After testing over 30+ products, we help you choose the best vacuum for cat litters to help you maintain a dust-free and harmless environment.
Did you know that cat litter can cause allergies? If not cleaned well, it can cause breathing problems and upper respiratory tract disorders. The litter particles are too small and dusty. They can get almost anywhere in the house or stay in the air and spread pathogens and harmful diseases.
In order to get rid of litter effectively from your floors and carpets, you need a vacuum for cat litters. The device has to be powerful for sucking the hard litter clumps without causing any dust. Using the best vacuum for cat litter helps in keeping dust and allergies at bay.
We help you choose the best vacuum for cat litters in order to keep your family and kitty safe from allergies and diseases while keeping your floors and carpets clean.
A Glance of Our Favorites in 2023
Best Overall
Editor’s Pick
Affordable Pick
The 7 Best Vacuum for Cat Litters – Reviews 2023
1. Hoover T-Series Upright Vacuum Cleaner
The Hoover T-Series Upright Vacuum Cleaner is our best pick amongst all due to the Windtunnel Technology that creates suction to remove surface debris and uproot dirt from the toughest of surfaces. The HEPA filter traps 99.7% of dirt, dust, and pollens as small as 0.3 microns.
The device offers 5 height adjustments for multiple surface cleaning, including carpets and hard floors, and features a 25 ft. retractable cord to reach across surfaces. It allows you to reach underneath furniture without bumping or damaging it.
To conclude, we think this is the overall best vacuum for cat litter.
Features
- Type: Upright
- Weight: 16.5 pounds
- Corded: Yes
- Cord Length: 25 ft.
- 5 Height Adjustments
- Kit Includes: Extension wand, crevice tool, upholstery/dusting brush, and powered hand tool
The corded device comes with multiple tools being an extension wand, crevice tool, upholstery/dusting brush, and powered hand tool for effective cleaning across multiple surfaces.
Pros
- Multiple height adjustments for reaching various surfaces
- Suitable for all floor and surface types
- Good cord length
- Has different adjustments for various surfaces
- Powerful suction with Windtunnel Technology
Cons
- The vacuum is too noisy
- The attachment and assembly is a hassle as parts are sensitive
2. Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum for Cat Litters
The Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum for Cat Litters is our premium choice amongst all as it features a modern design and comes with a Radial Root Cyclone technology. This offers powerful suction capacity with 25 % more power that drives the bristles deeper into carpets for efficient cleaning.
The tangle-free turbine tool does not wound up hair and dust onto the device and has counter-rotating heads with brushes for ease of maneuvering across floorings and carpets. The device also comes with multiple attachments for ease of cleaning.
Features
- Type: Upright
- Weight: 27.1 pounds
- Corded: Yes
- Kit Includes: Tangle-free Turbine Tool, Flat Out Tool, Soft Dusting Brush, Multi-Angle Brush, Stiff Bristle Brush, 2-in-1 Combination and Stair Tool
The list of attachments includes a tangle-free turbine tool, up top tool, a soft dusting brush, reach under tool, a stiff bristle brush, a 2 in 1 stair cleaning tool, and a mattress tool. You can clean almost any surface with the powerful and dynamic Dyson Animal Upright Vacuum for Cat Litters.
Pros
- Cyclonic and powerful cleaning system
- Tangle-free cleaning
- High suction capacity
- Comes with multiple cleaning tools
Cons
- Emptying the canister is a hassle
- The cleaning is not very efficient
3. Shark Pet-Perfect Cordless Hand Vacuum
The Shark Pet-Perfect Cordless Hand Vacuum is our best pick under a budget vacuum for the cat litter category as it is portable, comes in a compact design, and offers the convenience of cleaning and carrying. It has an 18-volt capacity and is a powerful cordless device.
The litter vacuum features a tank capacity of 0.56 quarts and provides deep cleaning due to an extra-large detachable motorized brush. This offers quick and easy cleanup of pet hair as well as dirt on other surfaces. The lightweight design makes it perfect for your house, car, backyard, etc.
Features
- Type: Handheld
- Weight: 4.25 pounds
- Corded: No
- Battery: 18 volts
- Kit Includes: Motorized Pet Hair Brush, Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Charging Stand
The device comes across as very versatile and comes with multiple cleaning options like with that of the crevice tool, motorized brush, dusting brush, and direct suction for ease of cleaning any surface. The filter is easily detachable and washable too.
