Why Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair On Hardwood Floors Is Much More Hazardous Than You Think

The Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair on Hardwood Floors

A quality robot vacuum can make a huge difference in keeping allergens such as pet hair and dust under control. But not all models are equal.

There are a myriad of options available for you to choose from, whether you need a vacuum that is pet-specific or a robot to work with your other vacuum.

1. Eufy RoboVac Edge G30

The G30 Edge, the latest model from Eufy's budget series of robotic vacuum cleaners is the most up-to-date model. The G30 Edge is a shiny black vacuum cleaner with rose gold and blue accents. It looks like an iPhone. It's easier to use than previous models and includes features like BoostIQ, which automatically increases suction to ensure better cleaning of all surfaces. It also employs intelligent navigation to prevent repeating the same area repeatedly, an issue that is common when using bounce-navigation systems.

It does a good job cleaning pet hair, crumbs and dust on hard floors, but falls behind the best models in terms of removing flour from carpet. In our tests the G30 Edge missed 74% of the dust on hard floors, and 26 percent on carpet which is a bit disappointing.

One of the features that makes the G30 Edge stand out is its ability to map your home's layout using an electronic map that is available in the app. This lets it remember the rooms it's cleaned, and avoid returning to them. This is a major frustration for more basic robots who require the old-fashioned magnetic taps to define no go zones.

The G30 Edge also has other advantages. It has a "Find My Robot" mode that plays loud music until it is found and a directional keypad that lets you manually 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 security feature.

2. Neato Botvac D-Shape

The Neato Botvac D-Shape is an impressively capable robot with an impressive list of smart features. It can clean bare floors well and climb up carpets with high piles effortlessly. The app also has advanced features like boundary lines remote control access while the robot is in operation, and a myriad of other options.

This model is the most recent in a long line of Neato robots and has a distinctive "D" shape when seen from above. The design offers a number of advantages, including improved corner-cleaning and a larger bin of dust than most other models. The D-shape lets the robot to get under furniture better than robots with a circular design.

When first starting a cleaning process, the D-Shape will stop for a moment to make use of spinning infrared lasers to scan and assess the space. Then it will work in a grid, gradually moving from one area to the next until the entire floor is covered. This method of cleaning is much more effective and thorough than the random approach taken by certain competitors.

The design of the D-Shape allows it to have a massive 700ml dust bin, in comparison to 400-600ml on robots of the same price. This increased capacity means that you will have to empty the bin less often, saving you time and effort. The D-Shape also has a flat front side that can help it get around obstacles like chairs and tables. In our tests the D-Shape did end up getting stuck under a four-legged stool and an exposed electrical cord however it was able to get out each time.

3. Roomba I3+ EV

The Roomba EVO i3+ is a fantastic option for pet owners. It is a great choice for hard floors and does a good job of cleaning up debris like pet hair rice, cereal and other small particles. It isn't as good on carpets however, it is still superior than other robots in this price range. The Roomba i3+ EVO is also very efficient in navigating between different flooring kinds and doesn't get caught on transitions like older models do. The dual multi-surface brushes flex and adjust to different flooring types. They also have a tendency to not tangle pet hair.

The i3+ EVO has less obstacle avoidance capability than the other robots we evaluated. It frequently hit objects such as pet toys, handbags, and even shoes before continuing its course. It also had issues dealing with salt from kosher, coarse which it blew up and around rather than picking up.

The i3+ EVO comes with a host of features that make it worth the extra money over other Roomba models. This includes the ability to self-empty the bin and more advanced control via an app. You can schedule cleanings and set up custom routines. You can also designate zones that prohibit the robot from entering certain areas. Its intelligent scheduling can suggest additional cleanings during high allergy times based on your regular routine. Its navigation system is unstable however, and often vacuums in irregular lines such as zigzags or diagonals instead of parallel to walls.

4. Shark AI Self-Empty, XL

This intelligent robot is able to visualize your home's interior and more accurately than you. It also has dual brushes that can adjust to various kinds of flooring and avoids getting caught, making it the perfect choice for homes with pets. You can control the robot using the app, or turn on it hands-free with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The dock, named Omni, automates the tasks of filling and cleaning the robot's water tank, emptying the debris bin and charging and drying mop pads.

It's a great price. The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers many advanced features, including self-emptying bins and mapping that can store a lot of debris. We tried it out in a home with a mix between bare floors and low-pile carpeting and found it to move and clean very well, including getting into corners. The vacuum also does a decent job of picking up pet hair on carpeting, though it doesn't have the same amount of power as our top selections.

However the Roborock S4 Max is better constructed, takes less time to recharge than the Shark and offers more scheduling and automation features, including support for zones that are not allowed to be used. Shark is still a great choice if you want something less expensive or prefer to manage and control your system with your phone rather than a remote.

5. Bissell SpinWave Dry & Wet

It's difficult to find a robot that combines vacuuming and mopping, but this one does it. The dual tank system of this robot lets it mop or vacuum at the push of the button. It easily transitioned between surfaces in our tests and excelled at cleaning pet hair from both hardwood floors and carpets. It also has an edge-sweeping brush to clean cat hair along baseboards and walls, and the ability to schedule your schedule.

This robot is a great pick if you want an affordable model that comes with additional features. It was able navigate obstacles with ease during our testing and is controlled via an app or voice.  the best robot vacuum for pet hair  comes with a large trash bin to collect messes before they are full. It could take up to 166 minutes to complete its work, but this is still faster than other robots that we have evaluated.

The front-facing camera of this robot allows you to check the cleanliness of your home by using a map app. It's especially useful if you're looking for a specific item or if the children spill glitter from the Christmas decorations all over your floors. You can save yourself a lot frustration by finding the item you lost immediately. Furthermore the battery that is fade-free can last up to 130 minutes on a single charge.

6. Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is an upscale-looking robot that provides excellent cleaning. It does a great job maneuvering itself and is able to move under furniture without becoming stuck. It's also a great choice for carpets with low pile. However, it might occasionally be caught in rug tassels and has trouble navigating tight spaces like corners. It also has difficulty getting pet hair off all surfaces.

Despite the 694's limited feature set however, it still performs better than the majority of competitors. It got a perfect score of 10 in our cereal carpet test, and passed our test for cat litter with just a few stray pieces. It is less effective on hardwood flooring. The side brush scatters large cereal bits that cling to the floor instead of sweeping. It also had a tough time removing table salt from a clean floor, with lots of pieces sliding across the floor and beyond its reach.

It supports app control through the iRobot HOME app as well as voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (via an external device, sold separately). It learns about your cleaning habits and creates custom schedules. Cliff Detect and an edge-sweeping brush will ensure it is able to reach difficult-to-access corners. Dirt Detect sensors alert it to areas that are heavily soiled. Its battery can last for around 60 minutes and it has a self-emptying dustbin. The more expensive iRobot j7 has a more advanced suite of features and is more stable on all surfaces. It also feels better built and has a bigger dustbin that charges faster, and is able to navigate obstacles such as electrical cords better.