The 5 Best Vacuums For Long Hair - Fall 2024

The best vacuum for long hair we've tested is the Dyson V15 Detect. This cordless stick vacuum comes with separate floorheads for bare floors and carpets, each of which has removable brushrolls for easier cleaning, as well as built-in anti-tangle combs that can help trap any pet hair. The V15 has no trouble dealing with hair strands on floors and carpeting, while its surface detection system allows it to automatically increase its suction power on carpeted surfaces. It also has an onboard particle sensor, which you can use to estimate allergen quantities inside your home.

Unfortunately, this vacuum's all-plastic construction does feel flimsy in places, which is a disappointment for something this expensive. Consider the Samsung Bespoke Jet if you want a better-built cordless stick vacuum. The Samsung also comes with a stand-up charging rack/base station that sucks debris from the vacuum's dustbin into an internal dirtbag, so there's no release of dust and debris when emptying the vacuum. That said, compared to the Dyson model's single roller floorhead, the Samsung vacuum's dual-brushroll head is bulky and tangle-prone.

The best vacuum cleaner for long hair we've tested in the mid-range price bracket is the Dyson V8. This cordless stick vacuum doesn't have the automatic power adjustment feature found on the Dyson V15 Detect or an on-board particle sensor. Still, it's much cheaper and just as effective when handling hair on various surface types. Its brushroll is easy to remove and clean, and not much hair gets trapped in its floorhead thanks to its built-in hair-trapping vanes. The vacuum's multi-stage filtration system also does a great job of sealing fine allergens like dust or pet dander, though you will still have to be careful when emptying out its dustbin, which can make a mess.

Unfortunately, battery performance lags far behind that of the newer V15. Its suction motor also isn't nearly as powerful, and it'll have a harder time dealing with embedded debris, though it's still far from terrible in this regard.

If you're on a budget, the best vacuum for hair is the Wyze Cordless Vacuum. It isn't as effective in dealing with pet hair on carpets compared to the Dyson V8, and its floorhead lacks any built-in anti-tangle vanes. That said, it's also much cheaper and still quite easy to maintain as far as clearing out hair wraps goes. The included HEPA filter is effective in trapping allergens and is a rare inclusion for a vacuum at this price point. Its max battery life of almost an hour isn't necessarily class-leading but still compares favorably to many other pricier models and is much better than most other budget-friendly cordless stick vacuums.

Unfortunately, its selection of attachments is pretty limited, as it only comes bundled with a crevice tool and a combo upholstery nozzle/dusting brush. The latter isn't especially effective for dealing with pet hair on fabric surfaces, and you'll be better off purchasing the miniature turbo brush tool from Wyze's website.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a great option for dealing with long hair if you prefer using an upright. You don't have the grab-and-go convenience of a comparably priced cordless model like the Dyson V12 Detect Slim or the go-anywhere range, but it's a much better option for long cleaning sessions that require a lot of power. Its floorhead features a set of built-in plastic vanes that are highly effective in capturing hair before it can get tangled around the brushroll and jam the mechanism. The Extra variant, which sits at the top of the model lineup, even comes with a dedicated pet grooming tool for heavily shedding pets, not to mention a miniature turbo brush for cleaning couches and chairs.

If you want a vacuum that's easier and more hygienic to maintain and don't mind replacing a dirtbag now and then, the Kenmore Intuition Bagged is worth a look. However, it's less effective than the Dyson in clearing away hair and has a more tangle-prone floorhead.

If you want to go corded but prefer the more maneuverable design of a canister over an upright vacuum, the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium is worth a look. Its ET-1 powerhead not only provides superb pet hair pickup performance on carpeted surfaces, it's also remarkably easy to clean, with an easily accessible brushroll that makes it a cinch to unwind any tangled hair. As a whole, the vacuum itself also feels incredibly robust, with a canister body made of high-grade plastic surrounded by a fabric-lined cushion so that it won't mark up your walls if it bumps into them. It's also very easy to maintain, with large, easily removable dirtbags and filters that can last for years without needing to be replaced. It's a good option if you're sensitive to allergens too, with a multi-stage S-Class filtration system that does a good job of locking in allergens.

On the downside, while this vacuum is very powerful, its standard multi-surface floorhead can struggle with large amounts of bulky debris; you'll need to lift the head and let the vacuum's powerful motor do the work in this kind of situation. There's also no getting around the fact that this is a bulky, heavy machine.