If pet hair gets caught in your rugs and sofas, start by choosing a vacuum cleaner with brushes designed for these fabrics, and check that they’re easy to clean. A cordless stick vacuum is handy for quick clean-ups, while a robot can help maintain accessible floors, although you’ll still need to empty its bin. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner is mainly for damp marks on hard floors and may not be suitable for vacuuming fabrics.
If pet hair is still caught in the fibres after you’ve cleaned the floors, look for brushes designed for rugs and smaller upholstered surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir assesses how well appliances pick up fibres from rugs; the accessories listed by Rowenta and Bosch vary by model.
If you regularly need to pick up pet hair around your pet’s favourite spots, it’s important that your vacuum is easy to get out and put away. A cordless stick vacuum can suit this kind of use, as long as you check its runtime in the mode you’ll use and how to maintain the brush, as UFC-Que Choisir advises.
If wet cleaning washable floors is your priority, consider a wet and dry vacuum cleaner or a robot with a mopping function. Check which surfaces the model can be used on: UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this use from cleaning rugs and upholstery.
Start with the surfaces that trap pet hair or marks, then choose between a main vacuum, quick clean-ups and scheduled maintenance. Whichever you choose, remember to clean the brushes and bin.
| What you need | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair in fabrics | A brush designed for rugs and an accessory that works with your sofa or pet bed; how easy it is to remove hair from the roller. | If pet hair gets caught in my rugs and sofa, I want to be able to clean these surfaces, not just the floor. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Frequent, quick clean-ups | Runtime in the mode you need, and how easy it is to empty the bin and clean the brush. | When pet hair reappears every day, I’d rather grab the vacuum quickly than set aside time for a long cleaning session. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Marks on hard floors | Whether it’s suitable for your washable floors, and how to maintain the roller and tanks after use. | When faced with damp marks, I want to wash the floor without assuming the same appliance will also clean fabrics. Around 20% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Scheduled cleaning | How it performs on your floors and rugs, and how easy it is to access the bin and brushes for maintenance. | For clear floors, I’d like to delegate regular cleaning while accepting that I’ll still need to look after the robot. This would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
The mopping function is for hard floors. You’ll need to assess how well it vacuums rugs, carpets, edges and corners separately, as in UFC-Que Choisir’s tests.
List the floor types in your home and check how the robot handles rugs before choosing a mopping function.
An appliance designed for wet cleaning hard floors won’t automatically clean rugs, sofas or pet beds. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference between a floor cleaner and a vacuum cleaner.
If pet hair gets trapped in fabrics, keep a vacuum cleaner or accessory designed for those surfaces.
Depending on the model, you’ll also need to manage the water and any required cleaning solution, and maintain the roller after use.
A brush for rugs and a small brush for furniture serve different purposes. The accessories available from Rowenta and Bosch depend on the model you choose.
Check which accessories are included and whether they’re compatible with the exact appliance before you order.
Regularly cleaning up pet hair puts extra strain on brushes and filters in particular. In France, ADEME lists vacuum cleaners among the appliances covered by the repairability index.
Check the index shown for the model you’re considering and find out whether spare parts are available, especially the battery, brushes and filters, where applicable.
According to Bosch, the ProAnimal range includes bagged, bagless and cordless vacuum cleaners designed for homes with pets.
Some Animal Care Pro models are designed for homes that want to clean rugs and furniture with a cylinder vacuum cleaner.
The brand offers cordless stick vacuums, some of which have brushes designed to prevent hair from tangling.
The brand’s robots may suit homes looking to schedule cleaning on accessible floors.
Consider this brand if cleaning damp marks on hard floors matters as much as picking up dirt.
These stick vacuums, robot vacuum and floor washer suit different needs: targeted clean-ups, scheduled floor maintenance or wet cleaning hard floors. Choose based on your surfaces, and check which accessories you’ll need for fabrics.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for frequent floor clean-ups, provided the accessories are also suitable for your fabrics. The product title lists an anti-tangle brush, 60,000 Pa suction and up to 65 minutes of runtime; check the runtime in the mode you’ll use.
Image unavailable
Consider it for scheduling cleaning on accessible floors, but don’t rely on it to vacuum your sofa. The title mentions LiDAR navigation, automatic emptying, a dual anti-tangle system, a mopping function and 8,000 Pa of stated suction. Check how it performs on your rugs and how to maintain the dock.
Image unavailable
Its cordless design may suit short, frequent clean-ups; check that the accessories are suitable for your rugs and furniture. The title lists a removable battery, an anti-tangle brush, 45,000 Pa and 60 minutes of runtime. This figure doesn’t specify the runtime in each mode.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for quick floor clean-ups. If your sofa is a priority, check which fabric accessories are included. The title lists an anti-tangle brush, 55,000 Pa of stated suction and 45 minutes of runtime, which will vary depending on the mode used.
Image unavailable
Consider it if damp marks on hard floors are your main concern, rather than pet hair embedded in rugs or your sofa. The title mentions a self-cleaning function; check which floor coverings it’s suitable for and what maintenance is required after use.
Don’t rely on its mopping function to clean a rug: UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes mopping from vacuuming and describes it as being for hard floors. Check separately how the model handles rugs, including whether it can lift or remove its mop pads and set no-go zones.
Not if you also need to clean pet hair from rugs, sofas or pet beds. UFC-Que Choisir describes a floor cleaner as a solution for wet cleaning, separate from vacuuming these surfaces. Make sure you have an appliance or accessory suitable for the fabrics in your home.
Choose a brush that comes with clear instructions for removing and cleaning it for the exact model. Dyson and Roborock list anti-tangle systems on some models, but these don’t remove the need to check and clean the roller regularly.
Check the model’s repairability index and the information available about spare parts. ADEME says vacuum cleaners are among the appliances covered by this index. Also check whether the parts that matter to you, such as the battery, filters or brushes, can be replaced.