The best robot vacuums for pet hair of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Though the Roomba j7+ is the best robot vacuum for handling pet hair, the other options may be better for different situations. A typical robot vacuum for cleaning pet hair can cost $150-$1,900, depending on its extra features and autonomy.

See how the best pet hair robot vacuums compare to other models we use to keep up with our pets. 

*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.

There are hundreds of robot vacuums, so how do you know which is best for you? Here’s a quick breakdown: 

If you’re trying to decide whether a stick or a robot vacuum is the best option for tackling pet hair, the truth is that there isn’t a black-and-white answer. Here’s how they stack up:

Robot vacuums are best suited for daily or every-other-day maintenance between deep cleaning sessions. They are ideal for low-pile carpets and hard floors, such as wood, tile, and vinyl.  
Stick vacuums are perfect for quick cleanups of crumbs or pet hair but can also be better suited to vacuum carpets more thoroughly than a robot vacuum. They provide stronger suction and versatility than robot vacuums, which helps them remove stubborn pet hair more effectively from carpets and rugs.

I rotate both a stick vacuum and a robot vacuum in my home, while my old upright vacuum is relegated to monthly cleaning jobs for a deeper clean. I’ve found that combining a robot vacuum for daily automated cleanings and a stick vacuum for quick cleanups is the best way to keep my floors clean without a big hassle. 

Also: Forget Dyson: I tested Roborock’s wet-dry hand vacuum and it left my floors spotless

Some robot and stick vacuum combinations, like the Ecovacs T30S Combo and Deebot X2 Combo, are available on the market, which greatly helps. This is especially true as the stick vacuum’s canister on these devices self-empties into the same bag as the robot vacuum, making the entire experience easier.

While trying to determine the best robot vacuum, I kept several factors at the forefront of my testing and research, which can also aid your search:

Suction power: When weighing your options, compare each robot vacuum’s different suction power features. Suction power is measured in Pascals (Pa); the higher the number, the better. Inexpensive options like the Eufy 11S Max feature a 2,000Pa suction, while more high-end options, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, have 10,000Pa. Also, consider that this number is the robot’s peak power, so you’ll likely have to set it up in its highest setting to reach the advertised number of Pascals.
Floor types: Some robot vacuums are best equipped to work with different floor types, like carpet or hardwood, and can even automatically increase suction when the carpet is detected. Others perform best on hard floors but fall short on carpets. Before you buy, consider the type of flooring in your home and which vacuum is most appropriate.
Mapping: For full automation, your robot vacuum must have a mapping feature to navigate each room. Robots use different sensors to create floorplan maps, including LiDAR, laser, and even artificial intelligence through cameras. Many robot vacuums use these sensors to detect cliffs and stop so they don’t fall down the stairs. Depending on the tech used for mapping, robot vacuums clean in linear or random patterns, which is also something to consider if you like the look of carpet lines. Many robots can also create multi-floor mapping, which lets you move your robot vacuum to clean different levels in your home and save each map.
Obstacle avoidance: An obstacle avoidance feature can have the robot vacuum avoid things like furniture, wires, socks, shoes, and even pet waste so the robot doesn’t get its brush roller stuck on it or spread the mess all over your carpet. This feature is a must-have in my home with a dog and young kids who constantly leave objects strewn about.
Battery: Consider the runtime before choosing the best robot vacuum to ensure it has enough power to clean your home, especially if you want to clean a large area in one go. If you select a robot vacuum with the technical capability to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, and then resume the job where it left off, this may not be as big of a factor as others on this list. 
Connectivity: Many of the best robot vacuums offer voice control, some through Amazon Alexa or Google Home, and others with built-in voice assistants. Most feature a mobile app that lets you control your robot remotely, set schedules, track progress, and control the machine’s efforts. 
Extra features: Robot vacuum manufacturers often market extra features that may or may not be important to buyers, so choosing which features you’d like before buying is worth it. These include tangle-resistant brushes, self-emptying dustbins, the ability to set no-go zones and create schedules, mopping capabilities, and many more. 

Also: I changed these 10 things to maximize my robot vacuum’s battery life

ZDNET has several robot vacuum reviewers that have tested over 50 units thus far. We conduct tests in real homes with real challenges and in a controlled lab environment for comparison.

