No matter whether you’re on Team Cat or Team Dog, one thing we can all agree on is that owning a pet comes with a significant amount of hair (especially if you own one of the top dog breeds which shed). Namely, hair all over our clothes, couch, bed, car, and floors.
Tackling pet shedding can feel like a full-time job. But the good news is, in 2025 there are even more powerful, smarter vacuums designed specifically to wrestle with fur, dander, and allergens. Pet parents, rejoice!
In this updated guide, we’ll walk through what to look for in a vacuum for pet hair and share some standout models you can trust in 2025.
Ready to find out some of our top picks? Here goes!
What to look for in vacuums for pet hair
When choosing a vacuum meant for pet homes, here are the features you should prioritise:
Strong and consistent suction power — to lift embedded hair from carpets and upholstery.
Tangle-resistant or self-cleaning brush rolls — so hair doesn’t wrap around the roller and reduce effectiveness.
Effective filtration (preferably HEPA or sealed systems) — to trap allergens, dander, and fine particles.
Versatility across surfaces — the vacuum should perform well on hard floors, rugs, carpet, and upholstery.
Good attachments for nooks and pets’ spaces — crevice tools, motorised pet brushes, upholstery heads, etc.
Ease of maintenance — filters and brush bars should be easily accessible, bins easy to empty.
Battery life (for cordless models) — enough runtime to cover your home plus a buffer.
Smart features (optional but increasingly valuable) — automatic suction adjustment, app control, self-emptying docks.
Because pet hair is such a persistent challenge, models that reduce fiddling (hair wrap, filter clogs) or automate parts of the job (self-emptying bins, smart sensors) gain extra value.
2025’s top 5 vacuums for pet hair, as voted by us
We’ve sussed out several pet hair vacuums and narrowed our list to five of the best. Because we’re sure you’d rather spend more time with your pooches and felines than endlessly researching on the net!
1. Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine Wet & Dry Stick Vacuum
Dyson has long been the gold standard in vacuums, and the new V16 Piston Animal Submarine is a powerhouse for pet parents. It’s cordless, lightweight, and boasts wet and dry cleaning capabilities. What that means is you can tackle muddy pawprints as easily as pet fur!
Best for: Pet parents who want a high-tech, all-rounder vacuum for every mess fur kids throw at them.
Priced ~$1,650
2. Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog Stick Vacuum
Known for German engineering and durability, the Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog is a sleek cordless stick vac with outstanding suction. Its 3-in-1 design means you can use it as an upright, a handheld, or a compact stick. With a HEPA lifetime filter and an electrobrush built specifically for pet hair, this is a fantastic option for both big clean-ups and quick daily use.
Best for: Cat and dog owners who want versatility and premium build quality. Plus, it’s reviewed and approved carry the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly (a good choice for people with asthma and allergies).
Priced ~$900
3. iRobot Roomba Combo j9+
Hate vacuuming altogether? Let a robot take over. The Roomba Combo j9+ is one of the smartest cleaning robots yet. Not only does it vacuum up fur and dander, it also mops floors (perfect for muddy paw prints and litter spills).
What’s the most amazing though, is that it knows what to clean BUT ALSO what to avoid. Take, for example, shoes in the hall, charging cords in the lounge, or your pet’s little brown present left in the middle of the lounge room (!!) using advanced object recognition. Worth all the money in the world, right?!
Best for: Busy pet parents who want hands-off cleaning and smart home integration.
Priced ~$900
4. Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro
Shark’s Stratos series is generating a lot of buzz in 2025 for delivering features often only seen in high-end vacuums: anti-hair wrap technology, odour neutraliser, Clean Sense IQ (detects dirt and boosts power as needed), and a self-cleaning brush roll.
To get even more in-dept analysis on the Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro, the team at TechRadar have put together a very helpful summary too.
Best for: Pet parents who want an all-rounder, but a more affordable alternative to the Dyson.
Priced ~$550
5. Bissell PowerClean FurGuard Stick Vac
For pet parents on a budget, the Bissell PowerClean FurGuard Stick Vac delivers excellent bang for your buck. It’s cordless, lightweight, and includes a tangle-free brush roll designed to stop fur from wrapping around. It may not have all the bells and whistles of pricier models, but it’s perfect for quick daily clean-ups.
Best for: Smaller homes, apartments, or anyone looking for an affordable pet-specific vacuum.
Priced ~$450
+ An honourable mention: Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Vacuum
If you prefer a traditional corded vacuum, the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog is a beast. With cyclone technology, bagless convenience, and a powerful turbo brush, it excels at deep-cleaning carpets, upholstery, and hard floors. It’s especially great for households with allergy sufferers thanks to its advanced HEPA filtration system. This one has also earned the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly stamp of approval.
Best for: Larger homes and pet parents who don’t mind corded vacuums in exchange for serious suction power.
Priced ~$800
Which one of these do you rate as the best vacuum for pet hair?
Whether you’re after the cutting-edge tech of a Dyson or Roomba, the durability of a Miele, or the value of a Bissell, there’s a pet hair vacuum in 2025 to suit every household. The key is to choose one that matches your cleaning style—so you can spend less time vacuuming and more time cuddling your furry friend.
