Is your dog a shedder? Does it seem like no matter how much you clean, there is always more dog hair on your couch, carpet, floors, and stairs? Are you just too tired to drag out that cumbersome, full size vacuum for a quick clean up? Then a handheld vacuum that is good at picking up dog hair is what you need. But, what are the best handheld vacuums for dog hair?
We narrowed it down to 5 handheld vacuums for dog hair.
What should I Look For When Choosing A Handheld Vacuum For Dog Hair?
When choosing a handheld vacuum, there are several factors you may want to consider before making your purchase.
Cord or Cordless?
There are benefits to both. Having a cord will limit you to its reach, while cordless lets you go where you want, boundary free. The caveat: sacrificing the cord means you will also sacrifice power and cleaning time, as most cordless vacuums will only run up to 20 minutes on a charge, losing suction power as the time goes on.
Dust Bin Size
The larger the size, the more you can clean at a time without having to stop to dump it out.
Filter
Is it washable? Are you able to buy replacement filters easily?
Battery
Lithium ion batteries last long and are rechargeable. These are usually what powers cordless vacuums. The downside: once the battery dies or no longer holds a charge, you cannot replace it. Instead, you have to buy a new vacuum.
Power
Your want a vacuum that is not only getting dog hair off of furniture, but you also want one strong enough to pick up loose items, like dog food or leftover crumbs from treats.
Pet Hair Removal Features
What about the vacuum makes it good for picking up dog hair? Some vacuums have a brush attachment that is good for dislodging dog hair from your couch before vacuuming it up. Others have bristles attached that will also dislodge dog hair from upholstery before sucking it up into the vacuum.
Attachments
Make sure the vacuum you choose has attachments you can use. In addition to a pet hair attachment, crevice attachments that will help you clean hard to reach places are good to have.
Size
Do you have space to keep the vacuum and a place to have and keep it charged to use as needed if you are getting a cordless? Is it a good size for you to maneuver when using it?
Design
Where is the on/off switch located? Is it easy for you to reach? Can you empty the dustbin easily?
Roller Bar
This is something to consider particularly if you are trying to get dog hair off furniture or car seats. This will help your vacuum perform better at those tasks, however, the bar needs to be cleaned of trapped hair on a regular basis. Not doing so can result in poor performance of your vacuum.
Maintenance
All handheld vacuums should be cleaned after each use. This includes emptying out the dust bin and cleaning the filter. Is this something you would mind doing and keep up with to ensure your vacuum lasts a long time?
Noise Level
Dogs don’t like vacuums (or at least most don’t). The noise level of the vacuum may be something to consider when purchasing.
The Best Handheld Vacuums For Dog Hair
Here are 5 of the best handheld vacuums for dog hair. All have their pros and cons. One vacuum may suit your needs, but not someone else’s. Weigh each factor carefully before deciding on which vacuum to buy.
Overall Best Handheld Vacuum For Dog Hair
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
Features:
- Cordless.
- Includes motorized brush tool to remove pet hair, upholstery tool, and crevice tool.
- 14v Lithium ion battery.
- Up to 17 minutes of run time on a charge.
- Triple level filtration.
- Washable filters in warm water.
- Dirt cup capacity: 0.7L.
- Weighs 3 lbs.
- Limited 1 year warranty.
Pros:
- Good suction power.
- Picks up wiry dog hair.
- Lightweight.
- Quiet.
Cons:
- Takes a long time to charge.
- Does not hold the charge for too long (10-20 min).
- Does not come with a wall mount.
Best Handheld Vacuum For Dog Hair Under $150
Black + Decker 20v Max Flex Handheld Vacuum
Features:
- Cordless.
- Lithium ion battery.
- 4 foot flexible hose.
- Dirt cup capacity: 0.5L.
- Washable filter and dust bin.
- Pet brush.
- Charging base.
- 3 stage filtration system.
- 4 hours charging time.
- Runs an average of 20 min on a charge.
- Weighs 3.2 lbs.
- 2 year limited warranty.
Pros:
- Pet attachment works very well.
- Lightweight.
- Easy to use.
- Easy to clean.
- Battery lasts a long time on a charge.
Cons:
- Loud.
Best Handheld Vacuum For Dog Hair Under $100
Black + Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum For Pets
Features:
- Cordless.
- Motorized pet head attachment with rubber bristles.
- Extra long crevice tool.
- Washable filter.
- Lithium ion battery.
- 2 speeds.
- Runs approx. 30-35 min on low speed and 15-20 min on high speed.
- Dirt cup capacity: 0.75L.
- Charge indicator light.
- Easy emptying of dustbin.
- Weighs 2.6 lbs.
Pros:
- Good at cleaning stairs.
- Lightweight.
- Easy to clean.
- Easy to handle.
Cons:
- There is no wall mount.
- Filter needs to be cleaned frequently.
- Hard to get into crevices.
- Loud.
- Hair gets tangled in the brush roller.
- Battery life not great.
- Position of the on/off switch is not in a convenient place.
Best Handheld Vacuum For Dog Hair For Your Car (And Under $50)
CherylonVac Handheld Vacuum
Features:
- Cordless.
- Contains 3 nozzle attachments ( hair brush, crevice tool, extendable hose), 2 replacement filters, a storage bag and a charging adapter.
- 2 speeds.
- Wet and dry vacuum.
- 3 lithium ion batteries.
- 30 min battery life on a charge.
- 2 washable filters.
- 3 hours charging time.
- Weighs 1.7 lbs.
Pros:
- Good suction to pick up dog hair.
- Lightweight.
- Easy to clean.
- Holds a charge well.
Cons:
- Loud.
Best Handheld Vacuum For Dog Hair Under $35
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum
Features:
- Corded.
- 16 foot cord.
- For use on upholstery, car, stairs.
- Multi-layer filtration.
- Uses a HEPA Media filter.
- Dirt cup capacity: 0.78L.
- Rubber nozzle specially designed to pull up hair.
- Suction nozzle to pick up dry messes.
- Filter may be washed with cold water.
- Weighs 4 lbs.
- 1 year limited warranty.
Pros:
- Strong suction power.
- Lightweight.
- Picks up pet hair and dander.
- Rubber attachment works well to pick up dog hair.
- Good on couches, in cars, and dog beds.
- Long cord.
Cons:
- There are vents on each side that may cause pet hair to blow around before you can vacuum it up.
- Not good on hard surfaces, for the reason stated above.
- Too heavy for some users.
- Hard to clean.
- Loud.
Choosing the right vacuum to clean up after your fur baby does not have to be difficult. Decide which to get based on your needs and budget and enjoy a much cleaner house.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.