Well, we call in plenty from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to find out. We grind pet hair into the carpet before vacuuming, to create the worst-case scenario. Not that you really need to worry about switching between modes; its ‘clean sense IQ’ technology will automatically ramp up the power if it detects a notably dirty spot. Though not as advanced as the pet-specific model above, this simpler Vax is a smart choice if you don’t have any furry friends.
Its extendable crevice tool allows you to reach into nooks and crannies. For most people, great cordless vacuum cleaners are now strong enough to replace plug-in vacuums. But cordless vacs cost more, they don’t last as long, and unless you spring for a really high-end model, they may not have enough irobot vacuum cleaner run time to clean big homes in a single pass. There’s a 1-quart / 0.7-liter dust canister and two attachments for when the vacuum cleaner is being used in handheld mode. All of the cordless vacuums we tested were between 4 and 7 pounds, but none was so heavy that it affected our recommendation.
Now, before you schedule your next deep-cleaning vacuum sesh, take some time to figure out which vacuum is really worth investing in. To kick-start your search, we scoured the internet to find all the best cordless vacuum cleaners for pet hair to shop now. Get whichever machine you already have batteries for—the DeWalt and the Milwaukee are similar enough in price and performance. These rechargeable-battery systems really work—but they only make sense if you go all-in on one brand. Looking for a handheld vacuum that does a little bit of everything? The Hoover OnePwr works on hard and upholstered surfaces to powerfully suck up debris with ease.
It is designed for use on sealed hardwood, tile, or laminate floors, and glides effortlessly on them all. A tank for Shark cleaning solution, which is included in your purchase, is built into its body. The Dyson V15 is the most expensive stick vacuum in our lineup, but if you can stomach the price tag, you’ll get a cordless vac that (quite literally) leaves the competition in the dust across the board. It delivers top-notch performance on floors and carpet to tackle everything from fine dust to messy debris. Chances are, if you’re in the market for a stick vacuum, you’ve already decided that you’re going cordless, as the main reasons for owning one are that they’re lightweight and portable. You’ll want to consider overall power and the number of settings across different floor types, plus battery runtime and charging time, along with the dust bin’s capacity and emptying mechanism.
Our team of CNET experts, editors and lab technicians has been testing vacuums in a smart home and testing warehouse located in Louisville, for over 10 years. In that time, we’ve refined our testing methods and assessments in a controlled environment to measure the proficiency of robot vacuums, full-sized models and cordless stick vacuums alike. For more check out this detailed article on how we test vacuums at CNET. For the allergy-conscious, the ION P50 model comes with a HEPA filter.
This filter collects most dust, allergens, and small air particles as it cleans. The P50 can, therefore, switch between heavy-duty cleaning on both hard flooring and low irobot vacuum cleaner pile carpets seamlessly. DuoClean technology offers powerful cleaning even when in regular mode, although the P50 lets you take it up a notch with a power boost mode.
Notably, you can also make this vacuum more compact for storage; the handle can fold in half. Its canister converts into a handheld vacuum you can use, too, but we found the handheld vac to be decently heavy. It may be fine for grabbing a few cobwebs, but don’t expect to use it overhead for a long time. There’s also not a designated spot for attachments, which was disappointing, so you’ll need to repurpose a box or bin to keep the attachments together in your home. Discover the world of lighter, longer-running, more maneuverable, and more powerful Shark cordless vacuums.
You can easily upgrade to a different cleaning head if you eventually buy low- or medium-pile rugs. Experts disagree on the traits a “clean-air” vacuum needs to have. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says that some bagless vacuums are okay in this regard. We’d recommend erring on the side of caution with a bagged, sealed-system vacuum that has a HEPA filter.
It’s interesting when you compare the Shark to a Dyson, whose original ‘sphere’ design on their uprights was revolutionary. The hinged areas on the Shark are totally different to Dyson’s, but it makes quite a big difference when trying to reach certain areas. Your product’s model number is listed on the front cover of your instruction booklet. A HEPA filter plus a sealed system keep dust and allergens inside the vacuum, and out of the air you breathe. ▴The MyDysonTM app is only compatible with select Dyson products.
The Athlet in particular, although slightly heavier than the Dyson, distributes its weight well due to its design, something the Shark doesn’t do. This vacuum’s anti-allergen seal and HEPA filter effectively trap dust—a major win for families with pets and allergies. You’ll also enjoy the clear dust bin that allows you to see what you’re capturing in real time, and it releases very easily with the help of built-in latches. At this price point, you can’t beat the performance and easy-to-use design that makes this vacuum a favorite among our team.