Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

7 Best Dyson Vacuums for Pet Hair – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Cassidy Sutton

By Cassidy Sutton

Dyson V8 Animal

From the first turn-of-the-century vacuums to self-cleaning robots, a good vacuum is the secret behind every pet owner’s clean home. Vacuums have come a long way since their start at the turn of the century, and Dyson is leading the vacuum industry into the future.

In this post, we’re reviewing seven of our favorite Dyson vacuums, from simple sticks to upright champions, there’s a vacuum for everyone on this list. Let’s take a look.

hepper cat paw divider

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
  • Converts to handheld
  • Four accessory pieces for cleaning
  • Light and easy to use
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Dyson V7 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Dyson V7 Cordless Handheld Vacuum
  • Good for small jobs
  • Portable for cars
  • Emptying dirt is easy
  • Third place
    Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum
  • Longer lasting battery
  • Converts to handheld
  • Laser illumination for dirt detection
  • Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum
  • Pet grooming tool
  • Unlimited run time
  • Works on hard flooring and carpet
  • Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum
  • HEPA air filtration
  • Powerful suction
  • More run time
  • The 7 Best Dyson Vacuums for Pet Hair

    1. Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner – Best Overall

    Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

    Check Price on Chewy
    Vacuum Type: Stick
    Voltage: 21.6 Volts
    Weight: 5.5 pounds
    Power Source: Battery

    Our best overall option is the Dyson V8 cordless vacuum cleaner. At only 5.5 pounds, this powerful stick vacuum is perfect for heavy messes without the hassle of dancing with a cord. You can glide this vacuum all over the house on any type of flooring. When you buy the V8, you’ll receive four accessory pieces to help you rid your house of sticky pet fur. Or convert it to a handheld to clean your car and hard-to-reach places.

    The Dyson V8 is designed to last 40 minutes on a full battery. However, some people have noticed the battery energy draining much faster. Besides the battery, another characteristic of this stick vacuum is the trigger switch. You have to hold it down to run your vacuum which can be annoying when you’re dealing with big messes. But for some, the ease of use is worth the hassle.

    Pros
    • Converts to handheld
    • Four accessory pieces for cleaning
    • Light and easy to use
    Cons
    • Short battery life
    • Trigger switch can be annoying

    2. Dyson V7 Cordless Handheld Vacuum – Best Value

    Dyson V7 Cordless Handheld Vacuum

    Vacuum Type: Handheld
    Voltage: 21.6 Volts
    Weight: 3.77 pounds
    Power Source: Battery

    Dyson vacuums are expensive, but the V7 cordless handheld vacuum is pretty reasonable. Unfortunately, Dyson no longer makes these models new, so you have to buy them used. But that just lowers the price even more.

    This is a great option for small jobs and cars, and probably the best value for the money. You don’t have to find an outlet, empty the bin frequently, or drive to a car wash. This vacuum makes car messes pretty simple.

    This is a handheld vacuum, so it does have a few limitations, the first being the short battery life. It doesn’t last as long as larger vacuums. You could switch the suction to low to save power, but you’re better off using the highest setting for the best results (just watch out for the air exhaust blowing air at you).

    Overall, if a small vacuum is what you need and nothing more, this is a good option.

    Pros
    • Good for small jobs
    • Portable for cars
    • Emptying dirt is easy
    Cons
    • Short battery life
    • Air exhaust shoots at you
    • Low suction doesn’t work very well
    • Must buy used

    3. Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum – Premium Choice

    Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum

    Vacuum Type: Stick
    Voltage: 25.2 Volts
    Weight: 4.9 pounds
    Power Source: Battery

    Our premium choice for this list is the Dyson V12 Detect Slim cordless vacuum. Despite the hefty price tag, this vacuum works wonders. It’s slightly lighter than the V8 and has a longer-lasting battery. Plus, it converts to a handheld vacuum and has a single-button power control versus the trigger switch, so you can use both hands at any time.

