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Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Roomba for Pet Hair
While we love our furry friends, cleaning pet hair can be quite a chore. With spring shedding season around the corner, the job of pet owners will double as our furry friends start to shed more loose fur and pet hair than usual. Fortunately, there are optimized robot vacuums for pet hair that can help fur parents with these tiring sessions.
One of the best robot vacuums for pet hair is the iRobot Roomba. By industry standards, all Roombas are tested and equipped with a powerful suction that can work on various floor types, the patented Edge Sweeping Brush, and smart feats that can come in handy for cleaning and navigating.
However, with many iRobot Roomba models to choose from, finding the best robot vacuum for tackling pet hair can take a while. Thus, we are here to help you out with the task of finding the best robot vacuum for pet hair as we have tested each one here in this review!
Which Roomba Works Best on Dog Hair?
Editor's Choice  Best Overall |  Best in Smart Features |  Best Budget Robotic Vacuum |
iRobot Roomba s9+Often hailed as the best for pet fur, the s9+ checks out all the boxes for every fur parent from quality to functionality. | iRobot Roomba j7+Equipped with unique features intended for homes with pets, the j7+ can vacuum up after fur while avoiding other waste for accident-free performance. | iRobot Roomba 694A budget robot vacuum that does not skimp on performance and useful feats, the 694 is perfect for fur parents looking for a reasonably priced model to help with daily cleaning. |
Functionality: Quality: Price: | Functionality: Quality: Price: | Functionality: Quality: Price: |
Let’s Go Over Each Top Roomba for Pet Hair
#1. iRobot Roomba s9+
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Topping the list of the best robotic vacuums for pet hair is the Roomba s9+ from iRobot. It ticks out all the boxes that both fur parents and general homeowners are looking for in a smart home device that puts a premium on convenience.
The s9+ can easily vacuum out all the pet hair and more that may be stuck in thick carpets with its suction power that’s 40x stronger than other robovacs. It’s also equipped with iRobot’s patented Three-Stage Cleaning System, effortlessly removing dust and fur that may be embedded deep in a high-pile carpet.
It employs PerfectEdge Technology and has advanced sensors that allow its Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes to adjust to and stay in close contact with various kinds of flooring. iRobot also armed the s9+ with Dirt Detect Technology, allowing it to vacuum dust, crumbs, and dog fur the minute the vac detects it.
The s9+ can be linked with the Braava Jet m6 Robot Mop for mopping capability. It can also be linked with the iRobot Home App, allowing users to program commands and control them via Alexa and Google Assistant.
Furthermore, the s9+ won’t bump against corners as it can map a room and your entire home with Smart Maps. You don’t have to worry about your furry companions getting startled too as it can clean the home swiftly and silently with its Careful Drive Mode.
For a tried and tested robot vacuum for sucking up all the pet hair at home, we highly recommend the s9+. However, if you want more options, then keep on reading this review!
Pros and Cons of the Roomba s9+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Can turn into a hybrid robot vacuum for pet waste ✔️ Smooth and silent thanks to Careful Drive Mode ✔️ Has a strong suction power of 40x ✔️ Equipped with app control, Alexa, and Google Assistant ✔️ Has a HEPA filter | ✖️ Expensive |
#2. iRobot Roomba j7+
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
One of the best robot vacuums for fur is the iRobot Roomba j7+ as it’s equipped with smart feats specifically intended to sweep up hair. It has a power-lifting suction that is 10x more powerful than other vacs.
The j7+ can deal with fur over any hard floor surface, be it hardwood, tile, or others. The j7+ has an Edge-Sweeping Brush that allows it to perform a “self-cleaning brush roll,” preventing any fur from getting tangled with other debris.
The j7+ also comes with Pet Owner Official Promise or P.O.O.P. for short. The cleverly named feature ensures owners that the j7+ will avoid any solid pet waste in the middle of a session. Failure to avoid pet poop will guarantee the owner a free replacement model.
