The first vacuum cleaners were called carpet sweepers, and they had a manually operated machine with spinning brushes that would create suction. Eight years later, in 1868, Ives McGaffey designed “the whirlwind,” which was an automatic device to pick up dirt from carpets.
In our selection of the 7 best cordless vacuums for pet hair, you will find powerful models that work both on carpets and hard floors; models featuring several cleaning modes; models with advanced suction power; models for those who are looking for something inexpensive, but effective; transformer models as our Editor’s Choice the Shark IZ363HT, for those who are looking for something universal, and remove the cat’s fur from the sofa, and rid the curtains of dust.
More features: 71-79 dBa, self-cleaning brushroll, HEPA filtration, anti-allergen complete seal, transforms to a hand vacuum
The IZ363HT is our top choice because comes with all the features you can expect from the best cordless stick vacuum for pet hair. The battery life, design, and performance are great for the price. This is a great option for day-to-day cleaning as well as pet hair. The Shark IZ363HT is a 20.6V cordless vacuum cleaner that weighs just 6.5 lbs. The compact design makes it very easy to use and store in the house. We found that it runs for 50 min with one charge, so you can easily get your house cleaned faster compared to other cordless vacuum cleaners available in the market. It comes with LED headlights and a self-cleaning brush roll that automatically cleans the dirt and pet hair inside. The filtration system of the Shark IZ363HT is great for trapping allergen particles and dust.
The Shark IZ363HT is pretty similar in design to its equally famous brother, the Shark Rocket Pet Pro with Multiflex IZ163H. Other similarities between the two include build quality, user maintenance, portability and dustbin capacity. However, the IZ163H compares favorably to IZ363HT regarding recharge time. It also performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpet.
More features: 71 dBa, LCD screen, advanced filtration, digital motor, 14 concentric cyclone array, high torque cleaner head
One of the most important things homeowners should look for in a cordless vacuum is power and adaptive cleaning mode. Our Premium Pick, the Dyson V11 Animal, provides both. It is rightfully considered to be one of the best Dyson vacuums on the market today. With its Direct-Drive cleaner head, it has 10 more air watts (AW) than previous models, and the motor dynamically adjusts from hard floors to carpets. While you can charge the Dyson V11 Animal in 3 hours, it comes with a nice LCD screen that tells you how much power is left (and how long until it’s fully charged). It even recommends which cleaning mode would work best based on the amount of power remaining. You’ll get about 40 minutes in normal mode, or you can double it to 80 minutes in eco mode.
Compared to the previous version, Dyson V10, the V11 is a better deep cleaning tool. Its high airflow feature comes in handy when deep cleaning carpet. Even at its medium power setting you will be able to pick up 99%. Moreover, the vacuum runs longer than the Dyson V10 by around 20 minutes.
More features: 74 dBa, dual charging, turbo action brush, powerful multi-cyclonic system, 180° swivel flexibility
Samsung Jet 90 is the most lightweight and portable vacuum cleaner right now. It weighs only 6.17 pounds and can be carried around very easily even by a child or an elderly person. It offers 30 minutes of cleaning time, once it runs out of charge, charging it again will take only 3 hours. It has a 180° swivel head so that you can clean the corners, wall edges, and even under the furniture very easily. The powerful motor gives up to 200 watts of suction power to pick up anything that gets in its way. It comes with three different types of tools; turbo, soft and mini brush. With the help of a 5-layer filtration system, it traps 99.97 percent of dust particles and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner itself.
The Jet 90 has a lot in common with its predecessor, Jet 75. However, the Jet 90 has a few features that set it apart like a telescoping pipe that makes it highly adjustable. What’s more, Jet 90 has a dual battery charging system whereas Jet 75 has a single charging system.
More features: convertible 3-in-1 vacuum, LED headlights, multi-level filtration
The Bissell PowerGlide 3080 is a versatile, convenient cordless multi-surface vacuum that can be used on multiple floor surfaces, for quick pickups between more thorough cleanings. It features innovative technology like Swivel Steering and LED headlights to help guide you in dimly lit areas. The battery life of this device is impressive, with a recharge time of only 3 hours. The Bissell PowerGlide 3080 has a 0.1-gallon dirt tank and includes the standard 3-year limited warranty.
The Bissell 3080 is an improved version of the corded electric 3070. Unlike its predecessor, it performs better on upholstery and can only run up to 30 minutes. Since it is powered by electricity, the 3070 can clean continuously but it doesn’t provide freedom of movement like the Bissell 3080. You can even vacuum your upholstery outside with the 3080.
More features: 78.3 dBa, Power Vortex Suction™, multi-surface cleaning
The Hoover ONEPWR™ lithium-ion cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair features a stick, upright design with multi-surface cleaning and odor management. It has 35 minutes of battery run time on a single charge and is the perfect solution to keep up tidy floors. The best part? With 0.26-gal dust bin, it holds 3X more dirt and pet hair than other leading brands. The ONEPWR™ battery technology powers the motor with 50% more suction power than other leading brands. It is a perfect cordless vacuum for pet hair, carpet, hardwood floors and more.
The Hoover ONEPWR Evolve is an upgrade of Linx which is also a popular compact and lightweight vacuum cleaner. It has a longer run time, more control options and a larger dust cup than Linx. The ONEPWR Evolve is also better than Linx at cleaning hard-to-reach spots because it features handy tools like a wand, dusting brush and crevice tool.
More features: 71 dBa, 450W brushless motor, ultra-quiet design, 3 power modes, 4-stage filtration, detachable battery, LED headlights
The Tineco A11 Hero vacuum cleaner is a cordless handheld and stick vacuum that provides flexible cleaning options. You get three different speed levels depending on the type of flooring you’re cleaning – from hardwood to tile. Other features include LED headlights, both a dust brush and upholstery nozzle to tackle pet hair on furniture, an easy-empty bin for mess-free disposal of dirt, and cordless operation that allows you to clean underneath beds and couches without having to unplug the vacuum.
