The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A high-quality robot vacuum can make a big difference in controlling allergens such as dust and pet hair. Different models are not identical.

There are a myriad of options available depending on whether you are looking for an animal-friendly vacuum or a robot to work with your other cleaner.

1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge

The G30 Edge, the latest model from Eufy's budget series of robotic vacuum cleaners is the most up-to-date model. The G30 Edge is a shiny black vacuum cleaner with pink and blue accents. It's akin to a smartphone. The model is simpler to use than previous models and offers features such as BoostIQ which automatically increases suction power for cleaner cleaning on all surfaces. It also makes use of intelligent navigation to prevent repeating the same spots repeatedly, a common problem with simpler bounce-navigation systems.

It does a great job of removing pet hair and crumbs from hard floors, but it is behind the top models in cleaning up dust on carpet. In our tests, it failed to pick up 74% of the powder on hard floors and 26% on carpet.

The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map your home using a digital map. This allows it to remember which spaces it has already cleaned and prevents it from returning to those areas which is a major issue with more basic robots that rely on the use of magnetic tape to mark off areas that are not allowed to enter.

The G30 Edge also has other features. It has a "Find My Robot" mode that emits loud music until it is located and a directional keyboard that lets you move the robot. It has an automatic return feature that sends the robot back to its charging station if the battery is at a low level. This is a security feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D shape robot is a robust machine that comes with a variety of intelligent features. It can clean floors with ease and climb up carpets with high piles effortlessly. The app comes with advanced features, such as boundary lines remote access to the best robot vacuum and mop for dog hair when it is operating and a variety of other options.

This model is the latest in a long line of robots from Neato and has a distinctive "D" shape when viewed from above. This design comes with a variety of advantages that include an improved corner cleaning system and a bigger dust bin than most other models. The D-shape lets the robot to reach under furniture better than those that have a circular design.

The D-Shape will briefly stop before starting a cleaning cycle to make use of spinning infrared light to scan and assess the area. Then, it will begin to clean in a grid by moving in a logical manner from one area to another until the floor is completely covered. This method is more thorough and efficient than some competitors' random approach.

The d-shape design also allows the D-Shape to have a larger dust bin that is 700ml compared to 400 to 600ml for similarly priced robots. This increased capacity means that you will have to empty the dust bin less often, thereby saving your time and effort. The D-Shape has a flat side on the front, which helps to maneuver around obstacles such as tables and chairs. In our tests, we discovered that the D-Shape sat under a stool with four legs and also under an electrical cord that was not covered. However it was able to to free itself each time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba i3+ EVO is a fantastic choice for pet owners. It does well on hard flooring and does an excellent job of clearing up debris like rice, cereal and pet hair. It struggles on carpet, but is still better than other robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO is also very efficient at transferring between floor types and doesn't get caught up on transitions the way older models can. The dual multi-surface brushes flex and adjust to different flooring types. They also have a tendency to not tangle pet hair.

The i3+ EVO has weaker obstacle-avoiding capability than the other robots that we test. It repeatedly hit objects such as pet toys, handbags, and shoes before retracing its course. It also had difficulty with coarse kosher sea salt that it blew around instead of picking up.

The i3+ EVO comes with a host of features that make it well worth the extra money over other Roomba models. These include a self-emptying bin and advanced control through an app. You can schedule cleanings, set specific routines and set no-go zones for areas you don't want the best robot vacuum mop pet hair to enter. Its intelligent scheduling can suggest additional cleaning during high allergy times and based on your regular routine. The system for navigation is not 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 is able to visualize your home's interior and better than you. It has dual brushes which adjust to different kinds of floors and are able to avoid getting caught in a tangle. This makes it the perfect choice for homes that have pets. The app can be used to control the robot or use it with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. And the dock, dubbed Omni, automates tasks like refilling and cleaning the robot's water tank, emptying the debris bin and charging and drying the mop pads.

It's a great value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL is cheaper than many of the robots we've reviewed, yet it offers advanced features, such as mapping and an automatic self-emptying dustbin which holds a decent amount of debris. It cleaned and maneuvered exceptionally well in a house that had a mixture of low-pile carpeting as well as floors that were bare and a mix of both. The vacuum does a good job of removing pet fur on carpeting. However it's not as much power as our top selections.

The Roborock S4 Max, however is more durable, recharges quicker than the Shark and comes with a wider range of automation options and scheduling options as well as support for "no-go zones". We'd still recommend the Shark when you're looking to buy something less expensive, or should you prefer to use your mobile phone to control and monitor rather than an actual remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet

It's difficult to find a machine that combines mopping and vacuuming This one does exactly that. The dual tank system of this robot allows it to mop or vacuum with the push of one button. In our tests it was able easily switch between different surfaces and was great at picking up pet fur from hardwood floors and carpets. It also comes with an edge-sweeping brush that can remove pet hair from baseboards and walls, and scheduling capabilities to fit your schedule.

This is a great choice if you are looking for a robot that is affordable and comes with additional features. It was able to navigate obstacles well during our testing and can be controlled with an app or voice. It comes with a large trash bin to collect messes before they're full. It could take up to 166 minutes to finish its job however this is more efficient than other robots we have tested.

The highlight of this robot is its front-facing camera that allows you to monitor your home's cleanliness on live maps in the app. It's particularly helpful if you're trying to locate a specific item or if your children spill glitter from the decorations on your floors. It will save you a lot frustration by locating the missing item quickly. Additionally the battery that is fade-free can run for up to 130 minutes on a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an elegant robot that provides good cleaning. It is very good in maneuvering and can go under furniture at a low level without getting stuck. It's also a great choice for carpets with low pile. It can get stuck on rug tassels, and it is unable to navigate small spaces such as corners. It also has difficulty getting pet hair off all surfaces.

Despite the 694's limited feature set however, it still performs well than the majority of competitors. It was able to score a perfect score on our cereal-carpet test. It also completed our cat litter test with just a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It's less efficient on hardwood floors. Its side brush is often scattered with large, clinging cereal bits instead of vacuuming them. It also had a hard time collecting table salt on a bare flooring, as many grains slid across the floor.

It allows voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant using an external device (sold separately). It is able to learn about your cleaning habits and creates custom schedules. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool ensure that it gets into difficult-to-reach areas, while Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to areas that are soiled heavily. It has a dustbin that automatically emptys and a battery life of about 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot J7 is more sophisticated and performs better on all surfaces. It is also more robust, has a larger dustbin, charges quicker, and can navigate obstacles like electrical cords better.