7 Best Shark Lift-Away Vacuums for Pet Hair 2025

The Shark Stratos AZ3002 isn’t just another pet hair vacuum—it’s a high-octane cleaning beast engineered for homes drowning in fur. With Ultra-powerful suction and the innovative DuoClean PowerFins HairPro system, this upright digs deep into carpets while simultaneously polishing hard floors, delivering a one-pass clean that most vacuums can’t match. The self-cleaning brushroll is a game-changer, effortlessly pulling in pet hair without a single strand wrapping around it—finally solving the #1 frustration for pet owners.

In real-world testing across homes with multiple shedding dogs, the Stratos handled thick shag rugs and hardwood with equal ease, its LED headlights uncovering pet hair lurking under sofas like a forensic investigator. The Powered Lift-Away pod doesn’t just detach—it keeps the brushroll spinning, so you can power-clean stairs and upholstery without losing momentum. While its weight (16.5 lbs) makes it less ideal for frequent lifting, the smooth swivel steering and fingertip controls make room-to-room transitions seamless. It struggles slightly on ultra-low-pile area rugs, where the suction can create drag, but that’s a minor trade-off for its overall dominance.

Compared to the Shark LA502, the Stratos brings stronger suction and Odor Neutralizer Technology, making it a more complete solution for pet-heavy households. It’s the premium pick for those who want no-compromise performance and are willing to invest in a heavier-duty machine. If you’re battling daily pet hair accumulation and want a vacuum that handles deep carpet cleaning, allergen control, and odor management in one sleek navy package, the Stratos AZ3002 outperforms its peers with authority—offering more power and refinement than the budget-friendly ZU503AMZ at a justifiable step-up in value.

Meet the Shark LA502, a precision-engineered lifter that balances lightweight agility with serious pet hair-fighting muscle. Its DuoClean PowerFins Technology combines a soft roller and PowerFin brushroll to maintain constant contact across surfaces, effortlessly transitioning from plush carpet to slick hardwood—delivering a deep, consistent clean without switching modes. The self-cleaning brushroll lives up to its promise: even after multiple passes through tumbleweeds of dog hair, not a single strand wrapped—making it a must-have for long-haired pet owners.

During testing in mixed-surface homes, the LA502 proved exceptionally nimble thanks to its advanced swivel steering, gliding around chair legs and into tight corners with zero drag. The LED headlights revealed pet hair under dining sets and along baseboards that other vacuums had missed. While the 0.7-quart dust cup is slightly smaller than some competitors, it’s adequate for weekly cleans in medium-sized homes. It does lose suction slightly on high-pile rugs when the filter gets clogged, but regular maintenance keeps it running strong.

Positioned between the budget ZU503AMZ and the powerhouse Stratos AZ3002, the LA502 strikes a perfect middle ground: lighter than the NV752 yet more advanced than the entry-level Navigator. It’s ideal for pet owners who value easy maneuverability and consistent multi-surface performance without the bulk. If you need a well-rounded, agile cleaner that handles carpets and hardwood with equal finesse—and want better build quality than the ZU503—this model delivers more features and refinement than its price suggests.

The Shark NV752 is the marathon runner of pet hair vacuums—built for large homes where cleaning stamina matters most. Its 2-in-1 Powered Lift-Away pod doesn’t just detach; it keeps the brushroll spinning, letting you deep-clean stairs and under beds without sacrificing cleaning power—a rare feature that elevates it above basic lift-away models. The 0.88-quart dust cup is one of the largest in its class, meaning fewer stops to empty during long cleaning sessions across multiple rooms.

In real-world use, the Perfect Pet Power Brush excelled at pulling embedded fur from carpeted stairs and pet beds, outperforming standard crevice tools in targeted hair removal. The multi-surface fingertip controls make switching between carpet and hard floor effortless, while the LED headlights ensure no stray hair escapes detection. However, the weight (17.2 lbs) can be taxing during extended use, and the cord length (30 ft) falls short in sprawling homes, requiring frequent outlet changes.

Compared to the LA555, the NV752 offers greater dust capacity and a more robust tool kit, making it better suited for large, pet-filled homes. It lacks odor-neutralizing tech, but its HEPA filtration and allergen sealing still make it a solid pick for allergy sufferers. If you need a long-lasting, high-capacity cleaner with powered lift-away versatility and don’t mind the extra heft, the NV752 delivers more runtime and pet-specific tools than the LA502—making it a smarter investment for big spaces.

The Shark LA555 is the odor-fighting warrior in the pet vacuum arena, combining DuoClean PowerFins HairPro with Odor Neutralizer Technology to tackle both mess and smell in one sweep. This isn’t just about suction—it’s about transforming the atmosphere of a pet-heavy home. The two-brushroll system digs deep into carpets and sweeps hard floors cleanly, while the self-cleaning brushroll ensures zero hair wrap, even after aggressive use on long-haired cats and shedding dogs.

