Pet ownership is a delight in too many ways to mention, with our four-legged friends bringing immeasurable joy to our daily lives. However, unless you exclusively own hairless cats or a breed that barely sheds, chances are you spend a good amount of time hoovering up hair, fluff, and fur from your beloved companions.
That’s not to mention the less-fragrant messes that can sometimes occur, too – and many of these models have in-built sensors to help them avoid accidents, preventing them from spreading an unwanted gift around. Whether you have a husky or a chihuahua, these robot vacuums can make light work of fur and dander, picking up stray biscuits.
Our reliable reviewers have tested and evaluated the best robot vacuums based on their charging time, battery life, and overall performance. We have compiled a list of the top models we believe are the best vacuums for pet hair. These robot vacs are not only a time-saving solution to manual vacuuming, but they are also a godsend for anyone with pet hair allergies. We can’t guarantee your pet won’t try to fight them, though, sorry.
If you are a pet owner looking for the ultimate convenience and a way to keep your house clean with minimal effort, keep reading.
Quick list: Top 5 picks
The quick list below gives you a general overview of the products in our shortlist; you can jump to more detailed reviews further down the page, which will include pros and cons and more information on performance.
The best robot vacuum for pet hair overall
The eufy Clean X8 Pro robot vacuum is the best at handling pet hair thanks to its strong suction, intelligent mapping, and self-emptying system. The mop attachment is also useful, though only suited to hard floors as carpets would get wet.
The best premium robot vacuum for pet hair
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot takes the premium top spot due to its AI technology, 3D sensors, and self-cleaning system, making it jam-packed with tech and, therefore, more expensive.
The best robot vacuum for those with pet allergies
The Neato D10 is the best choice for those with pet allergies thanks to its HEPA filter, which filters out allergens and keeps your carpets spotlessly clean.
The best robot vacuum for pet mess avoidance
The Roomba Combo j7+ is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop with obstacle avoidance, mapping, and compatibility with Google and Alexa. It does well on hard floors, making it great for dealing with pet pee and wet paw prints.
The best robot vacuum for dirt-level adjustment
The Narwal Freo Robot Vacuum and Mop is a pricey but innovative cleaning solution with advanced features, like dirt-level adjustment for controlled all-over cleaning.
The best robot vacuums for pet hair we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
We love to say that we've reviewed every product we feature in our buying guides, and in this case, we can: every robot vacuum has been properly tested by one of our Top Ten Reviews team/reviewers, so each review is an honest, hands-on recommendation.
The best robot vacuum for pet hair overall
✅ Perfect for pet owners: The X8 Pro is the best overall as it can easily handle pet fur and dander with its powerful twin turbine suction.
✅ You like efficiency: The robot vacuum is powerful and efficient, with special features like an intelligent mapping system.
✅ You have a lot of pet fur to deal with: The X8 Pro includes a large self-emptying system that holds pet fur and debris for up to 60 days.
❌ You need it to mop well: The mop attachment cannot automatically detect carpets, so manual no-go zones are required to avoid wetting them.
❌ Your pet is prone to peeing indoors: As above, the X8 Pro is not recommended for cleaning 'spills' or sticky messes, as it may miss some spots.
❌You want to run it overnight: Despite the whisper-quiet claims, it's still too noisy to run overnight without disturbing you or your pets.
🔎 The eufy X8 Pro robotic vacuum is ideal for pet owners due to its powerful cleaning capabilities, using intelligent mapping, sensors, and a self-emptying system to rid your home of pet fur and pee. However, its mop attachment cannot detect carpets, and manual no-go zones are required, so users have to step in ★★★★½
The eufy X8 Pro robotic vacuum is our overall best choice for pet owners as it can easily handle fur and dander. It uses intelligent mapping and sensors to clean well in the right places and has a large self-emptying system to keep your home clean for longer without user intervention. It also includes a mop attachment for an extra level of cleanliness.
However, this mop attachment cannot automatically detect carpets, so our reviewer had to set up manual no-go zones to avoid wetting the carpets. That said, the twin turbine suction provides deep cleaning on carpets for efficient pet hair removal. The X8 has a bag installed, estimated to last up to 60 days for a 3-person household with no pets, up to 45 days with one pet, and up to 30 days with two pets.
