The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A good robot vacuum cleaner can make a huge difference in controlling allergens such as pet hair and dust. There are many models that are not the same.
If you're looking for pet-friendly features in your vacuum or a robot to enhance your existing cleaner, there are plenty of alternatives.
1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge
The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy’s budget line of robotic vacuum cleaners is the most current model. It's a sleek black design with rose-gold and blue accents that look like a smartphone. The model is simpler to use than the previous models and offers features such as BoostIQ that automatically increases suction power for cleaner cleaning on all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to prevent the repetition of the same areas which is a common problem when using bounce-navigation.
It does a good job cleaning pet hair, crumbs and dust on hard floors but falls behind the best models in terms of cleaning up carpets of flour. In our tests, it failed to pick up 74% of the powder on hard floors, and 26% on carpet.
The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map out your home using digital maps. It can remember which rooms it has cleaned previously and prevents it from returning to those rooms, a major frustration with more basic robots that rely on the use of magnetic tape to define areas that are not allowed to enter.
The G30 Edge has other conveniences, including a "Find My Robot" mode that blasts out an ominous tune until it's found and a directional pad that allows users to 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 safety feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D-Shape robotic is a powerful machine with a wide array of smart features. It can clean bare floors efficiently and climb up carpets with high piles with ease. The app has advanced features such as boundary lines, remote access to the robot when it is in operation and a host of other options.
This model is the newest in a long-running series of robots by Neato. It features a unique "D shape when viewed above. The design offers a number of advantages, including better corner cleaning and a larger container of dust than most other models. The D-shape design allows the robot to reach under furniture better than robots that have a circular design.
When the first cleaning process, the D-Shape will stop briefly to make use of spinning infrared lasers to look over and evaluate the space. Then, it will work in a grid, systematically moving from one area to the next until the entire floor is cleaned. This method of cleaning is much more efficient and thorough than the random approach taken by some competitors.
The d-shape design allows the D-Shape's large dust bin, with 700ml as opposed to 400 to 600ml for similarly priced robots. This increased capacity means that you will have to empty the bin less often, thereby saving your time and effort. The D-Shape also has flat front side that can help it navigate around obstacles like tables and chairs. In our tests the D-Shape was stuck under a stool with four legs and an exposed electrical cord, though it was able to free itself each time.
3. Roomba i3+ EVO
The Roomba EVO i3+ is a fantastic option for pet owners. It's great on hard floors, and it does an excellent job of removing debris like pet hair, cereal, rice and other small particles. It struggles a little bit on carpets, but it's better than the majority of robots in this price range. The Roomba EVO is also very adept at navigating between various kinds of flooring. It doesn't get stuck on transitions as older models. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adapt to different floorings and prevent getting caught in pet hair.
The i3+ EVO's obstacle-avoiding capability isn't as strong as some of the other robots we tested and it repeatedly ran into objects in our tests such as handbags shoes, and pet toys before continuing its course. It also had issues dealing with coarse sea salt that it blew around instead of picking up.
The i3+ EVO is packed with features that make it well worth the cost over other Roomba models. robot vacuum for dog hair has an automatic emptying bin as well as advanced control with an app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and create custom routines. You can also create zones that prohibit the robot from entering certain areas. Its smart scheduling will even suggest additional cleanings during allergy seasons and according to the routine you follow. Its navigation system is unreliable however, and it sometimes cleans in irregular lines like diagonals or zigzags, rather than parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL
With detailed mapping technology, this smart robot knows your home better than you can. It has dual brushes which adapt to different types of flooring and prevent tangling. This makes it a great choice for homes that have pets. The app allows you to control the robot, or activate it with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The dock, which is dubbed Omni, automates tasks like refilling and cleaning the robot's water tank, emptying the debris bin and charging and drying the mop pads.
It's an excellent value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, such as self-emptying bins and mapping that can hold a lot of trash. We tried it out in a home with a mix of bare carpet and low-pile flooring and found it able to move and clean extremely well, even navigating corners. The vacuum does a great job of removing pet hair on carpeting. However it's not as much power as our top choices.
However, the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, requires less time to recharge than the Shark and comes with more automation and scheduling features as well as support for zones that are not allowed to be used. We'd still recommend the Shark if you're looking for something less expensive, or should you prefer to use your mobile phone to control and monitor rather than a remote that is specifically designed for it.
5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet
This robot can do both vacuuming and mopping. The dual tank system of this robot allows it to mop or vacuum with the push of the button. It was able to easily switch between surfaces during our tests and was successful in cleaning pet hair from both hardwood floors and carpets. It also comes with an edge-sweeping brush that can clean cat hair along walls and baseboards, plus scheduling capabilities to fit your schedule.
This robot is a great option if you're looking for an affordable model with some extra features. It maneuvered obstacles well during our tests, and it can be controlled via an app or your voice. It comes with a large trash bin to collect messes before they're filled. The only drawback is that it can take up to 166 minutes to complete its work however, it's still faster than the majority of robots we've evaluated.
This robot's front-facing camera allows you to monitor the cleanliness of your home's cleanliness by using a map app. This is especially helpful when you're trying to locate a particular object, or if your kids have spilled glitter from your holiday decor all over your floor. You can save yourself lots of frustration by locating the lost item immediately. The lithium batteries that do not fade can last up to 130 minutes on one charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 looks classy and offers a thorough cleaning. It does a great job moving its self and can move under furniture without becoming stuck. It is also suitable for rugs and carpets with a low pile. It can get stuck on rug tassels and it's difficult to maneuver small spaces such as corners. It also has difficulty picking up pet hair from all surfaces.
Despite the 694's limited feature set however, it still performs well than the majority of competitors. It scored a perfect 10 in our cereal carpet test and passed our cat litter test with just a few scattered pieces. It's less effective on hardwood floors though. The side brush scatters large cereal particles that stick to the floor instead of vacuuming. It also had a hard to collect table salt from a dry floor, with a lot of grains sliding across the floor, and out of its reach.
It allows voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant using an external device (sold separately). It learns your habits of cleaning and gives you a customized 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 dustbin that automatically empties and it has a battery life of around 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot j7 is more advanced and is better on all surfaces. It also feels better constructed, has a larger dustbin it charges faster and can navigate obstacles such as electrical cords better.