    The best part about this vacuum is the laser illumination feature for easy dirt detection. You don’t have to guess if all the dirt is picked up when your vacuum can tell you where it is. If you’re worried about your battery life, the LCD screen displays alerts so there are no surprises (although some users still report fast-depleting battery life).

    Because this vacuum works so well, you have to clean it regularly to ensure it functions properly. But this machine is an easily stored lifesaver, so it’s worth the price.

    Pros
    • Longer lasting battery
    • Converts to handheld
    • Laser illumination for dirt detection
    • LCD screen displays alerts
    • Single-button power control
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Requires frequent cleaning
    • Battery doesn’t last as long as advertised

    4. Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum

    Dyson Ball Animal+ Upright Vacuum

    Vacuum Type: Upright
    Voltage: 220 Volts
    Weight: 17.33 pounds
    Power Source: Plug

    Honestly, as great as stick vacuums are, they have their limitations. If you’re a die-hard upright vacuum fan who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is for you- if you’re willing to endure an arm workout carrying this thing around.

    What makes this vacuum great is the suction power, specifically for high-pile carpets. A lot of the Dyson stick vacuums don’t have the strength to pull dirt and pet hair from thick carpets as this vacuum does. Plus, this vacuum comes with pet grooming tools, so you can remove the pet hair and dander from your pet before it contacts the floor (assuming your dog isn’t fearful of the vacuum).

    Pros
    • Pet grooming tool
    • Unlimited run time
    • Works on hard flooring and carpet
    • Great for high-pile carpet
    Cons
    • Not height adjustable
    • Needs to be plugged in
    • The neck lock is annoying

    5. Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum

    Dyson Gen5detect

    Vacuum Type: Stick
    Voltage: 21.6 Volts
    Weight: 7.6 pounds
    Power Source: Battery

    The Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum is a good choice if you want a stick vacuum with similar power as an upright- plus some bells and whistles.

    Compared to the other stick vacuums, the Gen5detect carries more weight, has longer battery life, and has better suction power. Plus, there’s no power trigger. But what sets this vacuum apart the most is the HEPA filtration system, a special air filter that cleans the air while you vacuum.

    Even as the most expensive vacuum on this list, we didn’t list it as the premium option because it doesn’t work well on high-pile carpets, which is a huge bummer considering the price. Like most stick vacuums, the battery is a bit finicky too. Regardless of these cons, this is a great option for people with allergies to pet dander.

    Pros
    • HEPA air filtration
    • Powerful suction
    • More run time
    • No power trigger
    Cons
    • Very expensive
    • Doesn’t work well on high-pile carpet
    • Battery doesn’t last as long as advertised

    6. Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum

    Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum

    Vacuum Type: Upright
    Voltage: 120 Volts
    Weight: 17.33 pounds
    Power Source: Plug

    The Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright vacuum is just like its sister vacuum except it doesn’t come with pet grooming tools. You can expect the same suction power and weight out of this vacuum. This is a nice option if you want a standard upright without extra accessories.

    Pros
    • Unlimited run time
    • Works on hard flooring and carpet
    Cons
    • Not height adjustable
    • Needs to be plugged in
    • No tools for pets

    7. Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

    Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

    Vacuum Type: Stick
    Voltage: 120 Volts
    Weight: 4.18 pounds
    Power Source: Battery

    Last on our list is the Dyson Omni-Glide cordless vacuum. This vacuum is the mini mi of all stick vacuums. It has a much lighter, compact design with the added benefit of HEPA air filtration. This is a perfect fit for small homes with all-hard flooring. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do well with carpet.

    Because of its size, it’s ideal for quick floor cleanups only. Don’t expect to do any heavy cleaning with this tool. The short battery life can’t handle big messes. For this reason, we’ve listed the Omni-Glide as the last option. But some of you need a small, simple tool, and the Omni-Glide could be just that.

    Pros
    • Great for wood and non-carpet floors
    • Lightweight
    • Compact design
    • HEPA filtration
    • Good for quick cleanup
    Cons
    • Not ideal for carpeted homes
    • Short run time
    • Can’t extend the handle

    hepper single cat paw divider

    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dyson Vacuum for Pet Hair

    Why Is a Vacuum Important in Pet Care?

