Hardwood floors are beautiful and durable but require special care to maintain their shine and finish. They can’t handle moisture or harsh chemicals that could damage them. Therefore, you need a vacuum that is gentle enough to clean without causing scratches or scuffs on the surface.
On the other hand, carpets and rugs require regular deep cleaning to remove dirt and dust trapped in their fibers. A typical robot vacuum cleaner may not be up to this task since it may not penetrate deep into the carpet fibers. A robot vacuum equipped with strong suction power and brushes designed for carpets and rugs will provide deep cleaning without damaging the carpet fibers.
But it doesn’t mean you have to purchase 2 different robot vacuums for 2 types of flooring. Getting a robot vacuum that is versatile enough for hardwood, carpets and rugs is ideal. And there are robot vacuums that can do so.
In this article, we will look at how we select the best robot vacuum for hardwood, carpets and rugs and give you some great examples.
Factors to consider when choosing a robot vacuum
Suction power and ability to adjust automatically
The most important factor to consider when selecting a robot vacuum is its suction power. Hard floors require less powerful suction compared to carpets and rugs so the robot should be able to adjust its power accordingly. Carpets and rugs need stronger suction as well as specialized brushes that can penetrate deep into the fibers for deep cleaning.
As the general rule of thumb, you should select a robot vacuum with suction power from 1,000 pa up. But it doesn’t mean you should get the robot vacuum with the highest PA. Read my article “Robot Vacuum Suction: Is The Stronger, The Better?” to find out why.
The ability for a robot vacuum to adjust its suction power automatically is critical for cleaning hardwood, carpets and rugs. Hard floors require less powerful suction compared to carpets and rugs, so if the robot vacuum does not have the ability to automatically adjust its suction power it may end up damaging the flooring.
Brush type
The brush system of a robot vacuum is also essential for getting the best cleaning performance. For carpets and rugs, you should look for robot vacuums with specialized brush rolls such as tangle-free or pet hair removal brushes that are designed to deep clean the fibers of carpets and rugs. Make sure that the brush roll is gentle enough not to damage these materials.
A typical robot vacuum has a main brush that is located underneath the robot, around the center area. This main brush is responsible for scrubbing the dirt and directing it to the suction area to be stored in the dust bin. The longer the main brush, the faster your robot vacuum can clean your floor as it doesn’t require repeated vacuuming in the same area.
However, do not choose a robot vacuum simply by the size of its main brush. There are other factors of the main brush that determine how well a robot vacuum can clean for you, like its type and materials.
There are 2 most common main brush types: main brush with bristle and main brush without bristle. In both types, the hubs are often made in rubber, silicon, or soft nylon.
A robot vacuum with a bristle bar can pull out fibers from a carpet and wear out your carpet fast. If your robot vacuum’s main brush is made of silicon only without bristle, you can use it for your carpets.
If you have carpets and would like to know how to use your robot vacuum with carpets, make sure you check out my guide on Simple Tips To Reduce The Impact of Robot Vacuums on Carpets.
Navigation technology
Navigation technology is essential for robot vacuums to recognize the type of flooring it is cleaning and adjust suction power or change the mopping function. For example, if a robot vacuum is equipped with obstacle detection sensors, it will be able to detect carpets and rugs as well as hardwood floors. This allows the robot vacuum to adjust its suction power and cleaning paths accordingly.
The robot vacuum should also be able to identify objects in its path such as furniture or walls and maneuver around them without bumping into them or getting stuck. This is especially important for robot vacuums that are intended to clean tight spaces, like area rugs.
Navigation technology such as infrared sensors, gyroscopes, and accelerometers are able to detect carpets and rugs. Infrared sensors are able to send out an infrared beam of light that bounces off the floor surface, allowing it to detect the distance between objects. Gyroscopes measure angular velocity, allowing the robot vacuum to accurately identify changes in direction when navigating from one area to another. Accelerometers measure linear acceleration and can help the robot vacuum adjust its speed when moving on different surfaces such as hardwood flooring or carpets and rugs.
Using this combination of sensors, robot vacuums can analyze the surface they are on and make appropriate adjustments according to the type of flooring. This allows them to detect changes in surfaces such as a transition from wood to carpet or rug so that it can adjust their speed and suction power for more efficient cleaning performance. Moreover, these sensors allow robot vacuums to identify obstacles in their path such as furniture or walls so that they can maneuver around without bumping into them or getting stuck.
