Best Vacuum For Cat Litter for 2023 [Our Reviews and Comparisons] –

As a cat owner, having a cat is extremely enjoyable and rewarding. But of the downsides, cleaning cat litter is one of the most significant and tiresome.

Most vacuums can handle small particles of cat litter occasionally. But as litter is composed of small clay particles that could damage the mechanics of your regular household vacuum cleaner. Also, the clay dust that it creates, could clog your vac, making it smell of cat litter.

Scented of perfume, and if it’s soiled, even worse, the smell of cat litter won’t disappear quickly. It will get into the internal components, hard-to-access and so not easy to clean, your regular household vac, and so your whole house could reek of cat litter all over and forever. Also vacuuming damp litter can lead to other problems. Most vacuums can only handle dry and not wet messes. For that, you’ll need a specific wet/dry vacuum.

Look for a vacuum with a bypass flow motor that separates dirt and air. This will prevent clay dust from lodging in the filter. Their cyclonic cleaning will help ensure that the vac will keep strong suction for years.

Make sure that the vacuum is suitable for your type of flooring. If you have carpets and rugs, a roller brush is essential. If your litter box is on a hard surface, choose a vacuum that comes with a hard floor attachment. And don’t forget that your cat will walk litter on its paws, throughout your home. If you have different types of flooring, choose a vacuum that has multiple height settings, so compatible with any type of flooring that you might have.

Do you want a bagged or bagless vac? As you’ll have to empty the dirt regularly to prevent odor buildup, a bagless vacuum will be more practical and so the better choice.

To eliminate those problems, you should consider a specialist vacuum for cat litter; practical, powerful, and most importantly, effective and safe against the small clay pieces.
It will also save you a lot of time for you to enjoy the pleasures of owning a cat.

We have chosen some of the best vacuums for cat litter, to see which is the best. Testing, and reviewing them, taking into consideration the most important features; the vacuum’s power, capacity, hose length, and weight.

See Related Topic: Miele S7260 Cat & Dog Upright

1. Armour All Utility Vacuum

Product Highlights

Armor All Utility is an easy to use utility vacuum, with a durable polypropylene tank able to withstand rough handling. Therefore, making it suitable for cat litter.

Its 2 peak HP motor will provide enough suction, and because the debris doesn’t pass through any mechanical or electrical components, it’s safe to vacuum wet litter messes as well as dry ones.

It was made with cars, garages, and shops in mind, but the small, lightweight vacuum is perfect for storing in the litter box area. It weighs 7 pounds and measures 10.6 x 14.2 x 14.4 inches. The 2.5-gallon capacity will contain plenty of litter before you need to change it out. Because the litter isn’t contained in a bag, it’s easy to empty the receptacle before any odors start to build up.

Features

• HP: 2.5 Peak
• Capacity: 2.5-gallon
• Weight: 7lb
• Hose length: 6ft
• Power cord: 10ft

What We Like About Armour All Utility Vacuum

An affordable alternative to larger household vacuums, it’s strong enough to handle clay cat litter particles and can vacuum both wet and dry messes.

At only 7lb it’s very lightweight and easy to walk around your home with. The 10ft cord and its ample 6ft don’t mean storage problems. The whole cord and part of the hose are stored very easily inside the cleaner itself, making it a very compact machine.

It also handily converts into a blower machine with a one-click button machine, allowing you to remove litter from your doorway and other areas, including those awkward unreachable ones. You can even use it on leaves and other debris outside of your home.

Armour All Utility Vacuum comes with an excellent accessories package for even more versatility: with a reusable cloth filter and foam sleeve, a crevice tool, a 2-in-1 utility nozzle, blower nozzle, deluxe car nozzle, and a detail brush. It’s great, perhaps even better, for your car too. The convenient on-board organization keeps the tools in place and easy to access.

What We Don’t Like About Armour All Utility Vacuum

It’s by no means an everyday household cleaning vacuum. Designed and built as a garage or workshop vac, it’s much better suited for hard floors surfaces and doesn’t perform as well on carpet.

We found that it’s short power cord measures just 10 feet long and because it doesn’t have wheels, you can’t pull it around the house.

Armour All Utility Vacuum can’t handle heavy tasks. It can only really handle minor-average jobs given its low horsepower/suction.

