The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair


The Best Robot Vacuum Deals This Week for Pet Hair*

*Deals are selected by our commerce team

We all love our pets, but shedding can be a major pain. If you have a cat or dog that leaves fur all over the house, consider investing in a robot vacuum that can take some cleaning duties off of your plate. There’s no shortage of options on the market, but finding one that works well, offers the features you want, and fits your budget can be a bit of a challenge. We’re here to help.

The robot vacuums on this list range from affordable to super expensive, with the priciest options offering premium features such as artificial intelligence-based obstacle avoidance, security cameras that let you watch your pet when you’re out of the house, and even self-emptying dustbins that save you from breathing in the waste therein. Of course, each one of these vacuums is also good at cleaning pet hair, particularly from carpeting, which can be more difficult than from hardwood or tile.

Read on for the top robot vacuums we’ve tested for dealing with pet hair, as well as everything you should keep in mind during your search.


Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni

Best Vacuum and Mop Hybrid

Why We Picked It

The feature-rich Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni can vacuum, mop, empty its dustbin, wash and dry its mop cloth, and refill its water tank. With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction, it’s the most powerful robot vacuum we have tested and a top option for homes with shedding pets. It also functions as a roving security camera with two-way audio, so you can even use it to see and speak to your pets from afar. In addition, it features a built-in voice assistant and AI-powered obstacle avoidance. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni previously held this spot and is still a good option, but the X2 outpaces its predecessor with hot water mop washing, lifting mop pads, and increased suction power.

Who It’s For

This top-of-the-line model is suitable for people who are willing to pay a premium for convenience. With solid battery life, strong suction power, and AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology, the X2 Omni is an excellent, hands-off choice for large homes with pets and a mix of hard flooring and carpet. The Roborock and Roomba hybrids on this list have their own advantages, but the Deebot X2 Omni is our top 2-in-1 pick thanks to its strong cleaning performance, robust feature set, and automatic mop maintenance features.

PROS

  • D shape for better corner, edge cleaning
  • 8,000Pa of suction power
  • Hot-water mop washing
  • Lifts mop over carpet
  • Built-in security camera and voice assistant
  • Efficient cleaning and mapping
  • AI obstacle avoidance

CONS

  • May still dampen carpet
  • Occasionally gets stuck
  • Shorter battery life than predecessor

SPECS

Dimensions 12.6 by 13.9 by 3.74
Battery Life (Tested) 105 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

iRobot Roomba j7+

Best for Avoiding Pet Waste

Why We Picked It

With 10 times the suction power of iRobot’s entry-level Roomba 600 series, the Roomba j7+ does an excellent job of collecting pet fur from hard floors and carpeting. This self-emptying model is also one of the smartest Roombas available; its advanced obstacle avoidance technology helps it detect and automatically avoid solid pet waste and other common household items. To test this feature, we intentionally scattered balled socks and dog toys all over the floor, and the Roomba j7+ never once got stuck on them. The robot also features two rubber brush rolls that rotate in opposite directions to agitate and lift dirt from carpet fibers and surfaces, as well as to prevent hair tangles.

Who It’s For

If you have accident-prone pets and a cluttered home, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is a top option. iRobot is so confident in the robot’s poop-evading abilities that it offers a P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee: If the Roomba j7+ fails to avoid solid pet waste within a year of your purchase, the company will give you a new one for free. That said, consider upgrading to the Combo model below if you have a lot of hard flooring.

PROS

  • Pet waste-avoidance guarantee
  • Auto-empty base
  • Intelligently suggests Keep-Out Zones
  • Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
  • Allows for scheduled area cleanings
  • Rarely gets stuck
  • User-friendly companion app

CONS

  • Expensive
  • Unimpressive battery life

SPECS

Dimensions 13.3 by 13.3 by 3.4 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 86 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra

Best for Vigorous Mopping

Why We Picked It 

The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra stands alongside the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni as one of the most hands-off floor-cleaning robots we’ve tested. It can vacuum and mop, and then empty its dustbin, wash its mop cloth, and refill its water tank. With a maximum suction rating of 5,100Pa, the S7 MaxV Ultra is one of the most powerful models we’ve reviewed. It scrubs a bit more thoroughly than the Deebot X2 Omni, but it doesn’t have a built-in voice assistant. 

