The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A quality robot vacuum cleaner can make a significant difference in reducing allergens, such as pet hair and dust. Not all models are the same.

There are a myriad of options available, whether you want a vacuum that is pet-specific or a best robot vacuum for pet hair and mop to work with your other cleaner.

1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge

The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy’s budget line of robotic vacuum cleaners, is the most current model. It's a sleek black design with blue and rose-gold accents that resemble the design of a smartphone. It's more user-friendly than the previous models and comes with features such as BoostIQ which automatically boosts suction to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. It also uses intelligent navigation to avoid repeating the same areas over and Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors over, which is a common issue with bounce-navigation systems that are simpler.

It does a very good job of removing pet hair and Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors crumbs off hard floors, but it falls behind the top models when it comes to scooping up flour on carpet. In our tests, the G30 Edge missed 74% of the dust on hard floors and 26% on carpet, which is disappointing.

The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map out your home using digital maps. This lets it remember which rooms it has already cleaned and avoid going back to these rooms. This is a major problem for the more basic robots that require the use traditional magnetic taps to mark no-go zones.

The G30 Edge has other conveniences, including a 'Find My Robot' mode that blasts out an audible tune until it's found and a directional pad that allows users to 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 safety feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D shape robot is a powerful machine with a wide array of intelligent features. It can clean floors well and climb up carpets with high piles with ease. The app also offers advanced features like boundary lines, remote control access while the robot is operating and a variety of other options.

This model is the latest in a long-running line of robots manufactured by Neato. It is unique because it has a "D shape when seen from above. The design offers a number of advantages, such as improved corner cleaning and a bigger bin of dust than other models. The D-shape allows the robot to get under furniture more easily than models that have a circular design.

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

The d-shape design also allows the D-Shape to have a larger dust bin, at 700ml compared to 400 to 600ml for similarly priced robots. The increased capacity means you will have to empty the dust bin less often, thereby saving you time and effort. The D-Shape also has flat front side that can help it get around obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, the D-Shape did get stuck under a four-legged stool as well as an exposed electrical cord, though it was able to get out each time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba EVO i3+ is a fantastic option for pet owners. It's great on hard floors, and does a good job of cleaning up debris like pet hair rice, cereal and other small particles. It isn't as good on carpets however it's still better than other robots in this price. The Roomba EVO is also very efficient in moving between flooring types. It doesn't get stuck in transitions like the older models. Dual multi-surface brushes can flex and adjust to different flooring types. They also resist tangling pet hair.

The i3+ EVO's obstacle-avoiding capability isn't as strong as the other robots we tested and it repeatedably encountered objects during our tests like handbags, shoes and pet toys prior to continuing its course. It also had trouble dealing with coarse sea salt that it did a whirlwind of instead of taking it up.

The i3+ EVO includes a number of features that make it worth the extra cost over other Roomba models, including the ability to empty the dustbin automatically and advanced control via the app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and create custom routines. You can also set up zones that block the robot from entering certain areas. Its smart scheduling can even suggest additional cleanings during peak allergy times depending on your routine. Its navigation system is unreliable and sometimes vacuums in erratic patterns like diagonals or zigzags rather than parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL

This intelligent robot is able to trace your home's layout in detail and more accurately than you. It also comes with dual brushes that adjust to different flooring types and prevent tangling, which makes it the ideal choice for homes with pets. You can control the robot vacuum for pet hair using the app, or activate it hands-free using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, which is dubbed Omni, automates tasks like filling and cleaning the robot's water tank as well as emptying the trash bin and charging and drying mop pads.

It's a great value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL is cheaper than many of the robots we've reviewed and yet comes with advanced features such as mapping and an automatic self-emptying trash bin that holds a good amount of dust. We tested it in a house with a mix between bare flooring and carpeting with low pile and found it to move and clean very well, even navigating 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 quicker than the Shark and offers a broader selection of automation features and scheduling options, including support for "no-go zones". Shark is still a great option if you're looking to buy something cheaper or prefer to manage and control your system via your phone instead of a remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry & Wet

This robot does both vacuuming and mopping. Its two-tank system can effectively vacuum or mop with the push of one button. In our tests it was able easily switch between different surfaces and was great at getting pet fur off carpets and hardwood floors. It also has an edge-sweeping tool to remove cat hair from baseboards and walls.

This robot is a great choice if you're looking for an affordable robot with extra features. It was able to navigate obstacles with ease in our tests and is controlled by an app or your voice. It also supports scheduled cleaning and has a large trash bin to catch messes before they become full. It can take up to 166 mins to complete its task, but this is still more efficient than other robots we have test.

The most impressive feature of this robot is its front-facing camera that allows you to monitor your home's cleanliness on a live map in the app. This is particularly useful if you are trying to locate a particular object, or if your kids have spilled glitter from your holiday decor all over your floor. It can save you a lot of frustration by finding that lost item immediately. The lithium batteries that are fade-free can last for as long as 130 minutes on a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 looks classy and delivers a thorough cleaning. It does a great job moving its self and can move under furniture without getting stuck. It's also a good option for carpets with low pile. It is prone to getting stuck on rug tassels and it's difficult to maneuver small spaces such as corners. It also has trouble picking up pet hair from all surfaces.

The 694 is still superior than its rivals despite the lack of features. It was able to score an excellent score in our cereal-carpet test, and completed our cat litter test with only a few stray pieces of litter left behind. It is less effective on hardwood flooring. The side brush scatters large cereal pieces that stick to the floor instead of being vacuumed. It also had a difficult time collecting table salt from a bare floor, with a lot of grains sliding across the floor, and out of its reach.

It can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through an external device (sold separately). It learns your cleaning habits and gives you a customized schedule. Cliff Detect and an edge-sweeping brush ensure it gets into hard-to-reach corners, while Dirt Detect sensors alert it to heavily soiled areas. Its battery lasts about 60 minutes, and it comes with an automatic emptying of the dust bin. The pricier iRobot J7 is more sophisticated and is better on all surfaces. It's also more durable, has a larger dustbin, is faster to charge, and can navigate obstacles like electrical cords more efficiently.