As a pet owner determined to keep your home clean, despite constant shedding, the best vacuums for pet hair could be your saving grace. Cuddling your puddy tat or canine companion means getting pet hair everywhere; it's the bane of any household with pets. While you can't hoover your dog or cat, you can keep your house spick and span. We've found the most powerful and efficient vacuums, including corded uprights and cordless vacuums, that tackle pet hair on carpets, upholstery and hard floors.
The difference between a regular vacuum and a pet vacuum is the brush head. It has a special design that makes it easier to detangle hair from the brush roll. In addition, some models have activated carbon filters to eliminate pet odour. Vacuum up kitty litter, dog fur that gets ground into carpets, and dander that is shed all around the house.
Best vacuums for pet hair at a glance
According to Clear It Waste, a third of pet owners confess that they forget to clean their pets' areas as often as their own. Imagine the build-up of dander, fur and goodness knows what that becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. The next time you shake out your pet's comforter imagine what's just become airborne!
With multiple pets – including high-shedding breeds – and dealing with allergies, you need a reliable solution for effectively removing pet hair and dander. Look for features like HEPA filters to reduce allergens and attachments for cleaning furniture and tight spaces. Note that spring and autumn are the key times of year when your pet's coat changes to cope with the changing weather. Be prepared for the moulting, with the best vacuums for pet hair.
Best vacuums for pet hair
Best overall vacuum
VAX www.vax.co.uk
Get rid of kibble crumbs and more with the VAX Air Stretch Pet Max. This powerful upright vacuum has a 17-metre reach, thanks to its telescopic stretch hose and 10-metre power cable. At 5kg, it is relatively lightweight for a full-size upright vacuum, so it's easy to lift it upstairs. It has a 3-in-1 tool for dusting, cleaning upholstery and for getting into crevices. Plus, its dense and stiff bristles get dirt and pet hair out of thick pile carpet.
It comes with a turbo tool to provide extra powerful suction to high-traffic areas and vacuum up trodden-in pet hair.
Online reviews praise the VAX Air Stretch Pet Max for being easy to use and excellent at picking up fine cat hair. Its long stretch allows it to reach the top of the stairs. Albeit, some customers felt it was heavier than advertised.
Pros
- It has an extension hose so you can reach difficult nooks and crannies with it
- Turbo brush is specially designed for removing pet hair
- Powerful suction – you can see a carpet line after vacuuming
Cons
- Some reviews comment that they felt it was heavier than advertised
| Dimensions: | H110 x W31 x D30.5cm |
| Weight: | 4.9kg |
| Capacity: | 1.5L |
| Other tools included: | Turbo Tool, 3 in 1 Tool, 2.3m stretch hose |
Best vacuum for carpet
Henry Pet Corded Bagged Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner is a newer member of the iconic Numatic UK-based brand. The hat is a lid you lift off to access the bag, and its cheery face puts the fun into chores. With powerful suction and a nine-litre capacity, this Henry Pet is highly effective for medium-duty cleaning. It contains a charcoal-activated odour filter and comes with several accessories, so you can tailor the brush to the task. The 10-metre power cable is dispensed by a handle on top that you turn by hand. Use the EcoBrush 190 or AiroBrush accessory for smaller spaces, such as a car footwell or stairs. It comes with many metal extension tubes to reach difficult spots. Plus, it's very manoeuvrable on its two big back rubber wheels.
Customer reviews praise this Henry for its powerful suction and great range of accessories. They consider it a better value alternative to other big brands and far more reliable. However, it's been rated lower for its noise output, so bear this in mind if sound sensitivity is an issue.
The adorable Hetty Pet is also available.
Pros
- Powerful suction that can even be increased
- Comes with an array of extension tubes and brush-heads
- Good value for money compared to other big brands
Cons
- Difficulty pushing the standard brush head on a carpeted floor – even the minimum suction is too strong – so change the floorhead to the smaller EcoBrush 190
| Dimensions: | H37 x W34 x D36cm |
| Weight: | 8kg |
| Capacity: | 9L |
| Other tools included: | Mattress nozzle, crevice nozzle, upholstery nozzle, dusting brush, turbo brush and combination floor nozzle |
Best upright vacuum
Dysonwww.dyson.co.uk
Dyson Ball™ Animal is based on a design that has been around for some time. This corded vacuum has the power needed to lift fibres from deep-pile carpets. It boasts a second filter inside the ball, which traps particulates down to 0.3 microns. The dual filters offer 99.97 per cent filtration, which helps deal with pet-related allergens. Crucially, the Motorbar brush-head has hair removal vanes to make it easier to detangle hair that gets wrapped around the brush. Plus, an extendible wand tool is neatly stored in the handle and helps to reach difficult spots. The unit can pivot 90° so you can vacuum under furniture.
