Are you tired of the constant battle with dog hair?
Most people who have owned a canine will be familiar with the never-ending quest to vacuum dog hair.
We love our pets but shedding season can leave cat and dog owners pulling their own hair out!
Some hypoallergenic breeds don’t shed much hair but most dogs will shed seasonally and in some extreme cases, they could shed throughout the year.
While regular grooming can help you to keep on top of the problem, realistically you’ll need a good pet vacuum to tackle those irritating fur balls that start to appear around your home.
As someone who owns two dogs that shed a lot, I’ve taken a look at the best pet vacuum cleaners currently available on the market.
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The Five Best Pet Vacuum Cleaners
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Allergy & Animal |
|
• Seven tools • Powerful • No Allergies | Buy Now | |
| Roomba S9+ |
|
• Dirt Disposal • Anti-Allergen • PerfectEdge Tech | Buy Now | |
| Shark DuoClean |
|
• DuoClean Technology • Lift-Away Mode • TruePet option | Buy Now | |
| Bissell 1650A Vacuum |
|
• Tangle-Free • SmartSeal • Quick Release Wand | Buy Now | |
| Miele Complete C3 |
|
• Parquet Twister • Active Air Filter • Lightweight | Buy Now |
1) Dyson Ball Allergy and Animal Cordless Vacuum
Where To Buy: www.Amazon.com
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Vacuum (Photo: Dyson)
Dyson Ball Allergy and Animal Vacuum – The Basics
Dyson Ball Allergy and Animal Vacuum is a device designed with pet owners in mind, which we really appreciate. Anyone with a dog will tell you how frustrating it is to find dog hair everywhere.
This Dyson device is described by the company as a “beast” when it comes to cleaning homes with dogs. It’s got a powerful suction to get those stubborn areas of dog hair and other dirt.
With an instant-release high reach wand, with one click you can tackle patches of dirt that may normally be out of your reach.
The Dyson Animal and Allergy Vacuum uses ball technology, so you can easily navigate around furniture (and pets) with a simple turn of the wrist.
The head is self adjusting whether you’re cleaning wood floors, the carpet or cleaning the tiles. It has a powerful motorized brush to do deep clean.
Their Radial Root Cyclone captures more microscopic dust than any other’s cyclone.
The big selling point for this vacuum is the allergy and animal features. The fully-sealed filtration system traps 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns – expelling cleaner air.
Ease Of Use
Dyson Ball Allergy and Animal Vacuum is easy to use. The instant-release high-reach wand gives you more versatility when it comes to cleaning every part of your home.
If you suffer with allergies, it defeats the purpose getting your hands dirty emptying the waste after cleaning your home. Dyson have a one-click dirt emptying system.
There are seven different tools that come with the vacuum: Carbon fiber soft dusting brush, Combination Tool, Stair Tool, Stiff Bristle Brush, Multi-angle Tool, Flat Out Hard Floor Tool and Tangle-Free Turbine Tool.
The variety of tools will give pet owners the ability to tackle different areas of the home with ease. Whether you’re cleaning the stairs or the furniture, you’ve got the necessary help to remove the stubborn dog hair.
The Dyson explain online that the vacuum has a washable lifetime filter, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it.
What Are Customers Saying?
Dyson Ball Allergy and Animal vacuum gets 4.5 stars out of 5 on their website based upon 679 reviews.
One Dyson customer was delighted with the Dyson vacuum:
Vacuum cleaners have one job and that is to remove dirt from your house. Hands down this is the champ. Golden Retriever hair… No problem. Kids not taking their shoes off and tracking in dirt… NO PROBLEM!! You name it. Dyson has your back. 5 year warranty! So glad I bought this! Dyson destroys the competition. Simple, easy and very effective. That how I want my household chores to be.
One customer revealed her satisfaction with the product has even prompted her mum to upgrade:
This thing really sucks! I have a dog that sheds like crazy. Very hard to keep up with all the dog hair sometimes. My Dyson takes care of my house, my car, and my dog. I absolutely recommend spending a little more for this model. My mom has even upgraded from her Dyson to this model.
Finally, another dog owner said the vacuum really sucks – in a good way:
Seriously though, the suction on this vacuum is out if this world! It picks up that fine line between the furniture and the floor, I used to break out the hose to suck that up before. Going from carpet to laminated floors is so smooth, and it doesn’t blow the dog hair around either. It’s like a freaking magnet! Vacuuming floor mats is a bit challenging, once it gets to a corner it swallows it right up. No need to wrestle with it though, just turn it off! I love it. I might actually enjoy vacuuming!
