If you have pets, you know you can’t imagine your life without them. There’s nothing quite like the unconditional love and companionship that having animals brings into your life.
There is one little not-talked-about-enough aspect of pet ownership that tends to bother most animal lovers, though – the seemingly endless amounts of hair they distribute all throughout the house. Unless you have a hairless dog or Sphinx cat, chances are you have piles of fur scattered throughout your home, under furniture, and embedded into your clothing and couches.
The only defense against this problem of pet ownership is investing in vacuums for pet hair. These high-powered machines can effortlessly pick up the fur so you can get back to doing what’s important in life – snuggling your animals.
Read on to find the top ten vacuums that will help you combat your annoying pet hair problem.
10 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair in 2020
1. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld
First up on our list is this powerful handheld option from Bissell. You probably won’t use it to vacuum your floors, but it’ll work wonders on your stairs, furniture, and even in the car.
Rubber Nozzle for Attracting Hair
This machine is outfitted with a rubber nozzle that’ll pull out pet fur and dust from whatever surface is covered in it. Use the other nozzle for smaller duty jobs like vacuuming up scattered cat litter.
Long Power Cord
The fact that this device is not rechargeable is both a blessing and a curse. You never have to worry about it running out of juice in the middle of a big job because it’s a corded model. That said, it’s less mobile so vacuuming in your vehicle might be an issue if it weren’t for the super long 16-foot cord that comes with it.
Cost and Value
This little unit took the first place in our guide not only because of how compact and powerful it is but because of it’s extremely low price. You’re getting a ton of value in one tiny package, making investing in the Pet Hair Eraser a complete no-brainer.
Pros
- Simple to empty
- Lightweight
- Works great on pet hair and litter
- Packs a powerful punch in a small package
Cons
- Wind created by the vacuum can sometimes blow the hair away instead of attracting it
2. Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright
Next up we have another option from Bissell, but this one looks quite a bit different. This upright vacuum features a triple action brush roll to pick up the hair, no matter how embedded it is in your carpet.
Swivel Steering
If you have a ton of pet-related items like chew toys, cat beds, and the like, you’re going to appreciate the fact that this device has swivel steering. You’ll be able to maneuver around furniture, pets, and their paraphernalia with ease.
Comes With Specialized Pet Tools
This vacuum isn’t only for pet-related floor cleaning, but it does come with some specialized pet tools that will make easy work out of fur removal. The PetTurboEraser tool is great for use in areas you can’t easily access with your vacuum, such as stairs. The Pet Corner Tool is useful for getting into every nook, cranny, and corner in your home to remove tufts of fur that always seem to find their way there.
Cost and Value
This product provides a lot of value for one low price. We were shocked to see how affordable it is seeing as how it’s a full upright vacuum and that it comes with two specialized tools for pet lovers.
Pros
- Easy to empty dust bin
- Lightweight design
- Won’t scatter debris everywhere
- Large dust bin
Cons
- May not be great on exceptionally thick rugs or carpets
3. Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal
Moving away from Bissell products for a moment, we have this high-quality lightweight stick vacuum from Dyson. This cord-free vacuum is designed to help you deep-clean your pet-friendly home so you’re not dealing with stray fur tufts in every nook and cranny.
Three Cleaning Modes
A great feature of this product is that it boasts three different cleaning modes. This allows you to choose the right amount of power for the job at hand.
Clean Wherever You Need To
Another huge selling point of this vacuum is its ability to reach anywhere and everywhere. Trying to get rid of cobwebs from your ceiling? It’s lightweight enough for you to pick it up and use the spot cleaner to get rid of them! Trying to clean underneath your furniture? The low profile cleaning head makes that a breeze. The mini motorized tool is perfect for use on carpet and furniture to pick up all that stray pet hair, too.
Cost and Value
This is the second priciest product in our buying guide, but its high-quality construction and a fantastic level of performance make it more than worth the price tag.
