The 5 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair, Tested by BHG

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Better Homes and Gardens / Rachel Marek

When you have dogs or cats, removing fur from nearly every surface is simply a part of everyday life. The best vacuums for pet hair can pick up fur from furniture and floors without it getting tangled in the brush roll while also cleaning up dirt and debris that get tracked in from outdoors.

"Always start a pet hair removal project by vacuuming, as no other tool or trick will remove as much hair as quickly and easily as a vacuum," adds Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer at MaidPro. "Most pet owners need a weekly vacuuming to keep up with hair and tracked in dirt."

"The two most important features when looking for a vacuum to clean up after your pets are suction power and filtration," says Ollie Toogood, senior design engineer at Dyson. We've tested over 300 vacuums of all kinds—upright corded models, stick vacuums, and handheld car vacuums, to find the best models for pet owners.

Why You Should Get It: The power cord on this canister vacuum retracts with the push of a button, making it super easy to put away after use.

Keep in Mind: It requires two hands to operate: one hand to guide the canister and the other to move the vacuum head across the floor.

Out of all the pet hair vacuums we tested, the Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum earned a perfect score after acing our tests for maneuverability, effectiveness, and ease of emptying. We were shocked by how well it removed long dog hair from low- and high-pile carpets.

The vacuum picked up large clumps of fur in a single pass across the floor. This is thanks to the motorized pet hair brush, which is specifically designed to lift hair out of the fibers of your carpet with ease.

It had a little more trouble sucking up hair on hard flooring since the hard floor attachment doesn’t have a brush roll to help trap the hair. Lifting the vacuum and setting it down directly on top of the dog hair helped capture and sweep the fur away.

At 22.6 pounds, the vacuum is pretty lightweight and easy to maneuver. You’ll need two hands to operate it—one hand to guide the canister and the other to push the vacuum itself—but we weren’t overly tired from doing this. While testing it at home, it was easy to use while cleaning carpeted stairs.

The vacuum’s cord is also generously long, so we were able to easily cover a large area without stopping to find a new outlet. Plus, the detached design of the Kenmore canister vacuum makes it super easy to fit underneath furniture, like couches and coffee tables.

The vacuum comes with several attachments, like a pet tool, crevice tool, and dusting brush, and we found that it was easy to switch between them. The primary carpet head also has four levels, and there’s an adjustable suction level that came in handy while cleaning beige carpets at home.

The Kenmore vacuum quickly became a staple in our at-home cleaning routine and continued to perform well after six months. One standout feature is the telescoping wand, which came in handy for cleaning the floors and cobwebs off the ceiling with ease. It lays almost flat in order to get underneath beds and low furniture.

We also love that the attachments are stored on board the vacuum for easy access. While there is a bit of a learning curve with the two pieces, once we got used to it we found it smooth enough to maneuver. It's also easy to knock the slider that controls the suction and accidentally change the setting.

Product Details: Weight: 22.6 pounds | Cord Length: 26 feet | Dustbin Size: N/A, requires canister vacuum bags | Battery Life: N/A | Accessories: Vacuum cleaner bags, crevice tool, dusting brush, pet tool

Variable brush roll speeds make this option effective on all flooring types

It doesn’t include any attachments or hand-held conversion

Selecting a pet hair-friendly vacuum is hard enough—but finding something that can tackle your carpeted and hardwood flooring at the same time can seem like an impossible feat. That’s why we’re so fond of the Ryobi 18V One Plus HP High-Capacity Stick Vacuum Kit.

We found that the vacuum was the best cordless option to tackle various flooring types thanks to variable brush roll speeds that can be customized and adjusted based on which type of flooring (low is best for carpets whereas high would be better for hardwood).

We also really liked how the vacuum was whisper-quiet compared to other options we tested; the noise level wasn’t enough to be disruptive and would work well for those who live in an apartment building or have little ones napping.

The vacuum comes with a tool to cut hair out of the brush roll, which is majorly convenient if you or your pets have long hair.

The only downside we noticed was that it doesn’t actually come with any attachments and it can’t be converted into a handheld. This basically means you’ll only be able to use it for flooring; it won’t function very well for hard-to-reach places or things like curtains.

