The 14 Best Handheld Vacuums for Pet Hair Reviews 2020 – Consumer Reports

UPDATED: Jan 09, 2020.

Traditional upright vacuums can be a real pain to use when it comes to cleaning hard to reach places and quite ineffective for cleaning pet hair and car upholstery. Handheld vacuums offer a more convenient and portable solution that is effective on stairs and upholstery.

Pet hair removal is also easy as a handheld vacuum allows you to take the nozzle where it needs to be to have the maximum cleaning impact. However, with so many options available what is the best handheld vacuum for pet hair? And why?

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Handheld Vacuums for Pet Hair:

• Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Top Pick)
• LOZAYI 7KPA Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner (Top Rated)
• BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless (Editor Choice)
• BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Vacuum
• Audew Cordless Handheld Vacuum
• Shark Rocket Ultra-Light
• BLACK+DECKER HHVI320JR02 Dustbuster
• BISSELL Robot and Hand Vacuum Bundle
• Holife Handheld Vacuum Cordless
• Dyson V7 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
• Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
• VacLife Handheld Vacuum
• Sibytech Handheld Vacuum Cordless
• BLACK+DECKER MAX Lithium Flex Vacuum

The 14 Best Handheld Vacuums For Pet Hair

To determine the best handheld vacuum available in 2020 we conduct a thorough review of the 15 best handheld vacuum cleaners and identify each one’s unique strengths and weaknesses. 

1. Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ is designed for pet hair and upholstery cleaning. This all-in-one multi-functional vacuum cleaner comes with many smart tools that make cleaning all types of surfaces and upholstery easy and effective. 

Dyson vacuums are renowned for their durability and clever engineering and the Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ is a small but extremely powerful vacuum cleaner that offers powerful suction power as well as unmatched convenience.

Even though it is a cordless unit it still has a lot of power and ample run time for smaller cleaning jobs such as car upholstery and spot cleaning on rugs and carpets. The Dyson comes with a convenient docking station that allows you to both, store and charge the vacuum, as well as, have all the clever attachments in one place.

The tools are designed to work on multiple surfaces and tackle even the most stubborn spots of grime and built-up dirt. The bagless technology allows for easy disposal of built-up dirt and the convenient handheld only option, is great for reaching hard to reach places in between your coach and car seats. 

The Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ was voted #1 in customer satisfaction for stick vacuums for 3 years in a row and offers excellent warranty terms on all its products. A safe and worthwhile investment if you are seeking a modern and long-lasting handheld vacuum cleaner. 

Pros:

• Cordless hassle-free cleaning
• Comes with 6 smart tool attachments
• Can be used as a handheld only
• Multi-purpose docking station 
• Up to 30 minutes of runtime
• Multi-motorized tool for pet hair removal
• Powerful suction power
• Variable power settings
• Bagless HEPA filtration
• Voted #1 in customer satisfaction with stick vacuums
• 2-year warranty

Cons:

• Not suitable for prolonged cleaning jobs
• On the expensive side
• Heavier than other handheld vacuum cleaner models

2. LOZAYI 7KPA Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner

The Lozayi cordless handheld vacuum cleaner is a powerful little tool that is quite effective at cleaning multiple surfaces thanks to its clever attachments and ample suction power. The built-in LED lights make spotting pet hair a breeze and the clever design allows you to vacuum even the hardest to reach places with ease.

The product is super lightweight and almost feels flimsy when you first hold. However, you soon realize that this little vacuum has plenty to offer and is built to last. The Lozayi come with plenty of clever attachments including a carrying bag.

This handheld vacuum cleaner is also designed to tackle both dry and wet messes left behind by your furry friends and is a true lifesaver for any pet owner. The HEPA filter is washable and reusable and the bagless technology allows for easy waste disposal.

The Lozayi offers many of the same features that you would associate with more premium brands at an extremely competitive price. The 1-year warranty also shows that the manufacturers back the product and excellent customer reviews prove just that.

If you are looking for a vacuum cleaner that is lightweight, cost-effective and has powerful suction power and is effective at cleaning a variety of surfaces and especially pet hair and pet waste than the Lozayi is definitely worth considering. 

Pros:

• Ultra-lightweight design
• Built-in LED lights
• Cordless with up to 30-minute runtime
• Comes with several smart attachments
• Washable and reusable stainless steel filter
• 1-year warranty
• Excellent for cleaning car upholstery and pet hair
• Quiet and powerful motor

Cons:

• Not suitable for prolonged use
• Not as powerful as the Dyson V7 Animal Pro+

3. BLACK+DECKER HHVI315JO42 Dustbuster Cordless

The Black+Decker Dustbuster is a small, compact and easy to use unit that is effective at cleaning up larger pieces of debris, dirt, and pet waste. The large capacity dirt bowl can hold a lot more than you would think and the bagless technology makes for easy waste disposal.

