Pet parents know how quickly fur, dirt, and scattered debris can take over a home. But not every vacuum is built to handle the mess. I'm tired of vacuums that struggle to pick up hair from furniture, wrap hair around the brush roll, or fill up too quickly to finish the job.
Enter the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Vacuum. This $300 upright vacuum cleaner is designed to solve those problems. It's a workhorse on your floors with a lift-away canister that gives you good reach for stairs or above-floor cleaning. It is the latest addition to the Bissell line-up, created to capture pet hair anywhere it lurks (even in the crevices of your couch), featuring powerful suction and Bissell's first new dual brushroll design that is intended to capture debris without annoying hair wrap.
After testing the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Vacuum against fur, debris, and dirt from two cats and a dog, I think that it's the best vacuum for pet hair thanks to its powerful suction, hair wrap resistance, HEPA filtration, and actually useful attachments. Its main drawbacks are noise and weight, but swivel steering helps make it easier to manage. All things considered, this mid-range upright vacuum shines as one of the best vacuums. Keep reading to find out why I think it's worth adding to your cleaning closet.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Dual Brush expertly handles daily shedding and general mess with less maintenance. It features a dual brush roll design that doesn't tangle with hair and bright LED headlights illuminate the path ahead.
What we like
What we don't like
First impressions
Bissell's newest upright vacuum cleaner requires very little assembly, requiring only a few pieces to click together. Compared to some other Bissell models that require the use of a screwdriver during set-up, this one intuitively comes together. The vacuum feels sturdy despite its mostly plastic construction, with a matte finish that doesn't show dust easily, giving it a premium feel.
The vacuum features a lift-off pod that houses the dustbin and motor and detaches for above-floor cleaning — a useful feature for stairs and furniture that not all upright vacuums offer. The cleaner head uses a dual-brush-roll system—a bristled roller for carpets and a soft roller for hard floors at the front—so you can move between surfaces without making manual adjustments. This is a first for Bissell, and it's also specifically designed to reduce hair wrap, which is a common frustration with pet vacuums. A slightly raised lip makes it better for suctioning up larger debris, too, while extra-bright LED headlights increase visibility.
How it cleans
Everyday messes
For daily cleaning, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is equally capable at cleaning hard floors and carpeting. The floor head automatically detects hard surface floors and slows the brush roll (to prevent scattering debris everywhere), meaning I can move seamlessly from carpeted areas to hard floors without much thought to settings. For most cleaning runs around my home, I left the vacuum on the lowest suction setting (intended for bare floors and low pile carpets). When it was time to take on a thick area rug, I boosted the suction using the slider control on the vacuum's handle and the vacuum responded with extra oomph for pulling up cat hair and other debris.
This vacuum handled high-traffic areas like the kitchen and entryway well, often leaving floors noticeably cleaner in a single pass, and didn't clog on a low-pile rug or high-pile carpet. During testing, I challenged the vacuum to clean up small and large debris on multiple surfaces. I found that the vacuum sometimes scattered small debris, like rice, requiring a second pass to fully pick it up — something to keep in mind if you frequently deal with litter. Though for very fine debris, like hair or baking soda, the vacuum picked up the mess in a single pass. Larger debris, such as kibble or Cheerios, are captured by the vacuum in one or two passes. In the majority of the tests, the vacuum captured all of the debris — and sometimes even more, which is a testament to its suction power. However, the 9.8-inch cleaner head lacks a dedicated edge-cleaning brush, so debris along the walls occasionally needs an extra pass.
How it handles pet hair
On an area rug that has seen its fair share of cat naps from a pair of heavy-shedding felines, I was impressed by the amount of embedded fur this upright vacuum extracted without clogging or wrapping around the brushroll. The difference in the rug's appearance was noticeable (and a bit embarrassing to realize its former condition). On medium-pile carpet, the vacuum performed similarly.
Hair wrap is also a non-issue. I specifically tested it with long strands of hair and, even after repeated use, the brush roll stayed clear. I haven't had to cut any strands free. That's a noticeable improvement over many vacuums that require regular maintenance to remove tangles, and even other Bissell vacuums I've come across. Pet owners will love how the dualbrush rolls and anti-tangle design means less time dealing with hair clogs and compromises in suction.
Using the attachments
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser's functionality is enhanced by its included attachments: a Pet TurboEraser tool and a Dusting Brush/Crevice Combo Tool, both of which feature an integrated LED light. Initially, I wondered if just two attachments would be sufficient, but I haven't felt like anything is missing.
I particularly love the fact that both tools store onboard. I like having the crevice tool with me when vacuuming in the kitchen because I could immediately suction up crumbs or dust from under the lip of my oven range or refrigerator as I pass through. I found the Pet TurboEraser tool particularly useful for picking up pet hair on an armchair and a large sectional in a single pass. Both have an integrated LED light, which helps spot debris more easily, especially in shadowy areas.
What it's like to use
I'm typically a bit biased toward cordless vacuums for their grab-and-go convenience, but the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Dual Clean Vacuum is very comfortable to use. It maneuvers smoothly around furniture thanks to its swivel steering. At 17 pounds, it's heavier than a stick vacuum, but the weight feels well-balanced in use. On hard floors, it glides easily, and while it's more noticeable on thicker carpet, it never feels difficult to control. LED headlights on the floorhead are especially helpful for spotting dust and pet hair under furniture or in dim areas, making it easier to see which areas need more attention. The 30-foot cord also offers excellent reach, so I didn't need to frequently pause to plug the vacuum into a new outlet.
