Does your furry friend leave a trail of fur wherever they go? You love your pets, but the constant battle against shedding can feel overwhelming. If you’re tired of vacuums that just push hair around or lose suction after a few uses, you’re not alone. Choosing the *right* vacuum for pet hair is a huge decision, and it’s easy to get lost in all the different features and promises.
That’s where Consumer Reports comes in. They test vacuums rigorously, so you don’t have to. In this post, we’re diving deep into their findings to reveal which vacuums are true pet hair champions. You’ll learn about the vacuums that excel at picking up stubborn fur from carpets and hard floors, and those that offer powerful suction that lasts. Get ready to discover the secrets to a cleaner home, one vacuum at a time.
Our Top 5 Vacuum For Pet Hair Consumer Reports Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Vacuum For Pet Hair Consumer Reports Detailed Reviews
1. Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering
Rating: 9.2/10
The Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum is a powerhouse for pet owners. It tackles tough pet messes with ease. Plus, every purchase helps save pets through the BISSELL Pet Foundation!
What We Like:
- The swivel steering makes cleaning around furniture a breeze.
- The Triple Action Brush Roll really lifts embedded pet hair.
- It cleans multiple surfaces without scattering messes.
- Edge-to-edge cleaning means no more missed spots in corners.
- The large dirt tank means fewer trips to empty it.
- Emptying the dirt tank is super easy.
- It has a convenient carry handle.
- An airflow indicator lets you know when it’s time to clean the filter.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, some users might find it a bit heavier than ultra-light vacuums.
- The cord length, while decent, could be longer for very large spaces.
This vacuum is a fantastic tool for keeping your home clean and pet-hair-free. It’s a reliable choice that also supports a great cause.
2. BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
Rating: 9.5/10
Tired of pet hair clinging to your furniture and car seats? The BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum (2390A) is here to help! This handy vacuum is designed to make cleaning up after your furry friends a breeze. It’s cordless, so you can take it anywhere, and it comes with special tools to tackle all sorts of pet messes.
What We Like:
- Powerful Pet Cleaning: The motorized brush tool really grabs embedded dirt and pet hair, making a big difference on couches and carpets.
- Cordless Convenience: The 14V lithium-ion battery gives you good power without the hassle of a cord. Clean your car or up the stairs easily.
- Easy to Empty: The dirt bin is designed to trap pet hair and messes, and it’s simple to empty so you can get back to cleaning quickly.
- Specialized Tools: It includes a motorized brush tool, an upholstery tool, and a crevice tool, which are perfect for cleaning furniture, stairs, and even tight spots in your car.
- Triple-Level Filtration: This helps capture dust and small debris, leading to a cleaner home.
- Saves Pets: Every purchase supports the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s mission to save pets in need.
What Could Be Improved:
- Battery life could be longer for bigger cleaning jobs.
- The dustbin capacity might require frequent emptying for very messy situations.
This vacuum is a fantastic tool for any pet owner. It makes cleaning up pet hair and messes much easier and quicker.
3. Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet Reach Full-Size Vacuum Cleaner
Rating: 8.9/10
Tired of pet hair clinging to every surface? The Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet Reach Full-Size Vacuum Cleaner, model 3198A, is here to help! This vacuum is designed to tackle those pesky pet hairs with ease, and the best part? Every purchase helps save homeless pets through the BISSELL Pet Foundation. It’s ready to make your cleaning routine much simpler.
What We Like:
- It’s great at picking up pet hair everywhere, thanks to its Triple Action Brush Roll and Scatter-Free Technology.
- The Quick Release Extension Wand is always ready for cleaning above the floor, like on stairs and furniture.
- Swivel steering and a lightweight design make it easy to move around without heavy lifting.
- Specialized pet tools help you reach dirt and hair in tough spots, including stairs and upholstery.
- It cleans right up to the edges and corners, so you don’t miss any spots.
- Your purchase also supports the BISSELL Pet Foundation, helping save pets.
What Could Be Improved:
- The color may vary, so you might not get the exact shade you expect.
- While it’s lightweight, some users might wish for even more power on very deep-pile carpets.
