The 5 Best Robot Vacuums For Pet Hair - Winter 2023 Reviews

The best robot vacuum for pet hair that we've tested is the iRobot Roomba S9. This high-end robot vacuum does a fantastic job of dealing with pet hair on both carpets and bare floors. Its twin rubber brushrolls don't have conventional bristles and are thus very easy to clean. You can also quickly remove them to help clear any tangled hair wraps. It also features an onboard HEPA filter to help trap fine allergens as it cleans. It can automatically adjust its brushroll height depending on the surface that it's on too. Its optical navigation system generates a permanent map of its coverage area, letting you set up virtual boundary lines that the vacuum won't cross or direct it to specific rooms within your home. That said, it lacks any real-time hazard-avoidance capability, so remove any potential hazards like pet waste before letting it run.

It also has a few parts that need replacing over time, so it isn't the best option if low ownership costs are a significant factor in your purchasing decision. There also isn't a mopping attachment, which could be a deal-breaker if you need a vacuum that can also deal with any mud or dirt your pet might track into your home. It is compatible with a self-emptying base station, but this is a somewhat expensive upgrade.

The yeedi vac station is a great option if you're looking for a vacuum at a slightly more affordable price point. In terms of build quality, it isn't quite as impressive as the iRobot Roomba S9 and takes longer to recharge, but it does offer self-emptying capability at a much lower price. This feature lets it automatically transfer debris from its internal dustbin into an external dirt compartment mounted to its charging station, making for a more hygienic means of debris disposal. It also does a fantastic job dealing with pet hair on bare floors and carpets. There's even a mopping attachment for dealing with dried-on dirt, though it's an entirely passive system that isn't particularly effective in scrubbing away stains. You can use its companion app to set up boundary lines that the vacuum won't cross or direct it to clean a specific area.

Unfortunately, this vacuum doesn't have a HEPA filter, so it isn't the best choice if you're very sensitive to allergens. If you want a self-emptying robot vacuum with HEPA filtration, consider the iRobot Roomba j7. This vacuum also features real-time hazard-avoidance capability, meaning it can maneuver around new un-mapped obstacles like pet waste. That said, it has a hard time dealing with pet hair on bare floors.

If you don't mind giving up the yeedi vac station's self-emptying capability in exchange for a lower purchase price, the Wyze Robot Vacuum is a great choice. It isn't compatible with a self-emptying base station, so you'll have to empty its dustbin manually. That's something you'll be doing pretty often, as the internal dustbin is very small. However, it does have its share of advantages. Not only is it less expensive, but it's also just as effective in handling pet hair on different surfaces, ranging from bare floors to carpeting. Its brushroll is also easily removable, meaning you can clear away any tangled hair. This vacuum also features a HEPA filter and is very effective when it comes to sealing in fine particles.

It has a LIDAR sensor that maps out your home quickly and precisely, even in the dark. You can use its companion app to set up virtual boundary lines that the vacuum won't cross or direct it to a specific room within your home. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a mopping feature to scrub away dried-on dirt. If that's something you want, the Roborock S5 Max is a good choice, though its availability is sporadic.

If you're looking to spend as little as possible on a robot vacuum for dealing with pet hair, consider the Roborock E4. Unlike the pricier Wyze Robot Vacuum, it doesn't have a LIDAR mapping array, instead relying on a simpler optical sensor-based system with internal gyroscopes. It allows it to move in an organized pattern and output a map of its coverage area at the end of a cleaning session. However, it can't store this map permanently, so you can't set up virtual boundary lines or schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms. Thankfully, you can also control it using navigational buttons via its companion app if it gets stuck. Similarly to the Wyze, it does a fantastic job of handling pet hair on a wide variety of surfaces, and it has a high-efficiency E11 filter that's effective in trapping allergens.

Unfortunately, its brushroll is somewhat tangle-prone and can be a bit of a nuisance to clean, even if it's easily removable. Thankfully, the build quality is impressive, and the vacuum offers sufficient battery life to easily clean large areas without running out of charge.

If you're looking for a robot vacuum with a mopping attachment, consider the Roborock S7 MaxV. This high-end robot vacuum has a mopping attachment that actively scrubs away dried-on stains, so it's highly effective for dealing with mud and dirt that your pet might track in. Its advanced navigation system combines onboard cameras for real-time obstacle avoidance and a LIDAR sensor that lets it precisely map out its coverage area. You can look through the vacuum's onboard camera and talk to your pets while you're away from home, thanks to the built-in speakers. That said, while the similarly-priced iRobot Roomba S9 lacks a mopping system and has a less advanced mapping system, it's still more effective in handling pet hair on carpet.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative but still want the same stain-cleaning performance, the Roborock S7 is a good option. It has the same highly-effective ultrasonic mopping system, and it does almost as good a job when it comes to tackling pet hair. However, it lacks optical sensors, so it can't detect and avoid hazards like pet waste in real-time or act as a roving security camera.