The 10 best vacuums for pet hair — tried and tested by our team

Investing in one of the best vacuums for pet hair is well worth it if you have a four-legged friend at home. Take it from a team of animal lovers who have tested just about everything on the market — a pet-specific model combats everything from dander and odors to stuck-on hair and fur.

If you are in the market for a new vacuum, whether a cordless vacuum or a bagged model, then you've come to the right place. All of these have been tested in homes with pets, by our panel of expert reviewers.

As well as having in-depth product specs and descriptions, we've also linked these best vacuums to our reviews, for more detail on performance that'll help you choose which is the most suitable vacuum cleaner for your home.

The quick list

If you want to know which vacuum is the best for pet owners fast, then here's a quick glance at our favorite models. You can jump down to read full descriptions and for more info on features and specs.

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The 9 best vacuums for pet hair — tried and tested

The best vacuum for pet hair

The Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H is part of the brand's latest line of vacuum cleaners, and it's packed with all the features we love. Our head ecommerce editor Annie reviewed this Shark Stratos vacuum in the UK (where it's the IZ420UKT model) and she felt that it is really easy to use thanks to Clean Sense IQ technology. 

This fab tech automatically controls the power or suction depending on what you're cleaning. She finds it more than capable of cleaning her spacious two-bedroom apartment, and it picks up the hair her pug leaves behind with total ease. Its battery life is also very impressive considering its suction power, and its LED lights make it easy to see what you haven't cleaned yet. 

Another feature we love is that it works with recyclable pods to emit a nice smell as you clean (great for busting pet odors). It comes equipped with Flexology tech, so the vac can bend instead of you, and a DuoClean Floorhead with Anti-Hair-Wrap, making it ideal for transitioning across all floor types. Also, this particular model comes with a pet hair removal tool, a bag for keeping all the tools together, and twin batteries.

Read our full Shark Stratos IZ420UKT review.

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The best affordable vacuum for pet hair

If you have your heart set on an affordable cordless vacuum that can also conquer pet hair, the Bissell IconPet is for you. It promises up to 50 minutes of fade-free cleaning, and it proved to be a hard worker on all floor types and other above-floor surfaces. We rated it 4.5 stars out of five, but the reason it's rated number two is because of how budget-friendly it is. 

This vacuum cleaner was tested by one of our sister brands, and our reviewer loved it. She found the operation of this cordless vacuum to be pretty seamless; it was intuitive to handle, the dust container easy to empty, and its LED headlights worked well in both modes (handheld and full-body vacuum), showing no mercy to hidden pet hair. 

The IconPet also has some pretty powerful features, like a high-performance digital motor that spins at up to 420 miles per hour and a powerful 22-volt lithium-ion battery for cordless convenience, with three cleaning modes that last up to 50 minutes. 

This vacuum has been tested on one of our sister brands.

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The best high end pet vacuum

If you're after a cordless vacuum cleaner that's engineered for pet hair and you're prepared to spend (a lot) more than you would on a standard upright or stick, then we promise the Dyson Outsize is 100% worth it. With a running time of up to two hours spread across two batteries, an oversized half-gallon dust bin, and an extremely powerful design, it will get you through all your cleaning tasks for a fur-free home. 

Our reviewer Jen switched to using this vacuum as her main unit to clean her three-bedroom house, with the bin size and suction power being good enough to replace her corded canister model. Even after a full year of testing, Jen found that the battery life and the floor head of this vacuum, was second to none. 

The additional attachment options include a combination tool, crevice tool, and stubborn dirt brush, which make cleaning up pet hair from upholstery and dog beds a simple task. It also easily and quickly converts to a handheld for above-floor cleaning or getting up close and personal with pet beds. 

This vacuum cleaner was reviewed by one of our editors.

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The best vacuum for pet owners with allergies

Sensitive to every loose strand of hair, particle of dust, or hint of dirt? Well, the top-rated Cat and Dog vac from Miele utilizes a sealed bag dust bin system that is made for allergy sufferers.

Dried mud on tiles and pet hair on sofas were easily thwarted by this model during testing, according to our reviewer Sarah, who tried it at home for several weeks. She found the floor head and foot controls to change suction on this machine made day-to-day use very simple and stress-free. Removing the dustbag and replacing it with a new one was a seamless operation, too. 

