Best Robotic Vacuum for Pet Hair 2021: Roomba vs. the Rest

FEATURES

The automatic bin-emptying system is not the only new feature in the Roomba i7+.

For the first time in a Roomba, you can now also access an interactive map through the app.

In previous models the robot generated a map did not let you label different rooms or send the robot to clean a specific room.

This is now possible in the i7+ thanks to the improved iAdapt 3.0 navigation system and the camera-powered vSLAM system.

You can even specify which rooms the vacuum will clean on specific days.

The i7+ stores up to 10 unique floor maps, which is handy for multilevel homes.

In terms of cleaning performance, the i7+ boasts more powerful suction, re-designed dual roller brushes, and a side brush.

It picks up dog and cat hair easily on all types of floors, including carpets and rugs.

Unlike most robot vacs, it deep cleans the carpet rather than just picking the hair and debris on the surface.

Like most Roombas, you can send Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands to the i7+ using a smart home speaker or your smartphone.

LIMITATIONS

You probably already suspect this, but the i7+ is pricey. It is the most expensive model in the Roomba lineup.

But considering the new upgrades and the improved cleaning performance, the price tag is not surprising.

As has happened with other Roombas, the price will come done in a few months.

Also related to price, there is the matter of ongoing costs. You have to buy the 3-pack replacement bags every few months. Each pack costs about $17.

Beyond the money, there are complaints that the Dirt Disposal System is loud, almost as loud as an upright vacuum cleaner.

It will take some getting used to, both for your family and pets.

SUMMARY

The Roomba i7+ is the best robot vacuum cleaner for those who are looking for their first robo vac or upgrading from an older model.

PROS

• Excellent cleaning performance; picks up hair and other allergens with ease
• Lots of smart features, including voice commands and smart navigation
• The interactive map makes it easier to control movement and schedule
• Automatic debris emptying
• Easy maintenance; no debris to empty for weeks

CONS

• Expensive; ongoing expenses add to the initial cost
• Dirt disposal system is loud

FEATURES

All Neato Botvac robot vacuums have a protruding disk on top which contains a LIDAR module, the laser-based navigation system the D6 and other Botvacs use to map the floor and avoid obstacles.

Using the LIDAR system, the Botvac D6 generates a map of your home layout as it cleans.

You can then access this map on the app and use it to designate no-go zones where you do not want the robot to vacuum.

If you have multi-story home, the robot can store up to three different floor plans.

The Botvac D6 does a great job picking up dog and cat hair on carpets and hard floors.

The extra-wide rolling brush underneath picks up more hair than other robot vacuums. It also does not struggle as much with long hairs, a problem for most robots.

A side brush sweeps in dirt hiding along the edges and in corners.

The signature D-shape of Botvac vacuums is a big help when it comes to cleaning corners.

Unlike the rounded edge of most robot vacs, the flat edge of this Botvac runs flush against the wall to pick up more hair and debris.

Suction power is not too shabby. The D6 can deep-clean most low-pile carpets. Turn on Turbo Mode for better performance on thicker carpets.

In terms of smarts, the Botvac D6 provides easy remote control via their smartphone app. You can also send voice commands from Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

LIMITATIONS

As is the case with most Wi-Fi vacuums, set up can be a hassle. You may have to try several times before you are able to connect the robot to your home network and your phone.

The manual has a helpful troubleshooting section, and you can always contact customer support.

One other thing to expect is a slight learning curve.

You have to monitor the robot closely during the first few cleans. It tends to get tripped easily by carpet fringes, furniture legs, and other obstacles.

You may have to rearrange a few things until you can comfortably leave the robot to clean without worrying it will get trapped.

SUMMARY

If you want the power and performance of a Roomba without paying a fortune, the Botvac D6 is a great choice.

PROS

• Great value for money; much cheaper than a top-end Roomba but cleans almost as well
• Excellent cleaning performance on all surfaces, including fairly thick carpets
• Wide roller brush picks up a lot of hair
• Virtual no-go lines make it easy to limit where the robot goes
• Alexa and Google Assistant compatible

CONS

• Takes time to set up
• There a learning curve for new owners

Features

Wide dual rubber brushes loosen and pick up pet hair from the carpet without tangling. The powerful suction (40 times more powerful than 600 series Roombas), ensures all pet hair and any debris ends up inside the bin. A high efficiency filter keeps pet dander, hair and allergens from escaping back into the air. 