Weight: 9 lbs | Cord Length: Cordless | Dustbin Size: 1 Liter | Battery Life: 30 minutes | Accessories: 18V 4Ah Lithium Battery, Charger, Vacuum Maintenance Tool

Why You Should Get It: The motorized pet tool and extra-long crevice tool make this handheld vacuum a great way to spot-clean pet messes.

Keep in Mind: Since this is a handheld device, you'll have to crouch down to operate it on the floor.

If you already have a vacuum for day-to-day messes but you need a device with some added oomph to help tackle pet-related debris, the Black + Decker Furbuster handheld vacuum cleaner is a great option.

It’s designed to powerfully remove fur, dirt, crumbs, and dander from a variety of surfaces including carpet and upholstery, making it very versatile to use. We loved how effective the vacuum was on carpets and upholstery; it only took one pass to remove large chunks of pet hair from these surfaces.

Because of its tangle-resistant rubber bristles, the vacuum makes it easier to pick up pet and human hair alike without any strands getting trapped in the fibers. This means you won’t have to cut hair out of the brush roll nearly as often as other models.

In addition to its impressive brush roll, we found that the suction allowed it to pick up heavier debris—including chunks of kibble—without too much trouble. Because of this, you’ll be able to use the vacuum to handle several types of messes in your home without switching to a different device.

We also found that it was pretty quiet compared to other vacuums we tested, ranging between 62 to 66 decibels, depending on the vacuum setting. There’s a “power boost” setting that increases the brush roll speed and suction power to tackle particularly dirty spots in your home, too.

And while it only comes with one attachment (an extra-long crevice tool), this extra piece allows you to reach in between couch cushions and into tight, cobweb-ridden corners of your home with ease. We tried this tool on a chaise lounge that was covered in cat hair and found that cleaning hard-to-reach spots was a breeze.

The vacuum is very easy to push around even on high-pile carpet, though it was less comfortable to operate than a full-size vacuum on the floor since you have to bend over to use it. For this reason, we’d mainly recommend using it on upholstery or to spot-clean specific areas of your flooring instead of an entire room.

At the end of the testing period, the Furbuster still worked as well as the day we brought it home. It whisks up pet hair from couch cushions, crevices, and even hard surfaces like the bathtub thanks to impressive suction, and the battery life is such that we can clean all the cat hair-covered furniture in the house on one charge.

Besides the battery life, our favorite detail is that the crevice tool is built right into the vacuum and the motorized tool fits right on top, making it very easy to carry and store the attachments.

Product Details: Weight: 4.6 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Dustbin Size: 25 ounces | Battery Life: Not listed | Accessories: Crevice tool and motorized tool

Why You Should Get It: This robot vacuum for pet hair has smart-mapping technology that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and assign specific rooms for your vacuum to clean.

Keep in Mind: It takes a few minutes to connect the device to WiFi when you first set it up.

When owning pets, it can seem like there’s a never-ending list of cleaning tasks you have to do in order to keep up with all the messes they make throughout your home. However, a robot vacuum is great for removing pet hair from your hard floors and carpets with the touch of a button.

We found that the iRobot Roomba J7+ was the most effective robot vacuum against pet hair because of its rubber brush roll and strong suction. These elements allow the vacuum to suck up heavy particles like kibble, pet litter, and dense fur without anything getting tangled in the brush roll or being pushed across the floor.

The iRobot has smart-mapping technology that allows it to memorize your space and seamlessly navigate from room to room. You’ll be able to schedule recurring cleaning tasks, assign your vacuum to clean specific rooms, and even block off areas where you don’t want the vacuum to go (such as staircases or messy rooms).

When it comes to emptying out the dust bin, we loved that this robot vacuum is self-emptying, which means you don’t have to touch any of the debris it picked up on your floor. And since its battery life is 75 minutes, this object-avoiding device will be able to clean multiple rooms at a time without needing a recharge.

Initially setting up the iRobot takes several a few minutes to set up WiFi and coordinate with the app. While the robot vacuum can also be used without app integration, its most-helpful features are contained within the app, so plan to spend a few minutes getting this device set up when you first purchase it.

We wholeheartedly stand by our recommendation after using the iRobot at home for several months. Given how often we reach for it, we think it's well worth the cost. In fact, we actually want to buy a second one to use on the upper floor of the house. It's so easy thanks to the ability to schedule cleanings for specific areas.

