The 7 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum

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This Dyson vacuum has continued to impress us after multiple rounds of testing spanning over several months. From the conspicuous spots, like your dog's favorite couch cushion, to the perplexing places, like behind the refrigerator, the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is equipped to help you clean pet hair from every corner of your home. It's lightweight, incredibly efficient, and a breeze to use, thanks to its cordless stick design. Plus, with a canister that can hold 0.2 gallons of debris and a hearty battery that can last up to 60 minutes (not a typo!), you can zip through cleaning sessions without having to pause to empty or charge it.

This Dyson device also includes a crevice tool for getting around corners and into gaps, a combination tool to features a wide nozzle and brush, and a mini soft dusting brush for when you don't want to scrub quite so hard. A wall-mounted docking station also allows for streamlined storage and easy charging. While this model does not have a HEPA filter, it does have Dyson's whole-machine filtration that promises to capture 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. While many vacuums have features and accessories that sound fancy, this Dyson truly lives up to its promises. We found that the longer we used it and the more comfortable we got with this machine, the more we came to appreciate the design choices and the attachments.

A few other notable features include the tab mechanism found on the dust bin, so you can push dust and debris straight into the trash (instead of merely relying on gravity or worse, your hands), and the three levels of suction power. We also appreciate that you can convert it to a handheld vacuum, too (though, this feature isn't unique to this model or to Dyson). We were hard-pressed to come up with any suggestions for changes or improvements, and only found the sound to be a bit grating after some usage. If you're debating whether or not this machine is worth its price tag, rest assured that we think it's well worth the investment.

Price at time of publish: $450

_{Weight: 5.9 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery with 60-minute run time | Bin Volume: 0.2 gallons or 25 ounces | Included Accessories: Hir screw tool, combination tool, dirt brush, crevice tool, mini soft dusting brush}

Amazon Deal

Best Budget

Eureka PowerSpeed Cord Rewind Upright Vacuum

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We were quite taken by the performance of the Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum when we tested it in The Lab. We especially liked how easy it is to maneuver for an upright vacuum, and how well it did grabbing hair and kibble from carpeting. We had to accommodate a bit when it came to hair and kibble on hard flooring. Still, overall, this was a competitive machine that held its own next to some of the pricier models we tested.

It comes with four attachments to pinpoint your cleaning needs. A turbo brush tool to remove embedded pet hair and dirt, a dusting brush for—you guessed it—dusting, an upholstery tool for use on your favorite chair as well as your pet's bed, and a crevice tool to get in between couch cushions and car seats with ease. The 25-foot cord adds convenience because you won't have to change outlets to finish a room or hallway. You can also easily retract it with an automatic rewind button. The dust bin also has a single button mechanism that makes it easy to remove and empty with one hand.

On its own, this machine is a great value. Though, if you're used to robust, sleeker machines with more bells and whistles, you may find that it's not quite as smooth and powerful as certain higher-end brands. But, if you're looking to keep costs down, it's a solid choice that will work well for pet owners. Just be careful if your home has lots of high pile carpet because we did notice some pulling on that floor type in particular.

Price at time of publish: $100

_{Weight: 12.3 pounds | Power Source: 25-foot cord | Bin Volume: 2.1 liters or 71 ounces | Included Accessories: Pet turbo brush, dusting brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool}

Best Upright

Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra

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With ‘Animal,’ in its name, it should come as no surprise that the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is not only one of the best Dyson vacuums but a top vacuum for pet hair and anything else you put in its path. This beast of a vacuum delivers superior suction, whole-machine filtration, and a variety of settings to help you conquer pet hair on everything from bare floors to plush carpets. There's even a pet grooming tool to help you maintain your furry friend's coat. It’s a pricey vacuum, but it backs up its cost with performance and durability, making it one of our favorites for pet-related (and really, any) messes. This vacuum went through general testing in our Lab (sans pet hair), but it we still saw firsthand that it handles fur and fuzz just fine, thanks to its performance in a home setting.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is designed to maneuver smoothly with its swiveling ball mechanism, 35-foot power cord, and cleaner head that automatically clears hair as it goes. At 17.3 pounds, it’s not a particularly lightweight vacuum cleaner, but we think it's a hardy cleaning machine you can rely on. It was a bit overwhelming at first with its hefty size and multiple attachments. But in our months-long testing process, the more we used it, the more we were impressed—and we think you will feel the same way.

