Out of all the flooring styles available for homeowners today, carpet is by far the most luxurious and comfortable beneath your feet. Unfortunately, it can also be very hard to keep clean, which is where a good vacuum cleaner comes in handy.Thanks to advances in technology, robotic vacuum cleaners have changed the game, so cleaning is no longer the chore that it used to be.
If you’re looking for the best robot vacuum for carpet, it's easy to become overwhelmed with the number of choices available. Our guide can help you find a suitable system for your household, and we’ve put together a list featuring some of the top models that are built for carpet.
When robot vacuum cleaners first spring onto the scene, pricing was a major concern for most consumers. Well, that's not the case anymore, so here are some things to keep in mind when looking for an automated vacuum cleaner for your home.
Advantages of Robot Vacuum Cleaners
One of the big perks of having a robot vacuum cleaner is the fact it does the work for you. You can even find some machines that empty themselves. You won't have to worry about tripping over cords with a robot vacuum, and we feel new models are priced accordingly compared to their upright counterparts. These units also allow you to sync up to services like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home.
Scheduling is another perk of these machines. The ability to schedule cleaning times can be a lifesaver and free you up for other activities. Due to their size, there are also perfect for getting under furniture, something that's tricky with even the best upright vacuum cleaner. Spot cleaning is also an advantage along with systems that can mop your floor after the debris has been cleared.
Disadvantages of Robot Vacuum Cleaners
One of the biggest drawbacks to buying a robot vacuum cleaner is the fact that most people will need to prep their home to a degree. By this, we mean you'll need to remove anything but the vacuum can't roll over or could become tangled with before turning it loose in your home.
Autonomous cleaning systems are generally left unattended, so it pays to clear any clutter up beforehand. While they can keep your carpet clean, they are also underpowered compared to a traditional vacuum cleaner. Robot vacuums are built for ease of use, not speed.
How to find the Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet
The game has changed since the first robotic vacuum cleaner was introduced. Initially, the selection was sparse and there were only a few reliable brands you could trust. Now you can find a half dozen or more robotic vacuum cleaners from a variety of brands, both big and small. The goal of this guide is the help you focus on a few key areas that will impact your buying decision.
Battery Life
The size of your home directly coincides with how much battery life you will need from a robot vacuum cleaner. The best robot vacuum for carpet needs plenty of power, especially if you have thicker carpet that falls in the high to medium-pile range. Just like with smartphones and tablets, battery power in robot vacuums is measured in milli Ampere hours, which reads as mAh.
Most manufacturers will provide you with a rating based on time, while others will actually tell you the size of the battery. On average, you can expect at least an hour of run time for most systems, although several have large batteries capable of cleaning for well over an hour at a time. It's also important to remember that most machines will return to their base and recharge when they run out of juice.
Considerations with Carpeting
Is your home fully carpeted? If so, you can skip this section, although carpet isn’t the ideal flooring choice for some rooms. Bathrooms and kitchens are usually not the best areas for carpet, which means you may need to pick up a robotic vacuum that provides multi-surface cleaning.
Thankfully, this is one feature all robotic vacuum cleaners have regardless of the price point. Just how well the vacuum can transition from medium pile carpet to tile or Hardwood varies, however. That's where features like large wheels and climbing ratings come into play, and shouldn't be overlooked if you have multiple types of flooring throughout your home.
It's also important to keep in mind the type of carpet you have in mind as well. All robotic vacuum cleaners can handle a low-pile carpet, but some can struggle with medium-pile. If you have thick carpet throughout your home, you may want to consider a unit that provides extra sucking power or a turbo mode for deep cleaning action.
Sensors
Robotic vacuum cleaners can find their way around your home in a variety of ways. While all are intelligent, some are smarter than others as it often comes down to the top of technologies used. Every vacuum will have an array of sensors to keep it from bumping into walls and bouncing off furniture.
Two of the most common types of sensors on these machines are called wall and bounce sensors. They can allow the machines to track along the walls of a room and avoid obstacles. There are different levels of bump sensors as well, considering some are designed to be gentle and not ram into things at full speed.
Cliff sensors are also critical if you have stairs in your home where the vacuum could take a tumble. The quality of the sensors can have a significant impact on how well they work, especially when it comes to dark colors. Some systems can have trouble distinguishing between dark carpet and stairs, which is a major problem if you have dark carpeting and the robot won't clean those areas.
