INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit review

Cons

- Nowhere to store all the accessories
- Cleaning attachments could work better

 

 

INSE has designed a clever gadget to make light work of grooming even the shaggiest dogs and cats - the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit. With five grooming and cleaning tools attached to a vacuum unit, all you have to do is choose your accessory and get grooming, with no need to worry about stray hairs or dander.

With a large capacity dustbin, spare filter, three cleaning modes and a choice of grooming gadgets, INSE says their Pet Grooming Kit is easy to use, even for beginners. Is it good enough to feature on our list of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair?

We tried out the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit at home on Hopper, our long-haired Golden Retriever and Gracie, our long-haired tortoiseshell cat. We also used the two cleaning tools provided on their regular bedding, favorite sofa spots and our carpets. Read on to find out how the INSE P20 Pro Grooming Kit compared to a standard slicker brush, how noisy it was, and how our fur babies liked - or didn't like - being vacuumed.

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: DESIGN

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit is neatly designed, and small enough to store away in a cupboard, garage or even under a bed.  The vacuum unit itself measures around 9 inches in width by 9 inches in height. At the base is the motor, encased in white plastic, with an attractive grooved base and a large power/mode button. The groove isn’t just for looks either - you can wrap the flexible hose around it when not in use! 

 

At the top of the unit is the clear plastic 0.3-gallon dustbin, in which you can see how much pet hair and fur you’re collecting as you groom. At the center of the dustbin is a stainless steel filter which is the first part of the dual-filtering process included in the unit.

To empty the dustbin, all you need to do is push a quick-release button at the back of the unit. The dustbin lifts clean away so you can take it to a bin and empty it out. On the underside of the dustbin is another mesh and plastic HEPA filter which is designed to capture smaller particles and allergens.

 

The clear plastic hose extends to over 4 feet (52 inches) in length, so it’s long enough for you to tackle even the biggest dog breeds without having to drag the vacuum unit around your pooch. This can also help if you have a pet who isn’t keen on the sound of the vacuum during operation. The power lead is around 13.5 ft in length too, giving you plenty of flexibility and reach from your power socket.

Each attachment fits the hose securely with a satisfying click. The attachments themselves are sturdy with a white, gray and green colorway. The whole unit can be picked up with a handle that flips up, so you can move it easily if you have to, while grooming your pet. It stores neatly away when not in use too. The hose can also be released quickly at the push of a button.

Both the de-shedding and slicker brush come with a gray lever that detaches hair from the bristles or comb teeth, allowing it to be sucked up into the hose and into the vacuum. Overall, the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit feels thoughtfully designed, robust and very user-friendly.

 

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: FEATURES AND ACCESSORIES

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit comes with five attachments:
• A slicker-style brush: Featuring metal pins that gently massage your pet while grooming, this brush helps to remove excess oils and comb out matted areas. It’s also designed to penetrate through to a thick and heavy undercoat - perfect for our Golden Retriever.
• A de-shedding brush: Designed to reduce shedding and static, this metal-toothed comb keeps your pet fresh and cool in summer, preventing bacteria growth and excess oil that can clog hair follicles.
• A hair clipper tool: This comes with four detachable plastic guard combs for an adjustable trim.
• A crevice tool: Designed to get deep into pet bedding, down couch cracks and crevices, and anywhere else pet hair tends to gather.
• A cleaning brush: This has bristles and velvet to attract and sweep away pet hair from sofas, kennels, bedding and carpets. According to INSE, it can also be used as a paw-cleaning tool to brush away dust after a walk.  

 

(Image credit: Joanne Lewsley.)

 

(Image credit: Joanne Lewsley.)

 

(Image credit: Joanne Lewsley.)

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit also comes with a spare filter, a clipper hood, a flexible hose, 5 guard combs for the clipper (0.125”, 0.25”, 0.5”, 0.75” and 1”), and a user manual.

There are three cleaning modes to choose from:
• Eco mode: 5000pa for cats or small dogs such as Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus.
• Standard mode: 7000pa suction power for medium-sized dogs such as Australian Shepherds and Border Collies.
• Max mode: 9000pa suction power for grooming thick coats on long-haired breeds such as Samoyeds, Golden Retrievers and Huskies.

The extra-large dustbin is perfect for owners of particularly hairy pets, or owners who want to brush fur, clip hair and clean bedding all in one go.

 

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: SETUP AND ASSEMBLY

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit comes in a fully-recyclable cardboard box. Each of the attachments, the unit and the hose are securely packaged and protected by recyclable plastic covers. The short manual features instructions on setting up, using each of the accessories, and cleaning and maintaining the tools. There is also a brief troubleshooting guide and a section on the 1-year warranty.

