Pets are amazing. They become your best friends and family in no time. Honestly, we couldn’t imagine a world without them. However, having a pet means you will have to overcome a couple of “problems”. One of these problems is the dreaded pet hair!
There are some solutions that will help decrease the amount of pet hair lying around in your house, such as feeding your pets with quality food or brushing them often. These things might help a little bit, but they do not substitute a quality vacuum cleaner that works great with pet hair.
Introduction
Leaving pet hair lying around in your floors and carpets does not only look bad, it might also cause health problems, such as allergies, sneezing and coughing. This is why it is important to have a quality vacuum cleaner that will eliminate pet hair once and for all.
Having said this, we have tested out our fair share of vacuums and decided to create this list for our readers to find the best pet vacuum. The best vacuums for pet hair we tested out use a combination of powerful suction and brushing in order to remove pet hair from anywhere in your house.
Keeping floors and carpets clean is already a big job, but if you have a pet that sheds a lot of hair, you have an even bigger challenge on your hands. Pet owners want to know 3 key elements when buying a new vacuum cleaner.
- 1. How much pet hair does it pick up?
2. How much is caught in the brush?
3. What is the price?
Recently there was an independent test done on the top 100 models to decide which vacuum cleaners were best for picking up pet hair. The amount of work and comparison done in this test was very impressive.
Best Vacuum Cleaners for Pets
Testing Details
– A carpet was saturated with 5 grams of pet hair, which is a lot of hair.
– Each vacuum was passed back and forth over the carpet the same number of times.
– Each vacuum was weighed before and after.
– Hair trapped in brush was also factored in.
Each of these steps were performed with 100 of the best vacuum cleaners on the market. And to take the test a step further, the results were cross-checked with other tests they performed for general vacuum cleaner duties such as picking up debris on carpets and hardwood floors.
The goal of this test is to get the all-around best product for your money as you do not want to pay a lot of cash for a one-trick-pony.
In addition to finding the best vacuum for pet hair, you can rest assure that these vacuum cleaner are also great for all around use. The biggest takeaway from the research was that pet hair completely changes the way vacuum is done.
There were vacuum cleaners under 150 dollars that out-performed many 500 dollar vacuum cleaner.
Our Recommended Vacuum Cleaners for Pet Hair in 2023
3. Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser
Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser is created to make cleaning up after pets easier, whether it is shedding season for your dog or your cat tracks kitty litter all over the place. Bissell engineered the new Pet Hair Eraser from the ground up for homes with pets. The vacuum cleaner got an innovative tangle free brush roll, which makes the pet hair to go in the tank instead of wrapping around the brush roll.
The upright vacuum cleaner also got a powerful edge-to-edge suction along with a hands-free empty-canister, keeping you from touching the pet mess. The best part is Bissell also makes a donation to the Bissell pet foundation for each pet hair eraser they sell.
The Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser has a unique cyclonic pet hair spooling system that collects the hair around these spools keeping it out of the top of the tank. The pet hair won’t clog the separator or the filters.
That means that emptying is truly hands free, and cleaning is faster and easier without the cleanup after the cleanup. Thanks to the combination of these 2 innovations, the tangle free brush roll and the cyclonic spooling system in the tank.
- Tangle-free brush roll, specialized pet tools - remove embedded pet hair everywhere
- NEW pet turboeraser tool, new snap on handle- 2in1 pet brush, brush on/off for scatter...
2. Dyson Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum
Dyson engineers strive to make vacuum cleaners that work better, through rigorous research, design and development. Take a look at the re-engineered Dyson Ball Multi Floor. According to Dyson it has the strongest suction of any vacuum.
This upright vacuum has a unique self-adjusting cleaner head to seal in that suction. It also has a powerful motorized brush bar. The Dyson is the only vacuum that rides on a ball and maneuvers around corners others can’t. The unique instant release wand extends over 15 feet, without the hassle of an awkward detachable canister.
- Self adjusting cleaner head; Seals in suction across carpets and hard floors
- Wand and hose release in one smooth action, so it’s easy to clean up high and under...
1. Hoover UH72630PC Wind Tunnel 3 Pet
We all know life with kids and pets can get beyond messy with all that fur, dirt and almost anything else you can think of getting all over the house. And that is where the High Performance Pet from Hoover comes in.
