7 Best Vacuums for Cat Litter on Carpet in 2025

This no-nonsense powerhouse redefines pet-friendly carpet cleaning with a rare blend of smart engineering and real-world usability. The standout Hair Eliminator brushroll is a game-changer—automatically shedding tangled fur so you never have to grab scissors again, a lifesaver for cat owners battling daily litter scatter and embedded hair. Combine that with 4 height settings and swivel steering, and you’ve got a vacuum that adapts to your home, not the other way around. It tackles the #1 pain point of pet owners: the constant battle against tracked litter and stubborn fur on carpet fibers.

In rigorous testing across medium-pile carpets, the Kenmore DU1275 excels at deep-cleaning cat litter, thanks to its sealed airflow system and 3x larger dust cup (holding up to 2.5L). The 11lb lightweight design makes it easy to drag from room to room, while the 7-foot extended reach with hose and Pet HandiMate tool lets you clean baseboards and under furniture where litter accumulates. However, on ultra-thick rugs, suction slightly diminishes—not a flaw, but a trade-off for its agility. Still, it outperforms most in its class when it comes to continuous carpet coverage without clogging.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, the Kenmore offers smarter hair management and greater capacity, making it a stronger pick for multi-cat homes. While the Eureka is lighter, it lacks the automatic hair-release mechanism, turning maintenance into a weekly chore. The DU1275 is ideal for pet parents who want set-it-and-forget-it reliability on carpeted floors. It delivers more innovation and long-term convenience than similarly priced uprights, especially where cat litter cleanup is a daily ritual.

Don’t let its pocket-sized frame fool you—this underdog corded stick vacuum packs a 12,000Pa punch, making it a surprisingly fierce opponent against cat litter on low-pile carpet and hard floors. Its corded reliability means zero battery anxiety, and the 16-foot power cord lets you clean an entire room without unplugging—perfect for quick post-litter box sweeps. The instant-on suction grabs fine dust and larger granules of litter with ease, while the lightweight 3lb body makes it a go-to for spot cleaning under furniture or along baseboards.

Real-world testing shows it handles scattered litter impressively, especially on thinner carpets and edges where larger vacuums struggle to reach. The V-shaped crevice tool and mini motorized nozzle (sold separately in some kits) help dig litter out of corners and pet beds. However, it lacks a rotating brushroll, so embedded litter in plush carpet isn’t fully extracted—this is a spot-cleaner, not a deep-cleaner. Still, for quick daily touch-ups, it’s unmatched in its price range.

Against the Eureka NES100, the KEROMEE holds its own with stronger suction and more accessories, including 9 specialized nozzles and dual filters. It’s not built for whole-home cleaning, but for targeted litter cleanup, it’s more versatile. Best suited for small apartments or cat owners needing a secondary vacuum for fast messes. It offers more suction and flexibility than other budget picks, despite a less robust build.

Meet the Swiss Army knife of cordless vacuums—a 40Kpa brute with 60-minute runtime and smart features that make cat litter cleanup feel effortless. The V-shape anti-tangle brushroll is brilliantly engineered, preventing hair wrap while maintaining strong agitation to lift litter from carpet fibers. With 500W motor power and two-speed suction, it transitions seamlessly from thick rugs to hardwood, capturing both fine dust and coarse litter in a single pass. For multi-cat households, the 1.5L dust cup means fewer emptying trips—a massive time-saver.

During testing, it dominated on medium to low-pile carpets, lifting weeks of embedded litter with the MAX mode’s 40Kpa suction. The green LED lights on the head revealed hidden debris under sofas—exactly where cats track litter. The wall-mounted charging station keeps it ready at all times, and the 8-in-1 tools let you clean car interiors, litter boxes, and upholstery with ease. However, in MAX mode, runtime drops to 20–25 minutes, which may not cover large homes in one go.

Compared to the Shark CS110EM, the KARDV delivers far more power and runtime, but at the cost of being slightly heavier and pricier. The Shark wins on portability, but the KARDV wins on deep-cleaning performance and smart features. Ideal for larger homes with pets and mixed flooring, it’s the best choice when you need long runtime and high suction without cords. It outperforms most in its category with superior filtration and anti-tangle tech, making it a premium pick for serious pet owners.

This no-frills upright is a pet hair assassin with a 2.6L dust cup and 5 height settings that make it exceptionally adaptable to carpet depth—crucial when litter sinks into plush fibers. The Pet Turbo tool is a standout, designed to aggressively pull litter and hair from stairs, furniture, and car seats. At just 10 lbs, it’s easy to lug around, yet powerful enough to deep-clean without bogging down. For cat owners, the washable foam filter and bagless design mean zero ongoing costs—a major win for budget-conscious households.

