By Glenda Taylor | Updated Aug 26, 2022 3:20 PM

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Today’s cordless vacuums are lightweight, take up less storage space than traditional plug-in vacuums, and can clean hard-to-reach areas. Cordless vacuums are not always as powerful as plug-in models, but they’re a boon for pet lovers seeking quick removal of fur from carpet, bare floors, and upholstered furniture.

The best cordless vacuums for pet hair effectively remove fur from a variety of surfaces, including low- to high-pile carpeting as well as hard flooring. Keep reading to learn important considerations when shopping for such a device, and to find out why the following models stand out for different pet owners, budgets, and cleaning situations.

The best cordless vacuum for cleaning pet hair has great suction power, and the battery should hold a charge long enough to finish removing the fur before running out of steam. Battery-powered vacuums have limited operating time, so they’re not intended to be the only vacuum in a house. Their lightweight nature and portability make them best suited for quick cleanups.

Power is what dictates cordless vacuums’ suction and runtime. The vacuums operate on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries ranging from 12 to 40 volts. In general, the larger the battery, the more power the vacuum has. Batteries with 18 volts or more provide excellent suction power and long runtimes. However, some brands choose to label their battery power in air watts (AW). In this case, the average model ranges from 80 to over 450 air watts.

Runtime goes down from actions such as switching to a higher speed or using the vacuum’s rotating powerhead, which pulls more power and drains the battery faster. Most cordless vacuums are good for 15 to 60 minutes of runtime before the battery needs recharging. Keeping a second battery on hand and charged effectively doubles the vacuum’s runtime.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have an average lifespan of two to three years, after which they might need replacing if the battery no longer holds a charge for more than a few minutes. The batteries last longer if charged after each vacuuming session. Heat can also degrade lithium-ion battery life, so it’s better to store a cordless vacuum in a closet rather than near a sunny window or a radiator.

With a swappable battery, users can purchase a replacement at the end of a lithium-ion battery’s useful life. That’s not possible with built-in batteries—if the vacuum has a built-in battery, once it stops holding a charge the whole unit is pretty much trash. Fortunately, most stick-type cordless vacuums feature swappable batteries, while a few strictly handheld models have built-in batteries.

The dustbin on a cordless vacuum is smaller than the dustbin on a standard vacuum—sometimes much smaller—but the bin is usually easy to empty by simply holding the vacuum over a waste receptacle and pushing a button to dump the contents. Detachable dustbins are also easy to remove from the machine and dump. Most cordless vacuum dustbins can be emptied without the user’s hands coming into contact with the debris.

Cordless vacuums often come with one or more attachments or accessories that can simplify removing pet hair. A motorized mini powerhead comes in handy for vacuuming fur from upholstered furniture, while a long crevice attachment can collect fur balls that gather behind chairs, tables, and other items.

Handheld attachments with brush ends aren’t quite as helpful for vacuuming fur because the fur tends to collect in the bristles. Some stick-type cordless vacuums also convert at the push of a button from an upright powerhead to a handheld model for use on stairs, furniture, and draperies.

The best cordless vacuum for pet hair is powerful and easy to use—and designed with pet fur removal in mind. One of the following models is sure to be a good choice for cleaning up after your furry friend.

The high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter on the INSE cordless vacuum keeps dust and pet dander from recirculating in the home. The stick-type vacuum quickly converts to a handheld model for cleaning stairs and car seats. A powerful lithium-ion battery runs the vacuum with its rotating powerhead for up to 45 minutes on a single charge, and the device comes with regular speed and MAX Mode for those times when the job requires extra suction power.

Attachments for this cordless stick vacuum cleaner include a long crevice tool for cleaning in tight spots and an oval brush for vacuuming fabrics, upholstery, and drapes. The INSE comes with a mountable charging base, push-button bin dumping, and a 2-in-1 tool that helps clean pet hair from the powerhead roller. Buyers receive a second HEPA filter to replace the original when it becomes worn. This filter is conveniently washable and reusable.

