The word pet can encompass a lot of different species, even if most of us simply think of cats or dogs. If you are looking for the best robot vacuum for pet hair, you obviously have a furry creature in your household.
A good robot vacuum can handle hardwood and carpet with ease, but pet hair is a game-changer for many homeowners. With that in mind, we’ve put together a buying guide and list of the best machines available so you can find the perfect model for your pet.
The type of animal you have can play a part in finding the perfect vacuum, although it's far from the only factor. Our first piece of advice is to simply know your pet. If you have a large dog that loves to attack your upright, there's a good chance your new robotic vacuum cleaner won't make it through a week. That usually isn’t an issue with cats…
The noise from your vacuum could be, however, and some models are considerably quieter than others. Different breeds and species shed at different rates as well, so if your four-legged friend loses their coat throughout the year, you are going to want a powerful vacuum with plenty of suction. Have a house full of pets? Then skip the budget-friendly machines and go straight for the high-powered models..
How to find the Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair
Shopping for a robot vacuum is different than looking for a traditional upright vacuum cleaner. When you bring pet hair into the equation, things become even more complicated. While any robotic vacuum cleaner is capable of picking up hair from your cat or dog, the best robot vacuum for pet hair should meet certain criteria.
How large is your home?
It's easy to become overwhelmed by flagship features when you are buying the vacuum cleaner is technically a robot. The first thing you need to consider is simple as the size of your home can dictate which type of vacuum cleaner should be on your list.
While there are a number of specifications that can tell you how powerful a vacuum cleaner is, battery life is what you want to keep in mind when it comes to the size of your home. Robotic vacuums are limited by their run time, although most of the top models are capable of cleaning close to an hour before needing to be recharged.
You don't need to know the square footage of your home, just consider the battery life and how long it takes to recharge. Most systems send the robot to a charging base when the battery is low, but not every vacuum can pick up where it left off.
Hardwood, Carpet, and Tile
We’ve talked about the different types of pets that can cause problems in your home and discussed the sizes of the rooms as well. Now it's time to think about the type of flooring you have in your home, as some Robot vacuum cleaners will deal with hardwood better than carpet.
Not many homes are fully carpeted, so it may be important to look for a vacuum that can transition across several types of flooring depending on your layout. If the kitchen, bathroom, and den are covered in luxury vinyl flooring, and only a few rooms have carpet, you can save yourself some money. You might also want to consider a vacuum that mops as well.
Alternatively, homes with more carpet than hardwood or laminate flooring may want more power out of their unit and a larger battery for detailed cleaning. There are also machines with special carpet modes, which can have an impact on cleaning times, just like the type of brush or suction system used by the manufacturer.
Navigation
Every robotic vacuum cleaner on our list uses a navigation system to find its way throughout your home. The type of technology used directly affects the price of robotic vacuum cleaners and can play a significant part in your buying decision as well. While there are different techniques used, most robot vacuum cleaners have a few things in common when it comes to navigation.
Bump sensors come into play when your vacuum bumps into something and are standard on almost every robot vacuum cleaner. They are simple, yet effective, just like the aptly named wall sensor. These sensors will help guide your robot along walls while a cliff or ledge sensor keeps your robot vacuum from falling off steep edges or down the stairs.
An optical sensor is a bit different from the rest as it keeps up with distance, not a wall or an edge. An optical encoder tracks how your vacuum cleaner moves and how far it travels while it’s performing its cleaning routine. While most of these are common, the quality of the sensor is important, along with the software behind it.
The same rules apply to high-end navigation and mapping systems that utilize cameras or lasers. At this time, there are only a handful of companies that use this technology, but they are your best options if you want an accurate and efficient robot vacuum for pet hair.
Mapping & Boundaries
Collision detection and anti-drop sensors are only part of what makes a robotic vacuum cleaner tick. While it’s true, some systems can function with software and a dozen simple sensors, mapping technology will make your life easier.
This tech works in conjunction with a robot vacuum’s navigation system and can map the layout or your entire home or a single room. How well it actually works depends on a variety of factors, but iRobot, Neato, and Samsung have some of the better navigation and mapping systems on the market today.
