Best vacuums for pet hair that will banish dust and dander

The best vacuum cleaners for pet hair can make all the difference in picking up any stubborn pet hair and even neutralising unpleasant odours your four-legged friend might leave in their wake.

And while many of the best vacuum cleaners already do a great job at picking up dust and debris on both hard floors and carpets_, being able to pick up deep-rooted pet hair is a challenge that only the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair can face head-on. That’s why I, alongside my team of expert reviewers, have put some of the very top choices, including a selection of the best cordless vacuums, from leading brands, such as Shark, Henry, and Halo through their paces to see if they have what it takes to tackle homes with pets.

My top-rated picks below not only excel in hair pick-up but also offer additional features that actually set them apart as being pet-specific, such as anti-hair wrap technology, anti-odour capsules, and sealed filters that ensure pet dander is contained for those with allergies. And I’m confident that one of these best vacuum cleaners for pet hair UK will be the perfect option for you, your home, and your furry friends.

Quick list

In a rush and only want the need-to-know details on the best vacuum for pet hair? Find our top picks after testing below or keep scrolling for our in-depth reviews.

Best vacuum cleaners for pet hair – tried and tested

Best vacuum for pet hair overall

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As Ideal Home‘s Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums, I’m tasked with testing a huge number of vacuums on a regular basis. And while some require a full, lengthy review to win me over (and sometimes don’t quite hit the mark), the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog impressed me from the get-go. And while I’m still writing up a more detailed review of this model, I’m confident that it’s the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair we’ve ever tested.

Designed specifically for pet owners, this cordless vacuum offers auto-adjusted suction power to make tackling everyday debris and pet-specific cleaning conundrums a breeze. And with a generous 55 minutes of run time, it can easily whip around a whole house without needing to be charged.

Features we loved during testing

The efficient German engineering is what impressed me the most when testing the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog. Sure, the sleek and sophisticated design are hard to ignore (and hard not to love), but the power of this model is second-to-none – especially in a house prone to dog and human hair alike.

Equipped to deal with both hard flooring and carpet, this model picked up every last strand of hair and was incredibly easy to manoeuvre thanks to its lightweight qualities. And as the owner of a fluffy dog that brings a lot of dust and dander into my house within his coat, my home felt instantly cleaner after vacuuming. Plus, with 99.99% dust retention capacity and the addition of a hygiene filter to keep allergens inside the canister, I didn’t feel as though any nasty pollutants were making my way back into my house when emptying.

But the real selling point of the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog is the attachments (and an onboard accessory holder, no less). Featuring a multi-floor electrobrush, dusting brush, upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, and electro compact brush, there really is everything you need to tackle every single nook and cranny of your home. Plus, they can help you target pet-prone areas like dog beds, cat trees, and perhaps even hamster wheels!

The only slight downside with this model – and what meant it couldn’t quite reach the 5-star status – is that the dust bin is a lot smaller than other options on this list. However, if you’re willing to empty it regularly, I really think it’s worth the investment.

Keep your eyes peeled for our full Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog Cordless Vacuum review coming soon.

Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair for capacity

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Before using the upholstery tool on a sofa bed covered in pet hair.

After using the upholstery tool on the same sofa bed.

Barney doesn’t look too pleased sharing the sofa bed with an intruder…

Before using the mini power brush on a light-coloured living room sofa.

After using the mini power brush on the same living room sofa.

The Halo Capsule X works superb at pet hair pick-up on carpet, especially in performance mode.

After testing the the Halo Capsule X, we can confidently say that it’s achieved its biggest goal: making bagged vacuums cool again. What a lot of people don’t know is that despite the rise in popularity of bagless vacuums, their bagged counterparts often still continue to outperform them in terms of suction power (especially on carpet), bin capacity, and ease of emptying – something of big importance when dealing with pet hair, as you’d want a model with the power to pick up even the most stubborn, deep-rooted hair, sport a large capacity so you don’t have to keep emptying it mid-vacuum, and keep pet dander sealed away so as to not trigger allergies when you’re emptying it.

What the Halo Capsule X does well is combine this practical bagged system with the convenience of a cordless model, offering an easy cleaning solution with all the benefits of a bagged vacuum. Plus, it has some awesome pet-specific tools that performed the best out of any other vacuum we’ve tested, earning it the top spot as the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair overall.

Features we loved during testing

As we briefly mentioned just above, the standout feature on the Capsule X were the included pet attachments, namely, the upholstery tool and mini power brush. The results from using both of these greatly impressed me when I tested them on my furniture that I have come to accept will never be dog hair-free – until coming across these tools, that is.

I tested the upholstery tool on my velvet sofa bed, which is typically the bane of my life, as my dog, Barney, has claimed it as his everyday lounging spot. It did a stellar job with minimal effort, picking up all the noticeable hair, leaving the sofa bed spotless. In fact, the Halo Capsule X’s upholstery tool is still the best attachment that has given me the most impressive results among the vacuums I’ve tested. And I also used the mini power brush on my living room sofa, which my dog often dirties up with mud and dirt after being outside. With just a few swipes, my light coloured sofa looked good as new.

These tools, paired together with the Performance mode offered by the Halo Capsule X when used on carpet, make it a fantastic all-rounder for cleaning up not only pet hair, but also all the dirt and mud that can often come with owning a pet too. The use of bags means pet dander and allergens stay completely sealed and can be disposed of without a fuss. However, it can be difficult to gauge when this is full and of course, there’s the extra cost of bags to consider. But, with how great the Halo Capsule X performed in our pet-specific tests, it’s a slight adjustment to be made if you’re used to bagless vacuums, but one we reckon you won’t regret making.

Read our in-depth Halo Capsule X review for more details.

Most reliable vacuum cleaner for pet hair

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The Henry Pet200 is proof that bigger is sometimes undeniably better, and fares extremely well in a bustling household where you’re not only cleaning up after yourself, but pets and kids too. Featuring a 9-litre capacity, it’s one of the best Henry vacuums out there and is fully equipped with an extremely generous 10m cable to bypass the problems that often come with corded models.

All in all, this heavy-duty model is robustly build and pretty much ready to take on any job, big or small, so it’s no surprise that it fits the bill and more for tackling pet hair. And as it’s a bagged model, you can expect excellent suction power and pet hair pick-up, picking up even the most stubborn pet hair with ease on all surfaces, as it comes with specialist floorheads for both carpet and hard flooring. Plus, it comes with a huge variety of tools and an on-board tool tidy, allowing you to keep everything to hand and all in one place when you’re vacuuming any area of your home.

Features we loved during testing

Aside from being robustly built and sporting a large capacity, the 190 Ecobrush tool was a standout attachment that certainly has its perks when being used for embedded hair in the carpet and lingering strays around the house. It’s a smaller, motorised attachment that collects hair in the brushes, designed to eliminate any potential for clogging.

Of course, the two big caveats with such a large canister vacuum is that, at 8kg, it’s fairly hefty to push around the house and use on the stairs – but this is actually pretty light compared to the 15L capacity and 10kg weight of the Henry XL Plus vacuum cleaner. Not to mention the fact that it’s the only corded option on this list, so you also have the cord to contend with when vacuuming your home.

However, since the Henry Pet200 is a bagged model, it offers fuss-free emptying and seals allergens away and even offers a special filter to reduce lingering pet odours in the home. Then, all you need to do is replace the bag when it’s full.

Read our in-depth Henry Pet200 review for more details.

Best easy to use vacuum cleaner for pet hair

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The Gtech AirRAM Platinum was instantly a hit for us, excelling in debris and pet hair pick-up right from the get go. Something that sets the AirRAM Platinum from any other vacuum on the market right now is its unique ‘AirLOC technology’, which ensures that the vacuum is not only picking up dirt and debris on the forward stroke, but also on the backstroke; ensuring that nothing gets left behind.

While we tested it on all floor types and it performed superbly on them all, we did notice that carpet was the flooring in which the vacuum’s innovative technology and features shone. Creating satisfying vacuum lines across seemingly clean carpet, the dustbin quickly filled up with pet hair with just a couple of passes, solidifying it as a smart choice for anyone looking for a reliable solution for cleaning up pet hair in a pinch.

Better yet, its mess-free emptying system is genius and makes for easy maintenance – especially if the dustbin is filled with pet hair. However, even with the ease of emptying, it’s not completely sealed and could still result in some dust clouds, which is something to consider if you’re particularly sensitive to that.

