The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A good robot vacuum cleaner can make a significant difference in controlling allergens like dust and pet hair. But not all models are to be the same.
If you're looking to purchase an animal-friendly vacuum or just a great robot to enhance your existing cleaner, there are plenty of alternatives.
1. Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge
The G30 Edge is the newest model in Eufy's budget line robot vacuum cleaners. The G30 Edge is a shining black vacuum cleaner, with blue and rose gold accents. It's akin to it's a smartphone. This model is easier to use than past models and comes with features such as BoostIQ that automatically boosts suction power for cleaner cleaning of all surfaces. Smart navigation can be used to avoid the repetition of the same areas that are a common problem when using bounce-navigation.
It does a great job getting rid of pet hair, crumbs, and dust on hard floors but it is not as efficient as the top models when it comes to removing flour from carpet. In our tests, it missed 74% of the dust on hard floors and 26% of the powder on carpet.
The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map out your home using digital maps. This lets it remember which rooms it has already cleaned, and to avoid returning to them. This is a major issue for the more basic robots that require the use old-fashioned magnetic tap to delineate no go zones.
The G30 Edge also has other conveniences. It comes with a "Find My Robot" mode that blasts out loud music until it is located and a directional keypad that allows you manually move the robot. It also comes with an automatic return feature that sends the robot back to its charging station when the battery is at a low level. This is a security feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D-Shape robot is a powerful machine with a long list of intelligent features. It is able to clean floors well, and it can climb on carpets with high piles fairly easily. The app also has advanced features, such as boundary lines remote control access when the robot is in operation, and a variety of other options.
This model is the newest in a long-running line of robots manufactured by Neato. It features a unique "D shape when seen from above. The design offers a number of advantages such as improved corner cleaning and a bigger dust bin 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 process to make use of spinning infrared light to assess and scan the area. Then it will work in a grid, systematically moving from one area to the next until the entire floor has been covered. This method of cleaning is much more effective and thorough than the random approach used by certain competitors.
The d-shape design also permits the D-Shape to have a larger dust bin that is 700ml, compared to 400- 600ml for similar-priced robots. The increased capacity means you'll have to empty the bin less often, which will save your time and effort. The D-Shape features a flat side on the front, which helps it to navigate around obstacles such as tables and chairs. In our tests, the D-Shape did get stuck under a four-legged stool and an exposed electrical cord, though it was able to get out every 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 a good job of removing dirt like pet hair cereal, rice and other small particles. It is a bit shaky on carpet but is still superior to other robots in this price range. The Roomba EVO is also very adept at navigating between various flooring types. It isn't stuck on transitions like older generations. Dual multi-surface brushes can flex and adapt to different flooring types. They also resist tangling pet hair.
The i3+ EVO has a weaker obstacle avoidance than some of the other robots we tested. It frequently ran into objects like handbags, pet toys and shoes before retracing its course. It also had trouble with coarse sea salt that it was able to blow around instead of taking it up.
The i3+ EVO includes a number of great features to make it worth the extra cost compared to other Roomba models, including the ability to empty the dustbin automatically and advanced control through the app. You can schedule cleanings, create custom routines, and even create zones that don't want the robot to be allowed to enter. Its intelligent scheduling can even suggest extra cleaning during allergy season and according to the routine you follow. Its navigation system isn't reliable and often vacuums in irregular patterns, such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL
This intelligent robot can to trace your home's layout in detail, better than you. It comes with dual brushes that adapt to different types of floors and avoid tangling. This makes it the ideal choice for homes that have pets. You can use the app to control the robot, or activate it with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The dock, called Omni, automates tasks such as refilling and cleaning the robot's water tanks, emptying debris bins, and charging and drying the mop pads.
It's a great value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, including self-emptying bins and mapping that can hold a lot of garbage. It was able to clean and maneuver well in a space with a mix of carpeting with low pile, bare floors, and a combination of both. The vacuum does an excellent job of picking up pet fur on carpeting. However it's not as powerful much power as our top choices.
The Roborock S4 Max, however it is more durable and recharges faster than the Shark and comes with a wider selection of automation options and scheduling options and support for "no-go zones". 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 dedicated remote.
5. best robot vacuum for pet hair on hardwood floors and wet
This robot is capable of both vacuuming and mopping. Its two-tank system powerfully vacuums or mop with the push of the button. In our tests it was able to easily switch between different surfaces and was great at getting pet fur off carpets and hardwood floors. It also features an edge-sweeping tool to remove pet hair from baseboards and walls, as well as the ability to schedule your schedule.
This is a good option if you're looking for an affordable model that comes with additional features. It maneuvered obstacles well in our testing and can be controlled via an app or your voice. It also supports scheduled cleaning and has a huge dust bin to catch the mess before it gets full. The only downside is that it could take up to 166 minutes to complete its work however that's still much better than other robots we've evaluated.
This robot's front-facing camera allows you to check the cleanliness of your home's condition by using a map app. It's especially useful if you're trying to locate something specific or your children spill glitter from your Christmas decorations all over your flooring. It will save you a lot of stress by locating the missing item immediately. The fade-free lithium batteries can last for as long as 130 minutes with a single charge.
6. Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 is an upscale-looking robot that provides solid cleaning. It is extremely adept at moving its self and can reach under furniture without getting stuck. It is also suitable for carpets and rugs with low pile. It can get stuck on rug tassels and it is unable to navigate small spaces, such as corners. It also has difficulty picking up pet hair on any surface.
The 694 is still superior than the majority of its competitors despite the limited features. It scored a perfect 10 on our cereal carpet test, and did well in our test of cat litter with just a few scattered pieces. It is less effective on hardwood flooring. The side brush can scatter large, clinging cereal bits instead of vacuuming them. It also had a hard to collect table salt from a clean floor, with a lot of grains falling across the floor, and out of its reach.
It supports app control via the iRobot HOME app as well as voice command via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, sold separately). It learns about your cleaning habits and creates personalized schedules. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool will ensure that it can get into difficult-to-reach areas, while Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to areas that are soiled heavily. It comes with a dust bin that automatically empties and a battery life of about 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 better.