Cat litter gets everywhere, no matter the litter you use, it still always manages to get everywhere. So how do you clean cat litter from a carpet? With a great vacuum cleaner. Read through our comparisons to discover the best vacuums for cat litter.
For the purpose of this article, when referencing cat litter, we mean traditional clay type litter or our favourite – the World’s Best Cat Litter. The mentioned hoovers are also suitable for both clumping and non-clumping litters.
The below vacuums may not be suitable for those who use wood pellet litter. This is because they are often bigger pieces that may cause damage to the mechanisms.
With regards to wood pellet litters, these are great for not causing as much mess, however, if you have a senior cat or a cat with osteoarthritis, we do not recommend them as they can cause unnecessary pain when using the tray and in turn cause litter tray aversions.
All of the hoovers mentioned in our comparison are also great vacuums for cat hair. Meaning you will be purchasing one which will do all.
The Best vacuums for cat litter 2022
Is it okay to vacuum cat litter?
Yes, if you have a hoover that is designed to vacuum cat litter. While most vacuums will pick up litter if not designed for overtime it will damage the mechanisms and it will not last as long.
With cats being a staple of many homes these days, many companies have now adapted their vacuum cleaners to accomodate for kitty litter.
So, what is the best vacuum cleaner to pick up cat litter?
See below for our personal recommendations. First, you will see a quick comparison table, and further down we have more details on why we have recommended these as the best vacuums for cat litter.
| Product | Look | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shark TruePet - Upright Vacuum Cleaner |  | - Pet power brush attachment easily removes pet hair & litter - 5 Year Manufacturer Warranty - Can also be used as a handheld vacuum | Buy with free next day delivery |
| Coredy Robot Vacuum |  | - Build for cat litter and pet hair - Wireless and takes care of itself - Convertible Vacuuming Wet-Dry mopping function | Buy from Amazon |
| Dyson V7 Trigger Cord Free Handheld Vacuum |  | - The most powerful handheld vacuum - Various attachments for different areas - Hygienically drive out trapped dust | Buy from Amazon |
| Shark HandVac Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner Pet Model |  | -Includes 3 accessories – Motorised Pet Tool, Dusting Brush and Crevice Tool - 2 Year Manufacturer Warranty - Large capacity dust cup with one-touch easy empty | Buy with free next day delivery |
A more detailed look at our favorite pet vacuums
Shark TruePet – Upright Vacuum Cleaner – Best Overall
Over the past few years Shark has become a household name in Hoover, one particular reason for this is because of the built-in pet features.
This particular version is the ‘TruePet’ – meaning it is built with pet owners in mind, evening coming with a specialized attachment to help rid of stubborn cat fur and litter.
Furthermore, it has an Anti-allergen complete seal that captures and traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, not releasing them back into the air you breathe. This hoover is especially great if you have a thick-coated cat such as a Maine Coon.
This model also features the patented Shark-powered lift-away. This means the pod can be detached but the brush in the head continues to rotate, so you can reach right under the trickiest furniture for carpet cleaning in a lift-away mode where traditional uprights may struggle.
We have voted this vacuum as the best overall out of the hoovers we compared. This decision took into account its adaptability, strength, and value for money.
Coredy Robot Vacuum – Best robot vacuum for cat litter
The Coredy R500+ Robotic Vacuum is right for you if you have:
- Cat, dogs, or other furry friends. R500+ cleans the surface and under furniture to remove pet hair from areas you can’t see.
- A busy schedule. Just set a cleaning schedule and leave the robot vacuum to clean by itself
- Allergies. This Cleaning Robot is equipped with a dual-layer filter and one net filter that easily filters out a range of dust and allergens.
Powered by 2600mAh Li-ion battery, the Coredy robotic vacuum cleans for up to 120 min per charge, meaning all of the rooms in your home can be cleaned from a single charge.
Robot vacuums will not be for everyone but they are perfect for busy homes. We particularly liked this one as alongside all the other features it has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you cannot get used to the idea of not doing the hoovering yourself.
Dyson V7 Trigger Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum – Best for multi-cat households
The Dyson V7 is the vacuum of choice in our household and one I would recommend to any pet owner. I love this vacuum as the different attachments mean it can be used as an upright as well as a handheld – meaning it can be used for a full clean but also quickly grabbed to clear up spilled litter.
The ‘maximum mode’ is fantastic for removing stubborn cat hair from the furniture which is why we have voted this one as the best vacuum for multi-cat households. The different attachments mean it is also great for getting into different nooks and small spaces.
Our only negative about the Dyson V7 is the battery life, at full charge it only lasts around 30 minutes. This 30-minute charge means we can easily clean our flat in one but if you have a bigger home you may find you need multiple charges.
Overall, we do believe the Dyson, for suction power alone, is worth the higher price tag.
Shark HandVac Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner, Pet Model – Best value for money
Tired of finding pet hair everywhere? This lightweight, the portable vacuum cleaner is designed for homes with pets. Simply attach the Motorised Pet Tool to remove embedded hair from cushions, curtains, soft furnishings, car interiors, and more.
Versatile cleaning, long-lasting performance. Easily remove everyday dust and debris including crumbs and pet hair with this lightweight cordless handheld vacuum cleaner from Shark. From soft furnishings to stairs, curtains to worktops, narrow gaps and inside the car, easily clean hard-to-reach areas with 3 included accessories – a Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool, and Motorised Pet Tool.
This particular model only offers up to 10 minutes of run-time per charge but this makes it perfect for on-the-spot cleans – such as after your cat uses the litter tray.
This particular Shark model is FANTASTIC value for money and if you are looking for quick use, budget hoover to keep next to the litter tray then this is your go-to.
So, which pet hoover should I buy?
As mentioned we have and love the Dyson V7 but it is expensive.
Therefore, our winner for the best vacuum for cat litter – taking into consideration efficiency AND the price is the Shark TruePet – Upright Vacuum Cleaner.
But if you are looking for something smaller to keep next to the litter tray in addition to your normal vacuum it would have to be the Shark HandVac Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner – Pet Model.
Looking for more cat product comparisons? Take a look at the safest and best cat backpacks.