The 11 Best Pet Hair Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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The Samsung Jet 75 Cordless Vacuum was our favorite

<p>People / Rachel Marek</p>

People / Rachel Marek

We love our pets, and we’d do anything for them, but constantly cleaning up pet hair and spilled kibble is a pain. A quality pet hair vacuum can go a long way toward keeping your home (at least somewhat) clean.

“A pet hair vacuum will do the job of a regular vacuum just fine, but it's not necessarily true the other way around,” owner of Superb Maids Elena Ledoux tells PEOPLE. We tested 37 different pet hair vacuums in real-life scenarios, noting exactly how much hair they picked up off of all types of flooring and upholstery. We also ranked the vacuums on maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value.

After testing these vacuums in the lab and at home for at least six months, here are the best pet hair vacuums that PEOPLE tested.

Best Overall: Samsung Jet 75 Cordless Stick Vacuum

$399 at Amazon.com

$400 at Target.com

Pros

  • It has three modes to preserve battery life, and it’s easy to switch between them.

  • This vacuum works on multiple floor surfaces.

  • It swiftly navigates corners and is easy to maneuver around dog toys.

  • It's quiet enough that you can have a conversation over it.

  • This vacuum has a five-layer HEPA filter.

Cons

  • The battery didn’t last super long when using the max mode.

  • It is one of the most expensive options on our list.

  • Hair would sometimes get caught in the brush roll.

When testing this pet hair vacuum, our team determined that the Samsung Jet 75 is the ultimate rival to pet hair. We found it easy to unpack and assemble and appreciated the three power modes — “min, mid, and max” (a.k.a. low, medium, high). The cordless stick vacuum worked effectively on hardwood floors, carpets, and even stairs, getting up most of the test debris (Cheerios, coffee grounds, and, of course, pet hair).

We noticed that some hair got caught in the brush roll, and there was no special tool to remove it, so our team had to cut it away after use. We also wish the battery lasted a little longer and could be charged when separated from the cordless vacuum, but the effectiveness of this model makes those inconveniences secondary.

This sleek vacuum takes corners like a NASCAR driver, catching dust bunnies and other hard-to-reach debris along the way. It’s quite lightweight at just five pounds and can maneuver around objects and low furniture with ease. It makes a decent amount of noise when set on high mode, but that’s standard for most vacuums. After testing, we had no trouble cleaning the tank which is washable (as is the HEPA filter). Overall, we think this is an ideal pet hair vacuum because it’s easy to use and gets hair up from all floor types.

Type: Cordless | Running Time: 27 minutes on low power mode | Weight: 5.5 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes



How It's Held Up

After six months of testing at home, our tester loved how easy it was to set up and how much pet hair and dust it picked up. They were especially impressed with the cordless design and how simple it was to maneuver. Our tester said they can clean their entire three-bedroom house in one cycle with the vacuum without needing a charge.

It even picked up fur off the couch; it’s super easy to switch between the three modes, and it tackles every surface with ease, including carpet, tile, and hardwood (though it lifted the most pet hair from the carpet). We thought all three attachments worked well and were helpful. Plus, it’s quiet enough to hold a conversation over, and the cleaning process is quick and painless.



Best Budget: Moosoo K23 Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum

$107 at Walmart.com

$160 at Imoosoo.com

Pros

  • It was easy to assemble, with pictures to guide you through the process.

  • It had a low noise level even when operating on higher modes.

  • This vacuum was lightweight and very easy to push around.

  • This vacuum is one of the lowest-priced vacuums on our list.

Cons

  • The tank holds less debris than larger models.

This cordless vacuum checked all of our boxes while coming in under budget. It proved easy to set up with helpful pictures to guide the user through assembly. The pet hair vacuum remained fairly quiet even when in higher modes — we think it sounds similar to a hair dryer rather than a standard vacuum. Its lightweight shape makes it easy to maneuver around and fit into tight corners and under low furniture.

We found this Moosoo vacuum to be equally effective on hardwood floors and carpets and were surprised when vacuuming stairs that we didn’t even have to use the attachments (the suction got all the debris). The vacuum grabbed all the pet hair without issue, and considering how small it is, we were really impressed. We did empty the vacuum once during testing since it has a small chamber, but this isn’t a huge inconvenience. Overall, we loved the weight and design of this model, its effectiveness and maneuverability, and the low price.

