The best cordless vacuum for pet hair eliminates the hassle of dragging long cords and mapping out your rooms for plug sockets.
These battery-powered vacuums have seen tremendous improvements in terms of suction, runtime, and lightweight design. All these changes bring the much-needed convenience and reliability that pet lovers want if they have to vacuum clan daily.
In a market full of brands that claim to have the best cordless vacuum for pet hair removal, here are the models that cut it!
Best Overall Cordless Stick Vacuum: Dyson V11 Animal
In all honesty, we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off this collection than with the king of cordless stick vacuums; enter the Dyson V11 Animal review. This model may not be ideal for homeowners on a budget, but it’s truly a champ when it comes to removing stubborn dog and cat hair.
Review Highlights:
- 185 air watts suction
- 12-70 minutes runtime
- Torque Drive Cleaner with DLS tech.
- 0.2-gal bin
- 3 modes
The key selling feature of this vacuum is its hard-to-beat suction power of up to 185 air watts in max mode. This is the highest air wattage that we’ve seen on a stick vacuum, and certainly what makes the V11 so popular among pet owners on Amazon.
Another feature that earns this 7-pound model the top slot in best cordless vacuums for pet hair reviews is its Nickel Torque Drive cleaner head. This is an advanced head with Dyson’s DSL (Dynamic Load Sensor) technology.
Without digging into the details, this technology enables the head to continuously sense your floor types (hard or carpet) and regulate the motor speed accordingly.
The Dyson V11 Animal also comes with a mini motorized tool, which is highly praised for pet hair and dirt removal from carpets and upholstery. Other tools include a crevice tool, combination tool, and a stubborn dirt brush.
This vacuum cleaner uses a pack of 7 lithium-ion batteries. These batteries could last you 12 to 70 minutes depending on the mode and type of tool.
The V11 features a 0.2-gallon bin with a hygienic point-and-shoot emptying system. Similar to most of its siblings, you can use it as a handheld cordless vacuum, too, for quick cleanups.
Best for Versatility: Shark Ionflex Duoclean IF251 Review
Shark’s Ionflex IF251 is a clone of Dyson’s latest V-series stick vacuums. This is a 3-in-1 model that you can use as an upright or as a stick vacuum when cleaning the ceiling, curtains, and stairs. You can also remove the wand and attach the cleaning tools directly to the vacuuming unit if you wish to use it as a handheld.
Review Highlights:
- 3-in-1 vacuum
- 12-22 minutes runtime
- 2 25.2v li-ion batteries
- 0.07-gal bin
- 3.5 hours charge time
It derives its name, Ionflex, from its 25.2v lithium-ion battery and its flexing wand. The upright pipe will bend to allow you to clean under furniture without having to kneel or squat.
This vacuum’s battery offers around 12 minutes on Max power and about 22 minutes on Extend mode per charge. To make up for its relatively low runtime, the Ionflex IF251 will come with a second lithium-ion battery and a charging station.
As such, you can double the runtime to around 24 minutes (on max), which isn’t too bad, in our opinion. The ability to swap the batteries is an incredible relief to considering that each battery takes around 3.5 hours to charge fully from 0%.
Most Shark Ionflex IF251 reviews estimate this model to offer around 105 Air Watts of suction performance- very close to Dyson’s V8 and V10 models.
It comes with an adjustable cleaner head that combines a bristle brush and a soft brush. Being able to adjust this cleaner head on the fly means that you can move from bare floors to low pile carpets almost seamlessly.
Designed to be the best cordless vacuum for pet hair, the package will also include an anti-allergen dust brush, duster crevice tool, and a pet multi-tool.
Best Cordless Handheld Vacuum: Holife HM036 Review
For those seeking the best small vacuum for pet hair, our review team recommends the Holife HM036. This is an affordable handheld model designed to go where your main corded vacuum cleaner won’t go, including inside your vehicle and in tight areas.
Review Highlights:
- 2200mAh battery kit
- 30 minutes per charge
- Dry/wet vac
- 3 cleaning tools
- 3-4 charge time
The next big selling point in this Holife handheld vacuum review is the 2200mAh rechargeable battery. This battery has enough capacity to last you a good 30 minutes starting from a full charge.
What makes it the best cordless vacuum for pets, though? Well, besides the high suction power, pet lovers are going to appreciate that this budget handheld vacuum is light for prolonged use.