The Tineco A11 Hero is almost similar with other vacuums in the A11 series like the Hero EX and Tango, except for a few distinguishing features. For starters, the A11 Hero and the Tango come with one battery while the Hero EX comes with two batteries. This means that the Hero EX has a longer run time than all of them.
More features: 81 dBa, self-cleaning Pet Power Brush, XL dust cup, CleanTouch dirt ejector
The Shark UltraCyclone™ Pet Pro+ CH951 is the best cordless handheld vacuum for pet hair on our list. It’s a pocket-friendly model that has up to 14 minutes of battery life and weighs just two pounds. By not having the motorized brush attachment it costs much less than other models but is still able to offer suction for picking up pet hair on a variety of surfaces. This vacuum can be best used for carpeted stairs and furniture. It also has a removable filter that’s very easy to clean.
The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a well-designed handheld vacuum with better performance on all surface types compared to Shark ION W1 WANDVAC. It has a longer battery life, is easier to maintain and has a larger dirt compartment. Unlike the ION W1 WANDVAC it features a brushroll that takes care of hair wraps efficiently.
If you’re unsure about which type of cordless vacuum cleaner is most suitable for your needs, then consult with our buyer’s guide below.
Pet hair can be very stubborn and difficult to remove, so you need a high-quality cordless vacuum cleaner that will do the job efficiently. Here is what you need to consider when choosing one:
There are two main types of cordless vacuum cleaners:
1) Stick vacuums that can be used to clean both hard floors and carpets.
2) Handheld cordless vacuums for cleaning pet hair.
Many people assume that stick vacuums are the best vacuums for hardwood floors while handheld cordless vacuum cleaners are best for cleaning pet hair off upholstery or car interiors.
While some stick vacuums do provide all the extra tools for more effective cleaning on upholstery and car interiors, some handheld cordless vacuum cleaners also have enough power to remove pet hair from hard floors.
The decision between buying a stick cordless vacuum cleaner or handheld cordless vacuum cleaner depends more on your needs than anything else.
Suction power and dustbin size are the two most important features of a good cordless vacuum cleaner. A machine with poor suction power will not be able to pick up pet hair and debris from your carpets, which defeats the purpose of purchasing one.
Dustbins need to be large enough so that they don’t need frequent emptying. Small dustbins mean you’ll have to stop cleaning more often in order to empty them, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Generally speaking, stick cordless vacuum cleaners tend to provide the best suction power. However, some handheld cordless vacuum cleaners also provide sufficient suction power that enable them to remove pet hair from carpets.
Internal bagged vacuum cleaners tend to be more expensive than their bagless counterparts, but they provide more powerful suction and are best for removing pet hair. However, disposable bags can be costly in the long run.
Generally speaking, bagless cordless vacuums are best for cleaning pet hair off carpets. They are less powerful than bagged cordless vacuum cleaners, but not by much. The best cordless vacuum for pet hair should have large enough dustbins that don’t need frequent emptying during cleaning.
The majority of cordless vacuum cleaners use lithium-ion batteries, which tend to provide more power than nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries. Lithium-ion batteries also charge faster and weigh less than their predecessors.
However, you should consider purchasing a cordless vacuum cleaner with a lithium-ion battery if you clean smaller areas, but buy one with nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries if you need to cover larger areas.
Attachments and extension wands make it easy to clean areas that are difficult to access. A long reach wand allows you to clean stairs without having to carry the vacuum cleaner up and down, while a crevice tool aids cleaning under furniture and along edges.
You should consider buying a cordless vacuum with attachments if your home consists of multiple floors.
The best cordless vacuum cleaners for pet hair are priced between $100 and $700. You can find cordless vacuums at a lower price, but you should avoid them since they provide poor suction and won’t clean up pet hair very well. If you intend to buy something cheaper anyway, check out our guide on the best vacuums under $100.
Some vacuum cleaners weigh five pounds or less, while others weigh eight pounds and over. Generally speaking, cordless vacuums with lithium-ion batteries tend to be lighter than vacuum cleaners with nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries.
Lighter cordless vacuums are easier to carry up and down stairs. However, cordless vacuums with a lower weight generally have shorter battery lives and don’t clean pet hair as well as heavier models.
Washable filters allow you to easily remove and clean them under running water, while HEPA filters are washable or can be replaced with an affordable replacement filter. Swivel steering enables the vacuum cleaner to turn around furniture quickly, making it easy to clean tight spaces.
Start by vacuuming along the wall, using your hands or a squeegee if necessary to move the vacuum forward against the carpet pile. Slowly work towards the center of the room, then clean the area under furniture. Finally vacuum along baseboards using a brush attachment to get rid of any remaining dust and pet hair.
With a cordless vacuum cleaner, you don’t have to worry about the length of the electrical cord. The 7 cordless vacuum cleaners listed above all have excellent suction power, making them great for removing pet hair from any surface.
Our Editor’s Choice, Shark IZ363HT is a perfect option for people who have larger homes. This vacuum has a lot of great features like a removable battery, self-cleaning brush roll, HEPA filtration, LED headlights, and a 5-year limited warranty.
When reviewing the best cordless vacuums for pet hair, we’ve chosen the Dyson V11 to be our Premium Pick because it offers up to 60 minutes of runtime, advanced whole-machine filtration. It also comes with an LCD screen that tells you how much power is left.
The Samsung Jet 90 is the most lightweight vacuum cleaner on our list. With 200 watts of suction power, it can easily suck up all kinds of dust and dirt from different floor types including carpets.
