If you live with dogs, cats, or any other furry friends, having one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair is essential. As someone with two cats who molt like crazy (and leave everything I own covered in hair), I can vouch for these being a worthwhile investment.
While regular vacuums will still pick up dirt and debris, specialized pet hair models go one step further by trapping allergens, detangling hair, and offering more powerful suction – resulting in better performance and a longer lifespan for your device. They also come highly recommended by our in-house cleaning expert, Lexi Brown.
The best vacuum cleaners for pet hair can get super expensive, so to save you time and money, I've rounded up my top five picks below – with the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Pro PowerLine coming first place. These models have been tried and tested by the PetsRadar review panel on vinyl flooring and carpet to see how well they perform.
The quick list
The best vacuum cleaner for pet hair overall
With 1,200W suction power and an odor-neutralizing filter, this vacuum makes cleaning up after your pet a breeze. It comes with five different attachments, including an upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush, and handheld turbobrush.
The best vacuum cleaner for pet hair runner-up
This powerful vacuum will suck up everything in its path, with anti-tangle technology, two attachments, and three cleaning modes. The 360-degree ball design makes it easy to manoeuvre around the house and allows it to glide effortlessly across the floor.
The best cordless vacuum for pet hair
This cordless vacuum can pick up everything from pet hair to microscopic microplastics, with up to a 100-minute run time. It illuminates white when surfaces are visibly clean and blue when they're completely clean, giving you peace of mind that the job is done properly.
The best lightweight corded vacuum cleaner for pet hair
Featuring anti-tangle technology that prevents hair from wrapping around the brush roll and a pet-specific tool, this vacuum was made with cats and dogs in mind. It also has a flexible wand that can bend under hard-to-reach furniture.
The best pet vacuum for grooming
Got a particularly hairy pet? This grooming kit tackles the mess at the source, preventing it from spreading around your home later. It comes with a range of de-shedding attachments, plus an electric clipper and nail grinder.
The best vacuum cleaners for pet hair we recommend
Why you can trust PetsRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair overall
WHAT'S GOOD: After two years of testing, I can confidently crown this the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair. It has an impressive 1,200-watt suction power that picks up everything in its path and comes with five attachments for every surface you could want: an upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dust brush, parquet brush twister SBB 300-3, mini turbobrush STB 101, and electrobrush. These tools are stored in a hidden compartment in the canister, which is, one, very cool, and two, great for space-saving.
As someone with velvet sofas and two hairy cats, the upholstery nozzle saves my life on a weekly basis and lifts every speck embedded in the material. It's the most satisfying thing to clean.
Thanks to the foot controls, you can change the settings without ever having to bend down, and the cable rewind feature saves you the hassle of winding up the cord after use.
It has an Active AirClean HEPA filter, which Miele claims traps 99.95% of all viruses, bacteria, and particles – making it the perfect choice for pet parents who struggle with allergies.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: This vacuum is much lighter than other corded models I've tested – like the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum Cleaner – but I still wouldn't reach for it for everyday cleans. For quick top-ups, I'd recommend a cordless option like the Shark Anti Hair Wrap with Pet Tool, or even a handheld tool (like this one from Amazon that our editor Georgia Guerin loves).
Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair runner-up
WHAT'S GOOD: The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum Cleaner is a dream to work with, thanks to the 360-degree ball that glides effortlessly around corners. My first impressions of this device is that's it's high-quality, easy to use and very powerful, and it did a great job at picking up my cat's fur on both the carpet and vinyl sample.
The vacuum features Dyson's Motorbar cleaner head that picks up pet fur and long hair and prevents any tangling in the bristles. It also comes with a tangle-free turbine tool that can be used on everything from carpets and cars to furniture and upholstery, as well as a pet grooming tool that picks up dander and fur before it spreads round your home.
The device has a foot lock to keep it upright which quickly clicks into place and makes storage much easier, rather than balancing it up against the wall. Corded vacuums can be a pain to lug around the house, but this one can stretch 50ft from the plug socket, so it will probably stretch down your stairs.
It has multiple HEPA filtration systems that can pick up 99.97% of particles (including bacteria), making it a good choice for those who suffer from allergies.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: This might be lighter than the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Pro PowerLine, but it feels considerably heavier due to the upright design, and feels clunky to lift up. This isn't an issue when you're vacuuming the floors, but if you plan on carrying it up multiple sets of stairs or have a mobility challenge, I'd recommend the Bosch Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Unlimited 10 instead.