Who It’s For

If you want a self-sufficient robot vacuum with serious scrubbing power, look to the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra. We prefer this model over the newer Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, which has a non-removable mop mount and slightly scratched our floors in testing. If you’re also considering the X2 Omni, go with this model if you mostly have hard flooring and primarily care about mopping performance.

PROS

  • Self-washing and refilling mop
  • Self-emptying dustbin
  • AI-powered obstacle avoidance
  • Carpet sensor and mop-lifting feature
  • Best-in-class mopping performance
  • Works as a security camera with two-way audio
  • Can install/remove mop bracket while robot is docked

CONS

  • Expensive
  • Large base
  • No hot-air mop-drying
  • Smaller water tanks and dust bag than top competitor
  • Camera doesn’t point outward when robot docks

SPECS

Dimensions 13.8 by 13.8 by 3.8 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 126 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum

Best for Disinfecting Pet Messes

Why We Picked It 

The Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry is a budget-friendly 2-in-1 that excels as a mop, so it can help keep your home clean of paw smudges and dirt. And unlike some other robot mops, it can disinfect on mopping runs, too. This model offers only 1,500Pa of suction, so it’s not the most powerful vacuum, but it’s perfectly fine for hard floors and low-pile carpet. Just keep in mind that it lacks auto-emptying, mapping, and voice control support. 

Who It’s For

The Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry is a good choice for homes with hard flooring and first-time robot vacuum owners who don’t need or want extra features. You should look for a robot with more suction power if you do have medium- to high-pile carpeting, however.

PROS

  • Mops and vacuums
  • Works with cleaning solution
  • Automatically avoids carpet when mopping
  • Quiet

CONS

  • No mapping features or voice control
  • Robot got stuck on some furniture in testing

SPECS

Dimensions 12.25 by 12.25 by 3.25 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 100 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

iRobot Roomba 694

Best for First-Time Buyers

Why We Picked It

The Roomba 694 is a worthy choice despite being iRobot’s most affordable model. In testing, it maneuvered obstacles just fine without advanced navigation technology and captured lots of dust and dog hair. You can control the Roomba 694 via an app or your voice, and it supports scheduled cleanings.

Who It’s For 

Despite rapid developments in the category, Roomba’s latest entry in the 600 series remains a good first model for newcomers because of its reliable performance and low price. That said, we highly recommend a lower-maintenance self-emptying model if you can stretch your budget; with the Roomba 694, you need to manually empty the bin at least every few cleaning runs.

PROS

  • Affordable
  • Rarely gets stuck
  • Seamless app setup
  • Supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant voice control
  • Allows for scheduled cleanings
  • Detects and focuses on heavily soiled areas

CONS

  • Loud
  • Missed some debris on carpets in testing
  • Lacks smart navigation, mapping abilities
  • No carrying handle

SPECS

Dimensions 13.4 by 13.4 by 3.5 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 120 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+

Best Midrange Hybrid Model

Why We Picked It

This midrange 2-in-1 is equally adept at vacuuming and mopping your floors, and it can empty its dustbin when the job is done. High-end robot vacuums are tipping 8,000Pa of suction these days, but the 2,600Pa Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ is still sufficient for cleaning pet hair (even though it might need a few more passes to get it all). More importantly, it works efficiently, quietly, and intelligently, increasing its suction power on carpets on vacuuming runs and avoiding them on mopping passes.

Who It’s For

The Ozmo N8 Pro+ is a solid 2-in-1 with self-emptying abilities that you can get at a discount because it’s a few years old.

PROS

  • Vacuums and mops
  • Includes self-emptying dustbin
  • Strong suction power
  • Automatically detects carpet
  • Supports virtual boundaries, schedules, and zone cleaning
  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

CONS

  • Expensive
  • Minor mapping issues in testing
  • Average battery life

SPECS

Dimensions 13.9 by 13.9 by 3.7 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 96 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Eufy RoboVac G30

Best for Low-Profile Furniture

Why We Picked It 

When it comes to robot vacuums, bigger isn’t always better. If you have a hard time cleaning the pet fur from under the couch or the bed, you might need a low-profile robot vacuum like the Eufy RoboVac G30, which stands less than 3 inches tall. It offers a lot of power (2,000Pa) for its size and automatically increases the suction when it moves over carpets and heavily soiled areas. It also features smart navigation for systematic cleaning, plus it supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. 