It also offers 3 versatile tools to allow you to clean pretty much any surface in your home. You’ll get a crevice tool with a narrow nozzle to fit in tighter spaces, such as under the refrigerator and vents.
This affordable cordless pet hair vacuum also comes with a dusting brush, which lets you clean your upholstery and other delicate surfaces with reduced risk of causing damage. Lastly, a liquid nozzle will come in handy when cleaning up liquid messes.
Best Lightweight Vacuum for Seniors: Dyson V8 Absolute
It’s over 3 years now since the V8 series debuted. While Dyson has released 2 new vacuum cleaners after it, the V8 remains one of the top-rated and relatively affordable Dyson vacuum to date. At 5.76 lbs, this is one of the best lightweight vacuum for pet hair for seniors.
Review Highlights:
- 3600mAh Li-ion battery
- 5.76 pounds
- Soft Roller head
- 115 Air Watts
- 7-40 minutes runtime
The V8 vacuum cleaner uses a Dyson Digital V8 motor powered by a 3600mAh lithium-ion battery. This motor is capable of creating a sucking force of up to 115 Air Watts in max mode.
You’ll have 2 vacuuming modes with this unit. The low power mode is ideal for general light cleaning and offers you an impressive 40 minutes on a single battery charge. The Max mode drains the battery first and lasts around 7 minutes. However, any Dyson V8 Absolute review reveals that the Max mode is the best for giving your fur-laden carpets a deep clean without dragging an enormous corded vacuum.
The Dyson V8 Absolute comes with 2 cleaner heads. You’ll get the Direct Drive Motorhead for removing ground-in dirt entrenched deep into your carpets, and the Soft Roller head. The latter is Dyson’s most coveted head on Amazon and it’s best for cleaning hardwood floors.
Designed with allergy sufferers in mind, and similar to other Dysons, this cordless vacuum cleaner uses a washable HEPA filter. This filter complements the fully sealed body design to ensure that over 99.99% of tiny dust and allergens remain in the system.
Best Cordless for Hardwood Floors: Bissel Bolt 1954
Uprights are highly preferred as the main vacuuming units in most households. If you are looking for one of these models but in a cheap cordless design, the Bissel Bolt 1954 might interest you.
Review Highlights:
- 14.4v Li-ion
- 25 minutes runtime
- 0.15 dirt bin capacity
- Flexible wand
- Upright and Handheld modes
A unique feature of the Bolt 1954 that we don’t regularly see in Uprights is the ability to convert into a handheld vacuum. This means that you are getting the best of both worlds; an inexpensive but powerful, cordless upright for deep cleaning your floors, and a reliable handheld for the hard-to-reach areas.
When used as an upright, the wand will gracefully bend to allow you to clean pet hairs under the tables and couches without bending uncomfortably.
This is one of the best cordless vacuums for pet hair on hardwood floors too. It comes with an Advanced Pet Hair brush roll that’s ideal for cleaning hard floors without scratching them. This brush can also be used on carpets and area rugs too.
The package will also include several other tools, such as combination crevice and dusting brush tool, rubber-tipped pet hair nozzle, and a sweep and scoop tool.
This inexpensive cordless pet vacuum cleaner uses a 14.4-volt li-ion battery that offers a runtime of 25 minutes per charge in low power mode. Most Bissel Bolt 1954 reviews on Amazon show that while this runtime is notably shorter, this machine’s high suction power plus rapid charging system make it a non-issue.
The bin is quite small, though. With a capacity of 0.15 gallons, you might want to empty it more often, especially if you have several pets and kids around. All in all, this bin is easy to deal with considering the price at which this inexpensive pet vacuum comes at.
Spotless Mag Verdict
Whether you are a pet lover on a tight budget or you have the fortune to spend on a premium vacuum, our review team believes you cannot go wrong with any of the models in our best cordless vacuum for pet hair reviews.
Our top pick, however, is the Shark Ionflex 2X, IF251. This pet vacuum is much more affordable than the Dyson V11, yet it offers an almost similar cleaning performance. The critical advantage that tipped the scale in this model’s favor is the ability to use it as an upright, stick, and even a handheld vacuum.
We also like that its wand can flex for the cleaner head to slide under furniture without the user having to bend. The best cordless vacuums for removing pet hair are all about convenience, and as the Shark Ionflex 2X IF251 review proves, this model offers that in plenty.
