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| Best Vacuum & Mop Combo | Largest Bin Capacity | Best Value | Best For Corners |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 | iRobot Roomba i7+ | Shark IQ Robot RV1001AE | Neato Botvac D7 |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
| Visit Website | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Does it feel like you need to vacuum 24/7 to keep up with your dog’s shedding? A robot vacuum can help keep your floors spotless and knock one chore off your to-do list. Run a smart vacuum to do the heavy lifting while you’re busy doing other things. You can even schedule them to clean on a regular basis. There are dozens of products to choose from, but we’ve narrowed down the best robot vacuum for pet hair on the market (by category) to help you tackle the never-ending pet hair and other debris they drag into the house. We’ve also compared all the products side-by-side to help you see the similarities and differences and provided a few budget-friendly starter options as well.
Best Robot Vacuums For Pet Hair
We chose the best robot vacuum based on the following factors (which can vary based on your needs and wants):
- Price – there is a wide range of costs when it comes to robot vacuums because of the various features and types of technology (see more below).
- Runtime – how long does the robot vacuum clean before it has to recharge? And
- Dustbin size and auto-empty features – some robots attach to a dock that can have a place to empty the debris it picks up. The robot itself isn’t that bit and can’t carry as much as a traditional vacuum can, so the ability to empty itself during or between cleanings can be a nice feature to have.
- Ability to vacuum every area and not miss a spot – the pattern of the vacuum makes a difference on how effective they are at picking. up every little crumb.
- Auto recharge and resume – Can it recharge and pick back up where it left off?
- Recharge time – How long does it take to charge between cleanings? If you don’t have a large house, this might not be as big a concern for you as you might not need cleanings as frequently.
All of the vacuums we review here work on carpet and hard floors. If you have rugs in your home, you may need to pick them up or use carpet tape to help keep them in place. (Please read the instructions carefully and make sure it won’t damage your flooring.) In general, you’ll want to remember to declutter your floors before running the vacuum. That means picking up and securing any loose cords, blankets, etc.
Best Vacuum & Mop Combo: Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot with Matrix Clean Navigation™
If you want to pick up dirt and clean the floors from muddy paws, The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Self-Empty XL is as good as it gets. The robot vacuums and sonic mops hard floors in one device. It also features strong suction power, self-cleaning, and a rubber brush roll (that doesn’t get pet hair tangled up). And it’s equipped with Matrix Clean and Precision Home Mapping technology that uses a precision grid taking multiple passes, so it doesn’t miss any spots.
The Shark AI Ultra empties itself into a bagless, self-emptying base that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris. It uses clean edge technology that shoots blasts of air and corner recognition to remove debris from the edges of a room. You can clean on-demand or set cleaning schedules from anywhere. This smart vacuum and mop combo also pairs with Alexa and Google Home, so you can activate cleanings using voice control.
It has one of the longer cleaning times out of all the vacuums in our review and has a HEPA filtration system that captures and traps dust and allergens. The biggest con is the charge time is longer than others, but it shouldn’t need to charge in the middle of cleanings since it can run for an hour and a half. If you have hardwood floors, this 2-in-1 robot vacuum is a splurge but is the best bang for your buck and will keep your house feeling and smelling like new on a regular basis.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recharges and resumes vacuuming | Most expensive vacuum in our review |
| Self-emptying dustbin | Long recharge time (4-6 hours) compared to other robot vacuums |
| Mops at 100X scrubs per minute | |
| SharkClean® app so you can select specific areas to clean on-demand | |
| App available to schedule a cleaning or turn the vacuum on | |
| Maps out your floor plan including rugs and carpeted areas | |
| Vacuums for 90 minutes on one charge | |
| 1-year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee |
Price
First-Hand Experience With Shark AI Ultra 2-In-1
“I tested out the Shark Matrix vacuum in our living room and kitchen which have hardwood floors and one area rug. It was easy to assemble out of the box and I was impressed with how fast the set up time was. It took only a few minutes for it to scan the rooms and make a footprint of the downstairs area.
