What’s the best vacuum for cat litter? If this is the question you seek an answer to, you’re definitely in the right place.
Ideally, all vacuums should have the capacity to collect pet hair and litter. But in our experience, that is not always the case. Only a handful can effectively get rid of cat litter without the hassle of vacuuming repetitively. With this realization, manufacturers have enhanced specific vacuums with pet-friendly accessories to meet pet lovers’ needs.
Some of these accessories include motorized power brushes, pet upholstery tools, and crevice tools. The technology used also transforms cleaning from a tedious and irritating task to an enjoyable chore.
Best Vacuum Cleaners for Cat Litter – Comparison Table
If you are a pet owner looking for the best vacuum for cat litter, here’s a consolidated list of the best vacuum cleaners for cat litter to choose from.
| Name | Type | Weight | Power Cord | Capacity | HEPA filter? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shark Navigator NV356E (Editor's choice) | Upright, bagless | 14 lbs. | 25 ft. | 2.2 dry quarts | Yes |
| 2. Shark Rotator NV752 | Upright, bagless | 16.7 lbs. | 30 ft. | 3.3 dry quarts | Yes |
| 3. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 33A1 | Handheld, bagless | 5 lbs. | 16 ft. | 0.78 liters | No |
| 4. iRobot Roomba 980 | Robot, bagless | 7.45 lbs. | n/a | 0.6 liters | No |
| 5. Dyson V11 Animal | Stick/handheld, bagless | 6.68 lbs. | Cordless | 0.2 Gallons | No |
| 6. Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog | Canister, bagged | 10.34 lbs. | 22 ft. | 4.5 liters | No |
| 7. Bissell 9595A CleanView (OnePass) | Upright, bagless | 15 lbs. | 25 ft. | 2.2 liters | No |
| 8. Shark Rotator NV501 | Upright, bagless | 15.5 lbs. | 25 ft. | 1.3 quarts | Yes |
| 9. ILIFE V3s Pro | Robot, bagless | 4.5 lbs. | n/a | 0.3 liters | No |
| 10. Dirt Devil Razor Pet UD70355B | Upright, bagless | 13.12 lbs. | 25 ft. | 1.5 liters | No |
| 11. Bissell Bolt Pet 1954 | Stick, bagless | 5 lbs. | Cordless | 0.6 liters | No |
Reviews of the Best Vacuums for Cat Litter in 2024
As is our norm, we have fun doing research and narrowing down the options for our readers. For sure, there are tens of vacuums that can get the job done. However, only a few are truly good at it.
These are the best vacuums for cat litter in 2024:
1. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E – best vacuum for cat litter
The best vacuum cleaner for cat litter should have excellent filtration and suction ability. And the Shark professional NV356E meets and exceeds these qualifications. It not only has powerful suction but it is also very easy to maneuver as you clean.
The Shark Navigator NV356E is also a multi-floor cleaner, fit for commercial and domestic use. It has a relatively long power cord that makes it possible to clean wall to wall in a single plugging. The lift-away system also makes cleaning more convenient. When you lift the canister away, reaching far areas and tight corners is a breeze. Also, cleaning under furniture becomes easier.
Using an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and True HEPA filter, this vacuum captures over 99.9% of cat dander and other allergens leaving your home safe and clean. At 2.2 dry quarts, the dirt can capacity serves easily a full cleaning session.
Lastly, it comes with a pet power brush to help you get rid of all the cat hair and litter.
Features
- Type: upright, bagless
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Power cord: 25 feet
- Lift-away technology
- Dirt cup capacity: 2.2 dry quarts
- Filtration: HEPA
- 11 inches cleaning path
- It’s a multi-floor cleaner
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Brushroll shutoff
- Accessories: 8-inch crevice tool, pet power brush, dusting brush.
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Easily portable especially when the canister is lifted away
- Over 99.9 percent filtration efficiency using HEPA technology
- Cleans multiple floors
- Easy to maintain, empty, and clean
- Pet power brush enhances cat hair pickup
- Large dust cup capacity
Cons
- The power cord is not retractable
- Large rooms may require a few more feet on the power cord
Click here to see its current price.
2. Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum (NV752)
This is a lightweight, easy to maneuver, multi-floor upright vacuum. It’s armed with easily accessible fingertip controls and LED lights to guide you in dark places. Also, its great brushes effectively pick up cat litter and other debris.
The vacuum’s powered lift-away function and extendable wand offer sufficient reach for wall-to-wall and wall-to-ceiling cleaning.
