According to the RSPCA, there are more than 29 million pets in Australia – and with the vast majority of those friends being of the four-legged and furry cat and dog varieties, that means that well over 60 per cent of Aussie households likely struggle with a serious pet hair problem.
RELATED: Most popular items bought by pet owners and the ones they swear by
You can brush, lint roll, and sweep all you like, but that pet hair is just going to keep on popping up in all the places you wish it wouldn’t – from your couch, to your clothes, to your morning cereal (yep, I’ve been there, and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone).
The solution? Investing in a vacuum cleaner that’s up to the task.
Pet vacuums are specially designed to pick up hair with ease, with superior suction and clever brushrolls that can whisk away every trace of fur and dander.
Below, we’ve rounded up our picks of the top-rated options reviewers swear by, including the Roborock Q7 Max+ Robotic Vacuum and Mop Cleaner that shoppers say “makes [their] life easier”.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best vacuum for pet hair for your needs and budget, we asked cleaning expert Leanne Neiland for her expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a vacuum for pet hair. Leanne runs the Instagram page @home.with.leanne where she shares hot tips and hacks to keep your home clean and organised to her 59,000 followers. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best vacuum for pet hair from premium to budget to help you find the right one.
OUR TOP PICKS
In this article
BEST VACUUMS FOR PET HAIR OVERALL
Roborock Q7 Max+ Robotic Vacuum and Mop Cleaner, $998 (down from $1399) at Roborock AU
What You Need To Know
Built with a powerful 4200Pa suction, this mighty robot vacuum will have your floors sparkling clean in no time. It has the ability to vacuum and mop at the same time, and easily lifts debris as well as pet hair from the floors, cracks and carpets.
This robot vacuum has PreciSense LiDAR Navigation that creates precise maps of your home, helps it effectively track cleaning routes and can be viewed in 3D for ease. Not to mention, it offers 30 water flow levels and can detect carpets.
With a 470ml dust bag capacity and 350ml water tank capacity, it boasts a 180 minute run time and comprehensive app control that’s Alexa and Google Home compatible – you won’t need to lift a finger.
It holds a 4.6-star rating on Google with shoppers hailing the machine their “best purchase in years” and a “great investment”.
“ … Incredibly powerful robot vacuum with really handy mapping options, including multiple floor support and ability to label and define rooms, and you can send it where you want it through an app on your phone,” one wrote.
“The improved suction is noticeable but quiet. It gets under beds and under tables and transitions from hardwood floor to carpet to tile without any problems, and it’s picking up animal hair nicely … Everything is as what was expected, it has now become essential in our home. I like it because it makes my life easier and I can’t wait to recommend it to my friends!”
“I purchased this because even though I love my cats, they get fur all over my wood floor and track litter after a couple hours of cleaning,” another wrote.
“It does an amazing job at sucking up pet fur from my wood floor. Even better than trying to use a swifter floor duster. The mopping feature is nice for in between regular mopping … Having this has saved on time as well and I don’t feel like I spend all day cleaning.”
Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Vacuum Cleaner, $699 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Leanne polled her followers and this pet vacuum cleaner came out as one of the most popular responses.
It has a 4.5 litre dust capacity ensuring that you won’t have to constantly empty out the vacuum while you do the house. The crevice tool works to tackle narrow spaces where pet hair loves to hide. It also has an 11 metre operating radius so you don’t have to constantly unplug your vacuum. Plus, the turbobrush attachment is specifically designed to pick up stubborn pet hair.
On The Good Guys website, it currently has a rating of 4.7 stars and 96 per cent of reviewers recommend it.
“This model is superior in every way. We have dogs, and it really sucks up all the fur and all the dirt,” wrote one five-star review.
Another said, “This is hands down the best vacuum I have owned! Its suction is like no other vacuum … I have a dog so it picks up every fine hair stuck in the carpets!”
BEST ROBOT VACUUM CLEANERS FOR PET HAIR
MyGenie Pet Smart Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, $149 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This MyGenie Smart Robot Vacuum is ideal for cleaning up dust and pet hair, and it’s easy to set up on the app – you can schedule, clean and monitor your vacuum on your phone while you lounge on the couch. It features intelligent roaming sensors, dual side brushes and powerful suction that can reach into every corner. Obstacle-avoidance technology allows it to run safely unsupervised, too. Plus, it has an ultra-low noise level that won’t disturb you or your pet and it has a variety of cleaning modes – automatic, zigzag, spot and edge cleaning.
With a 4.1 average star rating on Google, reviewers say it makes cleaning much less of a chore with one writing, “For the price, it does a great job … Easy to use. Does make noise but not as loud as a vacuum. Cleans up my cat fur on my floors extremely well.”
