When choosing a vacuum cleaner for a home with pets, start with the surfaces you need to clean. A cylinder vacuum with a turbo brush is worth considering if you have lots of rugs and carpets, while a cordless stick vacuum with an attachment suitable for upholstery makes frequent spot cleaning easier. A robot vacuum can keep accessible floors clean between manual cleans, but it won’t clean the sofa or stairs. Whichever type you choose, compare results on your own flooring and consider how much work is involved in maintaining the brushes.
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, look for tests carried out on carpets using fibres that simulate pet hair, as well as a suitable brush. Que Choisir’s test method assesses carpet cleaning separately from hard-floor cleaning.
An appliance that’s easy to move around and an attachment that works on fabrics are just as important as floor cleaning. With a cordless stick vacuum, also check the battery life in the mode you’ll use and how often you’ll need to empty it.
A robot vacuum can clean accessible floors between manual cleans. However, you’ll still need a way to clean furniture and stairs, and you’ll need to remove hair from the brushes and rollers regularly.
First decide which surfaces need the most attention, then check the attachments, battery-life conditions and maintenance requirements of the appliance you’re considering.
Consider it: for cleaning sessions on rugs or carpets, if a corded appliance suits your home.
The trade-off: a bagged model needs to be moved around, and you’ll need to keep spare bags to hand.
Consider it: for frequent manual cleaning, especially if it has an attachment that can also clean upholstery.
The trade-off: how long you can use it depends on the cleaning mode, and the dust container and brushes need maintenance.
Consider it: to automate cleaning on clear, accessible floors.
The trade-off: you’ll need another appliance for upholstery and stairs, and the brushes need regular checking.
| What to compare | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on different surfaces | Compare test results separately for carpets and hard floors. For carpets, look for a test using fibres that simulate pet hair, as in Que Choisir’s test method, and check which brush was used. | My carpets trap pet hair, so a result achieved only on tiles won’t meet my needs. |
| Battery life and manoeuvrability | For a stick vacuum, check which mode the stated battery life applies to, how long it takes to charge and how heavy it is when used as a handheld. Que Choisir points out that the advertised battery life may differ from what you get in everyday use. | I often move from floors to stairs, so I want to finish cleaning them on one charge and handle the appliance without difficulty. |
| Brushes and emptying | Check how easy it is to access the brushes and rollers, and how to empty the dust container or replace the bag. Even a brush described as anti-tangle needs to be checked. | If pet hair builds up quickly in my home, I’d like to know which maintenance tasks I’ll need to do regularly. |
| Upholstery attachments | Check whether it comes with an attachment for sofas or seats, and whether it’s compatible with the exact model of vacuum cleaner. For example, Rowenta publishes a list of compatible appliances for its ZR903201 mini motorised brush. | My sofa and seats matter just as much as my floors, so I need an attachment that suits my appliance and can reach their fabric surfaces. |
| Repairability | If you’re buying a vacuum cleaner in France that is covered by the scheme, check its repairability index and find out about spare parts and maintenance. According to the French government departments responsible for the ecological transition, the index applies to vacuum cleaners and appears on the packaging or product. | I’ll use my appliance regularly, so I also want to compare repair options before choosing. |
A power figure on its own doesn’t tell you how much pet hair a vacuum will remove from a carpet or pick up in corners. Que Choisir runs separate tests for different surfaces and, for cylinder vacuums, uses carpet fibres that simulate pet hair.
Compare results for your own flooring and check which brush was fitted during the test.
The stated battery life for a cordless stick vacuum may be based on conditions that differ from cleaning a carpet with a motorised head.
Check which mode the stated battery life applies to, then check the charging time and whether the battery can be replaced if these factors matter to your routine.
An attachment for upholstery may depend on the connection type and vacuum model. For example, Rowenta’s ZR903201 mini motorised brush has its own compatibility list.
Make a note of your appliance’s exact model number and check it against the manufacturer’s list before buying the attachment.
Pet hair can still build up around brushes and rollers. iRobot Support recommends checking them regularly on the models concerned.
Choose an appliance whose parts you can access and clean, even if it has an anti-tangle system or an automatic-emptying base.
These examples refer to specific configurations. The attachments and features mentioned don’t automatically apply to every model from a brand.
The V15 Detect Absolute is an example of a cordless stick vacuum with a motorised floor head.
The Guard M1 Cat & Dog is a bagged cylinder vacuum with a turbo brush, designed in particular for rugs and carpets.
The X-Force Flex 13.60 Complete Animal Kit RH9A93E0 comes with floor brushes and a mini motorised brush.
The Roomba Max 715 Vac with AutoEmpty base is an example of automated cleaning for accessible floors.
These cordless stick vacuums and robot vacuums offer two ways to keep floors clean regularly: manual cleaning or automated runs. If you also find pet hair on rugs or upholstery, check test results and make sure the attachments are suitable for those surfaces before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for frequent manual cleaning of floors and rugs. The product claims up to 65 minutes of battery life and has an anti-tangle brush. Check how long it lasts with the head you’ll use on rugs, and look for test results on embedded pet hair. For sofas, check what type of upholstery attachment is included.
Image unavailable
This stick vacuum is worth considering for regular cleaning of hard floors and rugs. Its name indicates a removable battery and up to 60 minutes of battery life. Check which mode this applies to and how long it lasts with the brush you’ll use on your rugs. If upholstery is a priority, check what type of brush is included for sofas or seats.
Image unavailable
The foldable tube could be useful if you need to reach under furniture while cleaning floors. The product claims up to 60 minutes of battery life and has an anti-tangle brush. Check how long it lasts in carpet or turbo mode, and look for test results on embedded pet hair. For upholstered furniture, check which attachments are available.
Image unavailable
Worth considering to automate cleaning on accessible floors. The model is described as having an anti-tangle brush and app control. Check what maintenance the brushes need and how it performs on your flooring. Keep a manual appliance for upholstery and stairs.
Image unavailable
This robot is designed for automated cleaning on accessible hard floors and rugs. The product claims to have a dual anti-tangle brush system and an automatic mop lift. Check how well it picks up pet hair on your flooring and how it needs to be emptied. You’ll need another appliance for upholstery and stairs.
Look for a test carried out on carpet using fibres that simulate pet hair, rather than relying on a power figure alone. In its test method for cylinder vacuums, Que Choisir embeds 1 g of synthetic fibres in a 50 cm square area of carpet before measuring how much is collected.
Yes, if it’s designed for upholstery and compatible with the exact model of your vacuum cleaner. Rowenta’s ZR903201 mini motorised brush is designed for upholstery, but the manufacturer specifies that it’s only suitable for certain appliances.
No. A robot vacuum can clean accessible floors, but it won’t clean your sofa, cushions or stairs. You’ll need a manual appliance for these areas, and should check its brushes regularly. iRobot Support notes that pet hair can build up around the brushes and rollers on the models concerned.
Compare the stated battery life for the mode and attachment you’ll use on your surfaces. Que Choisir points out that advertised battery life can be disappointing in everyday use, so you should take manufacturers’ maximum figures in the context of the conditions under which they were measured.
It gives you another factor to consider, but it doesn’t tell you how well the appliance picks up pet hair. According to the French government departments responsible for the ecological transition, vacuum cleaners are among the products covered by this index, which is shown on the packaging or product. Compare it with the other features that matter for your needs.