The suction on this model is great and it has a good range of tools, all handily stowed in the body of the vacuum cleaner. While it isn't the smallest, it is a neat design that is easy to transport and store. However, it is on the weighty side, so if you have lots of stairs, you might prefer a lighter model. We did rate it five stars, but it does (understandably) come at a higher price, which is why it's fourth on our list.

Read our Miele Complete C3 Total Solution PowerLine review.

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The best robot vacuum for pets

If the amount of hair has seemingly become too much to handle for daily upkeep, then investing in a robot vacuum cleaner might just change the game for you. The iRobot Roomba S9+ is not only a winner at picking up pet hair (even strands embedded deep in the carpet), its obstacle detection laid out in the mapping mode avoids small objects and can even recognize and avoid any pet accidents.

Our reviewer Linda marveled at how this robot could power up or down depending on the floor type it was tackling and enjoyed the iRobot Clean Base, which this bot self-empties into. Linda found that the Clean Base system could hold up to 30 loads of dust and hair before needing to be emptied, cutting down massively on the pet-related cleaning she needed to do. She also loved being able to create keep out zones, such as around her dog's water bowl. 

The S9+ can be controlled at the push of a button, from your smartphone or by Alexa or Google Home Assistant via a smart speaker. In terms of battery life, a single charge lasts up to 120 minutes, which Linda had no complaints about. Although it's rated five stars, it sits at number six because it can't be used as a sole vacuum cleaner; you'll need an upright or stick model to accompany it.

Read our iRobot Roomba S9+ review.

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The best vacuum for large homes

If you have pets, you'll never want to be without the Dyson Ball Animal 2. Its clever brush heads pick up all the hair our furry friends leave behind without getting tangled up. The motorized brush bar also works to remove stubborn dirt leftover from muddy paws. Why isn't it higher on our list? It's almost $500, which is more than most people want to spend on a vacuum cleaner.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 was the standout vacuum that allowed our tester Sarah to really feel as if she was keeping up with the onslaught of dirt and fur in her home. The suction was impressively powerful and got the job done quickly, though Sarah found herself turning down the power when using it on carpet, as it can be difficult to push on the highest setting.

The low-profile head and tell-tale ball made swishing this vac around at home almost enjoyable. The long cord means Sarah wasn't slowed by having to change outlets and the handle gave her plenty of opportunities to reach where needed when cleaning stairs and upper corners.

Read our Dyson Ball Animal 2 review.

The best upright vacuum for pets

If you have a long-haired dog or cat, you'll love the Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-Away. In fact, it's one of the best Shark vacuums you can buy. Built with hypervelocity suction, it's powerful enough to suck up everything in its path, and it's built with the latest DuoClean Powerfins features with a self-cleaning brush roll that automatically keeps it free of hair, so you won't have to spend time removing fur that's tangled around the brush roll when you're done vacuuming. 

Our reviewer Jaclyn found he found that the anti-hair wrap feature lived up to its name, with strands never wrapping around the self-cleaning brush roll or clogging the vacuum shaft. She can also advocate for using the self-cleaning power brush combined with the crevice tool for banishing pet hair.

Besides the fact that it sucks up hair, this vacuum is packed with other handy features, including LED headlights for seeing under the furniture, tools for cleaning dog hair off the sofa and in crevices, and on-board tool storage (though it annoyingly doesn't have space for all three attachments). It also has a built-in HEPA filter to remove allergens and pet dander while it cleans. 

Read our Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-Away review.

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The best deep cleaning pet vacuum

Looking for a vacuum with a large capacity, can cope with different flooring types and that will provide a deeper clean? This Shark is the model for you. There are different modes for floor types, as well as three power speeds. It's great for those who don't want to contort themselves just to get their cleaning done, with the brand’s signature Flexology design as part of the extended wand that lets you get under sofas and furniture with little effort. 

It has nine meters of cord to work with, so you can stretch it around the house even if you don’t have a lot of plug sockets. Our reviewer Molly also found it unbelievably easy to fetch the cord back in with the button on the main body of the vacuum. If you have a larger home that you’re cleaning, this will come in useful. The 360 wheels also make moving it very easy.

It doesn’t stand upright on its own and will require a lot of space to store it, but if you want something to lift historic dirt from your carpets and ensure a deep clean, then this is a smart choice. Our reviewer tested the UK model, which comes with one less attachment in the US. The body style, Duo Clean Powerfins, and Self-Cleaning brush roll features within these two vacuums are the same, though.