Every robot on our list will give you a measure of control on how it cleans, but boundary markers and no-go lines are hit or miss. This feature can block your robot off from certain rooms of your home. It’s implemented through an app and software or physical items like a small beacon or magnetic strips.
If you have a larger home or a floor plan that involves a multitude of rooms, a unit with a great mapping system should be at the top of your shopping list. The same goes for features that block your bot from certain rooms; otherwise, you may spend a lot of time shutting doors and moving physical barriers.
Cleaning Modes
The best robot vacuums for pet hair will all have one thing in common – cleaning modes. How you access those modes will vary, however, just like the cleaning patterns. That said, cleaning modes are the most common feature regardless of price or name brand.
Spot cleaning is arguably the handiest mode for many homeowners. Instead of setting your robot to clean your entire home or one room, you can set it to tidy up a small area. It’s perfect for homes with dogs that love to sit and scratch, as the robot can pick up what they leave behind as needed.
Automatic cleaning is self-explanatory, although how it works and the type of cleaning pattern you’ll get varies. Single room cleaning is another nifty feature, and somewhat standard on budget-friendly robot vacuums. Edge mode is another popular option and one you will be thankful to have with hardwood or tile considering how pet tends to end up in the edges of rooms with hard flooring.
Robot Vacuum Cleaner Specifications
Compared to other high-tech consumer goods, there aren’t too many specifications you need to know with robot vacuum cleaners. Below are some of the specifications that an impact your buying decision, along with a brief explanation of what they mean.
Cleaning Path Width – Cleaning path width is an important specification, but something that can be hard to track down with some manufacturers. The latter tells you how wide of a strip your vacuum can clean, and has an impact on the overall cleaning time.
Bin size – Bin size is usually measured in liters. In our experience, bin sizes typically range from 0.3 to 0.7-liters in this class. Some are marked as “Extra Large,” but don’t be fooled by marketing – simply check the size.
Pa Ratings – Depending on the brand of vacuum you’re considering, it may have a Pa rating. This measurement gives you an idea of how powerful the suction is, although it isn’t a number that should make or break your decision considering some brands don’t provide one at all.
Speed – This can come under many names, but essentially tells you how fast a machine can move. Sometimes referred to as walking or cleaning speed, this spec is worth keeping in mind but difficult to find with some brands.
Climbing – Most homes have at least one or two thresholds, and those can cause issues for robot vacuum cleaners. Every robot will have a maximum threshold height it can clear, but large wheels are key in this area as well.
Features
The types of features you’ll get from a robot vacuum largely depend on your budget and the brand. Most systems are priced competitively with the competition in mind, so here is a list of some common and not so common options found on this class of robot vacuum cleaner.
At one time, Dock and Recharge was an exotic feature, but it is a standard today. Resuming the job where it stopped can be trickier, however. Filters are also common, although some need to be replaced while others can be washed and reused.
Remote controls are popular in the budget range, and Wi-Fi is standard on all premium units. Dual-band Wi-Fi is not something you’ll see often, but perfect for large homes. Self-cleaning systems are also fairly new, but you’ll find dozens of robots that can vacuum and mop your floor.
The Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair
Whether you have a pack of Chihuahuas, a Siamese cat, or large canine roaming through your home, pet hair can be a major problem. All of our options for the best robot vacuum cleaner for pet hair are built to deal with dander and dirt while making your life easier. It was difficult to narrow down the choices, but after careful consideration, we chose the seven models below based on performance and price.
When you’re looking for a mobile phone or a television set, Samsung is a great name to turn to. Well, they're making a name for themselves in the world of robot vacuums as well thanks to units like the POWERbot R7260 Pet Plus.
The POWERbot R7260 is one of Samsung's top tier systems. That means you'll get all their best features like the Visionary Mapping Plus system. It uses a camera and sensors to clean and map your home and allows for multiroom cleaning. CycloneForce technology and the unique design provides up to 40x the suction of a traditional robot vacuum as well.
Corners and walls are no match for this machine thanks to the Edge Clean Master system with rubber blades. You'll be thankful for the pet-friendly brush as well and the generous cleaning path which is listed at 10.9” wide. Other tech specs of interest include a cleaning speed of 12.6 inches per second, a 0.3L dust bin, and a battery rated for 90 minutes of runtime.
