How to Select the Best Robot Vacuum For Hair

Whether you own dogs or cats, a robotic vacuum can help you manage your furry family's hair and dander easier. When selecting the best robot for your home, take into consideration the amount of hair your pets shed as well as your flooring requirements.

Most pet owners will be happy with a robot that has a big dustbin that doesn't need to be emptied. Look for one that navigates back to its base for Best Robot Vacuum For Hair charging after each cleaning run.

1. Suction Power

Your robot vacuum for pet fur is effective if it can pick even the most awkward of hairs without getting snagged by its roller brush. The top ones also have strong suction that can remove the crumbs and other debris that accumulate on your floors, and not let dust cling to your walls or furniture.

Look for a model that has larger dust bins than the standard robot vacuum. You'll have to empty the bin less often if suffer from allergies or wish to reduce the amount of dust that is in your air.

In our tests, the best robot vacuums for dog hair have a strong suction opening as well as an intelligent sensor system that allows them to move through obstacles and furniture with ease. They also come with an anti-collision function that keeps them from bumping into things like lamp cords and other objects.

The best robots also have a quiet operation, so you won't be disturbed by their soft vibrating. They're typically about 60 to 70 decibels, which is quieter than the typical vacuum. Some hybrid models can vacuum and mop at the same time making it easier to save time and effort.

Certain robots make use of sensors to map their space and remember any obstacles, like stairs. Some robots, like the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot vacuum with Object Recognition can be connected to your smart phone via Wi-Fi and controlled by voice commands. This high-tech model is costly, so if your goal is to clean your floors quickly and efficiently, you may be interested in a lower-cost robot vacuum.

For a more budget-friendly choice, consider the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S MAX. The robot isn't equipped with smart mapping capabilities, however it does offer anti-collision technology and drop-sensors that prevent falling down the stairs, along with a large dustbin and 2000Pa of suction power. It is also quiet and has an easy charge. When it's done, it will return to its dock and empty itself into a large container that can be emptied to dispose of it easily. It will then continue cleaning where it left off.

2. Brushes

When shopping for a robot vacuum for pet hair, take into account the flooring types in your home and how much your pets shed. If you have a cat that sheds frequently, for example you might want a dual-function robot vacuum and mop that can clean up litter and wash your floors. For dogs, choose a vacuum with specialized brushes that remove hair from their feet.

The type of brushes used on a robot vacuum can also influence how well it performs on long hair. We suggest that you select a model with tangle-free roller brushes. This will decrease the chances of hair becoming tangled around the rollers and funneled to the bin. The IRobot Roomba J7+ Combo our top pick has dual rubber brushes that are less likely to get caught in tangles than bristle versions. Another option that is good for pets with hair that is long is the Shark IQ robot, which has self-cleaning brush rolls that don't require any maintenance.

Many of the robot vacuums we've tested come with an adjustable combination brush for sweeping surfaces and suction ports for picking up debris. These brushes can become tangled up with long hair and other objects particularly if there's a lot of it in the home. The Neato D8 Intelligent robot vacuum mop pet hair vacuum has a special tool to keep the spiral combination brush clean and functioning efficiently.

Remember that robotic vacuums need to be cleaned just like traditional vacuums. It is recommended to empty the dust bin often and clean the filters and other components of the machine when needed. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the brushes on a weekly basis or more frequently if you have pets with long hair.

It is recommended to clean the side brushes and filters on your robot at least once a year, and more frequently when there are pets in the home. Keep a can or compressed air in case you need to blow out any clogged areas.

3. Battery Life

The most effective hair robot vacuums typically run for between 60 and 70 minutes before it needs recharge. This allows it to vacuum a whole room without needing to stop and recharge itself each time. If you live in a large area, choose models with longer battery life to keep it going for as long as possible. Many models can also connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and other digital voice assistants to provide an unbeatable hands-free experience.

A lot of the top robots for hair of pets include self-emptying bins which can be programmed on a schedule. This makes them an ideal choice for busy families. They might also come with special features like no-go zones advanced mapping, or twin-turbine suction to handle long strands of hair. If you opt for a self-emptying robot vacuum, ensure that the base is in an open area where it won't block any entryways or doors. It may take a few seconds for the device to empty its contents into its storage compartment, and it will then ding when it's full and ready for recharge.

When you are shopping for a robot vacuum to deal with hair that is long look for a model that has at least 2,000 pascals of power. This is enough to take a considerable amount of hair and dander from carpeting, hard floors and other surfaces without getting caught in the brushes or getting stuck. We recommend iRobot's J7+ model for hair with long hair because it comes with a brush roll designed to prevent tangles and provides 10 times more power than the standard Roomba 600 series for excellent removal of carpets with low pile and hardwood flooring.

ILIFE V3S Pro is another option for those with long hair. It's the only model on our list to make use of side brushes instead of a rotating brush roller to ensure it doesn't get tangled up in long hair. It's also easy to use using its app and remote. It can be programmed to schedule automatically cleaning sessions and return to its charging dock when batteries are empty, charging and continuing where it began.

4. App Control

There are many options available to people who want to control their robot vacuum cleaner to remove pet hair using an app or digital assistant. Certain robots, such as the Eufy RoboVac G30, can be controlled by your smartphone with an app. It can even provide maintenance guidelines and reminders. Others, such as the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ can also communicate with you through notifications and send photos of obstacles it encounters during its cleaning process.

The more bells, whistles and features a robot vacuum comes with the more the price. Before you purchase you should determine which features are most important to your home and budget. Some of the most popular features include mapping, self-emptying containers, and scheduling.

The mapping capabilities of the robot help it understand your home layout and detect obstacles, which can make for a smoother cleaning experience. Certain robots, like the Neato BotVac D8 can create maps that you can view on your smartphone. You can also set up zones that are not allowed to be used for furniture legs and expensive rug. Certain models let you schedule cleaning times, which can be beneficial for those with smaller homes or who aren't at in the house when the robot is running.

A robot that self-empty is another thing to consider. After each run the bag or bin needs to be cleaned. Certain brands offer self-emptying models which will automatically stop after each run and empty the contents into a sealed container. This can reduce the amount of mess that you will have to deal with, which is especially helpful for those who have difficulty dealing with dirt and hair clumps.

You'll need to cut off any long hairs that are tangled or clean the filters, brushes and the main brush of a robot. Read the manual to learn how you can maintain your robotic cleaner. Since the machine will need to be plugged into an outlet on the wall to recharge, choose one that has a docking station. This will enable it to automatically return to its base when its battery is depleted.