Featured in this article
Best Cordless Vacuum for Pet HairDyson Gen5DetectRead more$800
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Best Cheap Cordless Vacuum for Pet HairBissell PowerClean FurFinderRead more$260 $200 (23% off)
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Best Handheld Vacuum for Pet HairShark UltraCyclone ProRead more$90.jpg)
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Best Cheap Handheld Vacuum for Pet HairBissell Pet Hair EraserRead more$90
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The best vacuum for pet hair is one that actually sucks up the fur—which is a more difficult ask than you may imagine. Pet fur is particularly tough to clean up. If it’s short and coarse, like my cat Basil’s, it gets easily embedded in fabrics and carpet; if it’s long and fluffy like my cat Clover’s, it flies away to accumulate in hard-to-reach corners. But whatever your situation, there’s a vac for that!
A few of my pet-owning colleagues and I have tested over a dozen vacuums—from traditional corded models to cordless, handheld, robotic, and even 2-in-1 vac/mop combos—to find out which is actually the best vacuum for pet hair. My consistent favorite cordless option for pet hair has been the Dyson Gen5 Detect ($800), because of its illuminating light that lets you see hairs normally naked to the human eye. I'm not usually the biggest fan of corded vacuums, because of their limitations, but I was also seriously impressed with the amount of deep dirt, dander, and embedded fur the cheap Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off Vacuum ($200) got out of my high-pile carpet.
We recommend our favorites here, but we’re continually testing more, so check back often. And be sure to check out our related guides, like the Best Handheld Vacuums, Best Cordless Vacuums, Best Robot Vacuums, and How to Live With a Pet If You're Allergic.
Updated July 2025: I've added the Eufy Omni C28, 3i P10 Ultra, Riccar R65 Cordless Stick Vacuum, and Smoture VAC01 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. I've also updated links and prices throughout.
Jump to SectionAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronBest Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Best Buy
Dyson
Gen5Detect
$800Amazon
$1,050Best Buy
I am completely obsessed with this cordless vacuum. Dyson’s Gen5Detect packs all the punch you’d get from a corded vac while also being lightweight and convenient. It also doubles as a handheld vac with a crevice tool and smaller hair screw tool when you want to do a quick or tight job like stairs or corners. Dyson claims it has the most powerful HEPA filtration of any cordless vac on the market. It even has a digital screen that shows just how much gross stuff you’re vacuuming up, tracking particle size—microscopic, like allergens; fine, like skin flakes; medium, like dust mites; and coarse, like sugar.
There’s a Digital Motorbar cleaner head for carpets—with 56 detangling vanes, hair never gets stuck in the bar—and pet hair gets sucked straight into the back for a mess-free clean. There’s also a Fluffy Optic cleaner head for hard floors. It has a super-soft rotating material and an angled green blade of light to illuminate invisible pet hair and dust invisible to the human eye. With 70 minutes of run time and excellent attachments that work for pet hair (and dust and dander) on a myriad of surfaces, this versatile vac is one of my favorite products I’ve ever tested.
Capacity:0.2 gallonsAttachments:Hair screw tool, combination crevice tool, dusting tool, Fluffy Optic cleaner head, Digital Motorbar cleaner head.Power:262 air wattsRun time:70 minutesFilter:Whole-machine HEPA filtrationWarranty:2 years, parts and laborWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Dyson's top-of-the-line stick vac with a faster motor and brighter laser to spot dust and debris
- Fantastic for pet hair
- Has a HEPA filter that Dyson says traps 99.99 percent of particles down to 0.1 microns
- Has a power button instead of a trigger
- Louder than the V15 Detect
Best Cheap Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Courtesy of Bissell
Bissell
PowerClean FurFinder
$260 $200 (23% off)Amazon
$260 $200 (23% off)Bissell
It has three power levels and a big headlight on the front to make it easy to spot fur and cat litter, and it performs well on hardwood, carpet, rugs, and tile. And it turned my cat tree from hairball hell into nearly brand-new. All you need to do is push a button to switch between suction modes; a light indicates the level. It's easy to pop the dust cup off and empty it, plus the canister sits on the outside of the bar, which makes it less likely to lean while cleaning.
WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell's favorite part of the vac was the FurFinder Tool, which looks like a mini vacuum head. It's 6 inches wide, about half the size of a regular cordless vacuum head, but it's a fantastic size to vacuum upholstery and platforms on a cat tree. There's also a crevice tool with a brush extension included, and she was impressed with the suction power to easily pull up all types of fur and dust.
Capacity:0.5 literAttachments:Mini vacuum head; crevice tool with brush extensionPower:200 wattsRun time:Up to 40 minutes (usually around 20 minutes)Filter:HEPA filter, HEPA Sealed Allergen SystemWarranty:5 years, limitedWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Great front headlight for visibility
- The mini vacuum head is fantastic for pet hair and detail cleaning
- Stands up by itself!
- Smaller dustbin and lower battery life compared to other (more expensive) stick vacuums
Best Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Courtesy of Shark
Shark
UltraCyclone Pro
$90Amazon
$100Best Buy
$109Walmart
$100Shark
This lightweight (just under 3 pounds) handheld vac from Shark is specifically designed to tackle pet hair: It has powerful suction with two cyclonic airstreams, and a motorized self-cleaning power brush sucks the hair back so it doesn't get wrapped around the brush (my biggest complaint with vacuuming pet hair). It also has an extra-large capacity for pet hair, dander, and dust, and it has a button to easily (and cleanly) dispense the hair and debris from the XL dust cup. It also has surface and crevice attachments to tackle pet hair on a myriad of surfaces, and has a washable filter for easy cleanup that also helps with longevity. WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell liked using this vacuum for various messes around the house, including her toddler’s spilled Cheerios and debris from a home renovation, but she wasn’t the biggest fan of its somewhat short battery life.
Capacity:0.45 quartsAttachments:Pet brush, scrubbing brush, and crevice toolPower:80 wattsRun time:About 15 minutesFilter:Fabric filterWarranty:2 years, limitedWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Powerful suction with two cyclonic airstreams, and a motorized self-cleaning power brush
- Short run time
Best Cheap Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
- Courtesy of Bissell
Bissell
Pet Hair Eraser
$90Amazon
$90Wayfair
$90Best Buy
$90Bissell
This lightweight, 3-pound hand vacuum is specially designed to target pet hair with three attachments: a powerful motorized brush lifts pet hair from a myriad of surfaces, including fur embedded in fabric and carpet; a super-skinny crevice tool sucks debris from in between cushions; and a flat, wide attachment works well for surface upholstery vacuuming. After prolonged testing, I realized that hair gets tangled in this bar more easily, and the brush isn’t the easiest to clean. I mostly use the crevice tool now, which has become my go-to for sucking up pet hair in tight, hard-to-reach places like the corners of my pets’ cat tree and between my bed and the wall.
Capacity:0.7 litersAttachments:motorized brush, crevice tool, upholstery toolPower:14.4-volt lithium-ion batteryRun time:Up to 17 minutesFilter:3-stage filter: prefilter, H13 HEPA filter, motor filterWarranty:1 year, limitedWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Effective attachments
- Hair gets tangled in the bar
Best Robovac/Mop for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Adrienne So
Roborock
Saros 10R
$1,600 $900 (44% off)Amazon
$1,600 $900 (44% off)Roborock
This high-end robot vacuum/mop combo uses AI to identify up to 108 obstacles, plus it has a 20,000-Pa suction, a fast-charging and intelligent recharging dock, and extended clean time. This vacuum has a high-efficiency washable filter that captures 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, and allergens down to 0.3 microns in size. There's hot-water washing for the mop, a flexible arm, and a main brush that splits in two to make it easier to clean. You can use voice commands via Alexa, Apple Siri Shortcuts, and Google Home, and the robovac can navigate smartly around your home on its own with multi-floor mapping, using its StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 with lidar, ToF sensors, RBG cameras, and AI.
