I Tested And Reviewed 10 Best Irobot Roomba For Pet Hair (2023)

that the recharge time is ridiculously long, taking up to 4 hours to fully recharge. This means that if the battery dies mid-cleaning session, you will have to wait a significant amount of time before it can resume cleaning. Additionally, the auto-empty base is not included with the N8 Pro+, which means you will have to manually empty the dustbin after each cleaning, which can be quite cumbersome. Lastly, I found that the N8 Pro+ had a tendency to get stuck on furniture or cords, requiring me to frequently rescue it.

Now, let's move on to the i7. I was pleasantly surprised by the improvements made in this model compared to its predecessor, the 960. First and foremost, the i7 has significantly better battery life, lasting up to 120 minutes on a single charge. This means that it can cover more ground and complete cleaning sessions without needing to recharge. The recharge time is also much faster, taking only around 2 hours to fully recharge. This is a huge improvement over the N8 Pro+ and ensures that the i7 is always ready to clean when you need it.

One of the standout features of the i7 is its Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal. This feature allows the robot to empty its own dustbin into a larger bin housed in the Clean Base. This eliminates the need for manual emptying and makes maintenance much more convenient. The i7 also comes with advanced mapping capabilities, allowing you to create virtual keep-out zones and customize cleaning schedules directly from the iRobot Home app. The app itself is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to control and monitor your robot.

In terms of performance, the i7 is a powerful vacuum. It effectively picks up dirt, dust, and pet hair from all floor types, thanks to its high suction power and dual rubber brushes. The robot navigates efficiently using its smart mapping technology, ensuring that it covers every inch of your home. I was particularly impressed with its ability to avoid obstacles and navigate around furniture with ease.

I am absolutely thrilled with my Roomba! As someone who has always used a traditional vacuum, I was skeptical at first. However, after letting the Roomba explore my supposedly clean floors, I was shocked by how much dirt and hair it picked up in just 10 minutes. It even managed to reach corners and areas under furniture that I didn't realize I was missing.

One of the things I love about the Roomba is how easy it is to maintain. The dust bin is simple to remove and empty, and I found that after the initial thorough cleaning, subsequent cleanings were more of a maintenance nature. The rollers and spinning brush were also easy to clean, especially when it came to removing hair. It only took a few seconds to clear them, which is a lot easier than dealing with my previous vacuum.

In terms of performance, the Roomba exceeded my expectations. It effortlessly moves from carpet to hardwood floors, and even manages to navigate a small barrier between rooms without getting stuck. I was also impressed with the app's functionality. It provides helpful updates, such as when the dust bin needs to be emptied, making it convenient to keep track of the Roomba's maintenance needs.

While I have two minor complaints, they don't overshadow the Roomba's overall performance. The setup process was a bit annoying, as there was a brief moment where the app seemed unresponsive. However, after backing out and going back in, everything worked smoothly and I haven't experienced any connection issues since. Additionally, the noise level of the Roomba is almost as loud as a full-sized vacuum, so I can't run it while my partner is sleeping. However, the Roomba's efficiency and speed (cleaning my entire apartment in about 30 minutes) more than make up for this inconvenience.

I have been using this robotic vacuum for several months now, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed. As a pet owner, keeping my house clean can be a constant struggle, but this machine has made my life so much easier.

One of the major concerns I had initially was the hassle of carrying the base up and down my multilevel home. However, after reading the instruction manual, I discovered that I could simply carry the machine around and place it wherever I wanted. It doesn't necessarily have to begin and end on the charging base, as long as it doesn't need to empty the bin or recharge. This realization has significantly simplified my cleaning routine.

Admittedly, I had to update the maps a few times to teach the machine not to expect the base, but once that was done, it performed perfectly. Initially, it would wander around searching for the base, which made me feel sorry for it. However, I didn't want to delete the map that had the base on it, as I had already taught it to avoid certain areas, such as a shaggy rug. After a bit of tweaking, the machine now behaves flawlessly.

I have also become less stingy with its usage and now run it more frequently, even going over areas twice to ensure all the cat litter is picked up. The result? My house stays incredibly clean. Of course, this means I have to change the filters and rollers more often, but it's a small price to pay for a spotless home.

Speaking of performance, I have seen a noticeable improvement over time. By tweaking the programs on the app, the machine's ability to handle cat litter, in particular, has significantly improved. Occasionally, it may miss some litter in certain areas, but a simple command to go over those spots twice resolves the issue. I've come to realize that even the cleaners we hired would miss as much, if not more, because those tiny specks get ground into the carpet.

