We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Vacuums The 14 Best Pet Hair Vacuums of 2024, Tested by Dog and Cat Owners The Samsung Jet 75 Cordless Vacuum is the ultimate rival to pet hair By Madison Yauger, Madison Yauger Madison Yauger is a shopping editor at PEOPLE.com with eight years of digital media and journalism experience. She has a penchant for lifestyle content with a focus on staples like cozy throw blankets, chic dog jackets, Away luggage, and the linen pants celebrities can’t stop wearing. People Editorial Guidelines Melanie Rud, Melanie Rud Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago. People Editorial Guidelines and Theresa Holland Updated on June 5, 2024 10:10PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Rachel Marek We love our pets, and we'd do anything for them, but constantly cleaning up loose fur, tracked-in dirt, and spilled kibble is a pain. A quality pet hair vacuum can go a long way toward keeping your home (at least somewhat) clean. The More You Know The main difference between a pet hair vacuum and a regular vacuum is the design. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a vacuum with a special, tangle-free beater bar, as stuck hair will ultimately impede the suction and the efficacy, notes Michael Barnett, the cleaning product manager at Black and Decker. Elena Ledoux, owner of Superb Maids, agrees: "A pet hair vacuum will do the job of a regular vacuum just fine, but it's not necessarily true the other way around." We tested 41 pet hair vacuums in our PEOPLE Tested lab and in real homes with pets, noting exactly how much hair they picked up off all types of flooring and upholstery. We also ranked the vacuums based on maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, features, and value. After using these vacuums in real-life scenarios for at least six months, these are the best pet hair vacuums PEOPLE tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon $399 Jump to Review Best Budget: Moosoo K23 Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum at Walmart $107 Jump to Review Best Dyson: Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean at Amazon $600 Jump to Review Best for Pet Odors: SALE Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum at Amazon $280 $230 Jump to Review Best for Hard Floors: Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet Vacuum at Amazon $210 Jump to Review Best for Carpet: Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum at Wayfair $380 Jump to Review Best Handheld: SALE Black+Decker Dustbuster Furbuster Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $100 $79 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum at Amazon $300 Jump to Review Best Canister: SALE Kenmore Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum at Amazon $350 $290 Jump to Review Best Robot: iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum at Amazon $275 Jump to Review Best Overall Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $346 at Amazon $400 at Target $499 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4/5 Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4.3/5 Ease of Emptying 4.3/5 Portability 3.5/5 Star Qualities Easy to toggle between each power mode Works on upholstery and multiple floor surfaces Easy to maneuver and swiftly navigates corners Five-layer HEPA filter Red Flags Doesn't run as long on max mode Hair sometimes gets caught in brush roll The Samsung Jet 75 is the ultimate rival to pet hair. We found this cordless stick vacuum easy to set up and appreciated the three power modes. It worked effectively on hardwood floors, carpets, and even stairs, getting up most of the test debris (Cheerios, coffee grounds, and, of course, pet hair). We noticed that some hair got caught in the brush roll, and there was no special tool to remove it, so we had to cut it away with scissors. We also wish the battery lasted longer and could be charged when separated from the cordless vacuum. Still, the effectiveness of this model makes those inconveniences secondary. This sleek vacuum is relatively lightweight at just 5 and a half pounds and takes corners like a NASCAR driver, catching dust bunnies and other hard-to-reach debris along the way. The Jet 75 makes a decent amount of noise on the high mode, but that's standard for most vacuums. After testing, we had no trouble cleaning the canister, which is washable (as is the HEPA filter). How It's Held Up After six months of at-home testing, we were especially impressed with the cordless design and how simple it was to maneuver around furniture. We were able to clean an entire three-bedroom home in one cycle without needing to charge. It tackles every surface with ease, including carpet, tile, and hardwood (though it lifted the most pet hair from the carpet). Type: Cordless | Running Time: 27 minutes on low power mode | Weight: 5.5 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock Best Budget Moosoo K23 Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum PHOTO: Walmart $107 at Walmart Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.3/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Star Qualities Easy assembly and intuitive setup Low noise level, even on higher modes Lightweight, slim, and very easy to push around Red Flags Tank holds less debris than larger models No HEPA filter This cordless stick vacuum checked all our boxes while coming