For regular cleaning of carpets and a range of floors in a home with pets, start by looking at bagged cylinder vacuums with suitable brushes. UFC-Que Choisir reports that this type of vacuum cleans more effectively than bagless cylinder models and exposes you to less dust when emptying it. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups, provided you check how it performs on carpets and how long the battery lasts in the mode you plan to use. A robot vacuum can help with routine cleaning, but results vary depending on the floor type, and it won’t replace cleaning soft furnishings.
If pet hair and fibres get caught in your carpets or rugs, look for cleaning results on these surfaces for the exact model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir tests how well cordless stick vacuums pick up fibres similar to pet hair from carpets.
If pet hair quickly builds up again, it’s important that your vacuum is easy to get out and use. For a cordless stick vacuum, check the battery life at the power setting you’ll use, too: UFC-Que Choisir notes that the quoted battery life is often based on a low-power setting.
If you want to clean sofas, cushions or bedding as well as floors, check which upholstery tool comes with the model you’re considering and how to clean its brush. A floor head alone won’t meet this need.
Consider it: for regular cleaning of carpets and different types of flooring, especially if you’d rather handle less dust when emptying the vacuum.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move a corded appliance around and replace the bags.
Consider it: if you want a cylinder vacuum without the ongoing cost of replacement bags and don’t mind maintaining the dust container.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty it regularly. UFC-Que Choisir reports that bagless cylinder vacuums expose you to more dust when emptying than bagged models.
Consider it: for quick, frequent clean-ups to pick up visible pet hair.
Bear in mind: battery life depends on the setting you use, so check it carefully if you have carpets covered in pet hair.
Consider it: for automated, supplementary cleaning on floors with few obstacles.
Bear in mind: results vary depending on the floor type, according to UFC-Que Choisir. You’ll also need to empty the dust container and use another appliance to clean soft furnishings.
Whichever type you choose, compare its performance on your floors, the tools supplied for soft furnishings and how much maintenance you’re happy to do.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair embedded in carpets | Results for the exact model on fibres or pet hair in carpets; a brush suited to the surface. | If pet hair is still caught in my carpets after vacuuming, picking it up is my top priority. Around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Quick everyday clean-ups | How easy the cordless stick vacuum is to manoeuvre and its battery life at the setting you’ll actually use, rather than its maximum quoted battery life. | When pet hair reappears every day, I want to be able to deal with it without preparing for a long clean. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Sofas and other soft furnishings | Whether an upholstery tool is included with the exact model; whether its brush is compatible and easy to clean. | If my pet gets on the sofa, I also need to remove hair from the cushions and fabric. Around 20% of consumers would put this need ahead of the others. |
| Emptying and maintenance | Whether it collects dust in a bag or container; access to the filters and maintenance instructions. | I’d rather choose an appliance that’s easy to empty and maintain regularly; around 20% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
These figures alone don’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up fibres from your carpets and hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir tests how vacuums perform on different types of dirt and flooring.
Check the results for the exact model on the surfaces in your home, and make sure it has a brush designed for embedded pet hair.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that the quoted battery life for cordless stick vacuums is often based on use at a low power setting. It may not reflect how long the vacuum will last when cleaning carpets at a higher setting.
Compare battery life at the setting you plan to use, and check the charging time if you’ll be vacuuming several areas one after another.
If you want to clean sofas and cushions, the tool supplied with the specific version matters just as much as the range name.
Check the full model number, the tools included and how to remove hair wrapped around the brush.
If the mini brush you need isn’t included, you’ll have to buy it separately.
Replacing a bag, emptying a container and cleaning the filters or rollers are regular tasks that affect how easy a vacuum is to use.
Before you choose, check that suitable consumables are available for the model and read the maintenance instructions.
The ProAnimal range includes bagged cylinder vacuums and cordless stick vacuums designed for homes with pets.
Rowenta offers Animal Care cylinder vacuums, both bagged and bagless, as well as tools for different floor types.
Dyson offers cordless stick vacuums and Motorbar brushes designed for cleaning up pet hair.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for frequent clean-ups and a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider for regular cleaning. For each model, check how it performs on your floors and which tools come with the version you choose.
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Worth considering for frequent clean-ups on floors and carpets in a home with pets. The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts at the setting you’ll use, which tools are included and how well it picks up pet hair from your floors.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a stick vacuum to pick up pet hair regularly. Before choosing it for carpets or soft furnishings, check the model’s pet hair pick-up results, the tools supplied with that version and the battery life at the setting you plan to use.
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Worth considering for regular clean-ups, especially if a folding tube would help you reach under furniture. The product title quotes 60 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts at the setting you’ll use, how well it picks up pet hair from carpets and whether an upholstery tool is included if you need one.
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Worth considering for frequent clean-ups on carpets and hard floors. The product title mentions handheld use, a charging station and 55 minutes of battery life. Compare how long it lasts at the setting you need and check which tools are suitable for your soft furnishings.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for regular cleaning. Check how well it picks up pet hair from your carpets, which brushes come with this model and whether replacement bags are available.
For regular cleaning where dust collection matters too, start by considering a bagged cylinder vacuum. UFC-Que Choisir reports that bagged models clean more effectively and expose you to less dust than bagless cylinder vacuums. Your final choice will depend on how the exact model performs on your floors, which brushes it comes with and whether you’d rather replace bags or empty a container.
Look for test results for the exact model that measure how well it picks up fibres or pet hair from carpets, then check which brush comes with it. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type of test for rechargeable stick vacuums and notes that quoted battery life is often based on a low-power setting. Check how long it lasts at the setting you’ll need, too.
A robot vacuum is best considered as an addition to your main vacuum unless its results on your floors meet your needs. UFC-Que Choisir reports that robot vacuums clean differently depending on the floor type. You’ll also need to empty the dust container and find another way to clean sofas and other soft furnishings.