bObsweep Pet Hair Robot Vacuum Review

The bObsweep Pet Hair is a cost-effective, robot vacuum designed to make vacuuming your home an easier chore. Built with a slightly bulkier design and LED screen, this vacuum takes a different approach than most of its competitors. Yet, how will the bObsweep vacuum perform under conditions aside from pet hair?

Continue reading below to discover if the bObsweep PetHair is the best robot vacuum for you.

Pros

• UV light helps fight off bacteria
• Large dust bin

Cons

• User interface is a bit confusing
• Vacuum is quite bulky

Table of Contents

• Design
• Cleaning Tests
• Usability
• Value
• Specifications
• Who Should Buy

Design

The bObsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum has a bold design with technology integrated into a 3×5″ LED screen on the vacuum face.

Aesthetically, the bObsweep comes in two different colors.

One has a bright red body with a black bumper at the front of the vacuum while the other is a lighter champagne color, also with a black bumper on the front.

From the LED screen, you can see various features like battery power, program settings, and different cleaning modes (UV mode, auto mode, spot cleaning, wall edge clean, or docked.)

The bObsweep PetHair does not have WiFi connection or app control, but it does have a remote control. 

The remote control allows you to turn on the UV mode, clean corners, initiate an automatic cleaning cycle, spot clean, charge the vacuum or adjust the speed.

You can also use the navigation arrows to ‘drive’ the bObsweep vacuum to specific areas to clean or pause a cycle entirely.

As a general rule, the bObsweep remote control works up to approximately 10 feet away from the vacuum, assuming there are no obstructions blocking the signal.

Features

1. LED screen
2. Sensor
3. Bumper
4. Dust bin release

How It Cleans

The bObsweep robot vacuum uses a head sensor with infrared lighting to navigate around a space with a “bump and continue” type of approach, adjusting its direction as needed.

There is a bumper on the front of the vacuum to help protect itself, walls, and furniture as it navigates around the space.

For the actual cleaning, the bObsweep Pet Hair uses a central rotating brush located on the underside of the vacuum to help brush up dirt and debris and then suck it up into the dust bin.

A spinning side brush rotates as the robot vacuums to help keep the edges and corners clean.

There are three separate cleaning modes available for the Bobsweep Pet Hair vacuum.

1. Spiral cleaning – The spiral cleaning mode (also called Spiral Track) can be convenient for spot cleaning or cleaning the central space of a large room.
2. Straight cleaning – For people who love the look of vacuum lines, straight cleaning (also called Waffle Track) is a cleaning pattern than makes clean straight lines until getting to an edge, where the vacuum will turn and make another straight pass directly beside the previous pass until the whole room is clean.
3. Edge cleaning – Edge cleaning (also called Wall Track) allows the robot vacuum to follow the edges of a room and omit cleaning the middle entirely.

In addition to the vacuum path modes, there are also three variable cleaning duration modes.

1. Robot / Auto Pilot – This mode allows the bObsweep vacuum to clean an entire area for a deeper clean. When the battery falls below 15%, the bObsweep will automatically return to the base for charging.
2. Quick Clean – In this mode, the bObsweep Pet Hair robot will automatically clean an area for a lighter clean, returning to the base after 30 minutes, regardless of whether or not there is additional debris.
3. Touch Up – For touch-ups, the bObsweep can be placed directly in an area that needs attention. The vacuum will clean that area for 15 minutes before going on standby to be returned to the dock to charge.

The bObsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum is designed specifically for pet owners. 

As an added feature, the Pet Hair model features a UV cleaning mode which uses a UV light to help eliminate the spread of bacteria throughout your home.

In addition to various ways to clean carpets, this particular bObsweep model also offers a mopping attachment. The mopping mode uses an attached damp cloth that is located adjacent to the roller brush. When installed, the bObsweep can vacuum, sweep, and mop all in a single pass.

Note: The bObsweep PetHair does not include any additional water beyond the damp mopping cloth. 

