5 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair: Carpet & Hardwood

Does your home look like a never-ending shedding season exploded? You love your furry friends, but their hair seems to cling to every surface, turning your beautiful hardwood floors and plush carpets into a tangled mess. Finding a vacuum that tackles both hard surfaces and deep carpets without losing suction or scratching your wood is a real challenge. Many vacuums promise the world but fail miserably when switching between materials.

We know the frustration: one machine bogs down on the rug, and the next leaves dust bunnies dancing across your pristine floorboards. This struggle wastes time and leaves you with disappointing results. But fear not, pet parents! We have tested and analyzed the top contenders.

In this guide, we break down exactly what features matter most for dual-surface pet hair removal. You will learn which vacuums offer the best performance, maneuverability, and value for your specific cleaning needs. Get ready to reclaim your floors—keep reading to discover the ultimate vacuum solution!

Top Vacuum For Pet Hair Hardwood And Carpet Recommendations

No. 1
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off with Powerful Suction, HEPA, Tangle-Free Brush Roll, 39883
  • POWERFUL SUCTION. Dirt, fur & dust don’t stand a chance against the Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off vacuum’s suction power.
  • LIFT-OFF DETACHABLE POD. Conveniently clean anywhere in your home, even hard-to-reach areas, with the lightweight canister and quick-release extension wand.
  • HEPA SEALED ALLERGEN SYSTEM. This vacuum captures dust allergens inside the vacuum so they don’t escape back into the air you breathe.
  • TANGLE-FREE BRUSH ROLL. Cut the hassle, not the hair. This vacuum is designed to handle hair and fur.
  • SCATTER-FREE TECHNOLOGY. Vacuuming hard floors shouldn't be a headache. Strong suction and scatter-free technology makes cleaning a breeze.
No. 2
Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, Powerful Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Home Pets, NEU181A, Blue
  • Lightweight Yet Powerful:At just 10 pounds, the PowerSpeed delivers heavyweight cleaning performance in an ultra-light upright that’s easy to carry up stairs and around furniture.
  • Strong Suction Across Surfaces:A 960-watt motor powers consistent suction through multiple floor types—from hardwood and tile to area rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting.
  • Extra-Large Dust Cup for Fewer Empties:The 2.6-liter capacity keeps cleaning sessions uninterrupted. The flip-to-empty dust bin is fast, mess-free, and bag-free.
  • 5-Height Brush Roll Adjustment:Clean with precision on thick carpet or bare floors by quickly adjusting the height to match your surface.
  • Pet-Ready Attachments Onboard:Includes a Pet Turbo Brush, crevice tool, and dusting brush—all stored onboard for easy access and complete home coverage.
No. 3
EUREKA PowerSpeed Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, Pet Turbo, Black,Yellow
  • Lightweight & Portable: This 10 lbs Eureka PowerSpeed upright vacuum cleaner is easy to use and delivers a powerful deep clean.
  • Powerful Multi-surface Vacuum: With 5 height adjustment settings this versatile vacuum can easily adapt between hard floor and deep carpet.
  • Extra-large Dust Cup: With an easy empty 2.6L dust cup this bagless vacuum requires less frequent emptying for uninterrupted cleaning. Filtration: Foam
  • Great for Pet Owners: Includes a pet turbo tool crevice tool dusting brush and upholstery tool that can all be stored on board for easy access and above floor cleaning.
  • Warning: When you use the vacuum cleaner, the floor brush may be clogged by hairs and dirts. We recommend cleaning the roller brush and the belt to remove the hairs and dirts every 2 weeks. If the roller and belt not cleaned for a long time, it may cause malfunction, and in some serious cases, there may be the risk of smoke and belt broken.
