Vacuum advice?

Perhaps this is a weird question- but I've never had cats before so all this shedding is new to me.  My vacuum just broke and I think it was the cat hair.  Is there a good vacuum- around $200 or less that is great with shedding cat hair.  I don't know if this is too random of a question.  My husband was wondering about it and I got excited and said let me ask my catsite forum.

We have three only problem is the bag full of cat hair and toys lol found out kitty litter is terrible for vacuums went through two already but I sweep it up with a cheap vacuum for kitty litter preferably a handheld good luck and paws and licks smittendakitten

Bagged Upright

Kenmore 31140

Kenmore Progressive 31069

Hoover Wind Tunnel Max UH30600

Bagless Upright

Hoover Wind Tunnel T-Series Rewind Bagless UH70120

Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A

smittendakittn said:

We have three only problem is the bag full of cat hair and toys lol found out kitty litter is terrible for vacuums went through two already but I sweep it up with a cheap vacuum for kitty litter preferably a handheld good luck and paws and licks smittendakitten

Click to expand...

I hadn't thought about kitten litter. Yes, I'll start sweeping that up too.

detmut said:

 
Bagged Upright

Kenmore 31140

Kenmore Progressive 31069

Hoover Wind Tunnel Max UH30600

Bagless Upright

Hoover Wind Tunnel T-Series Rewind Bagless UH70120

Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A

Click to expand...

Thank you! 

We have a 10 year old Dirt Devil that we bought at Walmart after bringing these 2 home.  It has done fine; but DH is good about maintaining it.  He usually empties the canister when he takes the trash out; so that is done outside.  He has replaced the belts countless times and clipping hair from the brush roll (2 cats and DD and I both have long hair).  I thought it was done for a couple months ago; but DH figured out the brush roll was broken and he was able to get a replacement.  

I saw an ad recently for a vacuum that has a self cleaning brush roll.  Now THAT interests me!    

i've had good luck with my dirt devil vision breeze canister vacuum. it's about 5 years old now and going strong. i currently have one long haired and one short haired cat, but did have two long haired cats for 3 of the 5 years. i buy generic hepa filters and have bought a generic floor tool replacement for it through amazon dot com -- lower priced and i've had no problems using them.

my vacuum goes through rough work here. i vacuum up cat hair, cat litter, as well as debris from firewood on a regular basis -- the vacuum truly has been through the wars here.

We use a Shark one, I don't remember the model, but we bought it at Best but for around $160, is one of the vertical ones and it said on the box that is special for pet hair.

That and an old roomba (400) that we got second than for the day yo day... works pretty well

Thank you!  My husband said we're going to repair the old one and find out maintenance for use with pets.  But if all else fails I will keep your recommendations in mind.

I have a Dyson cordless that is for pet hair.  It works so-so.  I think the kitty littter is taking it's toll.  I have found that using a cheap handheld brush/broom that come with the dustpan works great at getting the cat hair up.  The bristles are soft enough that they do not wreck the carpet but catch the cat hair. It's a little time consuming but it doesn't bother the cats the way the vacumn does.

I have a Eureka bagless which has held up well.  I don't remember which number it is but it has pet in the name.  I got it for less than 200 at Sears 2 1/2 years ago.  I think it was 170 but I am not sure, I know it was less than 200.

We have an entire category dedicated to vacuum cleaners in the Reviews section! Reviews by cat lovers focusing on the effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner in a household with cats - 

http://www.thecatsite.com/products/category/vacuum-cleaners

Please add your own there!