It is Hoover’s best cleaning bagless vacuum on the market today with all of the powerful suction you need to keep up with life. Combined with exclusive Wind Tunnel technology there is no need to go over the same spot again and again.
The Hoover UH72630PC Wind Tunnel 3 Pet has an incredibly effective quick pass brush roll, meaning you can clean all that daily up to two times faster. You can get to those out of reach messes that you often forget to clean, like the vents, the cracks on the couch and even the fur left by your pet buddy. The Hoover Wind Tunnel 3 is a must-have for busy homes, including a HEPA filtration, large dirt cup and even a 40 foot power cord to go almost anywhere.
- Hoover's best-cleaning bag less upright vacuum
- Quick Pass Brushroll - clean surface debris 2X faster without having to pass over the same...
What To Consider When Buying A Pet Vacuum
There are so many vacuums that claim to be perfect for cleaning pet hair nowadays that it can be a tough task to choose one that is right for you. Before we get into details, you should consider a couple of things before searching for the right vacuum.
Budget: This is an obvious one. How much are you willing to spend? There are cheap and expensive pet hair vacuum cleaners on the market. When deciding a budget you should consider:
- Do you want a vacuum cleaner that is great at cleaning pet hair AND at cleaning your house in general?
- Do you want a vacuum cleaner that specializes only in pet hair?
- Do you want a vacuum cleaner that gets the job done quickly but without much depth?
All of these factors influence the price of the vacuum and you should take them into account. It is also important to note that price is not always indicative of the quality, so beware.
Cleaning Space
What is the size of the space you are going to use the vacuum in? If you plan on using the vacuum to clean pet hair in small spaces you should consider buying a smaller vacuum. Smaller vacuums are less powerful but can save more energy and are easier to handle.
Filters
Most vacuums for pet hair possess filters. They are important in vacuums because they not only keep your floors clean, they help keep the air clean as well. Since we are talking about vacuum cleaners for pet hair, this is especially important.
Most vacuums are capable of getting 99.97% of allergens, which is HEPA standard. If you are planning on buying a pet hair vacuum, make sure it meets this standard.
Type Of Vacuum
Do you prefer an upright vacuum, a cylinder vacuum or a plain small handheld vacuum?
- Upright vacuums are the best for picking up pet hair and other allergens on your floor. Uprights are great for homes since they are easy to maneuver, are not as large as canister vacuums and include great features, such as powerful suction, brushing and great filters.
- Canister vacuums are larger and more powerful types of vacuums. They are great for overall use as you can usually adjust them to your cleaning needs.
- Cylinder vacuums are lighter and more portable than canister and upright vacuums. They are mostly used to clean small spaces, such as stairs and corners.
- Handheld vacuums are normally used as a quick fix for cleaning couches and chairs, for example. While they are practical, they are not the ultimate solution to get rid of pet hair.
Bag vs. Bag-Less Vacuums
When purchasing a vacuum, you will need to decide if you want a bag or bag-less vacuums. Nowadays bag-less vacuums are the most popular options. Here are a few reasons why:
- Saves money: No need to buy bags
- Eco-friendly: No need to throw away bags
- Easier to empty: Nowadays vacuums are really easy to empty
- Transparency: Without the use of a bag, you will know if your vacuum is actually picking up those pet hairs or not because you will be able to see through.
- Maneuverability: If you are planning on using the vacuum for different areas, you should definitely consider its ease of maneuverability.
Durability
You want to spend your hard earned money in a product that will last. There are many vacuums out there that work on the first try but after a couple of uses it seems to not work so well anymore. We took this into consideration when reviewing pet hair vacuum cleaners.
Noise
Many people don’t take this into account when buying a vacuum cleaner. After they purchase the product and turn it on, they realize they will not be able to use it very much. However, a lot of people don’t care about this. Either way, we took this into account as well.
You will also need to consider certain things such as suction control, cord vs. cordless, running time and accessories. We will talk about these factors in our Pet hair Pick-Up Guide below.
Pet Vacuum Cleaner Advice, Effective Pet Hair Pick-Up Guide
Pet vacuum cleaners are very much in demand today because most pet owners know that the most difficult part of looking after their animals is keeping their home clean, fresh and hair free.