Further, the Shark Rotator NV752 is equipped with a pet power brush that extracts embedded cat litter, hair, and dust from the stairs, cushions, drapes, and other surfaces – including hard floors. So, it is ideal for any pet owner – especially cat enthusiasts.
Features
- Type: upright, bagless
- Weight: 16.7 pounds
- Power cord: 30 feet
- Fingertip controls
- Swivel steering
- Lift-away technology
- LED lights – on the handle and nozzle
- HEPA filtration
- Cleans all floor types
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Dirt capacity: 3.3 dry quarts
- Accessories: crevice tool, pet power brush, dusting brush.
Pros
- Strong suction
- Good for allergic people – it has HEPA filtration
- It can be carried up and down stairs especially when the canister is detached
- Swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver
- Convenient cleaning with a 30-foot power cord
- Hygienic – easy to empty and clean
- Removes stubborn cat litter using the pet power brush
- LED lights on handle and nozzle illuminate dark places revealing hidden dirt
- Fingertip controls make it easy to operate
Cons
- It’s relatively heavy
Click here to see its current price.
3. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Handheld Vacuum 33A1
Sometimes you don’t need a full-size vacuum to take care of cat litter. You can get a handheld vacuum to partner your upright or canister – and the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 33A1 is the best pick.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 33A1 is a small handheld vacuum measuring about 5 pounds. As its name suggests, it is specially designed to get rid of pet hair and it does exactly that. This tiny vacuum cleaner has unmatched suction – you can feel it when cleaning.
Also, it has an amazing ability to capture pollutants using multi-level filtration. This makes it a great option if you’re struggling with asthma and allergies.
The vacuum also has 2 interchangeable nozzles, the hand nozzle, and the flexible nozzle. The flexible nozzle is more efficient on edges. Except for its small dirt cup and relatively short cord, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 33A1 could easily top any best vacuum cleaner for cat litter list.
Using its nozzles interchangeably, you can clean the floor, above the floor, car interiors, and upholstery. The easy-to-grip handle also makes it easy to maneuver especially because the on/off buttons are conveniently placed.
Features
- Type: handheld, bagless
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Power cord: 16 feet
- It has 2 nozzles: a flexible nozzle and hand nozzle
- Multi-level filtration
- Dirt capacity: 0.78 liters
Pros
- Light – easily portable
- Uses multi-level filtration to fight allergens
- Strong suction – sucks cat litter efficiently
- Has convenient fingertip controls for on/off buttons
- Comfortable handgrip
- Cleans multiple surfaces
- Perfect for automobile cleaning
- Portable and convenient for quick dirt pick up
- One-year warranty
Cons
- The cord is short and can be limiting
- Due to its size, the dirt can has low capacity
Click here to see its current price.
4. iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
If you have pets and your life is characterized by busy days and tired nights, you’ll gain a great companion in the Roomba 980. It is a pet-friendly robot vacuum that offers thorough cleaning at your convenience and comfort. It allows you to give instructions on Google Assistant, Alexa, or the iRobot HOME App even while you are away.
The Roomba 980 maps its route the first time it cleans so it doesn’t have to keep repeating. It uses a Gen-3 motor and multiple surface brushes to pick cat litter and other debris. Also, transitioning between surfaces is seamless as it’s equipped with an auto-height adjustment feature.
The robot also senses when it’s time to deep clean and increases power. Lastly, the vacuum captures over 99.9% of allergens in your home using the True HEPA filter. So, gone are the days when the pollutants would mess up your indoor air.
Features
- Type: robot, bagless
- Weight: 8.7 pounds
- Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant
- App control: iRobot HOME App
- HEPA filtration
- Multiple surface brushes
- All-surface cleaner
- Superb cleaning ability using a Gen-3 motor
- Phone notifications during cleaning and when done
- Automatic height adjustment
Pros
- Excellent suction
- Great memory – allows scheduled cleaning
- Amazing cat hair pickup
- Efficient (HEPA) filtration
- Auto-height adjusting helps to seamlessly transition from one surface to another
- Freedom to attend to other duties
- Systematic cleaning – has multi-surface brushes
- Multi-surface cleaner
- Up to 120 minutes of cleaning time
- Automatically returns to the base for recharge and resumes cleaning
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey
- Small dirt cup
Click here to see its current price.
5. Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Another good alternative for cat owners should be a stick vacuum that offers power and versatility. And the Dyson V11 Animal ranks as the best stick vacuum for cat litter for several reasons.
First, it comes with a mini-motorized tool and a dirt brush to help deep clean and remove embedded cat hair and litter. It’s also fitted with a high-torque cleaner head that makes maneuvering different surfaces seamless. Its dynamic load sensor also automatically adjusts the motor’s speed as you transition between floors for effective cleaning.
This vacuum’s suction is unmatched. Its motor enables almost double other vacuums suction by spinning at up to 125,000RPM. It also has a filtration efficiency rate of over 99.9% – great for allergies and asthma.
Further, the Dyson V11 Animal runs on 7-cell lithium-ion batteries. You can get up to 60 minutes of cleaning time depending on the accessories attached and cleaning mode.
This vacuum has a slim design, a low profile and an easy-to-maneuver cleaner head to help you clean between furniture and under beds easily. It also has a lengthy wand for above-floor cleaning.
Lastly, it also has a wall-mountable docking and charging accessory, a combination tool, and a crevice tool. With these tools and the fact that it easily transforms into a handheld vacuum, its versatility is enhanced.
Features
- Type: stick/handheld, bagless
- Weight: 6.68 pounds
- Power: cordless, uses 7-cell lithium-Ion batteries
- Powerful suction – up to 125,000RPM spinning rate
- 60 minutes uninterrupted cleaning depending on accessories in use and power mode
- Torque cleaner head and mini-motorized tool for effective cat hair removal on any kind of floor
- Suits all types of floors
- Hygienic dirt ejector
- Acoustic design – reduces noise during operation
Pros
- Effective cat hair removal using the mini-motorized brush
- Cordless convenience
- Light and slim – easy to move around and under furniture
- Great suction power
- Wall mountable – convenient charging and storage
- Swiftly switches between handheld and stick for all-surface cleaning
- Lengthy un-interrupted cleaning – up to 60 minutes
- Hygienic dirt ejection
- Quiet operation
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- A bit pricey
- No off/on button
Click here to see its current price.
6. Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Miele has invested so much in this C3 canister that it can’t just be a cat and dog vacuum. Apart from handling pet messes efficiently, it comfortably cleans bare floors and carpets. It is an efficient cleaner for hard floors, low, medium, and high pile carpets. It also does a decent job on upholstery and above-floor cleaning.
The Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog has a 180 degrees rotation ability powered by the parquet twister function. This makes it very easy to maneuver as you clean. It also has an electro brush that has a 5-level height adjustment plus an independent motor. This makes it easy to transition between different floor types.
Also, the vacuum’s Active AirClean filter supported by active charcoal layers neutralizes and eliminates all the pet odors leaving your house smelling fresh. Besides, it gets rid of all cat hair and litter using a mini turbo brush. Using its crevice tool, dusting brush, and an upholstery tool, you get to effectively deep clean carpets and rugs, corners, and above-floor areas.
Lastly, the Miele C3 Cat & Dog vacuum has an easy-to-use footswitch that activates its 6-stage suction control. It also has an ergonomic grip that enhances your cleaning experience.
Features
- Type: canister, bagged
- Weight: 10.34 pounds
- Active AirClean filter
- Power cord length: 22 feet
- Mini turbo brush – for cleaning stubborn dirt on upholstery and area rugs
- Electro-brush – for all floor types including high pile carpets
- Footswitch controlled 6-speed motor settings
- Parquet twister floor head – provides 18 degrees rotation
- Comfortable grip and footswitch
- Filter-bag capacity: 4.5 liters
- Accessories: upholstery tool, dusting brush, crevice nozzle, mini turbo brush
Pros
- Very powerful suction
- Effectively eliminates odors using the AirClean filter
- Has a comfortable, deluxe comfort grip
- It has a long reach, with a total cleaning radius of 36 feet
- 180 degrees rotation enables seamless cleaning without scathing the floor
- Great combination of brushes
- Cleans all floor types effectively
Cons
- Quite pricey
- Buying replacement bags makes maintenance expensive
Click here to see its current price.
7. Bissell 9595A CleanView Bagless Vacuum with OnePass
Looking for the best vacuum for cat litter wouldn’t be hard if you landed on this vacuum first. It has all the qualities you need for a thorough cleaning of pet litter. The suction is excellent and it doesn’t spin debris around as some strong-suction vacuums sometimes do.
Owing to its inventive brush design, the initial pass picks up all the debris making your cleaning fast and easy.
