Handheld vacuums are a great way to spot clean areas of your home without going all-in on a large vacuum. They can also act as a supplement to an old upright or come in handy when it’s time to clean out the car or RV. If you have pets in your family, dog hair tends to follow you around, but it won’t be a problem if you have the best handheld vacuum for pet hair.
While any handheld vacuum worth its salt can suck up a few strands of hair, certain systems are built for it. If you are looking for a portable solution to your pet hair problem, we have the answer for you. Our guide will show you which areas you need to focus on, and we’ve put together a list featuring some of the top models currently available as well.
Do you find piles of pet hair in the corners of your home on a daily basis? Is so, there's a good chance your vacuum cleaner isn't cutting it when it comes to pet hair. A good handheld can help you spot clean while allowing you to leave your upright behind but not all of these small vacuums are created equally, so here are a few areas to keep in mind.
Where will you use your hand vacuum?
If you’re shopping for the best handheld vacuum for pet hair, there’s a good chance you’re going to use it in more than one place. In order to find the right choice for your needs, consider where and how often you think you’ll use the vacuum.
For occasional use or times when you need to spot clean before company comes over, you don’t need to spend a fortune to pick up a solid hand vac. Instead, focus on the attachments and see what will be useful in the long run. If you plan to use your handheld vacuum daily for pet hair, you’ll want to consider our next area carefully.
Corded vs. Cordless Handhelds
Corded handheld vacuums are a dying breed, but still an option and one you should consider for a few reasons. Simply put, a corded handheld cleaner will have more suction and cleaning power overall. You’re also not limited by battery power, so you’ll never need to worry about running out of juice halfway through a job.
A cordless model is built for convenience and portability. Cords won’t be a problem, and you can move from one room to another or use it in locations without power. You’ll often find more high-tech features on these models as well along with attachments that will make your life easier. The price difference is negligible but cordless models outnumber their corded counterparts 3-to-1.
Ergonomics
A good handheld vacuum is always light, but the best ones are designed with ergonomics in mind. It’s easy to become enamored with a new design and overlook simple things that can make your hands ache after only a few minutes of use. While ergonomics comes down to the design and manufacturer in most cases, there are a few things you can look for on any model.
The main thing to keep in mind is the trigger and handle. Most handheld units require you to squeeze a trigger continually for power, but some have a trigger-lock mechanism or a simple switch. Wider triggers are also ideal, but only if the handle is comfortable to hold. If you have arthritis or any condition that limits your hand strength, pay close attention to the ergonomics of any handheld along with its weight.
Dust Bin
Whether a handheld vacuum is built for pet hair or general use, don’t overlook the dust bin. Dirt and hair can find its way into the cup in a variety of ways, but the end result is always the same – it’s a mess. Having a large dust cup is something to look for on any handheld vacuum, but especially important when you are dealing with pets.
Regardless of the size, that bin should also be easy to open and clean out. Many manufacturers have systems in place that claim their bins are “hands-free,” but that’s not always the case. There’s nothing worse than spending 10 minutes beating a bin over a trashcan, so make sure the bin system on a handheld is up to par.
Batteries and Cords
This is arguably the most important area for a handheld vacuum cleaner as it can make or break your day. Unfortunately, you’re not going to get a great deal of battery life from any handheld vacuum. You should get enough to handle the task at hand, however, as these machines are built for light-duty work, not cleaning rooms or entire homes.
Recharging times are key as well. Even if you get a full 20 minutes of runtime from a handheld, it will be frustrating when you have to wait 4 hours to bring it back to life if you’re not quite finished cleaning. With a corded handheld vacuum, the cord length should be the first specification you look for as an extension cord is definitely not ideal. You’ll also want a system with a good cord wrap to keep things tidy when it’s not in use.
Features
Due to their small form factor, there aren’t nearly as many features on handheld vacuums as you’ll find with their larger counterparts. Most of the things you’ll find in this area are considered creature comforts, like a simple battery life indicator or a switch for a boost in power.
Only a handful of models actually have multiple modes, but every system should come with at least one tool. In some cases, the tools included may impact the price as well, so think about what you need, and which attachments will never get used. You can even find some models with hoses and powered brush heads if you’re willing to spend a bit more.
Warranty
A handheld vacuum may be relatively inexpensive compared to a full-size model, but there’s not a lot of difference when it comes to warranties. That can be a good thing if you opt for a popular brand with a great track record of coverage.