Features: The robot vacuum has twin turbines and three sensors to prevent it from falling off stairs and running into obstacles. The robot vac returns to the base to charge automatically, and we found a single charge is enough to clean an apartment, even with mopping. The water tank for mopping is removable, but draining it can be tricky. The mopping feature is best for keeping the kitchen floor clean but not for major stains, messes, or spills. However, it can clean dried mud without smearing. The water tank also notifies you when it is running low, so it never runs out of water.
Performance: The X8 Pro robot vacuum is a powerful and useful cleaning solution, featuring a detangling comb that keeps the brush free from getting tangled with longer hair, a 20mm climbing height so that it can navigate different/raised surfaces, and a No-Mop zone feature for cleaning without accidentally wetting carpets or rugs.
We found that the BoostIQ setting does not always work as well as expected, but the vacuum is still highly effective at removing oats, flour, porcelain shards, and dog hair from carpets and hard floors. While it may not be as effective as a traditional vacuum cleaner, we think it's still an excellent quick and easy cleaning option for extra hands-off help.
The only downside was that we found the robot too tall, which restricted its ability to reach certain areas, like navigating under sofas or low units.
Value: The Eufy X8 Pro costs $649.99, while a newer version, the Eufy X9 Pro, costs $899.99 and features intelligent mopping that lifts it away from the carpet, so it's more hands-off than the X8.
Read more: eufy Clean X8 Pro review
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Great features, but can't detect carpets | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Performs well, excellent hair pickup | ★★★★ |
| Value | Not easily available, mid-range price | ★★★ |
The best premium robot vacuum for pet hair
✅ You want it to be hands-free: With AI technology to adjust the suction power and a self-emptying bin, you don’t have to lift a finger as it cleans and empties itself for you.
✅ You want a big-name brand model: This Samsung model features some of the latest tech and smart features, making it worth the hefty price tag.
✅ You have pets: While this isn’t specifically designed for pets, it does an amazing job at removing both dog and cat hair.
❌ You’re on a budget: The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ is not your basic budget robot vacuum, and the price reflects this.
❌ You have lots of low-lying furniture: Because this robot vac is five inches tall, it won’t be able to reach under low-lying furniture, such as TV stands or very low coffee tables to get at any dust.
❌ You don't need a 'fancy' model: One of the most notable extras of this robot vacuum is that you can monitor the live video stream and control the vacuum from an app.
🔎 The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum is jam-packed with AI technology, has excellent navigation, and an automatic emptying system for totally user-free hands-off cleaning, justifying the premium price tag ★★★★
If you want the height of the latest technology in your robot vacuum, then the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum can do it. There’s very little this premium robot vacuum can’t do; we thought it had an awesome self-emptying system and flawless navigation skills, and on top of that, it even captures a live video stream, if that's your thing.
Features: The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum can be left to do its thing. The automated technology adjusts its settings for carpet and hard floors so you can just sit back and relax. The 3D sensor helps it avoid bumping into obstacles, so you don't have to intervene. You can even activate the vacuum from the app or use voice assistants such as Alexa or Google, making the user experience highly convenient.
The charging station is self-emptying, and the battery life lasts roughly 1.5 hours. It takes 3.5 hours to recharge fully, which is faster than that of other robot vacuums. We found the battery life quite short, but considering what it can do, it’s easy to make an exception. We recommend supplementing with occasional deep cleaning with a standard vacuum or carpet cleaner.
The 3D sensors map out rooms and obstacles, and the multiple filters ensure your home gets clean. The vacuum is five inches tall and 12 inches in diameter, so we saw it struggle to reach underneath low furniture. However, this mainly poses an issue if you have low-lying coffee tables or TV stands.
Performance: The Samsung robot vacuum outperformed all other robot vacuums we reviewed. It deals with pet hair very well but does have to return to the dock to empty itself due to the small dustbin size. Occasionally, we found it can get stuck on rugs or door corners, but this is typical of robot vacuums; it quickly frees itself and updates its route. The only issue you may have that we struggled with is connectivity with the app if your Wi-Fi is weak or patchy.
Value: The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot has many premium features and the latest AI technology, so the RRP reflects this at $1,299.99. However, it met our expectations, giving excellent results and a convenient user experience.
Read more: Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Features the latest technology. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Almost flawless performance | ★★★★ |
| Value | Out of the reach of most. | ★★★★ |
The best robot vacuum for pet allergies
✅ You have allergies: The Neato D10 has a HEPA filter that traps up to 99.97% of allergens, fine dust particles, and microbes as small as 0.3 microns, so you can breathe easily.
