The best vacuums for pet hair in 2026, after testing nearly 20

Pets are a great source of joy and laughter, but let's be honest, they can also be a great source of dirt, fur and dander. Our home editors have tested more than 90 vacuums over the past couple of years (including nearly 20 designed for pet owners), and we can confirm that the best vacuums for pet hair will actually diminish that floofy haze hanging over your house. To find these super-suckers, we tried them on different surfaces and materials, including kitty litter, dog food, faux fur and real hair shed by a golden retriever and a pit mix. We set up obstacle courses, then used these vacs in homes with pet residents to truly put them to the test.

The uprights, sticks and canisters that top this list are powerful enough to lift away even the longest, most stubborn fur, and nimble enough to get around toys, bowls, scratching posts and pet beds. Bonus: Each comes equipped with thoughtful accessories for getting into tight corners and sofa crevices.  

Best vacuums for pet hair in 2026

Factors to consider when choosing a vacuum for pet hair

✓ Size:When I mention height in this story, I'm referring to the assembled height of the vacuum. Length and width refer to the cleaner head's dimensions, or what's called the cleaning path — the area covered in one pass. Taller vacuums generally mean longer tubes (or wands) and greater reach, which is particularly helpful for those who are short or for vacuuming under beds, etc. Longer brush rolls mean fewer swipes. Wider and dual brush rolls mean shorter passes.

✓ Weight:The lighter the vacuum, the easier the lift (and steer). Lightweight designs glide across hardwood floors seamlessly but can have less grip on thick carpets. Lighter models are often associated with smaller dust cups and fewer tech components (like LCD screens and the respective engineering that makes a vacuum top-heavy), though not always. Of note: Swivel cleaner heads can help with maneuvering, especially when dealing with heavier vacuums.

✓ Bin capacity:Larger cups translate to fewer trips to the trash can. Aside from capacity, look for dust cups that release forcefully with a lever, so you don't have to manually unclip the cup lids and reach in with your fingers.

✓ Vacuum type:

• Stick vacuumsconsist of a cleaner head, a long tube (aka wand, which the dirt travels through) and a vacuum head upper (or "brain" that features power controls and any LCD screens). The upper also houses the dust cup and can typically be detached and used as a handheld vacuum with attachments. Cordless stick options allow for more freedom and flexibility when vacuuming, but require charging.

• Upright vacuumsconsist of a cleaner head, a dust cup, a hose and a wand. In this case, dirt travels to the dust cup via the hose, and the dust cup sits above the cleaner head, with the wand behind it and the handle up top. Detachable hoses (and wands) can be paired with attachment tools, but canisters usually remain in place. If you don't want to have to carry an entire vacuum up the stairs, for example, you may want a "lift-away"-style canister, which can be detached from the vacuum while cleaning. Also helpful: longer cords for greater reach, plus cord-rewind options so you don't have to manually wrap the cord.

• Robot vacuumsinclude a robot and docking station and operate using a navigation system, including LiDAR (light detection and ranging) and visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) to create a virtual map of a room. The robot scans your entire space, labels individual rooms and allows you to create "no-go" zones. Mapping capabilities are usually available in a companion app, which also allows scheduling, spot cleaning, smart assistant integration and more.

✓ Runtime:According to my research, the average cordless stick vacuum runtime hovers around 30 to 40 minutes for budget models, 40 to 50 minutes for mid-priced models and 50 minutes or above for luxury models. If you're buying a cordless vacuum cleaner, I suggest looking for one with at least 40 minutes of runtime for multi-floor jobs and thorough cleaning. Note that most robot vacs have a rated runtime of anywhere from 90 to 210 minutes.

✓ Filters:Vacuum filters zap pollutants and improve air quality, with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters considered the gold standard. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , HEPA filters "theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns," with larger or smaller particles "trapped with even higher efficiency." Follow instruction manuals on how and when to replace ⁠or clean filters for optimal results. Many, like Dyson, now use washable filters for cost efficiency.

✓ Brushes and attachments:Most vacuums come with a detangling-style brush roller (in many cases, customizable or auto-adjusting) that can be used for multiple floor types. Brush cleaner headlights offer more visibility in low light and beneath furniture, while mini roller attachments help tackle tighter spaces (such as inside your car; they're also great for getting stubborn pet fur from couch interiors). Attachment tools aid in detailing and spot-treating things like cushions and curtains, whereas crevice tools are a must for navigating ceilings and wall corners.

✓ Docking and storing:Freestanding vacuums and docks mean you don't have to screw a wall mount into place to keep your stick vacuum upright. Alternatively, all of the cordless vacuum "uppers" on this list can be charged separately via a plug. You just have to then reattach them to the vacuum tube and cleaner (brush) head base when finished. Robovacs come with docking stations, and many, like our top Roomba pick, self-empty the dust bag into a larger compartment so you can empty it less frequently.

How we test pet hair vacuums

I set up several obstacle courses to test these vacuums against materials with varying shapes, textures and densities on different surfaces like carpet and hardwood. I also tested their respective attachments on sofas and other upholstered furniture. Then I put the vacuums through their paces in real-life scenarios, prioritizing homes with pets. The nitty gritty:

• "Carpet course" test:I spaced out materials — faux fur, rice, Cheerios, kitty litter and sand — across a plush carpet to see how the vacuums managed to cut through the clutter.