Former WIRED reviewer Adrienne So loved the vacuum's AI mapping capabilities to avoid sucking up her daughter's toys or her elderly dog’s accidents. It also has pet-friendly smart navigation, pausing its main brush and moving aside to avoid frightening your pet, and you can identify the locations of pet supplies like dog beds or food bowls to make sure the robovac deep-cleans those areas. Although this is a pricey upgrade, I’d argue that the ability to never have to manually vacuum or mop again is priceless.
Capacity:270 milliliters on robot, 2 liters on dockAttachments:NonePower:6,400-mAh lithium-ion batteryRun time:3 hoursFilter:E11 high-efficiency washable filterWarranty:1 yearWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 with lidar, ToF sensors, RBG cameras, and AI
- Can use voice commands
- Pricey for a robovac
Best Cheap Robovac/Mop for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Video: Nena Farrell
Eufy
Omni C28
$800 $500 (38% off)Amazon
$800 $500 (38% off)Eufy
This model from my colleague Nena Farrell has replaced my previous 3i P10 Ultra pick (below, in “Others Tested”) for the best cheap robovac after I had trouble finding replacement bags for the model. It also started missing large areas of my small apartment, especially in corners where pet hair accumulates. However, I advise every pet owner to invest in a combo robovac/mop, since one of the best ways to fight pet allergies is with consistent mopping to reduce dander and microscopic dust.
Robovac-mop models, especially those with multi-mapping capabilities, often hover in the four figures. This robovac/mop model is super affordable for its expansive capabilities. It has 15,000-Pa suction power, a self-cleaning roller mop that keeps things more hygienic than mop pads, and retractable detangling brushes to clean hard-to-reach corners. It also has multifloor mapping, which is a valuable feature that many cheaper robovacs don't have. Its battery life needs charging after each floor, but it does charge fairly quickly, hiking back up to 57 percent battery after just 20 minutes in its docking station. It uses a laser distance sensor and laser line to navigate and map multiple floors, and it has the ability to mop and vacuum the whole home—this model is the best you can buy at this price point.
Capacity:3-liter dust bagAttachments:N/APower:15,000 PaRun time:Two hoursFilter:Washable filterWarranty:1 yearWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- The ability to mop and vacuum
- Quick charge
- Multi-floor mapping,
- Short battery life
- Doesn't completely clean corners
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Adrienne-So.jpg)
Best Corded Vacuum for Pet Hair
Courtesy of DysonSave to wishlistSave to wishlistDyson
Ball Animal 3 Extra
$549Amazon
$550Dyson
I will preface this by saying now that technology has expanded and cordless vacs are just as powerful as upright vacuums and easier to use, I rarely go back to corded options. However, this Dyson is literally engineered to pick up pet hair with a large bin capacity, a Motorbar cleaner head with detangling hair-removal vanes, and three different power modes: one for deep- and medium-pile carpets, one for low-pile carpets and large debris, and one for hardwood floors and ground-in dirt.
With the Extra, there’s also a tangle-free turbine tool (for removing pet hair and dirt from upholstery) and a grooming tool for pets with medium or long hair that removes loose hairs, allergens, and dead skin from your animal—plus the included combination tool and stair tool. When we tested, the canister never clogged up with wads of fur, the motor-bar cleaner head remained free of tangled hair, and the vacuum worked well on both hardwood floors and carpet. Our only complaint is that it's heavy and loud—my exact gripe with corded vacs.