Equipped with iRobot OS Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation, the j7+ can avoid collision with any furniture legs and other obstacles. Moreover, the j7+ comes with voice control that can be done via Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Home app, allowing it to receive real-time commands.
Pros and Cons of the Roomba j7+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ P.O.O.P. feature and guarantee ✔️ 10x suction power ✔️ OS technology and PrecisionVision Navigation ✔️ Brush roll function | ✖️ Expensive ✖️ Dirt disposal accessory is sold separately |
#3. iRobot Roomba 694
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
On a budget but still want a robot to vacuum up the home? The iRobot Roomba 694 is the one for you! Compared to others, the 694 only works on flat and hard floors but it still does a great job of keeping your home spic and span.
It packs strong suction power and a great design to keep the fur away. It also has dual multi-surface brushes that work better than the usual bristle brushes other robo-vacs have, eliminating waste easily.
iRobot also equipped the 694 with iRobot OS, allowing you to sync your schedule and notify the 594 when it’s shedding season. The 6924 is to make vacuuming and maintaining your home extra convenient.
Pros and Cons of the Roomba 694
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Affordable ✔️ Equipped with Dirt Detect Technology ✔️ Has 3-Stage Cleaning System ✔️ Has Dual Multi-Rubber Brush | ✖️ Doesn’t work on carpets ✖️ Fairly short battery life ✖️ Limited smart and advanced features |
#4. Roomba 692
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
A unit with outstanding automation capabilities, the 692 boasts a 3-stage system that makes the chore a breeze.
It’s equipped with a suite of advanced sensors that allow it to navigate under and around furniture and along the edges. The 692 also has sensors and Dual Multi-Surface Brushes that can grab dirt from any flooring, be it a carpet or the floor.
Hook the 692 to the iRobot HOME app or your voice assistant and you can schedule it daily, keeping your home fur-free. This also uses an Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head that automatically adapts its height to effectively sweep through various floor types.
Charging won’t be a hassle too as the 692 automatically returns to its dock to recharge once its 90 minutes are up.
Pros and Cons of the Roomba 692
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Can schedule sessions ✔️ Adaptive navigation ✔️ Returns to dock automatically to recharge ✔️ Dual Multi-Brushes | ✖️ Limited feats |
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential Y0140 is a versatile 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop designed to simplify your routine, especially if you have pets, cats, and dog hair all over the house.
This robot vacuum’s sleek, low-profile design allows it to glide under furnishings and appliances, effectively capturing dust and pet hair from hard-to-reach areas.
Equipped with a 4-Stage Cleaning System, it offers three levels of suction power and water flow, ensuring that it will thoroughly clean messes tailored to your home’s needs.
One of its key features is the Edge-Sweeping Brush that helps suck up debris hiding in corners and along edges in every space in the room.
With smart navigation, the Y0140 methodically sweeps in neat rows, adeptly avoiding common obstacles like pet toys and power cords while still effectively vacuuming out pet hair from your dogs or cats. Its sensors prevent falls down stairs, providing peace of mind during operation.
The iRobot Home App enhances user experience by offering feats like scheduling, real-time monitoring, and integration with voice assistants, making it helpful for maintaining a constantly clean home.
Priced competitively, this robot vacuum delivers reliable performance without breaking the bank, making it the best robot vacuum for pet owners seeking good floor care.
Pros and Cons of the Roomba Y0140
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Hybrid robot vacuum and mop ✔️ Effective on hard floors ✔️ User-friendly app controls ✔️ Affordable ✔️ Can avoid obstacles ✔️ Tried and tested to reach space under furniture | ✖️ No advanced smart mapping, advanced navigation, or no-go zones ✖️ Small dustbin and water tank capacity |
Is There a Roomba That Picks Up Pet Fur?
Due to iRobot’s many unique patents, Roombas are some of the best devices for removing fur and more if needed.
Starting with the 3-Stage Cleaning System that all have, a pet and homeowner is assured that no fur will be tangled up in the brushes as it also sucks up other rubbish and dirt. Moreover, the brushes don’t have bristles or nylon fibers unlike a lot of robotic vacuums so fur won’t get tangled up.
