Home & Living

Fur-Get The Mess: 7 Best Vacuum Cleaners For Pet Hair

As a pet owner with both dogs and cats, I know the struggle of finding fur in every corner, and regular cleaning tools often just don’t cut it. The best vacuum for pet hair can be a game-changer for keeping your home fur-free. So if you’re thinking about what are the best ways to remove stubborn pet hair from furniture and carpets? Read on to find out more about these traditional and robot vacuums that have helped me banish pet fur from my floors and furniture. 

What are the best ways to remove stubborn pet hair from furniture and carpets: Handheld/Cordless vacuum cleaners

When it comes to removing pet hair from floors and furniture, a powerful and easy-to-use vacuum is crucial. Below are some of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair that I’ve tried or researched, spanning from high-tech cordless stick vacuums to a compact handheld. These are excellent for daily fur cleanup and deep cleaning sessions alike.

1. Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute

(Credit: Dyson Official Store)
Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid
  • Excellent pet hair pickup on all surfaces
  • Laser reveals hidden dust and fur for thorough cleaning
  • Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
  • Anti-tangle brush and tool prevent hair clogs
  • Premium price point (Dyson is an investment)
  • Small bin fills up quickly with pet hair
  • Single battery gives ~50 min max, so not ideal for extremely large homes without recharge

Don’t be fooled by its slim size – the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute packs a punch for pet hair cleanup. This cordless stick vacuum is lightweight yet delivers powerful suction. Its standout feature is the green laser on the Fluffy cleaner head, which illuminates fine dust and pet fur on hard floors that you might otherwise miss. As a pet owner, seeing that hidden hair light up is both startling and satisfying! 

The V12 also comes with Dyson’s detangling Motorbar™ floor head and a Hair Screw tool, meaning long hair and pet fur won’t clog up the brush roll. In my experience, it easily lifts dog fur embedded in rugs and cat hair on hardwood without getting tangled. The LCD display on the vacuum even shows what it’s picking up and remaining run time. One thing to note: its dustbin is on the smaller side, so with heavy shedding you’ll be emptying it fairly often. 

Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute specifications
Type Cordless stick vacuum (bagless)
Weight ~2.4 kg
Run Time Up to 60 minutes (Eco mode); ~~10 min on Boost
Dustbin Capacity 0.35L
Special Features Laser dust detection, LCD display, auto-adjust suction (piezo sensor), anti-tangle Motorbar & Hair Screw tool

2. Bissell CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro (Wet/Dry)

(Credit: Airbot Singapore)
Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid
  • Cleans wet and dry pet messes in one step
  • Excellent for hard floors
  • LED headlights help spot pet hair and debris
  • Self-cleaning cycle makes maintenance easier
  • Not ideal for high-pile carpets
  • Heavier than a typical stick vacuum
  • Small water tanks require refilling for large areas
  • Pricey, and you’ll need to buy cleaning solution regularly

Have you ever wished you could vacuum and mop pet messes all at once? The Bissell CrossWave X7 Pet Pro fulfils that wish. This innovative cordless upright doesn’t just vacuum pet hair from your floors – it also washes away paw prints and accidents on hard floors at the same time. The CrossWave X7 has a two-tank system: one for clean water (and pet-safe cleaning solution) and one for dirty water. So as you vacuum, it’s constantly using fresh water to scrub and suction the dirty water (with pet hair) into a separate tank. 

After cleaning, the CrossWave has a self-cleaning cycle: you dock it, and it flushes out the brush roll and internal tubes, which helps clear pet hair and prevents odours. This vacuum is a fantastic choice if you have a mix of carpets, tiles, or laminate and often deal with not just fur, but also wet messes or pet spills. It leaves floors noticeably clean and saves time by combining chores – truly a pet owner’s best friend for floors!