One minor drawback I've noticed is that the edge sweeping brush sometimes scatters small particles on our smooth wooden floors instead of pushing them into the rollers. As a result, I occasionally have to command the machine to go over those areas twice. However, with these minor tweaks, the machine has been doing an exceptional job overall. The suction power is impressive, and surprisingly, the machine operates quietly.

I've also learned to trust the machine and refrain from following it around. Initially, I felt the need to babysit it and be aware of its every move, but that defeats the purpose of having a robotic vacuum. Over time, as I became more familiar with its capabilities and adjusted the programs, my trust in its abilities has grown.

Another notable feature is the maintenance alerts on the app. The machine notifies me when it needs maintenance, such as changing the filters and rollers. Contrary to my initial expectations, I have found that I don't need to change them as often as I thought. The manual suggests replacing the filter every two months and the rollers every six months, but based on my runtime, I believe I can stretch those intervals.

The Roomba s9+ is a game-changer when it comes to robotic vacuums. As someone who has owned multiple Roomba models, including the 980 and i7+, I can confidently say that the upgrade to the s9+ is worth every penny.

One of the major selling points of the s9+ is its smarter navigation. Unlike previous models, this vacuum can effortlessly work its way out of tricky situations. It can climb over obstacles like a ¾-inch lip and slanted thresholds that would cause other Roombas to get stuck. This means you can confidently let the s9+ roam freely throughout your home without worrying about it getting stuck in certain areas.

In addition to its improved navigation, the s9+ also boasts more suction power. This means it can pick up more dirt and debris, leaving your floors cleaner than ever before. It even has the ability to clean inside corners, which is a huge plus for those hard-to-reach areas that other robot vacuums often miss.

The Roomba s9+ also impresses with its AI capabilities. It quickly learns the layout of your home and creates a smart map, allowing it to clean more efficiently. It always makes it back to its base, which is not always the case with older models. It also seems to clean longer on a single charge, although I haven't timed it myself.

As someone with a chronic illness, the s9+ has truly improved the quality of my life. It saves me time and energy by taking care of the daily cleaning tasks, and I no longer have to worry about emptying the bin after every run. It's incredibly freeing to know that my floors are being cleaned every night without any effort on my part.

Not only does the s9+ save me time and energy, but it also eliminates the stress of having a constantly dirty floor. Even when I vacuumed every few days, there would still be sand and dust on the floor. With the s9+, my floors are consistently clean, giving me peace of mind.

If you already have a Roomba i7+, the s9+ is a major upgrade and definitely worth the investment. If you have anything less than an i7+, I can confidently say that this vacuum is worth double every penny. It's incredibly smart, has powerful suction, and can clean corners and edges with ease.

The Roomba i7+ has truly made my life easier and my house cleaner. It is incredibly easy to use and does an amazing job at keeping my floors looking their best. I highly recommend this robot vacuum and believe it is worth every penny.

I decided to pair the Roomba i7+ with the iRobot Braava mopping robot, and it has only made my life even better. I can't believe I waited so long to invest in these devices.

I purchased the Roomba i7+ in March 2020, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Prior to this, I had a more budget-friendly robot vacuum, but it was constantly getting stuck under furniture or on various objects in my home. I was spending more time rescuing it than it was actually cleaning. So, I decided to upgrade and invest in the Roomba i7+.

Before making my purchase, I had several questions that needed answering. Would a more expensive robot vacuum perform better? How long would it last? What kind of maintenance is required, and how costly are replacement parts? I did a lot of research, reading consumer reports, tech articles, and watching YouTube videos. This helped me make an informed decision and I promised myself that I would pay it forward by writing my own review once I had enough experience with the Roomba i7+.

Now, 9 months later, I am here to share my thoughts. I want to clarify that I have no ties to any robotic companies or Amazon. I purchased the Roomba i7+ myself from a verified dealer on Amazon, which was important for warranty purposes, especially with the recall that occurred. No one has asked me to leave this review.

Let me provide some background information about my living situation. I live in a 715 sq ft. apartment with my boyfriend and two dogs, one medium-sized and one large. The larger dog sheds a lot, so daily vacuuming is necessary. My apartment has laminate wood, carpet (medium pile), and tile floors. Additionally, I have two rugs – one high pile rug in the bathroom and one low pile rug in the living room area.

Setting up the Roomba i7+ was a breeze. The instructions were clear, and I had no issues connecting it to Wi-Fi. The only challenge I faced was finding a suitable spot for the base that was near a power outlet and had enough space for the vacuum to navigate.

I had read some reviews mentioning the need to "map" your home on the first few runs before vacuuming. However, I didn't see that in my directions. I simply let the Roomba i7+ start vacuuming without moving any furniture, and it seemed to map everything on its first run. This initial mapping process took about an hour to complete, with a couple of trips to the base to empty the dustbin.

