Pet ownership brings immeasurable joy, from the unwavering companionship to the playful antics that brighten our days. However, it also frequently introduces a persistent challenge: pet hair. If you’re constantly battling fur tumbleweeds, take heart. The Top Rated Vacuums For Pet Hair are engineered to effortlessly manage this ongoing cleanup, efficiently removing shedding and dander from carpets, hardwood floors, and upholstery. Leveraging extensive testing data and insights from cleaning professionals, we confidently recommend the Dyson V15 Detect as a leading choice. This lightweight cordless vacuum boasts exceptional suction, making it a standout for pet hair removal.
Effective vacuums for homes with pets, whether specifically marketed for pet owners or not, share critical features. According to Shari Cedar, CEO of AK Building Services, a commercial cleaning company, these features include “powerful suction, tangle-free brush rolls, and HEPA filtration systems to trap pet dander.” These elements are essential for efficient cleaning and fostering a healthier home by minimizing allergens. Whether you need a robust upright model for deeply embedded fur in carpets or a portable handheld for quick cleanups, we’ve compiled recommendations for the best vacuums for pet hair across various categories.
Best Overall Vacuum For Pet Hair
Dyson V15 Detect: The Ultimate Cordless Solution for Pet Hair and Allergens
Style: Cordless stick | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Run time: 60 minutes | Bin volume: 0.2 gallons | Accessories: Anti-tangle laser brush heads, hair screw tool, crevice tool, charging dock | HEPA Filter: Yes
Pros:
- Cordless design for maximum convenience and maneuverability.
- Easily transforms into a handheld vacuum for versatile cleaning tasks.
- Illuminated cleaner head reveals hidden dust and pet hair.
Cons:
- May not be ideal for very large homes or thick, high-pile carpets.
Through years of rigorous testing, encompassing everything from robotic to handheld models, the Dyson V15 Detect consistently emerges as a top performer for handling diverse dirt and debris, particularly pet hair. It incorporates essential features favored by cleaning experts: exceptional suction power to lift embedded pet hair, an anti-tangle brush roll designed to prevent hair wrapping, and a HEPA filter that captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, effectively trapping pet dander and allergens. As expected from a premium cordless vacuum, the V15 Detect is lightweight and remarkably easy to maneuver. Its ability to quickly convert to a handheld unit further enhances its versatility for spot cleaning and reaching difficult areas.
Katie Simpson, a senior strategy editor who owns an English Cream Golden Retriever, praises the V15 Detect’s “light-up technology, which makes it incredibly easy to spot pet hair accumulation on hardwood floors.” She also notes, “the hair-screw design effectively picks up large clumps of fur without clogging.” Simpson also values the included carpet attachment for deeper cleaning and the crevice tool for accessing tight spaces under furniture, making it a comprehensive solution for pet hair management.
Best Value Vacuum For Pet Hair
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum: Powerful Cleaning Without Breaking the Bank
Style: Corded upright | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Run time: N/A | Bin volume: 0.9 quarts | Accessories: Pet power brush, crevice tool | HEPA Filter: Yes
Pros:
- Highly effective on both carpets and hard floors.
- Lift-Away design enhances portability for cleaning stairs and furniture.
- Delivers strong suction power at a budget-friendly price point.
Cons:
- Corded operation requires proximity to a power outlet.
Priced under $200, the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum delivers impressive performance that belies its affordability. It’s a favorite among Forbes Vetted editors and cleaning professionals alike. Rose Sala, a deputy editor who has used this model since 2022, states, “It’s powerful enough to suck up all the crumbs under the dining room table as well as my dog’s endless fur.” Unlike some vacuums that are less effective on carpets, the NV352 excels on multiple floor types. Shari Cedar highlights its versatility: “Activating the brush roll makes it excellent for deep cleaning and efficiently removing pet hair from both carpets and upholstery.”
Upright vacuums are often favored for their robust suction and large dustbins, and the NV352 embodies these advantages. In its standard upright configuration, the vacuum head remains stable while the body swivels, allowing for easy maneuvering under furniture despite its size. For tasks like stair cleaning, the Lift-Away feature allows the body and dustbin to detach from the base, providing enhanced portability. The 25-foot cord offers a good reach, and the included crevice tool and upholstery tool, along with a HEPA filter, further increase its functionality for comprehensive pet hair removal and allergen control.
Best Upright Vacuum For Pet Hair
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra: Uncompromising Power for Deep Cleaning Pet Messes
Style: Corded upright | Weight: 17.3 pounds | Run time: N/A | Bin volume: 0.6 gallons | Accessories: Tangle-free turbine tool, groom tool, tool holder, stair tool, combination tool | HEPA Filter: Yes
Pros:
- Delivers exceptionally strong suction, ideal for deep carpet cleaning.