Capacity:0.45 gallonsAttachments:Tangle-free turbine tool, Grooming tool, Combination tool, and Stair toolPower:290 air wattsRun time:Unlimited; plugs into wallFilter:Whole-machine filtrationWarranty:2 years, parts and laborWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Great for carpets
- Comes with attachments designed for pet hair in carpet and upholstery
- Stands by itself, and doesn't need to be charged in advance
- Is a corded model
- Heavy and loud
Best Cheap Corded Vacuum for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
- Courtesy of Amazon
Bissell
Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off Vacuum
$200Amazon
$200Bissell
This isn't the corded vacuum of yesteryear. With an easily detachable pod and hose with a crevice tool and a super-powerful motorized, rotating upholstery tool, this vacuum is ready for all types of pet messes. In fact, it's designed to combat pet hair, fur, dust, and microscopic dander with multiple modes. It has settings to adjust for high and low pile carpet, and you switch between hardwood, where the motor bar doesn't rotate, and carpet modes, where it does. It was super easy to assemble, the dust bin was incredibly easy to pop off and empty, and the washable filter twisted out for easier cleaning. The mini rotating upholstery tool (and crevice tools) attach to a long hose, and the pod can be unattached for easier cleaning on things like furniture or cat trees.
I live in a small apartment with three humans and two furry cats, and I vacuum every day with various vacs I test. So I was shocked at how well this sucked up deeply embedded fur in my high-pile carpet and the huge amounts of microscopic dirt and dust that no other model had been able to suck up so efficiently.
Capacity:1 literAttachments:dust/crevice brush; Turboeraser upholstery toolPower:120 voltsRun time:Unlimited; plugs into wallFilter:HEPA filter; HEPA sealed allergen systemWarranty:5 years, limitedWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Easy assembly and emptying
- Sucked up deeply embedded fur and dust from high-pile carpet
- Super powerful mini rotating upholstery tool
- Corded
A Self-Emptying Stick Vacuum
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
- Courtesy of Amazon
Levoit
Aero Cordless Vacuum
$500 $300 (40% off)Amazon
$500 $350 (30% off)Walmart
$500 $300 (40% off)Levoit
I love cordless vacuums for so many reasons, including portability and how easy they are to use. But, the downfalls of cordless vacs are frustrating and sometimes yucky emptying, and awkward charging ports. This self-emptying stick vac from Levoit fixes all of that. With a convenient upright auto-cleaning and -charging station and a bin that self-empties, all you have to do is press a button to change power levels or self-empty when in the station. There, the vacuum opens from the bottom, and the yucky fur, dirt, and dander are sucked into the bag without you ever needing to touch it. It's perfect for pet parents who don't want to deal with emptying the pet messes that the vacuum powerfully sucks up.
The five-stage HEPA filtration system claims to capture 99.97 percent of particles (as small as 0.3 microns), making it ideal for pet parents who want to lessen pet allergens around the home. It also doubles as a hand vacuum for easier, lightweight cleaning and comes with a slew of handy attachments for sucking fur or hair in hard-to-reach places, including crevice and combination tools, a mini motorized brush, and an extension hose for longer reach. It works excellently on both high- and low-pile carpets, pulling up microscopic dust and dirt that passes with other vacuums didn't get. Although beware, it isn't nearly as effective on hardwood floors.
Capacity:3.5 LitersAttachments:Crevice and combination tools, mini motorized brush, extension hose, attachment clipPower:180 air wattsRun time:Up to 70 minutes on lowFilter:5-stage HEPA filtration systemWarranty:2 yearsWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Self empties
- Works excellently on carpet
- Doesn't work as well on hard floors
Best Vacuum With Multi-Purpose Attachments for Pet Hair
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
Riccar
R65 Cordless Stick Vacuum
$500Riccar
This cordless vacuum is the tool I'd recommend for a pet owner with a limited budget who wants an upholstery cleaner, handheld vacuum, and vacuum for both hardwood and carpet all in one. Although the battery life isn't the longest (at only 40 minutes run time with two hours of charge time), and the dust canister is very small—you'd really only need this one versatile vacuum for all types of pet messes.
The vacuum comes with tons of attachments that are valuable for cleaning up pet dander and fur on hard and soft surfaces, as well as furniture like couches and cat trees. It has a dusting brush and upholstery tool, a crevice tool that extends to almost 17 inches (ideal for in between cushions or in hard-to-reach places where fur accumulates), another dust brush for cushions or fabric, and a rotating dusting brush that also helps to sweep up lightweight fur. If those weren't enough additional attachments, Riccar also sent me a pet and upholstery power tool ($56) attachment specifically designed to suck up pet fur and dander that gets embedded in fabric and carpet, and a bare floor nozzle ($95) specifically designed for hardwood or tile floors.
