Top 7 Best Handheld Vacuums for Pet Hair 2024
We love our pets, but we don’t love their fur. It’s especially difficult when they shed heavily or if we let them on our furniture. Not to mention, it can be hard to remove fur and dander from carpet and upholstery. Leather surfaces aren’t always easy to clean either because some vacuums will actually blow debris around instead of removing it.
To add to our dilemma, lugging a traditional vacuum around can be frustrating and impossible for some pet owners. That’s why a handheld vacuum is a great device for those who have pets. They’re lighter than traditional vacuums, easier to carry from room to room or outside to your car, and offer several other benefits.
In this article, we’re listing the top 7 handheld vacuums for pet hair as well as a buyer’s guide to help you choose the vacuum that will fit your needs and budget best. In our guide, you’ll find several factors that you should consider before you purchase a handheld vacuum, like what type of pet you have, the surface types in your home, and much more.
Our Top 7 – Quick Overview
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Shark Rocket Ultra-Light with TruePet Mini Motorized Brush and 15-Foot Power Cord Hand Vacuum... | Check Today's Price |
Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Shark Rocket HV292
The Shark HV292 is an easy to use cord vacuum with powerful suction capabilities. It features several accessories, including a crevice tool, extension handle, and a brush specifically designed for pet hair.
The HV292 weighs only 3.7 lbs, making it one of the lightest heavy-duty vacuums on our list. We particularly like that the longer cord means you don’t have to unplug and plug as often as you do with traditional vacuums. Furthermore, it is designed to clean leather, cloth, hardwood, and anything else and comes with a TruePet Motorized Brush that pulls pet fur away from surfaces.
This model is a great option for anyone who needs a light, easy to use, and a powerful vacuum. Although it comes with a cord, it is longer than the average vacuum.
Pros
- A 15-foot cord for greater reach
- Easy to carry long distances
- Intended for multiple surfaces
- Deep cleaning capabilities
- Easy to empty dust bin
Cons
- Corded vacuum
2. BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser
If you’re looking for a cordless and powerful handheld vacuum, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser might be for you. It features a dirt compartment that unsnaps easily, so you can empty pet hair and trash with right over the trash bin.
One of the best things about the Bissel Pet Hair Eraser is that it comes with several accessories, including a motorized brush, an upholstery attachment, and a crevice tool. The upholstery tool’s flat design is great for cleaning your sofas and car because it suctions right to the surface. The motorized brush is ideal for any surface that has fur stuck to it, and the crevice tool is great for those hard to reach spots.
You can vacuum for up to 17-minutes before you need to recharge. At 4.5 lbs, it’s light enough that most users will be able to carry it outside or to multiple rooms.
We suggest this model for anyone who is determined to have a cordless vacuum but wants something that’s easy to use and heavy-duty.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Three levels of filtration
Cons
- May be too heavy for some users
3. Shark Pet-Perfect II
Third on our list is the powerful and less expensive Shark Pet-Perfect II, but don’t underestimate this little vacuum because it’s inexpensive. It’s packed with several features that give it a strong suction power and the ability to clean up larger messes.
This Shark vacuum comes with several attachments, allowing you flexibility when it comes to cleaning your furniture, stairs, car, or anywhere else you need to remove pet hair. We particularly like that is has a special motorized brush that pulls hair from carpet.
It weighs 5 lbs, which isn’t too much, but some people may find it difficult to carry for extended periods of time. In addition, it has one of the shortest runtimes out of the vacuums on our list – 15-minutes.
The Pet-Perfect II is an excellent option for someone who needs a handheld vacuum that will clean up fine pet hair as well as other messes like dirt and food. The charging stand holds its accessories too, making it a very convenient device.