Online reviews praise its power and versatility. The stiff nylon bristles are effective on carpets, plus they can be used on laminate and tiled floors too. It has three settings, depending on the surface you're cleaning. Plus, there is a transparent hose so that you can see any blockages. The cylinder is easy to remove and empty, and the bottom just pops open. The removable filter can be cleaned by rinsing it under the tap and leaving it to dry for 24 hours, which gives it a longer lifespan than directly buying a replacement.
One thing to watch out for is the extendible wand tool. It has a concertina hose that can sometimes be a bit difficult to collapse back into its slot.
Pros
- Purpose-designed for home with pets, for deep cleaning and hair removal
- Effective on a range of flooring: carpeted and hard floors
- Manoeuvrable and a long-standing Dyson vacuum design
Cons
- It is a bit fiddly to remove and replace the extendible wand tool
| Dimensions: | H106.5 x W 28 x D39cm |
| Weight: | 7kg |
| Capacity: | 1.15L |
| Other tools included: | Combination tool, Quick-release tangle-free turbine tool, Stair tool |
Best 2-in-1 vacuum for pets
SharkThe Shark Anti Hair Wrap Upright Pet Vacuum is extremely versatile, thanks to its 2-in-1 design. It can be used as a powerful upright vacuum or an equally powerful handheld unit. With Powered Liftaway you can detach the cylinder and handle to make it a handheld vacuum. The parts slot together, follow the instructions, and it will soon become familiar.
Attach the crevice tool and small brush to clean cushions and stairs and get into corners. Put your foot on the base and pull it back into a reclining position to vacuum under furniture. Online reviews comment that it is perfect for cleaning stairs. The eight-metre cable means you can vacuum the house without changing plug sockets frequently. Plus, the brush-head has headlights, to highlight potential dirt and debris.
This is an Amazon's Choice recommended product; Shark has received over 1,600 reviews, rating its products 4.6 out of 5. There is just a little bit of mixed opinion about its portability, notably the power cable being a potential trip hazard when it's used as a handheld unit. But otherwise, the consensus is that it's one of the best vacuums for households with pets.
Consider it an upright vacuum cleaner with some additional features that make it more portable and extendable.
Pros
- It lights up, like headlines, to show where you're vacuuming – making it easier to see dust and debris
- Self-cleaning brush roll (anti-hair wrap) so pet and human hair doesn't get tangled around it
- Adapts to hard and carpeted flooring
- Powered Liftaway – detach the cylinder and handle to make it a handheld vacuum
Cons
- Some reviews comment that the power cable can be a bit of a trip hazard when it's used as a handheld vacuum
| Dimensions: | H118 x W28.5 x D26cm |
| Weight: | 6kg |
| Capacity: | 1.1L |
| Other tools included: | Crevice Tool, Multi Surface Tool, Turbo Pet Brush |
Best robot vacuum for pets
ProscenicIt's not just for the Instagram LOLs of seeing your cat riding around on it; this robot vacuum cleaner has features that make it ideal for individuals who cannot lift or handle a conventional vacuum cleaner. The Proscenic 850T Robot Vacuum Cleaner can be activated by voice assistant, remote control or set to automatically clean.
Unlike other models in our guide, this unit has wet-cleaning capabilities. In fact, it has four cleaning modes: vacuum, edge clean, spot clean and mop mode. It cleverly devises its route and creates a floor plan that avoids furniture and other obstacles. The battery offers up to 100 minutes of cleaning time before it needs recharging. It has HEPA filters to remove allergens plus a 250ml dustbin and 200ml water tank.
Customers praise it for being affordable, but they note a few flaws, such as it getting stuck going around corners. But, the app interface is very user-friendly and it is genuinely an innovative way to keep floors dust-free.
