If you’re a dog owner who struggles with the daily battle of cleaning up pet hair, then you definitely need a vacuum!
In sensitive individuals, even the smallest build-up of hair and dander can trigger allergy symptoms. In other cases, it may lead to other health issues for you or the people around you.
So, although vacuuming is a time-consuming task, as dog owners, it’s also not something we can avoid.
Luckily, we have things like rubber brooms and robot vacuums that help make our lives easier. The only problem is, not all vacuum cleaners are great at picking up pet hair.
Simply put, you want to look for a device that includes a specific brush, as well as a HEPA filter, so it can sweep up loose hair more efficiently, while reducing dander and allergens around the house.
But which robot vacuum is actually best for dog hair? Let’s take a look at our favorite ones.
What’s the Best Robot Vacuum for Dog Hair?
1. bObi Classic Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
This robot vacuum is an elegant choice for owners who struggle with pet hair around the house.
It can sweep, vacuum, mop, and even sterilize floors using a UV lamp. If you’re prone to allergies, the washable HEPA filter also takes care of allergens and airborne viruses.
The device has a bristle and rubber brush combo to effectively pick up pet hair, as well as a side brush for sweeping along walls and corners.
In case you need to polish your floors or remove paw marks, a mop attachment and a microfiber cloth are included as well.
Furthermore, the dustbin is 100% waterproof, which means you can easily wash it under water to get rid of all the grime.
On top, there are three touchscreen buttons; ‘Go’, for the default cleaning mode, ‘Waffle’, for spot-cleaning, and ‘Juice’, for docking. You can also use the wireless controller to toggle between them, control the vacuum manually, or schedule cleaning times.
Using infrared edge and touch sensors, the vacuum can detect obstacles, stairs, and other platforms. However, the robot seems to have a problem with high pile carpets and mats, and the cleaning pattern is random and therefore a bit slower.
For safety purposes, there are silicone bumpers on the sides to make sure your furniture doesn’t get scratched.
The bObi Classic is comparatively quiet and has around 90 minutes of run time, which should be enough for a standard apartment. Once the battery falls below 15%, it will automatically return to its charging station.
If you want to limit it from cleaning a specific part of the house, you can create a digital barrier by using the ‘blOck’ accessory. Just make sure you have AA batteries somewhere around.
Pros
- Includes a mop attachment
- Washable dustbin
- Pretty quiet
- Smart boundary
Cons
- No WIFI
- Struggles with carpets and mats
- Random cleaning
2. bObsweep PetHair Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
This robot vacuum has the same cleaning abilities and accessories as the previous one.
That said, it has a powerful motor with high suction power that can also reach deep into carpets and pull out pet hair and other dirt.
The device has a rotating main brush, along with a side brush for sweeping along edges and places that are harder to reach.
However, instead of a washable dustbin, it holds up to 1.1 liters of dirt, which makes it the largest among similar robot vacuums.
Surprisingly, there are only two modes; ‘Auto’, for starting a thorough clean, and ‘Quick/Touch up’, for covering a small to medium-sized area in need of fast treatment.
To control its movement, speed, and mode, you can either use the large LED screen or the infrared remote control. You can also check the health of the components, and get reports on errors.
Other features include an infrared and edge sensors to make sure the vacuum doesn’t knock over furniture, as well as dirt sensors which tell it where to put most of its focus on.
While it operates in a random matter, the robot does clean well, and is able to adjust its height and transition from one surface to another almost seamlessly.
Just bear in mind that if you have dark-colored carpeting, the sensors may see it as an edge and avoid getting on top of it. To work around this, you can use the blinder stickers that come in the box.
The bObsweep is relatively quiet, but it cleans for just 75 min before it runs out of juice. Once the battery falls below 15%, it will return automatically to its dock for a recharge.
Pros
- High suction power
- Large dustbin
- Pretty quiet
- Digital wall accessory
Cons
- No WIFI
- Random cleaning pattern
- Low battery time
3. ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
This is another great robot vacuum if your primary cleaning needs are related to getting rid of pet hair.
