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Having a dog in your home is like having a love/hate relationship.
You adore them because of their unconditional love. But you hate them because they leave a lot of litter and pet hair!
One of the best tools to deal with this is a vacuum cleaner. We will look at the five best cordless vacuum cleaners for pet hair.
These vacuums will be efficient at removing pet hair from upholstery and carpet.
There are 83.3 million dogs and 95.6 million cats in American households, and those numbers will continue to grow.
What do those numbers mean?
These numbers mean that a lot of people are at risk to have asthma or any respiratory ailment. Exposure to pets and contaminants from these furry creatures increases the risk.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges a pet owner has would be cleaning up pet hair.
It’s all over the place – the sofa, bed, chair, rugs, carpet, etc. And we’re not even talking about shedding season!
One of the best tools to clean up pet hair would be a cordless vacuum because it will clean anywhere. It won’t have the same power as an upright or canister. But portability more than makes up for it.
Enough talk, let’s look at 5 of the best cordless cleaners that’ll help you keep up with the amount of hair shed by your pet.
Spec comparison of the Best Cordless Vacuums for Pet Hair
| Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Model |  Black & Decker Platinum BDH2000FL 20-Volt |  Hoover Linx Stick |  Dyson DC59 MotorHead |  Hoover Cruise |  Shark Pet Perfect II Hand Vac |
| Attachments | 4" Flexi hose Pet hair cleaning tool Crevice tool |  | Crevice tool Combination tool Mini motorized tool Direct driven MotorHead tool Extension wand | Upholstery tool Crevice tool Brush tool | Crevice tool Floor tool Extension Wand |
| Cleaning path | N/A | 11" | 9.8" | 9" | 5.75" |
| Length | 11.9" + 4 foot hose | 42" | 48" | 45" | 18.1" |
| Weight (pounds) | 3.8 | 7.3 | 9.2 | 11.3 | 2.7 |
| Swivel | | |  | | |
| Battery | 20 volt (Max) Lithium Ion | 18 volt Lithium Ion | 22.2v Nickel Manganese Cobalt/Li-ion | 22v Li-Ion | 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Battery |
| Charging time | 5 hours | 3 hours | 3.5 hrs | N/A | 24 hours (initial) 16 hours (afterwards) |
| Run time (minutes) | 18 - 30 mins | 15 mins (with the brush roll turned off) 10 mins (with the brush roll turned on) | 20 minutes (normal) 6 minutes (boost) | Approx. 30 mins | 15 mins |
| Power | 22-Aw | N/A | 28-Aw (normal) 100-Aw (max) | N/A | N/A |
| Washable filter | | | | | |
| Bagless | | | | | |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $$ |
| Warranty | 3-years | 2-years | 2-years | 2-years | 1-year |
How to Choose One?
The first thing to look for is a pet hair tool, and every manufacturer will have its own design.
Pet hair tool
The most common tool for this is a motorized brush that “sweeps” up pet hair.
Others brands will use agitation – Black & Decker uses this in one of their handheld models.
One significant advantage agitation has over a beater bar would be the time needed for upkeep. You’d need to remove the motorized brush and cut off hair and dander build up.
It will take time, but these tools are far more efficient, so there is a give and take here.
Detachable tools
Handhelds are great for upholstery and stairs. But if you also need it to clean floors, then I’d recommend something with detachable tools.
A good example would be a Dyson V8 or any of the V6 series that comes with detachable wands that convert it from handheld to stick.
For those looking for a corded stick with the same type of versatility, you can have a close look at the Shark Rocket.
Our pick: Black and Decker BDH2000FL 20-volt
The Black & Decker BDH2000FL is an excellent option for quick jobs if you need something to clean not just pet hair but also other stuff like pet litter. It also comes with a removable hose that helps it clean tight areas which makes this usable not just in homes but also in your vehicle.
Pros
- Has a pet hair tool that works great at least spot cleaning pet hair
- Flexible hose gives it excellent reach and maneuverability
- Good suction for a compact handheld
Cons
- Dirt bin is small
- No motorized brush for cleaning pet hair off upholstery
A surprising pick but it is hard to ignore the features that make this one of the best vacuums for pet hair.
Unique pet hair tool design
It utilizes a unique round shaped pet tool that consumer’s say is effective in cleaning pet hair.
Flexible Hose
Add the 4-foot flexible hose you have a versatile cleaner that can clean almost any nook and cranny.
Note: Black & Decker has an upgraded version of this called the BDH2020FL. It has the same features as the BDH2000FL. But with a bit more power and a larger bin.
If you need the extra reach or clean small areas inside the kitchen or living room, then the BDH2020FLFH would be a good option because it comes with an extension wand. But this will only work on bare floor.
These two features alone are enough to bolt this to the number 1 slot here.
Minimal power loss
It uses a lithium-ion battery so there will be minimal fading and memory loss, and it charges up in just 5 hours.