Setting up a cleaning schedule was also incredibly easy. I have it running at a specific time from Monday to Friday, and a different time on weekends. It even adjusts for daylight savings time.

The iRobot 985 is a game-changer in the world of robot vacuums. After a disappointing experience with another brand, I decided to give this model a try, and I am so glad I did.

From the moment I ran the 985 for the first time, I was impressed. I scattered tiny pieces of paper throughout my house, and to my surprise, the robot picked up every single one. It effortlessly removed dirt, dust, and hair from various surfaces, leaving my home cleaner than ever before.

One of the standout features of the 985 is its ability to transition seamlessly from tile floors to carpets. While it had no trouble navigating carpets with a 1/2 inch pile, it did struggle slightly with a 1-inch pile. However, it quickly learned from its mistake and hasn't gotten stuck since.

With a house size of 2,950 square feet, the 985 takes about 5 hours and 2 recharges to complete a full cleaning session. While this may seem like a long time, the thoroughness and efficiency of the robot make it worth the wait.

I compared the 985 to the i7, which received higher ratings due to its self-cleaning feature. However, I found that the 985's taller height, larger bin, and superior suction more than made up for this difference. For now, I am sticking with the 985 and couldn't be happier with my decision.

Not only does the 985 save me time and effort, but it also significantly improves the air quality in my home. The amount of dust it collects is astounding, and I am grateful that it keeps my family's health in check.

I have been using Neato vacuums for several years and while they are decent, they are not a replacement for regular vacuuming with a good upright on carpet. However, I recently switched to using the Roomba and I must say, it is much better at cleaning carpets and could potentially replace a good upright vacuum.

One of the things I found appealing about the Neato was its "intelligent" mapping of the room. However, I have found that the seemingly random wandering of the Roomba actually contributes to its cleaning power. It constantly goes over the same spots from different angles, ensuring a thorough clean.

The battery life of the Roomba is also impressive. It can clean a 1,000 square foot carpeted area without needing to recharge, which is a significant improvement compared to the Neato. Additionally, the Roomba gets hung up on objects much less frequently than the Neato.

I did have to purchase two "Halo" units to prohibit the Roomba from entering some tricky places, but overall, it navigates well around obstacles such as kid toys, chair legs, and even a telescope in my home.

One modification I would suggest for the Roomba is to add material to the front bumper. I personally used one inch-wide, self-adhesive Velcro, specifically the soft (loop, felt-like) strip. This not only protects furniture, baseboards, and door jambs from scuffing or impact damage, but it also significantly reduces the noise level of the machine.

In terms of setup, the Roomba was very easy to set up and there are clear instructions provided. It also does an impressive job cleaning and navigating around my home, which has a mix of thick carpet, hardwood floors, and tile.

The Roomba 614 is truly amazing. It effortlessly navigates through our house, even on uneven surfaces, and effectively cleans along transition strips. With two dogs and three cats, our home collects a lot of dust and dander, but the Roomba outperforms our upright vacuum in terms of cleaning power. The fact that it comes with two filters is a bonus, as we can easily rinse and dry one while still using the Roomba.

During the honeymoon phase with this device, I found it enjoyable to move the furniture and let the Roomba clean the floors. The difference in cleanliness between the areas the Roomba has covered and those it hasn't is remarkable. It even reaches under the sleigh bed to clean the area rug, a chore that we usually only do semi-annually or annually due to the hassle of removing the mattress and box spring. Additionally, it effortlessly maneuvers between different floor types, including wood, linoleum, and rugs. The Roomba's height is perfect for cleaning underneath the edge of kitchen cabinets as well.

There are a couple of minor downsides that I noticed, but they don't take away from the overall awesomeness of the Roomba. Occasionally, my device has encountered furniture that is not tall enough for it to go under, resulting in some battle scars. While the Roomba is smart, it's not quite smart enough to avoid getting stuck in these situations. It's important to pick up cords, shoes with laces, and socks before running the Roomba to prevent any mishaps. The Roomba will shut off and display an error code if it picks up something like a cord, but it will continue cleaning if it picks up a sock, resulting in it banging itself on the floor as it goes. Additionally, there is no alarm or warning when the dust cup is full, so we periodically check and empty it as needed. As for the gizmo that is meant to keep the Roomba away from certain areas, it either doesn't work or is more complicated than expected.

After spending more time with the Roomba, I managed to figure out how to use the gizmo to prevent it from going into specific areas. This has been helpful in blocking off a piece of furniture that the Roomba insists it can fit under but always gets stuck and needs assistance.

