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Fur happens, but it doesnt have to stay for long with these vacuums.
Photo:Real Simple
Enter the robot vacuum.
These handy devices help maintain your floors and clean up pet hair and dander before it piles up.
It gets stuck on bath mats, and it struggled mapping our primary bedroom correctly.
PHOTO: Amazon
It worked equally well on all floor types.
Its super precise and gets every inch of our floors.
The robot makes for way less work, and we feel like our home is much cleaner.
It’s also not disturbing when talking or watching TV, and the quiet setting is even softer.
Dimensions:16 x 15 x 17 in.
It struggled to clean tight corners.
It set up fastwe were vacuuming in less than two minutes.
It did, however, struggle to remove debris from tight corners, despite multiple attempts.
Still, we appreciated the functionality of its design.
Even after months, its performance hasnt declined, consistently leaving floors spotless.
We think the low noise level and no-fuss operation make this robot vacuum a great choice for price-conscious buyers.
While its not the most tech-advanced model, its reliability positions it as a standout option for everyday use.
Dimensions:11.8 by 11.8 by 3 in.
|Dustbin Capacity:0.300 L |Runtime:90-100 min.
Starting the vacuum without using the app can be tricky.
PHOTO: Real Simple
With high-powered suction and sonic mopping abilities, this two-in-one machine swept the competition in testing.
Its meant to assist rather than replace atraditional vacuum and mop, but helped us effortlessly maintain clean floors.
We especially loved the scheduling feature that sends the robovac out to clean at a set time each day.
The battery life stood out as well.
It stays on a charging dock between uses so its always ready to go when its time to clean.
And with an impressive 100-minute runtime, it never ran out of juice.
Like other vacuums, this one also struggled with tight corners.
It works best when you pick up toys, clothes, and other obstacles before starting the rig.
Its also easiest to use with the app.
Dimensions:21.4 by 14.96 by 5.69 in.
|Dustbin Capacity:Not listed |Runtime:100 min.
Fast mode cleans quicker (but not as thoroughly as) regular mode.
The Roborock S8+ is a revelation for hard floors.
When the bag is full, its simple to swap out without freeing any debris.
In fact, this model had more than double the battery life than most other vacuums we tested.
The vacuums fast mode was less effectiveit left behind stray hairs that it picked up during regular mode.
Still, it was simple to unravel any hair that got wrapped around the cleaning bar.
And its not just good for hard floorsittackled carpetswith ease as well.
Dimensions:13.9 by 13.8 by 3.8 in.
|Dustbin Capacity:0.3 L |Runtime:180 min.
The 60-minute runtime might be too short for larger homes.
Nobody wants a fussy robot vacuum, so we were pleased with how straightforward the Miele Scout RX3 is.
There was nothing it couldnt pick up on carpeting, rugs, tile, and hardwood flooring.
Its low-profile design helped it access tight areas under furniture where upright vacuums and taller robovacs wouldnt fit.
And while it excelled at cleaning carpeting, it was similarly seamless at handling all types of flooring.
This powerful little machine does have some drawbacks.
But once we got it going, it easily won us over.
While pricey, this ones a great investment for pet owners who want a smart cleaning assistant.
Dimensions:14 by 3.4 in.
Finally, we assessed value, balancing cost with how well the model performed.
Uneven carpets are no match for the ILife V3s Robot Vacuum, which climbs until it’s successful.PHOTO: Real Simple
If your home has a mix of flooring surfaces, look for robot vacuum models with automatic surface detection.
Higher suction ability helps models more effectively clean hard floors.
you’re able to also buy robot vacuums with adjustable suction prefs.
Some models let you increase suction for carpeting and decrease it for hard floors to save battery life.
Dustbins on robot vacuums typically range from 0.4 to 0.7 liters.
Then they go back out and finish the job.
Features
As robot vacuums have become more popular, manufacturers have added more and more features.
While they all can be an upgrade, some are a plus for pet owners in particular.
Its great for starting a clean while youre out, especially ifpets have made a mess.
Other smart features let you check on job progress or locate the vacuum.
White adds that this feature is also perfect for keeping the vacuum away from pet feeding stations.
This way, it cleans only where its needed and wanted.
Laser or camera-based mapping improves navigation and coverage, White says.
Mapping also lets you set cleaning zones for targeted vacuuming.
If you have a multilevel home, look for models that offer multi-level mapping.
Self-Emptying
Higher-end models empty their own dustbins into larger containers in a docking station.
This reduces maintenance, speeds cleaning time, and can help contain allergens.
Its a feature thats especially timesaving for pet owners.
Coffee grounds, popcorn kernels, and crunched up cheerios were sucked up by the Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum during our Lab tests.PHOTO: Real Simple
Most robot vacs operate between 55 and 70 decibels, which is quieter than traditional vacuums.
However, it can still startle and upset some pets.
Our best budget-friendly pick, theILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner, has a quieter operation.
it’s possible for you to also look for models that have adjustable suction configs.
Lower suction levels will reduce noise while still cleaning efficiently, especially on hard floors.
Some brands market quiet-mode or silent-mode vacuumsthese have a softer hum thats less likely to upset sensitive pets.
Questions You Might Ask
What is the best robot vacuum for long-haired pets?
Heres what to look for:
Can a robot vacuum replace a regular vacuum cleaner?
Robot vacuums are meant to assist regular vacuums, not replace them.
However, it doesnt match the deep-cleaning power of a full-size upright or canister.
For expert insight, Lauren consultedChristopher White, CEO of Vacuum Wars.
Physical setup of the Roborock S8+ Vacuum Mop took just 20 minutes.PHOTO: Real Simple
The dock of the Miele Scout RX3 is very low profile.PHOTO: Real Simple
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