Features

1. Wheels
2. Spinning brush
3. Charging pins
4. Roller brush
5. Dust bin

Size & Dimensions

The bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum is a bit on the larger side at 13.8″ in diameter and 3.9″ tall.

This height is taller than many other robot vacuums we’ve tested, but still short enough that it should be able to get under a decent number of furniture obstacles in your home. This robot vacuum weighs 7.7 pounds.

With its larger size, also comes a larger dust bin. The dust bin of the bObsweep robot vacuum can store up to 1 liter of dirt, dust and other debris. This is the largest dust bin in a robot vacuum we’ve tested to date.

Accessories & Parts

The bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum includes the following parts and accessories:

• Two HEPA filters
• Two Roller brushes
• Charging base and cord
• Remote
• Mopping pad
• Two Spinning brushes
• Four Blinders

Parts

1. Brushes
2. Charger
3. Mopping cover
4. Remote control
5. Cleaning tool

Cleaning Tests

The following vacuum cleaner tests are designed to show how the bObsweep Pet Hair performs on different surfaces, picking up a variety of debris types.

We test on 3 different floor types, including hardwood floors, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet. For each floor type we test the vacuum cleaner against:

• Rice – 3 ounces
• Dry Cereal – 1 ounce
• Kitty Litter – 3 ounces
• Sugar – 3 ounces

Each of the aforementioned debris types were spread across our testing lane. The base surface of our testing lane is an engineered hardwood floor. For our carpet tests we slide in a low pile and high pile carpet insert on top of the hardwood floor.

Our vacuum cleaning process strives to be as consistent, fair, and true to real world use as possible. Our tests utilize the following procedure:

1. Measure the weight of the testing debris and weight of empty vacuum debris container
2. Spread the respective debris type evenly across the central portion of the testing lane
3. Run the vacuum cleaner over the testing lane
4. Measure the weight of the now filled container and take notes on the cleaning performance

Hardwood Floor

The bObsweep Pet Hair vacuum did an excellent job of removing the debris on our hardwood floor tests. Each debris field was cleaned up at a level of 96% or higher, leaving hardly anything behind.

Low Pile Carpet

The low pile carpet test seemed to hinder the performance of the bObsweep Pet Hair when it came time to vacuum up the sugar.

The smaller granules were able to stick into the carpet because the suction of bObsweep was not strong enough to remove them. After testing, we found that 34% of the sugar remained in the low pile carpet. 

Rice, cereal, and kitty litter were all cleaned up at a level of 91% or higher.

High Pile Carpet

High pile carpet posed the same issues for the bObsweep, as sugar was the main issue. There was a slight drop in the degree to which rice and kitty litter were cleaned up, but nothing dramatic.

Sugar was only 51% sucked up, which meant almost half of the sugar remained within the thicker pile of the carpet.

The degree to which the bObsweep Pet Hair vacuum is able to remove finer debris from deep carpets was less impressive than its ability to remove clunkier debris fields.

Never-the-less, Bobsweep’s overall cleaning performance was still very good. The Bobsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum performed at similar levels to what we saw on the Roomba 690.

Usability

Setting up the bobsweep Pet Hair vacuum was not difficult. Simply unbox, screw in your two spinning brushes (screwdriver and screws included), charge it up, and send it out for some vacuuming.

 The setup is not a strenuous process by any means and only requires the use of one tool that is included with the purchase of the vacuum.

Usability is also quite simple, but I could see where users could be confused when operating this robot vacuum. 

The LED screen is a nice added feature, but it almost offers too much information, in my opinion.

Each mode is highlighted to start with, but once the vacuum begins moving, only the current operating mode lights up on the LED screen.

This was a bit odd at first, but after a few runs I was able to better understand the screen’s interface.

The remote actually made using this vacuum much easier. Just click the power button (if the unit is not already on) and select your preferred cleaning mode. The bObsweep Pet Hair will almost immediately jump into action once you select the cleaning mode.

Throughout our testing process I would swap back and forth between the remote and the vacuum’s buttons. After doing so, I would prefer to use the remote every time. It was both quicker and easier to understand all around.

