The Best Canister Vacuum for Pet Hair 2024
Pet hair is one of the more unsightly and invasive messes there is. Not only does it go all over the floor and any furniture your pets lay on, it often finds its way in other places as well.
Luckily, there are canister vacuums designed specifically to deal with pet hair. Let’s check out the best options on the market today!
Our Top 7
Last update on 2024-04-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Kenmore 81615
Kenmore is one of the more trusted names in home appliances, though they do not actually exclusively specialize in vacuums. That said, Kenmore has been making high-end consumer goods for well over a century and developed a sterling reputation in that time.
The Kenmore is definitely one of the more impressive vacuums that we encountered for a couple of reasons but also happens to be one of the more expensive vacuums as well.
On top of that, this model does fall a bit behind some of its competitors with regards to one of the main reasons to choose a canister vacuum in the first place: maneuverability. It is one of the heavier vacuums that we reviewed, but that is likely due to it also being one of the most powerful as well.
In fact, the vacuum comes with two 12-amp motors which allow it to offer significantly more functionality than most of the other products that we reviewed. Specifically, the dual motors work in opposition with one another to provide some of the best suction we came across.
Even better, the dual-motor design also allows the Kenmore 81615 to provide actively powered attachments. While this lets the standard floor nozzle work harder than most, it makes the Pet PowerMate attachment one of the best we found.
Pros
- Has 2 motors
- Has 12-amp motors
- Has a HEPA filter
- Has a motorized pet attachment
- Has a large cleaning path
- Has multiple attachments
Cons
- It’s a bit on the heavy side
2. Ovente ST2620B
Ovente is not the oldest or most experienced company we came across, but that is due to their online origins. That said, the company manufactures a wide range of household appliances and goods and is known as more of a kitchen brand.
When it comes to the ST2620B, Overte got most of the features right but could still do with a little improvement in a couple of important areas. To be fair, this model works exceptionally well but it is not the most convenient.
While it comes with extremely large wheels for pet hair vacuums, it also positions the handle at the base of the canister. This makes moving the unit easy while vacuuming but can make moving up and down stairs a bit more difficult.
Thankfully, this is one of the lighter models on our list at just over 13 pounds, so it is not too heavy to move on stairs. This reasonably-sized package also comes with a 12-amp motor that generates a solid amount of suction.
However, both the floor and pet attachments are noted for getting clogged a bit too easy, and the hose requires frequent cleaning to maintain good suction.
Pros
- Is a less expensive vacuum
- Is a lightweight vacuum
- Has a 12-amp motor
- Has a HEPA filter
- Has adjustable speed control
- Has multiple attachments
Cons
- Requires frequent cleaning
- Not the most portable
3. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G
Eureka can trace its history back over a century, providing experience and a sense of expertise. However, this is also the first and one of the few companies on our list that actually specializes exclusively in vacuums.
The Mighty Mite 3670G is a bit of an odd duck on our list as it was once one of the more respected canister vacuums on the market. However, Eureka decided to mess with a winning design and introduced some issues into a great product.
Specifically, this model has some of the more frustrating attachments that we came across. Basically, you have to use a lot of force to push the attachment and its design causes it to skip when pulling it.
While this is definitely annoying, it seems to be more of a problem for carpets than it does hard floors. Though, to be fair, this canister vacuum was initially designed for heavier-duty cleaning in rougher spaces.
This design is further reflected in the blower feature, and the 3670G is actually the only product on our list that provides a blower function. Even better, the vacuum comes in at a svelte 12 pounds, making one of the lighter vacuums.
Pros
- Is a less expensive vacuum
- Is a lightweight vacuum
- Has a 10-amp motor
- Can function as a blower
- Has multiple attachments
- Has a 7’ hose
Cons
- Does not have a filter
- Is not the most convenient
4. Prolux Tritan Bagged Canister Vacuum
Prolux may not be the most well-known company on our list, but they do at least specialize in vacuums to the exclusion of everything else. This provides plenty of focus and insight into how to make a good pet hair canister vacuum.
This attention to detail shows up especially with regards to its cleaning power as the Tritan offers some of the best suction power that we came across. This is certainly in part due to the powerful 12-amp motor that the vacuum uses, though it is a bit heavy.
However, this model also provides one of the better attachments that we came across as well. The Combi-Floor Tool allows the unit to shift seamlessly from different floor types with a handy foot-activated button.
Though, it is worth noting that the attachments may be a bit tricky to use due to an aluminum wand that detaches on its own from time to time.
Still, the vacuum offers one of the better filtration systems that we came across, making use of a 3-Stage HEPA filter. On top of that, the Tritan will not drone loudly like most vacuums and is one of the quieter models we saw.
Pros
- Has a 12-amp motor
- Has a 3-Stage HEPA filter
- Has an extra-long 23’ cord
- Has great suction
- Has a Combi Floor Tool
- Is quieter than most
Cons
- Is a more expensive vacuum
- The wand may detach
5. Miele Classic C3 Cat & Dog
Miele is likely a bit more obscure to most people, so know it is one of the top premium brands in Germany, focussing on high-end quality. It is one of the oldest and most experienced companies on our list. While they do not specialize in vacuums, they do at least focus on household goods, paying special attention to cleaning products.