✅ You want a deep clean: Dust, small debris, and human/pet hair are no match for this vacuum, and Max mode is particularly powerful.
✅ You want to be hands-off with it: Using the app, this robot vacuum can start a scheduled clean when you’re busy doing other things, so you come home to cleanliness.
❌ You want to protect your furniture: The Neato D10 confuses low-lying furniture, such as lamp bases, and tries to climb them, which could potentially scratch surfaces.
❌ You want a more streamlined app: The app could be simpler to use, so it may take a while for first-time users to get the hang of it.
❌ You’re looking for something cheaper: While it's not the most expensive, cheaper vacuum cleaners are available, although with fewer features and smart capabilities.
🔎 The Neato D10 robot vacuum is particularly good for allergy sufferers due to its HEPA filter. Its excellent mapping capabilities, power, and performance are great, and the only drawback is how it climbs furniture ★★★★½
The Neato D10 robot vacuum is better if you have a big home to clean, thanks to its 300-minute battery life and three powerful cleaning modes.
Features: The robot vacuum’s HEPA filter captures 99.97% of allergens and fine dust particles as small as 0.3 microns, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers and those with pets who are worried about dander in carpets. Three cleaning modes, Eco, Turbo, and Max, make transferring between hard surfaces, carpets, and deep cleaning easy and simple, respectively.
We found that the innovative D-shape allows for better reach into corners compared to the typical round shape, and the shape and lack of buttons make the vacuum look sleek. A charging dock is provided; the battery lasts an impressive 300 minutes, but we found it gets used quicker on Turbo and Max modes.
The MyNeato app allows you to set up different zones, which is great for avoiding areas you don't want to be cleaned. The app also has multi-zone cleaning, where you can customize up to 16 areas and choose the exact cleaning functions/mode you want for each spot. We think that all this equates to a thoroughly cleaned home.
Performance: During our tests, the robot successfully created floor plans and kept out of the no-go zones, although we found that it sometimes tried to climb lamp bases (this would only really be a big problem for those who own lots of lamps or low furniture that you don't want to be scratched).
It effectively cleaned up dust, larger debris, and all hair types. Max mode used 24% of the battery in a 39-minute session, which is quite a lot, but as with most robot vacs, it can simply return to the base to charge. The only issue that may arise concerns your Wi-Fi connectivity when using the app. However, we think the app is well-designed and easy to use.
Value: At $599.99, the Neato D10 is not the most affordable. However, it makes sense for its great performance, power, and smart mapping capabilities. Two extra filters are included for this price, too, so you don't need to spend extra on those.
Read more: Neato D10 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | HEPA filter, long battery life. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Cleans hair, dust and debris well | ★★★★ |
| Value | Pricey but worth the money | ★★★★★ |
The best robot vacuum for pet mess avoidance
✅ You have a mix of hard floors and carpet: It can differentiate between carpeted and hard floors, so you don't have to set manual no-go zones.
✅ You want a smart home: It's easy to connect to Google Home or set up schedules within the iRobot app for an automated experience.
✅ You want it to avoid obstacles: This is a great choice for those who want a hands-off cleaning experience.
❌ You're saving money: The Combo j7+'s price is high due to its self-emptying and auto-mopping capability.
❌ You live in a small, more cluttered home: This is a heavy and bulky device, so it's better suited to big areas.
❌ You need it for mopping: The mopping functionality is limited, like most robot vac/mop combos.
🔎 The Roomba Combo j7+ is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that has great obstacle avoidance/navigation and can differentiate between hard floors and carpets. It promises never to run over any pet mess, so it's perfect for pet owners ★★★★
Like others in this list, the Roomba Combo j7+ is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop combo. This one excels in that it has D.R.I. (Dry Rug Intelligence) that lifts the mop pad away from carpets, preventing wet carpets and rugs and the nasty damp smell that can result from them.
Its 4-Stage Cleaning System iRobot O.S. and 'PrecisionVision' Navigation easily recognize and avoid obstacles like pet waste, preventing anything from dragging around your nice clean floors! This is thanks to the iRobot P.O.O.P. promise: the Pet Owner Official Promise, an assurance that this robot will swerve any poop, and if it doesn't, iRobot will replace your robot at no cost to you. Awesome.
