We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Cleaning Vacuums The 6 Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair, Tested and Reviewed Pet hair cleanup is a breeze with these powerful and effective units. By Kat de Naoum Kat de Naoum Kat is a writer, editor, author, SEO specialist, and mother based in the UK. She has over 10 years of commerce writing experience and has written for a variety of publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, Food & Wine, Southern Living, Shape, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents, and Parenting. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer is a commerce writer for Real Simple. She has experience writing content for various digital publications including Parents, and is passionate about home, lifestyle, and beauty products. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 11, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / Henry Wortock While the average household can get away with skipping daily vacuuming, those with pets know that vacuuming the house every day is a must. We love our furry friends, but picking up the hair they leave everywhere, especially in shedding season (which, for some, is all year) can become quite the chore. “[Robot vacuums] can automate the cleaning process, especially in between regular manual vacuuming sessions, and help keep pet hair under control,” says Dr. Gráinne Cunniffe, science lead at Allergy Standards Limited (ASL). We tested 49 robot vacs to find the best heavy-duty options for sucking up pet hair. During testing, we thoroughly worked each robot vacuum on various surfaces over several months, evaluating each unit’s efficacy on different types of pet hair, as well as its ease of use, setup, cleaning, and storage. We considered an array of factors such as suction power, filtration system, battery life, helpful features, and value for money. In addition to Dr. Cunniffe, we also talked to Jessica Samson, cleaning expert at The Maids, for expert advice on what to look for when shopping for pet hair-eliminating robot vacuums. Our Top Picks Best Overall Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair: SALE iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum at Amazon $550 $430 Jump to Review Best Budget Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair: SALE ILife V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon $160 $120 Jump to Review Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair on Carpet: Neato D9 Intelligent Robot Vacuum at Amazon $500 Jump to Review Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair on Hard Floors: SALE Shark Robot Vacuum + Mop at Amazon $480 $250 Jump to Review Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair: ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon $499 Jump to Review Best Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo for Pet Hair: SALE ECOVACS DEEBOT N8 Pro+ at Amazon $700 $411 Jump to Review Best Overall Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $430 at Amazon View on Irobot.com $375 at Lowe's Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Features 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 What Stands Out It effortlessly and swiftly maneuvers around furniture and obstacles and can remember your home’s layout in one session. What Could Be Improved There are no power or speed settings, and it doesn’t come with attachments. We loved many things about the iRobot Roomba j7+, one being how easy it was to set up. The intuitive iRobot app was a breeze to connect to and understand, guiding us through the process after connecting it to WiFi and automatically detecting the vacuum. The robot learned floor plans with very little adjusting and efficiently navigated obstacles, showing photos of items encountered during the cleaning run. Plus, you can even select if obstacles are temporary or permanent in the app. This vacuum excelled at picking up pet hair on hardwood floors, carpets, and rugs and transitioned seamlessly between surfaces without any issues. The suction worked impressively well, and the edge-sweeping brush helped clean cat hair and debris along the walls, baseboards, and in tighter areas. It’s able to maneuver under couches and beds with ease and can even navigate around the legs of a kitchen table. Although the machine operates fairly quietly, the super-handy scheduling capabilities allow you to set it to run in rooms at certain times if you’d rather avoid the noise. While there are no attachments, it does come with an extra filter, dustbin bag, and replacement edge-sweeping brush. This self-emptying unit empties itself into the enclosed bag system in only a few seconds—this process is louder than its standard operation, and when it’s emptied, the robot resumes cleaning where it left off. It’s also a lightweight unit, although you don’t really ever have to pick it up. The vacuum fully charges in around two hours, with one charge lasting about 75 minutes, and will softly ding to let you know when it’s ready for more work. After six months of use, the robot vacuum continued to exceed our expectations in both efficiency and battery life. There were a few times when the app didn’t notify us that the bag was ready to empty, resulting in some hair and debris getting caught in the rollers. For the most part, though, the smart features worked adequately. While it’s one of the more expensive robot vacuums, this high-quality and extremely efficient unit is certainly a worthwhile investment. Dimensions: 13.3 by 3.4 inches | Dustbin Capacity: 400 mL | Battery Life: 85 minutes | HEPA Filter: No | Smart Home Connectivity: Yes Real Simple / Niky Cross Taylor Real Simple / Niky Cross