Mapping Technologies
Regardless of the types of sensors a robotic vacuum cleaner has, it still needs solid mapping and navigation technology or it will just bounce around randomly. Just like with the sensors, the type of technology found on these machines varies depending on the price point and manufacturer. In the budget class, units generally rely on the basic sensors we mentioned along with software.
Cameras and Laser technology are currently the best options for mapping rooms of your home. These features are only found on premium models, however, and can raise the overall cost of a robot vacuum cleaner considerably. If you're trying to deal with a half a dozen rooms or have a multi-level home, you’ll be thankful for a vSLAM, laser or camera-based system.
Method of Control
This is another area that can have an impact on price, as there are several ways you can control a robot vacuum cleaner. If you’ve ever dreamed of being able to drive your robot around manually, that’s certainly an option if it’s a connected robot with an app.Physical remotes can give you a degree of control as well, although Wi-Fi is by far the most popular option from a connectivity standpoint.
Robot vacuums with remotes have a basic set of functions, but when you integrate Wi-Fi, you'll have access to official mobile apps and smart home integration. In most cases, that means Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, although we have seen a few robot vacuum cleaners that are compatible with the Apple Watch and other gadgets as well.
Bin Size
Bin size is important with hardwood flooring but crucial with robot vacuum cleaners geared towards carpet. With hardwood, laminate or even tile, you can often see the dirt magically disappear while you’re cleaning. Things aren't as simple with carpet due to the nature of its design, and it isn't nearly as easy to clean.
While comfortable, carpet is known to harbor dust and dirt. You likely gather twice as much debris from a single pass across carpet as you will from a hardwood floor. That means bin size shouldn't be overlooked, especially if you have a larger home. If you’re not a fan of emptying bins, you can also opt for a robot vacuum with a self-cleaning feature.
Boundary lines
Navigation and mapping technologies ensure your robot vacuum stays on its path and gives your home a thorough cleaning. While that's ideal for most consumers, there may be some rooms in your home you want to keep the robot away from. Whether it's a computer room with cords and cables strewn across the floor or a room full of antique furniture and collectibles, some areas are simply off-limits.
The easiest way to keep a robot out of a room is through the use of boundary lines or markers. On some systems, you'll have the option to see “virtual walls” through an app. In other cases, you'll need a physical object which usually involves magnetic tape or small beacons.
That said, some units have no boundary line system at all. With those robot vacuums, you'll either need to put something across the threshold of a room to keep the robot out or keep the room closed off while cleaning is in progress.
The Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet
Now that you understand what to look for, it's time to take a look at our choices for the best robot vacuum for carpet. While our selections just represent a small sampling of what’s available to consumers today, we chose top-rated units based on the criteria in our guide along with verified consumer reviews. All of these units are able to handle hardwood with ease but excel on carpet.
The Roomba was the first popular robotic vacuum cleaner, and iRobot is still going strong today. The Roomba i7+ is our top option from the company, and while it’s far from cheap, it's packed full of cutting edge features.
One of the biggest draws of this unit, aside from its cleaning prowess with carpets, is the fact he can empty its own dust bin. The Clean Base system automatically disposes of dirt from the vacuum cleaner and places it into an AllergenLock bag capable of holding 60 days worth of debris.It's one of the more fully automated robot vacuums you can buy considering it has Resume and Recharge technology as well.
The Roomba i7+ also makes use of some of the company's most popular technologies. That includes iAdept 3.0 and vSLAM navigation along with the 3-stage cleaning system. This particular model delivers 10x the air power is well, which makes it ideal for carpet of any kind. We're also fans of this robot's Imprint Smart Mapping technology, which adapts to your home and usage patterns.
You can schedule cleaning and select which rooms that need tidying up with the Roomba i7+. Keep out zones ensure your robot doesn’t tread anywhere it’s not supposed to while a pair of multi-surface rubber brushes Ensure your rooms stay spotless. The company's Dirt Detect technology plays a part in that as well, along with an edge-sweeping brush and adjustable cleaning head. Imprint Link technology and a high-efficiency filter are two other noteworthy features of the i7+.
