There is no question that pets make great companions, but having dogs and cats in the house means a never-ending battle with hair. For individuals with allergies, ignoring hair build-up can be a real issue. Luckily, there are vacuums on the market that are made specifically to combat pet hair and keep your house (relatively) fur-free. Here is a quick guide on the best vacuums for pet hair.
Do You Need A Vacuum For Pet Hair?
We love our pets, but staying on top of their constant shedding is a real battle. For most people, a vacuum is the best method to clean up pet hair — but not all vacuums are up for the task. The typical vacuum cleaner is not designed for sucking up lumps of pet hair, which means you need to do a little research to find a model that is perfect for the job. As a general rule of thumb, you want a vacuum that has filters, good suction, and other tools for picking up hair.
Vacuum Options
Vacuums come in all kinds of shapes and sizes for picking up pet hair. Canister vacuums are a common option and typically maneuver well around tight corners, especially in comparison to upright vacuums. That said, upright vacuums are often preferred because they are essentially all-in-one machines, i.e. you don’t have to worry about the canister portion of the vacuum. You can also find efficient cordless pet hair vacuums, such as the Bissell Bolt XRT Pet vacuum, which makes cleaning up pet hair even easier. In addition to vacuums, consider purchasing an air purifier as increasing the quality of hair can do wonders for pet allergies.
Should You Go With A Bagless Or Bag Vacuum?
Most upright vacuums will either feature a bag or bagless system for removing dirt from the machine. Bag varieties are usually cheaper, but will cost you more money in the long run because you constantly have to purchase more bags. Bagless vacuums, on the other hand, are generally more expensive out of the box but cheaper to maintain over the years. They are also easier to empty and operate because you do not have to constantly remove and install bags.
How To Choose The Best Pet Hair Vacuum
As you can tell from this list, each pet hair vacuum has its advantages and disadvantages. Selecting the right one for your house depends largely on what kind of surfaces you will vacuum. For instance, if your home features mostly hardwood flooring, then you need to buy a vacuum that has good suction on non-carpeted areas. If your pet frequently lies on upholstery and takes rides in your vehicle, then you need a vacuum that has good pet hair accessories.
1. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum
Features:
- Powerful suction technology
- Self-adjusting head
- Tangle-free turbine
- Grooming tool
- Easy maneuverability
- HEPA filtration system
This new offering from Dyson has one of the strongest suction ratings for any vacuum on the market. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has 270 air watts of power and is touted as the company’s best pet hair vacuum to date. A unique feature of this vacuum is the cleaner base plate, which is self-adjustable. This enables the head of the vacuum to stay in constant contact with the surface, whether it is wood flooring or carpet. You also get a grooming tool with the Dyson that you can use on your pet to remove hair before it falls to the ground.
Buy it on Amazon from $285.
2. Shark Rotator NV752
Features:
- Lightweight
- Strong suction
- TruePet turbo brush technology
- HEPA filter
- Easy maneuverability
- Detachable canister
- Affordability
The Shark Rotator NV752 comes in a close second to the Dyson Animal 2 — but at a fraction of the cost. This lightweight vacuum has just as much suction as the Animal 2 and features a motor-powered cleaner head for added suction. The Rotator come with a HEPA filter and it is also super light, making it easy to haul around the home. The warranty for the Rotator is 7 years. Shark has a similar model, NV501, which is even cheaper but does not come with all of the features of the NV752.
Buy it on Amazon for $291.91.
3. Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Pet Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum (UH70210)
Features:
- Pet turbo tool
- Upholstery brush
- Carbon and HEPA filters
- Affordability
- Brush shut-off button
The Hoover T-Series WindTunnel vacuum stands up well against its competitors. Its suction power is comparable to Dyson and Shark models and has no problems vacuuming up pet hair. It comes a little further down the list because it is not as easier to operate as its counterparts and does not have as much suction on hardwood as it does on carpet and upholstery. You also have to manually set the height of the brush roller depending on the surface. It does, however, feature a shut-off button for the brush roller, which helps prevent the spread of dirt.
Buy it on Amazon from $99.99.
4. Eureka AS2130A Airspeed ONE Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum
Features:
- Multi-cyclonic technology
- Continuous air path
- Lightweight
- Pet dusting brush
- PET power paw
This Eureka model is one of the cheapest pet vacuums you will find on the market, but do not let its affordability scare you. The Eureka AS2130A Airspeed ONE features a design that is relatively free of turns and twists, which allows powerful air flow and suction capabilities. This vacuum is very lightweight and does an amazing job on carpets. It also comes equipped with a brush designed for pet dusting and a PET Power Paw, which is used to deep clean pet hair. The downside is that it does not come with a HEPA filter.
Buy it on Amazon from $60.
5. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lift-Off Bagless Vacuum
Features:
- Lift-off technology
- Bissell smartseal allergen system
- Tangle-free brush roll
- Pet hair accessories
- Telescoping wand
- Variable suction options
The Bissell pet hair vacuum is more affordable than the Dyson or Shark, but runs a little more than the Eureka model. Although it is more expensive, this vacuum comes with a good selection of tools that are made specifically for picking up pet hair. This includes an attachment that removes hair out of thick upholstery or carpet. It also has a nice feature called “lift-off” technology, with turns it from an upright vacuum into a canister one. This makes the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lift-Off vacuum easy to transport around the house and gives it more flexibility.
Buy it on Amazon for $188.99.
6. Miele Dynamic U1 Cat And Dog Upright Vacuum
Features:
- Quiet operation
- Swivel neck technology
- Charcoal air filtration system
- Self-sealing bags
Miele has a good reputation for making quality vacuums, but they come at a price. In fact, this Miele vacuum has the highest price tag on this list, even topping the Dyson. Although the price is higher, the suction is not as good as a Dyson or Shark. It is, however, the quietest vacuum on the market and has plenty of suction to remove pet hair from carpet or hardwood. The Miele Dynamic U1 is very easy to maneuver with its swivel neck technology, which also allows it to reach under the tightest of places. The Miele’s charcoal filtration system is comparable to HEPA filtration, and you can opt for the HEPA if you prefer.
Buy it on Amazon for $599.99.
7. Dyson DC39 Animal Canister Vacuum
Features:
- Dyson ball technology
- Radial root suction technology
- HEPA filter
- Quiet operation
Dyson’s Animal Canister offers everything you need from a pet hair vacuum. With its ball technology, the DC39 Animal Canister is easy to maneuver, while its Radial Root technology gives it enough suction to compete with just about any vacuum on the market. The Dyson features a triggerhead tool in the handle that allows you to switch from hardwood to carpet with ease. This vacuum also comes equipped with a HEPA filter, makes less noise than the average vacuum, and has no problem picking up dog and cat hair. The downside, of course, is having to lug behind the canister everywhere you go.
Buy it on Amazon from $524.88.
