Pets are a joy, but their shedding on your sofa? Not so much. Fortunately, we have you covered with the best lightweight vacuums for pet hair. They’re easy to push, save space, and our picks play dirty when it comes to grabbing fur balls.
Before dropping down to our list, check out all the things to look for when shopping one for your home.
Best Lightweight Vacuums For Pet Hair Holiday Deals:
What are the best lightweight vacuums for pet hairs?
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What is the difference between a pet vacuum and a regular vacuum?
Not all vacuums are created equal, especially when it comes to pets. Although the best lightweight vacuums may work for basic dirt or crumbs, you’ll need a machine with a powerful suction to pull hair wrapped around carpet fibers.
The best lightweight vacuums for pet hair, for example, will have at least 200 air watts, plus a special filtration system. This is important because with pets often comes stains, germs, and smells. Clearly, a machine that can suction debris, fur, and urine is your best bet.
One of our favorite vacuums for such a task is the Bissel Little Green Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner. Its vortex technology sweeps up hair and gunk, and it comes with a cleaning solution to treat pet stains. If you like water filtration vacuums but want something more affordable, it’s a great option.
What should I look for in a vacuum for pet hair?
When shopping the best lightweight vacuums for pet hair, look for the following:
Suction technology: Vacuums with a cyclonic method of taking in particles are also ideal for pet hair. The action spins hair into the canister, making it less likely to get trapped somewhere in the middle of the machine. This also keeps particles from escaping when emptying the canister.
Power: Vacuums with 200 air watts or more are better at removing hard to spot dirt than those with a lower wattage. Similarly, those with an amp between 8-12 are also strong enough to grab embedded fur.
Filtration: With pets comes germs and allergens like dander. To keep your home free of both, go for a vac with a HEPA filter, like the Miele Blizzard CX1. It’s also bagless, so there’s no kickback when you empty the container into the garbage.
Brushes & Accessories: Whether you’re spot treating or want to vacuum higher surfaces, additional vacuum attachments are great to have. The Eureka PowerSpeed comes with lots of different tools, including a long nozzle. It’s perfect for pulling up kitty litter, as well as fur strands stuck in floor corners.
What vacuum has the best suction for pet hair?
There are lots of lightweight vacuums for pets to choose from but one of our favorites is the Dyson Cyclone V10. It has 350 watts of power and if you can’t tell by its name, it has a cyclonic motor that spins at 125,000 RPM. Hair, dirt, and crumbs don’t stand a chance against it.
Another thing we love about the Dyson Cyclone v10 is that it’s easy to maneuver. The stick vac is perfect if you have back pain, are short on space, or simply want something a little lighter to push. It’s under 6 pounds, making it effortless to move up and down stairs with, and it has a multi-filtration system to lock dirt and germs away.
Want more? See our other cleaning recommendations:
Best lightweight vacuums for pet hair
Best overall lightweight vacuum for pet hair
Buy from Amazon, $464 (was $599.99) – 23% off!
Buy from Dyson, $449.99 and (was $549.99) – Save $100
Why we like it:
Everyone knows Dyson vacuums, and if you’re searching out one to remove the fur babies’ fluff from your best comforters, this is the one. Note that we said fur babies, plural, because this stick vac is super strong. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal’s motor spins up to 125,000 RPM, making it 25 percent stronger than Dyson’s V8, and awesome for homes with multiple pets. The slim head reaches beneath couches and beds without fuss, and the torque drive grabs dander and dirt that’s deep in the carpet. There are several different cleaning accessories, including the torque drive cleaner head, a crevice tool, and a mini motorized tool. The lightweight vacuum also comes with a docking station and a users manual guide. Charge the cordless and enjoy 60 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning time.
Promising review: “Four dogs, two cats, a house full of kids and a permanent hip and leg injury, [and] I finally have a clean house. Floors, carpets, upholstery, window sills [in a 2000 square-foot house] on one charge all done in 15 minutes. I was skeptical that this could replace my corded upright but it did! I will never look back.”
Best handheld lightweight vacuum for pet hair
Buy from QVC, $499.98 (was $649)
Why we like it:
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Includes combination tool, crevice tool, hair screw tool, and wand tool!
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Automatically adjust suction
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Washable filter
Make dust bunnies and fur balls a thing of the past with this lightweight Dyson V12. Its advanced filtration system sucks up to 99 percent of particles, making air and carpets smell fresher. The machine has front illumination, so no speck goes unnoticed, and the LCD display is great for viewing settings. Suction adjust according to dirt levels, meaning no matter how much grime your floors have, surfaces will become clean and pristine with a pass through. Convert to a handheld tool for your car, sofa or tabletops. Charge in the docking station when through. Filter is washable.
Promising review: “I have been waiting patiently before I jumped on board and joined the Dyson fan club! I wanted all the features this one has, plus the great price! [It’s] cordless and light as a feather to push around and carry upstairs. [Battery life] easily covers our 2,600 square feet hardwood and tile home… The best part is not having to worry about buying filters, simply rinse, and let dry.”