The Roomba j7+ Combo is also compatible with the iRobot Home app. If you want to go fully hands-free, you can control it through voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. It also features a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal that empties the robot vacuum's bin for up to 60 days, after which the user must empty it.
Features: The Roomba Combo j7+ is the best choice for pet mess avoidance, thanks to its obstacle avoidance and ability to differentiate between hard floors and carpets, adjusting modes accordingly and preventing wet carpets.
However, mapping its layout can be difficult, and it may take a few mapping sessions before it knows its way around. Fortunately, you can view and edit the map via the app, so you can always change it.
If you have one, it can connect to your home's pre-existing smart home system, so scheduling cleaning while you are away is straightforward.
Performance: During our tests, the vacuum picked up small and larger debris without leaving any mess behind. The mopping functionality is also quite effective, with the water tank/water level shown within the app so you know how much is left before refilling it. Although it's not as good as traditional mopping (robot mops rarely are), we think it does an adequate job of cleaning surface-level grime from hard floors and would be good enough to clean up after smaller pet messes.
Value: The Roomba Combo J7+ is priced at $999.99 on the iRobot website, with frequent sales on Amazon and other retailers. It's a pretty pricey option, but the self-emptying and auto-mopping capability increases the price tag.
Read more: Roomba Combo j7+ review
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No hair wrap and self-emptying | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Great obstacle avoidance | ★★★★ |
| Value | Widely available; expensive | ★★★★ |
The best robot vacuum for dirt-level adjustment
✅ You don't want to clean the mop pads yourself: The base station charges the robot vacuum and acts as a water supply hub and auto-cleaning station for the mop pads.
✅ You want complete control: You can set it up to clean when you're away from home, and you can choose to have it focus on specific areas or avoid certain spaces.
✅ You want to customize the clean: The robot vacuum has five cleaning modes, three vacuum power modes, and three moisture levels.
❌ You want to save money: It's relatively expensive compared to other robot vacuums and mops in the market.
❌ You need multiple maps: It may be unsuitable for those who have multiple floors or frequently rearrange their furniture.
❌ You have lots of power cords: Some users have reported issues with the robot's navigation, particularly around power cords.
🔎 The Narwal Freo Robot Vacuum and Mop uses advanced tech to provide a thorough cleaning. Although it is pricey and struggles with some fine debris in corners and navigation issues, it is a great performer overall ★★★★½
The Narwal Freo Robot Vacuum and Mop is another great option for pet owners who require a hands-off experience when cleaning their home. The Freo Mode and Dirt Sense technology means the vacuum can adjust to the level of dirt present. It's a versatile model with five cleaning modes, three vacuum power modes, and three moisture levels, so the cleaning performance is accurate and reliable.
Unfortunately, it's pretty bulky when the base is plugged into the wall, so it might not be great in smaller apartments/condos. It's also only available in white, and we found it still encounters classic robot vac problems like missing fine debris and corners.
Features: The base station is a multi-purpose hub, acting as a water supply hub, mopping cleaning station, and a charging dock for the robot vacuum.
The robot's Dirt Sense technology intelligently gauges the dirt level on the mops and initiates optimal cleaning results. Plus, the Narwal app allows you to customize the cleaning preferences, schedules, and settings to get the right cleaning performance in the selected rooms and at a time that suits you.
However, it can only memorize and store a single map, making it unsuitable for bigger homes with multiple floors.
Performance: The Narwal Freo Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo offers advanced technology and easy maintenance. We thought the Freo Mode was a standout feature because it intelligently ensures the best type of cleaning. While it may not be as effective in capturing dust in corners or finer debris as other models, we think it still maintains overall cleanliness, especially in a house with pets.
Value: The Narwal Freo Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo may be pricey, but we think it could be worth it for the convenience of the base station that auto-cleans the mops. Although users have to manually empty the dustbin, it's still a great performer when vacuuming and mopping. Other options are available at lower price points.
Read more: Narwal Freo robot vacuum and mop combo review
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | Pricey but worth it | ★★★★ |
| Design | Effective cleaning features, impressive app. | ★★★★½ |
| Performance | Effective vacuuming/mopping with minor issues. | ★★★★½ |
How we test the best robot vacuums for pet hair
At Top Ten Reviews, we're on a mission to ensure that every product we feature in one of our buying guides has been thoroughly tested by one of our team members. We test out the robot vacuum for at least two to three weeks, allowing enough time to map out a floorplan in our homes before challenging it with various debris to pick up, including cereals, hair, etc.