Pros
- Easy to carry and portable design
- Comes with various attachments for multi-surface cleaning
- Detachable water filter for ease of washing
Cons
- The vacuum device does not run for a long time
- The overall product is not durable
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum Cleaner features a dust cup with a capacity of 2.2 quarts. It has an easy to separate canister for reaching various corners and crevices. It comes in a svelte design and is suitable for hard floor surfaces.
The vacuum for cat litters is easy to maneuver with swivel steering and comes with a two-way handle for convenience and portability. The device is extremely light in weight and has Anti Allergen Complete Seal Technology with a HEPA filter. The filter traps 99.9% of dust particles inside the vacuum.
Features
- Type: Upright
- Weight: 13.7 pounds
- Corded: Yes
- 5-foot hose pipe for attachment
- 1200 watts capacity
- Kit Includes: 1 vacuum cleaning device, 5 ft. hose pipe
The litter vacuum is powerful and features a 5ft pipe for ease of cleaning and reaching places. It is corded and comes with an inbuilt brush roll and pipe for attachment. It also helps in cleaning hair and litter from carpets and other types of flooring.
Pros
- Good dust cup capacity
- 2-way handle for ease of carrying and cleaning
- Anti-allergen Complete Seal Technology with HEPA filters to trap dust effectively
- Easy maneuvering and light in weight
Cons
- The attached rotating brush stops working overtime
- The product is not very durable
5. Armor All Wet/Dry Vacuum for Cat Litters
The Armor All Wet/Dry Vacuum for Cat Litters is designed keeping in mind the interiors of your house and hence has a very compact design. It is suitable for cleaning both wet and dry waste and litter and comes with all accessories required for complete cleaning. The litter vacuum is also convertible into a blower to dry wet surfaces and shuts off automatically in order to prevent excess overflow. The overall device has a quiet mode of operation as it comes with a built-in air and noise diffuser. It requires no assembly and comes with a long 10-foot cord.
Features
- Type: Wet/Dry Vacuum
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Corded: Yes
- Cord Length: 10 ft.
- Motor capacity: 2 HP
- Kit Includes: 6 Ft. x 1-1/4 Inch Hose, Reusable Cloth Filter, Foam Wet Filter, 2-in-1 Utility Nozzle with Brush, Crevice Tool, Deluxe Car Nozzle, Blower Nozzle with Adaptor, and Detail Brush
It has a 2.5-gallon polypropylene tank which is quite portable but manages to capacitate enough amount of litter and waste. The 2 HP motor provides excellent suction power and blower function. The litter vacuum also features a top handle for ease of carrying and storage.
Pros
- Portable and Lightweight
- Complete organized structure for easy storage of accessories
- Suitable for both wet and dry waste
- Auto shut off for preventing overflow
Cons
- The vacuum does not have enough suction power
- The motor is not very durable
6. Dirt Devil Razor Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Dirt Devil Razor Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner gives an advanced performance with a high suction capacity to ensure powerful cleaning. The device does not demand constant cleaning and changing of filters. The patented 3 stage filtration system gives advanced performance to provide deep, effective cleaning at all times.
The filter is washable and the vacuum for cat litters comes with a foam sleeve to catch the fine dirt and debris. It comes with a 10 ft long cord and provides easy steering to move across multiple floors like tiles or carpets.
Features
- Type: Upright
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Corded: Yes
- Cord Length: 10 ft.
- Kit Includes: Vacuum 2-in-1 Dusting and Crevice Tool, Extended Length Crevice Tool, Pet Turbo Tool
The vacuum comes in an attractive design and is very light and easy to handle. It also has a SPIN4 Brushroll and features CleanPath technology to take off waste from hard floors and carpets. The cord is long and flexible to help you reach and clean multiple surfaces with ease.
Pros
- Swivel Steering
- Lightweight and portable upright design
- Suitable for multiple flooring
- Reaches across various surfaces
Cons
- The product is not durable
- The structure is made of cheap plastic
7. Bissell Adapt XRT Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
The Bissell Adapt XRT Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner features a high dirt cup capacity of 0.45 liters and is battery operated for ease of use and movement. It comes with a 14. 4V lithium-ion battery and provides powerful cleaning with added run time. The litter vacuum can be converted from upright to a handheld vacuum to clean almost any material and surface.
