All cat owners will know the struggles of trying to remove cat hair from the carpets and sofa. Regular vacuum cleaners are pretty much useless when it comes to removing pet hair. In this post we will cover the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair.
The vacuum cleaners covered in this post are all specially designed to remove pet hair because they feature good mechanisms, filters, and extra-strong suction. All of the vacuum cleaners are very different in size, shape, and weight. Your choice could depend upon what areas of the house your cat hangs out in the most.
We found the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair based upon a number of factors such as the features, suction power, filtration, and Amazon reviews.
Best Overall Vacuum Cleaner For Pet Hair
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaner

KEY FEATURES:
- Strongest suction of any vacuum
- Capture particles as small as allergens and bacteria
- Features and tools that dig out dirt, hair and allergens
- Self-Adjusting Cleaner Head
- Cleans up high and under furniture
- Six extra tools including the articulating hard floor tool, tangle-free turbine and a tool storage bag
- Whole-machine filtration
- 35 Ft. cord length
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the winner of our best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. It deals with all kinds of debris, especially pet hair very effectively. The impressive number of attachments also means you will only need a single vacuum to clean the entire house.
You also have the ability to get to those difficult spots such as underneath the beds and sofa with the low profile cleaner head. The 35 foot cable means you can maneuver around without the worry of yanking the plug out of the socket.
The gearbox produces powerful torque due to it's three planetary gears which rotate around a central drive. This means that the Dyson Ball Animal 2 produces extremely good results on all kinds of floor types. The Self-Adjusting Cleaner Head removes cat hair even from the deepest of carpet fibers.
There are reports that this vacuum is a little hard to use and requires a bit of muscle. This is simply due to the suction being so powerful. If you are a little on the weak side then this may not be for you.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 42 x 13 x 15 inches
- Suction Power: 270AW (air watts)
- Bin Volume: 0.55 gallons
- Filtration: Non-washable lifetime HEPA filter
- Weight: 17.3 pounds
- Cord Length: 35 feet
- Warranty: Five years parts and labor
Runner Up Vacuum Cleaner For Pet Hair
Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

When it comes to removing pet hair the cyclone technology of the established Dyson provides exceptional suction with the Dyson V11 being one of the most powerful cordless vacuum cleaners on the market.
It features a super-efficient digital DC motor which means although the machine is very powerful, it has very low power consumption. It doesn't matter what type of flooring you have in your home, the motorized brush roll is specifically designed to remove even the most stubborn pet hair.
Even if you have thick carpet, the tough nylon bristles produce immense cleaning power by getting deep into the fibers of the carpet. If you have hard floors then the carbon fiber filaments will remove hair and dust from the surface.
The Dyson V11 comes with the following attachements:
- High torque cleaning head
- Combination tool
- Mini motorized cleaning head
- Stubborn dirt brush
- Crevice tool
This model is cordless so it is powered by a nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery which will last up to 60-minutes. You will receive a drop-in docking station where can can charge the battery which takes around 4.5 hours. Using the LED display you can select between ECO mode, Auto, or power boost.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 49.65 x 9.84 x 10.28 inches
- Suction Power: 185 AW (air watts)
- Bin Volume: 0.16
- Filtration: Advanced whole-machine filtration
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Cord Length: -
- Warranty: 2 year warranty
Budget Vacuum Cleaner For Pet Hair
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum, Corded