A standout feature of this Bissell model is the detachable canister. Described as a Lift-Off Pod, I found this function very useful for cleaning pet hair and debris from furniture. Essentially, I could park the vacuum, carry the canister to a spot near a couch or chair, and get to work with the pet hair attachment at the end of the flexible vacuum hose. This functionality is also great for stairs, which can be a cleaning challenge for upright vacuum cleaners that don't fit on steps. In this case, the Bissell's Lift-Off Pod can rest on a nearby step as you work, and the vacuum cleaner body can stay parked at the bottom of the stairs.
Compared to other pet vacuums I tested, this model was among the loudest — registering at about 80 decibels (about 60 to 85 decibels is typical). That said, I didn't find the noise high-pitched or a nuisance to deal with. The vacuum's HEPA filtration also means that as you use the vacuum, it's trapping dust and pet dander inside. That's a big plus for pet owners in general and allergy sufferers in particular.
Maintenance
The 1.25-liter dustbin offers less capacity than upright vacuums with a 1.5-liter or larger dustbin. That being said, my cleaning run was always finished before the dust bin reached capacity. Emptying the bin is quick and easy since using a push-button release. In my experience, the debris falls out cleanly without needing to reach inside, so that's a win. I do wish the release button were positioned higher on the bin for easier emptying, but this is a minor quibble given the vacuum's overall well-planned design.
Despite regular use, I haven't needed to clean the brush roll yet, holding up to its claim of resisting hair wrap. Though if you do need to access it, removal requires removing seven Phillips-head screws, which isn't as convenient as a tool-free design.
Maintenance is minimal overall. The dustbin and pre-motor filter can be rinsed clean, while the post-motor filter just needs occasional tapping and replacement about every six months.
Cons to consider
The biggest drawback of this vacuum is its noise factor. I didn't feel comfortable using the vacuum while my husband was on the phone or late at night (we share a wall with a neighbor).
The weight isn't a huge consideration if you have a one-level floor plan since the vacuum wheels around so effortlessly. But if you do frequently carry your vacuum up and down several flights of stairs, its 17-pound weight is something you might want to consider.
What are your alternatives?
If you prefer a cordless option, Bissell also released the Bissell PowerClean DualBrush, which has a similar dual brushroll design, auto-adjusting suction, and a self-standing design. Unlike the Pet Hair Eraser, it struggled with larger debris.
For a less expensive Bissell, I recommend the Bissell CleanView Pet Hair Eraser but with a few caveats. As the best budget pet vacuum it offers great cleaning ability for the price, but it lacks HEPA filtration. That might be a dealbreaker for pet parents who prioritize allergen control. It is also very noisy.
The Shark Stratos Upright might be one of the most comparable options in terms of performance and price, with a similar build that includes a dual brush roll design, a lift-away component, and anti-hair wrap technology. It could come down to whichever is on sale or your preferred brand. Shark also adds a scent cartridge, but we found its effect to be short-lived. Read our full Shark Stratos review.
If you need a super-suction vacuum for thick carpet and don't mind spending a little more, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 was a beast at pulling up dirt and pet hair. It distinguishes itself by offering more attachments depending on the accessory package you pick.
| Vacuum | Why someone would buy it | Main tradeoff | Price | Power | Dust bin | Cord | Filtration |
| Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush | Midrange pet vacuum with headlights, sealed filtration, a Lift-Off pod | Heavier than budget models; suction power not listed | $300 | Not listed | 1.25L | 30 ft | HEPA sealed allergen system |
| Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet | Affordable pet-hair pick with solid basic specs | No HEPA seal, headlights, or lift-away pod | $140 | 800W / 8 amps | 1 L | 27 ft | Multi-level filtration; not HEPA |
| Shark Stratos Upright | Feature-packed pet/allergen pick with self-cleaning dual- brushroll and Powered Lift-Away, and odor neutralizing | Pricey, and heavier than most uprights. | $530 | 1300W | 1.5 qt | 25 ft | HEPA + Anti-Allergen Complete Seal |
| Dyson Ball Animal 3 | Strong carpet/pet-hair pick with de-tangling head and long reach | No lift-away pod or headlights; heavy | $299 | 290 AW / 1350W | 0.55 gal | 35-ft | Whole-machine filtration |
The bottom line
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Upright Vacuum is one of the best mid-range upright vacuums for pet hair, especially if you don't want to spend time fiddling with hair wrap around the brush roll. Whether you have hard floors or carpeted areas to clean, the suction is plenty to capture pet hair, fine debris, and messes left behind by pets, kids, or anyone else. The lift-away canister and useful attachments extend this vacuum's versatility for stairs and above-floor cleaning, and I think the motorized pet tool is especially helpful for cleaning couches or pet beds.
While the vacuum is clearly designed with pet parents in mind and has HEPA filtration to control allergens, I think it's a great pick for anyone who wants a sturdy, easy-to-use upright vacuum for deep cleaning.
You should buy if:
- You have shedding pets (dogs/cats)
- You vacuum multiple surfaces
- You're tired of cutting hair out of brushes
Skip this if:
- You want cordless convenience
- You live in a small apartment
- You prioritize lightweight vacuums
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