If you love having cats in your home, this is a constant problem you’re going to have to deal with, so the best thing you can do is make things as easy as possible for yourself and get a handheld vacuum.
Thankfully, there are many different handheld vacuums on the market, and we’ve listed our favorites below in hopes that these reviews will help you find the right one for your needs.
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025
| Image | Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
|
|
Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner |
|
CHECK PRICE |
Best Value
|
|
Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner |
|
CHECK PRICE |
Premium Choice
|
|
MetroVac Vac N Go 500 Watt Hi Performance Hand Vac |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
|
Eufy Anker HomeVac H11 Handheld Vacuum |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 7 Best Handheld Vacuums for Cat Hair
1. Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner – Best Overall
| Weight: | 4.5 pounds |
| Corded or cordless: | Cordless |
| Type of surfaces: | Carpet, upholstery, car, furniture |
The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner is at the top of our list because of its suction power. It has a “Powerboost” button that increases its suction for stubborn cat hairs that are hard to remove from certain materials. It is also incredibly easy to clean as the bowl opens with a touch of a button, which means that you don’t need to get your hands dirty. This handheld vacuum focuses on convenience and has an extra-large dustbin, which saves you from having to empty its contents after every use. However, it is pretty expensive.
Although this is a cordless option, you won’t need to charge the battery too often as it has a long battery life. It is comfortable to hold for a quick vacuum and the crevice tool is extra-long, so you can reach cat hair and other debris that many other handheld vacuums wouldn’t be able to reach.
With all this to say and more, it is clear that this is the best overall handheld vacuum for cat hair.
- Great suction power
- Easy to empty out its contents
- Has an extra-large dustbin
- Long battery life
- Extra-long crevice tool
- Expensive
2. Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner – Best Value
| Weight: | 3.7 pounds |
| Corded or cordless: | Corded |
| Type of surfaces: | All |
In our opinion, the Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is the best handheld vacuum for cat hair the money. This affordable vacuum is a striking red color and has a powerful motor to go with it. Even though it is small in size, it effectively sucks up stubborn cat hair, but it is quite noisy.
It is a corded option, but the power cord is lengthy, so you won’t be limited to a small area. It comes with a crevice tool, which is a bonus, and there isn’t a bag inside the vacuum, which allows you to empty its contents straight into your trash can.
- Affordable
- It has a powerful motor
- Lengthy power cord
- Easy to clean
- Noisy
3. MetroVac Vac N Go 500 Watt Hi Performance Hand Vac – Premium Choice
| Weight: | 3 pounds |
| Corded or cordless: | Corded |
| Type of surfaces: | Upholstery, carpets, stairs, cars, boats |
If you’re looking for a premium option, consider the MetroVac Vac N Go 500 Watt Hi Performance Hand Vac, which boasts a black powder coat finish, a turbo-driven rotator brush with an internal turbine blade, and an all-steel construction. Due to its powerful performance, it is able to suck up cat hair much faster than many other handheld vacuums, saving you time and effort.
Included with the vacuum is a pik-all nozzle, dust brush, hand brush, crevice tool, and two disposable bags. It is an easy vacuum to use and carry around your home. Unfortunately, customers have complained that the electrical cord is quite short.
- Sleek design
- Durable
- Powerful motor
- Quick and easy to use
- Expensive
- The electrical cord is quite short
4. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum
| Weight: | 3 pounds |
| Corded or cordless: | Cordless |
| Type of surfaces: | All |
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum is there for you through all your messes, and with every purchase, $5 is donated to homeless pets. It cleans up dirt and cat hair effectively, thanks to its motorized brush tool. It has a triple-level filtration for powerful filtration and a 14V lithium-ion battery for powerful cleaning.
This vacuum comes with a motorized brush tool, upholstery tool, and crevice tool to help you reach all the spots you need to get to. The rubber head is especially good at picking up cat hair without much of a struggle. It has a large dustbin that can be tipped into your trash can for easy cleaning. It is only 3 pounds, which is a comfortable weight for most people.
However, some customers aren’t too impressed with the durability and battery life of this vacuum cleaner and claim that it only runs for about 20 minutes before needing to be charged.
- Powerful cleaning
- Comes with several accessories
- Has a large dustbin
- Lightweight
- Battery life isn’t very long
- Not very durable
5. Eufy Anker HomeVac H11 Handheld Vacuum
| Weight: | 1.3 pounds |
| Corded or cordless: | Cordless |
| Type of surfaces: | All |
The Eufy Anker HomeVac H11 Handheld Vacuum is a nifty little handheld vacuum that has several impressive features. First of all, it only weighs 1.3 pounds, which is much lighter than many other handheld vacuums. It is small and able to reach into tight spots, it’s cordless and easy to store without taking up much space. Another impressive feature of this vacuum is that it can be charged with a USB to Micro-USB cable.