Taylor Best Budget Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair ILife V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $120 at Amazon View on Iliferobot.store Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Noise Level 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Features 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 What Stands Out It’s quiet, effective, has a remote control, and is great for those who want to turn on the machine and go without having to sync it to an app. What Could Be Improved It’s not the best for getting into corners, and you have to make sure no cables are hanging around. The ILIFE V3s Pro is great at sucking up dog hair, even under the bed where it's hard to reach with a traditional vacuum. We tested it in an apartment with both hardwood and carpet that’s home to a heavy-shedding dog and plenty of foster pets. After thoroughly reading the manual, its simple setup took only four minutes. The unit did a stellar job of vacuuming bare floors, particularly excelling at picking up longer hairs, although it struggled to clean some cereal that was stuck in a corner. Still, it transitioned seamlessly from hardwood to carpet, hesitating only slightly over the floor divider before eventually crossing over. We also appreciated its quiet operation, running at around 64 decibels. Cleaning the vacuum was just as straightforward as the setup, consisting of dumping the debris box. The robot impressively maneuvered around the house and was able to find its way without issues. It might not have as many high-tech features as some of the other models on our list, but that’s understandable given its lower price. The vacuum still has a clever design that managed to clean some debris that was halfway under a rug, even returning to pick up some dirt it had left behind. Not much monitoring is needed either, especially if you don’t have too many obstacles, but you do have to make sure no cables are dangling because it will likely suck them up. Unlike some other robot vacs, this model doesn’t have an app. This can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your needs. For those seeking a straightforward, affordable, and effective unit that you just charge and turn on, this is the perfect option. Those who want something more high-tech with extra features might want to opt for a smart unit instead. For example, the vacuum cleans rather randomly, which became frustrating for those of us who prefer to control our route. This model does, however, come with a remote control which we found super convenient. In all, this simple yet efficient machine comes at an affordable price and will leave floors looking shiny and mopped (even though it doesn’t have a mopping feature) after each clean. What’s more, it maintained its impressive performance after six months of use, becoming a household staple. Dimensions: 11.8 by 3.2 inches | Dustbin Capacity: 300 mL | Battery Life: 90-100 minutes | HEPA Filter: No | Smart Home Connectivity: No Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair on Carpet Neato D9 Intelligent Robot Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $500 at Amazon $499 at Walmart $500 at Lowe's Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.5/5 Noise Level 4.5/5 Maneuverability 4.8/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 What Stands Out It has the largest dustbin capacity on our list. What Could Be Improved It can sometimes struggle to find its docking station. The smart Neato D9 easily pairs with its app via Bluetooth and quickly connects to the WiFi, allowing you to control it from the app at any time. The app was one of the most intuitive we’ve come across; when you're ready to run the vacuum, simply press the “play” button. You can even schedule it to run when you’re away from home and monitor its progress from your phone. Once on, it takes a few seconds to check its surroundings, and then away it goes. It saves a map of your space each time it cleans, and you can set “no-go” zones to keep it away from certain areas. You do need to pick up loose objects or dangling cords before use, but other than that, it works its way around the house and dodges obstacles like a champ. We tested this vacuum in an 850-square-foot apartment that is almost entirely carpeted and home to two cats. The owner, who typically struggles with seasonal allergies, reported an improvement in symptoms after using this powerful little unit. The vac’s strong and wide brush roll did an excellent job at picking up dust, hair, and even some embedded cat litter from the carpet. It's slim enough to get under furniture and even goes over rugs and bath mats without getting stuck. Despite running daily, we were surprised to see just how much cat hair, dust, and debris it picked up from the floors every time. The chamber is also very easy to empty after each use—although it’s not self-emptying, so when you empty it some of the dust and debris may waft back into the air. Once the machine is done, it returns to its docking station. At first, however, the vacuum struggled to find its docking station and we’d have to manually return it. It also got stuck a few times in small spaces, requiring manual repositioning. The machine seemed to become smarter and more adept at cleaning the space after six months of use, better knowing its surroundings and returning to its charging station without help. Plus, after learning where it got stuck, we made sure to keep its path clean. After 50 minutes of vacuuming the entire apartment, it still had about 75% of battery life remaining, meaning it’s suitable for much larger apartments, too. Dimensions: 33 by 7 inches | Dustbin Capacity: 700 mL | Battery Life: Up to 200 minutes | HEPA Filter: No | Smart Home Connectivity: Yes Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair on Hard Floors Shark Robot Vacuum + Mop PHOTO: Amazon $250 at Amazon View on Bed Bath & Beyond View on Untilgone.