The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A good robot vacuum can make a huge difference in keeping allergens like dust and pet hair under control. But not all models are created equal.

There are many options available for you to choose from, whether you need 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 robot vacuum cleaners. The G30 Edge is a glossy black vacuum cleaner that has rose gold and blue accents. It looks like a smartphone. This model is easier-to-use than previous models and includes features such as BoostIQ which automatically increases suction to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. Smart navigation can be used to avoid the repetition of the same area that are common when using bounce-navigation.

It does a great job getting rid of pet hair, crumbs and dust from hard floors, but it is not as efficient as the top models when it comes to cleaning up carpets of flour. In our tests, it failed to pick up 74% of the dust on hard floors, and 26% on carpet.

The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map out your home with a digital map. This allows it to keep track of which rooms it has already cleaned, The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair and to avoid returning to these rooms. This is a major frustration for more basic robots who require the use traditional magnetic taps to mark no go zones.

The G30 Edge has other conveniences such as a 'Find My Robot' mode that blasts out an audible tune until it's found and an directional pad that allows you to manually move the robot. It also has a built-in auto return function that can send it back to its charging base when the battery is empty which is a crucial security feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D-Shape a remarkably capable robot with an impressive list of intelligent features. It can clean bare floors efficiently and climb up carpets with high piles effortlessly. The app has advanced features, such as boundary lines remote access to the robot while it is in operation and a host of other options.

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

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

The d-shape design also permits the D-Shape's large dust bin, at 700ml, compared to 400- 600ml for similarly priced robots. This increased capacity means that you'll have to empty the dust bin less often, thereby saving your time and effort. The D-Shape also features a flat front side that can help it to navigate over obstacles like tables and chairs. In our tests, we discovered that the D-Shape got stuck under a four legged stool, and also underneath an electrical cord that was exposed. However it was able to free itself every time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba EVO i3+ is a great option for pet owners. It works well on hard floors, and it does a great job of cleaning up debris like pet hair, rice, cereal and other small particles. It struggles a little bit on carpet, but is better than the majority of robots in this price range. The Roomba EVO is also very good at moving between different kinds of flooring. It isn't stuck in transitions like the older models. The dual multi-surface brushes are flexible and adapt to various flooring types. They also aren't able to tangle pet hair.

The i3+ EVO has a weaker obstacle avoidance capability than the other robots we evaluated. It frequently ran into objects like pet toys, handbags, and shoes before retracing its route. It also had difficulty dealing with salt from kosher, coarse which it blew up and around rather than picking up.

The i3+ EVO is loaded with features that make it well worth the cost over other Roomba models. It has an automatic emptying bin as well as advanced control via an app. It is possible to schedule cleanings, set custom routines, and even create no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot access. The smart scheduling system can suggest additional cleaning during high allergy times and based on your regular routine. Its navigation system is not reliable however, and it sometimes cleans 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 intelligent robot can see your home more than you do. It also has dual brushes that can adjust to various floor types and avoid tangling, making it the perfect option for homes with pets. You can use the app to control the robot or activate it using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The dock, named Omni, automates tasks like filling and cleaning the robot's water tank and debris bin, emptying it and charging and drying mop pads.

It's a great value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, including self-emptying bins and mapping that can hold a lot of garbage. We tried it out in a home with a mix of unfinished floors and low-pile carpeting and found it to maneuver and clean very well, even getting into corners. The Superior Robotic Vacuum Cleaner: Ultimate Cleaning Solution also does a decent job of removing pet hair that gets stuck to carpets but it's not equipped with the same power as our top choices.

However, the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, requires less time to recharge than the Shark, and provides an array of automated and scheduling options as well as support for no-go zones. Shark is still a good option if you're looking to buy something cheaper or prefer to manage and control your system via your phone rather than using a remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and wet

It's hard to find a machine that combines vacuuming and mopping, but this one does just that. Its two-tank system powerfully vacuums or mop with the push of the button. It effortlessly shifted between different surfaces during our tests, and was able to excel at cleaning pet hair from both hardwood floors and carpets. It also has an edge-sweeping tool to remove cat hair from baseboards and walls.

This robot is a great pick if you want an affordable model that comes with extra features. It was able to negotiate obstacles with ease during our tests and can be controlled by an app or voice. It has a huge dust bin to collect messes before they're filled. It could take up to 166 minutes to complete its task however this is faster than other robots that we have evaluated.

The main feature of this robot is its front-facing camera, which lets you check the cleanliness of your home on an interactive map within the app. This is especially helpful in the event that you need to locate a specific item or if your children have spilled glitter from their festive decorations all over your floor. It could save you a lot of stress by locating that lost item quickly. The fade-free lithium batteries can last up to 130 minutes on a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an elegant robot vacuum for dog hair that delivers solid cleaning. It's extremely adept in maneuvering and can go under low-level furniture without stumbling. It's also a good choice for carpets and rugs with low pile. However, it can get caught on rug tassels and have difficulty getting around corners or tight spaces. It also has trouble getting pet hair off all surfaces.

The 694 is still better than most of its rivals despite the lack of features. It scored the perfect score in our cereal-carpet test, and passed our cat-litter test with only a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It's not as effective on hardwood flooring. Its side brush scatters huge cereal bits that cling to the floor instead of being vacuumed. It also had trouble collecting table salt on a bare flooring, as many grains fell across the floor.

It does support app control through the iRobot HOME app as well as voice command via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, purchased separately). It identifies your cleaning habits and offers personalized schedules. Cliff Detect and an edge-sweeping brush ensure that it can get into hard-to-reach corners, while Dirt Detect sensors alert it to areas that are heavily soiled. It has a bin that automatically emptys, and the battery lasts for around 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot J7 comes with an advanced suite of features and is better on all surfaces. It's also more durable, has a larger dustbin, charges quicker and is able to navigate obstacles such as electrical cords better.