And because the s9+ is self-emptying, you don’t need to keep emptying the bin. Once the bin fills up, the Roomba will automatically navigate to the Clean Base and empty its bin. The Clean Base holds up to 2 months of debris. 

We love how customizable the s9+ is. You can set it on an auto-vacuuming schedule, send it to clean specific rooms or areas where your pets shed most, and configure no-go zones from the iRobot home app.   

Limitations

The biggest issue with the s9+ is the price. Though we do think it’s worth the price tag, it’s probably not the best choice if you are shopping on a budget. 

Another issue is the noise. When set at max suction, it gets fairly noisy. Luckily, you only need to increase suction when it’s vacuuming the carpet. 

Also, expect a fair amount of noise for a few seconds when the vacuum empties its bin into the clean base.

Summary 

Pets and carpet are a high-maintenance mix. The Roomba s9+ makes keeping the carpet free of pet hair so much easier. Yes, it is pricey, but it’s worth it. 

Pros

• Powerful suction – has no trouble picking dog and cat hair from the carpet. 
• D-shaped design improves vacuuming along walls and in corners. 
• Smart mapping. 
• Custom cleaning and no-go zones. 
• Self-emptying bin. 

Cons

• Noisy. 
• Pricey.

FEATURES

The R85 is not quite as powerful as a Roomba i7+. Still, or its price, it is surprising how well it picks up pet hair and debris.

A self-cleaning brush roll collects hair and pushes it inside the bin while side brushes sweep in dust and debris from corners and along the edges.

The suction is powerful enough for cleaning a low-pile carpet.

Turn on Max mode, and it can tackle a medium-thick carpet as well.

The R85 does not exactly have a smart navigation system. It will not map your home.

Instead, it has what Shark calls Smart Sensor Navigation 2.0. This makes it better at sensing and evading obstacles as it cleans.

If you want to limit movement to a certain area, use the included 8-foot BotBoundary strip.

This is not as convenient as making virtual no-go zones in an app or using Roomba’s virtual wall barrier, but it will do.

The Shark ION R85 is WiFi-connected so you can control it remotely from your smartphone.

You can also send voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant either your phone or a smart speaker.

LIMITATIONS

The lack of a navigation system limits the R85’s cleaning efficiency. It moves around your home in a random path and sometimes leaves spots uncovered.

If you have a large home, this is not the best vacuum cleaner. The Roomba i7+, s9+ or Botvac D6 with efficient multi-room navigation would be a better choice.

Another issue mentioned by many verified owners is noise. You will probably want to schedule cleanings when everyone is away from home.

When you are at home, turn on quiet mode to reduce noise levels. Unfortunately, quiet mode also lowers the cleaning performance.

SUMMARY

The Shark ION R85 gives you the best cleaning power for your money. You also get smart features that are uncommon at this price point.

This makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and smart robot vacuum on a budget.

PROS

• Great value for money
• Easily picks up dog and cat hair and debris
• Voice commands and remote app control
• Multiple modes to suit different situations
• Dual side brushes – most robot vacuums have one side brush
• Large capacity bin

CONS

• Not ideal for large homes or complicated multi-room cleaning
• Noisy when in normal and Max mode

FEATURES

The first thing you notice about the RoboVac 11s is how slim it is. At just 2. 85 inches high, this is one of the thinnest robot vacs you can buy.

This is not just for aesthetics, the extra-low profile gives the 11s a big advantage when it comes to cleaning.

It can duck under places other vacuums cannot go. You do not have to worry about dust and hair accumulating under the couch or bed.

With 1300pa of suction power, the 11s is powerful enough to pick up dog hair, dust, food crumbs, and other debris from any kind of flooring.

When cleaning hard floors, the side brushes help sweep in dirt from the edges.

When it gets on a carpet, it automatically increases the suction power for a better clean — Eufy calls this Boost IQ Technology.

A triple-filter system captures all the debris, including tiny allergens like dust and pollen.

The 11s has no smart navigation, so we do not recommend it for multi-room cleaning in large homes.

But it can easily find its way back to the dock when the battery dies down.

It also has no remote app control or voice commands. The only option is the included remote control.

