The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A high-quality robot vacuum can make a significant difference in reducing allergens like pet hair and dust. Different models are not identical.

Whether you're looking for a vacuum with pet-specific features or simply a good robot to supplement your other vacuum, there's many choices.

1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30

The G30 Edge is the newest model in Eufy's line of budget robot vacuum cleaners. It's a glossy black model with rose-gold and blue accents that resemble the design of a smartphone. This model is easier-to-use than previous models and includes features like BoostIQ, which automatically increases suction to improve the cleaning of all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to avoid the repetition of the same area, which is a common problem when using bounce-navigation.

It does a very good job of removing pet hair and crumbs from hard floors, but lags behind the best auto vacuum for pet hair models when it comes to scooping up flour on carpet. In our tests, it missed 74% of the powder on hard floors and 26% of the powder on carpet.

One of the features that makes the G30 Edge stand out is its ability to map your home using an electronic map that is available in the app. This lets it remember which rooms it has already cleaned, and avoid returning to the same rooms. This is a major frustration for more basic robots who require the traditional magnetic taps to mark no go zones.

The G30 Edge has other conveniences, including a "Find My Robot" mode that blasts out a loud music until it's located and a directional pad that allows users to move the robot. It also 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 a remarkably capable robot with a number of smart features. It cleans floors that are bare well, and it can climb on carpets with high piles fairly easily. The app has advanced features, such as boundary lines, remote access to the robot as it is operating, and many other options.

This model is the most recent in a long line of robots from Neato and features a unique "D" shape when viewed from above. This design offers several advantages, including better corner cleaning and a larger bin of dust than most other models. The D-shape design allows the robot to get under furniture better than those that have a circular design.

When the first cleaning process when it is first started, the D-Shape will pause briefly to make use of spinning infrared lasers to scan and assess the area. Then, it will begin cleaning in a 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 effective than some competitors who employ a random approach.

The design of the D-Shape allows it to have a huge 700ml dust bin, as opposed to 400-600ml for robots with similar prices. This increased capacity means that you'll have to empty the bin less often, saving your time and effort. The D-Shape also has flat front side that helps it to navigate around obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, we found that the D-Shape got stuck under a stool with four legs, and also underneath an exposed electrical cord. However, it was able free itself every time.

3. Roomba I3+ EV

The Roomba EVO i3+ is a fantastic option for pet owners. It works well on hard floors, and does a good job of removing debris like pet hair, cereal, rice and other small particles. It is a bit shaky on carpet, but is superior to other robots in this price range. The Roomba EVO is also very good at moving between different floor types. It doesn't stall on transitions as older models. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes can adapt to different flooring types and resist tangling in pet hair.

The i3+ EVO's obstacle-avoiding capability isn't as robust as some of the other robots we tested, and it repeatedably encountered objects during our tests like handbags, shoes, and pet toys before continuing its course. It also had difficulty dealing with salt from kosher, coarse, which it blew over and around instead of picking up.

The i3+ EVO is packed with features that make it worth the extra money 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 designate zones that prohibit the robot from entering certain areas. Its intelligent scheduling can suggest additional cleanings during peak allergy times and based on your regular routine. Its navigation system is unreliable, however, and it sometimes vacuums in erratic lines like diagonals or zigzags, rather than parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL

This intelligent robot can to map your home in detail, better than you. It also has dual brushes that can be adjusted to different kinds of flooring and avoids tangling, which makes it the ideal choice for homes with pets. You can control the robot through the app, or turn on it hands-free using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, which is dubbed Omni, automates the tasks of refilling and cleaning the robot's water tank, emptying the debris bin as well as charging and drying the mop pads.

It's a great price. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, such as self-emptying bins and mapping that can store a lot of trash. It was extremely clean and maneuvered well in a home with a mix of carpeting with low pile or floors that were unfinished and a mixture of both. The vacuum also does a good job of picking up pet hair on carpeting, though it doesn't have the same level of power as some of our top choices.

However the Roborock S4 Max is better built, takes much less time to recharge than the Shark and comes with an array of automation and scheduling features as well as support for no-go zones. Shark is still a good choice if you want something cheaper or prefer to control and monitor your system with your smartphone instead of using a remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet

It's not easy to find a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming This one does just that. Its two-tank system powerfully vacuums or mop at the touch of a button. It easily transitioned between different surfaces during our tests and was successful in getting pet hair off of carpets and hardwood floors. It also includes an edge-sweeping tool to 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 was able to maneuver around obstacles in our testing and can be controlled by an app or voice. It even has scheduled cleaning and has a large trash bin to collect messes before they become full. It can take it up to 166 mins to complete its task however, it is quicker than other robots we have evaluated.

The main feature of this robot is its front-facing camera, which lets you monitor your home's cleanliness using an interactive map within the app. This is particularly useful in the event that you need to locate a particular object, or if your kids have spilled glitter from your festive decorations all over your floor. It can save you a lot of stress by locating the missing item right away. The lithium batteries that do not fade can last up to 130 minutes on one charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is a stylish robot that provides excellent cleaning. It is very good in maneuvering and can go under low-level furniture without stumbling. It is also suitable for low-pile carpet and rugs. However, it can be caught in rug tassels and has trouble navigating tight spaces like corners. It also has trouble collecting pet hair from all surfaces.

The 694 is still superior than most of its rivals despite the lack of features. It managed to grab a 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 flooring. The side brush scatters large cereal bits that cling to the floor instead of being vacuumed. It also had a tough to collect table salt from a dry floor, with a lot of grains sliding across the floor, and out of its reach.

It supports app control via the iRobot HOME app, as well as voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, sold separately). It learns about your habits of cleaning and creates custom schedules. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool will ensure that it can get into hard-to-reach places, while Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to spots that are heavily soiled. The battery lasts for about 60 minutes and it has a self-emptying dustbin. The pricier iRobot J7 comes with an advanced suite of features and is better on all surfaces. It is also more robust, has a larger dustbin, is faster to charge and can handle obstacles such as electrical cords better.