If you have pets, you’ve probably stepped on their litter in the corner more times than you can count. Cats scatter litter easily by clinging it to their paws, and it ends up everywhere in your home, which makes cleaning really frustrating. To clean this mess, you need a vacuum cleaner that can handle litter with ease; not all vacuums are made for this. Some vacuums scatter the debris or get damaged by hard litter. Other vacuums clog or aren’t made to handle both small particles and pet hair.
Before buying a vacuum cleaner for cat litter, make sure the vacuum has strong suction, brush rolls that handle debris and hair, and filters to trap odors and dust. Some vacuums work great on hardwood floors while others are good at carpets, so make sure to pick the right one according to your floor type. We’ve tested many vacuum cleaners, and according to our research, we’ve made a list of the best vacuums you can get for your cat litter. We’ll discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and which ones are best for different needs (budget, performance, surface type, etc.).
Our Top Picks
- Shark Stratos
- Dyson Gen5detect
- Miele Cat and Dog C3
- Dyson V15 Detect
- Shark IZ163H Pet Plus
Best Vacuums for Cat Litter Comparison Table:
| Feature | Shark Stratos | Dyson Gen5detect | Miele Cat & Dog C3 | Dyson V15 Detect | Shark IZ163H Pet Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Amazon) | $354.99 | $799.99 | $1249.00 | $749.99 | $292.99 |
| Suction Power (Air Watts) | ~280 AW | 262 AW | ~275 AW | 240 AW | ~180 AW |
| Filtration | HEPA + Odor Neutralizer | Advanced HEPA (Traps 99.99%) | AirClean Sealed System | HEPA + Piezo Sensor | Anti-Allergen Complete Seal |
| Pet Hair Handling | DuoClean + Odor tech | Fluffy Optic head, High torque | Turbo brush, great suction | Hair screw tool + Laser detection | Pet multi-tool included |
| Bin/Bag Capacity | 0.72 qt | 0.2 gal (Approx. 0.76 L) | 4.5 L bag | 0.77 L | 0.34 qt (Approx. 0.32 L) |
| Corded/Wireless | Corded | Cordless | Corded (Bagged) | Cordless | Cordless |
| Battery Life | – | Up to 70 min | – | Up to 60 min | Up to 40 min |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs | 7.72 lbs | ~23 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 8.26 lbs |
| Our Rating (out of 10) | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 8.8 |
Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum
The Shark Stratos is the most expensive upright vacuum cleaner by Shark so far. It is packed with many features, making it a great vacuum for families who deal with pet hair and cat litter. The Shark Stratos has an odor-neutralizing system, which can be a huge plus for cat owners. This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a DuoClean PowerFins HairPro brush roll. These brushes can easily remove cat hair from carpets and hard floors without getting tangled.
The Shark Stratos is designed to prevent hair from wrapping around the brush roll, which is a common issue with other vacuums. Another great feature we love about the Shark Stratos is the Powered Lift-Away feature. This feature allows you to detach the canister for easier cleaning of stairs, furniture, and hard-to-reach areas. Shark’s lightweight design and swivel steering make it easy to move around furniture and tight spaces.
Reasons to buy:
- Removes pet hairs easily.
- Can be used as a handheld vacuum.
- Odor-neutralizing technology.
Reasons to avoid:
- A bit of a noisy operation.
Dyson Gen5detect
The Dyson Gen5detect is the role model of vacuum cleaners when it comes to features and advanced technology. The Dyson Gen5detect is a popular choice for pet owners. It is very similar to other high-end vacuum cleaners like the Dyson V15 and V12, with some exceptions that make it better. Gen5detect’s unique Fluffy optic cleaner head uses a green light laser to increase the visibility of dirt and dust. This laser helps in recognizing the hidden dust, which can be overlooked with a normal vacuum.
This vacuum has powerful suction, which can easily pick up fine litter particles, dander, and pet hair from both carpets and hard floors. The feature we absolutely loved about this vacuum was its advanced filtration system, which traps 99.99% of microscopic particles, making it ideal for allergy-prone households. The built-in particle sensor displays a real-time dust count on the LCD screen so you can see how much dirt you’re removing. You can also use it as a handheld, making it perfect for cleaning litter tracked into tight corners.