Who It’s For

The RoboVac G30 is a solid choice for budget-minded shoppers. Its compact design makes it especially appealing for small homes and apartments, as well as homes with low-profile furniture. If your current robot vacuum constantly gets stuck between chair legs, the G30 is worth a look.

PROS

  • Compact, low-profile design
  • Strong suction power for its size
  • Well-designed app
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
  • Features smart navigation for systematic cleaning

CONS

  • Doesn’t support strips or virtual boundaries
  • Battery life is on the short side

SPECS

Dimensions 12.8 by 12.8 by 2.85 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 88 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

iRobot Roomba Combo j7+

Best Hybrid for Light-Colored Carpeting

Why We Picked It

The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is the first floor-cleaning robot with a fully retractable mop, a feature that allows this pricey 2-in-1 to suction debris and remove grime in a single run without wetting carpets. For comparison, the mop-lifting system used by Roborock and Ecovacs only really works with low-pile carpet because it doesn’t lift high enough to avoid medium- and high-pile rugs. We also like that the Combo j7+’s mopping system works with the widely available Bona floor cleaning solution, which leaves your floors free of paw prints and smelling fresh.

Who It’s For 

Because it offers all the features of the standard Roomba j7+ (self-emptying, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a poop-evasion guarantee) and mopping abilities, the Combo j7+ is an excellent option for homes with a mix of floor types. The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni and the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra require less maintenance, but the Combo j7+ is a better choice for homes with light-colored carpets because of its retractable mop. If you’re loyal to the Roomba brand, it’s also worth considering the newer Roomba Combo j9+, which costs more than the Combo j7+, but offers increased suction power and a self-refilling mopping reservoir.

PROS

  • Vacuums and mops
  • Retractable mop prevents carpet wetting
  • Excellent obstacle avoidance
  • Pet waste-avoidance guarantee
  • Auto-empty base
  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
  • Supports virtual Keep Out, No Mop, and Clean zones
  • User-friendly companion app

CONS

  • One unit malfunctioned in testing
  • Mop tank requires manual refilling each time
  • Scrubs less than some competitors

SPECS

Dimensions 13.3 by 13.3 by 3.4 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 111 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

Best for Affordable Self-Emptying

Why We Picked It 

iRobot is one of the most respected names in the robot vacuum market, and the Roomba i3+ EVO is its most affordable model with a self-emptying dustbin. It’s hard to overstate the advantages of this feature, especially for pet owners. Besides adding convenience, it also cuts down on your exposure to dust. This model offers the same suction power as the smarter j7+ series as well as a Dirt Detect mode, which identifies and spends more time on dirtier spots.

Who It’s For

The Roomba i3+ EVO is an affordable choice for pet owners who want to upgrade from a standard robot vacuum to one with self-emptying abilities. Unless you have an accident-prone pet or a cluttered home, you probably don’t need to pay extra for the advanced obstacle-avoidance abilities of the j7+ series. 

PROS

  • Self-emptying dustbin
  • Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
  • Supports scheduling and area cleaning
  • Detects and focuses on heavily soiled areas

CONS

  • Average battery life
  • Can be loud

SPECS

Dimensions 13.26 by 13.26 by 3.63 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 90 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Shark AI Self-Empty XL RV2502AE

Best for Preventing Fur Clogs

Why We Picked It

The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers all the features of its excellent predecessor, the Shark IQ, along with a few upgrades that make it better for homes with pet hair, such as double the bin capacity and a power-boosting UltraClean Mode. In testing, the vacuum delivered strong suction power and effectively collected dust, debris, and pet hair from both hard flooring and carpet.

Who It’s For

Shark makes some of the best-performing robot vacuums we’ve tested, but for homes with shedding pets, we suggest the high-end Shark AI Self-Empty XL because of its animal-specific features. We also appreciate the convenience of Shark’s bagless auto-empty system, but you might want to opt for a model that uses bags if you have a dust allergy.