Best cordless lightweight vacuum cleaner for pet hair
22% off!
Buy from Amazon, $164.24 (was $209.99)
Why we like it:
It’s not only fur that pets bring to couches and floors but germs. It’s a good thing that the Hoover ONEPWR Evolve has antimicrobial brushes. Paired with the cleaner’s powerful suction, carpets look and smell like they were just laid down. The vac also has vortex technology for strong suction, as well as a pet odor filter. Even if you’re a literal cat lady, your home won’t have the scent of one. No cleaning accessories are included, but there is a rechargeable battery. Move around the house without becoming tangled in a pesky cord. The low head of the machine smoothly transitions from different flooring types for a quicker, efficient clean.
Best Dyson lightweight vacuum for pet hair
Buy from Amazon, starting at $339
Buy from Dyson, $349.99 (was $499) – Save $150!
Why we like ti:
If your home is on the smaller side with hardwood floors and throw rugs, the Dyson V8 Absolute may be a good fit. It’s great for quick cleaning jobs, and comes with neat tools to catch pet hair and dust. It has polycarbonate vanes to grab strands entangled in carpets, as well as a fully sealed filtration system to trap microscopic particles. Use it on your floors, mattresses or even in your car with the detaching handheld piece. A single charge gives 40 minutes of cordless cleaning, and the motor is reasonably quiet.
Promising review: “It is lightweight and easy to handle on wood floors and rugs. Love the attachments for little jobs and cleaning the car. Love that there are no bags to empty and the easy cleanup.”
Best deep cleaning lightweight vacuum for pet hair
12% off!
Buy from Amazon, $144.79 (was $164.79)
Why we like it:
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Includes cleaning solution
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Great for carpets, and upholstery
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Deep stain tool
Puppy piddle got you down? The Bissell Little Green Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner can help. In fact, it can pull pet stains out of the rug like they never happened. Part spot remover, part vac, the lightweight canister comes with cleaning solution to scrub dirt and other icky things you don’t want in your home. The vacuum weighs only 13 pounds, so it’s no sweat to tackle stairs with, and its 3 inch tough stain tool works wonderfully on sofas, curtains or dog beds. All you have to do is fill water and the cleaning solution in the tank and pass over soiled areas. Watching the tank’s water change from clear to brown is surprisingly satisfying, and your home will look and smell world’s better once done.
Promising review: “I got this specifically to clean my microfiber couch, but now I want to clean everything. The couch [has been with] our family of five, multiple dogs and cats, and several moves for 10 years. It had some spots from spills that had been there a while, as well as just general accumulated dirt. I ran the [vacuum] over it twice over a few days, and nearly all the spots are gone, and I swear it’s a few shades lighter.”
best lightweight robot vacuum for pet hair
Why we like it:
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is on the higher end of the price scale, but it’s amazing when it comes to pet hair and dander. Not only does it have unique multi-surface rubber brushes that avoid tangles and obstructions, but its dirt dispenser is lined with 4-layer AllergenLock bags to trap 99 percent of pollen and mold. It can also learn the layout of your house with its VSLAM navigation. Another plus that’s worth the price tag? If you have an unexpected mess (like when potty training a new puppy), the robot vac can be told to pass through the messy area. Cool, right?
Promising review: “I have three dogs, one of which is a German shepherd. Let me tell you, this little pro does a fantastic job — no fur balls anywhere ever!”
Best lightweight vacuums for pet hair on hardwood floors
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Why we like it:
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Adjustable height settings
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4.1 liter canister
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Wide nozzle attachment, plus other accessories
If you own hardwood floors like I do, try the Eureka’s Powerspeed. Its wheels keep surfaces scratch-free, and it’s height adjusting. A seven-inch crevice tool can be used for doorway corners, and the container is extra large, so you don’t have to dump it after every use. Three attachments can be popped on and off for different cleaning spots, including a 12.6 inch nozzle. I like it for sucking up litter, knocked over kibble or crumbs. More than 20,000 happy customers on Amazon give it five-stars!
Promising review: “This vacuum is so powerful. When I was vacuuming my newly washed comforter to remove the cat hair, I stopped after just a couple of swipes — you should have seen all the dust and dirt it pulled out!”
Best lightweight canister vacuum for pet hair
Why we like it:
Don’t get us wrong, stick and handhelds are great. However, canister vacuums tend to have better suction and are quieter. If you already know this from personal experience, we have one of the best lightweight vacuums for pet hair for you. The Blizzard CX1 Turbo Team from Miele knows how to get down and dirty, pulling up dirt and fur. The German engineered bagless design features a vortex technology that has a flow rate of more than 62 miles per hour. Its ComfortClean mode measures air quality, kicking in the self-cleaning function when the machine gets too dusty. The canister separates fine dust specs from thicker pieces of debris, and pops in and out with a press of a button. Germs stay in the container until disposed of, so there’s no worry of dust kickback as with bag-based vacs. We also love the TurboTeQ floorhead. It’s great for hardwood floors and low pile carpets, capable of sucking up pet hair entangled in rug fibers. Reviewers on Amazon love how powerful it is!