In addition to the short run time and small dust bin, I also didn't love that it needs to be on a stand to charge. In my small New York apartment, every square inch of space counts, and I much prefer models with an attachable battery that can be simply plugged in and tucked away. Still, I appreciated the illuminating lights and various attachments that can suck up pet hair and dander on literally every surface and corner of your home.
Capacity:0.6 LitersAttachments:2-in-1 dusting brush and upholstery tool. 12-inch crevice tool that extends to 16 3/4 inches, soft-surface dusting brush, rotating dusting brushPower:2,500-mAH batteryRun time:Up to 40 minutesFilter:Riccar SupraCyclonic Filtration: three stages with two HEPA filters (H13 HEPA Post Filter, H10 HEPA Pre-Filter)Warranty:2 years; battery 1 yearWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED- Lights for increased visibility
- Tons of attachments for versatility, upholstery, and easier pet clean up
- Small dust bin
- Stand charging only available (takes up a lot of space)
- Short run time
Compare Our Picks
WIREDTIREDCapacityAttachmentsPowerRun timeFilterWarrantyDyson Gen5 DetectDyson's top-of-the-line stick vac with a faster motor and brighter laser to spot dust and debris; powerful HEPA filterLouder than the V15 Detect0.2 gallonsHair screw tool, combination crevice tool, dusting tool, Fluffy Optic cleaner head, Digital Motorbar cleaner head.262 air watts70 minutesWhole-machine HEPA filtration2 years, parts and laborBissell PowerClean Fur FinderFront headlight for visibility; mini vacuum head FurFinder ToolSmaller dustbin and lower battery life0.5 litersMini vacuum head; crevice tool with brush extension200 wattsUp to 40 minutes (usually around 20 minutes)HEPA filter, HEPA Sealed Allergen System5 years, limitedShark UltraCyclone Pet Pro PlusPowerful suction with two cyclonic air streams, and a motorized self-cleaning power brushShort run time0.45 quartsPet brush, scrubbing brush, and crevice tool80 wattsAbout 15 minutesFabric filter2 years, limitedBissell Pet Hair EraserEffective attachmentsHair gets tangled in the bar0.7 litersMotorized brush, crevice tool, upholstery tool14.4-volt lithium-ion batteryUp to 17 minutes3-stage filter: prefilter, H13 HEPA filter, motor filter1 year, limitedRoborock Saros 10RStarSight Autonomous System 2.0 with lidar, ToF sensors, RBG cameras, and AIPricey for a robovac270 milliliters on robot, 2 liters on dockN/A6400-mAh lithium-ion battery3 hoursE11 high-efficiency washable filter1 yearEufy Omni C28The ability to mop and vacuum; quick charge; multi-floor mappingShort battery life; doesn't completely clean corners3-liter dust bagN/A15,000 PaTwo hoursWashable filter1 yearDyson Ball Animal 3 ExtraComes with attachments designed for pet hair in carpet and upholstery; stands up by itselfIs a corded model; heavy and loud0.45 gallonTangle-free turbine tool, Grooming tool, Combination tool, and Stair tool290 air wattsCordedWhole-machine filtration2 years, parts and laborBissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off VacuumEasy assembly and emptying; sucked up deeply embedded fur and dust from high-pile carpet; super powerful mini rotating upholstery toolCorded1 literDust/crevice brush; Turboeraser upholstery tool120 voltsCordedHEPA filter; HEPA Sealed Allergen System5 years, limitedLevoit AeroSelf-empties; works excellently on carpetDoesn't work as well on hard floors3.5 litersCrevice and combination tools, mini motorized brush, extension hose, attachment clip180 AW (air watts)Up to 70 minutes on low5-stage HEPA filtration system2 yearsRiccar R65 Cordless Stick VacuumLights for increased visibility, tons of attachmentsSmall dust bin; stand charging; short run time0.6 liters2-in-1 dusting brush and upholstery tool; 12-inch crevice tool that extends to 16 3/4 inches; soft-surface dusting brush; rotating dusting brush2,500 mAHUp to 40 minutesRiccar SupraCyclonic Filtration: three stages with two HEPA filters (H13 HEPA Post Filter, H10 HEPA Pre-Filter)2 years; battery 1 yearOthers Tested
