Homes with carpets and soft furnishings covered in pet hair
You need to clean carpets and rugs, as well as your sofa and cushions. A floorhead alone won’t be enough: check that there’s an accessory designed for soft furnishings too.
Who is this guide for?
People who vacuum almost every day
You want to be able to grab your vacuum quickly for regular clean-ups. With a cordless stick vacuum, battery life in the mode you use, bin capacity and accessories are just as important as ease of handling.
Homes looking to automate floor cleaning
You’re considering a robot for accessible areas. Think about the clearance in your rooms and the maintenance required for the wheels, brushes and sensors, while keeping another option for soft furnishings.
Which features should you prioritise?
Choose a type of vacuum based on how it will fit into your routine, then compare how it performs on the floor coverings in your home and check exactly what’s included in the kit.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider this: as your main appliance for regularly cleaning several rooms, especially if your home has carpets.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move a corded appliance around and keep compatible bags in stock. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide notes differences between bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, but this doesn’t determine which model is best in every pairwise comparison.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider this: if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags, and want a corded main appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty and maintain the dust container. Compare the specific model’s performance on your floors before deciding.
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider this: if you do frequent quick clean-ups and want to grab your vacuum without preparing for a long session.
Bear in mind: running time depends on the mode you choose, and you’ll need to recharge it. UFC-Que Choisir assesses battery life and cleaning performance separately in its stick vacuum tests.
Robot vacuum
Consider this: for automatically maintaining accessible floors between more thorough cleans.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to clear areas, maintain the brushes and wheels, and use another solution for your sofa and cushions.
| Feature | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and carpets | Performance on the floor coverings in your home; whether a floorhead for carpets or rugs is included. | If pet hair builds up on both the carpet and hard floors, I want to compare how well it cleans each surface rather than rely on a single power figure. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Sofas and soft furnishings | A mini tool included or compatible with the exact model; access to the brush to remove tangled hair. | When pet hair regularly collects on my sofa and cushions, I look for an accessory that works on these fabrics, not just a floorhead. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Frequent clean-ups | For a stick vacuum, battery life in the mode you want and charging time; for a robot, how it moves around rooms and reaches corners. | To clean regularly around the areas where my pet spends time, I want to keep the effort required for each clean-up to a minimum. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this everyday convenience. |
| Maintenance | Emptying the dust container or replacing the bag; access to filters, brushes and wear parts. | If I’m picking up pet hair every time I vacuum, I want to be able to maintain the appliance and keep on top of the parts that get clogged. Easy maintenance is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing based on the advertised power or a ‘pet’ label alone
These details don’t tell you how the appliance cleans your carpets, wooden floors or room edges. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods assess different floor coverings separately.
Compare the results that matter for your home and check which floorhead comes with the version you’ve chosen.
-
Assuming a mini brush is included
An accessory shown for pet hair may be sold separately or only fit certain attachments.
Check the list of included accessories and make sure they’re compatible with the exact vacuum model.
-
Assuming a robot needs no maintenance
iRobot says that debris in the wheels or brushes, as well as dirty sensors, can affect a Roomba’s movement and cleaning performance.
Plan to maintain the dust container, brushes, wheels and sensors in line with the model’s instructions.
-
Overlooking consumables and wear parts
Choosing between a bag and a dust container changes how you maintain the appliance; filters and brushes also need looking after in a way that suits the model.
Find out which parts are compatible and check that you can access the components that need cleaning or replacing before you choose.
Brands to consider across different ranges
Miele
The Guard M1 Cat & Dog is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum range for homes that also clean carpets and rugs.
- Miele describes this configuration as having a turbobrush and an Active AirClean filter.
- Check the accessories included with your chosen model and remember to buy compatible bags.
Rowenta
Some Animal models combine a cordless stick vacuum with accessories for soft furnishings.
- Rowenta says that an LED mini power brush is included with the X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal.
- Advertised battery life depends on the conditions of use; check the contents of your chosen kit too.
Dyson
The brand offers cordless stick vacuums designed, among other things, for homes with pets.
- Dyson highlights anti-tangle technology on the relevant models.
- Compare battery life and performance on your floor coverings for the exact model, rather than assuming the same claims apply across the whole range.
iRobot
Roomba robots are an option if you want to automate cleaning on accessible floors.
- iRobot describes the Roomba i4+ as having two multisurface rubber brushes.
- The brushes, wheels and sensors still need maintenance; check the features and availability of the model you’re considering.
Cordless stick vacuums for frequent clean-ups
These cordless stick vacuums are worth considering for regular clean-ups on floors and carpets. If pet hair also builds up on your sofa, compare the accessories supplied with each version. If you prefer longer cleaning sessions or a different approach to housework, compare them with cylinder vacuums and robots too.
Image unavailable
Monsga ME03 cordless stick vacuum
Worth considering for frequent clean-ups on hard floors and carpets, with an advertised anti-tangle brush.
The product name lists 550 W, 55 kPa and up to 55 minutes of advertised battery life. Check the running time in the mode you’ll use at home and which accessory is designed for soft furnishings.
Image unavailable
Daynee XL618E-8 cordless stick vacuum with hose and pet brush
The hose and pet brush are worth a closer look if you also clean upholstered furniture.
The product name lists 55 kPa and HEPA*4 filtration. Check which modes the advertised figures refer to, and whether the brush is suitable for your soft furnishings.
Image unavailable
Daynee AZA63 cordless stick vacuum
Worth comparing for cleaning hard floors and carpets if you’re looking for an advertised anti-tangle brush.
The product name lists 65 kPa and up to 70 minutes of battery life. Check which mode the stated running time applies to, and how the accessories are intended to be used on sofas and cushions.
Image unavailable
UNINELL HOME UV1 450 W cordless stick vacuum
Its convertible design is worth considering if you want to switch between floor cleaning and quick clean-ups on furniture.
The product name lists 45,000 Pa and up to 60 minutes of battery life. Before choosing, check which mode the running time applies to, what’s included for cleaning your sofa and the noise level of this model.
Image unavailable
MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5 cordless stick vacuum
Worth considering for regular clean-ups if the advertised anti-tangle brush and fabric tool suit the surfaces in your home.
The product name lists 60,000 Pa and up to 65 minutes of battery life. Check which mode the running time applies to, whether the tool is suitable for embedded pet hair, and the noise level of this model.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bagged cylinder vacuum suitable for a home with pets?
Yes, it can work well as your main appliance if you regularly clean several rooms and carpets, provided you choose suitable floorheads and accessories. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide notes a general advantage for bagged cylinder vacuums over bagless models when it comes to suction and dust exposure when emptying. However, this doesn’t guarantee the performance of every individual model.
What should I check when vacuuming pet hair from a sofa?
Check that a mini brush suitable for soft furnishings is included or compatible with your vacuum. Check the attachment and exact model number too. For example, Rowenta provides a compatibility list for its ZR900601 mini turbobrush.
Can a robot replace your main vacuum cleaner?
Not necessarily in a home where pet hair also collects on carpets and furniture. A robot can maintain accessible floors, but compare its performance on different surfaces and keep a way to clean your sofa, cushions and areas it can’t reach.
How can I stop pet hair building up in a robot vacuum?
Clean the brushes, wheels, dust container and sensors according to your model’s instructions. iRobot’s support information says that debris caught in these parts can affect a Roomba’s movement, its return to the dock or its cleaning performance.