Another reason POWERbot R7260 Pet Plus is an option for the best robot vacuum for pet hair is its intelligence. This machine has Wi-Fi connectivity which so you can connect to other devices or services. It also has something called Point Cleaning that allows you to point your remote to an area that needs to be cleaned and features a voice guide the gives you updates about your system as well.
The Samsung POWERbot R7260 Pet Plus isn't exactly cheap, but it provides you with a lot of bang for your buck. The navigation and mapping system is top of the line, and features like the voice prompts are extremely handy as well. At 3.8” high, it may not fit under some things in your home, which is something to consider giving the price.
Roomba’s robots excel at multi-floor cleaning, and this system is certainly no exception. The iRobot Roomba i7+ is one of the company's flagship vacuums. It's also the only system on our list capable of emptying its own bin.
While there's a lot to like about this Robot vacuum, the biggest draw would be the self-cleaning feature. When the bin gets full, this robot will head back to its home base and dispose of the dirt into a larger been with a bag. That large bin can hold up to 30 small bins of dirt and will keep your home free of dander and allergens as well.
The Roomba i7+ also makes use of the company’s patented navigation and mapping technology with iAdapt 3.0 and vSLAM. The camera and sensor system is highly accurate in mapping your home and we don't think you'll be disappointed with the suction power either. This model doesn't mop but is designed with Imprint Link technology, which allows it to communicate with the Braava mopping robot.
With a height of 3.6”, this robot isn't in the slim class although the unit itself is light and easy to maintain. It has a 7” cleaning path width and the dust bin is 0.3 liters. The dual rubber brushes are noteworthy as well considering they're built to deal with any surface, flexible, and won't get tangled with pet hair.
We touched on this system in our list of the best robot vacuums for carpet, and it's an excellent option for pet hair on any type of floor. If you like what the i7+ brings to the table, but not the price tag, there's a variant available without the self-cleaning feature that’s quite a bit cheaper. This particular system comes with two additional AllergenLock bags and a standard 1-year warranty.
Roborock is a brand associated with Xiaomi and responsible for some of the top-selling robot vacuum cleaners online. While a smaller brand, their bots are high tech, and the Roborock S6 certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard.
The S6 uses a blend of smart LDS navigation combined with 14 different sensors to navigate your home. SLAM mapping algorithms help this laser-based system accurately map its surroundings while finding the most effective way to clean them. It’s connected as well, like all the best robot vacuums for pet hair, so you can sync up to smart home devices or use their official mobile app.
You’ll be able to set a cleaning schedule or set virtual no-go boundaries with the app. The maximum suction rating is 2,000Pa, and the battery life is listed at 180 minutes. While that number will vary, it will provide you with more runtime than other robots in this range. There are no other tech specs to share aside from the height, which is 3.8”.
Recharge and Resume, Carpet Boost, and a Dynamic brush system are all highlights of the Roborock S6. The biggest draw would be the mopping system, however, as it has an integrated tank that slides onto the bot. The company claims a cleaning time of around 3 hours with quiet mode, and the system itself is rated at 56dB in balanced mode.
Consumers loved the battery life on this model, and it has all the features you would expect from a high-end robot vacuum. The suction is strong, and we’re big fans of the navigation and mapping system as well. The price is high, but worth it if you have a larger home and are interested in a robot vacuum for pet hair that can vacuum or mop your floors.
The D7 from Neato is another robot vacuum with a unique sense of style that’s designed to deal with corners and edges. It’s also one of the smarter robot vacuum cleaners for pet hair courtesy of a unique navigation and mapping system.
The Neato BotVac D7 is a connected robot vacuum with dual-band capabilities and an official app. This robot also connects two other gadgets as well including Alexa, Google Home, Facebook, and IFTTT. It's incredibly autonomous thanks to a LaserSmart navigation system designed by the company, which allows it to clean in the dark.
Neato's mailing technology makes random patterns a thing of the past as this system will scan and map your entire home. You can schedule cleaning from within the app and set No-Go lines as well. They act as a virtual boundary system and can keep your robot out if specific rooms. Multiple floor maps and zone cleaning are also options with the D7.
