cleaned up cat and dog hair, cat litter, flour, coffee grounds, and Cheerios on carpeting, hardwood floors, and furniture.
I have reviewed vacuums for three years and have developed many objective tests to determine which models are best for different budgets and cleaning needs. Below, I outline how I tested the vacuums and provide answers to pet vacuum FAQs. Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.
Here are the best vacuums for pet hair of 2021
Best overall vacuum for pet hair: Dyson V11 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum, $599.99 on Best Buy
The powerful suction of the Dyson V11 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum picked up all of the pet hair in our tests, and emptying the dustbin was easy and clean.
Best budget vacuum for pet hair: Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner, $154.49 on Amazon
While there are cheaper options out there, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner is the most affordable vacuum that still does an outstanding job of collecting pet hair.
Best canister vacuum for pet hair: Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum, $593.23 on Amazon
The pricey Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum picked up messes better than any other vac in our tests, and the disposable vacuum bag keeps you out of contact with the debris.
Best handheld vacuum for pet hair: Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, $195.23 on Amazon
If you're looking for a vacuum that's easy to use on furniture and in cars, consider the Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with its outstanding performance in its handheld configuration.
Best robot vacuum for pet hair: Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum, $299 on Amazon
The Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum picked up all the pet hair on carpet in our tests and has a great assortment of mop attachments and accessories.
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The powerful suction of the Dyson V11 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum picked up all of the pet hair in our tests, and emptying the dustbin was easy and clean.
Pros: Performed well in our tests, especially removing pet hair; powerful suction; contact-less debris disposal; comes with a wall-mounted docking station
Cons: Tiring to hold in handheld configuration, short battery life in boost mode, have to keep trigger depressed for vacuum to run
Dyson has developed a name for itself with its collection of high-quality, high-end products. The Dyson V11 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum is a prime example of this quality.
Per Dyson, it engineered the V11 Animal for larger homes with pets. For the most part, this bore out in our tests. It was one of only three vacs to collect all of the pet hair on all of the surfaces we tested, and the hair didn't get tangled in the brush.
This Dyson vac also did an outstanding job of picking up other debris on hardwood and furniture, leaving behind just a trace of flour. Flour was a challenge for the V11 on carpeting, leaving behind about 17% of the flour.
None of the vacuums I tested did well in every category, and the V11 Animal performed poorly in terms of ease of use. You have to keep the trigger depressed for the unit to run. My workaround was to wrap a piece of duct tape around it.
To empty the dustbin, you have to remove the attachments. If you don't have it positioned just right, the bin's trap-door release could send debris flying. For the most part, though, I appreciated how cleanly the bin emptied: My hands didn't end up dirty.
Lastly, I wasn't impressed with the battery. On boost mode, it only lasted nine minutes. Then it took over four hours to recharge. Granted, the boost mode felt more powerful than the other cordless vacuums I tested. In eco mode, the battery lasted for 75 minutes, and in Auto mode, it lasted for 45.
For most uses, you can get by with eco mode, which Dyson claims will run for 60 minutes on a single charge. Since it's removable, you could purchase additional batteries, but they're pricey at $150.
On the plus side, the V11 Animal was easy to maneuver. I found I could easily move it perpendicular to where I was standing. The non-Dyson vacuums couldn't do this. Also, the V11 Animal comes with a wall-mounted docking station that holds all of the attachments for convenient, out-of-the-way storage.
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While there are cheaper options out there, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner is the most affordable vacuum that still does an outstanding job of collecting pet hair.
Pros: Picked up all of the pet hair in all of our tests, great on hardwood, features a retractable cord, powerful suction
Cons: Messy debris disposal
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the four vacuums I tested that cost less than the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner (model 2256) performed poorly. I can't recommend any of them. Consequently, our budget pick is still somewhat pricey at $150, but it's well worth the price.
The CleanView Swivel Rewind was one of three vacuums that picked up all the pet hair on all of the surfaces in our tests. Also, the hair didn't get tangled in the brush.
While its ability to pick up other debris was just average on carpeting and furniture, it did exceptionally well on hardwood. On every surface, it picked up all of the cat litter and Cheerios. It struggled with the coffee grounds on carpeting and only did a so-so job of collecting flour in all of the tests.
I appreciated how simple the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind was to use. The swivel head makes it easy to maneuver with one hand. The cord never got in my way thanks to the easy retraction feature (the "Rewind" in the name), and since it's upright, I didn't have to support the weight of the vac. I just guided it as it made quick work of messes. And the hose detached effortlessly to reach elevated areas.
However, I had a hard time emptying the dustbin without getting my hands dirty or inadvertently sending gunk flying outside of the trash can. Your best bet is to release the trap-door mechanism with the bottom inside your trash receptacle.
