The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A quality robot vacuum can make a big difference in keeping allergens such as dust and pet hair under control. Not all models are the same.
There are a myriad of options available, whether you want an animal-friendly vacuum or a robot to work with your other cleaner.
1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30
The G30 Edge, the latest model from Eufy's budget series of robotic vacuum cleaners is the most current model. The G30 Edge is a shiny black vacuum cleaner with pink and blue accents. It looks like a smartphone. This model is easier to use than previous models and has features such as BoostIQ that automatically increases suction power for better cleaning on all surfaces. It also uses intelligent navigation to prevent repeating the same areas over and over, an issue that is common when using bounce-navigation systems.
It does a great job of removing pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, but it falls in comparison to the best models in cleaning up dust on carpet. In our tests the G30 Edge missed 74% of the flour on hard floors, and 26 percent on carpet This isn't great, but it's not a complete disaster.
The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map your home using a digital map. This lets it remember the rooms it has cleaned and avoid going back to them. best robot vacuum for hair is a major frustration for robots that are more basic and require the use old-fashioned magnetic taps to define no go zones.
The G30 Edge has other conveniences such as a 'Find My Robot' mode that plays an ominous tune until it is found, and an directional pad that allows you to manually move the robot. It has an automatic return feature that can 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 an extremely capable robot that comes with a plethora of smart features. It can clean bare floors well and climb up high-pile carpets effortlessly. The app comes with advanced features, such as boundary lines remote access to the robot while it is operating and a variety of other options.
This model is the most recent in a long line of Neato robots and has a distinctive "D" shape when viewed from above. The design offers a number of advantages, such as improved corner cleaning and a larger container of dust than the majority of models. The D-shape allows the robot to get under furniture better than those with a circular design.
The D-Shape will briefly stop before beginning a cleaning cycle using a spinning infrared camera to look over and evaluate the area. It will then begin to clean in a grid pattern, moving systematically from one area to another until the floor is completely covered. This method is more thorough and efficient than other companies' random method.
The d-shape design also allows the D-Shape to have a large dust bin that is 700ml, compared to 400- 600ml for comparable robots. This increased capacity will save you time and effort by reducing the frequency of emptying the dust bin. The D-Shape features a flat side on the front that helps it to navigate around obstacles such as tables and chairs. In our tests, we observed that the D-Shape was stuck under a stool with four legs, and also underneath an electrical cord that was exposed. However it was able to get out of the way each time.
3. Roomba i3+ EV
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a great option for pet owners. It works well on hard floors and does a fantastic job of removing debris like rice, cereal and hair of pets. It struggles on carpet, but is still better than other robots at this price point. The Roomba i3+ EVO is also very efficient at transferring between floor types and doesn't get hung up on transitions the way older models can. The dual multi-surface brushes are flexible 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 robust as some of the other robots we tested and it repeatedably hit objects in our tests like handbags, shoes and pet toys before continuing its course. It also had issues with coarse sea salt, which it did a whirlwind of instead of taking it up.
The i3+ EVO comes with a host of features that make it worth the cost over other Roomba models. These include a self-emptying bin and advanced control with an app. It is possible to plan cleaning times, set specific routines and set no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to access. Its smart scheduling can even suggest additional cleanings during high allergy times in accordance with your routine. The navigational system is unstable however, and sometimes vacuums in irregular lines like zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL
This smart robot is able to map your home in detail, better than you. It comes with dual brushes that adjust to different types of floors and avoid getting caught in a tangle. This makes it the perfect option for homes with pets. The app can be used to control the robot, or activate it using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. And the dock, dubbed Omni, automates the tasks of filling 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 is less expensive than many other robots we've reviewed however it comes with advanced features, such as mapping and an automatic self-emptying dustbin which holds a decent amount of debris. It was able to clean and maneuver well in a space that had a mixture of carpeting with low pile or floors that were unfinished and a mix of both. The vacuum also does a good job of picking up pet hair that gets stuck to carpets but it's not equipped with the same level of power as our top choices.
However the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, requires less time to recharge than the Shark, and provides a wider range of scheduling and automation features as well as support for zones that are not allowed to be used. Shark is still a great option if you're looking to buy something less expensive or prefer to control and monitor your system using your phone instead of a remote.
5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet
It's not easy to find a machine that can combine mopping and vacuuming This one does it. Its two-tank system can effectively vacuum or mop with the push of a button. It was able to easily switch between surfaces in our tests, and was able to excel at getting pet hair off of both hardwood floors and carpets. It also comes with an edge-sweeping brush that can remove pet hair from walls and baseboards, plus the ability to schedule your schedule.
This is a good pick if you want an affordable model with some additional features. It was able to maneuver around obstacles during our tests, and it can be operated via an app or by speaking. It has a huge dust bin for the collection of messes before they're full. It can take up to 166 minutes to complete its task however this is more efficient than other robots we have evaluated.
This robot's front-facing camera allows you to check the cleanliness of your home's condition on a map using an app. This is especially helpful in the event that you need to find a particular item, or if your kids have spilled glitter from their festive decorations all over your floor. You can save yourself lots of frustration by locating the lost item immediately. The fade-free lithium batteries can last for as long as 130 minutes on one charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 looks upscale and offers a thorough cleaning. It is very adept at moving its self and can move under furniture without becoming stuck. It is also suitable for carpets and rugs with low pile. It can become stuck on rug tassels and it's difficult to maneuver tiny spaces like corners. It also has difficulty picking up pet hair from all surfaces.
Despite the limited features of the 694, it still performs better than the majority of its competitors. It scored a perfect 10 in our cereal carpet test and passed our cat litter test with only a couple of stray pieces. It's not as efficient on hardwood floors, however. Its side brush is often scattered with large, clinging pieces of cereal instead of sweeping them away. It also had a difficult time removing table salt from a bare floor, with a lot of grains falling across the floor, and out of its reach.
It supports voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through an external device (sold separately). It analyzes your cleaning habits and creates customized schedules. Cliff Detect and an edge-sweeping brush ensure it gets into difficult-to-access corners. Dirt Detect sensors alert it to heavily soiled areas. Its battery lasts about 60 minutes and it has an automatic emptying of the dust bin. The pricier iRobot j7 is more advanced and is better on all surfaces. It is also more durable, has a larger dustbin, charges quicker and can handle obstacles such as electrical cords better.