The two-way folding handle helps the device to reach under any furniture and also aids in compact storage. It has a swivel steering performance for ease of maneuvering. The litter vacuum also offers variable suction power for adjustable cleaning depending upon the type of waste.
Features
- Type: Upright and Handheld
- Weight: 7.88 pounds
- Corded: No
- Battery: 14. 4V lithium-ion battery
- 0.45 liters dirt cup capacity
- Kit Includes: Crevice tool, Upholstery tool dusting brush, Lithium-ion battery
The vacuum comes with multiple nozzles for attachment which is suitable for cleaning every mess. The device offers a customizable cleaning experience with smooth performance and multi-floor cleaning features.
Pros
- 2-way folding handle for convenient and compact storage
- Includes tool for all types of cleaning
- Suction level can be customized manually
Cons
- Low running time, requires charging for multiple times
- The rotary brush is not durable
Why Do You Need A Vacuum for Cat Litters?
Vacuum for cat litters has a high suction power, large capacity, large collecting bags, and other enhanced features that make them litter friendly and help in clearing the mess effectively.
While regular vacuum devices are effective in cleaning dirt and dust, cat litter can cause blockage and spoil the device, and thus, you would require a special vacuum cleaner for cat litters.
Here are a few reasons we think why should you have a vacuum for cleaning cat litter:
Damage Due to Type of Litter
Ideally, there are 3 basic types of cat litter, clay-based, silica, and biodegradable cat litter. Most cat parents use clay-based litter as it is soft and also absorbs urine efficiently.
Silica-based litter is like silica gel that helps in odor control while absorbing urine and ammonia smell. Biodegradable litter is made of natural materials like wood, paper, pine, etc.
Most of these litters have the ability to form hard clumps once they come in contact with moisture. These hard particles are sucked by regular vacuums at top speed, but on hitting the fragile parts of the device, they can end up spoiling the inner sensitive components.
The vacuum may lose its efficiency eventually upon being hit by such hard clumped particles and hence should be avoided for use. Therefore, one requires a strong and durable vacuum cleaner for sucking such hard clumps.
Clogging
When you see that the litter is forming excessive amounts of dust while pouring into the litter box, it can also end up clogging the surfaces of the vacuum.
These dust particles and clouds start accumulating in the corners and crevices of your device and eventually leads to spoiling and clogging the suction pipes and other smaller parts.
Odor
Cat litter can have a very strong and pungent odor like that of ammonia which is disgusting. If you are using a regular vacuum to clean cat litter, the odor might pass on, into the device.
Once the air circulates, the same machine can also spread germs, dirt, and odor around the house. This can not only spoil your regular vacuum and make it dirty but also spread airborne pathogens around the house and surfaces.
Check out the best natural cat litter available on the market.
Molds
Molds are very difficult to get rid of and are a common thing in cat litters and litter boxes. These molds are either wet or dry. While dry molds can be easily removed, wet molds are known to carry more pathogens.
If these molds are sucked by your regular device while clearing litter, they can stay in and harbor inside the device. If you are using the same vacuum for other household materials, you need to be careful.
This would only lead to spreading the pathogenic mold bacteria and microbes around the house, leading to diseases and allergies.
Vacuum Cleaner Issues
If you keep changing the airflow and suction power of the regular vacuum cleaner, it may so happen that the brushes on the device can fling a litter particle or two in the air.
If the litter has already been exposed to cat urine and dirt, it can only lead to spreading dirty litter around the house which can cause allergies and other diseases.
Want to know can a cat be allergic to cat litter? Click here to know more.
What Is The Best Type of Vacuum for Cat Litters?
There are various different types of vacuum for cat litters having different suction powers, designs, and capacities. Here are a few types that we have listed for you.
Canister Vacuums
Canister Vacuums are best suited for cleaning stairs, shelves, and hard to reach surfaces due to the narrow nozzle and the separate containment canister and powerhead. This makes the arm of the vacuum feel lightweight.
However, the entire design is very huge and not so easy to carry around. The canister cannot be dragged as it is too heavy in certain machines. It is good for cleaning single designated surfaces.
Upright Vacuums
These devices usually have a very compact and streamlined design. This is because most of their features like the canister, collecting bag, and the cleaning head are all enclosed into one common structure.
This makes it easy to store and simplifies the cleaning process. However, the all-in-one structure is heavier to carry around and the device is not very portable.