in under budget. It was a cinch to assemble, and getting started was intuitive. We liked that it remained fairly quiet, even on the highest mode. The slim, lightweight design is a breeze to maneuver, fitting effortlessly into tight corners and under low furniture. We found the Moosoo K23 Pro equally effective on hardwood floors and carpets and were surprised to not need an attachment when vacuuming stairs. This vacuum grabbed all the pet hair and other debris without issue. We did empty it once during testing since it has a small dirt cup, but this isn't a huge inconvenience. It's undoubtedly a great value, especially considering the low price. Type: Cordless | Running Time: 16 minutes | Weight: 6.6 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: No People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson The 11 Best Vacuums Under $200 We’ve Tested from Kenmore, Shark, Bissell, and More Best Dyson Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean PHOTO: Amazon $600 at Amazon $280 at Target Star Qualities Exceptionally powerful suction Works notably well on all flooring materials Ball head navigates smoothly around corners Picks up all loose fur and dander in two-dog household Red Flags Price might be hard to justify Dyson makes some truly impressive vacuums, but if you ask us, the Ball Animal Total Clean is the best the brand offers. The notably powerful suction works exceedingly well on all surfaces, including hard floors, grouted tile, and carpet. It senses what material you're cleaning and automatically switches between floor and carpet modes. More to the point, this upright Dyson vacuum quickly picks up all loose fur and dander in a household with two medium-sized dogs. It's a piece of cake to maneuver, thanks to the ball head, which swivels smoothly around corners, furniture, and other obstacles. We didn't even need any attachments to clean baseboards. The extra-large canister takes a while to fill up and is no problem to empty when the time comes. Though the price is pretty high compared to other vacuums we tested, we think it might be worth the investment based on how incredibly strong the suction power is. Plus, Dyson backs it with a two-year warranty and lifetime product support. Type: Upright | Cord Length: 35 feet | Weight: 17.3 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Kelly Lewis People / Kelly Lewis People / Kelly Lewis People / Kelly Lewis Best for Pet Odors Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $230 at Amazon $230 at Wayfair $230 at Best Buy Star Qualities Built-in odor neutralizer keeps unpleasant smells at bay Collects and seals in indoor allergens Strong suction easily picks up large and small debris Red Flags Loud with annoying pitch Easily knocks over when using detached hose This Shark vacuum has "Odor Neutralizer Technology" to help keep household odors at bay. It also has a HEPA filter that collects and seals in airborne allergens, like pet dander, dust, and pollen. We tested it in a multi-level home with two shedding cats and two messy toddlers and can tell you it does what it claims to. The suction is notably strong, easily picking up cat hair, tracked-in dirt, crumbs, pencil shavings, and even small pieces of construction paper from kids' craft projects. But due to the high-powered design, this vacuum is fairly loud and with a pitch we found a little annoying. Having said that, we appreciate that the large canister doesn't need to be emptied as often as others. The detachable hose and attachments are helpful, but the vacuum easily knocks over when using them. Despite these minor flaws, we think the Shark Rotator is absolutely worth buying for busy homes with kids and pets. Type: Upright | Cord Length: 27 feet | Weight: 15.2 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Henry Yung People / Henry Yung People / Henry Yung People / Henry Yung Best for Hard Floors Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet Vacuum PHOTO: Walmart $210 at Amazon $210 at Wayfair $210 at Chewy Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 3.5/5 Star Qualities Easy to assemble Lightweight design Noise level is generally low Quickly picks up most debris Red Flags Doesn't turn sharply around corners No attachments included If you need a lightweight vacuum that sucks up pet hair with ease, especially on hardwood floors, the Hoover OnePwr Evolve is your new best friend. The clear directions make for a simple setup process, and the included charging station gets the battery to 100 percent in about four hours. We appreciated that the noise level on the low setting wasn't too loud, but the higher mode was slightly louder. This vacuum got about a third of the debris up in one minute, and the rest followed shortly. While it doesn't thrive on the corners and edges of baseboards, it still gets a large percentage of pet hair and dirt off the floor. How It's Held Up We've used this vacuum for over six months, and it's still working as well as it did in our lab. It's super quiet compared to most others, and it's simple to switch between the carpet and hard floor modes. We also like that it shuts off when the debris bin is full, so you know when to empty it. In the end, we just wish it came with attachments. Type: Cordless | Running Time: 43 minutes | Weight: 7 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: No | High-Powered Mode: Yes | HEPA Filter: No People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Dera Burreson Best for Carpet Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $380 at Wayfair $380 at Home Depot $400 at Kohls.