The best vacuum cleaners for tackling pet hair

There’s nothing like that awesome feeling of hanging out with your beloved dog or cat that loves you to bits. You know what’s not awesome, though — pet hair all over your home. Every corner, every piece of furniture, every minute of the day.

If you’re a pet owner, you know that staying on top of pet hair cleanup is tough. Even top-of-the-range, big brand vacuums struggle to take care of it. What you need is a vacuum cleaner that’s specifically designed for pet owner.

Choosing a vacuum isn’t as easy as it sounds. Modern vacuums cleaners are so high-spec that there’s a lot of technical details to get your head around — not to mention all the kinds of vacuums to consider. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s everything you need to know.

What makes a good vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

There are some key features that are especially effective for cleaning up after pets. These include good suction power — around 200 airwatts is ideal — plus filters that prevent allergens and pet dander escaping again. Look out for HEPA or multi-level filtration systems. Another feature is a hard-working brush roll which works to agitate and loosen hair embedded deep into carpets. Some vacuums may come with specialised pet cleaning attachments.

Is Dyson the best vacuum brand?

Dyson is still the standard to beat when it comes to high-power, high-tech vacuums, but it’s not the only option. This will come as a relief if you don’t want to pay Dyson prices. You’ll find great alternatives to Dyson on this list — all very effective and more affordable than a premium Dyson model.

Corded vs. cordless vacuums — which are the best?

The kind of power you need for a pet vacuum is more commonly found in upright corded vacuums. But cordless vacuums pack increasing power and higher-spec features. It’s more a case of which vacuum best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Corded vacuums — the classic style vacuum that plugs into the wall — provide more suction power and have a larger capacity. That means they’re better for larger homes and houses, and — of course — homes with pets. The downside is that they’re heavier, so dragging them around the house takes more effort.

If you’re after something lighter and more portable, a cordless vacuum might be the best bet. They can also get into overhead areas and hard-to-reach spots under the furniture more easily. But with a smaller capacity — usually between 0.5 and 1 litre — they’re better suited to smaller homes and smaller pets.

What other types of vacuums are there?

There are plenty of vacuum types out there, with something for everyone:

Upright vacuums — This is still considered the classic vacuum. They’re good for covering large areas and use motorised brushes that give a deep clean — even in thick carpets. The downside is that they’re clunky and hard to store. Usually best suited if you have under-stairs storage space.

Canister vacuums — These are good for hardwood floors and less demanding carpets. Once again they can be tricky to store, thanks to both the canister and sometimes-cumbersome wand. But the easily manoeuvred wand and brush head makes these good for curtains, blinds, and overhead spots — not to mention reaching under furniture.

Handheld vacuums— If you need something that’s lightweight and always-to-hand, this is a great option. Perhaps best as an additional vacuum rather than your main machine. They tend to have less power than other vacuum styles due to their compact size, but handheld vacuums are great for quick pick-ups.

Robot vacuums — A robot vacuum does the cleaning for you, while you can just sit on the couch and catch up on Netflix. Robot vacuums use sensors, lasers, and motherboards to move around your home. They don’t have the power or capacity of traditional vacuums, but they’re truly a cleaning revolution. Some can even double as mops.

Bag vs. bagless — which are the best?

Once again this comes down to preference and lifestyle but if you want a vacuum purely for cleaning up pet hair, a bagged vacuum is usually better — they have a bigger capacity than bagless vacuum bins and also seal in dust and dirt more securely. That doesn’t mean bagless vacuums don’t have plus points too — especially from hi-tech brands.

What is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

We’ve scoured the internet, done the research, and read the reviews to select the best vacuums for tackling pet hair. Whether you’re looking for an upright bagless model, a cordless option, or even a robot vacuum, we’ve got the best options to keep you and your pet living together in hair-free harmony.

These are the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair in 2021.