Price
The Dyson Ball Allergy and Animal Vacuum costs $549.95 (USD) on Amazon. Even though the device is being sold on Amazon, you’re buying from Dyson’s shop on Amazon.
Although it’s a premium price for a vacuum, there’s no doubt that it’s worth the investment if you live in a home with dogs or cats. The tools alone should be able to help with the neverending pet hair.
Any Negatives?
The Dyson Ball Allergy Animal vacuum is a great product but it isn’t cordless like some other models.
Given dogs can live to the age of 10 and beyond, you’ll want an effective and reliable vacuum to tackle the relentless bundles of dog hair left around your home.
Conclusion
Dyson Ball Allergy and Animal vacuum is perfect for dog owners with pups that shed a lot.
Whether they leave hair or dirt behind, this Dyson model has you covered.
The seven different attachments will also allow you to get into all the different areas of your home without any hassle.
The reviews for this product online are amazing in case you needed any more convincing.
2) iRobot Roomba s9+
Where To Buy: www.amazon.com
iRobot Roomba s9+ – The Basics
The iRobot Roomba s9+ robot vacuum write on their website that this vacuum will give you cleaner floors, throughout your entire home. The product is controlled by a push of a button – either on the vacuum or on the iRobot HOME App.
The Roomba s9+ explain online that it will empty on its own – you don’t have to think about vacuuming for weeks at a time. It has a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal which holds 30 bins of dirt, dust and hair.
Another big selling point is the Anti-Allergen Technology. Their website says 99% of pollen and mold allergens are trapped and locked in—from the robot to the Clean Base—without escaping back into the air.
It offers 40 times the suction of iRobot’s Roomba 600 series thanks to it’s superior three-stage cleaning system. It automatically increases suction to clean deep into carpets.
A feature that isn’t seen on the older models is the PerfectEdge Technology. It’s advanced sensors optimize cleaning deep in corners and along edges.
With Imprint Smart Mapping, iRobot explain that the Roomba S9+ learns, maps and adapts to your home, allowing you to control which rooms are cleaned and when. Advanced sensors constantly scan ahead at a rate of 25 times per second to detect and avoid obstacles in the cleaning path.
Ease Of Use
The iRobot HOME App lets you clean and schedule conveniently – anytime, anywhere.
Using it’s Clean Map technology, iRobot say that you can access a report of where your Roomba s9+ has cleaned.
You’ll also get an alert when your Roomba s9+ has finished cleaning.
The iRobot product can clean continuously for up to 120 minutes. It automatically returns to the the charging station to recharge at the end of a cleaning cycle or when the battery is running low.
You can schedule this smart vacuum to clean up to seven times per week, meaning your home can stay clean every day.
What Are Customers Saying?
The Roomba s9+ has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 on iRobot’s website. However, it’s got a slightly lower rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 on Amazon.
One Amazon customer was pleased with her Roomba s9+ but suggested regularly cleaning the vacuum to get a top performance.
We have a large dog. The dust bin and roller ends accumulate dust and hair quickly. Be ready to clean the dust bun often, and the rollers every few days, more often than the manual suggests.
Another iRobot customer gave the product five stars after an competent performance picking up dog hair.
This Roomba is two times quieter than my Shark vacuum. And it does as good of a job getting the dog hair up off the carpet with no effort on my part.
Finally, one iRobot customer recommended this product for pet owners.
Best feature is it is great for pet owners. Really gets all that dog hair. Wife is so happy. Loves it. Upset that we didn’t get one sooner. Highly recommended.
Price
iRobot Roomba s9+ (Photo: iRobot)
The Roomba s9+ is available for $899.99 (USD) on Amazon’s website.
iRobot provide all robots purchased from their online store come with a 30-day, money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Any Negatives?
The biggest negative is the price. The Roomba s9+ is one of the most expensive options in the pet vacuum market.
It removes the chore of having to vacuum your home on a daily or weekly basis, which might represent value for money depending on your schedule.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that iRobot’s Roomba s9+ is an innovative product. That’s why it’s at number three on our list.
But we felt the $899.99 price made it a premium product.
However, if you’ve got the budget and don’t want to think about vacuuming your home, this is the product for you.
3) Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum
Where To Buy: www.amazon.com
Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum (Photo: Screen shot / Amazon)
Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum – The Basics
Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum (or Shark APEX DuoClean with Zero-M Self-Cleaning Brushroll Upright Vacuum to give it’s full name) allows pet parents to enjoy continuous cleaning without breaking their stride.
It has DuoClean Technology. Their website explains that this will give you the freedom to interchange between carpets and hard floors without having to switch heads. Shark’s vacuum has two unique rolls in a single floor-head to make it a versatile product.
The Powered Lift-Away mode allows you to remove the pod, and the brushroll keeps spinning for powerful cleaning and extended reach under furniture.
It allows you to take your cleaning further—detach the pod and use the hose for cleaning on furniture, windowsills, and other areas above the floor.
If you’re tired of being held down or restricted by your vaccum, Shark’s APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum allows you to reach, store and charge your vacuum cleaner anywhere in your home.
You can purchase an additional TruePet attachment which is a deep cleaning motorised pet tool and a motorised bristle bar to draw out embedded pet hair.
Ease Of Use
The Shark vacuum weighs 6.5 kg, which makes it relatively lightweight.
Although Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum isn’t cordless, it does come with a detachable pod which gives you the flexibility to get into tricky corners or the freedom to hoover the stairs without worrying about cables.
Their website states that this vacuum has a battery life of around 22 minutes, which should be more than enough time to get around your house.
You can click to fold down for convenient storage, halving the size of the vacuum. It’s completely free-standing, so it can be stored anywhere.
What Are Customers Saying?
Shark have a review section on their website that contains both positive and negative reviews. The Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum has an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, while it has 4.4 out of 5 stars based upon 428 reviews on online retail market Amazon.
One satisfied customer gave the product five stars after being left impressed with its ability to vacuum hair from her two dogs:
This is the best vacuum I’ve ever owned. I have two Malamutes that have long hair and shed enough to stuff a king size pillow almost daily when they shed their winter/summer coats… It is pretty quiet and came with some nice attachments including a powered pet hair tool for couches.
Another thrilled Amazon customer was particularly impressed with the product’s ability to pick up dog hair:
Let me start by saying I LOVE this vacuum. The loft away feature is amazing and makes stair cleaning a breeze. I have a large dog and several other pets and the shark makes vacuuming so easy.
One Shark customer with a German Shepherd and a cat was happy with her purchase:
Absolutely love my new Shark! This is our 4th and it’s by far the best! We have a German Shepherd and a cat so we need a great vacuum!! Shark Apex takes care of all the pet hair and dust! Great suction. I’m very pleased so far with this purchase. Goodbye Shark Navigator!!
Price
The Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum is available to purchase on Shark’s website for $329.99 (USD).
You can also purchase the TruePet attachment for an addition $120 if you feel like it could be a secret weapon to use against clingy pet hair and embedded dander.
Shark write on their Amazon page that they offer an initial 12-month guarantee plus an extended warranty of four years, subject to registration. This covers repair or replacement of your Shark machine (at Shark’s discretion), including all parts and labour.
Any Negatives?
One common complaint about an otherwise great product is that the waste container is quite small.
For those with a low shedding dog or pet parents who don’t mind emptying the waste container a couple of times during each cleaning session, this won’t be a big issue.
Conclusion
We ranked Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum at number three.
The product has impressive DuoClean Technology to give pet owners great freedom and power.
We like that the price is extremely reasonable and pet parents have the option to pay a little more to get the TruePet attachment if they feel like it’ll be a helpful tool.
4) Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum
For more information: www.amazon.com
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum (Photo: Screen grab / Amazon)
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum – The Basics
Bissell describe the Pet Hair Eraser 1650A as one of their best pet hair vacuum cleaners.
Their website says the product is designed to make cleaning up after pets a breeze, whether it’s shedding season for your dog or your cat tracks kitty litter all over.
They use what is described on their website as a “quite brilliant” hair-management system that traps and separates human and pet hair from dirt, spooling the hair together for a hands-free empty.
The vacuum has a Tangle-Free Brush Roll to ensure that dog hair, cat hair or your hair doesn’t get wrapped or caught in the vacuum, hamstringing it’s suction power.
Bissell explain online that they use SmartSeal Allergen System with Febreeze to help capture allergens, which is a feature that will interest anyone who is allergic to dogs and has a hypoallergenic breed.
Their website goes on to say that the vacuum has been designed for pet parents with help from pet parents. It comes with three specialized pet tools, including the Quick Release Wand.
