When choosing a vacuum cleaner for pet hair, start with the surfaces you need to clean and which brushes are actually compatible, rather than focusing on the advertised motor power alone. A cylinder vacuum with the right tools for carpets is ideal for deep cleaning, a cordless stick vacuum suits quick, frequent clean-ups, and a robot vacuum works well as part of a routine for clear floors. If hair also builds up on sofas or pet beds, make sure you have a suitable upholstery tool and check how easy it is to maintain, as well as whether replacement parts are available.
If hair clings to carpets, sofas or pet beds, check which brush is designed for each surface. Que Choisir's tests of a model with a turbo brush, and the accessories showcased by Dyson and Miele, illustrate why it's important to distinguish between a floor head and a smaller upholstery tool.
If you regularly need to pick up hair in your pet's favourite spots around the home, a cordless stick vacuum's manoeuvrability or a robot vacuum's scheduling features may be useful. However, check the stick vacuum's battery life, and make sure you have a way to clean furniture if you opt for a robot.
A brush that collects hair needs regular cleaning. Check how easy it is to access the roller and filters, and compare compatible replacement parts. If you're buying in France, the repairability index that applies to vacuum cleaners is another point of comparison, according to the Ministry of the Economy.
The right type of vacuum depends first and foremost on how much you rely on carpets and soft furnishings in your cleaning routine. Automating floor cleaning doesn't remove the need for a tool that can reach surfaces the robot can't.
Consider it: for a thorough clean of floors and carpets, with a suitable turbo brush and, if needed, an upholstery tool.
Bear in mind: you'll need to move the vacuum around and maintain its brushes. A bagged model also requires compatible vacuum bags.
Consider it: for quick, frequent clean-ups, especially if it comes with a compatible mini brush for furniture.
Bear in mind: battery life depends on the model and the mode you use. Check that it will last for your cleaning sessions.
Consider it: for scheduled cleaning of accessible floors.
Bear in mind: you'll need a separate manual tool for sofas, pet beds and stairs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Hair on carpets and soft furnishings | Check which brushes are supplied for carpets and fabrics, then make sure they're compatible with the model you're considering. | When hair clings to the carpet or sofa, I want the right tool for each surface. Around 36% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Frequent clean-ups | For a stick vacuum, check the battery life in the mode you'll use and how easy it is to manoeuvre. For any model, check how easy it is to access the dust container or bag. | If hair quickly builds up on the floors again, I want to be able to do a quick clean without having to prepare for a major session. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Check whether the brush can be taken apart, how easy it is to access the filters, which replacement parts are compatible and the repairability index. | If a brush regularly collects hair, I want to be able to clean it and replace worn parts. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Automated floor cleaning | For a robot vacuum, check for obstacles and thresholds in your home, as well as how to maintain its main brush. | If my main aim is to cut down on manual cleaning of floors, I'm happy to clean soft furnishings separately. Automation is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Motor power alone doesn't tell you how well a vacuum will pick up hair trapped in a carpet. Que Choisir recommends looking at suction performance and the design of the floor head.
Compare the brushes supplied with each specific model, rather than assuming they're included because of the range name.
Accessories offered by Dyson, Rowenta and Miele are designed for specific models or ranges. Don't assume that a brush made for another model will fit.
Note down the vacuum's full model number and check the manufacturer's compatibility list before you order.
A robot vacuum moves around on the floor; it can't clean sofas, pet beds or stairs.
If these surfaces collect a lot of hair, choose a manual vacuum too, along with a compatible upholstery tool.
Hair can become wrapped around a roller, while bags, filters and brushes need to be easy to access for cleaning or replacement.
Check how to remove the brush and look for parts that fit the exact model. In France, also compare the repairability index, which regulations presented by the Ministry of the Economy require to be displayed for vacuum cleaners.
Worth considering if you're looking for a “pet” brush designed for a specific vacuum model, particularly a robot vacuum.
Worth a look if a motorised mini brush for sofas or other upholstered areas is one of your priorities.
Consider a cylinder model if you're looking for a set-up that combines a carpet brush with an upholstery tool.
An example worth looking at to understand why it's useful to consider both upholstery tools and maintenance when choosing a stick vacuum.
This selection includes four cordless stick vacuums for manual cleaning and a robot vacuum for everyday floor care. If you also need to clean sofas and pet beds, check which upholstery tools are supplied or compatible with the model you choose.
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For regular manual cleaning of floors, with a removable battery. The product title states a 450 W motor and up to 60 minutes' run time. Check the conditions for achieving this run time and which tools are designed for soft furnishings before choosing this model.
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For cleaning hard floors and carpets, with the option to convert it into a handheld vacuum. The product title states 550 W, 55 kPa and up to 55 minutes' run time. Check which tools are supplied if you also need to clean sofas.
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Worth considering for manual cleaning of floors and carpets: the product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and a foldable tube. It states 55 kPa and up to 60 minutes' run time. Check which upholstery tools are compatible if you also need to vacuum furniture.
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For occasional cleaning with a convertible vacuum. The product title states 18 kPa and up to 40 minutes' run time. Before choosing it for carpets or soft furnishings, check which mode delivers this run time, and what floor head and tools are included.
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For scheduled cleaning of accessible floors. The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and app control. This robot can't clean sofas, pet beds or stairs, so keep a manual vacuum for these surfaces. Check how to maintain its brushes and docking station.
No. The advertised motor power alone isn't enough to judge how well a vacuum will clean carpets and soft furnishings. Que Choisir highlights the importance of suction performance and the floor head, so make sure you also check which brush is supplied for each surface.
No. Robot vacuums are designed for floors and can't reach sofas, pet beds or stairs. If these surfaces collect hair, you'll also need a manual vacuum with a suitable tool.
No. The brushes featured by Dyson, Rowenta and Miele are compatible with specific models or ranges. Check your vacuum's full model number against the manufacturer's list before buying the accessory.
Yes. In France, the Ministry of the Economy includes corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners among the products covered. This score out of 10 takes into account factors including documentation, how easy the product is to take apart and the availability of parts. Compare it across models that meet your cleaning needs.
Remove hair wrapped around the brushes, and maintain the bag or dust container and filters according to the instructions for your model. Before buying, check that the parts requiring cleaning are easy to access and that compatible replacements are available.