The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A quality robot vacuum cleaner can make a huge difference in the elimination of allergens like dust and pet hair. However, not all models are identical.
There are a myriad of options available for you to choose from, whether you need a pet-friendly vacuum or a robot that can complement your other cleaner.
1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30
The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy's budget line of robotic vacuum cleaners, is the most up-to-date model. It's a sleek black design with rose-gold and blue accents that looks like an iPhone. This model is easier to use than past models and comes with features such as BoostIQ which automatically increases suction power for better cleaning of all surfaces. It also employs intelligent navigation to prevent repeating the same area repeatedly, which is an issue that is common with bounce-navigation systems that are simpler.
It does a good job getting rid of pet hair, crumbs, and dust from hard floors, but isn't as effective as the top models when it comes to removing flour from carpet. In our tests, it failed to pick up 74% of the powder on hard floors and 26% on carpet.
A feature that makes the G30 Edge stand out is its ability to map your home's layout using an electronic map that is available in the app. It can keep track of the rooms it has cleaned before and prevents it from returning to those rooms which is a major issue with other robots that require the use of old-fashioned magnetic tape to delineate zones that aren't allowed.
The G30 Edge has other conveniences such as a 'Find My Robot' mode that blasts out an ominous tune until it is found, and an directional pad that allows users to move the robot. It has an automatic return feature that sends 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 robotic is a mighty machine with a variety of intelligent features. It can clean bare floors efficiently and climb up carpets with high piles with ease. The app also comes with advanced features such as boundary lines remote control access while the robot is working and a myriad of other options.
This model is the newest in a long series of robots from Neato and has a distinctive "D" shape when seen from above. This design offers several advantages, such as improved corner cleaning and a larger container of dust than other models. The D-shape design also allows the robot to get under furniture better than robots with a circular design.
The D-Shape will briefly stop before beginning a cleaning process to make use of spinning infrared light to assess and scan the area. It will then begin cleaning in a grid pattern and move in a systematic 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 certain competitors.
The d-shape design also allows the D-Shape to have a larger dust bin, at 700ml compared to 400 to 600ml for similar-priced robots. This increased capacity will help you save time and effort by making it easier to empty the dust bin. The D-Shape also has a flat front side that helps it to navigate around obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, we observed that the D-Shape sat under a four-legged stool as well as under 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 is a great choice for hard floors and does a great job of clearing up debris like rice, cereal and pet hair. It struggles on carpet however it's still better than other robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO is also very efficient at moving between floor kinds and doesn't get caught on transitions like older generations can. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different flooring and resist tangling in pet hair.
The i3+ EVO's obstacle-avoiding capability isn't as effective as the other robots we tested and it frequently ran into objects in our tests, such as handbags, shoes and pet toys prior to continuing its course. It also had issues dealing with coarse kosher salt, which it blew over and around instead of picking up.
The i3+ EVO is packed with features that make it well worth the extra money over other Roomba models. It has the ability to self-empty the bin and more advanced control through an app. It is possible to schedule cleanings, set specific routines and set no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot be allowed to enter. Its intelligent scheduling can even suggest extra cleaning during allergy seasons, and based on the routine you follow. Its navigation system is unstable, however, and often cleans in irregular lines such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL
With its precise mapping technology, this intelligent robot is able to know your home better than you do. It has dual brushes which adjust to different kinds of flooring and prevent getting caught in a tangle. This makes it the ideal 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, which is called Omni automates tasks like filling and cleaning the robot's water tanks, emptying the 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 mapping and a self-emptying bin that can store a lot of trash. It was able to clean and maneuver well in a home with a mix of carpets with low pile or floors that were unfinished, and a combination of both. The vacuum also does a good job of picking up pet hair on carpeting, though it doesn't have the same power as our top choices.
The Roborock S4 Max, however it is more durable and recharges faster than the Shark and offers a broader variety of automation capabilities and scheduling options, including support for "no-go zones". We'd still recommend the Shark when you're looking to buy something less expensive, or if you prefer to use your mobile phone for control and monitoring instead of a dedicated remote.
5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet
This robot does mopping and vacuuming. The two-tank system of this robot lets it mop or vacuum with the push of one button. It easily transitioned between surfaces in our tests and excelled at cleaning pet hair from both hardwood floors and carpets. It also comes with an edge-sweeping brush that can remove cat hair from walls and baseboards, plus the ability to schedule it to your schedule.
This robot is a great choice if you are seeking a model that is affordable and has some extra features. It was able to maneuver around obstacles in our testing, and it can be controlled via an app or your voice. It comes with a large trash bin for messes to be collected before they are full. The only issue is that it can take up to 166 minutes to complete its work however that's still much better than other robots we've evaluated.
The highlight of this robot is the front-facing camera that lets you check your home's cleanliness on live maps in the app. It's particularly helpful if you're trying to locate an item that you're looking for or your children spill glitter from the decorations on your flooring. It will save you a lot frustration by finding that lost item quickly. Furthermore best robot vacuum mop combo for pet hair is not fade-proof and can last for up to 130 minutes on a single charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 is an elegant robot that delivers good cleaning. It's extremely adept at maneuvering and can get under furniture that is low without stumbling. It's also great for rugs and carpets with a low pile. However, it could get caught on rug tassels and have difficulty navigating tight spaces like corners. It also has trouble collecting pet hair from all surfaces.
Despite the 694's limited feature set, it still performs better than the majority of competitors. It got a perfect score of 10 in our cereal carpet test, and passed our test for cat litter with only a couple of fragments. It is less effective on hardwood flooring. Its side brush often scatters large, clinging cereal bits instead of vacuuming them up. It also had a tough time removing table salt from a bare floor, with many grains sliding across the floor and beyond its reach.
It can be controlled via the iRobot HOME app as well as voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, which is sold separately). It learns about your cleaning habits and creates personalized schedules. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool ensure that it gets into areas that are difficult to reach, and Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to heavily soiled spots. It has a dustbin that automatically emptys and the battery lasts for around 60 minutes. The more expensive iRobot J7 is more sophisticated and better on all surfaces. It's also more durable, has a bigger dustbin, is faster to charge and can handle obstacles such as electrical cords better.