When it comes to cleaning up cat litter, a hand vacuum can make the job much easier and more convenient. Hand vacuums are lightweight, compact, and specifically designed for quick cleanups in tight spaces that a full-size vacuum can’t easily reach. Cat owners know that cat litter can get scattered all around the litter box area, so having a small but powerful hand vac nearby helps keep the mess under control.
But with so many hand vacuums on the market, how do you choose the best one for cat litter? Key factors to consider include suction power, filtration, ease of cleaning, weight, attachments, and cost. Read on as we discuss the features to look for and review the top hand vacuums for cat litter clean-up.
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What Makes a Good Hand Vacuum for Cat Litter?
Here are the most important criteria to evaluate when shopping for a hand vacuum to use for cat litter:
Strong Suction: The vacuum needs powerful suction to thoroughly pick up all traces of litter, including any chunks or clumps. Look for a model with at least 15 kPA of suction.
Hepa Filtration: A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is crucial to trap allergens and keep cat dander and fine particles from being released back into the air. HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size.
Easy to Empty: You don’t want a vacuum that’s messy or difficult to empty. Seek one with an easy-access dirt cup or chamber that’s fast and hygienic to empty.
Lightweight: Since you’ll be using one hand to maneuver the vacuum, it should be lightweight to avoid arm strain. Under 3 pounds is ideal.
Washable Filter: The filter should be washable to extend its life and performance.
Attachments Included: Look for a crevice tool, brush nozzle, and upholstery tool to access nooks, corners, furniture, and more.
Cordless and Bagless: Cordless operation allows free movement without dragging a cord. Bagless models require less maintenance since you don’t have to keep replacing bags.
Affordable Price: You can find quality hand vacuums for cat litter in the $50 to $100 range. Pricier models may offer conveniences like longer runtimes and expanded attachments.
Top 5 Best Hand Vacuums for Cat Litter
Based on the criteria above, here are our top recommendations for the best hand vacuums to tackle cat litter:
1. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is packed with features tailored for pet owners. It generates 15 kPA of max suction power, has a specialized rubber nozzle to attract hair and bristles, and includes an upholstery tool and crevice tool.
Weighing just 2.6 pounds, it’s easy to maneuver in one hand. The dirt cup is hygienic and mess-free to empty. With a 14.4V lithium ion battery, it runs continuously for up to 15 minutes. Another plus is the cyclonic filtration and washable filter that combine to thoroughly trap dust and allergens.
Key Features:
– Max suction power: 15 kPA
– Specialized rubber nozzle attracts pet hair
– Upholstery tool and crevice tool included
– 14.4V lithium ion battery
– Cyclonic filtration + washable filter
– 2.6 pounds
2. Shark WANDVAC WV201
Shark is known for powerful vacuum cleaners, and the WANDVAC WV201 hand vacuum is no exception. With 18 kPA of max suction, it excels at sucking up all traces of cat litter.
The dirt cup is extra large at 0.3 quarts so you don’t have to empty it frequently. Weighing 1.4 pounds, the vacuum is ultra-lightweight even with an extended runtime of up to 15 minutes. It also comes with a crevice tool, brush, and upholstery nozzle.
TruePet Motorized Brush attachment can be purchased separately to deeply clean pet hair on stairs, furniture, and in cars.
Key Features:
– Max suction power: 18 kPA
– 0.3 quart extra large dirt cup
– 1.4 pounds lightweight design
– Up to 15 minutes continuous runtime
– Crevice tool, brush, upholstery nozzle included
– TruePet Motorized Brush available separately
3. Dyson V7 Trigger Handheld Vacuum
Dyson is renowned for outstanding vacuum suction power, including in the V7 Trigger handheld. With 100 air watts of suction, this lightweight vacuum makes quick work of cat litter messes.
The dirt ejector is very hygienic to empty – just aim and push the button. Weighing only 1.52 pounds, it won’t strain your wrist during use. With up to 30 minutes of fade-free power, you can tackle multiple cleanups on a single charge.
The whole machine and filter are washable too. A mini motorized tool is included to lift embedded dirt and pet hair.
Key Features:
– 100 air watts of suction
– Hygienic dirt ejector emptying
– 1.52 pounds lightweight
– Up to 30 minutes fade-free power
– Washable components + filter
– Mini motorized tool included
4. BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean Handheld Vacuum
BLACK+DECKER is trusted for affordable yet powerful vacuums, including the popular Dustbuster line. The Dustbuster AdvancedClean offers strong suction for cat litter along with useful design features.
The bowl has a wide mouth for easy, mess-free emptying. The washable filter helps maintain strong suction performance. A lithium ion battery provides up to 16 minutes of runtime and holds a charge for up to 18 months.
Crevice and brush tools are integrated into the handle for quick access. At just 2.2 pounds, it’s easy to use in one hand.