In performance tests, the LA555 stood out in high-odor environments, neutralizing lingering pet smells from accidents and tracked-in dirt—something the basic ZU503AMZ simply can’t do. The ADV Lift-Away pedal makes pod detachment seamless, and the advanced swivel steering allows tight corner navigation. However, the dust cup is smaller than the NV752, requiring more frequent emptying in large homes, and the Precision Duster tool, while useful, feels flimsy compared to the sturdier Pet Power Brush on other models.

When compared to the LA502, the LA555 offers superior odor control and a richer accessory kit, making it a better fit for homes with persistent pet smells. It doesn’t have the massive dust cup of the NV752, but it’s lighter and more refined than the TruePet model. For pet owners who want a clean-smelling, multi-surface performer with top-tier hair pickup and tool versatility, the LA555 delivers more olfactory benefits and cleaning precision than the budget LA502—without the bulk of larger models.

The Shark ZU561 is the sweet spot between performance and price—a mid-range powerhouse that punches above its weight in pet hair cleanup. Despite its lightweight frame (13.5 lbs), it delivers strong suction and a self-cleaning brushroll that handles moderate shedding with ease, making it ideal for small to medium homes with one or two pets. The Lift-Away pod detaches smoothly for cleaning stairs and furniture, and the swivel steering makes it surprisingly agile for a full-sized upright.

In real-world use, the ZU561 handled daily pet hair on low-pile carpet and hardwood efficiently, though it struggled slightly on thick rugs where deeper agitation was needed. The suction control slider lets you dial down power for delicate floors, a feature missing on the base ZU503AMZ. The removable dust cup is easy to empty, but lacks the odor-resistant coating of higher-end models. It also doesn’t include LED headlights, so you’re cleaning in the dark—literally—under furniture.

Compared to the ZU503AMZ, the ZU561 adds suction control and a slightly larger tool set, offering better value for only a modest price increase. It doesn’t have the DuoClean PowerFins or odor tech of the LA555, but it’s a smarter upgrade for those who want more features without jumping to premium tiers. If you need a lightweight, reliable pet hair vacuum with Lift-Away flexibility and HEPA filtration, the ZU561 delivers more control and convenience than the base model—making it the best mid-tier bet.

The Shark ZU503AMZ is the bare essentials hero—a no-frills, budget-friendly vacuum that still tackles pet hair like a pro. With a self-cleaning brushroll, it avoids the dreaded hair wrap, a rare win at this price point. The Lift-Away pod lets you clean stairs and furniture with decent reach, and the Pet Crevice Tool is surprisingly effective at extracting fur from couch seams and baseboards—exactly where pets leave their mark.

In testing, it performed admirably on hard floors and low-pile rugs, but struggled on high-pile carpet, where suction felt underpowered compared to the Stratos or NV752. The HEPA filter and allergen seal help with air quality, but the dust cup is small (0.6 quarts), requiring frequent emptying in multi-pet homes. There are no LED lights, so you’ll miss hidden debris unless you’re cleaning in a well-lit room.

Stacked against the ZU561, the ZU503AMZ lacks suction control and a larger tool kit, making it feel more basic. But for first-time pet owners or renters who need a reliable, affordable entry-level vacuum, it’s hard to beat. It doesn’t offer the deep clean or extras of pricier models, but it delivers core pet hair pickup and Lift-Away utility at a price that won’t break the bank—offering more simplicity and value than the Renewed UV730.

The Shark UV730 (Renewed) is the value king for budget-conscious pet owners who still demand premium features. Don’t let the “Renewed” label fool you—this model packs PowerFins HairPro, LED headlights, and a 0.8-quart dust cup, making it a surprisingly capable performer for pet hair cleanup. The self-cleaning brushroll handles moderate shedding with zero wrap, and the brushroll shutoff lets you switch instantly from carpet to bare floor—a feature often missing on entry-level models.

In real-world use, the UV730 cleaned like new, with strong suction and smooth swivel steering. The large dust cup allowed for longer cleaning sessions, and the LED lights revealed pet hair in dark corners, outperforming the base ZU503AMZ. However, as a renewed unit, battery life and motor longevity can vary, and it lacks the DuoClean PowerFins of newer models, relying on older but still effective technology.

Compared to the new ZU503AMZ, the UV730 offers more capacity, better tools, and LED lights at a lower price—making it a smarter buy if you trust the renewal process. It’s not as powerful as the LA502, but for those who want HEPA filtration, Lift-Away, and pet-specific tools on a tight budget, the UV730 delivers more features and runtime than any new vacuum at its price point—offering exceptional bang for the buck.