You can turn the robot on/off, select a cleaning mode, send the 11s back to the dock, or set an auto-cleaning schedule.

LIMITATIONS

If you want a robot vac, you can control and monitor when you are at the office or on vacation; the RoboVac 11s is not it.

This is because it has no Wi-Fi connectivity so you cannot control it remotely.

Of course, that does not affect its cleaning performance.

But one issue that does affect the cleaning performance of the Robovac 11s is its inability to sense black floors and carpets. The cliff sensors that prevent the robot from falling down the stairs may also see a black floor as a drop-off, which stops the robot in its tracks.

One easy solution is to tape over the sensor, but that can send the robot tumbling down the stairs.

SUMMARY

The RoboVac 11s is a great choice for those who want a no-frills, low-cost robot vacuum cleaner that picks up pet hair and dirt.

PROS

• Affordable
• Powerful suction – picks up hair with ease
• Multiple cleaning modes
• Scheduling function
• The slim design makes it easy to vacuum under furniture

CONS

• Has trouble with black floors
• No remote app control or voice commands

FEATURES

The 650 and 690 use a multi-stage cleaning system that will first agitate the floor and then suction it clean. You can press a button to start the cleaning process, or you can schedule automatic cleanings to occur at your convenience.

The 690 adds Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone app integration so you can schedule and activate the unit on the go.

The iAdapt navigation system used in this line relies on a visual camera to navigate quickly and efficiently throughout a single room.

The vacuum will also not tumble down the stairs, as it will identify and avoid stairs and other drop-offs.

LIMITATIONS

The 650 / 690 is considered the base model Roomba, and because of this, it lacks features that are found in newer models. The Roomba will require you to clean the brushes and dust bins frequently.

Another consumer complaint is that it does not always clean the corners of the room, it struggles with high-pile shag carpet, and it struggles with larger pieces of debris.

SUMMARY

The Roomba 650 / 690 is one of the bestselling robo vacuums for a reason. It comes with all of the features that you need, but maybe not all of the features that you want.

It can only clean one room at a time, for example.

On the other hand, buying this unit will save you a lot of money, and the Roomba 650/655/690 series has proven itself as a highly reliable cleaning appliance.

FEATURES

So, what makes the 890 so good at vacuuming dog and cat hair?

For one, the dual multi-surface and tangle-free cleaning brushes. As the robot moves about on different floor surfaces, they sweep up dust and pet hair for easy vacuuming.

The robot can adjust the height of the brushes to cater to both hard and carpeted flooring.

The brushes are also handy for edge-cleaning. They can reach hair and debris hiding along the wall edges and in corners.

Another important feature that boosts the 890’s hair cleaning capability is its suction power.

According to iRobot, the AeroForce suction system is five times more powerful than the AeroVac system used in 600 and 700 series Roombas.

The extra power boost is especially handy when cleaning carpets.

Finally, the 890 uses a high-efficiency filter that can capture even the tiniest bits of pet dander, dust, and other allergens.

LIMITATIONS

The main issue I have with the 890 is the small-ish dust bin. If you have several pets or your pet sheds a lot, you will empty the bin a lot. That said, it only takes less than a minute to remove the bin, clean it, and put it back.

The other issue owners of the 890 complain about is the robot sometimes has difficulty docking. But this only happens occasionally (make sure you set up the charging base correctly on a flat area with no obstacles).

SUMMARY

The Roomba 890 is a mid-range robo vac with powerful suction, high-performance brushes, intelligent navigation, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The 890 is a solid affordable option for those with pets that shed a lot of hair.

PROS

• An affordable intelligent robot
• Can vacuum multiple rooms on a single level
• No problem cleaning dog and cat hair
• Remote app control via WiFi

CONS

• Small bin
• Occasionally has trouble finding the charging base

FEATURES

The iLife V3s Pro has a few cleaning features that make it a good buy for someone with pets.

The spinning side brushes do a great job on tile, hardwood, and other types of hard flooring.

They sweep hair into the path of the vacuum for vacuuming.

They are especially handy along the edges and corners. The robot even has a dedicated edge/wall cleaning mode.

The suction is powerful enough for hard floors and is will pick up every bit of dust and hair on the floor it touches. A fine filter traps all this debris into a sizable bin.

There are bonus features as well to make the robot easier and more convenient to use.

