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Best Vacuum For Cat Litter (2024): For Cleaning and Picking Up Litter

Posted in: Cat Litter - Last Updated: January 8, 2024 - Author: Rebekah Carter
Posted in Cat Litter 
Last Updated: April 4, 2023  
Author:  Rebekah Carter

Kitty litter gets everywhere, doesn't it? So to combat this we’re comparing and reviewing the best vacuum for cat litter currently on the market. After all, even if you invest in non-tracking cat litter a high-sided litter box and a cat litter mat, there’s a good chance you’re still going to end up with stray litter you still need to clean up. Unfortunately, not all vacuum cleaners are designed to suck up large or small cat litter particles and kitty debris from rugs, hardwood floors, and many other surfaces.

We've separated our test into two parts, so if you're looking to pick up a robot vacuum then check out our group test of the best robot vacuums for cat litter here.

In this article we're focused on all the other types to find the best vacuum cleaner for cat litter.

Best Vacuum For Cat Litter

Finding a vacuum cleaner capable of effectively getting rid of litter mess can make it a lot easier to keep your home clean, tidy, and hygienic. It also saves you a lot of time sweeping up after your kitties when they exit the litter box with litter clinging to their fur or paws. 

While there are numerous great vacuum cleaners out there, promising phenomenal suction power, only a handful can effectively tackle cat litter. Fortunately, with a little help from our own furry friends, we’ve rounded up and tested some of the best vacuum cleaners, specifically suited to picking up litter. 

Best Vacuum Cleaner For Cat Litter

Best Overall

BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pick Up, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Easy Empty, Green

BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel

Best Cheap Cat Food

Best Overall Choice

BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pick Up, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Easy Empty, Green

BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel

The BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel is great for both cat litter and pet hair because it combines powerful suction, specialized pet tools, and a swivel steering design for effortless maneuverability. The Triple Action brush roll effectively lifts and removes embedded pet hair on various surfaces, while the Scatter-Free Technology ensures a clean and efficient pick-up and collects rather than pushes away the pieces of stray litter. 

3 Top Vacuum Cleaners for Cat Litter – Best, Value & Premium

The best vacuum cleaners for cat litter are highly durable, efficient, and lightweight products, which make it easier for pet owners to clean up after their feline friends. While we found a selection of great options on the market today, the following three choices stood out as the ideal options for overall performance, people in search of premium quality, and budget-conscious buyers.

Our Top 3 Choices

Best Overall

BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pick Up, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Easy Empty, Green

BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel

  • Suitable for multiple surface types
  • Excellent swivel steering for maneuverability
  • Edge-to-edge cleaning for tough corners

Best Value

SEALON Handheld Vacuum Cordless, 10000PA Powerful Suction Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for Car & Home & Office Pets Hair Cat Litter Cleaning, Cordless Hand Held Vacuums,Type-C Fast Charging

SEALON Handheld Vacuum Cordless

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Excellent suction without cords
  • Built-in filtration for allergy sufferers

Premium Choice

Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum - Corded

Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum

  • Incredible suction power
  • Easy to move around due to ball structure
  • Self-adjusting cleaner head for all kinds of floors

So that’s a quick chart showing the best three vacuum cleaners. Now let’s take a deeper look at these and more.

1. BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel - Best Overall

BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering, Powerful Pet Hair Pick Up, Specialized Pet Tools, Large Capacity Dirt Tank, Easy Empty, Green

Sleek and powerful, the BISSELL 2252 vacuum cleaner is specially designed for pet parents. The product comes with a swivel steering mechanism for excellent maneuverability. 

A triple action brush roll helps to easily collect not just litter, but also embedded pet hair too. Plus, the product comes with an edge-to-edge cleaning design which ensures you can get dirt out of tricky corners. 

This powerful product includes a range of specialized pet tools, including an eraser tool for cleaning stairs and upholstery.

Plus, it features an extra-large tank, to reduce the number of trips you need to take to the trash can to empty out loose hair.

Furthermore, the vacuum's Multi-Cyclonic Suction System maintains long-lasting performance, and the specialized Pet Hair Corner Tool and Pet TurboEraser Tool make it easy to tackle pet hair in hard-to-reach areas.

As an added bonus, BISSELL donates money to non-profit animal charities every time one of these vacuums is purchased. 

It's the overall performance on both cat litter and cat hair that makes us rate this as our best pick.

Pros

  • Suitable for multiple surface types
  • Excellent swivel steering for maneuverability
  • Edge-to-edge cleaning for tough corners
  • Specialized pet tools included
  • Extra-large capacity tank

Cons

  • Hair can occasionally catch on the belt
  • Better suited to hard floors than carpets

2. SEALON Handheld Vacuum Cordless - Best Value

SEALON Handheld Vacuum Cordless, 10000PA Powerful Suction Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for Car & Home & Office Pets Hair Cat Litter Cleaning, Cordless Hand Held Vacuums,Type-C Fast Charging

Ideal for budget-conscious pet owners in search of a cordless hand vacuum solution, the SEALON handheld vacuum cleaner makes quick work of mess. 

