The 6 best vacuums for pet hair in 2026, tested and reviewed

Let our fur babies unleash the chaos that comes from excessive shedding, tracked-in dirt, scattered litter, and food bits because when we're equipped with one of the best pet vacuums, there's no mess we can't handle. The best pet vacuums align with characteristics we like in the best vacuums; they have powerful suction, advanced filtration, brushrolls that resist tangling with hair, and even accessories specifically for removing embedded hair.

The Business Insider Reviews team tested over 30 of the best vacuums for pet hair to evaluate how they clean an assortment of cat and dog hair, cat litter, flour, coffee grounds, and Cheerios on carpet, hardwood floors, and furniture. The best vacuum for pet hair is the Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty, an overall solid performer with a dual-brushroll construction that easily suctions up debris large and small resists tangling with hair and cleans for up to 70 minutes. It also has a nifty base station like many of the best robot vacuums to offload debris into. The Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum is our favorite budget option; it's a powerful and reliable upright with easy swivel steering and special pet tools for cleaning upholstery.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and research home products here.

Our top picks for the best vacuums for pet hair

Best overall

Shark's anti-hair wrap technology delivers. In fact, we're pretty confident in every Shark vacuum we've tested. The Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean and Empty takes things a step further with excellent pickup across particle sizes, automatic suction adjustment, and a self-emptying base. In our tests, it handled everything from fine dust to clumps of pet hair with ease.

• See more of the best cordless vacuums

It aced our standardized hardwood and carpet tests. The Shark PowerDetect easily picked up kibble, ground coffee, flour, dog hair, and everyday household dirt. A dual brush-roll system does the heavy lifting: a soft front roll captures fine debris and prevents scatter, while a rear brush with stiff bristles digs deep into carpets. Larger debris was no problem, though very fine particles like flour took a few extra passes. The vacuum automatically adjusts power based on floor type, dust levels, and edge detection, with visual cues from purple LEDs and an audible (but not overly loud) boost in suction. LED headlights illuminate the cleaning path, and an onboard display shows remaining battery life.

The cordless stick design is easy to maneuver. A bendable wand and swivel head enables it to slide under furniture and into corners. That said, it's slightly top-heavy and can't stand upright on its own. The attachments, a crevice and a pet-multi tool store neatly on the dock. They're fine, but not as effective as the mini-motorized attachments offered with many of the best Dyson vacuums, like the splurgy Dyson V15 Detect.

The auto-empty dust bin is a standout. Instead of stopping to empty a small dustbin every few minutes, we went up to two months before needing to empty the base, and the on-board dustbin is sizable enough to get through cleaning my floors. The emptying process is loud but brief and effectively clears even compacted debris. Manually removing the onboard bin is possible, though a bit clunky. The base also supports Shark's optional odor-neutralizing puck, though testers were largely indifferent and didn't miss it when unused.

If you want the power and performance of the PowerDetect, but don't care for the auto-empty base station or have the space to dedicate to a dock, PowerDetect Essential shaves a $100 off the retail price. It has a standard bin, while keeping all the power and performance.

See how the Shark compares to Dyson's flagship model.

Best budget

For around $175, the Bissell has powerful suction and good performance at a value price. The Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner (model 2254) was one of three of the best vacuums for pet hair that picked up all the pet hair on all of the surfaces in our tests. Also, the hair didn't get tangled in the brush. The four vacuums I tested that cost less than the Bissell CleanView performed so poorly that I can't recommend any of them.

• See the best cheap vacuum cleaners

It picked up the most debris on hard floors, and was average on carpet and furniture. While its ability to pick up other debris was just average on carpeting and furniture, it did exceptionally well on hardwood. It picked up all of the cat litter and Cheerios on every surface. It struggled with the coffee grounds on carpeting and only did a so-so job of collecting flour in all of the tests.

I appreciated how simple it was to use. The swivel head makes it easy to maneuver with one hand. The cord never got in my way thanks to the easy retraction feature (the "Rewind" in the name), and since it's upright, I didn't have to support the weight of the vac. I just guided it as it made quick work of messes. And the hose detached effortlessly to reach elevated areas.

However, I had difficulty emptying the dust bin without getting my hands dirty or inadvertently sending gunk flying outside the trash can. Your best bet is to release the trap-door mechanism with the bottom inside your trash receptacle. The vacuum is also not HEPA rated; it uses a multi-layer filtration system of carbon and foam filters, and is not sealed to keep particles from escaping back into the air. Most people will do just fine, but if you do have serious allergy sensitivities, you may want to consider a different model.

