Start by considering the surfaces where pet hair builds up: a brush suited to carpets may not be right for a sofa or pet bed. If you’ll be vacuuming frequently, compare how easy the appliance is to empty and maintain. If you’re considering a cordless stick vacuum, check the battery life; if you’d prefer a robot, consider which areas it can reach. In France, the repairability rating for the exact model and the availability of its parts can also help you decide, but they don’t tell you how well it picks up pet hair.
If pet hair tends to gather on carpets, cushions or pet beds, look at the floorhead and upholstery tool separately. Miele and Dyson describe tools designed for these uses on specific models. Check what’s included and what’s compatible before you choose.
If you vacuum little and often, ease of handling matters just as much as how the appliance is emptied. For a cordless stick vacuum, compare the stated battery life with the mode you’ll use and check the size of the dust container.
Compare the consumables and parts for the model you’re considering, as well as its repairability rating. The DGCCRF notes that the vacuum cleaner categories covered include corded, cordless and domestic robot models.
The format mainly affects how you’ll vacuum regularly; the brushes and tools determine which surfaces you can clean with your chosen model.
Worth considering: if you’d rather collect dust and pet hair in a sealed bag.
Bear in mind: compatible bags need replacing and must remain available, as explained in Bosch’s guide to dust collection systems.
Worth considering: if you’d rather have a reusable dust container than bags to replace.
Bear in mind: the container needs emptying. Check how easy it is to handle and how to maintain the filters on the exact model.
Worth considering: if you want to grab your vacuum for a quick clean, including above-floor areas when you have the right tool.
Bear in mind: how long you can vacuum depends on the battery and mode you use, and the dust container will need emptying.
Worth considering: if you want to schedule cleans on floors the robot can reach.
Bear in mind: it won’t clean sofas, pet beds or stairs, and its brushes also need maintenance.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Brushes for different surfaces | Check which brush is designed for your carpets and which tool is intended for fabrics. Confirm what’s included or compatible with the exact model number. | When most of the pet hair stays on carpets, cushions or pet beds, I want a brush that can handle those surfaces. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Frequent cleaning | For a cordless stick vacuum, compare battery life in the mode you’ll need and how easy it is to handle. For a robot, check which routes it can follow in your home. | If I need to vacuum small areas often, I want an appliance that’s easy to grab or scheduled cleaning on accessible floors. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Emptying and maintenance | Check how to replace the bag or empty the dust container, then see how to access the filters and brush rolls in the instructions. | I want to know what’s involved in emptying the appliance and removing pet hair from the brushes after each clean. For around 23% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
| Repairability and parts | Compare the rating and criteria for the exact model, then identify the part numbers for the parts and consumables you’ll need. | Before choosing an appliance for regular use, I want to know that I can find its parts and understand how it can be repaired. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this. |
A range name doesn’t tell you which brush comes with the vacuum. Miele’s product information, for example, distinguishes between a turbo brush for carpets and rugs and a brush designed for upholstered furniture.
Make a list of the surfaces where pet hair builds up, then check which tools are included and which are compatible with the model you’re considering.
Manufacturers’ anti-tangle features don’t remove the need to check the brush rolls, filters and other parts as directed in the instructions.
Before you buy, check how to remove pet hair and access any removable parts.
Cleaning brushes regularly takes time, and some compatible brush rolls or kits may also need replacing.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags; other parts, such as filters and brushes, vary by model. A repairability rating covers criteria including spare parts, but doesn’t tell you what routine maintenance is needed.
Make a note of the part numbers you’ll need and check the repairability rating and criteria for the exact appliance.
A robot can cover accessible floors, but fabrics, pet beds and stairs need a different kind of cleaning.
Identify any areas outside its route and, if pet hair gathers there, make sure you have a compatible appliance or manual tool.
The Cat & Dog models highlighted by Miele show two ways to tackle different surfaces: a cylinder vacuum for carpets and rugs, and a cordless stick vacuum equipped for fabrics.
Worth considering if a mini tool for removing pet hair from fabrics or car seats is important to you when choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner.
Some Rowenta models focus on robot brushes or on cleaning the roller of a wet-and-dry floor cleaner.
Worth considering if you want to automate cleaning on accessible floors and the robot’s brush maintenance suits your household.
Bosch’s guide helps you compare the dust collection requirements of a bagged cylinder vacuum with those of a model with a reusable dust container.
These models cover regular cleaning with a cordless stick vacuum and automated floor cleaning with a robot. To choose between them, start with the surfaces you need to clean, then check which tool is included for fabrics, the battery-life conditions and the maintenance requirements for the exact model.
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Worth considering if you switch between floors, carpets and stairs: its product information lists an anti-tangle brush, a motorised tool for stairs and the option to convert it into a handheld vacuum.
The product information lists a 0.4 L dust container and up to 50 minutes of battery life, but doesn’t specify which mode this applies to. Check the battery life in the setting you’ll use, as well as the repairability rating and available parts for this model.
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For cleaning floors and carpets, with the occasional fabric clean, the description mentions an anti-tangle roller, handheld mode and a 2-in-1 upholstery tool. Check that the tool is suitable for your fabrics: it isn’t described as motorised.
The product information lists a 700 mL dust container and up to 65 minutes of battery life in standard mode; this may not apply to other settings. Also compare the repairability rating and available parts for this model.
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If you also need to reach areas above the floor, its product description says it converts into a handheld vacuum and comes with a combination tool for furniture and cars. It also mentions an anti-tangle roller for hard floors and carpets, but doesn’t say that the furniture tool is motorised.
The product information lists up to 60 minutes of battery life without specifying the mode. It also notes that you’ll need to empty the dust container, maintain the filter and check the roller. Check the repairability rating and available parts for this model too.
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For frequent cleaning on hard floors and carpets, the product information describes an anti-tangle roller and a wall mount for charging and storage. Check which tools you’ll need if pet hair also gathers on your sofas.
The description lists a 0.7 L dust container and up to 55 minutes of battery life in hard-floor mode, but doesn’t give a figure for carpet mode. Allow time to maintain the dust container, filters and brush, and check the model’s repairability rating and available parts.
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Worth considering for cleaning accessible floors, rather than sofas or stairs. The product information lists an anti-tangle system for the main and side brushes, as well as a mopping function with a mop lift for carpets.
Before choosing this robot, check that its route suits your home’s layout and look into maintenance, replacement brushes and the repairability rating for this exact model.
Look for a turbo brush or powered brush for carpets, then a separate tool suited to fabrics if pet hair also gets onto sofas and pet beds. Miele, for example, says the turbo brush on the Guard M1 Cat & Dog is designed for carpets and rugs. Check that the tools you want are included or compatible with your model.
Choose according to how you prefer to dispose of the dust and debris: Bosch’s guide describes a bag that collects dust until it’s replaced, compared with a reusable dust container that needs emptying. Then check which bags or filters you’ll need and how to maintain the model you’re considering.
A robot can clean accessible floors regularly, but it won’t tackle sofas, pet beds or stairs. Check its route and brushes in your home, then make sure you have a manual tool if pet hair gathers away from the floors.
A repairability rating tells you how repairable the model is, not how well it removes pet hair. According to the DGCCRF, domestic corded and cordless vacuum cleaners, as well as robot vacuums, are among the categories covered in France. For the exact model, compare its score out of 10 and the criteria behind it, particularly those relating to documentation, dismantling and parts.