The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

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 fur babies. 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 has a range of excellent options for all needs and budgets.

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 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.

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 so they 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 have Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, so you can start cleaning with a voice command.

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 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.

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.

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 cut down on maintenance. 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 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. We also have a list of the best cheap robot vacuums for shopping any time of the year.

For an even deeper clean, take a look at 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.