Type: Cordless | Running time: 16 minutes | Weight: 6.6 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: No

Best Handheld: Black+Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum for Pets

$73 at Amazon.com

$83 at Wayfair.com

Pros

  • It's lightweight and portable for cleaning around furniture and in the car.

  • This vacuum excelled at picking up hair from carpet and upholstery.

  • It was very quiet, staying below 66 decibels even on the highest setting.

Cons

  • The small canister may require more frequent emptying.

For couches, cars, or just a quick touch-up, this handheld vacuum easily earned our vote. It was especially effective at pet hair removal, and great for getting kibble off of hard floors (though slightly less so on carpet). With the vacuum ringing in under $100, we deemed it to be a good value considering its effectiveness. Plus, this pet hair vacuum is so quiet; it never got above 66 decibels, even on the highest setting.

Our team thought it was especially convenient for cleaning couches at waist level and also liked how quick and easy it was to put together. Not to mention that it weighs less than three pounds. Because it is a smaller handheld vacuum, the canister will need more frequent emptying than larger vacuums.

Type: Cordless | Running Time: Lasted at least 20 minutes for our tester | Weight: 2.6 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: No, but comes with crevice attachment | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: No



How It's Held Up

After six months, this vacuum continues to pick up pet hair with ease and the battery life has surprised us with its longevity. Our tester loves being able to run it over the couch to get a layer of debris off before guests arrive, and it’s so lightweight that she can use it in one hand while carrying a baby in the other. The vacuum has been run multiple times a week and has held up to extensive use.

The crevice tool, in particular, gets all the cat hair stuck in between couch cushions and in hard-to-reach places like the bathtub. Six months after purchase, the suction, battery life, and mobility continue to impress. The only hiccup is the canister needs a little help when emptied (not everything shakes out), but that’s not a dealbreaker.



Best for Hardwood: Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet Cordless Vacuum

$166 at Amazon.com

$210 at Wayfair.com

Pros

  • This vacuum has a lightweight feel and is easy to empty after use.

  • It was easy to assemble and had clear directions.

  • The noise level is low, unless on the high power mode.

  • It collected about a third of the debris in one minute and grabbed the rest right after.

Cons

  • It has trouble with corners, especially around baseboards.

  • It doesn’t come with any attachments.

If you need a lightweight vacuum that sucks up pet hair with ease, especially on hardwood floors, this Hoover vacuum is going to be your new best friend. It has clear directions that make for a simple setup. This cordless vacuum also comes with a charging station that recharges the battery in about four hours.

We appreciated that the noise level on the low setting wasn’t too loud — the high power mode proved slightly louder. In terms of effectiveness, the vacuum got about a third of the debris up in one minute, and the rest followed shortly. While this vacuum doesn’t thrive with corners and edges of baseboards, it still gets a large percentage of pet hair and dirt off the floor. It proved versatile on all floor types, easy to empty after use, and long-lasting with battery time.

Type: Cordless | Running Time: 43 minutes | Weight: 7 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: No | High-Powered Mode: Yes | HEPA Filter: Not listed



How It's Held Up

We’ve used this vacuum for over six months, and it’s still working as well as it did in our lab. It’s super quiet compared to our previous vacuums and simple to switch modes between cleaning the carpet and hardwood floors. The suction is effective on both surfaces.

Our tester wishes it had attachments, but it was more convenient for daily cleans than the tester’s other vacuum given the cordless design. We also love that it shuts off when the debris bin is full so you know when to empty it. Plus, the battery can be detached to charge so you don’t need a docking station and can still store the vacuum while the battery charges.



Best for Carpet: Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum

$216 at Amazon.com

$380 at Wayfair.com

Pros

  • The setup was easy and took us under two minutes.

  • It is easy to maneuver across hardwoods and soft-pile carpets.

  • It never got above 75 decibels, even when on the high mode.

  • The mode and power buttons are all on the vacuum handle for easy access.

Cons

  • It is less effective on high-pile carpets.

  • The attachment storage isn’t in a convenient place.

