5 Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair
No more fuzzy floors in this house.
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Our top picks:
With pets in the home, keeping floors fur-free is an ongoing challenge. Luckily, there are some top-notch robot vacuums that can lend a hand in keeping floors clean without much effort on your part. While we still haven't found a robot that can totally eliminate vacuuming from our list of chores, the models we've included in this guide will help maintain the cleanliness of your space so you can bust out your full-size vacuum less often.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we subject robot vacuums to rigorous testing to assess hard debris pickup, pet hair pickup, obstacle avoidance, maneuverability, ease of use and more. With rubber brush rolls that minimize hair tangling and smart navigation capabilities to avoid spreading pet messes, these robot vacuums will help keep both you and your pets' space cleaner for longer. For more pet-hair-busting tools, check out our guide to the best vacuums for pet hair and the top-tested tools for removing pet hair from furniture, clothes and more. Many of our top picks for self-emptying robot vacuums are also good options for homes with pets.
Pros
- Roller brush did not trap any faux fur in our tests
- Can be linked to Braava jet robot mop
Cons
- Not equipped to avoid pet messes
Since creating the first-ever robot vacuum in 2002, iRobot continues to be a pioneer in the category. In our Lab tests, the Roomba s9+ excelled in our hard floor cleaning tests, picking up 99% of the dry debris we spread across our test floors.
Its performance was so impressive that we also chose it as our best overall robot vacuum pick and the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors. When faced with our faux pet hair test, it cleaned up almost all of the fibers we applied to test carpets. The rubber brush rolls made cleanup easy, as no hair became tangled in the brush roll during our testing. Take note that this was one of the noisiest robot vacuums we tested, so it may not be the best option for homes with jumpy pets.
Through the app, you can edit maps the s9+ creates of your home, set cleaning schedules and send the robot out to spot-clean a small mess as soon as it happens. To complete your automated cleaning toolkit, you can purchase a Braava robot mop from the brand which can be linked to mop your floors right after a vacuuming session is completed. Though the S9+ can’t identify and actively avoid pet messes, the j7+, another great model from the brand, can.
| Dust Bin Capacity | 400 mL (Base holds up to 60 days of debris) |
|---|---|
| Robot Height | 3.5 in. |
| Notable Features | Self-emptying, smart mapping, spot cleaning, links to Braava jet robot mop, charge and resume cleaning, auto boost carpet cleaning |
Pros
- Excellent pet hair removal from carpets
- Earned high scores for maneuverability in our Lab tests
Cons
- Random cleaning pattern
Despite its low price point, Eufy's 15C MAX has many of the same features we've seen in more expensive models. It's not "smart," meaning it does not follow a cleaning pattern as it makes its way through your home, but it still covered our test areas well enough to earn high scores in our dry debris pickup tests, and it was among the best-performing models when it came to removing pet hair from carpets.
It also earned the highest maneuverability score out of 15 models in its test group, and its slim design helped it reach under low furniture where other robots were unable to go. Our sound evaluations found that it did not have the quietest operation, but we don't think it is loud enough to disturb a family watching a movie or startle an unsuspecting pet, like some other models.
There's no self-emptying base, but removing and emptying the onboard dust bin was very easy. The 15C MAX can be controlled with an included battery-powered remote or through the brand's app. Alternatively, you can use voice commands by connecting to Amazon Alexa or a Google Home Assistant.
| Dust Bin Capacity | 600 mL |
|---|---|
| Robot Height | 2.85 in |
| Notable Features | Auto increase suction on carpet, schedule cleaning, compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices |
Pros
- Earned the second-highest overall maneuverability and navigation score
- Base washes and dries the mopping pads after a cleaning task
Cons
- Self-emptying feature does not always fully empty dust bin
The sleek-looking Dreametech L10S Ultra is a model with a long list of helpful features, and the charging base is equally well-equipped. The brand’s app is easy to use for scheduling cleaning tasks, adjusting water and suction levels and viewing the onboard camera while the robot is in motion.