The LED screen is a nice addition when it comes to checking the battery level. Several bars are lined up across the bottom of the screen, each of which tell a different battery level.

Whether it’s fully charged or completely drained, it is not hard to determine the battery level on the bObsweep when using the LED screen.

Dirt Sensor

If the bObsweep detects a particularly dirty area, the word “DIRTY” will appear on the LED screen and the robot will temporarily increase its cleaning intensity.

Maneuverability

October 22, 2020 Update – As part of an audit of all robot vacuums we’ve tested, we were unable to find replacement filters for the Bobsweep. As a result, we have reduced the usability score accordingly. In addition, we would not recommend the purchase of this Bobsweep model until replacement parts are more widely available.

Maneuverability is a strong suit of the bObsweep Pet Hair vacuum, but there are some difficulties it faces as well. 

The vacuum is able to turn at 360°, which allows it to tightly wrap around the legs of furniture, as well as other areas that may take upright vacuums a few more passes to clean.

That said, the bulkier size of this robot vacuum does give it less room to slide underneath furniture, or other low hanging spaces.

Therefore, there’s a chance the vacuum cleaner could get stuck during a run, leading to scratches across the unit. Scratches are not going to hurt the bObsweep, but they certainly take away from the sleek appeal.

Additionally, the spinning brush on the bottom of the vacuum does not necessarily give the bObsweep an advantage when it comes to corners.

With such a big unit, I would have liked to see a slightly longer extension from the spinning brush, helping to reach deeply into the corners.

That was not the case, which meant most of the debris that was not picked up during a cleaning cycle was left in the corners of our testing lane. As a result, you may want to add a handheld vacuum to your cleaning tool kit, with the Bobsweep.

Cleaning modes do allow the bObsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum to tackle specific cleaning tasks. For example, the vacuum can be sent into edge mode, spot cleaning mode, or spiral cleaning mode. This is a nice addition that we haven’t seen in many of the robot vacuum reviews we’ve completed.

• Weight: 7.7 pounds
• Width: 13.8″ diameter
• Height: 3.9″
• Turning: 360° turning radius

Maintenance

The following table indicates the frequency at which you will likely want to replace the various parts and components of the vacuum.

We were not able to determine when the manufacturer recommends replacement of the various parts (except for the filter).

However, we have provided our best estimations (based on our experience with other similar vacuums) as to how often you will likely need to replace these parts. That said, as in the case of all maintenance tasks, your individual experiences could vary.

Unlike many other other competitor vacuums, the bObsweep uses three filters- two of which have to be replaced ever 6 months, depending on frequency of use.

With the bObsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum, you can expect to pay about $112 in annual maintenance costs, which would include two filters, two spinning brushes, and a pack of 5 mop clothes each year. In addition to a new battery and new rolling brush every two years.

The high cost of maintenance is definitely the biggest drawback for the Bobsweep. I hope as they continue to grow as a company other generic replacement parts may become available, which would decrease the maintenance costs considerably.

However, some degree of the higher maintenance costs can be forgiven, as the Bobsweep Pet Hair works as a sweeper, vacuum, mop, and UV sterilizer. 

Battery

All robot vacuum reviews on Modern Castle are put through a standard assessment of battery size, run-time, life, and replacement cost (by manufacturer and / or generic brand).

The bObsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum is equipped with a 2,200 mAh battery and is designed to run for at least 55 minutes, but no longer than 90 minutes.

Once the vacuum realizes it is down to its last leg of battery (less than 15%), it will drive itself “home” so it can juice back up and get back to the cleaning.

Although the cost of the vacuuum is reasonable, it does bother me that the cost of a replacement battery is so expensive.

You can check the price of the battery here. One nice thing about this replacement battery option is it’s 3,400 mAh, a full 2,200 mAh larger capacity than the original Bobsweep battery.

Noise

All vacuum cleaner reviews on Modern Castle are put through our standard noise test. For this test, we use a sound meter to measure noise in terms of decibel level approximately 3′ away from the vacuum.

At 3′ away, the bObsweep PetHair (robot) emits 67 dB of sound.