Sometimes it’s warranted to be skeptical of canister vacuums because the design can be tricky to use for some folks. That said, we were impressed with how intuitive this Shark one is, lauding it for how smoothly it moves with you as you vacuum. Setting this pet hair vacuum up took less than two minutes, and it also nabbed a perfect score for ease of cleaning.

It performed beautifully on hardwood and shorter pile carpet, but keep in mind that it may leave behind a bit of dog kibble residue, especially on longer pile carpet. But it grabbed every last bit of pet hair, and never got over 75 decibels, even on the highest setting — so you can have it going while the television is on, and it shouldn’t bother anyone.

Type: Corded | Length of Cord: 25 feet | Weight: 17.8 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: No



How It's Held Up

Six months into testing this vacuum at home, our tester still loves the adjustable settings to navigate between the floors and carpet. It makes it super convenient that the modes and power buttons are on the handle, and after vacuuming, it’s simple to empty and clean. We do wish the attachment storage was more convenient, but the rest of it remains upright so it’s easy to tuck away in a hall closet. Overall, this is a super effective vacuum that picks up pet hair with ease, keeps its charge, and is simple to maneuver.



Best Attachments: Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ Cordless Handheld Vacuum

$91 at Amazon.com

$100 at Target.com

Pros

  • This vacuum is lightweight to hold and carry around.

  • It is extremely easy to put together.

  • Pet hair doesn’t get caught in the brush roll.

  • It has versatile attachments that lift pet hair off furniture in one or two passes.

Cons

  • It didn’t completely remove the kibble on the carpet.

  • There’s only one suction setting.

  • It is somewhat cumbersome to empty after use.

This tiny but mighty handheld Shark vacuum performed extremely well when it came to removing hair. As far as kibble goes, it worked better on a hard floor; multiple passes were needed to get pieces out from between the carpet fibers.

While there is only one setting, we found the pet hair vacuum to be strong enough to get the job done, though lamented that it was a bit cumbersome to empty and required some manual dislodging of pet hair from deep in the chamber. Still, there was no hair wrapped around the brush roll, and the addition of several attachments makes it a versatile choice to use in many different settings.

Type: Cordless | Running Time: Lasted 25 minutes for our tester | Weight: 2.8 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: No | HEPA Filter: No



How It's Held Up

Six months into home testing, our tester is so appreciative of the upholstery attachment — it grabs pet hair better than most other vacuums. This handheld vacuum with its attachment is highly effective at picking up our tester’s cat’s hair, especially on materials like velvet. It deep cleans, is lightweight, and has a long-lasting battery. Our tester said the attachment is a game-changer, adding that “it deep cleans in a way my Dyson never managed.”




Best Canister: Kenmore Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister Vacuum

$350 at Amazon.com

$329 at Target.com

Pros

  • It removed almost all of the kibble and hair after just one pass.

  • It has a generous cord length and on-board attachment storage for easy access.

  • The main handle lays flat to go under furniture.

Cons

  • The setup can take longer (almost 10 minutes), though it is still easy to do.

  • The separate unit can feel cumbersome to carry around if you’re not used to this type of vacuum.

Of the 37 vacuums tested, this was the only one that pulled in perfect scores in every category, from effectiveness to noise level to portability. This canister vacuum performed especially well on carpet, grabbing all of the pet hair in a single or at most two passes, even when on the lowest suction setting. Plus, it was easy to empty and change the bags, and none of the hair got stuck in the brushes or around the wheels.

Although it is a corded, canister-style vacuum, we were still impressed with its lightweight feel and how easy it was to maneuver and tote around. We also have to call out the generous cord length that could easily cover an average-sized room without the need to change outlets. Multiple attachments — all of which are housed on board — were another added benefit. And while it’s definitely on the pricier side, we believe the price tag is completely warranted.

Type: Corded | Length of Cord: 26 feet | Weight: 25.4 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes



How It's Held Up

This Kenmore canister vacuum has consistently performed well over the six months our tester used it at home. The attachments are highly accessible (stored on the main part of the vacuum) and the main handle is so flexible you can practically lay it flat to go under furniture.

The separate canister unit can feel cumbersome to carry around if you’re not used to it, but we got the hang of it over time — and conversely, the main vacuum is quite lightweight. Our tester has beige carpets and a dog with black fur, so they can tell how much of a difference this vacuum makes when it’s time to lift pet hair off the floor.