Run time will be around 16 minutes which is enough for spot cleanups.
The power and portability with interchangeable tools make this a great option in small homes. It’ll do well in a large home that needs an occasional spot cleaning.
Bottom line:
This lightweight cordless is great for cleaning up a small mess thanks to its lightweight design. The flexible hose and pet hair tool allows you to really agitate tough pet hair messes on upholstery, yes even inside cars. If you’re looking for a vacuum that will clean up small messes around the house then look no further than this.
Old Reliable: Hoover Linx Stick
The Hoover Linx Stick vacuum is an excellent option if you’re looking for a floor cleaner. Despite its age, this Hoover still performs well. One big thing that holds it back would be the lithium-ion battery that only runs for less than 15 minutes with the brush roll on.
Pros
- Still a great option for cleaning high traffic areas
- Brush roll will perform very decently even on carpet
- Removable battery allows you to purchase extra batteries to extend run time
Cons
- Strictly a floor cleaner (no versatility)
- Short run time
Have you heard of the term “If ain’t broke why fix it”? This term applies to the Hoover Linx Stick.
It’s been in the market for around five years. But it still gets excellent reviews, particularly from pet owners who love how this stick vacuum picked up pet hair.
Great for floors
This stick vacuum is capable of cleaning large debris like cereal or pet food because it has an opening at the middle that funnels these types of dirt towards the brush roll.
That same brush roll works pretty well on surfaces like hardwood and low/medium pile carpet.
Tests say this vacuum performs
CNET did a controlled lab test and reported that the Linx was able to pick up 100% of pet hair on these surfaces.
It even outperformed more expensive products like the Dyson V6 Absolute.
Among the “mid-level” stick options this is the best in cleaning different surfaces. But it’s not all roses and peaches with this product.
Potential Issues
Even with the brush roll turned off this vacuum will run for a maximum of 15 minutes. With the beater bar on that goes down to 10 minutes.
Only a floor cleaner
Also, this product is strictly a floor cleaning machine. It does not have any hose or tools for above the floor cleaning.
Hoover does have a newer product called the Air Cordless that somewhat solves this lack of flexibility.
Power could is another issue that limits how this product cleans. It will have some problems picking up really fine dust on carpet, but that shouldn’t be an issue on bare floor.
Plastic quality is also a big concern – especially the part that connects the handle and body.
According to reviews, this is a weak link in the construction. Even if this comes with a two-year warranty, it doesn’t cover wear and tear items.
Bottom line:
The Hoover Linx stick vacuum is a great low/mid-level cordless for spot cleaning high traffic areas. It will not have the same power as a Dyson but it’s a few hundred dollars cheaper – a good enough reason to buy it.
Versatility at a Premium: Dyson 59 MotorHead
The Dyson DC59 is an excellent option if you’re looking something versatile that will clean floors and everything in between. It has enough power to pick up pet hair not just on carpet but also in upholstery and inside your vehicle.
Pros
- The most versatile option of the 5 in the list
- HEPA filtration makes it a good choice for folks with allergies
- Might be a better option than the Black & Decker for cleaning pet hair on upholstery
Cons
- Dirt bin is messy to empty
- Expensive
This product is perhaps the most versatile of the five vacuums listed here. It’s a similar product to the DC44 but with more power.
Since I’ve featured the DC44 Dyson has unveiled several new products.
And one of them is the Dyson DC59 MotorHead (this is the same as the Dyson V6 MotorHead).
How is this version different from the DC44?
Well, the MotorHead is a totally new machine from the inside out. First, let’s look at the motor.
Lots of power
It comes with the all-new V6 motor found in the V6 line. Dyson claims that this is the most powerful cordless vacuum.
If you look at numbers (this one has up to 100 air watts on tap), they are right, but there’s a catch.
You’ll have to use the max button which eats more juice than usual.
Run Time
At the default mode, run time will be around 20 minutes. But when you activate the max suction that number goes down to 6 minutes. But it is nice to have that power on tap.
It also comes with the updated brush roll that has 75% more agitation than the original DC59 brush roll.
Great for pet hair
The added agitation was evident in CNET’s cleaning test where it picked up 100% of all pet hair scattered on hardwood and carpet (low and mid pile).
The biggest downside to a beater bar would be cleaning off pet hair wrapped up. It isn’t a difficult task, but it does take time.
Bottom line:
The DC59 MotorHead is the most expensive of the bunch, but its versatility makes up for it. You can use it as a stick vacuum and clean pet hair off carpeted or hardwood floors and use the same tool minus the extension wand on upholstery.
Dyson Clone – Hoover Cruise
The Hoover Cruise like the Dyson DC59 is versatile thanks to the interchangeable tools. Unfortunately, it isn’t as powerful or as polished as a Dyson but it is much cheaper.