From all outward appearances and spec points, the C3 seems like a middling vacuum. However, you should not judge a book by its cover as we found this to be the top-performing vacuum on our list and it is, in fact, among our highest rated vacuums ever.
In fairness, it seems as if Miele knows this as well and prices their vacuum significantly higher than any other product we reviewed. On top of that, this is also one of the trickier vacuums on our list, requiring a specific technique to use without issue.
That said, if you use the C3 as intended, you will get one of the best results, especially with the high-end attachments. This is one of the few canister vacuums we reviewed that provides a motorized attachment, but it also comes with many more attachments as well.
This is all the more surprising considering the C3 has a single 10-amp motor, but this does not seem to be an issue. It is also one of the few vacuums on our list to offer variable speed control with 6 different settings.
Pros
- Has a 10-amp motor
- Has a Vortex Motor
- Has multiple attachments
- Has an Active Air Clean Filter
- Has 6 speed settings
- Has a large capacity
Cons
- Is a more expensive vacuum
- Not the easiest to use
6. Bissell Hard Floor Expert 1547 Bagless
Bissell is one of the more well-known and respected companies on our list, especially for high-end products. That said, their extensive history and experience combine with an exclusive specialization in vacuums and floor cleaning products.
The Bissell 1547 may be known as a “Hard Floor Expert,” but this does not seem to cause any issues when used on carpet. Though, it is one of the few canister vacuums we reviewed which comes with a specific turbine foot that works especially well on hard floors.
It is worth noting that this is a passively powered vacuum, and the attachments are not actually motorized. This is likely due to the 9.2-amp motor which is the least powerful on our list, though this vacuum is not noted for poor suction.
This might be because this model uses a Multi-Cyclonic system that actually delivers on its design. However, this does heavily depend on how flat the surface you clean is with uneven surfaces being more difficult to clean.
Thankfully, this vacuum also comes with a solid multi-surface foot that performs just as well on carpets as the hard floor turbine foot does. Though, you might have some issues with standard maintenance as the Bissell 1547 has a tendency to clog more than others.
Pros
- Is a lightweight vacuum
- Has Multi-Cyclonic technology
- Has a hard floor turbine foot
- Has a multi-surface foot
- Has 9.2-amp motor
- Has Multi-Level filtration
Cons
- Is a more expensive vacuum
- Clogs easier than some
7. Hoover Air Revolve SH40090PC
Our last product comes from Hoover, which is one of the most respected companies on our list. The company was founded explicitly for floor cleaning and continues to specialize in vacuums and floor cleaning products today.
While Hoover definitely makes some top-tier products, the Air Revolve is definitely meant to be a bit more budget-friendly. This shows itself in a couple of areas, but one of the more notable is its hefty design which is 22 pounds.
While this means that the SH40090PC may not be the best for going up and downstairs, it does offer a unique design. Specifically, the patented 360 pivot technology makes turning and general use of this model easier than most other vacuums we have reviewed.
This makes using this unit easy on stairs, though its heavy weight makes it more difficult to actually carry it. Unfortunately, it can be a bit hit or miss in terms of its cleaning power.
This is a bit surprising considering that it comes with a powerful 12-amp motor and WindTunnel 3 technology. On top of that, it also features a powered nozzle that can switch on and off as needed. However, the poor suction might come down to user error.
Pros
- Is a less expensive vacuum
- Has WindTunnel 3 technology
- Has a 12-amp motor
- Has 360 pivot technology
- Is easy to use on stairs
- Has a powered nozzle
Cons
- Is a heavier vacuum
- Not the best suction
Summary
We think the Kenmore 81615 is the best canister vacuum for pet hair for most people. Keep in mind, this does not mean that we found it to be the best-performing vacuum, but it is definitely the best for the price .
While the Kenmore 81615 is one of the more expensive vacuums that we have reviewed, but it is significantly less expensive than the top-performing option while still offering a comparable experience.
One thing that really sets this model apart from most of the other products on our list is the dual motor system. While this does not actually generate more suction, it does allow the Kenmore 81614 to maintain suction better than most of the competition. On top of the great suction, the dual-motor system allows the vacuum to provide its attachments active power.
While most of the attachments are your standard fare, the Pet PowerMate is easily one of the better attachments for pet hair we found thanks in large part to its active power.
Beyond the Pet PowerMate, the vacuum also offers one of the better general floor nozzles with a wide cleaning path and a powerful active system in its own right.
- BAGGED CANISTER VACUUM: Multipurpose design w/swivel head cleans all areas and surfaces in your home, den, kitchen, car and garage.Suction power(hose end) ≥183W. Number of Amps 12.Cleaning Width (in.) : 14, Features : Multi Surface.