More often than not, the average guarantee for a handheld runs between 1 to 2 years. Replacement parts are also worth considering, especially if you’re purchasing a unit from a smaller brand. You’ll want to check on the price of replacement batteries as well with cordless models unless those batteries are fixed.
The Best Handheld Vacuums for Pet Hair
As you can see, there’s not a lot to think about with a handheld vacuum aside from how it’s powered, how easy it is to use, and the bin size. With that in mind, all our the choices below can pick up and hold plenty of pet hair, and we’ve chosen a wide variety of highly regarded machines, so there is a system that can suit anyone’s budget and needs.
Our top pick for the best handheld vacuum for pet hair comes from Shark. The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is a unique hand vacuum for pet owners and one you won’t want to live without once you experience its power and useful array of accessories.
When you need to clean up an entire room or large area, the Shark Rocket won’t let you down. This vacuum provides unlimited power courtesy of a 15-foot cord, and it has plenty of oomph as it’s a 500-watt system rated at 4.2 amps. While there’s only a single speed setting, the Rocket is light and easy to manage at less than 4 pounds.
Maintenance costs will be kept to a minimum with the Shark Rocket thanks to a washable filter. The dust cup is easy to deal with as well, and of average size at 0.1 gallons. Design-wise, this system is easy on the eyes, and we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the attachments. The Rocket comes with a hose, wand, brush, and a motorized TruePet brush as well.
Whether you need to remove pet hair from carpet or your couch, the Shark Rocket handheld vacuum does an admirable job. It’s not cheap for a hand vac, although it’s one of the more powerful models on our list and a worthwhile investment if you have a serious pet hair issue. This vacuum also comes with a 5-year warranty from Shark.
The Oreck Super Deluxe handheld vacuum is unique for a number of reasons. It’s the only bagged system to make our list of the best handheld vacuums for pet hair and one of the strongest as well considering the company claims it can lift a bowling ball with ease.
As you can see, this is a larger handheld vacuum but still compact and easy to handle. You can use it in a traditional fashion or hang the vacuum across your shoulder, considering it only weighs 5 pounds despite its stature. There’s also a reason for the size considering this vacuum cleaner uses Oreck Buster B bags in place of a cup or bin.
Those bags are rated to trap 95% of particulates, which makes it ideal for pet owners with allergies. While we weren’t able to put this vacuum through their bowling ball test, homeowners have been thrilled with the power and you won’t be disappointed either. Other noteworthy features include a cord wrap, four cleaning tools and two extensions.
The Oreck Super Deluxe is the most complete system in this class and will make quick work of any pet hair drifting around your home. The bags and power are advantages of this system although some homeowners found it a little unwieldy compared to cordless handhelds for obvious reasons.
Our second option from Shark is a little smaller than our first. The Shark Pet-Perfect II is the follow-up to the company’s best-selling hand vacuum and ideal for your home, car, or anywhere that your furry friends follow.
This 18-volt system uses Ni-MH battery power to keep your hardwood and carpet clean. It has a runtime of 24 minutes when fully charged which is longer than other cordless vacuums of this capacity. Recharge times are better than average as well at 210 minutes. The bin capacity is 0.14 gallons and the vacuum tips the scales at 4.4 pounds without any accessories attached.
As for those accessories, they are part of the reason to buy this system. The slide into place and include a crevice tool, dusting brush, and motorized brush. You can use the vacuum without any attachments to suck up large debris, but the powered brush head is built to annihilate pet hair whether it’s on a couch or car seat.
The Shark Pet Perfect II proves you don’t need to break the bank to clean up pet hair – you just need a powerful, efficient machine. This handheld vacuum is also easy to use and comfortable in hand as well. It comes with the aforementioned tools along with a charging stand and a 1-year warranty.
You can have a list of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair without including Dyson, even if you’re dealing with handhelds, not uprights. While the company only has one true handheld at this time, the Dyson V7 Trigger does not disappoint.
If you’ve ever owned a full-sized Dyson, you can expect the same performance and basic features from the V7 Trigger. It’s s cyclonic system with a digital motor that provides constant suction without fading. The lithium-ion battery is 22.5 volts and delivers the best runtime of any system on our list at 30 minutes per charge and recharges in 210 minutes.
The dirt ejector system is simple to use, and there are two levels of power on this vacuum as well. Max mode will cut your battery life drastically, however, just like with their cordless vacuums. The bin size is rated at .15 gallons and you’ll be glad for the extra space once the direct-drive cleaning head goes to work on carpet.
