Living with pets and long-haired family members means a constant battle against fur tumbleweeds and stray strands. Your floors and furniture can quickly become a magnet for hair, dander, and dust, making a regular cleaning routine essential. An ordinary vacuum often just pushes the problem around or, worse, gets its brushroll tangled into a useless mess.
The right vacuum cleaner is your ultimate weapon in this fight. This roundup focuses on machines specifically designed to tackle stubborn pet hair and long human hair with powerful suction, specialized brushrolls, and thoughtful features. We’ve curated a list of top performers, from corded uprights to versatile cordless models, to help you reclaim a clean, hair-free home.
Our Top Vacuums for Pet Hair and Long Hair
- Shark ZU62 Navigator Zero-M Self-Cleaning Brushroll Pet Pro Upright Vacuum
- BISSELL ICONpet Cordless with Tangle Free Brushroll, SmartSeal Filtration
- Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter
- Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Bagged Canister Vacuum
- BISSELL Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
- Shark Navigator Deluxe Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum
- BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
- Dyson V11 Torque Drive+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Renewed Premium)
- Swidan XBAT200 Lithium-ion Battery Pack for Shark Cordless Vacuums
- Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E
Shark ZU62 Navigator Zero-M Self-Cleaning Brushroll Pet Pro Upright Vacuum
Say goodbye to the tedious chore of cutting hair out of your vacuum’s brushroll. The Shark Navigator Zero-M Pet Pro features a revolutionary self-cleaning brushroll that actively removes hair wrap as you clean. This means you get nonstop hair removal without the hassle of manual intervention, making it a true game-changer for households with shedding pets or long-haired residents.
Beyond its innovative brushroll, this vacuum offers powerful suction to pull embedded debris and stubborn pet hair from both carpets and hard floors. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry up and down stairs and maneuver around furniture. With a generous 2.8-quart dust cup capacity, you can cover more area before needing to pause and empty the bin.
BISSELL ICONpet Cordless with Tangle Free Brushroll
Experience the freedom of cordless cleaning without sacrificing power. The BISSELL ICONpet is engineered with a high-performance digital motor that spins at incredible speeds, providing strong suction to lift pet hair and dirt from your floors. Its tangle-free brushroll is specifically designed to resist hair wrap, ensuring consistent performance and less maintenance for you.
This stick vacuum is powered by a 22V lithium-ion battery, offering cordless convenience with three distinct cleaning modes. You can select the perfect power level for the task at hand, from quick pick-ups to deep cleaning sessions. Plus, your purchase supports a great cause, as BISSELL helps save homeless pets through the BISSELL Pet Foundation.
Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
For maximum versatility, the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away gives you the best of both worlds. Its Lift-Away functionality allows you to detach the pod from the vacuum base, transforming it into a portable canister for cleaning above the floor. This is perfect for tackling pet hair on stairs, upholstery, and under furniture with ease.
Advanced swivel steering provides exceptional maneuverability, helping you navigate around tight corners and furniture legs without a struggle. The vacuum also features Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology combined with a HEPA filter, which works to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, preventing them from escaping back into your home’s air.
Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Bagged Canister Vacuum
Renowned for their durability and superior filtration, Miele canister vacuums are a long-term investment in your home’s cleanliness. The Compact C1 Pure Suction model is a powerful and lightweight option, ideally suited for homes with hard floors and low-pile carpeting. Its bagged system helps maintain strong, consistent suction and seals in dust and allergens effectively.
This vacuum offers six adjustable suction power settings, allowing you to customize the cleaning power for any surface, from delicate area rugs to high-traffic zones. Its compact body is easy to store, and the design provides maximum maneuverability, making it simple to clean around and underneath furniture.
BISSELL Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
The BISSELL Cleanview is a reliable and affordable workhorse designed to handle everyday messes with ease. It features OnePass Technology, which combines powerful suction with an innovative brush design to clean effectively on the initial pass. This means you can spend less time going over the same spot and more time enjoying a clean home.
At the heart of this vacuum is a multi-cyclonic suction system that maintains strong suction power by keeping dirt and debris in the bin where it belongs. Multi-level filtration, including a washable filter, helps to reduce household dust and allergens from escaping during the vacuuming process.
Shark Navigator Deluxe Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum
The Shark Navigator Deluxe is a popular choice for its consistent performance and user-friendly design. This vacuum is built to maintain powerful suction from the moment you start until you finish, ensuring a thorough clean every time. Its lightweight and portable frame, at just 15 pounds, makes it easy to use throughout the home.
You won’t have to interrupt your cleaning session frequently, thanks to the large-capacity, easy-to-empty dust cup. This vacuum is a straightforward, no-fuss solution for picking up pet hair, dirt, and debris from both carpets and hard floors without the worry of battery life.
BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
For quick clean-ups and spot treatments, a dedicated hand vacuum is incredibly useful. The BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser provides powerful pet cleaning in a cordless, handheld format. It comes with a motorized brush tool that is specifically engineered to pull embedded pet hair from upholstery, stairs, and car interiors.
Powered by a 14V lithium-ion battery, this vacuum offers the cordless convenience needed to clean wherever messes happen. Its easy-empty dirt bin and included tools make it a versatile tool for maintaining a hair-free environment between your regular deep cleaning sessions.
Dyson V11 Torque Drive+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Renewed Premium)
Experience premium Dyson engineering at a more accessible price point with this Renewed Premium model. The Dyson V11 Torque Drive+ is engineered for whole-home, deep cleaning, featuring intelligent suction that automatically adapts power and run time based on the floor type. This ensures optimal cleaning performance on both carpets and hard floors.
This cordless stick vacuum comes with a digital display that provides real-time performance reports, so you know exactly how much run time you have left. It’s refurbished by experts to meet high standards, offering a reliable and powerful solution for picking up pet hair and everyday dirt with ease.
Swidan XBAT200 Lithium-ion Battery Pack for Shark Cordless Vacuums
If you own a Shark ION Rocket, IONFlex, or IONFlex 2X cordless vacuum, this replacement battery is an essential accessory. The Swidan XBAT200 is a 25.2V, 3000mAh lithium-ion battery pack designed to restore the power and run time of your cord-free vacuum. A fresh battery can make an older vacuum feel brand new again.
This battery is built to be a direct replacement for the original, fitting perfectly into both the OEM charger and your vacuum. It features clear charging indicators—a steady blue light while charging and a light that turns off when charging is complete.
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional is a versatile upright that offers the convenience of a detachable pod. This Lift-Away feature allows you to separate the canister from the base, making it much easier to clean stairs, shelves, and other above-floor areas where pet hair accumulates. It combines the deep-cleaning power of an upright with the portability of a canister.
This model is known for its strong suction and swivel steering for easy navigation around obstacles. It’s a comprehensive cleaning solution designed to handle the various challenges posed by pet hair and long hair throughout your entire home.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Vacuum for Pet Hair and Long Hair
Let’s be honest, dealing with pet hair and long human hair is a constant battle. I’ve been there, watching tumbleweeds of fur roll across the floor and finding hair wrapped around brush rolls like a stubborn sweater. A regular vacuum just doesn’t cut it. You need a machine built for this specific job. After testing and researching many models, I’ve figured out what really matters when you’re looking for one of the best vacuums for pet hair and long hair.
First, consider the suction power. This is the engine of your cleaning operation. Look for a vacuum with a strong, consistent motor. Air watts or sealed suction are better indicators than just amps or volts, as they tell you how much power actually makes it to the dirt. Strong suction is what pulls embedded hair out of carpets and upholstery.
Next, the filtration system is a big deal, especially if anyone in your home has allergies. You want a vacuum that traps the dust and dander it picks up, instead of blowing it back into the air. A HEPA filter is the gold standard here. It captures at least 99.97% of particles, so you can breathe easy knowing the air is cleaner after you vacuum.
The brush roll is your frontline soldier against hair. For long hair, a brush roll that doesn’t tangle easily is a lifesaver. Many newer models have anti-tangle technology, often using a design without bristles that lets hair pass through instead of winding around it. If it does get clogged, check how easy it is to access and clean. A tool-free removal feature is something I now consider essential.
Don’t forget about the vacuum’s design and how it fits your home. An upright vacuum is great for large carpeted areas, while a canister model is often more maneuverable for stairs and under furniture. Cordless stick vacuums offer incredible convenience for quick daily clean-ups, but you need to balance that with battery life and sometimes less powerful suction than a corded model. Also, think about the bin capacity. If you have multiple pets, a tiny bin will have you emptying it constantly.
Finally, pay close attention to the attachments. A motorized pet turbo tool is a game-changer for stairs and furniture. A crevice tool and an upholstery brush are non-negotiable for getting into all the nooks and crannies where hair loves to hide. The right tools make the job faster and more thorough.
FAQ
What type of vacuum is best for homes with both carpets and hard floors?
You need a versatile vacuum that can handle both surfaces without a hassle. Look for a model with an adjustable brush roll or a setting that automatically turns off the brush roll on hard floors. This prevents the vacuum from scattering debris. A vacuum with a soft roller brush specifically for hard floors is even better, as it captures large particles and fine dust without scratching your floors. Many of the best vacuums for pet hair and long hair come with these smart features.
How do I stop long hair from wrapping around the vacuum brush roll?
This is one of the most common frustrations. The best solution is to look for a vacuum that advertises an “anti-tangle” or “self-cleaning” brush roll. These often have a unique design, like rubber fins or grooves, that redirects hair to the ends of the roller or into the bin instead of letting it wrap tightly. If your current vacuum doesn’t have this, make a habit of cutting the hair away with scissors or a seam ripper as soon as you notice it building up to keep your vacuum running smoothly.
Are bagless or bagged vacuums better for pet hair?
This really comes down to personal preference. Bagless models let you see what you’ve picked up and save you from buying bags. However, emptying a bagless bin can be a dusty affair, potentially sending pet dander back into the air. Bagged vacuums tend to be more hygienic because you just seal and toss the bag without any cloud of dust. They also often maintain stronger suction for longer as the bag fills. If allergies are a concern, a bagged vacuum with a HEPA filter is often the recommended choice.
Is a cordless vacuum powerful enough for my shedding pet?
Cordless vacuums have come a long way! Many modern cordless models have suction power that rivals their corded counterparts. They are fantastic for daily quick clean-ups and for reaching places a corded vacuum can’t. The main trade-offs are battery life and overall bin capacity. For a whole-house deep clean, a powerful corded upright or canister might still be more effective. But for maintaining a hair-free home between big cleans, a good cordless vacuum is absolutely powerful enough.
How important is a HEPA filter?
If you or a family member has allergies or asthma, a HEPA filter is very important. When you vacuum, you’re stirring up a lot of microscopic particles like pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. A standard filter might let some of these particles pass through and get recirculated into your home’s air. A true HEPA filter traps at least 99.97% of these tiny particles, making your air cleaner and your home a more comfortable place for everyone.