Best Robot: iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum

$210 at Amazon.com

$180 at Walmart.com

Pros

  • It arrives fully assembled, so there’s no setup apart from connecting the app.

  • It is easy to maneuver and works on all floor types.

  • It is much quieter than a standard vacuum.

Cons

  • It didn’t pick up the kibble very well and does a more general cleaning rather than targeting a specific area.

  • Cleaning out the vacuum proved a little tricky, especially getting all the debris out of the rollers.

If you want the flexibility to vacuum when you’re not home, then a Roomba or other robot vacuum is the way to go. The iRobot vacuum comes fully assembled, so there’s very little setup, apart from getting the charging station running and syncing the vacuum with the app. This Roomba works well on all floor types, but especially hard surfaces. It does a general clean rather than targeting a specific area, so if you need to clean a particular spot it might not be as effective as an upright or stick vacuum.

Robot vacuums are quieter than regular vacuums and can be controlled in an app which helps when you want to schedule the cleaning session. When it came to emptying the vacuum, we found it a little challenging to get all the debris out, but there was a lot of pet hair in the rollers, so it definitely picked it up. The Roomba doesn’t come with any attachments, but considering the price of most robot vacuums, we think this is a great value for the cost. Generally, though, a standing vacuum will pick up more pet fur than a robot vacuum.

Type: Cordless | Running Time: 35-90 minutes | Weight: 6.8 pounds | LED Lights: Not listed | Detachable Brushes: No | High-Powered Mode: Not listed | HEPA Filter: Yes

Best for Cars: Black+Decker Flex Cordless Handheld Vacuum

$116 at Amazon.com

$132 at Walmart.com

Pros

  • The washable filter is easy to clean.

  • It is lightweight and can maneuver around car seats.

  • It has a long hose with steady suction that gets all the pet hair up.

Cons

  • It is slightly loud, but you can still hold a conversation over it.

Bringing your pet with you on road trips can be fun, but you’ll need something to clean all the fur off the back seat. This cordless vacuum is lightweight and can maneuver around the car seats and pockets with ease. During testing, the suction remained steady throughout the entire test, so you can get all the pet hair off your seats in several passes without needing to recharge.

This Black+Decker vacuum also has a long hose to reach various nooks and crannies and a large canister to hold debris. The canister has a door that’s easy to open when you’re ready to clean it out, and there’s a washable filter in there, too. While the vacuum was slightly loud, our team was still able to hold a conversation over it. If you're looking for a reliable car vacuum, we believe this is an ideal option so your pet can tag along for all future road trip adventures.

Type: Cordless | Running Time: 8 minutes | Weight: 3.2 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Mode: Yes | HEPA Filter: Not listed

Best Upright: Eureka NEU700 Innova Upright Vacuum

$65 at Amazon.com

$84 at Walmart.com

Pros

  • It is effective for pet hair removal from all floor types and materials.

  • It was easy to maneuver around furniture and corners despite its size.

  • The button for switching between hardwood and carpet is conveniently located on the handle.

Cons

  • This vacuum was a bit more challenging to clean, as we had to cut some of the hair out of the roller.

  • The pet hair can get stuck on the canister, and the filter must be removed to get rid of it.

This Innova upright vacuum pulled in perfect scores when it came to effectiveness and maneuverability. It picked up almost all kibble and hair when used on the quiet setting (which came in at 67 decibels, the average vacuum being at around 70), and got everything during the second pass, which was performed on the high mode setting.

It performed equally well on hardwood and carpet — our team liked that the buttons for switching between the two were conveniently located on the handle. The upright vacuum even sucked up all the pet hair on upholstery. And even though it is a corded model (a bit larger and heavier), it still was easy to handle and maneuver. If we have to pick a drawback, it would just be that some hair got stuck in the canister, making it challenging to clean. But that’s part of the cleaning process and for a vacuum this effective, we aren’t deterred.