Pros
- Washable filter
- Multipurpose charging base
- Excellent for carpet and upholstery
Cons
- May be too heavy for some users
- Becomes clogged with thick pet hair
4. Holife Handheld Vacuum
At 3.3lbs, the Holife Handheld Vacuum is one of the lightest heavy-duty vacuums on our list. It’s also one of the less expensive models. It comes with numerous features that give you the ability to clean multiple messes and surfaces. You get several accessories, including a crevice, brush, and rubber tool.
We really like that it comes with two washable filters because sometimes things break, or you may want to change out the filter really quick without having to stop and clean it. Moreover, the unit includes a small bristle brush for cleaning the unit and a rubber attachment to clean up small liquid messes. It also has a whopping 30-minute runtime and can recharge in 3-4 hours.
This model made our list because of its versatility and longer than usual runtime. We particularly like that it’s the only vacuum on our list that can suck up liquid messes. Although the filter occasionally clogs with pet hair, we feel the benefits of the vacuum outweigh this disadvantage by a long shot.
Pros
- Washable filters
- Easy to clean
- Fast recharge capabilities
- Cleans liquids
- Long runtime
Cons
- The filter clogs
5. Black + Decker Max Lithium Flex
Like several other brands on our list, Black + Decker is a household name with a reputation for engineering durable products. That’s why the Max Flex made our list. It comes equipped with several accessories that allow you to clean up small to medium size messes as well as a special brush for pet hair.
At less than 3 oz, the Max Flex is the lightest vacuum on our list and one of the most versatile. It’s intended for leather, upholstery, carpet, and much more. An impressive 4-foot attachment allows you to vacuum floors, ceilings, and walls. Not to mention, it comes with a washable tank and filter, which saves you money. The one issue of this model is that it takes about 4 hours to reach a full charge and it only runs about 15-minutes.
Still, the Max Flex is a great option for anyone who needs a lightweight and versatile vacuum. We particularly like that it can clean furniture and car upholstery in addition to cleaning floors like a traditional vacuum.
Pros
- Cleans multiple surfaces
- Serves as a regular vacuum
- Washable tank and filter
Cons
- Charge time vs. runtime
6. Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
The Shark WANVAC Handheld Vacuum is heavy-duty for a small device. Its sleek design is especially nice, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s only 1.4 lbs. It comes with a few accessories that allow you to remove fur, dust, and debris. Worse than the Black + Decker above, it last only 10 minutes but it charges in 2.5 hours. It’s intended for leather, upholstery, hardwood, and more.
One of our favorite things about this vacuum is that it has a special Multi-Surface tool for removing pet hair and dander from upholstery and carpets. We also like that it’s a great unit for cleaning up small spills like food and dirt.
Pros
- Vacuums multiple surfaces
- Fast recharge time
Cons
- Short runtime
7. Bissell Cleanview Deluxe 47R51
Last but certainly not least on our list is the Bissell 47R51. It’s relatively inexpensive and comes with some basic accessories that get even tough jobs done. This little but powerful vacuum is intended for multiple areas, such as your carpet, home furniture, and car upholstery.
At 4.65 lbs, it’s still a lightweight vacuum, but it may be too heavy for some people. Although it’s not cordless, we don’t think this feature will limit you too much since the cord is 18 ft long, giving you plenty of length to vacuum multiple areas. The extension hose and crevice tool make vacuuming hard to reach places much easier, such as the fireplace mantel.
We think this vacuum is a great option for anyone who is on a budget or wants a vacuum that is equipped with basic features and functions. It comes with three accessories, the extension hose and crevice tool we previously mentioned as well as a wide mouth tool that’s ideal for deep suction.
Pros
- 18 ft cord
- Extension tools
Cons
- Weight
Top 7 Verdict
The Shark Rocket HV292 is the handheld vacuum we suggest to most people. You won’t have to worry about your vacuum losing its power because it needs to be charged. The cord is especially long, making it more convenient to move from one room to another.
As one of the lightest vacuums on our list, it is an excellent choice for those who cannot lift heavy items. We also like the specialty tools for removing pet hair and debris, and that you can purchase more accessories to meet your needs.