This phenomenal device comes with a comfortable handle, and upgraded motor, capable of delivering sensational suction without cords. The lightweight item has two speed options to choose from, and an advanced filtration system built in. 

To ensure you can clean your rooms as quickly and easily as possible, the SEALON Handheld vacuum comes with various useful accessories, including a car charger, 2 nozzle attachments, and a crevice nozzle for hard-to-reach areas. 

It even has its own handy storage bag and we found it was the simplest to have nearby in a kitchen cupboard to give a quick whizz over your cat's litter box area at any moment.

So, if you're looking for a cat litter vacuum to just do that job then this is the one to get.

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Excellent suction without cords
  • Built-in filtration for allergy sufferers
  • Various versatile accessories included
  • Great for cars and pet carriers

Cons

  • The battery runs out quite quickly
  • Can take a while to recharge

3. Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum - Premium Choice

Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum - Corded

If you’re looking for a premium solution vac for getting rid of mess, litter mat particles, and cat litter, the Dyson Ball Animal vacuum is an excellent option. 

Made with state-of-the-art radial root cyclone technology, this product can capture more dirt and dust than most alternatives. The self-adjusting cleaner head also seals in section automatically across both hard floors and carpets. 

Thanks to the ball structure in the middle of the vacuum, it’s easy to steer your product into the most difficult-to-reach location. Additionally, whole machine filtration ensures allergens stay trapped within the machine.

There are even extra tools included for pet owners, such as a tangle-free turbine tool for getting rid of loose hair.

If your budget stretches to it the Dyson is the best performer all round.

Pros

  • Incredible suction power
  • Easy to move around due to ball structure
  • Self-adjusting cleaner head for all kinds of floors
  • Whole-machine filtration to reduce allergens
  • Combination tool

Cons

  • Can be quite heavy and awkward to use
  • Emptying hair and litter can be difficult
Best handheld Vacuum For cat litter

The Best Vacuum Cleaners for Cat Litter: Alternative Picks

We chose the options above to appeal to a wide range of pet owners with different needs. However, you might find yourself searching for some alternatives if those products don’t work well for you.

Fortunately, we looked at a handful of other vaccums, still worth your consideration if you’re looking for the best vacuum cleaners for cat litter.

4. KEROMEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

KEROMEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Handheld Stick Mini Lightweight 2-in-1 Vacuum for Pet Hair Hardwood Floor Cat Litter Carpet Home Cleaning

Lightweight and portable, this KEROMEE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is a great choice for cleaning up after small messes. 

Made with a high-quality lithium battery, the product can operate for up to 3 hours on a full charge and has absolutely no cord to worry about. The straight-air track technology minimizes the loss of suction, and the product is perfect for dealing with both hair and litter. 

The multi-functional vacuum cleaner can be converted into a range of shapes and sizes.

You can even remove the long nozzle and use it as a hand-held cleaner for your furniture, car, and windowsills. Plus, it looks fantastic in a shade of tiffany blue

It's your other option if you're looking for the lightest and smallest vacuum for this job, but we'd probably still pick the SEALON handheld vacuum cleaner over this unless you really want the taller wand design. That said, it is very good value!

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable design
  • Decent battery life with no cords
  • Convertible design for hand-held cleaning
  • Works well with cat litter and hair

Cons

  • Can be difficult to maneuver on some floors
  • The filter may need regular maintenance

5. Shark NV356E 31 Navigator Lift-Away

Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum with Swivel Steering, HEPA Filter, XL Dust Cup, Pet Power, Dusting Brush, and Crevice Tool, Perfect for Pet Hair, White/Silver

Great for those in search of flexible suction power, the Shark NV356E is a durable product that can adapt to a range of use cases. 

You can detach the nozzle to clean furniture and stairs, or lift the pod away entirely. What’s more, there’s a built-in HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens, making your home a more allergy-resistant place. 

You can instantly switch the position of the brush roll to suit different carpets and hard floors.

Plus, this product comes with phenomenal swivel steering and excellent suction for litter and hair. There’s even a crevice tool included for hard-to-reach places. 

Pros

  • Fantastic suction
  • Swivel steering and removable pod
  • HEPA filter included for allergens
  • Large-capacity dust cup bin

Cons

  • May not be suitable for very dense carpets
  • Can be confusing to use at first

6. Dirt Devil Vacuum Cleaner with Swivel Steering

Dirt Devil Razor Pet Vacuum Cleaner with Swivel Steering, 120 Volts, UD70355B, Red

Specially designed for pet owners, the Dirt Devil is a lightweight vacuum cleaner with a fantastic swivel and swerve mechanism. The design makes it easy to get around corners and under furniture in no time. 