Type: Corded | Length of Cord: 30 feet | Weight: 16.5 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes



How It's Held Up

After six months of testing at home, this vacuum continued to exceed our expectations. Our tester did notice their dog’s long hair gets stuck in the roller sometimes and had to cut it out, but it worked so well to suction up pet hair from hardwoods and carpets that our tester didn’t mind. The detachable suction hoses also work well on couches and furniture. It’s fairly lightweight, easy to maneuver around your furniture, and has strong suction that lifts even stubborn pet hair.



Related: The 9 Best Upright Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Lightweight: Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum

$300 at Amazon.com

$329 at Walmart.com

Pros

  • It picked up every piece of kibble and pet hair during our lab tests (when in high mode).

  • It maneuvered well around obstacles, including toys, clothes, and furniture.

  • We could push it around with one hand and hold a baby in the other.

  • The automatic mode is quiet enough to not wake a sleeping baby in the next room over.

Cons

  • It took about an hour to charge this vacuum, and the charge didn’t hold as long as we’d like.

During our lab tests, we were impressed with this Tineco cordless vacuum’s ability to pick up every piece of kibble and strand of pet hair. It maneuvered around the obstacles like cat-scratching posts and transferred between carpet and hard floors with ease. There’s also a mechanism that lets you clean the filter without touching all the fur, and most of it fell out on its own; we only had to pull some of it out. It was super lightweight and we could maneuver it with one hand. The attachments were also easy to assemble and use.

We also put this pet hair vacuum to the test in the real world, and it continued to exceed our expectations. While it has many moving parts, the function of each is easy to understand. Assembly was simple apart from some light features that were a bit tricky to sort out without some quality time with the manual. We like the paired app, which gives you more insights into the battery and other metrics of the vacuum. This lightweight vacuum picks up pet hair from all floor types well and has a brush for upholstered surfaces. The max mode works the best, but all modes were fairly effective. The benefit of the automatic mode is how quiet it is — it didn’t even wake a sleeping baby in the next room over. The various attachments, including the LED light brush, expedite the cleaning process and provide versatility to this device.

Type: Cordless | Running Time: 40 minutes | Weight: 6.35 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Mode: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes



How It's Held Up

Our tester found this vacuum extremely comfortable to hold and maneuver (even with a baby in one arm). One thing to keep in mind: It does take an hour or so for the cordless vacuum to charge, and it doesn't hold the charge for too long. That said, it runs great and picks up hair effectively from rugs, tile, hardwoods, and low-pile carpets.

Our tester loved how well it maneuvered around furniture, kids’ toys, and other obstacles in a small apartment. There’s a push button to empty the dust bin, which makes it easy to clean, and it comes with a light to catch any hard-to-see pet hair. Our tester also loves the HEPA filter, especially with kids in the home and concerns about air quality. As a bonus, the base holds all the attachments so they aren’t misplaced.



You’ll Also Need

While you’re vacuuming up pet hair around your home, you might also consider a pet hair remover designed for upholstery, the car, and other places where pet fur can get stuck. This tool received almost perfect scores in our tests thanks to its design, price, and versatility. This hair remover delivered exactly what it advertised, lifting the most embedded hair from pillows, armrests, and more. 

Things to Consider Before Buying a Vacuum for Pet Hair

Suction

You always want to look for powerful suction in a vacuum, but it's particularly important for a model designed to suck up pet hair. “Strong suction ensures the flying fur tumbleweed on your floors actually gets sucked in instead of blown around,” says Melissa Homer, cleaning expert and Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro. Besides picking up pet hair, strong suction is necessary to help remove pet dander from your space. Look for models with multiple suction levels, or better yet, a "max mode" that will send your vacuum into overdrive while it sucks up every last strand of fur and speck of dander. Our best overall pick, the Samsung Jet 75 Pet Cordless Vacuum, has a max mode that’s highly effective at grabbing debris.

HEPA Filtration

Make sure your vacuum of choice includes a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. This is an excellent filtration option for any household, but especially for those with pets or allergy sufferers. "HEPA filtration does a great job at filtering the air of small particles, including some allergens, which can reduce a patient's symptoms when they suffer from pollen and animal dander," says Dr. Jeanne Lomas, director of allergy services for WellNow Allergy. If you have animals in your home, you also have animal dander floating around. “Pet dander is the root cause of allergies, not the [pet] hair. It consists of microscopic flecks of skin that may be too small to detect when cleaning, but will be picked up and trapped in a vacuum that is equipped with a good filtration system," says Bill Lin, a test engineer with Etekcity. Several of our top picks—the Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum, the Innova by Eureka Upright Vacuum, and the Tineco Pure One S11 Tango Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum — include HEPA filtration.

