Cats and dogs bring joy, comfort, and companionship to your home.
But they also bring hair:
a lot of
hair, on clothes, on furniture and all over the floor.
Just like with kids and clutter, managing cat and dog hair around the house is a constant battle.
A vacuum cleaner is a crucial tool against pet hair, dander and dust, especially for those with allergies, and many models now include specially designed floor heads and accessories for cleaning pet hair and these are the clear winners .
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Best Vacuum for Pet Hair: iLife V3S Pro
buy it for
USD$159 or
MX$4,048
Of the 10 robot vacuums we tested, the iLife V3S Pro (
USD$159 or
MXN 4,048) was the best for removing pet hair without clogging, thanks to its lack of roller brushes and it is much cheaper than other robot vacuums.
The iLife V3S Pro does a great job of removing pet hair and cat litter from floors and carpets.
It uses bump-and-run
navigation
, instead of mapping.
It doesn't have a bin-full indicator, but if you make it a habit to empty the dust bin every day, you'll drastically reduce pet hair in your space.
Best Smart Robot Vacuum: iRobot Roomba j7+
buy it for
USD$579 or
MX$19,135
If you have money to spare and want a robot vacuum that's smarter than you, consider the iRobot Roomba j7+.
Unlike the iLife V3S Pro it maps your home, including no-go zones, and has built-in object detection that helps you avoid power cords and most importantly solid pet waste.
The j7+ is self-emptying, unlike the iLife V3S Pro, which needs to be emptied after every use, and its rubberized multi-surface brushes were second only to the V3S Pro, which has no brushes at all, to prevent pet hair tangling.
The Dirt Detect feature allows you to zero in on specific messes, like a cat litter spill, and retrace the area until it's clean.
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The Roomba j7+ is the best robot vacuum you can buy, but it's pricey, and in our tests its self-emptying cycle briefly made a noise like a jet engine.
However, if you have the money, and especially if you have pets prone to pooping indoors, it's a compelling upgrade over the iLife V3S Pro.
Best stick vacuum for pet hair: Dyson V11 Animal
buy it for
USD$559 or
MX$19,642
The Dyson V11 Animal is the best cordless stick vacuum for pet hair, and the best stick vacuum out of the seven we tested.
If you live in a smaller apartment or house, it might even be the only vacuum you need.
Its rotating floor head makes quick work of cleaning up pet hair and dust even on carpets, and in handheld mode, the crevice tool and mini motorized brush tool are fantastic for cleaning upholstered furniture, cat towers, and dog beds. pets.
It's lightweight, maneuverable, and cordless, so pulling out the vacuum isn't a hassle like it can be for upright and canister vacuums.
The biggest weakness of the V11 Animal is its battery life.
In its automatic configuration, you get 30-45 minutes of run time, which might not be enough.
Unlike other stick vacuums with swappable batteries, the Dyson's rechargeable battery is built-in, so once it runs out you have to wait for it to recharge.
The Dyson also uses a trigger-style power switch, which you need to hold down the entire time you're vacuuming - fine for smaller tasks, but you might find it tiring if you're cleaning an entire apartment.
Best Upright Vacuum for Pet Hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
buy it for
USD$236 or
MX$4,028
If you have a house too big to vacuum on a single charge from a stick vacuum, especially one with a lot of carpet, you should consider a corded upright vacuum.
While they are larger, heavier, and less maneuverable than cordless stick vacuums, they have higher suction and won't run out of charge.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lift-Off Upright is the best upright vacuum for pet hair, thanks to its Pet Turboeraser mini-brush tool, which does a better job of removing pet hair from stairs and upholstery.
The Pet Hair Eraser's lift-off feature means the canister, hose, wand and motor detach from the floor head, so you can easily use it to vacuum upholstery, draperies, accessories and other things above floor level .
Choose the right vacuum for pet hair
The bristles on a vacuum's brush head are designed to agitate the carpet and lift dust, debris, and hair off the floor.
If you have pets that shed a lot, hair can build up on the brush so quickly that it clogs the vacuum, slowing the suction or preventing the brush from turning at all.
That's why many companies sell vacuums optimized for pet hair, with brushes designed not to clog, along with electric mini-brush head attachments to remove pet hair from upholstery and stairs. Pets often include HEPA filters, intended to control dust, dander, and pet-related allergens in general.
If you have a house full of cats and dogs, a canister or upright vacuum will give you the power and tools to deal with pet hair, dander, and dust on any surface.
These corded units have more powerful motors and stronger suction, and pet-friendly models offer electric brushes designed to make short work of hair without clogging.
An apartment or small house is likely to get by with a cordless stick vacuum, especially if it has bare floors.
If you have a large home or a lot of carpet, an upright or canister vacuum is a better option;
they can provide more suction than cordless stick vacuum, and they won't run out of batteries.
A robot vacuum probably shouldn't be your only vacuum if you're trying to clean up after pets, but it's a great complement to a cordless stick, upright, or canister vacuum.
Running a robot vacuum daily can keep daily lint buildup to a manageable minimum so your weekly chores are less of a hassle.
However, the small roller brushes on most robot vacuums can quickly become clogged with pet hair, so you'll want to pay attention to regular maintenance.
Our current favorite in the category, the iLife V3S Pro, avoids this nagging problem by not using a brush roller at all.
For more recommendations, offers and reviews read CNN Underscored in Spanish