Five of the best appliances for sucking up excess fur.
©Africa Studio/Adobe Sotck
Being a pet owner doesn’t have too many downsides, but if you had to pick one, dealing with loose hair might be it. You can practice good dog grooming and brush your pet’s coat frequently, but the shedding never stops. Trying to get pet hair off surfaces around the house is a big chore for those who live with dogs and cats who shed—and most do.
The good news is that a number of vacuum cleaner manufacturers have recognized the needs of pet owners who live with shedders, and have developed vacuums designed specifically for picking up pet hair. These vacuums are made to suck pet hair out of carpets and even out of upholstery, and often come with attachments to make the job easier.
Here’s a look at five popular vacuum cleaners in a variety of price ranges, all marketed for people who live with pets.
Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog Upright Vacuum
The 22-lb. Miele Dynamic U1 is an upright vacuum that comes with an electrobrush, which is designed to follow the floor’s contours, automatically adjusting for different carpet depths and surface types. Equipped with an AirClean filter with a charcoal cassette to neutralize odors, the vacuum uses disposable bags and has a 40-ft. manual-wind cord. Accessories include a power brush, upholstery tool, dusting brush and a crevice tool. A brush on/off switch, suction control and a telescopic wand help with cleanup. This vacuum sells online for approximately $600.
Dyson claims this upright vacuum has the strongest suction of any vacuum on the market. Engineered for homes with pets, the vacuum weighs around 17 lb., has a 35-ft. cord, and is designed for use on different floor types. It also collects allergens using a HEPA filter. The hose and wand stretch 15 feet to clean stairs and corners. This bagless model sells directly from Dyson at around $400.
Shark Rotator NV752 Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum
Shark’s upright vacuum is designed for picking up pet hair; it features a detachable canister, LED lights on the handle and nozzle, and a HEPA filter to help control allergens. It also has a hard floor attachment and a 30-ft. cord. The vacuum weighs around 15 lb., is bagless, and has a washable filter. Shark sells the TruePet vacuum online for around $330.
Designed to be lightweight—it weighs only 8 lb.—this upright vacuum by Eureka comes with a scuff-protect furniture guard that also protects baseboards; a 30-ft. cord; and an 8-ft. hose and an extension wand. The vacuum’s Pet Pal Cleaning Tools, which consist of a PET Power Paw, a crevice tool and a PET dusting brush, are meant to help remove pet hair from stairs, carpeting and upholstery. Eureka sells this vacuum for around $110.
Hoover WindTunnel Pet Rewind UH70210
Weighing 19 lb., this upright from vacuum cleaner giant Hoover has a manual pile-height adjustment to remove pet hair from carpeting. The 27-ft. cord retracts automatically, and the vacuum folds for storage. The HEPA filtration on this bagless model helps with allergens. It can also be used on bare floors and upholstery. The WindTunnel sells online for about $100.