“I had vacuumed a few days prior to running the Matrix, so I wasn’t sure how much it would pick up. I was surprised it picked up quite a bit of dirt and hair. It navigated well around dining room chair legs, and under and behind an armchair and dining room table, scooping up clingy hair and stubborn dirt along the way. It’s relatively quiet compared to our Dyson (dogs slept through it) and pretty efficient too. It even went over a dog bone I accidentally left out. My husband and I both noticed how noticeably clean-smelling it was after one session.
“The mop also worked well. We only asked it to clean the kitchen and it finished in 7 minutes without eating up any battery life.
– Sadie C., Canine Journal
Shark Matrix (Vacuum Only)
If you want the power of a Shark with the mapping technology of Matrix (minus the mopping capabilities), you might consider the latest Shark robot vacuum to enter the market, The Matrix. It has most of the same features as the 2-in-1 but at a more affordable price point. The storage bin length is slightly shorter (45 days instead of 60) but still comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee and has increased targeting areas and suction. For the price point, you’ll be impressed with the Matrix, which is a nice alternative to the AI Ultra.
Price
First-Hand Experience With Shark Matrix
“We used to have a robot vacuum when they first came out about 12-15 years ago, but after it broke several lamps, I gave up on it. Wow, I cannot believe how far technology has come! Not only does the Shark Matrix Self-Empty Robot clean my house like a boss, but it also leaves all of my plugged-in devices in one piece! The self-emptying and recharging features are gamechangers.
“My dogs barked at it at first, but they quickly got used to it. Now they just watch it with interest as it scoots on by, cleaning up all of their hair and dirt.
– Michelle S., Canine Journal
How Shark Robot Vacuums Work (Video)
Want to see the Shark Matrix in action? Check out this video that walks you through everything from the delivery, unboxing, setup, trial run, and cleaning process so you can get an idea of what to expect. Some cute dogs were supervising the whole thing (so if you have pets, they might enjoy watching too). Note: the setup process is similar for most Shark vacuum models.
Largest Bin Capacity: iRobot Roomba i7+ Review
Our best Roomba for pet hair and other debris is the Roomba i7+. It has many of the same self-empty and laser features as the Shark, but with double the bin storage so you can go longer without emptying. This Roomba for pet hair includes a high-efficiency filter that’s ideal for pets and can vacuum an entire level of your home with innovative mapping technology.
It has automatic dirt disposal, so it can return to the home station, empty its bin, and continue vacuuming without your help. You can also create “Keep Out Zones,” which are lines you can draw in the app on the virtual map to keep Roomba away from sensitive areas like your pet’s food dishes. The vacuum connects to Roomba’s app, so you can schedule it to clean an entire level of your home or specific rooms. Daily runs of this vac can help reduce the amount of dog hair on your floors and keep your home more allergen-free.
The only downside is it requires a bag and is the only vacuum in the review that does so. However, Roomba i7+ uses an AllergenLock bag means that it traps 99% of pollen, mold, and dust mites. If you don’t want to think about vacuuming for months, this is a perfect pick.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recharges and resumes vacuuming | Higher cost than vacs in this article |
| Self-emptying dustbin | Requires bags for the base dustbin |
| App available to schedule a cleaning or turn the vacuum on | |
| Maps out your floor plan and leaves nice carpet lines | |
| Vacuums for about 75 minutes | |
| Fully recharges in 75 minutes | |
| 1-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee | |
| Keep Out Zones |
Price
Best Value: Shark IQ Robot RV1001AE Self-Empty Review
If the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot with Matrix Clean Navigation and Roomba i7+ are too expensive, consider this Shark IQ Robot, which also has self-emptying capabilities, which might be a good budget pick. The Shark IQ can run for up to 60 minutes, recharges and resumes vacuuming, and has an app to control the vacuum.
It has many similar features to the Roomba i7+. However, similar to the Shark Ulta, it takes much longer to recharge (up to six hours, whereas the i7+ only takes 75 minutes). It also has a much smaller dustbin, so it will need to return to the base station to empty more often than the Roomba i7+.