Also: How we test robot vacuums at ZDNET in 2024

Here’s what we consider when testing robot vacuums and mops at ZDNET:

Determine evaluation criteria: For our key evaluation criteria, we consider how robots perform by assessing their suction power, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We also assess the user experience, the robot’s versatility, longevity, and whether it delivers on its specifications.
Unboxing: During this process, we assess the packaging and setup experience and note any accessories and unique features.
Testing environments: We test the robot vacuums on different floor types (like carpet and hardwood) and see how they navigate various obstacles to test performance.
Performance metrics: We test suction power with various debris types and assess obstacle navigation and mapping accuracy.
Extra features: When testing robot vacuum and mop combinations, we evaluate their effectiveness at removing stains and overall cleaning quality. We also check how unique features work, like obstacle avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, etc.

To top it all off, we gauge the device’s longevity and long-term performance by using it over the course of a few months. Our review timelines vary, but we typically test robot vacuums for about a month before reviewing and keep our reviews updated while the device is available.

Shark and Roomba robot vacuums have pros and cons when handling pet hair. We’ve tested different models from both brands at ZDNET and have found that, while Shark robots tend to excel in suction, Roombas generally have better navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities.

Some Roomba robot vacuums also have dual brush rollers to help prevent hair tangles and advanced smart features, like P.O.O.P. But Shark tends to offer more affordable alternatives than Roomba, including in recurring expenses. Shark robot vacuums also notoriously handle pet hair well with self-cleaning brush rollers. 

In the end, choosing between Shark and Roomba will come down to the individual model and depend on the buyer’s needs.

As a robot vacuum reviewer, I’ve gotten a lot of experience setting up robot vacuums. Here are some steps I follow when I get a new robot vacuum:

Unbox the device and remove any packaging from the robot vacuum and base station.
Add side brushes, mop pads, and other accessories.
Plug in the base station and turn on the robot vacuum. Robot vacuums often have a switch under the cover or on one side. If your robot does not have a switch, press the on/off button or put it in the charging dock to turn it on.
Pair the robot with the mobile app. This will require downloading the manufacturer’s app, turning on Bluetooth, adding the robot vacuum to your Wi-Fi network, and checking for firmware updates.
Add clean water if the robot has a mopping feature.
Start the mapping process by running the robot for the first time. Try to remove obstacles that won’t typically be there when the robot is cleaning, like shoes, socks, and toys.
Set no-go zones in the app, name rooms, and add a Do Not Disturb schedule, if necessary.
Run the robot for its first cleaning session and watch it to ensure it covers the intended area. If your robot vacuum skips some areas, try remapping it or editing the map.
Take note of what maintenance your vacuum will require after use, and how often, like replacing the dust bag, emptying the dustbin, wiping the sensors, washing the filters, emptying the dirty mop water, etc.

Most of the vacuums on this list are self-emptying, so you don’t have to worry about manually dumping the dust bin after every use. However, there are many on the market that you need to manually empty. How often you empty your robot vacuum dustbin depends on how much dirt, debris, and pet hair you have in your home. It’s good to be realistic about your home’s needs and proactive about emptying so your vacuum can continue suctioning up as much dirt as possible during its job.

The self-emptying robot vacuums are typically emptied into a dust bag stored in the base station. The dust bags vary from one brand to another, but you can normally get around 60 days’ worth of dirt and debris before needing to change the bag out.

Robot vacuums are often good at getting pet hair out of short-pile carpets but don’t always perform as well on medium and high-pile carpets, as they can get stuck in them. However, robot vacuums are not as great at removing stubborn hair from carpet and rugs as some upright and stick vacuums. 

While many robot vacuums have very powerful suction, their brush rollers often to reach deep enough in the carpet to loosen up stubborn hair. Robot vacuums are perfect for keeping floors clean, but your rugs and carpets will still require a more thorough cleaning every few weeks to remove all the pet hair.

Most robot vacuums encourage you to replace the filter, rollers, and side sweeping brushes periodically to keep the devices performing optimally. Additionally, if your robot empties into a dust bag, it must be replaced every few months. Finally, some robot vacuum mops require a mop-cleaning solution that must be repurchased throughout the robot’s lifetime.

Robot vacuums are becoming increasingly intelligent with each new device, and they can now avoid various objects in your home, including pet waste. iRobot and Roborock are two robot vacuum companies claiming their devices can identify and avoid running over pet waste.

There are a lot of great robot vacuums on the market, so I obviously couldn’t include every single one. Here are a few other worthy contenders that we’ve tested: