It can be difficult to nail down just one good vacuum for a variety of applications and when you want to find the best vacuum for pet hair, you may be confused about which machine will give the best performance. There really is nothing worse than finding that friends and family will not come to your home because they do not want to be covered in dog hair. The best way to tackle this problem is to clean the dog hair up on a regular basis. Dogs can be groomed regularly to remove excess hair, but dog hair always ends up on the floor and must be removed daily if it is excessive with the use of a vacuum.
When dog hair is not removed regularly it tends to be tracked around to other parts of the home. The search for a reliable vacuum for pet hair is something that many people tend to take quite seriously. Issues such as pet dander can make it difficult for those with serious allergies to handle having pets in the home, but when you have a good pet hair vacuum, it can help to reduce pet dander and keep the cat hair and dog hair under control. Hardwood floors and tile floors can gather hair and turn it into active tumbleweeds on the floor.
We’ve identified the best pet hair vacuums that will be popular for 2019. Which one is right for you depends on your budget and some of the features that a few units have that the others don’t.
1. Shark APEX AZ1002 DuoClean With Zero-M Anti-Hair Wrap Technology
The Shark range of domestic home products is extensive and vacuum cleaners designed for specialized applications, is something the brand is known for. So it goes without saying that The Shark Apex AZ1002 is going to stand out as an exceptional machine. Not only is this vacuum cleaner a wiz at removing pet hair, it is exceptional as a dual purpose vacuum cleaner for both carpets and hard floors.
Removing pet hair from your floors is one thing. But cleaning the hair from your brush rolls is an unwanted frustration. This is where the Shark AZ1002 really shows its prowess. The smart engineers at Shark have come up with a simple, yet highly effective way to remove pet hair as you clean. The Zero-M system removes unwanted pet, or human hair that wraps around the brush roll without you having to do a thing.
Another bonus for pet owners is the Complete Seal, anti-allergen air filtration system. The HEPA filtration meets the highest standards and is great for removing allergens from the air, as well as those pesky pet odors. Noise reduction is another plus, both for you and your beloved cats or dogs. We all know how a growling vacuum cleaner can set our pets into a frenzy.
Along with the obvious pet-friendly features, the Shark Apex AZ1002 has all hallmarks of a high-end vacuum cleaner. The removable canister instantly transforms it from a proficient upright vacuum into a convenient handheld one. LED lights on the cleaning head and handle make things easier in corners and under furniture. The DuoClean brush rolls transition from deep cleaning for thick carpets to polishing hard floors effortlessly.
Removing pet hair from your carpets and polishing your hard floors couldn’t be easier with this remarkable vacuum cleaner. The Shark Apex AZ1002 is not just a superb pet hair vacuum cleaner, it’s a dream machine for any busy home.
2. Shark Rotator TruePet Powered Lift-Away NV752
A 3-in-1 design will always attract buyers that want a little extra versatility from their vacuum cleaner and the Shark Rotator NV752‘s combination of a powerful upright machine, lift away pod with brush roll and a canister with a caddy is particularly appealing to those looking for the best vacuum for pet hair. This is going to be flagship model for Shark.
The power and effectiveness of the pod and its brush make it one of the top vacuums for dog hair and this is enhanced by the use of the anti-allergen complete seal technology and the TruePet mini-motorized brush attachment. This neat little accessory joins the hard-floor genie to showcase the potential of this Shark pet vacuum as a truly versatile mode across different surfaces and addition of the LED lights and “extreme” under furniture reach just add to its capabilities. Lifting pet hair may be the primary aim but this adaptability means any dirt can be attacked from almost anywhere.
3. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson Ball Allergy Upright is a new 2017 model it is yet to be available freely at some of the popular name brand retail sites. You get Dyson’s turn on a dime maneuverability, the ability to clean your whole house with a single vacuum, not a very heavy vacuum, you literally won’t tire of using, and a good warranty if you buy through a licensed seller. The Dyson Ball Allergy version has everything the Dyson Ball Multi-Floor vacuum has plus a few extras like a turbine tool and a soft brush for dusting.
One of its few weaknesses is that, despite all the tools and maneuverability, it doesn’t do stairs very well. On the upside, you’ll be able to pick up all the hair the dog shed on the carpet, cat hair on the cushions and crumbs spilled on the kitchen floor. This is expected to be Dyson’s best upright pet vacuum.
4. Bissell 20431 Powerglide Lift Off Pet Plus Upright Bagless Vacuum
There are a couple of good reasons why the Bissell Powerglide has made it onto our list of best pet hair vacuum cleaners. Firstly it has specialized pet tools that allow you to remove pet hair from even the most difficult of places including upholstery, stairs and other areas where pet hair tends to collect. Another reason why this vacuum is the ideal machine for pet owners is that it has the Febreze pet odor filter that eliminates the odors associated with pets and leaves the air in your home fresh and clean.
There are two very useful attachments for removing pet hair. One is the mighty powerful tangle-free turbo pet hair eraser that will remove pet hair with a tough cleaning action, making light work of even thick long pet hair. It also has a more gentle pet hair tool that’s ideal for removing fine hair that clings to your upholstery and soft fabrics.
The two in one design gives the advantages of both an upright vacuum and a portable, hand held vacuum. This means that the lift-off canister can be easily removed, enabling you to carry it one hand and get into those tricky areas where pet hairs collect with the greatest of ease. This feature also makes it easier for cleaning stairs.
Even more good news for pet lovers is the triple action brush roller that effectively removes pet hair from any surface. The roller brush can be switched on and off as needed. It also has a unique SmartSeal system that traps allergens in the vacuum cleaner. This means that you don’t need to worry about allergies to pet hair or any airborne allergens.
If cleaning up after your fur babies has always seemed like an impossible chore, the Bissel Powerglide Lift Off Pet Plus will certainly change your life. It is, undoubtedly one of the best pet vacuum cleaners that you’ll find. In terms of quality, you can take comfort in the fact that this vacuum comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
5. New Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum
The Miele Complete C3 vacuum cleaner is a premium vacuum cleaner, and it has a premium price tag. Replacement vacuum bags are several dollars each. It is easy to find replacement bags and filters for this vacuum cleaner. One benefit of the air filters is their charcoal layer to neutralize odors as air passes through it. This vacuum has an air cleaned sealed system. It is one of the cleaner pet vacuums on the market. At twenty pounds, it is not one of the lightest. About reliability, if you buy the vacuum this year in 2018, you will not have to think of buying one for atleast another 10 to 15 years.
This vacuum has a six stage motor whose speed you can adjust via a foot pedal to suit the suction level you need. It has a long cord, but the cord self-winds to stay out of the way. The Miele Complete C3 vacuum has an adjustable wand you can set to the length you want. You get three common tools with this vacuum cleaner: a dusting brush, crevice nozzle and upholstery tool. The turbo brush does a good job of picking up pet hair. The extension arms and connector for the vacuum tools are flexible so that it can clean close to the surface as you work.
This vacuum can create a lot of static working on artificial fiber carpets. A 3D bumper on the vacuum cleaner ensures that as you work, you won’t scuff furniture or scrape the walls. If you can afford it, this is one of the best pet hair vacuum cleaners for simultaneously removing both pet hair and pet odors.
6. Shark Rocket TruePet HV382 Vacuum
What are the strengths and weaknesses of this Shark pet hair vacuum? It has an integrated brush roll that cleans as well on hard floors as carpets. It works as well with fine dust and pet dander as it does large strands of pet hair.
The Shark Rocket model HV382 has a standard configuration that works like an upright vacuum, but you can detach the head and use it to pick up pet hair off the couch and drapes. The hand vacuum mode weighs less than five pounds, making this unit a combo hand vacuum / upright that works just as well on pet fur no matter where you use it. It comes with an upholstery brush and under appliance wand you can also use to clean the baseboards and underneath the couch.
The suction on this vacuum is middle of the pack. It may take several passes to pull up stains ground into the carpets. And it has trouble with very thick carpets. It comes with an average length sixteen foot cord but has nowhere to wrap it, though that is only a minor annoyance. When in the upright vacuum configuration, it has trouble standing upright on its own, but that is rarely an issue unless you’re trying to stand it next to a step and it tips over and falls down a height. Lean it against the wall, and you’re fine. And you’ll enjoy one of the few vacuums that will pull all those layers of pet fur out of the carpet and recliner without scratching up your wood floors.
7. Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum
With an established reputation, we’ve come to expect the very best from this prestigious brand. So, the upgraded Dyson V11 is bound to impress the critics.
Dyson cyclone technology is already the stuff of legends, providing exceptional suction with a low power consumption. The new generation 14 cyclone system takes this concept to a totally new level. Combined with a super-efficient digital DC motor, this is probably the most powerful cordless stick vacuum on the market.
When it comes to pet hair vacuums, the Dyson V11 Animal has the goods. The digital motorized brush roll is ingeniously designed to remove pet hair from any type of floor. Tough nylon bristles get into the carpet fibers with superb cleaning power. At the same time, carbon fiber filaments remove the finest dust from hard floors. You also get all the attachments for pet hair and every other type of household cleaning: the high torque cleaning head, combination tool, mini motorized cleaning head, stubborn dirt brush, and a crevice tool.
The kit also includes a remarkable nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery, which provides up to 60-minutes of runtime. Clever power management helps you get the most from this battery. Three modes, with an LED display, allow you to select between an ECO mode, Auto, or power boost. You obviously get a charger (4.5 hours charging time) and a drop-in docking station.
To empty the V11, just hold it over the trash can and the dirt drops away at the touch of a button. Filtration is fantastic and it has a 0.2-gallon bin. Quite remarkable for compact and lightweight (6.68-pound) cordless stick vacuum.
The Dyson brand is synonymous with outstanding quality and superior technology. Something worth paying extra for. If you need to contend with pet hair in your home, and want the convenience of a cordless stick vacuum, the Dyson V11 Animal is certainly a tough act to follow.
8. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum
Many vacuum cleaner manufacturers will claim that they have the best pet hair vacuum. Though few can really say that theirs is the best. Bissell is one brand that can honestly say that they are one of the best when it comes to vacuum cleaners that specialize in cleaning dog hair. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser may well be their best pet hair vacuum out of a wide variety of pet hair vacuum cleaners. This is not only for its superior cleaning abilities in homes with pets, but the fantastic practicality and versatility that this amazing pet hair vacuum offers.
The roller brush does not collect hair in the bristles, which is one of the first reasons why pet owners will love this vacuum. It also has some good pet hair attachments, the most notable of which is the Pet Turbo Eraser tool. This offers the superior cleaning of a powerful roller brush in a compact size that’s perfect for cleaning upholstery and hard to reach areas. One of the issues with having pets in the home is odors and allergens. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser may well be the best at taking care of this. The SmartSeal Allergen system provides superbly clean, allergen-free air. In addition to this, it uses a Febreze odor eliminating filter, leaving the air in your home fresh beautifully fragrant.
As one of the top vacuum cleaners on the market, the Bissell Eraser has some of the best features for convenient cleaning. It has quick, hygienic and easy emptying of the dust cup. The versatile Bissell also has swivel steering.
When you look at the versatile convenience of the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A, it’s not just the best vacuum for dog hair, it’s one of the best all-around. The Bissell name is widely associated with pet lovers and for quality customer service. A 5-year warranty is proof of their commitment to customer satisfaction and a general belief that theirs, is one of the top vacuums in terms of quality.
9. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501
The Shark Rotator is lighter than Dyson with an equally long cord and similar maneuverability. Some people like the ability to remove the canister caddy that lets you use the vacuum and its suction nozzle to clean stairs without relying on a handheld vacuum cleaner. The NV501 not only has a narrow crevice wand that is stiff (and thus a fairly common vacuum tool) but a flexible crevice tool to get in those hard to reach spaces behind things. It has a flexible, multi-angle dusting brush.
This vacuum has suction control to allow you to adjust the suction level, preventing problems like getting stuck on thick shag carpet with a Dyson because it sucks up the strands so tightly you can’t move the vacuum any further. The Shark does better on hardwood floors and tile than carpet. But it does a great job picking up pet hair and other messes on hard surfaces than Dyson.
If you’re looking for one of the best pet vacuum cleaners but don’t have the money for any of the top brands, the Dirt Devil Razor Pet upright vacuum cleaner should grab your attention. Even though it may not have all the features and accessories of the more expensive pet vacuums, it is the best pet vacuum for its price.
The spin4pro roller brush is designed to lift and remove pet hair from carpets and hard floor surfaces with ease. It provides a good level of suction, enough to ensure that your pet’s hair and all the dirt they carry with them is removed, leaving your home perfectly clean.
It has the benefit of being very light, only 10.8 LBS. Using the detachable cleaning wand and the Turboclaw Pet Tool you can clean your upholstery and other hard to reach areas with ease. It has powerful suction without the hassle of power loss as the bin fills up. In addition to this, it has a very effective three stage filtration system.
The Dirt Devil Razor Pet Steerable vacuum is the best pet vacuum for its price. The combination of affordability and highly effective cleaning power, suitable for handling the extra demands of a home with pets, make it a very attractive option for many.
11. Shark Navigator Deluxe NV42
The Shark Navigator promises to never lose suction and that is a big promise for a vacuum for pet hair. This vacuum is great for carpets, wood floors and tile floors and really does remove massive amounts of pet hair. With dogs that are indoors a lot, shedding can be a constant problem and it is important to stay on top of the issue or the hair will build up to an unbearable level that can no longer be controlled. The Shark Navigator features a detachable wand for use in hard to reach areas. The complete on board pet tool pack is great for use on dog hair, cat hair, pet dander and works to remove hair from carpet or any other type of surface.
This vacuum is pretty lightweight and features a lift away and carry option so that you are free to move around the home and take care of messes at any location. Since this vacuum is effective on carpets and hard surface floors you do not need to to swap out vacuum cleaners in between jobs, you can just continue using the same vacuum cleaner and finish up the vacuuming twice as fast.
The UltraFlex canister vacuum stands out for its ability to tackle soft plush carpets that clog other pet hair vacuum cleaners. It is one of the few pet hair vacuum cleaners with the suction power and brush rolls to handle long pet hairs in thick carpets. And the brush rolls have a self-cleaning button to help you de-tangle them. You can adjust the height for everything from tall carpets to low carpets to hard bare floors.
You can’t replace belts yourself with this vacuum if they break, and getting service from Electrolux, especially if you bought this vacuum cleaner online, is a challenge.
13. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Vacuum
This animal vacuum cleaner is ultra-flexible and has a small maneuvering radius. The only concern is the amount of strength required to do so due to the vacuum’s high suction. It takes two hands to move it, so don’t get this vacuum cleaner if you have limited upper body strength or arthritis. This is one of the newest upright pet hair vacuum from Dyson and will will be the goto Dyson vacuum cleaners for pet owners.
This vacuum gets the fine dust and dander that can clog other vacuum cleaners. This vacuum doesn’t use filters. Instead, it has whole machine HEPA filtration. This vacuum cleaner is certified asthma friendly and allergy friendly as a result of the high degree of filtration. The only downside is that the fine mesh screen in the collection bin can be clogged, which requires cleaning in order for the vacuum to get its suction back. And you have to take apart the vacuum to clean this.
The cleaner head automatically adjusts to match the floor level. It works just as well on hard floors as carpets. The vacuum’s turbine tool can pick up pet hair without tangling hair in the brush. If you’re picking up pet hair, you’ll need to empty the dirt cup often. This is a great high power pet hair vacuum cleaner if you don’t mind having to clean what is advertised as a no-maintenance vacuum cleaner.
The Shark Rocket model HV292 unit is an affordable handheld vacuum cleaner. A vacuum attachment kit for car detailing costs about ten dollars more. This vacuum has a long stretch hose. It comes with a dusting brush and 12 inch crevice tool. The dusting brush does a good job. The True Pet motorized brush does a decent job of picking up pet hair, though at about half an inch deep, it won’t get to the root of thick carpets unless you dig it into the flooring. This vacuum has good suction overall. And it is lightweight, around four pounds.
The vacuum has a fifteen foot long power cord, so it won’t lose suction as the battery runs low. The cord length is enough to clean a car but you’ll have to change outlets at least once while cleaning stairs. The dust cup has average capacity, but it is easy to empty. Just make sure you empty it over an empty trash bin with the base of the vacuum inside the trash can to contain all the debris. The filters can be washed and reused. However, you’ll want to replace them eventually to maintain suction. The six inch vacuum head is best used for spot cleaning, car detailing and upholstery. This is the best handheld pet hair vacuum which can also be used for spot cleaning and cleaning your car.
15. Dyson Cinetic Ball Animal Canister Vacuum
The Dyson Cinetic ball Animal canister vacuum has excellent suction that it sustains up to and until the dirt cup is full. Because it lacks filters but has a design that traps dirt and dander in the cyclone, it needs little maintenance compared to other vacuums except for emptying out the dirt cup. This vacuum maintains Dyson’s excellent reputation when it comes to suction and cleaning ability. It is highly maneuverable, has long reach, comes with conveniently stored accessories and a turbine tool that makes it invaluable for pet owners.
The Cinetic’s turbine tool is the best on the market when it comes to picking up pet fur from upholstery. The turbine tool is immune to tangling, even with long pet fur. It continues to pick up pet fur, dander and dirt until the dirt compartment is full. If you regularly clean the couch where the long haired critters love to curl up and shed, the Dyson Cinetic Ball model is the best choice for you. If you need something to spot clean the medium thickness carpets where the cat likes to lay before cleaning the rest of the house, this is a decent choice as long as you plan on cleaning out the small dirt bin periodically.
16. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away XL Capacity, Model NV755
This corded upright vacuum cleaner is the ideal choice if you have multiple, large shedding pets. It will be able to work until the very large capacity bin is full. And its HEPA filter and tight seals prevent fine dander created by the pet hair pickup from aggravating allergies and asthma.
It converts from an upright vacuum to a handheld vacuum for cleaning pet hair and debris off stairs and furniture. It also works on both short carpets and hard floors. Its greatest weakness is thick carpets; though rated to handle pet fur on thick carpets, it fails to do this job even on high suction. The unit is also heavy and awkward, though this is in part due to its high capacity.
It is a good choice when you have multiple shedding pets as long as you don’t have thick carpets or a different device for cleaning those thick throw rugs.
The Hoover PowerDrive Pet vacuum cleaner is not one of the most expensive pet hair vacuum cleaners. In fact, it’s remarkably cheap for a machine that ranks among the best at removing pet hair from your floors and furniture. It’s built to an impressive standard of quality and has the suction and high-end features to compete with the best pet hair vacuum cleaners from any of the leading brands. Wind tunnel assisted design on the cleaning head and cyclonic technology gives the Hoover PowerDrive Pet the suction power equal to many of the best vacuum cleaners in its class.
It also has a remarkable brush roll that is designed not to become tangled with pet hair – one of many reasons why this is one of the best vacuum cleaners for removing pet hair. There’s a switch at the handle that will turn the brush roll off for cleaning hard floors. Making it perfect for removing pet hair and other debris, like kitty litter, from both your carpets and hard floors with the minimum amount of effort.
Being a bagless vacuum cleaner also helps when emptying it. There’s no pulling clumps of pet hair from a small opening in the bag. You simply tip the dust cup into the trash. The washable filters are also some of the best for pet owners, removing dust and allergens from the air, down to 5 microns. It has a 13-foot extended wand with a well-designed handle for really easy cleaning. The inclusion of a powerful pet hair removal tool is another reason why this vacuum cleaner is ranked amongst the best for pet hair removal. The cleaning head has a swivel action and makes use of powerful LED lights, so it’s very easy to see what you’re doing. The fact that it weighs only 16-pounds adds to the ease of use, this is not all that heavy for such a powerful pet hair vacuum cleaner.
There’s little wonder why so many people rate the Hoover PowerDrive Pet as one of the best pet hair vacuum cleaners. It’s very powerful and affordable. The fact that it carries the Hoover the name is one more reason why people love this machine. Being one of the best pet hair vacuums from a brand with a solid reputation for more than a hundred years, certainly adds weight to the argument of those in favor of this fantastic vacuum cleaner.
18. Electrolux UltraPower Studio, Model EL3020A
It is highly maneuverable even for a stick vacuum. It is also very light, weighing around six pounds when empty. The high powered battery charges in four hours but provides up to an hour of runtime on low levels of suction.
The vacuum can handle short and mid-length pet hair without tangling. The design lets you readily reach the brush rolls if they tangle on long pet hair.
The filter is washable but you can buy replacement filters from Electrolux; be careful to get the filters that actually fit this model because not all Electrolux parts are interchangeable. The biggest weakness is customer service from Electrolux for anything other than buying replacement parts. For example, if the battery fails to recharge after a year, good luck trying to get it replaced under warranty.
19. Hoover Linx Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner
The featherweight corded Hoover Linx delivers performance without the use of battery power which is offered with its cordless sibling. It quickly picks up your full room and leaves it completely clean. The Hoover Linx is always ready to go under almost any low furniture due to its low profile. There is no loss of suction or performance and that multi-cyclonic core captures pet hair from any flooring surface.
Pet hair tends to slip into tight spaces, but that’s not a problem with this pet hair vacuum, you can get under tables and beds without having to move anything. No self-respecting pet hair will be able to escape the suction of the Linx.
20. Dyson v6 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson V6 is one of the few cordless stick vacuums that has the built in power to suck up pet hair. It is lightweight, just under five pounds. This unit is similar to the V6 Motorhead but without the motorized main brush head.
This Dyson vacuum generation runs for 25 to 30 minutes on low power. Turn on the high suction and the battery life drops to ten minutes unless mixing high and low suction. Given the battery life, this pet hair vacuum is best for someone with a small apartment or RV. Take a look at the newer Dyson V8 model. Different versions of the V8 vacuums have been released and will be available in 2018 in other parts of the world.
21. Shark Rocket TruePet Stick Vacuum HV322
When we think of the best vacuums for dog hair, those that are tough enough to handle the worst messes our pets create, we don’t often think of a machine that looks like the Shark Rocket TruePet but this is a very clever, reliable option underneath its minimal design. This purple Shark Hv322 Rocket may be incredibly thin and have a weight of under 8lbs but it promises to never lose suction, has a removable dust cup that is 2x bigger than that of the previous Rocket and it comes with a very powerful motorized handheld brush for a deep clean of carpets.
This performance on pet hair is great but the main reason it is seen as one of the best vacuums for pet hair is that its design lets it clean pretty much anywhere. The combination of bare floor cleaning, advanced swivel steering, 30ft cord and the LED lighting make it an adaptable, interesting alternative to standard upright vacuums. You can also look for the newer Shark HV382 model which is bound to be popular in 2018 as well.
22. BISSELL PowerGlide Pet Vacuum 1646 with Pet Hair TurboEraser Tool
The Bissel Powerglide 1646 immediately looks like a tough machine that can handle a lot of dirt with its beefy design and 12.5 inch cleaning path but it also has some nice red accents and a range of features to increase its appeal. As you may suspect from this image, the power of the suction plays a very important part here and the device boasts a 9x multi-cyclonic action and edge to edge cleaning for the most effective performance.
The Powerglide’s role as a pet hair vacuum is one of the most important selling points for buyers and this purpose is fulfilled by the combination of the simple on/off switch on the brush roll, the “pet turbo eraser tool” and the multi-level filtration to reduce allergens; however, there are other key features to help make it one of the top vacuum cleaner models, such as the swivel steering and extended reach hose.
23. iRobot Roomba 980 Vacuum Cleaning Robot
The Roomba is probably the most famous robotic vacuum cleaner. The model 980 includes fixes to many of the flaws of its earlier models, such as iAdapt navigation that lets it navigate around the house to clean the whole home instead of bouncing around at random. Note that you need wi-fi for this and the app to work, and you have to configure the Roomba with the app before you can use the app to control the robot vacuum.
It knows to return to recharge and can navigate back to wear it left off, though it still can’t empty its own dirt cup. The recharge and return feature isn’t available with the Roomba 880. The multi-room navigation feature is only available with this vacuum, the Roomba 980, and the 880 model. At a little under four inches tall, it is less likely to get stuck under the recliner and can better find its way out from under the dining room table.
You can set cleaning schedules via an app with this vacuum. The model 980 Roomba does a better job of sucking up fine dander and pet hair than its predecessors. And unlike the models five years ago, long pet hair and string is far less likely to tangle the vacuum brush so it can no longer do its job. The tangle free extractor is only available in the models 870, 880 and 980. This is one of the best pet hair vacuums that will remain a favorite among the increasingly competitive realm of robotic vacuum cleaners.
24. Bissell Bolt Lithium Ion Pet, Model 1954
The Bissell Bolt is a cordless stick vacuum cleaner with the suction and brushes to take on pet hair. You can detach the head to have a decent powered handheld vacuum cleaner for picking up pet hair off the upholstery. It is lightweight fully assembled as a stick vacuum and easy to use as a handheld, and it comes with a crevice tool.
It offers an extra large capacity bin for a cordless vacuum. The charging base doubles as a tool holder. It runs twenty to thirty minutes on a fully charged battery, so this stick vacuum is best used for spot cleaning or cleaning a small apartment.
One of the few issues to consider is the difficulty of getting service if you buy the vacuum cleaner online versus through a brick and mortar retailer, because Bissell doesn’t always recognize a warranty for online purchases.
25. Bissell PowerFresh Pet Steam Mop, Model 19404
This steam mop combo is the best choice for cleaning up after semi-wet biological messes like when the puppy pees on the tile floor or the cat vomits on the hardwood floor. The steam controls let you use hot water to sterilize an area or keep things dry so you don’t warp your unsealed wood floors. Unlike some steam mops, you can disconnect and refill the water tank without wrangling the whole mop to the kitchen sink. It has a wide mop head.
You can use the dry mop head to pick up pet hairs off hard floors. The flip down scrubber lets you scrub spots on the floor without getting down on your hands and knees. Nor do you have to hand pump it to release steam, a design flaw with other steam mops that made them impossible for someone with arthritis or carpal tunnel to use.
The main annoyance is that the scrubber pads sometimes scrunch up, decreasing cleaning effectiveness when you need it most. Replacement mop pads are five to ten dollars each. If you buy the branded bottles of demineralized water, this is expensive to use, but you can use standard distilled water instead.
Depending on where you buy it, you may be able to get extra scrubbing pads or filters with the steam mop for very little additional cost.
26. Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum
The Bissell Air Ram is one of the best pet hair vacuums for those who want a cordless model. The brush rolls don’t choke on pet fur, and pet hair doesn’t clog the hoses or the dirt cup.
The Bissell Air Ram cordless vacuum cleaner is a versatile, maneuverable cordless model that looks and acts like a corded model. You can lay it flat to clean under furniture and push it across carpets and tiles without having to adjust the vacuum head height.
Its multi-surface brush can pick up light debris and pet fur from short carpets and hard floors with equal ease. Nor will it scratch up your wood floors. This cordless vacuum cleaner by Bissell doesn’t come with the upholstery brushes, crevice tools and other detailing tools the Bissell 1954 does.
This Bissell vacuum cleaner has a basic two year warranty. You need to take care to fully charge the battery when you buy it and return it immediately if the battery doesn’t maintain charge or else you’ll be looking out for a new battery. The lithium battery does offer better than average run life of 30 minutes per charge. Bissell offers a wide range of replacement parts like replacement dirt bins, handles and foot pedals.
Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet Hair Vacuum
What are the important features to look out for when purchasing a vacuum for pet hair? What features matter most, and what features shouldn’t factor into your decision?
The first feature to look out for regarding a vacuum for dealing with pet hair is its overall performance. After all, very few of us buy a vacuum only to pick up the pet hair our critters leave behind. How well does it pick up sand out of the carpet? Does it pick up crumbs and pebbles, light debris and heavy debris? Can it pick up the heavy debris and wads of fur without leaving behind a fine trail of dust behind it?
One point to consider is how well the vacuum handles hard floors versus carpets. Some vacuums that pick up pet hair and crumbs out of carpet perform poorly on hard floors, and some that can lift up anything on hard floors can’t remove anything heavier than light dirt out of carpets.
Performance with Pet Hair
For those who have to deal with pet hair, the second priority is how well it handles pet hair. If it has poor suction or a badly designed intake, it won’t pick up pet hair well, but it won’t pick up much of anything. With regard to pet hair, many vacuum cleaners can pick up a few hairs but clog on them. Research the vacuum cleaner’s performance through reviews and customer complaints. Does the pet hair clog the beater bar or roller brush? There is a reason you find advice columns on using a seam ripper to clear hair tangled around the vacuum roller brush, but if you have several shedding pets, you don’t want to have to do this often.
For some units, the bend in the vacuum cleaner intake becomes a choking point as pet hair gets trapped and then tangles together. The best vacuum cleaners for pet hair pick up all the pet hair while conveying it safely to the dust cup or vacuum bag.
Value is not the same thing as price. There are expensive vacuum cleaners that perform as well regarding pet hair as ones that cost half as much. Since you don’t get twice as good performance when you spend twice as much money, the cheaper vacuum cleaner is thus a better value. Magazines like Consumer Reports can give you a fair rating of performance as well as value for a vacuum cleaner.
If you need to vacuum up pet hair off of the floor, there’s a good chance you need to pick it up from the upholstery too. This means the vacuum needs to come with an upholstery tool that is as good at picking up pet fur without clogging as the main vacuum cleaner.
What features are nice to have in a vacuum cleaner but aren’t necessities?
Some people with pets think they need to get a quiet vacuum cleaner. While this is nice to have, the better solution is acclimating your pets to the noise and use of the vacuum cleaner instead of having the pets cower in fear at the noise. Every vacuum cleaner is noisy, and even the s called quiet ones are around 67 decibels versus the 70 to 72 decibels of the loud ones.
Vacuum cleaners that can handle wet-dry messes are nice to have, though not everyone wants to pay more for that functionality. A wet-dry vacuum cleaner that can also pick up pet hair is the best choice if you regularly use the vacuum to pick up thrown up fur balls or clean up after a puppy that is shedding heavily was well as making various messes on the floor.
If you have asthma or allergies, a bagged vacuum cleaner that seals in the debris and dander when you remove it is a nice feature to have. For everyone else, bags versus canisters are a matter of personal preference and the vacuum cleaner’s reputation for never dumping what you just vacuumed up on the way to the trash can is more important.
Flexibility and maneuverability matter in the vacuum cleaner more if you have a lot of low lying furniture and that’s where the pets like the nap or sit.
What features don’t matter when you need a vacuum that can handle pet fur?
Overall, the upright versus canister debate doesn’t matter relative to the variations in performance between makes and models.
The HEPA filter on the vacuum cleaner or lack thereof doesn’t matter much if the vacuum cleaner does a good job of picking up pet fur without leaving fine dander behind and doesn’t spill half its contents into the air when you try to empty the dust cup.
Scented disks and other deodorizers are not important compared to other factors when you’re shopping for a pet vacuum cleaner.