The patented Edge-Sweeping Brushes paired with the Dual Multi-Brushes also help in the task of vacuuming after fur. Although suction power strength plays a major role in the effectiveness of vacuuming out fur, these brushes alone are a big help for removing any fur whether on hardwood floors or carpet.
Although only the j7+ has the P.O.O.P. feature, this already sets them apart from most robot vacs in the market. It shows how the company puts a premium on the other concerns and needs of fur parents.
Are Robot Vacuums Worth It for Pet Fur?
Pets and a spick and span home seem to be impossible to achieve as fur, dander, litter, and dust are almost present 24/7. Roombas are the answer to this dilemma as these smart devices are designed to semi-autonomously vacuum at your convenience and command.
With that said, these smart devices are indeed worth it if you are the type of homeowner who would want a 24/7 fur-free home.
Which iRobot is Good for Pets?
Generally speaking, there is no best Roomba to get for pets as this would fall under the preference and requirements of the owner. However, the two most popular units are the s9+ and the j7+, both of which are in this review.
Aside from the s9+ doing an overall fantastic job, the Careful Drive Mode takes the cake in pet compatibility. As furry companions can get easily startled by loud noises and foreign moving objects, this unit will do well for our furry and feline friends.
On the other hand, the j7+ is the choice for owners who have furry companions that tend to leave waste, messes, and accidents. With the ability to avoid these accidents, fur parents are assured that floors will remain stain and smear-free.
Which Roomba is Best for Pet Fur?
We’ve established that the s9+ is the best one. However, the iRobot Roomba i3 is also a great option that’s not on this list. Delivering a 10x power-lifting suction, this can take on fur of varying lengths on multiple floors.
What is the Downside to Roombas?
While a robot vacuum like a Roomba can be incredibly helpful for keeping floors free of pet hair, they do have some drawbacks. One common issue is their reliance on sensors, which means they may occasionally struggle with object avoidance, getting stuck on power cords, or failing to recognize smaller obstacles like dog hair clumps or cats’ toys. Some models also lack smart mapping, meaning they may vacuum randomly rather than follow an efficient path.
Additionally, they require frequent emptying of the bin, especially in homes with furry animals, since hair and debris build up quickly. For larger homes, the battery life might not always be sufficient to finish the job in one go.
Another downside is the cost—while iRobot offers budget-friendly models, many of the best robot vacuums with premium feats like no-go zones and advanced object avoidance come at a higher price. Unlike an upright vacuum, a Roomba may not provide deep carpet cleaning, requiring pet owners to supplement with manual vacuuming. That said, many users find them worth the investment for daily maintenance, reducing the need for heavy-duty vacuuming over several weeks.
What is the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair in Carpets?
The best robot vacuum for tackling dog hair and cat hair in carpets needs powerful suction, effective smart mapping, and a high-capacity bin to handle heavy shedding. Based on extensive testing and reviews, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is one of the top choices for pet owners.
It has PrecisionVision Navigation, which allows it to identify and inspect obstacles like pet waste or cats’ toys, avoiding messes that could cause problems for other vacuums. Its self-emptying bin makes maintenance easier, especially for pet owners who don’t want to empty the vacuum every day.
Whether you shop for a Roomba or another leading brand, it’s essential to read a review, compare their performance, and choose a unit that’s been tested to handle pet fur in thick carpets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get dog hair out of a Roomba?
While the patented brush and technology of the Roomba help prevent dog fur build-up and tangles from happening, some fur can still get stuck in there.
You can get the fur out of a Roomba’s brush by removing the plastic bearing and manually pulling it out. This should be an easy task due to the brush material used by a Roomba.
Aside from the brush, fur can also accumulate on the wheels of the robotic vacuum. When this happens, one needs to simply grab a microfiber towel and gently rub the wheels of the unit until no hair or rubbish is visible.
Is there a bot cleaner that empties itself?