PROS

  • Excellent cleaning performance
  • Large base only needs to be emptied about every two months
  • New UltraClean mode for pet hair and carpeting
  • Two-hour battery life
  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Supports scheduling, no-go zones, and area cleaning

CONS

  • Occasionally gets stuck
  • Loud

SPECS

Dimensions 13.7 by 13.7 by 4.1 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 120 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Wyze Robot Vacuum

Best Affordable Model

Why We Picked It 

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is one of the smartest sub-$250 floor-cleaning ‘bots we’ve tested. With laser mapping technology and 2,100Pa of suction power, this robot vacuum works quickly and methodically to effectively collect debris and pet hair from hard floors and carpeting. It offers ample smart features for its price, including app control, area cleaning, scheduling, and virtual walls. 

Who It’s For

The Wyze Robot Vacuum’s low price and competitive feature set make it a nice option for first-time robot vacuum buyers and budget-minded shoppers. It offers a few smart features the RoboVac G30 lacks, including support for area cleaning and virtual boundaries, though the latter has a lower-profile design and works with Google Assistant commands. 

PROS

  • Strong suction power
  • Features laser mapping technology
  • Supports app control, area cleaning, scheduling, and virtual walls
  • HEPA filter

CONS

  • No voice command support
  • Relatively short battery life
  • Occasionally gets stuck

SPECS

Dimensions 13.8 by 13.8 by 3.7 inches
Battery Life (Tested) 83 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Buying Guide: The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair


Which Robot Vacuum Works Best for Pet Hair?

Although all the models on this list can handle pet hair with aplomb, suction power is the most important factor to consider. Most companies in this space advertise power in pascals (Pa), the metric unit of pressure, though iRobot doesn’t always make this information easy to find. In general, the higher the Pa value the better, especially if you have carpet.

The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni offers 8,000Pa of suction power, the highest of any vacuum on this list. Needless to say, it excels at removing pet hair from carpeting. 

Robot vacuum dustbin

Wyze Robot Vacuum dustbin (Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)

Otherwise, what makes a robot vacuum good in general makes it good for pet hair: battery life, smart features, and obstacle avoidance capabilities.

Most robot vacuums can run for at least 60 to 70 minutes, which should be enough to tackle smaller homes and apartments. If you have a bigger living area, look for a robot vacuum with at least 90 minutes of battery life so it can hit every room before requiring a recharge.

As for smart connectivity, most robot vacuums offer companion apps with remote scheduling options, though some cheap models work only with an included remote. Many also have Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, so you can start cleaning with a voice command.

Budget-friendly vacuums typically clean in a random pattern, while midrange and premium models often feature laser- or camera-guided navigation so they work methodically and efficiently. Some can also map your home, and support area cleaning and virtual boundaries for targeted runs.


Which Robot Vacuum Is Best for Cluttered Homes?

If you have cats or dogs, you also probably have some of their toys on the floor, which can stop a robot vacuum in its tracks. Some pricey models, like the Roomba j7+ and the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni, offer advanced obstacle avoidance technology that can help the robot steer clear of toys, slippers, and, in some cases, pet waste.

iRobot app screenshots

iRobot app (Credit: iRobot)


Which Robot Vacuum Is Best for Allergies? 

If you’re allergic to your cat or dog, a good robot vacuum can help you stay on top of shedding to keep your symptoms under control. At the bare minimum, look for a model with a HEPA filter, which can help remove allergens as it cleans.

iRobot Roomba j7+

iRobot Roomba j7+ (Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)

You also might want to consider a model that can empty its own dustbin. Models with this feature ensure you never have to come into close contact with collected pet hair and dust. They also significantly cut down on maintenance. With most other robot vacuums, you have to empty the dustbin after every cleaning.

Recommended by Our Editors


When Is the Best Time to Buy a Robot Vacuum?

It might be tempting to buy a robot vacuum during the spring shedding season, but if you can, wait until the fall. Over the past several years, robot vacuums have been one of the hottest Black Friday product categories (meaning big discounts), and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. The same is true for Amazon Prime Day (often in July). Retailers also periodically offer discounts throughout the year, so if you can’t wait for Black Friday, shop around and you can probably find a decent sale.

For the top deals out there right now, check out our picks for the best cheap robot vacuums. Once you find the model that’s right for you, head over to our list of simple robot vacuum tips.

And for an even deeper clean, take a look at the best robot mops we’ve tested. Loyal to iRobot? We have a roundup of the best Roombas as well.



We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Funtechnow
Logo
Compare items
  • Total (0)
Compare
0
Shopping cart