Best upgrade

A dust- and hair-hunting powerhouse. Dyson is one of the brands I trust to rid my home of the smallest particles of dust. The Dyson V15 Detect has essentially gamified cleaning with a piezo sensor that tells you just how many particles it's scooped up (and we're talking billions). The real stand out is the green laser headlights on the dedicated hardfloor cleaner head that light up the floor to reveal what the eye can't see. It's like turning on the lights to see just how much my blonde-dog sheds on my wood floors, making it my pick as the pet vacuum for hardwood floors

It's expertly designed. The V15 automatically adjusts suction based on floor type and debris, helping preserve battery life (up to 60 minutes). An LCD shows remaining runtime, and the lightweight design is easy to maneuver, thanks to a spherical wheel that allows smooth side-to-side movement. It also includes a strong lineup of attachments for whole-home cleaning. My main gripe is the trigger-style power button; if that's a dealbreaker, the Gen5Detect adds a power button but usually isn't worth the $200 premium.

This Dyson vacuum was the best vacuum for pet hair on every surface in our tests without getting tangled. This is thanks to the Digital Motorbar cleaner head (found on many of the best Dyson vacuums) that has plastic detangling vanes to keep hair from wrapping. It works on both hardwood and carpets, which it was great on both surfaces, picking up all debris except a trace of coffee grounds on carpets and nominal amounts of flour on both surfaces. The Fluffy Optic Cleaner head, which has the green laser, alternatively is for hard floors only, and you will need to switch between the two if you have rugs or carpet. I also like converting the V15 Detect into a handheld and using the hair screw tool to lift embedded hair from pet beds and upholstery, making them look like new.

The Dyson has a trapdoor mechanism for emptying the dust bin, so you can avoid coming in contact with debris. However, though attachments must be removed first, and overfilling can make emptying messier than expected.

Most powerful

Unrelenting and powerful suction is what you need to keep your home dust and dander-free from shedding fur or kitty litter. The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is particularly effective on thick carpeting, with stiff bristles that dig deep into the fibers to pull out hair and dirt and resist hair wrap around the brush roll. It also performed well on hard floors, picking up both large pieces of debris like cereal and fine particles of flour.

• See more of the best upright vacuums.

Despite being bulky, it's still is easy to use. At 17 pounds, this upright vacuum isn't necessarily lightweight for carrying up and down stairs, but its unique ball design at the base swivels to help facilitate maneuverability. It has three suction settings that you can adjust via a slider on the floorhead. If you have trouble pushing the vacuum, adjusting the suction settings will typically get you on your way again. The spacious 0.45-gallon dust bin can handle large amounts of pet hair and empties via a button on the handle. The Dyson's washable post-motor filter traps allergens as small as 0.3 microns and should be cleaned once a month.

There are multiple versions available with varying attachments. The basic version of this vacuum comes with two tools: a combo crevice and dusting brush and a stair tool. Models like Extra and Complete offer a more comprehensive accessories package with pet-specific options like a tangle-free turbine tool, carbon fiber dusting brush, and even a pet grooming brush. These accessories connect with the hose, which stretches to 15 feet. However, our reviewer found it stiff, requiring extra effort to keep it extended while the vacuum was running.

Best for allergies

If you have severe allergies, a bagged vacuum is your best option for limiting dust exposure. Our top pick, the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Vacuum is a powerful yet quiet canister vacuum that keeps cleanup contained and mess-free.

The Classic C1 was the best overall at picking up debris. In testing, it delivered the strongest overall pickup, removing nearly all pet hair across carpets, hardwood, and furniture without tangling. It also handled most debris exceptionally well, missing only small amounts of fine flour.

Bagged dustbins and HEPA filtration are appealing features for allergy-suffers. Its 4.5-liter bag holds a large amount of debris while keeping particles sealed inside, and we didn't come close to filling it even after extensive testing. Replacement bags do add ongoing cost and waste, however. Replacement bags cost $23 for four replacement bags and two filters. Though, if limiting dust exposure is your top priority, this is one of the best options available. Miele also offers a bagless alternative in theMiele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog.

That said, it's not the most user-friendly. At over 20 pounds, it's the heaviest vacuum we tested, and dragging the canister behind you can feel awkward. The handle is sturdy but not particularly comfortable, and the bulky power head isn't very nimble.

Best handheld

It out-performed other handhelds at cleaning up pet hair. In fact, the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum was the only handheld to clean up all pet hair on every surface — hardwood, carpet, and the car.

It's well-balanced and weighs just 2.6 pounds. I didn't experience arm fatigue when cleaning with the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum. You can quickly flip the brush in place as it's attached to the head, a feature I liked because I tend to lose attachments when they aren't connected.

The charging station is also simple and intuitive. Just place the Dustbuster on it. The charging indicator light turns off once the vacuum is charged, and the vacuum will then run for 14 minutes.

Emptying the big dust bin without getting dirty is simple. You remove the forward section and shake the debris out or remove the entire dust bin and pull out the filter. Regardless of how you empty it, the vacuum takes some finessing to snap back together.

The Dustbuster AdvancedClean vacuum is about as loud as a hairdryer, making it louder than most.

Read our guide to the best handheld vacuums.

What else we tested

Here are some other popular vacuums we tested that just fell short of being the best, but could be good for your needs and budget.

• Bissell PowerClean FurFinder: This vacuum is overall a pleasure to use with bright LED lights and self-standing design. Long strands of hair did wrap along the brushroll, which disqualified it for us as a top pick for pet hair and we didn't love the two-handed operation to empty the dustbin. Overall, it's general pick up performance was very good, and it's a great find when you can find it on sale.
• Shark Cordless Pet Vacuum: This affordable Shark vacuum is one of the most popular Shark cordless vacuums on Amazon. While it's marketed as a "pet vacuum", we found that long strands of hair wrapped around the brushroll and it struggled with fine particles. Read our Shark Cordless Pet Vacuum review.
• Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum: Our previous best pick for pet hair, has great pick up performance and hair doesn't wrap around the brushroll. The next-gen PowerDetect has more advanced features like automatic adjusting suction and the auto-empty dust bin at a comparable price. Read our Shark Stratos cordless review.
• Dyson V8: If you want Dyson performance at its most basic level, the Dyson V8 features the same anti-hair tangle technology in the cleaner head found on the V15 Detect and Ball Animal 3. With up to 40 minutes of battery across two cleaning modes, it's reliable and passed most of our cleaning tests, but others surpass it with newer features. It's sold in a couple variations like Absolute and Plus, which reflect varying attachments, but all have the same cleaning performance. Read our Dyson V8 review.

What to look for in a vacuum for pet hair

Anti-hair tangle technology: Whether dealing with clumps of fur or long strands of hair, the last thing you want is for the vacuum to clog or stop working because hair got wrapped around the brushroll. Not to forget how gross it can be to have to cut hair out of the brushroll. Brands like Dyson and Shark have pioneered technology to combat hair wrap and direct it straight to the dust bin, where it belongs.

Attachments: Most vacuums come with a crevice tool and dusting brush, but when it comes to vacuums for pet hair, a pet tool or upholstery tool, which typically have a bristled or motorized design, are incredibly useful for cleaning sofas, pet beds, or other surfaces that need a close clean. It's also becoming common for brands to offer grooming tools alongside their vacuums, like Dyson's $70 pet grooming attachment that includes a slicker brush that also suctions away loose fur.

Weight: The best vacuum for pet hair needs to be comfortable to hold for extended cleaning sessions and easy enough to push around your floors. If weight is a concern, be sure to consider size and opt for something lighter and smaller. Cordless stick vacuums are by default lighter than upright vacuums, which can offer stability but can be harder to carry between floors if your home has stairs.

Corded vs cordless: Corded vacuums offer unrelenting power for cleaning but you'll be bound by the length of the cord, and may need to unplug and replug as you move around your home. There's no downtime though. Cordless vacuums rely on batteries, which make them lightweight and easy to take around the house, but battery life can vary based on the setting you use and require time to recharge before they can be used again. We find that models that offer at least 40 minutes of battery carry us through our cleaning needs.

Dust bin: Though light in weight, pet hair can definitely take up its fair share of space in the dust bin. We prefer bins that are at least 0.2 gallons. They also need to be easy to open and direct into the trashcan and don't require too much reaching up into the bin to cull out collected hair and dust. If you suffer from allergies, you may want to consider a bagged model or a model with auto-disposal to limit how often you come into contact with debris.

Filter: All vacuums will feature a filtration system, but the golden standard is HEPA, which stands for "High-Efficiency Particulate Air" and, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency, will trap and remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. Know that models marketed as HEPA-style or HEPA-like, or anti-allergen are not True HEPA, and may not have been put through the same standards as those labeled as HEPA. Most filters are washable, though some designs may require replacements.