If the long charge time doesn’t bother you, you may prefer this one since it is often less expensive, and it doesn’t require any bags in the base dustbin ass the i7+ does.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recharges and resumes vacuuming | Takes 4-6 hours to recharge |
| Self-emptying dustbin | Runs for 60 minutes (most competitors have longer runtimes) |
| App available to schedule a cleaning or turn the vacuum on | Smallest dustbin in this article (only 0.16 liters) |
| Maps out your floor plan and leaves nice carpet lines | |
| The base dustbin is bagless | |
| 1-year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee |
Price
Best For Corners: Neato Botvac D7 Review
The Neato Botvac D7 excels in multi-level homes since it can store up to three-floor plans. You can also create “no-go lines,” which are lines you can draw in the app on the virtual map to help keep the robot vacuum away from sensitive areas like your dog’s food and water bowls.
This vacuum uses lasers to map out the floor plan, which means it can operate even in the dark. Unfortunately, you can’t tell Neato which rooms you want to clean. If you want a specific room cleaned, you’ll need to place the vacuum in the room and close the door so it remains in that room.
The Neato Botvac uses a unique ‘D’ design shape making corner-cleaning easier to reach (where pet hair tends to build up). So if your home has a lot of nooks and crannies and you don’t need a self-empty feature (with a bin that takes up a lot of space), this might be the best option for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recharges and resumes vacuuming | High price point |
| Gets hard to reach corners with precision | It does not self-empty, but its bin is 0.7 liters |
| App available to schedule a cleaning or turn the vacuum on | Cannot set it to clean a specific room |
| Can store up to 3 floor plans | |
| Vacuums for 120 minutes (the longest in this article) | |
| Recharges in 2-3 hours | |
| 1-year warranty | |
| No-go lines |
Price
Comparison Table
| Shark AI Ultra 2 in 1 | iRobot Roomba i7+ | Shark IQ Robot R101AE Self-Empty | Neato Botvac D7 | Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S (Slim) | iRobot Roomba 675 | iRobot Roomba 960 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $686.00 | $388.00 | $199.99 | $169.99 | ||
| Dust Bin Capacity | .22 Liters | 0.42 Liters | 0.16 Liters | 0.7 Liters | 0.6 Liters | 0.6 Liters | 0.82 Liters |
| Self Empties |  | | | ||||
| Base Bin Storage | 60 Days | 60 Days | 30 Days | ||||
| Bagless | | | | | | | |
| Runtime | 90 Min | 75 Min | 60 Min | 120 Min | 100 Min | 90 Min | 75 Minutes |
| Mop & Vacuum | | ||||||
| Recharges & Resumes Vacuuming | | | | | | ||
| Schedule Vacuuming | | | | | | | |
| Vacuum Specific Rooms | | | | ||||
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 90 Days | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60 Days | 90 Days | N/A | 30 Days | 60 Days | 60 Days | |
| Charge Time | 4-6 Hrs | 75 Min | 4-6 Hrs | 2-3 Hrs | 5-6 Hrs | 1-2 Hrs | 75 Minutes |
| Virtual Barrier Walls | | | | | | ||
| App | | | | | | | |
| Compatible With Alexa & Google Home | | | | | | | |
| Mapping Technology* | Lasers | vSLAM | Lasers | Lasers | Sensors | Sensors | vSLAM |
*Mapping Technology = Robot vacuums use various forms of technology to clean a space.
3 Types Of Robot Vacuum Mapping Technology
As mentioned in our features to look for, the type of technology used can significantly impact the price tag. As with anything technology related, the more advanced it is, typically the more it cost. There is collision sensors on the low end and lasers on the high end. Here’s how each works.
1. Collision, Wheel, Brush & Cliff Sensors
The basic and least accurate technology is a collision, wheel, brush, and cliff sensors. This isn’t technically a form of mapping since the bot vac doesn’t map out your floor plan. Instead, the robot operates in a random pattern, bumping into things and maneuvering around the room.
The sensors tell the robot when they are getting close to an object, and then the vacuum can slow down or change its path. Vacuums with this type of technology typically cost less than those with more advanced mapping technology. These types of vacuums may not get every inch of floor coverage, but if you run the vacuum regularly, it will most likely hit any missed space another time.
2. vSLAM
vSLAM stands for visual simultaneous location and mapping. It is an optical system that can identify furniture and room layouts to navigate a room efficiently. It won’t waste time vacuuming the same spot unless heavy dirt is detected.
