Life with pets is wonderful, but let’s be honest, the constant battle with shedding hair can be overwhelming. It feels like no matter how often you clean, pet fur magically reappears, clinging to carpets, upholstery, and every nook and cranny. I faced this same problem, feeling like I was constantly chasing tumbleweeds of dog and cat hair. This wasn’t just an aesthetic issue; uncontrolled pet dander and hair can significantly impact air quality and allergy sufferers in the home. Solving this persistent problem was crucial for creating a truly clean and comfortable living environment, otherwise, the endless cycle of cleaning would continue, always feeling behind. Finding a vacuum specifically designed to tackle this challenge felt like a necessity.
Dealing with pet hair requires more than just any old vacuum cleaner; you need a machine built for the challenge. The primary goal of a good pet vacuum is to effectively lift embedded hair and dander from various surfaces, preventing it from recirculating or building up. Someone seeking a vacuum in this category likely has one or more shedding pets and is tired of inefficient machines that clog easily or leave hair behind. They need power, specialized tools, and features that make pet clean-up less of a chore.
This type of specialized pet vacuum might not be necessary for homes without pets or with only very low-shedding animals, where a standard vacuum would suffice. It might also be overkill for someone living in a predominantly hard-floor home with minimal carpets or upholstery, although many pet vacuums perform well on hard surfaces too.
Before investing, consider these key aspects: suction power (especially on carpets), the brush roll type (look for tangle-free designs), filtration (essential for trapping allergens), included attachments (specifically for pet hair on different surfaces), maneuverability, weight, and the ease of emptying the dirt bin (pet hair can get messy!). Thinking about these factors will help ensure you choose a vacuum that can truly handle the demands of a pet-filled home.
Introducing the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus
Having wrestled with pet hair for years, I eventually turned my attention to solutions specifically engineered for the task. That’s when I discovered the BISSELL 24613 Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Lightweight Vacuum. This upright vacuum makes a clear promise: powerful pet hair pickup in a lightweight, agile design, backed by specialized tools and a system to help trap allergens and eliminate odors. When you purchase the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus, you get the vacuum unit itself, along with essential accessories like the Crevice Tool, Pet Turbo Eraser, and the 2-in-1 Pet Dusting Brush.
Compared to standard vacuums or even earlier pet-focused models I’d used, the BISSELL 24613 seems specifically aimed at tackling deeply embedded pet hair without the common frustrations like hair wrap around the brush or allergens escaping back into the air. It’s designed for the dedicated pet parent whose home features a mix of carpet and hard floors and requires frequent, thorough cleaning. It might not be the ideal choice for someone needing extensive above-floor cleaning requiring a full lift-away canister, as this model keeps the main body together.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons I’ve experienced:
Pros:
* Excellent suction, especially for embedded pet hair.
* Truly tangle-free brush roll works as advertised.
* Lightweight and easy to maneuver around furniture.
* Specialized pet tools are effective on various surfaces.
* SmartSeal Allergen System and optional Febreze filter improve air quality.
Cons:
* Dirt canister is relatively small and needs frequent emptying.
* Attachments don’t all store neatly on the vacuum.
* The hose can twist easily during use.
* Cleaning the canister thoroughly can be a bit messy and tricky.
Performance and Practicality: A Deep Dive into Features
Having used the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus for a significant period, I can share how its features translate into real-world cleaning power and convenience. This vacuum isn’t just a collection of specs; it’s a tool that genuinely impacts the cleanliness of a pet-filled home.
Powerful Pet Hair Pickup and Suction Capabilities
This is where the BISSELL 24613 truly shines. With 7 amps of power, it delivers strong suction that makes a noticeable difference, particularly on carpets. I was genuinely surprised the first time I used it after going over the area with my old vacuum; the amount of fine hair and dirt it managed to pull up was astounding. It doesn’t just skim the surface; it feels like it digs deep into carpet fibers to extract embedded fur and dander that other vacuums leave behind. This powerful pickup means less time spent going over the same spot repeatedly, making the cleaning process faster and more effective. The feeling of seeing the canister fill up with what you *thought* wasn’t there is both satisfying and slightly horrifying – but it validates the vacuum’s performance. You can also easily adjust the suction/vent level right at the handle for different floor types, which is a nice touch for quick transitions.
The Revolutionary Tangle-Free Brush Roll
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of vacuuming with pets is dealing with hair wrapping around the brush roll. Previous vacuums required regular, often messy, sessions with scissors to cut away tangled fur. The tangle-free brush roll on the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus has been a game-changer. Long pet hair (and human hair!) seems to get directed right into the dirt tank instead of forming stubborn knots around the brush. This feature alone saves a significant amount of maintenance time and keeps the brush roll operating efficiently, ensuring consistent performance without manual intervention. It’s one of those features you don’t fully appreciate until you no longer have to deal with the alternative.
