What is the best dyson for pet hair

Dyson doesn't stick to chronological order when naming its stick vacuum models. Sometimes it skips numbers, and sometimes it'll introduce a lower number as a later model than a higher number. For example, Dyson introduced the V15 immediately after the V11, and then the V12 after the V15. In the broadest sense, the numbers seem to loosely grow larger with each passing release—the V11 is newer than the V10, and the V10 is newer than the V8. But Dyson's naming system is cryptic enough that even we can't predict what the subsequent model will be.

Dyson also has a lot of sub-models, because its naming scheme isn't confusing enough. Each one has a different number of included tool attachments and accessories. Every model (V7, V8, V10, V11, V15, etc.) seems to introduce new sub-models, so the list just keeps growing, and then there are discontinued sub-models that show up as old stock on websites, typically on sale.

Detect isn't exactly a sub-model, but rather part of the name of the V15 Detect and V12 Detect Slim. It refers to the laser detection system that measures particle size and count to customize suction power.

Absolute is usually the king-of-the-hill version with the most attachments. We can't list them all, because they vary based on parent model, but expect a variety of brush nozzles, crevice attachments, and motorized roller heads to scrub tough grit off hard floors and out of deep-pile carpets.

Outsize V11s have a 25-percent-larger head to sweep more floor area on each pass and a dust bin 150 percent larger than non-Outsize V11s.

Allergy used to mean that it came with an upgraded filter that traps 99.99 percent of bacteria and dust so it expels cleaner air than regular models, but after the V7 all Dyson stick vacs started including the upgraded filters. It's largely a legacy designation now, and it hasn't been used on newer models.

Motorhead sounds fancy, but it's the low-end sub-model that comes with a motorized head, a couple of basic brush and crevice tools, and that's about it. Mostly a holdover from the V7 days. Dyson has found other names for basic sub-models.

Origin, Fluffy, and Animal come with relatively few attachments. The Fluffy and Animal doesn't come with any unique attachments particular to usefulness in cleaning up after pets; it's just become shorthand for "base model with fewer attachments." The same is true for the Origin, although its name makes more sense.

Dyson isn't above combining sub-model names too. Basically, the more names Dyson slaps onto a model, the more attachments it comes with. For example, the V8 Animal Pro comes with more stuff than the Animal, but the Animal Pro+ comes with even more than that.

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Short on time? These are the top picks for the best Dyson for pet hair:

Dyson vacuums are not only expensive, but they are also popular. However, not all of their stick vacuums can clean up after pet hair effectively. Some can get tangled with long cat hair or dog hair.

So, which is the best Dyson for pet hair?

The best Dyson vacuum for pet hair is the Dyson V15 Detect. It is equipped with the hair screw tool, which is a fast moving anti-tangle brush bar. The brush bar lifts both long and short pet hair into the bin instantly, preventing the pet hair from wrapping around the brush bar.

If you are a pet owner, you need the right vacuum cleaner with a unique set of features before spending a significant amount of money. In this post, let’s find out the best Dyson vacuum for pet hair.

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Top 4 Dyson Vacuums for Pet Hair

Below are the best Dyson vacuums for pet hair. I have included 4 Dyson stick vacuums that I have personally tested, all of which can pick up cat hair and dog hair. They provide precise allergen and pet hair removal.

1. Best overall: Dyson V15 Detect

There are so many things to love about the Dyson V15 Detect. 

The attachments? Very easy to use and they don’t fall off like a clunky cheap machine while you’re vacuuming. The noise? Not a problem. It’s very quiet considering how much power it packs.

In fact, I love this vacuum so much that this would be the second thing I grab if my house was on fire. First my wife and then the Dyson V15. I’m joking. But that just goes to show you how good this vacuum is.

Here are 3 reasons why the Dyson V15 Detect is the best Dyson for pet hair:

The hair screw tool is a game changer

Pet hair is notorious for lingering in all corners of the house.

It stays hidden and becomes embedded in your furniture fabric and carpets. However, thanks to the powerful suction and the hair screw tool of the Dyson V15 Detect, cleaning after pet hair becomes effortless.

