Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair in 2024

Let's face it: You love your pets, but not the fur they shed or the dirt they bring inside. Dogs and cats can't clean up after themselves. But a robot vacuum can -- especially a robot vacuum that's designed for the tough challenge of pet hair.

The experts at CBS Essentials have found the best robot vacuums that specialize in tackling the hair your pets shed all over your carpet and floors. They also excel at sucking up allergy-inducing dust, pet dander, and outdoor dirt. We even found a robot vacuum smart enough to dodge dog poop.

Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair in 2024

If you're looking for a robot vacuum to suck up pet hair, dander, and dirt, then check out these highly-rated options.

Best for Pet Hair Overall: iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is designed with dog owners in mind. This smart vacuum includes iRobot's P.O.O.P., or "Pet Owner Official Promise," guarantee. Your Roomba j7+ is guaranteed to avoid pet waste, or iRobot will replace your vacuum for free.

The vacuum features a powerful three-stage cleaning system with iRobot's most powerful suction. It uses an edge-sweeping brush to get into corners. The Roomba j7+ also features dual multi-surface rubber brushes that flex to adjust to different floor types. Best of all, they don't get tangled with pet hair.

When it's finished cleaning, the device automatically empties into an included base for easy dirt disposal with enclosed bags. Just empty the cleaning station once every 60 days.

Pros:

• The robot vacuum actively avoids pet messes and obstacles such as water bowls.
• Reviewers say that it does a great job picking up pet hair.
• The vacuum's self-emptying capabilities mean you don't need to constantly empty a dustbin.
• The three-stage cleaning system provides a thorough clean of floors and carpets.

Con:

• This robot vacuum isn't necessarily budget-friendly. This is one of the more expensive iRobot Roomba models.

Best for Destroying Pet Hair: Samsung Jet Bot+ Robot Vacuum

The Samsung Jet Bot+ robot vacuum uses sensors to map cleaning zones. It automatically distinguishes hard floors from carpets in order to use the proper suction, up to five watts. It comes complete with a cleaning station with multi-layer filtration that traps 99.999% of fine dust.

Pet owners will appreciate the self-cleaning extractors that break up hairs into smaller pieces so they don't get tangled around your robot vacuum's rolls.

One reviewer called this robot vacuum a must-have for pet owners. The reviewer shares: "I've used the Samsung Jet Bot+ robot vacuum for about a month now and it has freed up so much of my time. I have an Australian Shepherd that constantly sheds his undercoat. If I go three days without vacuuming, I would have little tumbleweeds of his fur rolling around the house.

"This robot vacuum has eliminated my need to do touch up vacuuming sessions," the reviewer continues. "Now I set the robot to vacuum whenever I'm not home, and I come home to clean floors each and every time."

Pros:

• This robot vacuum features a brush roll designed to pick up pet hair without getting tangled.
• It offers targeted cleaning -- users can even select which areas of the home it should focus on.

Con:

• The vacuum has mixed reviews regarding its battery life.

Best Budget Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair: iRobot Roomba 694

The budget-minded Roomba 694 is Wi-Fi-enabled. Control the vacuum with your connected smartphone or tablet via the iRobot Home app. The Roomba 694 has a 90-minute run time before it automatically docks and recharges.

On Amazon, one reviewer praised the iRobot device's ability to keep a pet-friendly household clean. "We have two dogs, one that sheds moderately," the customer writes. "I purchased in hopes that it at least would help between regular vacuuming. I vacuumed first with my Dyson then set it free. When it was done with the job, I didn't expect much in the dust trap... I was wrong! It was full! Super impressed."

Pros:

• The iRobot Roomba 694 is a great budget-friendly option.
• The device provides 90 minutes of run time on a single charge.
• The dual multi-surface brush is designed to clean different floor types, which is great if you have both carpet and hardwood or laminate.
• It can be controlled directly from your smartphone.

Con:

• It lacks the self-emptying capabilities of other iRobot Roomba models.

Best Robot Vacuum Under $100: Lefant M210

Lefant's M210 robot vac features built-in, anti-collision infrared sensors, so it won't bang into its surroundings or knock over your pet's water bowl. The robot vacuum features strong suction power to easily pick up pet hair. It also detects "stuck areas," and adjusts its cleaning path automatically. Download the Lefant app to pair the Wi-Fi-enabled vacuum with your smartphone or device to control the appliance remotely.

Pet owners, including this verified purchaser, love the Lefant robot vacuum: "I got this for my upstairs to help keep up with the cat litter and pet hair," the reviewer says. "I come home every day to a nice clean floor. It is so quiet and works perfectly for what I need it for."

Pros:

• Reviewers report that it's easy to set up.
• It's an affordable robot vacuum option for pet households.

Cons:

• Lacks advanced features such as mapping, self-emptying, and object avoidance that many pet owners prefer to have.

What Pet Owners Should Look for in a Robot Vacuum

Pet owners should never settle on a subpar robot vacuum. Entry-level robot vacuums lack features needed by pet households, such as high-efficiency filters that trap dog and cat allergens. If your pet is prone to accidents, consider a vacuum with object detection that can avoid pet messes. You should also keep an eye out for brush rolls with anti-tangling features, especially if your pet is a heavy shedder.

You'll want a robot vacuum with a cleaning base, if you can afford the upgrade. Unlike older robot vacuums that need to be emptied once every couple of days, a robot vacuum with a cleaning base can go for months before being emptied.