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 5/5 Star Qualities Simple setup takes less than two minutes Easy to maneuver across hard floors and soft-pile carpets Mode and power buttons are easily accessible on the handle Red Flags Less effective on high-pile carpets Attachment storage isn't conveniently located Canister vacuums can be tricky to use, but this one from Shark is super intuitive. We set it up in less than two minutes and were thrilled with how smoothly the base moved with us as we made our way around the room. It also received a perfect score for ease of cleaning. This corded canister vacuum performed beautifully on hardwoods and shorter-pile carpet. However, it may leave behind a bit of kibble residue, especially on higher-pile rugs and carpets. But on all surfaces, it grabbed every last bit of pet hair. What's more, it never got over 75 decibels, even on the highest setting — you can have it running while the television is on, and it shouldn't bother anyone. How It's Held Up After six months of at-home use, we're still loving how easy it is to adjust the power and toggle between floor and carpet mode, as the buttons are right on the handle. We wish attachment storage was more convenient, but this vacuum is no problem to empty and clean. And it continues to hold a charge and efficiently suck up pet hair. Type: Corded | Cord Length: 25 feet | Weight: 17.8 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: No People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Handheld Black+Decker Dustbuster Furbuster Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $79 at Amazon $84 at Wayfair View on Blackanddecker.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Star Qualities Lightweight and portable; good for furniture and cars Excels at picking up hair from floors and upholstery Very quiet Red Flags Small canister requires more frequent emptying No HEPA filter This handheld vacuum is ideal for couches, cars, and quick touch-ups. It was especially effective at pet hair removal and getting kibble off of hard floors (though slightly less so on carpet). We loved how quiet it was, never going above 66 decibels, even on the highest setting. We found this cordless vacuum especially convenient for cleaning couches at waist level. And it weighs less than 3 pounds, so it's easy to hold one-handed. But due to its small size, it calls for more frequent emptying. Ringing in at under $100, this vacuum is a good value for such a useful, versatile gadget. How It's Held Up After six months of using it multiple times a week, this vacuum continues to pick up pet hair with ease, and the battery life has surprised us with its longevity. We love being able to run it over the couch to remove a layer of debris before guests arrive. The crevice tool, in particular, gets all the cat hair stuck between cushions and hard-to-reach places like the bathtub. The canister needs some help when emptied (not everything shakes out), but that's not a dealbreaker. Type: Cordless | Running Time: Lasted at least 20 minutes for our tester | Weight: 2.6 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: No, but comes with crevice attachment | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: No People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Lightweight Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum PHOTO: Tineco $300 at Amazon $350 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 5/5 Star Qualities Effortlessly picks up all kibble and pet hair Maneuvers well around obstacles, including toys, clothes, and furniture Can be pushed one-handed Automatic mode is quiet enough to not wake a sleeping baby in the next room Red Flags Battery may not last as long over time The Tineco Pure One picked up all the kibble and every last strand of pet hair. It effortlessly maneuvered around obstacles like cat-scratching posts and transferred between carpet and hard floors with ease. We loved how the lightweight design allowed us to push it around one-handed, and we found the attachments useful and intuitive. We like the paired app, which offers insight into the battery and other metrics of the vacuum. This cordless stick vacuum picks up pet hair from all floor types and has a brush attachment for upholstered surfaces. The max power mode works the best, but all settings get the job done. It's incredibly quiet on the automatic mode, so much so that a sleeping baby in the next room didn't rouse. How It's Held Up After six months of use, this vacuum doesn't seem to hold a charge as long as it used to, and it takes a full hour to get from zero to 100 percent. That said, it still runs well and effectively picks up pet hair from rugs, tile, hardwoods, and low-pile carpets. We also like how smoothly it maneuvers around furniture, kids' toys, and other obstacles in a small apartment. Type: Cordless | Running Time: 40 minutes | Weight: 6.35 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Mode: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Canister Kenmore Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum PHOTO: Target $290 at Amazon $329 at Target $300 at Wayfair Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Star Qualities Removes almost all kibble and hair in a