Where possible, we also connect the robot vacuum to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to see how effective hands-free vacuuming is and whether it responds well to the prompts.
We also look at how long it takes for the battery to charge before its first use, how long it takes to charge up again once the battery runs out, and how long a cleaning session lasts on one charge.
Once we consider all these factors, we compare it to its price to see if it offers you the best value for money or if you could find a similar model for cheaper.
Read more about how we test.
How to choose the best robot vacuum for pet hair for you
Most robot vacuums are very similar and essentially have the same functionality, and plenty can vacuum and mop as well. It's worth considering if you need a robot vac/mop combo to help clean up after your pet, and this depends on:
Floor type: This is your main consideration. What type of floor do you have, and is it large enough to warrant a robot vacuum to clean it? Some people may find they can do the job quicker with a vacuum. Also, if you have many carpeted areas, is it worth investing in a robot vacuum that can mop, too? (You'd be using the mop function less.) You can save money by opting for a simpler version that will vacuum your carpets.
However, if you have hard floors and a pet that always brings a little dirt in with them on their paws every time they come back in from outside, a robot vacuum/mop combo would be ideal (especially for pet pee!). So, it's important to consider your space and how the robot vacuum will be used.
Other features: Pet hair tends to get everywhere, so it's important to remember that, unfortunately, a robot vacuum/mop can only clean your floors and not your soft furnishings. If this is more important to you than your floors, as pets can make soft furnishings smell, perhaps invest in a handheld carpet cleaner for spot-cleaning any pet messes or just a conventional upright cordless vacuum; these are good for stairs, too.
If you take your dog in the car a lot and need to clean its fur off the seats, a robot vacuum would be ineffective. The small area would be ineffectual, as the cliff sensor prevents the robot vacuum from moving very far; a handheld carpet/vacuum cleaner would handle this much better.
Overall, robot vacs/mops are super convenient for getting rid of pet hair and dirt, but some have drawbacks and are meant to supplement the cleaning you do yourself to monitor/control the daily build-up of pet hair around your home.
Robot vacuums for pet hair FAQ
Do robot vacuums work well for pet hair?
A robot vacuum to combat pet hair is a worthwhile purchase. Pet owners know first-hand that vacuuming and dusting regularly can only keep pet hair under control for so long. It can build up quickly, stick to carpets, or get trodden in.
Equally, no one wants to vacuum more than once daily or follow their pet with a vacuum cleaner. Often, the only way to keep your home fluff-free is if you have heavy shedders or more than one furry friend. A robot vacuum takes the hassle out of this by monitoring your carpets and hard floors, acting as an extra line of defense so you don't have to clean as often yourself.
Even the fairly mediocre robot vacuums we tried did a good job keeping pet hair at bay because shorter animal hair is less likely to get tangled in the robot vac's brush bar than longer human hair, so they're a worthwhile investment for keeping your carpets fresh underfoot.
Lastly, as most robot vacs do a great job at sucking up pet hair, they have the added benefit of helping out any pet allergy sufferers by reducing the amount of hair and dander that gets embedded in your carpets, so they can improve your home's air quality.
Do robot vacuums and pets get on?
This is a great question! It's worth considering whether purchasing a robot vacuum that moves about your house alone would upset or frighten your animal. Cats and dogs can be skittish or territorial, so a robot vacuum approaching them might not end well. It's a small point to consider, but it might be better to just invest in and use a regular upright vacuum; that way, you are also present in the room while cleaning, which may be less intrusive for small, shy pets.
How do robot vacuums avoid dog poop?
We all know that accidents can happen, but if your dog ever poops inside, don't worry, as practically every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and technology that are designed to avoid obstacles. Still, you should check the specs and reviews of the model you're interested in to ensure that it can avoid dog poop before purchasing.
For example, the Roomba® j7+ robot vacuum is designed to recognize pet messes so it doesn't drag them all over the floor, a nightmare scenario for any pet owner.
Suppose you're worried about this happening but don't want to pick it up yourself. In that case, there are other solutions, like a handheld vacuum designed specifically for dog poop, like the PooVak on Amazon.