Vacuums with vSLAM technology can typically vacuum an area faster and more thoroughly than those with collision, wheel, brush, and cliff sensors. The downside is that these vacuums generally are more expensive, and they need some lighting to help them find their way. So if you want to run your vacuum at night while you’re sleeping, you’ll need to leave some lights on so the vacuum can see.
3. Lasers
Vacuums with laser navigation can detect an object’s size and shape to help them maneuver a room. These vacuums are typically good at covering a space with high efficiency.
These types of vacuums can typically operate well in the dark, so if nighttime vacuuming is your goal, a laser mapping vacuum is a good option. The downside is that these vacuums can cost more.
What About Eufy & Other Roomba Models?
The vacuums below didn’t make our top picks, but they are still worthy of your consideration because they may fall more in line with your budget or have features that are more important to you.
Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S (Slim) Review
If your dog hates loud noises, this may be the best robot vacuum for you. Designed to run no louder than a microwave, the Eufy 11S is ideal for those with young children at home. However, this vacuum is missing many features that most higher-end robot vacs include.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recharges automatically | No app, remote control only |
| Vacuums for up to 100 minutes | Not suitable for high-pile carpet |
| Quiet (only 55dB) | It doesn’t self-empty, but its bin is 0.6 liters |
| No smart mapping technology | |
| Not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant | |
| Only a 90-day warranty | |
| It takes 5-6 hours to recharge | |
| Doesn’t resume vacuuming after recharging | |
| Cannot set it to clean a specific room |
Price
iRobot Roomba 675 Review
If you want something that’s slightly more budget-friendly but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of our top 3 picks, the Roomba 675 is a dependable robot vacuum. It’s suitable for those interested in a robot vacuum but doesn’t want to invest a ton of money.
This vacuum works best in homes with lower-maintenance dogs who have short hair. The bristle-style brush roll can tangle longer pet hairs, so we don’t recommend this for households with heavy-shedding, long-haired dogs.
This is an excellent starter model if you’re interested in a robot vacuum but aren’t ready to invest $500+ in one yet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recharges automatically | Not suitable for homes with long-haired, heavy-shedding dogs |
| App available to schedule a cleaning or turn the vacuum on | It doesn’t self-empty, but its bin is 0.6 liters |
| Vacuums for about 90 minutes | Doesn’t resume vacuuming after recharging |
| Recharges in 1-2 hours | Cannot set it to clean a specific room |
| 1-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee |
Price
iRobot Roomba 960 Review
iRobot’s Roomba 960 is an older version but still a solid option at a good price point. It has a large, 0.82-liter dust bin, so it can clean a larger home without emptying. Maintenance is easy for this vacuum, and it works well on all surfaces, including hardwood, rugs, high-pile carpet, low-pile carpet, luxury vinyl, linoleum flooring, and more. You might just need to use carpet tape to hold flimsy rugs in place.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recharges and resumes vacuuming | High price point |
| App available to schedule a cleaning or turn the vacuum on | It doesn’t self-empty, but its bin is 0.82 liters |
| Maps out your floor plan and leaves nice carpet lines | Cannot set it to clean a specific room |
| Vacuums for about 75 minutes | |
| Recharges in 75 minutes | |
| 1-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee |
Price
First-Hand Experience
“This is the first robot vacuum I purchased for my home, and I love it. I have a hound mix, and she sheds close to what a Labrador Retriever does. I also have two young kids who love to drop crumbs everywhere. So this vacuum has been a tremendous help. I wish I could set it to clean a specific room, but I knew I wouldn’t have that capability before purchasing it. It wasn’t until after I bought this vacuum that I realized how convenient that feature could be. I wasn’t confident I’d be a fan of robot vacuums, so I didn’t want to spend the extra money on that feature, but looking back, I wish I had invested in those higher-end features.”
– Kimberly A., Canine Journal
Check out the video below the Roomba 960 in action. As you can see, it does a great job adjusting to furniture and toys, and dog who seems to enjoy watching.
Unsure About Robot Vacuums?
If a robot vacuum isn’t suitable for your household, or you are less tech savvy, you can still go the traditional route and purchase a regular vacuum. We’ve reviewed the best vacuums for pet hair and have selected various models depending on your needs.
Tagged With: Cleaning, Comparison, Shedding