Key Features:
– Strong suction for cat litter clean-up
– Wide mouth, easy empty dirt bowl
– Washable filter
– Lithium ion battery for up to 16 min. runtime
– Integrated crevice and brush tools
– 2.2 pounds lightweight
5. Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Another great cordless hand vac from Bissell, the AeroSlim provides 10 amps of suction to tackle cat litter messes. The dirt tank is translucent so you can see when it needs emptying. Emptying is easy with the bottom release handle.
To help capture all dust and allergens, Bissell includes washable filters – both a foam and felt filter. For versatility, the vacuum comes with a 7″ long crevice tool, upholstery brush and wide mouth tool. The lithium ion battery provides up to 12 minutes of fade-free power.
Key Features:
– 10 amps max suction
– Translucent dirt tank
– Easy empty bottom release
– Washable foam + felt filters
– Crevice, upholstery, wide mouth tools
– Lithium ion battery for 12 min. runtime
Choosing the Right Hand Vacuum Size
When selecting a hand vacuum for cat litter, you’ll notice sizes range from petite to larger models that verge on regular upright vacuums. Consider your needs and usage to decide the best size:
Compact Hand Vacuums: Extremely lightweight models under 2 pounds. Best for quick touch-ups and tight spaces. Limited to small dirt cups and short 5-10 minute runtimes. Examples are the Shark WANDVAC WV201 and Dyson V7 Trigger.
Mid-Size Hand Vacuums: The ideal balance for many. Still lightweight at 2-3 pounds but with larger dirt cups and 10-15 minute runtimes. Good for spot cleanups around the house in addition to cat litter. Examples are the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser and BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean.
Full-Size Hand Vacuums: Bulkier models weighing over 3 pounds. Benefits are large dirt cups, long runtimes up to 30 minutes, and greater suction power. Great as an all-purpose vacuum but more tiring to use just for cat litter. Example is the Bissell AeroSlim.
Key Hand Vacuum Features for Cat Owners
Beyond strong suction and filtration, here are some other great features to look for in a hand vacuum if you have cats:
Rubber Nozzle: Attracts hair and debris to clean litter boxes thoroughly. Found on vacuums like the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser.
Motorized Brush Attachment: Loosens and lifts embedded pet hair on furniture, stairs, carpets, and in cars. The Shark TruePet Motorized Brush is a top example.
Washable Components: As cat owners know, hair and dander can quickly dirty filters and clog vacuums. Models with washable filters, bins, and nozzles maintain performance and are easy to keep clean.
Upright Charging Stand: Makes storage neater while keeping the hand vac charged and ready to use at any time. The Bissell AeroSlim includes this feature.
Belt Clip: Allows you to attach the lightweight hand vac to your belt for easy accessibility as you clean around the house. Look for vacuums like the BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean with built-in belt clips.
How to Maintain a Hand Vacuum for Cat Litter
To keep your hand vacuum working its best:
– Empty the dirt cup after every use. Debris can clog suction over time.
– Wash filters monthly. This helps restore full suction and filter out allergens.
– Check for hair tangles around the brush roll and intake areas. Carefully cut out tangles.
– Remove stuck-on debris inside the vacuum with a dry cloth or brush. Avoid wetting electrical components.
– Check that the battery still holds a full charge. Replace batteries every 1-2 years.
– Wipe down the outside with a soft cloth dampened with mild soap and water.
– Store in a room temperature, dry location away from heat and sunlight which can degrade plastic.
Safety Tips When Using a Hand Vacuum for Cat Litter
While hand vacuums make cleaning cat litter much easier, keep these safety guidelines in mind:
– Don’t vacuum up any liquids which can damage the motor or electronics.
– Keep the vacuum moving constantly when in use to avoid overheating. Don’t press hard against any surfaces.
– Turn off and unplug the vacuum before changing attachments or accessing any parts for cleaning.
– Make sure your hands are completely dry before handling the plug or any electrical components.
– Keep the vacuum on the floor. Don’t hold it above your head where litter could spray out if the canister detaches.
– Keep the vacuum away from children and pets when in use so it doesn’t harm or startle them.
– Avoid using flammable cleaning solutions in the vacuum.
– Check that all filters are installed correctly before turning on the vacuum.
– Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging times, battery usage, and warnings.
Conclusion
Hand vacuums designed specifically for cat litter make cleaning up strays around the litter box much faster and easier. Models like the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, Shark WANDVAC, Dyson V7 Trigger, BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean, and Bissell AeroSlim offer the ideal mix of strong suction, filtration, convenience features, and portability.
Key buying considerations include weight, battery runtime, attachments, ease of emptying, and specialized tools for pet hair. Proper maintenance is also important to ensure your hand vacuum continues providing peak performance. Follow our tips to choose the best cordless hand vacuum that makes cat litter duty a breeze.