No. 4
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
  • LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: lift away the detachable pod and easily clean above-floor areas like stairs, furniture, and more
  • ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.9%* of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. (*Based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger.)
  • BRUSHROLL SHUTOFF: Instantly switch from more maneuverability on deep carpets to gentle bare floor cleaning
  • PERFECT FOR PET OWNERS: Picks up pet hair and loose debris. Powerfully deep-cleans dander out of upholstery and other surfaces
  • SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more
No. 5
Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pick Up, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Easy Empty
  • EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets..Swivel Head : Yes, Carry Handle : Yes.Cleaning System : MultiCyclonic. Air Flow Indicator : Yes.
  • SWIVEL STEERING FOR MAXIMUM MANEUVERABILITY. Makes cleaning around furniture and other obstacles easy.
  • TRIPLE ACTION BRUSH ROLL. Loosens, lifts and removes embedded pet hair.
  • MULTI-SURFACE CLEANING WITH SCATTER-FREE TECHNOLOGY. Stop the scatter when tackling dry pet messes on hard surfaces.
  • EDGE-TO-EDGE CLEANING. Tackle pet hair, dirt, and debris along edges and in corners.
No. 6
Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, PowerSpeed, New Model,Blue,black/New Model
  • Upgraded Cyclone System: The Eureka PowerSpeed is now upgraded with new cyclone technology to handle larger debris, smaller dirt, and even microscopic dust.Specific uses:hard floor,carpet,dual action
  • Powerful pick-up: Penetrates deep into the carpet to extract embedded dirt, dust, and debris.
  • Lightweight: PowerSpeed does all the work while still remaining lightweight.
  • 5 Height Settings: The PowerSpeed works well on carpets, shag rugs, and hard floors. Its wheels run smoothly on hardwood floors to prevent scratches or gouges.
  • Multiple accessories included: A quick-release handle is connected to the stretch hose for above-floor cleaning. A 7-inch-long crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool help clean hard-to-reach areas. Extract dirt, and pet hair, and freshen up your car, curtains, ceilings, or door frames. For your convenience, they are all stored right on board.
No. 7
Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Charcoal, 2.9 L Dust Cup
  • POWERFINS HAIRPRO: Actively grips & captures stubborn long hair, short hair, and pet hair, on carpets & floors.
  • SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: For powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
  • ODOR NEUTRALIZER TECHNOLOGY: Guards against bad odors inside your vacuum for a fresher-smelling home. (vs. Shark ZU102 without Odor Neutralizer Technology.)
  • ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner, keeping them out of the air you breathe. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles 0.3 microns and larger.)
  • 3XL CAPACITY: For long cleaning sessions with fewer interruptions to empty the dust cup.
No. 8
Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo Upright Vacuum with Quick Release Wand, Full Size Power, Compact Size for Apartments & Dorms, 3437F
  • Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT (10 LBS). Powerful suction in a lightweight and compact vacuum makes cleaning functional and easily maneuverable.
  • FULL SIZE POWER, COMPACT DESIGN. Powerful suction in a lightweight and compact vacuum.
  • SCATTER-FREE TECHNOLOGY. Captures messes on hard floors with less scatter.
  • QUICK RELEASE EXTENSION WAND. Easily clean on and above floors.

