The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors
A quality robot vacuum can make a significant difference in keeping allergens such as dust and pet hair under control. However, not all models are created equal.
There are many options available depending on whether you are looking for an animal-friendly vacuum or a robot that can complement your other vacuum.
1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30
The G30 Edge, the latest model in Eufy’s budget series of robotic vacuum cleaners, is the most recent model. The G30 Edge is a glossy black vacuum cleaner with blue and rose gold accents. It's akin to it's a smartphone. It's easier to use than previous models and has features like BoostIQ which automatically increases suction to improve the cleaning of all surfaces. Smart navigation is used to prevent the repetition of the same area which is a common problem when using bounce-navigation.
It does a great job picking up pet hair, crumbs and dust on hard floors, but it is not as efficient as the top models when it comes to getting rid of dust from carpet. In our tests, it missed 74% of the dust on hard floors and 26% on carpet.
The G30 Edge is unique in its ability to map your home with digital maps. This allows it to keep track of the rooms it has cleaned and avoid going back to them. This is a major problem for more basic robots who require the old-fashioned magnetic taps to define no-go zones.
The G30 Edge has other conveniences, including a 'Find My Robot' mode that plays an ominous music until it's located and a directional pad that lets users to manually move the robot. It also has an automatic return feature that can send the robot back to its charging station when the battery is low. This is a safety feature.
2. Neato Botvac D-Shape
The Neato Botvac D-Shape robot is a robust machine that comes with a variety of intelligent features. best robot vacuum for pet hair self-emptying is able to clean floors efficiently and climb up carpets with high piles easily. The app also has advanced features such as boundary lines remote control access when the robot is working and a myriad of other options.
This model is the most recent in a long line of Neato robots and is distinguished by its unique "D" shape when viewed from above. This design offers several advantages, including better corner cleaning and a larger bin of dust than other models. The D-shape design also allows the robot to reach under furniture better than robots with a circular design.
The D-Shape will briefly stop before starting a cleaning cycle to make use of spinning infrared light to look over and evaluate the area. Then, it will begin cleaning in a grid pattern and move in a systematic manner from one area to another until the floor is completely covered. This method of cleaning is much more efficient and thorough than the random approach taken by other companies.
The d-shape design allows the D-Shape to have a larger dust bin that is 700ml as opposed to 400 to 600ml for similarly priced robots. This extra capacity will help you save time and effort by decreasing the frequency of emptying the dust bin. The D-Shape features a flat side on the front, which helps it to navigate around obstacles like tables and chairs. In our tests, we observed that the D-Shape got stuck under a four-legged stool and also under an electrical cord that was not covered. However it was able to get out of the way each time.
3. Roomba i3+ EV
The Roomba i3+ EVO is an excellent choice for pet owners. It is a great choice for hard floors, and does a great job of removing dirt like pet hair cereal, rice and other small particles. It has some issues on carpet, but is better than most robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO is also extremely efficient in navigating between different flooring types and doesn't get hung over transitions in the way older models can. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes can adjust to different flooring and are able to resist getting caught in pet hair.
The i3+ EVO has a weaker obstacle-avoiding capability than the other robots that we evaluated. It repeatedly encountered objects such as handbags, pet toys, and shoes before retracing its course. It also had trouble dealing with salt that was coarse that it blew over and around rather than picking up.
The i3+ EVO comes with a host of features that make it worth the cost over other Roomba models. It has an automatic emptying bin as well as advanced control with an app. It is possible to schedule cleaning and create custom routines. You can also designate zones that block the robot from entering certain areas. The smart scheduling system can suggest additional cleanings during high allergy times, based on your regular routine. The navigational system is not reliable however, and often vacuums in erratic lines like diagonals or zigzags, rather than parallel to walls.
4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL
With detailed mapping technology, this intelligent robot knows your home better than you do. It also comes with dual brushes that can adjust to various kinds of flooring and avoids tangling, making it the perfect option for households with pets. You can control the robot through the app, or turn on it hands-free with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, which is dubbed Omni, automates the tasks of refilling and cleaning the robot's water tank and debris bin, emptying it, and charging and drying the mop pads.
It's a great price. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, such as mapping and a self-emptying bin that can hold a lot of trash. It was able to clean and maneuver well in a house that had a mixture of carpeting with low pile or floors that were unfinished and a mix of both. The vacuum does a good job of removing pet hair on carpeting. However it's not as much power as our top choices.
The Roborock S4 Max, however, is more durable, recharges quicker than the Shark and has a greater variety of automation features and scheduling options, including support for "no-go zones". Shark is still a great choice if you want something less expensive or prefer to control and monitor your system using your phone instead of using a remote.
5. Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet
It's difficult to find a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming This one does exactly that. The two tank system is powerful and can vacuum or mops with the touch of a button. In our tests it was able to easily switch between surfaces and was excellent at cleaning pet fur from hardwood floors and carpets. It also includes an edge-sweeping tool for removing hair from baseboards and walls.
This robot is a good choice if you are looking for a robot that is inexpensive and has a few extra features. It was able to negotiate obstacles with ease during our tests and is controlled via an app or voice. It even has scheduled cleaning and has a large dustbin to capture messes before they become full. It could take up to 166 minutes to complete its task however this is faster than other robots that we have evaluated.
The most impressive feature of this robot is its front-facing camera that lets you check your home's cleanliness on live maps in the app. This is especially useful if you are trying to find a particular item, or if your kids have spilled glitter from your holiday decor all over your floor. It can save you a lot of stress by finding that lost 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 provides a thorough clean. It is extremely adept at moving itself and is able to get under low furniture without becoming stuck. It's also great for low-pile carpet and rugs. However, it might occasionally get caught on rug tassels and have difficulty finding its way through tight spaces such as corners. It also has trouble collecting pet hair from all surfaces.
The 694 is still superior than the majority of its competitors despite its limited features. It managed to grab the perfect score in our cereal-carpet test, and was able to pass our test on cat litter with just a few scattered pieces of litter left behind. It's less effective on hardwood floors, however. Its side brush often scatters large, clinging cereal bits instead of sweeping them away. It also had a hard time collecting table salt on unfinished floor, as lots of grains fell across the floor.
It supports voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via an external device (sold separately). It identifies your cleaning habits and gives you a customized schedule. Cliff Detect and a edge-sweeping tool ensure that it is able to 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 emptys and it has a battery life of around 60 minutes. The pricier iRobot J7 is more sophisticated and better on all surfaces. It also feels better built, has a larger dustbin it charges faster and is able to navigate obstacles such as electrical cords more easily.