Which robot vacuum actually avoids dog poop?
Where it stands
As of Oct 22, 2026: several robot vacuums avoid pet waste in tests, and one comes with a written replacement promise.
Ask any dog owner about robot vacuums and you'll hear the same horror story. The good news: avoiding pet waste is one of the few hard robot problems with real, tested answers.
Which robots avoid it in tests?
Vacuum Wars runs every robot through a 24-object course that includes simulated pet waste. In its Oct 21, 2026 ranking, the Eufy Omni S2 avoided all 24 objects and the Mova V70 Ultra Complete avoided 23.
An older Popular Mechanics test found the Roborock S6 MaxV recognized and avoided fake pet waste in every run.
Sources: [1] Vacuum Wars, [2] Popular Mechanics (via Yahoo News UK)
Does any company guarantee it?
iRobot does, for the Roomba j7+ in the US: if it runs over solid dog or cat waste in its first year, iRobot replaces the robot. Consumer Reports notes iRobot filed for bankruptcy in December 2025 and said its app and support would continue; that's the company's assurance, not a guarantee.
Sources: [3] iRobot, [4] Consumer Reports
What should I look for?
Front-facing cameras or sensors. Vacuum Wars explains that the LiDAR turret on top is mainly for mapping and sits too high to see low objects; the robots that avoid pet waste use cameras and sensors close to the floor.
Sources: [1] Vacuum Wars
Is a test result enough to trust it?
Not fully. Lab courses use stand-ins, not real waste, and results depend on lighting and floor type. A replacement promise covers you if it fails, but only for solid waste and only in the first year.
Sources: [1] Vacuum Wars, [3] iRobot
What we’ll update next
- New obstacle-course results from independent testers
- Whether other brands match iRobot's written promise
- How the FCC rule affects new robot vacuum models in the US
How we know (4 sources)
Obstacle-avoidance ranking (last updated Oct 21, 2026) from a standardized 24-object course that includes simulated pet waste, plus a cluttered torture test. The Eufy Omni S2 avoided all 24 objects; the Mova V70 Ultra Complete avoided 23. Notes that top-mounted LiDAR can miss low objects, so front cameras and sensors do the avoiding.
Read the sourceHands-on test of the Roborock S6 MaxV with fake pet waste in several spots and runs. It recognized and avoided the fake waste every time and marked it on the app map.
Read the sourceiRobot's Pet Owner Official Promise: if a Roomba j7+ runs over solid dog or cat waste in its first year, iRobot replaces the robot. US offer.
Read the sourceLab test of robot vacuums on pet hair (1 g of cat fur embedded in carpet). Some robots drag hair around or tangle it in the brush; the best pick up almost all of it. Top picks: Dreame L40 Ultra, Dyson 360 Vis Nav, Eufy C10, Eureka NERE10SW, iRobot Roomba Max 705, Samsung Jet Bot. Many vacuum-mop combos struggled with dried stains. Notes iRobot filed for bankruptcy the previous December and said app and support would continue.
Read the source