There are so many vacuum cleaners out there that all claim to do different things. From capturing microscopic dust particles to effectively polishing your hard floors too.
Although they may claim to make vacuuming that bit easier, not all of them are designed to deal with long hair.
If you have pets, you know when it is malting season. Pet hair seems to cover the stairs, the upholstery and seems wired into your deep pile carpets.
Even if you prevent your beloved cats and dogs from going upstairs, somehow their pet hair can still be found.
Your vacuum cleaner can excel at cleaning up a spillage but those pet hairs simply get caught and tangled up in the brush roller.
Thankfully, many manufacturers have created vacuum cleaners that are specially designed to deal with long hair.
Great suction power and maneuverability are expected in a modern vacuum cleaner yet different brushrolls prevent the long hair from getting tangled.
In this guide, we will look at the best vacuums for long hair so you no longer have to worry about it.
OUR TOP PICK
Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
EDITORS CHOICE
ORFELD Cordless 20000Pa Vacuum Cleaner
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
To seriously tackle pet hair, you need a pet tool kit. One comes included with the Hoover MAXLife Pet Max Complete Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner and makes a real difference.
A few pet hairbrushes and pet dander cleaning tools are ideal for dealing with the hair of several pets under one roof. The MAXLife System also delivers longer-lasting suction for effective deep cleaning.
The bagless vacuum cleaner is ideal for a large household with an XL Dirt Cup that offers huge capacity without you having to empty it frequently.
Then there is AllergenBlock Technology for removing 97% of dust, pollen particles, and even pet dander which we liked in our testing.
Dealing with pet hair requires some specific tools, which you get with this vacuum cleaner.
Pros
- Pet Tool Kit – Ideal for taking care of stubborn pet hair on stairs, carpets, or furniture
- XL Dirt Cup – This should mean you can vacuum for longer before having to empty it for added convenience
- MAXLife System – Longer lasting suction for peak performance
- AllergenBlock Technology – Captures 97% of pet dander, pollen particles, and dust
Cons
- Too Powerful Suction – The suction may be so powerful it may damage certain floors
Also available directly from Hoover
EDITORS CHOICE
ORFELD Cordless 20000Pa Vacuum Cleaner
Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
For easy deep cleaning, you really should opt for a cordless vacuum cleaner. The ORFELD Cordless 20000Pa Vacuum Cleaner is suitable on a wide range of surfaces.
Try it on carpeted stairs and on the ceiling, tiles, and hardwood floors. You should be surprised at how ultra-quiet it is too, which we liked in our testing.
With Japanese rechargeable Li-ion batteries, you can use the cordless vacuum cleaner for up to half an hour. Powerful suction that goes as far as 20KPa which is more than enough for both pet hair and long hair.
A HEPA filter also traps 99.97% of fine dust particles as tiny as 0.1 microns. Your entire living space will benefit from such an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner.
Pros
- All Floor Cleaning – Ideal for hard floors, tiles, carpets, rugs, and wooden floors
- Powerful Suction – A maximum of 20KPa is exceedingly strong suction to take care of pet hair, long hair, dirt, and debris
- Long Runtime – Rechargeable batteries can last for as long as half an hour
- HEPA Filtration – A four-stage HEPA Filtration System captures as much as 99.97% fine dust to expel purified clean air
Cons
- Small Dust Tank – You may find yourself emptying the dust tank on a regular basis
Also available directly from ORFELD
BEST VALUE
Shark Apex Upright Vacuum
Best Upright Vacuum
Long hair should not stand a chance with an upright vacuum cleaner. None at all with the Shark Apex Upright Vacuum which features anti-hair wrap technology called ‘Zero M’ to ensure every hair gets sucked in without disruption.
DuoClean Technology also gets deep into the carpet and effectively polishes a hard floor, which we liked in our testing.
Active Glide Technology also matters if you want to smoothly glide and maneuver across hard floors and carpets.
Powerful suction is maintained yet with Noise Reduction Technology you can vacuum without making a truly excessive din.
Not only is hair taken care of but a HEPA filter also collects and traps nasty allergens and dust.