Handheld Vacuums
These types of vacuums don’t have a very large capacity and are compact as well as light in weight. This makes it portable and convenient to store for small households.
If you want to use a device for immediate and small scale cleaning, then handheld vacuums do the trick. These can be stored beside the litter box and are perfect for cleaning smaller areas.
Stick Vacuums
Stick vacuums are just for the sleek and slender design. These vacuums are usually very light in weight which makes it portable and easy to store. However, they are suitable for cleaning small amounts of litter and are not very powerful like other vacuum devices.
Robotic Vacuums
While these vacuums are fully automated and work on a set of instructions, they cannot differentiate between wet and dry waste. These devices are not made for cleaning wet wastes and hence cannot note the difference either.
Therefore, handling and sorting the waste manually rather than instructing a robot seems like a much better idea.
Wet/Dry Vacuums
These types of vacuums are suitable for cleaning all types of waste, be it glass, litter, nails, dust, cat hair, etc. Wet/dry vacuum devices are best for any household as this does not require too much sorting and cleaning.
These devices have a strong built because the wet waste and dirt would not pass through any electrical or mechanical components of the vacuum.
The design of wet/dry vacuums is much like canister vacuums with a large bucket for collecting waste. However, this makes it heavy and non-portable, therefore carrying it around to clean the entire house can be troublesome.
It is suitable for larger spaces like gardens, backyards, outdoors, or large households. It also works in case of houses having multiple cat litter boxes. This type of vacuums makes the cleaning task easier.
How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Cat Litters?
While we mentioned the various types of vacuum for cat litters, which is the best-suited one as per your household and convenience? We help you figure out the features to consider in order to get the best vacuum for cat litters.
Suction Power
Vacuum for cat litters definitely needs to have strong suction power as their primary feature. Cat litter and other related dirt particles and hair are small to get stuck onto any rigid surface, be it the corners of the house, carpets, flooring, etc.
A vacuum device having good suction will pull out the smallest particles from the stickiest and rigid surfaces almost easily.
Vacuums that Separate Dirt and Air
Choose a vacuum for cat litters that has a bypass flow motor. This will help in easily separating the dust and air and will not allow the dirt to accumulate onto the parts and surfaces of the machine.
Vacuums that possess a cyclone cleaning system use a bypass motor that provides strong suction power for years. Since cat litter can get hard while clumping, a vacuum with a high suction power can help in the effective cleaning of cat litter
Portability
While having a pet in the house demands a lot of cleaning, a vacuum that is easy to maneuver and handle makes it convenient for households. It would take a moment for you to carry the vacuum cleaning device to a particular place that looks dirty.
A canister-type vacuum for cat litters will not offer the same convenience as it is too heavy to travel about the house for cleaning all the time. Portable vacuum cleaners ensure effective and easy cleaning across various corners of the house.
Durability
The best vacuums for cat litters have to be durable as they would be cleaning stubborn and dusty cat litter and hair that can easily cause clogging and blockage in the device.
If the vacuum is not durable, you will have to keep looking for new devices very frequently which is a sheer waste of time as well as money.
Therefore, it is advisable and sensible to look for devices that are strong and come with a warranty for years. Such vacuums for cat litters are large, durable, and have great suction power and capacity.
Type of Flooring
Your vacuum for cat litters and other pet-related dirt should be compatible with the type of flooring in the house. If you have carpets all-around your house or if the litter box is kept on the floor, the vacuum device should have multiple attachments that are compatible with all kinds of flooring and surfaces.
Usually, you would require a brush in order to clean litter from carpets and a nozzle that is compatible with hard surfaces to clear litter from the floor or tiles.
Waste Collecting Bag
Certain vacuums for cat litters come with canisters or waste-collecting bags in order to accumulate the dirty litter in one place.
While canisters do not have large collection capacities, they have to be replaced often in order to clear the litter and the odor associated with it.
While the vacuum is an enclosed system, there is a high chance of the device accumulating odor. Hence, bagless vacuum for cat litters are a better option
Cord vs Cordless
If you have multiple power sources around the house, then a corded vacuum cleaner is a great option. However, if you want to clean a particular corner of your house, and do not have a power socket there, wouldn’t it be sensible to have a cordless vacuum instead of a corded one?
Tips to Prevent Litter From Scattering
Even if you have the best of vacuum cleaners, litter particles are tiny and are bound to track and scatter across multiple surfaces. These can cause allergies and other respiratory disorders to both you, your family members, and your feline mate.
