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A goldendoodle dog laying on a rug and nose to nose with a vacuum Credit: Getty Images / Jason Doiy

The Best Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2024

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A goldendoodle dog laying on a rug and nose to nose with a vacuum Credit: Getty Images / Jason Doiy

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Editor's Choice Product image of Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet
Best Overall

Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet

3.5
Check Price at Amazon

If you've got pets, the Shark NV752 is worth paying a little extra for. Its clever latch-based design makes getting rid of cat and dog hair a breeze. Read More

Pros

  • Picks up 52% of dirt in a single pass
  • Excels at picking up cat and dog hair
  • Makes it easy to clean stairs and under furniture

Cons

  • None that we could find
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390
Best Handheld for Pet Hair

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390

4.3
Check Price at Amazon

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390 dominates when it comes to cleaning pet hair off of upholstery. Read More

Pros

  • Large capacity
  • Useful attachments

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Upholstery brush tough to clean
3
Editor's Choice Product image of LG CordZero A9 Ultimate
Best Cordless for Pet Hair

LG CordZero A9 Ultimate

Check Price at Amazon

This easy-to-use cordless impressed us with its powerful suction. Its battery life and easy storage beat out Dyson’s top performers, but the A9 lacks raw power. Read More

Pros

  • Able to stand and charge without drilling
  • Brush heads for both hardwood and carpet
  • Rechargeable and removable batteries

Cons

  • Weaker than Dyson
  • Cumbersome to change attachments
4
Editor's Choice Product image of Kenmore 81614
Best Canister Vacuum for Pet Hair

Kenmore 81614

4.0
Check Price at Amazon

The Kenmore had no problem gathering dirt from the darkest corners of a thick carpet. We appreciated how many attachments it came with, and the adjustable floor brush works on any kind of carpet. Read More

Pros

  • Powerful suction
  • Carries attachments onboard
  • Worked well on pet hair

Cons

  • Hard to carry up stairs
  • Brush head and wand fall over all the time
5
Editor's Choice Product image of iRobot Roomba j7+
Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair

iRobot Roomba j7+

4.9
Check Price at Amazon

The iRobot Roomba j7+ boasts excellent navigation, forward-thinking smart features, and good cleaning performance. Read More

Pros

  • Excellent navigation
  • Easy storage
  • Good cleaning performance

Cons

  • Loud
  • Best Overall Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet
  • Best Handheld for Pet Hair Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390
  • Best Cordless for Pet Hair LG CordZero A9 Ultimate
  • Best Canister Vacuum for Pet Hair Kenmore 81614
  • Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair iRobot Roomba j7+
  • Other Vacuums We Tested
  • How We Tested
  • What Should I Do If My House is Covered in Pet Hair?
  • How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

The right vacuum is essential to keeping loose fur from shedding from taking over your home. Nobody likes picking cat and dog hair off their clothes on the way to work. But the variety of vacuum options is dizzying—and some are definitely better than others.

To find the best pet vacuum, we evaluated how well each picked up dirt, cleaned pet hair off carpets and furniture, and assessed the vacuum's overall handling.

With these metrics in mind, we think the Shark NV752 TruePet (available at Amazon for $269.99) , an upright vacuum, is the best for most people. However, we also tested a number of cordless vacuums and robot vacs, if these are more your speed.


The Shark NV752 TruePet standing on a patterned rug with a couch in the background.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The Shark NV752 TruePet is the best pet hair vacuum for most households.

Best Overall
Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet

Of all the vacuums we’ve tested, the Shark NV752 TruePet hits our marks for price, power, and versatility. During testing, it picked up around 52% of the dirt we laid out for it per pass, landing in the upper third of all the vacuums we’ve ever tested, the top tier picking up around 70% per pass.

The NV752 is amazing at removing pet hair. Both the main brush head and the motorized attachment excelled at picking up cat and dog hair and deep cleaning. The hose and attachments latch with a satisfying click, so it’s easy to switch between cleaning the floor and furniture.

Finally, the NV752 is the only vacuum on our list that has the Lift-Away feature, turning the upright into a canister without wheels. This option allows you to more easily reach areas that are hard to vacuum, like on the stairs and under furniture.

All in all, the Shark NV752 is a crowd-pleaser. At around 17 pounds, it is on the heavier side and the price also gave us a little pause. We think it’s worth it, but we know some people will balk at the idea of spending so much. Our gripes aside, the NV752 truly is the best pet hair vacuum.