Bissell CrossWave X7 Pet Pro specifications
Type Cordless wet/dry floor vacuum (vacuum & mop combo)
Weight ~4.8 kg (10.5 lbs)
Run Time Up to 30 minutes per charge
Clean/Dirty Tank Cap. 550 ml clean water (approx.) / 550 ml dirty water
Special Features Vacuum-and-wash simultaneously, “Turbo Pet” mode for tough messes, two-tank system, self-cleaning cycle, Wi-Fi/app connectivity (for maintenance and formula reordering)

3. Shark CleanSense IQ+ Cordless Vacuum (Model IW3241)

(Credit: SharkNinja)
Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid
  • Automatically adjusts suction
  • Anti-tangle brush roll + strong suction that finds fur everywhere
  • Lightweight and very easy to manoeuvre
  • Only one battery included; might want spare battery for extended cleaning
  • Advanced features make it pricier
  • Auto sensors occasionally might not trigger on very fine dust

The Shark CleanSense IQ+ is a smart, cordless stick vacuum that feels made for tech-loving pet owners. Weighing just 2.2kg, it’s light but packed with intelligent features. In testing, it automatically boosted power when it sensed hidden dust or fur – a Dirt Detect feature that ramps up suction on concealed debris. It also has Floor Detect to optimise suction for carpets or hard floors, Edge Detect for walls and corners where pet hair builds up, and Light Detect, which turns on an LED to reveal dust in dark spots. It essentially thinks for you – ideal when chasing dust bunnies under the couch.

The Shark CleanSense comes with a Multi-Flex wand that bends, allowing you to reach under furniture without crouching. Pet owners will definitely appreciate the anti-hair wrap brush roll and Pet Multi-Tool for upholstery. And with the IQ+ model, you’ll have an additional auto-empty charging base that vacuums its own dustbin and stores up to 30 days of debris with HEPA filtration. For a busy pet household, this means less guesswork and more confidence that your vacuum is truly getting all the fur.

Shark CleanSense IQ+ specifications
Type Cordless stick vacuum (bagless), convertible to handheld
Weight 2.2 kg (vacuum only)
Run Time ~32 min (stick Eco mode), ~42 min (handheld mode)
Dust Cup Capacity 0.42L
Special Features Smart IQ sensors (auto-adjust suction: Dirt/Floor/Edge/Light Detect), Multi-Flex bending wand, Anti-Allergen HEPA filter, Auto-empty charging base (IQ+ model) holds ~30 days of dust

4. Tineco Go Mini Pet Cordless Handheld Vacuum

(Credit: Tineco)
Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid
  • Ultra-portable and light
  • Included pet hair brush is excellent on upholstery and car seats
  • Quieter than most vacuums
  • No cord to fuss with, and 20-min battery is sufficient for spot cleaning
  • Suction is strong for its size, but not meant for deep-cleaning large areas
  • 20-minute run time may be insufficient
  • Small dust cup fills fast if you’re picking up a lot of pet hair
  • Limited attachments (mainly designed for pet hair and small debris, not a multi-surface floor vacuum)

For quick pickups of pet hair on the couch, car, or those corners where fur accumulates, a dedicated handheld is a lifesaver. The Tineco Go Mini Pet is a cordless handheld vacuum purpose-built for pet owners. It’s super compact and lightweight; at just 1.3kg, I can use it one-handed with ease! 

Despite its small size, it provides powerful suction for its class, especially in MAX mode for stubborn dirt. What really sets it apart is the specialised pet hair brush attachment: this little motorised brush has rubberised bristles that excel at pulling pet hair out of fabric like sofa cushions, car upholstery and pet beds. At home, it removed all the pet hair from the nooks and crannies of my sofa. I also love that it’s whisper quiet – it’s not as loud as many handheld vacs, so my pets don’t freak out when I’m using it too!