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair
WHAT'S GOOD: This vacuum can run for up to 100 minutes (depending on the model you choose), which is considerably longer than other cordless models I've tested. It takes around an hour to charge and comes with a docking station that can be neatly secured to your wall and kept out of the way.
I was impressed with the suction power on both the carpet and vinyl sample, and how effortlessly it picked up Tofu's fur in a flash. The coolest part? The vacuum flashes white when the surface is visibly clean and turns blue when it’s thoroughly clean, which gave me reassurance that I'd done a proper job. The HEPA filter is ideal for households with pets and Bosch claims it picks up 99.9% of microscopic particles.
I love that the floorhead has LED lighting, making it easy to spot crumbs, hairs, and dirt that I wouldn't have otherwise noticed. It also has an LED display that shows the remaining runtime and lets you switch between six different cleaning modes.
It comes with a short crevice nozzle, a flexible crevice nozzle, and a furniture brush with soft bristles, making it a brilliant all-rounder that works well on most surfaces. It also has a flexible wand that can reach under furniture.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: Vacuuming isn’t on my mind very much, so chances are, I’ll probably forget to charge the battery and end up frustrated that I have to wait an hour to get it going. So personally, if I had to invest in just one, I’d opt for one of the corded options in this guide – like the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Pro PowerLine – which you simply plug in and go.
Best lightweight corded vacuum cleaner for pet hair
WHAT'S GOOD: If you want a bit more oomph than a cordless vacuum but dread the idea of lugging a heavy device around your home, then I'd recommend the SHARK Anti Hair Wrap with Pet Tool. Compared to other corded models I've tested – like the Dyson and Miele in this guide – it feels more portable and less effortful to lift, but still picks up pet hair well.
The flexible wand makes it easy to clean underneath furniture, and it comes with four different tools (handvac, crevice tool, dusting brush, and turbo pet tool) depending on which surface you're tackling. It has anti-tangle technology to prevent hair buildup in the brush and can be used on carpets, hard flooring, stairs, and soft furnishings.
The suction is designed to pick up debris in both forward and backward directions – something many other vacuums struggle to do properly. Like the Bosch model, I was impressed with the LED lighting on the brush head, which made it easy to spot crumbs and debris on the surface.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: With a 10-metre cable length, it doesn’t stretch as far as the Dyson in this guide, so if you plan on using it between different floors or have a particularly large house, it wouldn’t be my first choice. The Dyson and Miele also offer stronger suction power and – this may be subjective – a higher-quality feel.
Best pet vacuum cleaner for grooming
WHAT'S GOOD: If you struggle to keep on top of your pet's constant molting, the Petaboo Grooming Kit is going to change everything, helping you suck up the fur at the source – rather than waiting for it to fall all over your floor.
Our tester Barbara has a Husky and a German Shepherd and said it looked like she’d had them professionally groomed after using it on them. She says: "This is honestly life-changing! It made brushing my dog so much quicker, easier, and more enjoyable."
The kit helps with everything from detangling knots to deshedding fur and includes a pin brush, electric clipper, crevice tool, hair removal roller, de-matting brush, pet nail grinder, rake brush, and guard combs. As a bonus, it can also be used on furniture.
The cordless design makes it easy to groom your dog on the go, and you can even use it to clean your car if it’s covered in fur, too. The waste bin holds up to 2.2 litres of debris, which Barbara says is "super easy to open and empty."
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: If your dog is particularly anxious about noises, it might take some time to get them used to it. Petaboo says the device operates at 40db (which is similar to a refrigerator humming), but from Barbara’s video, it seems more comparable to the sound of a vacuum cleaner. If that’s a problem, check out the best dog brushes instead.
Other vacuum cleaners for pet hair to consider
Vax HomePro Detect Pet-Design Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
WHAT'S GOOD: This vacuum detects debris on your floor and triples the suction power when a deeper clean is needed. The flexible wand makes it easy to maneuver under furniture, and it comes with a range of pet tools, along with an LED floorhead so you can see every speck.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: The anti-tangle technology was no match for my 22-inch synthetic hair extensions, which, over time, became trapped in the floorhead and had to be cut out with scissors. I've also had issues with it randomly turning off during a clean, spitting out harder pieces of debris like cat food, and pushing larger clumps on hard floor.
How we tested the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair
1. Expert research
To find the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair, I consulted cleaning expert Lexi Brown for her expert opinion, asking her for all the qualities to look out for.
