The Best Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Oct 15, 2024

These top-tested devices will zap fur from floors and thick carpets.

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A house may not be a home without a pet, but a home with a pet often means a home covered in pet hair. To clean your pet’s shedding from the floors, cushions and sofas in your home, we found the best vacuums for pet hair to tackle this particular problem, whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit or other furry friend.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we test all kinds of vacuums, including the best stick vacuums, handheld vacuums and more. In the last year, we've tested 44 vacuums for our Cleaning and Organizing Awards and other category tests, challenging vacuums to pick up all kinds of messes — including pet hair — from a range of flooring types. Ahead are the vacuums that can stand up to the tough job of eliminating pet hair.

Like many other models from the brand, Bissell's Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus did not disappoint our testers — in fact, it's one of the best Bissell vacuums we've ever tested in our Lab. It earned good scores for its ease of use and powerful suction, but our favorite feature is the mess-free dust cup. Its easy-to-empty, hands-free design has a hair spooling system inside the canister that makes it easier to empty. The floor nozzle also contains a tangle-free brush roll that prevents pet hair from clogging the bristles.

"This vacuum's combination of features and tools was ideal for picking up the hair of both small and large pets," said one impressed tester. Not to mention it is fully sealed to keep allergens out of the air. When comparing this model to other upright vacuums we tested in our Lab, we rated it favorably for its weight, but some online Amazon reviewers say they found the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo too heavy and had trouble lifting it, especially on stairs.

This pick from Hoover earned a spot in our Best Cleaning and Organizing Awards due to its strong suction, tangle-preventing brush roll and affordable price tag. It's a bagless vacuum with a larger dust bin that can hold up to 1.5 liters of debris which is especially nice since pet hair takes up lots of space. The tangle guard prevents hair up to 16 inches long from getting caught, a claim that held up during our testing. "It did a great job picking up the long hair and threads we put down without getting them tangled in the brush roll," said one expert tester.

We also like that the vacuum has LED headlights that make it easy to see into crevices and corners so you don't miss a spot — pet owners know hair tends to lurk everywhere. A crevice tool, a dusting brush and a turbo tool all come included for even more cleaning prowess. While it does have a cord, it extends up to 30 feet so it's unlikely to limit your cleaning ability. Unfortunately, there's no automatic cord rewind so putting everything back into place can be a bit cumbersome.

Pet hair is an annoyance for most pet owners, but if you or someone in your family happens to be allergic, it can also be a serious health issue. This upright Kenmore has all the extras to keep pet hair where it belongs: inside the vacuum. Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA), this vacuum has a HEPA filter and passed AAFA tests for low emissions, both while vacuuming and changing the bag.

We like the power of this vacuum's motor, plus note great features including a large-capacity dust cup, ample hose storage and the variety of tools it comes with. We especially like the air-powered hand tool with a rotating brush, which makes it easier to remove stubborn pet hair from upholstery, bedding and stairs. On the downside, the height of the vacuum has to be manually adjusted so you can push it across all carpet styles. And, at 19 pounds, it's on the heavier side so it may not be the easiest to lug up and down the stairs.

We think Dyson's Detect vacuums are some of the coolest, most innovative machines out there. The bare-floor roller attachment is equipped with a unique laser that shines an angled beam of light directly in front of the vacuum to spot any pet hair, dust bunnies or dirt in its path — even spots you can't easily see in normal light. Our testers were truly amazed by what they could see with the laser beam vs. what they saw with their naked eye. While you're vacuuming, the colorful display even shows the amount and size of the particles it's sucking up. It also shows stats like run time and power level, plus gives maintenance alerts. We appreciate the push button on/off switch for continuous operation too.

As is the case with all Dyson vacuums we've tested, it boasts unbeatable suction and stellar filtration, and it's equipped with useful attachments, including a cone-shaped tool that picks up pet hair and spirals it into the bin to prevent tangling. Despite its prowess, the vacuum weighs only about 5 pounds, making it highly portable, easy to maneuver and less burdensome to store. Unfortunately, the run time leaves something to be desired, and the vacuum doesn't come with a backup battery.

For those who prefer a bagged vacuum that keeps pet hair and dander sealed after cleaning, there's the Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go canister vacuum from Kenmore, a Cleaning and Organizing Award-winner. To clean hardwood floors, you can attach the bare floor brush hands-free using a foot pedal — though one tester found that the compartment doesn't open all the way each time, so you may have to nudge it a bit to get the brush out. We found its Pet PowerMate tool to be great for cleaning hair from upholstered furniture and carpets, and it can be stored along with all other tools right on the vacuum.

