Homes with rugs or carpets
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, look at tests on carpets and the specific floorhead used, rather than motor power alone. Que Choisir Ensemble describes tests on synthetic fibres designed to simulate pet hair.
Who is this choice for?
Homes with hard floors and frequent clean-ups
If you regularly need to remove pet hair from wooden or tiled floors, compare the floorhead designed for your flooring and, for a cordless vacuum, the battery life at the setting you plan to use. Que Choisir Ensemble reports results by floor type and points out that a stick vacuum’s maximum advertised battery life is measured at the lowest power setting.
Homes with sofas or stairs to clean
If pet hair also builds up on cushions, sofas or stairs, check that the vacuum comes with a fabric tool or mini brush and that it’s compatible with the appliance. Que Choisir Ensemble and manufacturers provide information about accessories designed for these surfaces.
What to compare
Start with the surface where pet hair is most of a nuisance, then check the floorhead and the maintenance involved with each type of vacuum.
| Priority | What to check before you buy | Who prioritises it most |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair in rugs | Tests on fibres for the model in question and the floorhead used during testing; check that the brush matches the one supplied. | When pet hair gets caught in rugs or carpets, I look at results on fibres rather than a standalone power rating. Around 28% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Pet hair on upholstery | Fabric tool included or compatible; check the connection and how to maintain the roller. | If pet hair collects on the sofa, cushions or stairs, I look for a floorhead suited to those surfaces. Around 22% of consumers put this need first. |
| Frequent cleaning on hard floors | Results on wooden or tiled floors; for a cordless stick vacuum, battery life at the setting you’ll use. | If I regularly clean wooden or tiled floors, I compare manoeuvrability and how long a cleaning session actually lasts. Around 22% of consumers prioritise these clean-ups. |
| Emptying and maintenance | How to empty the vacuum, whether it needs bags, and how easy it is to access the filters and brushes for maintenance. | If I want to minimise the work after cleaning, I compare replacing a bag with emptying and maintaining a dust container. Maintenance comes first for around 17% of consumers. |
| Automated floor care | Tests on fibres and rugs, how it moves around rooms, and maintenance of the dust container or docking station. | If my aim is to schedule cleaning runs on the floors between manual cleans, I check performance on my flooring and what the robot needs me to do. Around 11% of consumers prioritise this use. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Choosing based only on watts or a ‘pet’ label
These details aren’t a substitute for tests on fibres embedded in a rug or checking which floorhead is included.
Look for results relevant to your flooring and check the exact configuration being sold.
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Confusing maximum battery life with a demanding cleaning session
Que Choisir Ensemble points out that a stick vacuum’s maximum advertised battery life is measured at the lowest power setting. The runtime varies depending on the setting you use.
Compare battery life in the mode and with the brush you’ll need for your floors or upholstery.
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Forgetting about emptying and maintenance after cleaning
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs replacement bags; a bagless model needs its dust container emptied and filters maintained. Brushes can also collect pet hair.
Check how to empty the vacuum and access its filters and rollers. ADEME recommends looking into maintenance and repair before replacing a vacuum cleaner.
With a bagged model, you’ll also need to replace the bags when they’re full.
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Assuming a mini brush will fit every vacuum and suit every surface
Connections can be specific to certain models, and a narrow floorhead may not be practical for a large rug.
Check compatibility with your vacuum’s model number, and choose a small floorhead for surfaces where its narrower width is useful.
Brands to consider
Bosch
The bagged ProAnimal BGB41PET1 and bagless BGS41PET1 models let you compare two different ways of collecting dust and pet hair.
- According to Bosch, the BGB41PET1 comes with an AirTurbo Pro turbo brush and tools for upholstery and crevices; the BGS41PET1 has a 2.4 l dust container and a washable HEPA filter.
- These advertised features are not a comparative test of pet hair pick-up. Your choice will involve the specific requirements of either a bag or a dust container.
Rowenta
The RO6189EA cylinder vacuum and X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal RH9958WA stick vacuum have different configurations to consider for floors and upholstery.
- According to Rowenta, the RO6189EA comes with a parquet floorhead, a mini turbo brush and an upholstery tool; the RH9958WA includes a mini motorised brush.
