8 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair, Tested by Cleaning Pros and Dog Owners
These are our favorite devices for zapping fur from thick carpets, hardwood floors and sofas.
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A pet makes a house feel like home — but it also typically means dealing with fur on every surface, from floors to furniture. Whether your companion is a cat, dog or another fluffy friend, keeping pet hair under control is easier with the right vacuum.
Our Top Pick: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Lightweight Vacuum. We were impressed by its ability to pick up fur from small and large pets. Plus, our Lab pros consider it to be one of the best Bissell vacuums we've tested and appreciate its easy-to-clean design.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we’ve tested 44 vacuums in the past year alone, putting them through rigorous trials on carpets, hardwood, upholstery and more — with a special focus on how well they handle pet hair. Below, you'll find the top performers that make cleaning up after your pet a whole lot easier.
Best Deal
Pros
- Sealed to trap allergens
- Hands-free dust cup emptying
- Feature-packed design
Cons
- Some reviewers found it too heavy
Weight: 13.75 lbs | Corded or Cordless: Corded | Cord Length: 30 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.75 L | Filter: Washable foam and non-washable pleated | Included Accessories: LED crevice tool, pet turbo eraser tool and 2-in-1 pet dusting brush
WHY WE LOVE IT: Bissell’s Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus is a powerful, user-friendly upright vacuum that excels at picking up pet hair — whether from a small cat or a large dog. Its standout feature is the hands-free, internal hair spooling system that neatly collects pet hair into a clump inside the canister, so you don’t have to reach in and pull out tangled messes. The floor nozzle also includes a tangle-free brush roll that helps prevent hair from wrapping around the bristles and clogging the machine.
HOW IT PERFORMED: This model earned high marks in our Lab, performing especially well across all floor types thanks to its strong suction and practical features. Testers noted that its combination of attachments and tools made it especially effective for cleaning up after pets of all sizes. “This vacuum's combination of features and tools was ideal for picking up the hair of both small and large pets."
We also appreciated the thoughtful extras designed specifically with pet owners in mind — like the Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator filter, which helps control smells, and the LED-lit crevice tool that reveals hidden pet hair in dark corners. The sealed filtration system does a solid job trapping allergens inside the vacuum. And compared to other upright models, we found it relatively lightweight — though some Amazon reviewers mentioned it felt heavy when lifting or carrying it on stairs.
RELATED: The Best Bissell Vacuums
Hoover WindTunnel Tangle Guard Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Large dust bin
- Tangle-resistant brush roll
Cons
- No automatic cord rewind
Weight: 15 lbs | Corded or Cordless: Corded | Cord Length: 30 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Dust Cup Capacity: 1.5 L | Filter: HEPA | Included Accessories: Crevice tool, dusting brush, turbo tool
WHY WE LOVE IT: This Hoover model earned a spot in our Cleaning & Organizing Awards for its impressive suction power, tangle-resistant brush roll and budget-friendly price. As a bagless vacuum with an oversized 1.5-liter dust bin, it's especially well-suited for pet owners — since fur tends to fill up smaller canisters fast.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Hoover claims the Tangle Guard brush roll can handle hair up to 16 inches long without wrapping, and our tests confirmed that. "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 cleaning expert.
We also appreciated the built-in LED headlights, which made it easier to spot hidden debris in dark corners — a major plus when you're dealing with pet hair. The vacuum also comes with a crevice tool, dusting brush and turbo tool to tackle different surfaces and spaces. While it’s corded, the 30-foot reach gave us plenty of freedom to move around during testing. Just note: There's no automatic cord rewind, so storing it can be slightly more tedious.
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Kenmore Floorcare Upright Bagged Vacuum
Pros
- Air-powered hand tool with a rotating brush for easier pet hair pick-up
- Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation
- Large-capacity dust cup
Cons
- May be heavy for some
- Height has to be manually adjusted
Weight: 19 lbs | Corded or Cordless: Corded | Cord Length: 30 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bag or Bagless: Bag | Dust Cup Capacity: 1.5 L | Filter: HEPA | Included Accessories: Dusting brush, crevice tool and bare floor tool
WHY WE LOVE IT: This upright vacuum is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA). It features a HEPA filter and meets AAFA’s strict standards for low emissions — both while vacuuming and when replacing the bag — so pet hair and dander stay sealed inside, helping to minimize allergic reactions.