Should you switch to a cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair?
Let’s face it: pet hair can be a real pain in the neck to deal with. It becomes even worse, especially if you have several long-haired pets that seem to compete on who sheds the most.
What makes corded vacuum cleaners the ideal tools for this job is that they pack an enormous suction power. This power, coupled with a reliable brush roll makes it possible to dig deep into the carpets and area mugs to detangle trapped hair, debris, and dander.
One area where corded vacuums fail miserably, though, is on maneuverability. Anyone who’ve used these models will relate with the inconvenience of trailing wire behind, especially in high traffic areas. The worst is when the vacuum suddenly goes off because the cord got ripped off from the wall socket.
These are some of the inconveniences that the best cordless pet vacuums in the market come to solve. With a battery-powered vacuum;
- There are no issues of sudden unplugging.
- There is improved agility since you won’t need to stop to search for a plug socket or align an invasive extension cord.
- You can do some quick cleanups, even in high traffic areas without causing disruptions or causing safety issues.
- You can also do regular small spot-cleans rather than waiting to perform big clean-ups once or twice every week.
- There is almost no risk of the elderly or young members of the family tripping since no cords are running across the room.
- It’s easy to access the most awkward spaces, including underneath furniture that you wouldn’t have reached with a heavy cable trailing behind you.
Importantly, cordless vacuum cleaners have improved in terms of suction power. Thanks to the improvements in motor technology, we now have several stick vacuums that rival their full-size alternatives in terms of effectiveness.
Admittedly, the best of the best cordless vacuums for pet hair on Amazon can get really pricey due to the advanced motor technology and batteries. Good news, though, there are still several reliable and inexpensive models for homeowners on a budget.
Types of Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
The best cordless vacuum for pet hair come in 3 variants;
Stick vacuum cleaners
These models are the most common and what most people think about when cordless vacuums are mentioned. They are more or less a compact version of upright vacuum cleaners only that they are much lighter. Most of them consist of a handheld vacuum fitted with a removable extension wand for increased reach.
Cylinder/canister vacuum cleaners
Canister vacuum cleaners are highly regarded for their unbeatable suction power. These models have a cleaning nozzle that attaches at the end of a wand. The wand then connects to the vacuum unit through a flexible hose. .Most of them also have a set of wheels that allows the user to drag the canister behind. Some brands also have shoulder straps that let you carry the vacuum unit like a backpack for increased maneuverability when doing the stairs.
Upright vacuum cleaners
Uprights are clear winners in performance stakes, especially when dealing with thick pile carpets and area rugs. These models also have a wider cleaning path, thereby minimizing the amount of time that you spend vacuuming your floors.
Considerations When Buying the Best Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair
Suction Power
A vacuum’s ability to remove pet hairs, dust, and dirt from carpets, hardwood floors and furniture depends on its suction power. Suction power, on the other hand, is highly dependent on the size of the motor. It’s the motor that converts electrical power into mechanical power by creating suction and airflow.
One surefire indicator of a vacuum motor’s performance is its amps rating. Most manufacturers are also using Air Watts nowadays. In either of these ratings, a higher number often indicates a higher suction.
1 or 2 motors?
Upright, canister and stick vacuums may have a single motor that creates suction and drives the brush, or 2 separate motors for the two functions. Where there are 2 motors, one of them is fixated on a motorized brush roll. This ensures more powerful rotations for excellent removal of tangled hairs and low-sitting dust, debris, and dander.
Battery
Another feature to consider when choosing a cordless vacuum is its battery. Here, you want to think about battery type, size, runtime, and how long it takes to charge.
i). Battery type
The best cordless vacuums for removing pet hair use lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries, and for good reasons. First, li-ion batteries are relatively lighter and can hold a lot of power.
Secondly, you don’t need to discharge a lithium-ion battery as a way of preventing its runtime from decreasing. This makes a lot of sense in a household vacuum cleaner since it won’t always be convenient to drain the battery before storing it.
ii). Battery size and runtime
The capacity of the battery is a crucial determinant of its runtime. Needless to mention, a higher runtime is everything now that the vacuum won’t be corded.
Most cordless vacuum cleaners offer anywhere between 12 minutes and 120 minutes depending on the mode. Most vacuums will provide at least two cleaning modes; low and max (brands may use different names for these functions). Others also have an Auto mode that regulates suction power and battery usage depending on the surfaces being cleaned.