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The pricey Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum picked up messes better than any other vac in our tests, and the disposable vacuum bag keeps you out of contact with the debris.
Pros: Did an impressive job of collecting all debris on all surfaces, disposal bags keep debris contained, runs quietly
Cons: Not particularly user-friendly, have to buy replacement bags, heavy, expensive
For those who can afford them, canister vacuums provide a powerful, yet quiet and mess-free way to clean up after your pet. The benefits of a canister vacuum were exemplified in our testing of the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum.
The Classic C1 was the best overall at picking up debris. In addition to picking up all of the pet hair on all of the surfaces we tested — while remaining free of pet hair tangles — the vacuum picked up almost all of the other materials on carpeting, hardwood, and furniture. The only substance it seemed to have any difficulty with was flour, but it still picked up at least 90% of the flour on each surface.
My main gripes with the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum have to do with how user unfriendly it can be. At over 20 pounds, it's the heaviest vacuum we tested. Fortunately, you don't have to support the weight. The motor and debris collect in the wheeled canister which is connected by hose to the handle and vacuum head.
However, I didn't like the feel of dragging the canister behind me as I cleaned. While the hard plastic handle felt durable, it wasn't comfortable in my hand. Also, the bulky powerbrush head didn't lend itself to easy maneuverability.
I have mixed feelings about the disposable dust bag. The Classic C1 was the only vacuum we tested that used bags. On the one hand, I don't like the idea of producing more garbage, and replacement bags are an added expense ($14.90 for four replacement bags and two filters). (Miele also makes a bagless version of its pet vacuum, the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog.)
On the other hand, the 4.5-liter bag holds an impressive amount of debris, and it did a great job of keeping particles contained, which makes it a smart solution for allergy sufferers. How often you need to change the bag depends on a variety of factors, but I didn't come close to filling it despite sucking up more than two pounds of debris in my tests.
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If you're looking for a vacuum that's easy to use on furniture and in cars, consider the Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with its outstanding performance in its handheld configuration.
Pros: Cleaned well on all surfaces, lightweight in handheld configuration, easy to use, mess-free dustbin emptying, removable battery
Cons: Short battery run time, long charge time, left behind pet hair on carpeting and hardwood
All of the traditional handheld vacuums I tested performed poorly. Consequently, I can't recommend any of them. We will test more models for future updates to this guide. In the meantime, we wanted to provide a suitable handheld alternative. In its handheld configuration, the Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is your best bet.
When used as a handheld, the Powerseries Extreme vacuum picked up all of the cat litter, flour, and pet hair on furniture. Plus, it was light enough that my arm didn't strain while holding it for long periods.
In its stick vacuum mode, the performance was less impressive but still good. On both carpet and hardwood, it collected all of the Cheerios, cat litter, and ground coffee. But the Black+Decker vac only picked up around 85% of the pet hair and flour on the two surfaces.
The rubberized bristles did a good job of remaining tangle-free, and I liked how the brushroll head swivels so you can make tight turns. I noticed that the vac seemed to do a better job of collecting debris when pulling the head toward me rather than pushing away.
Emptying the dustbin was a tidy affair. The narrow design makes it easy to direct the gunk into the trash can, and the trap door release kept the particles out of contact with my hands.
The biggest negative with the Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is its battery. On high power, the battery was in the middle of the pack in our tests. However, it was one of the slowest to charge. Fortunately, the battery is removable, and you can buy additional 20V lithium-ion batteries, which work with all Black+Decker cordless tools. They're currently about $35 on Amazon.
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The Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum picked up all the pet hair on carpet in our tests and has a great assortment of mop attachments and accessories.
Pros: Quiet operation, app connectivity, picked up all of the pet hair in our tests, small size, great mop attachment and accessories, great job on corners and hardwood
Cons: Gets stuck easily, can't set up no-go zones, can't clean furniture
If you have pets that shed heavily and are tired of vacuuming every day, a robot vacuum may be your best bet. Since these robots try to pack a lot of features into a small space, they tend not to have the suction power or dustbin capacity of other vacuums. For daily, automated cleaning, though, a robot vacuum is indispensable.
Since robot vacuums have a mind of their own, I put them through a different testing methodology. You can read more about how we test in our robot vacuum guide.
Based on my testing of dozens of robot vacuums, the Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum is the best for pet hair. It picked up all of the pet hair mix I laid out on hardwood and carpeting. And it only left traces of flour and kitty litter behind on hardwood. It also did a great job of going deep into corners.
Pets are sometimes skittish around robot vacuums. Fortunately, the SpinWave is one of the quietest models I've tested. On high suction, it's 65 decibels (a little louder than a normal conversation), and it's just 58 decibels on quiet mode.