Get the INSE cordless vacuum on Amazon and at Walmart.

The powerful suction of the Moosoo cordless stick vacuum proves buyers can get a high-quality, battery-operated vacuum for removing pet hair without overspending. The Moosoo features two speeds and runs an average of 20 to 35 minutes on a single charge. It performs well on a variety of surfaces, including carpet, hard floors, upholstery, and draperies.

This cordless stick vacuum cleaner includes a washable HEPA filter that traps up to 99.99 percent of microscopic dust and pet dander particles. Users can switch from the upright stick vacuum with a powerhead and LED lights to a handheld model with a dusting brush for removing pet hair from furniture and stairs. The Moosoo comes with a quick-dump collection bin and a mountable holder for easy storage—all at an attractive price point.

Get the Moosoo cordless vacuum at Walmart.

Those who share a home with furry friends will likely enjoy the Dyson V11 Animal +. Stiff nylon bristles on the powerhead roller coax hair and fur from even thick carpet fibers, so visitors will never know it’s a pet-friendly home, unless those pets come out to greet them.

When a motorized accessory is not being used, the Dyson’s powerful lithium-ion battery offers up to 60 minutes of runtime. The high-torque cleaner head automatically adjusts to deep clean different floor types without having to change cleaner heads. The integrated battery charges when the vacuum returns to the wall-mounted docking station.

Get the Dyson cordless vacuum on Amazon.

Hardwood flooring is beautiful, but it can look messy when covered in pet hair. Anyone whose home has bare floors should check out the whall Cordless Stick Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, featuring an interchangeable fluff roller brush that won’t scratch wood floors and can effectively remove pet hair.

This cordless stick vacuum cleaner also comes with a V-shaped roller brush for cleaning the carpet. The vacuum’s powerful lithium-ion battery provides up to 50 minutes of runtime, and it has adjustable suction modes: use full suction power on floors and delicate suction for cleaning dust from draperies or crumbs from tablecloths.

In addition to a standard filter, the whall vacuum comes with a second high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to keep dust, pollen, and pet hair from recirculating back into the home’s air. The powerhead features LED lights for illuminating dust and pet dander, and the vacuum comes with a detachable battery that can be charged in or out of the vacuum. It also comes with a wall-mount bracket, a 2-in-1 brush, and a cleaning brush.

Get the whall cordless vacuum on Amazon.

The high-performance Tineco A11 Hero runs for up to 40 minutes on a single battery charge, and up to 80 minutes if you replace the used one with the included backup. It features a 0.6-liter collection dustbin (about twice as large as others) for longer vacuum time between bin dumps. This cordless vacuum comes with a powerhead featuring bright LED lights that illuminate the carpet, making it easier to see pet hair and other messes, even in low-light situations.

The A11 Hero pet vacuum quickly converts from a stick to a handheld model, making it easy to clean stairs and crevices. Attachments include a mini powerhead, a 2-in-1 dusting brush, and a crevice tool. Buyers also receive a hair-cleaning tool and a pre-filter cleaning tool. This model features a mountable charging base that holds the vacuum and its attachments.

Get the Tineco cordless vacuum on Amazon and at Walmart.

All of the bells and whistles that come with the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme make it a good option for homes with lots of pets or heavy shedders. The powerhead is specially designed with rubber bristles that attract and pull pet hair from even high-pile carpet, and the crevice tool features a flip-out brush.

Users also receive a low-profile rubber-bristle tool designed to dislodge fur from upholstery and a multiway charger for storing the vacuum on a mountable charging station. The battery can also be removed and charged separately.

The vacuum converts to a handheld model for cleaning stairs and upholstery, and features three speed options. Unlike many stick-type vacuums that must lean against a wall when stored, the BLACK+DECKER vacuum can stand upright on its own during pauses in work or when stored. The vacuum operates for up to 55 minutes on a single charge, and the battery is interchangeable with other BLACK+DECKER cordless tools.

Get the BLACK+DECKER cordless vacuum on Amazon or at Walmart.