Ease Of Use
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum isn’t cordless unlike the other models that we’ve already included.
While this could prove tricky if you’ve got a dog or cat that likes to chase the vacuum, it does mean you won’t have to worry about running out of power.
The hair-management systems allow for a hands-free empty, so you won’t have to dig your fingers into the waste collector to remove the debris and hair.
Th Bissell vacuum weighs 18 pounds / 8 kilos. This is slightly heavier than some cordless models. The cord length is 30 inches.
What Are Customers Saying?
Bissell’s website has 721 reviews of the Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum. It has an average rating of 3.8 stars out of five on Amazon’s website.
One customer felt that the Bissell represents good value for money if you’re a pet owner that doesn’t want to fork out on a Dyson:
If you want a good pet hair vacuum under $300 then get this Bissell. If I couldn’t get the Dyson I would be happy with the Bissell for what it does. If you have the money to spend and it’s important for your body to not bend/twist a lot, look into the Cinetic Big Ball. After 30 minutes of using the Bissell, it really affected my stamina and body to keep bending down to change the floor level and hose accessory air flow.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder gave this product five stars.
We breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and live with 8 adult Cavaliers and often anywhere from 4-10 puppies in house, and pet hair pick up has always been a big deal at our house. Enter the Bissell 16501 Pet Hair Eraser Deluxe Upright! And I have to say that I’m very impressed with it’s pet hair pick up. The rubber bristles on the beater bar brush are far and away the best for grabbing the pet hair and pulling it up into the vac.
Finally, a pet owner with two dogs gave this product a glowing review.
I have a short haired mini dachshund and a shetland sheepdog… so… lots of FUR. I had been using a cheap Dirt Devil for YEARS (I have a small apartment with carpet), and I always knew it wasn’t doing a great job… but wow. My carpet looked much cleaner after one vacuum. This vacuum has not clogged on me at all either! Very easy to use.
Price
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum (Photo: Screen grab / Amazon)
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum is priced at $279.99 (USD).
Any Negatives?
The Bissell vacuum is priced very competitively but it isn’t wireless.
Therefore, it could be harder to operate if you live in a home with more than one dog or a lot of furniture.
Conclusion
We like a lot of things about the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum, especially how they provide SmartSeal Allergen System to help potential allergy sufferers.
It comes with a hands-free waste management system so you won’t need to get your fingers dirty trying to remove debris, dirt and pet hair in the vacuum’s bin.
However, it isn’t cordless, which may deter some pet parents who want the freedom to roam wherever they want in their home.
5) Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Where To Buy: www.Amazon.com
Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner (Photo: Screen grab / Amazon)
Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum – The Basics
Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner has an Electro Plus electrobrush with a five-level height adjustment and an independent motor.
Designed with pet owners in mind, the vacuum has a Parquet Twister which provides 180 degrees rotation for agile and gentle care of smooth services.
The Miele website explains that the product has an Active Air Clean Filter with active charcoal layers to neutralize and absorb unwanted pet odors.
The Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum comes with three standard cleaning accessories, including a mini handheld Toothbrush for cleaning pet hair on chairs, sofas and more.
Their website claims no one will even know you have a pet after cleaning your home with a Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog vacuum cleaner.
Ease Of Use
Miele have designed the device to have a Deluxe Comfort Grip handle to make the vacuum easier to use and manipulate in different directions.
They explain online that the vacuum comes with a six-stage suction control (a foot switch) so you can increase the power as and when needed.
As we mentioned above, the Parquet Twister rotates 180° — offering exceptionally agile cleaning for all smooth flooring.
Compared to the other models that we’ve looked at in this article, it’s more cumbersome weighing over 19 pounds. It’s not handheld or cordless.
However, if you prefer to use a more traditional-style vacuum, this could be the model for you.
What Are Customers Saying?
The Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner has an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 based upon over 200 reviews on Amazon.
One Amazon customer gave the Miele vacuum five stars after being impressed with how it helped her house clean:
I LOVE my Miele! It is by far my best ever purchase. I have four dogs, two kids and 10 chickens! This bad boy works as described! Not one issue since I made the purchase and it’s arrival! Again love it.
Another satisfied Miele customer was thrilled with its ability to get dog hairs in the corners of her home:
We love that we can now see the rugs actual color (the one we thought was faded is actually bright red!) and if there is fur in the corner (dog sheds like crazy twice a year), we can easily get the vacuum out.
