The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A quality robot vacuum cleaner can make a huge difference in controlling allergens such as pet hair and dust. But not all models are identical.
If you’re looking to purchase a vacuum with pet-specific features or simply a good robot to supplement your other vacuum, there’s many alternatives.
1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30
The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy’s budget-friendly range of robotic vacuum cleaners, is the most recent model. It’s a sleek black design with blue and rose-gold accents that looks like an iPhone. It’s easier to use than the previous models and comes with features such as BoostIQ which automatically boosts suction for better cleaning of all surfaces. It also makes use of intelligent navigation to avoid repeating the same area repeatedly, which is an issue that is common with bounce-navigation systems that are simpler.
It does a great job of removing pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, but it is in comparison to the best self vacuum for pet hair models when it comes to scooping up flour on carpet. In our tests, it missed 74% of the dust on hard floors, and 26% on carpet.
The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map your home using an electronic map. This allows it to keep track of the rooms it has cleaned, and to avoid returning to them. This is a major problem for the more basic robots that require the old-fashioned magnetic taps to define areas that are not allowed to be in.
The G30 Edge has other conveniences such as a ‘Find My Robot’ mode that plays an audible tune until it’s found and a directional pad that lets users to move the robot vacuum mop pet hair. It also has an automatic return feature that sends the robot back to its charging station when the battery is at a low level. This is a security feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D-Shape a remarkably capable robot with an impressive list of intelligent features. It can clean floors well and climb up carpets with high piles with ease. The app also has advanced features such as boundary lines, remote control access while the robot is in operation, and a variety of other options.
This model is the most recent in a long line of Neato robots and is distinguished by its unique “D” shape when viewed from above. This design has several benefits such as better corner cleaning and a larger dust bin than the majority of models. The D-shape lets the robot vacuum for dog hair to get under furniture better than robots with a circular design.
When it is first time to begin a cleaning process, the D-Shape will pause briefly to make use of spinning infrared lasers to scan and evaluate the space. Then, it will work in a grid, systematically moving from one area to the next until the entire floor is cleaned. This method is more thorough and effective than competitors using a random method.
The D-Shape’s design permits it to have a large, 700ml dust bin as opposed to 400-600ml for robots with similar prices. The increased capacity means you’ll have to empty the bin less often, thereby saving your time and effort. The D-Shape features flat sides on the front that helps to maneuver over obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, the D-Shape did get stuck under a stool with four legs and an exposed electrical cord, though it was able to break free every time.
3. Roomba i3+ EVO
The Roomba EVO i3+ is a fantastic option for pet owners. It is a great choice for hard flooring and does an excellent job of cleaning up any debris like rice, cereal and hair of pets. It has some issues on carpets, but it’s superior to other robots in this price range. The Roomba EVO is also efficient in moving between flooring types. It doesn’t stall in transitions like the older models. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different flooring and are able to resist tangling in pet hair.
The i3+ EVO’s obstacle-avoiding capability isn’t as strong as some of the other robots we evaluated, and it repeatedably ran into objects in our tests like handbags, shoes, and pet toys before continuing its journey. It also had difficulty dealing with salt that was coarse, which it blew over and around instead of picking up.
The i3+ EVO comes with a variety of great features to make it worth the additional cost compared to other Roomba models, like the ability to empty the dustbin automatically and advanced control through the app. It is possible to schedule cleanings, create custom routines, and create no-go zones for areas you don’t want the robot to be allowed to enter. Its intelligent scheduling can suggest additional cleanings during peak allergy times, in accordance with your routine. Its navigation system isn’t reliable and can cause vacuums to be erratic patterns, such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL
This intelligent robot can to map your home in detail, better than you. It also has dual brushes that can be adjusted to different kinds of flooring and avoids getting caught, making it the ideal option for households with pets. You can control the robot using the app, or activate it hands-free by using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, which is dubbed Omni, automates tasks such as refilling and cleaning the robot’s water tank, emptying the debris bin, and charging and drying mop pads.
It’s a great price. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, including self-emptying bins and mapping that can hold a lot of trash. It was able to clean and maneuver well in a home with a mix of carpeting with low pile as well as floors that were bare and a mix of both. The vacuum does an excellent job of removing pet fur from carpeting. However it’s not as powerful much power as our top selections.
However the Roborock S4 Max is better built, takes much less time to recharge than the Shark and comes with an array of scheduling and automation features, including support for zones that are not allowed to be used. Shark is still a great choice if you want something cheaper or prefer to manage and control your system using your phone instead of using a remote.
5. Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry
This robot can do both vacuuming and mopping. The two tank system is powerful and can vacuum or mops with the touch of one button. In our tests it was able effortlessly switch between surfaces and was a great choice for picking up pet fur from hardwood floors and carpets. It also features an edge-sweeping tool to remove cat hair from baseboards and walls, and the ability to schedule it to your schedule.
This robot is another solid choice if you’re looking for an affordable robot with additional features. It was able to navigate obstacles with ease in our tests and can be controlled by an app or your voice. It also supports scheduled cleaning and has a huge dust bin to catch mess before they get full. It can take up to 166 mins to finish its job however, it is quicker than other robots we have tested.
The main feature of this robot is the front-facing camera that allows you to monitor the cleanliness of your home on a live map in the app. This is particularly useful when you’re trying to locate a specific item or if your children have spilled glitter from their festive decorations all over your floor. You can save yourself a lot frustration by finding the lost item immediately. Furthermore, the fade-free lithium battery can last for up to 130 minutes on one charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 appears classy and delivers a thorough cleaning. It does a great job maneuvering its self and can move under furniture without becoming stuck. It is also suitable for rugs and carpets with a low pile. However, it can get caught on rug tassels and have difficulty getting around corners or tight spaces. It also struggles to pick up pet hair from all surfaces.
The 694 is still better than the majority of its rivals despite the lack of features. It managed to grab an excellent score in our cereal-carpet test, and passed our cat-litter test with only a few stray pieces of litter left behind. It is less efficient on hardwood floors. Its side brush is often scattered with large pieces of cereal that cling to the floor instead of vacuuming them. It also had a tough to collect table salt from a dry floor, with lots of pieces sliding across the floor and out of its reach.
It supports app control through the iRobot HOME app, as well as voice command via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, purchased separately). It is able to learn about your habits of cleaning and creates personalized schedules. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool will ensure that it can get into hard-to-reach places, while Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to spots that are heavily soiled. It comes with a dust bin that automatically emptys, and a battery life of about 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot J7 comes with an advanced suite of features and performs better on all surfaces. It also feels more robust and has a bigger dust bin, charges faster, and navigates obstacles like electrical cords with ease.