Read our Shark Cylinder Pet Vacuum CZ2001 review.

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The best handheld pet vacuum

Have a pet that’s constantly leaving hairs on your couch or that you travel with often? The Shark Wandvac could be the best option for you. Our reviewer Christina was pleasantly surprised with how lightweight it is, which made it easy for her to go around her apartment. The stylish and ergonomic design made it a winner for her even before she started to use it.

She found it the most useful on cleaning pet beds, behind the couch, and in between radiators — places where pet hair and dirt can get trapped. The duster crevice tool was especially useful for these smaller areas. Switching between this and the pet tool took just a matter of seconds. It also displays battery time while in use, so you can keep an eye on it as you carry on cleaning. 

The only major downside that she found was that it takes 3.5 hours to recharge, which is a long time. She recommends making sure it’s docked once you’ve finished with it, to avoid being caught out. Saying that the chic navy design looks quite smart on display. As well as this, Christina also found the dust cup to be quite small — which is fine for quick cleaning, but not so great for longer cleans. This is why it’s last on our list.

Read our full Shark Wandvac Power Pet review.

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The best pet vacuum for stains

Let’s be real: Pets aren’t known for being super tidy. This is especially the case if you have a puppy that you’re training or an older pet. If you have stains from these accidents consistently occurring or even deep-set ones from previous ones, this Shark Stain Striker will come in useful. 

Our reviewer Camille tested it out on both wet stains and dry stains, and found it incredibly effective on both. She also said that it removed any nasty odors, which is great news for those who know how gross pet mess can get. She advised that this could be especially handy for cat owners who repeat spray when their scent lingers. It also comes with a specialist pet stain-trapping tool, as well as a hose-cleaning tool. 

The only negatives that she had were that it didn’t work properly on old oil stains and that it is a little loud. If you have pets that hate loud noises this might not be for you — but it isn’t much noisier than a standard vacuum.

Read our Shark Stain Striker review.

Compare these pet vacuums

How to choose the best pet vacuum for you

In terms of style and type, you can get a stick, canister, and upright vacuums designed for pet hair so this will come down to your own preferences. Here's what you'll need to consider before committing to your new pet vacuum:

1. Which type of flooring do you have?
First, what type of flooring do you have? If your pets tend to shed throughout the house, it can be beneficial to opt for a vacuum that is adaptable to all floor types such as carpet and hardwood or laminate floors. If you have carpet, you will want a vacuum with a good brush roll to lift the hair from the pile.

2. Would you prefer corded or cordless?
Consider what spaces you will need to vacuum. Dyson’s ball technology is easier to maneuver around and into corners, while the best cordless vacuum will make it easier to get to those hard-to-reach areas and also allow you to vacuum your car. 

3. What about a robot vacuum cleaner?
A robot vacuum cleaner is great for the floor but you will likely need a second vacuum to do a thorough job of the rest of your home. A robot vacuum could be an ideal solution for pets that get irritated by the loud sound of a vacuum. An easy alternative is to schedule it for when you and the pet are out for stress-free cleaning.

If your pet ever jumps on the furniture, (it's inevitable) you will definitely need a vacuum with brushes and attachments to help remove fur. Plus, your pup or cat might not love having a robot vacuum invade their personal areas, such as near a crate or food bowl, so spot cleaning with a smaller handheld or normal vacuum is smart. 

4. Does it have to be bagless?
Some may prefer a vacuum cleaner with a bag, especially those who are particularly allergy sensitive, but it's worth bearing in mind that you'll have to keep buying new bags, making them more expensive in the long run. While a bagless cleaner can be messier to empty, most are removable or can be poured directly into the trash can.

5. Do you require a large capacity dust bin?
If you've got more than one pet, check the vacuum's capacity so you don't have to empty it too often. Naturally, the smaller and more lightweight the vacuum, the smaller its capacity. If you have an animal that sheds a lot, you'll want to choose a vacuum with a larger dust bin, since hair doesn't exactly compress in a vacuum, as other debris does. 

4. Suction power is important
This is one of the most important features of a good vacuum cleaner. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers list the suction power of their machines with a standard unit of measurement such as air watts (AW), making it hard to compare models. Instead of listing the power of various models in different units, we have only included vacuums that have exceptional suction power so you know you are getting the best. Vacuums with bad suction have not made it onto this list.

5. Will its noise level bother you?
Consider this if you have a little one at home all day who naps or a pet who doesn't like loud noises.

