The 6 Best Vacuums For Pet Hair - Fall 2024

The Dyson V15 Detect is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair we’ve tested. This high-end cordless stick vacuum has no problem dealing with pet hair on various surface types, whether you’re using the multi-surface floorhead or the soft-roller floorhead with an integrated laser light to help you see fine debris. Its built-in dirt sensor gives you a rough estimate of the amount of fine particles sucked into the dustbin, and its whole machine filtration system, which features an onboard HEPA filter, is effective at sealing in fine particles. That being said, like any bagless vacuum, you need to be careful when emptying it, as it can release a cloud of dust and debris.

The Dyson can increase its suction power on carpeted floors, thanks to its surface detection system. It’s also fairly comfortable to operate, as it has a fairly lightweight, reasonably well-balanced design that places all major controls within easy reach. While this vacuum can run for over 70 minutes in its most energy-efficient configuration, which is great for a cordless stick vacuum, it drops to a little over 10 minutes when used in its ‘Boost’ setting, so you’ll need to work fast when dealing with stubborn debris.

Worried about running out of charge midway through a cleaning session? Check out the Samsung Bespoke Jet. It has a storage rack that can charge its two included batteries simultaneously, so you can swap in a fully charged pack when you run out, effectively doubling its runtime. The freestanding charging rack also works as a self-emptying base station, transferring debris from the Samsung vacuum’s dustbin into an internal dirtbag, so you don’t have to worry about creating a cloud of dust and debris when emptying it. Its twin-roller floorhead makes it less maneuverable than the Dyson, though, and it lacks an automatic power adjustment system.

The Dyson V8 is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair at a mid-range price point we’ve tested. This cordless stick vacuum isn’t nearly as powerful as the newer, pricier Dyson V15 Detect, and it lacks that model’s particle sensor and automatic power adjustment system. However, it’s still a good option for dealing with pet hair. Like the V15, it includes a floorhead with built-in anti-tangle vanes, which do a good job of trapping longer strands of pet hair before they can jam the mechanism. It’s also lightweight and easy to maneuver, putting very little weight on your hand while in use. It comes with a handful of useful attachments, including a conical mini turbo brush tool that’s effective in clearing away pet hair on furniture.

Unfortunately, its battery performance is pretty unremarkable, especially when compared to the standard set by newer models like the V15. The V8 tops out at roughly 40 minutes of runtime, but in real-world mixed usage, that number is likely closer to just half an hour.

Check out the Wyze Cordless Vacuum if you’re looking for a vacuum for pet hair at a lower mid-range price point. It isn’t quite as effective in dealing with pet hair on carpets compared to the Dyson V8, and its floorhead doesn’t have built-in anti-tangle vanes to trap pet hair. That said, it does pretty well in this respect on bare floors. Its brushroll is fully removable, and you can cut or pull away any hair that gets caught in its bristles pretty easily. Its onboard HEPA filter—a rare feature for something at this price point—helps seal in some fine allergens like pet dander.

Unfortunately, its bundled attachment set is pretty limited; its crevice tool doesn’t do a great job of dealing with hair on fabric, and its crevice tool is too small to be of any real use when cleaning larger areas. Thankfully, you can buy a mini turbo brush tool from the manufacturer’s website. Another downside is its mediocre build quality, with its mainly plastic body feeling a little delicate in places. Finally, you’ll need to be careful when emptying its dustbin; the gasket around the dustbin door that seals in fine dust can easily fall out of place when emptying the dirt compartment.

If you’re shopping at the more affordable end of the market, the Eureka Mighty Mite is the best vacuum for dog hair we’ve tested at the budget price point. As a bagged and corded canister vacuum, it doesn’t have much in common with something like the Wyze Cordless Vacuum. However, it’s just as effective as the pricier models on this list for clearing away pet hair on hard surfaces like wood or vinyl floors. It has a pure suction floorhead with no brushroll, so you don’t have to worry about pet hair getting tangled within a mechanism, though that also means that it isn’t quite as effective for dealing with pet hair on carpeted floors.

The vacuum doesn’t come with a turbo brush, but its combination stiff-bristle brush/upholstery tool is still effective when removing pet hair on fabric surfaces. Unfortunately, it isn’t the best option if you’re concerned about minimizing airborne allergens in your home; some newer versions of the Mighty Mite lack the mounting clips that would allow you to mount an aftermarket HEPA filter to improve its air filtration performance. It also has a very short power cord, forcing you to swap outlets when cleaning faraway areas.

If you prefer the all-in-one design of an upright vacuum, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is among the best vacuums for dog hair we've tested. This bagless upright is far more of a hassle to set up and use than a cordless stick model like the Dyson V15 Detect, but it's worth a look if you prioritize debris-pickup performance above all else. It easily clears away pet hair on a range of floor types, and its floorhead offers three levels of surface adjustment and a set of built-in vanes that do a great job of preventing hair from getting tangled in the mechanism. The Extra variant of this vacuum comes with a dedicated pet grooming tool to clear away any loose fur from long-haired pets and a miniature turbo brush attachment to clear away hair on fabric surfaces.

This vacuum is allergen-sealed, sporting an onboard HEPA filter to limit the spread of fine allergens like pet dander as you clean, though shaking out its dustbin can still release a cloud of dust and debris. You’ll want to consider a bagged vacuum like the Kenmore Intuition Bagged if you have serious allergies. You can drop the Kenmore’s dirtbag into the trash with the press of a single latch, so you don’t have to worry about making a mess when emptying it. However, the Kenmore has a far more tangle-prone floorhead that doesn’t do as well with pet hair on bare floors as the Dyson.

If you dislike the bulkier all-in-one form factor of an upright, it's worth considering the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium, the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair with a canister design that we've tested. Right off the bat, it's important to note that this vacuum can be hard to find from major retailers or third-party marketplaces. Check out SEBO's website directly for purchasing options. The strong surface agitation from its ET-1 powerhead, combined with its powerful 1250-watt motor, allows it to easily clear away pet hair on difficult surfaces like carpet floors. You can also remove the floorhead's brushroll and quickly clear out any tangled hair.

Its maintenance is very easy, as it has high-capacity self-sealing dirtbags and filters that can last for quite a while, therefore reducing replacement frequency. It’s a good option if your pet sheds heavily, too, thanks to its multi-stage S-Class filtration system, which does a good job of locking in allergens like pet dander. While this is a pretty heavy, bulky unit, it also feels incredibly solidly built, with a high-grade plastic body and robust stainless steel wand. It's a great option for larger living spaces, with a nearly 50-foot cleaning radius. If you really want a lighter, more maneuverable canister model, the Miele Complete C3 Alize is a good choice.