- Whole-machine HEPA filtration ensures allergens are trapped effectively.
- Self-cleaning brush roll minimizes maintenance and maximizes performance.
Cons:
- Heavier weight can make it more tiring to use for extended periods.
For households tackling significant pet hair challenges, particularly in thick carpets or large areas requiring deep cleaning, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is a top-tier upright vacuum. Its formidable suction power effectively tackles even the most stubborn pet messes. The brush roll is engineered to be self-cleaning, actively removing缠绕 hair as the vacuum operates, reducing tangles and maintenance. Equipped with whole-machine HEPA filtration, it captures pet dander and allergens throughout the vacuuming process. A suite of useful attachments further enhances its versatility. The groom tool is particularly noteworthy, allowing you to brush and vacuum loose hair directly from your dog, though caution is advised if your pet is sensitive to vacuum noises. The primary drawback is its weight; at over 17 pounds, it may cause fatigue during prolonged cleaning sessions.
Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair
iRobot Roomba j7+: Autonomous Cleaning with Smart Obstacle Avoidance
Style: Robot | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Run time: Up to 60 minutes | Bin volume: 0.1 gallons | Accessories: Dirt disposal bags, extra filter and corner brush | HEPA filter: Yes
Pros:
- Provides hands-free, scheduled cleaning convenience.
- Advanced obstacle avoidance navigates around common household items and pet accidents.
- Effectively cleans under furniture and in hard-to-reach areas.
Cons:
- May not be suitable for large homes with extensive high-pile carpeting.
For a truly hands-off approach to pet hair management, robot vacuums are an excellent solution, especially in homes with hard floors and low-pile carpets. Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, emphasizes the importance of self-cleaning brush rolls in robot vacuums for pet hair, and the iRobot Roomba j7+ excels in this area. It’s recognized as a top robot vacuum for pet hair and is also recommended by Shari Cedar.
The Roomba j7+ features dual multi-surface, anti-tangle brush rolls and sophisticated smart technology. It adeptly avoids obstacles like toys, shoes, and even pet waste while intelligently mapping your home’s layout. You can easily direct it to clean specific rooms or areas via the app or voice commands. As a self-emptying model, it minimizes maintenance; the vacuum automatically empties debris into its base, which can hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt, offering unparalleled convenience for busy pet owners.
Best Handheld Vacuum For Pet Hair
Black + Decker Furbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Handheld Vacuum: Spot Cleaning Power in a Compact Form
Style: Cordless handheld | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Run time: 20 minutes | Bin volume: 0.2 gallons | Accessories: Extendable crevice tool, washable pre-filter and filter, motorized pet brush | HEPA filter: No
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and portable for quick cleanups.
- Ideal for small messes and reaching tight spaces.
- Includes a motorized pet brush for effective upholstery cleaning.
Cons:
- Not designed for whole-house cleaning; a larger vacuum is still necessary.
Handheld vacuums are indispensable for tackling smaller, immediate messes, and the Black + Decker Furbuster AdvancedClean+ is a standout in this category for pet owners. Equipped with several attachments, including a motorized pet brush, Rose Sala confirms, “the Furbuster AdvancedClean+ really picks up pet hair.” She uses it for both pet and non-pet messes, appreciating the extendable crevice tool for stairs and under furniture.
Sala notes that “Powerboost” mode is often needed to maximize suction for pet hair. Activating this mode is simple with a button press. The washable filter (though not HEPA) is a plus, although emptying the dust canister can sometimes require a bit of effort to dislodge trapped hair. Despite these minor points, the Furbuster AdvancedClean+ is an excellent handheld vacuum for pet hair, offering convenience and targeted cleaning power.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s team includes editors with significant expertise in both cleaning products and pet supplies, many of whom are pet owners themselves, bringing firsthand experience to their product evaluations.
- The team has conducted extensive research and reviews on various cleaning solutions, including robot vacuums for pet hair, robot mops, self-emptying robot vacuums, and carpet cleaners for pets.
- For this guide, Forbes Vetted consulted with cleaning industry experts Shari Cedar, CEO of AK Building Services, and Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid.
- Forbes Vetted consistently updates its content to incorporate new models and ensure recommendations remain current and helpful.
How We Selected the Best Vacuums for Pet Hair
The selection process for the best pet hair vacuums involved considering top-rated models from reputable brands, incorporating both hands-on testing and expert recommendations.
- Popular models from leading brands like Dyson, Shark, Black + Decker, and iRobot were evaluated.
- Key features assessed included suction power, filtration systems, brush roll designs, included accessories, dust bin capacity, and battery run time for cordless models.
- The aim was to identify the best vacuums across different types—best upright, best handheld, best robot vacuum for pet hair—to cater to a variety of needs and preferences.