This vacuum is available in blue and white and has a versatile 2-in-1 crevice tool. Unlike other standard handheld vacuums, this one has an “Ozone Mode,” which acts as an air purifier and eliminates odors. Unfortunately, due to its small size, its dustbin isn’t very big, which means that you can’t suck much up without having to empty it. Some customers have complained that it stopped working altogether several months after purchasing it.
- Lightweight
- Easy to store
- Uses a USB to Micro-USB cable
- Can also be used as an air purifier
- Small dustbin area
- Some customers have complained that it stopped working soon after purchasing it
6. BLACK+DECKER dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum
| Weight: | 1.4 pounds |
| Corded or cordless: | Cordless |
| Type of surfaces: | Multi-surfaces |
If you’re on a budget, consider the BLACK+DECKER dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum. Although it’s an affordable option, it works well, has strong suction, and is a customer favorite. It has a charging wall mount for simple storage, easy access, and convenient charging. It also has an onboard crevice tool but no other attachments. It has a translucent dirt bowl, which allows you to see when it is full and needs to be emptied. Its QuickClean feature makes cleaning this product easy.
This handheld vacuum is good quality for the money and is lightweight. It boasts a sleek, modern design and is comfortable to hold. It runs off a lithium-ion battery and the battery indicator shows you when it needs to be recharged. One thing that many customers don’t like is that it only works with your thumb pressed down on the power button as there is no “on” and “off” button.
- Affordable
- Strong suction
- Has a charging wall mount
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t include many accessories
- No “on” and “off” button
7. SEALON Handheld Vacuum Cordless
| Weight: | 1.5 pounds |
| Corded or cordless: | Cordless |
| Type of surfaces: | Upholstery and carpet |
Another affordable option with a few more attachments is the SEALON Handheld Vacuum Cordless. It includes a car charger, a storage bag, a brush nozzle, and a crevice nozzle to suck up the dirt in your keyboard and reach the cat hairs in your car or furniture. It only weighs 1.5 pounds, making it lightweight and portable. It has a battery life of more than 25 minutes and needs about 3 hours of charging time.
The dust bowl is transparent and has a capacity of 600ml. It has a strong sucking power, especially when used at a higher speed, and the filter works well. This vacuum has a 1-year free exchange service, so if you’re unhappy with your product, you can send it back. This is good news as several customers have complained about their vacuum arriving faulty. It also takes quite a while to fully charge the first time.
- Affordable
- Includes accessories
- Lightweight
- The battery life is decent
- 600ml bowl capacity
- Some arrive faulty
- Takes quite a while to fully charge the first time
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Handheld Vacuum for Cat Hair
There’s nothing worse than buying a new product only to realize it is not at all what you expected it to be and doesn’t meet your needs. We’ve compiled a list of things to consider when buying a handheld vacuum to help you determine what you’re looking for so that you can buy the option that you’ll be happiest with.
Cost
No matter what you buy, you always want to get the option that has the best value for your money. The same is true with handheld vacuums. There are some handheld vacuums that come at a high price, but they may include attachments that you would have had to purchase separately, which may justify their price.
However, the most expensive option isn’t always the best option, and you may find a cheaper alternative with just as much value. Therefore, it is important to consider your budget as well as the product’s specifications and purchase the best handheld vacuum within your price range.
Convenience
You can find handheld vacuums in corded and cordless options. It’s important to consider which option would be more convenient for you. You may find it frustrating to plug in your vacuum every time you want to use it and don’t want to be limited to one area. You may also want to use the vacuum to remove cat hair in your car, in which case a cordless option would be better.
However, some people might not mind plugging their vacuum in when they need to use it and find it far more frustrating having to remember to charge it. A corded handheld vacuum would be the better option in this case.
If you are looking for convenience, consider a handheld vacuum that is easy to clean. Options with a release button that allows you to open it up and pour its contents directly into the trash can are much better than those that have bags that need to be removed as those end up making a mess.
Strong Suction
One area you shouldn’t skimp on is suction power. Cat hair can be quite difficult to suction up even with a good handheld vacuum, so if you skimp on the suction power and it fails to suck up cat hair well, you’ve wasted your money. If you have to skimp somewhere, skimp on the design and comfort of the handheld vacuum rather than the suction power—you won’t regret it.
Noise Level
If you like to vacuum over dirtied areas in your home before bed at night, the level of noise your handheld vacuum produces is quite important. Some options are loud, and others have been designed to be quieter, so make sure to look into this when looking through your options.
Cats tend to be put off by loud noises as well, so a quieter handheld vacuum might be preferred by them, too.
Our Best Handheld Vacuums for Cat Hair Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best Handheld Vacuums for Cat Hair. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about Handheld Vacuums for Cat Hair. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
Handheld vacuums are portable and easy to use for quick cleanups. For the best overall handheld vacuum, the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner has a long battery life and an extra-long crevice tool. The Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is the best handheld vacuum for the money because it is both affordable and powerful.
However, the MetroVac Vac N Go 500 Watt Hi Performance Hand Vac is a premium option with its all-steel construction. We hope these reviews have helped you on your journey to finding the best handheld vacuum.
Featured Image Credit: JulieK2, Shutterstock
