The best robot vacuums for pet hair of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
It is excessive time to ditch the standard upright vacuum, even in case you have canine, cats, or each. As a robotic vacuum reviewer, pet hair is considered one of my pet peeves, so evaluating how a robotic vacuum performs towards it is among the fundamental traits I search for when testing these robots. With a really furry canine and three younger youngsters, the one factor that retains my flooring clear with out manually vacuuming day by day is a good robot vacuum that tackles the duty for me.
Additionally: The best robot vacuum mops you can buy
When looking for the most effective robotic vacuum choices to manage the pet hair in your flooring, there are fairly a couple of options to contemplate. Search for robotic vacuums with robust suction to choose up every strand of hair, impediment avoidance to keep away from bigger objects your pet might go away behind, means to keep away from hair tangles, succesful navigation options you’ll be able to belief, and any further options necessary to you. Price range and ground sorts are additionally key elements when looking for any robotic vacuum.
What’s the finest robotic vacuum for pet hair proper now?
Since there are such a lot of robotic vacuums, you might marvel which is finest on your residence. We have examined dozens of robotic vacuums at residence and in on a regular basis life, and our best choice to deal with pet hair is the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max on account of its excellent suction energy, self-emptying mud bin, self-washing mop pad, tangle-resistant brush rollers, and iRobot’s Pet Proprietor Official Promise (P.O.O.P. assure). Nevertheless, a number of different robotic vacuum choices are value contemplating, relying in your ground kind and the way a lot your pet sheds.
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One of the best robotic vacuums for pet hair of 2024
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The Roomba Combo 10 Max is among the top-performing robotic vacuums towards pet hair. Many robotic vacuums undergo my residence for testing, however this one earned a everlasting spot.
A part of why it is so cherished is as a result of it could actually deal with all the pet hair on all our ground sorts, whether or not it has been one or a number of days because it final ran. The robotic self-empties as quickly because the dustbin is full as an alternative of ready till the tip of the job, like different robotic vacuums. Whether it is peak shedding season, it’s normal for the Combo 10 Max to empty 4 or 5 occasions throughout a single job, by no means leaving any pet hair behind, even on carpets.
Assessment: iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max
As well as, it is merely an clever robotic. The Roomba Combo 10 Max comes with the P.O.O.P. assure, an modern promise from the producer that the robotic vacuum will keep away from pet waste as an alternative of making unintended smearing, or iRobot will exchange your robotic at no further value. This implies the robotic vacuum can also be good at avoiding pet toys, sneakers, cords, and different family objects.
Clients agree, touting the vacuum’s means to navigate obstacles and ship clear flooring. One reviewer commented, “Now we have a mix of flooring in our home and particularly just like the mop possibility to scrub our hardwood flooring. I respect the sensible capabilities of mapping our home after which utilizing Alexa to run it. Having the AutoWash Dock is superior as effectively, self-cleaning the robotic and the dock. This protects me time and vitality because it empties the particles, refills the mopping tank and washes and dries the mop pad.”
iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max specs: Value: $999 (limited-time deal) | Battery life: 120 minutes | Base station dimensions: 15.7 x 12 x 13.3 inches | Suction energy: Not specified | Dustbin quantity: 300 ml | Water tank capability: 170 ml
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The Eufy 11S Max robotic vacuum has turn out to be a staple amongst budget-friendly robotic vacuums, beloved by customers and appreciated by wallets. Although its retail worth is $250, it’s normal to see its worth drop to as little as $120 — it is at present accessible for $200.
In case you’re in search of a no-frills robotic vacuum to deal with your flooring with out paying for all of the bells and whistles, the Eufy 11S Max is for you. This robotic vacuum can provide as much as 100 minutes of cleansing and includes a slim construct, at solely 2.85 inches tall. Simplicity is the secret with the 11S Max, so it does not routinely empty its dustbin and does not create thorough maps of your house — it merely will get the job accomplished.
Additionally: I compared a $90 robot vacuum to a $700 one. Here’s my buying advice for budget shoppers
This can be a fairly standard Eufy robotic vacuum, and it maintains a excessive ranking regardless of its recognition, which speaks volumes about its efficiency. One purchaser commented, “I actually like this! It does a pleasant job cleansing up the canine hair and different issues that get on my ground and saves me quite a lot of time not vacuuming day by day. You probably have a canine, I might watch them with this primary earlier than you employ it. My canine was initially frightened of it however sniffed its ‘butt,’ and now they’re cool, and he or she doesn’t thoughts it in any respect. Happy with this product and would suggest!”
