The Best Robot Vacuums for 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, consider investing in a robot vacuum that can take some cleaning duties off of your plate. There's no shortage of options on the market, but finding one that works well, offers the features you want, and fits your budget can be a bit of a challenge. We're here to help.

The robot vacuums on this list range from affordable to super expensive, with the priciest options offering premium features such as artificial intelligence-based obstacle avoidance, security cameras that let you watch your pet when you're out of the house, and even self-emptying dustbins that save you from breathing in the waste therein. Of course, each one of these vacuums is also good at cleaning pet hair, particularly from carpeting, which can be more difficult than from hardwood or tile.

Read on for the top robot vacuums we've tested for dealing with pet hair, as well as everything you should keep in mind during your search.

The Best Robot Vacuums for 2022

Which Robot Vacuum Works Best for Pet Hair?

Although all the models on this list can handle pet hair with aplomb, suction power is the most important factor to consider. 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 value the better, especially if you have carpet.

The RoboRock S7 MaxV Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni respectively offer 5,100 and 5,000Pa of suction power, the highest of any vacuums on this list. Needless to say, both excel at removing pet hair from carpeting.

Wyze Robot Vacuum dustbin

Otherwise, what makes a robot vacuum good in general makes it good for pet hair: battery life, smart features, and obstacle avoidance capabilities.

Most robot vacuums can run for at least 60 to 70 minutes, which should be enough to tackle smaller homes and apartments. If you have a bigger living area, look for a robot vacuum with at least 90 minutes of battery life so it can hit every room before requiring a recharge.

As for smart connectivity, most robot vacuums offer companion apps with remote scheduling options, though some cheap models work only with an included remote. Many also have Amazon Alexa and 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 and efficiently. Some can also map your home, and support area cleaning and virtual boundaries for targeted runs.

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 Roomba j7+ and the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni, offer advanced obstacle avoidance technology that can help the robot steer clear of toys, slippers, and, in some cases, pet waste.

iRobot app

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 as it cleans.

iRobot Roomba j7+

You also might want to consider a model that can empty its own dustbin. Models with this feature ensure you never have to come into close contact with collected pet hair and dust. They also significantly cut down on maintenance. With most other robot vacuums, you have to empty the dustbin after every cleaning.

When Is 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 (meaning big discounts), and we don't expect that to change anytime soon. The same is true for Amazon Prime Day (often in July). Retailers also periodically offer discounts throughout the year, so if you can't wait for Black Friday, shop around and you can probably find a decent sale.

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 simple robot vacuum tips.

And for an even deeper clean, take a look at the best robot mops we've tested. Loyal to iRobot? We have a roundup of the best Roombas as well.