The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A good robot vacuum cleaner can make a huge difference in the elimination of allergens, such as dust and pet hair. But not all models are to be the same.

There are a variety of options to choose from for you to choose from, whether you need a pet-friendly vacuum or good a robot to complement your other cleaner.

1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge

The G30 Edge is the newest model in Eufy's budget line of robot vacuum cleaners. The G30 Edge is a glossy black vacuum cleaner, with pink and blue accents. It looks like 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 of all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to avoid the repetition of the same areas which is common when using bounce-navigation.

It does an excellent job of removing pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, but it falls behind the best robot vacuum and mop for dog hair models in scooping up flour on carpet. In our tests, the G30 Edge missed 74% of the dust on hard floors, and 26 percent on carpets which is a bit disappointing.

The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map your home using an electronic map. This lets it remember the rooms it's cleaned and avoid going back to the same rooms. This is a major frustration for the more basic robots that require the use old-fashioned magnetic tap to delineate no go zones.

The G30 Edge also has other advantages. It comes with an "Find My Robot" mode that blasts out loud music until it is found, and a directional keypad that lets you move the robot. It also comes with an auto return function that sends it back to its charging base if the battery is empty which is a crucial safety 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 high-pile carpet fairly easily. The app also comes with advanced features, such as boundary lines remote control access when the robot is in operation, and a myriad of other options.

This model is the most recent in a long-running series of Neato robots. It has a distinctive "D shape when seen from above. The design offers a number of advantages, such as improved corner cleaning and a larger bin of dust than most other models. The D-shape lets the robot to reach under furniture better than robots with a circular design.

The D-Shape will briefly stop before beginning a cleaning cycle to make use of spinning infrared light to scan and assess the area. Then it will begin to work in a grid and gradually moving from one area to the next until the entire floor has been covered. This method is more thorough and efficient than other companies who employ a random method.

The D-Shape's design permits it to have a huge 700ml dust container as opposed to 400-600ml for robots of the same price. This increased capacity will help you save time and effort by making it easier to empty the bin. The D-Shape also has a flat front side that helps it navigate around obstacles like tables and chairs. In our tests the D-Shape did end up getting stuck under a stool with four legs and an electrical cord that was not covered but it was able to break free each time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba i3+ EVO is an excellent choice for pet owners. It is a great choice for hard floors, and does a great job of removing debris like pet hair, cereal, rice and other small particles. It isn't as good on carpets however, it is still superior than other robots in this price. The Roomba i3+ EVO also does very well in navigating between different flooring types and doesn't get hung on transitions like older models do. The dual multi-surface brushes are flexible and adjust to different flooring types. They also aren't able to tangle pet hair.

The i3+ EVO's obstacle avoidance isn't as strong as the other robots we tested and it repeatedably encountered objects during our tests like handbags, shoes, and pet toys before continuing on its path. It also had issues dealing with coarse kosher salt that it blew over and around instead of picking up.

The i3+ EVO is loaded with features that make it well worth the price over other Roomba models. These include the ability to self-empty the bin and more advanced control with an app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and create custom routines. You can also create no-go zones to prevent the robot from entering certain areas. Its smart scheduling will even suggest extra cleanings during allergy seasons and depending on the routine you follow. Its navigation system is unstable, however, and often vacuums in irregular lines such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL

With detailed mapping technology, this smart robot can see your home more than you do. It comes with two brushes that adjust to different kinds of floors and are able to avoid getting caught up in. This makes it a great option for homes with pets. You can control the robot through the app, or activate it hands-free with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, dubbed Omni, automates tasks such as filling and cleaning the robot's water tanks, emptying debris bins, and charging and drying the mop pads.

It's a great value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, such as self-emptying bins and mapping which can hold a large amount of debris. We tested it in a house with a mix of unfinished flooring and carpeting with low pile and found it to maneuver and clean very well, including getting into corners. The vacuum also does a good job of removing pet hair on carpeting however it's not equipped with the same amount of power as some of our top picks.

However, the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, requires less time to recharge than the Shark and comes with a wider range of scheduling and automation features and support for zones that are not allowed to be used. Shark is still a good choice if you want something less expensive or prefer to control and monitor your system using your smartphone instead of a remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and wet

This robot can do both vacuuming and mopping. Its two-tank system can effectively vacuum or mops with the touch of a button. In our tests it was able to effortlessly switch between surfaces and was excellent at cleaning pet fur from hardwood floors and carpets. It also comes with an edge-sweeping tool for removing hairs from walls and baseboards.

This is a good pick if you want an affordable robot with extra features. It was able to negotiate obstacles with ease during our testing and can be controlled with an app or voice. It has a large dustbin to collect messes before they're full. It can take up to 166 mins to finish its job, but this is still more efficient than other robots we have test.

The main feature of this robot is the front-facing camera that lets you monitor your home's cleanliness using a live map in the app. It's especially useful if you're looking for something specific or the children spill glitter from the decorations on your flooring. You can avoid much frustration by finding the item you lost immediately. The fade-free lithium batteries can last for up to 130 minutes with a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an elegant robot that provides excellent cleaning. It is very adept at maneuvering its self and can move under furniture without getting stuck. It's also a good option for rugs and low-pile carpet. It is prone to getting stuck on rug tassels and it has difficulty navigating small spaces such as corners. It also has difficulty picking up pet hair on any surface.

The 694 is still better than its rivals despite the lack of features. It managed to grab the perfect score in our cereal-carpet test, and was able to pass our test on cat litter with only a few stray pieces of litter left behind. It is less efficient on hardwood floors. The side brush can scatter large, clinging pieces of cereal instead of vacuuming them. It also had a hard time removing table salt from a bare floor, with lots of pieces sliding across the floor, and out of its reach.

It can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant using an external device (sold separately). It learns about your cleaning habits and creates custom schedules. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool ensure that it is able to get into difficult-to-reach areas, while Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to areas that are soiled heavily. Its battery can last for around 60 minutes, and it comes with an automatic emptying of the dust bin. The pricier iRobot J7 comes with a more advanced set of features and performs better on all surfaces. It's also more durable, has a larger dustbin, is faster to charge and can handle obstacles like electrical cords more efficiently.