If you regularly clean carpets and rugs covered in pet hair, a cylinder vacuum with a bag and a suitable brush is a good place to start. Que Choisir reports that bagged models generally have an advantage over bagless models when it comes to suction, though this doesn’t predict how any individual vacuum will perform. Bagless models save you buying bags, but you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. A stick vacuum is best suited to quick clean-ups, provided you check its upholstery tools and, if it’s cordless, the runtime for the setting you’ll use.
If pet hair gets embedded in your flooring, look at suction test results on fibres and the supplied floorhead rather than relying on the motor’s wattage alone. Que Choisir includes fibres designed to mimic pet hair in its cylinder vacuum tests.
For a sofa, cushions or your pet’s bed, check whether a suitable small brush is included and whether it works with the vacuum you’re considering. The accessories described by Miele, Rowenta and Dyson vary by model.
A stick vacuum can make it easier to pick up visible pet hair regularly between full cleans. Que Choisir sees it as more of a supplementary cleaner, so if you choose a cordless model, check its runtime at the power setting you plan to use.
First decide whether you need a main vacuum or something for quick clean-ups, then compare the brushes and maintenance involved.
Consider it: for regular cleaning in rooms with carpets or rugs, using a brush designed for pet hair.
Be prepared for: using replacement bags and moving a corded appliance around.
Consider it: if you’d rather avoid bags but still want a cylinder vacuum as your main cleaner.
Be prepared for: emptying the bin and maintaining the filters. Que Choisir reports that bagged cylinder vacuums generally have an advantage when it comes to suction.
Consider it: for regular pick-ups in a particular area or quick access to your upholstery.
Be prepared for: using it as a supplementary cleaner, as Que Choisir suggests. With a cordless model, runtime depends on the setting you use.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pick-up on flooring | Test results on fibres and carpets, where available, and the brush supplied for your floors. | If pet hair gets trapped in my carpets, I first look for a vacuum that can deep-clean flooring. Around 33% of consumers rank this as their priority. |
| Bin and filters | How easy the bin is to access and the filter-cleaning steps set out in the instructions. | If I want to avoid bags, emptying the bin and maintaining the filter are part of the decision. For around 27% of consumers, going bagless is the priority. |
| Sofa and other upholstery | Whether a mini brush is included, whether it works with the exact model and how easy it is to access the roller to remove hair. | Pet hair mostly sticks to my sofa or my pet’s bed, so I prioritise removing it from these smaller surfaces. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Frequent quick clean-ups | Ease of use and, for a cordless stick vacuum, runtime in the setting you’ll actually use. | Between full cleans, I want to quickly pick up visible pet hair without getting out my main vacuum. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these quick clean-ups. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up pet hair. For carpets, the floorhead design and test results on fibres are more useful guides, as Que Choisir points out.
Look for test results that match your flooring and check which brush is included.
The maximum runtime advertised for a cordless stick vacuum may not reflect how long it lasts at high power. Que Choisir generally sees this type of vacuum as more suited to quick clean-ups.
Check the runtime with the setting and brush you plan to use before making it your only vacuum.
The battery may interrupt a long cleaning session when it needs recharging. Depending on the model, you may also need to replace it.
A small upholstery brush may be sold separately or supplied only with certain models. Its name doesn’t confirm that it comes in the box or that it’s compatible with your vacuum.
Check the list of included accessories, their exact model numbers and the instructions for cleaning the roller.
Bagged cylinder vacuums use consumables, while bagless models need their bin emptied and filters maintained. Pet hair can build up on the brushes with either type.
Check which bags or filters you’ll need and what the instructions say about maintenance. As Que Choisir notes, the recommended methods vary by model.
Two cylinder vacuums in the Cat & Dog Flex range let you compare bagged and bagless options.
The X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal is an example of a stick vacuum equipped for smaller upholstered surfaces.
Some Dyson accessories are designed to remove hair and pet hair from upholstery.
These cordless and corded stick vacuums are worth considering for quick clean-ups and smaller areas. If deep-cleaning carpets and rugs is your priority, also compare how a main vacuum performs on fibres and check the brushes it comes with.
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Worth considering for quick clean-ups on floors or carpets. Check that the upholstery tool listed is suitable for the fabrics you need to clean.
The product listing specifies an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 min of runtime. This shouldn’t be taken as the runtime you’ll get in a high-power setting.
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For cleaning different surfaces, check which brush is included if your sofa or pet’s bed is part of what you need to clean.
The product name specifies a removable battery, anti-tangle design and advertised runtime of 60 min. Check how long it lasts in the setting you’ll use.
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This stick vacuum is worth considering for quick clean-ups on floors and carpets. If upholstery is a priority, check exactly which accessories are included.
The product name specifies an anti-tangle roller, charging station and advertised runtime of 55 min. Check how long it lasts in carpet mode before planning longer cleaning sessions.
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For picking up pet hair between full cleans, compare the two power settings with how long you usually spend cleaning.
The product name specifies two speeds and a removable battery. Check the list of accessories if you also want to clean your sofa or car interior.
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For quick clean-ups near a plug socket, this model avoids the need to rely on a battery, but the cord limits how far you can move around.
The product name specifies a 0,5 L bin and a 4,5 m cord. Check the floorhead and accessories included if pet hair is embedded in carpets or upholstery.
It depends on how you’ll use it. Que Choisir describes stick vacuums as more suited to quick clean-ups, while cylinder vacuums are an option for cleaning larger areas. If you’re considering a stick vacuum as your only cleaner, look at its performance on your flooring, its upholstery tools and, for a cordless model, its runtime at the setting you’ll use.
Look for a mini turbo brush or mini power brush designed for upholstery, then check that it’s included and compatible with the exact vacuum model. A self-detangling feature listed for a particular accessory, such as the one Dyson describes for the V16, shouldn’t be assumed to come with every model.
Follow your vacuum’s instructions. Que Choisir points out that cleaning schedules and methods vary between models. Remove hair that has built up on the brushes, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before putting a washed filter back in.
If you’re a consumer who buys goods from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity may apply if the product doesn’t match the seller’s description. The Ministry of the Economy explains that this guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep the product listing, proof of purchase and any correspondence with the seller.