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As Ideal Home's Certified Expert in Vacuums and the pet paw-rent of a very fluffy dog, I can tell you that there's a big difference between a regular vacuum and the best vacuums for pet hair. After all, pet vacuums are specifically designed to pick up stubborn pet hair, remove and seal pet dander, and even neutralise odours your four-legged friends might leave in their wake.
And while many of the best vacuum cleaners do a great job at picking up dust and debris on both hard floors and carpets, these pet-specific models are often more powerful, more efficient, and just... more. But as there are so many options out there, I enlisted my dog to help me separate the best from the rest.
My top-rated picks below not only excel in hair pick-up but also offer additional features to make them the best vacuums for pet owners, such as anti-hair wrap technology and sealed filters to contain pet dander. And I'm confident that one of these best vacuum cleaners for pet hair will be the perfect option for you, your home, and your furry friends.
Quick list
In a rush and only want the need-to-know details on the best vacuum for pet hair? Find our top picks after testing below or keep scrolling for our in-depth reviews.
Best overall
Designed specifically with pet owners in mind, the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog is powerful and sleek - and it comes with a whole host of accessories to pick up every last stray pet hair. This cordless offering is also easy to manoeuvre and incredibly lightweight, meaning you can vacuum everything from your floors to dog beds and even cat towers.
Best budget
If you're after great value for money vacuum cleaner for pet hair, the Henry Pet200 is a brilliant choice at its sub-£200 price tag, employing great suction power that works excellently at picking up pet hair with good reach. And with an impressive 9 litre capacity, it's perfect for busy homes with multiple humans and pets alike.
Best for everyday
Want an everyday vacuum for a quick, whiz around your house, or noticed a random patch of pet hair nestled in the corner? This Shark vacuum is a solid choice. It offers flexible usage thanks to its Flexology wand, easily transforms into a handheld, and automatically detects your flooring type so you can quickly move from carpet to hard flooring.
Best for deeper cleans
If you live with particularly fluffy animals and need something that'll tackle deeper cleans, I'd definitely recommend a corded cylinder vacuum like this Miele model. The corded nature means that the suction power is unmatched, and this one comes with a multitude of onboard tools to get into every nook and cranny. It's also bagged, so all of the pet dander is contained.
Best for ease of use
Dyson's newest budget-friendly vacuum is perfect for homes with pets, and it performed exceptionally well on carpets. It doesn't have any fancy LCD screens or features, but its basic ease of use allows you to make the most of its impressive suction power in homes with pets. It also comes with a couple of tools to get into the smaller nooks and crannies of your home.
Best upright
If you're looking for the power of a corded vacuum without the added faff, this upright Shark vac ticks those boxes. Boasting superb power levels, smart features, and good battery life, it's a great all-rounder for pet hair pick-up – especially if you have a ton of stubborn hair that doesn't want to budge.
Best vacuum cleaners for pet hair – tried and tested
Best vacuum for pet hair overall
As Ideal Home's Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums, I'm tasked with testing a huge number of vacuums on a regular basis. And while some require a few weeks to win me over (and sometimes don't quite hit the mark), the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog impressed me from the get-go. As a result, I'm confident that it's the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair we've ever tested. And one of the best cordless vacuums, too.
Designed specifically for pet owners, this cordless vacuum offers auto-adjusted suction power to make tackling everyday debris and pet-specific cleaning conundrums a breeze. And with a generous 55 minutes of run time, it can easily whip around a whole house without needing to be charged.
Features we loved during testing
The efficient German engineering is what impressed me the most when testing the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog. Sure, the sleek and sophisticated design are hard to ignore (and hard not to love), but the power of this model is second-to-none - especially in a house prone to dog and human hair alike.
Equipped to deal with both hard flooring and carpet, this model picked up every last strand of hair and was incredibly easy to manoeuvre thanks to its lightweight qualities. And as the owner of a fluffy dog that brings a lot of dust and dander into my house within his coat, my home felt instantly cleaner after vacuuming. Plus, with 99.99% dust retention capacity and the addition of a hygiene filter to keep allergens inside the canister, I didn't feel as though any nasty pollutants were making my way back into my house when emptying.