Shark ION AV751 options: Value: $200 | Battery life: 100 minutes | Suction energy: 2,000Pa | Dustbin quantity: 600 ml | Water tank capability: No mopping function
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In case you’re in search of a powerhouse robotic vacuum and mop, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Full is the machine for you. This 3-in-1 machine has 8,700Pa of suction energy, twin rotating mop heads, a cordless vacuum for fast cleanups, and an Omni Station that does your soiled work. You need to use the cordless vacuum to choose up pet hair out of your space rugs or clear up crumbs out of your sofa, then set it to cost on the Omni station and watch because the contents of its dustbin routinely empty into the mud bag inside.
Assessment: Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete
The AI-powered Robotic intelligently navigates your house and acknowledges your mushy flooring, carpet, and rugs versus tile, hardwood, or laminate. The mop heads can raise 0.60 inches, simply holding your rugs dry throughout cleansing.
The Deebot X2 Combo Full has simply saved up with my three (messy) youngsters and my mutt combined with a number of the hairiest breeds — husky, golden retriever, coonhound, and German shepherd. That ought to communicate for itself. As a robotic vacuum and mop, you’ll be able to relaxation assured that your pet’s hair shall be vacuumed whereas the soiled paw prints are washed away.
Buyer evaluations agree with my evaluation: “The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo engineers, designers, and programmers did their homework after which went out and constructed an unbelievable, not simply vacuum however a solidly constructed system that shines in its accomplishment.”
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Full options: Value: $1,240 (limited-time deal) | Battery life: 210 minutes | Base station dimensions: 20.6 x 17.4 x 21.8 inches | Suction energy: 8,700Pa | Dustbin quantity: 379 ml | Water tank capability: 180 ml
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The Eufy X8 Professional is a midrange two-in-one machine that retains my carpets and rugs clear. The Twin TurboCyclone Suction has 4 totally different settings, and paired with the BoostIQ, the robotic intelligently ramps up the suction when it encounters mushy flooring. Canine and cat hair was simply lifted away, abandoning stunning carpet strains in its path.
Assessment: Eufy X8 Pro
The X8 Professional is provided with iPath Laser Navigation to map your house and clear it with environment friendly rows, however it is not outfitted with object detection. In case you can reside with choosing up your flooring earlier than the X8 Professional runs, you may be impressed with its cleansing capabilities.
Pet homeowners rave in regards to the X8 Professional’s cleansing means, even with out object detection. One buyer mentioned, “I am thrilled with this buy. I can stroll round in socks or naked toes comfortably, and when my fam stops by unannounced I haven’t got to hurry to scrub up or be embarrassed that I can not sustain with all of the issues.”
Eufy X8 Professional options: Value: $325 (limited-time deal) | Battery life: 100 minutes | Base station dimensions: 13.8 x 18 x 15 inches | Suction energy: 4,000Pa | Dustbin quantity: 335 ml | Water tank capability: No mopping function
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The Roborock S8 MaxV Extremely is the corporate’s newest flagship robotic vacuum and mop mixture, that includes superior cleansing capabilities. With 10,000Pa of suction energy, I had a good time testing it over a couple of months with numerous particles sorts, together with espresso grounds, crumbs, and pet hair.
The S8 MaxV Extremely’s vacuuming efficiency was distinctive, significantly in choosing up pet hair from rugs and carpets. surpassing many different standard robotic vacuums. The robotic includes a twin rubber curler brush system, which helps forestall hair tangles and empties periodically throughout cleaning periods. Its AI capabilities let the S8 MaxV Extremely detect particles and modify its cleansing energy accordingly.
Assessment: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra
This robotic’s mopping function is fairly good, with room for enchancment, because it usually leaves streaks behind as a result of brush design. I’ve come to favor a robotic vacuum and mop with twin rotating mop heads or a mop curler over a vibrating mop pad, which is what the S8 MaxV Extremely options. Regardless of this minor downside, the Roborock S8 MaxV Extremely’s hands-free dock, excellent vacuum efficiency, and complete app options make it a compelling selection for automated cleansing in properties with pets.
