The Best Self-Empting Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair
The robot vacuum which is the best one for you will be based on how much hair on your pet and the kind of flooring you have. Some models have advanced features such as obstacle detection and self emptying capabilities.
When selecting a model, ensure it has a large trash bin and quiet mode. Smart mapping and app features like zoning, scheduling, and no-go zones are helpful.
1. iRobot Roomba 900
The iRobot Roomba 900 is an excellent mid-range model. It is equipped with some of the most modern intelligent features. For example, you can see on a digital map where Roomba was during each cleaning session. It also features Spot Mode, which lets you target the robot to a specific area of your home.
The 900 series also has iAdapt 2.0 Navigation that ensures an efficient, seamless path through your home. Sensors for obstacles assist it in avoiding furniture, while also avoiding charging cables or other clutter. It also has virtual wall barriers that you can use to block straight passes or a circular area (like pet food stations).
It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and the free iRobot Home App. Its run time is 75 minutes, and it returns to its charger when battery power runs low.
2. Roomba from iRobot 990
This is the most popular model of Roomba. It comes with all the bells, whistles, and features. It has a high-tech AeroForce cleaning system that provides double the suction power of other models. It is able to easily remove pet fur, lint, and dirt, as well mold spores, large chunks of debris.
It's smarter than previous Roomba models, thanks to advanced mapping technology and a more advanced memory system. It can be even started remotely with the iRobot HOME app.
The app also allows you to create digital 'Keep-Out Zones' that prevent the robot from entering certain areas of your home. It's a great choice for people who have children or pets and need to keep the mess at bay. However, it didn't do as well in our pet hair tests in comparison to the Samsung Powerbot R7070 and Neato Botvac Connected.
3. IRobot Roomba 980P
The Roomba 980P from iRobot is their top-of-the-line model, and it's better over its predecessor in a number of ways. It's smarter, more powerful and it picks up pet hair better. It also comes with a remote control.
The back is where you'll find the bin, which can be opened by pressing a button to dump dirt and other particles. best robot vacuum for pet hair under $500 allows you to select your preferred cleaning options and view an image of the cleaned area. You can also program your robot's cleaning schedule.
One flaw, however, is that the 980 doesn't include a display, or a manual control. This is a major flaw for a vacuum which relies heavily on its intelligent features. Its rivals, like Neato's Botvac Connected or LG's RoboKing range, provide greater control options.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
This is the most powerful robot we've have tested and is a top choice. It is great at cleaning carpets and hardwood floors. It can also pick up pet hair, crumbs and dirt. Its Power Boost mode increases suction automatically to help pull those pesky rugs from hiding.
You can control this Roomba remotely through the iRobot app to schedule cleaning sessions and create virtual barriers that block it from entering spaces you don't want it to access. It is able to detect and navigate stairs and return to the docking station to recharge when it runs out of juice. This model, unlike the previous Roomba models, can recall where it left off and restart a clean that was previously completed. It is also able to run in straight lines, thereby increasing the efficiency of its coverage.
Roomba 960S from iRobot
IRobot's latest robotic vacuum is a powerhouse that can quickly and effortlessly remove dirt from carpeted areas and hard floors. It's among the smarter robots we've tested due to its mapping capabilities. It is also able to return where it left off after full charging (which eliminates the frustrating pseudorandom navigation of the traditional Roomba).
Multiple sensors and digital cameras make this one of the most maneuverable vacuums we've ever encountered. It can create the appearance of a path around your home, remember it, avoid obstructions, and even identify ledges.
Setup is easy through the iRobot application which allows you to schedule cleanings and adjust your robot's behavior. The top controls include the Home button and Spot Mode that allows you to vacuum a specific area. This model comes with an easy-to-maintain filter that can capture up to 99 percent of allergens and pollutants.
6. Roomba 980SP from iRobot
The iRobot robot is a reliable cleaning agent for hard and carpeted surfaces, but it's expensive. It's also smarter than previous models and can recognize when it has taken up enough dirt to be full and return to its charging base to recharge.
It makes use of the latest mapping technology to navigate and locate rooms more easily. It can be placed under most sofas, but not all and avoid getting caught in power cords or other obstacles.
The bundled app can be used to begin, schedule and monitor the Roomba remotely. You can also block off areas that you don't want it to visit. You can, for example, place the virtual wall near your dog's food or water bowls. It also has a spot-cleaning button which vacuums a circular space approximately 4 feet in diameter.
7. iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980's squat, brownish black is a lot like every other robot vacuum on the market (that's not good thing!). It comes with the usual features, like a rotating brush that helps clean edges and corners. It also includes two virtual wall barriers, which aid in navigating a space.
This robot uses updated maps and navigation capabilities that allow it to build an image of your home as it cleans. This allows the robot to determine when a room is clean and then move on to the next.
The app lets you create a cleaning plan and control the vacuum from a distance when you are away from home. It was a success in our pet-hair tests, picking up just 0.2 grams of hair on mid-pile and low-pile carpets and hardwood. It fit under our sofas where it was more compact than any other model we've tried.
Roomba 960XP from iRobot
The suction power of this machine, the HEPA filter and its battery life of two hours makes it an ideal choice for those who have serious cleaning needs. It has ditched the nickel metal hydride batteries of earlier models to go with the lithium ion version that will last longer throughout cleaning sessions and between charges.
IRobot's CarpetBoost feature automatically boosts the effectiveness of the brush for difficult areas, and it can also do two cleaning passes instead of the default single-pass. The virtual walls can be used to block off areas you wish to keep clean.
WiFi and app support are common features. They allow you to schedule a recurring cleaning schedule or set additional options like a spot clean cycle. However, the minimal display could be difficult for family members with no smartphones to access. It's also more expensive than other robots that have similar features.
9. iRobot Roomba 980XL
This top-of-the-line robot from iRobot is available for about PS900 and includes CarpetBoost for incredible cleaning power. It is the smartest and most powerful Roomba ever built and it does a fantastic job on carpets and hard floors.
It makes use of vision sensors for VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Mapping and Localization). It then locates landmarks like shelves, chairs, and beds. It also creates maps to help it keep track of the location of its.
It also has cameras to spot dirt spots, and increase suction strength in these areas. It can be started through the app when you're working and it will clean, vacuum and dock itself when done. It also does an excellent job at removing pet hair. Our tests showed that it picked up to 0.2 ounces of pet hair from midpile high-pile, low-pile and hardwood.
Roomba 960XL from iRobot
The 980XL robot is a top model and the additional features make it well worth the price. It has a more advanced mapping system than the 900-series, and it cleans better both on hard and carpet flooring. It is also possible to start it remotely.
It also comes with an effective cleaning system, with a 10-fold improvement in suction power compared to older Roombas. A dual-swivel brush allows you to reach corners and under furniture. It even has the ability to automatically mop your floors after it vacuums.
The carpet boost can be a bit loud. We measured it at 80 dB--about as loud as prop planes flying overhead. You can use an electronic fence to keep it away from vulnerable areas, such as the dog's food bowl and water bowls.