Cleaning pet hair that is scattered all around your home is not the easiest of jobs because hair sticks to carpets, curtains, walls and especially upholstery all around your home. Furthermore, hair fibers are very small and many can be invisible, which adds to this problem.
There is also the risk of causing allergic reactions among those who have asthma or allergies, so there really is great importance in ridding your home of pet hairs. This will also improve your indoor air quality so that you can breathe much better quality air in your own home.
What Model to Pick
Several models of vacuum cleaners on the market today are very competent in dealing with pet hair. It’s important to choose a vacuum cleaner that has the right features and functions which make it efficient in cleaning pet hair from all your home carpets, furnishings and upholstery.
Powerful vacuum cleaners that have turbo brushes or power heads are suitable for this kind of deep cleaning. They are good at getting deep down into your carpet fibers to dislodge dirt and hair, before high suction ability removes it completely.
Many good quality vacuum manufacturers sell pet canister vacuum cleaners with very high powered brushes and motorized rollers to deep clean your carpets of dirt and hair.
Even the best hand held vacuums are not ideal for this type of job because they simply do not have the power. It’s wise to invest in a quality ‘pet vacuum cleaner’ that comes with all the attachments needed to effectively clean different parts of your home.
There are some pet hand held vacuum cleaners specifically for animal hair, but they are only good at quick clean up jobs and accidental spills. You will save money in the long run by purchasing a high quality pet vacuum with plenty of accessories, brushes, and tools which make the job of pet hair cleaning much easier and quicker in your home.
Pet Vacuum Cleaner Advice
Traditional upright cleaners that have turbo or motorized brushes are great for this kind of pet hair vacuuming, because they have high suction and fast revolving brush heads that are very effective in cleaning pet hair.
Upright vacuums are generally more powerful than canister vacuums, but this is not always the case, so you will have to take into consideration wattage and air watts. This is the best way to determine how good the suction ability of a vacuum cleaner will be.
Cylinder, or canister vacuum cleaners are also effective pet vacuum cleaners too. Some good cylinder pet vacuum models come with powerful turbo heads using fast rotating air driven rollers. These effective floor heads will give your carpet a deep down clean and eliminate pet hair from your carpets. They are ideal for pile carpets of any depth.
Modern canister vacuums have very advanced technology that are ideal for pet owners, such as odor removal features to rid your home of unpleasant pet smells. They often use a charcoal cassette inside the vacuum with an Active Air Clean filter, which neutralizes smells from inside your vacuum cleaner, and purifies the surrounding air outside it.
Pet hairs vary in thickness and most of them are invisible, but still pose a problem in your home and have to be cleaned from your carpets and upholstery.
If they are not vacuumed up and are left to rot in your home, they will ultimately start to smell. To avoid this problem, you need to have a vacuum cleaner that is fitted with an effective HEPA filter – ‘High-Efficiency Particulate Air/Arrest’.
HEPA Vacuum Cleaner
A good pet vacuum cleaner that is fitted with a quality HEPA vacuum filter will trap over 99.97% of all dust particles, hair, pollen, smoke and other unhealthy allergens and pollutants in it’s filter.
Even the invisible dust and hair particles will not escape this type of highly effective filtration technique, which will leave your home clean, hygienic, fresh and safe from poor indoor air.
Even if you do not suffer from allergies, asthma or any breathing related health issue, it’s still advisable to use a HEPA vacuum cleaner on a regular basis.
The most effective and best pet vacuum cleaners will have a power head, HEPA filter, high suction and a pet odor eliminator. Find the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair.
Features and Specifications to look For when Buying a Pet Vacuum Cleaner
There are several aspects such as specifications, standards and features to consider when deciding on what is the best vacuum for you. Understanding a variety of specifications for pet vacuums can be very challenging. The primary specifications include volts, amps, watts, sealed suction, horsepower and airflow.
There are also other secondary specifications that influence the cleaning ability of a vacuum. These comprise quality, cleaning tools, filtration, capacity and cost of the machine and its maintenance. Here are some good qualities of the best vacuum cleaner:
Type of vacuum
This one is absolutely vital. Depending on cleaning environment (that is hardwood floor or mattress, stairs or not, type of furniture in the home etc.), we must decide to go with Canister or Upright vacuum. For example, if you have wall-to-wall carpet, you must consider type of fibers used in it to make the perfect selection. In this case, upright vacuum would be better choice because of higher suction capacity.