With the Bissell CleanView 9595A, you can clean from wall to wall on a single plugging using its 25-foot power cord. The dirt can capacity is also large thus allows you to empty once during a single cleaning. Emptying dirt into the bin, cleaning the dirt-can and filters is also quite easy. This vacuum also offers multi-level filtration and has a washable foam tank filter.
Features
- Type: upright, bagless
- Weight: 15 pounds
- 25-foot power cord
- Dirt can capacity: 2.2 liters
- Multi-level filtration
- Multi-cyclonic cleaning technology
Pros
- Powerful and consistent suction using multi-cyclonic technology
- Compact design – accessories are fitted in the main unit
- High- capacity dirt can
- Easy to empty and clean
- Relatively light
- Has a powerful turbo brush to help clean stairs, seats, drapes, and more
Cons
- The hose is slightly short
Click here to see its current price.
8. Shark Rotator Professional Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum NV501
Another Shark upright vacuum makes our list. The Shark Rotator Professional NV501 has several appealing characteristics. It combines HEPA filter with the Anti-Allergen seal to trap and eliminate dust and other allergens.
Also, it is a powerful and versatile appliance that helps you to detach the canister to reach far corners, work around furniture, and other immovable items easily. Besides, the powerful LED lights lead you to where dirt could be hiding.
Cat owners need a larger dirt can capacity for all the fur and dander they shed, as well as picking up litter. And this vacuum offers that.
Lastly, the Shark Rotator Professional NV501 also comes with premium pet tools that make your life easier. It has a pet power brush, a dusting brush, a crevice tool, and a floor nozzle. With these, you can conveniently clean above-ground surfaces to leave your home more habitable.
It is no wonder that it’s one of the best Shark vacuums this year.
Features
- Type: upright, bagless
- Weight: 15.5 pounds
- Anti-allergen Seal + a HEPA filter
- Swivel steering technology
- 25-foot power cord
- Dirt capacity: 1.3 quarts
- Accessories include the crevice tool, power brush, canister caddy, and dusting brush
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Light – especially when the canister is detached
- Multi-surface cleaning
- Large dirt can capacity
- Swift and easy to maneuver
- The LED lights help reveal hidden dirt
Cons
- The power cord could be longer
Click here to see its current price.
9. ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to the Roomba 980 mentioned above, the ILIFE V3s Pro is a viable option. It is one of the cheapest robotic vacuums in the market right now. It is also one of the best pet hair vacuums around.
Apart from that, it is also recommended for its efficiency and convenience when dealing with cat litter. This smart self-charging robot vacuum can either be operated manually or with remote control.
Also, it has a low-profile design that ensures it fits under furniture. It can also maneuver around immovable objects without falling or bumping into them. With its 10mm climbing height and a set of large wheels, the ILIFE V3s Pro robot vacuum transitions easily from one floor to another. So, it gets the job done without much hassle.
Features
- Type: robot, bagless
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Run time: 90 to 100 minutes
- 300ml dirt capacity
- 10 sets of sensors – protect it from falling or bumping into furniture
- Manual and remote control
- 10mm climbing height
Pros
- Quite affordable
- Simplified cleaning with 3 cleaning modes – Auto, Edge, and Space modes
- It excellently picks cat hair, litter, dirt, and dust without tangling
- Its low-profile design enables it to reach under furniture and beds
- Multi-floor cleaner
Cons
- Small dirt bin
Click here to see its current price.
10. Dirt Devil Razor Pet Bagless Multi-Floor Corded Upright Vacuum UD70355B
If there’s a vacuum that conquers all types of dirt on any floor type, it is the Dirt Devil UD70355B. Apart from being among the best vacuums for cat litter, it’s also an efficient vacuum with other debris whether large or small. It’s easy to maneuver and light enough to move up and down the stairs.
The Dirt Devil UD70355B is equipped with the TurboClaw pet tool to help you tackle even the most stubborn cat litter and hair.
You can also use it on the floor or upholstery. This vacuum has a few challenges though. First, the maximum reach is just 10 feet. The dirt cup is also fairly small at 1.5 liters. Some users consider that a limitation, especially when there’s a lot of dirt to deal with. Besides that, the cleaning path is commendable at 11.5 inches.
