Tired of finding giant furballs in your home? I got you! Whether it’s your dog’s shedding spree or your cat’s daily lounge on furniture, pet hair needs to be dealt with. These are my favorite vacuums for the job.
My mom has a cat. And for the longest time, every visit to her home meant leaving covered in fur. Not ideal—especially if I had a meeting afterward. Thankfully, those days are gone. After some research and testing, I found her a vacuum that tackles cat hair on both floors and furniture, even during peak shedding season. Now I can actually enjoy our time together instead of planning a wardrobe change. Curious what I found? Here are the best vacuums for pet hair right now.
What to look for in a pet vacuum
Pet owners know that fur finds its way into every nook and cranny—rugs, couches, the air—it’s all fair game. Sabine Heinlein over at The Wirecutter says that the best pet vacuums combine powerful suction with thoughtful design. The best have features like smell-reducing filters, tangle-free brush rolls, and attachments that can reach under furniture or into crevices.
Related: These gadgets for mums are that good—I’d recommend them to my group chat
Meanwhile, James Brains from Business Insider takes a practical approach. He looks for a pet vacuum that can handle everything, from obvious pet hair to scattered kibble and the like—in other words, a vacuum that’s both pet and family friendly.
As for me, I’m all about efficiency. I want a vacuum that cleans so I don’t have to—especially while I work. That’s why I go for robot vacuums with strong suction and smarts. They really make life with pets easier.
Below, find my top picks for the best vacuums for pet hair!
1. BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet Upright Vacuum
I love the BISSELL CleanView Swivel because its triple-action brush roll and scatter-free technology make cleaning pet hair a breeze. A simple push through fur and other pet debris is all it takes to have fur-free floors. What’s more, every purchase helps support the BISSELL Pet Foundation, so you can feel good while cleaning up after your furry friend.
It’s ideal for tough-to-reach spots, thanks to tools like the Pet Turbo Eraser and corner brush. You can use it to clean your pet’s favorite napping corner—no more fur explosions under the couch! And with edge-to-edge cleaning, no wall or baseboard gets left behind.
2. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean is a beast when it comes to suction. Engineered for homes with pets, it grabs every last strand of fur and dust. The self-adjusting cleaner head keeps the suction tight on carpets and hardwood floors, where you need it most. Then, Ball technology lets you swivel through furniture like a pro.
I appreciate just how easy it makes deep cleaning—just turn your wrist, and the vacuum glides right where you need it. Whole-machine filtration traps allergens inside, so you don’t have to deal with dust clouds or lingering pet dander. Honestly, after one run with this vacuum, the dog beds will be cleaner than ever!
3. Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away
The Shark NV352 Navigator combines power and portability so that tackling pet hair is a piece of cake. Its Lift-Away pod lets me clean stairs and furniture effortlessly, and the HEPA filter with anti-allergen tech keeps all that pet dander sealed inside. I appreciate the lightweight design—lugging it between rooms isn’t a workout, and the swivel steering helps me dodge the coffee table and tight corners like a pro.
This vacuum is handy when I need to switch from carpet to hardwood with its brush roll shutoff. The included upholstery tool handles stubborn pet fur—I’ve used it to clean up after cat shed on a couch.