This is one of the best robot vacuums for carpet although it's also one of the most expensive. Aside from the price, the only real knock consumers mentioned in the reviews of this unit would be the battery life, which is rated for around 75 minutes but typically shorter. Fortunately, features like Recharge and Resume make that a non-factor for most homeowners.
Samsung isn't a name typically associated with vacuum cleaners, but they made an impression on consumers with their POWERbot lineup. Any bots from the series will work wonders with carpet, although we chose the R7040 for its mix of features and affordability.
The first thing you'll notice about this robot vacuum cleaner is the design. It doesn't look like other models, and even has a digital display with a few controls on top. You can see the dustbin from the top, and on the bottom, there are large Easy Pass wheels, which make sure it can't traverse carpet and other types of flooring in your home.
Another highlight of this machine is the extra-wide cleaning path. It clocks in at 11.3” while the dust bin is large as well at 0.3 gallons. Furniture height could be an issue for some considering it is 3.8” high,but the features help make up for that shortcoming. The R7040 has Wi-Fi, which means you get a mobile app along with access to Alexa and Google's assistants.
Mapping and navigation are handled through the company's Visionary Mapping Plus System and Full View Sensor 2.0. An array of sensors along with an onboard camera provide multi-room cleaning and coverage maps for your entire home. There’s also an interesting feature designed to get into corners and other hard-to-reach places with the Edge Clean Master System.
Samsung claims this vacuum can deliver 20x the suction of a conventional robot vacuum cleaner, although we were unable to find a Pa rating for this system. By user accounts, it's quite powerful, and Samsung's CycloneForce tech ensures your machine won't become clogged. Battery life on the POWERbot R7040 is around an hour and it comes with the standard 1-year guarantee.
Our next self-cleaning robot vacuum cleaner is a bit more affordable than the first. The Shark IQ R101AE is another connected bot with a wide range of flagship features, and it's smart enough to clean up after itself for up to a month.
This robot vacuum cleaner is built for homeowners that appreciate full autonomy. While you will have to empty the bin eventually, the bagless base unit can handle up to 30 days worth of dirt. The Shark IQ R101AE is also an excellent option for homes with pets thanks to a unique brushroll, and it's overall sucking power. While they don't give a proper rating, various reviews praise its prowess with pet hair and large debris.
The Shark IQ can find its way around your home thanks to the company's IQ NAV technology. When combined with the app, you can set specific rooms to be cleaned or go for total coverage. The app also opens the door to several slick features including messages and notifications. You'll also have voice control through Alexa or the Google Assistant as well.
Like most units in this class, this system is capable of charging itself when the battery runs dry, although this one will pick up where it left off. Scheduled cleaning, a dual set of edge and corner brushes, and a high-efficiency filter are also included on this model. It weighs under 7 pounds, so it's light although a little tall at 3.5” high.
The Shark IQ R101AE is a solid robot vacuum with an excellent set of features, including the self-cleaning bin. Consumers were very pleased with the power as well as the brushroll, which is designed to defeat hair tangles. The battery life on this unit is rated for around 110 minutes, although closer to an hour in most cases, and the recharging times are slower than the competition.
Neato is one of the few companies to offer laser-guided navigation on a robot vacuum cleaner. The Neato D4 is one of the companies more affordable options, and well worth a look if you need a unit dedicated to carpet cleaning.
From the honeycomb pattern on top to the unique design, the D4 robotic vacuum cleaner will certainly get your attention. You'll be impressed that's cleaning power is well, including Turbo Mode, which can suck dirt from deep down in the fibers of your carpet. It comes equipped with a large 0.7-liter bin and the combo brush that works on multiple surfaces.
This connected robot has all the standard features you would expect as it can recharge itself and allows you to connect in a variety of ways through Wi-Fi. That includes the Echo family of products, Google Home, and the Apple Watch, along with the company's mobile app. From here, you can schedule cleanings, adjust the power, and set no-go lines.
The Neato BotVac D4 uses a variety of sensors combined with a laser to navigate and map your home. It’s a step above other machines in that regard and does a great job removing debris from tight spaces thanks to its interesting design. Other advantages of this system include a 10.9” cleaning path and a quick charging system coupled with a battery that provides around 75 minutes of juice.