All you need to do to maintain the vacuum is clean and change the filter, clean the brushes, and occasionally empty the debris from the charging dock. The app keeps you updated on the product's overall health so you don't have to remember the last time you cleaned the filter.

Product Details: Weight: 7.5 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Dustbin Size: Not listed | Battery Life: 75 minutes | Accessories: Charging base

Why You Should Get It: It has a self-cleaning brush roll, so you won't ever have to worry about tangled hairs clogging your vacuum.

Keep in Mind: This vacuum is a little heavy to lift with one hand.

Some people prefer the powerful suction and larger dustbin that upright vacuums offer over more lightweight models like stick vacuums. After testing both types in our lab, we found that the Shark Navigator Zero-M Self-Cleaning Brushroll Pet Pro is the best upright vacuum for pet hair.

We were very impressed by how easily this device sucked up pet food, fur, and debris alike from carpet and hard floors. It seamlessly transitioned from hard floors to carpets and vice versa without pausing performance, so you won’t find crumbs and debris around the edges of your rug.

Despite its bulkier size, the vacuum was surprisingly easy to maneuver throughout our testing space. The vacuum head swivels easily, so it can turn tight corners and fit around table legs without missing any crumbs.

It’s also equipped with a self-cleaning brush roll, which is designed to suck up pet and human hair without anything getting tangled or clogged. This means you won’t ever have to manually cut hair out of the bottom of your vacuum.

We also liked the Shark Navigator's extendable hose for added flexibility as you clean. According to the manufacturer, the hose extends up to 12 feet, so you’ll be able to clean staircases, overhead shelves, and more with ease. At home we were able to vacuum a 15-step set of stairs, as well as the ceiling.

With an 8-quart dustbin, this vacuum won’t need to be emptied out nearly as often as other vacuums for pet hair. When it’s finally time to empty the canister, we found that it was super easy to remove from the vacuum and dump out, though we had to reach in and manually remove pet hair from the bin.

We found the vacuum a little bulky to carry one-handed, especially if you need to go up and down the stairs often. It’s only 16 pounds, which doesn’t seem like much, but because of its boxy shape and slim handle, it was quite cumbersome.

This is a powerful vacuum whose suction held up to our standards with regular use, though we found it too heavy to lift on stairs and not ideal for vacuuming vinyl floors if you're worried about scratches. We reach for it when we need a deep clean, not for daily spot cleaning, but it's incredibly effective at vacuuming pet hair.

Product Details: Weight: 16 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Dustbin Size: 2.8 quarts | Battery Life: N/A | Accessories: Crevice tool, upholstery tool

After a full day of testing and using the vacuum at home, we chose the Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum as the best canister vacuum for pet hair because it effortlessly removed debris from all floor types while remaining extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver.

We have tested over 300 vacuums at home and in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, many of which were pet-specific models. To compile our list of the best vacuums for pet hair, we evaluated the results from several different tests.

We ran each vacuum on carpet, hard floor, and upholstery (if applicable), tried out all of its advertised settings, and observed how well it picked up common debris like pet hair, kibble, dirt, and more.

To test maneuverability, we also ran the vacuums through a makeshift obstacle course to see how easy they were to move around furniture and into tight corners.

Finally, we reviewed each vacuum based on its noise level, ease of use, portability, and overall value. Based on these insights, we tallied up the vacuums’ individual scores to determine the top vacuums for pet hair.

After lab testing, we took these vacuums home to see how the held up over the course of three months. We check in after the first and third month, during which we evaluated how the vacuums held up and if they improved our cleaning routines.

Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek

One of the most important things to decide when shopping for any vacuum is whether you want a corded or cordless model.

Cordless vacuums are great because you don't have to worry about tripping on or getting tangled in wires, but they often have short battery lives that might not be sufficient for cleaning the entirety of large homes in one go.

On the other hand, some people prefer corded vacuums because they're often more powerful and there's no risk of running out of battery mid-cleaning session. But corded models don't provide as much freedom since you can be restricted by outlet placement and cord length.

We tested both corded and cordless models, so you'll be able to shop both kinds in our list above.

Most vacuums have more than one level of suction power. While lower settings are usually fine for quick cleanups on hard surfaces, Toogood recommends using higher settings (often labeled as "max") for carpets since they need more agitation to remove debris.

