Top Rated Vacuum Cleaners for Pet Hair on Carpet and Hardwood Floors 2022
Here is a detailed review of the best vacuums for pet hair on carpet and hardwood floors, including user impressions and a buyer’s guide. The goal of this review is to help you make an educated buying decision.
We all love our pets for the joy and comfort they bring to our homes. However, having to clean up the pet hair after them now and then is quite tiring. Pet hair also aggravates allergies, especially for asthmatic individuals.
What’s worse is that pet hair has some static energy that makes it stick inside carpets and even on hardwood floors.
Not sure which vacuum cleaner is the best for getting rid of pet hair on these types of floors? Not to worry, I’m here to help you.
To make it easier for you to find the right vacuum cleaner for your carpet and wood floors, I have reviewed some of the best. Thus, saving you hours of research.
This review is based on expert opinions as well as customer reviews.
6 Best Vacuum for Pet Hair on Carpet and Hardwood Floors
#1. Shark APEX AZ1002 Vacuum For Carpet and Hard Floor
Shark APEX AZ1002 DuoClean with Self-Cleaning Brushroll
Besides being the best vacuum cleaner overall, Shark Apex is also the best Shark vacuum for pet hair.
Shark has not been in the vacuum cleaners business for long, but they’ve gained a good reputation fast due to their high-quality products.
So what does this vacuum have to offer?
For starters, it comes with a Power Lift-Away system that allows you to detach the canister, making sure the head can reach further. This feature leaves you with a light stick vacuum to clean under the furniture and other areas where a conventional upright vacuum couldn’t get.
Another excellent feature is the DuoClean system. Instead of just a bristle brush, the DuoClean comprises of a standard brush and a soft roller. As a result, it reaches deep into the carpets and floors without damaging them. Besides pet hair, it’s also effective at collecting larger debris.
And that’s not all. It also has a Zero-M (Zero maintenance) mechanism that helps untangle the hairs as you clean.
Ensure that the vacuum keeps running for at least one minute for the Zero-M feature to get rid of the fur.
The 1.5 quartz (0.4 gallons) dust cup is one of the largest of all the vacuums I’ve seen on the market. There’s also a switch on the handle that allows you to switch between hard floors, carpets/low pile, and thick carpets.
The LED light is also very useful in tracking the dirt. It also comes with accessories specifically designed for pet hair. These include a pet multi-tool (cleaning attachment), a motorized pet brush, and a 12-inch crevice tool.
User Impressions
Most users were impressed by this vacuum’s suctioning power, the dust cup capacity, and ease of use.
However, some customers still complained that it clogged with hair even with the Zero-M feature. They had to unclog it manually.
Pros
- It’s easy to assemble and use
- It has a large dust cup capacity
- DuoClean, Zero-M, and Power Lift-away make it an efficient vacuum
- 5 years warranty
- The 30 ft cord is long enough to use around the house
Cons
- The Zero-M feature isn’t always practical
- It’s heavier than some of the other Shark models
Click Here to Buy the Shark Apex AZ1002 on Amazon
#2. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Upright Vacuum with Tangle Free Brushroll
Bissell is another renowned manufacturer of vacuums and other cleaning devices. And there’s no doubt that this Pet Hair Eraser cleans as expected on hardwood floors and carpets.
And the 12-inch cleaning area is convenient for larger rooms. It also allows you to adjust the heights in 5 levels based on the type of floor you’re cleaning.
What I love most about this 1650A pet hair eraser is the tangle-free brush roll. It works by preventing the hairs from being tangled inside the brush. And it minimizes the maintenance routines since you won’t have to remove the hair from the brush manually.
If you had issues with Shark’s Zero-M, you’d be pleased to know that this tangle-free mechanism works better and it’s more effective.
Another excellent feature is the cyclonic spooling system. Generally, when hair accumulates in the dust cup, you may have to remove it with your hands. And this can be quite hectic. The spooling system separates the pet hair from dirt. It also compiles the hair into a giant ball that’s easier to empty.
This vacuum also has a SmartSeal Allergen System that traps allergens, dander, and pet hair with the help of a HEPA filter. These filters ensure clean air is released into the room. It also has a Febreze odor eliminator that gets rid of pet odors. But you have to replace it regularly since you can’t clean it.
It also has a swivel steering for better maneuvering, a 30-foot power cord, and a 1.5-liter dust cup.
Accessories included with this vacuum include:
- Pet turbo eraser tool
- 2 in 1 pet brush
- LED crevice tool for tracking the dirt
It also has a quick-release wand that allows you to clean vertical sections, and the 8-foot hose makes it quite versatile.