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.7/5 Noise Level 3/5 Maneuverability 3/5 Features 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 What Stands Out It’s the only robot on our list that comes with a HEPA filter. What Could Be Improved It’s not great at avoiding obstacles and is a little on the loud side. While it may seem like carpets get dirtier more quickly than hardwood floors do, smooth surfaces are magnets for dust. The Shark AI Ultra picks up almost anything from hard floors just as well as it does on carpets, although you may have to go over the corners and edges after it’s done for an extra thorough clean. We tested it in a house with two cats and kids, and it proved very effective at picking up cat hair from both area rugs and hardwood floors without getting stuck anywhere, apart from on a large wrinkle in the rug. With a straightforward setup and WiFi connectivity, this machine impressed us with the way it sucked up everything within reach and how well it transitioned between different floor types. We did, however, have to make sure the floor was clear of obstacles because it didn’t seem to avoid objects like socks or USB cords. On the plus side, not only does this machine vacuum, but it also mops the floors. The mop function adequately detected sticky areas before cleaning them and effectively sucked up spills, leaving no residue behind. The floor was only left a little sticky when we spilled a ton of syrup on it, but we can cut the machine some slack in this instance. Whenever we used this robot vacuum, the floor looked shiny and new. We especially appreciate the easy-to-empty bin, which effortlessly clicks back into place. The vacuum also alerts you when the battery level is low or if a brush needs to be changed. The app allows the vacuum to map out your entire living area, giving you the chance to create schedules and add off-limit zones. Just keep in mind that while the machine operates a bit noisily, it’s still much quieter than most upright vacuums. Dimensions: 13.52 by 3.48 inches | Dustbin Capacity: 355 mL | Battery Life: 120 minutes | HEPA Filter: Yes | Smart Home Connectivity: Yes Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop PHOTO: Amazon $463 at Amazon Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Features 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 What Stands Out It’s quiet, super powerful, has excellent obstacle avoidance, and empties itself. What Could Be Improved The air freshener isn’t already installed as stated in the instructions, but this is easy enough to do. The Ecovacs T9+ allows you to clean your floors every day without ever lifting a finger, even when you’re not at home. After each cleaning session, this machine empties itself, providing a truly hands-free experience. While it’s more expensive than other units, we found that it’s well worth the investment thanks to its clever sensors, quiet operation, and strong suction. We tested this vac in a home with hardwood, tile floors, and a fluffy, shedding dog. It worked equally well when picking up pet hair, dust, and dirt that was inadvertently brought in from outside. Setup took only around six minutes (the instructions say that the air freshener is pre-installed, but we had to install this ourselves), and syncing the robot to the app was similarly simple. After pairing the vacuum, you must conduct the initial smart cleaning for the machine to map the interior of the house—a process that took the unit two hours. Following each clean, the dust bag was full of everything, including pet hair, dust, crumbs, hair ties, bobby pins, and even some screws and cut-up zip ties from a recent renovation. The device did a fantastic job of keeping the house hair-free, and we even noticed less pet hair on our socks. After six months of use, it perfectly retained its battery life. The app allows you to conveniently set up specific cleaning periods, i.e., every day, once a week, during the workweek, on weekends, etc. Its TrueDetect 3D technology enabled the vac to sense and avoid objects and furniture without bumping into them in our testing, successfully rerouting when the dog was in its direct path. One of the most impressive things about this unit, however, is how quiet it is—so quiet that we could hardly hear it when it was in another room, and even the dog remained unfazed when the vac approached. It mopped well, too, and we found the disposable mopping pads to be a nice addition. Although they might not be as eco-friendly as reusables, they sure are quick and convenient. Dimensions: 13.9 by 3.7 inches | Dustbin Capacity: 420 mL | Battery Life: 180 minutes | HEPA Filter: No | Smart Home Connectivity: Yes Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo for Pet Hair ECOVACS DEEBOT N8 Pro+ PHOTO: Amazon $411 at Amazon $280 at Walmart Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.7/5 Noise Level 5/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Features 4/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 What Stands Out It’s truly hands-off, and won’t accidentally mop carpet. What Could Be Improved You can’t add detergent to the water container for mopping. Once you’ve tried out a robot vacuum and mop combo, there’s pretty much no going back. If it can sweep and mop simultaneously like the Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+, it’s game over! After we set up this robot, it promptly scanned the perimeter of the room before working methodically around