“Let me begin off by saying that we now have three Siberian Huskies on this home. That may be a LOT of fur. We have had a few iRobot Roombas over time, and so they helped minimize down the period of time I spent sweeping up fur by a good quantity, however I had grown weary of the problems with them,” one purchaser wrote. “Each in eradicating it from the flooring and having the ability to take away it from the machine, I give it a 12/10. Regardless of my Husky pack’s finest efforts, there are not any fluff drifts. I nonetheless need to bust out the Dyson on the weekly to get the cracks and crannies, however I might in all probability get away with much less usually if I used to be barely much less further in regards to the fur elimination. However significantly? Whoever designed the curler was a frigging genius.”
Roborock S8 MaxV Extremely options: Value: $1,500 (limited-time deal) | Battery life: 180 minutes | Base station dimensions: 16.1 x 17.6 x 18.5 inches | Suction energy: 10,000Pa | Dustbin quantity: 270 ml | Water tank capability: 100 ml
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The Narwal Freo X Extremely is a $1,400 robotic vacuum and mop that excels at choosing up pet hair from onerous flooring. Its modern expertise makes it excellent at cleansing with out getting its brush curler snarled in random objects. The Freo X Extremely has a self-emptying dustbin that enables as much as seven weeks of particles storage earlier than emptying.
Assessment: Narwal Freo X Ultra
ZDNET’s Jack Wallen has been a Narwal person for a while and not too long ago upgraded to the Narwal Freo X Extremely and cherished the expertise. “I can go away the home whereas the robotic is doing its factor with out worrying it will wrap up a wire and take one thing down (or cease the job as a result of it does not fairly perceive that the nook of a rug is not one thing it ought to suck up,” Wallen wrote in his evaluate.
General, the Freo X Extremely performs exceptionally effectively in comparison with different high-end models, usually matching the capabilities of dearer fashions. One purchaser says, “The Narwal Extremely X’s efficiency is the place it really shines. After mapping my home, which options hardwood flooring and a number of other space rugs, I examined it with each vacuuming and mopping. The vacuum noise stage is corresponding to my previous iRobot, however the Narwal Extremely X boasts a lot increased suction energy. It dealt with lengthy hairs on the ground effortlessly, a very spectacular function.”
Narwal Freo X Plus options: Value: $1,400 | Battery life: 254 minutes | Base station dimensions: 13.7 x 14 x 4.2 inches | Suction energy: 7,800Pa | Dustbin quantity: 800 ml | Water tank capability: 280 ml
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Former ZDNET editor Elizabeth Mauder contributed to this story.
Although the Roomba j7+ is the most effective robotic vacuum for dealing with pet hair, the opposite choices could also be higher for various conditions. A typical robotic vacuum for cleansing pet hair can value $150-$1,900, relying on its further options and autonomy.
See how the most effective pet hair robotic vacuums examine to different fashions we use to maintain up with our pets.
| Greatest robotic vacuum for pet hair | ZDNET’s take | Value | Suction energy | Performance | Self-emptying dustbin | Battery life |
| iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max | Greatest general | $999 | N/A | Vacuum and mop | Sure | 120 minutes |
| Eufy X8 Professional | Greatest for carpet | $325 | 4,000Pa | Vacuum | Sure | 100 minutes |
| Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Full | Greatest for a number of ground sorts | $1,240 | 8,700Pa | Vacuum and mop | Sure | 210 minutes |
| Narwal Freo X Extremely | Greatest for onerous flooring | $1,400 | 8,200Pa | Vacuum and mop | Sure | 210 minutes |
| Eufy 11S Max | Greatest for a price range | $200 | N/A | Vacuum | No | 100 minutes |
| Roborock S8 MaxV Extremely | Greatest 2-in-1 | $1,500 | 10,000Pa | Vacuum and mop | Sure | 180 minutes |
*Lowest worth on the time of writing. Please observe that costs range based mostly on retailer and accessible promotions, gross sales, or reductions.