Photograph: Molly HigginsSmoture VAC01 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner for $150: This vacuum surprised me with how powerfully it was able to pick up fur and dust from hardwood floors, carpet, and furniture. Its dust cup was easy to open and empty, and it comes with a bunch of attachments to easily convert to a handheld vacuum and upholstery cleaner. It has 55,000 Pa of max suction power, with a 650-watt brushless motor to suck up embedded fur and hair in my high-pile carpet. It has an LED touchscreen where you can switch between eco, standard, boost, and auto modes, where it runs for up to 70 minutes in eco mode and 15 minutes in max mode. In auto mode, the vacuum intelligently adjusts suction power depending on the surface to conserve battery. It has a wall-mounted dock, or you can just plug in the detachable battery if you live in a small home like me. It comes with a 3-plus-foot flexible hose for crevices, a motorized upholstery brush, and a dual dust brush and crevice tool. It also stands upright on its own (which is a convenient plus), its dust canister is easy to empty, and the various attachments are easy to change—a gripe I've had as my Dyson ages and the attachments get harder to change out. For this price point, it's a super solid vacuum, especially with its attachments for reaching pet hair on lots of different surfaces.
Photograph: Molly HigginsSimplicity Vacuums Flash Mini Handheld Vacuum for $45: This handheld vacuum gets power through an electrical cord, which I'm not usually the biggest fan of since it limits mobility around the house. But it's still one of the most powerful and efficient handheld vacuums I've ever tested. It has a 2-foot-long flexible hose to suck up pet fur and dander in hard-to-reach places, and comes with a myriad of attachments like a crevice tool (with an optional brush tip), upholstery brush, and dusting brush. I loved the attachments, which helped to brush fur up, and the hose helped me suck up hair that had settled in hard-to-reach spots. It was also able to suck up embedded fur in multiple high- and low-pile carpets around the house that others I've tested weren't able to. It has dual filters, a washable dust cup filter for larger debris, and a foam exhaust filter for finer particles like dust and dander, which can lead to pet allergy symptoms. The only downside is that the vacuum is quite loud and a little clunky.
Photograph: Molly HigginsRyobi 18V One+ HP Advanced Stick Vacuum Kit for $399: It has powerful suction with cyclonic filtration, a brushless motor, an easily removable roller bar, and lights on the vacuum head to better see the debris. The dual plush (for hard floors) and brush rolls (for carpet) move together to suck the pet hair up into the dust cup without getting tangled. There's also an easily removable roller bar, which makes dealing with fur tangles easier. Plus, the dust cup is also super convenient to empty. It can also be used as a handheld vac, which comes with crevice tools and a dust brush. This model is a bit heavier with its battery positioned right behind the handle, but the vacuum stands upright unsupported.
Photograph: Molly HigginsTineco Go Pet Cordless Vacuum for $176: As when I tested the Tineco Go Mini ($180) for my handheld vacuums guide, I was a bit underwhelmed by this vacuum specifically for pets. It has a slot for easy brush removal if hair gets stuck around the bars, which is a helpful thing to have when you’re dealing with pet (and human) hair. The lever and the angle of the lid for emptying are counterintuitive, and the first few times I emptied it, the debris went everywhere. It’s hard to distinguish between eco and power modes, and the vac blinked red and the brush stopped rotating when transitioning between surfaces. (It especially had a hard time on my thin runner rug.) It felt a bit heavier and clunkier than others as well. But it does have handy lights to illuminate debris and comes with attachments to make handheld cleaning a breeze.