The unit is super easy to use and its lightweight construction allows you to take it with you wherever you go. The compact design also makes it great for reaching hard to reach places and the suction power is ample for cleaning upholstery, pet hair and dust from a variety of different surfaces.

Black+Decker is a well-reputed brand and known for its reliability, customer service, and intelligent engineering. This Dustbuster doesn’t disappoint as it is not only convenient, practical and durable but also quite affordable. The wall mount allows for the unit to be easily stored and at arm’s length whenever needed.

An easy to use, affordable solution for cleaning pet hair and kitty litter. May not have all the bells and whistles of other models featured on this list but in terms of practicality and ease of use, the Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless definitely deserves a spot in the top 15 handheld vacuum cleaners for pet hair.

Pros:

• Lightweight construction
• Easy to use
• Good value for money
• Comes with 2-attachment tools, wall mount, and Jack plug charger
• Cordless and bagless technology
• Decent suction power
• Washable and reusable filter
• 2-year Limited Warranty

Cons:

• Does not come with a docking station
• No light indicating when fully-charged
• Doesn’t come with a pre-filter
• Limited attachment tools

4. BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Vacuum, 16V (CHV1410L)

This Black+Decker is a more beefed-up version of the Black+Decker we just reviewed. This unit is larger, heavier and offers greater suction power and much larger dust bowl capacity. 

Unlike the previous model, this Black+Decker comes with a docking station wall mount that allows you to easily store and charge your vacuum cleaner while also having all your attachment tools stored with it. 

The other differences between the two models include the fact that the CHV1410L is more energy-efficient, has a longer run-time, and has a pre-filter for ensuring better air quality. The extended rotating slim nozzle is also extremely effective at getting into those hard to reach places around furniture and appliances and for cleaning the edges of stairs.

The bagless technology makes it easy to clean and the filters are washable and reusable as well as the dust bowl. The long-lasting battery life and versatile use make this an extremely handy tool for just about any cleaning job. 

Pros:

• Decent suction power
• Energy efficient
• Extended runtime and battery life
• Docking station
• Slim rotating nozzle for better reach and maneuverability
• 2-year Warranty
• Washable and reusable filters
• Lightweight compact design

Cons:

• Limited attachment tools
• Needs to be upright when charging on the docking station and can easily topple over
• Isn’t what you would call quite

5. Audew Cordless Handheld Vacuum

The Audew Cordless Handheld Vacuum cleaner offers similar levels of portability and convenience as compared to the other models’ features thus far. The Audew has a practical ergonomic design with a quiet yet powerful suction motor. 

The Audew comes with several clever attachments and accessories that make for easy maintenance, storage, and cleaning of various surface types. The bagless technology and washable filters make it easy to clean and result in zero maintenance costs. 

The Audew offers limited run-time and even though it has lithium-ion batteries it is not suitable for prolonged cleaning jobs as even fast recharging can take several hours. The lightweight compact design is great for cleaning car upholstery, pet hair, and furniture. 

The Audew offers a 1-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty as well as a 6-month replacement and 90-day refund policy which makes it a safe and handy purchase for tackling all types of home, office or car cleaning tasks.

Pros:

• Comes with plenty of attachments and accessories
• Lightweight construction
• 90-day money-back guarantee
• 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
• Washable and reusable filters and dust bowl
• Easy to use and empty
• Decent suction power and battery life
• Light indicator to show charge level

Cons:

• Lesser known brand
• No pre-filter
• No wall mount or docking station
• Not ideal for prolonged or continuous use

6. Shark Rocket Ultra-Light

The Shark Rocket is a supremely versatile handheld vacuum cleaner that is lightweight, portable and ideal for use on stairs, upholstery, furniture and a variety of different surface types thanks to plenty of heavy-duty attachment tools.

The Shark Rocket offers powerful suction for handheld deep cleaning of built-up dirt on carpets, car upholstery, and furniture. The bagless technology makes for easy waste disposal with a simple push of the button.  

The Shark Rocket Ultra-light is the perfect handheld vacuum cleaner for tasks that involve heavy vacuum use such as the cleaning of stairs and the removal of pet hair that can get everywhere. The versatile attachment and portable lightweight design allows you to get to those hard to reach places and around tight corners for a thorough cleaning job.