2. Product research
Once she advised on how to choose, I scrolled through hundreds of options, narrowing it down to just nine vacuums.
3. Review check
Before I decided to test these models, I checked the reviews to see what real customers say about it, and asked my family, friends and colleagues for their opinions.
4. Product testing
Once I was happy with my selection, I put the vacuums to the test, using real hair from my fluffy cat Tofu (see below). To make it a fair test, I tried these devices on the same surfaces: a carpet sample and a vinyl flooring sample to see what they could do.
5. Final verdict
After testing these vacuums out, I reviewed their performance based on a set of standardized criteria which included how well they picked up pet hair and how easy they were to use. One product didn't make the final cut which can be found in the 'we also tested' section.
For additional information, read our dedicated page on how we test.
Who tested the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair
Wondering who's behind these reviews? Meet the testing team below:
How to choose the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair
When it comes to choosing the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair, the sheer number of options and confusing technical jargon can feel overwhelming. To simplify things, we asked Lexi what to look out for:
1. Strong suction power with HEPA filtration: "Pet hair tends to get deep into your carpets and upholstery, which is why you need strong suction with HEPA filtration. A vacuum with strong suction and a tightly closed HEPA filter helps capture dander and allergens very well."
2. Tangle-free brush roll: "Long-haired pets will find it much easier because of the Tangle-Free Brush Roll. Choose models that have anti-hair wrap protection so you don’t have to spend time removing tangled pet hair."
3. Motorized tools: "Using a vacuum with a motorized pet accessory or crevice tool helps gather pet hair from the stairs, furniture, and hard-to-reach places."
4. Bagless with easy emptying: "Pet vacuum models must not release dust and allergens when emptying. My choice would be vacuum cleaners with bagless containers that empty with one press."
5. Noise levels: "Sensitive pets prefer a quieter vacuum, so it’s great if the model is quieter."
Still struggling to decide? Here's a reminder of all the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair:
Model | Price | Warranty | Weight | Corded or cordless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$510 | Two years | 19 lbs | Corded | |
$400 | Five years | 17.33 lbs | Corded | |
£570 | Two years | 8.4 lbs | Cordless | |
£200 | Five years | 10.6 lbs | Corded | |
$165 | One year | 7.5 lbs | Cordless | |
£350 | Five years | 7.7lbs | Cordless |
Is a bagged vacuum better than a bagless vacuum for pet hair?
If you're in the market for a new vacuum, you're probably debating whether a bagged or bagless model is better.
Well, according to Atit Chopra, Product Development Director at Beldray, bagged options are a better choice for allergy sufferers since they contain the debris, dust, and pet dander collected. They're also less messy, as you simply have to swap out the bag.
However, he explains that "a high-quality bagless vacuum with a HEPA filter can perform just as well, capturing allergens and fine particles efficiently".
Why isn’t my vacuum picking up dog hair?
Vacuum struggling to pick up pet hair? Then it's probably not the right model for the job, says Chopa.
"Effective dog hair removal begins with a vacuum that offers powerful suction and specialised features. Look for models equipped with motorized brush rolls or pet tools, which are designed to lift stubborn hair and dirt from carpets and upholstery.
"LED headlights on floor brushes can also be a game-changer, helping you spot and clean hidden debris in low-light areas. Models equipped with HEPA filters are excellent for trapping dog dander and allergens, helping to create a cleaner, healthier home environment.
"Vacuuming slowly in multiple directions is an effective way to lift embedded hair. Prioritize a vacuum that provides stronger suction for better results at pulling dog hair from deep within carpet fibers."
Read next: How to remove pet hair from carpet and how to get dog hair off your couch. Or, read our top tips for coping with dog shedding season
Megan Milstead has been a Staff Writer at PetsRadar since 2023, covering everything from buying guides and reviews to features and deals. As a lifelong pet parent, she knows how tricky it can be to remove fur from furniture, so she was thrilled to test out the best vacuums for pet hair and share her recommendations. She holds a Journalism degree from the University of Westminster and an extended diploma from West Herts College.
Lexi Brown is a housekeeper who specializes in cleaning and has spent over ten years in the industry. She is the head authority at True Fresh, and her particular area of expertise is helping improve homes by cleaning allergens, dander, dander, and pet hair out of them. Lexi is a well-known figure who gives practical cleaning advice and tests products so pet owners can clean more easily and efficiently.
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
We regularly review our buying guides to ensure the products are relevant, available and up to date. This page was last updated in July 2025 by Megan Milstead.