But the real selling point of the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog is the attachments (and an onboard accessory holder, no less). Featuring a multi-floor electrobrush, dusting brush, upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, and electro compact brush, there really is everything you need to tackle every single nook and cranny of your home. Plus, they can help you target pet-prone areas like dog beds, cat trees, and perhaps even hamster wheels!
The only slight downside with this model - and what meant it couldn't quite reach the 5-star status - is that the dust bin is a lot smaller than other options on this list. However, if you're willing to empty it regularly, I really think it's worth the investment.
Read our in-depth Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog for more details.
Best budget vacuum cleaner for pet hair
The Henry Pet200 is proof that bigger is sometimes undeniably better, and fares extremely well in a bustling household where you're not only cleaning up after yourself, but pets and kids too. Featuring a 9-litre capacity, it's one of the best Henry vacuums out there and is fully equipped with an extremely generous 10m cable to bypass the problems that often come with corded models.
All in all, this heavy-duty model is robustly build and pretty much ready to take on any job, big or small, so it's no surprise that it fits the bill and more for tackling pet hair. And as it's a bagged model, you can expect excellent suction power and pet hair pick-up, picking up even the most stubborn pet hair with ease on all surfaces, as it comes with specialist floorheads for both carpet and hard flooring. Plus, it comes with a huge variety of tools and an on-board tool tidy, allowing you to keep everything to hand and all in one place when you're vacuuming any area of your home.
Features we loved during testing
Aside from being robustly built and sporting a large capacity, the 190 Ecobrush tool was a standout attachment that certainly has its perks when being used for embedded hair in the carpet and lingering strays around the house. It's a smaller, motorised attachment that collects hair in the brushes, designed to eliminate any potential for clogging.
Of course, the two big caveats with such a large canister vacuum is that, at 8kg, it's fairly hefty to push around the house and use on the stairs - but this is actually pretty light compared to the 15L capacity and 10kg weight of the Henry XL Plus vacuum cleaner. Not to mention the fact that it's the only corded option on this list, so you also have the cord to contend with when vacuuming your home.
However, since the Henry Pet200 is a bagged model, it offers fuss-free emptying and seals allergens away and even offers a special filter to reduce lingering pet odours in the home. Then, all you need to do is replace the bag when it's full.
Read our in-depth Henry Pet200 review for more details.
Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair for everyday use
The Shark PowerPro model is one of the brand's newest additions and has quickly become one of the best Shark vacuums out there. Not because it's the most tech-savvy or most impressive, but it's the best for quick, efficient cleans without the faff.
Offering up to 50 minutes of run time, a generous 0.7L dust bin (for a cordless stick vacuum, anyway), and a few cleaning tools - including a motorised pet tool for more targeted pet hair cleaning - it's the kind of vacuum cleaner you whip out to suck up loose hairs or give your rugs and carpets a quick clean every day. The Flexology wand means that you can clean under all of your furniture, too.
Features we loved during testing
During testing, I put this pet vacuum through the wringer, vacuuming everything from my dog's bed to the velvet sofa bed that he's also claimed as his bed. Overall, it impressed me with its cleaning ability, and I probably used the clip-off handheld part just as much as I used the floorhead.
After all, any pet owner will know that living with pets isn't just about vacuuming the floors. It's also about getting those stray hairs tucked in the skirting boards, as well as the pet dander that gets stuck on blinds and doorframes. And the crevice tool, upholstery tool and motorised pet tool tackled these areas with ease.
It's also extremely affordable, which is a major plus point for those looking for one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair.
However, it's fair to say that it's not the most impressive Shark model on the market. The power might not be enough for deeper cleans or those with pets who shed a lot more, so it might be worth opting for the older, more powerful Shark ICZ300UKT Upright model instead. After all, we found it better at tackling embedded pet hair.
