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Living with an animal companion typically means dealing with shedding, which also means additional cleaning measures. “Pet hair tends to be short and coarse and embeds itself in the fibers of carpet and upholstery,” says cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk, creator of Clean Mama. While quality handheld and stick vacuums are capable of sucking up a good amount of shedding, if you really want to tackle all the stubborn hairs buried in your carpets and couch cushions, you need a dedicated vacuum for pet hair.

The Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum has plenty of features to tackle ... [+] stubborn pet hair.

Designed “to ensure that hair does not get clogged in the vacuum,” these specialized vacuums also use filters that target pet dander and other allergens, says Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer of The Cleaning Authority. Some machines even come with special attachments that target hard-to-reach spots so you don’t have to stress about an army of furballs forming between your couch. Together, Stapf continues, these features “can be extremely beneficial.”

While you’ll probably never be able to rid your furniture and floors entirely of fur, a reliable vacuum will help you get close. To find the best of the best, we scanned the market and judged top-sellers based on cleaning capacity, attachments, ease of use and value. Below, here are our picks for the best vacuums for pet hair.

Weight: 15.4 pounds | Type: Upright | Attachments: Pet multi-tool, pet power brush, 12” crevice tool

This Shark vacuum is no slouch when it comes to targeting pet hair. It features special lift-away technology that lets you move the pod away from hard-to-reach spots, such as under your couch, as the brushroll keeps turning. A HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal help capture 99.9% of dust and allergens while a large dust cup holds up to 0.88 quarts, meaning you have to empty it less over time. Swivel steering allows you work your way around furniture and corners with ease, and specialized controls let you easily flip between floor and carpet mode. There are also LED headlights to help you see all the pet hair in your path. On the attachment front, a Pet Power Brush works hard to remove pet hair from stubborn spots.

That said, this vacuum is definitely heavier than some other options. If you’re looking for something lightweight, this may not be the right model for you.

Weight: 7.5 pounds | Type: Robot | Attachments: No

Plenty of robot vacuums do a decent-enough job of sucking up pet hair. The J7 goes above and beyond. One of the best additional features it comes with? A special Pet Owner Official Promise—or P.O.O.P.—meaning your vacuum will navigate around any unnoticed pet messes, rather than making a big mess. You can also set up customizable “Keep Out Zones” on your phone to tell your vacuum which areas you want (and don’t want) to be cleaned. When your pet is shedding more, you can schedule your vacuum to clean more frequently. You also won’t have to worry about this vacuum’s multi-surface brushes getting tangled with your pet’s hair—a common problem with lesser pet hair vacuums.

Weight: 4.2 pounds | Type: Handheld | Attachments: Motorized pet head, extendable crevice tool

This option from Black + Decker includes all sorts of additional features to help tackle pet hair, dirt and more from your floors and upholstery. It also has a motorized brushroll with anti-tangle rubber bristles to lift up pet hair without getting tangled, as well as a specialized Powerboost mode to help you get extra oomph to suck up stubborn hairs. Have a home with lots of hard-to-reach areas? No problem—this vacuum has an extra-long crevice tool to target those tricky areas. A washable filter lets you easily de-gunkify the vacuum while an extra-large dustbin gives you plenty of space to house hair and other crud before you need to empty it. There’s a battery life indicator to alert you when it’s time for a recharge.

Weight: 6.6 pounds | Type: Cordless | Attachments: No

Many cordless vacuums have small dust cups that need to be emptied frequently, but not The Hoover ONEPWR. This cleaner has a large-capacity dust cup that holds three times more dirt and pet hair than competitors. It also has an antimicrobial brushroll to help reduce odors, plus Power Vortex suction strength to suck up all the stubbon hair and dirt that’s accumulated in your home. With just the touch of a button, you can easily flip between hard floor and carpet mode. Plus, the whole thing weighs less than seven pounds, making it easy to push around and tote up stairs.

Since this model doesn’t have a hose or other attachments, it’s not going to be your go-to vacuum for messes of all kinds. It’s not conducive for cleaning tight, hard-to-reach spots, so you’ll need to keep an additional vacuum on hand for those.

Weight: 12.3 pounds | Type: Upright | Attachments: Pet turbo tool, crevice tool, upholstery tool, dusting brush

Yes, really—a quality vacuum for just $100. To help tackle areas where Fido’s shedding is next-level, this Eureka machine features a special pet turbo brush, along with crevice, upholstery and dusting tools. Five height adjustment settings allow you to effortlessly work your way between different floor types, while LED headlights enable you to see exactly how much pet hair and dirt is ahead of you. This model comes with a quick-release handle that extends to allow you to get under couches and tables with ease. With a 2.1 liter dust cup, this vacuum can tackle plenty of areas without needing to be emptied. And when you’re done cleaning, just push a button to automatically wind your cord back up.

