One of the things I liked most about this upright model is its specially crafted vacuum head, which uses both a soft roller brush and paddled, fin-like brush roll to pick up embedded hair, fine dust, and dirt from all types of flooring. I noticed that this method prevents longer hair from getting tangled in the brush roll and allows for a deeper clean overall.

Cleaning modes are easy to access with a simple switch on the handle, and the vacuum head has LED lights that illuminate hidden dust bunnies and stray pet hair, which was extremely helpful when cleaning under furniture and in corners.

Another major plus is that this upright model also converts into a motorized, lift-away pod for cleaning other surfaces like couch cushions and stairs. The vacuum’s hose stretches up to an impressive 12 feet, and it comes with a crevice tool and pet upholstery tool. I tried the motorized pet tool on polyester couch cushions, and it didn’t struggle to pick up embedded pet hair.

The Vertex has a large, 1-quart dustbin to accommodate more hair, along with a fully-sealed HEPA filtration system to capture pet dander. And while it’s heavy, it navigates pretty easily.

Full Shark AZ2002 Vertex Upright Vacuum Review

Key Specs

It’s hard to come by a vacuum that is less than $200 that doesn’t skimp on suction power, assets, or reliability. This model offers all of the above at an accessible price. Our tester has been using this vacuum for four years, and has yet to be disappointed.

“This vacuum has a brush roll with multiple rows of bristles that kick out any hair that’s really deep inside a variety of fibers, including rugs and carpets.”

It works just as well on hardwood floors, and the swivel-steering vacuum head is easy to maneuver under and around furniture. The power cord is extremely long, extending 27 feet, and is automatically retractable with the cord rewind mechanism.

The Cleanview comes with attachments for removing pet hair from stairs and hard-to-reach corners on hardwood and carpeted floors. It’s easy to empty, too, with a button on front that releases dirt directly into the garbage.

One main complaint from our tester is that given the size and weight of this upright model, it can be a pain to shuffle around as you clean. “Dragging around the Cleanview to different rooms of the house requires some effort. The vacuum weighs 15 pounds, which doesn’t seem like a lot until you need to get to a different part of your home.”

Full Bissell Cleanview Swivel Rewind Upright Vacuum Review

Key Specs

Dyson is most recognized for its powerful vacuums, and if you’re on the hunt for a machine that easily pulls pet hair out of your shaggiest of carpets, you won’t be disappointed with the Ball Animal 3 Extra model.

Besides strong suction, this vacuum boasts a five-layer, complete filtration system that captures dust and pet dander, preventing them from being released back into the air. The floor head has an integrated comb that untangles hair from the brush roll as it rotates, keeping lengthy strands from getting ensnared.

The vacuum is simple to handle thanks to the brand’s distinctive ball design, and it includes a combination tool, stair tool, turbine tool, and a pet groom tool. The wand is an instant-release and has an extended hose for reaching isolated areas like underneath your couch or around dining room chairs.

Full Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Review

Key Specs

This powerful vacuum has a sealed HEPA filtration system to securely trap dirt, dander, and fur so they don’t recirculate back into your home as you clean. It works on a variety of surfaces but handles hardwood floors the best because its good suction control prevents larger debris from scattering.

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser also has a tangle-free brush roll, and even after using the vacuum on two large area rugs and hardwood floors for months, I haven’t had to cut any hair from the bristles. Plenty of cat fur, dirt, and dander makes its way into the dustbin as the suction power is strong enough to agitate carpet fibers and pick up debris that might not be completely visible.

I love that there is a dedicated pet hair attachment for the hose wand. It works well on couch cushions, and a few pushes back and forth removed a majority of the mess. Plus, the vacuum converts into a canister pod, so it moves around easily as you work around your space.

The convertible design adds maneuverability, and the attachments included are helpful for more precise cleaning.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off Full Review

Key Specs

The Bissell PetHair DualBrush packs two brush roll types into one vacuum. The first loosens and cleans debris that’s stuck to your floor or caught up in carpet fibers, and behind it, a second brush roll makes closer contact with the floor to pick up the now loosened debris. Powerful suction delivers strong pet hair pick-up, too.

This model converts to a handheld-style canister vacuum that lifts off of the base, so you can easily clean hard-to-reach areas or furniture. We appreciate that this design also has LED lights on the vacuum floorhead and pet hair attachment to illuminate hidden dust and debris.

The DualBrush uses sensors to automatically detect the level of dirt and dust on the floor, and will adjust suction power accordingly, helping you get a deeper clean in situations where it’s most needed. It weighs 17 pounds, which may be a pain to push around for longer cleaning sessions, but that isn’t uncommon for an upright vacuum. We’ll soon be trying out this vacuum and will update this guide with our findings.

Key Specs

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo comes with multiple features that are a standout for pet owners. This model is equipped with a HEPA filter to keep allergens out of your home, and the canister detaches from the base, making it easier to clean stairs, around baseboards, and along blinds. Just keep in mind that the hose only extends seven feet, so you’ll have to carry the detachable pod close by.

Some noteworthy attachments are a tangle-free brush roll and a motorized tool that’s specifically designed to remove pet hair off upholstery. The primary vacuum head has LED lights on the front and sides, and there’s also a crevice tool with an LED light for convenient cleaning in dark corners, along with a two-in-one dusting brush.

The vacuum has a touch-and-release button on the dustbin’s exterior to easily empty it without getting dust and pet dander on your hands.

Full Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Lift-Off Upright Vacuum Review

Key Specs

This cordless design from Shark has a flexible silicone brush roll to quickly pick up pet hair without getting tangled. The vacuum operates for up to 40 minutes on its lowest power setting, and it converts into a hand vacuum for efficiently cleaning stairs and furniture.

The dustbin has an anti-allergen seal and a HEPA filter, but take note of the smaller capacity, as you might find yourself making trips to the trash can more frequently.

The vacuum has a low-profile design that cleans hard-to-reach areas, and LED headlights illuminate dirt or hair coating the floor. It does come with a few attachments, including a crevice tool and dusting brush. There’s also an upholstery tool for cleaning fabric, but it’s not motorized.

Key Specs

Many pet owners and allergy sufferers highly recommend this brand—and for good reason. The company makes a fleet of high quality, powerful, bagged canister vacuums, and the new Guard L1 is tailored specifically for cleaning up after pets.

The universal floor head adjusts to five different heights to clean area rugs, dhurries, hardwood floors, and tile. The turbobrush also removes embedded hair and dirt from low-to-medium pile carpeting. The extra long hose is helpful because you don’t have to lug the canister vacuum everywhere while you clean.

This vacuum comes with a charcoal filter that traps pet odor and tiny particles, and the brand also sells HEPA filters that you may swap in during allergy season or when your dog is shedding heavily. The combination upholstery tool, crevice nozzle, and dusting brush is your one-stop-shop for more detailed cleaning.

Key Specs