Features
- Type: upright, bagless
- Weight: 13.12 pounds
- 5 inches cleaning path
- Power cord: 25 feet
- Pet accessories – TurboClaw pet tool, and crevice tool
- 3-stage filtration system
- Sealed allergen system
- Capacity: 1.5 liters
Pros
- Consistent and strong suction
- High ability to handle all type of debris
- Affordable
- Easy to maneuver
- Lightweight
Cons
- Shorter reach than its peers
- Small dirt can
Click here to see its current price.
11. Bissell Bolt Pet Lithium-Ion Cordless Stick Vacuum 1954
Bissell Bolt Pet 1954 is equipped with an array of pet tools to make cleaning cat litter smooth. There’s an advanced rubberized pet hairbrush that helps pick cat hair from hard floors and low pile carpets.
It also has a pet hair nozzle tool that is perfect for removing embedded cat hair and debris whether on the carpet or upholstery.
The Bissell Bolt Pet 1954 has two more pet tools – a scoop and sweep tool, as well as a crevice tool. The scoop and sweep tool deals with large messes like cat litter and strewn pet food. The crevice tool helps you to reach tight corners, crevices, under cushions and other hidden areas.
Being cordless, this stick vacuum uses a 14.4V lithium-ion battery to offer up to 25 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning. The vacuum is also fitted with a 2-way collapsible handle that makes cleaning difficult places much easier. It also facilitates compact storage.
Features
- Type: stick, bagless
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Power: cordless (uses a 14.4V lithium-ion battery)
- Cyclonic cleaning system
- 2-way foldable handle
- Dirt capacity: 0.6 liters
- Dual-end brushes – cleans along the baseboard
- Multi-floor cleaner
- Multiple pet accessories – a rubberized pet hairbrush, a pet hair nozzle tool, a scoop and sweep tool, and a crevice tool
Pros
- Lightweight
- Edge brushes help to clean corners and crevices
- Cordless convenience
- Multiple pet tools ensure thorough cat litter removal
- Versatile – handle bends to the front and the back
- Compact storage and charging using a charging base
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons
- Given that it’s battery-powered, it may not be ideal for large rooms
Click here to see its current price.
What to look for when shopping for the best vacuum for cat litter
Cats are cute but they can easily transform your house from a home to an inhabitable mess. To conquer all the shedding and cat litter, you need a good vacuum.
But, how do you pick the best vacuum cleaner for cat litter among the scores of vacuums in the market? Here are a few things to look out for:
Powerful suction
I cannot emphasize this enough. Cat litter, as well as pet hair, can be stubborn especially if your house features fabric couches, carpets, and rugs. A vacuum with powerful suction will make collecting all the fur and cat dander so much easier.
HEPA filtration
We strongly suggest you go for those vacuums fitted with a HEPA filter. When you have pets, allergens spread like bushfire. HEPA filters capture over 99.9% of allergens down to 0.3 microns in diameter. If you have allergic family members, a vacuum with HEPA filtration will accomplish twice what the other vacuums can.
Larger dirt can capacity
I don’t know about you but I hate interrupted cleaning. A large dirt can helps you clean throughout the house without the need to pause and empty the bin.
Accessories
Having extra power brushes makes cleaning stairs, drapes, corners, furniture, and carpets much more fun.
Swivel ability
Cleaning in itself takes energy. You don’t want to invest in a vacuum that will need to be dragged around to clean. So, a vacuum that is easy to maneuver must be a top priority.
Versatility
Finally, you need a highly flexible vacuum to clean all your floor types without needing an extra machine. The best vacuum for pet litter will maneuver every floor type smoothly and leave no debris behind.
Conclusion
This list comprises of powerful pet vacuums but in every race, there is always a winner. We’re convinced Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E cuts it. It’s a lightweight vacuum with great suction and detailed cleaning ability. It also has a big dirt cup that allows for extended cleaning. The others in this list follow closely but Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E remains at the top.
However, if you don’t prefer uprights, we have offered alternatives that include robot vacuums, canister vacuums, and stick vacuums. Also, for quick pick-ups, you can get the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 33A1 to complement your main vacuum.
In summary, these are the best vacuums for cat litter in 2024:
- Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E
- Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum (NV752)
- Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Handheld Vacuum 33A1
- iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
- Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner
- Bissell 9595A CleanView Bagless Vacuum with OnePass
- Shark Rotator Professional Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum NV501
- ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner
- Dirt Devil Razor Pet Bagless Multi-Floor Corded Upright Vacuum UD70355B
- Bissell Bolt Pet Lithium-Ion Cordless Stick Vacuum 1954