Battery life
For robot vacuums that are intended to clean large areas with carpets and rugs, battery life is another important factor to consider. A longer battery life means the robot vacuum can cover a larger area before it needs to return back for recharging.
As carpets and rugs often require a stronger suction, they also consume more battery. Therefore, you should also look for robot vacuums with long battery life under medium or high suction mode.
Be sure to look at the run time of the robot vacuum when you compare your options; this will give you an idea of how long it can clean before it needs to recharge.
Dustbin capacity
A robot vacuum’s dustbin capacity is also an important consideration. If your robot vacuum has a large enough dustbin, it can clean for longer stretches without needing to be emptied and cleaned out.
If you don’t vacuum often, your carpets and rugs are places where the dirt goes to die. Hence, it is important to find a robot vacuum with decent dustbin capacity so that it doesn’t get full in the middle of cleaning sessions.
Be sure to look at the size of the dustbin before you buy a robot vacuum; this will give you an idea of how much dirt and debris it can store before needing to be emptied.
Top picks for best robot vacuums for hardwood, carpets and rugs
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
One of the standout features of the S7 MaxV Ultra is its Empty Wash Fill Dock, which provides automatic dust emptying, mop washing, and water tank refilling. This feature is especially useful for hardwood floors since they require gentle cleaning without harsh chemicals or moisture that could damage them. The dock’s self-refilling and self-emptying capabilities mean that you don’t have to worry about manually filling or emptying the water tank or dustbin. This feature also extends the mopping range of the S7 MaxV Ultra up to 3230 sqft (300 sqm), making it ideal for larger homes.
Another impressive feature of the S7 MaxV Ultra is ReactiveAI 2.0 obstacle avoidance technology, which allows the robot vacuum to navigate around common domestic hazards using its RGB camera and neural processing unit. This technology is particularly useful for carpets since they require deep cleaning to remove dirt and dust trapped in their fibers. The 3D structured light systems supplementing the RGB camera can spot unknown objects, determine their size and location, allowing the robot vacuum to navigate around them without damaging either itself or your carpet.
The S7 MaxV Ultra’s next-level intelligence takes things even further by recognizing furniture in your home and placing them on the map automatically. It can also identify floors in each room and recommend different cleaning patterns or scrub intensity accordingly. This level of customization means that your floors will receive precisely tailored care that meets their specific needs.
Moreover, with more suction power than any previous Roborock robot vacuum generating a maximum of 5100 Pa., picking up debris, hair, dust from hard floors or carpets become effortless now. Its all-rubber brush offers consistent cleaning performance on floor and carpets while providing long-lasting durability too. Additionally, its multi-directional floating mechanism keeps the brush close to the floor on uneven surfaces for a deeper clean reducing error reporting when cleaning carpets resulting in improved carpet handling ability.
What do people say
Pros:
- The Empty Wash Fill Dock provides automatic dust emptying, mop washing, and water tank refilling, making it incredibly convenient and hands-free to use.
- ReactiveAI 2.0 obstacle avoidance technology allows the robot vacuum to navigate around common domestic hazards using its RGB camera and neural processing unit.
- Next-Level Intelligence recognizes furniture in your home and places them on the map automatically, identifying floors in each room to recommend different cleaning patterns or scrub intensity accordingly.
- Its all-rubber brush offers consistent cleaning performance on floor and carpets while providing long-lasting durability too.
- It generates more suction power than any previous Roborock robot vacuum for deep cleaning of carpets
Cons:
- The price tag may be a bit steep for some consumers who are looking for a more affordable option.
- The robot vacuum’s advanced features may require a bit of a learning curve to understand how to use them effectively.
- Some users have reported that the robot vacuum can get stuck on certain types of obstacles or furniture, which could be frustrating if you’re not around to intervene.
Roborock S7+
The Roborock S7+ also features Ultrasonic Carpet Recognition that accurately identifies carpets using ultrasonic sound. Once a carpet is recognized, S7 automatically boosts suction power for deeper carpet cleaning. It also allows you to choose whether or not to have the mop lift when vacuuming low-pile carpets or use No-Mop Zones to prevent cleaning medium and high-pile ones.