Read our in-depth Shark PowerPro Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum review for more details.
Best vacuum for pet hair for deeper cleans
Cylinder vacuum cleaners may have a reputation for being old-fashioned, but I keep the Miele Guard M1 Cat & Dog on hand in my home for one simple reason - it's powerful. And when you have shedding animals, you sometimes need a boost of power to rid your space of lingering hair, dander, and dust.
As it's corded, it offers unlimited cleaning power and even comes with multiple modes for different flooring types to ensure everything is cleaned both effectively and efficiently. The air hygiene filtration is also great for homes with pets. But, of course, if you don't like being tethered to a plug socket and have narrow stairs in your home, it might not suit you.
Features we loved during testing
The beauty of a corded cylinder vacuum cleaner is that you have uncompromised cleaning power, both in terms of suction power and running time, and I found this to be very true during testing. In fact, the suction power was so intense that it managed to clean a thick rug in my home that most other vacuums can't handle.
I also enjoyed using the different modes that allow you to tailor the cleaning power to what you're cleaning - whether that be cut-pile carpets and rugs, loop-pile carpets, hard floors, or curtains and textiles. Another feature I really loved was that all of the tools and attachments had their own onboard storage, which meant that they were easily accessible whenever I needed them.
This model is also the only bagged vacuum cleaner on this list of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair - which is a positive or a negative depending on how you view it. For homes with pets, the bagged system keeps all of the hair, dust and dander away from your home. But it does mean that you have to buy more bags, which comes at an extra cost.
Read our in-depth Miele Guard M1 Cat & Dog Flex review for more details.
Best easy to use vacuum cleaner for pet hair
As you might have already guessed from the name, the Dyson V8 Cyclone is Dyson's updated version of the much-loved (and much older) Dyson V8 model. It's taken the best bits of the veteran vacuum and made it much better - especially for homes with pets - making it one of the best Dyson vacuums you can buy.
It offers 50% more dust removal and 30% more suction than the original V8, and has been enhanced with Dyson's new cyclone technology that makes the 150 Air Watts of suction power feel a lot stronger than it is. It's also extremely lightweight and so easy to move from room to room.
Features we loved during testing
While I typically lean towards the more tech-savvy, modern-looking vacuum cleaners in my home, I must admit that the Dyson V8 Cyclone. With a fresh new design, it looks a little simpler than other models on the market, but that's actually what sets it apart from the rest. After all, it's basic in design, but big on power.
I found the suction power to be more than enough for my fluff-filled home, and it tackled embedded hair in my carpets and rugs with ease. The added accessories also meant my carpeted stairs got a deep clean, and I was able to tackle corner dust pockets.
Its lightweight manoeuvrability also made it perfect for both quick, grab-and-go cleaning and my more intense cleaning sessions, and I actually think the price is extremely affordable for a new Dyson vacuum cleaner.
However, I will say that the Dyson V8 Cyclone did perform better on carpets than the hard flooring - especially when I tested it on the pet hair. Because of this, I probably wouldn't recommend it to those who only have hard flooring in their home, or hard flooring makes up the majority of their home.
Read our in-depth Dyson V8 Cyclone review for more details.
Best upright vacuum for pet hair
If you're keen on saying goodbye to your corded vacuum without sacrificing suction and cleaning power, the Shark ICZ300UKT offers just that; and its versatility and impressive power levels are precisely what has earned it one of the top spots as the best vacuum for pet hair. During testing, it left a positive lasting impression on our reviewer, Millie, who is mother to a black Labrador. With just one pass, the PowerFins design quickly and effectively lifted all the deep-rooted hair on her carpets, revealing the once cream colour beneath.
For areas around your home with more stubborn hair, the additional TruePet attachment that comes with the vacuum is a great touch to ensure you really get into those hard-to-reach places. And, on the note of easy and convenient cleaning, the Powered Lift-Away feature allows you to lift the central unit away from the vacuum stick to assist in cleaning stairs seamlessly and even for use in the car.
