If you live with constantly shedding furry friends, you know how much time and effort it takes to maintain a clean home. Thankfully, robot vacuums can take on some of the legwork to minimize how often you manually clean. Our pick for the best robot vacuum for pet hair is the iRobot Roomba j7+, a mighty but compact, self-emptying model with stellar object avoidance. To seamlessly transition from hard floor to carpets, we chose Roborock’s Q5+, which features powerful suction and an impressive runtime of 180 minutes.
One of the best robot vacuums: The Shark Ion, which helps one dog owner manage hair shedding on … [+] hardwood floors.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: claire epting
There are several features to look for in a robot vacuum. Pet hair takes up a lot of space in a vacuum’s dustbin, and self-emptying models have the capability to offload hair into their base when the on-board dirt collection bin gets full. Pet hair also often gets tangled around a vacuum’s brush roll and wheels, so you may want to look for a model with a tangle-resistant brush roll. Obstacle avoidance is another useful feature in pet homes, as it will stop your vacuum from getting hung up on rogue dog or cat toys.
With these factors in mind—and feedback from our testers and professional cleaning experts—we selected the seven best robot vacuums for pet hair worth considering.
A Compact, Self-Emptying Model That Won’t Track Messes
Amazon
iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Robot dimensions: 13.3 x 3.4 inches |Base dimensions: 15.7 x 11.9 x 13.3 inches |Weight: 7.5 pounds |Runtime: Up to 120 minutes |Bin capacity: 0.3L (robot), 2.4L (base) |Features: Self-emptying, obstacle avoidance, dirt and cliff detection, smart mapping
Pros:
Compact self-emptying base
Obstacle detection avoids pet waste and toys
Superior mapping and targeted cleaning
Multi-surface, anti-tangle brush rolls
Cons:
Round shape isn’t best for cleaning corners
Self-emptying can get loud
The Roomba j7+ came out as our top recommendation for pet owners when we tested the best robot vacuums and the best vacuums for pet hair. The biggest reason: It surpassed the competition in terms of obstacle detection and avoidance—meaning it can identify pet waste, even when the vacuum’s running when you’re not home. (This is not to mention power cords and rogue dog toys, which will prevent it from getting stuck mid-cycle.) In fact, iRobot is so confident in the machine’s waste avoidance that it offers the aptly named P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise), guaranteeing a free replacement vacuum within a year of purchase if the vacuum does run into pet waste.
As for the actual suction? One of our testers reports it “sucked up natural and artificial dog hair on both carpet and hardwood without any issue.” Other standout features pet owners should note: The j7+ is equipped with two multi-surface brush rolls that are specifically designed (and proven, in our tests) to prevent tangling, and the unit has smart mapping abilities to help you clean specific areas of your home via the app or voice commands. Plus—for our furry friends who shed most—the device comes with a convenient (and compact) self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and pet hair.
Writer Caroline Mullen says the j7+ sucked up “an impressive amount of dust and pet hair” during her … [+] tests.
Caroline Mullen for Forbes Vetted
What our testers say: Lindsey Datte, Forbes associate general counsel, found the j7+ especially helpful in cleaning her elderly Shih Tzu’s messes during mealtimes. She says, “The self-emptying feature and ability to have it run on a schedule alleviated the need for us to constantly clean up after him ourselves, [plus]
it could detect where our dog was and avoid running into him as his eyesight declined.” She notes that the self-emptying feature tended to be a bit loud, so be aware if your pet is sensitive to noise.
Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair On Carpet
Powerful, Precise, And Easily Clocks Hard Floors And Carpets
roborock
Roborock Q5+ Robot Vacuum With Auto-Empty Dock
Robot dimensions: 13.8 x 3.8 inches |Base dimensions: 13.8 x 13.8 x 3.8 inches |Weight: 7.05 pounds |Runtime: Up to 180 minutes |Bin capacity: 0.5L (robot), 2.5L (base) |Features: Self-emptying, LiDAR navigation, no-go zones, cliff sensors, multi-level mapping
Pros:
Self-emptying base can hold up to 7 weeks of dirt
Easily navigates between hard floors, rugs/carpets and low obstacles
Powerful suction (2700Pa) and incredibly precise mapping
User-friendly app
Cons:
Doesn’t handle rug fringes or very long hair as well
If you have carpeting (and a pet that sheds quite a lot on it), the Roborock Q5+ is one of the best products for the job. This model features suction that’s on the higher end of regular vacuums (the average is 2000 to 3000 Pa), and it also has a longer runtime of up to 180 minutes, allowing it to clean more space before needing a recharge. Plus, its extra-large self-emptying base can hold up to seven weeks’ worth of debris—ideal for homes with a lot of dog hair rolling around.
Plenty of reviewers also highlight the Q5+’s outstanding smart mapping technology, which can create multiple maps if your home has several floors. The machine also lets you create no-go zones and invisible walls with the Roborock app. One thing to note: While users rave about this device’s excellent navigation overall, some say it tends to get stuck on rug tassels or fringes. The Roborock also serves well as a general maintenance device, as one German Shepherd owner put it: “I do still have to use my [stick] vac on the carpets once a week to deep-clean dog hair, but it’s great for keeping things under control and significantly reduces my time. (Before, I would have to vacuum the rugs twice in a row, twice a week to manage the dog hair.)”