single pass Generous cord length and onboard attachment storage Lightweight handle lays flat to go under furniture Red Flags Setup takes almost 10 minutes Separate unit can feel cumbersome to carry around The Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go pulled in perfect scores in every category, from effectiveness to noise level to portability. This canister vacuum performed particularly well on carpet, grabbing all pet hair in one or two passes, even on the lowest suction setting. Though setup took about 10 minutes, it was easy to empty and change the bags, and hair never got stuck in the brushes or around the wheels. Pulling the base around might take some getting used to, but we found this canister vacuum generally easy to maneuver. We also have to call out the generous cord length that covers an average-sized room without the need to change outlets. Multiple attachments, all of which are housed on the vacuum, were another added benefit. And while it's definitely on the pricier side, we think the price is completely warranted. How It's Held Up This canister vacuum has performed consistently well throughout six months of at-home testing. We like how the main handle is lightweight and can lay practically flat to reach underneath furniture. Notably, it's done an excellent job lifting black pet fur from off-white carpets. Type: Corded | Cord Length: 26 feet | Weight: 25.4 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Robot iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $249 at Amazon $246 at Walmart $250 at Home Depot Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Noise Level 3.5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.5/5 Star Qualities Arrives fully assembled; no setup apart from connecting to app Works well on all floor types Much quieter than standard vacuums Red Flags Not ideal for large debris Tricky to empty; hair gets stuck in rollers If you want the flexibility to vacuum when you're not home, a Roomba or another robot vacuum is the way to go. The iRobot vacuum comes fully assembled, so all you need to do is sync it with the mobile app, where you can adjust the settings and create a cleaning schedule. It works well on all floor types, especially hard surfaces, but struggles a little to pick up larger debris like kibble. We found it slightly challenging to empty the dirt collector, but there was a lot of pet hair in the rollers, so it definitely picked it up. The Roomba doesn't reach tight corners, but it's good for general floor cleaning and collecting dander and other allergens in the HEPA filter. In the end, we think it's a stellar value for the cost and functionality. Type: Cordless | Running Time: 35-90 minutes | Weight: 6.8 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: No | High-Powered Mode: No | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Upright Eureka Innova Upright Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $65 at Amazon $84 at Walmart Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 3/5 Portability 3/5 Noise Level 4/5 Star Qualities Effective at pet hair removal from all floor types and materials Easy to maneuver around furniture and corners Conveniently located hard floor/carpet toggle button on handle Red Flags Somewhat challenging to clean; hair must be cut out of roller Filter must be removed to get stuck hair out of canister This Innova upright vacuum pulled in perfect scores for effectiveness and maneuverability. It picked up almost all the kibble and hair on the lowest setting and got everything with another pass on the high mode. It was also quieter than most models, coming in at 67 decibels versus an average of 70. It performed equally well on hardwood and carpet and sucked up all pet hair from upholstery. We like that the buttons for switching between modes are conveniently located on the handle. Even though it's a corded model, this upright vacuum is still easy to handle and maneuver. One drawback is that some hair got stuck in the canister and in the brush roller, making it difficult to clean. But overall, we think it's a great value. How It's Held Up This vacuum continued to exceed our expectations throughout six months of at-home testing. It suctions up stubborn pet hair from floors and carpets so well that we don't mind the extra step of cutting hair out of the brush roller. And the detachable hose is clutch for furniture. Type: Corded | Length of Cord: 30 feet | Weight: 16.5 pounds | LED Lights: Yes | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Quiet Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Corded Stick Vacuum PHOTO: Bissell $149 at Wayfair $149 at Wayfair View on Bissell.com Star Qualities Much quieter than most other tested vacuums Works very well on carpets and area rugs Lays flat to reach underneath furniture Handy crevice attachment for tight corners Red Flags Hardwood setting doesn't pick up well Emptying isn't intuitive If noise is a concern when vacuuming, the Bissell CleanView Stick Vacuum might be your best bet. It's much quieter than nearly all the other models we tested. Even though the suction doesn't sound strong, it sucked up most debris on carpets and area rugs (but it's not quite as effective on the hard floor setting). This stick-style vacuum lays virtually flat and fits well underneath furniture. We found the crevice attachment useful for reaching tight corners and cleaning between couch