This Bissell vacuum is a strong contender for pet owners who need effective cleaning power and convenient features. It offers a good balance of performance and ease of use for everyday pet hair challenges.
4. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off with Powerful Suction
Rating: 9.2/10
Say goodbye to stubborn pet hair and hello to cleaner air with the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off vacuum. This vacuum is built to tackle the messes pets leave behind, making your home a more comfortable place for everyone.
What We Like:
- Powerful Suction: It easily picks up dirt, fur, and dust, so no pet mess stands a chance.
- Lift-Off Detachable Pod: The lightweight canister and extension wand make cleaning stairs, furniture, and other tricky spots simple.
- HEPA Sealed Allergen System: This feature traps dust allergens inside the vacuum, preventing them from escaping into your air.
- Tangle-Free Brush Roll: No more cutting tangled hair from the brush roll; it’s designed to handle pet hair smoothly.
- Scatter-Free Technology: Cleaning hard floors is much easier with its strong suction that prevents debris from scattering.
- XL Tank Capacity: The 1L dirt tank is large and empties with just one touch, making cleanup quick and easy.
- Included Tools: It comes with a 2-In-1 Dusting Brush/Crevice Tool and a TURBOERASER Pet Tool for targeted cleaning.
What Could Be Improved:
- The cord length might be a consideration for very large rooms, requiring more frequent unplugging.
- While effective, the weight of the main unit, even with the lift-off feature, might be a bit much for some users to carry long distances.
Overall, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off is a strong contender for pet owners seeking effective and convenient cleaning solutions.
5. Shark
Rating: 8.7/10
Tired of pet hair and dust bunnies taking over your home? The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is here to help! This white and silver upright vacuum cleaner is designed to make cleaning easier for everyone. It tackles carpets and hard floors with ease, making your home feel fresh and clean.
What We Like:
- The Lift-Away feature lets you detach the pod for cleaning stairs, furniture, and other areas above the floor.
- It has an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal and HEPA filter that traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is great for people with allergies.
- The brushroll can be turned off, so you can switch from deep carpet cleaning to gentle bare floor cleaning.
- It’s perfect for pet owners because it powerfully picks up pet hair and dander from carpets and upholstery.
- Swivel steering makes it easy to move around furniture and into tight corners.
- The extra-large dust cup holds a lot of dirt, so you can clean for longer without emptying it.
- It comes with a crevice tool to reach tight spaces and a dusting brush for delicate surfaces.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the vacuum is effective, some users might find the cord length limiting for larger homes.
- The dust cup, though large, still needs to be emptied manually, which could be a minor inconvenience for some.
This Shark vacuum cleaner offers powerful cleaning and user-friendly features. It’s a solid choice for keeping your home spotless, especially if you have pets.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: A Purrfect Choice for Pet Owners
Having pets brings so much joy, but it also means dealing with pet hair. Finding the right vacuum cleaner can make a big difference. This guide will help you choose the best vacuum for your furry friends.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for a vacuum for pet hair, certain features are super important.
- Strong Suction Power: This is the most crucial feature. You need a vacuum that can pull up embedded pet hair from carpets and upholstery. Look for vacuums with high wattage or good airflow ratings.
- Specialized Pet Hair Attachments: Many vacuums come with tools designed specifically for pet hair. These include:
- Motorized Brush Rolls: These spin and agitate carpets to loosen hair.
- Tangle-Free Brush Rolls: These prevent long pet hair from wrapping around the brush, which can stop the vacuum from working well.
- Crevice Tools and Upholstery Tools: These are great for cleaning furniture, stairs, and tight spots where hair collects.
- Good Filtration System: Pet dander and allergens can be a problem. A vacuum with a HEPA filter traps these tiny particles, improving your home’s air quality.
- Bagged vs. Bagless:
- Bagless: You empty a bin. This can be easier and cheaper since you don’t buy bags. However, emptying them can sometimes release dust back into the air.
- Bagged: You replace bags. This is often cleaner when emptying, but you’ll need to keep buying replacement bags.