Weight: 18 pounds | Type: Upright | Attachments: Tough stain tool, 2-in-1 pet upholstery tool

If your pet is prone to regular accidents or tracking dirt through the house, this Bissell vacuum is specially designed to tackle their messes. Not only does it feature a max cleaning mode to lift everything from pee to dirt from your carpet and upholstery, it also has an express cleaning mode that dries everything in 30 minutes or less. Special attachments, including tools for tough stains and a two-in-one pet tool that works in wet and dry mode, also help tackle hair, stains and odors. Plus, this vacuum comes with a container of Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator to combat pee stains and their signature stench.

Weight: 5.7 pounds | Type: Upright | Attachments: Crevice tool, mini soft dusting brush, hair screw tool, combination tool

The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is the latest technology in the Dyson Animal line. Weighing just under six pounds, this upright model is incredibly lightweight, making it easy to use and store. The powerful motor offers great suction while the brush automatically detangles during use so you don’t have to worry about stopping to do so. (And the battery holds a decent charge—it can run for up to 60 minutes.) Plus, you can turn this model into a handheld vacuum.

Before you start your search for the perfect pet hair vacuum cleaner, familiarize yourself with the machine so you know what to look for. That way, you can make an informed decision—and then get right to tackling all that dog hair that’s accumulated under your furniture.

Because pet hair often embeds in carpet and upholstery, your want a vacuum with a sturdy brushroll, which extract dirt and debris from carpets through suction and spinning. For the most hassle-free cleaning, look for a vacuum with a tangle-free brushroll, since it will be grabbing a lot of pet hair. You also want to seek out one with sturdy, stiff bristles that won’t need to be replaced too often (the softer they are, the less effective they are). That said, even if you regularly clean your brushroll (which you should), they typically need to be replaced every few months or once a year.

When it comes to effectiveness, suction power is, as you might expect, one of the most important factors. “A vacuum that's powerful enough to grab pet hairs is necessary if you want to really get the most fur,” says Rapinchuk. While manufacturers use a few different metrics to measure a vacuum cleaner’s suction power, air watts (AW) is the most common one. The higher the air watts, the higher the suction power; at minimum, you want a model with at least 100 AW.

Pet hair takes up a lot of space in dustbins (also referred to as dust cups). If you don’t have much flooring, you might not need to worry too much about the size of your dustbin. If you have a lot of floorspace to cover, though, make sure your vacuum’s dustbin with a large capacity—at least a 400 mL—so you don’t have to empty it as you clean. Also, make sure the dustbin is easy to remove and put back in place, since you’ll be doing that often.

HEPA filters (which stand for “high efficiency particulate air”) remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold and bacteria, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These filters also help trap pet dander and any other particles your vacuum might suck up, lowering the odds they’ll be dispersed as you clean. If you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies, a HEPA filter is essential.

Vacuums with special attachments typically come with higher price tags, but if you plan to use yours to cleans things other than hardwood floors, they’re worth the extra cost. Common vacuum attachments include tools that clean upholstery and rugs, whereas pet hair–specific attachments are designed to capture stubborn shedding. Crevice tools are also key for cleaning in small spaces.

There are a few things to consider. “It depends how much your pet sheds, how often you clean and whether or not you have carpeting in your home,” Stapf says. “Pet hair tends to really stick into carpet over time, which is where a vacuum’s suction comes in handy.” If your home is mostly hardwood, you may prefer to use microfiber sweepers since some pet hair vacuums blow pet hair around, Stapf says. If you have carpeting, though, a vacuum designed to tackle pet hair might be a good choice for you.

A robot vacuum can be a good option to look into, “especially if you run it daily,” Rapinchuk says. “It'll keep up with the daily pet hair and can get into areas that are harder to reach,” she continues. Just one thing to note: Some pets are unsettled by the sound and movement of robot vacuums, so do your best to acclimate them slowly.

Dyson vacuums are great for cleaning up pet hair, especially models that are designed to do so, like the Cyclone V10 Animal. Known for their very powerful motors, these vacuums can suck up almost anything with ease. Some of them have features specifically for pet hair; the Cyclone V10 Animal, for example, detangles long hairs while you’re vacuuming. Many Dyson models also have filtration systems that target pet dander, a major allergen, making them a great option for those who suffer from allergies.