What our experts say: The Roborock Q5+ meets almost all the criteria you should look for in a robot vacuum for pet hair, according to Elizabeth Shields, operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville (and parent to three cats). The cleaning expert tells us, “Strong suction power is a must-have. If it’s a multi-level home, get one with cliff detection so you can let it do its thing without worrying about it taking a tumble. … It must also have sensors and smart software that map out your place to take the most direct route to clean up all the mess and dodge any obstacles in their way.”
Best Splurge Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair
A D-Shaped Model That Gets Right Into Corners
irobot
iRobot Roomba s9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Robot dimensions: 12.3 x 3.5 inches |Base dimensions: 11.5 x 14.9 x 19 inches |Weight: 8.2 pounds |Runtime: 120 minutes |Bin capacity: 0.4L (robot), 1.7L (base) | Features: Self-emptying, dirt and cliff detection, no-go zones, smart mapping
Pros:
Most powerful suction of all Roomba models
D-shaped design gets into corners and against walls better
Self-emptying base holds up to 60 days’ worth of debris
Cons:
Some reviewers say tech glitches happen occasionally
Expensive
While the Roomba j7+ is our top all-around pick for pet owners, the next step up is the Roomba s9+, which is even more powerful. This model is particularly well-suited for larger homes, as it has a larger brush roll and can run for up to 120 minutes, covering more ground before it needs to be charged. It can also get into corners and along edges better, thanks to its D-shape, and features rubber brushes designed to not get tangled with pet hair.
Based on our testing, the s9+ exhibited the most powerful suction of any Roomba; plus, it will automatically boost its suction power to clean deeper on carpeting. The s9+ has a self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and a special “Careful Drive” mode that you can use if you want it to avoid obstacles. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t have the same pet waste detection abilities as the j7+, so it’s best used when you’re there to supervise.
“The D-shape really comes into play where baseboards meet flooring, a commonly dusty place and one … [+] that gets overlooked by round robots,” says tester Caroline Mullen.
Caroline Mullen for Forbes Vetted
What our writers say: Home writer Caroline Mullen, who tested the s9+ for our roundup of the best robot vacuums, writes that it picked up the most debris of the seven models she tested, “thanks to its suction power and rubber rollers that don’t often get gunked up with hair.” She also calls the self-emptying base “life-changing.” Read her full review of the Roomba s9+ for more details.
Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair On Hardwood Floors
Slim With A Long Runtime—And Perfect For Hard Floors
Amazon
Shark Ion Robot Vacuum
Robot dimensions: 12.6 x 3.5 inches | Base dimensions: N/A (charging dock included) |Weight: 9.9 pounds |Runtime: 120 minutes | Bin capacity: 0.4L |Features: Voice control, scheduling, cliff detect
Pros:
Very simple setup
Excels on hardwood and tile floors
Longer run time is suited for large spaces
Cons:
No self-emptying base
For homes that solely or mostly have hardwood or tile floors, we recommend Shark’s Ion Robot Vacuum, an affordable option that’s also a favorite among busy households with pets. This robot vacuum doesn’t have as many smart features as other models, but it does connect to voice assistants and features scheduling and cliff detection technology. It’s able to easily get under couches due to its slim, low profile; we’re also impressed with how efficiently it pulls in and captures hair through its three-brush type system. Plus, users highlight the fact that it can run for up to 120 minutes per charge, allowing it to clean larger spaces in a single session. One drawback: It doesn’t have a self-emptying base, so you’ll need to manually empty it on a regular basis—though reviewers note that this is an easy task.
Shark Ion helps Epting stay on top of her dog’s shedding “so my hardwood floors don’t turn into … [+] carpet.”
claire epting for forbes vetted
What our writers say: Updates writer Claire Epting, who has a Shepherd Labrador mix with a double coat, shares that her Shark Ion has been crucial to staying on top of the shedding on her hardwood floors. “I’ve had this Shark vacuum for a few years now and it’s been a big help,” she says. “It’s a very simple model—no mapping capabilities or a self-emptying base—but it gets the job done and didn’t cost a fortune. I don’t recommend using it over rugs, though, as it tends to ‘deposit’ my dog’s fur when it runs over fabric surfaces.”
Best Starter Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair
For Easy, Effective Routine Cleaning Without The Frills
Multi-surface brushes are effective at capturing fur
Multiple sensors can avoid stairs and transition between floor types
Cons:
Lacks smart navigation and mapping
Sometimes goes over an already-cleaned area and skips others
While you’ll probably still need to use a regular vacuum for more targeted or deeper cleanings, the iRobot Roomba 694 is more than equipped to keep uncluttered floors in small living spaces mostly fur-free. While the Roomba 694 doesn’t have the smart mapping and self-emptying abilities its more expensive cousins do, it features a three-stage cleaning system, two multi-surface brushes and plenty of suction power to lift fur from both carpets and hardwood floors.
Tester and German Shepard owner Laura Denby found that the no-frills model did a mostly seamless job navigating the original wood floors in her home, as well as moving from hardwood to low- and medium-pile carpets. She warns
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