We touched on this machine in our list of the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors, and it's ideal for carpeting as well thanks to the large combo brush and the excellent range of features.On the downside, it does lack a few features like multiple floor plans, and some users have reported random connectivity issues as well.
ECOVACS makes an affordable range of robot vacuums, in our favorite from the company for this class of product is called the DEEBOT N79. Available in two styles, we chose the N79W+ as it comes with a guarantee that exceeds what other manufacturers provide.
On the outside, the DEEBOT N79W+ looks rather unremarkable. It's white with a clean design, but you certainly won't mistake it for one of Samsung's robotic cleaners. That said, it's light at around 7 pounds and thinner than most of the models on our list at only 3.1” high. It also has far more features than its looks would lead you to believe.
This robot vacuum has several cleaning modes including a Max Mode, which is ideal for deep cleaning carpets. The battery life is better than average with a rating of 110 minutes and it recharges itself automatically when the battery gets low. It uses random pattern cleaning technology, so it’s not as smart as other robots in that regard although it is connected.
Whether you prefer Amazon's Alexa or the Google Assistant, the DEEBOT N79W+ can connect to those services or to their official app.That gives you a measure of control over your robot and allows you to check cleaning logs or locate your vacuum should it ever become misplaced. The cleaning path width is excellent as well at 12.2” wide.
This robotic vacuum cleaner does an amazing job on low-pile carpet, hardwood, and tile. The battery life is also great although it's not the best option if you have thick high carpeting throughout your home.it's hard to argue with its price point, however, and the fact that it comes with a two-year warranty whereas other manufacturers only give you 12 months.
With a wide range affordable robot vacuum cleaners, eufy has become a popular option with consumers in recent years. The RoboVac 11S made our hardwood list, and now we are going to take a look at its variant, the eufy RoboVac 11S MAX.
From a design standpoint, both the 11S and 11S MAX are almost identical. The top is slightly different on the MAX, but it has the same overall dimensions which means it's lightweight and very slim at 2.85” in height. it's suitable to clean a variety of flooring including laminate, hardwood and low to medium-pile carpet. With thicker carpet, you may have an issue depending on the size of your home and its layout.
As the name implies, this robot vacuum provides maximum power with a suction rating of 2,000Pa. The battery is rated for a run time of around an hour on carpet or 100 minutes on hardwood and will automatically ramp to power up when you need deep cleaning. The 11S MAX has an 0.6-liter dust bin, four cleaning modes, and 10 infrared sensors to help it navigate your home.
This robot vacuum also has large wheels to help at traverse transitions in your home. Anti-collision sensors and cliff detection are standard along with a Smart Return system, which sends the robot back to its base when the battery is low. It's not as smart as some of the other options on our list, but it will get definitely get the job done.
The eufy RoboVac 11S MAX is a worthwhile upgrade over the regular model if you need more power for carpeting in your home. It works well on medium-pile carpet but can have trouble with darker hues and high-pile carpet. You will receive a remote control, extra filters, and cable ties with this system along with the 12-month guarantee.
Pros
Slim design
2,000Pa
Multiple cleaning modes
Excellent suction
Cons
No barrier system
Cleaning patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How durable are robot vacuums, are replacement parts easy to find?
A: Smaller things like side or edge brushes are usually the first to go buy easy to replace. It’s always a good idea to check for replacement parts beforehand if quality is a concern.
Q: Are robotic vacuum cleaners bagless?
A: Most, if not all newer machines use a bagless system, but there are a few exceptions.
Q: Do robot vacuum cleaners have problems with dark carpet or flooring?
A: It can be a significant issue with cheaper machines when their sensors mistake dark flooring for a cliff or edge. It’s something to consider beforehand, depending on the model and color of the floors in your home.
Related Posts:
The Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair For decades companies like Hoover, Bissell, and Eureka were the top vacuum cleaner brands and where most consumers turned when it was time to buy. Upstarts like Dyson and Shark…
Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair The word pet can encompass a lot of different species, even if most of us simply think of cats or dogs. If you are looking for the best robot vacuum…
The Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors and Carpet Carpet and hardwood are the two most popular types of flooring found in homes today. While luxury vinyl planks and engineered hardwood aren’t far behind, they don’t bring value to…