Pros
- Zero M Technology – An anti-hair wrap is ideal for long hair and pet hair
- DuoClean Technology – A dual brushroll system gets right into the carpet and floor
- Anti-Allergen Technology – A HEPA filter traps dust and allergens
- Active Glide – Easy maneuverability in tight spaces across both carpets and hard floor
Cons
- Heavy Weight – The vacuum may be too heavy for some people compared to other models
Also available directly from Shark
RUNNER UP
Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner
Best For Lightweight
Your vacuum cleaner should go wherever your pets go, including upstairs. The Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner weighs only 7.7 pounds so is easy to take upstairs, even when filled.
An extended reach of 6.8 feet is also ideal for above floor cleaning and catching those hairs that drift in the air which we liked in our testing.
The suction power is something to behold and takes care of pet hair and dust on a variety of surfaces. You should be able to cover the entire house with a 2.2-liter capacity dust tank too.
Additional features include a crevice tool that makes light work of the pet hair that may get caught on your upholstery or in other difficult places.
Make sure you are able to keep all of your pet hair-free with a lightweight vacuum cleaner.
Pros
- Easy To Carry – Weighing only 7.7 pounds makes this a really lightweight vacuum cleaner and easy to take upstairs
- Above Floor Cleaning – A quick-release handle and an extended reach of 6.8 feet makes above floor cleaning supremely easy
- Multi-Surface Suction – Rely on powerful suction for a deep clean on both carpets and hard floors
- Crevice Tool – Added to the end of the handle to make it ideal for cleaning upholstery and other hard-to-reach places
Cons
- Small Suction Area – You may find the vacuuming takes longer than usual to cover a large space
Also available directly from Eureka
RUNNER UP
iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Robot Vacuum
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Even robot vacuums can take care of pet hair. The iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Robot Vacuum features Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes that will not get tangled with long hair and pet hair.
A high-efficiency filter also takes care of 99% of dog and cat allergens which we liked in our testing.
Then there are the truly intuitive features that come with robot vacuums. Voice Assistant Control to effectively command your cleaning to a running time of around 90 minutes.
Then there is iRobot’s own HOME app which allows you to personalize your own scheduling so you can plan it around your pet’s movements.
Dirt Detect Sensors also alert the robot vacuum cleaner to high traffic spots, ideal for taking care of a mess before you have to.
Pros
- Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes – The brushes simply refuse to get tangled up with pet hair and adjust to keep in contact with the surface
- Voice Assistant Control – Google Assistant and Alexa can be used to command your cleaning
- iRobot HOME App – Personalize your own scheduling and seasonal recommendations for a vacuum cleaner that works when you want it to
- Dirt Detect Sensors – Let the robot vacuum find out where your pets go and be alerted for the dirtier areas and high traffic spots
Cons
- Large Price Tag – For such an intuitive cleaning system, it does come at a cost
Also available directly from iRobot
Best Vacuum For Long Hair Buying Guide
Long hair can be a challenge for many vacuum cleaners. Those strands can get caught in the brushrolls or even clog the components to compromise the suction power.
The best vacuums for long hair have already found various ways to deal with that problem. Removable brushrolls that you can wipe clear of long hair or anti-hair wrap technology are designed specifically to get rid of all those strands.
There are still features that you should be aware of in any vacuum cleaner that makes cleaning your house easier, not just dealing with long hair.
From easy maneuverability to HEPA filters to deal with nasty allergens that can come with pet hair for a long-lasting clean.
There should also be versatility to deal with hard floors and carpets without having to worry about changing the brushrolls.
Strong suction power can be impressive yet needs to be considered alongside your rugs, especially if you drag them along when you only want to clean them.
Brushrolls
For dealing with long hair, you need to consider the brushrolls. These will capture the strands without any trouble yet can come with different functionality.
Some brushrolls are removable which makes for easy cleaning while others are fixed. If the brushrolls are fixed, they tend to have anti-hair wrap technology so the strands do not linger and you do not have to deal with them.
Tiny details like plastic fins can prevent long hair from getting tangled though there are other methods.
Certain manufacturers may have come up with their own terms for anti-hair wrap designs including Shark who call it ‘Zero-M Technology’ or ‘DuoClean’. However it does it, as long as you do not have to intervene with any hair blockages then that’s what you want.