Pros
- For people who are older or have mobility issues, this conveniently keeps floors clean
- Ultra-thin design enables it to glide under hard-to-reach areas
- Works on hard floors and carpets and has three suction levels
- Has wet cleaning modes as well as conventional vacuuming
Cons
- Side brushes struggle on a thick carpet and it can get clogged with debris
| Dimensions: | 12.8 x 12.8 x 2.87cm |
| Weight: | 2.6kg |
| Capacity: | 0.5L |
| Other tools included: | 200ml water tank |
Best cordless vacuum
AEGwww.aeg.co.uk
If you're fed up with cat hair in your food, it's time to invest in a powerful vacuum cleaner. The AEG Ultimate 7000 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is powerful enough to draw debris out of crevices, such as between floorboards on a wooden floor. Importantly, it has an angled joint, that makes it a doddle to reach tight areas.
It comes with specially designed nozzles for specific cleaning tasks. The PetPro+ nozzle is designed to remove pet hair. In addition, there is the BedProPower UV nozzle, the UltimatePower hard floor nozzle, the UltimatePower Mop nozzle (that hygienically wet-cleans floors) and the UltimatePower multi-surface nozzle. So, for all-round dusting and delicate cleaning, this unit has you covered.
Screw the charger to the wall, and this will act as a docking station for the vacuum cleaner. Plus, the control panel has icons to alert you to cleaning the filter. All-in-all, it's been designed to be user friendly and convenient.
While customers praise it for being lightweight and of excellent quality, it does have a relatively small dust collector, which means it will need emptying regularly.
Pros
- It comes with a range of brush heads and crevice tools
- Extremely powerful suction for a cordless unit
- It can be used as a handheld vacuum, so it's fantastic for cleaning car upholstery
- It has a wet-cleaning mode to tackle pet stains and small messes
Cons
- Small dust container, so it regularly needs emptying
| Dimensions: | H100.8 x W25 x L25.9cm |
| Weight: | 2.2kg |
| Capacity: | 0.3L |
| Other tools included: | Angled joint, Delicate dusting brush, PetPro+, Short crevice tool with Dusting brush |
Best lightweight vacuum
TefalCat hair is generally white and they stick to clothes something rotten. At least with a portable vacuum cleaner, you can avoid the embarrassment of pet hair all over your work clothes. The Tefal X-Force Flex 15.60 Pet & Car Kit has a turbo brush that is particularly effective at removing pet hair. Because it is lightweight you can reach up high with it to remove cobwebs. Plus, it boasts an extra long 1 hour 20 minutes run time. High suction power intelligently adapts to the floor type. Also, it has a flexible head and LED lights to show up dirt under furniture.
The Tefal X-Force has its own docking station, so it's freestanding and neat, as all its accessories can be stowed with it. Customer reviews are positive, saying it is just as powerful as a corded vacuum. It has a great battery life and the attachments are effective.
Pros
- Wall storage or has its docking station, which attachments can also be stored on
- Can be used as a handheld vacuum, too
- Flexible, it can be angled at 90° to clean underneath a sofa and to reach difficult places
- Auto mode efficiently adapts to the surface, preserving the battery life
Cons
- A customer comments that the build quality is a bit flimsy
| Dimensions: | 38 x 12.54 x 29.39cm |
| Weight: | 3.4kg |
| Capacity: | 0.9L |
| Other tools included: | Crevice tool, sofa brush, Animal Turbo brush, Mini Flex tool |
Best budget vacuum
BELDRAYBELDRAY AirGility Pet Plus has a special motorised pet tool – an LED-lit floor brush – that is great for picking up pet hair. It's a cordless and rechargeable unit with a 22.2V removable li-ion battery. It can be used as a handheld or cordless vacuum. This model has a 40-minute operating time and can be recharged via a power adaptor plugged into the wall. The 1.2-litre dust container is easy-to-empty and the LED lights on the brush head to make locating dirt easier.
Customers highly praise this cordless vacuum for its ability to pick up pet hair. The charge time and run-time are very good, and it's comparable in its performance and some of its features to more expensive brands. In particular, a review points out that it is very light and easy to manoeuvre, so it's a good choice for individuals with limited mobility or back problems. The Beldray doesn't have a docking station, so you'll need to dedicate a little corner or cupboard space.
Pros
- Great at picking up hair
- 3-year guarantee
- 2-in-1 crevice tool and handheld unit
- HEPA filter removes particles that can trigger allergies
Cons
- No docking station
| Dimensions: | H115 x W25 x D25cm |
| Weight: | 3.88kg |
| Capacity: | 1.2L |
| Other tools included: | Extension tube, Floor brush, Pet brush, 2 in 1 crevice tool |
Best vacuum for pet allergies
SharkThis Shark Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner has the highest suction of any stick vacuum cleaner. It was designed primarily with pet hair in mind. The brush roll is designed so pets don't get tangled on the rollers. Also, it has a HEPA filter to eliminate allergens and smells with an odour neutraliser. Attach the Hair Pro tool to use it in handheld mode on soft furnishings and remove pet hair with ease.