- The cylinder vacuum needs bags. For the stick vacuum, maximum advertised battery life may not reflect how long it lasts in the mode you need for cleaning.
Dyson
The V15 Detect Absolute is a cordless stick vacuum with brushes advertised for different floor types.
- Dyson describes the Digital Motorbar as suitable for pet hair, among other things, and the Fluffy Optic as designed for hard floors.
- These manufacturer claims don’t measure performance on the rug in your home. Check which accessories come with the version on offer and the battery life at the setting you plan to use.
iRobot
The Roomba Combo j9+ is a robot option for floor care.
- According to iRobot, the model comes with two multi-surface brushes and an auto-emptying base.
- iRobot says the dust container may fill quickly in a home with a heavy-shedding pet. These details don’t demonstrate how well it works on every type of rug, and it doesn’t clean upholstered furniture.
Electrolux
The ZE116 mini turbo brush is an accessory to consider for upholstery, subject to compatibility.
- Electrolux describes it as suitable for use on sofas and stairs.
- The ZE116 needs an oval 36 mm AeroPro connection or a suitable adapter. One individual review published on the brand’s product page notes that a narrow brush can be tedious to use on a large rug and that pet hair can stop it rotating; this review cannot be taken as representative of everyone’s experience.
Joybuy products for these needs
These products include robot, bagged, corded 2-in-1 and cordless options for floor care and, depending on the model, upholstery.
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roborock Q7 L5+ with mopping function
Worth considering if you prioritise robot cleaning runs on your floors; a robot won’t replace a vacuum for upholstered furniture.
The product title lists 8 000 Pa suction, LiDAR navigation, a two-part anti-tangle system and automatic emptying.
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EUREKA E20 Plus
Worth considering if you’re looking for a robot vacuum for your floors; you’ll also need a suitable vacuum if you want to clean your sofa and cushions.
The product title lists 8 000 Pa suction, an anti-tangle brush, a dust container advertised to last 45 days and app control.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG with bag
Worth considering if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum for cleaning floors; check that the supplied brushes are suitable for your surfaces.
The product title identifies it as a bagged cylinder vacuum. Replace the bag when it’s full, following the model’s maintenance instructions.
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ochama corded 2-in-1
Worth considering if you want to switch from stick mode to handheld use for furniture or stairs; check which accessory is suitable for upholstery.
The product title lists 550 W of power, a visible 0.5 l dust container and a 4.5 m cord.
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ochama 4-in-1 cordless
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless vacuum for cleaning floors and furniture; check how long it lasts at the setting you’ll use.
The product title lists 18 kPa suction, an LED display and up to 40 minutes of battery life. Runtime varies depending on the setting used. The description states that it must not be used to vacuum liquids, flammable substances or hot materials.
Frequently asked questions
Is high motor power enough to choose a vacuum for pet hair?
No, it isn’t enough to determine how well a vacuum will pick up pet hair. Compare the supplied floorhead and tests relevant to your floors: Que Choisir Ensemble distinguishes, for example, between suction on hard floors and tests on fibres embedded in a rug.
How do tests assess pet hair pick-up on rugs?
Test protocols use fibres that simulate or are comparable to pet hair, rather than hair from a particular animal. For stick vacuums, Que Choisir Ensemble describes embedding 1 g of fibres using a 15 kg roller; methods vary between appliance types. These results don’t directly measure how well the vacuum will clean your sofa.
How can I check whether a separately purchased sofa brush is compatible?
Check the vacuum’s model number and the accessory’s product number before you buy. Electrolux says its ZE116 is suitable for the 36 mm oval AeroPro system and mentions an adapter for a 32 mm connection; this compatibility doesn’t apply to other mini brushes.
What should you maintain after frequent cleaning?
Follow the instructions for replacing the bag or emptying the dust container, cleaning the filters and removing pet hair from the brushes. ADEME recommends looking into maintenance and repair before replacing a vacuum cleaner; one individual review published by Electrolux also notes that pet hair can block a roller.
Does a stick vacuum’s maximum advertised battery life reflect intensive cleaning?
Not necessarily: Que Choisir Ensemble points out that maximum advertised battery life is measured at the lowest power setting. Compare runtime in the mode and with the brush needed for your surfaces.