The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A high-quality robot vacuum can make a huge difference in keeping allergens like pet hair and dust under control. Not all models are identical.
There are a myriad of options available, whether you want a pet-friendly vacuum or a robot to complement your other vacuum.
1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30
The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy’s budget-friendly series of robotic vacuum cleaners, is the most up-to-date model. The G30 Edge is a glossy black vacuum cleaner with blue and rose gold accents. It's like an iPhone. The model is simpler to use than previous models and has features such as BoostIQ that automatically boosts suction power to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to avoid the repetition of the same area that are an issue that is common with bounce-navigation.
It does an excellent job of removing pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, but it is behind the top models when it comes to cleaning up dust on carpet. In our tests the G30 Edge missed 74% of the flour on hard floors and 26% on carpet This isn't great, but it's not a complete disaster.
One of the features that makes the G30 Edge stand out is its ability to map your home with a digital map within the app. This allows it to remember the rooms it's cleaned and avoid going back to these rooms. This is a major frustration for robots that are more basic and need the traditional magnetic taps to mark no-go zones.
The G30 Edge also has other features. It comes with an "Find My Robot" mode that blasts out loud music until it is located, and a directional keypad that allows you manually move the robot. It has an automatic return feature that sends the robot back to its charging station if the battery is low. This is a security feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D-Shape an impressively capable robot with a plethora of smart features. It can clean floors with ease and climb up carpets with high piles effortlessly. The app offers advanced features such as boundary lines and remote access to the robot when it is operating and a variety of other options.
This model is the most recent in a long series of robots from Neato and is distinguished by its unique "D" shape when seen from above. This design offers several advantages, such as improved corner cleaning and a larger container of dust than most other models. The D-shape design allows the robot to get under furniture more easily than models that have a circular design.
The D-Shape will briefly pause before starting a cleaning cycle to use spinning infrared to scan and assess the area. Then it will begin to work in a grid and gradually moving from one area to the next until the entire floor is covered. This method is more thorough and effective than some competitors using a random approach.
The d-shape design also permits the D-Shape to have a large dust bin, with 700ml, compared to 400- 600ml for similarly priced robots. This extra capacity will save you time and effort by decreasing the frequency of emptying the bin. The D-Shape also features a flat front that helps it navigate around obstacles such as chairs and tables. In our tests, the D-Shape did get stuck under a stool with four legs and an electrical cord that was exposed however it was able to free itself every time.
3. Roomba i3+ EVO
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a fantastic choice for pet owners. It's great on hard floors, and does an excellent job of cleaning up debris like pet hair, cereal, rice and other small particles. It struggles on carpet, but is still better than other robots at this price point. The Roomba EVO is also very adept at navigating between various floor types. It isn't stuck on transitions as older models. The dual multi-surface brushes flex and adapt to various flooring types. They also resist tangling pet hair.
The i3+ EVO has a weaker obstacle avoidance than some of the other robots we evaluated. It frequently hit objects such as handbags, pet toys and even shoes before continuing its course. It also had issues with coarse sea salt that it did a whirlwind of instead of taking it up.
The i3+ EVO is loaded with features that make it well worth the price over other Roomba models. It has a self-emptying bin and advanced control via an app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and set up custom routines. You can also create no-go zones to prevent the robot from entering certain areas. Its smart scheduling can even suggest additional cleaning during high allergy times depending on your routine. Its navigation system isn't reliable and often vacuums in irregular patterns like diagonals or zigzags instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL
This intelligent robot is able to visualize your home's interior and more accurately than you. It also has two brushes that adjust to different kinds of flooring and avoids getting caught, making it the perfect option for households with pets. The app allows you to control the robot, or use it with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The dock, called Omni automates tasks like refilling and cleaning the robot's water tanks, emptying debris bins, charging and drier the mop pads.
It's a great price. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL is cheaper than a lot of other robots on our list and yet comes with advanced features, such as mapping and an automatic self-emptying trash bin that can hold a lot of dust. We tested it in a home with a mix of bare flooring and carpeting with low pile and found it to move and clean exceptionally well, even getting into corners. The vacuum does a great job of removing pet fur on carpeting. However, it doesn't have as much power as our top choices.
The Roborock S4 Max, however is more durable, recharges much quicker than the Shark and comes with a wider range of automation capabilities and scheduling options as well as support for "no-go zones". best robot vacuum for dog hair 'd still recommend the Shark when you're looking to buy something cheaper, or in the event that you prefer using your mobile phone for control and monitoring rather than a dedicated remote.
5. Bissell SpinWave Dry & Wet
This robot does mopping and vacuuming. Its two-tank system can effectively vacuum or mop at the touch of one button. In our tests it was able to effortlessly switch between surfaces and was great at picking up pet fur from carpets and hardwood floors. It also comes with an edge-sweeping tool that can remove cat hair from walls and baseboards.
This is a good choice if you're looking for an affordable robot with additional features. It was able to navigate obstacles with ease in our tests, and it can be operated via an app or your voice. It also supports scheduled cleaning and has a large trash bin to collect mess before they get full. It can take it up to 166 minutes to complete its work however this is quicker than other robots we have test.
The main feature of this robot is its front-facing camera, which lets you check the cleanliness of your home on an interactive map within the app. This is especially helpful when you're trying to find a particular item, or if your kids have spilled glitter from their festive decorations all over your floor. It can save you a lot of stress by locating that lost item right away. Furthermore, the fade-free lithium battery can run for up to 130 minutes on one charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 appears classy and delivers a thorough cleaning. It's extremely adept in maneuvering and can go under furniture at a low level without stumbling. It's also a good choice for rugs and low-pile carpet. However, it can get caught on rug tassels and has trouble getting around corners or tight spaces. It also has difficulty getting pet hair off all surfaces.
Despite the 694's lack of features, it still performs better than the majority of its competitors. It got a perfect score of 10 in our cereal carpet test, and did well in our test of cat litter with just a few scattered pieces. It's less effective on hardwood flooring. The side brush scatters large cereal bits that cling to the floor instead of sweeping. It also had a hard time collecting table salt on bare flooring, as many grains were slid across the floor.
It can be controlled via the iRobot HOME app, as well as voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, purchased separately). It identifies your cleaning habits and provides you with a personalized schedule. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool ensure that it gets into areas that are difficult to reach, and Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to heavily soiled spots. Its battery lasts about 60 minutes and comes with a self-emptying dustbin. The pricier iRobot J7 comes with a more sophisticated set of features and performs better on all surfaces. It also feels better constructed and has a bigger dustbin it charges faster and navigates obstacles like electrical cords more easily.