The pet owner agreement encompasses specific terms and conditions, including the acceptance of ever-present pet hair. It also covers handling stains, fretting over your pet’s activities in your absence, and the minor risk of returning home to a mess on the floor. The ideal vacuum for pets can assist with these challenges. I know this from years of evaluating vacuums in my apartment, tidying up after my cats.

Every pet parent requires a vacuum to control pet hair, yet some vacuums are equipped to manage additional pet-related tasks. There are robotic vacuums that can steer clear of pet waste, robotic vacuums featuring livestream pet cameras, and a robotic vacuum that boasts its own portable carpet cleaner. We simply need Roborock to enhance the Saros Z70’s robotic arm capabilities for pet toy collection. Manual cordless vacuums provide versatility, allowing for handheld use to clean pet-hairy furniture and stairs. I utilize both vacuum types daily and have created a buying guide for those uncertain about choosing between a robotic vacuum and a stick vacuum.

Black Friday presents an excellent opportunity to purchase a vacuum. While my preferred stick and robotic vacuums were discounted in 2025, Black Friday sales offer the largest savings. Premium, high-powered vacuums and cost-effective options could be available at half price in November.

Which vacuum would be most beneficial in your home? I am consistently testing the leading robotic vacuums and cordless stick vacuums in my two-cat apartment, and I am prepared to announce the top vacuums for pet owners as of late 2025.

How to select a robotic vacuum for pet hair

Suction strength and brush rolls

I suggest vacuums with a minimum of 6,000 Pa suction power for efficient pet hair collection, although households with thick carpets and more than two pets should look for at least 12,000 Pa. The brush roll mechanism is crucial for pet fur. Vacuums featuring dual brush rolls are more efficient.

I also endorse a solid cordless stick vacuum — stick vacuums typically possess greater power than robotic vacuums. Brands like Shark, Dyson, and Dreame produce robust stick vacuums that effectively handle pet hair.

Automatic emptying

Pet owners ought to opt for a self-emptying robotic vacuum — an abundance of fur fills a dustbin quickly, and daily emptying is undesirable. An automatic emptying robotic vacuum can operate for one to three months before needing a dustbin empty.

Mopping

For those with hardwood or tile flooring, the optimal robotic vacuum and mop combination for pet hair will disinfect the floor during mopping and clean its mops to eliminate residual hair. Mopping productively picks up small pet-related debris, such as pet dander and kitty litter dust, that vacuums cannot suck in.

Smart mapping

Certain areas or spots accumulate more fur than others. A smart mapping robotic vacuum learns the layout of your home and can navigate to specific zones on command via the app. Smart mapping is the most valuable feature and should be standard, even in budget models — cleaning efficacy is irrelevant if the vacuum cannot arrive at its target.

Minor obstacle avoidance

Some sophisticated robotic vacuums employ cameras and 3D sensors to identify small obstacles. These vacuums avoid consuming pet toys, cords, laundry, socks, or shoes, steer clear of pet bowls, and evade pet waste.

Other robotic vacuums I’ve evaluated recently

I have examined multiple leading robotic vacuums that didn’t make the latest list. Some, including the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and various Roomba j7 models, were highly recommended but have been eclipsed by newer versions. Lately, I found the Roomba Plus 505 Combo, Plus 405 Combo, and Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra impressive, although they weren’t the most thorough in their respective price categories.

Vacuums I will be testing soon

The upcoming vacuums for evaluation include the Shark Stratos 2-in-1 NeverTouch, Roborock H60 Hub Ultra, and eventually, the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai. I will assess these shortly and revise my top recommendations for pet owners as needed.