A Guide For Finding The Best Vacuum For Pet Hair

Anyone that has a pet that sheds should understand the need for a functional, effective vacuum cleaner for pet hair. Some dog and cat owners learn to embrace shedding as part of pet ownership. The animal has to shed its coat – and we simply have to clean up after it when it does. The best vacuum for pet hair makes this task a lot easier. Here we will look at some of the different types of vacuums and their key features, before discussing 10 of the best models.

What is the difference between a pet hair vacuum and normal vacuum cleaner.

Some people may ask why we can’t just use a normal vacuum cleaner to handle pet hair. The answer all depends on the capabilities of that “normal” machine. It is quite likely that these standard models won’t have the suction, strength, tools and filtration to handle pet hair. The best vacuum for pet hair will attack the problem where typical vacuum cant. This generally comes down to the following reasons.

• Pet hair vacuums use strong suction with great turbines to pick up hair more easily
• They also have strong, well-made brushes to drag embedded hair from carpets in higher quantities.
• They then have simple dirt canisters and tangle-free tech. This means that all the hair is collected and disposed of with ease.
• They also have fine filters to pick up allergens from the hair and reduce any risk to those with pet allergies.
• Finally, the machines are just as strong and manoeuvrable as the best of the “normal” models.

Different types of vacuums for pet hair to consider.

There are basically three different types of pet hair vacuum to consider here. They are:

The first is quite a popular choice among pet owners. There are many top vacuum cleaners that work on different surfaces and use different tools. This creates a more diverse cleaning performance that can handle the whole home. Therefore, the vacuum should be as good as picking up pet hair from the carpet as dirt from a hard floor. Users can add as many attachments as the product allows to deal with specific problems as they arise.

Then there are the dedicated vacuums for pet hair where there are high-end components build into the device. This means a reliable performance on pet hair whenever users turn the machine on. Key features to look out for here include tough, long bristled brushes, powerful suction, filtration for allergens and tangle-free mechanism. These machines should make the process of cleaning up after dogs much easier.

Finally, there are a few robotic vacuum cleaners that deal with pet hair. This isn’t an area that most consumes would normally turn to. There is the assumption that robots are weaker and less capable, especially with tough jobs like pet hair. Yet, there are some models with the brushes, suction and dirt containers to handle the job.

10 models trying for the title of best vacuum for pet hair.

The following 10 pet vacuum cleaners are great examples of pet-focused machines in different categories. There are some bagless, upright models with special tools for pet hair. There are also sticks and specialist pet hair models with their own unique features. We have also included some robotic vacuum cleaners for an interesting comparison.

1. Dyson DC41 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum Cleaner.

The selling point with this model, as with many modern Dysons, is the ball tech for better turning. This fluid motion, and the strong suction from the Radial Root Cyclone technology, usually means a great performance. This model also has different tools for difficult places including a stiff brush and multi angle brush. All the debris collection in clear, spacious dirt canister.

The problem is that there are still some mixed reviews on the performance. It doesn’t means everyone’s expectations and they have some difficulty cleaning it out. This is annoying when we consider those great brushes and the promise of the tangle free turbine.

Pros:
Lots of clever features like the self adjusting cleaner head for different floor types and brushes. Great movement and suction.

Cons:
Not as effective as some would like and difficult to clean out.

2. Dyson DC39 Animal canister vacuum cleaner.

This second Dyson model has all the right features and sales pitches, such as the idea that it “turns on a dime” and uses radical root cyclone tech. In some cases, it is the little details that make this machine stand out over other models. The filtration system is impressive, as is the inclusion of the trigger on the handle for ease of use.

Again, much like with the Dyson above, there are often high expectations on performance that cannot be matched. Dyson still have that reputation as the most powerful cleaner for the best result. So, there are annoyed consumers when it doesn’t meet their needs. Cleaning performances vary, with some criticising the effort on carpet.

Pros:
Attention to detail in some important areas, with lots of user-friendly elements. Also has that great cyclone suction.

Cons:
Not as strong a multi-surface cleaner as many expected.

The pros of this Hoover model are pretty simple. There is a great design that speaks to those after that multi-purpose approach. Many love the choice of the air powered hand tool and the pet upholstery tool. This essentially turns this vacuum into a more multi-functional household tool than a specialist vacuum.

But, there are some concerns about the longevity of the machine with the plastic components. There are calls for greater reach on the nozzles, hose and power cord. The broad use of plastic does mean a light weight tho, at just 18 pounds. Also, the cord has a retraction mechanism in a pedal, so there are still positive points in the design.

Pros:
Good suction, a nice see through dirt canister to see when it needs emptying and special tools to use for pet hair.

Cons:
A little too much cheap plastic and the need for a little more reach.