Features we loved during testing
One of our favourite things about the Shark ICZ300UKT is seamlessly it toggles between power levels for hard floors and carpet respectively, achieved by just a touch of a button. It does a fantastic job at everyday cleaning as well as deep cleaning needs with its robust build and smart features. The Eco power mode was also pretty impressive, especially for light vacuuming on tiled flooring to help extend the battery life further. However, it is worth noting that although its dustbin capacity is quite small and if your furry friend tends to shed a lot, you may find yourself needing to empty it continuously.
Read our in-depth Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap cordless upright vacuum cleaner review for more details.
Vacuum cleaners for pet hair comparison at a glance
Vacuum | Price | Ideal Home Rating | Brand Trustpilot Score | Dust Bin Capacity |
£369 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 0.3L | |
£139 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 9L | |
£279.99 | 4 | 3.8 | 0.7L | |
£349 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 4.5L | |
£349.99 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 0.5L | |
£429.99 | 5 | 3.8 | 0.6L |
The best of the rest
I've reduced my shortlist of the best vacuums for pet hair to my top six options, but there are many other alternatives that I think are well worth a mention if the above options don't suit your home (or your pet).
How we tested these vacuum cleaners for pet hair
At Ideal Home, we take how we test vacuums extremely seriously and only ever include models in these guides that we have hands-on testing experience with. However, we go one step further and follow strict guidelines to ensure they're suitable for pet-specific homes.
The majority of the pet hair vacuums in this guide were tested by Lauren, our Certified Expert in Vacuums. As the paw-rent of Barney, the very fluffy cocker spaniel, she was able to put these pet hair vacuums through their paces.
You can find more information on the everyday and controlled testing on our how we test vacuums for pet hair page. But, in short, the main criteria we have used to put together this list are as follows: suction power, whether it offers de-tangling technology, bag or dustbin capacity, extra features, and the selection (and usefulness) of included pet-specific attachments – especially for cordless models that can be switched to handheld mode.
We test all of these vacuums for pet hair for at least two weeks in a real home with real pets. This way, we can ensure our testing is as accurate to the customer experience as possible.
Meet our Certified Expert
Our Certified Expert in Vacuums, Lauren, tested almost all of the best vacuums for pet hair in this guide in her home.
To achieve her Certified Expert status, Lauren has spent hundreds of hours testing vacuum cleaners from a wide range of brands, interviewed top vacuum engineers, toured vacuum design labs and factories, and learned everything she can about this essential cleaning appliance to become our fountain of knowledge for all things floorcare.
How to choose the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair
Knowing how to choose a vacuum cleaner can be hard - especially when you share your home with pets. Many features can greatly impact how suitable a vacuum cleaner is for tackling pet hair, as they address more than just pet hair pick up, but also the issues of dealing with neutralising pet odours and offering comfort to pet owners who may be sensitive to specific allergens. So, these are the things to look out for:
- The type of vacuum: Stick, upright, and the best handheld and robot vacuums all have their perks and downsides. Stick vacuums are incredibly convenient, easy to manoeuvre and can be used in handheld mode, but they can often lack power and have smaller dustbins. Upright (especially corded upright) models tend to be more powerful and have larger dust bins, but they are heavier and more difficult to manoeuvre. Handhelds are perfect for smaller jobs, while robot vacuums are ideal for hands-free cleaning.
- Suction power: How much suction power a vacuum cleaner has isn't the only determining factor of how well it'll vacuum pet hair, but the general rule of thumb is that the higher the AW (Air Watts) number, the more powerful it'll be. So, if you struggle with stubborn pet hair or have numerous pets in your home, you might want to opt for a pet hair vacuum with a higher AW number.
- Filter type: Even if you don't struggle with a pet allergy, it's hugely important to opt for a pet hair vacuum with a high-quality filter. Opt for a HEPA filter that can filter out up to 99.97% of airborne particles like dust and dander that are 0.3 microns in size. Many cheaper models will boast a 'HEPA-like' filter, but these won't cut the mustard.