 

The unit is easy to set up and just one person can do it. All you have to do is fit the dustbin to the motor unit, click in the extension hose, and choose your grooming tool.

Selecting the cleaning mode is also simple - the unit starts in the lowest ‘Eco’ mode of 5,000pa. Pressing the mode button raises the cleaning mode to Standard, and pressing once more raises it to Max. A light around the button illuminates in sections so you can see at a glance which mode you’re in.

 

(Image credit: Joanne Lewsley.)

The manual features useful information on how to use most of the accessories (although the clipping tool information is a little light for beginners), and how to ensure that the hair from the brushes is sucked down into the vacuum. You’ll need to push down on the gray buttons at the back of the slicker tool and the de-shedder brush so that the vacuum can suck the hair and dander quickly and cleanly away. The clippers automatically do this.

If you’re a beginner to clipping, as we were, you’ll probably find that the instructions are very basic. We had to watch a few YouTube videos before feeling confident enough to clip our golden retriever, and even then, we weren’t exactly sure what we were doing. You’ll also need to choose one of the five guard combs, attach it to the clipper and then select your cleaning mode. The manual has recommended settings for each of the accessories and warns against using Max mode with the clipper, so it’s worth double-checking.

 

(Image credit: Joanne Lewsley.)

 

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: PERFORMANCE

We tested out the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit at home, first on our Golden Retriever Hopper. Having previously tested other pet grooming vacuum tools, we found that Hopper preferred us to brush him with the vacuum off, then briefly turn the unit on to suck away the pet hair.

Not so with the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit! Hopper really took to this tool straight away. He particularly enjoyed the slicker brush tool, which pulls away fine pet hair and dander. We were able to keep the vacuum switched on, and we could even switch it up to Max mode - the loudest and most powerful setting. After a while, it was easy for just one of us to groom him, without needing an extra pair of hands to reassure him. 

 

(Image credit: Joanne Lewsley.)

Our long-haired cat, Gracie, didn’t quite share her doggy pal’s newfound confidence, however. While she enjoyed being brushed with the slicker attachment, the moment we turned the vacuum on she disappeared from the room like a bolt of lightning, despite her fifteen-and-a-half years. So if you have a cat who doesn’t like vacuum cleaners, you’re unlikely to get much value from this gadget!

Next up was the de-shedding tool. This was fantastic for getting into Hopper’s thick and heavy undercoat - we could really feel it working its way through his thick fur and pulling out all those hairs that would normally end up all around our home. We found this particular brush appeared to remove the most hair from his coat, although I think it’s a little too robust for our smaller, more delicate cat Gracie.

When it came to clipping Hopper, we were very cautious. The very basic instructions in the manual assume a more knowledgeable dog groomer sop be warned. Nonetheless, we managed to clip some of the excess fluff around his bottom and tail and a little from his stomach - which we were pretty pleased with. The vacuum did an excellent job of sucking away the pet hair as we clipped.

 

(Image credit: Joanne Lewsley.)

We were less impressed with the furniture cleaning tools. I’d venture that the suction of the vacuum, while powerful enough for sucking up pet hair from the brushes, doesn’t appear to be strong enough to reliably remove pet hair from furniture. It’s not terrible, but it’s not as good as our Dyson V12 Detect Slim review. So we’ll be sticking with our regular vacuum cleaner to remove pet hair and dander from sofas, easy chairs and carpets for the time being.

There are lots of great tips online for helping your pet get used to the sound and feeling of being vacuumed. For example, you can brush your pet without the vacuum at first, you can try running it in the same room for a while before approaching your fearful fur baby, or you can try rewarding your pooch with treats during or after the grooming process.

Despite INSE claiming that the P20 runs at 60 decibels or lower, we found it was much louder than this. Using a decibel monitoring app we clocked it in at over 60 decibels on its Eco mode, over 70 decibels on its Standard mode, and nearing 90 decibels on its Max mode. That’s louder than most vacuums, so if you have a pet that’s wary of loud noises, this may not be the right gadget for you.

Overall though, we were pretty pleased with how well the INSE tool coped with pet hair, how beautifully our dog took to being groomed, and how much less pet hair we were picking up in our regular vacuum cleaner.

 

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: CARE AND MAINTENANCE

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit is small enough to be stored away in a cupboard. The hose can be wound around the base of the unit, while the power cord can be wound and stored underneath the appliance. 

The two brushes are self-cleaning, so unless you have mud on the brushes there’s no need to clean them after every use. 

You’ll probably want to empty the dustbin though, rather than leave old pet hair in it. To clean the dustbin or the stainless steel filter, you can wash them in warm soapy water or wipe with a wet cloth. Just ensure that both are completely dry before reattaching them. 