Pros

  • Picks up 52% of dirt in a single pass

  • Excels at picking up cat and dog hair

  • Makes it easy to clean stairs and under furniture

Cons

  • None that we could find

$269.99 from Amazon
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390 cleaning a pillow
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser provides plenty of power and versatility

Best Handheld for Pet Hair
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390

When it comes to dealing with pet hair, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390 is the handheld to get. During testing, it made a cat’s napping cushion like new again. We also pitted the Pet Hair Eraser against a blanket covered in Burmese Mountain dog hair, where it also excelled.

While this Bissell lives up to the advertisements for dealing with pet hair, it’s also a good spot cleaner for all sorts of messes. It picked up 94% of the testing dirt we laid out for it on medium-pile carpet in a single pass.

Aside from power, the Pet Hair Eraser also packs plenty of stamina. Its dirt cup can hold up to 24 ounces of dirt, which is above average for handhelds. And its battery can last up to 19 minutes of continuous cleaning. Combine these two stats, and you have a handheld vacuum that can tackle anything from a seat in a car to a whole room full of furniture.

Pros

  • Large capacity

  • Useful attachments

Cons

  • Heavy

  • Upholstery brush tough to clean

$79.39 from Amazon

$79.95 from Best Buy

$79.95 from Target

$79.95 from Abt
The LG CordZero A9 is a fantastic cordless vacuum for pet owners.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The LG CordZero A9 is a fantastic cordless vacuum for pet owners.

Best Cordless for Pet Hair
LG CordZero A9 Ultimate

When it comes to getting every last dust bunny and tuft left behind from your long-haired cat, nothing beats a cordless vacuum. The LG CordZero A9 is a prime example of a cordless stick vacuum that solves many of the common pain points consumers experience with these mobile floor cleaners.

Its stand and wall mount offer the versatility of a permanent charging station or a mobile one, and its two rechargeable batteries give you 16 minutes of cleaning time on high and 80 minutes on low. For most households, that’s enough battery life to have one in the vacuum and another in the charging dock. It’s also great for spot cleaning.

For general cleaning power, the A9 is second only to select models from Dyson. However, this LG has a few distinct advantages when it comes to caring for a home with furry friends (and their pet dander).

First, it has an attachment called the Power Punch Nozzle. This attachment vibrates, which helps loosen hairs that are embedded in your upholstery. The second advantage is a super-soft brush roll for cleaning hardwood floors without scratching them. That’s a must for when your cat tracks kitty litter all over your teak floors.

Read our review of the LG CordZero A9

Pros

  • Able to stand and charge without drilling

  • Brush heads for both hardwood and carpet

  • Rechargeable and removable batteries

Cons

  • Weaker than Dyson

  • Cumbersome to change attachments

Buy now at Amazon

$599.99 from Home Depot

$519.00 from Walmart
A canister vacuum on a blue background.
Credit: Reviewed / Kenmore

Our favorite canister vacuum for cleaning up pet hair is the Kenmore 81614.

Best Canister Vacuum for Pet Hair
Kenmore 81614

While the retailer Sears may be in decline, its Kenmore brand is going strong and widely available on Amazon. We think the Kenmore 600 series would be a welcomed addition to any pet owner’s cleaning arsenal.

In testing, the PetPowerMate proved to be a monster at picking up pet hair. Aside from the power mini brush, the 600 series carries a crevice and dusting tool and an upholstery tool onboard.

During testing, we liked the fact that we could adjust the suction power on the fly via a slider on the handle. Most vacuums require you to stop and turn a knob on the body, which is cumbersome. In cleaning tests, the 600 series picked up around 44% of the dirt. While not stellar in the grand scheme, this was enough to rank it highly among other canister vacuums.

Read our review of the Kenmore 81614

Pros

  • Powerful suction

  • Carries attachments onboard

  • Worked well on pet hair

Cons

  • Hard to carry up stairs

  • Brush head and wand fall over all the time

$298.99 from Amazon

$349.99 from Walmart
The forward-facing camera of the iRobot Roomba j7+ with its light on
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

We found the light that helps the j7+ navigate to be intrusive at times.

Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair
iRobot Roomba j7+

The iRobot Roomba j7+ excels at navigation, but unusually, it can also empty itself. A vacuum in the charging base suctions everything out of the bin into a sealable bag so that you don't have to see, touch, or smell what your robot vacuum picks up.

