What’s The Best Vacuum For Cleaning Up Pet Hair? We Compare The Top 5 For You

For many pet parents, getting rid of dog hair around the home can feel like a losing battle. But luckily for us, these pet specific vacuums are the bee’s knees for cleaning up dog fluff. Standard vacuums usually struggle to pick up hair. We can end up pushing bits of fluff around the floor or feeling frustrated after seeing no difference at all. But not with these little gems! With extraordinary suction power, swanky pet tools and motorised brushes, you’ll do away with that pesky dog fur once and for all.

On our search around the web we uncovered the five best vacuums for pet hair to help you keep your home fresh and fur-free.

What is the best vacuum for dog hair?

1. Miele C3 Cat and Dog Powerline

Manufacturer reviews rating: 4.7/5

Key takeaways:

Pet owners around the world have nothing but good words to say about the Miele Cat and Dog Powerline. With a 900W motor and a super-efficient AirClean filter, it not only gets rid of the most stubborn pet hairs, but it absorbs odours and filters 99.9% of dust from the air. Ideal for people with pet and dust allergies!

The Turbo Brush attachment allows you to easily remove hair and dirt from furniture, stairs and awkward crevices. It’s also reasonably light-weight and easy to move around your home. With a 7.5m power cord you’ll have plenty of length to vacuum your home without needing to switch plugs constantly.

We can only see one minor issue with this model. Because this vacuum is so powerful, cleaning rugs can be a little difficult as it tends to suck the rug up too. But to avoid this, you can adjust the power settings to suit different floor types. The Miele Cat and Dog Powerline receives high praise for being the best vacuum for pet hair and easily takes the number one spot on our list.

2. Shark Powered Lift-Away TruePet

Manufacturer reviews rating: 4.7/5

Key takeaways:

The Shark Powered Lift-Away is designed specifically for dog parents with fluffy pooches that shed. But besides having unbelievable suction that eliminates embedded pet hair, the Lift-Away function transforms this upright into a light-weight, portable vacuum at the press of a button. In a snap you’re let loose to clean those hard to reach areas like under furniture, on the stairs, curtains and even ceilings with three handy attachments and extended reach. The vacuum also comes with an 8m power cord allowing you to whip around your home with limited stops and starts.

The vacuum has Anti-Allergen Technology that captures and holds 99.9% of allergens to create a cleaner home air environment. While the dust container easily empties straight into the bin without having to touch or breathe in picked up dirt. Even in portable mode, the Shark Lift-Away has the same powerful suction when used upright. And with the pet power brush, you’ll get a consistent deep clean to remove pet hair from carpets, hard floors and furniture. If you often notice missed dirt and fur under furniture or in dark spots after vacuuming, the Shark’s got you covered with their built in LED headlights.

The Shark Powered Lift-Away TruePet is one of the most versatile vacuums for pet parents. As one of the best upright vacuum cleaners for pet hair, it deservedly hits our top five list.

3. Dyson Ball Animal 2

Manufacturer reviews rating: 4.3/5

Key takeaways:

There’s a reason pet parents say the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a dream come true. It excels in every category from its out-of-this-world suction capabilities to its filtration system. But above all else, it’s unstoppable at getting rid of pet hair from all kinds of surfaces.

This upright vacuum comes complete with a tangle-free turbine tool and an Epicyclic floor head to clean up stubborn and matted pet hair without fuss. The Animal 2 is an excellent performer in all situations, whether you’re cleaning carpet, hard floors, stairs, upholstery, ceilings and hard to reach areas. With four purpose-built attachments and an articulated handle, you can guarantee every inch of your home will be left spotless.
The vacuum’s filtration system has been certified as asthma and allergy friendly by Allergy Standards Limited – giving great peace of mind for allergy sufferers. And the downsides? Some reviewers mention this vacuum is rather hefty and can be awkward to manoeuvre on stairs. So if you have problems lifting heavy objects, you may want to search for a light-weight model.

But looking past the weight criticism, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 makes the grade as one of the best vacuums for pet hair.

4. Dyson V8 Animal

Manufacturer reviews rating: 4.7/5

Key takeaways:

The Dyson V8 Animal is a standout performer in the cordless vacuum category. Don’t be fooled by its light-weight frame, this vacuum is engineered for homes with pets and gives 40 minutes of powerful cleaning time. Like the uprights above, the V8 also has an advanced filtration system to capture allergens in the home while pushing out cleaner air.

The direct-drive cleaner head cleans carpets deeply to remove ground-in dirt and fur. And in just one click, you can transform the V8 into a handheld vacuum with a choice of four versatile tools. Attach the mini-motorised brush and you’ll get rid of embedded pet hair when you’re in tight spaces. And by pulling a simple lever you can empty the dirt straight into the bin without touching it. When you’re done, you can pop it back on the docking station where it’ll be charged and ready for your next vacuum day.

If you’re looking for a light-weight vacuum that removes dog hair and doesn’t tether you to the wall, you can’t go wrong with the Dyson V8 Animal. A fantastic allrounder and the suction power won’t disappoint.

5. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vac

Manufacturer reviews rating: 4.9/5

Key takeaways:

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vac is a strong handheld performer at a very reasonable price. For deep cleaning on the go, this handy vacuum comes with a motorised brush that makes short work of embedded pet hair and dirt. Whether you’re cleaning your pooch’s fluff from furniture, your stairs or your car, the Bissell’s powerful suction is the perfect tool for the job.

The 15-minute battery life offers plenty of time to complete those light, daily vacuuming chores. While the accessory kit with crevice and upholstery tool makes awkward spots painless and easy to clean. This nifty vacuum has a two-stage filtration system to make cleaning easier while prolonging the life of the filter. It can be used on various floor types and charges in less than 5 hours. If you need a reliable handheld that’ll rise to the challenge, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is one of the best handheld vacuums for pet hair.

What is the best upright vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

The Miele C3 is our top choice for the best vacuum for pet hair overall. You can’t beat its efficient filtration system, great manoeuvrability and incredible suction power. But if you have your heart set on an upright vacuum, we think the Dyson V8 Animal is the best machine for the job. Although some feel it’s a little on the heavy side, it matches the power of the Miele C3 in getting rid of pet hair. But the Shark Lift-Away comes in a close second and is a good alternative if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option.

Which vacuum will you choose? Let us know in the comments below, or head over to Facebook and Twitter at @DogBuddyCo

Image credits:
Miele Cat and Dog Powerline
Shark Powered Lift-Away
Dyson Ball Animal 2
Dyson V8 Animal
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vac