Value

Overall, the bObswep offers a very good value. This robot vacuum provides a nice balance of budget consciousness and performance.

Other factors we look at when considering value include; design, usability, noise, maintenance, size, maneuverability, accessories, battery, and overall cleaning experience.

Concerning warranty, bObsweep offers a 30-day money back guarantee, a 1-year limited warranty, a 5-year subsidized repair, and lifetime of customer service.

Here are some of the details of the 5-year subsidized repair policy:

Even after bObsweep’s warranty is over, we will divide the maintenance charges with you (up to 25% of the replacement/repair charges). Regardless of the reason for the damage, during the first five years of your purchase, we will replace/repair bObsweep when needed.

In order to initiate a warranty claim, you must purchase your own postage and mail back the vacuum in its original packaging.

At the discretion of the customer service team, you may receive part or all of your postage fees back, depending on the nature of the warranty claim and the condition of your vacuum.

A unique aspect of bObsweep care is their maintenance. In accordance with with bObsweep brand, when you contact the company directly, they will affectionately refer to your robot vacuum as Bob. 

Here’s a snippet from a recent exchange I had with a customer service representative about a claim for damaged parts.

I’d be happy to help ship these parts for you and provide assistance with the installation if you’d like! First, can you tell me a little but about what is ailing Bob?

The wide range of replacement parts offered on the manufacturer’s website is a bit daunting, but truly does allow the user to personally replace nearly every part of the bObsweep robot vacuum.

For DIYers, this supply of manufactured parts can mean less down time, and more time vacuuming, since you don’t have to mail back the whole robot for a small repair.

For repairable, obsolete products that need spare parts no longer made, we will either provide you with a refurbished, upgraded model at the same repairing costs, or offer you the option to purchase a new, upgraded model at a discounted price.

Overall, bObsweep looks to be a solid business. It has limited customer complaints, at this time, and based on their warranty, returns, and maintenance policies, it seems to genuinely stand behind its product.

Specifications

Below is a complete list of important specifications and features included on the bObsweep Pet Hair:

Who Should Buy the bObsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum?

The bObsweep Pet Hair is a well-designed robot vacuum built to tackle a wide variety of messes. Although this vacuum contains a slightly bulkier build, it still does a fine job of getting into most hard to reach places.

Additionally, an LED screen on top of the robot vacuum allows users to see the mode they are selecting, whether it’s on the remote or directly on the bObsweep’s interface. If you like the idea of a more budget-oriented robot vacuum, but still offers a lot, the bObsweep could be a good option for you.

I would recommend the bObsweep Pet Hair if you’re looking for the following features in a robot vacuum.

• Like the idea of an LED screen on the robot vacuum – The bObsweep Pet Hair has a LED screen on top of the vacuum, which describes the mode the vacuum is currently in, the battery life, the time it has been cleaning, and more. If you like the idea of being able to read these items off of your robot vacuum, the bObsweep may be a good option for you.
• Don’t mind a larger robot vacuum – Sitting at 3.9″ tall and almost 14″ wide, the bObsweep is a bit larger than most other robot vacuums we have tested thus far. This could lead to the vacuum getting stuck under furniture more often than most others.
• Want DIY maintenance – bObsweep provides a wide range of parts and accessories on the manufacturer’s website. From large parts like the bumper or LED screen, down to intricate wiring or the power switch,  there are hardly any parts that bObsweep doesn’t openly offer a replacement for.
• Don’t mind going through the manufacturer – Despite the smorgasbord of replacement parts available on the manufacturer website, there are limited parts that are available by third-party sellers. that being said, the interaction we had with Customer Service at bObsweep was top notch!

For more information on the bObsweep Pet Hair visit here.

Updates

• October 22, 2020 – As part of a comprehensive audit of all robot vacuum review scores on Modern Castle the usability score was reduced from 92 to 50 due to a lack of replacement part availability (we found spinning brushes, but could not find any replacement filters). This reduced the overall score from 88% to 80%.
• November 16, 2017 – Initial version of the review was published.