- Maneuverability: You’ll be moving the vacuum around furniture and maybe up stairs. Lightweight designs and swivel steering make cleaning much easier.
Important Materials
The materials used in a vacuum can affect its durability and performance.
- Durable Plastics: Most vacuum bodies are made of strong plastics that can withstand bumps and drops.
- Metal Brush Rolls: While some brush rolls are plastic, metal ones can be more durable and better at grabbing hair.
- High-Quality Filters: HEPA filters are usually made of a fine mesh material that effectively traps small particles.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things make a vacuum great or not so great.
- What Makes it Better:
- Powerful Motor: A strong motor means better suction.
- Effective Brush Design: A brush roll that is designed to pick up hair without tangling is a big plus.
- Sealed System: A vacuum with a sealed system, especially with a HEPA filter, ensures that dust and allergens don’t leak out.
- Easy Maintenance: Being able to easily clean filters and brush rolls makes upkeep simple.
- What Makes it Worse:
- Weak Suction: If the suction isn’t strong enough, hair will stay on your floors and furniture.
- Brush Rolls That Clog Easily: Hair wrapping around the brush roll can stop it from working and require frequent cleaning.
- Poor Filtration: If the filter isn’t good, allergens can be blown back into the air.
- Heavy or Awkward Design: A vacuum that’s hard to push or carry can make cleaning a chore.
User Experience and Use Cases
How a vacuum feels to use and what it’s best for matters a lot.
- Ease of Use: A good vacuum should be easy to assemble, operate, and empty. Controls should be simple to understand.
- Cleaning Performance: The most important thing is how well it picks up pet hair from different surfaces like carpets, rugs, hardwood floors, and upholstery.
- Noise Level: Some vacuums can be quite loud, which might bother pets or people. Quieter models are often preferred.
- Versatility: Can you use it for more than just floors? Can it clean stairs, furniture, and cars?
- Common Use Cases:
- Daily Cleanups: Quickly vacuuming up fur that’s shed on the floor.
- Deep Cleaning: Tackling embedded hair in carpets and refreshing upholstery.
- Allergy Sufferers: Using a vacuum with strong filtration to reduce airborne allergens.
- Homes with Multiple Pets: Handling the extra amount of hair that comes with several furry friends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most important feature in a pet hair vacuum?
A: The most important feature is strong suction power. This allows the vacuum to effectively pull up embedded pet hair from various surfaces.
Q: Are bagged or bagless vacuums better for pet hair?
A: Both can work well. Bagless vacuums are convenient, but bagged vacuums can offer cleaner disposal of pet hair and dander.
Q: What is a HEPA filter, and why is it important for pet owners?
A: A HEPA filter traps tiny particles like pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. This is important for pet owners, especially those with allergies, as it improves air quality.
Q: Do I need special attachments for pet hair?
A: Yes, specialized attachments like motorized brush tools and crevice tools are very helpful for cleaning pet hair from furniture, stairs, and tight spaces.
Q: How does the type of flooring affect my vacuum choice?
A: For homes with both carpets and hard floors, look for a vacuum with adjustable height settings or a brush roll that can be turned off for hard surfaces to prevent scratching.
Q: What does “tangle-free brush roll” mean?
A: A tangle-free brush roll is designed to prevent long pet hair from wrapping around it, which keeps the vacuum working efficiently and reduces the need for manual cleaning of the brush.
Q: How can I tell if a vacuum has good suction power?
A: Look for vacuums with high wattage or good airflow ratings. Consumer reviews and performance tests are also good indicators.
Q: Is the weight of a vacuum important when cleaning up pet hair?
A: Yes, a lighter vacuum with good maneuverability makes it easier to clean around furniture, up stairs, and for longer cleaning sessions.
Q: Can a vacuum cleaner help with pet dander and allergens?
A: Yes, vacuums with a sealed system and a HEPA filter are very effective at capturing pet dander and allergens, helping to reduce allergy symptoms.
Q: How often should I clean or replace the filters in my pet hair vacuum?
A: It’s generally recommended to clean washable filters monthly and replace disposable filters every 6-12 months, depending on usage and the manufacturer’s instructions.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!