- Cleaning heads: While some vacuums come with one universal cleaning head for both hard flooring and carpets, others have swappable heads. It's up to you which one you choose, but if you really struggle with dust and smaller hairs, I'd suggest opting for a pet hair vacuum that has a soft brush head, too.
- Accessories included: A good vacuum for pets will also come with extra attachments, ranging from one or two to sometimes up to five or six. Generally, a few should be ample, but it's always worth weighing up your own personal preference.
- Dust bin capacity: The bagged vs bagless vacuum debate is a big one when it comes to pet hair vacuums, as bagged dust bins are generally considered to be bigger and more hygienic for homes with pets. However, they also come with an added expense that needs to be considered. If you opt for a bagless model, be prepared to empty your pet hair vacuum more regularly, and choose one that has a tight seal to keep the hair, dust and dander where it belongs.
- Extra features: From odour-busting scent cartridges to auto-empty bases, big brands such as Shark and Dyson often have extra features to enhance your experience with your pet hair vacuum. So, keep an eye out for those.
FAQs
How much should I spend on a pet vacuum cleaner?
You should be able to find vacuums for pet hair starting from around £150, but bear in mind that you could pay more than four times as much for a top-end model, while a robot vacuum will cost even more.
In my opinion, £300-£500 is the sweet spot for a quality model that will get the job done - serving as both a regular vacuum and a vacuum cleaner for pet hair effectively. When you pay a little more, you'll also find that the pet hair vacuum is normally decked out with extra pet-friendly features and tools.
However, it's always worth keeping an eye out for pet vacuum cleaner deals, especially during peak trading periods such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. These sales events are normally teeming with vacuum cleaner deals, especially from brands such as Dyson and Shark.
What is the difference between a pet hair vacuum and a regular vacuum?
At their core, pet hair vacuums and regular vacuums are very similar - but there are some key differences that should push pet owners more in favour of a dedicated vacuum cleaner for pet hair.
In some cases, the main difference between a pet hair vacuum and a regular vacuum is that the pet-specific model comes with more tools and attachments to ensure pet owners are able to pick up every last speck of dirt and every strand of hair.
The majority of the time, however, pet hair vacuums are also equipped with pet-specific features, like a larger dust bin capacity, an enhanced HEPA vacuum filter to ensure dust and dander aren't expelled back into the air, and anti-tangle brush rolls so you don't have to spend all day, every day cleaning your vacuum.
A regular vacuum can still technically serve as a pet vacuum, but you may encounter problems in the long run - like clogged vacuum hoses, dirty filters and allergy symptoms, and lingering hair and debris in your home. So, if you're a pet owner, it's always best to opt for a pet hair vacuum.
What are the best vacuum attachments for pet hair?
Dedicated pet hair tool: The name of this tool will vary from brand to brand, but it's almost always included when you buy one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. Dyson calls it a Hair Screw Tool, and Shark calls it the Anti Hair Wrap Motorised Pet Tool. They're used to draw up embedded pet hair and for targeting more stubborn areas.
Crevice tool: This tool is particularly handy for removing pet hair and dander from smaller nooks and crannies in your home, such as the crevices of your sofa and pet beds.
Upsholtery tool: An upholstery is pretty self-explanatory, but it can be a game-changer if you (quite rightly) allow your pets to lie on sofas and beds. It can also be handy to use on car seats and on curtains if you find pet dander and dust to be a problem in your house.
Grooming kit: Many brands also have a grooming kit add-on you can buy, which is used directly on your pets to instantly suck up any stray hairs before they linger on your floors or upholstery. This is particularly handy if your animals shed a lot. Dyson's Pet Grooming Kit will set you back £55, while Henry's PetKit is a little more affordable at £39.99.
Now you're better equipped with knowledge of the key features to look for when investing in the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair, you can go out there with the confidence that you'll know how to purchase the right model to suit your needs and your household, acting as a solid investment that will last you years to come.