- POWERFUL CLEANING: 2-motor system excels in suction strength and includes 2 floor nozzles with exclusive Pop-N-Go floor brush. 3 additional attachments are included: crevice tool, dirt brush and bare floor tool
- TRIPLE HEPA FILTER SYSTEM: Enhanced HEPA filter traps 99. 97% of dirt, trapping dirt inside the vacuum
- PET POWERMATE & POP-N-GO BRUSH: Motorized attachment lifts stubborn pet hair, and dirt quickly from surfaces. Eliminates hair from tangling around the brush.Stores inside vacuum, attaches to handle and wand in a snap for bare floor cleaning
- ALUMINUM TELESCOPING WAND: Adjustable lightweight wand lengthens to an extended reach of 10. ' to access difficult areas. Lightweight at 22. 6 lbs, 28' cord is retractable, accessories and attachments fit within vac
Last update on 2024-05-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Buying Guide for Pet Hair Canister Vacuums
Suction
This is arguably the most important aspect of a vacuum, but it can be even more vital when specifically looking for a vacuum for pet hair. That said, there are a couple of different qualities that go into determining how much suction a vacuum generates.
On top of that, it can actually be a bit difficult to figure out how much suction a vacuum generates beforehand. Basically, suction is rated in cubic feet per minute or CFM, but most vacuum manufacturers do not actually release this rating.
To be fair, CFM heavily depends on how you use the vacuum, and most people do not use a vacuum in a “technical” way.
In lieu of using a scientific measurement, it can be easier to just consider how powerful the vacuum itself is. In this instance, you will want to look at how powerful the motor is which is rated in amps, though this too can be a bit misleading.
While a stronger motor will generally produce better suction, it only tells you how much force the vacuum can suck with– it tells you nothing about how that suction power is affected by the rest of the vacuum’s design.
While the internal design from vacuum to vacuum may not vary too terribly much, there are a number of different qualities used to increase suction power.
The most common and popular involves some form of cyclonic design, though this quality definitely offers many different options with there being little to no way to determine which is more effective than another without testing them.
Even then, it can be difficult to know whether one cyclonic design is actually worse than another or whether some other quality might be impacting the suction power. The point is, do not get lulled by slick marketing just because they advertise a particular cyclonic design.
In fact, one of the more relevant components of a vacuum that impacts its suction power will be the attachment design. Of course, this definitely depends on the vacuum in question as a number of them actually come with multiple attachments.
As such, it is vital to maintain the best suction that you use a given attachment for the purpose and in the manner the manufacturer suggests.
Still, even with vacuums that use similar attachments, the particular design qualities can allow for one to provide better suction than another without you being able to see a noticeable difference in how they look.
Collection Type
The type of vacuum collection you choose is not inherently the most important consideration, but it will impact how the vacuum performs in a number of respects.
Ultimately, the two main types of vacuums are bagged and bagless, though there exists a couple of different configurations for the latter.
That said, this aspect definitely weighs a bit heavier if you need a vacuum to help prevent allergic reactions or if you are sensitive to dust and other particles.
Bagged – This is the classic type of vacuum and was once the only type of vacuum available.
Bagged vacuums have definitely fallen out of favor in recent years due to the fact that you have to keep purchasing bags, which increases the cost of the vacuum over its lifespan, and install new bags when the old one fills.
However, bagged vacuums to have the advantage of often including a filter as part of the bag, so the cost aspect may be a wash, depending on the bag in question.
One of the better qualities of a bagged vacuum is that you do not have to worry about dust or other particle escaping the vacuum either when turning it on or when throwing out the bag.
Bagless – This is the newest type of vacuum collection, but it is also quickly becoming the most common type as well. The main advantage of a bagless vacuum comes in the form of convenience as you do not have to purchase bags nor change out the dust holding receptacle.
A bagless vacuum generally costs less in the long run, though you may still need to purchase filters depending on the design. Of course, some bagless vacuums actually come with washable filters which make them even more convenient.
One thing to watch out for with a bagless vacuum is the build-up of dust which can then be expelled from the vacuum when it is turned on. On top of that, the canister that holds the dust and debris can also be a bit messy, especially when emptying it.
Filtration
This is generally considered one of the more important aspects of a vacuum, though it often has little to do with the vacuum itself.
As mentioned prior, the method of filtration will often depend on the type of collection the vacuum employs, though that is not necessarily the only type of filtration available.
Basically, most vacuums come with either a starting bag or a staring filter, but the initial bag or filter will eventually need to be replaced– unless your vacuum uses a washable filter.
Regardless, once the initial bag or filter is spent, you usually have multiple options on the type of bag or filter you replace it with. Sometimes, manufacturers even sell bags or filters that offer superior filtration than the initial product came with.
However, it is worth noting that the best bags and filters can often be somewhat expensive, especially for higher-end vacuums.
Attachments
When it comes to canister vacuums for pet hair, this might actually be the most important aspect to consider, all other things being equal. However, this can also be one of the more difficult qualities to consider since most of us do not really understand the subtle engineering choices made.
That said, one thing that often helps an attachment perform better on pet hair than another is it being powered. A powered attachment can actually generate its power a couple of ways with the most common coming from the suction power of the vacuum.
However, a “true” actively powered attachment that actually uses electricity is often more effective at picking up pet hair than a passively powered attachment.
Last update on 2024-05-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API