The HEPA filter is also designed to be removed and cleaned. Simply tap it over a bin to shake out dust and debris or clean it with a soft brush - don’t wash it with water. There is a replacement filter supplied with the unit. We couldn’t find any information in the manual or on the INSE site about when to replace the filter, but as a general rule, HEPA filters need to be replaced every 6-12 months.  

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit also comes with a 1-year warranty, which covers the unit and accessories. At the moment, spare accessories are not available to buy on the INSE site. 

 

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

• $159.98 / £135.99

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit is available to buy from the INSE site and Amazon. It’s pretty reasonably priced and similar in cost to other pet grooming kits that feature multiple accessories and a vacuum unit. 

There are cheaper pet grooming tools available online that may do a similar job to the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit, however many of them don’t feature a vacuum unit to suck away the hair. Alternatively, if you already have a vacuum cleaner, you can buy a compatible extension hose and brush or clipper accessory to use on your pet instead. These are much cheaper and you can pick them up for between $40 and $70. However it’s not always clear which vacuums they are compatible with, and they may not always come with a 1-year warranty.

 

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: USER REVIEWS

The INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit scores a very respectable 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon, with hundreds of happy customers giving it the full 5 stars. 

Buyers of this grooming tool love that they can groom their pet indoors any time they want, with many owners of long-haired breeds reporting that it’s changed their lives. As one user points out, the tool can save money on regular professional grooming: “It more than paid for itself in one session since the cost of grooming has gone up so much. It is well worth the money in my opinion.” They also report that it’s easy to use and quiet during operation and that even wary dogs now enjoy being groomed. 

A few critical reviewers say the vacuum is not sturdy enough to give a professional finish, while others say the cleaning tools aren’t great for getting pet hair off furniture. Others say the product could be improved with a bag or case for all the accessories. A couple of negative reviews report problems with the clipper guards popping off, so it’s worth ensuring these are securely attached. 

 

INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT: WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

We spoke to cleaning expert for Housetastic and cleaning business owner, Karen Barrigan, for her thoughts on the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit, and who this product might be best suited to. 

“This vacuum is perfect for those with pets that tend to shed hair quite easily. It has powerful

suction with low noise levels, it is a lightweight machine, and it’s very easy to use,” says Barrigan. “The vacuum will suck all of the loose pet hair directly into the vacuum box. This means that your home will stay cleaner for longer since fewer hairs are likely to fall from your pets and so fewer pet hairs will accumulate throughout your home. This also means that your home will be less prone to allergens.”

Barrigan also has a professional tip for cleaning the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit. “Give it a little shake into the dustbin and give it a quick wipe with a damp cloth to remove any fine hairs, dander and mites. Then, reattach it to the machine ready for the next use.”

 

SHOULD YOU BUY THE INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT?

Although the initial outlay may seem expensive, the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit could save you a lot of money in the long term on professional grooming. It’s easy to use and most pets seem to cope very well with the vacuum feature. 

 

HOW DOES THE INSE P20 PRO DOG GROOMING KIT COMPARE TO COMPETITORS?

We recently tested the much cheaper Dyson Pet Grooming tool on our dog and cat. While it’s easier to store the Dyson attachment, which is simply an extension hose and slicker brush that attaches to your regular Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner, we found that our dog preferred the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit, despite it being a little louder. Perhaps because our dog associates the vacuum cleaner with being chased out of rooms! As a result, one of us could do the grooming without having to secure an extra pair of hands to soothe our Golden Retriever. You also don’t get all the extra accessories with the Dyson tool, such as clippers and a de-shedding tool. 

We also compared the INSE P20 Pro Dog Grooming Kit to other vacuum cleaners that are known to be useful for picking up pet hair around the home. 

The Bissell CleanView OnePass has a powerful suction that makes it invaluable for picking up pet hair from carpets. In fact, it’s our number one pick for pet hair in our buyer’s guide to the best vacuum cleaners for home. It also comes with a two-year warranty for extra peace of mind.

If you’re thinking of having more robot gadgets around the home to save time, you might prefer the Yeedi vac 2 pro robot vacuum cleaner. It performed brilliantly at picking up pet hair and debris, and it can even mop up after your pet.

For us, one of the most effective vacuum cleaners for picking up pet hair is the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. Small and light enough to be used on furniture and stairways, yet powerful enough to pick up even muddy pawprints from carpets, it’s our personal top pick at home. And you can see the results in the dustbin as you clean. 

 

TopTenReviews

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.toptenreviews.com/inse-p20-pro-dog-grooming-kit-review