Helpful Attachments

Attachments can be great for reaching small, narrow spots. And they’re particularly ideal for vacuuming upholstery, notes Ledoux, who suggests using small brush attachments for this purpose. They’ll also help agitate and lift up pet hair that may otherwise get stuck on couches, beds, or curtains, adds Michael Barnett, cleaning product manager at Black+Decker. Most vacuums come with a crevice tool and upholstery brush, but some pet-specific models take it even further, like the Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro Plus Handheld Vacuum. This vacuum comes with a "pet power brush" that is designed to grip pet hair and suck it up in one pass. American Maid Service’s Liz Trotter agrees, adding that pet hair vacuums have a “roller bar that has different bristles and a different kind of suction than that of regular vacuums.”

Power Source

You should also consider what type of power source (cordless or corded) you want when buying a vacuum. Corded vacuums can be used for an unlimited amount of time (as long as you have electricity), however, you are restricted by the length of the cord. In addition, they are often heavier to handle. Cordless vacuums, such as the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick, are often lighter and easier to maneuver. The downside is that you must rely on battery power or a charging station so their run time is significantly less.

How We Tested

We put 37 vacuums to the test in our PEOPLE Tested Lab and at home. These are the main factors we looked at:

  • Setup: We started by assembling each model and timing how long the setup took, as well as how clear the instructions were. We also noted how easy the vacuum was to empty and clean.

  • Suction: We used the vacuum to pick up dog kibble, both on a medium-pile rug and an LVT floor, noting how effectively it worked on each. Measured amounts of dog hair were sprinkled onto both flooring surfaces, as well as upholstery. After vacuuming, the sucked-up hair was again weighed to see exactly how much was picked up.

  • Maneuverability: We made note of how heavy the vacuum was, as well as how well it navigated obstacles, corners, baseboards, and under furniture. We tried out all the attachments to determine if they worked on getting pet hair off of furniture and car seats.

  • Noise Level: The noise output of each vacuum was measured using a decibel meter. We noted if we could hold a conversation while using the machine.

  • Reliability: We also continued testing these vacuums in our homes for the last six months and added further insights on how they held up over time.

<p>People / Henry Wortock</p>

People / Henry Wortock

Frequently Asked Questions

How are pet vacuums different from regular vacuum cleaners?

The main difference is the design. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a vacuum with a special, tangle-free beater bar, as stuck hair will ultimately impede the suction and the efficacy, notes Barnett. However, if the hair does get stuck, Homer suggests using either a safety letter opener or a seam ripper. “Both will allow you to slide under and slice away wound-up hair without damaging the beater bar brush,” she explains. Once the hair is shorter, it’s easy to pull out.

What vacuums are best for lifting pet hair?

When you’re vacuuming pet hair, repetition is key — so a vacuum that allows for that will be the most effective. For carpet, you should go over the area twice, once horizontally and once vertically: “This will get the embedded pet hair out from the carpet fibers,” notes Becky Rapinchuk, cleaning expert and owner of Clean Mama. That’s why standing vacuums are generally better for cleaning pet hair than robot vacuums because you can control how many times the vacuum goes over the pet hair. You can also buy vacuums with attachments to get in between tight spaces, as well as a small brush attachment to effectively vacuum upholstery, Rapinchuk notes.

How often should pet owners replace their vacuum?

Considering that pet owners likely vacuum more often than non-pet owners — as a general rule of thumb, most pet owners need a weekly vacuuming to keep up with hair and tracked-in dirt, says Homer — you might have to replace your vacuum sooner than you think. While the standard timeframe is eight years before necessary replacement, pet owners should consider replacing their vacuum after five or so years. So if you just started counting on your fingers how many years your vacuum has lived in that hall closet, it’s likely time to buy a new one.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago. Madison Yauger is a senior commerce writer for PEOPLE who has tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. For this story, they spoke to a wealth of cleaning experts. They also used insights from our PEOPLE lab tests and at-home tests to determine the best pet hair vacuums of 2024.



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