Get black carpets. Or as I’ve done, just get used to the idea that nature puts a coating of black fur on everything.
Definitely Dyson. I don’t know if they’re still doing it, but mine has a five year warranty. It has served us really well the last 4 1/2 years and I just got it repaired at no charge. I was replacing $100 vacuums about once a year, so the math worked for me!
Get a Dyson.
Or, if you can’t afford it (I can’t, even with my newfound employment), I really like my newly acquired Shark. I got the one where the thing lifts off the doohicky. Wait, that’s not very helpful. Hang on, let me google.
The canister comes off the base. Then you can stick the handle into the base, or you can use the hose with the canister. This thing is like a Transformer, it’s pretty cool. Either way, you don’t have to use the whole unwieldy vacuum on the stairs! It’s only about 12 pounds, too, which is nice.
Lightweight, good suckage, easy to steer, easy to empty and washable anti-allergen filters. Also, it comes with a 7 year warranty, instead of the ubiquitous 1 year warranty. (Amazon says 5 year, but my box says 7 year).
Only drawback: two of the tools don’t store on the unit, at least, not in any way I can figure out. So they sit on the shelf near where the vacuum is stored.
I too have the Shark Navigator Lift-Away, with 2 cats one dog and 2 messy kids. Had it for 6 months so far and I’m very happy with it - it seems to pick up a great deal of hair every time I vaccuum and the attachments are great especially the stairs attachment (I use it for upholstery).
Read Consumer Reports, they even test vacuums vs Maine Coon Cat fur, which is deadly to most machines.
As a matter of fact, I have two Maine Coon mixes, and my base model Dyson is a godsend. Picks up a shedload of hair every time. I don’t know how the hell two cats (even ones as big as mine) can shed that much. 
Just one tabby cat gave me one full vacuum cleaner every three days.
When my Dyson died after seven years, I got a Vax cyclone equivalent. Can’t recommend. It was seriously heavy, had a tiny dust canister that was a bitch to empty, and bits of it broke when it was just out of warranty.
Next time I buy, I’m going back to Dyson.