The L10S Ultra earned the second-highest overall score in our obstacle avoidance tests, successfully steering clear of both large and small obstacles during every trial. It performed equally well on carpet as it did on hard flooring and had the quickest mop-raising reaction time when it sensed carpet. Because the charging base washes and dries the mopping pads after each cleaning task, they are less likely to remain dirty the next time you want to run the robot. However, we did notice the base's self-emptying feature left a bit of dirt behind in the robot's dustbin. All of the robots we tested in our obstacle course struggled to remove stains from hard flooring, but the L10S Ultra was one of the only models to noticeably lighten the edges of stains after just one pass.
| Dust Bin Capacity | 350 mL (Base holds up to 60 days of debris) |
|---|---|
| Robot Height | 3.8 in. |
| Notable Features | Cleans and dries mopping pads after cleaning session, voice control, recharge and resume, remote camera viewing through app, schedule cleaning, adjusts cleaning path according to obstacles and room sensed, auto-boost suction on carpet |
Pros
- Takes up less space than combo and self-emptying units
- Can detect dust levels and automatically adjust suction
Cons
- Expensive
Many high-end robot vacuums are either combination vacuum mops or self-emptying units. Both styles require a bulky charging dock for storing water or a dust bag. By skipping these extras, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav saves space without compromising on smart features like mapping, voice control and scheduled cleaning.
Unlike many other models, the Vis Nav 360's brush roll runs the entire width of the robot, allowing it to cover more area with fewer passes. It is also thick, which helps to prevent pet hair from wrapping around it and becoming tangled. None of our faux pet hair stuck to the brush in any of our tests. The vacuum also has incredible suction. It outperformed all other units when removing heavy debris like sand in our carpet pick-up tests.
Though this model doesn't empty itself, a one-touch ejection button makes the dust bin easy to maintain. Features like room mapping, setting no-go zones and scheduling cleaning can be accessed through the app, which was fast to set up and easy to use. This is the most expensive robot vacuum on our list, but we think it is a great choice for anyone looking for great performance with a smaller footprint.
READ MORE: Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum Review
| Dust Bin Capacity | 570 mL |
|---|---|
| Robot Height | 3.9 in. |
| Notable Features | Recharge and resume, schedule cleaning, virtual no-go zones, zone cleaning, smart mapping, voice control, auto-boost suction in high dust areas |
ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop
Pros
- Great obstacle avoidance in our tests
- Good quality in-app camera viewing
Cons
- Charging base has large footprint
The Ecovacs X1 Omni is a two-in-one vacuum and mop combo that earned top scores in our corner cleaning tests, mopping and removing pet hair from carpet.
We tested this model for several months at home and found that it maneuvers well around obstacles big or small, never bumping them or pushing them around. While this did lead to some debris being left behind, we found this to be a small price to pay for superior obstacle avoidance. From the Ecovacs app, you can watch the robot's cleaning path through your home, adjust suction and water levels and program any area on the map as no-go zones (like around the dog bed).
Ever wonder what your pets do when you aren't home? Deebot's X1 Omni has a camera built into the robot that you can view in real-time from the brand's app, even while the robot is docked in its base. The charging base is pretty large compared to other self-emptying robot vacuums. On the bright side, because the clean and dirty water tanks in the base are 4 liters in size, you won't have to worry about refilling or emptying them very often. The charging base also washes and dries the robot’s mopping pads and acts as a self-empty station for its dust bin.
| Dust Bin Capacity | 350 mL (base holds up to 3 L) |
|---|---|
| Robot Height | 4.1 in. |
| Notable Features | Base washes and dries mopping pads, recharge and resume, schedule cleaning, virtual no-go zones, zone cleaning, remote camera viewing through app, adjust water flow, voice control, auto-boost suction on carpet |
How we test robot vacuums
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab has been testing robot vacuums since they were first introduced to the cleaning space over 20 years ago. Since then, we've conducted numerous category-wide tests of dozens of models and continue to test new models that are released by brands every year. We tested 19 unique models last year, and this year we are slated to test several more.
We evaluate robot vacuums for their ability to pick up dry debris like orzo, oats and sand along a straight line on bare floors and carpets. We also test how well they pick up faux pet hair from carpets. In addition to the pick-up tests, we run the vacuums inside a specially built two-room obstacle course which includes things that your vacuum may come across as it navigates a real home like a sofa, coffee table or your pet's favorite chew toys strewn across the floor.
To get the most accurate results, we weigh each robot's dust bin before and after a test to calculate the percentage of debris that is picked up. Before we set any robots loose in our obstacle course, we take careful notes during the initial setup and make note of any notable features. We use these observations to score factors like ease of use and noise level.
What to look for when shopping for the best robot vacuum for pet hair
Pet owners should keep an eye out for a few things when considering which robot vacuum is best for their homes.
