Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair On Hardwood Floors: The Good And Bad Ab…

The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A good robot vacuum can make a huge difference in keeping allergens like dust and pet hair under control. However, not all models are identical.

If you're looking to purchase pet-friendly features in your vacuum or simply a good robot to supplement your other cleaner, there are plenty of options.

1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30

The G30 Edge is the newest model in Eufy's budget line robot vacuum cleaners. The G30 Edge is a glossy black vacuum cleaner, with rose gold and blue accents. It's like a smartphone. The model is simpler to use than the previous models and has features like BoostIQ that automatically increases suction power for cleaner cleaning of all surfaces. It also uses intelligent navigation to prevent repeating the same spots repeatedly, a common problem with bounce-navigation systems that are simpler.

It does a great job of removing pet hair and crumbs from hard floors, but it falls in comparison to the best vacuum and mop for pet hair models when it comes to cleaning up dust on carpet. In our tests, it missed 74% of the dust on hard floors and 26% of the powder on carpet.

A feature that makes the G30 Edge stand out is the ability to map your home using a digital map in the app. This lets it remember which spaces it has cleaned previously and prevents it from returning to those rooms, a major frustration with simpler robots that rely on the use of magnetic tape to define zones that aren't allowed.

The G30 Edge also has other features. It comes with an "Find My Robot" mode that blasts out loud music until it is found and a directional keypad that lets you move the robot. It also has a built-in auto return function that will send it back to its charging base when the battery is depleted, an important safety feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D-Shape robot is a mighty machine with a long list of smart features. It is able to clean floors well and climb up carpets with high piles with ease. The app also offers advanced features like boundary lines, remote control access while the robot is operating and a variety of other options.

This model is the latest in a long series of robots from Neato and is distinguished by its unique "D" shape when viewed from above. The design offers a number of advantages, including better corner cleaning and a larger container of dust than most other models. The D-shape design allows the robot to get under furniture better than those with a circular design.

When first starting a cleaning cycle, the D-Shape will pause briefly to make use of infrared lasers that spin to scan and assess the space. It will then begin to clean in a grid pattern by moving in a logical manner from one area to another until the floor is completely covered. This method of cleaning is much more effective and thorough than the random approach taken by some competitors.

The D-Shape's design permits it to have a huge, 700ml dust bin in comparison to 400-600ml on robots with similar prices. This capacity increase will help you save time and effort by making it easier to empty the dust bin. The D-Shape also has a flat front side that can help it to navigate over obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests the D-Shape did end up getting stuck under a stool with four legs and an exposed electrical cord however it was able to free itself each time.

3. Roomba I3+ EV

The Roomba EVO i3+ is an excellent option for pet owners. It works well on hard floors and does a good job of removing dirt like pet hair, cereal, rice and other small particles. It struggles a little bit on carpet, but is better than most robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO also does very well in navigating between different flooring types and doesn't get caught over transitions in the way older generations can. The dual multi-surface brushes are flexible and adapt to different flooring types. They also have a tendency to not tangle pet hair.

The i3+ EVO has weaker obstacle avoidance than some of the other robots we evaluated. It repeatedly ran into objects like handbags, pet toys and even shoes before continuing its path. It also had difficulty dealing with salt that was coarse which it blew up and around rather than picking up.

The i3+ EVO comes with a host of features that make it well worth the extra money over other Roomba models. These include the ability to self-empty the bin and more advanced control with an app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and create custom routines. You can also create no-go zones to prevent the robot from entering certain areas. Its smart scheduling will even suggest extra cleaning during allergy season and based on the routine you follow. The navigational system is not reliable however, and sometimes vacuums in irregular lines such as diagonals or zigzags rather than parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL

With detailed mapping technology, this smart robot is able to know your home better than you can. It comes with two brushes that adjust to different types of flooring and prevent getting caught up in. This makes it the ideal choice for homes that have pets. The app allows you to control the robot or activate it with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. And the dock, dubbed Omni, automates tasks such as refilling and cleaning the robot's water tank, emptying the debris bin as well as charging and drying the 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 debris. It was able to clean and best robot vacuum for pet hair on hardwood floors maneuver well in a house which had a mix of carpeting with low pile, bare floors and a mix of both. The vacuum does a great job of removing pet hair on carpeting. However it's not as powerful much power as our top picks.

However, the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, takes less time to recharge than the Shark and comes with more scheduling and automation features, including support for no-go zones. Shark is still a good option if you're looking for something cheaper or prefer to manage and control your system via your phone instead of the remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry & Wet

This robot is capable of both vacuuming and mopping. The dual tank system of this robot allows it to mop or vacuum with the push of one button. In our tests, it was able to effortlessly switch between surfaces and was great at cleaning pet fur from hardwood floors and carpets. It also comes with an edge-sweeping tool that can remove hair from baseboards and walls.

This robot is a great option if you're looking for an affordable model that comes with extra features. It maneuvered obstacles well in our tests, and it can be controlled via an app or voice. It has a huge dust bin for the collection of messes before they're filled. The only issue is that it can take up to 166 minutes to finish its job however that's still much better than most other robots we've evaluated.

This robot's front-facing camera allows you to monitor the cleanliness of your home's condition through a map with an app. It's especially helpful when you're looking for something specific or the children spill glitter from the Christmas decorations all over your floors. You can avoid much frustration by finding the item you lost immediately. Additionally the battery is not fade-proof and can last up to 130 minutes on a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an upscale-looking robot that provides good cleaning. It is extremely adept at moving its self and can move under furniture without becoming stuck. It's also a good choice for carpets and rugs with low pile. However, it could be caught in rug tassels and has trouble finding its way through tight spaces such as corners. It also struggles to pick up pet hair on any surface.

Despite the limited features of the 694, it still performs better than the majority of competitors. It managed to grab a perfect score in our cereal-carpet test and was able to pass our test on cat litter with only a few stray pieces of litter left behind. It's not as effective on hardwood floors, though. The side brush scatters large cereal pieces that stick to the floor instead of sweeping. It also had a difficult to collect table salt from a bare floor, with a lot of grains skidding across the floor and beyond its reach.

It can be controlled through the iRobot HOME app as well as voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, sold separately). It analyzes your cleaning habits and then creates personalized 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 comes with a self-emptying dustbin. The pricier iRobot J7 comes with a more sophisticated set of features and is better on all surfaces. It also feels more robust and has a bigger dustbin, charges faster, and navigates obstacles like electrical cords more easily.