“This works really well, and is entertaining to watch. It collects the dog hair off the floor and is easy to program and use,” another wrote.
“I have a St Bernard and it picks up so much hair and saves me so much time rather than doing it myself, love it!!” another satisfied customer wrote.
BEST CORDLESS, STICK VACUUM CLEANER FOR PET HAIR
Vax SlimVac Pro Pet Cordless Vacuum, $299 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Offering up to 35 minutes of runtime, the Vax SlimVac Pro Pet Vacuum can manoeuvre into a handheld version which is perfect for furniture and cars. It features a crevice tool so you can tackle all the crevices and corners with ease, as well as a wall mount charger, mini motorised tool and a 400ml bag capacity.
With an average 4.5 out of five-star rating, one five-star reviewer raved about how “well” this stick vacuum cleans carpet and hardfloors.
“It cleans our carpet and hard floors very well, collecting all the dog hairs and dust. The roller brush didn’t get tangled and is easy to remove if it did,” they wrote.
“The trade-off for low weight is reduced bin capacity but it is so easy to empty we don’t think it is a problem.
“The first time battery charging seemed to take a while but the charge lasted as long as I needed and more.”
BEST CHEAP, BUDGET VACUUM CLEANER FOR PET HAIR
Akitas V8 3in1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, $129.99 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
The Akitas V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner may have an affordable price tag, but don’t be fooled – it easily rivals pricier competitors with its motorised turbo brush head. Top features include its LED light, 40 minute run time and 150W power span.
It also has a long reach cleaning wand and detachable handheld design meaning this cordless vacuum allows you to reach all the tough spots, not just on the floor.
Not to mention, it has a rotating brushbar, easily swivels 180 degrees and glides effortlessly over hard floors, carpets and more. Weighing just 2.4 kilograms, you can easily carry it from room to room or up and down the stairs.
It has a 4.3 out of five average star rating with one five-star reviewer writing: “I love this vac, it’s lightweight and has a good charge.
“We have wooden floors and two dogs and it easily handles them. Just make sure you clean the filter regularly and it will work like a dream. Fabulous for the money.”
BEST UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER FOR PET HAIR
Bosch Athlet Zoo’o ProAnimal Vacuum Cleaner, $315 (down from $549) at Appliances Online
What You Need To Know
The Bosch Athlet Zoo’o ProAnimal Vacuum Cleaner is a must for getting rid of pet hair. It can run for up to 60 minutes on a single charge, a built-in sensor monitors airflow to ensure non-stop powerful suction, and the SmartSensor Control display lets you know when the filter needs to be cleaned. The motorised brush rolls and AllFloor HighPower brush targets pet hair, and the turbo power mode is great for stubborn mess.
According to the many happy reviewers, it’s more than earned its 4.5 out of five-star average rating with one writing: “Easy to use, great suction and removes dust and allergens effectively. I use this as I have three cats and one dog and a busy family. This is great for removing fur and dust and easy to manoeuvre with my arthritic limbs!”.
“Absolutely incredible vac! My house is completely tiled and I have tried other vacuums that just don’t cut it!” another wrote.
“This one is amazing on our lounge room thick pile rug as well as the tiles! I also clean my car with this one!
“The dirt & animal hair it brings out is incredible! Fantastic for pet hair!”
BEST HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER FOR PET HAIR
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum, $207.04 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Developed for pet parents, the Bissell Pet Eraser Vacuum allows you to clean up pet hair and dirt collected on your furniture, carpet and in your car. It offers powerful suction and a detachable motorised brush head that helps capture embedded dirt and pet hair for a deeper clean.
It comes with a crevice tool for getting those hard-to-reach areas and an upholstery tool which can be used separated or together for max cleaning, and it has a two-stage filtration system. It works perfectly on many surfaces from upholstery and carpet to hard floor surfaces and cars.
It has a 4.4 out of five average star rating with one five-star reviewer writing: “I love my hand held vacuum cleaner, having two dogs and two kittens — I use mine up to three times a day.
“We have had ours for a while now and still does a great job. Couldn’t be without it.”
“This product is absolutely brilliant and perfect for pet owners. It works seamlessly on our couches, beds and in corners,” another wrote.
“My golden retriever sheds a lot so it is bliss. I don’t have to waste money on lint removers.”
BEST BARREL VACUUM CLEANER FOR PET HAIR
Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal+ Bagless Vacuum, $694 (down from $949) at Dyson
What You Need To Know
Prefer a barrel model? The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal+ model is a total winner according to its 4.2 star rating from over 500 reviews on Google.