The mop attachment has spinning mop pads that do an outstanding job of scrubbing dried-on liquids while avoiding carpets. The cleaning tool that comes with the vac is perfect for cutting away hairs that get tangled in the brush, though this wasn't a common problem in my testing.
You can schedule the SpinWave to clean at the same time every day or mix it up using the Bissell Connect app (available for iOS and Android).
The biggest negatives were the robovac got stuck on a one-inch threshold between rooms. You can't set no-go zones to avoid it, so you may need to put a physical barrier in the way. Also, if your pets tend to have frequent accidents, a robot vacuum may not be a good choice since it could potentially spread the mess and destroy the vacuum.
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We tested 13 vacuums for this guide. These are the ones that didn't make the cut.
What else we recommend and why:
Bissell MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet, Model 2852: This and the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind were the best upright vacuums we tested. We decided to include the CleanView Swivel Rewind because it's more affordable and did a better job of picking up pet hair. Still, if you find the MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet on sale for cheaper, consider picking it up, especially if your home is heavily carpeted.
Bissell ICONpet Edge, Model 2894A: The ICONpet was easy to use, had one of the longest battery runtimes, and charged the fastest. It also did a great job of sucking up cat litter and flour on furniture in its handheld configuration. Emptying the dustbin was mess-free. However, it left behind 23% of the pet hair on carpet and furniture.
Dyson V15 Detect: At $700, this is the most expensive model we tested. It has a bunch of fancy, high-end features, such as a screen that gives you a rundown of what size and how much particulate matter it sucked up. It did a great job of cleaning all of the surfaces, except it left behind traces of pet hair on carpeting and furniture. I liked that the battery charged in under four hours, but it only lasted for eight minutes on top power. I also found the unit was tiring to hold in handheld mode, and I didn't like that I had to keep the trigger depressed for it to run.
Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins, Model AZ2002: The suction and rollers were so powerful with this upright vac that I felt like I was trying to rein in a shark. It excelled on carpet and hardwood. It was also easy to use. The biggest negative was the large dustbin was hard to empty without sending particles flying.
What we don't recommend and why:
Black+Decker Dustbuster, Model HHVK515JP07: This handheld was easy to use, affordable, and had one of the longest battery runtimes. However, it didn't do a good job of cleaning on any surface. It appears to have a loose flap leading into the dustbin, which caused a lot of the debris it sucked up to just fall back out onto the floor.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser: After testing this corded handheld vac on carpeting and hardwood, I gave up on it. It's just not pleasant to use. The head has a narrow opening so cleaning a mess takes several passes. Cheerios clogged it. Flour would come pouring back out of the head after I turned off the power, and it was hard to stay clean when disposing of debris.
Black+Decker Spillbuster Portable Carpet Cleaner: In all fairness, this cordless handheld is designed for cleaning up wet messes. This is a guide for vacuums that clean up pet hair, a dry mess. It did not do well in our tests, but if I ever write a guide about the best vacuums for pet waste, I look forward to putting this vac through its paces.
Shark Vertex Ultralight DuoClean PowerFins, Model HZ2002: This corded stick vacuum showed promise, initially picking up all of the materials except flour. As I used it more, I noticed that debris was escaping from the dustbin. This was a dealbreaker.
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We put each vacuum in this guide through several objective tests. The most important factors to take into account when buying a vacuum are how well it picks up pet hair on a variety of surfaces and how easy it is to use, empty, and maintain.
Here's a breakdown of how much of each material (in grams) the top picks cleaned up on each surface in our tests:
|
Surface - Material |
Dyson V11 Animal | Bissell CleanView | Miele Classic C1 | Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme |
| Carpet - Cheerios | 47 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Carpet - Litter | 97 | 100 | 100 | 98 |
| Carpet - Coffee | 100 | 77 | 96 | 97 |
| Carpet - Hair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.89 |
| Carpet - Flour | 83 | 88 | 92 | 83 |
| Hardwood - Cheerios | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Hardwood - Litter | 100 | 100 | 97 | 97 |
| Hardwood - Coffee | 100 | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Hardwood - Hair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.84 |
| Hardwood - Flour | 95 | 93 | 93 | 89 |
| Furniture - Litter | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Furniture - Hair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Furniture - Flour | 49 | 44 | 45 | 49 |
Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:
Carpet cleaning: One at a time, I poured 100 grams of different substances on a five-square-foot patch of carpeting. I used 100 grams of flour, coffee grounds, and cat litter; 50 grams of Cheerios; and a one-gram mix of cat and dog hair of varying lengths. Then I vacuumed up as much of each substance as I could in 30 seconds. Lastly, I compared the weight of the dustbin after vacuuming to the starting weight to determine how much of each material the vacuum collected.