HOW IT PERFORMED: During Lab testing, our experts were impressed by the motor’s strong performance. We also found the vacuum's thoughtful features — including its extra-large dust cup, onboard hose storage and multiple attachments — to be major pluses. One standout is the air-powered hand tool with a rotating brush, which worked well to lift stubborn pet hair on upholstered furniture, bedding and stairs. On the downside, the vacuum’s height must be manually adjusted to work properly across different carpet types, and at 19 pounds, it’s a bit heavy to carry up and down stairs.
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Laser on the bare floor head makes dust easier to see
- Lightweight and easy to store
Cons
- Doesn't include a second battery
Weight: 5.2 lbs | Corded or Cordless: Cordless | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: Up to 50 minutes | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.35 L | Filter: HEPA | Included Accessories: Two floor nozzles, crevice tool, hair screw tool, combination tool, mini soft dusting brush and stubborn dirt brush
WHY WE LOVE IT: Dyson’s Detect vacuums are among the most advanced and thoughtfully designed models available. And the standout feature on this model is the bare-floor roller with a built-in laser that casts a green beam at an angle to reveal pet hair, dust and debris — even in areas that look clean under normal lighting.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Like every Dyson vacuum we’ve tested, this one delivers top-tier suction and filtration. It comes with several smart tools, including a cone-shaped attachment that winds pet hair directly into the dustbin to help avoid tangles. In our most recent Lab testing, it excelled at bare floor cleaning, edge pick-up and — most importantly for pet owners — removing embedded fur.
Testers were genuinely surprised by how much more debris they could see thanks to the laser versus just using their eyes. The vacuum’s digital display even tracks particle size and quantity, while also showing run time, suction level and helpful maintenance reminders. We also liked the push-button power feature for hands-free operation. And though it weighs just about 5 pounds, making it easy to move and store, the run time of the one included battery is a bit limited.
RELATED: The Best Dyson Vacuums
Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister
Pros
- Comes with a motorized attachment for pet hair
- Bagged so less dust escapes during emptying
- Hands-free bare floor attachment
Cons
- Heavier than other similar models
Weight: 24 lbs | Corded or Cordless: Corded | Cord Length: 26 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bag or Bagless: Bag | Dust Cup Capacity: N/A | Filter: HEPA | Included Accessories: Crevice tool, bare floor tool, upholstery brush and pet PowerMate
WHY WE LOVE IT: A winner in our Cleaning & Organizing Awards, this high-performing bagged vacuum is designed to lock in pet hair and dander after cleaning — a major win for allergy-conscious households. While it's excellent on carpets, it really shines on hardwood floors thanks to its strong suction and dedicated bare floor brush, which attaches effortlessly with a foot pedal for hands-free convenience.
HOW IT PERFORMED: In our Lab, this vacuum showed powerful suction on both carpets and hard floors, easily picking up dry oats in our standardized tests. One of our consumer testers even used it immediately after trying another vacuum and was surprised by how much more it picked up. “The suction was phenomenal,” our tester said. We also found it simple to steer and transition between floor types, thanks to the vacuum’s large rear wheels. That said, one tester noted the bare floor brush didn’t always release fully on its own and sometimes required a small nudge to deploy.
We were especially impressed with the Pet PowerMate attachment, which worked well on upholstered furniture and carpets, and all of the included tools can be conveniently stored on the vacuum itself. At just over 20 pounds, it's definitely on the heavier side, so carrying it up or down stairs takes some effort. However, its 10.5-foot telescoping wand, long hose and retractable cord mean you can clean stairs thoroughly without lifting the entire unit.