Although this should never replace a large vacuum cleaner, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum is an excellent, compact device that is perfect for cleaning cat beds, stands, furniture, and small messes. You can also pick this up for an unbelievable price which is great if you are on a tight budget.
The device is great at removing pet hair from upholstery and stairs with two different nozzles and rubber comb-like bristles. The Bissell is specifically designed at removing pet hair and there are reports in the reviews that it is not too great for sucking up regular dirt. So keep this in mind.
One of the best things about the Bissell is that it only weighs around 4 pounds which makes it extremely lightweight with a comfortable grip. If you struggle with heavy vacuum cleaners then this will be the perfect choice for you.
To ensure maximum performance and suction, you will have to empty the container after each use due to it being on the small side. It also features a filter screen, a pleated post motor filter, and a 16-foot power cord.
Specifications:
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Premium Vacuum Cleaner For Pet Hair
Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister
The Miele Complete C3 is on our list as the best premium vacuum vacuum cleaner. It comes with a very hefty price tag, so if you are on a budget then you may want to skip past this one.
Although very expensive, the reliability is second to none. If you purchase the Miele, you will not have to buy another vacuum for at least 10 to 15 years. The vacuum's motor has six stages motor and the speed can be controlled via a foot pedal. The long cord self-winds which means it stays out of the way when you are cleaning.
The actual wand is adjustable which means you can set it to the length that you desire. The Miele Complete C3 comes with three tools:
- A dusting brush
- Crevice nozzle
- Upholstery tool
You will need replacement vacuum bags which come at a cost of several dollars each. As great as pets are, the downside is the odors that come with them. The charcoal layer of the air filters also help to eliminate odors as the air passes through, as well as featuring an air cleaned sealed system inside of the vacuum.
If you can afford the price tag then this is one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair available on the market.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 16 inches
- Suction Power: -
- Bin Volume: 4.50 litre
- Filtration: Active AirClean charcoal filter
- Weight: 39 pounds
- Cord Length: 27.8 feet
- Warranty:
Other Vacuum Cleaners For Pet Hair
Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with DuoClean
We couldn't have a list of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair without featuring the Shark APEX AZ1002. It's a fantastic machine that removes pet hair exceptionally well from both hard floors and carpets. The Zero-M system does a great job at removing pet hair from the brush roll while you clean.
Another great feature of this machine is the complete seal, anti-allergen air filtration system. Pet odors are always a big problem but you will never have to worry about odors or allergens in the air ever again with the Shark APEX.
An added bonus of this vacuum is the noise reduction which means it's not going to frighten your kitty. The removable canister transforms the machine into a handheld vacuum which means you can easily clean areas that would usually be difficult to reach. A feature that we love is LED lights on the front of the vacuum.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 11.2 x 12.2 x 46 inches
- Suction Power: 101" water lift
- Bin Volume: 0.88 dry-qts
- Filtration: Washable
- Weight: 17.1 pounds
- Cord Length: 30 feet
- Warranty: 5 year limited warranty
iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum
KEY FEATURES:
- Automatic Dirt Disposal that allows the i7+ to empty itself
- AllergenLock Bags capture and trap 99% of pollen and mold
- Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System & 10X the Power-Lifting Suction
- With vSLAM navigation, the i7+ learns the layout of your home & builds personal Smart Maps
- Unique Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes
If you a little more cash to spend then Roomba i7+ is an excellent robot vacuum. It's particularly useful if you have multiple cats or a large house. One of the best features of this machine is the fact that it can empty itself for up to 60 days. 99% of mold and pollen is captured with the AllergenLock bags.
The reason it does an exceptional job at cleaning is due to the premium 3-stage cleaning system with 10x power-lifting suction. The Roomba i7+ has advanced features such as building smart maps which enables the machine to learn the layout of your home. It also automatically charges itself if the battery starts to run low.
You can make requests such as cleaning under the table using either voice assistant or the app. This works with Google Home and Alexa devices. You can check out the video below to see more information on the Roomba i7+.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches
- Suction Power: -
- Bin Volume: 0.1 gallons
- Filtration: Replaceable
- Weight: 7.44 pounds
- Cord Length: -
- Warranty: -
APOSEN Robot Vacuum, Wi-Fi Connected
The APOSEN Robot Vacuum uses 1800Pa of suction to clean up dust, dirt, and hair. S with the Roomba i7+, this also features an automatic recharge function. It's always a great option when the device automatically goes back to charge itself. You have full control of the robot using Wi-Fi and an app via your mobile.
It also comes with a vocal function which commands the device to start cleaning. With the APOSEN being less than 3" high, you can easily get to those hard to get places such as under the bed or sofa. The cleaning time of the device is extremely long at 110 minutes.
The advanced filtration system also helps to remove odors keeping your home nice and fresh. You also never have to worry about the robot bumping into your furniture because the APOSEN Robot features anti-collision technology.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 2.85"(h)
- Suction Power: 1800PA
- Bin Volume: 0.6l
- Filtration: Triple-filter system
- Weight: 6.38 pounds
- Cord Length: -
- Warranty: 2-Year Warranty
How to find the best vacuum for pet hair
When looking for the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair, there are a number of things and features to consider before buying:
Canister or upright vacuum?
What is the difference between the types?
- Canister vacuums: Wheeled body that can be pulled behind the user that offer a lot of flexibility. The downside is having less control over the canister.
- Upright vacuum: Suction head and canister in one device.
Bag vs bagless
- Bag vacuum: Stores the dirt but they will need to be replaced due to them having a limited lifespan. This means that although these vacuums are a little cheaper, they will also have an on-going cost.
- Bagless vacuum: These do come at a higher cost, but they are a lot nicer to empty and you won't have the on-going cost of replacement bags.
HEPA air quality
This stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air and is responsible for filtering particles such as dander and pet fur. This is an important feature if there are people living in the house who suffer from allergies.
Power and performance
The main figures to look out for are AW (air watts) and CFM (cubic feet per minute). CFM is the measurement for how much air the vacuum takes in during a minute of use. AW is the power that pulls dirt through the nozzle. If a vacuum has a HEPA filter, this means the vacuum requires extra suction, so a higher AW and CFM is required.
When looking for a vacuum it's good idea to have at least 100 AW of suction and at least 220 AW for the canister.
What areas will you be vacuuming
The type of vacuum you choose will depend on what areas of the house your cat likes to relax in and also how bad they shed. If they generally just stick to the sofa then a smaller more portable vacuum may be a better option. If they they like to explore the whole house then it's better to get an all-round performer.
Accessories
It's always good to have a selection of accessories which enable you to vacuum different area of your home with ease. Some models include a variety of accessories and others either come with just a few or as optional extras.
- Turbo eraser: Ads extra suction power which is very useful if you have thick carpets full of cat hair.
- Telescoping extension wand: Allows you easy access to those hard to reach spots.
- Lighted crevice tool: These are LED lights on the front of the vacuum which enable you to see cat hair in darker areas of your home.
- Disinfection tool: Great at removing odors.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed our list of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. This is a list the we will continue to update over time as we find new vacuum cleaners that are worthy of making our list. If you would like to be notified of any updates, you can subscribe to our newsletter.















Thanks for sharing such a good blog!
Best regards,
Dinesen Valenzuela