It’s only 7.8 cm tall, which is perfect for picking up the dust and hair build-up that’s probably hiding under your couch and beds.
The device works well on hard surface floors and low pile carpets, as the primary brush roll separates the carpet fibers for a more in-depth clean. Yet, it’s not ideal for thick carpets.
Additionally, there are two side brushes for sweeping around corners and edges.
The high-efficiency filter manages to capture dust and other particles that may cause allergies, so if you have asthma or a pet that causes you to sneeze, this can be truly useful. The downside is that the dustbin is only 0.3 liters.
There are three modes to choose from; ‘Auto’, for the default cleaning mode, ‘Edge’, for corners, and ‘Spot’, for a specific dirty location.
But the best part is that the vacuum has a WIFI connection, as well as its own app that lets you control it. This means you can schedule cleanings, switch between cleaning modes, see its current status and battery life, and even receive alerts when something needs to be replaced.
Plus, you get a remote, but there isn’t Google Assistant or Alexa integration in case you’re looking for voice control.
Also included are anti-collision sensors to avoid bumping into obstacles, anti-drop sensors to handle different floor levels, and a smart motion navigator to guide the robot. That said, it doesn’t have mapping or learning capabilities.
To prevent it from scratching the furniture, there’s a soft protective bumper at the front.
The ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 is reasonably quiet (around 60 dB), and has about 100 minutes of battery life before it’s in need of being recharged. The ‘Auto-Recharge’ feature will kick in once it’s about to run out of power, and it seems to have no problem finding its way back to the charging station.
Update: The latest model, DEEBOT 500, has more suction power, better runtime, and a bigger dust bin.
Pros
- Low profile
- Dual side brushes
- WIFI compatibility
- Dedicated app
- Pretty quiet
- Long battery life
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy carpets
- Small dustbin
- Random cleaning pattern
- No boundaries included
4. Eufy Boost IQ RoboVac
Digital Trends named this one ‘The Best Robot Vacuum of 2018‘, and it’s easy to understand why.
It’s a true gem for combatting pet hair, dander, dust, and other things that contribute to dirt and allergens.
The device has a super-slim design that enables it to effortlessly slide under any object with more than 2.85 inches of space, including couches, chairs, coffee tables, and other areas where hair and dirt accumulate.
While it’s not ideal for dark carpets or those with a high-pile, it works great on hardwood, tile, and linoleum floors, as well as on low-pile carpets.
Additionally, it has a dual-layer filter coupled with one super high-performance filter to ensure your floors and carpets are as clean as they can get. It also comes with four side brushes to tackle edges with ease, so you can sit back and relax while the cleaning takes care of itself.
As a bonus, the dust box is quite substantial in size, holding up to 0.6 liters, which means you don’t have to worry about emptying it as much as with other models.
There are four different cleaning modes, each targeted to a specific need; ‘Auto’, for the default cleaning mode, ‘Spot’, for maximum cleaning power to a specific area of the floor, ‘Edge’, for utilizing all the brushes to get into the edges of room, and ‘Single Room’, for cleaning only the room which is specified.
While the vacuum isn’t compatible with WIFI or smartphones, you can control it simply by using the touch screen. It’s also got a remote control, so you can program it from the comfort of your chair.
It also has infrared sensors to help it avoid any kind of potential obstacles, such as pets, as well as a tempered glass top that’s resistant to scratching and other kinds of damage.
Equipped with BoostIQ technology, this robot automatically increases its suction intensity in less than 2 seconds. This means that it’s able to detect areas that require more intense cleaning and responds to this need nearly instantaneously, so even the dirtiest spots are left clean.
Additionally, it’s equipped with large wheels that help it seamlessly roll from one surface to another, along with drop sense technology, so it won’t fall down the stairs or off any kind of steep edge.
This is one of the quietest robot vacuums on the market today, so you’ll barely know it’s there. It runs for up to 100 minutes at a time, and automatically returns to its charging station when vitally low on power.
There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied.
Pros
- Slim, low-lying design
- Large dustbin
- Long battery life
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- No WIFI
- Not for dark or high-pile carpets
5. LIFE V3s Pro Robotic Vacuum
With pet hair care technology, this robot vacuum is specifically built with the purpose of picking up hairs, dirt, debris.
