Winner
The Shark Stratos XL is a corded upright vacuum designed especially well for pet owners dealing with hair on both carpets and hard floors. Its strong 800W motor and Shark's Anti Hair Wrap Plus technology help pick up long and short pet hair without the brush roll getting clogged, which means less maintenance while cleaning. It uses a cartridge filter with an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal to trap dust and allergens, helping keep your air cleaner and reducing pet-related odors thanks to its Anti-Odour technology.
The large 2.6-liter dust cup means you won’t need to empty it frequently, making it suitable for homes with multiple pets or larger spaces. The vacuum also transforms into a portable unit with Powered Lift-Away, giving you flexibility to clean stairs, upholstery, or hard-to-reach spots using included pet, crevice, and multi-surface tools. The wide floorhead covers more area quickly, helping speed up cleaning sessions.
While it is a bit on the heavier side at over 8 kg, which may make handheld use less comfortable for some, and being corded means you need to remain near power outlets, the Shark Stratos XL delivers reliable, powerful performance with versatile attachments and a large capacity, making it a strong choice for pet hair cleanup.
The Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus is a strong contender for anyone needing a vacuum specifically to tackle pet hair around the home. Its 950-watt motor provides solid suction that stays consistent even as the 1.5-litre dirt bin fills up, meaning you won’t lose cleaning power midway. The multi-cyclonic system helps separate dirt effectively, and the cartridge filter supports good filtration, which is important for reducing allergens from pet dander. The vacuum features a versatile VersaClean floorhead with two brush bars designed to work well both on carpets and hard floors, agitating and lifting debris efficiently.
Weighing just 6.5kg, it’s lighter than many upright vacuums, and the Lift Out technology lets you convert it into a portable unit for stairs, upholstery, or even car interiors, which is a handy bonus for pet owners. Included tools like the Turbo Tool are especially useful for removing stubborn pet hair, while the antimicrobial brushes add an extra layer of hygiene. With a noise level of 69 decibels, it’s reasonably quiet compared to some vacuums, which can be less stressful for pets.
On the downside, its 1.5-litre capacity might require emptying during very large cleaning sessions, and being corded means you’re limited by the 9-metre cord length, though that is fairly generous. Some users might find the 6.5kg weight a little heavy if they have mobility issues, but it’s generally manageable. This vacuum offers strong suction, useful pet-focused attachments, and good versatility, making it a practical choice for pet owners who need a reliable and convenient cleaning tool.
The Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is tailored for pet owners, featuring strong suction power and advanced filtration. The DuoClean Detect technology optimizes cleaning by detecting dirt and floor types, enhancing performance. The vacuum's Anti-Hair Wrap Plus is particularly effective for pet hair removal, ensuring hair doesn't clog the brush roll. With its 2L Auto-Empty Base, dirt and debris can be stored for up to 45 days, which is convenient and reduces maintenance frequency.
The vacuum boasts a 70-minute runtime, sufficient for extended cleaning sessions, and its lightweight design (3.71 kg) makes it easy to maneuver across different surfaces. The product includes multiple attachments like a motorized pet tool and multi-surface tool, catering to various cleaning needs. On the downside, the vacuum produces 80 dB of noise, which might be considered loud by some users.
Additionally, while the 0.7L vacuum capacity is relatively small and may require more frequent emptying during use, the Auto-Empty Base counteracts this issue somewhat. The Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is highly suitable for pet owners and multi-surface cleaning, but users should be aware of the noise level and vacuum capacity limitations.