It’s clear from the outset that I’m a dog owner, when friends and family come over to visit. You can easily find my dog’s favorite spots to sleep, thanks to the piles of fur that accumulate. Even the cleanest of dogs and the tidiest owners end up with bits of hair on furniture, rugs and carpets.
Dog hair is a common problem for us hound owners. It isn’t always easy to clean dog hair out of carpets and couches. Thankfully, I’ve compiled some of the best vacuums for dog hair to help keep your living space clean.
Dirt Devil Endura Max XL Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Pets
We start with Dirt Devil’s pet hair-specific vacuum, the Endura Max XL for Pets. This is a very affordable option, which has the added convenience of being bagless.
The Endura Max is a powerful vacuum that utilizes a Turboclaw pet tool to remove embedded pet hair and dirt from carpets and dog beds. There’s a carbon odor-trapping pet filter as well that reduces pet odors in your house as it cleans.
The XL version of the Endura Max includes an extra-large and easy-empty dirt cup so you can spend more time cleaning and less time emptying the vacuum. The attachments are easy to change, and the vacuum is easy to maneuver throughout all living spaces.
The biggest downside of this vacuum is that it gets clogged too easily. This can happen all too often when you’re dealing with pet hair. But if you purchase a pet hair-specific vacuum, it should be able to handle large amounts of hair without getting clogged.
Shark IZ363HT Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum
The Shark Pet Power vacuum is the most expensive option on this list. There are plenty of features included with this product that really justify the price, for most buyers.
This vacuum is a cordless model that gives pet owners up to 50 minutes of runtime in standard mode. It still has powerful cleaning power, and the lightweight design makes it easy to vacuum anywhere in your home.
The ‘Shark’ boasts a self-cleaning brush roll that never gets clogged or tangled. It uses silicone fins to pick up hair rather than bristles. This choice leads to fewer cleaning gaps and fewer tangles. Its ‘Anti-Allergen Complete Seal’ traps over 99.99% of dust and allergens, so stops all the debris flying around which causes allergic reactions. This is your dog’s skin cells and saliva, which gets trapped in the hair.
This vacuum has a long battery life, no-clog silicone fins, and easy to swap attachments. It is value for money, despite being at a higher price-point.
The suction on this machine could be a little stronger, for my liking. This can be an issue with lightweight, battery-operated vacuums. That said, if you don’t mind waiting for a recharge between cleaning sessions longer than 50 minutes, this vacuum would still be a good option for you.
Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet
Our third vacuum sits at the median price out of the 5 total options on this list. Hoover’s WindTunnel Performance Pet vacuum is often discounted, so keep a look out for that, if the base retail price is over your current budget.
Hoover’s Performance Pet is not a cordless vacuum, but this gives it significant suction power. You can use this vacuum on the carpet and hard floors. Simply change the brush roll setting depending on the surface you’re cleaning.
Similar to the previous options, Hoover’s pet vacuum also includes a carbon HEPA filter to absorb odors while cleaning pet hair. Households with multiple dogs will most likely have to empty the vacuum often. However, this just means that it’s doing a suitable job of removing dog hair from your home.
The Performance Pet vacuum includes multiple attachments for accessing nooks and crannies in any room. The vacuum’s cord extends up to 17 feet, so you won’t worry about accidentally unplugging the vacuum while you clean.
Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Pet Turbo
A further affordable option is Eureka PowerSpeed Pet Turbo vacuum, and is a great option for vacuuming pet hair.
The PowerSpeed Pet Turbo vacuum cleaner is lightweight and more portable than the other options on this list. While it is not cordless, it is significantly smaller and lighter than Hoover’s and Dirt Devil’s pet vacuum.
It boasts 5 height adjustments to switch between carpet and hard floors. The vacuum bag is replaced with an extra-large dust cup that is easily washed. The pet turbo tool, crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool create a powerful dog hair cleaning experience.
This vacuum quickly picks up dog hair. The dirt and hair capacity is very generous, meaning you don’t have to empty the dirt cup as often as other vacuums.
This vacuum is a little louder than the others on this list. Does it really matter though? The price and performance combined, make the PowerSpeed Pet Turbo a fantastic option for heavy cleaning.
BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum
The last vacuum on our list is Bissell’s CleanView vacuum. The first thing I want to note about Bissell is that when you purchase a Bissell vacuum, the company donates up to $10 to the Bissell pet foundation.
Bissell’s vacuum includes specialized tools to remove dog hair from carpets. A triple-action brush roll easily sweeps up dog hair from any surface. It also utilizes scatter-free technology to ensure hair and debris go directly into the vacuum and not randomly across your floor.
The price is lower than expected for the performance, and this vacuum is absolutely good value for money. Similar to Hoover’s option, this vacuum often goes on sale, and is a mid-range price point compared with the other vacuums reviewed on this list.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Pet Vacuum
- Will you need adjustments for different floors, such as carpets and wood?
- Does the vacuum cleaner have a rotating brush for pulling hair out of carpet fibers?
- Do you have stairs? You may need a lighter model for carrying around.
- Does your dog shed a lot of hair?
- Does the vacuum have a HEPA filter, for trapping dander?
Final Thoughts
Just because a vacuum is branded as pet specific, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are all created equal. The tools, accessories, performance and ease of use are all important features to compare. You will have particular needs of a pet vacuum, according to your house and furnishings, breed and number of pets, allergies and many other factors.
There are various vacuums for dog hair on the market. But not all of them will get the job done. These five vacuums have proved to be efficient and effective in reducing pet hair and pet odor. Choose the one that fits your needs most, so you can just enjoy living with your hounds.