It comes with remote control with which you can manually steer the robot, set a specific cleaning mode, and configure an automated vacuuming schedule.

The iLife V3s Pro also has an auto-recharge feature. When the battery goes low during cleaning, it will automatically make its way back to the charging base.

LIMITATIONS

The lack of a rolling brush is a major limitation. It prevents the V3s Pro from being useful on carpeting. Only homeowners with hard flooring will appreciate its cleaning ability.

The robot also lacks smart navigation. It will move about randomly for around 3 hours and then return to the dock. It takes longer to finish cleaning an area, and it has no multi-room cleaning capability (but it can navigate an open plan area).

Another downside is that you cannot control the robot from work or vacation. It has no Wi-Fi. But TBH, it is hard to find any vacuum in this price range with Wi-Fi.

SUMMARY

The iLife V3s Pro delivers a lot of value for very little money. As long as you use it on hard floors only, it is just as good as a Roomba when it comes to dealing with dog hair.

PROS

• A budget vacuum with excellent value. Excellent cleaning ability on hard floors
• Includes auto-scheduling, auto recharge, and multiple cleaning modes

CONS

• Does not pick hair on carpets, not even low-pile carpets
• No smart navigation; takes longer to clean

FEATURES

The DEEBOT N79S uses a 3-stage cleaning system to pick pet hair off hard flooring and carpets.

The first stage is sweeping using the two sets of brushes under the robot.

The main V-brush picks pet hair (especially good on carpeting) while the two spinning side brushes sweep in hair and dirt into the suction path.

In the second stage, a powerful suction system vacuums up pet hair and all other debris. The suction is pretty strong, and you can crank it up even higher by turning on Max mode in the app or remote control.

The Max mode is handy on carpets where extra suction improves pick up of pet hair.

There are also a couple of other modes you can turn on depending on what type of cleaning you need.

Finally, a filter captures all the pet hair, dust, and debris and dumps it into a fairly large bin.

You can set a schedule using the smartphone app, and the robot will automatically start cleaning at that specific time.

You can also connect the robot to Alexa and control it via voice commands. Which is pretty awesome for a robot in this price range.

LIMITATIONS

Being a Wi-Fi robo vac, it takestime to set it up. It may take several tries before you manage to connect it to your home network.

But you skip the entire process if you want and use the DEEBOT N79S without Wi-Fi. Using the remote control, you can select the cleaning mode and set an auto-cleaning schedule.

Other than that, the N79s does a good job cleaning pet and dog hair from hard floors and low pile carpet.

It may occasionally get stuck and have trouble finding the charging dock, however.

SUMMARY

If you want a budget robot vacuum cleaner you can control remotely with your phone or Alexa, the DEEBOT N79S is an excellent choice.

PROS

• A smart Wi-Fi-connected vacuum at an affordable price range
• You can use it without Wi-Fi if you find that setup process tedious
• Good cleaning ability on hard floors and carpeting

CONS

• Setting up Wi-Fi is not fun
• Occasionally gets stuck
• Sometimes cannot find the charging base

FEATURES

The 671 does a good job cleaning pet hair from floors, whether hardwood or carpet.

To do this the 671 uses dual brushes: a brush roll to loosen dirt and pick up pet hair, and a side brush to sweep dirt into the path of the robot for vacuuming.

The suction is powerful enough for carpets, too.

With intelligent navigation and Dirt Detect sensors, the 671 always knows where to go. It will not miss spots and does not waste time going over the same areas more than once.

Scheduling is easy using the free iRobot HOME app.

You can also connect the robot to Alexa or Google Assistant and control it using voice commands.

LIMITATIONS

This is a budget robot vacuum. So, it is not a surprise that the battery does not last as long as other Roombas (about 90 mins). But this is actually long enough to clean most rooms in an average-sized home.

Many verified owners do complain that it is noisier than expected. I do not recommend setting it to clean at night when everyone is asleep or when you are watching TV.

SUMMARY

If you do not want to spend $500+ on a premium Roomba model, then the Roomba 671 is a good choice.

It is a bit loud, but it cleans well and comes with several smart features for added convenience.

PROS

• An affordable robot vacuum with plenty of smart features
• Has no problem picking up pet hair on hard floors and carpets
• Easy to integrate into smart homes

CONS

• A bit loud