Pet vacuums vs. regular vacuums – what's the difference, and which do you really need?

Living room with wooden floor and panelled walls, three large sash windows with wooden shutters, sculptural vases and items on display.

The rise of pet vacuums has come at no surprise, as around two-thirds of US households have pets. However, when considering pet vacuums vs. regular vacuums, it can be hard to know if a specialized one is worth it.

As I've spent more than 200 hours testing and reviewing dozens of vacuums, I can tell you that the best vacuums for pet hair perform well, but it's often regular vacuums with strong features that take the top spot.