We Tested Robot Vacuums for Carpet: Here Are the Top Performers
Robot vacuums are the ultimate hands-free cleaning solution. Simply set it and forget it while your floors shine, even when you're not home. However, not all robot vacuums are great for carpet. To find the best, we tested 51 models based on setup ease, cleaning performance, noise, features, maneuverability, and overall value. We also consulted expert advice on choosing the right robot vacuum for carpet.
Best Overall:
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum at Amazon $275
Best Budget:
ILife V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon $160
Best for Pets:
Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum at Amazon $1,199
Best Self-Emptying:
Shark Detect Pro Robot Vacuum at Amazon $600 $400
Best Mop Combo:
Eufy Clean X9 Pro Robotic Vacuum at Amazon $580
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1. Best Overall: iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
- The Roomba by iRobot is a popular and affordable option for those new to robot vacuums. It performed well in our tests, effectively loosening debris from carpet with its dual multi-surface brushes. It easily picked up pet and human hair without tangling, and it tackled sand with ease. However, it struggled to detect smaller obstacles like piles of pudding and socks, so it's best to clear the floor first.
- While it lacks advanced features like smart mapping and self-emptying, the Roomba 694 does have Dirt Detect Technology, focusing on dirtier areas. It also works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa, offering personalized cleaning suggestions. After six months, its performance remained strong, making it a top choice for smaller spaces.
PHOTO: amazon
Dustbin Capacity: 0.3 liters | Battery Life: 90 minutes | Smart Mapping: No | Self-Emptying: No | Smart Home Compatible: No
What We Liked: It efficiently picks up various debris, including pet and human hair without tangling, and is simple to set up and use.
What Could Be Better: It misses advanced features like smart mapping and struggles to detect small obstacles, such as socks.
2. Best Budget: ILife V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner
- You don’t have to spend a fortune on a robot vacuum. This ILife model is priced similarly to a basic cordless stick vacuum. While it lacks advanced features, it offers essential functions like obstacle sensors and cleaning schedule options. Its simplicity makes setup a breeze, and the intuitive remote control is a nice touch.
- On bare floors, it performs adequately, but it truly excels on carpet, picking up nearly 90% of debris. Its maneuverability is impressive, easily navigating around obstacles without getting stuck.
- Despite missing high-tech features, this vacuum does exactly what it’s meant to do. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a simple, easy-to-use vacuum. After six months of testing, including frequent pet hair cleanups, we still found it reliable and efficient.
PHOTO: amazon
Dustbin Capacity: 0.3 liters | Battery Life: 100 minutes | Smart Mapping: No | Self-Emptying: No | Smart Home Compatible: No
What We Liked: It’s incredibly easy to set up and starts working in minutes, effectively picking up nearly all debris from carpets.
What Could Be Better: It lacks smart features and doesn't come with an app for added convenience.
3. Best for Pets: Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum
- The Dyson 360 Vis Nav stands out with its unique D-shaped design and wide brush bar, covering more area than typical round models. It’s easy to set up, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy, making it a top choice for pet owners. It efficiently picked up fur and hidden dirt, including sand, impressing us with its cleaning power.
- However, be mindful of scattered pet toys, as they may get stuck in the vacuum. On a positive note, its brush action helped freshen up shag carpets.
- The MyDyson app allows you to customize cleaning settings, including scheduling, zone control, and viewing dirt pickup stats. After six months of testing, the Dyson robot still delivered excellent performance.
PHOTO: amazon
Dustbin Capacity: 0.5 liters | Battery Life: 65 minutes | Smart Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: No | Smart Home Compatible: Yes
What We Liked: It excels at uncovering hidden dirt and hair, effectively loosens debris from carpet fibers, and has the largest dustbin of all the models tested.
What Could Be Better: It’s one of the most expensive robot vacuums on the market, costing more than all our other top picks.
4. Best Self-Emptying: Shark Detect Pro Robot Vacuum
- The Shark Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum impressed us with its quick setup, taking just minutes to get started, including app installation. It performed excellently on carpet, tile, and hardwood floors, efficiently picking up all types of debris in one or two passes.
- Its only drawback was spot mode, where it occasionally got disoriented. However, it navigated well around obstacles like dining chairs. The standout feature is its NeverStuck Technology, allowing it to smoothly cross thresholds and maneuver over obstacles. The self-emptying function works seamlessly—though a bit noisy, it finishes quickly and doesn’t disrupt cleaning. During normal use, the vacuum operates quietly, setting it apart from others we tested.
PHOTO: amazon
Dustbin Capacity: 0.2 liters | Battery Life: 90 minutes | Smart Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: Yes | Compatible with Smart Home: Yes
What We Liked: It offers strong suction and works effectively on all floor surfaces.
What Could Be Better: It tends to get confused and struggles in spot mode.
5. Best Mop Combo: Eufy Clean X9 Pro Robotic Vacuum
- The Eufy Clean X9 Pro may surprise you with its ability to handle both carpets and hard floors. Setup was easy, and the app interface is simple, offering basic options like suction power, water levels, and cleaning schedules. While it lacks some of the advanced automation features found in other models, its straightforward design makes it user-friendly.
- It performed well on low-pile carpet and excelled at mopping hard floors, picking up dirt we didn’t realize was there. After six months, we found the mop function held up better than the vacuum function, which wasn’t as impressive as initially.
PHOTO: amazon
Dustbin Capacity: 0.4 liters | Battery Life: Not specified | Smart Mapping: No | Self-Emptying: No | Smart Home Compatible: No
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What We Liked: It smoothly switches between floor types and offers an easy-to-use app interface.
What Could Be Better: It’s missing advanced smart features.
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