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The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair

There are tons of robot vacuums on the market, but which ones are good for if you have pets? We've tested scores of models, and these are the top robot vacuums for pet hair.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
 & Andrew Gebhart Senior Writer, Smart Home and Wearables
Our Experts
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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. We've been reviewing robot vacuums for more than a decade and have tested every model on this list in our homes, with shedding cats and dogs, to help you find the best automated floor cleaner for you and your furry companions. Our top pick, the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni, thoroughly vacuumed pet hair without tangles and had no problem mopping up cat food remnants from two messy eaters. Whether you're looking for an advanced model with self-maintenance features for a truly hands-off experience or a basic, affordable sweeper that works well, our list of the best robot vacuums for pet hair removal offers a range of excellent options to suit all needs and budgets.

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

  • Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni
    Credit: Andrew Gebhart
    Best Vacuum and Mop Hybrid

    Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Vacuums and mops effectively
      • Roller mop limits cross-contamination
      • Side brush and mop extend into corners
      • Dispenses detergent automatically
      • Lifts itself over hurdles
      • Battery lasts longer than two hours
      • Expensive
      • Occasionally gets lost
      • Auto-generated maps may require manual edits

    Why We Picked It

    The feature-rich Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni can vacuum, mop, empty its dustbin, wash and dry its mop, and refill its water tank. With an impressive 18,000Pa of suction, it's one of the most powerful robot vacuums we've tested and a top option for homes with pets that shed. Its brush roll is specifically designed to eliminate tangles as it works. It also functions as a roving security camera with two-way audio, allowing you to see and speak to your pets from afar. Additionally, it features a built-in voice assistant and AI-powered obstacle avoidance capabilities.

    Who It's For

    Fastidious cleaners: The Deebot X8 Pro Omni performed well on our vacuum pickup tests over carpeting and hard flooring, and excelled on our mopping stress test. It's a hybrid that excels at both tasks, vacuuming with strong suction power and mopping with downward pressure for effective scrubbing. Germophobes will appreciate its roller mop design, which continually refreshes itself to avoid cross-contamination.

    Maintenance avoiders: The X8 Pro Omni washes and dries its own mop and empties its own dustbin. It can clean for months on its own with minimal intervention on your part, and it prevents its brush roll from getting tangled while doing so.

    Pets with lots of toys: We get it, you can't tidy up every single fuzzy chew toy you've tossed your pet before starting your robot vacuum. Using an AI camera, the X8 Pro Omni deftly avoids toys as it cleans, so you don't have to worry about it getting stuck and not completing the job.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (Tested) 134 minutes
    Dimensions 13.9 by 13.8 by 3.9 inches
    Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
    Phone Control
    Scheduling
    Virtual Walls
    Get It Now
  • iRobot Roomba j9+
    Best for Avoiding Pet Waste

    iRobot Roomba j9+

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Expertly avoids obstacles big and small
      • More suction power and battery life than predecessor
      • Learns your home for automated cleaning customization
      • Feature-rich app
      • Expensive

    Why We Picked It

    With its counter-rotating brush rolls, the Roomba j9+ excels at agitating carpets and capturing pet hair. In testing, it effectively cleaned up after two heavily shedding cats without clogging or leaving noticeable hairballs behind. Beyond its cleaning capabilities, the j9+ features advanced obstacle avoidance technology. It’s the best robot vacuum we’ve tested at navigating around toys, bowls, and knick-knacks of all shapes and sizes. If you have a pet prone to accidents, this should provide some extra peace of mind. Like others on this list, it also empties its own dustbin to reduce your exposure to the pet hair it picks up.

    Who It’s For

    Young, old, or sick pets: If you have accident-prone pets, the iRobot Roomba j9+ is a top option. iRobot is so confident in the robot's ability to avoid solid pet waste that it offers a POOP (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee: If the Roomba j9+ fails to avoid solid pet waste within a year of your purchase, the company will provide a new one at no additional cost. This same navigation technology also allows it to smartly reroute itself around everyday obstacles, such as pet toys, shoes, and cords, in real time to avoid getting stuck.

    Heavy shedders: The Roomba j9+ features dual rubber brush rolls on the bottom that agitate dirt without bristles to avoid hair wrap. It effectively picked up two cats' worth of fur without ever getting tangled or leaving behind dust bunnies in testing.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (Tested) 113 minutes
    Dimensions 13.7 by 13.7 by 3.4 inches
    Phone Control
    Scheduling
    Virtual Walls
    Get It Now
  • Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni
    Credit: Andrew Gebhart
    Best for Stubborn Fur Removal

    Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Exceptional vacuum performance
      • Washes mop as it cleans
      • Skillfully avoids obstacles
      • Dispenses mopping detergent automatically
      • Side brush and mop extend into corners
      • Sluggish controls
      • Occasionally got stuck in testing
      • Expensive

    Why We Picked It

    With an all-new intake system designed to optimize airflow and particle pickup, the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni can effectively remove pet hair and dirt from any surface, including embedded particles in carpet fibers. Its brush roll is designed to eliminate tangles as it works, and its roller mop refreshes itself while spinning to limit the cross-contamination from food spills. The base station washes and dries the mops and empties the dustbin. The robot also deftly avoids obstacles, such as pet toys, and features a built-in camera with two-way audio for communicating with your furry friends when you're out and about.

