You love your cat, but you don’t love the litter she tracks throughout the house. Keeping your home litter-free can be a challenge, but having the right vacuum can help. We’re going to share our top picks for the best cat litter vacuum this year – and what to look for when buying one.

Eufy RoboVac 11	Best overall vacuum for cat litter
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Upright Vacuum	The best stick vacuum for cat litter
Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum	The best cat litter vacuum for carpets

The Benefits of a Cat Litter Vacuum and How to Choose One

When most cat owners look for a vacuum, they focus on hair control. But some vacuums are great at picking up pet hair and terrible at picking up cat litter. Depending on the situation, cat litter may be heavier than dirt, which may make it more difficult for some vacuums to pick it up.

There are some important things to look for when choose a cat litter vacuum, and some benefits to owning one.

What to Look for When Choosing a Vacuum for Cat Litter

When choosing a vacuum for cat litter, there are some features that you may want to keep in mind, such as:

Weight

A lightweight vacuum will be easier to maneuver. If you find yourself constantly dragging out the vacuum to clean up cat litter, weight may be a feature that you seriously want to consider.

Vacuums that weigh five pounds or less will be easier to pull out of the closet.

While a light weight is typically a positive feature, you do want to consider whether this will affect the vacuum’s suction power. Brands sometimes sacrifice power to make their vacuums lighter.

Suction Power

Speaking of power, you should consider the vacuum’s suction power when choosing a model. It may sound like an obvious thing to consider, but many people focus on attachments, size and weight over the actual power of the vacuum.

The more power the vacuum has, the easier it will be to pick up litter.

Vacuum Type

There are many different types of vacuums that can be used to pick up cat litter, but one type may be a better fit for your lifestyles and cleaning needs.

The most common types of vacuums for cat litter include:

• Stick
• Robotic
• Handheld
• Upright

Stick and handheld vacuums typically have the advantage in the weight department, while upright vacuums are usually more powerful. Robotic vacuums will clean your floors for you – hands-free. Some are powered by Wi-Fi, too, which means you can turn on the vacuum even if you’re across town at work.

Handheld vacuums are also great for quick clean-ups, according to Allergy and Air.

Weigh the pros and cons of each type to find the right one for your needs.

While many people like robotic vacuums, it’s important to remember that this type of vacuum may scare your cat – which may keep her away from the litter box.

Attachments

Most vacuums come with attachments, but it’s important to make sure that the model you choose has the right attachments for your needs.

If your cat’s litter box is near the corner of a room, you may want a vacuum that comes with a crevice tool or in the very least, an extension wand. This tool, which attaches to the extension hose, will allow you to reach down into tight corners and even those hard-to-reach areas along the wall.

If your cat likes to jump on furniture after using the litter box, she may track litter pieces onto your sofa. A dusting tool or even a motorized pet brush will help remove litter from upholstery.

A hard floor attachment or extension hose may be essential if your cat’s litter box is kept on a hard floor surface.

Floor Type

When choosing a vacuum – and a vacuum type – consider the type of flooring you will be cleaning. If your litter box is kept on carpeting, avoid buying a vacuum that’s designed for hard surfaces and vice versa. A vacuum designed for carpeting will likely just kick around the dirt and debris on hard flooring, which will make cleaning a pain.

Sometimes, using vacuum brushes on hardwood flooring can scratch the wood’s surface, according to Coit Cleaning and Restoration.

There are vacuums that can clean both carpeting and hard flooring. If you have multiple floor surfaces in your home and you want a vacuum that will also be used for everyday cleaning, this type may be a good choice for you.

The Benefits of Having a Cat Litter Vacuum

There are a number of benefits to having a cat litter vacuum. These include:

• Convenience: Easy to pull out and use, vacuums are typically more convenient than using a broom and pan to pick up litter. And if you store the vacuum near the litter box, it’s always on hand for easy use.
• Dedicated Cleaning: If purchase a separate vacuum for cat litter, you won’t need to worry about spreading litter debris around your home.
• Cleaner Home: If your cat’s litter box is on or near carpeting, a vacuum can help keep your home cleaner and more sanitary by picking up litter that brooms can’t reach.

With the right vacuum, you rarely have to worry about finding bits and pieces of litter throughout the house.

The Best Cat Litter Vacuum Reviews for 2020

Best Overall Vacuum for Cat Litter – Eufy RoboVac 11

The Eufy RoboVac 11 is a high-suction robotic vacuum that says it will clean your home with the click of a button.

