Is a Robot Vacuum For Carpet Right For Your Home?

While robot vacuums can't yet remove dirt and debris as well as manual vacuums The top robots for carpet perform very well in our tests. They have brush roll systems and powerful suction that dig deep into carpet piles to capture large chunks of debris, hair and other debris.

1. Vacuuming

Robot vacuums can be great for cleaning hard surfaces however, they don't take care of the dirt that's embedded in carpets and rugs. And while their obstacle-avoidance technology has improved in recent years, they aren't yet as powerful as a real upright or canister vacuum. If you're planning to use a robot to clean your carpets, ensure that you clear away toys, cords and other items that could be caught or tangled by the roller brush. Also, consider rolling up area rugs with plush materials or tassles that you tap down to make them less likely to stick to the vacuum. Consider placing drinking and water bowls for your pet bowls in the rooms where you'll be using the robot vacuum. You can also restrict a robotic vacuum's access to rugs using barriers that are not accessible. These can be thrown away either physically or through an app (if it is supported). iRobot has virtual barrier accessories which beam invisible infrared signals Roombas cannot cross.

You can find robot vacuums that can automatically adjust to different flooring types including carpet and bare floors, but they're usually more expensive. And since robots require manual charging and take up to four hours to recharge, it's crucial to factor in the cost of electricity when deciding how much you want to spend.

The best robots for vacuuming carpets are those that combine mopping capabilities and intelligent navigation systems. They can handle various of surfaces, including plush carpets, natural fibers with low pile rugs, and even plush area rugs. There are a few robots that can manage carpets. Even the most advanced models can be stymied or confused by the weave of the threads and textures.

Select a model that has a mopping pad that can be lifted and separated to sweep over a rug. Some top robotic vacuums like the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni have this technology, which allows it to maintain the power of suction as it travels over soft surfaces that might otherwise harm its brush roll or leave behind dusty debris. You can also control your robot manually with an app, which allows you to create cleaning schedules and no-go zones easily and monitor progress while it is working.

2. Wet-mopping

If you have carpeting, you'll want a robot which can vacuum and mop. Robots that are great at vacuuming can be employed to mop hard floors. These smart machines can handle pet paw prints muddy and muddy and sticky stains, spilled coffee and milk as well as caked-on dirt on tiles and hardwood floors.

Some robots that can do mopping and vacuuming have larger cleaning pads as well as reservoirs. They also come with an integrated navigation system that can learn your home's layout. You may be able program your robot to clean certain rooms or select from different cleaning modes such as Auto Spot, Auto, or Edge, which sends the robot hugging walls to ensure that it is efficient in cleaning.

For greater control over how your robot navigates your home, consider the option of a model with a lidar sensor and a front-facing camera. These models, like our upgrade pick, the Roborock S8+, are capable of detecting obstacles in real time and avoid them when cleaning, which allows you to keep your hands off of the controls and makes for an easier, safer robot.

The most effective carpet-cleaning robots can handle a variety of pile heights thanks to brush roll systems. These systems dig deep into carpets, grabbing hair and larger pieces of carpet and taking in fine particles that standard robot vacuums might overlook. Some come with automatic suction adjustments that are based on the type of flooring, and some even have docks that can be used to empty the vacuum.

Some people prefer to use an upright vacuum in their home to clean areas that robotic models can't reach. It's a valid option, says Johnson. "It really boils to what your requirements are and if you're content with a single machine for the entire house, then that might be perfect for you."

But for people who have carpeting as well as hardfloors in their homes, a robotic vacuum for carpet can help you save time, energy and hassle. Make sure you choose a model that's rated high for carpets and has a big enough dust bin to clean your carpets if they get dirty.

3. Spot-cleaning

The decision of whether a robotic vacuum for carpet is worth the cost will depend on your needs and the layout of your home. If you have lots of rugs with tassels, which could be caught in the robot's brush or high-pile carpet shags, it's better to purchase the right vacuum cleaner specifically designed for these types of carpets.

Think about how often you'll use the machine and if you're willing to keep an upright vacuum on hand to reach those difficult-to-access areas that robotic cleaners might leave out. Many of our top picks are good in removing dirt and debris from hardwood flooring and tile but aren't equipped to tackle carpet messes that are deep-set and pet hair.

To get the most effective results from your carpet vacuum robot, choose one with a strong suction motor that is designed to work on different floors. It should also come with rotating brushes, a strong climbing capability, and advanced mapping to discover difficult-to-reach dirt in corners and around baseboards and doorjambs. You'll need a vacuum with different cleaning modes. These include Auto which allows you to move the vacuum from one room to another; Spot, where you can control and select a specific area as well as Edge which follows the boundaries of your home.

Some of the models that we evaluated, including our top picks, can effortlessly switch between hardwood flooring and carpet thanks to smart sensors. These sensors recognize different floor types and alter cleaning strategies to suit. They can also raise the mop pads when necessary to tackle thicker carpet piles.

For a handful of our top-rated robots you can also turn on carpet mode using the app. These apps provide various schedules to have them clean your carpets even if you're not home. Additionally, they come with a manual mode that allows you to control the robot using the included remote. Some users prefer this method as they have more control over what areas are cleaned and when.

4. Cleaning schedules

It isn't easy to keep track of your regular cleaning chores when you're busy. It is possible to set a robot to clean your floors while you are away. That's a huge benefit for anyone with an active lifestyle or who has difficulty fitting into regular, thorough cleaning.

In our tests, the best carpet cleaner machine for home robot vacuums work well on both hard floors as well as carpet. They do a great job collecting fine particles such as sand or baking soda, large debris, like orzo pasta as well as nuts and screws made of metal as well as fluffy objects like pet hair. They can't compete with an upright vacuum when it comes to removing ground-in dirt or debris.

Take note of the flooring and how often each space is utilized. For example, you might prefer to vacuum frequently used areas a few times every week, and mop uncarpeted areas more often. You can then choose a model which will automatically switch between tasks in order to ensure that every area is properly cleaned.

Robot vacuums are getting more adept at handling carpets. They have advanced obstacle detection features that help them navigate the unique obstacles that are likely to appear in a house with rugs as well as other flooring surfaces. A vacuum that is designed for rugs will not get caught up in the tassels on the area rug or get caught in furniture. The same is true of robotic mopping systems that can be a good choice for homes with a combination of flooring kinds.

You'll want to be aware of the battery life and dust bin size of any model you are considering, since these aspects will determine how long it can go between emptying the garbage. You might also want an option with features that reduce the number of charging sessions needed to complete a full cycle. If you're looking for a robotic mop, look for one that can recognize carpets and raise the mopping pad so as to avoid damaging them.