Lightweight Design and Agile Maneuverability
Despite its powerful suction, the BISSELL 24613 is surprisingly lightweight at just over 13 pounds. This makes a big difference when cleaning larger areas or carrying the vacuum up and down stairs. The swivel steering is responsive and allows the vacuum head to pivot easily around furniture legs and tight corners. You can turn the head almost 90 degrees while keeping the main body relatively straight, which makes navigating around obstacles like dining chairs much quicker. While the flexible joint that enables this agility can sometimes make the vacuum feel slightly less stable if you lean or pull too hard while using the hose, for standard floor vacuuming, the ease of movement is excellent. It truly makes cleaning less of a physical strain.
Hands-Free Emptying with Cyclonic Pet Hair Spooling System
Emptying a pet hair-filled vacuum can be a dusty, unpleasant task. The BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus features a Cyclonic Pet Hair Spooling System designed to keep hair contained and allow for a hands-free empty. The cyclonic action is supposed to tightly pack the hair, which then ideally drops cleanly into the trash with the press of a button. In practice, it works well for the most part, minimizing direct contact with the debris. However, occasionally, fine hair and dust can get stuck around the center post of the canister, requiring a bit of manual intervention (like twisting the two halves or using a tool) to dislodge it completely. It’s not always perfectly “hands-free,” but it’s still less messy than many other designs I’ve used. The canister capacity is on the smaller side, which means more frequent trips to the trash, especially in a home with heavy shedding.
SmartSeal Allergen System and Optional Febreze Filter
For homes with pets and allergy sufferers, trapping allergens is just as important as picking up hair. The SmartSeal Allergen System claims to capture fine dust and allergens within the vacuum, preventing them from being released back into the air. This, combined with the multi-level filtration, including a washable foam filter, provides noticeable improvement in air quality while vacuuming. An included optional Febreze filter takes this a step further by adding a pleasant scent that helps eliminate pet odors as you clean. It’s subtle enough not to be overwhelming but leaves the room smelling fresher, which is a welcome bonus in a home with multiple pets. Using this system provides peace of mind knowing that you’re not just moving dust and allergens around.
Specialized Pet Tools and Extension Wand
The included specialized pet tools significantly extend the vacuum’s versatility. The Crevice Tool is standard but effective for tight spaces. The 2-in-1 Pet Dusting Brush is great for cleaning surfaces like baseboards or furniture. The star, however, is the Pet Turbo Eraser attachment. This mini rotating brush tool is fantastic for tackling pet hair on stairs, upholstery, pet beds, and even cat trees. Its rubberized “nubbins” seem to grip and pull hair out effectively. I used to struggle immensely getting hair off vertical or fabric surfaces, but this tool makes it surprisingly easy.
The Quick Release Extension Wand, integrated into the handle, is always ready to go. Detaching the handle to use it with the tools is simple, although sometimes it can feel a little stiff to pull off if the vacuum has just been running due to suction. The hose length (7 feet) combined with the wand gives a decent reach for above-floor cleaning, cobwebs, or getting into corners. The hose itself is flexible, but as noted earlier, it can get twisted during back-and-forth motions, requiring occasional straightening. While the tools are effective, I do wish there was better integrated storage for all of them directly on the vacuum body; one often has to be stored separately.
Other Noteworthy Features
The LED headlights on the vacuum head are surprisingly useful. They illuminate the path ahead, highlighting dirt, dust, and pet hair that you might otherwise miss, especially on hard floors or under furniture. This helps ensure you don’t leave patches uncleaned. The cord length is generous at 30 feet, providing a good cleaning radius without needing to constantly switch outlets. The vacuum feels sturdy and well-built for its weight class, suggesting durability over time. Its noise level is comparable to other vacuums I’ve used, around 70 dB, which is reasonably quiet for a powerful upright.
Overall, the BISSELL 24613‘s features are clearly aimed at making the difficult task of pet hair removal as efficient and manageable as possible. While it has a few minor quirks like the small canister and tool storage, the core performance—suction, tangle-free brush, and effective tools—makes it a robust solution for pet owners.
What Others Are Saying: User Feedback
Looking online, it’s clear many others have found this vacuum to be a powerful weapon against pet hair. I found numerous reviews from users who, like me, were amazed by how much dirt and hair the BISSELL 24613 picked up even after they had just vacuumed with their old machines. Many praised its strong suction on carpets and the effectiveness of the tangle-free brush roll. The specialized tools, especially the pet hair eraser attachment, received frequent positive mentions for their ability to clean upholstery and stairs. Users appreciated the lightweight design and maneuverability, making it easier to clean their homes thoroughly. While a few noted minor issues like the smaller bin or attachment storage, the overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive, with many recommending the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus specifically for homes with shedding pets.
Final Thoughts: Why This Vacuum Stands Out
The struggle with pet hair is a reality for many of us, and neglecting it leads to uncomfortable living spaces and potential allergy issues. A powerful, purpose-built vacuum is essential to keep homes truly clean. The BISSELL 24613 Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus vacuum cleaner is a fantastic solution for this common problem. Its exceptional suction power tackles even deeply embedded hair, the tangle-free brush roll eliminates a major vacuuming headache, and the specialized tools allow you to clean pet hair from virtually any surface in your home. For anyone tired of battling shedding and seeking a noticeable improvement in cleanliness and air quality, this vacuum is a strong contender. To learn more and check it out for yourself, Click here.