Photograph: Molly HigginsMova P50 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum for $799: This robot vacuum-mop combo has extendable side brush and mop pads to reach tight corners, a self-emptying dock station that empties dust and debris, and self-cleans and dries mop pads. It also uses an RGB camera and “intelligent dirt detection system” whose sensors identify messes to clean deeper and avoid objects on the ground. The robovac generates 3D maps of your home and identifies things like furniture and even pets. Through the app, you can customize cleanings, and there’s also synced video and voice interaction to allow you to talk to your pets, schedule cleanings, and more, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Home. When first mapping my small apartment, the vac didn’t want to go past certain rooms, and it took several days to get it to create a complete cleaning map. It has a hard time going over small thresholds, eventually avoiding cleaning the rooms altogether, and has thrown itself off my stairs twice, causing the mop pads to pop off. Despite having intelligent object detection, it still often tried to suck up or roll over small objects on the ground, like shoes and pet toys. I love that this combo vac-mop self-cleans and empties, but for nearly $1,000, I wish the smart features were smarter and the mapping were more accurate.
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Brenda-Stolyar.jpg)
Photograph: Brenda StolyarDyson Car + Boat Handheld Vacuum for $247: Former WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar liked this handheld vacuum, designed specifically for sucking up dirt and debris from your car and boat, plus bedding, furniture, and other awkward spaces. (Read our full review here).
Photograph: Molly Higgins3i P10 Ultra for $400: This AI-enabled, self-emptying robovac with auto-extending mop pads spins at 220 rpm, and the vac has 18,000-Pa suction power. It uses lidar scans to 3D-map your home and AI to identify pets and maneuver around objects, increasing suction around things like pet food bowls and extra mopping for dirtier areas, like around litter boxes. It also has smart carpet detection, which boosts suction, and because it self-empties and cleans, the only thing you have to do is empty the dirty water and refill clean water in the tank. You can adjust the settings in the app, for things like customized cleaning schedules, routes, order, wetness, and suction power. Plus, it's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. One problem I've faced is that I can't share the app with anyone else in the home, so when they want to run it, they have to manually turn it on and off.
Hoover HL4 Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner for £130: While it is only available in the UK, Hoover’s HL4 successfully removed lots of cat hair from my home. I live with a trio of cats, two of them long-haired, so a powerful vacuum is essential. The HL4 is sadly corded (7.6 meters), but at around 240 air watts it was powerful enough to lift dust and hair that my lightweight cordless vac and robot vac had missed. The smart design easily converts into a portable vacuum, and it comes with a pet tool and crevice tool. The pet tool proved adept at lifting hair from the couch, stairs, and cat beds, though it didn’t quite have the grunt to remove every strand. There’s a handy vent to reduce suction for mats and blankets. The 1.2-liter bin is easy to remove and empty, though not without releasing a dust cloud, and the Anti-Twist floor head seems to collect considerably less tangled hair than other vacuums. —Simon Hill
Not Recommended
Photograph: Molly HigginsEufy RoboVac 11S Max for $150: Our esteemed competitors at places like the Strategist and Wirecutter loved this cheap robovac, so I bought one for myself before moving into my new apartment with two cats. And I have to say, I don't agree with them. Yes, this robovac is significantly cheaper than most others and has generally good ratings, but I have nothing nice to say about it besides that it is able to go under furniture and suck up pet hair I otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Its navigation system is random, it doesn't have an app (but it does come with a remote control to direct it to a specific spot or schedule cleanings), it’s loud, and it tends to be attracted to cords. It has extreme difficulty traversing even minor height differences, like the small panel of wood between the hallway and bathroom door. But most of all, it is needlessly hard to empty the bin, and nearly impossible to detangle all of the hair and fur from the bar or spinning brush beneath. There’s gross hair that will probably still be wrapped around the mechanism until the day I am put into the ground. This cursed thing will outlive us all, I fear.