Features

• Hands-free vacuuming
• High-capacity Li-ion battery
• Three cleaning modes: Spot, Edge and Max
• Recharges automatically
• Drop-sensing technology
• Tempered glass protecting cover
• Three-point cleaning system

The RoboVac 11 offers a variety of cleaning modes, and its low profile allows it to clean under tables and furniture. Using its sensing technology, this vacuum can pick up cat litter on both carpeting and hard flooring.

The vacuum offers three cleaning modes: Spot, Edge and Max. It also has a three-point cleaning system: a rolling brush, side brushes and powerful suction. The infra-red sensor allows the vacuum to avoid objects, and the drop-sensing technology prevents falls. The RoboVac 11 also comes equipped with a tempered glass, anti-scratch cover that offers extra protection.

Watch the video below to see how the RoboVac 11 works:

The RoboVac 11 has a high-capacity Lithium ion battery that offers 1.5 hours of use before needing to be recharged. When it runs out of power, this vacuum will recharge automatically.

Equipped with a HEPA-style filter, this vacuum helps remove allergens and dust from your home.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Cleans while you’re away
• Can remove cat litter from carpet and hard flooring
• Long battery life
• Recharges automatically
• Cleaning modes give you more control
• Cleans under furniture and tables

Cons

• Not great at cleaning wall edges

The RoboVac 11 isn’t ideal for cleaning wall edges, but neither is a conventional upright vacuum (without attachments). If your cat’s litter box isn’t close to the wall, this may not be an issue for you.

That said, there are some apparent perks to using a robotic vacuum for cat litter. If you’re looking for a vacuum that will pick up cat litter for you while you’re away at work, the RoboVac 11 might be a good fit for you.

Best Stick Vacuum for Cat Litter – Shark Rocket Ultra-Light

The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light vacuum truly is ultra-lightweight at just eight pounds. If your cat has a tendency to make a mess every time she uses the litter box, this vacuum may be a good choice for you. Its light weight makes it less of a nuisance to drag out of the closet for cleaning.

Features

• Eight-pound weight
• Dust-Away floor attachment
• Comes with Home and Car Detail Kit
• Fingertip controls
• Dual storage options
• Converts to a hand vac

The Rocket Ultra-Light also converts to a hand vac for added versatility.

The Dust-Away attachment allows this vacuum to be used on hard flooring, and the included microfiber pad – which picks up microscopic dirt – can be washed in the washing machine.

Some cat owners may also appreciate that this vacuum comes with a detail kit, which allows you to clean in even the tiniest of spaces.

The Rocket Ultra-Light also offers dual storage options: wall mount, or attach the hand vac to the bottom of the wand.

Pros

• Light weight makes it easy to maneuver
• Works on both carpet and hard flooring
• Converts to a hand vacuum for versatile cleaning
• Comes with a detail kit that can be used in the car

Cons

• Emptying the canister can be a pain

The dust canister is not completely removable, which means you have to tip the vacuum over the garbage to empty. This may be inconvenient for some users.

Still, if you’re looking for an ultra-light stick vacuum to keep your cat litter problem in check, the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light may be a good choice.

Best Vacuum for Cat Litter on a Carpet – Shark Rotator Professional

The Shark Rotator Professional offers three cleaning modes and comes with a series of attachments for picking up cat litter just about anywhere.

Features

• Three cleaning modes: Upright, Above-Floor and Lift-Away
• Swivel steering
• Dusting brush
• LED Lights
• Large dust cup
• HEPA filter

The Rotator Professional’s three cleaning modes may be an attractive feature for some cat owners – especially if their cats like to jump on furniture after using the litter box.

Upright mode is the classic cleaning mode, and the swivel steering makes it a little easier to maneuver around furniture and objects. The LED lights also illuminate the path, so you can see under furniture, in closets and in other low-light areas.

In Lift Away mode, the canister detaches to give you more freedom when cleaning. The portability of this mode allows you to clean stairs, upholstery and other hard-to-reach areas.

The Above-Floor mode is designed for cleaning high corners, ceilings and crevices high above the floor.

The dusting brush attachment picks up pet hair from upholstery, delicate fabric and even curtains. The Rotator Professional also comes with a HEPA filter and Shark’s Complete Seal technology, which traps allergens inside the dust cup.

Pros

• 2-in-1 vacuum adds versatility
• HEPA filter and Complete Seal technology traps allergens
• Swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver around objects
• LED lights illuminate the cleaning path
• Three cleaning modes allow you to clean floor to ceiling

Cons

• Top-heavy

The Rotator Professional is top-heavy, which can take some getting used to when first using the vacuum.