In real-world use, it cleans low to medium carpets efficiently, with strong suction that handles both fine dust and larger litter granules. The height adjustment dial lets you fine-tune airflow for optimal pickup, and the onboard tool storage keeps the pet turbo tool within reach. However, the roller brush clogs easily if not cleaned every two weeks—Eureka even warns of smoke risk in extreme cases. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it demands consistent maintenance, especially in multi-cat homes.

Next to the Dirt Devil Total Pet+, the Eureka offers similar capacity and pet tools, but with better maneuverability thanks to its lighter build. The Dirt Devil has PowerPass tech, but the Eureka feels more responsive on varied carpet thicknesses. Best for pet owners who want a reliable, low-cost upright with serious litter-lifting power. It delivers more suction and ease of use than similarly priced models, though it requires more hands-on care.

Featherlight yet fierce, the Shark CS110EM redefines agility in corded cleaning, weighing under 9 lbs—making it a dream for quick litter touch-ups across stairs and tight spaces. Its swivel steering glides around furniture legs with surgical precision, while the nonstop corded power ensures you never run out of juice mid-clean. The convertible design lets you detach the handheld unit to clean litter boxes, car interiors, or under cabinets—exactly where stray granules hide. For cat owners, this versatility is gold.

Testing confirms it excels on low-pile carpets and edges, lifting surface-level litter with ease. The slim nozzle reaches under sofas and beds, and the continuous power means no drop in suction. However, on thick, shaggy carpets, it struggles to extract deeply embedded litter—its lightweight build sacrifices some deep-cleaning muscle. Still, for daily maintenance, it’s one of the most responsive and nimble vacuums available.

Pitted against the KEROMEE, the Shark is more durable and better built, but the KEROMEE offers stronger suction for its size. The Shark wins on ergonomics and conversion ease, making it ideal for homes where speed and access matter more than brute force. Best for cat owners who hate heavy vacuums and need a quick, reliable tool for surface litter. It trades raw power for unbeatable maneuverability and convenience.

This 2.75 lb featherweight is the ultimate stair climber, designed for fast, frequent cleanups where cat litter tends to scatter—steps, corners, and furniture. The 3-in-1 design lets you use it as a handheld, stick, or pole vacuum, giving unmatched flexibility for spot-cleaning litter trails. Its corded power means instant, full suction every time, no charging delays—perfect for households where litter cleanup is a daily chore. The crevice tool digs into tight spaces, and the self-standing design makes storage a breeze.

In practice, it shines on hard floors and low-pile rugs, grabbing litter and hair with consistent suction. The short 2.75 lb frame is easy to carry up stairs, and the cord wraps neatly for compact storage. However, the suction isn’t strong enough for deep carpet cleaning, and the dust cup is small, requiring frequent emptying during larger jobs. It’s not meant to replace a full vacuum, but as a dedicated litter sweeper, it’s incredibly effective.

Compared to the Shark CS110EM, it’s even lighter and more portable, but lacks swivel steering and a motorized brush. The Shark feels more premium, but the NES100 wins on pure portability and ease of storage. Ideal for apartments, condos, or as a secondary vacuum for pet messes. It offers more convenience and ease of use than full-sized models, though with less deep-cleaning power.

With Max Power Technology and PowerPass cleaning, this upright workhorse is engineered for deep carpet penetration, making it a top contender for homes with plush rugs and cats. The 4 height adjustments ensure optimal contact with carpet fibers, while the 8-foot reach and pet tool kit let you clean litter from baseboards to ceiling fans. Its large easy-empty dirt cup minimizes mess during disposal—a small win that adds up over time. For owners tired of vacuums that kick dust back into the air, the sealed system keeps allergens contained.

Testing shows it pulls litter from medium to high-pile carpets better than most, thanks to aggressive brushroll action and strong suction. The PowerPass tech means fewer passes to get carpets clean, saving time and effort. However, the handle isn’t as ergonomic as Kenmore or Eureka models, and the unit feels slightly bulkier, making it harder to store in tight spaces. Still, for deep-cleaning performance on carpet, it’s hard to beat.

Against the Kenmore DU1275, the Dirt Devil matches on height settings and pet tools, but falls short on hair management—it lacks an automatic hair-release system. The Kenmore is smarter for long-term pet hair control. Best for owners who prioritize deep carpet cleaning over convenience features. It delivers more aggressive agitation and filtration than budget models, though with less innovation in maintenance.