The Ultimate Buying Guide: Vacuuming Up Pet Hair Woes

Pets bring joy, but they also bring fur! If you have furry friends sharing your home, you know the struggle of cleaning up hair on both hard floors and carpets. Finding the right vacuum makes this chore much easier. This guide helps you pick the best machine for your multi-surface pet-hair battleground.

Key Features to Look For

A great pet hair vacuum needs specific tools and power. Don’t settle for less!

Power and Suction Strength

  • Strong Motor: Look for high wattage or strong airflow ratings. More power pulls deeply embedded hair out of carpets.
  • Consistent Suction: The vacuum should keep strong suction even when the dustbin starts filling up.

Brush Roll Technology

  • Tangle-Free or Self-Cleaning Brush Roll: Pet hair wraps around standard brushes easily. A special brush roll prevents this frustrating mess.
  • On/Off Switch for Brush Roll: You must turn the spinning brush off when cleaning hard floors. Spinning brushes can scatter loose debris or scratch delicate wood.

Filtration System

  • HEPA Filter: This is crucial. HEPA filters trap tiny dander particles (which cause allergies) along with the hair. This cleans the air, not just the floor.

Attachments and Tools

  • Mini Motorized Tool: This small, spinning brush attachment is perfect for stairs, upholstery, and pet beds. It attacks hair where the main vacuum head cannot reach.
  • Crevice Tool: Use this to get hair from corners and along baseboards.

Important Materials and Construction

The materials affect how long your vacuum lasts and how easy it is to use.

Body and Canister

  • Durable Plastic: Most vacuums use strong ABS plastic. Check reviews to ensure the plastic doesn’t crack easily under normal bumps.
  • Metal Parts (Where it Counts): Sturdy metal components in the wand or hose increase longevity.

Hose and Connections

  • Flexible, Reinforced Hose: A cheap, thin hose tears quickly. Look for hoses that stretch well without kinking or ripping when you pull them around furniture.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

These details separate a good vacuum from a frustrating one.

Quality Boosters

  • Bagless Design with Easy Emptying: You see when it is full, and emptying should require just one click over the trash can.
  • Swivel Steering: This makes maneuvering around chair legs and under tables much simpler.
  • Good Weight Distribution: If the vacuum feels too heavy on the handle, it tires your arm quickly.

Quality Reducers (Watch Outs)

  • Small Dustbins: If you have shedding pets, a small bin means you stop cleaning every five minutes to empty it.
  • Poor Edge Cleaning: If the vacuum leaves a band of hair right against the wall, it fails at thorough cleaning. Check for designs that pull debris from the very edge.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about where and how often you clean.

Carpet Cleaning

For thick carpets, you need powerful suction and adjustable height settings. The vacuum must agitate the fibers to lift the hair that sinks deep down.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

On hard floors, the vacuum must have soft wheels or settings that prevent scratching. Remember, turn the brush roll OFF! Look for good suction near the front edge to suck up scattered kibble or dust bunnies.

Upright vs. Canister vs. Stick

  • Uprights: Best for large homes with lots of carpet. They offer the most power.
  • Canisters: Excellent for homes with mostly hard floors and lots of stairs. They are usually lighter to push.
  • Sticks (Cordless): Perfect for quick daily cleanups. They are convenient but often have smaller batteries and dustbins.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I really need a special pet hair vacuum?

A: Yes. Standard vacuums often clog or fail to pull deeply embedded pet hair from carpets effectively.

Q: What is the difference between dander and hair?

A: Hair is the visible fur. Dander is tiny, invisible flakes of skin that often cause allergies. A HEPA filter traps both.

Q: Are cordless stick vacuums strong enough for heavy shedding?

A: Modern ones are much better, but upright or canister models usually hold more power for deep cleaning thick carpets.

Q: How often should I clean the filters?

A: You should check the main filter monthly. Washable filters need rinsing every few months, depending on how much you vacuum.

Q: What does “brush roll height adjustment” mean?

A: It means you can raise or lower the main brush head. This lets you set the perfect cleaning height for thin rugs versus deep pile carpets.

Q: Will a vacuum with a bag be better than a bagless one for pet hair?

A: Bags keep the fine dust and dander contained when you dispose of them. Bagless models are more convenient but require more careful emptying.

Q: My vacuum clogs constantly. What part is the problem?

A: Clogging usually happens in the hose or the brush roll housing. Look for a vacuum with wide, smooth pathways.

Q: Can I use the same vacuum settings for my area rugs and my hardwood floors?

A: No. Always turn the main spinning brush OFF for hardwood floors to prevent scratching and scattering debris.

Q: Is a motorized pet tool better than a simple upholstery attachment?

A: A motorized tool uses its own small spinning brush, giving it much more power to lift hair from fabric surfaces like couches.

Q: How do I know if the suction power is truly good?

A: Read user reviews that specifically mention cleaning stairs or deep-pile carpet. Real-world tests show real power.