An acclaimed specialist for furry household members. If you share your home with a shedding friend, you know the daily battle against hair and dander. Finding a truly effective rated pet vacuum can feel like a quest for a holy grail. One that actually tackles embedded fur without constant emptying.
We put a top model through its paces in a real, pet-filled home. This review cuts through the specs to show you how it handles on carpets, what the noise is really like, and if its easy to use day after day. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype for your cleaning routine.
Product Comparison Table: 11 Best Rated Pet Vacuum
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Shark | Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Navigator Lift-Away |…
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9.6 |
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Bissell 2254 CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum,…
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9.4 |
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Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel…
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9.3 |
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Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum with…
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9.2 |
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Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro…
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9.0 |
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Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum with…
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8.8 |
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Kenmore BU4050 Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum, liftup Cleaner with…
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8.7 |
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Eureka Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Home Pet Hair,…
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8.5 |
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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Lift-Off Vacuum, w/Self-Cleaning Brush…
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8.4 |
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Hoover MAXLife Pro Pet Swivel Vacuum Cleaner, Bagless Upright…
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8.2 |
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Bissell 2998 MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet Vacuum with HEPA…
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8.1 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 11 Rated Pet Vacuum
Shark | Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Navigator Lift-Away | Swivel Steering | HEPA Filter | Vacuum for Pet Hair | Crevice Tool & Dusting Brush Included | For Carpets & Hard Floors | White/Silver | NV356E
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E upright vacuum cleaner is designed to be a versatile and powerful cleaning partner for your home. Its core feature is the innovative Lift-Away functionality. With the simple press of a button, you can detach the pod from the vacuum’s base. This lets you easily carry a lightweight, powerful canister to clean stairs, upholstery, shelves, and other above-floor areas without lugging the whole machine.
Maneuverability is a key focus of this model.
The swivel steering provides exceptional control, allowing you to smoothly navigate around furniture legs, into tight corners, and through cluttered spaces with minimal effort. When you move from carpets to hard floors, the brushroll shutoff feature is instantly available. You can switch off the rotating brush for gentle bare floor cleaning, then reactivate it for a deep, agitating clean on carpets.
For households with pets, this vacuum is particularly effective.
It’s engineered to pick up stubborn pet hair, loose debris, and embedded dander from both carpets and soft surfaces like sofas. The included Pet Power Brush enhances this capability. Your cleaning is supported by an anti-allergen complete seal system that works with a HEPA filter. This combination is tested to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, preventing them from escaping back into the air you breathe.
Practicality is built-in with an extra-large-capacity dust cup.
Bissell 2254 CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum, Automatic Cord Rewind, Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pickup, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Teal
The Bissell 2254 CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Upright Vacuum is designed for households that share there space with furry friends. This teal upright vacuum focuses on tackling the specific messes pets create, from shed hair on carpets to tracked-in dirt on hard floors. Its a bagless model, which means you won’t need to buy replacement bags, and it features a large capacity dirt tank to handle bigger cleaning sessions without constant emptying.
A key feature for pet owners is the Triple Action Brush Roll. This system is engineered to pull in embedded pet hair from your carpets, and it incorporates scatter-free technology to help prevent litter or debris from being kicked out the back as you clean. For getting into tight spaces, the edge-to-edge cleaning capability allows the vacuum to get closer to baseboards and into corners, ensuring you pick up hair and dust that often accumulates along walls.
Maneuverability is a major highlight of this model. The swivel steering makes navigating around chair legs, under tables, and past other furniture surprisingly easy and fluid. You can change direction with a simple twist of the wrist, reducing the effort needed to clean an entire room. When your done, the automatic cord rewind is a genuinely handy convenience.
Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pick Up, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Easy Empty
The Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum is designed for homes with pets, focusing on maneuverability and specialized hair pickup. Its core feature is the swivel steering, which lets you navigate around chair legs, under tables, and through cluttered rooms with a simple twist of the wrist. You won’t be constantly repositioning the vacuum or struggling to reach awkward spots. A major highlight is the Triple Action Brush Roll.
This system is built to agitate carpet fibers, loosening embedded pet hair and ground-in dirt before lifting it away. It works in conjunction with Scatter-Free Technology, a feature aimed at hard floors. When you encounter dry messes like kibble or litter, this technology helps contain the debris instead of blowing it across the room, so you clean it up in one pass. For thorough cleaning, the Edge-to-Edge tool allows the brush roll to extend nearly to the vacuum’s housing.
This means you can effectively capture pet hair and dust bunnies that accumulate along baseboards and in corners, reducing the need for follow-up work with a handheld tool. The package includes specialized pet tools, like an upholstery tool, to help you remove hair from sofas, stairs, and car interiors directly. Maintenance is straightforward. It’s a bagless model with a large capacity dirt tank, so you can see what you’ve picked up and empty it less frequently.
Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Large Dust Cup Capacity, LED Headlights, Upholstery Tool, Perfect Pet Power Brush & Crevice Tool, Bordeaux
The Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum in Bordeaux is designed for a thorough clean, especially in homes with pets. Its core feature is the 2-in-1 Powered Lift-Away Technology. This means you can detach the main pod from the vacuum’s body to carry it like a canister, while the floor nozzle’s brushroll keeps spinning. It’s perfect for cleaning under low furniture or tackling stairs without sacrificing suction power on the carpet. Maneuverability is a key focus.
The Advanced Swivel Steering lets you navigate smoothly around chair legs, through cluttered rooms, and into corners with minimal effort. Combined with the LED headlights on the nozzle, you won’t miss hidden dust bunnies or pet hair in dimmer areas under your couch or bed. For air quality, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, so it captures fine particles instead of re-releasing them back into your home’s air.
This model adapts to different surfaces. With a simple fingertip control, you can switch between a Hard Floor mode and a Carpet mode, optimizing brushroll speed and suction for the surface. The large-capacity dust cup, at 0.88 quarts, means you can cover more area before needing to pause and empty it, which is a quick and straightforward process. For pet owners, the included attachments are particularly relevant.
Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Charcoal, 2.9 L Dust Cup
The Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro & Odor Neutralizer Technology is designed for homes with pets and the unique messes they bring. Its core mission is to tackle hair and odors while making the cleaning process itself more convienient. A standout feature is the PowerFins HairPro brushroll. It actively grips and captures stubborn hair from both carpets and hard floors.
This works in tandem with the self-cleaning brushroll system, which is engineered to minimize hair wrap. That means less time spent cutting hair from the roller and more time actually cleaning. For the debris you pick up, the 3XL capacity dust cup holds 2.9 liters, allowing for longer cleaning sessions without frequent stops to empty it. And when you do, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, combined with a HEPA filter, is certified to trap 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum.
This helps keep them out of the air you breathe, which is a key benefit for anyone with allergies. Pet messes aren’t just hair, they can come with odors. This model includes Odor Neutralizer Technology. A dedicated cartridge works to guard against bad odors inside the vacuum itself, contributing to a fresher-smelling home as you clean. The vacuum’s design also prioritizes maneuverability. Swivel Steering makes it easy to navigate around furniture legs and into tight corners.
Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filtration, Swivel Steering, Pet Power Brush, Crevice Tool & Upholstery Tool, for Pet Hair & Multi-Surface Cleaning, Navy
The Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum is designed to tackle the common challenges of household cleaning, especially in homes with pets. Its core feature is the swivel steering, which lets you pivot smoothly around chair legs, under tables, and into corners without the usual back-and-forth struggle. This manueverability makes cleaning faster and less of a chore. A vacuum needs to be powerful, and this model delivers strong suction across different surfaces.
It transitions from deep-cleaning carpets to efficiently picking up debris on bare floors, ensuring a thorough clean. For air quality, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system is crucial. It works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, so what you pick up stays inside, which is a relief for anyone with allergies. This vacuum is surprisingly lightweight, making it easy to carry up and down stairs or from room to room.
When you need to clean above the floor, the extendable hose provides up to 11 feet of total reach. This allows you to clean ceiling corners, dust blinds, or vacuum stairs without having to drag the whole machine along with you. For pet owners, the included Pet Power Brush is a standout tool. It’s engineered to actively lift and remove embedded pet hair from both furniture and carpets.
Kenmore BU4050 Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum, liftup Cleaner with Hair Eliminator brushroll, pet Handi-Mate for Carpet, Hard Floor, Rose Gold
The Kenmore BU4050 Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum is designed to tackle the real cleaning challenges in a home, especially if you have pets or a mix of floor types. It combines the deep clean of a full-sized upright with clever features that aim to simplify the entire process, from floor to disposal. A key feature is it’s Lift-Up Canister. By pressing a button, the main pod detaches from the wheels, becoming a lightweight unit you can carry upstairs or use for cleaning furniture and curtains.
This means you don’t need a seperate handheld for those quick jobs; one tool transitions easily. The vacuum operates on standard 120 volts and uses 120.0 watts of power for it’s motor. Dealing with hair, whether from pets or people, is a major focus. The Hair Eliminator Nozzle is engineered to automatically cut and remove hair wrap from the brushroll as you clean. This helps maintain consistent suction and performance, saving you the messy task of manually cutting hair free.