The immediate selling points here are the pet multi tool for pet hair and the length of the stick. This means that users can reach different places with ease and handle hair effectively. There is also the odd addition of the LED light for illuminating hidden hair, which is a nice touch. It has great maneuverability with the steering and is light at just 9lbs, so even lighter than the “flimsy” Hoover model above.

Unfortunately, this model brings some of the same problems as with all upright stick vacuums. This is a top heavy design, so it cant stand up by itself. There is also the issue of the position of the air vent and some mixed reviews on the performance.

Pros:
Undoubtedly a lightweight, reliable models with some impressive pet hair tools. Something a little different to the other uprights.

Cons:
The stick design has its limitations and some prefer the power and feel of more substantial pet hair machines.

Let’s continue with a series of Bissell models. This corded upright machine offers a great result with a good capacity. This comes from the brushes and tools, especially the Triple Action Brush Roll, pet hair corner tool and pet turbo eraser. There is also strong multilevel filtration in combination with the multi cyclonic suction.

The suction and clean here is great. The problem is that it feels a bit stiff, wide and heavy for some users. This means that it is not the most maneuverable model compared to some of the options above – such as the Dyson one with the ball, or the fluid stick.

Pros:
A strong focus on the cleaning potential with a great combination of brushes, suction and filtration. Also a 27ft cord with automatic rewind.

Cons:
Not as easy to move around the room as some other machines.

The feature that stands out the most with this Bissell model is that v shape at the front. This is meant to corral all the dirt and hair into one suction path for a better result. The swiveling head adds to this cleaning potential so it shouldn’t miss a single strand. Once finished, users can empty out the dirt canister with ease.

The manufacturers claim that the design means that it isn’t necessary to add any attachments with this model. This means that this is a straight forward, but slightly niche model. This is great for dirt on hardwood floors, but not much else.

Pros:
A clever design with the thin upright cleaner and the v-shaped head. A basic approach with a great result on hard floors.

Cons:
No specialist brushes or pet hair tools to improve the performance further. Perhaps a little too specialist for some users.

This third and final model in this group of bissell pet hair vacuums is something a little different. This cute little mouse-shaped model is a powerful hand-held. It has two nozzles with rubber traction to really attract hair out of carpets and upholstery. It also has a long power cord, cyclonic suction and decent dirt canister for its size.

The problem here is that it can only do so much at once. This isn’t the high-capacity, power upright that will clean the whole home. It can also get a little clogged up when handling heavy loads.

Pros:
A nice little handheld model for stairs and upholstery thanks to the nozzles and suction. A good design for those problematic areas.

Cons:
Some issues with heavy shedding dogs and not the most powerful or effective pet hair vacuum around.

8. Shark Cordless Pet Perfect II Hand Vacuum.

Continuing with these neat little hand-held models we have another design from Shark. This is immediately more appealing in regard to the design and the specification. It has a streamlined, ergonomic shape and lots of features. The device users twister cyclonic suction and a TruePet motorised brush for a strong performance. It also charges on a wall-mounted dock for greater ease of use.

The biggest issue here is that this model has a short battery life before it need to go back in that charging dock. Some also say that the power of the battery degrades with time. There is potential here, but it is not perfect.

Pros:
A nice design with enough power to handle hair and dirt with ease. Pretty easy to use with some nice design features.

Cons:
A few too many issue with the battery.

The main selling point with his Eureka machine has to be that idea of a truly pet focused clean. There is the suction and the tools for collecting up the hair, such as the telescoping wand and crevice tool. Yet, there is also a focus on the filtration and odor. This model has an “odor-eliminating” bag with filtration for dander.

The biggest problem here for users is that it only really works on hard floors. It is a great little tool for hardfloor apartments and handling those crevices, but doesn’t have the right power or brushes for carpets.

Pros:
This isn’t the smartest looking machine, but it understands the needs of pet owners. It is simple and effective on hard floors

Cons:
Not so good on hardfloors and not as feature packed as other machines.

10. Eufy RoboVac 11 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner.

Robotic vacuum cleaners are great for dealing with all the hair that gets under the furniture, and this model can do so brilliantly with the low profile. There is also the combination of the side brushes and rolling brush for the best clean.

Yet, robots can only clean so much in one go. The lithium ion battery lasts for 1.5 hours before it has to recharge. This is also not the smartest of robot cleaners. Many turn to this as the cheaper alternative to the roomba. This lower cost shows in some of the smart features. In has an infrared-sensor for evading obstacles, as well as drop-sensing tech, but both can be temperamental.

Pros:
A low profile and nice design for handling pet hair in small spaces. Great brushes and cleaning tools

Cons:
Some issues with the software and dirt capacity.