The 5 best robot vacuums for pet hair in 2024

It's spring, which means it's time think seriously about cleaning. To get rid of those pesky pet hairs that your dog or cat has managed to shed, we recommend tapping the power of tech. Some of the latest robot vacuums are designed specifically to pick up dirt, dust and pet hair from carpets and hard flooring -- without you having to expend any effort. 

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. These handy robots also excel at sucking up allergy-inducing dust, pet dander and outdoor dirt. We even found robot vacuums smart enough to dodge dog poop and other obstacles.

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 feature-packed 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. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee. Your Roomba j7+ is guaranteed to avoid pet waste, or iRobot will replace your vacuum for free.

This robot features a powerful three-stage cleaning system with iRobot's most powerful suction. It even 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 in pet hair.

When it's finished cleaning, the device automatically empties into a base for easy dirt disposal. Just empty the cleaning station every 60 days.

The robot vacuum actively avoids pet messes and obstacles such as water bowls. The vacuum's self-emptying capabilities means you don't need to constantly empty a dustbin, while the three-stage cleaning system provides a thorough clean of floors and carpets.

Smartest robot vacuum for pet hair: Samsung Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum

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

Pet owners will appreciate the self-cleaning extractors that break hairs into smaller pieces, so they don't get tangled around your robot vacuum's rollers. It offers targeted cleaning, allowing users to select which areas of their home the robot should focus on. 

Meanwhile, LiDAR sensors create accurate room maps for the Jet Bot AI+ to navigate, so there's no need to worry about your robotic vacuum going to places it shouldn't. The robot works in conjunction with the Samsung SmartThings app, just like all of the company's other smart products.

One great feature is that the robot's front camera can share real-time video by streaming it to your mobile phone. The robot offers up to 90 minutes of cleaning time.

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. And it offers personalized cleaning options, all selectable using the mobile app.

The dual multi-surface brush is designed to clean a variety of floor types, which is great if you have carpet, hardwood and laminate. While it's doing its thing, the vacuum's auto-adjust cleaning head automatically adapts its height to clean carpets and hard floors. The robot is equipped with a full suite of advanced sensors to help it navigate under and around furniture and along edges. The cliff-detect feature keeps it from falling down stairs.

The three-stage cleaning system and dual multi-surface brushes grab dirt from carpets and hard floors alike, while a separate edge-sweeping brush takes care of corners and edges. 

If you need 50% more suction power, be sure to check out the Roomba Combo i5+ ($489). With this more advanced model, the patented-dirt detecting technology allows the Roomba Combo i5+ robot to detect dirtier areas of your home and clean them more thoroughly when the vacuum bin is installed. It also handles wet floor mopping.

Best robot vacuum under $125: 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. Plus, this 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 vaccum with your smartphone or tablet to control the robot remotely.

Thanks to its 11-inch diameter and 2.99-inch height, this robot works easily under or around beds, sofas and other furniture to provide a more thorough cleaning. It's powered by a strong digital motor that offers impressive suction power, especially for the money. The unique brushless suction ensures that pet hair and dirt go into the dustbin easily. Unlike robot vacuums that rely on traditional roller brushes, this one does not get tangled in hair.

The Lefant M210 is a more-than-affordable robot vacuum option for pet households.  Using the app, you simply set up a schedule and a type of cleaning, and the robot will handle the rest. Plus, this robot accepts voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Best robot vacuum and mop combo for pet hair: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

As part of the Roborock Ultra series, this robot is ready to tackle dirty carpets as a vacuum and then instantly switch to being a high-powered mop for hard floors. With its all-in-one docking system, the S8 Pro Ultra can automatically complete the mop washing and drying process, preventing mold growth and unpleasant odors. The dock even cleans itself and refills the robot water tank for you, extending its mopping range to up to 3,230 square feet.

Meanwhile, the automatic, self-emptying dust bag holds up to seven weeks' worth of dust. The redesigned dual rubber brush system cleans with more effectiveness than ever, and promises fewer hair-tangling disasters. The more powerful 6000Pa suction drives the robot vacuum to work faster to debris, hair, dust and more from hard floors and carpets. The robot's battery charges from empty to full in just four hours and then provides up to 180 minutes of continuous cleaning time. 

With 3D structured light and infrared image technology, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is smart enough to identify objects, determine their size and location, and then bypass them in both bright and dark environments. Thanks to LiDAR navigation and 3D mapping, detailed maps are generated for more accurate and customized cleaning. Meanwhile, the Roborock App offers you total control over the robot. Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Siri Shortcuts support let you command your robot with the power of your voice, too.

What pet owners should look for in a robot vacuum

Pet owners should never settle on a subpar robot vacuum. Entry-level robot vacuums usually lack features and the suction power needed by households with pets. Seek out a robot vac with high-efficiency filters that trap dog and cat allergens. And 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 rollers with anti-tangling features, especially if your pet is a heavy shedder.

You'll also 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 weeks before being emptied.