BLACK+DECKER Furbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum for Pets
Pros
- Powered pet head has rubber bristles to lift pet hair off furniture and stairs
- Affordable
- Impressive suction for a vacuum of this size
Cons
- Takes four hours for a full charge
Weight: 4.2 lbs | Corded or Cordless: Cordless | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: Up to 32 minutes | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.75 L | Filter: Washable filter and pre-filter | Included Accessories: Crevice tool and motorized pet brush
WHY WE LOVE IT: This cordless handheld vacuum from Black+Decker is a budget-friendly option that’s particularly handy for tackling pet hair in cars. It comes equipped with a motorized pet brush that uses rubber bristles to lift fur from upholstery, car seats and carpets, plus an extendable crevice tool that makes it easier to reach tight spots and corners.
HOW IT PERFORMED: While testing handheld vacuums, this model tied for first place and delivered standout results in our pet hair pickup evaluations. It also ranked as one of the quietest vacuums we tested. Like other top handhelds, it runs for quite a while — up to 32 minutes per charge — though it does require four hours to fully recharge and the battery is not removable.
We appreciated its washable filter and found the dust cup easy to empty with a single press of a button, making cleanup simple. One tester especially liked the strong suction and easy-to-read battery indicator. "While a small device will never be as powerful as a full-size model, this little vacuum's suction was impressive," they said.
RELATED: The Best Handheld Vacuums
Pros
- Included turbo brush floorhead for pet hair pickup on carpet
- Four suction power settings
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Pricey
Weight: 18 lbs | Corded or Cordless: Corded | Cord Length: 21 feet | Run Time: N/A | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Dust Cup Capacity: 1 L | Filter: HEPA | Included Accessories: Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, two floor nozzles and dusting brush
WHY WE LOVE IT: This Cleaning & Organizing Award winner features a turbo brush floorhead made specifically for lifting pet hair and debris from low- to medium-pile carpets. It offers strong suction power and a space-saving design that’s easy to store and maneuver.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Miele vacuums consistently impress in our Lab, and this model was no different. It effectively cleared dry oats from carpets, hardwood and tile during testing, leaving no trace behind. “It worked well on all surfaces, but really impressed with the power it had on the area rug,” said one tester.
We were also drawn to its compact size, which makes it easy to store and move between rooms. The 32-foot operating radius is ideal for covering larger spaces without frequent unplugging, and there's even a designated hose parking spot on the canister to keep things tidy when not in use.
The Boost CX1 also includes a universal floor head that picks up pet hair on hard floors with ease. Though it’s one of the pricier options in our lineup, it comes with four adjustable suction settings — gentle enough for delicate drapes and powerful enough for deep carpet cleaning — making it a versatile investment for whole-home cleaning.
RELATED: The Best Canister Vacuums
Pros
- Affordable
- Super slim design gets under low furniture
- Regular and deep-cleaning options available
Cons
- Dust bin fills up quickly
Weight: 5.7 lbs | Corded or Cordless: N/A | Cord Length: N/A | Run Time: Up to 100 minutes | Bag or Bagless: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 600 ml | Filter: Cartridge | Included Accessories: Charging adapter, dusting brush, charging base, remote control, 2 AAA batteries, cleaning tool, side brush
WHY WE LOVE IT: The RoboVac 11S Max delivers premium features at a budget-friendly price point, which earned it our pick for best value robot vacuum.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Measuring less than 3 inches tall, this slim robot vacuum easily glides under beds, sofas and other low furniture where pet hair and dust tend to accumulate. It offers strong suction that’s well-suited for picking up fur, and includes an auto-boost mode that ramps up power for deeper cleaning on carpets. Its large wheels help it move across different floor types and navigate door thresholds, while built-in sensors prevent collisions and drops.
Like other robot vacuums, the dustbin can fill up quickly — especially in homes with heavy shedders — which means you may need to empty it more frequently. Still, for the price, we think it’s a standout option with very little effort required.
RELATED: The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair
How we test vacuums for pet hair
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 & 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 to look for when shopping for a vacuum for pet hair
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 the dust cup is sizable and easy to empty, or that the bag can be easily disposed of.
✔️ Filter type: Filters not only keep the dust from recirculating back into the air but can 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. 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 and 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.
What is the difference between a pet hair vacuum and a regular vacuum?
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.
Is a vacuum with a HEPA filter worth it?
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.
How to keep pet hair under control
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,” said 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.”
While pets tend to shed all year round due to the regulated temperatures indoors, he says 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 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.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
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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