The Shark also has washable and reusable filters that result in zero maintenance costs. The clever attachments like the TruePet Motorized Brush are extremely effective at eliminating built-up dirt, dust, pet hair, bacteria, and allergens for a 100% chemical-free deep clean.

Pros:

• Portable and lightweight 
• Smart attachments for versatile cleaning
• Perfect for car upholstery and stairs cleaning
• Powerful suction
• Bagless technology
• Easy to use
• Robust heavy-duty construction
• Washable and reusable filters

Cons:

• Has a 15 ft. non-retractable cord which offers limited cleaning radius
• A bit expensive compared to other models

7. BLACK+DECKER HHVI320JR02 Dustbuster

The BLACK+DECKER HHVI320JR02 lies somewhere in between the BLACK+DECKER HHVI315JO42 and BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L. This model comes with the same rotating slim nozzle as the CHV1410L and also has a very similar design. Both models weigh about the same and come with the same attachments.

However, there are some key differences between the HHVI320JR02 and CHV1410L. First off, this model doesn’t come with a docking station but instead comes with a wall-mount and Jack plug charger like in the HHVI315JO42. This unit is also cheaper than the CHV1410L and slightly more expensive than the HHVI320JR02.

The BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L is the upgraded version of the HHVI320JR02 and has a more efficient motor and a pre-filter which this model does not have. The only advantage of this model over the HHVI315JO42 is the rotating elongated nozzle that allows for extra reach when trying to get to difficult to reach places.

Pros:

• Rotating slim nozzle
• Cordless and bagless technology
• Washable and reusable filter
• Lightweight and compact design
• Versatile multi-purpose use

Cons:

• No docking station
• No light indicator when charging
• No pre-filter

8. BISSELL Robot and Hand Vacuum Bundle

Looking for a 2-in-1 bundle deal? You might just be in luck. The BISSELL robot and hand vacuum bundle take ease and convenience to a different level. Let the robot take care of the hardwood floor or carpeting while you can tackle those hard to reach spots with the lightweight and powerful BISSELL handheld vacuum. 

The BISSEL is engineered specifically to deal with pet hair and the reviews speak volumes to its effectiveness of doing so. The power brush is a fantastic tool that helps remove pet hair from multiple surfaces and the compact and lightweight design allows you to reach spots that you just wouldn’t be able to get to with a traditional vacuum.

The BISSEL is a small but powerful vacuum cleaner that offers sufficient runtime and is ideal for sucking up pet hair from stairs, upholstery, and furniture. The robot can be programmed to clean your floors on a select schedule and start working automatically even if you are not there.

Pros:

• 2-in-1 bundle deal
• BISSEL donates up to $10 to pet charities for every product sold
• Motorized brush tool effective for sucking up pet hair
• Robot cleaner can operate unsupervised
• Excellent runtime and charge holding capacity
• Ergonomic and sturdy design
• Lightweight and compact design

Cons:

• Filters can’t be washed and are expensive to replace
• No wall mount or docking station
• A wide nozzle makes it difficult to get into narrow spaces

9. Holife Handheld Vacuum Cordless

The Holife is a powerful and versatile handheld vacuum cleaner that is great for cleaning up pet hair and waste. The lightweight and portable design along with clever attachments make it handy for cleaning stairs, carpets, car upholstery, and pet hair. 

The Holife is a relatively new competitor that offers plenty of promise with excellent customer reviews and a hassle-free 1-year Warranty. The unit comes with a docking station and two removable and washable filters. This combined with bagless technology means no more expensive maintenance costs.

Easy to use, versatile, portable and a beast when it comes to sucking up pet hair. The Holife is certainly a well thought out handheld vacuum cleaner that is giving some of the bigger brands a run for their money.

Pros:

• Can clean up dry and wet messes
• Powerful suction and good battery life
• Clever attachments
• 1-year warranty
• Easy to use and maintain
• Bagless and cordless technology
• Lightweight and compact design

Cons:

• Need to clean the filter after every use

10. Dyson V7 Car+Boat Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

The Dyson V7 is a portable, cord-free handheld vacuum cleaner that is backed by Dyson’s most powerful V7 motor that provides plenty of fade free suction power to tackle all corners of your home and car.

The Dyson V7 has a small, compact design and comes with a flexible extension hose that offers longer reach which is great for cleaning above doors, on stairs, on high windows and car upholstery.

The Dyson comes with different power settings. On max power, it runs for six-minutes providing ample suction to tackle the toughest of stains, built-up dirt, and grounded-in debris. A car charger comes with the set so you can easily charge the battery even when traveling.

Pros:

• Comes with a convenient car charger
• Plenty of clever attachments
• One of the most powerful handheld vacuum cleaners available
• Easy to use
• Lightweight and portable 
• Bagless and cordless technology
• Ideal for car and boat cleaning
• 2-year warranty

Cons:

• No wall mount or docking station
• Quite expensive

11. Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum

The Shark WANDVAC is an ultralight handheld vacuum cleaner than looks and feels like a wand that simply vanishes dirt, pet hair, dust, and debris. A tapered nozzle and an extremely compact design makes the Shark WANDVAC a true master of reaching hard to get places around your home and vehicle.

This ultra-light vacuum wand packs a powerful punch and is the ideal travel companion as it hardly takes up any space or weight at all. A charging dock, LED charging light, bagless technology, and clever engineering make the Shark WANDVAC an extremely desirable cleaning tool for tackling cleaning jobs that require more precision.

Pros:

• Ultra-lightweight design
• LED charging light
• Docking station and fast charging
• One-touch debris disposal
• Clever attachments
• Ideal for car upholstery and pet hair
• Elegant and modern design

Cons:

• Limited runtime
• Expensive compared to other models
• Small-sized dust bowl

12. VacLife Handheld Vacuum

The VacLife is another ultra-light handheld vacuum cleaner weighing is at less than 2 lbs. The VacLife comes with many of the features available in the Audew and Lozayi and also has a similar design.

The variations come in the number of attachments available as the VacLife comes with 3 different nozzle settings that allow you to get in between couches and car seats. The bright LED lights make spotting pet hair, debris and dust a much easier task and is a neat feature.

Durability and reliability are yet to be determined as this is a newish brand but VacLife does offer a full refund or replacement policy in case anything does go wrong during use. Competitive price, great features and decent suction make the VacLife a good all-rounder. 

Pros:

• Lightweight compact design
• Stainless steel washable HEPA filter
• Plenty of clever attachments
• Bagless and cordless technology
• Easy to use
• Bright LED lights
• Decent suction power and battery life

Cons:

• Unknown brand
• Durability and reliability yet to be determined

13. Sibytech Handheld Vacuum Cordless

The Sibytech handheld vacuum cleaner certainly looks great on paper. It has powerful 6000 Pa suction power which is ample for sucking up dirt, debris, grime, and dust. The bright LED lights make it super easy to find pet hair and dust that would otherwise go uncleaned.

Even though it has a powerful motor the Sibytech is lightweight at under 3 lbs. and has a durable stainless steel HEPA filter.  Clever attachments and accessories like a carry bag make the Sibytech the perfect portable cleaning tool for your car or home. 

The Sibytech uses heavy-duty materials that are made to last and with a 1-Year Warranty and irresistible price point, this is a handheld vacuum that’s not just powerful, practical and easy-to-use but also light on the pocket.

Pros:

• Competitively priced
• Plenty of attachments and accessories
• Bright LED lights
• Cordless and bagless technology
• Stainless steel HEPA filters
• Power suction power
• 1-Year Warranty
• Lightweight and easy to use

Cons:

• Limited runtime
• No wall mount or docking station

14. BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Vacuum

The BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH is the ultimate handheld vacuum cleaner that is able to do it all. It has powerful suction, lightweight design, 3 layer filtration system, large capacity dust bowl, and the heritage of over 100 years of trust and credibility.

This Black+Decker truly offers unmatched versatility and is super easy to use and twice as powerful as most other models featured on this list. The 4 ft. flexible hose and other clever attachments truly make this a floor-to-ceiling vacuum cleaner that you can simply carry in one hand.

Pros:

• Powerful suction
• Compact and lightweight
• Multi-purpose use
• Excellent battery life
• Docking station
• Washable dust bowl and filter
• Reputed brand name

Cons:

• A tad expensive

What Is The Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaner For Pet Hair?

After a thorough review of the 14 best handheld vacuums for pet hair, it is clear that there are several contenders that can claim to be the best when it comes to pet hair cleaning. 

Depending on your use, the number of pets you have and overall cleaning needs any of the 14 handheld vacuum cleaners featured on this list can be perfect for you.

They can all suck up dirt, grime, debris and pet hair on stairs, upholstery, furniture, carpets, and rugs with minimal ease and offer many other features besides.