The best vacuum cleaners for picking up pet hair

It’s lovely being a proud pet owner. What isn’t quite as lovely, though, is the reality of pet hair. On the carpet. In the car. All over your furniture. Everywhere.

Indeed, anyone with a cat or dog — a “fur baby” as they’re known on social media — will agree that staying on top of pet hair is a tough job. But someone’s got to do it (i.e. you). So why not enlist the help of a vacuum cleaner that’s specially designed to suck up pet hair? It just makes life as a pet owner that little bit easier.

Modern vacuum cleaners are so high-spec that there’s lots to get your head around. Not to mention all the different brands to consider. But choosing one is like choosing a puppy or a kitten. There’s one out there that will perfectly suit you and your home, and you’ll know which one you were destined to have as soon as you see it. Here’s everything you need to know to help you choose the right vacuum for pet hair.

What is a pet vacuum?

Essentially it’s a regular vacuum with additional features for pet homes. These might include extra attachments, such as motorised brushes that agitate and loosen hair within carpet fibres, or advanced filtration systems to trap allergens and pet dander. Look out for HEPA or multi-level filtration systems, for instance. Other pet-specific vacuums include handheld models, designed for quick and easy spot cleaning.

Is Dyson the best vacuum brand?

Dyson is still the standard to beat when it comes to high-power, high-tech vacuums, but it’s not the only option. Which will come as a relief if you don’t want to pay Dyson prices. You’ll find some great alternatives to Dyson on this list.

Corded vs. cordless vacuums — which are the best?

The kind of power you need for a pet vacuum is traditionally found in upright corded vacuums. But cordless vacuums are getting more powerful and more high-spec all the time. It’s more a case of which vacuum best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Corded vacuums — the classic style vacuum that plugs into the wall — tend to provide more suction power and have a larger capacity. That means they’re better for larger homes and houses, and — of course — homes with pets. The downside is that they’re heavier. Dragging them around the house takes a bit more effort.

If you’re after something lighter and more portable, try a cordless vacuum instead. Cordless vacuums can clean overhead areas and reach under the furniture more easily. But with a smaller capacity, usually somewhere between 0.5 and 1 litre, they’re better suited to smaller homes and smaller pets.

What types of vacuum cleaner are available?

There are plenty of vacuum types out there, with something for everyone.

Upright vacuums — The classic vacuum. Good for covering large areas, these use motorised brushes for a deep cleaning. Even on thick carpets. The downside is they’re clunky and hard to store. Usually best suited if you have under-stairs storage.

Canister vacuums — These are good for hardwood floors and less-demanding carpets. Once again, they can be tricky to store, thanks to the combo of the canister and sometimes-cumbersome wand. But the easily manoeuvred wand and brush head makes these vacs good for curtains, blinds, and reaching under furniture.

Handheld vacuums — If you need something that’s lightweight and always-to-hand, this is a great option — though perhaps best as an additional vacuum rather than your main machine. They tend to have less power than other vacuum styles due to their compact size, but handheld vacuums are great for quick pick-ups.

Robot vacuums — A robot vacuum does the cleaning for you, while you can just sit on the sofa and catch up on Netflix. Robot vacuums use sensors, lasers, and motherboards to move around your home. They don’t have the power or capacity of traditional vacuums, but they truly are a cleaning revolution. Some can even mop.

Bag vs. bagless — which is best?

Once again this comes down to personal preference but if you want a vacuum purely for cleaning up pet hair, bagged vacuums may be better — they have a bigger capacity and also seal in dust and dirt more securely. That said, bagless vacuums dominate the market now (thanks to Dyson), so you’ll find more of those below. And don’t get us wrong — bagless vacs are excellent for different reasons and sometimes have advanced filtration systems to prevent dirt and hair from escaping.

What is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

We’ve scoured the internet, done the research, and read the reviews to select the best vacuums for tackling pet hair. Whether you’re looking for an upright bagless model or a cordless option, we’ve got the best options to keep you and your pet living together in hair-free harmony.

These are the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair in 2025.