Noise: Some animals may be sensitive to the noise emitted from a vacuum. If you have a skittish animal in your household, a vacuum that operates on the quiet side will minimize disruptions.

Warranty: Vacuums typically have a warranty of one to five years, which gives peace of mind should anything go wrong within the first few months or years of ownership.

How we tested vacuums for pet hair

We put all of the best vacuums for pet hair in this guide through several tests. The most important factors to consider when buying a vacuum are how well it picks up pet hair on a variety of surfaces and how easy it is to use, empty, and maintain.

Here's a breakdown of how much of each material the top picks cleaned up on each surface in our tests:

Here are the main attributes we look at and how we test them:

Floor cleaning: I poured different substances on a 5-square-foot patch of carpeting, followed by hardwood flooring, one at a time. I used 100 grams of flour, coffee grounds, and cat litter; 50 grams of Cheerios; and a 1-gram mix of cat and dog fur of varying lengths. Then, I vacuumed up as much of each substance as possible in 30 seconds. Finally, I compared the weight of the dust bin after vacuuming to its starting weight to determine how much of each material the vacuum collected.

Furniture cleaning: I poured 50 grams each of cat litter and flour plus 1 gram of pet hair mix on a chair with fabric upholstery. I used the manufacturer-recommended cleaning configuration for furniture. Again, to determine how much debris the vacuum collected in 30 seconds, I compared the weights of the dust bin before and after sucking up each material.

Battery (if applicable): I fully charged the vacuum and timed how long it could run on top power until the battery died. Lastly, I timed how long it took to charge the vacuum fully.

Ease of use: This is a somewhat subjective experience measurement. As I used each vacuum, I observed what made it difficult or easy to use. For example, the Dyson Outsize requires you to keep your finger on the trigger to keep the vacuum running and is heavy in the handheld configuration, making it harder to use. The cord got in the way with some of the corded vacuums I tested. The Miele lost points because of its suboptimal maneuverability.

Disposal: Aside from the Miele, which has a disposable vacuum bag, I emptied the dust bins of the vacuums at least a dozen times each. As I did this, I noted how messy the process was and if I came into contact with the debris. Preference was given to vacuums that were easy to empty and didn't send dust flying outside the trash bin.

Meet the experts behind this guide

James Brains, senior home and kitchen reporter: I've been testing vacuums for several years, and created the standardized approach we use to test vacuums in my home testing lab.

Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor: I've been testing the latest vacuum releases over the last five years, to the chagrin of my reactive cavapoo who is sensitive to the noise. He doesn't shed that much, but I sure do, so I pay particularly close to how my hair wraps around the brushroll. The vacuums I use on repeat are the Shark Cordless Power Detect Clean and Empty and the Dyson V15 Detect.

Pet vacuum FAQs

What is the difference between a pet vacuum and a regular vacuum?

Many vacuums that aren't specifically marketed for pet hair work just fine, but the main features that qualify as the best pet vacuums are strong suction, excellent filtration, and specialized cleaner heads and attachments.

Are robot vacuums good for pet hair?

Robot vacs are a great way to pick up loose pet hair before it becomes embedded in carpets. Run them daily or every other day for the best results to help capture shed hair and whatever dirt and debris our favorite furry friends trek throughout. However, they don't work on stairs or elevated surfaces. With pets around you'll also want to consider options with advanced obstacle detection for the errant toy or worse, accident, sprinkled about the house. Auto-empty stations also help automate the cleaning task so you'll only need to clean out the collected debris, for one less thing to have to baby-, we mean, pet-sit.

What kind of filter should I look for in a pet vacuum?

A well-sealed filtration system will ensure the debris doesn't end up back in the air you breathe. If you're concerned about allergens in your air, choose a vacuum with a true HEPA filter. These filters (commonly found in air purifiers) capture 99.7% of 0.3-micron particles.

What are the best attachments for pet hair?

Brushrolls on the main head of most vacuum cleaners loosen pet hair enough for the vac to suck it up. But for furniture, cat trees, and dog beds, look for attachments with mini-motorized brushrolls or bristles that will loosen the fur. Also consider one of the best pet hair removers for quickly pulling up embedded hair from furniture, carpet, and even clothing.

How do you clean a pet vacuum?

Consult your user manual for the most accurate information, but most models can benefit from regular filter cleaning, checking the brushroll for blockages, and removing any debris that's built up.

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