cushions. Emptying the dirt cup wasn't very intuitive, as you have to twist off the filter and be careful not to spill debris everywhere. But it's easy enough once you get the hang of it. Type: Corded stick | Cord Length: 27 feet | Weight: 9.3 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: Yes | HEPA Filter: No People / Ana Calderone People / Ana Calderone People / Ana Calderone People / Ana Calderone People / Ana Calderone Best for Cars Black + Decker Flex Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $109 at Amazon $119 at Walmart $110 at Lowe's Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Star Qualities Lightweight and compact with long hose Steady suction gets all pet hair up Easy to empty and wash filter Red Flags Slightly noisy Short running time Bringing your pet on road trips can be fun, but you'll need something to clean all the fur off the back seat. This cordless vacuum is compact and lightweight, maneuvering around seats, pockets, and floor mats with ease. The suction remained steady during testing, and while it only lasts about eight minutes on a full charge, it should be enough to clean most of your car. This Black and Decker car vacuum has a long hose to reach various nooks and crannies and a sizable dirt-collection cup. The canister is also easy to open and empty, and you can wash the filter as needed. Although this handheld vacuum was slightly loud, we could still hold a conversation over it. Type: Cordless | Running Time: 8 minutes | Weight: 3.2 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Mode: Yes | HEPA Filter: No People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Attachments Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $70 at Amazon $100 at Target $70 at Wayfair Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 3/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Star Qualities Lightweight design is easy to hold and carry Extremely simple assembly and setup Pet hair doesn't get caught in brush roll Versatile attachments work especially well getting fur off furniture Red Flags May not remove all kibble from carpet Only one suction setting Somewhat cumbersome to empty after use This tiny but mighty handheld Shark vacuum performed extremely well at removing hair. As far as kibble goes, it worked better on a hard floor; multiple passes were needed to get pieces out from between carpet fibers. While there's only one power setting, we found this pet hair vacuum strong enough to suck up loose fur and dander. It was slightly cumbersome to empty and required some manual dislodging of pet hair from deep inside the dirt cup. Still, there was no hair wrapped around the brush roll, and the addition of several attachments makes it an undeniably versatile choice. How It's Held Up Six months into home testing, we're appreciative of the upholstery attachment. It grabs pet hair better than most other vacuums, especially on materials like velvet. The handheld vacuum deep cleans, is lightweight, and has a long-lasting battery. Type: Cordless | Running Time: Lasted 25 minutes for our tester | Weight: 2.8 pounds | LED Lights: No | Detachable Brushes: Yes | High-Powered Modes: No | HEPA Filter: No People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Others We Tried Kenmore Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum: We used this vacuum in a home with a shedding dog and found it effective at sucking up loose fur, dirt, and dander from floors and furniture. It's also quieter than most of the others we tried. However, it's not very easy to push on rugs, and the attachments sometimes fall off the vacuum where they're meant to be stored. What to Know About Pet Hair Vacuums Suction You always want to look for powerful suction in a vacuum, but it's particularly important for a model designed to suck up pet hair. “Strong suction ensures the flying fur tumbleweed on your floors actually gets sucked in instead of blown around,” says Melissa Homer, cleaning expert and chief cleaning officer at MaidPro. Besides picking up pet hair, strong suction is necessary to help remove pet dander from your space. Look for models with multiple suction levels, or better yet, a "max mode" that will send your vacuum into overdrive while it sucks up every last strand of fur and speck of dander. Our best overall pick, the Samsung Jet 75 Pet Cordless Vacuum, has a max mode that’s highly effective at grabbing debris. HEPA Filtration Make sure your vacuum of choice includes a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. This is an excellent filtration option for any household, but especially for those with pets or allergy sufferers. "HEPA filtration does a great job at filtering the air of small particles, including some allergens, which can reduce a patient's symptoms when they suffer from pollen and animal dander," says Dr. Jeanne Lomas, director of allergy services for WellNow Allergy. If you have animals in your home, you also have animal dander floating around. “Pet dander is the root cause of allergies, not the [pet] hair. It consists of microscopic flecks of skin that may be too small to detect when cleaning but will be picked up and trapped in a vacuum that is equipped with a good filtration system," says Bill Lin, a test engineer with Etekcity. Several of our top picks — the Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum, the Innova by Eureka Upright Vacuum, and the Tineco Pure One S11 Cordless