Shark AZ3000 Stratos Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

The suction handles dirt, debris, and pet hair on both carpets and hard floors. Two-thirds of reviewers say it picks up pet hair without trouble.

Swivel steering lets you navigate around furniture and into tight spaces. The Lift-Away feature detaches the canister for more versatile cleaning options.

It operates at a moderate volume that allows for comfortable conversation while cleaning.

For pet hair, look for strong suction (roughly 20,000 Pa or more on a robot vacuum, 150 AW or more on a cordless), a tangle-resistant brush roll, a dedicated pet tool, and HEPA filtration, which by definition captures 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns. Dyson, Shark and Bissell all make well-reviewed pet models. Use the Pet Hair Specialist filter on our comparison table to see which ones are in stock and what they cost right now.

Most manufacturers suggest replacing filters every 3 to 6 months, depending on how often you vacuum and whether you have pets. HEPA filters usually last 12 to 18 months if you clean them regularly. Washable foam filters on bagless models should be rinsed every 1 to 2 weeks and dried fully before going back in. Replacements typically run $15 to $50. A clogged filter chokes airflow, so suction drops noticeably well before the filter looks dirty.