7 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair, According to a Husky Owner

Sure, snuggling with a dog or a cat is great and all but do you ever feel like you're drowning in pet hair? No judgment — I totally get it. I live with a German shepherd and a husky, so you can only imagine how much pet hair floats around my living space. Having a solid vacuum cleaner, a lint roller, and a de-shedding tool is an absolute must for keeping the seemingly endless shedding under control.

You may believe that any vacuum will work just fine at sucking up pet hair, but you’d be mistaken. The best vacuums for pet hair are specifically designed to loosen and remove hair from floors and your furniture, thanks to their brushes that prevent tangling and decrease hair accumulation. They also come with a variety of useful attachments to help keep pet hair to a minimum in places your pets hang around.

Best Vacuums for Pet Hair

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What to Consider

If you’ve begun the process of shopping for a vacuum, you’re probably overwhelmed with choices that all come at a ton of different price points. Here are some key features you should pay attention to before making a purchase.

➥ Bagged vs. Bagless

Bagged vacuums are known to be more hygienic than their bagless counterparts. They're also a better option for allergy sufferers because the bags prevent dust and allergens from escaping back into the air.

If you have a long-haired pet, one with a double coat or one that sheds a lot, you’d probably be better off with a bagless vacuum. This type includes a bin that you can empty — that way won’t have to consistently spend money on replacement bags.

➥ Attachment Set

Although crevice tools are useful for cleaning between your furniture cushions and hard-to-reach areas, the best vacuums for pet hair include a mini-motorized brush roll. This attachment is designed to agitate upholstery, mattresses, and stairs to effectively remove pet hair and dirt. It’ll also come in handy for cleaning your car.

➥ Battery Life

You might still be relying on a corded vacuum cleaner for ridding your carpets, rugs, and furniture of pet hair. The convenience of cordless models is worth the tradeoff of not having an unlimited run time. Plus, you don’t have to wrap up any super long, easy-to-tangle cords when you’re finished cleaning.

Most cordless models will recharge in just over an hour. I recommend opting for a model with a run time of at least 15 minutes. Most stick vacuums will last between 30 minutes and an hour, but smaller handheld vacuums might have a lesser run time — especially if you use them on their highest suction setting.

➥ Size, Weight, and Type

I recommend stick vacuums for most pet owners because of their unrivaled versatility. They essentially double as a handheld vacuum and can be used to spot clean furniture or floors (both hard floors and carpet). Canister vacuums are a better option if you have thick carpets and plan to frequently clean stairs, upholstery, and under furniture. Upright cleaners are also good at cleaning carpets, but they don't work as well at cleaning stairs or furniture unless they include a hose attachment.

You can also compare and learn more about the different types of vacuums in Best Products’ full guide to the best vacuum cleaners.

I've been reviewing vacuums for pet hair for five years and have tested over two dozen different vacuums to find the best of the best for every budget. I’m confident that the below picks have strong suction, excellent filtration, and include useful attachments that will suck up pet hair from your home.

→ Still researching other vacuums? Check out our guides to stick vacuums, handheld vacuums, and robot vacuums.