Hardwood cleaning: The process was the same as with carpet cleaning, only the tests were conducted on five square feet of hardwood flooring.
Furniture cleaning: I poured 50 grams each of cat litter and flour plus the one-gram pet hair mix on a chair with fabric upholstery. Then I used the manufacturer-recommended cleaning configuration for furniture. Again, to determine how much debris the vacuum collected in 30 seconds, I compared the weights of the dustbin before and after sucking up each material.
Battery (if applicable): I fully charged the vacuum. Then I timed how long it could run on top power until the battery died. Lastly, I timed how long it took to fully charge the vacuum.
Ease of use: This is a somewhat subjective experience measurement. As I used each vacuum, I paid close attention to what made it hard or easy to use. For example, the Dyson vacuums were harder to use because you need to keep your finger on the trigger to keep the vacuum running. Also, they were heavy in the handheld configuration. The cord got in the way with some of the corded vacuums. The Miele lost points because of its suboptimal maneuverability.
Disposal: Aside from the Miele, which has a disposable vacuum bag, I emptied the dustbins of the vacuums at least a dozen times each. As I did this, I noted how messy the process was and if I came in contact with the debris. Preference was given to vacuums that were easy to empty and didn't send dust flying outside of the trash bin.
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Do you need a vacuum for pet hair, or is it just marketing?
There are certainly vacuums that aren't specifically marketed for pet hair that will work just fine. However, some characteristics set the best ones apart from ordinary vacuum cleaners.
The main features that make a vacuum ideal for pet hair are strong suction, excellent filtration, and specialized cleaner heads and attachments. A good cleaner head will loosen up debris stuck deep in the fibers of carpeting and furniture. The strong suction will suck it up, and a well-sealed filtration system will ensure the debris doesn't end up back in the air you breathe.
If you're concerned about allergens in your air, be sure you choose a vacuum that has a true HEPA filter. These filters (commonly found in air purifiers) capture 99.7% of 0.3-micron particles.
What are the best attachments for pet hair?
Powerful suction alone doesn't cut it when you're trying to remove pet hair that is embedded in your carpeting or furniture. To get pesky pet hair, you need a cleaner head that agitates the surface you're cleaning.
The brushroll on the main head of most vacuum cleaners will loosen the pet hair enough for the vac to suck it up. But, for furniture, cat trees, dog beds, and other elevated surfaces, look for attachments that have mini-motorized brushrolls or at least bristles that will free up pet hair.
What can you do to ensure the longevity and top performance of your vacuum?
I'm guilty of not maintaining my vacuum until it gets so clogged that it doesn't work. Today's vacuums are so easy to clean, and the few seconds you take to clean them will increase their cleaning performance so drastically that you'll save time in the long run.
Though maintenance varies from vacuum to vacuum and you should consult your user manual for the most accurate information, most models can benefit from regular filter cleaning and checking the brushroll and removing any debris that's built up.
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Brushroll: Also known as a brush bar or roller brush, this is the long, cylindrical part of the vacuum head that comes in contact with the surface you're cleaning. It's designed to agitate carpet fibers so that the vacuum can suck up embedded dust, hair, and other debris that might not come loose with suction alone. On hard surfaces, you'll typically want to turn the brushroll off since it might scatter the substances you are trying to clean up.
Canister: A canister vacuum has a wheeled container that houses the debris collection (typically a vacuum bag), suction motor, and filter system. This container is connected to the handle with a hose. As you vacuum, the debris travels through the vacuum head and hose and collects in the wheeled container that rolls with you as you clean.
Crevice tool: This attachment, which comes with most vacuums, is long and narrow making it ideal for reaching into crevices between couch cushions, in your car, and other hard-to-reach spots.
Handheld: While you hold most vacuums in your hand, this specifically refers to small vacs that you hold entirely off the ground while you use them. They are ideal for furniture, walls and ceilings, and vehicles.
HEPA filter: An acronym for high-efficiency particulate air, HEPA filters must be able to capture at least 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles. This makes them ideal for allergy sufferers or anyone who wants to keep dust out of the air.
Upright: Upright vacuums are the popular design that most people think of when they think of a vacuum cleaner. They have all of their components located in one unit: a vacuum head, dustbin, motor, and handle. These vacuums typically feature a cord and can stand upright on their own.
Stick: Stick vacuums are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatility and easy storage. The motor, dustbin, and handle are one unit. A pole or stick connects the handle to the vacuum head, and you can typically remove the pole for handheld operation. Most stick vacuums are cordless.
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