furniture. There’s a quick-start guide which was easy to follow, but if you want the full manual, you have to find it online. We tested it in a home with two cats and a dog, and it quickly and efficiently removed all pet hair, debris, and kitty litter from every inch of the floor. The vac effortlessly transitioned from the hardwood to the rug and cleaned it with ease, leaving no visible mess behind. It swiftly moved around chairs and under the couch, though it did, drag some cords with it along the way. This was an easy fix, however, as the device’s front sensor allows it to detect objects in its way to avoid getting stuck. It also returns to its docking station once cleaning is complete and empties any dust/dirt into a built-in vacuum bag. At around 68 decibels, the vacuum is quiet during operation, although it’s much louder when it’s self-emptying (thankfully this doesn’t last long). After six months of use, we noticed no significant quality changes. The mop feature proved to be just as effective, cleaning most of the wet messes with very little residue left on the floor. After testing it on syrup, the brushes did stay sticky and had to be manually cleaned. When in mopping mode, the vacuum will only release water when on a hard surface, preventing your carpets from accidentally getting soaked. Just note that you can only add water to the water compartment for mopping, as adding a floor detergent could clog up the tubing, though the ability to add a nice-smelling floor cleaner would have been nice. We also love that you can set it to work when you’re away so you come home to a clean house every day. Dimensions: 13.9 by 3.7 inches | Dustbin Capacity: 420 mL | Battery Life: 110 minutes | HEPA Filter: No | Smart Home Connectivity: Yes Real Simple / Henry Wortock Final Verdict If you’re after the best robot vacuum for pet hair on the market, you can’t go wrong with the iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum. This powerful machine is easy and quick to set up, maps your home during its first-ever clean, and detects and avoids obstacles. It works on all floors and can even get into corners and tight spaces. For a great less-expensive tried-and-true option, we recommend the ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner. Our Testing Process Over a period of at least six months, we tested 49 robot vacuums, including vacuum-mop combos, and self-emptying models. We evaluated the machines based on their performance, efficiency, design, size, and battery power. Each robot vacuum was tested on hardwood and other hard floors, like tile and vinyl, and on carpets and rugs. If the vacuum had a mopping function, we tested its effectiveness on the relevant flooring. We closely read and followed each unit’s setup instructions to determine how comprehensive they were, how easy the setup was, and how long it took. We also took into account each vacuum’s noise level, measuring this with a decibel meter, and its special features, testing each one multiple times. Next, we evaluated how easy each robot vacuum was to maneuver, empty, clean, and maintain. If a unit had smart features, we set them up and paid attention to how easy or challenging the process was. We also kept an eye on how each unit performed over time, and whether it lost any power or diminished in quality and efficiency. Real Simple / Dera Burreson How to Shop for Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair Like a Pro Battery Life Robot vacuums can provide a battery life of anywhere from one to three hours of run time. The machine’s docking station remains stationary and plugged into an outlet. As opposed to regular cordless vacuums that you have to remember to manually put on charge, the robot usually returns to its docking station for charging whenever it’s done cleaning, or whenever its battery is starting to run out, giving you one less thing to worry about. The amount of battery you opt for in your robot vacuum depends on the size of your home and lifestyle. “Longer battery life is advantageous, especially for larger homes, as it allows the vacuum to clean for a longer duration before requiring recharging,” Dr. Cunniffe says. However, for small apartments that don’t take long to clean, more affordable robot vacuums with a shorter battery life could do the trick. Noise Level A robot vacuum’s noise level can range anywhere from 65 to 80 decibels. Opting for a quieter model might prove a little more expensive, but it will also be less of an annoyance, and, as Dr. Cunniffe tells us, will “avoid causing stress or disturbance to pets.” The noise of a vacuum at 65 decibels can be compared to the low hum of a refrigerator, whereas an 80-decibel model will sound more like city traffic. Filter Type All of the robot vacuums we tested and recommend come with a filter, but only one (the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop) comes with a HEPA filter. For those with pets, and particularly anyone with allergies, a highly effective filter will keep the air clean and reduce allergy symptoms. “Prioritize vacuums with effective filtration systems and high-quality filters, such as HEPA filters, to maximize capture of allergens and minimize the spread of pet dander, and reduce their release into the air,” Dr. Cunniffe says. Features Robot vacuums are quite advanced little machines that, in addition to providing a thorough cleaning of almost any type of flooring, offer many extra features that can make day-to-day cleaning much easier. “When shopping for the best robot vacuums for pet hair, consider the specific features that would be beneficial for this type of cleaning task,” Dr. Cunniffe says. In terms of features, she recommends considering the