It’s a slim device with a low-profile design, so it can also clean difficult areas, such as under sofas and other beds.
It also has a HEPA filter, as well as dual side brushes, but there’s no main brush. So while it may be enough for sweeping things off the floors, it doesn’t work well for carpets and rugs.
In addition, the dust box capacity is only 0.3 liters, so it fills up pretty quickly. Luckily, the bin is on top, so it can be easily removed for emptying.
Similar to other devices, there are four modes; ‘Clean’, for starting the default cleaning cycle, ‘Spot’, for dealing with a specific trouble area, ‘Home’ for mounting back in the charger, and ‘Corner’, for keeping the edges of the room dust and hair-free.
You can use the remote control to move the vacuum manually, or for toggling between the different modes and scheduling a cleaning program.
The robot also has cliff sensors to detect stairs, along with anti-bump sensors to keep the furniture safe, and a rubber pad to avoid damaging walls and other objects that may be in its way.
But keep in mind that it doesn’t have a sophisticated cleaning pattern, and it usually moves in a straight line until it meets an obstacle and changes its course.
If you have any mats lying around, it’s best to move them out of the way to ensure that it won’t get stuck.
The LIFE V3s Pro is certainly quiet, so you can set it to work at night. The battery life is quite impressive, too, and should last for up to 120 minutes.
Once the cleaning is done (or when the battery gets under 20%), it will automatically find its way back to the docking station to recharge.
Update: If you need a mopping attachment or a significantly larger dust bin, check out the new V8s robot vacuum.
Pros
- Affordable
- Low profile
- Dual side brushes
- Quiet operation
- Long battery life
Cons
- No main brush
- Not suited for carpets
- Small dustbin
- No WIFI
- Random cleaning
- No boundaries included
6. iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum
This robot vacuum is a pricey little beast, but it’s more than ideal for homes with pets.
It has a low profile, so it can move easily underneath furniture, which is where hair, dander, and dust always hide.
The device comes with a high-efficiency filter that captures 99% of the allergens around the house, as well as a side brush for sweeping edges, and a pair of tangle-free rollers for handling pet hair with ease.
Moreover, it has a handle up top for simple carrying, as well as a thick bin at the back, which is sturdier and more durable compared to older models.
The unit includes three buttons; ‘Clean’, for starting a cleaning session, ‘Home’, for telling it to return to its dock to recharge, and ‘Spot’, for cleaning localized spills.
It’s worth mentioning that this vacuum is able to clean an entire floor in one cycle, while also sweeping along walls and corners. If you need to use it on problematical areas, like thick carpets, you can activate the ‘Power Boost’ mode to increase air suction up to 10x.
The vacuum can also connect with your home’s WIFI network, so you can schedule it to clean your house while you’re away, and even get a report once it’s done (all using the iRobot app, which is available on iOS and Android).
Alternatively, you have the option to activate it with your voice using Alexa or Google Assistant.
On top of that, the robot has dirt detect sensor that recognizes which spots in your house are dirtier, so it can focus upon them accordingly.
Using the ‘Auto Adjust’ feature, it can also handle different surfaces, which allows it to change its height while keeping the brushes close to the surface.
In addition, there’s a built-in camera that’s responsible for mapping and navigation, which helps it travel around the house and know his location at all times.
This Roomba 980 is notably loud in ‘Power Boost’ mode, but it’s able to run for 120 minutes before it automatically returns to its station for recharging. Once the battery is full, it will resume where it left off.
The package also comes with two virtual walls for creating restricted zones.
Note: If you don’t mind giving up the high suction power, dirt detector, and recharge and resume option, you can consider the entry-level Roomba 690.
Pros
- Low profile
- Two tangle-free brushes
- Power Boost mode
- WIFI connectivity
- iRobot app
- Voice control option
- Camera-guided
- Long battery life
- Resumes cleaning
- Two virtual walls
Cons
- Rather expensive
- Can be noisy
7. Neato Botvac D80 Robot Vacuum
Because of its unique D-shaped design, this robot vacuum can get within 10 millimeters of the wall and close around corners.