Also for your convenience, the j7+ has a whole host of smart features. It’s Alexa and Google Home compatible, and can even make virtual maps that track cleaning cycles and keep it out of specific rooms, perfect for keeping it away from pet beds and litter boxes.

Pet hair aside, this Roomba actively avoids running over dog poop and tracking it across your floors. Robot vacuum owners will readily tell what a common problem this is, so we actually put it to the test.

Fancy tech aside, the j7+ also delivers power. On average, it picked up 9.35 grams of debris per test run, so in a week, it can keep up with a mild manual cleaning. The i7+ is expensive, but also a huge leap forward in features and performance.

Read our review of the iRobot Roomba j7+

Pros

  • Excellent navigation

  • Easy storage

  • Good cleaning performance

Cons

  • Loud

Buy now at Amazon

$749.00 from Home Depot

$635.49 from Walmart

Other Vacuums We Tested

Product image of Tineco A10 Hero
Tineco A10 Hero

The Tineco A10 Hero is our favorite affordable cordless vacuum. Its removable battery can last 7 minutes on the max settings and 14 minutes on regular.

The A10 comes with a standard assortment of attachments including a crevice tool, a mini-powered brush, and an upholstery brush, which work great when you convert the A10 into a handheld vacuum. While none of these wowed us, we like the fact that the default brush head has bright LED lights to help you hunt down that last tuft of hair under your bed.

Pros

  • Good suction for the price

  • Removable battery

  • Powerful LED lights help find dirt

Cons

  • Joints on attachments can be stiff

Buy now at Amazon

$199.99 from Walmart
Product image of Eufy RoboVac 11s
Eufy RoboVac 11s

It’s hard to imagine a robot vacuum with a following. However, with over 5,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, it’s hard to deny that people love the Eufy 11S. We understand why: It’s our favorite affordable robot vacuum.

In testing, the 11S picked up around 60% of the testing debris, more than what most iRobot models manage. We also noted that during operation, the 11S was quiet, rarely making enough noise to interrupt a conversation. The combination of good dirt pickup and quiet operation make the 11S one of our favorite robot vacuums.

Pet owners will like that this robot is affordable and has robust cleaning cycles.

Pros

  • Slim design allows it to clean more areas

  • Excellent dirt pickup

Cons

  • Can get caught on throw rugs

  • Clean cycles can last up to two hours

$159.99 from Walmart
Product image of Bissell 22543 Cleanview Swivel Rewind Pet
Bissell 22543 Cleanview Swivel Rewind Pet

Bissell is not only well known for making vacuums, but also for advocacy on behalf of animal welfare. So it’s no surprise that the company makes a wide variety of products catering to pet owners, and we’ve tested plenty of them.

The CleanView is on of our favorite affordable uprights and we loved Bissell’s dog-washing vacuum.

The Bissell Swivel Rewind Pet was more of a miss than a hit. We liked the automatically retracting cord, and the titular swivel joint made it easy to maneuver this vacuum around furniture.

However, we found that this vacuum lacked powerful dirt pickup relative to its price. During testing, we found 41% of the testing detritus in the dirt cup. That’s not a terrible score, but it’s not enough to justify a top spot.

Pros

  • Automatically retracting cord

  • Easy to maneuver around furniture

Cons

  • Lacks powerful suction

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is our favorite affordable upright bagless vacuum. It did a decent job of cleaning, picking up 38% of the testing dirt we laid out on an average pass. (Anything over 33% is solid.)

But it also has several features that make it great for tracking down pet dander and hair in hard-to-reach places. The brush head is small and has a swivel joint, making it easy to maneuver in hard-to-reach areas. The Lift-Away feature converts it into a kind of canister vacuum, which is hard to lug around, but does give it a little more versatility and reach.

Finally, the automatic height adjustment means you can go from pulling cat hair from your thick area rug to nabbing tumbleweeds of dog hair from short-pile carpet without having to stop and make adjustments.

Read our review of the Shark NV352

Pros

  • Can transform into a pseudo-canister vac

  • Average dirt pickup

Cons

  • Difficult to use

$179.99 from Amazon

How We Tested

The Tester

I’m Jon Chan, the Senior Lab Technician at Reviewed. It’s my job to test and write about products ranging from coolers to laundry detergents. When it came to testing vacuums for pet hair, I really wanted to find a model that provided excellent value as a floor cleaner and can deal with pet hair.