The 2.5-gallon capacity means that it has to be emptied and cleaned frequently. After cleaning the filter for the first time, it shot out a plume of dust and debris when we started it again.

2. Dirt Devil Razor Multi Floor Vacuum

Product Highlights

The Dirt Devil Razor has probably the best steering on the market. It can swivel and swerve around furniture quickly as you move throughout your home. Also, strong suction power can remove litter, and other dirt, from any surface.

Dirt Devil Razor Multi Floor is an upright vacuum with a three-stage filtration system that’s perfect for cat litter. It includes a washable pleated filter and foam sleeve that traps all the fine clay dust and debris. Easily removable, if washed frequently, will prevent that nasty cat litter odor sticking around.

With its removable extension wand giving you a total reach of 10ft, meaning that you can reach all the corners of your home.

It comes with a turbo tool, which with its consistent suction power, makes it easy for you to pick up pretty much everything in its way; as well as cat litter, pet hair, and common household dirt.

Features

• Filtration: 3-stage
• Weight: 13lb
• Cleaning reach: 10ft
• Cleaning path: 12in

What We Like About Dirt Devil Razor Multi Floor Vacuum

It’s the swivel-steering technology of this low-profile upright vacuum that’s most impressive. It makes maneuverability so easy. Simply tilt the handle, and it will follow. The bendable connection between the nozzle and its nozzle means that it gets underneath furniture with very little effort.

Dirt Devil Razor Multi Floor, as its name more than suggests, can do it on all types of flooring in the home. This makes it one of the most versatile around.

The Spin4Pro Premium Pet Brushroll uses CleanPath Technology, and is specially designed for pet hair, and has no problem picking it up on hard and carpeted floors. From upholstery too, thanks to its removable extension wand with TurboClaw. A small tool that attaches to the extendable wand, its claw-like tips can pick up hair from soft surfaces.

Along with that best-in-class steering, the vac has a three-stage filtration system, which provides a deep clean without the loss of suction. It’s particularly good for soiled litter, as one of the stages is an odor trapping filter.

What We Don’t Like About Dirt Devil Razor Multi Floor Vacuum

We found that sometimes its balance was off, which will compromise the steering, and ultimately its performance.

Dirt Devil Razor Multi Floor is excellent on cat litter, but longer pet hair got tangled in the brush. This causes the vacuum to not work as effectively and needs to be regularly removed. An unpleasant and unnecessary chore, that could be solved with better design.

Out of the box, the connection from switching between an upright for the floor and as a handheld wand didn’t work. We had to take the cover off and fix the spring that wasn’t properly put in.

3. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum

Product Highlights

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional is a versatile vacuum. It can clean around the litter box as well as every room of the house, working well on both hard floors and carpet.

Plus, it’s a flexible upright/canister hybrid. As that suggests, it easily converts from an upright into a canister vac, giving you versatility with the best of both. Lightweight and easy to transport at just under 14lb as an upright, and just 8 lbs as a lift-away canister model.

It has Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and HEPA filter; perfect for allergy sufferers. Also using Cyclonic Technology, which separates dirt and air, protecting the filter and which should ensure years of strong suction.

This makes Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional a great vacuum for cat litter. This suction technology ensures that the litter stays in the cylinder and doesn’t damage the mechanical parts of the vacuum.

Read Related Article: Shark Rocket Ultralight Upright Vacuum

Features

• Power: 120V
• Weight: 13.7lb
• Cord Length: 25ft
• Hose Length: 6ft
• Cleaning path: 15in

What We Like About Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum

Its three-level filtration system captures allergenic particles, making it a great choice for those who suffer from asthma and allergies. It has a HEPA filtration system that prevents the clay litter particles and other dirt and dust from being blown back out of the vacuum’s exhaust pipe, keeping them safely trapped.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional also has another filter with a mesh protective casing. Uniquely coated with a special non-stick material that helps prevent clogging.

These filters also help boost its performance to provide consistent and powerful suction to effectively capture litter.

And the convenience and flexibility of being to simply lift the canister away provide outstanding functionality and portability in the home.

What We Don’t Like About Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum

In upright mode we found the vacuum to be top-heavy. It frequently tipped over when the wand was in use.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional is not the cleanest of machines if you get what we mean. Compared to others, the dirt canister can make a mess and dirty your hands during disposal.

4. BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum

Product Highlights

BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum saves you from getting out your usual larger vacuum, every there’s a small spillage of cat litter or it gets kicked on to the carpet. Instead just grab this little hand-held vac, which conveniently can also be wall-mounted for ease of access, and to save you space and clutter.

It has a lithium battery for greater and longer-lasting greater power, that is charged at that wall-mounted base. The battery is enough to power its cyclone technology for better suction, which performs well on cat litter.

BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld is a great little vacuum that will like light work for you when cleaning up cat litter. It’s nicely priced and gives you the convenience of not having to get out and lug around your regular vacuum cleaner.

It’s a worthwhile purchase specifically to deal with your cat litter. Don’t underestimate its value!

Features

• Voltage: 16V
• Power Source: Lithium Battery
• Weight: 2.6lb
• Dust Bowl Capacity: 20.6oz

What We Like About BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum

It has a clear dust collector is clear, so knowing when it needs emptying is clear simple. It’s also of a reasonable enough size; definitely, enough so that, you won’t have to stop in the middle of the job to empty it.

Its small size saves you plenty of space, with the convenience of a wall-mounted base.
This base comes with Smart Charge Technology, charging the lithium battery whilst its stored, to give you more power that lasts longer to save you energy over time.

BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum has cyclonic action that enables the enables to be kept clean. Its rotating slim nozzle and multi-surface attachments are well designed to get the job at hand done.

This small handheld gives you enough cleaning power and convenience, at a very affordable price. It’s for cat hair as well as litter.

What We Don’t Like About BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum

Some purchasers have commented on problems with the battery life over long term use.
We found that it works well and impressed is for its withe. But that was just for a limited time of course.

Other longer-term users have found that the battery deteriorated quickly, with sometimes only two minutes of suction time. And with the battery being not removable or replaceable, this seriously compromises its value.

The front piece frequently detaches on its own, just popping-off mid-use.

5. Bissell CleanView Upright Bagless Vacuum

Product Highlights

Bissell is a respected manufacturer of cleaning equipment and solutions to pet-problems.
You know that you’re going to get a quality product, with performance to match, and great customer service.

Bissell CleanView Upright Bagless Vacuum lives up to this standard. Its powerful suction is excellent in picking up cat litter from the floor, as well as getting up hair. Bagless, it has multiple filters to separate the smallest clay litter particles. And its lightweight with 25 feet cord, allowing you to move effortlessly through your home.

But despite its lightweight power isn’t compromised, due to the Bissell ‘One Pass’ technology. It boasts, and delivers, that more dirt is picked up in just one pass, compared to other similar spec vacuums which require multiple passes. That means that it cleans a lot of square feet of carpet with less effort.

This makes it a great vacuum for cat litter on Hose, with the suction ensuring that the litter stays in the cylinder.

It’s a traditional upright vacuum, making it easy to get out for a quick clean. The motor is quieter compared to other machines, making it, even more, cat friendly.

Features

• Filtration: 3-stage
• Weight: 15lb
• Cord Length: 25ft
• Hose Length: 6ft
• Cleaning path: 13.5in

What We Like About Bissell CleanView Upright Bagless Vacuum

Several features make this vacuum stand out compared to its rivals.

Its Multi-Cyclonic System keeps the hard clay pieces apart from the primary airflow. This airflow filtration with powerful suction means that it doesn’t miss anything in its 31ft reach. It’s all captured and kept in its large 2-liter dust bin, which you can easily remove and wash when you need to.

Bissell CleanView Upright Bagless Vacuum has a 13.5in wide vacuum nozzle, so you can suck up a lot of dirt in one go. That’s on all surfaces too. It’s a multi-floor vac, and comes with a harder for carpets, with a softer dusting brush for more delicate flooring such as hardwood.

Emptying the bin is no mess. It’s an easily removed closed container. Then just put
over the garbage, and press the release button.

It comes with a Febreze filter, which is a worthwhile and appreciated extra, especially when dealing with soiled litter.

What We Don’t Like About Bissell CleanView Upright Bagless Vacuum

With a long 25ft power cord, it’s very inconvenient that it’s not retractable. Instead, you have to roll it yourself and just store it next to the vacuum. Which is an unnecessary chore, as well as taking up space and looking untidy.

