That makes it a value pick — and as value picks go, it’s one of your best options. The Pure One S11’s black-and-white build is perhaps a bit bland, and we wish that it offered a bit more than 40 minutes of runtime under optimal conditions. Still, those are fair trade-offs at this price, especially considering how well it cleans. At $400 or less, it’s the first cordless vacuum we’d recommend for just about anyone in need of a new one.
The Ryobi 18V One+ HP Cordless Pet Stick Vac Kit with Dual-Roller Bar is a well-rounded workhorse, though it’s heavy and harder to maneuver on stairs. The Shark Cordless Pro effectively seals fine allergens, thanks in part to its onboard HEPA filter. That said, some fine particulate matter can escape from gaps at the front of its floorhead. You can dismount its canister body and slot it lower down the wand to minimize its vertical footprint when not in use. Unfortunately, there’s no rack or onboard storage for the included attachments, so you’ll have to stow them away elsewhere. In terms of maneuverability, we took into consideration how easy it was to transition between different surfaces, as well as its ability to get underneath furniture.
While price is greatly determined by the type of vacuum you buy, you can find Shark vacuums we love for $75 to $400, with most models costing around $180. Considering you can usually find these powerhouses on sale, Shark’s vacuums are a great find and highly competitive with options from other well-known brands, including Dyson. Shark manufactures homeware goods like irons and mops in addition to vacuums. Their vacuums come at various prices, so you can find something that fits your budget. Another reviewer shared that using the hand vacuum can be a little tricky.
We were impressed at how well it picked up cat hair from upholstery and crevices. Even though we’ve seen fur balls get stuck in larger vacuum canisters, that was not the case for this Shark. Kibble spilled on the hard floor was no match for this vacuum, though it proved to be more difficult to pick up on the carpet. Oddly enough, we actually didn’t even see the attachments—they’re stored separately—until later on in our testing, which should give you an idea of how well this handheld vacuum works on its own. It has powerful suction and is fantastic for getting a deep clean on carpet and hardwood.
The Dyson V11 has advanced, whole-machine filtration that captures pet allergens and fine dust and expels cleaner air. Its versatile cordless format transforms into a handheld vacuum with one click so you can clean up high, down low, and everywhere in between with three cleaning modes for the right power where you need it. Wet-dry vacuums have gained rapid popularity for their ability to vacuum and mop simultaneously.
Plus, its powerful HexaJet 2.0 motor provides amazing suction power to clean all sorts of debris. It has a decent warranty, and its battery and many of its parts are replaceable. Dyson’s two-year warranty on this model is decent, though that’s less shark pet vacuum coverage time than we’ve seen for many other high-performing cordless sticks. The V12 Detect Slim uses swappable, click-in batteries, and you can buy spare packs to extend the run time—though we’ve noticed that they are routinely out of stock.
Another difference between the Dysons and Sharks is whether they have a trigger or on/off toggle switch. Most Dysons have a trigger that you have to hold down with your trigger finger the entire time you’re vacuuming. They do this as a way to conserve battery power and it does come in handy when you mistakenly suck up the edge of a rug as it’s a lot faster to release the trigger than to flip a switch to turn the vacuum off.
In our most recent category test of 23 stick vacuums, we gathered and assessed over 500 data points to calculate the highest overall scorers and select the top models to recommend. Other features include a dust bin that opens from the bottom (though it’s on the smaller side), washable components and an unobtrusive wall-mounted charging dock. It will likely fall over, and you don’t want it to nick or damage your floors. We loved the Miele Triflex HX1 stick vacuum and this newer version — the Triflex HX2 — is even better.
Plus, Anti-Allergen Complete Seal with HEPA filtration traps fine particles as you clean. If you’re looking for a vacuum with a little more power, this upright has nearly 19,000 five-star fans, and for good reason. It has a lift-away pod for reaching higher surfaces, as well as a built-in HEPA filter to help trap allergens and irritants in the air.
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of the best Shark vacuums for pet hair, Barbara analyzed insights from the lab based in Des Moines, Iowa. When it comes to the best Shark vacuums for pet hair, the price is impacted by the style, as well as any accessories and technology. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars at least, with some options going up to at least $600. Strong suction is everything when it comes to vacuums, especially when you’re trying to pick up after your pet. But those that are billed for pets are indeed better suited for furbaby cleanup.