Tip: when a manufacturer claims that its product can last 2 hours on a single charge, consider the exact mode that they are referring to. More often than not, most cordless vacuum batteries will drain in 15-30 minutes when running at max. A longer runtime is achieved when the vacuum is operating at low speeds, which may not be enough to combat lots of long pet hairs.
Spotless Mag Team
iii). Recharge time and ability to swap batteries
As you think of runtime, consider how long the battery takes to recharge from 0% to 100% too. This is an important aspect, more so if you have large surfaces to deal with.
Some cordless vacuum cleaners also come with a separate battery pack (and charging station). This ensures that you have a spare fully charged battery that you can swap with when the other one goes flat.
Portability and Ease of Use
The weight of the vacuum determines its portability in cordless vacuum cleaners. How well that weight has been balanced from the vacuum unit to the cleaning tool also matters a lot. The best cordless vacuum cleaners for 2020 weigh 5-10 pounds. If you have issues holding heavy items for prolonged periods, or if you are buying it for a senior, gravitate towards the lighter side.
Bagged or bagless?
Bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners have their strengths and weaknesses. The former collects the suctioned dust, hair, and debris in a disposable bag that you simply toss in the trash. On the downside, purchasing the dust bags is another recurrent cost that you’ll need to bear throughout the usable life of the machine. Worth keeping in mind, these bags can be quite hard to track down, especially with discontinued models.
Most of the recent cordless vacuum cleaners are bagless, a design that eliminates the need for frequent bag replacements. On the downside, emptying the bin over a trash can irritate allergies among allergy sufferers. You’ll also need to clean the dust bin regularly for hygiene purposes.
Brush roll and Pet-specific cleaning tools
If your flooring is mostly carpeted, ensure that you go for a vacuum with a brush roll. This roll works by agitating the carpet, thereby lifting pet hair and dander that may have settled at the bottom of the carpet for suctioning. For medium-pile and high-pile carpets and area rugs, consider a brush roll with an adjustable pile height setting to prevent carpet fibers from getting tangled on the brush.
Brush rolls aren’t ideal for use on hardwood floors as the stiff bristles may leave scratches or scatter the debris around instead of vacuuming. As such, consider whether your target model either has a hardwood-specific cleaner head or an option to turn off the brush roll from rotating.
Filtration system
Many corded and cordless vacuum cleaners utilize a filtration system to capture fine air contaminants and allergens as opposed to releasing them back into your air.
Some budget vacuums use paper-like filters that have to be replaced regularly to maintain efficacy. Other inexpensive models use a filter made of sponge-like material that can be easily washed and replaced, thereby offering a much cheaper option.
The best cordless pet vacuums, however, are fitted with a true HEPA filter. HEPA, which stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air is the gold standard in filters and can capture 99.99% of air contaminants measuring 0.3 microns.
Tips for using your best cordless vacuum for pet hair effectively
- For a bagless vacuum cleaner, ensure that you empty the bin regularly even if there’s still more space left. Suction tends to decrease as the container gets fuller and fuller. This will drain your battery fast.
- If you are using a bagged vacuum, replace the bags when they are 2/3 full. The vacuum may not be able to work efficiently if there’s no room to create enough suction.
- Regularly inspect the brush roll and remove any hairs that may be wrapping around the roll or tangling on the bristles.
- Always check the condition of the filtration system and clean or replace it as needed. This not only prevents tiny air contaminants from leaking back into the room, but it also ensures that the motor isn’t working harder than necessary.
- Always avoid picking larger objects as they can destroy the fan, thereby leading to costly repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Throw the fur-covered clothes in a clothes dryer together with a couple of wet microfiber items. Run the dryer on low heat for 5-10 minutes. The hairs and furs will move from your clothes and attach them to the wet microfiber items.
You can also use a lint roller- both the sticky and reusable models work just fine. Run the roller on your clothes and either peel the sticky side off or rinse it in water depending on the type of roller.
Wear a rubber glove and run it over your fur-laden sheets in one direction. You can also use a rubber squeegee, which works just like a rubber glove. Either of these will make the hairball up, thereby making it easy for you to grab and discard it.
Wet rubber gloves make an excellent tool for this. Spread the fleece blanket on a flat surface. Next, wear a wet glove and comb the surface of the fleece in one direction. When you hit stubborn spots, run the glove in the water again and continue combing.