Finally, one Amazon user recommended the Miele model if you can afford the hefty price tag:
If you can afford it buy it. This Meile has an air filter that keeps the dust and dander at bay. Powerful enough to get the dog hair off the furniture and off the carpet. We have a yellow lab, who sheds constantly and their hair floats all over the place. If you have a pet this vac works wonders and is fairly light weight. Easy to use and quite.
Price
Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner (Photo: Screen grab / Amazon)
The Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner costs $999.00 on Amazon.
Any Negatives?
It’s not as modern-looking or streamlined as some other handheld and cordless vacuums in this article. However, it’s powerful but quiet. Some pet parents may prefer the foot-controlled speed settings.
Another negative is the price – it’s the second most expensive vacuum that we’ve featured. Having said that, Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner has very positive reviews.
Conclusion
We prefer the design of other models on this list, but there’s no denying that the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner is effective at the job that it does.
If you want a safe pair of hands that will last you over a decade, this Miele device could be right for you and your pet.
Things to consider before buying a Pet Vacuum Cleaner
As a dog owner, I’m all too familiar with the constant dog hair headache.
It’s something that most pet parents will have to deal with at least twice a year unless you’ve got a hypoallergenic dog. It’s the same for cats – too.
You may be tempted to stick with a regular vacuum but buying a pet vacuum is worth the investment. In my experience, dedicated pet vacuums are more efficient at picking up my dogs’ hair on the floor, couch or chairs.
Before you dig deep into your pockets and invest in a pet vacuum, you may want to consider the following:
• Flooring – What type of flooring do you have? The models that we’ve listed above transition from hardwood floors to tiled floors or carpets with relative ease. You’ll want a vacuum with good suctions to get stubborn haris out of the carpet.
• Stairs – If you’ve got a stairs in your home, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a lightweight vacuum – and perhaps one without a cable. It’s can be tricky business using a heavy vacuum on steep stairs, especially if you’ve got a dog roaming around the home.
• Furniture – One of the benefits of having a good pet vacuum is that you can clean your furniture with it. If you want to remove dog hair and odors from chairs, sofas and more, you need to make sure the hoover is designed to clean furniture or comes with a suitable attachment.
• Your dog – Last but not least, you’ll need to think about your dog. If you’ve got a sensitive dog, they may be afraid of a vacuum so you’ll want a quieter device. Energetic dogs that liked to be under your feet could be a problem if your vacuum isn’t cordless. Alternatively, you could temporarily put them in another room.
Anything Else To Think About?
If you’re thinking about getting a dog for the first time, it’s a good idea to speak to the breeder to learn about the shedding patterns. For dog breeds that shed throughout the year or seasonally, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a reliable vacuum that’s up for the task.
Some vacuums come with a dry and wet option. This allows you to clean your carpet and remove stains before going back over with the vacuum once the material is dry. This is undoubtedly a more exhaustive and lengthy process than just giving your house a quick one over with a vacuum on a daily basis.
If you’re thinking about making a sizable investment in a pet vacuum cleaner, you should make sure that you’ve done thorough research about the product.
Some of the products on this list have a money back guarantee within a certain time period. If you purchase a vacuum and you’re not happy with it’s performance, you may be able to return it. Again, be sure to check the return policy of each company before you go ahead and purchase a vacuum.
We’ve given you a sample of some of the reviews for the five products listed in this article but we strongly advise that you research more reviews to see what other customers have to say about each product. In doing so, you’ll get a real idea whether each vacuum is worth the price.
Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts
So, that brings us to the end of our look at our guide to the best pet vacuum cleaners on sale right now.
We’ve discussed some of the key features to look out for if you’re considering a pet vacuum to tackle your pet hair problem.
Our article has listed five pet vacuums that we consider to be the best on the market right now.
We currently rate the Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum as the top all-round choice for pet vacuum cleaners. We love the design, ease of use, battery life and additional features that take the device to the next level.
However, we were also impressed with Shark Apex DuoClean Vacuum Cleaner and Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Vacuum.
If you’re looking for a product that completely removes your involvement in the daily clean up after your dog, iRobot’s Roomba s9+ is certainly a time efficient option.
For those who prefer a more traditional vacuum cleaner to pick up all the hair and debris that their beloved pet omits, Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner could be the best model for you.
No matter which of the five pet vacuum cleaners you choose, you’re not going to go too far wrong if you select one of our recommendations.