It also has a low profile, so it can clean under hard to reach places, such as underneath furniture.
The device comes with a high-performance filter that traps dust and other allergens, as well as two main brushes, and a powerful suction, which leaves your floor or carpet perfectly clean.
If you like, you can swap between the spiral brush and the quieter combo brush, both of which are ideal for picking up all types of hair, including your pet’s.
In addition, there’s a side brush to ensure no crumb is left behind. Plus, the dirt bin is on top of the robot for a simple and less messy emptying process, and has a decent size of 0.7 liters.
Surprisingly, there are only two physical buttons you can play with; one will clean the whole house, while the other will active spot cleaning.
To get the vacuum going, all you need to do is press the ‘Start’ button or schedule a cleaning using its LCD screen. But be aware that it doesn’t have with a controller or WIFI connectivity.
Due to its laser mapping and navigation system that scans the room in real-time, the robot is able to avoid hitting objects like furniture and toys, and it also detects stairs to avoid falling. This way, it can plan the most efficient and safe cleaning route instead of moving around randomly.
The Neato Botvac D80 is fairly quiet, especially while using the combo brush, and it has a run time of approximately 90 minutes. When it’s about to run out of power, it automatically returns to its charging base and then resumes again if necessary.
In case you want to keep it away from certain rooms, you can use the boundary markers the come inside the box.
Note: According to some reviews online, this model has had quite a few battery-related issues lately.
Pros
- Unique D shape
- Low profile
- Two main brushes
- Laser-guided
- Quiet operation
- Resumes cleaning after charging
- Boundary markers
Cons
- No WIFI
- No remote control
8. Roborock S5 Robotic Vacuum
An ideal choice for removing pet hair, all parts of this robot vacuum are designed to prevent hair from tangling and clogging the motor.
In fact, it’s even equipped with a small, beak-like tool that’s specifically made for cleaning hair from the bristles.
The device combines both a rolling rubber brush and a side brush, which cleans the floor in all directions. These brushes are self-adjustable, so edges are cleaned with increased suction.
It works well on hard floors, like linoleum or wood, and it’s also able to automatically kick into maximum suction when it detects carpet. That said, it’s not the best choice for high-pile or dark carpets.
On top of that, it has a bionic mopping system for a 2-in-1 thorough clean. Although, you shouldn’t expect much of it.
The different cleanup modes are; ‘Mop’, for using water from a removable tank, ‘Quiet’, for minimal noise, ‘Balanced’, for the default cleaning mode, ‘Turbo’, for quick clean, and ‘Max’ for maximum suctioning power.
You can access them via the Mi Home App, where you’ll also have the option of scheduling cleanings and saving maps of specific areas. If needed, you can activate cleanup, pause, spot clean, and recharge using the vacuum’s physical button.
The robot uses LED smart navigation, meaning it scans the rooms in your home in real-time and creates a map, which then allows it to follow the most efficient route.
Likewise, the anti-collision sensors use infrared rays to detect potential obstacles, such as a small child or pet sitting on the floor. This warns it for danger and slows it down, so it will make gentle contact before re-routing. This is also great for preserving your furniture.
As a bonus, it can climb over obstacles up to 2cm high. However, keep in mind that when the water tank is attached, the clearance goes down to 1.5 cm. Plus, it doesn’t avoid carpeting either.
As mentioned above, there’s a quiet mode option for those who dislike loud vacuums. With 5200mAh battery capacity, the Roborock S5 runs continuously for over two hours at a time. It’s also able to return to its charging dock on its own and resumes where it left off as soon as it’s fully charged again.
Update: Roborock has recently released the S6 model. Compared to the previous one, it has better mapping and brushes, and it’s also quieter and faster.
Pros
- Sweeps and mops simultaneously
- Smartphone and Alexa compatible
- Smart navigation
- Climbing ability
- Detects potential barriers
- Has a quiet mode
- Long battery life
- Resumes cleaning
Cons
- Not ideal for dark or high-pile carpeting
- No boundaries included
Our Top Runners-Up:
9. Amarey Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Specifically made for removing dog and human hair from hard floors and carpets, this robot vacuum is a great choice for multi-pet households.
