Why All The Fuss? Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair On Hardwood Floors?

The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A high-quality robot vacuum can make a big difference in reducing allergens such as dust and pet hair. But not all models are created to be the same.

If you're looking for pet-friendly features in your vacuum or simply a good robot to complement your existing vacuum, there are plenty of alternatives.

1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30

The G30 Edge is the newest model in Eufy's line of budget robot vacuum cleaners. The G30 Edge is a shining black vacuum cleaner with pink and blue accents. It's akin to a smartphone. This model is easier-to-use than previous models and has features like BoostIQ which automatically boosts suction to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. It also uses intelligent navigation to prevent repeating the same areas repeatedly, which is a common problem with simpler bounce-navigation systems.

It is effective in getting rid of pet hair, crumbs, Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors and dust on hard floors, but isn't as effective as the top models when it comes to removing flour from 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.

The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map out your home using a digital map. This lets it remember which rooms it has already cleaned and avoid returning to those rooms which is a major problem with simpler robots that rely on the use of magnetic tape to delineate zones that aren't allowed.

The G30 Edge has other conveniences such as a 'Find My Robot' mode that plays an ominous tune until it is found, and a directional pad that lets you to manually move the robot. It also has a built-in auto return function that sends it back to its charging base when the battery is empty, an important safety feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D-Shape robot is a powerful machine with a wide array of smart features. It cleans bare floors very well, and it can climb on high-pile carpet fairly easily. The app comes with advanced features such as boundary lines and remote access to the robot while it is working and a host of other options.

This model is the newest 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 other models. The D-shape also allows the robot to get under furniture better than those that have a circular shape.

When the first cleaning cycle when cleaning, the D-Shape will stop for a moment to make use of infrared lasers that spin to scan and evaluate the space. Then it will work in a grid, gradually moving from one area to the next until the entire floor has been covered. This method of cleaning is more efficient and thorough than the random approach used by some competitors.

The d-shape design allows the D-Shape to have a large dust bin, at 700ml compared to 400 to 600ml for similar-priced robots. This extra capacity will help you save time and effort by decreasing the frequency of emptying the bin. The D-Shape also has flat front side that can help it get over obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests, we observed that the D-Shape was stuck under a stool with four legs as well as under an exposed electrical cord. However it was able to free itself every time.

3. Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba i3+ EVO is an excellent option for pet owners. It works well on hard floors and does a fantastic job of cleaning up any particles like cereal, rice and hair of pets. It struggles a little bit on carpet, but is superior to other robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO also does very well in navigating between different flooring types and doesn't get hung up on transitions the way older generations can. Dual multi-surface brushes can flex and adapt to different flooring types. They also have a tendency to not tangle pet hair.

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

The i3+ EVO includes a number of great features to make it worth the additional cost compared to other Roomba models, such as self-emptying bins and advanced control through the app. You can schedule cleanings, set custom routines, and create zones that don't want the robot to enter. Its smart scheduling will even suggest additional cleanings during allergy seasons and best robot vacuum for pet hair on hardwood floors depending on the routine you follow. Its navigation system is unreliable and sometimes vacuums in erratic patterns like diagonals or zigzags instead of parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty XL

This smart robot is able to visualize your home's interior and better than you. It also comes with dual brushes that can be adjusted to different kinds of flooring and avoids getting caught, making it the ideal option for homes with pets. You can control the robot through the app, or use it hands-free using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, which is called Omni automates tasks like filling and cleaning the robot's water tanks, emptying debris bins, charging and drier the mop pads.

It's a great value. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, including mapping and a best self emptying robot vacuum and mop for pet hair-emptying bin which can hold a large amount of trash. It was able to clean and maneuver well in a space with a mix of carpeting with low pile, bare floors and a mixture of both. The vacuum does an excellent job of picking up pet fur on carpeting. However it's not as much power as our top selections.

The Roborock S4 Max, however, is more durable, recharges much quicker than the Shark and comes with a wider range of automation capabilities and scheduling options and support for "no-go zones". We'd still recommend the Shark if you're looking for something cheaper or in the event that you prefer using your mobile phone for control and monitoring instead of a dedicated remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet

This robot is capable of both vacuuming and mopping. The two tank system is powerful and can vacuum or mop at the touch of one button. In our tests it was able to easily switch between different surfaces and was a great choice for picking up pet fur from carpets and hardwood floors. It also includes an edge-sweeping tool for removing cat hair from baseboards and walls.

This robot is a great choice if you are looking for a model that's affordable and comes with additional features. It was able to navigate obstacles with ease in our testing and is operated via an app or voice. It even supports scheduled cleanings and has a large trash bin to catch the mess before it gets full. The only downside is that it could take up to 166 minutes to complete its task, but that's still better than other robots we've evaluated.

The highlight of this robot is its front-facing camera, which allows you to monitor the cleanliness of your home on an interactive map within the app. It's particularly helpful if you're trying to find a specific item or if your kids spill glitter from your decorations on your flooring. You can avoid much frustration by finding the lost item immediately. The lithium batteries that are fade-free can last for as long as 130 minutes with a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is a stylish robot that delivers good cleaning. It does a great job maneuvering itself and is able to reach under furniture without becoming stuck. It's also a great choice for carpets with low pile. It can get stuck on rug tassels, and it's difficult to maneuver small spaces such as corners. It also has difficulty getting pet hair off all surfaces.

Despite the 694's limited feature set, it still performs better than the majority of its competitors. It was able to score the perfect score on our cereal-carpet test. It also completed 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 often scatters large pieces of cereal that cling to the floor instead of sweeping them away. It also had a tough time collecting table salt from a bare floor, with a lot of grains skidding across the floor and out of its reach.

It can be controlled via the iRobot HOME app and voice command via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, purchased separately). It analyzes your habits of cleaning and creates customized schedules. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool ensure that it gets into hard-to-reach places, while Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to spots that are heavily soiled. The battery lasts for about 60 minutes and it has a self-emptying trash bin. The pricier iRobot j7 has a more advanced suite of features and is better on all surfaces. It's also more robust, has a larger dustbin, can charge faster and can handle obstacles like electrical cords more efficiently.