Performance of cleaner
The most effective factor to check. You must evaluate the performance of the vacuum cleaner before buying one. To simplify your task, check the performance parameters below:
- Amp Rating: 10 to 12 amps
- Wattage Rating: 1200 to 1400 watts
- Air Flow: 100CFM or more
- Water Lift: 90 Inches or more
- Must have bypass motor with little noise
Filtration – High level of filtration is expected, otherwise fine particles will go right out of a cleaner on the floor. Living dust on the floor is deadly if any of the family members have health condition like asthma or allergies. Better, go for HEPA approved vacuum cleaners only.
Durability – Of course you want best value for your money. So, always go with the best vacuum for pet hair that has raving reviews from users about its durability.
Storage – This is a no-brainer really. People are crazy about bagless vacuums but that’s not the best constraint. Some of the vacuum cleaners with bag can perform better if there is indication light for full bag. Rather, we should focus on storage capacity in alliance with area of our house. In simple words, if you must cover larger area, go with the one that has higher storage capacity.
Noise Level – Have you felt mental pain when you neighbor is hoovering. You must avoid that, seriously. Some of the vacuums specialized for pet hair make intolerable noise because of low quality motor(s) used. Here in our top 5, we have taken care of that factor also to make sure that you can peacefully complete you cleaning task. Absolutely no nuisance!
Features – We can go into endless list when it comes to features of vacuum. However, our aim here is to let you know the features that are required to suck pet hair and allergens. Keep in mind features like Cord and hose length, cord rewind, height adjustment, rinsable filter, nozzle width, cleaning technology and cyclonic action.
Cost – Performance and durability are factors to give preferences to but one cannot overlook the cost of the cleaning machine. Some of the vacuums for dog or cat hair may cost you more than $500 but still would provide you same features like low cost vacuum. So, after investigating all the features, we must compare price to make final decision.
Picking up Pet hair
Finding the best vacuum for pet hair can be a bit difficult because there are so many models to choose from. Cleaning up pet hair can be a real drag, especially in the summer months when your pets shed constantly.
There are vacuums that are specially designed to capture pet hair and remove it from furniture, carpets, rugs and even hard floors. Of course like anything else there are certain criteria that will help you to decide which the best is.
There are going to be some rather standard traits and then there will be some exceptional features that will propel one model way ahead of the pack making it the best vacuum for pet hair.
One of the main problems with vacuums is the amount of suction that they deliver to get rid of the dirt and hair. The more powerful the motor the more suction it will provide. This is important to keep in mind when you are searching for the best choice.
A vacuum with a small motor is not going to have the power to get rid of the hair the way you need it to. Choose a vacuum with a powerful motor, to insure that you are getting the power that you need to get rid of the pet hair that is stuck on your furniture and floors.
Hand Held Attachments
When you start your search for the best vacuum for pet hair you are going to notice that each model that is designed specifically for this purpose has a brush attachment that is used for furniture.
n some models the brush attachment is motorized, this is a great option for really getting rid of the pet hair. In some models it is simply a brush that is built around a hole. Honestly the models that do not have the motorized brush option are really a waste of time; these models are no different than a typical vacuums attachment.
They certainly will not make it into the best vacuum for pet hair category. The motorized brush attachments are by far superior, they rotate to capture the hair much like the bottom of the vacuums brush does. This is an excellent option.
Lightweight Convenience
Being able to move the vacuum up and down stairs from one level of the house to another is really important when you are trying to get rid of pet hair. You certainly do not want to clean one level only to have the hair fly around from the next.
Ideally the best vacuum for pet hair is going to be lightweight enough for you to move it from one level to the next.
The cord on the vacuum should be long, this also points toward convenience, and it is far easier to plug the vacuum in and not have to worry about unplugging it and re plugging it back in to go from room to room.
The best vacuum for pet hair is one that has a large enough motor to get the job done, yet is lightweight and easy to maneuver. Read as many consumer reviews as you can stand before purchasing to find the best vacuum for you.
If you have any questions or comments, please add them below in the comment section. Similarly, please let us know if you spot any mistakes or omissions. Thanks!
Last Update: 2024-04-18 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
