The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A good robot vacuum cleaner can make a significant difference in reducing allergens like pet hair and dust. Different models are not the same.
If you're looking for a vacuum with pet-specific features or a robot to enhance your existing vacuum, there are plenty of alternatives.
1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge
The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy's budget line of robotic vacuum cleaners is the most up-to-date model. It's a shiny black affair with rose-gold and blue accents that looks like a smartphone. This model is easier-to-use than previous models and has features such as BoostIQ, which automatically increases suction to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to prevent the repetition of the same areas that are a common problem when using bounce-navigation.
It does an excellent job of picking up pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, but lags in comparison to the best models when it comes to scooping up flour on carpet. In our tests, it failed to pick up 74% of the powder on hard floors and 26% on carpet.
A feature that makes the G30 Edge stand out is the ability to map your home with a digital map within the app. This allows it to remember which spaces it has already cleaned and prevents it from returning to those rooms which is a major issue with other robots that rely on the use of magnetic tape to mark off zones that aren't allowed.
The G30 Edge also has other features. It has a "Find My Robot" mode that plays loud music until it is located and a directional keypad that allows you manually move the robot. It has an automatic return feature that will send the robot back to its charging station when the battery is running low. This is a security feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D shape is an impressively capable robot with a number of intelligent features. It can clean floors well and climb up high-pile carpets easily. 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 line of Neato robots and features a unique "D" shape when viewed from above. This design comes with a variety of advantages, including an improved corner cleaning system and a bigger dust bin than other models. The D-shape also enables the robot to access furniture better than robots with a circular design.
The D-Shape will briefly pause before beginning a cleaning cycle using a spinning infrared camera to look over and evaluate the area. It will then begin cleaning in a grid pattern and move in a systematic manner from one area to the next until the floor is completely covered. This method is more thorough and effective than some competitors using a random approach.
The d-shape design also allows the D-Shape's large dust bin, with 700ml as opposed to 400 to 600ml for comparable robots. That increased capacity means you'll need to empty the dust bin less often, saving you time and effort. The D-Shape features a flat surface on the front that helps it navigate 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 however it was able to break free every time.
3. Roomba i3+ EV
The Roomba EVO i3+ is an excellent option for pet owners. It is a great choice for hard floors, and it does a great job of removing debris like pet hair, cereal, rice and other small particles. It struggles a little bit on carpet, but is better than most robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO is also extremely efficient at moving between floor kinds and doesn't get caught over transitions in the way older models can. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes can adapt to different floorings and prevent getting caught in pet hair.
The i3+ EVO's obstacle avoidance isn't as robust as some of the other robots we tested and it repeatedably ran into objects in our tests like handbags, shoes and pet toys before continuing its journey. It also had issues dealing with salt from kosher, coarse which it blew up and around instead of picking up.
The i3+ EVO is loaded with features that make it worth the extra money over other Roomba models. This includes the ability to self-empty the bin and more advanced control with an app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and create custom routines. You can also designate zones that block the robot from entering certain areas. The smart scheduling system can suggest additional cleanings during high allergy times, in accordance with your routine. The navigational system is unstable however, and it sometimes cleans in irregular lines, such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL
This intelligent robot can to trace your home's layout in detail and more accurately than you. It also has two brushes that can adjust to various floor types and avoid tangling, which makes 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, named Omni, automates the tasks of filling and cleaning the robot's water tank as well as emptying the trash bin as well as charging and drying the mop pads.
It's a fantastic value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers numerous advanced features, including self-emptying bins and mapping that can store a lot of debris. We tested it in a house with a mix of bare carpet and low-pile flooring and found it to maneuver and clean extremely well, including getting into corners. The vacuum also does a good job of removing pet hair on carpeting however it's not equipped with the same amount of power as some of our top picks.
The Roborock S4 Max, however, is more durable, recharges much quicker than the Shark and has a greater variety of automation options and scheduling options, including support for "no-go zones". Shark is still a good option if you're looking to buy something cheaper or prefer to control and monitor your system with your smartphone instead of a remote.
5. Bissell SpinWave Dry & Wet
This robot is capable of mopping and vacuuming. Its two-tank system can effectively vacuum or mop at the touch of a button. In our tests it was able easily switch between surfaces and was excellent at picking up pet fur from carpets and hardwood floors. It also has an edge-sweeping tool that can remove cat hair from baseboards and walls.
This is a good choice if you're looking for an affordable model with some additional features. It maneuvered obstacles well in our tests and is operated via an app or by speaking. It comes with a large trash bin for messes to be collected before they're filled. The only drawback is that it can take up to 166 minutes to complete its work however, it's still faster than most other robots we've evaluated.
The highlight of this robot is its front-facing camera, which lets you monitor the cleanliness of your home on a live map in the app. This is especially useful if you are trying to find a particular item or if your kids have spilled glitter from your decorations all over your floor. It can save you a lot of stress by locating the missing item right away. The lithium batteries that are fade-free can last for as long as 130 minutes on one charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 is a stylish robot that delivers solid cleaning. It is very good in maneuvering and can go under furniture at a low level without stumbling. It's also ideal for low-pile carpet and rugs. It can become stuck on rug tassels and it is unable to navigate small spaces such as corners. It also struggles to pick up pet hair on all surfaces.
The 694 is better than the majority of its competitors despite the limited features. It managed to grab an excellent score on our cereal-carpet test. It also was able to pass our test on cat litter with only a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It's less effective on hardwood floors however. best robot vacuum for pet hair under $500 can scatter large, clinging cereal bits instead of vacuuming them up. It also had a hard time collecting table salt from a dry floor, with a lot of grains falling across the floor and out of its reach.
It supports app control via the iRobot HOME app, as well as voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, which is sold separately). It learns your habits of cleaning and provides you with a personalized schedule. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool will ensure that it can get into areas that are difficult to reach, and Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to spots that are heavily soiled. It has a dustbin that automatically empties and a battery life of about 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot J7 is more sophisticated and performs better on all surfaces. It's also more durable, has a bigger dustbin, can charge faster and can handle obstacles like electrical cords more efficiently.