The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

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

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

1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30

The G30 Edge, the latest model from Eufy's budget line of robotic vacuum cleaners, is the most up-to-date model. It's a glossy black model with rose-gold and blue accents that resemble an iPhone. It's more user-friendly than previous models and has features such as BoostIQ which automatically boosts suction for better cleaning of all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to prevent the repetition of the same area, which is a common problem when using bounce-navigation.

It does an excellent job of picking up pet hair and crumbs from hard floors, but it is behind the best robot vacuum for pet hair self emptying models when it comes to cleaning up dust on carpet. In our tests the G30 Edge missed 74% of the dust on hard floors, and 26 percent on carpets This isn't great, but it's not a complete disaster.

One feature that makes the G30 Edge stand out is the ability to map your home using a digital map within the app. This lets it remember which spaces 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 traditional magnetic tape to define areas that are not allowed to enter.

The G30 Edge has other conveniences, including a "Find My Robot" mode that emits an ominous music until it's located and an directional pad that allows users to manually move the robot. It also comes with an auto return function that sends it back to its charging base when the battery is low, an important safety feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D-Shape robotic is a powerful machine with a variety of smart features. It can clean bare floors with ease and climb up high-pile carpets with ease. The app offers advanced features like boundary lines, remote access to the robot when it is in operation, and many other options.

This model is the most recent in a long series of robots from Neato and features a unique "D" shape when viewed from above. This design has several advantages, such as improved corner cleaning and a larger bin of dust than the majority of models. The D-shape allows the robot to reach under furniture better than robots that have a circular design.

The D-Shape will briefly pause before beginning a cleaning cycle to use spinning infrared to assess and scan the area. It will then begin to clean in a grid, moving systematically from one area to the next until the floor is completely covered. This method is more thorough and effective than other companies using a random method.

The D-Shape's design allows it to have a large 700ml dust bin, compared to 400-600ml for robots with similar prices. The increased capacity means you'll need to empty the dust bin less often, which will save you time and effort. The D-Shape features flat sides at the front that allows it navigate over obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests the D-Shape was stuck under a stool with four legs and an exposed electrical cord but it was able to free itself each time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba i3+ EVO is an excellent option for pet owners. It works well on hard flooring and does an excellent job of removing particles like cereal, rice and hair of pets. It has issues with carpet however, it is still superior than other robots in this price. The Roomba EVO is also efficient in moving between floor types. It isn't stuck on transitions like older generations. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different flooring and resist getting caught in pet hair.

The i3+ EVO has weaker obstacle-avoiding capability than the other robots that we tested. It frequently hit objects such as handbags, pet toys and shoes before continuing its course. It also had issues dealing with salt from kosher, coarse which it blew up and around rather than picking up.

The i3+ EVO has a lot of amazing features that make it worth the additional cost compared to other Roomba models, including a self-emptying dustbin and advanced control via the app. It is possible to plan cleaning times, set custom routines, and create no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot enter. Its intelligent scheduling can suggest additional cleaning during high allergy times, depending on your routine. Its navigation system is unreliable however, and sometimes cleans in irregular 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 has dual brushes which adjust to different kinds 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 using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The dock, called Omni automates tasks like refilling and cleaning robot's water tanks, emptying the debris bins, and charging and drier the mop pads.

It's a great 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 an automatic vacuum for pet hair self-emptying dustbin which holds a decent amount of debris. It cleaned and maneuvered exceptionally well in a home that had a mixture of low-pile carpeting or floors that were unfinished, and a combination of both. The vacuum does an excellent job of removing pet fur on carpeting. However it's not as much power as our top picks.

However the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, requires less time to recharge than the Shark and comes with a wider range of automation and scheduling features and support for no-go zones. We'd still recommend the Shark If you're looking for something cheaper, or if you prefer to use your mobile phone for control and monitoring rather than an actual remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet

This robot can do both vacuuming and mopping. Its two-tank system powerfully vacuums or mop with the push of one button. In our tests it was able to easily switch between different surfaces and was a great choice for getting pet fur off hardwood floors and carpets. It also includes an edge-sweeping tool for removing hairs from baseboards and walls.

This robot is another solid choice if you're looking for an affordable model with some extra features. It was able to navigate obstacles with ease in our testing and is controlled by an app or voice. It even supports scheduled cleanings and has a large dustbin to catch the mess before it gets full. It can take up to 166 mins to complete its task, but this is still more efficient than other robots we have test.

The highlight of this robot vacuum and mop pet hair is the front-facing camera that lets you check the cleanliness of your home on a live map in the app. It's particularly helpful if you're trying to find a specific item or if the kids spill glitter from your Christmas decorations all over your flooring. It could save you a lot of stress by locating that lost item quickly. The fade-free lithium batteries can last up to 130 minutes on a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an elegant Best robot vacuum cleaner lidar for pet hair that delivers excellent cleaning. It's very adept in maneuvering and can go under low-level furniture without stumbling. It's also a good option for carpets with low pile. However, it can get caught on rug tassels and have difficulty finding its way through tight spaces such as corners. It also struggles to pick up pet hair on any surface.

The 694 is still better than its competitors despite its limited features. It scored an excellent score in our cereal-carpet test and completed our cat litter test with just a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It is less effective on hardwood flooring. Its side brush is often scattered with large pieces of cereal that cling to the floor instead of sweeping them away. It also had trouble collecting table salt on floor that was not paved, as a lot of grains were slid across the floor.

It can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through an external device (sold separately). It learns your habits of cleaning and provides you with a personalized schedule. Cliff Detect and an edge-sweeping brush ensure it gets into difficult-to-access corners. Dirt Detect sensors alert it to areas that are heavily soiled. It has a bin that automatically emptys, and a battery life of about 60 minutes. The more expensive iRobot J7 comes with an sophisticated set of features and is more stable on all surfaces. It also feels better built and has a bigger dust bin that charges faster, and can navigate obstacles such as electrical cords more easily.