I needed a vacuum that could handle cat fur and cat litter. This is the best. It tackled the fur that had built up in the cat room, and the loose litter. We also used it to vacuum cars, clean the dirt off fans stored in the garage since last summer, and on window sills. My husband cleaned the filter after the cat room, he said it wasn't too tedious. It's powerful, so it's not quiet, but it's not ear blasting either. And it looks nicer than the red brand.