The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A quality robot vacuum can make a huge difference in keeping allergens such dust and pet hair under control. But not all models are equal.

There are many options available depending on whether you are looking for a vacuum that is pet-specific or a robot to work with your other cleaner.

1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge

The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy's budget series of robotic vacuum cleaners, is the most current model. The G30 Edge is a glossy black vacuum cleaner with blue and rose gold accents. It's akin to an iPhone. It's easier to use than past models and has features like BoostIQ which automatically increases suction power for cleaner cleaning on all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to avoid the repetition of the same area which is common when using bounce-navigation.

It is effective in cleaning pet hair, crumbs, and dust on hard floors but it is not as efficient as the top models in terms of removing flour from carpet. In our tests the G30 Edge missed 74% of the flour on hard floors and 26 percent on carpet, which is disappointing.

The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map your home with an electronic map. This allows it to remember which rooms it has already cleaned and prevents it from returning to those areas which is a major issue with simpler robots that require the use of old-fashioned magnetic tape to delineate zones that aren't allowed.

The G30 Edge also has other features. It comes with a "Find My Robot" mode that emits loud music until it is found, and a directional keypad that allows you manually move the robot. It also comes with an auto return function that will send it back to its charging base if the battery is empty which is a crucial security feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D shape is a remarkably capable robot with an impressive list of features that are smart. It cleans floors that are bare well, and it climbs on carpets with a high pile easily. The app also has advanced features, such as boundary lines Vactidy Nimble T6: Powerful Self-Charging Remote Control Robot control access while the robot is operating and a myriad of other options.

This model is the newest in a long line of Neato robots and features a unique "D" shape when seen from above. This design has several advantages, including improved corner-cleaning and a larger bin of dust than the majority of models. The D-shape design also allows the robot to get under furniture more easily 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 look over and evaluate the area. Then it will begin to work in a grid, gradually moving from one area to the next until the entire floor is covered. This method of cleaning is much more effective and thorough than the random approach used by certain competitors.

The design of the D-Shape allows it to have a large 700ml dust container compared to 400-600ml for robots with similar prices. That increased capacity means you'll have to empty the bin less often, which will save your time and effort. The D-Shape also has flat front side that helps it navigate around obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, we found that the D-Shape sat under a stool with four legs, and also underneath an electrical cord that was not covered. However, it was able to free itself each time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba EVO i3+ is an excellent option for pet owners. It is a great choice for hard floors and does a fantastic job of clearing up debris like rice, cereal and pet hair. It has some issues on carpet but is still superior to other robots in this price range. The Roomba EVO is also very efficient in moving between flooring types. It doesn't stall on transitions like older generations. The dual multi-surface brushes are flexible and adjust to different flooring types. They also have a tendency to not tangle pet hair.

The i3+ EVO has a weaker obstacle-avoiding capability than the other robots that we evaluated. It frequently encountered objects such as pet toys, handbags, and shoes before retracing its course. It also had trouble with coarse kosher sea salt which it blew around instead of picking up.

The i3+ EVO has a lot of great features to make it worth the extra cost compared to other Roomba models, including self-emptying bins and advanced control through the app. You can schedule cleanings and set up custom routines. You can also create zones that block 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 unreliable, however, and it sometimes vacuums in erratic lines like diagonals or zigzags rather than parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL

This intelligent robot is able to map your home in detail and more accurately than you. It comes with two brushes that adapt to different types of floors and are able to avoid tangling. 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, which is called Omni automates tasks like refilling and cleaning robot's water tanks, emptying debris bins, and charging and drying the mop pads.

It's a great price. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers numerous advanced features, including mapping and a self-emptying bin that can store a lot of trash. We tested it in a home with a mix between bare carpet and low-pile flooring and found it able to move and clean very well, including getting into corners. The vacuum does a good job of removing pet hair on carpeting. However it's not 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 more automated and scheduling options and support for zones that are not allowed to be used. We'd still recommend the Shark if you're looking for something cheaper or should you prefer to use your mobile phone for control and monitoring instead of a remote that is specifically designed for it.

5. Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry

It's hard to find a robot that combines vacuuming and mopping however this one does it. Its two-tank system can effectively vacuum or mop at the touch of the button. In our tests it was able effortlessly switch between surfaces and was excellent at cleaning pet fur from hardwood floors and carpets. It also includes an edge-sweeping tool to remove hair from baseboards and walls.

This robot is another solid choice if you're looking for an affordable robot with additional features. It was able navigate obstacles with ease during our testing and can be controlled by an app or voice. It comes with a large trash bin for messes to be collected before they're filled. It can take up to 166 mins to complete its task, but this is still faster than other robots that we have test.

The main feature of this robot is its front-facing camera that allows you to monitor your home's cleanliness using a live map in the app. It's particularly helpful if you're trying to locate something specific or the kids spill glitter from your holiday decorations all over your floors. You can avoid a lot frustration by finding the item you lost immediately. The lithium batteries that do not fade can last for up to 130 minutes on one charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an upscale-looking robot that can provide solid cleaning. It is very adept at maneuvering itself and is able to move under furniture without getting stuck. It's also a great choice for carpets and rugs with low pile. However, it might occasionally be caught in rug tassels and has trouble finding its way through tight spaces such as corners. It also has trouble picking up pet hair from all surfaces.

Despite the limited features of the 694, it still performs better than most of the competition. It managed to grab a perfect score in our cereal-carpet test, and passed our cat-litter test with only a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It's not as effective on hardwood flooring. Its side brush scatters large cereal bits that cling to the floor instead of being vacuumed. It also had a tough time removing table salt from a clean 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 using an external device (sold separately). It identifies your cleaning habits and provides you with a personalized schedule. 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 spots that are heavily soiled. It has a dustbin that automatically empties and the battery lasts for around 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot j7 is more advanced and better on all surfaces. It is also more robust, has a larger dustbin, can charge faster, and can navigate obstacles like electrical cords more efficiently.