If you’re looking for a vacuum that offers multiple cleaning modes and floor-to-ceiling cleaning, the Shark Rotator Professional may be a good option.

Best Handheld Vacuum for Cat Litter – Shark Rocket Hand Vac

Weighing less than four pounds, the Shark Rocket hand vacuum is easy to maneuver and is less likely to cause hand fatigue. While this is a corded model, the long cord length makes it highly portable.

Features

• Never Loses Suction Technology
• 15-foot power cord
• Easy-empty dust cup
• Washable filters
• Comes with: 12″ crevice tool, TruePet motorized brush, dusting brush, extension hose

Portable and lightweight, the Shark Rocket hand vac allows you to pick up cat litter without having to drag out your full-size upright vacuum. The 15-foot power cord provides enough leeway to clean an entire room without having to change outlet.

Because this is a corded model, there’s no need to worry about recharging batteries.

The Rocket hand vac comes with Shark’s TruePet motorized brush, which allows you to pick up cat hair and stray litter pieces off of furniture, upholstery, stairs and more.

The dust cup is large, which means fewer trips to the trash, and the cup empties with the push of a button. The filters are washable, too, which makes this vacuum virtually maintenance-free.

The Rocket features Shark’s Never Loses Suction technology, so its suction power should stay just as strong as the day you bought it.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Long power cord makes this model more portable
• Nearly maintenance-free
• Strong suction

Cons

• Not a good fit for people who have trouble bending or squatting

The Rocket is a handheld vac, which means you have to bend or squat down to vacuum up litter from the floor. This may be a problem for people with mobility or back issues.

That said, the Rocket’s strong suction power and light weight may make it a good fit for people who want a vacuum dedicated to picking up cat litter.

Best Hard Floor Vacuum for Cat Litter – ECOVACS DEEBOT N79

The ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 is a smart robotic vacuum that offers Wi-Fi connectivity and app controls.

Features

• App controls the DEEBOT anytime, anywhere
• Lithium battery delivers 1.7-hour battery life
• Brushless motor
• Includes V-shaped rolling brush and multiple attachments
• Recharges automatically
• Four cleaning modes: Auto, Edge, Spot and Single Room
• Time scheduling
• 300mL dust bin

The DEEBOT N79 is a smart vacuum that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi. Once connected, you can control the bot using an app. The app functionality allows you to clean your home anytime and from anywhere.

Cleaning schedules can also be created, which makes this vacuum virtually hands-free.

There are four cleaning modes available with the DEEBOT: auto, edge, single room and spot.

• Auto: General cleaning
• Edge: Cleaning specific edges
• Single room: Cleans just one room
• Spot: Intensive cleaning in one spot

The vacuum’s main V-shaped brush reaches deep down into carpeting to eliminate dust and dirt. Multiple attachments are also included to add cleaning versatility.

The DEEBOT also has drop-sensing technology, which means it can detect a drop larger than 3.1″. The Anti-Collision sensors also help the vacuum avoid objects and navigate around them.

Pros

• Hands-free cleaning
• Can create cleaning schedules
• App connectivity gives you more control over cleanings
• Multiple cleaning modes
• Drop-sensing technology prevents falls
• V-shaped brushes remove more dirt
• Long battery life
• Recharges automatically

Cons

• Takes a while to find its base

The DEEBOT sometimes takes a while to find its base, which may be an issue when it’s time to recharge.

Despite this, the ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 may be a good fit for cat owners who want a vacuum they can control from anywhere and will clean their home hands-free.

Conclusion

We chose the Eufy RoboVac 11 as the best all-around vacuum because it offers hands-free cleaning and the ability to clean both carpeting and hard flooring. With this robotic vacuum, it’s possible to clean up cat litter even when you’re not at home.

The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is our favorite stick vacuum because it’s ultra-lightweight but still offers powerful enough suction to pick up cat litter.

We chose the Shark Rotator Professional as our favorite carpet option because of its suction power and multiple cleaning modes. This model can convert to a portable vac and even clean high spaces.

We like the Shark Rocket hand vacuum for a hand vac option because it’s powerful and really lightweight. The dust cup is also easy to empty, which means you don’t have to touch the litter with your hands.

The ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 is our favorite pick for hard flooring because you can set it and forget it. With the touch of a button, this vacuum will clean your home for you.