The 4 Best Robot Vacuums For Pet Hair - Summer 2024 Reviews

The best robot vacuum for pet hair we've tested is the Roborock S8+. This robot vacuum sits near the upper end of Roborock's lineup of robot vacuums and packs tons of features. These include its Reactive 3D hazard detection feature, allowing it to spot and avoid obstacles in real-time with a front-facing optical sensor, so you don't have to ensure your home is completely free of things like slippers or socks on the ground before letting it run. The S8+ model comes bundled with a self-emptying docking station; it transfers the debris from the vacuum's internal dustbin into an external dirtbag inside its charging dock, so you won't have to worry about emptying it every time it runs.

The vacuum itself does a fantastic job of handling pet hair on a wide variety of surface types, and its twin rubber brushrolls significantly improve pet hair pickup on most surface types compared to the single roller setup found in the older Roborock S7 MaxV. You can remove both rollers easily, making it easy to clear away any tangled hair or dirt and debris that has gotten stuck. Fitted with Roborock's ultrasonic mopping system, this vacuum is very effective at scrubbing away any dirt or mud your pet might track in from the outdoors.

Unfortunately, despite a high-efficiency E11 filter, this vacuum does a poor job of sealing in fine allergens like pet dander. If that's a problem, the iRobot Roomba S9 is worth a look, though it lacks the Roborock vacuum's mopping feature, LIDAR mapping capability, and real-time hazard-avoidance feature.

If you're looking for a robot vacuum with a lower purchase price, the Roborock Q5+ is a great choice. The '+' variant of the Q5 comes bundled with a self-emptying base station at a substantially more affordable price than the Roborock S8+. However, it lacks the higher-end model's ultrasonic mopping system and real-time hazard avoidance features. Still, it packs in many of its pricier stablemate's automation features, like multi-floor mapping capability and a 'Smart Recognition' feature that automatically determines which of its stored maps it's working in. You can also view and customize the 3D representation of your home after it's mapped everything out, label specific rooms, and send the vacuum wherever you'd like using the 'Pin n Go' function.

That said, like the S8, it does a poor job of sealing fine allergens like pet dander, which can escape from gaps in its top cover. While it does a fantastic job of handling pet hair on bare floors, it struggles a little more than its more expensive stablemate with cleaning pet hair on carpeted surfaces. Its bristled roller is also far more tangle-prone than the S8's easy-to-clean rubber rollers, so routine maintenance is more of a hassle.

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is a great option if you're looking for the best robot vacuum for pet hair at a mid-range price point. Unlike the pricier Roborock Q5/Q5+, it isn't compatible with a self-emptying dock station, so you must empty its dustbin manually at the end of almost every cleaning session, as the internal dirt compartment is quite small. Thankfully, it's just as effective as the more expensive Roborock for dealing with pet hair on bare floors and carpets. Its companion app also offers functionality similar to Roborock's, with support for multi-floor mapping, room labeling, and no-go zones. It does a pretty good job of sealing in fine allergens like pet dander, and it runs very quietly, which is good if your pet is sensitive to loud noises.

You can also consider the iRobot Roomba j7, an alternative compatible with a self-emptying base station, though this accessory is rather pricey. This vacuum also features real-time hazard-avoidance capability, which can spot, identify, and, if necessary, maneuver around new un-mapped obstacles like pet waste. However, the iRobot has more difficulty dealing with pet hair on bare floors than the Wyze.

The best robot vacuum for pets we've tested in the budget category is the eufy RoboVac 11S. This model appears to be the same price as the Wyze Robot Vacuum at the time of writing; however, there's often a $60 coupon discount on Amazon (check the box below the listed price), bringing its price down to $140 USD. While not quite as good as the Wyze, this little robot vacuum still does a great job of picking up pet hair on bare floors. It has a larger 0.11-gallon dirt compartment, and its battery is removable, so you can replace it down the line if it no longer holds a charge. A full charge gets you around two hours of use in its least powerful 'Standard' mode, which is excellent for this type of vacuum.

Unfortunately, this vacuum lacks a smart pathing feature, so it sometimes loses track of areas it has already cleaned in larger rooms. It also gets stuck if there are electrical wires lying around. Another downside is that there isn't a mobile companion app to schedule your cleaning or mark boundaries.