Yes, a robotic vac can self-empty itself provided that it has the features and capability to do so. One Roomba not on the list that empties itself is the Roomba i7+. Similar to other Roomba that can empty themselves, the Roomba i7+ can self-empty for up to 60 days.
However, not all bot vacs have this feature. Most likely, only high-end robot vacuums have self-emptying functions as the technology for this can shoot up the price of the model.
How do self-emptying cleaners work?
A Roomba can self-empty itself with the help of a self-emptying base and the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal feature. Together, these help a Roomba to empty itself for up to 60 days.
Once the Roomba latches itself to the self-emptying base, the vacuum bag will be enclosed as it traps 99% pollen, mold, fur, and all other filth captured. After which, all waste will be self-removed from the Roomba’s dustbin and into a larger dustbin.
Can robotic vacuums detect dog poop?
Not all robotic cleaners can detect dog poop. One bot cleaner however can and that is the Roomba j7+. Due to a unique feature cleverly and conveniently called P.O.O.P., this robotic cleaner can detect all wastes so it can avoid them in its cleaning path.
To give a premium to its customers, iRobot gives a one-year guarantee for all its Roomba j7+ models that no bot cleaner will accidentally sweep up dog poop or pet waste. Otherwise, iRobot will replace the robotic cleaner model for free.
What is the best robot vacuum?
Determining the best robotic cleaners will primarily depend on the preferences and requirements of a person. However, there are general factors and features that one should look for in finding out the best robot vacuums.
Some things to take note of are the cleaning features, advanced features, navigation and detection capabilities, battery life, and maintenance requirements of a bot cleaner.
For cleaning features, the best robotic vac is one that has strong suction power so it can suck up a wide array of waste from pet fur to even bugs. If you suffer from allergies, then a robotic cleaner with a HEPA filter is best for you.
For smart and advanced features, top robotic vacuums will include mapping, voice control, and self-emptying functions. Although these can hike up the price tag of a robotic vac, they are well worth the investment for a more thorough cleaning performance.
For navigation and detection capabilities, accuracy is of utmost importance. These features can help prevent any accidents from happening and can ensure that your Roomba stays in neat rows and straight lines when cleaning. It will also help robotic vacuums clean specific rooms you want more focus on. At the same time, it also helps bot cleaners avoid specific rooms you want them to stay out of.
For battery life, the best robotic cleaners are those that can take on a continuous cleaning session lasting up to two hours. Otherwise, you may be left with an unfinished job.
Lastly, the best bot cleaner is one that has easy maintenance requirements and great aftercare customer service. Should you ever need a warranty or a part fixed, then you are assured that your bot cleaner can come back to you in perfect condition. After all, these cleaning devices can be quite expensive so you would expect to get your money’s worth.
To help you get a better understanding of what makes a bot cleaner worth investing in, then here’s our ultimate robot vacuum buying guide for you to read through.
Final Note
For pet owners, the dilemma of having a clean home while furry companions stay indoors is a constant battle. While one can personally clean the home to keep it hair-free, fur can easily build up again even if you just miss one cleaning day. Fortunately, the iRobot’s Roomba model line can help keep homes clean 24/7 without much effort on the owners’ part.
Editor’s Choice
iRobot Roomba s9+
Hailed by many robot vacuum reviews as the best robot vacuum for pet fur, the Roomba s9+ is every pet owner’s dream.
The fur pick-up ability of the Roomba s9+ is unmatched by most bot cleaners. With a suction power that is 40x stronger than other robot vacuums and iRobot’s patented Three-Stage Cleaning System, the s9+ can take on pet fur removal on bare floors, hardwood floors, hard floors, and all kinds of carpets without a problem.
The Roomba s9+ also goes above and beyond in terms of cleaning performance as it can also turn into a hybrid robovac to clean accidents and messes created by furry companions. Certainly, no pet owner will say no to that!
Although the Roomba s9+ is quite expensive, the advanced features such as app control, mapping, and scheduling cleaning sessions can be used as an argument that the model is set at a reasonable price.
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