Tineco Go Mini Pet specifications
Type Cordless handheld vacuum (bagless)
Weight 1.3 kg (2.87 lbs)
Run Time Up to 20 minutes (per full charge)
Dustbin Capacity 0.25 L
Special Features Pet Hair Motorised Brush attachment (mini power brush), 2 suction modes (Eco/Max), HEPA filtration, very quiet operation

What are the best ways to remove stubborn pet hair from furniture and carpets: Robot vacuum cleaners

When you’re a busy pet parent, a robot vacuum can feel like a gift from the tech gods. I was initially sceptical if a robot could handle pet hair, but the latest models are surprisingly capable – some even empty themselves and avoid pet “accidents” on the floor! 

5. ECOVACS DEEBOT N30 Omni Robot Vacuum & Mop

(Credit: Ecovacs Official Store)
Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid
  • Exceptionally powerful suction of 10kPa
  • Auto-empties dirt and washes/dries mop pads
  • ZeroTangle brush avoids hair clogs
  • Long battery life covers large areas; smart navigation avoids obstacles (e.g. pet bowls, toys)
  • Premium price
  • The base station is large and needs space
  • Requires occasional upkeep: refilling clean water, emptying dirty water, replacing dust bag
  • If you have high-pile carpets, the spinning mops lift up but it won’t deep-clean plush rugs

The ECOVACS Deebot N30 Omni is a robot vacuum and mop combo that truly earns its keep in a pet owner’s home. It’s a premium model with an all-in-one Omni Station that automatically empties the robot’s dustbin and washes and dries the mopping pads. The station also cleans the mop pads with water and even uses hot air drying to avoid that musty smell. This means you don’t have to touch dirty mop cloths or frequently refill water; the station handles it. In my use, I basically let the N30 Omni do its thing for weeks, only occasionally topping up the water tank or changing the dust bag. 

What’s special about the N30 Omni is its 10,000Pa hyper-suction power – one of the highest suction levels you’ll find in any robot vacuum. Pet hair on carpets and hard floors doesn’t stand a chance. ECOVACS also designed a new ZeroTangle 2.0 brush system that prevents hair wrap on the brush. This is huge for pet owners – you won’t be constantly cutting hair out of the robot’s roller, because it actively minimises tangles. Along with my furbabies, I have ridiculously long hair, and I’ve noticed far less of everything caught in the brush with this model. So it works for everyone in the house – even my husband was complaining less!

ECOVACS Deebot N30 Omni specifications
Suction Power 10,000Pa
2-in-1 Functions Vacuum & Mop combo (spinning mop pads with pressure)
Navigation LiDAR mapping (TrueMapping 2.0) + 3D obstacle avoidance
Battery Life Up to 200–320 min runtime (5200 mAh battery)
Auto Empty & Mop Clean Omni Station: Self-empties dust (2.6 L bag ~75 days storage); auto-washes mop with hot water + hot-air dries pads
Pet Hair Features ZeroTangle 2.0 brush (anti-hair wrap), strong suction for hair, “TruEdge” edge cleaning for fur in corners

6. Roborock Q10 (VF+ / Q10 PF+) Robot Vacuum & Mop

(Credit: Roborock Singapore)
Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid
  • Exceptional cleaning performance on pet hair and carpets
  • Low maintenance with anti-tangle brush and auto-empty dock
  • Long battery life and smart navigation cover large areas efficiently, avoiding pet obstacles
  • Sonic mopping with carpet auto-lift
  • Auto-empty dock adds to cost; without it, you’ll empty the bin more often by hand
  • Mopping is for light duty
  • Initial setup of app/maps takes a bit of time, especially to set no-go zones
  • Slightly lower obstacle avoidance than some (uses structured light, not as advanced as AI cameras, so small cords or thin pet toys might occasionally tangle)

The Roborock Q10 is a powerful, pet-friendly robot vacuum that offers near-flagship cleaning without the premium price. Whether you choose the Q10 VF or the Q10 PF+ (with an auto-empty dock), the core robot is the same. It delivers 10,000Pa of suction via Roborock’s HyperForce system, performing exceptionally well in tests for pet-hair pickup and deep carpet cleaning. Its Dual Anti-Tangle setup uses a main brush with comb-like teeth and a tangle-resistant side brush, greatly reducing hair wraps. The Q10 also mops with VibraRise 2.0, which uses sonic vibration for scrubbing and lifts automatically when carpets are detected, allowing it to vacuum rugs and mop hard floors in one seamless run.