Reasons to buy:
- 70 minutes of runtime.
- LCD shows informative real-time data.
- Built-in brush and crevice tool.
Reasons to avoid:
- Heavier when using in handheld mode.
Miele Cat and Dog C3
The Miele Cat & Dog C3 is a bagged vacuum cleaner that is highly recommended due to its great suction power, filtration, and hygiene compared to bagless models. It comes with a powerhead, which plays a huge role in effective carpet cleaning and removing cat litter. This vacuum has a sealed AirClean filtration system that traps allergens and fine dust more efficiently. This model is specially designed for pet owners and comes with necessary attachments.
The Miele Cat & Dog C3 includes a turbo brush for smaller areas and various attachments made for homes with pets, which deal with litter. It also has an activated charcoal filter, which reduces pet odors. It also performs well on hard floors using appropriate attachments. The Miele Cat & Dog C3 comes at a price point of $1,239.00, but it’s worth the investment.
Reasons to buy:
- Powerful suction, great for pets and litter.
- Quiet Operation.
Activated charcoal filter reduces pet odors
Reasons to avoid:
- Heavy to carry
- Expensive
Dyson V15 Detect
The Dyson V15 is the best cordless vacuum we’ve ever come across. This is a high-end vacuum that cleans pet hair and their litter on various surfaces easily. The V15 Detect performs well in all our tests and other factors, including power, precision, and innovation. This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a laser detection system, which helps detect invisible dust particles. This vacuum comes with a technology called “intelligent piezo sensor.” With this sensor, your V15 can automatically adjust its suction power based on the amount of cat litter it detects.
V15 Detect can trap 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, keeping your air clean and fresh. This feature makes it a great choice for people who suffer from allergies and also those who have pets and deal with litter. Its strong suction power and an anti-tangle brush can handle long cat hair and pet dander as well.
Reasons to buy:
- Hyperdymium motor for great suction power.
- Uses laser to detect small dust particles
- Battery timing of upto 60 mins.
Reasons to avoid:
- Premium price tag.
- Noisy on max boost.
Shark IZ163H Pet Plus
The Shark IZ163H Pet Plus is a cordless stick vacuum designed for pet owners and general household use. The Shark IZ163H Pet Plus has great suction power and can clean cat litter efficiently on all types of floors. It also comes with an anti-hair wrap technology that prevents the vacuum from tangling in the brush roll. The one feature we absolutely love about Shark vacuums is that they offer the Flexology feature. This feature allows the vacuum cleaner to bend, making it easier to reach under furniture. It comes with multiple attachments, including a pet brush, which makes cleaning pet hair easier.
The vacuum is well-balanced if you are looking to buy something on the more budget-friendly end. But it won’t be as powerful as other vacuum cleaners. Its suction power is fairly less than the others, and its battery life is advertised as up to 40 minutes; actual runtime may be shorter, especially on carpets. Although it’s made for pets, it still won’t be able to clean cat litter as well as others.
Reasons to buy:
- Pet-friendly.
- HEPA Filtration.
- Very lightweight and easy to move around.
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited Battery Life
- Non-Removable Brushroll
Important Features To Consider
When choosing a vacuum for cat litter, you should consider these features, like suction power, odor-neutralizing system, and other pet-related features.
Suction Power
If you have cats that scatter litter all over your floors, then you need a vacuum cleaner with great suction power, which can easily suck these litter particles up. Vacuums like Dyson V15 and Shark Stratos won’t have any problem dealing with litter.
Odor-Neutralizing System
Vacuum cleaners that offer odor-neutralizing systems are very popular among pet owners who deal with multiple pets and litters because they won’t just clean your house but will also provide a nice scent to make your home smell nice all the time.
Anti-tangle
Vacuums offering anti-tangling brush rolls are a huge plus because detangling your vacuum manually can be really frustrating and time-consuming. Vacuums like Shark & Dyson have built-in anti-hair-wrap brushes, which make sure that hairs don’t get stuck in the brush and you can clean with ease.