Using LiDAR Navigation, onboard maps are incredibly accurate, making Roborock’s renowned navigation Adaptive Route Algorithms always work to find the fastest route for cleaning. With its comprehensive App Control and Voice Control support, controlling your robot is easy as you can see exact mopping and vacuuming routes, adjust suction power, vibration strength, water flow and set No-Go Zones.
Comparatively, the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra offers similar features but lacks Sonic Mopping Technology. However, both models deliver powerful performance with HyperForce suction capable of lifting dust and hair from floors even deep inside carpets. Overall the Roborock S7+ stands out due to its advanced features such as Sonic Mopping Technology which makes it great for thorough cleaning of hardwood floors and carpets alike. Even better, it is also cheaper than the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra.
What do people say
Pros:
• Roborock S7 with auto-empty station provides tremendous value for convenience offered.
• Setting up and using the app is easy and space mapping works well, except for mirrors.
• Works well on hardwood floors; carpets require some effort to clean around objects.
• App allows several users to control the robots and schedule them.
• The mopping function removes dirt even from spot-checked, seemingly clean surfaces.
• Robot learns quickly and efficiently maps the house while returning to dock for charging and emptying.
• Excellent product especially for those with mobility issues or other disabilities.
Cons
• Sometimes it seems to get lost and cleans same path over and over again.
Roomba S9+
The Roomba S9+ is a powerful and intelligent robot vacuum that offers advanced features for efficient cleaning of hardwood floors and carpets. Its 3-Stage Cleaning System with 40x the suction power lifts, loosens, and eliminates debris and pet hair from deep within carpets for a clean you won’t believe. The Power Boost Technology automatically increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets. The PerfectEdge Technology with advanced sensors and a specially designed Corner Brush optimizes cleaning deep into corners and along edges, making it ideal for homes with pets.
The Roomba S9+ also features vSLAM navigation that learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean and navigate in neat, efficient rows. The Careful Drive Mode detects objects taller than 2.5 cm in its path and cleans around them without jostling or nudging. Additionally, it has personalized cleaning suggestions powered by the unique intelligence of iRobot OS that learns your habits and routines.
With Spot Clean mode, cleaning messes is as easy as “Roomba, clean under the kitchen table.” A simple request to your voice assistant or via the iRobot Home app enables it to clean messes for you right when they happen.
Overall, the Roomba S9+ stands out due to its advanced features such as Smart Recharge and Resume which means the robot charges only as long as needed before finishing the job. It also maps your home to navigate in neat, efficient rows for a wall-to-wall clean making it great for thorough cleaning of hardwood floors and carpets alike.
What do people say
Pros:
- Rarely gets stuck
- Empties bin by itself, reducing the need for frequent emptying
- Flexible in moving furniture and chairs around without getting lost
- Recharges at the base almost every time and empties bin when required
- Easy to clean, especially with pet and long human hair
- Requires minimal maintenance
- The huge laser on top allows it to easily get under furniture and cabinets
Cons:
- Not suitable for larger debris as it may fill up quickly due to its small bin size
- Very expensive
Roomba i7+
For hardwood floors, the i7+ uses its High-Efficiency Filter to trap dust and allergens, preventing them from being redistributed into the air while cleaning. The filter captures 99% of cat and dog dander allergens, keeping your home clean and healthy for allergy sufferers. Additionally, the i7+’s Smart Mapping technology allows you to create Keep Out Zones that ensure sensitive areas like rugs or furniture are avoided during cleaning.
When it comes to carpets and rugs, the i7+ features a powerful Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System that pulls in stubborn dirt and messes. With 10X Power-Lifting Suction compared to the Roomba 600 series cleaning system, the i7+ can pick up even the most embedded dirt in your carpets. And with its ability to learn the layout of your home through vSLAM navigation, it can navigate around furniture and other obstacles with ease.
Overall, the Roomba i7+ is an excellent choice for those who want a versatile robot vacuum that can handle both hardwood floors and carpets effectively. With its advanced features like Smart Mapping technology and voice assistant compatibility via Google Home or Alexa enabled devices, it offers complete control over your clean while delivering personalized schedules tailored just for you!
What do people say
Pros
- The Roomba i7 can be set up to run automatically when not in use, making cleaning more convenient.
- It operates at a remarkably quiet noise level.
- The robot vacuum has the ability to cover a 1400 sq. ft. condo on its own, saving time for other activities.