Despite being a full-sized vacuum, it remains maneuverable at 14 pounds with swivel steering for navigating around furniture. When it’s time to empty, the No Touch Bag Technology changes the experience. A single button press releases the full bag into your trash, with self-sealing bags that contain the dust and debris. The idea is to keep your hands clean and avoid any cloud of dust escaping back into the room. This works in tandem with the PowerFlow Bag Technology.
Eureka Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Home Pet Hair, Lightweight Household Upright Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor, MaxSwivel Pro NEU350 with Pet Tool, Yellow
The Eureka MaxSwivel Pro NEU350 is a upright vacuum designed to tackle the common, and not-so-common, messes in a modern home. It’s built with a specific focus on maneuverability and multi-surface cleaning, aiming to make the chore less of a hassle.
Its standout feature is the Swivel Steering. This allows the vacuum to pivot and turn with minimal effort from you, making it much simpler to navigate around chair legs, under tables, and into tight corners where dust bunnies like to hide.
You won’t find yourself constantly lifting and repositioning the whole machine. This easy handling is complemented by the Multi-surface cleaning capability. A manually controllable brushroll lets you switch between carpets and hard floors seamlessly. You can engage the brush for a deep carpet clean or retract it for gentle hard floor cleaning, all without needing to stop and change a setting.
At its heart, the NEU350 utilizes Dual Cyclone Technology.
This system is engineered to maintain strong suction power by separating larger debris from finer dust particles. The idea is to prevent clogs and ensure the vacuum picks up everything from cereal pieces to fine pet dander without losing effectiveness. To help you see what you’re cleaning, especially in dimmer areas, LED Headlights are built into the cleaning head.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Lift-Off Vacuum, w/Self-Cleaning Brush Roll, HEPA Filtration, Powerful Pet Hair Pickup with TurboBrush Pivot Tool & LED-lit dusting Brush & Crevice Tool, 3774F
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Lift-Off Vacuum, 3774F, is designed for homes with pets. It tackles the stubborn hair and dander that settles into carpets and upholstery. A key feature is its FurGuard Self-Cleaning Brush Roll. It has special grooves that route hair through, and a built-in comb continuously breaks it up as you vacuum. This means you spend far less time cutting tangled hair off the roller.
It’s a real time-saver when you’re dealing with daily shedding.
Cleaning the air is just as important as cleaning your floors. This model includes a Sealed HEPA Allergen System. It works to capture and trap dust, pollen, and pet dander inside the vacuum’s canister. The sealed design helps ensure that these particles don’t get blown back out into your room.
For households with allergy sufferers, this feature can make a noticeable difference in air quality after you clean.
The vacuum’s Lift-Off Detachable Pod adds major versatility. You can release the entire pod from the upright body with a simple button press. Once detached, you use the extention hose and the included tools to clean areas that are tough to reach. Think stairs, car interiors, or the tops of curtains.
Hoover MAXLife Pro Pet Swivel Vacuum Cleaner, Bagless Upright Vac, HEPA Media Filtration, MAXLife System, WindTunnel Technology, Corded Vacuum Cleaners for Home Use
The Hoover MAXLife Pro Pet Swivel Vacuum Cleaner is designed for homes that need a serious clean, especially with pets around. It combines several key technologies to tackle everyday messes and the finer particles you don’t see. This is a corded, bagless upright model built to handle your entire home, from carpets to ceilings. At its core is the WindTunnel technology, which creates stronger suction to lift and remove deep-down dirt from your carpets.
The Advanced Action brush roll is a key feature for thorough cleaning. It agitates carpets deeply and can also sweep hard floors effectively. A significant benefit is it’s design to minimize hair wrap, which means less time spent cutting pet hair or your own hair from the roller after each use. Filtration is a major focus here. The vacuum uses a sealed allergen system with a HEPA media filter.
This setup traps 99.7% of dust and pollen, keeping it inside the vacuum and not blowing it back into your homes air. This is crucial for anyone with allergies or asthma. The MAXLife system is part of this too, designed to protect the motor from dust and extend the overall life of the vacuum, making it a more durable investment. Maneuverability is excellent thanks to the swivel steering. It lets you navigate around furniture and into tight spaces with very little effort.
Bissell 2998 MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet Vacuum with HEPA Filter Sealed System, Lift-Off Portable Pod, LED Headlights, Specialized Pet Tools, Easy Empty Dirt Tank
The Bissell 2998 MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet Vacuum is designed specifically for homes with furry friends. It tackles the unique messes pets create, from ground-in dirt to shed hair and dander, focusing on clean air and easy operation.
At its core is the HEPA Sealed Allergen System. This isn’t just a standard filter.