Powered for all-round hair removal, this vacuum has a carbon fibre turbine cleaner head with stiff nylon bristles to deep-clean carpets and rugs, removing the finest of dust and pet dander, and cyclone technology captures these fine particles to prevent clogging.
It boasts versatility and comes with a combination tool, stair tool, swivel hard floor tool, tangle-free turbine tool and a pet grooming tool.
“I have a long-haired dog with white fur who sheds a lot and brings in a lot of sand from my back yard and the Dyson is the only vacuum I have ever had that will live up to its great reputation,” wrote one five-star review.
Another calls it a “must have” for pet owners. “Suction is so strong, easy to move around the house as it doesn't fall over, I vacuum in half the amount of time because the suction is that good, and I love the pet brush attachment – I use it on my German Shepherd and it gets heaps of his hair.”
Vax Pet Pro Bagless Vacuum, $199 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
The Vax Pet Pro Barrel is perfect for allergy sufferers thanks to its antibacterial HEPA filter and specialised design to get rid of pet hair, dander, dirt and allergens left by your furry friends.
It features cyclonic technology for high-powered suction, a large four-litre capacity dust bin, combination floor tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool, metal telescopic tube, hard floor tool, turbo brush, three-in-one tool holder and an extra long hose to reach into every crevice.
Garnering an impressive 4.5 out of five-star average rating from over 900 reviews, one reviewer wrote: “Very happy with this vacuum cleaner. Really impressed with how well it cleans and picks up pet hair as well as being light and easy to move around. It is bagless and very easy to empty.”
“I love how this vacuum picks up all the cat hair off my lounges and floor. I see it all disappear off the blue lounge I have which I can see clearly because it stands out with that colour. Nice to see it clean after a few rubs over. Excellent working vacuum with power. Ive used it for one week,” another wrote.
BEST MOP AND VACUUM COMBO FOR PET HAIR
Bissell 2225F Crosswave Pet Hard Floor Cleaner, $449 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
The Bissell Crosswave Pet Hard Floor Cleaner will have you vacuuming and mopping in no time. It features a Pet Multi-Surface Brush Roll that is tangle free for hair up to 20cm long that’s removable for easy cleaning, and a Pet Hair Strainer which also helps for easy clean-up.
It has a 4.5 star average rating, with one of many five star reviewers writing: “I’ve used this three times per week and I am so amazed with the amount of gunk it lifts off my floor.
“We use it on our rugs, deck, tiles and wooden floorboards. Our floors have never been so sparkling clean in the entire 12 years we’ve lived here.
“With two dogs, a cat and four kids I wish I had invested in one of these years ago instead of our Dyson.”
“I have given this a spin a few times now and it has been the best investment I have ever made,” another wrote.
It cleaned the tiled floors at home quick and easy, with a swivel head and able to stand up on its own (vs. the Karcher, which must be put in its holder when not in use); it also dries the floor really well as long as you don’t oversoak the roller.
“It also cleaned my small carpets really well, and leaves a pleasant scent. It could pick up my pets’ hair that they leave on the rugs.
“My only tiny gripe is that I wish they had provided another spare roller inside, so I didn’t have to stop halfway to wash the roller before cleaning the rest of my house. But other than that it is an amazing product.”
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT VACUUM FOR PET HAIR
What You Need To Know
This BLACK+DECKER Pet Dustbuster features motorised, anti-tangle rubber bristles to whisk away pet hairs with ease, an extra-long crevice tool that helps you clean those hard-to-reach areas, and a smart tech LED panel that informs you when the filter needs to be cleaned or when the battery is low. It also has a 700ml dust bowl that can easily be emptied out at just a push of one button.
Holding a 4.1 average star rating, reviewers praise its ability to remove pet hair on furniture and “strong suction power”.
“I was looking for a handheld vacuum cleaner specifically for removing cat hair from sofas and this definitely does the job,” one wrote.
“Suction is great even on the lower lever of power. Battery life is okay for just doing a good clean on the sofas, but it does take quite a while to recharge to full power again. However for the price I would highly recommend.”
“This is one of the best vacuums in the market with very strong suction power,” another wrote.
BEST DYSON VACUUM FOR PET HAIR
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, $1449 at Myer
What You Need To Know
The V15 Detect Absolute is a versatile cordless vacuum cleaner that is perfect for cleaning floors, hard-to-reach places, mattresses, you name it. Features include a laser revealing microscopic dust that you probably would never have known was there. It also has a piezo sensor that measures the amount of dust particles and automatically increases the suction power when needed, and an LCD screen that shows proof of a deep clean and what’s been sucked up.
It comes with a hair screw tool, aka an anti-tangle conical brush bar that picks up long hair and pet hair, a digital motorbar cleaner head that sucks up dust and hair. It automatically clears wrapped hair from the brush bar as you clean while a crevice tool ensures precise cleaning in every nook and cranny. Other features include an illuminated cleaner head, combination tool, wand storage clip, docking station and a charger.
It has a 4.9 out of five-star average rating on Myer with one five-star reviewer writing: “Very happy with my new Dyson V15 … I was wondering if the laser would just be a ‘kitschy’ addition … but wow did it show me what was actually on the floor.
“We have a jack russell dog, and hair had always been an issue. It did an amazing job on our hardwood floors.
“Need to use the other fitting for rugs. Now I am obsessed with keeping our floors spotless. The battery lasts well to thoroughly my house on medium power, which seems to pick up well. A bit heavier than my old one, but manageable. Much easier to empty too, with push down mechanism.”
“This vacuum is a game changer. Used to vacuum once or twice a month, but now I do it twice a day for fun. There is serious satisfaction in being able to see every particle on the floor with their unique laser head, I always feel confident the job gets done!” another wrote.
BEST PET HAIR VACUUM ATTACHMENTS
OPODEE Groom Tool Kit, $42 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Designed to attach to your Dyson vacuum, this pet vacuum brush helps you to remove loose hair directly from your dog before it even touches your floor or couch.
This work perfectly by ensuring that any hair that is brushed off your dog is sucked straight up into the vacuum.
Reviewers on Amazon call it a “game changer for shedding dogs” and that they have experienced “phenomenal results”.
One five-star review says, “I’ve tried so many different tools to get hair off of my dog but this is by far the best!”
“Makes clean up after grooming a breeze. Love that the brush attaches directly to the vacuum for grooming our fluffy dog. No more tufts of dog hair after every bath!” another wrote.
ARE DYSON PET VACUUMS WORTH IT?
Dyson vacuums are quite the investment – but according to the vast majority of reviews, they’re an investment you won’t regret. Their pet vacuums apply their signature science-based insights to their technology to ensure premium results.
DO PET VACUUMS REALLY WORK?
It depends on the model you buy – but all of the above inclusions have been tried and tested by hundreds of reviewers who can attest to their effectiveness when it comes to powerful suction and hair removal.
“I think that you need to look past the name or label ‘pet vacuum’ and look at what you are actually buying,” says Leanne.
“Firstly, it needs to have a HEPA filter to capture small dander particles, it needs to have enough suction to lift the hair (min 240V) and it needs to have a motorised power head.
“If the vacuum, you are purchasing has all of the above it is going to be best suited to lifting pet hair.”
HOW DO YOU CONTROL DOG HAIR IN THE HOUSE?
Sick of finding dog hair literally everywhere? In addition to vacuuming, here’s what you can do to make life a little less hairy:
- Brush: Brush your dog every few days, no matter the length of their coats, to remove matted hair, help them shed their seasonal coat, and improve their general skin health. You can use a wire or soft brush, and follow up with a pet grooming glove to clear away excess fur before it spreads throughout the house.
- Bathe: Especially important during summer, regularly bathing your dog with a gentle pet-friendly shampoo can improve the health of their coats to minimise shedding.
- Bedding: Keep your pup’s bed free of hair too. When hair is freshly shed, it’s easier to remove from upholstery fabric and less likely to make itself a part of the furniture. Get on top of it quickly, by brushing or vacuuming it away ASAP
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY HOME TO MANAGE PET HAIR?
DO AIR PURIFIERS HELP REDUCE PET HAIR AND PET DANDER IN THE HOME?
According to Leanne, they can help reduce animal dander and provide relief for allergy sufferers.
She says, “If your air purifier has a HEPA filter it is designed to remove 99.7 per cent of floating air particles including pet dander.
“However, this does not replace the need to physically remove the animal hair.”
Leanne Neiland
Leanne runs the Instagram page @home.with.leanne where she shares hot tips and hacks to keep your home clean and organised. As a busy working mum of two, her page highlights simple hacks for others to keep their home organised. She currently has over 59,000 followers.
More Coverage
Looking for more vacuum recommendations? Check out our roundups of the best cordless stick vacuums and best robotic vacuums to clean your home.
For more top-rated pet picks, don’t miss our collections of the best dog harnesses and leather collars to keep them safe.
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Originally published as Best vacuum cleaners for pet hair to buy in 2023
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