The Best Pet Vacuums

Your guid to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker
Published on
August 19th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Adam has a passion for cleaning from his youth growing up in England, and he has carried it with him to the US. Adam’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the Advanced System Cleaning specialist (For HVAC cleaning / ductwork), through NADCA (this is the highest certification that NADCA has), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Adam has either advised, consulted, or done research with dozens of cleaning and cleaning related business entities. Adam holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

The Cleaning Institute

As pet owners, we know how difficult it is to keep a home that’s clean and free of pet hair so we decided to test out a bunch of pet vacuums to see which one is the best. Among those we tested, we loved the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet (NV752) Upright Vacuum the most. This pet vacuum has a one-touch fingertip control feature for its various functions. It also uses Shark’s advanced steering technology so it’s easy to control and maneuver in all directions. It’s powerful, user-friendly, and it gets the job done efficiently which is what we want from a pet vacuum cleaner. The Bissell Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner took 2nd place with its innovative brush design and OnePass technology that makes cleaning so much quicker. We also think the Dirt Devil Razor Pet Bagless Multi Floor Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Swivel Steering deserves special recognition because of its strong suction power and its TurboClaw Pet Tool.

Testing Categories

Suction Power – One of the things we always look for in a vacuum, whether it’s cordless or corded, bagless or not, upright or handheld or whatever type, is the suction power. A powerful vacuum cleaner that can pick everything up in one go is a clear winner in our book.

Weight – Sometimes, you test out vacuums and there are those that just “feel right.” This means they’re heavy enough that they feel sturdy but also light enough so they’re easy to maneuver.

User interface – The advancement of technology often makes it difficult for us to figure out how to operate things like home and cleaning appliances. Thankfully, a lot of the vacuums we tested were easy to use with some even having the ability to do what you need it to do with the simple push of a button.

Noise – Vacuums are inevitably noisy but there are lots of good brands today that make vacuum cleaners that are relatively less noisy than the ones we used to have. For pet vacuums, we wanted something with low noise levels to add to our pet-friendly home. Our pets tend to run away from vacuum cleaners because they’re really loud but we did find a few with tolerable noise levels that our pets didn’t seem to mind.

Versatility – While the main objective of testing out various pet vacuums is to see which one would make cleaning up after our little furry friends a breeze, we also looked for something that we can use as an all-around cleaning tool.

Top Pick

Shark Rotator Powered
Lift-Away TruePet
(NV752) Upright Vacuum

Whether it’s a pet vacuum you’re looking for or a great all-around cleaning tool that lets you cover all bases from floor to ceiling, this vacuum cleaner is sure to blow your mind. It’s powerful, easy to use, and very efficient in picking things up on the first pass.

Price Check

Most notable upside: This vacuum cleaner is super easy to use. The fingertip control feature is strategically located on the handle so you can easily switch between two modes, depending on the surface you’re cleaning.

Biggest downsides: The TruePet mini motorized brush accumulates dirt real quick and the hair build up in it often causes the brush to stop working.

Honorable Mention

Bissell Cleanview
Upright Bagless
Vacuum Cleaner

This lightweight yet powerful vacuum cleaner cleans across all floors types with ease. It has a multi level filtration system that comes with a washable filter so you don’t have to worry about dirt and dust getting out and re-contaminating the air in your home.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The suction power on this vacuum cleaner is impressive! Everything gets sucked in the canister with one pass and you’re left with a clean and spotless surface in a matter of seconds.

Biggest downsides: We wish the dust and dirt containers were a little larger.

Green Pick

Dirt Devil Razor Pet Bagless
Multi Floor Corded Upright Vacuum
Cleaner with Swivel Steering

The Dirt Devil Razor Pet is efficient and easy to use. The Swivel Steering features makes it easy to take this vacuum cleaner anywhere you need it to be. We love that the height is adjustable, too, so no more back pain for us.

Price Check

Most notable upside: One of the things that we loved about this vacuum cleaner is the odor-trapping filter that keeps your vacuum’s hose and canister free from unpleasant smells and the anti-hair wrap dirt cup that prevents hair from building up and hindering your brush roller from working.

Biggest downsides: The vacuum is very top-heavy and kept falling over because of this design.

All Our Picks

Top Pick

The Bucko Soap
Scum and
Grime Remover

We loved how well this commercial strength cleaner cut through scum and grime with such little effort on our part. Its breezy, light citrus scent was very pleasant to work with, and it’s non-toxic ingredients make it perfect for everyday use, as well as deep cleaning days. One of our favorite features was how little elbow grease was needed to get rid of tough stains. Most soap scum was easily wiped away with little to no scrubbing in record time. Bucko’s was not only perfect for achieving a shiny tub, but it could also tackle sinks, showers, detergent build up, tire rims, and even outdoor furniture, so its versatility was clearly on display.