Because the canister can clog at the top, emptying it can sometimes be dirty work. It’s not the simple dump and goes feature it claims to be.

Also, Bissell CleanView Upright Bagless Vacuum isn’t the lightest option, weighing a little over 15lb. It can be hard to maneuver, especially for more elderly cat owners.

6. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum

Product Highlights

Dyson has a reputation for top-of-the-range products in both design and functionality. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum is no exception.

This upright vacuum looks stunning. Advertised as having the best suction on the market,
it delivers on this promise. The suction and cleaning power are amongst the best that we’ve ever seen.

It takes care of your cat litter easily and can vacuum any surface a lot faster than your regular vacuum, saving you valuable time. You then just hygienically dispose of the filled bin with just a push of a button.

Of course, all of this doesn’t come cheap, but it does come with an unbeatable 5-year warranty.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum is a great choice if you want a powerful, reliable, and of course, beautiful device that will clean all the cat litter, hair, mud, and anything else your cat, (and kids!) might bring into the home.

Features

• Motor: 270aW
• Weight: 17lb
• Cord Length: 25ft
• Hose Length: 10ft
• Cleaning path: 11in

What We Like About Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum

You just can’t beat that motor, to deliver unrivaled power when and where you need it. Plus, being a Dyson, it’s of course so easy to use.

The Radial Root Cyclone technology makes sure that those hard clay litter pieces are kept apart from the primary airflow.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum features a reconfigured brush bar. Now it delivers 25% more power to drive bristles deeper into carpets, removing more dirt.

It comes with a Tangle-free Turbine Tool with counter-rotating heads with brushes to effortlessly clean upholstery. Also, the rest of the accessories package is as good as you’d expect for a Dyson. You also get a Flat-Out Tool, Soft Dusting Brush, Multi-Angle Brush, Stiff Bristle Brush, 2-in-1 Combination, and Stair Tool.

What We Don’t Like About Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum

The handle struggled to click into place without feeling like it might snap in half. It’s not the sturdiest built Dyson and despite its price, there are better quality Animal models.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum weighs a whopping 17lb, making it, surprisingly, one of the heaviest vacuums in its class.

7. Bissell PowerGlide Bagless Vacuum

Product Highlights

As we’ve seen before Bissell is a name that can be trusted when it comes to pet-related cleaning. You know that you’re going to get a quality product, with performance to match, and great customer service.

PowerGlide Bagless Vacuum is yet another efficient and easy-to-use Bissell machine. This upright will do the job that is required on your cat litter. Its triple-action brush roll picks up and removes the litter debris and hair, even if it’s embedded into the carpet.

But it works just as well on all other types of floors and surfaces, hard or soft, with its wide cleaning path of 12.5 inches. Its smart seal allergen system takes care of allergens, keeping them securely stored, while also eliminating bad odors.

Features

• Filtration: 3-stage
• Weight: 17lb
• Cord Length: 27ft
• Hose Length: 6ft
• Cleaning path: 12.5in

What We Like About Bissell PowerGlide Bagless Vacuum

It has constant suction, thanks to its edge-to-edge cleaning with suction channel technology. so there shouldn’t be any loss of power even after a few years.

Bissell PowerGlide’s 27ft cord, and stretch hose, provides a massive 33ft reach. With the included tools, the reach is extended even further to tackle stairs, corners, and other hard-to-reach areas.

Its impressively powerful suction combines with Bissell’s Multi-Cyclonic System, keeps those tough litter particles well away from its primary airflow.

And once it has, it’s kept securely in the 2-liter dust bin. This is large enough, to make having to empty and clean, not an after every use task. But when you need to, the bin be is easy to remove for emptying and washing.

What We Don’t Like About Bissell PowerGlide Bagless Vacuum

We found that its performance on hardwood floors was no way as good as that on carpet and rugs. In fact, we’d go as far as to call it a disappointment, considering the Bissell name and reputation.

PowerGlide Bagless Vacuum weighs 17lb, making it one of the heaviest options on the market.

Final Verdict

We tested and compared what we consider to be the best vacuums for cat litter currently available. We considered all factors to come up with what we believe to be the best all-round solution for a wide variety of needs. After days of cleaning and review, our final verdict is Bissell CleanView Upright Bagless Vacuum.