Tineco Go Pet Cordless Vacuum for $176: As when I tested the Tineco Go Mini ($130) for my handheld vacuums guide, I was a bit underwhelmed by this vacuum specifically for pets. It has a slot for easy brush removal if hair gets stuck around the bars, which is a helpful feature when you’re dealing with pet (and human) hair. However, the lever and the angle of the lid for emptying it felt counterintuitive, and the first few times I emptied it, debris went everywhere. It was tough to distinguish between eco and power modes, and the vacuum blinked red, stopping the brush rotation when changing surfaces. It struggled particularly on my thin runner rug and felt a bit heavier and clunkier than others. That said, it does come with handy lights to help spot debris and includes attachments for easy handheld cleaning.
Mova P50 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum for $589: This robot vacuum-mop combo features extendable side brushes and mop pads to access tight corners, along with a self-emptying dock that manages dust and debris. It self-cleans and dries its mop pads too. Equipped with an RGB camera and an “intelligent dirt detection system,” its sensors identify messes to ensure deeper cleaning while avoiding obstacles. The robovac creates 3D maps of your home, identifying furniture and even pets. Through the app, you can customize cleaning schedules, talk to your pets, and sync with smart home devices like Alexa and Google Home. When it first mapped my small apartment, it hesitated to enter certain rooms, taking several days to create a complete cleaning map. It struggled over small thresholds and even threw itself off my stairs twice, which caused the mop pads to pop off. Despite having object detection, it often tried to suck up or roll over small items like shoes and pet toys. I love that this combo vac-mop self-cleans and empties, but for nearly $1,000, I expected smarter features and better mapping accuracy.
Dyson Car + Boat Handheld Vacuum for $250: Former WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar praised this handheld vacuum designed specifically for picking up dirt and debris from cars and boats, as well as bedding, furniture, and other awkward spaces. (Read our full review here).
Hoover HL4 Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner for £130: Available only in the UK, the Hoover HL4 efficiently removed a lot of cat hair from my home. Living with three cats, two of them long-haired, a powerful vacuum is crucial. The HL4 is corded (7.6 meters) but packs around 240 air watts of power, enough to lift dust and hair my lightweight cordless and robot vac missed. Its clever design easily converts into a portable vacuum and comes with a pet tool and crevice tool. The pet tool was great for lifting hair from the couch, stairs, and cat beds, although it didn’t quite manage every strand. A handy vent helps reduce suction for mats and blankets. The 1.2-liter bin is easy to remove and empty, though it releases a dust cloud, and the Anti-Twist floor head collects considerably less tangled hair than other vacuums.
—Simon Hill
Not Recommended
Eufy RoboVac 11S Max for $150: Many esteemed reviewers from places like The Strategist and Wirecutter raved about this budget robovac, so I bought one for myself after moving into a new apartment with two cats. Unfortunately, I have to disagree. Yes, this robovac is cheaper than most and generally receives good ratings, but I found it to be underwhelming. Its navigation system feels random, it lacks an app (though it comes with a remote control for specific spot cleaning or scheduling), it’s loud, and it’s attracted to cords. It also has a rough time moving over minor height differences, like the small wood panel between my hallway and bathroom door. Most frustrating, emptying the bin is unnecessarily difficult, and detangling hair from the brush or bar is nearly impossible. There’s hair that will probably remain entangled in the mechanism forever. I fear this cursed device may outlive us all.
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I tested these pet hair vacuums for over a week (I’ve been using both the Dyson cordless and handheld models for months), covering nearly every surface in my home—including cat trees and spaces around my two cats’ litter box. Initially, I lived in a large house with three cats and a dog (more hair in a larger area), and for the latter half of testing, I moved into a smaller apartment with two cats (a bit less hair in a more confined area). I also tried every attachment on problem areas like carpeted stairs, the crevices of air vents, a high-pile rug, and hardwood floors. Not all pet hair vacuums perform the same; their effectiveness can vary significantly based on different surfaces and attachments. I set them up, charged them, and vacuumed until they died, noting run time, power, effectiveness, and ease of emptying bins and cleaning filters.
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Many brands seem to slap the “pet hair” label onto products without offering much substance on why they’re effective for pet hair. I made sure to test those claims to see if they lived up to the hype. On the other hand, I also encountered models that, while not marketed specifically for pets, came highly rated for overall efficacy—like the Roborock Saros 10R, a pricier robovac that employs AI mapping to identify pets and quiet its motor.
It’s worth noting that vacuums and pets don’t mix well. Vacuums, while necessary for tackling pet hair, often scare your furry friends. If my cat Basil had opposable thumbs, I know he’d be leaving hate comments on this article. While my cat seemed unbothered by the robovac, he had a mini freak-out every time I tested the other vacuums on this list. Along with effectiveness and suction, I took note of loudness and handling ease.
In general, when shopping for a pet hair vacuum, consider suction power, bin capacity, attachments, and bristle type or Motorbar—figure out what will be doing the heavy lifting when picking up dust, dander, and pet hair. I found that conical bars, like those on some Dyson models, work well to prevent tangling, and dual brushes like those on the Ryobi work together to pick up more. Also, be sure to read reviews from real users with furry pets, but keep in mind that no two pets are alike. Consider what kind of shedder you live with and what areas need cleaning; a robovac may not be the best option for a home with multiple flights of carpeted stairs.
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