Features we loved during testing

While the Gtech AirRAM Platinum doesn’t come with additional hand tools, we think this is exactly what makes it such a great buy. It knows what it’s good at and it exceeds expectations. Its simple plug and play design with extremely convenient foot controls make it very enjoyable to use and the added carrying handle for portability is a clever touch. The fact that it stands up on its own makes it so easy to just pop in a corner for easy storage and take out when you need to quickly clean up after a pet, as you simply bend the wand and press start with your foot.

It also comes with scented cartridges you can put in the vacuum’s filter, perfect for eliminating unpleasant odours that can sometimes linger in dustbins even well after emptying.

However, seeing as pets shed in all areas of your home such as carpeted stairs, furniture, and upholstery, we understand that the lack of hand tools can be a deal breaker for many, especially if you don’t already own a separate handheld vacuum. You can buy the AirRAM in a bundle which includes the Gtech Multi Platinum, our top rated best handheld vacuum cleaner, but this again comes at an additional cost. However, for ease and not needing to faff around with changing anything out, the AirRAM is a star.

Read our in-depth Gtech AirRAM Platinum Anti Hair Wrap cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best lightweight vacuum cleaner for pet hair

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Lightweight, compact, and incredibly easy to use, the Worx WX038 has been designed with efficiency in mind. But while you may assume that a small, lightweight vacuum doesn’t offer much in terms of suction power, we found that it has oodles of power to offer – especially in pet hair prone homes.

The small size of this cordless pet vacuum lends itself extremely well to cleaning under cupboards and furniture, perfect for messy family mealtimes or the onslaught of pet hair that comes from family pets. With integrated LED lighting on the frontage, this pet vacuum didn’t miss a single hair during testing.

Features we loved during testing

Although many people assume that dogs are the messiest animals, cats can be just as bad. And when our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, took this pet vacuum for a spin, she was particularly interested to see how it would fare not only with cat hair – but also with cat litter. Amazingly, it managed to pick up every speck of cat litter with just one pass (something we’ve only really seen with the Gtech AirRAM Platinum that’s also on this list).

Impressive suction power aside, this pet vacuum comes with 45 minutes of run time, which is more than enough to tackle quick clean-ups and full-length cleaning sessions in smaller homes. You might struggle if you have a larger home, though.

Plus, with multiple attachments on offer, the Worx WX038 cordless vacuum is incredibly well-equipped to deal with every corner of the home – from sofa crevices to stairs and pet beds. And with a wall mounting option, it’s incredibly easy to store this small vacuum away from prying eyes.

The only real niggle Jenny had with this particular vacuum was that the dust bin was on the smaller size, but this is something we, unfortunately, have to sacrifice when choosing cordless stick models.

Read our in-depth Worx WX038 Cordless Vacuum for more details.

Best upright vacuum for pet hair

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If you’re keen on saying goodbye to your corded vacuum without sacrificing suction and cleaning power, the Shark ICZ300UKT offers just that; and its versatility and impressive power levels are precisely what has earned it one of the top spots as the best vacuum for pet hair. During testing, it left a positive lasting impression on our reviewer, Millie, who is mother to a black Labrador. With just one pass, the PowerFins design quickly and effectively lifted all the deep-rooted hair on her carpets, revealing the once cream colour beneath.

For areas around your home with more stubborn hair, the additional TruePet attachment that comes with the vacuum is a great touch to ensure you really get into those hard-to-reach places. And, on the note of easy and convenient cleaning, the Powered Lift-Away feature allows you to lift the central unit away from the vacuum stick to assist in cleaning stairs seamlessly and even for use in the car.

Features we loved during testing

One of our favourite things about the Shark ICZ300UKT is seamlessly it toggles between power levels for hard floors and carpet respectively, achieved by just a touch of a button. It does a fantastic job at everyday cleaning as well as deep cleaning needs with its robust build and smart features. The Eco power mode was also pretty impressive, especially for light vacuuming on tiled flooring to help extend the battery life further. However, it is worth noting that although its dustbin capacity is quite small and if your furry friend tends to shed a lot, you may find yourself needing to empty it continuously.

Read our in-depth Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap cordless upright vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Vacuum cleaners for pet hair comparison at a glance

How we tested these vacuum cleaners for pet hair

At Ideal Home, we take how we test vacuums extremely seriously and only ever include models in these guides that we have hands-on testing experience with. However, we go one step further and follow strict guidelines on how we test vacuums for pet hair to ensure they’re suitable for pet-specific homes.