In our Lab tests, it proved to have powerful suction, picking up dry oats from our test carpets and hard flooring easily. One of our consumer testers used this vacuum right after another model and found that it picked up debris that the first vacuum missed. “The suction was phenomenal,” our tester said. We also found it easy to maneuver and transition from carpet to hard floors, thanks to its large wheels.

Keep in mind that this vacuum clocks in at over 20 pounds, so it'll take two hands to carry up or down stairs, though it is possible to clean stairs without having to pick it up thanks to its 10.5-foot telescoping wand, long hose and retractable cord.

This cordless handheld vacuum from Black+Decker is a great affordable vacuum for pet hair that's especially nice for cleaning up the car. It has a motorized pet brush tool that uses rubber bristles to lift pet hair off upholstery, car seats and carpets.

The only other tool included is an extendable crevice tool for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. Like many of the best handheld vacuums, it has a long runtime of up to 32 minutes, but it takes four hours to charge and does not have a removable battery. Its filter is washable and the dust cup empties with the push of a button, allowing for easy maintenance.

This vacuum’s powerful suction and large battery indicator were one tester’s favorite features. They said, "While a small device will never be as powerful as a full-size model, this little vacuum's suction was impressive."

This Miele canister vacuum model comes with a turbo brush floorhead specially designed for picking up dirt and hair from low- to medium-pile carpets. We are always impressed by the design and performance of Miele vacuums in our tests, and this canister vacuum was no exception, picking up dry oats from carpets, hardwood flooring and tiles without leaving anything behind. Thanks to its small size, it can be easily stored and carried from room to room, and its 32-foot operating radius is great for cleaning large areas. There's even a spot on the canister body to park the hose so it stays upright during storage.

This Boost CX1 model also includes a universal floor head for pet hair pickup on bare floors. This Miele canister vacuum is one of our most expensive picks, but it offers four suction power options that make it gentle enough to clean curtains and strong enough to clean carpets. We think the cost is justified as you'll be able to tackle messes from floor to ceiling with just one device.

One of our consumer testers said, "It worked well on all surfaces, but really impressed with the power it had on the area rug." It impressed our expert testers too, earning it a Cleaning and Organizing Award.

The RoboVac 11S Max comes equipped with high-end features all for under $150 — which is why we named it the best value robot vacuum. At under 3 inches tall, the easy-to-use robot vacuum can get to hard-to-reach areas under furniture where dust, hair and other dirt can build up without you realizing. It has great suction power ideal for sucking up pet hair, as well as an auto-increase suction feature that that allows the vacuum to deep clean. Large wheels help the vacuum navigate carpets and door ledges, while built-in sensors help it avoid falling down your stairs or bumping into objects.

Like other robot vacuums, one of the chief complaints is that the dust bin fills up quickly — especially in a home with a lot of pet hair. Overall, though, we think it's hard to beat the value of this vacuum, especially considering it largely takes the task off your hands.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test dozens of vacuum cleaners throughout the year. In the last nine months alone, we tested 23 new stick vacuums and 21 new robot vacuums for a total of 44 new models tested.

Each vacuum model we evaluate is tested exactly the same way, according to ASTM standards. As a member of ASTM International's F11 Vacuum Cleaner Committee, our Cleaning Lab's executive director helps to develop the standards used across the industry to assess a vacuum’s performance, ease of use, durability and more.

In the Cleaning Lab, we assess how well vacuums pick up dirt and debris from carpets, hardwood, tile and linoleum flooring. Perhaps most importantly, every vacuum we evaluate gets tested on faux "pet hair,” a.k.a. fine rayon fibers that we apply to test carpeting in a uniform way. After a specified number of passes, we determine the percentage of pet hair pickup.

In addition to performance testing, each vacuum must also undergo ease-of-use evaluations that include assessing the weight, battery runtime, maneuverability and ease of emptying and using the controls of the devices. Models that are tested in consideration for our annual Cleaning and Organizing Awards are also sent to consumer testers who rate and provide feedback on the vacuum’s maneuverability, ease of use and more. Our picks are the vacuums that performed best on in-Lab pet hair tests, plus ones with features perfectly suited to tackle stubborn fur.

What differentiates pet hair vacuums from other vacuums is their focus on picking up different types of debris and the technology they employ to do it. When testing to make sure vacuums can accommodate homes with pet hair, we make sure that brush rolls and attachments can handle long hair without inconveniences like tangling. Pet hair vacuums offer larger bins so they don't fill up quickly and often come with extra attachments for removing pet hair from furniture. They may also feature HEPA filters which better trap allergens to keep dander and dust from reentering the air after you vacuum.

