Anybody who has one or more pets knows what a painful struggle it can be to keep up with the constant shedding. Pet hair gets everywhere, transfers itself to your furniture and clothing, and can even cause odors or destroy your vacuum cleaner if you’re not careful. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter wanting the best way to DIY pet hair removal, thinking about hiring a professional, or even a pro cleaner, you’re probably on the lookout for solutions.

Robot vacuums are popular for a reason. They can vacuum your home while you’re busy doing more important things. It shouldn’t surprise you that some are better than others, particularly when it’s time to get rid of pet hair.

Luckily for you, we’re here to provide you with our take on the best robot vacuums for dogs and other pets in 2025, along with some information to help you evaluate what’s available and choose the right tool for your pets (and for your sanity).

What Are Robot Vacuums and How Do They Work?

Robot vacuums aren’t new; in fact, they’ve been around for a while. What might surprise you is that they’ve actually been around for decades, and no, we’re not talking about Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons!

The very first consumer robot vacuum was released in 1996. Called the Trilobite, it was innovative for its time but ultimately, it didn’t catch on as a consumer sensation.

Six years later, the first Roomba was released and that’s the one most of us recognize as our first realization that the robots of science fiction could turn into reality.

The defining characteristics of robot vacuums include:

• Sensors that allow them to find dirt on the floor
• Cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs
• Navigational ability to set cleaning patterns
• Object avoidance

Some robot vacuums also include both vacuuming and mopping ability, which can be really useful when it comes to removing pet hair.

What Features Should a Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair Have?

Before we reveal our picks of pet hair removal super robots, here are some of the features you may want to look for as you shop.

Not everybody will need every one of these features, but some are absolutely necessary. For example, if you’ve got a fur baby who occasionally has an accident in the house, object avoidance is the key to making sure you don’t end up with poop or vomit everywhere!

Our Picks for the Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair in 2025

Let’s get to what you really need: our top picks for the best robot vacuums for cats, dogs, hamsters, and whatever other furry pets are running around your house. We’ve included:

• Key features
• Tips for use
• What each vacuum is best for

Dreame X40 Ultra

If you’re in search of a robot vacuum that’s the best for self emptying, and don’t mind paying for a premium product, check out the Dreame X40 Ultra.

This vacuum may come with a hefty price tag, but it’s self cleaning and comes with auto-empty and auto-refill options. The brushes and mops are both liftable, and you can remove the mop if you wish. It also has side brushes to reach corners and 12,000 Pa suction.

Get the Dreame X40 Ultra on Amazon

Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni

If you want a robot vacuum that can mop and vacuum, it’ll be hard to do better than the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni. 

We like it for several reasons. Its vacuum and mop extensions extend to reach corners and other hard-to-reach areas, and it dispenses detergent automatically while mopping. It has a reasonably long battery life (over 2 hours) and it can lift itself over hurdles (think door jambs) to move from room to room. We’re not crazy about the fact that hurdle navigation means it can sometimes get lost!

Get the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni on Amazon

TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus

The most affordable model we’re recommending is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus. It doesn’t have the same power or as many features as some of the other vacuums on our list, but it works well enough and it’s a bargain, to boot.

This vacuum comes with smart navigation and works with both Alexa and Google Home. It’s also got a self-charging dock and self-charging capability and a 97% dust pickup rate. We wouldn’t recommend this one for dense or long hair, but it’s the best robot vacuum for dogs or cats with short hair.

Get the Tapo RV30 Max Plus on Amazon

Roomba® j9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum

Do you have a puppy or an older pet who sometimes has accidents inside the house? If the answer’s yes and you’re in the market for a premium robot vacuum, we suggest the Roomba® j9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum. 

This model has strong suction and the ability to reach into corners to get pet hair everywhere that it collects. Its rubber brushes prevent pet hair from tangling, and it’s the best at avoiding pet waste.

Get the Roomba j9+ Robot Vacuum on Amazon

Mova P10 Pro Ultra

Another vacuum/mop combo that we like is the Mova P10 Pro Ultra, which comes with a mop that retracts automatically when moving from tile or stone to carpets and rugs. It has powerful suction and good object avoidance technology.

Some of the bells and whistles that make this vacuum special include app control and the ability to interact with your pets while it’s running, including both audio and video.