The hair screw tool is a fast moving anti-tangle brush bar. It is designed to lift both long and short pet hair from any area, including pet beds. The brush bar spirals hair off and into the bin instantly, preventing the pet hair from wrapping around the brush bar. It is easy to dispose of too.

That, combined with the high-efficiency filtration system, is what makes the Dyson V15 Detect effective against pet hair. Fully sealed, it traps microscopic particles including pet allergens and pet dander.

Laser reveals microscopic dust

Another excellent addition to the Dyson V15 Detect is the laser technology.

The laser technology in the Dyson V15 Detect reveals microscopic dust, dirt, and pet hair that you can’t see on hard floors. When trying to remove pet hair, the vacuum will detect both short and long pet hair.

In my opinion, the laser is an interesting update and does occasionally prove to be a very helpful addition. The laser in the dark may gross you out, especially because it’s terrifying to see all the dust and pet hair lying around your house, but you will not miss a speck of dust because of this unique feature.

It’s like you’re playing a video game and you never lose. The more you vacuum, the more the particle counter keeps going up. If you have OCD, please don’t use it. You may go insane.

That being said, the laser technology of the Dyson V15 helps you detect particles that are invisible to the naked eye, making it the best vacuum cleaner for dog hair and cat hair, especially in hard-to-see areas.

Near flawless

In my opinion, the Dyson V15 Detect is near flawless when it comes to vacuuming pet hair. It has no weakness and is perfect for every pet owner. If there is one thing to complain about, however, it is the price.

Sure, the Dyson V15 Detect is ultra expensive but in my opinion, it’s worth every penny, especially if you want to clean after pet hair. In fact, I would pay double for this machine. It is simply that good. If you want the best Dyson for pet hair, look no further and buy the Dyson V15 Detect.

2. Runner-up: Dyson V11 Outsize

Based on my experience, the Dyson V11 Outsize took about 4 hours to charge. Once charged, I got about 46 minutes of vacuum time (on Eco cleaning mode). That was enough time for me to vacuum most of the house.

The best part of this vacuum is how quiet it is compared to other Dyson vacuums. Additionally, even though I had vacuumed two days earlier, the V11 Outsize picked up a lot more cat fur and dirt.

I like the dirt bin due to its ‘point and shoot’ system. You can avoid touching dirt because all you have to do is hold it over a trash can. One downside, however, is how quickly the bin fills up, especially with animal fur. If you own a dog, for example, or a long-haired cat, you will need to change the bin several times.

Powerful suction that effective against pet hair

Me and most of my friends seem to love this stick vacuum. While it is thin, plenty of owners compared the suction to a shop vac. That just goes to show how powerful the suction of the Dyson V11 Outsize is.

If you have pets, I think this is perfect.

The Dyson V11 Outsize is able to collect pet hair and cat litter very well because the brushes come out of the head, making it easy to clean out. Yeah it's expensive, but it’s worth every penny.

The best out of all the V11 series

The Dyson V11 series has 3 variants: V11 Animal, V11 Torque Drive, and V11 Outsize.

While all three Dyson V11 variants are designed for homes with pets, I recommend you to buy the Dyson V11 Outsize because it has the longest runtime and the largest bin size.

The Dyson V11 Outsize is able to run for up to 120 minutes, while the other two variants can only run for up to 60 minutes. Additionally, the V11 Outsize has a whopping 0.50 gallons of bin size instead of 0.20.

Two other features worth mentioning is the LCD display with run time countdown, which is not only futuristic, but helpful. The Dyson V11 Outsize also comes with 5 extra tools, all of which are very useful.

Too expensive for my liking

The Dyson V11 Outsize is great for pet hair, but I’m not a big fan of the price.

I’ve decided to put this vacuum in second place because it is an amazing pet hair Dyson vacuum, but it loses out to the Dyson V15 Detect in terms of performance (although Dyson V15 Detect is cheaper).

If I were you, I would go for the Dyson V15 Detect instead of the V11 Outsize. If you were to spend close to a thousand bucks anyway, you would go for the newer, more updated product now, would you?