This high-performance stick vacuum has more power than battery-powered models. As long as you don't mind having a power cable, you'll benefit from its extra cleaning power.
It's an Amazon's Choice recommended product, with over 6,800 reviews rating Shark 4.5 out of 5. Customers say the suction is good and it's easy to manoeuvre. Once again, it's a great choice for individuals with mobility issues. Shark is an industry-leading brand for good reason, and this vacuum is a great example of their quality. Do note, however, that you have to factor in unwinding and winding up the power cable. While its 10-metre length means you don't need to change plug sockets so often, some users found the cable a bit of a faff.
Pros
- Very easy to set up
- It has carpet and hard floor cleaning modes, plus, it lights up
- Great range of accessories and tools to clean corners and crevices
- Pet Power brush, use on furniture, stairs and small spaces
Cons
- The cylinder has a small capacity, so it will need emptying fairly regularly
| Dimensions: | 27.8 x 19 x 80.2cm |
| Weight: | 4.8kg |
| Capacity: | 0.3L |
| Other tools included: | 1 x Handvac1 x Crevice1 x Dusting Brush1 x Turbo Pet Tool |
How we choose the best vacuums for pet hair
All of these vacuums have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered features, brush heads and accessories in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching vacuums for pet hair to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
And, with pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by us and our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
Do pet hair vacuums really work?
Yes, vacuums specifically designed for pet hair can be highly effective. These vacuums are equipped with features to handle pet hair and dander. If you're considering a purchase, there are some key things to look out for:
Pet hair vacuums often have more powerful motors and suction, which help lift pet hair from various surfaces.
The brush rolls are designed to pick up pet hair without getting tangled. Some vacuums have self-cleaning brush rolls to minimise maintenance.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters trap small particles, including pet dander, which is crucial for households with allergy sufferers.
These vacuums typically include various attachments, such as crevice tools, upholstery brushes and motorised pet hair tools. These are designed to clean furniture, stairs and other hard-to-reach areas where pet hair builds up.
Pet hair vacuums are effective on a range of surfaces, from carpets and rugs to hardwood floors and upholstery. They are built to handle the wear and tear of frequent use in pet-owning households.
How often should you vacuum your house with pets?
According to Bissell, vacuum once or twice a week. However, if you suffer from allergies, it may be worth increasing your vacuuming frequency. In addition, consider investing in an air purifier, as these contain three-stage filters that remove allergens from the air.
If you have a deep pile carpet, it's worth using a carpet cleaner for pets. Bissell advise doing this three to four times a year.
How do I keep my home clean in an animal-friendly way?
If you're looking for non-toxic ways to keep your home fresh, Josh Clarke, Manager at Clear It Waste, has some top tips:
Josh says: "Maintaining a clean home is essential for your comfort and your pets' health. Using simple, pet-friendly cleaning solutions can make a big difference. By making your own products, you’ll find things go a much longer way for a fraction of the price, and you won’t worry about using harsh chemicals around the home, all whilst reducing the carbon footprint of your cleaning processes.”
Use rubber gloves to remove fur
Why didn't we think of this before! As Josh explains, it's so easy: "Simply rub the area with your gloved hand in one direction and watch fur pile into easy-to-hoover clumps. This is also a great way to remove excess fur off items before the washing to avoid fur build up within the machine."
Position cotton wool air fresheners around the house
Save money on store-bought air fresheners and make your own natural version. Josh tells us: "A simple way to freshen up your home is by using cotton balls soaked in pet-safe essential oils such as peppermint, lemon or lavender and tucking them around areas your pets like to hang."
Freshen up with vinegar and baking soda
This is a well-known cleaning hack, but did you know these store cupboard essentials absorb odour as well as clean? Josh explains the process: "Sprinkle baking powder over areas that need a freshen up and wait for at least half an hour (although the longer the better) for moisture and odour causing particles to be absorbed, then go over with a hoover. Additionally, a white vinegar spray is an easy way to neutralise odours thanks to its acidic properties, and it can be bought for pennies."
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.