✔️ Brush roll: It’s easier to remove pet hair from brush rolls made of rubber than traditional bristle rolls found on older robot vacs, and they are less prone to holding onto pet hair in the first place. Remember to clean the hair off of the brush roll after each cleaning task, especially if you have pets with long hair that are prone to shedding.
✔️ Navigation technology: There are several different technologies used by robot vacuums to navigate a home. Robot vacuums that bump into all surfaces instead of going around them are not the best option for homes with pets. These robots can smear pet messes, get stuck on toys or even bump into pets themselves while on a cleaning task. Instead, opt for a model that can tell when it is moving towards an object and can go around it without disturbing it.
✔️ Noise: If you've ever vacuumed around a dog or cat, you know just how much loud noises can scare them. While robots tend to be quieter than conventional vacuums, the self-emptying bases we've tested are all quite loud when they empty a robot's onboard dust bin.
Features that are important in all robot vacuums, for pet owners and non-pet owners:
✔️ Vacuum and mop or vacuum only: Many of the newer robot vacuums from popular brands also have mopping capabilities, but if most of your floors are carpeted, a model that just vacuums may take up less space than a combination device. They’re usually cheaper too. If you do have a lot of bare floors, having one appliance that can both vacuum and mop will save space as it only requires one charging base and can be controlled from just one app on your phone.
If your home has a mix of bare floors and carpeting, make sure that the combo model you buy has good carpet recognition abilities and can lift the mopping pads high enough off the floor to avoid wetting carpets unnecessarily. If you already own a robot vacuum and are looking for a robot mop to add to your home, check if there are any models from the same brand. These can often be connected to work together to keep your home clean.
✔️ Other Features: There are countless features included in some of the newest robot vacuums that are available online. A few worthwhile standouts are app connectivity, carpet sensors and self-cleaning charging bases. App-connected models allow you to set schedules for cleaning, control vacuum settings, set no-go zones and more. A user-friendly app is the most important feature you can find in a robot vacuum — right after great cleaning performance of course.
If you have lots of carpets or area rugs at home, carpet sensors are especially important. Many robot vacuums will use higher suction when cleaning rugs for a more thorough clean. For combo units, most can lift their mopping pads a bit to avoid wetting these areas, but before you buy, check that the rugs you have at home are low enough to avoid wetting.
Self-empty bases empty a robot's onboard dust bin into a larger bag or bin inside the dock after each cleaning task. Many of the newer bases also wash and dry a robot's mopping pads and can store dust and dirty water inside the base for months at a time, making your robot vacuum as hands-free as possible.
Are robot vacuums worth it?
If you’re searching for an appliance that will help you to vacuum less often, a robot vacuum is worth it. All of the robots we have featured in our robot vacuum guides are great maintenance cleaners, but they will not completely replace a full-size vacuum. We recommend using your robot vacuum in between your deep cleaning sessions to minimize how often and how long you have to manually vacuum. For areas of the home with low foot traffic, a robot vacuum may be all you need to keep floors clean.
How to clean a robot vacuum
Most robot vacuums require some light maintenance in between cleaning tasks. Remove any hair that becomes tangled around the brush roll after each session (or at least after every second or third session).
People with heavy-shedding pets may have to remove tangled hair more often than those without. Consider a robot vacuum with rubber brush rolls which are easier to clean of hair. Dust bins should be emptied and mopping pads should be removed and allowed to dry after each use. Models with self-emptying bases allow you to go up to several months without replacing or emptying the dust bin on the base. Many new models have bases that wash and dry the mopping pads too.
If you're worried a robot vacuum will get into pet messes and spread them around your home, look for models with obstacle avoidance technology that can detect and avoid obstacles rather than bump or run over them. If your robot gets into any pet messes, end the cleaning task as soon as possible and see what your robot's manufacturer recommends to thoroughly clean all of the contaminated parts. It may be easier to replace some parts instead of trying to clean them.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jodhaira Rodriguez tested dozens of floor-cleaning appliances including vacuum mop combo devices, robot vacuums and more during her time at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, including personally testing many of the robot vacuums included in this guide.
Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. To prepare the latest update of this story, he evaluated several newer models and pored over old testing data to see how the new models compare to our past favorites.
From 2021 to 2023, Jodhaira (she/her) was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tested and wrote about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH, she graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens.
Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
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