There are lots of of robotic vacuums, so how are you aware which is finest for you? This is a fast breakdown:
| Select this robotic vacuum mop… | If you… |
| iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ | Need the most effective robotic vacuum to deal with all your pet hair. It is clever, has robust suction energy, and can keep away from pet accidents. |
| Eufy X8 Professional | Want a robotic vacuum that may efficiently deal with quite a lot of carpets and/or rugs. |
| Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Full | Have a number of flooring surfaces all through your home that should be vacuumed and mopped. |
| Narwal Freo X Extremely | Need as much as 7 weeks of mud storage and desire a fast and environment friendly robotic. |
| Eufy 11S Max | Need a easy, easy robotic vacuum with out all of the bells and whistles. |
| Roborock S8 MaxV Extremely | Need a premium robotic vacuum and mop machine that may sustain with all of the pet hair and paw prints scattered all through your home. |
In case you’re making an attempt to resolve whether or not a stick or a robotic vacuum is the best choice for tackling pet hair, the reality is that there is not a black-and-white reply. This is how they stack up:
- Robotic vacuums are finest suited to day by day or every-other-day upkeep between deep cleansing periods. They are perfect for low-pile carpets and onerous flooring, reminiscent of wooden, tile, and vinyl.
- Stick vacuums are good for fast cleanups of crumbs or pet hair however will also be higher suited to hoover carpets extra completely than a robotic vacuum. They supply stronger suction and flexibility than robotic vacuums, which helps them take away cussed pet hair extra successfully from carpets and rugs.
I rotate each a stick vacuum and a robotic vacuum in my residence, whereas my previous upright vacuum is relegated to month-to-month cleansing jobs for a deeper clear. I’ve discovered that combining a robotic vacuum for day by day automated cleanings and a stick vacuum for fast cleanups is one of the simplest ways to maintain my flooring clear with out a huge trouble.
Additionally: Forget Dyson: I tested Roborock’s wet-dry hand vacuum and it left my floors spotless
Some robotic and stick vacuum combos, just like the Ecovacs T30S Combo and Deebot X2 Combo, can be found available on the market, which enormously helps. That is very true because the stick vacuum’s canister on these units self-empties into the identical bag because the robotic vacuum, making your complete expertise simpler.
Whereas making an attempt to find out the most effective robotic vacuum, I saved a number of elements on the forefront of my testing and analysis, which might additionally assist your search:
- Suction energy: When weighing your choices, examine every robotic vacuum’s totally different suction energy options. Suction energy is measured in Pascals (Pa); the upper the quantity, the higher. Cheap choices just like the Eufy 11S Max function a 2,000Pa suction, whereas extra high-end choices, just like the Roborock S8 MaxV Extremely, have 10,000Pa. Additionally, take into account that this quantity is the robotic’s peak energy, so you may probably need to set it up in its highest setting to succeed in the marketed variety of Pascals.
- Ground sorts: Some robotic vacuums are finest outfitted to work with totally different ground sorts, like carpet or hardwood, and may even routinely enhance suction when the carpet is detected. Others carry out finest on onerous flooring however fall brief on carpets. Before you purchase, take into account the kind of flooring in your house and which vacuum is most applicable.
- Mapping: For full automation, your robotic vacuum will need to have a mapping function to navigate every room. Robots use totally different sensors to create floorplan maps, together with LiDAR, laser, and even synthetic intelligence via cameras. Many robotic vacuums use these sensors to detect cliffs and cease so they do not fall down the steps. Relying on the tech used for mapping, robotic vacuums clear in linear or random patterns, which can also be one thing to contemplate in case you just like the look of carpet strains. Many robots may create multi-floor mapping, which helps you to transfer your robotic vacuum to scrub totally different ranges in your house and save every map.
- Impediment avoidance: An impediment avoidance function can have the robotic vacuum keep away from issues like furnishings, wires, socks, sneakers, and even pet waste so the robotic does not get its brush curler caught on it or unfold the mess throughout your carpet. This function is a must have in my residence with a canine and younger youngsters who continually go away objects strewn about.
- Battery: Think about the runtime earlier than selecting the most effective robotic vacuum to make sure it has sufficient energy to scrub your house, particularly if you wish to clear a big space in a single go. If you choose a robotic vacuum with the technical functionality to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, after which resume the job the place it left off, this will not be as huge of an element as others on this record.
- Connectivity: Lots of the finest robotic vacuums provide voice management, some via Amazon Alexa or Google House, and others with built-in voice assistants. Most function a cell app that permits you to management your robotic remotely, set schedules, monitor progress, and management the machine’s efforts.