Get the Mova P10 Pro Ultra on Amazon

Narwal Freo X Plus Robot

If you have dogs with dense fur (think about undercoats on Huskies and other Northern breeds), then the Narwal Freo X Plus Robot may be for you.

This robot vacuum and mop combo comes with zero tangle technology, strong suction, 7-week dust storage, and tri-laser obstacle avoidance. It works with Alexa, or you can use the Narwal app for multi-floor mapping and other controls.

Get the Narwal Freo X Plus on Amazon

Roborock Qrevo Pro Robot Vacuum

Another option that is useful if you’ve got long-haired pets is the Roborock Qrevo Pro Robot Vacuum. 

Both the vacuum and mop come with FlexiArm design to get the edges of every room. Not only does this model mop, it will also dry your floors, something that most other robot vacuum/mop hybrids don’t do. It’s got intelligent dirt detection and strong suction that makes it a good choice to get long pet hair out of your carpets.

Get the Roborock Qrevo Pro on Amazon

Steps to Prepare to Use Your Robot Vacuum on Pet Hair

Before you use your robot pet vacuum, here are the steps to follow to prepare your home ahead of time.

Step 1: Choose the right spot for the docking station. The manufacturer’s instructions should tell you how much space you need, but you’ll want to make sure that your robot has enough room to maneuver when it needs to recharge. For obvious reasons, don’t put the dock at the top of a staircase or on a landing.

Step 2: Fully charge the vacuum before use. It’s an obvious step but one people do actually forget!

Step 3: Clear your house or apartment of any small obstacles. Any good robot vacuum can navigate around furniture, but you don’t want it scooping up your kids’ Legos or small pet toys or getting tangled in the curtains, so get those out of the way first.

Step 4: Speaking of obstacles, get tangled wires out of the way, too. The last thing you need is for your vacuum to get caught up in them.

Step 5: Make sure there’s no water that your robot could roll through. Mop attachments supply their own water and you don’t want to short-circuit your robot.

Step 6: Finally, make sure to leave a light on. The optical sensors in most robot vacuums rely on light for navigation.

Steps to Choose the Right Robot Vacuum

Before you shop for a robot vacuum for pet hair, follow these steps to narrow your choices.

Step 1: Evaluate your pet hair situation. You’ll have a different set of parameters and features if you have pets with dense or long hair, or multiple pets in the same house, than you would if you had a single cat.

Step 2: Set a budget you can afford. Prices for robot vacuums cover a wide range, so be prepared.

Step 3: Read online reviews and compare features and prices. 

Step 4: Search for sales and discounts. While these aren’t always available, if you can find a coupon, you should!

Step 5: Buy your chosen robot and get ready to say goodbye to (most) pet hair.

Steps to Care for Your Robot Vacuum

Here are the simple steps to keep your robot vacuum working its best.

Step 1: Clean it regularly. Even self-cleaning models need to be attended to, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2: Take it on a test run first. Try it in one room where you close the door and observe it. This will give you a solid grasp of its capabilities and allow you to spot any glitches.

Step 3: Build barriers to keep it where you want it. You may need to close a door or two, and you definitely want to make sure to close any doors that lead to the outside.

Step 4: Use only first-party replacement parts. In other words, if you’ve got to swap out a brush or mop, buy a manufacturer’s replacement and not some random substitute.

Comparison of Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair

Here’s our quick comparison of some of the best robot vacuums for pet hair. We got the prices from Amazon but you may find different prices elsewhere.

FAQs

How much should I spend on a robot vacuum for pet hair?

• There’s no one answer to this question, but we’d say get the best robot vacuum you can afford. Prices can range from about $250 up to $1,000 or more.

Does buying a self-cleaning robot vacuum mean I never have to clean it?

• No, all robot vacuums should be cleaned. Whatever type you purchase, it should come with a set of cleaning instructions.

How often will I need to charge my robot vacuum?

• That depends on what you buy, but many models have a battery life of about two hours, and some will automatically return to the charging station when necessary.

What can I do to make my robot vacuum last longer?

• Brushing your pet regularly will help to minimize shedding. You can also make sure to move obstacles out of its way, clean it regularly, and use the manufacturer’s replacement parts when repairs are needed.

Conclusion

Buying a robot vacuum cleaner can help you do a better job of removing pet hair from your home, keeping it free of allergens and making your life a lot easier. The robots we’ve recommended here are all effective, so it’s just a matter of choosing the one that fits your personal needs and budget!