In terms of noise, the Roomba is louder than a computer fan but quieter than a regular vacuum cleaner. None of our animals seem to be bothered by the noise. In fact, it's quite amusing to watch the Roomba treat our dog like a wall and clean around him when he refuses to move. Even after using it for a while, I still give the Roomba 614 a 5-star review and highly recommend it. The only downside is that the refurbishment kit, which includes new brushes and filters, seems to be available only on the iRobot website, and the ones sold elsewhere may be imitation products.

After using the Roomba for several days, I must say that it is truly amazing! Here are my thoughts on the product:

1) The Roomba has exceeded my expectations in terms of performance. Even after vacuuming thoroughly before using it, the Roomba still managed to find a significant amount of dog hair and dirt. I was both horrified and impressed by its ability to clean so effectively.

2) One of the best features of the Roomba is its ability to reach under furniture that is typically hard to clean. It easily maneuvered its way under the bed, couch, and armchair, picking up all the dust bunnies that usually go unnoticed. This has significantly improved the cleanliness of those hard-to-reach areas.

3) It's important to note that the Roomba can sometimes get tangled in cords. During the first couple of days, I had to make sure to tidy up and secure all the cords to prevent any accidents. However, this is a small inconvenience considering the overall convenience and effectiveness of the Roomba.

4) Another surprise was the Roomba's ability to find and pick up socks. It has actually motivated us to be more disciplined about putting our socks in the hamper. Additionally, it has helped train our dog to pick up her toys as she is now wary of the Roomba approaching them.

5) While the Roomba does make some noise, it is similar to the sound of a microwave or hairdryer, and not as loud as a traditional vacuum cleaner. During the initial days of using the Roomba, it's advisable to keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't encounter any issues. However, as we have become more comfortable with it, we can now confidently leave it running while we go out for dinner.

6) To maintain a consistently clean home, it is recommended to run the Roomba daily. Although it may take a bit longer than manually vacuuming, the convenience of not having to do it ourselves is a huge plus. We have found that running it during dinner preparation works best for us. However, it's worth noting that if your pet is not accustomed to the Roomba, it may be best to avoid running it when you're not at home until they become familiar with it.

If you're considering getting a Roomba, let me share some valuable tips with you. First and foremost, it's worth waiting for a sale like Prime Day or an equivalent event to snag a great deal. I managed to purchase my Roomba for just $220, tax included. If you're in the Seattle area, keep an eye out for Amazon deals, as they often offer steep discounts on the Roomba during their rotating sales.

One crucial piece of advice is to avoid purchasing cheap knockoff versions of replacement parts from Amazon. Stick to genuine iRobot products, ideally purchased directly from the company. There are many imitation products from Chinese companies available on Amazon, and these knockoffs can negatively affect the performance and lifespan of your Roomba. A prime example is the replacement air filters. Cheaper alternatives often fail to seal correctly, allowing dust to enter the internal mechanisms of the machine. Trust me, it's worth investing in a $10 air filter to avoid the potential damage that could lead to expensive repairs or replacement.

To keep your Roomba running smoothly, make sure to clean the air filter with a toothbrush after each use. Additionally, remember to replace the filter every three months to maintain optimal performance. For a more thorough cleaning, I recommend performing a deep clean of your Roomba every six months. You'll need a mini flathead and a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the front cover. Take caution when handling the tiny screws, as they are mounted in plastic casing and can easily be stripped. Focus on removing any hair accumulation around the small screw that attaches the spinning brush. Neglecting this step could cause the brush to stop spinning, but fear not, as the motor responsible for this can be replaced for just $15 on the iRobot website.

Now, let's address some misconceptions surrounding the shelf life of Roombas. I've come across negative reviews where people blame their pets for destroying their Roomba. It's important to set the record straight and understand that regular maintenance is essential for any device to last. Just like cars require upkeep, vacuums, including Roombas, also experience wear and tear from dirt, pet hair, dust, and other debris that accumulates on the floor. While the mechanics of a vacuum are less complex than those of a car, neglecting maintenance will inevitably lead to breakdowns or the need for repairs. In the past, vacuum repair shops were common because people disliked tinkering with their vacuums. However, with the rise of automation and outsourcing, the expectation that a Roomba should function flawlessly without any effort from the owner is unrealistic. Imagine if we had Roomba repair shops that offered tune-ups for $30. Many people would gladly pay, but those same individuals would likely complain about having to spend money on maintaining their Roomba. It's a catch-22 situation. We have to accept that a Roomba, despite its amazing capabilities, cannot clean itself entirely. Perhaps what we need is a Roomba specifically designed for handling pet hair!

I want to emphasize that I have no financial stake in iRobot, nor do I work for the company. This review is entirely my own, providing objective insights based on my personal experience with the product.