With rocketing levels of pet ownership, households are discovering the importance of investing in a quality vacuum cleaner to eliminate pet hair and smells. So, what is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair? Explore your options in our buyers’ guide below.
Factors to consider when choosing the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair in the UK
Pet-owning households generally use their vacuum cleaner more often and for more challenging cleans. It is therefore important to choose appliance powerful enough for your needs. Here are some must-have features to look out for when selecting your next vacuum cleaner.
- A high-quality filter: This is vital for eliminating that “pet smell” (micro-particles of skin, saliva and sweat) which hangs in the air before settling into your carpet and other soft furnishings. To stay on top choose a vacuum cleaner fitted with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing filter (HEPA) which will trap 99.95 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
- Powerful suction: For effective pet hair removal, selecting the right vacuum cleaner with suitable suction power is crucial. Cordless vacuum cleaners are incredibly efficient, designed with advanced technology that allows for powerful suction up to 300 Watts, making them perfect for quick cleanups and smaller spaces. They are especially handy for homes with short-haired pets, combining convenience with excellent cleaning performance.
For larger areas or homes with long-haired pets, upright vacuum cleaners are excellent, featuring robust motors that deliver up to 830 Watts of suction power for an intensive cleaning experience. Whether you choose a cordless or an upright model, each offers unique benefits to ensure your home is both clean and comfortable, without compromising on power or efficiency. - Bin capacity: If you have a large house, then ideally you’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a bin capacity of 1.5l or above for the dust and pet hair you’ll collect. For smaller houses, apartments or caravans, 1l capacity should be enough.
- Battery life (if cordless): Cordless vacuum cleaners have advanced in the past few years and many now have the battery capacity to clean the whole house on one charge. To understand which cordless vacuum cleaner is right for you, time your next vacuum clean. As a general rule a small to medium-sized house needs a run-time of a mid-to-high range cordless vacuum cleaner. Make sure to check the product specifications.
- Weight: The chances are that, depending on the size of your pet, you’ll use your vacuum cleaner more frequently than non-pet households. Choosing a lighter vacuum cleaner will make the task easier.
Types of vacuum cleaners for pet hair explained
- Upright: Upright vacuum cleaners plug into the mains and usually offer a larger bin capacity than their cordless equivalents. They are the best option if your pet has a lot of hair, or you have a large area to clean. They often come with turbo brush in the floor head which is perfect for picking up stubborn hair. They can be heavier than cordless vacuum cleaners, however.
- Cordless: Cordless vacuum cleaners run on a battery charge. They are light and portable, meaning that they are often the convenient choice for pet owners. They are fantastic for quick clean-ups, but also, due to ever-improving battery technology, fast becoming suitable for cleaning the whole home. If you are choosing a cordless model, make sure that it comes with a motorised brush in the floor head to pick up those extra hairs.
- Cylinder: Cylinder vacuums are usually lighter than uprights and their hose design means that they are better at reaching under furniture. As they plug into the mains, they are generally more powerful than cordless vacuums, however, as you must pull them through your home, you may find them less convenient.
Explore Hoover’s range of pet hair vacuum cleaners
Enjoy your pet without the stress with Hoover’s game-changing technology for eliminating pet hair and smells from your home. Here are some of the best-sellers in the range.
Considered by many to be the best cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair, the Hoover Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Blue-HF9, comes with powerful suction and Anti-Hair wrap technology which automatically removes hair from the brush bar.
For those in search of the best upright vacuum cleaner for pet hair, look no further than the Hoover Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner, Blue-HL5. This powerful machine comes with a washable Allergy Care H13 HEPA Filter, a mini turbo pets brush for stubborn pet hair and a one of the largest bin capacities in the range at 2.5L.
