The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A good robot vacuum can make a significant difference in keeping allergens such as dust and pet hair under control. Different models are not the same.
There are a variety of options to choose from, whether you want a pet-friendly vacuum or a robot to complement your other cleaner.
1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge
The G30 Edge is the newest model in Eufy’s budget line of robot vacuum cleaners. The G30 Edge is a glossy black vacuum cleaner, with pink and blue accents. It’s akin to it’s a smartphone. This model is easier to use than previous models and comes with features like BoostIQ which automatically increases suction power to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. It also employs smart navigation to avoid repeating the same areas repeatedly, which is a common problem with bounce-navigation systems that are simpler.
It does a good job picking up pet hair, crumbs, and dust from hard floors, but falls behind the best models in terms of getting rid of dust from carpet. In our tests, it failed to pick up 74% of the powder on hard floors and 26% of the powder on carpet.
A feature that makes the G30 Edge stand out is the ability to map your home using an electronic map that is available in the app. This allows it to remember the rooms it has cleaned, and to avoid returning to the same rooms. This is a major frustration for robots that are more basic and require the traditional magnetic taps to mark areas that are not allowed to be in.
The G30 Edge also has other features. It has a “Find My Robot” mode that emits loud music until it is found and a directional keyboard 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 low. This is a security feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D-Shape robot is a powerful machine with a long list of intelligent features. It can clean floors well and climb up high-pile carpets easily. The app also has advanced features like boundary lines, remote control access while the robot is working and a myriad of other options.
This model is the newest in a long line of robots from Neato and is distinguished by its unique “D” shape when viewed from above. This design has several benefits that include an improved corner cleaning system and a larger dust bin than other models. The D-shape allows the robot to reach under furniture better than robots that have a circular design.
When it is first time to begin a cleaning process when cleaning, the D-Shape will pause briefly to make use of infrared lasers that spin to look over and evaluate the area. It will then begin cleaning by grid pattern by moving in a logical manner from one area to the next until the floor is completely covered. This method is more thorough and efficient than some competitors using a random approach.
The D-Shape’s design allows it to have a large 700ml dust container compared to 400-600ml for robots with similar prices. This increased capacity will help you save time and effort by making it easier to empty the bin. The D-Shape also has flat front side that can help it get over obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, the D-Shape did get stuck under a four-legged stool as well as an electrical cord that was exposed but it was able to free itself every time.
3. Roomba i3+ EV
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a fantastic option for pet owners. It’s great on hard floors, and does a great job of removing dirt such as pet hair, cereal, rice and other small particles. It has some issues on carpets, but it’s better than the majority of robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO also does very well at transferring between floor kinds and doesn’t get caught over transitions in the way older models do. Dual multi-surface brushes can flex and adapt to different flooring types. They also have a tendency to not tangle pet hair.
The i3+ EVO has less obstacle-avoiding capability than the other robots we tested. It frequently ran into objects like handbags, pet toys and shoes before continuing its course. It also had issues dealing with salt from kosher, coarse that it blew over and around instead of picking up.
The i3+ EVO comes with a host of features that make it worth the price over other Roomba models. This includes the ability to self-empty the bin and more advanced control through an app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and set up custom routines. You can also set up no-go zones to prevent the robot from entering certain areas. The smart scheduling system will suggest additional cleaning during allergy seasons, and based on the routine you follow. Its navigational system is somewhat unstable, however, and it sometimes vacuums in irregular lines such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL
With a detailed mapping technology, this smart robot knows your home better than you can. It also comes with dual brushes that adjust to different floor types and avoid tangling, which makes it the ideal choice for homes with pets. You can control the robot via the app, or use it hands-free by using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, called Omni automates tasks like refilling and cleaning robot’s water tanks, emptying debris bins, charging and drier the mop pads.
It’s a great price. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, such as mapping and a self-emptying bin which can hold a large amount of garbage. It was extremely clean and maneuvered well in a house which had a mix of low-pile carpeting, bare floors, and a combination of both. The vacuum also does a good job of removing pet hair that gets stuck to carpets however it’s not equipped with the same power as some of our top picks.
The Roborock S4 Max, however it is more durable and recharges much faster than the Shark and comes with a wider range of automation capabilities and scheduling options, including support for “no-go zones”. We’d still recommend the Shark If you’re looking for something cheaper, or should you prefer to use your mobile phone to control and monitor rather than a remote that is specifically designed for it.
5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and wet
This robot can do both vacuuming and mopping. The two-tank system of this robot lets it mop or vacuum at the push of a button. It was able to easily switch between surfaces in our tests, and was able to excel at picking up pet hair from carpets and hardwood floors. It also has an edge-sweeping tool to remove hair from baseboards and walls.
This robot is a great option if you’re seeking a model that is inexpensive and has a few extra features. It maneuvered obstacles well during our tests and can be controlled by an app or your voice. It even has scheduled cleaning and has a large dustbin to capture messes before they become full. It could take up to 166 mins to finish its job however, it is faster than other robots that we have test.
The most impressive feature of this robot is its front-facing camera, which lets you monitor the cleanliness of your home on live maps in the app. This is especially helpful in the event that you need to find a particular item, or if your kids have spilled glitter from their holiday decor all over your floor. It could save you a lot of frustration by locating the missing item right away. Furthermore, the fade-free lithium battery can last for up to 130 minutes on a single charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 is an elegant robot that provides solid cleaning. It is extremely adept at maneuvering its self and can move under furniture without getting stuck. It’s also great for carpets and rugs with low pile. It can become stuck on rug tassels and it has difficulty navigating tiny spaces like corners. It also has difficulty picking up pet hair from all surfaces.
The 694 is better than the majority of its competitors despite the limited features. It managed to grab the best robot vacuum for pet hair perfect score in our cereal-carpet test and completed our cat litter test with just a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It’s less effective on hardwood floors however. Its side brush scatters huge cereal bits that cling to the floor instead of sweeping. It also had trouble collecting table salt on a bare flooring, as many grains slid across the floor.
It supports app control through the iRobot HOME app, as well as voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, sold separately). It learns your cleaning habits and provides you with a personalized schedule. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool ensure that it is able to get into areas that are difficult to reach, and Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to spots that are heavily soiled. It comes with a dust bin that automatically emptys and the battery lasts for around 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot J7 comes with an advanced set of features and is better on all surfaces. It is also more robust, has a larger dustbin, is faster to charge, and can navigate obstacles such as electrical cords better.
