When choosing a main vacuum cleaner for a home with pets, start by thinking about the surfaces you actually clean: carpets, hard floors and upholstery may need different brushes. A cylinder vacuum is worth considering for longer cleaning sessions, while a cordless stick vacuum offers greater manoeuvrability. In either case, check which accessories are compatible, how dust is collected, and how to maintain the filters and brush roll.
If hair gets caught in the fibres, look at how the vacuum performs on carpets and which brush is included, rather than relying on the advertised power alone. UFC-Que Choisir includes fibres designed to simulate pet hair in its cylinder vacuum tests.
To reach cushions, pet beds or car seats, check whether a suitable small brush is included and whether it works with the exact vacuum model. Rowenta and Dyson describe accessories designed for these surfaces, but whether they’re included depends on the model.
For longer cleaning sessions across different floor types, compare a cylinder vacuum’s dust capacity and operating radius, or the cordless stick vacuum’s advertised run time in the mode you’ll use. How often you need to empty the vacuum and clean the brushes also matters when hair builds up.
First, choose a vacuum format to suit the length and frequency of your cleaning sessions. Then consider carpets and upholstery as separate needs: a floor brush won’t necessarily do the job of an accessory designed for sofas.
Consider it: for longer cleaning sessions if you prefer to dispose of dust in a bag.
Bear in mind: you’ll need compatible bags, and the vacuum has to be pulled along behind you; check separately whether it comes with an upholstery brush.
Consider it: if you prefer the cylinder format but would rather empty a dust container than replace bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters in line with the model’s instructions.
Consider it: for frequent cleaning and a manoeuvrable vacuum, particularly on the stairs.
Check: the run time with the mode and brush you’ll use on your floors.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on carpets | How it performs on the type of carpet you have; which brush is included and whether you can access the brush roll to clean it. | When hair gets caught in my carpet, I want to know how the vacuum performs on that surface, not just read about its advertised power. Around 31% of consumers rank this as their top cleaning need. |
| Sofas and other upholstery | Whether a mini turbo brush or small motorised brush is included; exact compatibility if it’s sold separately. | If most of the hair ends up on my sofa or pet beds, I need an accessory that can reach these smaller surfaces. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Different floors and large areas | Brushes suitable for hard floors and carpets; the operating radius of a cylinder vacuum or the stick vacuum’s run time in the mode you’ll use. | To vacuum several rooms without stopping too often, I need a format that suits the size of my home and the types of flooring. Around 23% of consumers prioritise being able to clean continuously. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Type of bag or dust container; filter maintenance instructions and how easy it is to access the brush roll. | When hair builds up quickly, I want to be able to empty the vacuum and clean its brush as often as suits me. Around 15% of consumers value ease of maintenance above other criteria. |
The stated power rating doesn’t, by itself, tell you how well a vacuum will lift fibres from every type of flooring. UFC-Que Choisir tests suction on different floors, including with fibres designed to simulate pet hair.
Where possible, compare results on the carpets or hard floors in your home, and check which brush is actually included.
A mini brush may be sold separately or only be compatible with certain models. Bosch, for example, advises checking the E-Nr. model number before ordering its ProAnimal turbo brush.
Check what’s in the box, the vacuum’s model number and how the accessory attaches.
You may need to buy a compatible brush or adapter separately.
Bags, dust containers, filters and brush rolls all need different types of maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir recommends replacing bags and emptying containers regularly to help prevent a loss of suction.
Before choosing a model, check its filter and brush roll care instructions, as well as the model numbers of any consumables you’ll need.
A bagged vacuum needs compatible bags; depending on the instructions, some filters or accessories may also need replacing.
Two cylinder vacuums to compare if you’re choosing between a bag and a dust container, or looking for upholstery accessories.
A brand to consider if a ProAnimal brush is one of your priorities.
Worth considering if pet hair tends to gather on cushions, sofas or seats.
Cordless stick vacuums to compare if you also want to clean pet beds, seats or stairs.
These cordless stick vacuums are worth considering for cleaning floors by hand in a home with pets. If hair also builds up on upholstery, check separately which accessories are included and whether they’re suitable for these surfaces.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a stick vacuum for everyday cleaning on hard floors and carpets; check which brush is included if you also want to clean your sofa.
The product title lists 550 W, 55 kPa, up to 55 minutes of run time and an anti-tangle brush roll. Check the conditions for achieving this run time against the way you’ll use the vacuum: the advertised power alone isn’t enough to tell you how it will perform on your carpets.
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Worth considering for regular cleaning on floors and carpets; if you want to clean upholstery, check which accessory is included.
The product title lists an anti-tangle brush, a self-standing design, advertised suction of 60,000 Pa and up to 65 minutes of run time. Check which mode this run time applies to before comparing it with the size of your home.
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Worth considering if you want to move the vacuum easily between floors and smaller areas; check which brushes are included for carpets and upholstery.
The product title lists 450 W, 45,000 Pa, a removable battery and an advertised run time of 60 minutes. These figures and the run time don’t, by themselves, tell you how well it will perform on every type of flooring.
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Worth considering for everyday cleaning on hard floors; if pet hair tends to gather on carpets or the sofa, check which brushes are designed for those surfaces.
The product title lists a self-standing design, a removable battery and an advertised run time of 50 minutes. Check which mode this run time applies to for your usual cleaning sessions.
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Worth considering if you’d rather not empty your stick vacuum as often; the station doesn’t remove the need to maintain the brush or check which accessories you’ll need for upholstery.
The product title lists a charging station with automatic emptying, an anti-tangle brush and 27 kPa suction. This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will lift pet hair from your carpets.
Not for every cleaning task covered here: cleaning sofas, cushions or seats by hand also requires a vacuum and an accessory that can reach these surfaces. If you’re considering a robot for your floors, think separately about what you’ll still need to clean by hand.
Choose the option that suits the way you prefer to maintain your vacuum: remove a compatible bag, or empty and clean a dust container in line with the instructions. Either way, check the dust capacity, the model numbers of any consumables and the filter maintenance requirements for the specific model.
Follow the vacuum’s instructions and check whether the brush roll is accessible or removable before you buy. Bosch, for example, describes a removable EasyClean brush roll on a specific ProAnimal accessory; this feature isn’t available on every brush.
No. Check the vacuum’s model number, the tube diameter and the attachment mechanism, as well as whether you’ll need an adapter. Rowenta specifies fitting requirements for some upholstery accessories, while Bosch advises checking the E-Nr. model number for its ProAnimal turbo brush.