The Best Canister Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2024

Cats shed all over the place and getting hair out of the couch, carpet, and other places can be a challenge.

Canister vacuums can be one of the best when it comes to getting in hard to reach areas where your fur baby might like to hang around, and they can be a little more valued in homes with families.

On this page, we have collected the top choices available on the market this year! Keep reading to find out how you can decide on a vacuum for you and your cleaning needs.

Our Top List

#	Preview	Product	Our Rating	Link	Price / Value
1		Ovente ST2620B	4.5/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10
2		Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G	4.5/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10
3		Hoover SH40090PC	4/5	Check Today's Price	9/10
4		Tritan Bagged Canister Vacuum	4/5	Check Today's Price	8/10
5		Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog	4/5	Check Today's Price	7/10
6		Bissell 1547 Bagless	4/5	Check Today's Price	8/10
7		Kenmore 81614	4/5	Check Today's Price	8/10

This vacuum can come in 4 different colors, black, green, orange, and red, and is a bagless model. It also comes with a main flat headpiece along with 2 smaller attachments, one for a sofa/stairs with a motor and a bendable brush that you can use on your pet directly if they are okay with it of course.

This is possibly the best canister vacuum between its stronger-than-average suction, the fact that the attachments nearly never fall off no matter what position they are used in, and the fresher smelling air thanks to the high-quality HEPA filter.

The only downside that we have noticed was that the filter does need to be changed on a regular basis, even more so depending on how many pets you have and how often you clean.

This model can come in 4 colors, yellow, blue, violet, and blue (different design), and is a bagged model. It does not come with any attachments, but is just as powerful as the last model, easily picking up pet hair off and out of most carpets.

While this model does not have a special HEPA filter, an attachment for one can be bought and easily installed, but it seems to take some of the natural pet smell out of the carpet without one as long as it is not too strong.

The bag does not get stuck, which can be common for bagged models, but dirt and fur can often spill out while you are changing the bag. The hose also easily kinks up, too, but it can be worth it if you want a quick and efficient cleanup.

This a bagless model that only comes in a light green color. It also has a longer-than-average cord, 20-feet, and it is retractable. This model also has a unique design due to the handle on the canister; it is meant to be carried while you are vacuuming and has no wheels like other models.

The design makes it really great if you live in a small home or apartment, but the canister can get full fairly quickly depending on the number or size of your pets. Still, the filter works great with handling smells.

Like the last model, the hose can get kinked fairly easily, but this hose is a little short, so it seems to get tangled less easily than the last model.

This one is a bagged model, and it is available in 2 colors: Tritan blue and Tritan white. One of the more convenient features is you can get the vacuum by itself or you can get it with all of the attachments; more than 5 with extra bags.

While this may be one of the more expensive models, it may be one of the best in the long run since it has one of the longest lifespans; it can last for up to 5 years or more if it is kept clean and maintained.

The attachments do not stay on as well, and they do not come with a built-in holder or carrying case. However, the suction is one of the best on and off this list, and it can work especially well on hard floors; it tends to throw dirt around on carpets because of the power.

Unlike the other models on this list, this vacuum is specially designed for cleaning up after pets. The canister is one of the largest on this list, holding over 1 gallon of fur and/or dirt, and the cleaning radius, nearly 30 feet, is one of the largest, too.

It seems to be one of the quietest models both on and off this list, and the retractable cord is a bonus too. The biggest downsides are the lower quality attachments that it comes with and the fact that it tends to eat shag rug or carpet.

This model is similar to the third one on this list, but instead of a handle, this one has wheels and is a bit larger and heavier than some of the other models. The bagless canister is on the smaller size, holding around half a gallon.

This is one of the more expensive choices, but the high-quality suction and low noise that it makes certainly make up for it. It works pretty well on carpets, too, but even better on hard floors; it does not spray the dirt and fur around like most.

Cleaning under furniture can be a bit awkward, and it does not latch onto the attachments well, but it is still a good option, especially if you are looking for a long-lasting vacuum.

The last on the list, this is possibly one of the most expensive options and it is a bagged model that only comes in purple. It has a pretty average cleaning radius, a little over 10 feet from the base of the hose to the tip, and the bag holds up to a little over half a gallon.