    Who It's For

    Mostly carpeted homes: If you're willing to pay top dollar for a robot vacuum that can effectively remove stubborn dirt and pet hair from your carpets, consider the Deebot X9. It's one of the top performers in our suction power stress test, so it's powerful enough to penetrate deeply between carpet fibers in a way that most other models can't. Less expensive models on this list may perform just as well on hard floors, but grab this one for extra dander and fur removal on carpet.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (Tested) 115 minutes
    Dimensions 13.9 by 13.8 by 3.9 inches
    Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
    Phone Control
    Scheduling
    Virtual Walls
    Get It Now
  • Roborock Qrevo Curv
    Best for Cleaning Along Walls

    Roborock Qrevo Curv

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent cleaning performance
      • Side brush and mop pads extend into corners
      • Lifts itself over hurdles
      • Detachable mop pads
      • Built-in voice assistant and security camera functionality
      • Ran over obstacles in testing
      • Lacks a detergent dispenser
      • May drag mops over carpet

    Why We Picked It

    One of the first robot vacuums we've tested that can climb, the Roborock Qrevo Curv has a self-lifting chassis that allows it to maneuver over small thresholds. That same technology enables it to avoid getting stuck on small objects and cords, as it simply lifts itself up and continues cleaning. In testing, it thoroughly cleaned up after two cats, without leaving any dust bunnies in its wake or getting its brush roll tangled. It even extends its side brush and mop arm to scrape dirt and grime away from corners and walls.

    Who It's For

    Detail-oriented cleaners: Thanks to its extendable brushes, the Qrevo Curv performed exceptionally well at cleaning along wall edges and in corners in our tests. If your place has walls and corners that act like magnets for pet hair, grab this model to hunt that dirt down.

    Homes with multi-tiered floors: Due to its unique wheels, the Qrevo Curv can navigate high thresholds and continue cleaning, even if a step separates rooms on a single floor. It can't actually climb a staircase, but it'll surmount thresholds as high as 1.6 inches tall.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (Tested) 120 minutes
    Dimensions 13.9 by 13.7 by 4.1 inches
    Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
    Phone Control
    Scheduling
    Virtual Walls
    Get It Now
  • Shark AI Self-Empty XL RV2502AE
    Best for Preventing Fur Clogs

    Shark AI Self-Empty XL RV2502AE

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent cleaning performance
      • Large base only needs to be emptied about every two months
      • New UltraClean mode for pet hair and carpeting
      • Two-hour battery life
      • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
      • Supports scheduling, no-go zones, and area cleaning
      • Occasionally gets stuck
      • Loud

    Why We Picked It

    The Shark AI Self-Empty XL features a convenient bagless auto-empty system with a 60-day capacity, plus a power-boosting UltraClean Mode that helps remove pet hair. In testing, the vacuum delivered strong suction power and effectively collected dust, debris, and pet hair from both hard flooring and carpet. With Evacuate and Resume enabled, the robot will return to its base to empty the dustbin after 30 minutes, ensuring it doesn't become overly clogged with pet hair, and then resume cleaning where it left off. The brush roll features a combination of fins and bristles to prevent hair tangles, a common problem with other robot vacuums.

    Who It's For

    Homes with multiple pets: Thanks to its UltraClean Mode, the Shark AI Self-Empty XL easily tackles clumps of pet hair and prevents itself from getting clogged by returning to the base to empty its bin mid-run.

    Budget-conscious buyers: If you want a self-emptying dustbin but don't want to pay for replacement bags for the base station, the Shark AI Self-Empty XL lets you avoid that expense with a canister in the base instead of a bag. While models with bags might be preferable if you have a dust allergy, the canister lets you dump the dirt as little as every couple of months without needing to stay stocked on replacement bags.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (Tested) 120 minutes
    Dimensions 13.7 by 13.7 by 4.1 inches
    Phone Control
    Scheduling
    Virtual Walls
    Get It Now
  • SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+
    Best for Cleaning Tight Spaces

    SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent particle pickup
      • Compact design
      • Systematic, thorough navigation
      • Self-emptying dustbin
      • Lots of features for the price
      • Poor mopping performance
      • Occasionally gets stuck
      • Brush roll gets tangled

    Why We Picked It

    The Switchbot Mini K10+ is a few inches smaller in diameter than most other robot vacuums, but it aced our pickup tests on both carpet and hardwood, easily keeping up with bigger and more expensive models. This compact model deftly navigates through tight spaces and cleans open floor plans in orderly rows. It can vacuum and mop, though it's better at the former.

    Who It's For

    Tiny homes: Due to its petite size, the Switchbot Mini K10+ is a good fit for small homes and those with pets that like to nap in corners, as it can fit in after them to keep the spot clean.