Therefore, to make your cleaning task easier, we give you some tips to consider to prevent litter from spreading across the house.
Use a High Sided Litter Box
High sided litter boxes have high walls that prevent litter from spreading outside the litter box. As cats may end up having high amounts of digging and other activities inside the litter box, the high-sided walls contain the litter in one place.
This stops the particles from getting to other surfaces like your floorings and carpets as the walls prevent the litter from falling off or spreading.
Use Litter Tracking Ramps or Mats
Consider using a litter box that comes with a litter tracking ramp or place a large mat below the litter box. Usually, if cats keep moving in and out of the litter box, their paws can have litter stuck below them which can cause the dirt to spread across the entire house.
Litter tracking ramps and mats will trap the dust on the surface of the ramp or mat and prevent it from being carried around in your cat’s paws. This will automatically avoid any litter from spreading around the house.
Litter Box Location
If the litter box is kept at the center of the house, it is obvious that the dust is bound to spread across surfaces of your home. Choose a suitable corner that your cat likes to spend its time in and place the box around that corner. This will keep the litter from spreading everywhere around the house and only keep it to the corners.
It will help you in cleaning as you would have to target only particular corners of your home and not keep dusting about the entire house.
If you have a larger home, then you can allocate a separate room for your cat’s litter box so the litter and dirt remain contained to that room or area only.
Low Tracking Litter
Non-sticky, pellet-like litter are comparatively heavier and cause low tracking. If the litter forms hard clumps quickly, that would also make it heavier and not allow any further tracking.
Therefore, choose a litter type that makes it convenient for you to clean the litter and collect the waste easily. Lightweight litter is easy to cling to your cat’s paws and easy to spread around causing dust and allergies.
Large Litter Box
Open and large litter boxes will keep the litter contained in the box. Small boxes have higher chances of spreading, as the litter would constantly keep falling and spreading out of the box if your cat is using it. Therefore, the larger the box, the lesser is the chances of litter falling off the box.
Want to know how much does it cost of cat litter per month?
FAQs
Can you vacuum cat litter?
Yes! You can vacuum cat litter. However, you will require a powerful vacuum cleaner specifically designed for cat litters with strong components in order to clean litter.
Does cat litter damage vacuums?
Yes! Cleaning large amounts of litter at once with a vacuum may cause damage to the sensitive mechanical components. The fine dust and clay particles can also clog the filters and the odor can remain inside for a long time.
Use a strong vacuum system with powerful and cyclonic suction capacity in order to clean cat litter effectively.
How to get cat litter out of carpet?
Lose the dry litter from the carpet using a brush and then vacuum the area to remove the maximum amount of litter from the carpet. If the litter still does not come off, repeat until most of it is completely gone.
What is the cost of vacuum for cat litters?
Vacuum for cat litters can cost anywhere between $100-$700. This depends upon the suction capacity, the quality, and the type of device.
The best upright type vacuum that offers high suction capacity is the Hoover T-Series Upright Vacuum Cleaner that costs anywhere between $180-$190.
If you are looking for premium quality and svelte finish, you can opt for the Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum for Cat Litters that costs around $600-$650.
For a pocket-friendly purchase, you can opt for the Shark Pet-Perfect Cordless Hand Vacuum costing anywhere between $55-$60.
What is the best vacuum for cat litters?
According to us, the best vacuum for cat litters is the Hoover T-Series Upright Vacuum Cleaner which features the WindTunnel technology for effective cleaning and high suction.
For a premium quality purchase, you can opt for the Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum for Cat Litters which is preferred by most pet parents.
For a budget-friendly and portable device, the best vacuum would be the Shark Pet-Perfect Cordless Hand Vacuum which is compact and easy to carry.
Final Note
As cat parents, we all know that litter is not easy to clean. The litter particles are too small and dusty and can lead to spreading dust and allergies.
The common thing about most litters is that they clump easily and can be difficult to clean with a vacuum once they harden.
Therefore, vacuum cleaners which are powerful with high suction capacity are meant to clean cat litter effectively. They come with various tools and attachments that help cleaning dust from various surfaces. Moreover, their components are powerful which makes the device long-lasting and more effective.
Read our reviews on the best vacuums for cat litters and keep your surroundings and family safe, healthy, and litter-free.