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However, what you gain in consistent power you lose in portability with a corded vacuum, says Neumann. When buying a vacuum for general household needs, it’s important to consider features like size and weight, floor settings and more. But when shopping with pets in mind, experts also recommend focusing on the following areas to ensure appliances are equipped to handle lots of hair, additional dust and other messes cats and dogs may create. When you see a vacuum’s brush head described as being “anti-tangle,” it usually means it has built-in features that help prevent hair from getting stuck around the roller, which can create knots. These features include angled bristles or brush heads that automatically clean themselves while you’re vacuuming. Prouty says that anti-tangle brush heads are especially helpful if your pet has long hair, like a golden retriever.
HEPA filters
Overall, whether a vacuum is corded or cordless is only one factor that influences its suction power. For example, a corded vacuum with a brush head that’s prone to getting clogged with hair tangles will be less efficient than a cordless model with an anti-tangle brush head. With that being said, a corded vacuum provides a more consistent clean compared to a cordless model, which eventually runs out of battery power and needs to be recharged, says Neumann. For this reason, Mehmetoglu recommends corded vacuums if you have a lot of carpeted areas in your home. Vacuums must work harder when cleaning carpeted areas, which can drain a cordless vacuum’s battery quickly and lead to a shorter run time.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
This cordless handheld vacuum gives you up to 17 minutes of run time on a single charge. Brands often market specific vacuums as designed to clean up pet hair, but you don’t have to limit yourself to those models if you prioritize the following expert-recommended factors while shopping. Some are designed with general filters that may only be able to capture large particles, which is why Mehmetoglu says vacuums with HEPA filters are superior to those without — they do the best job of reducing the presence of tiny allergens in the air. Another filter you might want to look for when shopping for vacuums is a pre-filter, which can trap larger pieces of pet hair, while the HEPA filter deals with the smaller particles, says Neumann. Zeynep Mehmetoglu, the marketing and brand management director at Maid Bright, a professional house cleaning service, recommends Dyson vacuums for pet hair and general household needs.
Best lightweight stick vacuum for pet hair: Dyson V11 Vacuum
You can also monitor the vacuum’s settings via its LED screen, plus turn it into a handheld vacuum to address small messes. You typically hear about HEPA filters in air purifiers, but vacuums also rely on them to clean your home’s air. The filters trap particles so they’re not released back into the air, thus reducing the presence of them in your home, says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company that offers house cleaning and maid services nationwide. I’ve used a few different models and have always been impressed by how quickly and efficiently they get hair off surfaces like carpets, pet beds, wood floors, and car seats.
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The vacuum’s handle has a button to switch between designated cleaning modes for carpet and hard floors, and its brush head cleans itself so you don’t have to worry about hair getting tangled. The appliance also converts into a handheld vacuum with a long wand so you can reach above doors, under furniture and stairs. Kenmore’s canister vacuum has a two-motor system to provide extra powerful suction, according to the brand. Its swivel head helps you maneuver around furniture and its built-in telescoping wand extends up to 10 feet to help you clean small or elevated spaces.
How we picked the best vacuums for pet hair
We talked to experts about how to shop for vacuums when getting rid of pet hair is your main concern. They shared tips for narrowing down your options, which we used to recommend a handful of upright, cordless and handheld vacuums that work on all floor types from brands like Dyson, Bissell and Tineco. Some of our picks come recommended by NBC Select staffers who are pet owners themselves, who have tested, tried and reviewed these pet hair vacuums.
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If your vacuum doesn’t have an anti-tangle brush head, you’ll likely have to clean it frequently to keep it functioning properly, says Mehmetoglu. However, HEPA filters are a must for those who experience allergy symptoms when exposed to pet dander, dust and other microscopic allergens on cat and dog hair, says Carl Prouty, product specialist at Abt, an appliance and electronics store. Mili Godio, NBC Select updates editor, uses this vacuum at home to clean up dog hair, dog food and dirt her furry friend brings inside after a walk. It gives you up to 60 minutes of run time on a single charge and the Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head automatically clears wrapped hair from the brush bar as you clean.
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”They’re one the more expensive side, but cleaning them is easy and the fact that you don’t have to replace vacuum bags is also an advantage,” she says. Pet hairs find their way into every nook and cranny of your home, and different areas require different cleaning attachments. However, any attachment can do a good job of picking up pet hair, as long as the vacuum’s motor is powerful enough, says Prouty. Rodriguez’s favorite feature of this vacuum is that it empties itself when docked in the included charging base, which is built with a compartment that holds up to 30 days of debris. Rodriguez says watching dust, dirt, pet hair and more get sucked from the dustbin into the base is so satisfying and makes the cleaning process more convenient.
Best upright vacuum for pet hair to buy on sale: Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum
Consistently cleaning your vacuum is important to maintaining its performance over time, and that’s even more so when dealing with pet hair, says Mock. Doing so helps prevent clogs and ensures that the vacuum is working at its maximum capacity. She recommends cleaning the vacuum’s filter and brush rolls after every use and emptying the dustbin or bag as soon as it gets full—not doing so weakens suction power. Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial projects manager, shares her home with two cats, and ever since Shark sent her this vacuum, she says her floors have never been cleaner.
The vacuum has a 28-foot cord and the motorized brush head lifts grime off surfaces while preventing hair from tangling around it. You can turn the automated brush head off while cleaning hard floors and store the included attachments inside the vacuum. Neumann recommends purchasing a vacuum with an automated brush roll, which spins while vacuuming to pick up pet hair on carpets quickly. On the other hand, no-spin brushes only rotate as you manually push your vacuum along the floor. Neumann says that automated brush rolls help you clean fabric more efficiently, but they can be too harsh for hardwood or tile floors. In these cases, it’s best to swap out the rotating brush roll for a no-spin option if your vacuum comes with one, or turn off the rotation feature if your vacuum allows.
“This is the absolute, number one workhorse of my apartment,” says Nikki Brown, NBC Select SEO editor, who has two cats. The vacuum helps her clean up hair and litter, and it has a similar design to the Dyson Outsize Plus with its anti-tangle brush head, LCD screen and 60-minute run time. You can also convert this appliance into a handheld vacuum, plus use the many attachments for specific jobs. ”My favorite attachments are the hair screw tool and crevice tool -- without these, I couldn’t reach those teeny tiny corners that my fur babies track mess into,” says Brown. She recommends cleaning and air-drying the vacuum’s pieces at least once a month, especially if you use it often.
“I’ve had my vacuum for years and I think upkeep is part of the reason it continues to perform so well,” says Brown. The vacuum also comes with a built-in cleaning wand that has a 10-foot reach, allowing you to remove hair, dirt and dust from hard-to-reach or elevated spaces like the tops of door frames and under furniture. Beyond cleaning your floors, this Dyson model has a dog grooming tool to remove loose hairs, dead skin and other allergens directly from long-haired pets. The vacuum has a 35-foot cord and its construction allows you to swivel around furniture easily.
