Are Robot Vacuums Good for Cleaning Pet Hair?
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, you might want to consider investing in a robot vacuum that can take some cleaning duties off your plate. There’s no shortage of models on the market, but finding one that works well, offers the features you want, and fits within your budget can be a bit of a challenge. We’re here to help.
The robot vacuums on this list range from around $200 to $1,000, with the most expensive options offering premium features like artificial intelligence-based obstacle avoidance technology, roving home security cameras so you can watch your pet when you’re out of the house, and even the ability to empty their own dustbin, so you don’t have to come into contact with what’s inside. Of course, each one of these vacuums is also good at cleaning pet hair, particularly from carpeting, which can be more difficult than hardwood or tile.
In general, most robot vacuums these days offer app control, so you can start a cleaning job from your phone, though some inexpensive models only work with an included remote. Some also boast Amazon Alexa and/or 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, making straight lines. Some can also map your home as they clean, and let you set virtual boundaries to clean specific rooms and avoid others. No matter which model you choose, they can all handle pet hair with aplomb.
What to Look for In a Pet-Friendly Robot Vacuum
If you’re in the market for a robot vacuum to help deal with pet fur, one of the most important considerations is suction power. 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 the better, especially if you have carpet, but battery life and obstacle avoidance capabilities also play a factor in overall performance.
In testing, the Proscenic M7 Pro excelled at sucking up pet hair from medium-pile carpeting thanks to its impressive 2,600Pa of suction power, the highest of any robot on this list, but it can get loud. On the other end of the power spectrum, the Roomba 675 only offers 600Pa of suction, but it also collected a good amount of dog hair in testing thanks to its solid 104-minute battery life and ability to maneuver around obstacles without getting stuck.
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 Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI and Roborock S6 MaxV, offer advanced obstacle avoidance technology that can help the robot steer clear of toys, slippers, and even pet waste.
The Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI uses an artificial intelligence chipset and a camera to recognize things that can get in its way, and build a database of objects to avoid, so it works better over time. It’s one of the pricier models on this list, but in testing, it never got stuck on dog toys and ran for up to 170 minutes, after which its dustbin was almost completely filled with dirt and dog hair.
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 from the air as it cleans.
You also might want to consider a model that can empty its own dustbin, like the iRobot Roomba s9+. Models with this feature typically cost big bucks, but it means you never have to come into close contact with collected pet hair and dust. They also significantly cut down on maintenance, since you only have to change their dirt disposal bags every so often. With most other robot vacuums, you have to empty the dustbin after every cleaning.
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, and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. The same is true for Amazon Prime Day. Retailers also periodically offer discounts throughout the year, so if you can’t wait for Black Friday, shop around and you’ll probably be able to find a decent discount.
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 eight simple robot vacuum tips.
And for an even deeper clean, take a look at the best robot mops we’ve tested.