6. Do you like a certain brand?
Most of the major vacuum brands such as Dyson, Bissell, and Shark have now introduced specialized vacuums for pet hair, which have much stronger suction and often feature allergy filters for those who are particularly sensitive. They'll also stop the hair from simply being pushed around the carpet and releasing irritants into the air.

Don't miss our guide on how to vacuum like a pro to discover the techniques to get it done quicker and better. Or if you're looking for a cheap vacuum cleaner deal, we've got lots of those, too.

How we test vacuums for pet hair

At Real Homes we like to get hands-on experience with the products we feature in our buying guides. It's part of our commitment to our review process. Whether that's to attend product demonstrations or to test them for a few weeks (sometimes months) in our own homes, you know that these vacuum cleaners for pet hair have had a member of our team analyze them before including them in this roundup. We also seek out other reviewers' opinions so all experiences are taken into account.

During testing, we look for factors such as maneuverability, run-time, bin size and emptying, filtration, and ease of use, so you know exactly what you are getting for your money. We test these vacuum cleaners with typical household dirt such as crumbs, dust, and pet hair for a real-life comparison to your own household.

Meet our pet vacuum cleaner reviewers:

Christina Chrysostomou

Christina is the ecommerce editor at Real Homes and she tested the Shark Wandvac Power Pet. Her sister's dog, Hugo, an American XL Bully who loves to visit, is forever leaving stray hairs behind, so she wanted to find a way to clean his hair once he leaves.

Annie Collyer

Annie tested the cordless Shark Stratos IZ862H model and she loved it so much that it's currently her go-to vacuum. It works to collect the pet hairs her pug, Doug, leaves behind on a daily basis and she loves the range of attachments that come with it.

Camille Dubuis-Welch

Camille is the former deputy editor of Real Homes where she covered a broad range of topics, including house tours, small space design, and gardens. She tested the Shark StainStriker in her home.

Jennifer (Jen) Oksien

Jen is now the homes editor on TechRadar. Previously she has written for Ideal Home, Real Homes, and Homes & Gardens as the appliances editor. She has tested a number of vacuums in her time, including the Dyson Outsize from this guide, which is a favorite vacuum of hers.

Jaclyn Turner

Jaclyn was previously ecommerce editor at Real Homes has tested a number of vacuums at home, a space that she shares with her Cavapoo Reese. She tested out the Shark Vertex Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-Away on this list, which is a premier corded vacuum model for pet hair. 

Sarah Warwick

Sarah has reviewed many vacuum cleaners for Real Homes, taking them through their paces at home to give us an honest, real-life opinion and comparison on every model. From this list, she's had hands-on experience with the Dyson Animal Ball 2 and the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog.

Linda Clayton

Linda is a freelance journalist who has tested plenty of vacuums for Real Homes, including the iRobot Roomba S9+ on this list. She tested out this vacuum in her home, to find out how well they performed across various floor types and how they coped with her three super-fluffy dogs. 

Molly Cleary

Molly has reviewed numerous vacuums for us at Real Homes, and tested out the Shark Cylinder Pet Vacuum CZ2001 on this list. Previously, she has written about everything from ride-on lawnmowers to robot hoovers. She is currently an ecommerce editor at our sister title Ideal Home.

FAQs

When is the best time to buy a vacuum for pet hair?

We use price trackers like camelcamelcamel and Google Shopping to monitor fluctuations in retailer pricing and guide you on the best time to buy a vac based on previous discounting history. Generally speaking, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Cyber Week are good times, but don't be surprised to see some items cheaper outside of these obvious sale periods.

What is the best vacuum for pet hair?

If you want something that's easy to use, easy to maneuver, and even more simple to store, then the Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H (which you can buy from Amazon) is definitely your best bet. Our resident pet Doug (Annie's Pug), gave this vacuum a run for its money and the cleaning machine managed to conquer the dander. It automatically adapts its suction based on how clean (or dirty) your floors are, plus it works with scent pods to emit a lovely smell as you clean your floors.

What makes a vacuum great for pet hair?

Most vacuums outfitted for households with pets will feature increased suction, some sort of pet tool or brush, a motorized brush roll (as opposed to sheer suction) to really dig out hair and particles, and an emphasis on its filtration system. Most pet vacuums, especially the middle to high-end options, will feature high-efficiency filters, brush rolls that are self-cleaning, or anti-hair wrap tech.