User Impressions
Users love the suction of this vacuum, the spooling system, and the tangle-free brush roll. But a few of them had issues with very long hair tangling the brushes, but this didn’t happen often. There are also complaints about the brushes and rollers malfunctioning, and the warranty is vague about whether they’re covered.
Pros
- Excellent cleaning and suction on carpets and hard floors
- It’s easy to assemble and maneuver
- 5-year warranty
- Easy to empty the dust cap
Cons
- It’s quite heavy
- It has some design flaws that aren’t covered by the warranty
Click Here to Buy the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser on Amazon
#3. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Animal 2, Iron/Purple
This Dyson model is slightly more expensive than the other two models, and it has some world-class tech advancements. But is it worth the hefty price tag? Let’s find out.
Dyson Ball Animal 2 is quite heavy, weighing at least 17 pounds. So if you’re not used to such a heavy vacuum, you can opt for their lighter models. It has a distinctive large roller ball that makes it easier to maneuver.
It comes with a tangle-free brush that goes deep into the carpets and wood flooring, and it doesn’t allow the pet hair to wrap up around it. This makes it easier to use and clean.
It also has a stick vacuum attachment that you can use to clean the furniture, stairs, walls, and ceilings.
This vacuum also comes with a HEPA filter that eliminates more than 90% of allergens and dander. This filter is even approved by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. You also don’t have to keep replacing the filter – just clean it regularly.
User Impressions
Does it clean carpets and hardwood floors? Yes, it does, and it’s very good at it, according to most users. Users also found the 0.55-gallon dust cup spacious and relatively easy to empty.
However, some users claimed that it stuck to the carpet tightly, and that it’s quite strenuous.
Pro
- Powerful suctioning
- Tangle-free brush mechanism
- The HEPA filter is effective at eliminating VOCs
Cons
- It’s expensive
- It’s heavy, bulky, and unsuitable for small rooms
Click Here to Buy the Dyson Ball Animal 2 on Amazon
Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum
This Shark model is for those looking for a slightly cheaper and effective vacuum. It has the famous Shark’s Lift-Away system that allows you to detach and clean furniture, stairs, and other hard to reach areas.
It also has a HEPA filter for eliminating allergens.
It’s relatively easy to set up and detach the canister when cleaning challenging areas.
Tests show that this vacuum does a great job at eliminating pet hair, flour, rice, mud, or any other debris on the carpets and hard floors.
This vacuum comes with a crevice tool and a pet power brush. The crevice tool is great when cleaning furniture while the brush scours deep into the carpet to remove hair and other debris.
It has three vacuum settings that are suitable for different types of flooring. And an indicator that shows when the motorized brush is working and when it’s clogged.
It lights green when the motor is okay and red when it is blocked or malfunctions.
The 2.2 quarts (0.55 gallons) is quite sufficient when dealing with larger rooms or several carpets. It’s also light, weighing at least 13.7 pounds and 8 pounds when in a handheld mode. This makes it easier to maneuver compared to the Dyson model or the Shark Apex model.
User Impressions
Most users found this vacuum practical on carpets and wood floors. However, due to its lightweight, it tipped over often. It also doesn’t have a mounting section for the pet brush, so you have to store it separately. There are also complaints about pet hair clogging the brush, making it frustrating to those with several pets.
Pros
- Impressive suctioning power
- Excellent value for money
- It’s lighter and easier to maneuver
- It’s made with high-quality plastic
- It has a large dust cup
Cons
- The brushes are easily clogged
- It has a small cleaning width
Click Here to Buy the Shark Navigator on Amazon
#5. Eureka NEU522 Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner
EUREKA NEU522 FloorRover Dash Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner
The Eureka NEU522 is another slightly cheaper model with accessories and functionalities that you’ll find in more expensive models. These include the Pet Turbo Brush to remove pet hair from carpets, a crevice tool for reaching tight corners and a convenient dusting brush.
It also comes with a unique and newly designed multi-angle adapter that makes cleaning countertops, stairs, walls, and other hard-to-reach areas more comfortable.
The 35-feet cord and detachable handle also make it more maneuverable based on the surfaces you’re working on.
I was impressed by the automatic height adjustment. This feature adjusts the vacuuming height based on the type of floor you’re working on. It’s more convenient than having to use buttons and even better than the Dyson Ball Animal 2 with no height adjustment.
It also has a Multi-Cycloning filtration system that separates small and large particles and a HEPA filter that eliminates up to 99% of harmful particles from the air.
The swivel steering and the gliding wheels also make pushing and pulling this vacuum easy and fun. It may not have a tangle-free system, but it has a light that indicates when the brushes are clogged.
User Impressions
The lower price made some users doubt its functionality, but it exceeded their expectations once they got it running. They found it easier to assemble, easier to maneuver, and it effectively gets rid of pet hair on all surfaces.
The automatic height adjustment is also a significant selling point. They still had to unclog it often and replace the filters, but that isn’t a problem since all appliances need some maintenance.
Pros
- Automatic height adjustment
- Lightweight and easy to use
- It comes with several accessories
- It’s cheaper than most models
Cons
- You have to unclog hair from the brushes often
Click Here to Buy the Eureka NEU522 on Amazon
#6. Amarey A900 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The Amarey A900 is perfect for when you’re not in a position to use a handheld vacuum or would love to clean as you read your favorite book. It’s relatively quiet, so you don’t have to worry about it disturbing your family or pets.
It’s so small (2.7 inches) that it will go under the furniture, refrigerator, or other areas where an upright vacuum can’t access.
And it’s perfect for pet hair, allergens, foodstuff, and other debris thanks to the 1400pa suctioning power.
The A900 is the latest model that’s fitted with a VSLAM navigation system. This allows it to scan and automatically create a map of the room. But you can also control it and schedule cleaning sessions through the remote, app, or Alexa voice control.
It comes with four cleaning modes (automatic, spot, max, and edge cleaning). It also automatically adjusts the suction based on the type of flooring. The battery lasts for at least 120 minutes, which is enough for small to medium-sized rooms.
And just like most robots, it will automatically access the charging station when it’s done or when the battery is too low.
The obstacle avoidance system avoids tables, seats, and other features laid out in the room. It also detects when it’s along an edge, preventing it from falling.
User Impressions
Besides a few connectivity and defective parts issues, most users seemed to love this vacuum. Most importantly, it sucked pet hair from carpets and wooden floors as expected, and the app and remote control gave the users more control over it. The app is a bit challenging for new users, but eventually, they got the hang of it.
Pros
- It’s easy to use
- Quiet operation
- Sufficient suction power
Cons
- It’s not strong enough for high profile carpets
Click Here to Buy the Amarey A900 on Amazon
Best Vacuums for Pet Hair Buyer’s Guide
Below are some of the factors to consider when looking for the best vacuum for pet hair.
Type of flooring
There are several types of flooring, but in this article, I focused on hardwood floors and carpets. For hardwood floors, it’s always advisable to get a vacuum with a lot of suction power. This ensures that it captures all the fur as well as any other debris left on the floor. When checking the product details, make sure it’s specifically designed for hardwood floors.
When dealing with carpets, you need both excellent suction power and a rotating brush roll. The brush is effective in getting the fur inside the carpet’s profile.
Without the brush, the vacuum may end up blowing the hair towards the furniture, making it even harder to clean them.
When dealing with different floors, it’s also good to have a vacuum with adjustable heights. This makes it more versatile and prevents any damage on delicate floors.
Type of Pet
Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and all those furry pets shed fur differently. Some may even have longer hair than others.
Some vacuums aren’t suitable for long fur since it clogs the brushes. So make sure you put the type of fur and the rate at which the pets shed into consideration. A vacuum with a tangle-free mechanism is also great for pets that shed too often.
Air filtering Mechanisms
As mentioned earlier, some people are allergic to pet hair. Therefore, a model with a sealing mechanism for the allergens and dander is preferable. Some of them have HEPA filters that filter out the harmful particles and release clean air into the room. So if anyone in your family is allergic pet fur, a vacuum with a HEPA filter is a must-have.
Accessories
Vacuums specifically designed for pet hair should have accessories such as a pet power brush, pet multi-tool, a crevice tool. If you have to clean furniture and stairs often, the vacuum should have a detachable wand or a handheld vacuum accessory.
Dust Cup Capacity
Whether the vacuum has a bag or dust cup, it should have a considerable capacity. This is to ensure you don’t have to empty it often. Emptying should also be flawless. If the vacuum can separate the hair from the dust, that would be better.
Conclusion
There are several types of vacuums for pet hair, but I find the upright models more effective and easier to use. I have recommended the top brands you can choose from (Bissell, Shark, Eureka, and Dyson). I believe they are all great, but the Shark APEX AZ1002 takes the crown. This is thanks to the lift-away feature, DuoClean system, Zero-M feature, HEPA filters, and a large dust cup capacity. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser comes at a close second if you don’t want to go with the Shark model. And when you’re looking for a robot vacuum to do the cleaning for you, the Amarey A900 is the best fit.
Related Article:
- Top 3 Cheaper Roomba Alternatives
- Top 5 Rubber Brooms for Pet Hair
- What is the Best Air Purifier for Pet Odors?
Did you find the list of the best vacuums for pet hair on carpet and hardwood floors helpful? Leave your comment below.