We encourage you to take a look at the HV292 and read more about its capabilities and features.
- Portable and ultra-lightweight. Less than 4 pounds in total
- True Pet Motorized Brush for handheld deep cleaning
- Easy-to-empty dust cup. No bag needed and empties with the touch of a button.
- 15-foot-long power cord You never have to recharge, while giving you freedom to clean the whole room.
- Powerful cleaning from start to finish.Amperage (amps):3.4
Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Buying Guide for Handheld Vacuums
It’s always wise to consider a few things before you invest in any new product. This is especially true when you’re looking to purchase a handheld vacuum to suck up your pet’s hair. Let’s look at some great factors to keep in mind before you buy a new handheld vacuum.
What type of pet do you have?
The type of pet you have is an important factor to consider because you’ll have different types of pet hair to deal with. For instance, long-haired dogs shed significantly more than short-haired dogs, but the opposite is true for cats. Short-haired cats actually shed more than long-haired cats.
If your pet sheds heavily, you’ll need a handheld vacuum that can take some wear and tear. Not only will you be vacuuming regularly, but your vacuum will also be sucking more fur on a consistent basis. Not to mention, some pets shed heavier right before winter and right before summer, so your vacuum may be doing even more work during those months.
The surface type you’ll vacuum
Whether it’s furniture, stairs, or small areas on the floor, the type of surface you’ll be vacuuming is another crucial factor to take into consideration. For example, fur sticks to carpet making it difficult to completely remove. Hardwood, on the other hand, is easier to clean, but some vacuums are not intended for hardwood and will spread debris instead of sucking it up.
If you have carpet, you may need a vacuum with a powerful suction or accessories that will brush up fur in order to remove all from the carpet. You should make sure the vacuum is intended for hardwood surfaces if you have wood floors or stairs. Another option is to purchase a vacuum that can clean multiple surfaces.
The accessories
Some of the vacuums on our list come with many accessories and some come with a few. What accessories you will need depends on where you’ll be using your handheld vacuum. Accessories, such as brushes and extension handles can make it easier to remove fur. This is particularly true for hard to reach areas like stairs or crevices inside your car.
Cord or cordless
There are pros and cons to both cordless and cord vacuums. With a corded vacuum, you can only go so far before you must remove the cord and plug it in somewhere else. Cordless vacuums are easier to carry but most runtimes on cordless vacuums last less than 20-minutes.
The size and how much you can lift
Although the vacuums on our list weigh 5lbs or less, 5lbs can be too much for some people to carry. As a result, we’ve included a few vacuums that weigh much less. You should make sure the vacuum you choose is light enough for you to carry especially if you need to take it upstairs or outside to your car.
What is your budget?
No one enjoys taking their budget into consideration unless you have an unlimited budget of course. However, most of us are on a budget and must consider how much we can afford to spend on a vacuum cleaner. That’s why we’ve included several great vacuums that are affordable. On our list, you’ll find vacuums that are around $40 and some that are just over $110.
Best times to buy a handheld vacuum
Another great factor to consider is when you should buy your vacuum. Some of the best times to purchase a new vacuum is during holiday sales or in the spring when companies have “spring cleaning” sales. If you can’t wait for a sale, look digital coupons or promo codes to save money on your vacuum. Moreover, you may want to buy your vacuum during special events that raise and donate money to help pets. Some vacuum manufacturers do this during certain times of the year or always donate a percentage of your purchase to a pet charity.
Ease of use
Some vacuums are hard to use. Whether it’s struggling to remove the dust bin or attach it back or an hour spent trying locking accessories in, we’ve all been there. As a matter of fact, most of us have been so frustrated we’ve contemplated throwing the whole vacuum away. Some vacuums are just not made to be user-friendly, and others take a little more strength and coordination than we have. As a result, it’s a good idea to review the features and descriptions to ensure you can use the vacuum easily.
Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API