It is one of the newer models, uses a HEPA filter, comes with 4 attachments, and has dual motors. It also is much lighter than it looks, only weighing about 20 pounds.

The suction seems to be one of the strongest and it certainly works well when it comes to picking up loose fur, both on the pets and on the floor, but the filter tends to fall out often and the bags are a little more difficult to find both in stores and online.

Still, this is one of the more durable and powerful models out there.

Buying Guide

What is a canister vacuum?

Canister vacuums are very similar to the common upright type like the ones made by Shark, but instead of it being one piece with an attached hose, it is more like a long hose with an attached canister.

They are specially made to be powerful enough so that you can use an extra-long hose to reach in otherwise inconvenient places that need cleaning.

How to choose a canister vacuum for pet hair

Type

Some are designed to be mainly used for cleaning areas that are normally unreachable, but there are some models that have attachments so that they can be used as an upright vacuum. It has a large flathead attachment for the nozzle.

Ones with these attachments tend to have larger bags or tanks, but that is not always the case so you should make sure to check the size along with the type.

Bag vs bagless

It can be easier to find canister vacuums that do not use bags as opposed to those that do, but the reason is not exactly clear. Still, there are a few models on and off this list that do use bags, which can be a little cleaner since you do not have to keep it clean as much.

Then again, the bagless models can be more environmentally friendly since you do not have to use any bags, and they also tend to keep odors in a little bit better.

Special controls and attachments

Some vacuums have only 2 settings, namely hard floors and carpets, while others can have more for specific floor types and even carpets heights. This can be a little more convenient if you have a variety of different floors/carpets/rugs throughout your home.

Usually, nearly every model comes with at least 1 or 2 attachments, and these are normally the main attachment and a smaller or bigger one. Sometimes, one can come with up to 5 or more attachments, too.

Weight

Trying to judge the weight by just looking at a vacuum can be deceiving since cordless vacuums or handhelds are sometimes heavier than the larger ones. Luckily, nearly every model lists its dry weight (when it is empty), and this can be anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds for a canister vacuum – sometimes it is more or less.

Size

Smaller-sized vacuums can be fine for smaller homes or if you have one or two small pets while large ones can be almost necessary if you do not want to empty it several times in one cleaning. Most tanks or bags usually hold about half a gallon to a gallon of dirt or fur. Of course, the smallest ones you can get are robots.

Hose length

Most hoses, with or without attachments, are usually around 5 to 11 feet long. The length of the hose can depend on the size of the vacuum since a larger vacuum usually has enough power to support a longer hose.

What are some of the advantages of a canister vacuum?

When compared to other types of vacuums, like upright models, they are usually quieter, lighter, and convenient for getting to hard to reach areas. Also, more common than not, they have retractable cords that take a fraction of the time to put away as opposed to the regular ones.

How to maintain your vacuum

Avoid clogging the hose by cleaning up piles of fur, food, dirt, etc. in small amounts at a time. Also, if you are using a bagless model, make sure you clean it and the filter before it reaches the full mark and when you are done cleaning; otherwise it can end up smelling the next time you use it.

A vacuum should not be on its own without extra help. Get a good pet hair broom and make sure you groom your cat with special gloves to collect shedding hair before it becomes a problem.

What should you do if your hose gets clogged?

Make sure the vacuum is unplugged before you take off the hose. If you have any special cleaning tools for the hose, use them, but if you do not, use a long object like a broom handle and slowly put it into the hose to clean the line.

That will get the major clog out, but if it was caused by dirt build-up, you will need to wash the hose out. Mix a cleaning solution made of warm water, baking soda, and vinegar; this will break down most of the dirt and take away the smell too.

Make sure you pour the mixture while you are outside and the other end of the hose is pointed away from you; doing it in a drain may clog the drain. Slowly pour the mixture down the hose and shake it gently to loosen any clumps. If you need to put the broom back in to get large pieces out, do it now.

Finally, rinse the hose out with warm water in a bathtub or sink; make sure the end is pointed at the drain.