How We Tested
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronI tested these pet hair vacuums for a week, if not more (I’ve been using both the Dyson cordless and handheld for months now), and I’ve used them on nearly every surface in my house—including the cat trees and behind my two cats’ litter box. When testing began, I lived in a large house with three cats and a dog (more hair in a larger area), and for the latter half of testing, I lived with two cats in a small apartment (slightly less hair in a smaller area with fewer places for hair to hide).
I also tested every attachment on problem areas like carpeted stairs, crevices of air vents, a high-pile rug, and hardwood floors. Not all pet hair vacuums are created alike, and they vary quite a bit in their effectiveness on different surfaces and with different attachments. I set these up, charged ’em, and vacuumed with them until they died, noting run time, power, effectiveness, and ease of emptying the bin and cleaning the filter.
What to Look For
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronIt seems like a lot of brands will slap the words “pet hair” onto a product and market it as such without really specifying why or how it’s effective for pet hair. Of course, I tested those to see if they put their metaphorical vac mouths where their money was. On the flip side, I also tested some that were well rated for overall efficacy but not marketed toward pets—like the Roborock Saros 10R, a pricey robovac that uses AI mapping and can identify pets nearby and quiet its motor.
Speaking of, vacuums and pets are inherently antithetical. Vacuums are a necessary evil to combat pet hair, but your pets will likely be scared of them. If my cat Basil had opposable thumbs, I know he’d be leaving hate comments on this article. Aside from the robovac picks (which for some reason my cats don’t mind), my cat Basil had a mild cardiac event each time I tested the other vacs on this list. So along with effectiveness and suction, I also took into consideration loudness, as well as how easy the product is to handle.
Generally though, when shopping for a pet hair vacuum, look for suction power, bin capacity, attachments, and type of bristle or Motorbar—figure out what’s going to be doing the actual picking up of dust, dander, and pet hair. I found that conical bars like the ones on certain Dyson models work well to not get tangled, and dual brushes like on the Ryobi work together to effectively pick up more. Also read reviews from real people with real, furry pets, but know that no two pets are alike. Take into consideration what kind of shedder you live with, and what type of space needs cleaning; a robovac may not be best for a house with multiple flights of carpeted stairs.
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Molly Higgins is WIRED's Commerce Production and Operations Coordinator. She tests mattresses, pet hair and handheld vacuums, pet tech like automatic feeders, fountains, litter boxes, pet cameras, and smart collars, and oversees our coupon program. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from UCLA and an MFA in creative ... Read MoreCommerce Production and Operations CoordinatorTopicsShoppinghouseholdvacuumsrobot vacuumsmart homebuying guidescleaningpetsThe Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled CatsWith these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.Molly HigginsThe 10 Best WIRED-Tested Pet CamerasWhether you’re near or far, keep an eye on your fur baby with our favorite pet cameras.Molly HigginsThe Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your PhoneTop up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.Simon HillThe Best MagSafe and Qi2 Power Banks for Your PhoneKeep your iPhone or Qi2 Android phone topped up with one of the best portable chargers.Simon HillThe Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for All Your DevicesKeep your phone, laptop, handheld gaming console, and other electronics running with these travel-friendly power banks.Simon Hill23 Gift Ideas for the Cook in Your LifeFrom the best air fryer to frying pans to knife sharpeners anyone can use, these ideas will keep the curious home chef in your life tinkering away.Matthew Korfhage28 Amazing STEM Toys Approved by WIRED KidsWe found lots of math-filled and science-rich toys for tiny nerds to assemble, bake, squish—or even tear apart and rebuild.Simon HillBreathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every HomeProtect your home against dust, pets, allergens, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.Molly HigginsStay Charged Around the World With the Best Travel AdaptersWhen going abroad, the right plugs are essential to keep your gadgets charged. These are my favorite travel adapters and chargers.Simon HillThe Best Portable Power Stations for Blackouts, Camping, or Van LifeWhether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.Simon HillThe Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any AdventureFrom strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.Chris HaslamThe Best Wi-Fi Routers to Reach Every Corner of Your HomeDon’t suffer the buffer. These WIRED-tested home routers will deliver reliable internet across your home, whatever your needs or budget.Simon Hill
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