Promising review: “The suction is very good. I vacuum all the time and can still dump the canister at least twice. The air quality is better after vacuuming. Just like the air purifier being on, you can literally smell the freshness. I love that. It is pretty quiet, especially considering the suction power.”
best affordable lightweight vacuum for pet hair
40% off!
Why we like it:
The 2000Pa (atmospheric pressure) of suction power make this eufy by Anker robot vac strong enough to handle anything. We’re talking fur balls, dirt, dust balls — nothing is safe. It’s also quiet, allowing you to watch TV or take a Zoom call without anyone knowing you’re getting some cleaning in. Infrared and drop sensors prevent it from bumping into your work desk or falling down stairs, and it can be used on carpet and floors.
Promising review: “Love it. It cleans carpets and dog hair. I use it everyday.”
Best lightweight vacuum for pet hair with tangle free brush
19% off!
Buy from Amazon, $199.99 (was $247.19)
Why we like it:
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Snag-resistant brush
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Multifiltration system
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Under 10 pounds!
Bissel’s PowerGlide Pet Slim Cordless is a great option for households with pets. Along with having a tangle free brush that keeps hair from snagging, it has a swivel head to moves around furniture. The head detaches for high cleaning, and the filter is reusable to save money. This lightweight device is a 3-in-1 machine that can be used as a handheld — great for your best double recliner loveseats, a traditional vac, or a high-reach. There’s an LED to make sure no dander’s been left behind, and a wall mount is included for storage.
Promising review: “WOW, this sucks pet hair like no tomorrow! I wish I would have bought this Bissell sooner!”
Best upright lightweight vacuum for pet hair
Buy from Amazon, $229.99 (was $247.19)
Why we like it:
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Smart Seal Allergen System
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Cyclonic spooling system
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More than 6,000 5-star Amazon reviews!
We’re obsessed with the no-tangle brush of the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus. Even if your home has a Burmese mountain dog or a fluffy Persian, it can be kept allergen-free with a pass through of this machine. Featuring a cyclonic suction, dust, hair, and other bits are swirled aways in the Smart Seal Allergen System, never to be seen again. The upright vacuum comes with an extended nozzle for ceiling corners, and the pet brush attachment works great for couch cushions.
Promising review: “I am FLOORED by this vacuum. I have a long-haired German Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois, so believe me when I say I have HORRIBLE amounts of dog hair everywhere…
I have never in my life wanted to vacuum as much as I do now [with the Bissell]. As soon as I get home, I’m eager to put this bad boy together and get to work.”
Best corded lightweight vacuum for pet hair
Great deal!
Buy from Walmart, $129 (was $149)
Why we like it:
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Free standing
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Great for pet hair
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Swivel steering
The Shark Rocket is only nine pounds, and has swivel steering to effortlessly glide around tables. Although corded, its size makes it simple to maneuver, so don’t worry about tripping yourself up. For couches and chairs, detach the base and enjoy as a handheld. For higher spots, work with the hose. Customers love how great the machine works on pet hair, and we love the freestanding clip to keep it upright and in a corner when not in use.
Promising review: “This little thing is awesome! I have been vacuuming the rug in my house and the amount of dirt and fur it has got [from out of it] has me shook! It’s super easy to clean too!”
Top rated lightweight robot vac for pet hair
Why we like it:
Roomba is one of the most well-known brands in robot vacuums. The 675 is one of their cheaper models, but it has an impressive 14,000+ 5-star Amazon reviews, all claiming it’s just as effective at cleaning hair, dust, and dirt from carpet and hardwood as the pricier competition. Wifi allows you to schedule your Roomba from a smartphone app, and voice control pairs with your Alexa or Google assistant. If you’re not a fan of vacuuming, it truly doesn’t get easier — or more lightweight — than this high-tech but simple to use vac. Let it go wild while you take your dog on a walk. When you return, your home will look good as new.
Promising review: “This thing is great!! Bye-bye pet hair!”
Best lightweight vacuum for pet hair on carpets
27% off!
Buy from Bed Bath & Beyond, $219.99 (was $299.99)
Why we like it:
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Self cleaning brush
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Under 5 pounds
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Precision cleaning
Got dingy carpets? Try the Shark’s Vertex Corded Stick Vacuum. It has two tangle-resistant brushes that pull up wedged-in dirt and fur. Although tough on rug fiber, the bristles are soft enough for hard surfaces, so feel free to run it over your tiles and hardwood as well. The vacuum is under three pounds, and can detach into a handheld for more controlled cleaning. There’s also a precision tool, dusting brush, and pet brush for your sofas. The head swivels to prevent collisions with your coffee table.
Promising review: “My husband and I wanted a lightweight corded stick vacuum, since we have three floors in our small home. We needed something easy to carry, and love this vacuum! It’s simple to assemble and dissemble, lightweight, powerful, easy to clean, and gets in tight spots with the swivel head.”