Navigation is highly accurate with LiDAR and ReactiveTech obstacle avoidance, helping it avoid pet bowls, toys and other clutter. The PF+ model’s auto-empty dock stores up to 6–7 weeks of debris. With up to 250 minutes of runtime, strong app controls and relatively quiet operation, the Q10 keeps pet homes consistently clean with minimal effort and excellent value.

Roborock Q10 specifications
Suction Power 10,000Pa HyperForce suction
2-in-1 Functions Vacuum & Mop (sonic vibrating mop with auto-lift on carpets)
Navigation LiDAR mapping (PreciSense) + front ReactiveTech obstacle sensors
Battery Life Up to ~250 min runtime (5200 mAh)
Auto-Empty Dock Yes, on “Plus” models (2.7 L bag holds ~7 weeks debris)
Pet Hair Features Dual Anti-Tangle brushes (main brush comb + tangle-free side brush), strong carpet cleaning (high suction & carpet boost), dedicated pet hair test score 96% (excellent)

7. Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 Pro

(Credit: Xiaomi IOT Authorised Store Dasher)
Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid
  • Industry-leading 20k Pa suction
  • Advanced AI obstacle avoidance
  • Self-emptying and self-mopping station, with hot water cleaning & drying
  • Anti-tangle V-brush
  • Comprehensive app and smart features (home monitoring camera, scheduling, multi-floor maps)
  • Setup can be on the pricey side
  • The robot and its base take up space
  • Replacement supplies needed: dust bags, water and perhaps cleaning solution
  • If your home is very cluttered, even the best AI might struggle occasionally

The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 Pro is a newcomer that’s making waves. And after seeing what it can do, I’m not surprised. Its standout strength for pet owners is its massive 20,000 Pa suction – far higher than many premium models – which pulls out deeply embedded fur and boosts power automatically on carpets for better pickup. AI obstacle avoidance is another highlight: using an RGB camera and 3D structured-light sensors, it recognises over 200 objects, including pet bowls, toys, wires and even waste, navigating around them accurately. It also uses this AI to identify dirt types and adjust cleaning, especially during mopping.

Its all-in-one base handles mop washing with 80°C hot water and hot-air drying, preventing bacteria and odours from pet messes. Dual mop pads extend to edges for complete wall-to-wall coverage, while the mop retracts on carpets. A V-shaped anti-tangle main brush reduces hair wraps, and the auto-empty base seals debris and dander in a dust bag with HEPA filtration. With over two hours of battery life and smart app controls, the 5 Pro is an excellent high-tech choice for pet homes.

Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 Pro specifications
Suction Power 20,000Pa (with auto carpet boost)
2-in-1 Functions Vacuum & Mop (twin mop pads with 80°C hot water self-clean)
Navigation & AI dToF LiDAR + Triple-lens AI camera system (object recognition up to 200+ types)
Battery Life ~180–200 min runtime (large battery; returns to base when done)
Base Station All-in-One: auto-empties dust, auto washes mop with hot water & hot-air dries
Pet Hair Features High suction & carpet boost for fur, V-shaped anti-tangle brush, HEPA filtration for dander, intelligent obstacle avoidance (avoids pet accidents/toys)

Do you need a special vacuum for pet hair?