HEPA Filter
Not only can long hair and pet hair be difficult to deal with, but you should also look out for a HEPA filter to deal with microscopic particles.
These could be dirt particles, bacteria, or even pet dander that can cause allergens. HEPA filters are ideal if you do have pets yet may need replacing or maintaining on a regular basis to remain effective.
Floor Settings
Your home may have a set of surfaces that the vacuum cleaner has to deal with and where long hair can be found deep in the crevices. In some vacuum cleaners, you can adjust the setting accordingly depending on the surface.
Whether that be from a bare floor to a low/mid-pile carpet up to a thick carpet and rugs. When you change the setting, the brushroll rotation speed and the suction power change to deliver the best performance.
Be aware that on some vacuum cleaners the suction can be too powerful and may damage fabrics, curtains, or rugs.
For hard floors, consider a design that contacts directly with the floor itself and provides a suction seal which is bad news for the hair and dirt. There are even designs that actively polish your hard floors so you do not have to.
Some manufacturers have been more cautious and opted for turning off the brushroll to prevent it from damaging hard floors. As long as you do not have to do a return pass for visible dirt, this option should be fine.
Handheld Design
That long hair can get anywhere so having a vacuum cleaner that can become a handheld vacuum is ideal. If your pets climb on the upholstery, up the stairs, or their hair gets caught in curtains then a handheld vacuum cleaner can deal with it.
Look out for specific tools for dealing with certain scenarios including an upholstery tool or a crevice tool for those hard-to-reach places.
Cleaning Power/Strong Suction
The suction power and effective airflow are features to judge any vacuum cleaner by, especially for long hair. Strands can easily get caught in carpet and rug fibers so that strong airflow and effective pull can be truly effective.
The suction also has to mean that the strands end up in the bin, otherwise you can expect your vacuum cleaner to become blocked.
Easy Maneuverability
Maneuverability is vital for a vacuum cleaner and even more so when dealing with long hair and pet hair.
The ability to travel across a vast area easily and twist around corners should mean you do not have to pick up the vacuum cleaner.
Swivel steering may not be that impressive yet after hours of use you will marvel at how uncomplicated your vacuuming is.
Hair can get in, around, and under several objects. If you can find a vacuum cleaner that can dip under a couch then you can claim a larger reach and capture more human and pet hair.
Your stairs are also vulnerable to long hair so being able to carry the vacuum cleaner upstairs helps. A good weight to look for is around seven to eight pounds as you also have to factor in the weight of the dirt.
For optimum maneuverability, consider cordless vacuums with battery power that can last for up to an hour. That should be more than enough time to cover the entire house.
Robot vacuum cleaners are also available that can sneakily go under an elevated couch and turn corners without any trouble.
In conventional corded or cordless vacuums, the wheels are becoming increasingly important.
Especially considering that long hair can also get caught in them which can be burdensome to remove. Rubber wheels are also a plus point over plastic for their durability and toughness.
Bin Capacity
Long hair can take up an extensive amount of capacity in any bin. If it is malting season then you may want a larger capacity to deal with all that long hair.
Around three to five liters should mean that you do not find yourself emptying the bin before finishing the job of cleaning your entire house.
With a transparent bin, you can also visibly see when you need to empty it and whether anything you have vacuumed poses a clogging problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Remove Long Pet Hair From Getting Tangled In The Vacuum?
Vacuum cleaners that are designed to deal with long hair and pet hair tend to have anti-hair wrap technology. However, if yours does not then strands can quickly become a problem when they get tangled.
First, unplug the vacuum and place it on the floor. You may want to place some newspaper or a cloth underneath to capture the long hair. Use a screwdriver to remove the bottom place then try to untangle and remove the strands.
How Do You Vacuum Clean A Shag Rug?
Shag rugs can be tricky to vacuum yet can quickly accumulate long hair and pet hair. Depending on the footfall traffic, you may want to vacuum them once, even twice, a week.
Handheld vacuum cleaners are ideal as you can a better suction seal to remove more long hair and dirt. You can use a premium vacuum cleaner yet this may take more time and may require going over and over the rug.
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