The Tests

We tested every vacuum to see if they could handle pet hair.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

We tested every vacuum to see if they could handle pet hair.

The pet hair tests: Various members of the staff "donated" hair from their pets for testing. We test each type of vacuum differently, but here we focused on whether models could pick up the pet hair. For full-sized, cordless, and handheld vacuums, we tested whether they could handle pet hair on furniture, too.

Wherever possible, we tried to utilize any specialized attachments pertaining to pet hair. For robot vacuums, we placed tufts of pet hair under shelves, on rugs, and out in the open to see if the automated cleaner could pick them up.

Full-sized vacuums: We hold uprights and canisters to the same standards, testing them on deep-pile carpet, bare kitchen floors, and more. On bare floors, we’re usually looking at how they handle loose debris, but the carpet tests are all about deeply-ingrained dirt and pet hair.

We also test how easy it is to use each vacuum. We consider the weight, the length of the power cord, and more, because there’s more to a good vacuum than just raw power.

Aside from pet hair, we tested how each vacuum could deal with sand particles of various sizes.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

Aside from pet hair, we tested how each vacuum could deal with sand particles of various sizes.

Robot vacuums: We test robot vacuums in a specially-built obstacle course that simulates tight furniture legs, low shelves, high thresholds, and three different types of carpet. We usually test with a custom mixture of ground cork, but here we also pitted it against pet hair.

In general, we also want to see how easy a robot vacuum is to use. We look at its smart home skills, how easy it is to find replacement parts, and how often you need to empty the bin or give it a little nudge in the right direction.

In addition to performance, we checked out all the attachments that came with each vacuum.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

In addition to performance, we checked out all the attachments that came with each vacuum.

Cordless vacuums: When we test cordless vacuums, we’re looking for long battery life, ease of use, and suction power. Since battery life is such a big pain point for cordless vacs, we focus on it by charging each model for 24 hours and running it on high until it stops working.

We also test how easy it is to figure out and how convenient it is to use. For this list, we made sure to test any special attachments that claim to help deal with pet hair.

Handheld vacuums: Our handheld vacuum tests already involve covering a couch in dirt and pet hair and pitting these vacuums against it. After all, spot-cleaning animal hair and pet dander is one of the biggest uses for these vacuums. We also look at the weight and portability, and the balance between power and battery life.

What Should I Do If My House is Covered in Pet Hair?

Our general rule is always prevention. If you feel like you’re being overwhelmed by pet hair, we’d suggest focusing on the source. Brushing your furry friend on a regular basis will help keep their shedding hair from getting everywhere.

You can also try placing covers on furniture items that are difficult to clean, and adding more throw rugs to help protect your floors.

How Important Are Filters?

Filters are crucial to regulating airflow and making sure that what you clean up doesn’t blow back in your home. There are many types of filters, but we’ve found that the style of filter is less important than washing or replacing it as needed.

How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair

A good vacuum is a good vacuum, whatever you use it for. But there are certainly features to keep in mind if your biggest housekeeping headache is your furry friend’s shedding.

Suction Power

Raw power is a great place to start. Just remember that for some vacuums, that power comes at a price. High-powered vacuums may be heavier and harder to carry around. For cordless and handheld models, high power will also affect battery life.

Our testing has taught us that even the best vacuums require two to three passes to completely clean up dirt, but some are still more efficient than others.

HEPA Filters

HEPA filter stands for High-efficiency Particulate Air filter. United States law requires that a HEPA filter be able to remove 99.97% of all particulate matter bigger than 0.3 micrometers. Not only will HEPA filters catch pollen, dust, and the all-important pet dandruff, it will also catch the even-smaller allergens that they bring into the house on their fur.

You may see vacuums that advertise HEPA-like, HEPA-type, or 99% filters. Be aware that those are not HEPA filters, but instead ways of using the HEPA name without living up to its standard.

Pet Hair Attachments

A rotating brush agitator is crucial for removing pet hair from deep carpet. Most canister and upright vacuums will have this built in, but some cordless and handheld models will also have ones that you can attach, at the cost of lower battery life.

Behind the rotating brush, some vacuums have other special attachments made to tackle pet hair, and our testing has shown that some of them are fantastic improvements in keeping shedding under control.

Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews

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