If pet hair clings to your carpets and sofa, start by checking which brushes are included. The head used on carpets and the smaller attachment for upholstery matter more than motor power alone. A stick vacuum is handy for frequent cleaning, a cylinder vacuum for several rooms, and a robot for keeping clear floors tidy. No robot can replace a manual brush for cushions or stairs. Whatever you choose, check that the attachments fit and find out how to maintain the brush roll.
If hair remains in the fibres after a quick pass, look for test results on carpets and an attachment you can use on cushions. Que Choisir assesses carpet fibres separately, while Les Numériques highlights the usefulness of mini motorised brushes for upholstery.
For regular cleaning, manoeuvrability matters just as much as access to the brush roll when it’s time to remove long hair. Dyson describes the V16 Piston Animal’s mini brush as self-detangling, while Les Numériques notes that the Shark PowerDetect IP3251EUT has an anti-tangle system. Check that the model you’re considering has this feature.
If you switch between floors, carpets and furniture during the same cleaning session, check which accessories are included and how far the vacuum can reach. Que Choisir describes a cylinder vacuum as an option for larger areas, provided its cable and size suit you.
First, choose a format to suit how often you clean and which surfaces you need to cover. Then check the brushes in the pack: a floorhead alone won’t clean your sofa.
Worth considering: for frequent cleaning of floors and furniture, with a mini brush designed for upholstery.
Bear in mind: the stated run time depends on the configuration and mode used. Check how long it lasts when cleaning your carpets.
Worth considering: for cleaning several rooms and surfaces in one session, with separate attachments for carpets and furniture.
Bear in mind: it has a cable and takes up more space. A bagged model also needs replacement bags.
Worth considering: for regularly cleaning clear floors between manual cleans.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need a manual vacuum and a suitable brush for the sofa, cushions and stairs.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on upholstery | Results on carpets and a suitable brush for the sofa, included in the pack or compatible with the vacuum. | When hair stays in carpet or cushion fibres, I want to clean those surfaces, not just hard floors; around 33% of consumers would make upholstery and carpets their priority. |
| Frequent cleaning | How easy the vacuum is to manoeuvre and its stated run time for the intended mode of use. | If I often clean a few areas where hair quickly builds up again, I prioritise a vacuum that’s easy to handle. This would be the main need for around 25% of consumers. |
| Tangles and maintenance | Access to the brush roll for removing hair and instructions for cleaning the brush. | With long hair that wraps around the brush, I want to be able to clean it easily; around 25% of consumers would put this maintenance task at the top of their list. |
| Whole-home cleaning | Reach or run time, included accessories and the dust collection system, with or without a bag. | To cover several rooms and switch surfaces during the same session, I also need to think about dust collection and consumables. This would be the priority for around 17% of consumers. |
This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up embedded fibres. Que Choisir highlights the role of the floorhead design in particular.
Compare tests on the surfaces you need to clean and check which brush comes with the model you’re buying.
An attachment designed for upholstery won’t necessarily fit every vacuum from the same brand.
Check your vacuum’s exact model number and consult the attachment’s instructions to confirm the fitting. For example, Electrolux’s ZE116 is designed for certain AeroPro fittings.
Depending on your vacuum’s fitting, you may need a separate adapter.
With a bagged model, cleaning also means replacing the bags periodically and maintaining the brush.
Check the reference for compatible bags, their availability and how to access the turbo brush for cleaning.
A robot keeps floors clean, but it can’t clean your sofa or stairs like a manual vacuum fitted with an upholstery attachment.
If your furniture collects a lot of hair, make sure you also have a brush and a vacuum that can clean it.
The features mentioned below apply to specific models. A range name such as “Animal” doesn’t mean every vacuum in that range comes with the same brush or accessories.
Cordless stick vacuums worth considering if an upholstery mini brush and brush-roll maintenance are high on your list.
Stick, cylinder and robot vacuum formats are available, with accessories varying by model.
Bagged cylinder vacuums to consider for different surfaces if a corded model suits you.
Cylinder vacuums and upholstery attachments to consider, with particular care needed to check the fittings.
Cordless stick vacuums, some of which combine an upholstery attachment with an anti-tangle feature.
This selection includes three cordless stick vacuums for cleaning floors and carpets, plus a handheld vacuum for targeted upholstery cleaning. If your sofa is the priority, check which brush is actually included with each model.
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Worth considering for cleaning floors and carpets when pet hair builds up regularly. To clean your sofa too, check which upholstery attachment is included and how long the battery lasts in the mode you’ll use.
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Worth considering for frequent cleaning of floors and carpets. Its name mentions an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of use. Check which mode provides this run time and what type of upholstery attachment is included.
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Worth considering if you switch between floors and quick cleans using the handheld unit. The 55-minute run time mentioned in the name shouldn’t be taken as the run time on carpets. Also check that it comes with an attachment suitable for your sofa.
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Its design is intended for targeted cleaning of mattresses and upholstery, rather than keeping all your floors clean. Before choosing it for pet hair on your sofa, check what’s included in the pack and whether the upholstery nozzle mentioned in the product title is motorised.
A motorised mini brush or mini turbo brush designed for upholstery lets you clean these smaller areas more precisely than a floorhead. Check that it’s included or compatible with your vacuum. For example, Electrolux says its ZE116 has an oval 36 mm AeroPro fitting, with a separate adapter required for 32 mm.
No. The stated power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up pet hair from carpets. Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floorhead design. Also compare test results for your surfaces and check which accessories are included.
No. Check and maintain the brush roll according to the manufacturer’s instructions, even if the model has an anti-tangle feature. Emptying the dust container or replacing the bag, and maintaining the filter, will also depend on the vacuum you choose.
For a vacuum sold by a business to an individual in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Vacuum cleaners are also among the categories covered by the repairability index, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Check the model’s rating and the information available about its spare parts.