To help any vacuum do a better job at removing pet hair, we recommend giving fur-covered carpets and couches a spritz of an anti-static spray, like Static Guard, before vacuuming to help strands come up easier. Then, there are a few features to look for in a vacuum for pet hair:

✔️ Bagged vs. bagless: Dust cups or bags are essential considerations for the inevitable and frequent dumping that happens as you vacuum up after your pet. Bagged vacuums are best for keeping pet hair, dust and debris out of the air when emptying the vacuum, making them ideal for homes with allergy sufferers. Bagless vacuums are often sealed to prevent debris from escaping and going back into the air of your home as you clean, but they have to be emptied directly into the trash bin which can allow dust to escape. Bagless models are great for homes that don't want to re-up on bags. Make sure that the dust cup is sizable and easy to empty, or that the bag is easily disposed of for the easiest post-cleaning cleanup.

✔️ Filter type: Filters not only keep the dust from recirculating back into the air but can actually help neutralize pet smells in your home. Look for models with multi-layer filtration that can trap more debris than a single-layer filter can. Models with pre-filters and whole machine filtration also offer multiple levels of filtration at different parts of the vacuum to further prevent dust and debris from re-entering your home's air. And if allergies are a concern, HEPA filters are the most effective, since they trap 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a minimum size of 0.3 microns (nanoparticles).

✔️ Type of flooring: Many vacuum cleaners come with attachments specifically designed for cleaning different types of flooring. Models with soft brushes or brushes that can be turned off are the best option for hardwood flooring as they are less likely to cause scratches than brushes with harder bristles. For thick carpets, rotating brush rolls with stiff bristles help get into the individual fibers of the carpet to get more dirt and debris out.

✔️ Corded vs. cordless: With a corded vacuum, you’ll never have to worry about running out of battery power, but cordless vacuums are easier to take from room to room or use in a car. When deciding between a corded and cordless model, ask yourself the following: Do you plan to tote it around the house and outside, or are you more likely to use it for long stretches of time? If you're leaning toward a cordless model, look for ones that include a second battery for a longer run time.

✔️ Size and weight: Portability is also an important factor when shopping for a vacuum cleaner. If you’re frequently vacuuming small amounts of pet hair, you may want a handheld or stick vacuum that’s compact and lightweight for quick detail work. If you find yourself vacuuming large areas often, you’ll want a corded canister or upright vacuum that never runs out of power. Keep in mind that heavier vacuums will be harder to carry up and down stairs if you have multiple levels to clean in your home.

✔️ Pet tools & features: Pet hair-nabbing features are crucial, like rubber trim and raised “fingers” on floor nozzles or attachments that help zap static and break the bonds so fur comes up more easily. Tangle-free brush rolls also put an end to clipping long strands of hair (from pets or humans!) that get twisted around the brush.

Yes, vacuums with HEPA filters are especially great for homes with allergy sufferers as they trap 99.97% of microscopic airborne allergens. Vacuums with “HEPA-like” filters are less expensive but often are only able to trap airborne particles as small as 0.5 microns, which makes a big difference when it comes to reducing debris like pet dander. Sealed vacuums that don’t allow any particles to escape from side vents or any other part of the vacuum are helpful for allergies, as are bagged vacuums that minimize the release of dust when emptying.

Gary Richter M.S., D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian, walked us through some ways to mitigate your pet’s shedding and even told us how he keeps his living spaces from being overtaken by fur. First and foremost, address the source of the problem by making sure you’re brushing your pet regularly. “The most important tool to have on hand, in most cases, is a brush,” says Richter. “You can even utilize brushing gloves with bristles built right into the palm so that excess fur can be removed by petting your furry companion.”

And while he says that pets tend to shed all year round due to the regulated temperatures indoors, you can also manage their shedding by making sure you’re taking care of their coat in terms of nutrition. A properly balanced high-quality diet can actually reduce excess shedding. Consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's diet.

Finally, Richter suggests regular vacuuming, of course. We suggest vacuuming daily if you have a particularly furry dog or cat. Setting up a robot vacuum on a daily schedule can help suck up pet hair with little effort on your part.

Carolyn Forté has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops and other major (and minor) home appliances for over 40 years. She oversees all testing done in the Cleaning Lab and continually tests new products, including cleaning products made for tackling pet messes like floor cleaners formulated to remove pet odors and carpet cleaning machines that remove dried-on urine stains. She is an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

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