Price at time of publish: $500

_{Weight: 17.3 pounds | Power Sources: 35-foot cord | Bin Volume: 1.7 liters or 57.5 ounces | Cord Length: 35 feet | Included Accessories: Turbine tool, combination tool, stair tool, pet groom tool}

Best for Hardwood

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

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This Shark device worked like a charm over multiple surfaces, including hardwood floors, tiles, and rugs of varying textures. We named it as a best pick for hardwood because our longterm testing gave us the chance to see firsthand how reliable and consistent it is on this type of flooring. Not only does it excel at picking up both long and short hair, as well as kibble and other small bits of debris, but it's also a breeze to use, feeling much lighter than it's near-14 pound weight. It also features a self-empty mechanism that really sets it apart from other vacuums. The canister empties directly into the charging base, and then you manually empty it once that secondary container fills, which proved simple and easy.

Another feature that impressed us was the smart design of the brush roll. Unlike the many bristled styles on the market, this Shark vac features a rubber brush with fins and a built-in comb that loosens hair as you vacuum, cutting down on the need for cleaning and maintenance of a dirty brush roll. Now, the pros definitely outweigh any cons with this vacuum, but if you were to twist our arm, we could admit that multiple suction settings would be nice, as well as a light for the floor head. All in all, the features of the Shark Wandvac work together for a smooth and practically seamless vacuuming experience, for a mid-range price.

Price at time of publish: $330

_{Weight: 13.85 pounds | Power Source: Charging base | Bin Volume: 0.13 quarts or 4.2 ounces | Included Accessories: Crevice tool, pet multi-tool, charging base}

Best Canister

Kenmore Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister Vacuum

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A convenient handle and wheels make the Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister Vacuum easy to tote around while you clean up your space. This reasonably priced vacuum delivered an overall impressive performance in our lab testing, with extra conveniences and features that make it a standout choice. It's one of the few vacuums out of the hundreds we've tested to ever sail through our process and earn a perfect score across the board.

With four suction levels to choose from and a brush roller, this vacuum was able to pick up kibble from all of our test surfaces. As for pesky pet hair, the lowest suction level required two passes to fully capture strands from the carpet, and the highest level of suction, plus placement of the vacuum head directly over the pet hair, was needed on hard surfaces (tile and wood floors). We didn't dock any points, though, as an adjusted angle or an extra swipe here or there is reasonable in our eyes.

The power cord extends 26 feet and self-retracts back into the vacuum with the push of a button. There is an internal HEPA filter to remove pet dander and other dust particles from the air, and a disposable bag seals all of the contents the vacuum picks up. Along with it's larger size, the other potential downside we see is that bag replacements (Kenmore Type Q) are needed with repeated use to ensure the vacuum functions properly. In other words, if you prefer a lightweight or bagless vacuum, this wouldn't be for you. Still, for a tried and true pick that will perform well across multiple surfaces, it's a great option.

Price at time of publish: $320

_{Weight: 22.6 pounds | Power Source: 26-foot retractable cord | Bin Volume: Not listed, bagged | Included Accessories: Dusting brush, long crevice tool, and bare floor brush}

Best Handheld

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ Cordless Handheld Vacuum

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It doesn't get much easier than a sleek and streamlined handheld vacuum, like this pick from Shark. If you find yourself with a small mess, such as scattered kitty litter or stray hairs, collected on the couch, it'll do the trick—and then some. During testing, we were reaching for it more than our regular full-size vacuum. It proved to be easy, efficient, and, thanks to the motorized Pet Power Brush attachment, an absolute game-changer when it comes to clearing fur off of upholstery. In fact, one member of our team noted that she'd never found anything better at getting cat fur off of her couch.

As impressive as this vacuum is on its own, it may not make sense for some buyers because so many full-size vacuums offer handheld settings these days. While that's not necessarily this machine's fault per se, if you find yourself with limited storage space or on a tight budget, you could find a machine with more settings and features than what's offered by this one. But if you're confident that you want a handheld vacuum, we think it's one of the best out there.

Price at time of publish: $100

_{Weight: 2.8 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Bin Volume: 0.11 gallons or 14.1 ounces | Included Accessories: Charger, Crevice tool, Dusting Brush, Turbo Brush}