    Allergy sufferers: The Switchbot Mini K10+ can remove dirt from tight spaces where it tends to collect, and it empties its own dustbin, helping to keep your home free from dander and dust while minimizing allergen contact when you maintain the machine.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (Tested) 110 minutes
    Dimensions 9.76 by 9.76 by 3.62 inches
    Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
    Phone Control
    Remote Control
    Scheduling
    Virtual Walls
    Get It Now
The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Our Pick
Rating
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
Best For
Best Vacuum and Mop Hybrid
Best for Avoiding Pet Waste
Best for Affordable Self-Emptying
Best for Stubborn Fur Removal
Best for Cleaning Along Walls
Best for Preventing Fur Clogs
Best for Cleaning Tight Spaces
Best for Low-Profile Furniture
Best Vacuum and Mop Hybrid
Best for Avoiding Pet Waste
Best for Affordable Self-Emptying
Dimensions
13.9 by 13.8 by 3.9 inches13.7 by 13.7 by 3.4 inches13.0 by 13.0 by 3.9 inches13.9 by 13.8 by 3.9 inches13.9 by 13.7 by 4.1 inches13.7 by 13.7 by 4.1 inches9.76 by 9.76 by 3.62 inches13 by 13 by 3.27 inches13.9 by 13.8 by 3.9 inches13.7 by 13.7 by 3.4 inches13.0 by 13.0 by 3.9 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
134 minutes113 minutes98 minutes115 minutes120 minutes120 minutes110 minutes90 minutes134 minutes113 minutes98 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Phone Control

Buying Guide: The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair


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; however, the statistic doesn't always directly correlate with performance.

The Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni offers 18,000Pa of suction power, the highest of any vacuum on this list. Needless to say, it excels at removing pet hair from carpeting. Otherwise, what makes a robot vacuum good in general makes it good for pet hair: Battery life, obstacle avoidance capabilities, and smart features.

The Deebot X8 Pro Omni keeps its brush roll clear of pet hair.
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)

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.

Budget-friendly vacuums typically clean in a random pattern, while midrange and premium models often feature laser- or camera-guided navigation, allowing them to work methodically and efficiently. Some can also map your home and support area cleaning and virtual boundaries for targeted runs.

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 feature Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, allowing you to start cleaning with a simple voice command.


Which Robot Vacuum Is Best for Homes With Clutter?

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 j9+ and the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni, offer advanced obstacle avoidance technology that can help the robot steer clear of toys, slippers, and, in some cases, pet waste.

The Roborock app
(Credit: Roborock/PCMag)

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 j9+
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)

You might also want to consider a model that can empty its dustbin. Models with this feature ensure you never have to come into close contact with collected pet hair and dust. They also significantly reduce maintenance time. With most other robot vacuums, you must 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 possible, wait until 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. We also have a list of the best cheap robot vacuums for shopping at any time of the year.

For an even deeper clean, consider the best robot mops we've tested. Loyal to iRobot? We also have a roundup of the best Roombas. Once you find the model that's right for you, head over to our list of simple robot vacuum tips.

About Our Experts

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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Andrew Gebhart

Andrew Gebhart

Senior Writer, Smart Home and Wearables

My Experience

I’m PCMag’s senior writer covering smart home and wearable devices. I’ve been reporting on tech professionally for nearly a decade and have been obsessing about it for much longer than that. Prior to joining PCMag, I made educational videos for an electronics store called Abt Electronics in Illinois, and before that, I spent eight years covering the smart home market for CNET. 

I foster many flavors of nerdom in my personal life. I’m an avid board gamer and video gamer. I love fantasy football, which I view as a combination of role-playing games and sports. Plus, I can talk to you about craft beer for hours and am on a personal quest to have a flight of beer at each microbrewery in my home city of Chicago.

The Technology I Use

I tend to like mixing flavors from various companies. My personal computer is an Apple MacBook Pro. My phone is a Google Pixel 7a. On my wrists are an ever-rotating lineup of the latest smartwatches, and I sometimes wear two at once for testing and extra style. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a mainstay on my wrist because I use it as a control for evaluating the accuracy of other devices' fitness metrics. 

I spend plenty of time in front of my entertainment center, which features a 55-inch LG OLED TV, a Yamaha soundbar, a Nintendo Switch, and a PS5. (I insisted on getting the PS5 with the disc slot when they were hard to come by and haven’t used the feature in more than a year.) I thought I’d have given in to temptation and snagged an Xbox to play Starfield by now, but Baldur’s Gate 3 saved me money by distracting me long enough for the Starfield hype to blow past.

I have two cats and sneeze plenty, so I have a Shark Air Purifier to help me fight back against their dastardly, shedding ways.

I use my aforementioned Pixel 7a and a Nest Hub for Google Assistant, an iPhone 16e and AirPods to talk to Siri, and an Amazon Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 15 for Alexa, so I’m not in danger of losing touch with any of the big three digital assistants.

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