3. Budget pick: Dyson Ball Animal 2

If you want to buy a Dyson vacuum for pet hair but you don’t want to break the bank, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a good choice. The ball design makes it easy to navigate around furniture and obstacles in your home with a simple turn of the wrist. It is also marketed as the strongest suction of any vacuum.

Make sure to utilize the Tangle-Free Turbine Tool

If you decide to buy the Dyson Ball Animal 2, please use the tangle-free turbine tool.

The tangle-free turbine tool is a tool that is included with the purchase of the Dyson Ball Animal 2. Every time you want to clean after dog hair or cat hair, be sure to use this tool. It is designed to remove pet hair from carpets and upholstery without tangling it into knots.

One run of the Dyson Ball Animal 2 and I’m amazed. Not only did it suck up all the pet hair, but it instantly went to the storage container and didn’t get stuck in the roller or hose. It was easy to empty as well.

There are some people on Amazon who complained about the product. Many complained about how dog hair got tangled in the brush roll. However, this is because they did not use the Dyson Ball Animal 2 correctly.

As long as you use the tangle-free turbine tool to clean up pet hair, it will work.

Cordless would be better

One complaint I have about the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the cord. I have the exact same model that I bought a decade ago, and it seems that the updated version has a cord that is a few feet longer.

However, I would prefer to use an upright vacuum cleaner that is cordless. I like the freedom of moving around my house without the limitation of a cord. This is just my preference.

But the cord won’t take away anything from the Dyson Ball Animal 2. It is simply one of the best Dyson vacuums for pet hair. Maybe the name is a bit of a giveaway, but the machine is great nonetheless.

4. Honorable mention: Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal

Last but not least, we have the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal.

The machine easily transforms into a powerful handheld for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. It is lightweight and perfectly balanced to further reach any difficult areas and keep your arms and back from getting tired.

However, it is not the best for cleaning after pet hair in my opinion. Several customers also reported the battery failing early, yet the machine needs to be disassembled to replace the battery. The airways and filters get clogged quickly with regular use, and you’ll need to clean it after almost every use.

Light and portable but cleans very well

Compared to the Dyson Ball, the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is supremely lightweight and portable. However, don’t let its appearance fool you because it can suck the heck out of any surface.

I tried using the stick vacuum in the lowest setting for the entire house and it does an excellent job. I would only switch to medium if I am going over a particularly dirty patch of carpet, and the highest setting starts to lift the carpet off the floor. That is how strong the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is.

The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is for you if you want something that would be easy to take out and clean at the drop of a hat, something that can pick up pet hair, and something you could take through the stairs easily.

There are better options available

If I were to make the “best Dyson for pet hair” list a few years ago, the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal would be up there at the top. However, there are newer and better options available for pet hair.

Take the Dyson V15 Detect for example. It is equipped with a hair screw tool that can pick up pet hair without getting tangled. On the other hand, the Dyson V10 has the possibility of getting pet hair tangled in the brush.

While the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is better than most vacuums on the market, it is still no match to the much more expensive options from Dyson. And this is why this product is only an honorable mention.

Final Verdict

And there you have it, the best Dyson vacuums for pet hair. Without a doubt, the best overall is the Dyson V15 Detect. It cleans after cat and dog fur without getting it tangled. Sure, the Dyson V15 Detect is ultra expensive but in my opinion, it’s worth every penny, especially if you want to clean after pet hair.

If you want something cheaper, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a great alternative. It costs half the price of the Dyson V15 Detect, yet it is able to pick up after pet hair without getting it tangled. However, the machine is corded, which means there is a limit to how much area you can effectively cover.

Other Dyson reviews:

• Best Dyson for hardwood floors
• Best Dyson for carpet
• Best Dyson for small apartment
• Best Dyson for allergies
• Best Dyson for tile floors

Ryan O'Connor

I write about house cleaning and vacuum cleaners. For me, nothing is more important than a clean environment to ensure both a healthy and happy life. Learn more.

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