8 Best Animal Vacuums of 2025

The Bissell PowerClean FurFinder is a game-changer for pet owners who battle stray fur across floors, stairs, and furniture. With a 200W motor, this cordless stick vacuum delivers serious suction power that effortlessly lifts embedded pet hair, while the FurFinder headlights are a standout—illuminating hidden dust and fur like a forensic spotlight. Its tangle-free brushroll and removable battery make it a low-maintenance powerhouse, solving two of the biggest pain points in pet vacuum ownership: hair wrapping and short runtimes.

In real-world testing, the FurFinder transitions smoothly from hardwood to medium-pile rugs, maintaining strong suction without clogging. It offers up to 40 minutes in low mode, enough for a full apartment clean, though turbo mode drains the battery in just 13 minutes—best saved for spot treatments. The self-standing design is a subtle but brilliant touch, letting you pause cleaning mid-swipe without leaning it against furniture. However, it struggles slightly on high-pile carpets where the motor can’t quite dig deep, and the dustbin is on the smaller side, requiring frequent emptying during whole-home sessions.

Compared to bulkier uprights like the Dyson Ball Animal 3, the FurFinder trades raw power for ultra-portability and versatility—ideal for quick cleanups and smaller spaces. It’s a smarter choice than the Shark LA502 for those who value cordless freedom without sacrificing pet-specific tools. While it can’t match the deep-cleaning prowess of corded models, its smart lighting and tangle-free roll make it the most intuitive cordless vacuum for daily pet messes.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra doesn’t just clean—it dominates. With 290 air watts of suction and Dyson’s Radial Root Cyclone technology, this upright is a beast at extracting deeply embedded pet hair and fine debris from every surface. Its de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head is revolutionary, automatically clearing hair from the brush bar so you never have to pick it out with scissors. For homes overrun by shedding pets, this vacuum delivers clinical-level cleanliness with surgical precision.

Performance-wise, it transitions flawlessly between deep-pile carpets and hardwood, adjusting suction via three modes—each optimized for specific mess types. The stair tool and groom tool are standout accessories, allowing you to vacuum your pet and your home with the same machine. In real-world use, it handles large messes with ease, from tracked-in mud to cascading fur tumbleweeds. But its weight and bulk can make upstairs cleaning tiring, and the hose reach is shorter than competitors like the Shark NV151, limiting overhead flexibility.

When stacked against the Shark Detect Pro, the Dyson trades smart sensors for brute-force engineering and unmatched durability. It’s overkill for small apartments but perfect for large, multi-pet homes where performance can’t be compromised. While the Shark LA802 adapts intelligently to dirt levels, the Dyson relies on raw power and precision tools—making it the ultimate choice for pet owners who prioritize deep-cleaning performance over automation.

The Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel is a workhorse built for pet messes on a budget. Its triple action brush roll aggressively loosens, lifts, and removes deeply embedded pet hair, while swivel steering makes it surprisingly agile around furniture legs and tight corners. With a large 1.5L dirt tank, it outlasts most budget vacuums before needing emptying—ideal for homes where pets shed daily. For under $120, it delivers no-nonsense performance that punches above its price point.

In testing, it excels on low to medium-pile carpets and hard floors, thanks to its scatter-free technology that prevents dry messes from scattering when vacuumed. The edge-to-edge cleaning ensures fur along baseboards gets picked up without extra tools. However, it lacks a HEPA filter, meaning allergens can escape back into the air—a dealbreaker for allergy sufferers. The motor is loud under load, and while suction is strong, it can’t match the deep-cleaning power of pricier Dyson or Shark models.

Compared to the Shark NV356E, the Bissell offers better value with a larger dustbin and stronger agitation, but sacrifices filtration and lightweight design. It’s not as refined as the Shark LA802 or Dyson Ball Animal 3, but for pet owners who want maximum bang for buck, it’s hard to beat. If you need a no-frills, high-capacity vacuum that tackles pet hair without breaking the bank, this is the one.

The Shark NV356E Navigator is the quintessential budget-friendly pet vacuum that doesn’t skimp on essential features. Its lift-away pod transforms it from an upright into a portable canister, making it effortless to clean stairs, car interiors, and furniture—a major win for pet owners. The HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal trap 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it a top pick for allergy-prone households on a tight budget.

In real-world use, the 0.87L dust cup handles moderate messes well, though it fills quickly during whole-home sessions with heavy shedding pets. The brushroll shutoff is a smart feature, letting you switch from carpet to bare floor without dragging debris. Swivel steering ensures smooth navigation, but the hose is non-extendable, limiting reach compared to models like the NV151. On thick carpets, suction dips slightly, and the motor noise is noticeable—but not unbearable.

Compared to the Bissell 2252, the NV356E trades dust capacity for superior filtration and versatility. It’s not as powerful as the Dyson Ball Animal 3, but for under $130, it offers the best balance of HEPA performance, lift-away functionality, and pet-ready tools. If you need a reliable, allergy-safe vacuum that cleans both floors and furniture without overspending, this Shark delivers.