That’s why you’ll find star ratings on the vacuums in this list, which we’ve decided on after extensively testing them either in our own homes. In order to test pet-specific features, we have ensured that every vacuum included in this round-up has been tested in real homes with pets, so you can rest assured that our recommendations will fare well in the context of your own homes and the demands of day-to-day life.

The main criteria we have used to put together this list is as follows: suction power, whether it offers de-tangling technology, bag or dustbin capacity, anti-odour or scented cartridges, and the selection (and usefulness) of included pet-specific attachments – especially for cordless models that can be switched to handheld mode.

Every model in this list was tested for a minimum of two weeks, with some models undergoing months of testing before a review is fully written up, or they are considered for inclusion in our product round-up.

When testing these vacuums in our homes, we put these models through their paces and rank them according to the above criteria. While some vacuums will not tick the boxes for all the criteria, they might make up for some depending on other features they offer, which balances our star ratings overall. If there are major issues or notable missing features in a vacuum we have tested, we ensure to explicitly state them as such when outlining the respective model’s pros and cons.

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As well as paying close attention to how they performed at the job of vacuuming, we also make sure to evaluate practical features like how lightweight each vacuum is for convenience, whether they’re bagged or bagless, the model-specific standout features of each, and which appliances are the best value for money.

Where we can, we’ve also sought to keep hold of these vacuums for long-term testing, so that we can feedback on just how they deliver after years of use, and how easy they are to store. We ensure to routinely update our reviews as such, and vacuums that have been kept for long-term testing will include key details about how they perform in everyday life after the initial testing period and their longevity.

Below, you can find out more about exactly who has tested the vacuums in this round-up.

How to choose the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair

Knowing how to choose a vacuum cleaner can be hard – especially when you share your home with pets. However, some features to look for when buying a vacuum for pet hair can include, but are not limited to, powerful suction, de-tangling technology, anti-odour capsules or scent cartridges, sealed filters or bagged systems to keep pet dander at bay, and motorised pet tools for cleaning upholstery, furniture, and more.

These are examples of features that can greatly impact how suitable a vacuum cleaner is for tackling pet hair, as they address more than just pet hair pick up, but also the issues of dealing with neutralising pet odours and offering comfort to pet owners who may be sensitive to specific allergens.

Stick vacuum cleaners are generally upright plus handheld in one. Models designed to deal with pet hair frequently have a special attachment that can be used with the handheld, but the floorhead used with the stick may also have features that aid cleaning in homes with pets. As two vacuums in one, they can save space, but the top-heavy design can make them tiring to use. Often cordless, they’ll save the time taken plugging and unplugging, although these machines do need charging time.

Upright vacuum cleaners are larger than sticks, but despite this, it can be easy to move over different floor surfaces. Going up and down stairs with machine in hand does require lifting more weight, however. Special pet attachments can deal with fur on upholstery.

Robot vacuum cleaners will get on with the vacuuming for you, making them a good choice if you’re having trouble keeping up with the amount of hair a houseful of pets – or a single shedder – creates. Bin size is limited, but self-emptying versions can extend the time before you need to go to the dustbin.

Handheld vacuum cleaners are great for quick pick-ups, and with a special pet tool, can target fur as well as spills when you don’t want to get a larger machine out.

FAQs

How much should I spend on a pet vacuum cleaner?

You can find a vacuum for pet hair starting from around £150, but bear in mind that you could pay more than four times as much for a top-end model, while a robot vacuum will cost even more.

The best pet vacuums in our tests cost from around £500 (which is a huge sum of money), and in this price bracket as well as those designed to deal with pet hair you’ll likely get additional features, greater suction power and more attachments.

If you’re looking to bag a bargain on a vacuum for pet hair, then our cordless vacuums deal page can help to bring the price down.

Should I get a bagged or bagless vacuum cleaner?

You’re likely to have a strong personal preference for this one, as the bagged vs bagless vacuum debate is one that has been long-standing since the latter has become more of the industry-standard within the more recent years.

Bagless vacuums, of course, save the additional expense of buying the bags and making sure you have a constant supply. However, the ease of emptying the dust bin varies between bagless models, and how much dust puffs up as you do does too. The capacity of their bins also differs and can be relatively small. Vacuum bags can fit in more and seal tightly when you change them.

Now you’re better equipped with knowledge of the key features to look for when investing in the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair, you can go out there with the confidence that you’ll know how to purchase the right model to suit your needs and your household, acting as a solid investment that will last you years to come.