Price Check

Honorable Mention

Kaboom
Foam-Tastic
Fresh

Kaboom’s magical color changing powers were only one of the many reasons we thought it deserved to be named runner up. It worked amazingly on shower and tub film that gathers over time. It also works well even outside of the bathroom, and on tile flooring. One of our favorite parts about this cleaner was the aroma. It was not overpowering and left surfaces smelling fresh and clean.

Price Check

Green Pick

Natural
All Purpose
Cleaner Organic

If green is your theme, this cleaner works wonders. Made with a natural blend of powerful scum fighting components, it can easily be used on every bathroom and kitchen surface, walls, stains, and even directly on children’s toys. We tested it on many different materials and were pleasantly surprised by how easily it wiped away dirt and build up. It is comparable and even surpasses other cleaning products made from harsh chemicals.

Price Check

Things to Consider before Opting for a Pet Vacuum

No, pet vacuums are not made to suck up furry friends you get tired of. They are actually made to make your life as a pet parent so much easier. Pet vacuums are created to cater specifically to pet owners who are dead tired of their pet’s hair ruining the house since they are calibrated not to clog up on the fur sheddings, unlike typical vacuum cleaners. Although pet vacuums generally cost more than normal cleaners, some definitely do not disappoint and absolutely get the job done. Aside from effectively cleaning up dog or cat hair on the floor, most pet vacuums also allow you to dust up clothing and furniture with a variety of vacuum attachments. However, as mentioned before, pet vacuum cleaners are more expensive than regular vacuums. So before you decide to buy a pet vacuum, here are some things to consider.

Budget vs Pet Hair

First and foremost, consider your budget and the imminent problem you want to fix, which in this case is pet hair on the floor, clothes, and furniture. You have to know your budgetary limit and which models might fall within it. If a pet vacuum isn’t right for your budget, you can still opt for a regular vacuum cleaner as there are actually several alternatives that have features meant for pet hair.

Another thing to consider is if the shedding is not that bad and is actually controllable; then you could NOT opt for the much more expensive pet vacuum and stick to a trusted regular vacuum cleaner. Why spend more money if you don’t really need to, right?

What to Look for in a Pet Vacuum

A pet vacuum cleaner is an effective alternative in ultimately ridding your house of pet hair. Instead of the laborious practice of combing or raking your carpet to untangle the stuck fur, pet cleaners allow you to effortlessly vacuum the annoying fur stuck on your rugs, clothes, and furniture.

To do so, the vacuum should have a great suction power and feature a rotating brush in order to thoroughly do its job. However, it should also be noted that a rotating brush could do some damage if used on hardwood floors, so pick a model that allows you to detach the rotating brush to avoid ruining other materials. The upholstery tool is a must-have feature in order to get the fur on your furniture and clothing. Lastly, for those with allergies or who are just sensitive to dust and other allergens, some models feature HEPA filters that are designed to trap dust particles and not just simply blow these back into the air.

Choosing the Best Vacuum Model for Your Home

The way your house is constructed and what you intend to vacuum (carpet, rugs, and type of furniture) will have an effect on the model of vacuum cleaner you should acquire. If your house features stairs or is larger than average, you should opt for a lighter vacuum model so that you won’t have to struggle dragging around a really heavy cleaner.

There are several choices available, including upright vacuums, handheld vacuums, canister vacuums, robot vacuums, and stick vacuums; however, you should take into consideration which model will work best for your home bearing in mind the type of floors you have, carpet type, size of living area, and how much your pets shed.

The Best Pet Vacuums

Your guid to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Shark Rotator Powered
Lift-Away TruePet
(NV752) Upright Vacuum

Bissell Cleanview
Upright Bagless
Vacuum Cleaner

Dirt Devil Razor Pet Bagless
Multi Floor Corded Upright Vacuum
Cleaner with Swivel Steering

All Our Picks

The Bucko Soap
Scum and
Grime Remover

Kaboom
Foam-Tastic
Fresh

Natural
All Purpose
Cleaner Organic

Things to Consider before Opting for a Pet Vacuum

Budget vs Pet Hair

What to Look for in a Pet Vacuum

Choosing the Best Vacuum Model for Your Home

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Pet Vacuums

Your guid to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet(NV752) Upright Vacuum

Bissell Cleanview Upright BaglessVacuum Cleaner

Dirt Devil Razor Pet BaglessMulti Floor Corded Upright VacuumCleaner with Swivel Steering

All Our Picks

The Bucko SoapScum andGrime Remover

KaboomFoam-TasticFresh

NaturalAll Purpose Cleaner Organic

Things to Consider before Opting for a Pet Vacuum

Budget vs Pet Hair

What to Look for in a Pet Vacuum

Choosing the Best Vacuum Model for Your Home

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Shark Rotator Powered
Lift-Away TruePet
(NV752) Upright Vacuum

Bissell Cleanview
Upright Bagless
Vacuum Cleaner

Dirt Devil Razor Pet Bagless
Multi Floor Corded Upright Vacuum
Cleaner with Swivel Steering

The Bucko Soap
Scum and
Grime Remover

Kaboom
Foam-Tastic
Fresh

Natural
All Purpose
Cleaner Organic