Vacuum — include HEPA filtration. Helpful Attachments Attachments can be great for reaching small, narrow spots. And they’re particularly ideal for vacuuming upholstery, notes Ledoux, who suggests using small brush attachments for this purpose. They’ll also help agitate and lift up pet hair that may otherwise get stuck on couches, beds, or curtains, adds Barnett. Most vacuums come with a crevice tool and upholstery brush, but some pet-specific models take it even further, like the Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro Plus Handheld Vacuum. This vacuum comes with a "pet power brush" that is designed to grip pet hair and suck it up in one pass. American Maid Service’s Liz Trotter agrees, adding that pet hair vacuums have a “roller bar that has different bristles and a different kind of suction than that of regular vacuums.” Power Source You should also consider what type of power source (cordless or corded) you want when buying a pet hair vacuum. Corded vacuums can be used for an unlimited amount of time (as long as you have electricity); however, you are restricted by the length of the cord. In addition, they are often heavier to handle. Cordless vacuums, such as the Tineco Pure One S11, are often lighter and easier to maneuver. The downside is that you must rely on battery power or a charging station, so their run time is significantly less. Behind the Scenes We put 41 vacuums to the test in our PEOPLE Tested Lab and at home in real-life settings with cat and dog owners. These are the main factors we looked at: Setup: We started by assembling each model and timing how long the setup took, as well as how clear the instructions were. We also noted how easy the vacuum was to empty and clean.Suction Power: We used the vacuums to pick up dog kibble on a medium-pile rug and vinyl flooring, noting how effectively they worked on each. Measured amounts of dog hair were sprinkled onto both flooring surfaces and upholstery. After vacuuming, the sucked-up hair was again weighed to see exactly how much was picked up.Maneuverability: We made note of how heavy, lightweight, large, or compact the vacuums were, as well as how well they navigated obstacles, corners, baseboards, and under furniture.Noise Level: The noise output of each vacuum was measured using a decibel meter. We noted whether we could hold a conversation while using each model.Attachments, Filters, and Dirt Canisters: We tried out all the attachments to see how well they picked up pet hair from furniture, tight corners, and car interiors. The filtration systems and odor neutralizers (if applicable) were also evaluated by how well they captured dust, dander, and other allergens. And we considered the size of the dirt canisters or replacement bags.Durability: We also continued testing these vacuums in our homes for the last six months and added further insights on how they held up over time. People / Henry Wortock Frequently Asked Questions What vacuums are best for lifting pet hair? When you’re vacuuming pet hair, repetition is key, so a vacuum that allows for that will be the most effective. For carpet, you should go over the area twice, once horizontally and once vertically. “This will get the embedded pet hair out of the carpet fibers,” notes Becky Rapinchuk, cleaning expert and owner of Clean Mama. That’s why standing vacuums are generally better for cleaning pet hair than robot vacuums because you can control how many times the vacuum goes over the pet hair. You can also buy vacuums with attachments to get in between tight spaces, as well as a small brush attachment to effectively vacuum upholstery, Rapinchuk notes. How often should pet owners replace their vacuum? Considering that pet owners likely vacuum more often than non-pet owners — as a general rule of thumb, most pet owners need a weekly vacuuming to keep up with hair and tracked-in dirt, says Homer — you might have to replace your vacuum sooner than you think. While the standard timeframe is eight years before a necessary replacement, pet owners should consider replacing their vacuum after five or so years. So if you just started counting on your fingers how many years your vacuum has lived in that hall closet, it’s likely time to buy a new one. Why Trust PEOPLE? Melanie Rud is a freelance writer and editor living in Chicago. Madison Yauger is an editor for PEOPLE who has tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. Theresa Holland is a commerce writer, product reviewer, and editor specializing in lifestyle and home goods. For this story, they spoke to a wealth of cleaning experts. They also used insights from our PEOPLE lab tests and at-home tests to determine the best pet hair vacuums of 2024. Our Expert Panel Elena Ledoux is the owner of Superb Maids based in Las Vegas. Becky Rapinchuk is a cleaning expert and the owner of Clean Mama. Liz Trotter is the owner of American Maid Service based in Olympia, Wash. Melissa Homer is a cleaning expert and the chief cleaning officer at MaidPro. Dr. Jeanne Lomas is the director of allergy services for WellNow Allergy. Michael Barnett is the cleaning product manager at Black and Decker. Bill Lin is a test engineer with Etekcity. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval—because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust—every day, every purchase. The 5 Best Pet Hair Removers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed