If pet hair is getting embedded in large areas of carpet, start by comparing canister vacuums with a brush designed for carpets and upholstery. A cordless stick vacuum with a motorised brush is better suited to frequent, quick cleans, as long as its battery life in the mode you’ll use covers the areas you need to clean. A robot vacuum can keep accessible areas tidy between manual cleans, but UFC-Que Choisir notes that results vary depending on the floor type.
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, start by comparing each vacuum’s results on carpets and the brush supplied for them. UFC-Que Choisir includes fibres designed to mimic pet hair in its tests of canister vacuums.
A cordless stick vacuum can make it easier to clean floors, the sofa or the stairs. For carpets, check that it comes with a motorised brush and that the battery life in the mode you need is enough for your routine.
A robot vacuum can complement manual cleaning in accessible areas. Before relying on it for carpets, check how the model you’re considering performs on this type of flooring and what’s involved in maintaining its dustbin or docking station.
First, choose the vacuum that will do the main cleaning, then check how it performs on your flooring and how long your cleaning sessions take.
Worth considering: for regular cleaning of carpets where pet hair gets embedded.
The trade-off: you’ll need to move a corded vacuum around and, if it has a bag, replace the bags.
Worth considering: for frequent, quick cleans across floors, stairs and accessible upholstery.
The trade-off: battery life drops at higher power. UFC-Que Choisir reports that cordless stick vacuums last an average of around ten minutes at full power.
Worth considering: for scheduled cleaning of accessible areas between manual cleans.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir says robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor type. Carpets with lots of pet hair need to be checked against the results for the specific model.
| What to consider | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Fibres on carpets | Look for test results for the exact model on embedded fibres, rather than relying on its advertised power alone. Check which brush was used in the test and whether it comes with the vacuum. | I want to remove hair caught in my carpets, not just what’s visible on the surface. UFC-Que Choisir uses fibres similar to pet hair to test cordless stick and canister vacuums. |
| Flooring and brushes | Check which heads are included and whether they’re suitable for carpets, rugs and hard floors. If you’re buying a cordless stick vacuum for carpets, check the motorised brush: UFC-Que Choisir describes it as a key feature. | I switch between carpets and hard floors, so I need to be able to use the right brush for each. |
| Cleaning time | For a cordless stick vacuum, compare battery life in the mode you’ll use with the floor head fitted, rather than looking only at the maximum run time. If your cleans take a while, check whether you can recharge or swap the battery. | If I need to clean several rooms in one go, I’d rather know how long it lasts in carpet mode before choosing a cordless vacuum. |
| Maintenance | Check how easy it is to access the roller, filter and dustbin or bag. Make sure you can find the consumables and parts that are compatible with the model you choose. | Long hair can wrap around the brush, so I want to be able to remove and clean it easily. |
| Maneuverability and noise | Consider the design for cleaning stairs, sofas and around furniture. To compare noise levels, look for measurements taken in similar conditions, particularly with the brush running. | I often vacuum in tight spaces and want a model I can get out and use regularly. |
| Scheduled cleaning | For a robot vacuum, check tests on the types of flooring you have, as well as how it cleans around edges and obstacles. Remember to empty and maintain its dustbin or docking station. | I want to limit everyday build-up in accessible areas while still being able to give carpets a deeper clean. |
A power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum removes embedded pet hair. UFC-Que Choisir tests fibres designed to mimic pet hair on carpets separately.
Look for test results for the exact model on fibres and check that the brush used in the test comes with the version you’re considering.
A cordless stick vacuum may run for less time when cleaning requires higher power. UFC-Que Choisir reports that cordless stick vacuums last an average of around ten minutes at full power.
Compare the run time with the brush and mode you’ll use on carpets against the length of your cleaning sessions.
If the battery life isn’t long enough, you’ll need to stop cleaning to recharge the vacuum or check whether you can use an additional compatible battery.
Pet hair can wrap around the roller. A bagged model needs replacement bags, while a dustbin needs emptying and its components need maintaining according to the instructions.
Check how to remove the brush, and find out which bags, filters or rollers are compatible before you choose.
UFC-Que Choisir says robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor type and that the results aren’t always convincing.
Check the model’s test results on carpets and fibres. Keep a manual vacuum for areas where the robot doesn’t deliver the results you need.
The ProAnimal range lets you compare several types of vacuum, including canister and cordless stick models designed for homes with pets.
The X-Force Flex Animal range includes cordless stick vacuums with accessories that can be useful for cleaning upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.
Dyson offers cordless vacuums that the brand recommends for homes with pets.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for cleaning floors and upholstery, as well as a robot vacuum to consider for scheduled cleaning between manual cleans. For carpets with lots of pet hair, check which brush is included and how the model you choose performs on embedded fibres.
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This model is listed with an anti-tangle brush for frequent cleaning of floors and carpets. Its advertised battery life is up to 55 minutes in bare-floor mode. Check how long it lasts in carpet mode before planning to clean several rooms.
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The advertised anti-tangle brush is designed for frequent cleaning in homes with pets. The stated battery life is up to 65 minutes in standard mode. Compare the run time in carpet or turbo mode separately with the size of the area you need to clean.
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This model is listed as suitable for pet hair and comes with an anti-tangle brush and a detachable battery. Its advertised battery life is up to 60 minutes. Check which mode this refers to if carpets make up a large part of your home.
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This robot vacuum is listed with an anti-tangle brush and app control for scheduled cleaning of accessible areas. Check how it performs on your carpets’ fibres before relying on it instead of manual cleaning.
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This model is listed with an anti-tangle brush for regular cleaning. Before choosing it for your home, confirm with the seller how it’s powered and which brush is supplied for carpets.
Look for test results for the exact model on fibres embedded in a carpet, using the brush intended for that purpose. UFC-Que Choisir uses fibres similar to pet hair in its testing, for example. An advertised power rating alone won’t tell you how well it performs.
Yes. It’s an important feature if pet hair gets caught in the fibres: UFC-Que Choisir highlights the role of an effective motorised brush on carpets. Check that it’s included with the exact version you’re buying and that it’s suitable for your flooring.
No. Compare the run time in the mode you’ll use on carpets, with the right brush fitted. UFC-Que Choisir reports that cordless stick vacuums last an average of around ten minutes at full power. This could affect your choice if you need to clean several rooms.
Not without checking the model and your carpets. UFC-Que Choisir says robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor type. Consider a robot as a complement for accessible areas until its performance on fibres and carpets meets your needs.