The Dyson V7 Trigger is expensive and a bit over the top if you just need something simple for spot cleaning. That said, it’s the best choice for carpet, and it’s not really close considering it’s essentially a cordless Dyson sans the extension and a few accessories. If your pets love to leave their hair behind on your carpet, you’ll want to seriously consider the V7 Trigger.
Bissell is known for producing powerful hand vacuums, some of which are designed with pet hair in mind. The Pet Hair Eraser 2390 is one of those systems, and it’s also one of the better-looking hand vacs on our list with a sleek modern design.
Bissell designed this system with ease of use in mind. The switch is easy to access, and users found the grip and trigger system comfortable, even during extended usage. The 0.7-liter dust bin is easy to empty and clean as well while the attachments snap on in a matter of seconds. This cordless system gets its power from a 14.4V battery.
Battery life for this Bissell is rated at around 17 minutes, which is solid for this class, although we couldn’t find any accurate information on recharging times. A 3-stage filter system is another bonus along with the tools. You will receive a standard crevice and upholstery tool with this vacuum, but it also comes with a motorized brush roll as well.
This well-designed handheld vacuum is easy on the eyes and reasonably priced for what it brings to the table. The motorized head removes pet hair with ease, and the triple filter is a nice addition compared to single-stage systems. The only common complaint with this unit was the recharging times; otherwise it performs as advertised.
The folks at Black + Decker have produced almost anything you can imagine over the years, including an array of handheld vacuum cleaners. Our top choice from the classic company comes from their cordless lineup with the Black + Decker 20V MAX Flex handheld vacuum.
This is another handheld with an extreme design that puts the battery pack on the bottom and the bin in the middle. A long 4-foot hose wraps around the bottom of the unit and across the handle when it’s not in use, while a 20V battery provides fade-free power. The company didn’t specify a number, but most consumers claim runtimes between 20 to 30 minutes from the MAX Flex.
Black + Decker opted for a 0.13-gallon dust bin which is accessible from the side. The bowl is washable as is the filter which is part of a 3-stage system. It’s surprisingly light with a weight of 3.2 pounds and comes with a charging base and pet hair brush, along with standard attachments like a 2-in-1 nozzle and crevice tool.
There’s a lot we like about the Black + Decker BDH2020FL, including the design and that handy 4-foot hose. While there have been no complaints on the performance of this handheld vacuum, some users have reported potential quality control issues with the battery. Given the price of this one, keep the 1-year timeframe in mind with the warranty or consider an extended plan.
The Cleanview Deluxe from Bissell is another popular handheld vacuum with consumers and one that does an outstanding job with pet hair. While it has one of the more unusual designs, you’ll quickly find out that it’s effective in multiple situations.
Bissell designed this vacuum for efficiency from the ground up. The handle curves up above the body of the unit, something most homeowners found comfortable but could take some getting used to. It has a long 18-foot power cord, and the dirt cup is larger than most at 0.2 gallons. That means you’ll spend less time unplugging cords or emptying bins and more time cleaning.
On the front of this handheld vacuum is a rubber nozzle with ridges. It’s a different approach and one that works well on bedding, stairs and upholstery. When you need to extend your reach, you can attach a hose while the crevice and wide mouth tools are great on hardwood and in tight spots. We’re also fans of the HEPA filtration system, which is easy to access and clean.
This is one of the best handheld vacuums for pet hair due to its price and sheer versatility if you have cats that like to climb and scratch on shelves or dogs that shed on couches and in cars. There are better options for carpet, however, as this vacuum doesn’t come with a motorized head or brush roll.
Pros
HEPA filter
Rubber nozzle
Large bin
18-foot cord
Cons
Can struggle with some carpet
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do vacuums with higher amps have more power?
A: A vacuum cleaners amp rating only tells you how much electricity it uses, not how much airflow or suction the machine produces.
Q: Is a beater bar the same as a brush roll?
A: No, although the terms are used interchangeably. A beater bar uses vibration to loosen dirt while a “brush” roll has bristles like a hair brush.
Q: Does a cordless vacuum have enough battery life to clean an entire home?
A: It depends on the size of your home and the type of flooring. On average, you can expect 20 to 40 minutes from most systems although the runtime drops with powered heads and intense cleaning modes.
Q: What’s a vacuum with a sealed system?
A: When you hear that term, it means the manufacturer has designed their machine to keep dust in so it won’t leak from the vacuum while you are cleaning.
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