following: WiFi connectivity for remote controlling, scheduling, and monitoring your robot vacuum from your smartphone or tablet; Spot cleaning capabilities for more concentrated messes; No-go zones to restrict access to certain areas of the home; Mapping capabilities so that the machine can memorize your home and create routes for efficient navigation; Self-emptying, which eliminates the need to manually empty the bin every day; Suction power, ideally a strong one specifically designed for picking up pet hair; Brushes, preferably specialized brush rolls or rubberized brushes that are effective at capturing and removing pet hair from various surfaces; Cleaning capability that allows the vacuum to handle different floor types, navigate around obstacles, and effectively clean the areas where pet hair tends to accumulate; Easy maintenance, like detachable brush rolls for hair removal; Bin size. “Since it will be picking up a lot of pet hair, the bin will fill up very quickly and you want to buy one with a big enough bin so you aren’t constantly emptying it,” Samson says. (Note: the Neato D9 Intelligent Robot Vacuum Cleaner has the largest dustbin capacity on our list.) Price Robot vacuums for pet hair vary greatly in price depending on their capabilities. Models can be priced anywhere between $150 and $1,200, with machines that offer a larger capacity, more features, and a longer run time being on the more expensive end of that spectrum. “Determine a budget and find a balance between the desired features and the price range that suits your requirements,” Dr. Cunniffe says. More Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair to Consider Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum with Object Recognition: This high-tech model picked up all objects in its path, but it had a hard time transitioning to rugs. When we manually moved it onto a rug, it cleaned well and maneuvered flawlessly around furniture, avoiding socks, cables, and pet mess. The station is rather large compared to other models, though, and the unit is also quite pricey. However, if you love high-tech gadgets and are willing to splurge, this could be a good option for you. Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus Robotic Vacuum and Mop: This is a super smart and efficient cleaning machine that picked up almost everything in its path in our testing, apart from a few strands of hair. It even comes with air filter pods for different scents. The only downside is that it’s a fairly expensive machine, and it takes 6.5 hours to fully charge. Real Simple / Henry Wortock Questions You Might Ask Do robot vacuums work on pet hair? “Yes, robot vacuums can effectively work on pet hair and help improve indoor air quality,” Dr. Cunniffe says. “Many models are designed with features like strong suction power, specialized brush rolls, and filtration systems to specifically tackle pet hair and dander.” Even so, Dr. Cunniffe notes that effectiveness varies depending on the specific model and the characteristics of the pet hair and home (e.g., length, quantity, type of surface). “If you pay up and get a nice robot vacuum, it will definitely pick up pet hair,” Samson adds. “However, if you go with one of the cheaper models, you might find that it has trouble picking it up.” Are robot vacuums worth it for pet owners? Samson says that robot vacuums are definitely a worthwhile investment for pet owners: “They won’t pick up everything, and certainly not every pet hair on your floor, but they will make cleaning so much easier for you when you do manual deep cleaning. It will be one less thing you need to spend a lot of time on, and you can clean your home much faster if you have a robot vacuum working around the clock to clean your most frequented areas.” According to Dr. Cunniffe, robot vacuums are also worth it in that they can help reduce pet dander buildup (in addition to pet hair) on floors and carpets, making maintenance cleaning more convenient. “However, it's important to choose a model that is specifically designed for handling pet hair and has the necessary features to effectively clean up after pets. Can a robot vacuum replace a regular vacuum cleaner? “Robot vacuums can be a valuable addition for pet owners, but they typically cannot completely replace a regular vacuum cleaner, especially when it comes to cleaning areas that are difficult to reach for the robot vacuum,” Cunniffe says. “Robot vacuums are more suitable for regular maintenance cleaning and keeping pet hair at bay between more thorough cleanings with a traditional vacuum. Combining both types of vacuums can provide the best results for a pet-friendly household. ”Hopefully, robot vacuums will soon be able to do everything that regular vacuum cleaners can do, but at the moment, Samson says that standard vacuum cleaners are much more powerful. “Frankly the robot technology isn’t mind-blowing at the moment, so you will still need to vacuum your home occasionally,” she says. “But it will be a much more pleasant experience if you have a robot vacuum, too.” Take Our Word for It This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce-writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. It was updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. For this article, we tested several of the best robot vacuum cleaners for pet hair on multiple floor surfaces over six months, paying particular attention to each model’s efficiency, battery life, bin size, power, features, design, and value for money. Kat also spoke to Jessica Samson, cleaning expert at The Maids, and Dr. Gráinne Cunniffe, science lead at Allergy Standards Limited (ASL). What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.