Pros
- One battery charge can clean the full house (provided you’re not going on max power the entire time)
- Comes with a mounting bracket
- Lightweight to make cleaning easier on the back
- Cordless
Cons
- Have to hold and depress the power button to make it operate
4. Shark Rotator Powered TruePet Upright
This upright vacuum from Shark comes with a special pet-focused motorized multi-tool that you can use to get rid of clumped on pet hair no matter where it’s embedded itself.
Reaches Wherever You Need It To
Upright vacuums generally aren’t known for their compactness. They tend to be heavier and more difficult to maneuver, but that’s not the case at all with this product. It features several different modes that allow you to get into those often hard-to-reach places. The Powered Lift-Away mode lets you extend the reach of the powerhead to get the dirt no matter where it’s hiding on your floor. Above-floor mode allows you to release the handle from the wand to get up in higher places like your curtains or high on the wall.
Pet Power Brush
The vacuum in upright mode is powerful with easy to operate fingertip controls. When you attach the motorized pet power brush, you can take the vacuum and its strength up a notch. The brush is perfect for using on upholstery or stairs.
Cost and Value
This product is priced competitively with most of the other vacuums in our guide. We loved the specialized pet tool and how you can take this device in places other upright vacuums can’t go.
Pros
- LED lights on the powerhead
- Swivel steering for easy maneuverability
- Great suction
- Makes carpets look fluffier
Cons
- May not swivel as easily on thick carpets
5. Dyson Ball Animal 2
This 55-gallon upright vacuum is a powerful machine you absolutely need to tackle stubborn pet messes. It features Radial Root Cycle technology to maximize the amount of suction it uses, enabling it to pull out all dust particles, even the ones you can’t see with the naked eye.
Made for Pet Hair
While other options in our guide include pet-specific tools seemingly as an afterthought, the Ball Animal 2 was made specifically to tackle pet-related messes. It has a variety of features and tools that work to pull out dirt, pet hair, and other allergens that can be found in homes of pet owners.
Self-Adjusting Head
The head of this vacuum adjusts itself depending on the type of flooring you’re using it on. This self-adjustment allows the machine to seal in the suction whether you’re using it on carpet, vinyl, or tile floors.
Cost and Value
Dyson is one of the most respected names in the world of household appliances. This type of brand recognition often equates to higher-priced items. While Ball Animal 2 is pricier than some of the other options in our guide, it’s far from being the most expensive. We think it’s worth the price if you’re looking for a high-quality machine that’ll power through almost anything you throw under it.
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Tangle-free turbine ensures there’s no brush bar for pet hair to wrap itself around
- Easy and fast to empty
- Strong suction
Cons
- Suction may be too strong for certain types of carpeting
6. Shark Apex Upright
Another Shark upright vacuum? Yes, we know we sound like a broken record here, but the truth of the matter is that the Apex is vastly different from the Lift-Away TruePet. We absolutely had to include them both in our guide.
Self-Cleaning Brush Roll
If you’ve ever tried to vacuum a couch that’s covered in pet hair, you know how difficult it can be. Certain vacuums with brush rolls make it even more difficult by clogging fast and making it hard to remove the lodged hair from the bristles. This vacuum uses a self-cleaning brush roll so you won’t need to worry about stopping mid-job to unclog the machine. The hair automatically unravels itself so you won’t have to.
DuoClean Technology
This vacuum features a dual brush system that allows you to deep clean your carpet. No carpets in your home? The DuoClean tech leaves a polished look on hard floors, too.
Coast and Value
This vacuum is priced right in the middle when we compare it to the other options in our guide. It’s not the most affordable, but it’s not unreasonably overpriced, either. We absolutely loved the self-cleaning brush roll and found it to be a unique feature that sets it apart from other similar products.
Pros
- Easy to put together
- Long cord
- Easy to push and pull
- Powered head works wonders on stairs
Cons
- Maybe a little bit too heavy for some people
7. Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro
This unique vacuum is unlike anything else we’ve seen so far. It’s an all-in-one machine that can vacuum and wash your floors at the exact same time.