- Additional options: Robotic vacuum producers usually market further options which will or will not be necessary to patrons, so selecting which options you need earlier than shopping for is value it. These embody tangle-resistant brushes, self-emptying dustbins, the power to set no-go zones and create schedules, mopping capabilities, and lots of extra.
Additionally: I changed these 10 things to maximize my robot vacuum’s battery life
ZDNET has a number of robotic vacuum reviewers which have examined over 50 models to this point. We conduct checks in actual properties with actual challenges and in a managed lab surroundings for comparability.
Additionally: How we test robot vacuums at ZDNET in 2024
This is what we take into account when testing robotic vacuums and mops at ZDNET:
- Decide analysis standards: For our key analysis standards, we take into account how robots carry out by assessing their suction energy, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We additionally assess the person expertise, the robotic’s versatility, longevity, and whether or not it delivers on its specs.
- Unboxing: Throughout this course of, we assess the packaging and setup expertise and observe any equipment and distinctive options.
- Testing environments: We take a look at the robotic vacuums on totally different ground sorts (like carpet and hardwood) and see how they navigate numerous obstacles to check efficiency.
- Efficiency metrics: We take a look at suction energy with numerous particles sorts and assess impediment navigation and mapping accuracy.
- Additional options: When testing robotic vacuum and mop combos, we consider their effectiveness at eradicating stains and general cleansing high quality. We additionally test how distinctive options work, like impediment avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, and so forth.
To prime all of it off, we gauge the system’s longevity and long-term efficiency by utilizing it over the course of some months. Our evaluate timelines range, however we usually take a look at robotic vacuums for a couple of month earlier than reviewing and preserve our evaluations up to date whereas the system is offered.
Shark and Roomba robotic vacuums have professionals and cons when dealing with pet hair. We have examined totally different fashions from each manufacturers at ZDNET and have discovered that, whereas Shark robots are inclined to excel in suction, Roombas typically have higher navigation and impediment avoidance capabilities.
Some Roomba robotic vacuums even have twin brush rollers to assist forestall hair tangles and superior sensible options, like P.O.O.P. However Shark tends to supply extra reasonably priced alternate options than Roomba, together with in recurring bills. Shark robotic vacuums additionally notoriously deal with pet hair effectively with self-cleaning brush rollers.
In the long run, selecting between Shark and Roomba will come right down to the person mannequin and depend upon the client’s wants.
Many of the vacuums on this record are self-emptying, so you do not have to fret about manually dumping the mud bin after each use. Nevertheless, there are numerous available on the market that you’ll want to manually empty. How usually you empty your robotic vacuum dustbin relies on how a lot filth, particles, and pet hair you will have in your house. It is good to be lifelike about your house’s wants and proactive about emptying so your vacuum can proceed suctioning up as a lot filth as doable throughout its job.
The self-emptying robotic vacuums are usually emptied right into a mud bag saved within the base station. The mud luggage range from one model to a different, however you’ll be able to usually get round 60 days’ value of filth and particles earlier than needing to vary the bag out.
Robotic vacuums are sometimes good at getting pet hair out of short-pile carpets however do not all the time carry out as effectively on medium and high-pile carpets, as they’ll get caught in them. Nevertheless, robotic vacuums will not be as nice at eradicating cussed hair from carpet and rugs as some upright and stick vacuums.
Whereas many robotic vacuums have very highly effective suction, their brush rollers usually to succeed in deep sufficient within the carpet to loosen up cussed hair. Robotic vacuums are good for holding flooring clear, however your rugs and carpets will nonetheless require a extra thorough cleansing each few weeks to take away all of the pet hair.
Most robotic vacuums encourage you to switch the filter, rollers, and aspect sweeping brushes periodically to maintain the units performing optimally. Moreover, in case your robotic empties right into a mud bag, it should be changed each few months. Lastly, some robotic vacuum mops require a mop-cleaning resolution that should be repurchased all through the robotic’s lifetime.
Robotic vacuums have gotten more and more clever with every new system, and so they can now keep away from numerous objects in your house, together with pet waste. iRobot and Roborock are two robotic vacuum corporations claiming their units can determine and keep away from working over pet waste.
Different robotic vacuums we have examined
Robotic Vacuums Reviewed & In contrast