Its a completely sealed pathway that traps 99.97% of dust, pollen, and pet allergens as small as 0.3 microns inside the dirt tank, preventing them from blowing back into your room. This is tested to the ASTM F1977 standard, which is a big deal for anyone with allergies. You can breath easier knowing your cleaning is actually removing irritants, not just stirring them up.
One of the standout features is the Lift-Off Detachable Pod.
With a simple release, the main vacuum body seperates from the pod, which has its own handle and cleaning nozzle. This turns the vacuum into a portable, lightweight unit perfect for stairs, upholstery, or the interior of your car. You don’t need a separate handheld vac. Its a true 2-in-1 machine that adapts to different tasks instantly.
Dealing with pet hair is a constant battle, especially on carpets. The Tangle-Free Brush Roll is engineered to actively resist hair wrap.
Rated Pet Vacuum Buying Guide
These are the highest-rated vacuums specifically for tackling pet hair and dander. Choosing the right one can make the difference between a constant fur battle and a clean, comfortable home. This guide will help you focus on the key features that matter most for pet owners, so you can find a machine that truly works for your life.
Suction Power & Filtration
Strong suction is non-negotiable. You need a motor that can pull hair out of deep carpet fibers and from under furniture. But where does all that hair and dander go? A sealed HEPA filtration system is crucial. It traps the microscopic allergens inside the vacuum, preventing them from blowing back into your air. Otherwise, you’re just redistributing the problem.
Specialized Pet Tools
Check what attachments come in the box. A motorized brush roll is a game-changer for carpets—it agitates and lifts stubborn, embedded hair. For upholstery, stairs, and car interiors, a dedicated pet hair tool or a turbo brush is essential. These often have softer bristles or rubber fins that grab hair without damaging delicate fabrics. Don’t settle for just a basic crevice tool.
Maneuverability & Ease of Use
You’ll be using this vacuum a lot, so it shouldn’t feel like a chore. Consider the weight and how easy it is to push and pull. Can it swivel easily around chair legs? Also, think about emptying the bin. Is it a messy, hands-on process, or is it a sealed, hygienic system? If you have a multi-story home, a lighter cordless model might be worth the trade-off in runtime.
Floor Type Versatility
Most homes have a mix of surfaces. Your vacuum needs to handle them all. Does it have an automatic height adjustment for different carpets? Can you easily turn off the brush roll for hard floors to avoid scattering debris? Some of the best rated pet vacuum models even have settings for area rugs and delicate hardwoods. Make sure it’s as versatile as your home layout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rated Pet Vacuum
What makes a vacuum good for pets?
A good pet vacuum is built to handle fur, dander, and tracked-in debris. It has strong suction, a tangle-free brush roll, and a sealed HEPA filter. This filter traps tiny allergens instead of blowing them back into your air.
Should I get an upright or a canister model?
It depends on your home. Uprights are great for carpets and large, open floors. Canister vacuums are often lighter to push and better for stairs, under furniture, and above-floor cleaning. Think about where you’ll use it most.
Is a bagged or bagless vacuum better?
Both have pros and cons. Bagless models let you see what you’ve picked up and avoid buying bags. But, emptying them can send dust back into the air. Bagged vacuums tend to be more hygienic for allergy sufferers, as you just seal and toss the full bag.
How important is the filter?
Very important, especially if anyone has allergies. A true HEPA filter is the gold standard. It captures at least 99.97% of tiny particles like pet dander. Make sure the vacuum’s system is sealed so air doesn’t leak around the filter.
Can these vacuums handle hardwood floors too?
Yes, most can. Look for a vacuum with a setting or a brush roll you can turn off. This prevents it from scattering debris. Some come with special soft rollers designed just for hard floors, which work really good.
What about noise level?
Pet vacuums aren’t silent, but some are quieter than others. If your pet is scared of the noise, check product reviews for comments on sound. A lower decibel (dB) rating means a quieter machine.
Are cordless models powerful enough?
Modern cordless vacuums have become much more powerful. They’re fantastic for quick daily clean-ups. For a whole-house deep clean, check the battery runtime. Make sure it’s long enough to finish your main rooms on a single charge.
The Short Answer
The best-rated pet vacuums all feature these core strengths. They have powerful suction to pull hair from deep in your carpet. They include specialized tools, like motorized brushes, to tackle furniture and stairs. Their filtration systems are top-notch, keeping dust and dander locked inside the canister. This means cleaner air for you and your pets. It’s about finding a machine that works hard so you don’t have too.
In the end, your choice depends on your specific home. Do you mostly have hard floors or thick rugs? Is shedding a constant battle? A good **rated pet vacuum** solves your biggest pain points. It makes regular cleanup quicker and more effective. That gives you more time to spend with your furry friend, which is the whole point. Focus on the features that match your daily needs for a cleaner, happier home.