• "Kitchen sink" test:I poured rice and Cheerios on a hardwood kitchen floor to gauge how well the vacuums could get a grip — especially against trims and in cabinet crevices.

• "Passenger pet" test:I asked family and friends to avoid vacuuming for a week, then used car mats to collect the fur their pet companions had shed, to see which vacuums had the best suction.

• "Vacs gone wild" test:I didn't stop there! I clocked more than 30 hours testing these vacuums in different houses and settings to see if they could rise to different occasions.

We follow a similar process for robot vacuums, also noting how complicated the setup is, the user-friendliness of the corresponding app and ease of maintenance.

Other pet hair vacuums we've tested

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Upright Vacuum :This Bissell vacuum demonstrated slightly stronger suction than the Bissell CleanView, with a similar "passenger pet" performance to the Shark Rotator Pet Vacuum. But the Shark offers nearly double the capacity, weighs slightly less and has a narrower cleaner head, which led it to score higher than the Bissell by a whisker (pun intended). 

Hoover MaxLife Pro Pet Swivel Upright Vacuum : Performance for the MaxLife Pro Pet was generally comparable with the Shark Rotator Pet, and you do get headlights and a lower price with the Hoover, but the Shark weighed less, with slightly more capacity and, thanks to its narrower cleaner head, slightly greater maneuverability. 

Kenmore Elite Upright Vacuum : This vacuum features powerful suction comparable to that of the Dyson Animal 3 and has a similar design and set of tools to our top Bissell pick. But the Kenmore is heavier, and its non-swivel design means less maneuverability. Also of note: This vacuum requires bags to trap dirt and debris (rather than a reusable canister), so you'll need to replace them over time.

Bissell PowerGuide Slim Corded Stick Vacuum : True to its name, this glided swimmingly across carpeted and hardwood floors, gulping up everything in its path (outside of a few stray hairs on the car mats). I wish it had a larger dust cup capacity and a slider or switch for automatic release so I didn't need to empty it manually. Other upgrades I like to see? Cleaner headlights for more visibility, and it was propped at a 90-degree angle (vs. dangled) when carried.

Shark Stratos Ultralight Pet Corded Stick Vacuum : Shark's corded stick is lighter than Bissell's PowerGlide, with a greater capacity, in this case 0.75 liters. It's ideal for different surfaces and managed to eat up all of the materials in my testing. Like many Shark vacuums, the cleaner head stays up for more streamlined carrying, and the vacuum tube has a clip on the front where you can hang the vacuum head "upper," rendering the vacuum freestanding. My only gripe (besides the higher price) was that the dust cup can be a little finicky to empty.

Bissell CleanView XR Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum : The CleanView XR Pet boasts powerful suction, a lightweight frame and excellent attachment tools (it ties with the Bissell CleanView, with four total). It has three power modes (including a Turbo mode for stubborn pet hair) and an LCD screen that displays battery life, and it navigated my tests with ease. Cons: You only get 40 minutes of runtime, vs. Tineco Go Pet's 60, and the dust cup is on the smaller side. I also had to manually unclip and dump it.

Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum : Despite weighing less than 7 pounds, the Shark Pet Cordless boasts the largest dust cup capacity of the pet vacuums I evaluated. It has three power modes and navigates different floor types and materials with ease. The cleaner head stays propped up when transporting, and the vac is freestanding for added convenience. Unfortunately, it offers 20 minutes less runtime than the Tineco Go Pet, comes with only one tool, and doesn't have any LCD reads.

Looking for a robot vacuum specifically? You can find all the pet hair options we tested here .

Pet vacuum FAQs

What's the difference between a pet vacuum and a regular vacuum?

Pet vacuums are engineered similarly to regular vacuums but are often more powerful and have larger dust cups to combat and contain pet hair. A few other distinctions include anti-tangle brushes and specialty attachment tools for removing fur and dirt from upholstery. Sealed and HEPA filters also help combat the amount of debris and dander on the floor and in the air, especially important for allergy sufferers.

What is a HEPA filter?

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are considered the gold standard of filtration. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , they "theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns," with larger or smaller particles "trapped with even higher efficiency." If you suffer from allergies or your pet produces a lot of dander, look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

How often should I clean my vacuum?

To help keep your vacuum in tip-top shape, many brands, such as Dyson, advise cleaning washable filters at least once a month with regular use. Consult your vacuum's instructions for machine-specific tips, including when to wash and/or replace filters and brush rollers, and look for dust cups with levers to forcefully eject dirt into the trash can. Because vacuums are often at the center of the action, plan to wipe yours down regularly to reduce the amount of dust and dirt it accumulates.

Best vacuums for pet hair: specs comparison chart

Update, Oct. 6, 2026: We confirmed pricing and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick for the best vacuum for pet hair remains unchanged, but we added a best robot vacuum and test results for the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Upright and Kenmore Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister vacuums.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.