Plus, you can rest assured you’ll get a consistent level of suction across hard floors and carpets alike. The product automatically adjusts to the type of surface you’re cleaning. 

If you’re struggling with embedded dust, litter, and cat hair on carpets and hard floors, you can take advantage of the convenient turbo tool.

There’s also the option to clean higher locations thanks to a quick-release extension wand with up to 10 feet of extra reach.

Pros

  • Fantastic maneuverability on all floors
  • Motorized Brush Tool
  • Rinseable filter for reducing allergens
  • Lightweight and portable structure

Cons

  • Can be too loud for some homeowners
  • The tubes can occasionally clog

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Best Vacuum For Cat hair

Vacuum For Cat Litter Buyers Guide

The right vacuum cleaner for cat litter can save you significant time and effort when it comes to cleaning up after your kitties. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are about choosing the best cat litter and top litter boxes, there’s a good chance you’ll still need to clean stray cat litter from your floors and furniture from time to time. 

Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy to choosing the ideal vacuum cleaner. There are a few points worth thinking about before you start your search. For instance, are you looking for an all-in-one upright vacuum cleaner, or a handheld alternative? 

An upright solution can be ideal for large cleaning spaces in a small amount of time. It will also typically provide more suction and storage than the standard handheld cleaner. However, a portable option can be extremely useful if you want to clean cat litter away from furniture or tidy out the inside of your car from time to time. 

Size is another component worth thinking about before you start narrowing down your options. A smaller vacuum cleaner will be more portable, and lightweight. You’ll be able to carry it easily around your home, and even take it with you to different locations when necessary. However, the smaller a product is, the less power it’s likely to have. 

It’s also worth noting that smaller vacuum cleaners generally come with limited canisters for collecting dirt and dust, so you may need to clean them out more frequently. 

Here are some other considerations to think about:

  • Suction Power: Cleaning or suction power is one of the first things you’ll need to think about when choosing a new vacuum cleaner. Your product should be able to suck up large pieces of litter easily, as well as dust and pet hair. Powerful suction will ensure you don’t have to go over your furniture, carpets, or hard floors multiple times to get rid of messes. You should also be able to get rid of allergens and leftover contaminants much more easily.
  • Portability: The right vacuum cleaner should be able to go wherever your cat goes. This means you’re going to need something that’s lightweight enough to transport up and down stairs easily. You may also need to take your vacuum cleaner out with you into your car, to clean up after journeys with your pet. A portable vacuum cleaner may also make it easier to clean curtains, windowsills, and furniture. 
  • Durability: Large pieces of cat litter can easily damage the inside mechanisms of your vacuum cleaner. A good vacuum cleaner for pets will be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of dust and dirt, including litter particles. Although you may need to pay a little more to purchase a high-quality and long-lasting product, you can save money in the long term if you don’t have to constantly repair or replace your device. 

FAQs

Can you vacuum up kitty litter?

While it is possible to vacuum kitty litter with most standard vacuums, it’s not advised. The majority of vacuums can easily be damaged by kitty litter. With this in mind, you should always consider getting a specialized vacuum cleaner if you’re going to be cleaning up after your feline friend.

What is the best handheld vacuum for kitty litter?

There are numerous excellent handheld vacuum cleaners on the market which work well for getting rid of kitty litter. The best option for you will be a durable, lightweight, and convenient product, with fantastic suction power and a relatively long battery life. 

Can you vacuum cat litter with Dyson?

Dyson products are well-known for their durability and suction power. However, only some Dyson products are designed to be suitable for pet parents. With this in mind, it’s worth making sure you look for an “Animal” product from Dyson for cat litter and hair. 

Why does my vacuum spit out cat litter?

A vacuum may spit out cat litter because it doesn’t have enough suction power, or because something is clogging the airflow in your device. The brush roller in your vacuum could be ejecting excess cat litter to prevent damage to your product. 

Best Vacuum cleaner For Cat Litter

Best Vacuum For Cat Litter: The Verdict

The best vacuum cleaners for cat litter can save you significant time and effort when cleaning up after your kitty. There are numerous great options out there to choose from. However, our favorite overall is the BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel vacuum.

This powerful and effective vacuum cleaner can make light work of not just kitty litter, but also stray cat hair and other forms of dirt that had originated from your cat's litter box. 

It comes with an extra-large tank, is an awesome upholstery tool, has specialized pet tools for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, and more. Plus, BISSELL even donates money to animal charities whenever someone purchases one of these vacuum cleaners.

Get 30% off and FREE shipping on cat supplies!

U.S.A only

To Find out why we recommend chewy.com, click here

About the author

Rebekah Carter is a dedicated animal lover. Her Savannah cat, Roscoe, has a lot of attitude, while her Maine Coon, Dukino, is full of love. When not writing, she’s looking after her cats and researching ways to help them live their best possible life. Her passion for animals and natural skill for writing led her to pursue pet blogging.

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