The company claims this robot vacuum has a battery that will provide 120 minutes of power. How much power you actually get depends on whether you’re using Echo or Turbo Mode, although consumers agree this vacuum has plenty of juice. This robot vacuum is 3.9” high with a cleaning path listed at 12” which is impressive.
Whether you have a small dog or a pack of cats in your home, the BotVac D7 robot vacuum can handle your pet hair. It has all the top-tier features you would expect from a machine in this class and is a great choice for larger homes. The only common complaint from homeowners we found on this machine was in regard to software and connectivity issues which seem to be hit or miss.
iLife has made a name for themselves by producing affordable robot vacuum cleaners. Like many of their bots, the iLife v8s comes with a unique feature that is perfect for homes with pets and hardwood floors.
The best robot vacuum cleaner won’t have any problem with pet hair on carpet or hardwood. What it can't do is clean up muddy paw prints, however. The V8s solves that problem with the i-Dropping smart mopping system, which has 3 speeds and provides control over the water flow. That said, you will have to keep this robot blocked from carpeted rooms, as there's no boundary system.
This vacuum will glide over transitions with ease thanks to a large set of RoadRover wheels. It has a large 0.75-liter dust bin and comes equipped with six cleaning modes. It's not as intelligent as other bots on her list but does come with a remote and sensors to help it keep on track. There's also a small control panel on top with a digital display, and it offers scheduled programming.
The iLife V8s isn't the best choice for carpeted homes but works wonders on hardwood. The mopping feature is a nice touch given the price, even if you may have to block your bot from certain rooms. This vacuum is rated for around 100 minutes run time and is 3.2” high, so it should slide under most furniture.
Robot vacuum cleaners are a unique product and typically made by brands focused on the area. Bissell is a company that built its name producing vacuums and cleaning products, and their first robotic vacuum cleaner is geared towards pet hair.
The Bissell EV675 is a simple, but effective system capable of removing pet hair from hard flooring surfaces. It can handle low-pile carpet as well and has an array of sensors to help it find its way around rooms. That includes a Bump and Cliff sensors along with the system that lets it return to the dock. Consumers have also reported that it's one of the quieter robot vacuums they've ever experienced.
When it comes to features, you can look forward to a triple-action cleaning system with dual-edge brushes, a brush roll, and the suction system. The dust bin will hold 0.4 liters of debris, which is a bit smaller than we like. On a positive note, this robot vacuum can clean for up to 100 minutes and allows you to schedule cleanings as well. It's of average size with a height of 3.5”.
The Bissell EV675 is a solid vacuum cleaner and a great fit for smaller homes with hardwood flooring. While it doesn't have as many features or the brain of a system in the premium class, this vacuum won't break the bank and has a solid set of features.
If you’re purchased a hand vac or upright in the past decade, there’s a chance you’ve owned or at least considered a Shark vacuum. The company produces several robot vacuum cleaners as well, and our top pick is the popular Shark ION R87.
This robot has dual side brushes that spin and pull in hair and dirt from corners along with a powerful suction system that’s perfect for debris. The brushroll is designed to work on multiple surfaces, and the bin is easy to detach and dump. That bin is larger than most, but so is the system with a height of 3.5”.
Like most of the company’s robot vacuums, the R87 uses Auto-Sense navigation tech to clean without crashing into things. The mapping capabilities are sparse, but this is a connected vacuum with Wi-Fi. This gives you a measure of control from their app, along with the ability to access Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa.
The Shark ION R87 is a mid-range robot from Shark, but one with an excellent set of features, including voice and app control. It’s available in two capacities as well with a standard or XL model, although we chose the latter for obvious reasons.
Pros
Wi-Fi
Powerful suction
Multi-surface brushroll
Scheduled cleaning
Cons
Light on features
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often will I need to clean or maintenance my robot vacuum?
A: While it’s a good idea to give them a quick dusting with every cycle, the frequency of cleaning depends on the brand and manufacturer.
Q: How durable are robot vacuums, are replacement parts easy to find?
A: Smaller things like side or edge brushes are usually the first to go buy easy to replace. It’s always a good idea to check for replacement parts beforehand if quality is a concern.
Q: Are robotic vacuum cleaners bagless?
A: Most, if not all newer machines use a bagless system, but there are a few exceptions.
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