The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A quality robot vacuum cleaner can make a huge difference in the elimination of allergens such as pet hair and dust. However, not all models are created equal.
There are a myriad of options available depending on whether you are looking for a vacuum that is pet-specific or a robot that can complement your other vacuum.
1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30
The G30 Edge is the newest model in Eufy's budget line of robot vacuum cleaners. It's a sleek black design with blue and rose-gold accents that looks like the design of a smartphone. best robot vacuum for pet hair self emptying is simpler to use than past models and comes with features like BoostIQ that automatically increases suction power for cleaner cleaning on all surfaces. It also uses intelligent navigation to avoid repeating the same area repeatedly, an issue that is common with simpler bounce-navigation systems.
It does a great job of picking up pet hair and crumbs from hard floors, but it is behind the best models in scooping up flour on carpet. In our tests, it missed 74% of the dust on hard floors and 26% of the powder on carpet.
One of the features that makes the G30 Edge stand out is the ability to map your home with an electronic map that is available in the app. This allows it to keep track of the rooms it has cleaned and avoid going back to these rooms. This is a major issue for the more basic robots that require the use traditional magnetic taps to mark areas that are not allowed to be in.
The G30 Edge also has other advantages. It comes with a "Find My Robot" mode that emits loud music until it is found and a directional keypad that lets you move the robot. It also has an automatic return feature that can send the robot back to its charging station when the battery is running low. This is a safety feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D-Shape robot is a powerful machine with a variety of smart features. It cleans bare floors very well, and it can climb on carpets with a high pile easily. The app also comes with advanced features, such as boundary lines remote control access when the robot is operating and a variety of other options.
This model is the latest in a long line of Neato robots and has a distinctive "D" shape when viewed from above. The design offers a number of advantages, including better corner cleaning and a larger container of dust than other models. The D-shape also allows the robot to get under furniture better than robots that have a circular shape.
When the first cleaning cycle when cleaning, the D-Shape will stop briefly to make use of spinning infrared lasers to scan and evaluate the area. Then it will begin to work in a grid, systematically moving from one area to the next until the entire floor is covered. This method of cleaning is much more efficient and thorough than the random approach employed by some competitors.
The D-Shape's design allows it to have a large, 700ml dust bin as opposed to 400-600ml for robots with similar prices. This capacity increase will save you time and effort by decreasing the frequency of emptying the bin. The D-Shape also features a flat front side that helps it navigate over obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, we discovered that the D-Shape was stuck under a stool with four legs and also under an electrical cord that was exposed. However it was able to to free itself each time.
3. Roomba i3+ EVO
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a fantastic choice for pet owners. It works well on hard floors and does an excellent job of cleaning up debris such as pet hair, rice, cereal and other small particles. It has issues with carpet, but is still better than other robots in this price. The Roomba EVO is also very adept at navigating between various flooring types. It doesn't stall in transitions like the older models. The dual multi-surface brushes flex and adjust to different flooring types. They also aren't able to tangle pet hair.
The i3+ EVO's obstacle avoidance isn't as effective as some of the other robots we evaluated, and it frequently encountered objects during our tests, such as handbags, shoes and pet toys prior to continuing its journey. It also had issues dealing with coarse sea salt which it did a whirlwind of instead of picking up.
The i3+ EVO is packed with features that make it worth the price over other Roomba models. It has a self-emptying bin and advanced control through an app. It is possible to schedule cleanings, create specific routines and set no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. The smart scheduling system will suggest additional cleaning during allergy season and based on the routine you follow. Its navigational system is somewhat not reliable, however, and it sometimes vacuums in erratic lines such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL
With a detailed mapping technology, this smart robot can see your home more than you do. It has dual brushes which adjust to different types of floors and are able to avoid tangling. This makes it a great 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 the tasks of filling and cleaning the robot's water tank and debris bin, emptying it and charging and drying 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 house with a mix of unfinished carpet and low-pile flooring and found it able to move and clean very well, even navigating corners. The vacuum also does a good job of removing pet hair from carpets but it's not equipped with the same amount of power as some of our top selections.
However, the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, takes less time to recharge than the Shark, and provides more automated and scheduling options, including 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 to control and monitor rather than an actual remote.
5. Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry
It's not easy to find a machine that can combine mopping and vacuuming however this one does it. Its two-tank system can effectively vacuum or mop at the touch of one button. In our tests it was able easily switch between surfaces and was great at picking up pet fur from carpets and hardwood floors. It also comes with an edge-sweeping brush that can remove pet hair from walls and baseboards, plus the ability to schedule it to your schedule.
This robot is a great option if you're looking for a model that's affordable and comes with additional features. It was able to negotiate obstacles with ease during our testing and can be controlled by an app or voice. It comes with a large trash bin to collect messes before they're filled. The only drawback is that it could take up to 166 minutes to finish its job however that's still much better than other robots we've tested.
This robot's front-facing camera allows you to monitor the cleanliness of your home through a map with an app. It's especially useful if you're trying to find an item that you're looking for or your children spill glitter from the decorations on your floors. It can save you a lot of frustration by locating the missing item immediately. The lithium batteries that are fade-free can last for as long as 130 minutes on a single charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 looks upscale and offers a thorough cleaning. It is very good at maneuvering and can fit under low-level furniture without stumbling. It's also a good option for carpets with low pile. However, it can get caught in rug tassels and has trouble getting around corners or tight spaces. It also has difficulty picking up pet hair from all surfaces.
Despite the limited features of the 694 however, 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 just a few stray pieces. It's not as effective on hardwood floors, however. The side brush scatters large cereal particles that stick to the floor instead of being vacuumed. It also had trouble collecting table salt on bare flooring, as many grains fell across the floor.
It can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant using an external device (sold separately). It learns about your cleaning habits and creates custom schedules. Cliff Detect and an edge-sweeping brush ensure that it can get into hard-to-reach corners, while Dirt Detect sensors alert it to areas that are heavily soiled. Its battery can last for around 60 minutes and it has a self-emptying dustbin. The more expensive iRobot j7 has a more advanced set of features and performs better on all surfaces. It also feels better constructed and has a bigger dust bin it charges faster and can navigate obstacles such as electrical cords with ease.