If pet hair gets embedded in rugs and carpets, start by looking at test results on fibres and the brush supplied, rather than relying on a ‘pet-specific’ label. A well-equipped cylinder vacuum can be a good choice for deep cleaning, a cordless stick vacuum for frequent quick cleans and a robot vacuum for maintaining accessible floors. For sofas and stairs, check separately that a compatible tool is included and that the brush roll is easy to clean.
If the fibres trap pet hair, look at the results on carpets using the brush that will actually be supplied. Que Choisir assesses how well vacuums remove fibres separately from other types of dirt, so a general power rating alone won’t answer this question.
A floor head may not be practical on these surfaces. Rowenta and Dyson offer mini brushes for certain upholstery; before choosing, check that they’re compatible with the exact appliance and included in the pack.
A robot vacuum can make regular passes over accessible floors. If pet hair also clings to furniture or stairs, you’ll still need a way to clean these above-floor areas; Que Choisir’s robot vacuum tests cover different types of floor and flooring.
Start by choosing according to where pet hair is most of a problem, then check which brush is included and how easy it is to clean.
Consider this if: you set aside time for cleaning rugs and carpets with a suitable turbo brush.
Bear in mind: manoeuvrability on carpet and ease of maintenance vary by appliance. Que Choisir’s archived test of the Rowenta RO8366EA highlights these drawbacks for that specific model.
Consider this if: you often do quick cleans and want to reach furniture and tight spaces easily.
Bear in mind: the stated battery life doesn’t tell you how well the appliance picks up fibres from your floors, or how long it will run in the mode you choose.
Consider this if: you want regular cleaning on floors the robot can access.
Bear in mind: it won’t clean sofas, mattresses or stairs directly; its performance on rugs and fibres needs to be assessed separately.
| Priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair embedded in rugs | Test results on fibres and rugs; the brush tested and the brush actually supplied. | When pet hair stays trapped in the carpet, I want to know whether the head designed for that surface can remove it without making every clean a chore. Around 42% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Upholstery and tight spaces | Whether a suitable upholstery mini brush is included; compatibility with the exact model. | If I often clean a sofa or steps, I need a manoeuvrable tool rather than just the floor head. This would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pet hair building up on floors | Results on your flooring, including rugs; access to the brushes and dust container. | If pet hair quickly reappears on accessible floors, I’d rather be able to schedule regular cleans while using another appliance for surfaces above floor level. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this kind of maintenance. |
In an archived Que Choisir test, results on carpet fibres differed considerably between the standard brush and the turbo brush on the same Rowenta cylinder vacuum. This finding applies to that model and those accessories, not to every vacuum carrying this label.
Look for a test on fibres that match your flooring, then check which brush comes with the version you’re considering.
A robot vacuum moves across floors: its performance on rugs, edges or corners won’t tell you how well it can clean a sofa or steps.
If pet hair also gets trapped on these surfaces, make sure you have a compatible appliance and tool that can reach them.
Removing pet hair from the brush roll and maintaining the appliance are part of regular use. Que Choisir noted that maintenance was awkward on the Rowenta RO8366EA cylinder vacuum it tested; this finding doesn’t apply to other models.
Check the manual or product images to see how to remove the brush roll and access the dust container and filters.
Run time doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up fibres from a rug. Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at different floor types and fibres similar to pet hair, among other things.
Compare the results on your flooring and check the battery life in the suction mode you intend to use.
Accessories and compatibility lists need to be checked for each appliance: a brand featured here doesn’t guarantee that every model comes with a particular brush.
Worth exploring for cylinder and stick vacuums that can be paired with a mini turbo brush for upholstery.
Worth exploring if a motorised mini brush for upholstery is one of your priorities.
Worth exploring if access to the brush roll and managing wrapped hair are particular priorities for you.
These models are worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum to pick up pet hair from floors regularly. If rugs or upholstery are your priority, compare their results on fibres and check the accessories included with each version before choosing.
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Worth considering for regular cleaning of floors and rugs; if pet hair gets embedded, look for a test on fibres before making your decision.
The product name states a 60-minute run time, a removable battery and an anti-tangle brush. Check the conditions behind the stated run time and which tools are designed for upholstery.
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Worth considering for frequent cleans of floors and rugs, provided it performs well on your flooring.
The product name states 60,000 Pa suction, up to 65 minutes of run time and an anti-tangle brush; these figures don’t measure how well it picks up embedded pet hair. If weight matters to you, check it in the configuration you’ll be using.
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Its stick-and-handheld design is worth considering if you switch between floors and harder-to-reach areas.
The product name states 55 kPa, 55 minutes of run time, an anti-tangle brush and a charging dock. For sofas, check which tools come with this ME03, particularly if you want a motorised mini brush.
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The folding tube could influence your choice if you need to reach floors under furniture; also check how it performs on your rugs.
The product name states 55 kPa, 60 minutes of run time and an anti-wrap brush. This alone doesn’t establish how easy the brush roll is to clean; check which upholstery tools are included too.
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Worth considering if you want a stick vacuum for frequent floor cleans that you can stand up between rooms.
The product name states 55,000 Pa, 45 minutes of run time and an anti-tangle brush. If you’ll use it on a sofa or a rug covered in pet hair, check which tools are included and how it performs on fibres, respectively.
It can, but how useful it is depends on the appliance and the flooring. On the Rowenta RO8366EA cylinder vacuum tested by Que Choisir, the turbo brush performed well on carpet fibres, unlike the standard brush on the same model. So check the results for the appliance you’re considering and whether the brush is included in the pack.
Look for a small brush designed for upholstery and compatible with your exact vacuum cleaner. Rowenta and Dyson describe mini brushes for these uses, but their descriptions don’t guarantee compatibility with every range or that the accessory is included in every pack.
A robot vacuum can help keep accessible floors clean, but it won’t replace an appliance that can reach sofas and stairs if pet hair builds up there. For floors, compare its performance on fibres and on the flooring in your home; Que Choisir tests robot vacuums on several types of floor.
An old vacuum cleaner should be taken to a collection point for waste electrical and electronic equipment, not put in ordinary household rubbish. You can look for a suitable collection point; according to the FAQ from the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme is linked to buying an appliance of the same type.