Yes, if your pets shed a lot, a vacuum designed for pet hair can make a noticeable difference. Pet fur is often finer, stickier and more widespread than regular debris, so it hides deep in carpets and upholstery. Pet-specific vacuums aren’t magic, but they include features that make cleaning far easier: stronger suction, anti-tangle brush rolls, and tools that pull fur off sofas and out of tight spots without constant clogging. Many use rubberised brushes or anti-wrap combs that actively remove hair as you vacuum.

They also typically offer better filtration. A good pet vacuum has HEPA filtration and a sealed system to trap dander and allergens instead of releasing them back into the air — essential for allergy-prone households. You can use a regular vacuum, but a pet model makes the job faster, cleaner and far less frustrating.

Is it better to sweep or vacuum pet hair?

Yes, vacuuming is far more effective than sweeping for pet hair. Pet hair is light and clingy, so sweeping usually just pushes it around or sends it into the air instead of actually removing it. A vacuum traps hair in the dustbin (especially with good filtration), preventing it from scattering and keeping floors cleaner.

Sweeping can handle big clumps on hard floors, but fine hairs often stick due to static or slip past broom bristles. A vacuum with a brush roll or soft roller can pick up both large and fine hair, and it’s gentler on delicate floors. Vacuums also come with attachments for sofas, stairs and tight spaces — something a broom can’t offer.

In short: for real pet-hair removal and better hygiene, vacuuming wins.

Why won’t my vacuum pick up pet hair?

If your vacuum isn’t picking up pet hair, it usually comes down to clogs, the wrong attachment, weak suction, or a worn brush roll.

Issue What’s Happening Fix
Clogs / full bin Blocked airflow reduces suction Empty bin, clear clogs, clean filters
Wrong attachment Not agitating carpet or sealing on hard floors Use motorised brush on carpet, soft roller on hard floors
Deep carpet hair Hair woven into fibres Multiple passes or a stronger pet vacuum
Worn / tangled brush roll Brush can’t sweep hair into suction Cut away hair or replace brush roll
Weak vacuum Not designed for pet hair Consider a pet-specific model

Is a bagged or bagless vacuum better for pet hair?

Both bagged and bagless vacuums handle pet hair well — the real difference is how clean and convenient they are to empty.

Feature Bagged Vacuum Bagless Vacuum
Allergen containment ★★★★☆ (best) ★★★☆☆ (can get messy when emptying)
Ongoing cost Needs replacement bags No bags to buy
Ease of emptying Very clean, low exposure Can release dust & dander
Capacity Usually higher Moderate
Best for Allergy sufferers, tidy disposal Convenience, lower cost

Bagged vacuums are better for allergy-prone households because the bag traps pet hair, dander and fine dust, and you throw it away with almost no exposure. They hold more debris and keep mess contained, though you’ll need to buy replacement bags.

Bagless vacuums clean just as effectively and are cheaper to maintain since there are no bags to buy. Many top pet vacuums are bagless with strong suction and HEPA filtration. The downside is emptying the dust cup can release hair and dander back into the air, making disposal messier unless you empty it carefully or outdoors.

In short: choose bagged for the cleanest disposal and fewer allergens; choose bagless for lower ongoing cost and convenience if you don’t mind a bit of dust during emptying.

Finding the best vacuum for pet hair in your home

Every pet owner’s home is different, and the best vacuum for pet hair is the one that fits your specific needs. But remember that keeping a clean home with pets isn’t just about fur removal. Sending them to some of the best pet grooming places in Singapore will reduce how much hair ends up on your floors. And maintaining a tidy space with the right household cleaning products helps keep your home not only fur-free but also fresh and hygienic. With the right tools and a bit of routine, living with pets becomes a joy with a lot less mess!

Caryn Tan

Always on the hunt for what's new, Caryn is all too familiar with falling "victim" to the novel and gimmicky. But that's not all her credit card thanks her for. Also into techy stuff, she gets just as excited about the latest tech drops as she does about quirky lifestyle finds — whether it's a smart home upgrade or a pocket-sized curiosity that claims to change your life.

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Caryn Tan