Pros
- A versatile option that you can use as a stick or handheld vacuum
- Lightweight
- Great for cleaning bare floor and low pile rug or carpet
- A cheap option if you cannot afford a Dyson
Cons
- Poor suction
- Not the same fit and finish as the more expensive Dyson
Another company who’s been busy with product development would be Hoover.
Over the past couple of years alone, it has unveiled several new products, some with never before seen features.
Products like the Hoover Air Cordless, Air Cordless Upright and Air Cordless Lift have changed the way consumers see cordless vacuums.
Their latest product is the Hoover Cruise.
Same blueprint as a Dyson
It follows the same blueprint as a Dyson – interchangeable tools and a detachable wand to give it a level of flexibility to use on floors and upholstery not found in a lot of products.
It is a few hundred dollars cheaper than a Dyson V6 Absolute, but it has fewer tools and less power.
If a Dyson is too expensive for you, then you have to look at this as an alternative.
Now let’s look in detail how this compares to the original.
How does this differ from a Dyson?
First, have a look at how the floor tools differ…
Both of these tools have their own motors, but the Dyson would provide more agitation and has the fine bristles for picking up dust.
Also what’s lacking in the hoover are padding strips that protect floors from scuff marks.
Compared to the newer brush roll found in the DC59 MotorHead the Hoover is slightly narrower (9″ vs. 9.8″).
The Hoover Cruise also has a slightly smaller bin (0.4 vs. 0.45 liters).
It wouldn’t match a Dyson in terms of cleaning performance or in refinement, but it will still provide a level of cleaning that isn’t a reflection of the price difference.
Bottom line:
The Hoover Cruise is a decent more affordable alternative to the DC59 MotorHead. It will not match the cleaning performance or refinement, but it does provide you with a useful tool to pick up pet hair on carpet and bare floor.
The Budget Pet Hair Cleaner – Shark Pet Perfect Hand Held
The Shark Pet Perfect handheld vacuum is an ideal tool for cleaning pet hair on upholstery. At just under $50 bucks, this hand vacuum is the cheapest of the 5.
Pros
- The most affordable option of the five vacuums in the list
- A motorized brush has excellent agitation, and that means it’ll work great at picking up pet hair on upholstery or carpet
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- NiCad battery takes too long to charge
- Poor run time
It got good reviews from a couple of big review sites – Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports.
I’m not going to lie to you; this influenced my decision to put this in here.
Good agitation
It comes with a motorized brush that inhales pet hair according to Consumer Reports. Good Housekeeping also said it did a good job removing pet hair and gave it a B rating.
However, because of these limitations, it didn’t go higher.
Some issues
First, the motorized attachment does not swivel, and this makes it difficult to move this back and forth. You’ll have to use your hand and wrist to adjust the angle to maintain surface contact which can be straining.
Second, the attachment does not have a locking mechanism that “clicks” in place. Its locking mechanism isn’t as robust as the other vacuums listed here so it’ll fall off when you don’t attach it properly.
Third, it takes too long to charge (16 hours) because it uses a nickel-cadmium battery.
Run time
Run time will vary based on reviews. It can go long as 15 minutes, but that’s without the motorized brush.
On the plus side, it costs less than $50 so this product is really cheap or around 50% less than a Black & Decker and Hoover.
This vacuum would be great for people who don’t have a lot of pets at home because it’ll have some trouble cleaning a thick layer of hair.
Bottom line:
If you’re looking for something cheap, the Shark Pet Perfect hand vac is the perfect choice for you. It is robust enough to clean a small amount of pet hair but don’t it expect it to perform as well if you have a family of 5 dogs and two cats.
The verdict
These vacuums will help you clean up small pet hair messes before it piles up into a huge furball.
The Black & Decker BDH2020FL would be the best portable option because of the hose and pet hair tool that allows you to really dig in and scrub fabric upholstery.
Hoover Linx is an excellent option if you’re looking for a floor cleaning tool – bare floor or carpet. Even with the old tech NiCad battery and limited run time, it does a pretty good job and has been a top selling stick vacuum for years.
If money were not an issue and you value cleaning performance over anything else my hands down choice would be the Dyson DC59 MotorHead.
Remember that Dyson has around ten variants in their V6 product line and you can select one based on what your need is.
The DC59 and V6 are the same machines but with a different floor cleaning attachment. The V6 comes with the newer bristle brush that has more agitation so expect to pay more.
For example, if your home does not have any carpet, you can opt for the V6 Fluffy. Or go with the next step up which is the V8 that has the latest cordless technology Dyson has to offer.
But if Dyson is too expensive then go with the Hoover Cruise. It’s got a similar blueprint as a Dyson, so it brings in the same level of versatility but only with less power and refinement. But it costs much less.
The Shark Pet Perfect handheld is the cheapest option here at less than $50, but it uses an old NiCad battery that will take 16 hours to charge.