The Shark LA502 Rotator Lift-Away is engineered for one thing: winning the war on pet hair. Its self-cleaning brushroll lives up to the hype—zero hair wrap, even after weeks of daily use on long-haired dogs. The DuoClean PowerFins deliver nonstop contact across carpets and hardwood, lifting both large debris and fine dust in a single pass. Add LED headlights that expose hidden fur under sofas, and you’ve got a vacuum that doesn’t just clean—it hunts down messes.

In practice, it transitions seamlessly between surfaces, with smooth swivel steering and a lightweight build that makes upstairs cleaning painless. The lift-away pod is a game-changer for cleaning car seats and pet beds. However, while suction is strong, it’s not the most powerful in the Shark lineup—models like the LA802 outperform it on deep-cleaning tasks. The dustbin is also prone to fine dust leakage when emptying, a minor but messy annoyance.

Pitted against the Bissell PowerClean FurFinder, the LA502 wins on hair pickup and filtration but loses on cordless convenience. It’s not as high-tech as the Shark Detect Pro, but for pet owners who want maximum hair removal without constant maintenance, this is the gold standard. If tangles have ruined your past vacuums, the LA502’s no-hair-wrap promise is worth every penny.

The Shark Detect Pro LA802 isn’t just smart—it’s obsessively intelligent. With four sensors—Dirt Detect, Floor Detect, Edge Detect, and Direction Detect—it automatically adjusts suction and brushroll speed based on what it’s cleaning. This means maximum power exactly when and where it’s needed, from deep carpet grime to baseboard edges. It outperforms the Dyson Ball Animal 3 in debris pickup and delivers stronger suction than the Bissell 3415, making it the most technically advanced pet vacuum on the market.

In real-world testing, the DuoClean Detect system picks up debris in both forward and reverse passes—a rare feat that nearly doubles cleaning efficiency. The odor neutralizer is a subtle but welcome touch, especially in homes with accident-prone pets. The 5-year warranty and anti-allergen seal trap 99.99% of dust and allergens, setting a new bar for air quality. However, the smart features can feel overkill for small spaces, and the price reflects its premium status.

Compared to the Shark LA502, the LA802 adds automation and deeper cleaning intelligence at a higher cost. It’s not as portable as cordless models, but for pet owners who want the most powerful, responsive, and allergen-safe vacuum, it’s unmatched. If you’re willing to invest in a vacuum that thinks for itself, the Detect Pro is the ultimate upgrade.

The Bissell 2998 MultiClean Allergen is a targeted weapon for allergy sufferers with pets. Its HEPA sealed allergen system traps 99.97% of dust and allergens, tested down to 0.3 microns, making it one of the most effective vacuums for asthma and allergy control. The lift-off portable pod lets you carry the vacuum like a handheld to attack messes on stairs, furniture, or in the car—without lugging the whole unit. Combined with LED headlights, it’s perfect for finding and eliminating hidden pet dander.

In use, it delivers consistent suction across carpets and hard floors, and the tangle-free brush roll lives up to its name, handling long hair without clogs. However, the motor lacks the punch of Dyson or premium Shark models, struggling slightly on high-pile rugs. The dustbin is small, requiring frequent emptying during full-home cleans, and the hose is short—limiting overhead reach.

Against the Shark NV151, the Bissell 2998 wins on filtration but loses on reach and power. It’s not as versatile as the Shark LA802, but for pet owners who prioritize air quality over raw cleaning muscle, it’s the best-in-class HEPA vacuum. If clean air is your top concern, this Bissell is a breath of fresh air.

The Shark NV151 is the lightest heavyweight in the pet vacuum game. Weighing in at just 10 pounds, it’s incredibly easy to carry upstairs or maneuver around furniture, yet it packs HEPA filtration and powerful suction that rival bulkier models. The 11-foot total reach, thanks to its extendable hose, makes it ideal for cleaning pet hair from ceilings, blinds, and car interiors—a feature most uprights lack. For pet owners who hate hauling heavy vacuums, this is freedom in upright form.

Real-world testing shows it handles multi-surface cleaning with ease, from deep carpet to tile, and the included Pet Power Brush is excellent for couches and car seats. Swivel steering ensures tight turns, and the anti-allergen seal traps 99.9% of dust. But the dustbin is only 0.6 quarts, filling fast in high-shed homes, and the motor isn’t as strong as the Dyson or Shark Detect Pro on thick rugs.

Compared to the Shark NV356E, the NV151 wins on portability and reach but shares similar suction. It’s not as feature-rich as the LA802, but for pet owners who want a lightweight, reach-rich vacuum that cleans floors and above-floor areas, it’s unmatched. If you value ease of use and versatility over brute power, this Shark is your best lift.