One Tool to Rule Them All
If there’s one household chore that’s backbreaking by design it’s cleaning the floors. This vacuum lets you take one step out of the equation by vacuuming and mopping all at once. Worried about pet hair clogging your sink when you pour out the dirty water at the end of your cleaning job? This vacuum is outfitted with a pet hair strainer to separate fur and other debris from any liquids to ensure your sinks won’t clog!
Two Tank Technology
Are you worried about how this vacuum keeps the dirty and clean water separate to ensure you’re not mopping your floor with dingy and gross water? There are two separate tanks to keep the waters separate.
Cost and Value
While this vacuum isn’t the most pocket-friendly on our list, we have to say we were surprised by just how affordable it is considering you’re getting two tools for the price of one. If you hate dealing with dirty floors, the Crosswave Pet Pro will cut your time in half! That’s a lot of added value (and free time) if you ask us.
Pros
- Works great on multiple surfaces
- Saves a lot of time
- Picks up a variety of liquids and debris
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- May leave streaks on some flooring types
8. Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister
Let’s take a look at our first canister vacuum, shall we? This product from Miele is a high-end 6-speed cleaner that can hold 4.5 liters of dust, debris, and – you guessed it – pet hair.
Cleans Anything
This versatile machine works great on carpet, rugs, hard floors, and the turbo brush makes cleaning upholstery an absolute breeze.
Contains an Air Filter
This cleaner features an Active AirClean filter to help eliminate lung-damaging particles from the air. If you have allergies but absolutely must have a pet, this filter will help you and your animals live more harmoniously. It can retain over 99.9% of pet odors and harmful particles!
Cost and Value
We’ll give it to you straight – this is the priciest vacuum in our guide. But don’t be so quick to nix it off your wish list. This bad boys’ extremely high suction power and air filter make it a dream for pet owners.
Pros
- Crush-proof hose
- Includes different heads and accessories
- Built very well
- Makes home less messy
Cons
9. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
Yes, another Bissell vacuum. We can’t help it. They’re one of the most reputable vacuum companies in the world! The Pet Hair Eraser provides a powerful defense against pet hair pile up and an easy-to-empty canister. Plus, it features a unique allergen trapping system to keep dust and other allergens at bay.
Look Ma, No Hands
One of our favorite features about this unit was that we didn’t need to use our hands at all to empty the junk from the canister. All you need to do is push one button and all the debris will fall right into your garbage.
Extra Tools Galore
This vacuum comes with a few extra accessories to help you make the most of your new cleaner. These tools include the TurboEraser for removing pet hair in carpets and furniture, the LED crevice tool to light your way to dirt in hidden areas, and a 2-in-1 pet dusting brush.
Cost and Value
We were pleasantly surprised to see the price of this vacuum. Though it’s not anywhere near the cheapest option in our guide, it still comes at an affordable price that should be accessible for pet owners at their wits end with the mess in their homes.
Pros
- Strong suction
- Easy to maneuver
- Simple assembly
- Auto cord rewind
Cons
10. Eureka Neu522 FloorRover
Finally, we have reached the final product in our buying guide. This Eureka upright vacuum is an affordable answer to your pet mess woes. It features an extra-long long and detachable handle so you can take your vacuum almost anywhere in your home.
Auto Height Adjustment
No more fiddling with your vacuum to set it to the right height for your flooring! This machine is able to detect what type of flooring it’s on and adjust its height appropriately.
HEPA Filter
The multi-cyclone filtration system and HEPA filter helps to trap dust, dirt, and allergens lingering around your home. This will help you keep any potential pet and environmental allergies at bay.
Cost and Value
This is one of the most affordable options on our list. We loved the additional accessories that will help you get every nook and cranny of your home cleaner than ever.
Pros
- Easy to empty
- Handle detaches for high cleaning jobs
- Swivels nicely
- Affordable price tag
Cons
- May not be your best defense against cat litter
Our Conclusion
The one guarantee we all have as pet owners is that things are going to get messy sometimes. With the right vacuum, though, you can keep messes at bay so you and your pet can live together more harmoniously.