Vacuums for pet hair should have a filter that captures microscopic allergens (like pet dander). This ensures that the appliance only expels clean air, which is especially helpful for people with allergies. The best type of filter for this job is a HEPA (or high efficiency particulate air) filter.

"Most people who own vacuums don't know there's a filter in their vacuum, let alone how well it performs, so having a high-quality filtration system when you have a pet is very important," Toogood says.

Many vacuums for pet hair (especially handheld vacuums and those that can convert to a handheld orientation) come with extra attachments that are designed to remove fur from specific areas. "The best attachments for pet hair provide a bit of agitation on the surface you're cleaning," Toogood says.

"Mini-motorized attachments with stiff nylon bristles are perfect for furniture and upholstery, including dog beds and cat trees. Not only will it pick up hair, dirt, and debris that are ground into the surface, but it will also help capture dander, pollen, and other microscopic bacteria that might've made its way in from outside."

You should also look for vacuums that come with crevice tools for cleaning in tight spaces. During testing, we especially liked vacuums that had on-board storage for attachments to make toting them around while cleaning easier.

The size of a vacuum is important for multiple reasons. If you live in a home with more than one level, then you want to choose a vacuum that isn't too bulky or heavy for you to carry up and down the stairs.

You'll also want to make sure that you have enough space to store your vacuum. If you don't have any spare closets but don't want to keep your vacuum out in the open, then a large upright model might not be as good of an option as a stick or robot model.

Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek

We found that the Kenmore Upright Bagged Vacuum was not as impressive. It was unable to pick up kibble or pet hair on hard floors or carpet, and once we'd powered down the vacuum, what little debris it had managed to pick up fell out of the bottom of the device. For this reason, we chose not to include it in our list.

We appreciated the Dirt Devil vacuum for its lightweight body and easy-to-maneuver design; it was efficient on hardwood flooring and took up very little space in storage. Unfortunately, we also noticed that the efficiency of this vacuum diminished quickly—the suction became weaker with regular use, even when the dustbin was empty.

The Ryobi One Plus HP 18V Brushless Cordless Pet Stick Vac stood out during the testing process thanks to its variety of useful attachments, but we found it was pretty ineffective on carpet and the brush roll was constantly clogged up and tangled. It was also noticeably heavier than other cordless vacuums.

Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek

Most vacuums come with a few attachments and brush types to help you get a more effective clean. According to Homer, which one you need depends on the surface you're vacuuming. For carpets and upholstery, she recommends a rotating brush head to "brush out woven in hairs."

"For wood floors and tile, the best choice is a horse hair floor brush attachment, as the brush will help flick up stuck on hairs," she adds.

Yes, it's important to keep your vacuum clean so that it continues to work well enough to keep your home in tip-top shape. Besides regularly emptying the dustbin, you should always check to see if your vacuum has specific cleaning instructions in the manual or online.

Otherwise, you can typically wash removable parts with warm, soapy water and wipe down anything else with a cleaner and microfiber cloth. Just be sure to let all parts fully dry before assembling again.

You should clean your vacuum whenever you notice any weird smells or feel like it might be clogged, but once a month is a good rule of thumb.

Even though many vacuums claim to have self-cleaning or anti-tangle brushrolls, it's almost impossible to prevent hair (especially longer strands) from getting caught. Some models have removable brushes that are easy to clean since you can take them out of the floor head.

You can usually pull smaller clumps out of the brushroll with your hands, but tougher jobs will need to be cut out with scissors. Some options are designed for tangle-prevention and even include tools to help remove wrapped hair,

Loss of suction power typically means that a vacuum's airflow is blocked, according to Toogood. "It is crucial for a vacuum cleaner to have one strong, powerful airflow running continuously through the machine," says Toogood.

Toogood adds that "a clogged filter means your vacuum cleaner won't work as effectively as it should." To keep your vacuum performing well, Dyson recommends regularly emptying the dustbin, washing the filter, and checking the brush bar once a month to make sure no debris is stuck.

Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek

This story was written by Samantha Jones, an associate commerce editor for Better Homes & Gardens who writes about the best home and garden products. For this story, Samantha researched important features and characteristics of vacuums for pet hair, then compared her findings with insights gathered from our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa.

She included expert advice from Ollie Toogood, senior design engineer at Dyson, on the most important features to look for in vacuums for pet hair.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.

Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.