The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A good robot vacuum cleaner can make a huge difference in reducing allergens like pet hair and dust. However, not all models are to be the same.

There are a variety of options to choose from, whether you want a vacuum that is pet-specific or a robot to work with your other cleaner.

1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge

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 look like a smartphone. This model is easier-to-use than previous models and has features like BoostIQ, which automatically increases suction to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. It also uses smart navigation to avoid repeating the same spots over and over, which is a common issue with simpler bounce-navigation systems.

It does an excellent job of picking up pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, but it falls behind the top models when it comes to collecting dust from carpet. In our tests, it missed 74% of the powder on hard floors and 26% on carpet.

The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map your home with a digital map. This lets it remember the rooms it's cleaned, and to avoid returning to these rooms. This is a major problem for more basic robots who require the old-fashioned magnetic tap to delineate areas that are not allowed to be in.

The G30 Edge also has other conveniences. It has a "Find My Robot" mode that plays loud music until it is found and a directional keyboard that lets you manually move the robot. It has an automatic return feature that will send the robot back to its charging station if the battery is low. This is a security feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D shape robot is a powerful machine with a wide array of smart features. It can clean floors well and climb up high-pile carpets with ease. The app also has advanced features like boundary lines remote control access while the robot is operating and a variety of other options.

This model is the latest in a long-running line of robots manufactured by Neato. It is unique because it has a "D shape when viewed above. The design offers a number of advantages, including better corner cleaning and a larger container of dust than the majority of models. The D-shape design allows the robot vacuum for dog hair to reach under furniture more easily than models with a circular shape.

When first starting a cleaning process, the D-Shape will pause briefly to make use of infrared lasers that spin to look over and evaluate the area. Then, it will begin cleaning by grid pattern by moving in a logical manner from one area to the next until the floor is completely covered. This method of cleaning is much more efficient and thorough than the random approach used by certain competitors.

The design of the D-Shape allows it to have a large, 700ml dust bin in comparison to 400-600ml on robots of similar price. That increased capacity means you will have to empty the bin less often, thereby saving your time and effort. The D-Shape features a flat side on the front that helps it to navigate around obstacles like tables and chairs. In our tests, we found that the D-Shape sat under a four legged stool as well as under an electrical cord that was exposed. However it was able to free itself every time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba i3+ EVO is a fantastic option for pet owners. It is a great choice for hard flooring and does an excellent job of cleaning up any debris like rice, cereal and hair of pets. It has some issues on carpet, but is better than most robots in this price range. The Roomba EVO is also very adept at navigating between various flooring types. It doesn't get stuck on transitions as older models. The dual multi-surface brushes flex and adapt to different flooring types. They also have a tendency to not tangle pet hair.

The i3+ EVO's obstacle avoidance isn't as strong as the other robots we evaluated, and it repeatedably hit objects in our tests, such as handbags, shoes and pet toys prior to continuing its journey. It also had issues dealing with salt from kosher, coarse which it blew up and around instead of picking up.

The i3+ EVO has a lot of amazing features that make it worth the extra cost compared to other Roomba models, like a self-emptying dustbin and advanced control via the app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and create custom routines. You can also designate zones that prohibit the robot from entering certain areas. Its intelligent scheduling can suggest additional cleaning during high allergy times, in accordance with your routine. The system for navigation is not reliable and can cause vacuums to be erratic patterns like zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL

This smart robot is able to trace your home's layout in detail and better than you. It comes with two brushes that adjust to different types of floors and are able to avoid getting caught up in. This makes it the perfect option for homes with pets. The app allows you to control the robot or activate it with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The dock, named Omni, automates tasks like cleaning and refilling the robot's water tank and debris bin, emptying it and charging and drying mop pads.

It's a fantastic value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL is cheaper than many of the robots on our list and yet comes with advanced features such as mapping and a self-emptying bin that can hold a lot of dust. We tested it in a house with a mix of bare carpet and low-pile flooring and found it to move and clean exceptionally well, including getting into corners. The vacuum does an excellent job of removing pet hair on carpeting. However, it doesn't have as much power as our top selections.

However the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, takes less time to recharge than the Shark and offers an array of automation and scheduling features, including support for zones that are not allowed to be used. We'd still recommend the Shark when you're looking to buy something less expensive, or if you prefer to use your mobile phone to control and monitor instead of a remote that is specifically designed for it.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet

This best robot vacuum for thick carpet and pet hair is capable of both vacuuming and mopping. The two tank system is powerful and can vacuum or mops with the touch of the button. It easily transitioned between surfaces in our tests and was successful in getting pet hair off of both hardwood floors and carpets. It also includes an edge-sweeping tool to remove hair from walls and baseboards.

This robot is a great option if you're looking for a model that's inexpensive and has a few extra features. It was able to navigate obstacles with ease in our tests, and it can be controlled via an app or voice. It even has scheduled cleaning and has a large dustbin to capture the mess before it gets full. It can take up to 166 mins to finish its job however this is quicker than other robots we have tested.

The most impressive feature of this robot is its front-facing camera, which allows you to monitor your home's cleanliness on live maps in the app. It's especially helpful when you're trying to locate a specific item or if your kids spill glitter from your decorations on your flooring. You can save yourself a lot frustration by finding the lost item immediately. Additionally, the fade-free lithium battery can last for up to 130 minutes on one charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an elegant robot that can provide good cleaning. It does a great job moving its self and can move under furniture without getting stuck. It is also suitable for rugs and carpets with a low pile. It can become stuck on rug tassels, and it has difficulty navigating tiny spaces like corners. It also has trouble picking up pet hair from all surfaces.

Despite the 694's lack of features, it still performs better than most of the competition. It was able to score the perfect score in our cereal-carpet test and was able to pass our test on cat litter with only a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It's less efficient on hardwood floors, however. Its side brush often scatters large, clinging pieces of cereal instead of vacuuming them. It also had difficulty collecting table salt on unfinished floor, as lots of grains slid across the floor.

It can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via an external device (sold separately). It learns your cleaning habits and provides you with a personalized schedule. Cliff Detect and an edge-sweeping brush ensure that it can get into hard-to-reach corners, while Dirt Detect sensors alert it to heavily soiled areas. It has a bin that automatically empties and the battery lasts for around 60 minutes. The more expensive iRobot J7 is more sophisticated and performs better on all surfaces. It's also more robust, has a larger dustbin, can charge faster, and can navigate obstacles like electrical cords better.