The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair

You need a robot that can manage pet hair if you have pets. Some models come with mopping capabilities.

Find models with brushes that are self-cleaning or has a no tangle feature. Long hair can get caught around the brush roll. It's also helpful to choose the model that can withstand obstacles.

Noise Level

A pet is a wonderful companion, but they can also create an unrelenting amount of fur and dirt tracking around the home. This is why it's important to buy a robotic vacuum that can pick hair and dirt regularly. Some models can be programmed to clean other areas when you're away. Many have long battery lives, while others connect to Wi-Fi and are controlled using an app. If you have pets who are afraid of machines, choose a model with low noise.

Most robotic vacuums are relatively quiet. However, selecting a model that is more noise-dampening can help you to avoid causing stress or upset to your pets as they sweep the floor. Dr. Leah Cunniffe recommends that the ideal robot vacuum should not exceed 65 decibels for carpets and hard floors when operating at maximum power. This is comparable to the low noise of a refrigerator and a machine that has a decibel level of 80 or more could be as loud as traffic in cities.

Making sure your pet-friendly robot vacuum is able to recognize and avoid obstacles is important. Since the story of Roombas spraying poop on dogs' fur went viral in 2016 several manufacturers added avoidance technology to their devices. However there are some models that are more advanced. For instance the Roborock Q5+ has a front-facing optical sensor that is able to detect objects and avoid hitting them. It also has the ability to navigate its way back to its dock to self-empty its internal trash bin to a larger external one, which will save you the hassle of emptying its dirt bag on board after each cleaning session.

Another robot vacuum on our list of the top for pet hair is the ILIFE V3s Pro, which comes with the same hazard detection and automatic dirt emptying capabilities as the more expensive Roborock option but at a lower price point. This model is compatible with many smart home platforms. It also comes with a front facing camera that allows you to monitor the robot in real-time using the companion app. You can also use the app to set schedules, create no-go zones, and much more.

Object Detection

It's important to keep pet fur -- and other messes - under control when you have pets. Robot vacuums can help. Robot vacuums are excellent for sweeping fur tufts that stick to furniture and carpeting. Many models come with sensors which increase suction to get to hair tufts embedded in rugs or under sofas. Some have brushes that won't pull hair or snag it or fur, while others use no-tangle brushrolls to prevent the machine from getting clogged. Some even mop floors to keep them clean and fresh between deep cleaning sessions.

However, picking the right robot for pet hair will depend on your personal preferences and the number of furry companions you have around the house and their coats and how much they shed. If you have a short-haired American domestic cat and hard floors, for example you may need one with a self-emptying bottom to reduce the frequency of emptying it. Alternatively, someone with an Australian shepherd and wool carpets might want an automated system that can do mopping and vacuuming.

In our tests, we also looked at how it was easy for a robot cleaner be installed and maintained, and also the overall performance. We wanted to find a model that could work with a wide range of floor types and was easy to control through the app. We also looked for features such as obstacle detection so that the robot would not be entangled in stray cat or dog toys that could be on its path.

The iRobot J7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum was the top performer in all these categories. It is easy to use and set up, it maps your home quickly after its first cleaning and is able to detect and avoid obstacles such as furniture and tight corners. It can be programmed to clean your home at a time of your choosing, and automatically empty itself into an internal dirt bin following each cleaning session.

Wyze Robot Vacuum is a different option for pet-owners. It's less than half the price of our top choice, the iRobot 694 Roomba, yet it excels at cleaning pet hair both on carpeted and bare floors. It's not compatible with dock stations and the dustbin has to be emptying manually at the end each cleaning session. It also uses an uninspiring navigation system that is erratic and doesn't have advanced maps, as well as no-go zones. Our top option, the iRobot Spaceba 880, has these features.

Tangling

When selecting a robot for your home, pet owners with dogs and cats should consider the tangling capability. This is because rogue cat or dog toys can cause hairs to become stuck in the brushroll or the wheels of the vacuum. In this situation you should opt for the vacuum that has self-cleaning brushrolls or a feature that prevents hair from becoming tangled. Certain models also come with obstacle avoidance technology that can deliberately avoid items like toys that aren't safe, instead of simply tapping them and then moving on.

The right model to choose for your home with pets can be a challenge because there are a lot of different options available today. However, the top robot cleaner with mop vacuums for pet hair depend on advanced features to deal with even the toughest messes and allergens. Smart features include virtual mapping multifloor cleaning rooms, room labels, and the capability to create no-go zones in specific rooms. Some models can even connect to Wi-Fi and be controlled via an app for additional convenience.

The iRobot j7+ self-emptying robot vacuum is our top choice as the best robot vacuum for removing pet hair. It's user-friendly, quickly learns your home's structure and will map your floors automatically during its first cleaning session. It also can avoid the stairs and fit into corners and tight spaces, and is compatible across different home appliances.

The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ is another great option for pet owners. This robot is a "robot assistant" that is perfect for those with busy schedules, or who have trouble with household chores such as vacuuming. Its intelligent design allows it to take care of messes even if you're not home. It comes with a bin that is empty by itself. It can also be set up with a water container for mopping.

App Control

The most effective vacuum cleaner for pets is equipped with a handy companion app that lets you control the cleaning process. You can set a timer for cleaning, begin a clean and even pinpoint the area to clean if you have a small spill. The app allows you to view a map of the robot's position and activate features like object detection, drop proof technology, and no-go zones.

The most effective robots for pet hair have dual-brush rollers with a self-cleaning mechanism that prevents long, tangled hair from building up and clogging the brush. If you have pets that shed a lot look into a model that has rubber rollers that seem to be less susceptible to tangling than bristle versions. You should still clean the brushes, rollers, and filters regularly to ensure that tangled hair isn't clogging the machine.

The level of noise is a major factor, especially if you have pets who are easily scared by loud robot vacuums. Choose models that operate quietly or feature a design that minimizes noise. A lot of models come with docking stations that automatically empties after each cleaning session. However, this could also be noisy, since many of the bases we tested produced surprisingly loud noises when emptying.

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is our overall best robot for pet hair. It comes with special obstacle avoidance technology that will learn the layout of your home in its first clean. It is able to recognize drops, cables chairs, chair legs, and pet toys and will avoid them. The app can also create no-go zones, which the robot will not consider during cleaning. In 2016, following stories of Roombas spreading poop all over dog beds went viral, iRobot introduced the Pet Owner Promise. This promises to repair a robot in the event that it accidentally runs into solid waste. This feature isn't available on all models. It is recommended to check the manufacturer's website to determine if this is offered on the model you have. The ILIFE A4s is the more affordable option that's equally effective at picking up pet hair on bare carpets and floors, however it doesn't have a self-emptying base or any other advanced features.