It has a slim, flexible design that allows it to go underneath couches and other problematic areas, as long as there are at least 2.7 inches of clearance.
Additionally, the device has a super-strong suction that not only removes hair and dirt efficiently, but is also ideal for thick, high-pile carpets.
Other than that, it includes three different filters, featuring a pre-filter that’s able to be taken out and cleaned, as well as a sponge, and high-efficiency filter.
The cleaning modes are; ‘Automatic’, ‘Spot’, ‘Max’, and ‘Edge’, which can be accessed through the remote control, where you can also customize cleaning schedules.
This means you can even target just one spot in a room, or only the edges, simply with the push of a button!
The robot also has anti-collision and anti-drop sensors, so you don’t have to worry about it running into things or falling down the stairs.
Compared to other vacuums, the one is pretty quiet (under 58 dB), and should last up to 100 minutes at a time, then automatically return to its charger.
Pros
- Slim design
- Strong suction
- Pretty quiet
- Three filters
- Long battery life
- Auto recharge
Cons
- No WIFI
- Random cleaning pattern
- No boundaries included
10. Tesvor Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The combination of high suction and V-shaped dual rolling brushes not only helps this robot vacuum pick up dirt and crumbs, but it’s also highly effective on pet hair, even in homes with multiple pets.
It cleans using S-shaped motions, which is particularly effective for removing dirt and hair from hardwood, linoleum, and tile floors.
While it will work on low-pile carpets, it may be less effective on some rugs, particularly high-pile.
Conveniently, there’s only one button on the device which tells it to start or pause, but you can also toggle between ‘Smart’, ‘Power’, and ‘Single Room’ modes using an app on your phone, and even Alexa or Google Assistant.
You’ll be able to control your cleaning schedules with the push of a button, while also customizing cleaning paths, and receiving error alerts.
The robot uses a smart mapping system, which basically makes a map of each room and plots out the quickest and most thorough way to clean that particular space.
It also has fall prevention sensors that keep it from tumbling downstairs, as well as anti-collision sensors, and a virtual protection band that ensures it detects potential obstacles before it runs into them.
This vacuum is quieter than your normal upright vacuum, and it’s able to run somewhere between 80 to 100+ minutes, depending on the mode. After it completes its job or when the battery is about to run out, it will automatically find its way back to the dock and recharge.
As a bonus, you’ll also enjoy a worry-free 30-day money-back warranty in case you’re not happy with your purchase.
Pros
- Smart mapping system
- Quiet operation
- Good battery life
- Auto recharge
- 30-day money-back warranty
Cons
- Not for high-pile carpets
How to Get the Best out of Your Robot Vacuum?
It’s safe to say that robot vacuums are smarter than what they used to be, but you still have to think of them as machines. This means that some things can hold them back from doing their job properly.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t leave toys or cables on the floor. This will stop most robots, especially those with side brushes. In other words, make sure your floors are clutter and wire-free, or at least arrange them in a way so they won’t interfere.
- Move chairs out of the way. While most vacuums have sensors that help them get around objects, if you want your robot to clean thoroughly and do it in less time, make sure there are no obstacles to slow it down.
- Clean and replace the brushes and filters. Even though some brushes deal better with pet hair, unless you take good care of them, they’ll eventually get tangled and won’t perform as well. Also, remember to wipe the sensors once in a while.
- Keep the vacuum up to date. Software updates can help improve your vacuum cleaner overall performance and battery life, so make sure to watch out for notifications and always have the latest version installed.
In Conclusion
After using the Roborock S5 for a while, I can honestly say that this is an amazing robot vacuum, and it’s not only best for dog hair.
It includes a spiral rubber brush that reduces hair tangles, an increasing powerful suction, and a nice-to-have mopping system. You can also control it from anywhere using the Mi app, and the long battery life just makes it more worthwhile.
However, if you have a dark or high-pile carpet laying around, there are probably better products out there.
