Are "pet" vacuums really necessary?

Pretty much every vacuum brand sold at big box stores seems to have some variety of pet-owner specific vacuums for sale. The only difference I see between them and normal vacuums is 1., neon colors, 2., a wacky set of attachments, and 3., a different set of filters. I've thought and still think that they're cool, but are they really necessary? I mean, pet hair isn't that hard to clean up on carpets to begin with. The only thing that I see as beneficial from them that can't just be bought from a normal vacuum is the unique filters, which are usually in the anti-odor variety. I've had Black Lab, and currently have a Pitbull. I've used nothing but non-pet vacuums, and they've worked good at cleaning up pet-hair.

I think the most guilty of companies that make these weird pet machines is Bissell. As far as I've been aware, they've been making these machines since the original Pet Hair Eraser. Like, do you really need that Pet Contour Tool, lint roller tool, and turbo brush with rubber beaters instead of regular bristles? Me personally, the perfect pet vacuum is one that's bagged, has a set of electric or air driven power brushes, and a charcoal filter of some kind. Everything else is unnecessary.

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Post# 473248 9/16/2024 at 13:58 by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Pretty much every vacuum brand sold at big box stores seems to have some variety of pet-owner specific vacuums for sale. The only difference I see between them and normal vacuums is 1., neon colors, 2., a wacky set of attachments, and 3., a different set of filters. I've thought and still think that they're cool, but are they really necessary? I mean, pet hair isn't that hard to clean up on carpets to begin with. The only thing that I see as beneficial from them that can't just be bought from a normal vacuum is the unique filters, which are usually in the anti-odor variety. I've had Black Lab, and currently have a Pitbull. I've used nothing but non-pet vacuums, and they've worked good at cleaning up pet-hair. I think the most guilty of companies that make these weird pet machines is Bissell. As far as I've been aware, they've been making these machines since the original Pet Hair Eraser. Like, do you really need that Pet Contour Tool, lint roller tool, and turbo brush with rubber beaters instead of regular bristles? Me personally, the perfect pet vacuum is one that's bagged, has a set of electric or air driven power brushes, and a charcoal filter of some kind. Everything else is unnecessary. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size

Post# 473249 , Reply# 1 9/16/2024 at 14:10 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)
Checkrate/Likes I think it depends. Like Dyson such as the DC14 for example, I prefer the purple color over yellow plus I wouldn't had to buy a turbo brush or extra accessories separate if it already comes with the machine which I honestly did liked and found to be pretty useful.

Post# 473251 , Reply# 2 9/16/2024 at 15:11 by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)
Checkrate/Likes *PanasonicVac* That's fair. Like I said, I think all you need to effectively tackle pet hair is a revolving brush for carpets, a turbo or minor electric head, and a charcoal filter of some kind. Though, I can only image how well A DC14 or similar machine would fair against it, due to their brushrolls.

Post# 473253 , Reply# 3 9/16/2024 at 15:39 by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Checkrate/Likes No Total marketing ploy. Over half of Americans have a pet (my family has had dogs and cats my entire life), and reports suggest pet ownership is increasing, especially since the pandemic. It's a good way to target a very large demographic. The turbo brushes can be useful but they're neither a new invention nor very reliable. Also I think "pet" models might become a relic of the 2000s and 2010s. I go to the vacuum aisle whenever I'm in a store and haven't thought about the pet models in a while. Everything is cordless now. That's what's selling. It will be interesting to see what Vacuumland is like 15 years from now when Gen Alpha is nostalgic for the golden days of the Dyson Vs. Which they'll be totally entitled to, but there won't be many of those machines still left. I haven't seen any of those pet vacs in the pictures posted for years.

Post# 473254 , Reply# 4 9/16/2024 at 15:50 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)
Checkrate/Likes Yeah it'll interesting to see what VL would be like in 15 years, I mean most of us know by now that Robert will eventually sell the site but who knows. It may be bought out and have lots of changes being done or it'd be folded all together.

Post# 473256 , Reply# 5 9/16/2024 at 16:31 by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Yeah I know that's been discussed a few times. Personally I really hope this web design lasts as long as possible. It fits the vibe of the collecting community and most importantly is easy to search when you need some info from the archive. Just did the math and realized I've been here 15 years myself! I think the site was only 3 years old when I joined.

Post# 473261 , Reply# 6 9/16/2024 at 19:46 by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Yeah... I remember seeing some old posts on here of Boomers complaining about machines like older Bissell Powerforces, and now those are sought after by people like intellitech studios. Let's just say that the Walmart Powerforces of today are likely gonna become the Lewyts of the future.