For quickly removing pet hair from furniture and stairs, it’s hard to beat the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum. This handheld model (no stick included) comes with a detachable collection bin, a powerhead, a crevice tool, and an upholstery tool.

This Bissell model runs up to 30 minutes on a single charge and comes with its own plug-in charger (no docking station). The handheld vacuum features triple filtration to keep dust and dander from recirculating, and it’s well suited for cleaning small areas in a hurry.

Get the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser vacuum on Amazon or at Best Buy.

Designed with cleaning pet hair problems in mind, the Bissell ICONpet Edge Cordless Vacuum offers targeted fur removal. It features powerful suction combined with a patented, tangle-free brush roll that won’t clog with fur, and its mess-free dirt tank allows the user to empty the dustbin without coming into contact with the debris inside.

This Bissell vacuum comes with a powerhead and converts to a handheld model with its own mini powerhead for cleaning fur from upholstery. The vacuum also comes with an LED-lighted crevice tool that makes it easy to see and remove dust and fur accumulation in corners and behind furniture. The vacuum operates up to 30 minutes on a single charge, and the wall-mounted charging dock holds the vacuum as well as the accessories for easy storage.

Get the Bissell ICONpet vacuum on Amazon or at Walmart.

For a versatile vacuum that can tackle most household cleaning jobs, consider the INSE cordless stick vacuum, which includes multiple attachments and is great for cleaning up pet hair. For a more compact unit and frequent use, then the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum has got you covered. It’s lightweight, powerful, and lasts up to half an hour on a single charge.

When looking at cordless vacuums designed with picking up pet hair in mind, we researched the aspects of a vacuum cleaner that favors pet hair removal—the most important being the brush roll, which must be designed in a way that prevents hair from rolling up and clogging the machine, hoses, and dust bins. All of our top picks in this list feature their own solution to this problem and are great options for shoppers with pets looking to maintain a clean home.

We made sure to include multiple size options depending on what users require—from large stick models that are great for general cleaning, to more compact handheld units designed for quick cleanup jobs. Lastly, we took a careful look at battery life to make sure our recommendations stood out from the competition in terms of power and longevity. As such, our top picks all run from 20 minutes up to an entire hour on a single charge, depending on how much suction power you require.

Having a cordless vacuum for pet hair allows the user to quickly clean away fur that sticks to carpets, upholstery, and draperies—without the need to drag out a larger, plug-in vacuum.

While a cordless vacuum should not be the only vacuum in a home, these devices are designed for quick cleanups. And if you have pets, you likely know how quickly fur can accumulate in your pet’s favorite lounging spots. Being able to clean those areas quickly keeps the entire home looking clean and fresh. Plus, the HEPA filter systems integrated in some options can help reduce allergic reactions caused by pet dander and hair.

Cordless vacuums for pet hair can reduce the amount of dander and hair in your furniture, rugs, hard floors, and drapery. They are also convenient and don’t take up a lot of storage space, but you may still have questions about how to use and take care of these tools. If you’re shopping for your first cordless vacuum for pet hair, read on for some of the most popular questions asked by users.

Yes, the best vacuums for pet hair adapt to different floor surfaces, and many also adjust to the various thicknesses of carpet.

Corded vacuums are more powerful because they have continuous power from an electrical outlet. The main downside to a cordless vacuum is that it may run out of power before you are finished cleaning.

That is a personal choice, but bagless vacuums expose you to more dust and dirt when you empty them. To open a bagged vacuum, on the other hand, you remove and seal the bag with the hair and other debris.

Some of the best vacuums for pet hair are designed so that pet hair doesn’t clog their hoses and dust bins. If you experience a clogged hose, it’s recommended that you stretch or detach the hose and use a long stick to remove the hair.

Dump the dust bin when it becomes full, and replace (or wash) the vacuum’s filter to keep it clean. The rollers on most vacuum powerheads can be taken out and cleaned to remove threads and string that tend to wind up around the rollers, making them less efficient.

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