    Pets are furry and smelly. There’s no getting around it. Still, vacuuming isn’t just about keeping your floors shiny and clean. Pets carry dander, dirt, bacteria, viruses, and insects everywhere they travel. This is especially true for dog homes—they carry significantly more bacteria than other homes. Pillowcases and TV screens seem to carry the most dog-related microbes.

    This doesn’t mean that dog-free homes are healthier. In fact, many microbes that hitch a ride on dogs can be beneficial for human health. But some bacteria can be harmful, like salmonella and listeria, so having a high-quality vacuum is beneficial for overall health, especially for people with severe allergies and compromised immune systems.

    What Makes a Good Vacuum?

    In 1908, the first vacuum idea was sold to William Hoover. Since then, the vacuum has made some impressive changes.

    Originally, vacuums contained a simple cloth filter and dust-collection bag with a long tube attached, like a suitcase with a hose on the side. Now, over 100 years later, vacuums can be cordless, bagless, have unbeatable suction power, dust illumination technology, filtration systems, and more.

    But don’t worry; you don’t need all the bells and whistles for a nice, reliable vacuum. The best vacuum depends on what’s important to you (and what you’re cleaning), but minimally, you should look for these key elements:

    • Good suction power
    • Good dust particle containment
    • Watt usage
    • Ease of use

    When you’ve found a vacuum that scores high in these categories and it fits your budget, you’ve struck gold.

    Vacuum-cleaner-ball-of-wool-hair-of-pet-coat_Maximilian100_shutterstock
    Credit: Maximilian100, Shutterstock

    Why Is Dyson So Popular?

    Dyson is one of the top-performing vacuums out there, so you’ve probably noticed that Dyson doesn’t only remove dirt and dander—they suck money out of your wallet too. Why are they so popular anyway? Better yet, why are they so expensive?

    Dyson isn’t just a vacuum company, it’s a robotics company housing some of the best scientists and engineers around the world. Dyson transfers this talent and skill into all their products, including their vacuums. With Dyson, you don’t get just a carpet cleaner. Their vacuums can pick up viruses, detect scattered dirt, and have unbeatable suction power among other features. For pet owners, this means your house is cleaner and safer.

    This video shows you exactly how detailed and powerful their vacuums are:


    Types of Vacuums

    All vacuums offer the same result, but each type arrives at the destination a little differently. If you’re confused about the different kinds of dirt suckers, here’s what you need to know.

    Upright:
    This is your standard vacuum. It stands upright, plugs into the wall, and comes with either a bag or a dirt canister. Uprights tend to last longer.
    Stick:
    Stick vacuums are generally cordless and bagless, and sometimes have smaller dirt canisters than upright vacuums.
    Handheld:
    Handheld vacuums are smaller vacuums that can fit in a large drawer. These are great for small spaces or small clean-ups.
    Self-Cleaning Robots:
    Self-cleaning robots are the future. These chunky disc-shaped robots self-clean the floor with little to no interference.
    Central Vacuum Systems:
    Central vacuum systems are vacuums built into the wall. These are commonly found in businesses like hospitals.

    hepper-cat-paw-divider

    Final Verdict

    In this post, we reviewed seven Dyson vacuums with three being our top favorites. Our best overall option is the Dyson V8 stick vacuum. It’s lightweight, powerful, and straightforward with a few extra features you wouldn’t get in an upright vacuum.

    Our favorite cheap option is the Dyson V7 handheld vacuum. It’s limited, but it’s great for small jobs in compact spaces.

    Lastly, we love the Dyson V12 Detect Slim stick vacuum. It has a longer-lasting battery, converts to handheld, and helps you see the dirt for a better clean. Plus, the LCD screen for display alerts is pretty cool.


    Featured Image Credit: Dyson

    Related Articles

    Further Reading

    Vet Articles

    Latest Vet Answers

    The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database