Cons
- It takes significantly longer (90-115 minutes) for the Roomba i7 to clean an area than it would take with a manual vacuum (11 minutes).
- The robot can only do about 75% of the job that you do by manually vacuuming.
- Occasionally (1 in 5 times), the Roomba i7 “forgets” an unobstructed path and gets stuck under furniture, causing it to return back to base without finishing its job.
- Long hair frequently gets tangled in extractor brushes and rotating brush on right side, requiring daily cleaning.
- The app takes 10-30 seconds to connect and cannot add jobs without waiting for the first job to complete or guessing when it will finish
Roomba J7 & J7+
Moreover, the Edge-Sweeping Brush gets along walls and corners, making it easy for the robot vacuum to clean hard-to-reach areas. This feature is particularly useful for hardwood floors where dust and dirt tend to accumulate in corners.
The patented Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes are another notable feature of the Roomba j7 that flex to adjust to different floor types without getting tangled with pet hair. This makes them suitable for use on both carpets and hardwood floors.
PrecisionVision Navigation technology enables these robots to recognize and avoid common objects like cords, pet waste, socks, and shoes without requiring you to pick up before cleaning. This feature is helpful when vacuuming carpets or rugs as it prevents damage caused by getting tangled with cords.
With Imprint Smart Mapping technology, you can control which rooms are cleaned and when while storing multiple maps for easier cleaning on each level of your home. Plus customizable Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones allow you to tell them the exact area to avoid or clean. This feature is especially beneficial for hardwood floors as it allows you to set boundaries around furniture or other delicate items that may be damaged during cleaning.
Overall, with advanced sensors that navigate under furniture along edges while Cliff Detect keeps it from falling down stairs; voice assistant compatibility via Google Home or Alexa enabled devices; automatic start/stop cleaning settings; P.O.O.P guarantee; precision navigation technology; personalization options for cleaning schedules – The Roomba j7 is an excellent choice for keeping your carpets, rugs, and hardwood floors clean effortlessly!
What do people say
Pros:
- The Roomba j7 is pretty smart! It can recognize all kinds of obstacles, from charger cords to pet poo.
- It can clean a pretty big area (up to 800 sqft) before emptying.
- The dust bin is easy to remove and clean with soap and water.
- If you don’t like handling dusty bins, there’s a “+” feature that will self-empty it for you!
- The Roomba j7 is really good at mapping out your space. It can even navigate downstairs and return home when it’s done cleaning.
- You can customize which areas it cleans using an app, so you don’t have to worry about it getting into certain rooms or areas.
Cons:
- The battery life could be better. It might need multiple charging cycles if you’re cleaning a large space.
- Unfortunately, the product instructions are kind of lacking. You might need to do some research online in order to figure out how to use all its features properly.
- While the Roomba j7 is definitely worth the investment once you get the hang of it, it might take some time to figure everything out at first.
- Mapping out your space can take a while, especially if you have a lot of rooms or obstacles in the way.
Ecovacs Deebot T8 Robot Vacuum and Mop Cleaner
The T8’s carpet detection feature automatically boosts suction power up to two times while vacuuming on carpets. During the mopping process, it avoids carpets when the mopping pad is on. This makes it perfect for cleaning carpets and rugs without damaging them.
The precision laser mapping and navigation feature is also incredibly useful when it comes to cleaning different floor types. With advanced TrueMapping technology, the T8 maps your home with twice the coverage and four times the precision than previous models making sure all surfaces are cleaned thoroughly.
Intelligent object detection helps avoid collision with objects such as cables or furniture down to the millimeter level making sure that even small items won’t damage your hardwood floors or get tangled in your carpet fibers.
With ECOVACS App integration, you can customize your cleaning experience by dividing or merging areas, labeling rooms, setting different cleaning sequences or choosing different vacuum power levels for various areas. This allows you to tailor its use according to what type of surface you’re cleaning – whether it’s hardwood floors that need gentle care or carpeted areas that require more powerful suction.
Overall, if you’re looking for a smart device with advanced features specifically designed for optimal performance across all types of surfaces – be it hardwood floors, carpets or rugs- then the Deebot T8 is definitely worth considering!
What do people say
Pros:
- Well-designed product
- Good battery life
- Loaded with features
- Self-cleaning mopping pads
- Attractive design with independent voice command and powerful suction
- Good navigation and mapping for thorough cleaning
Cons:
- Less effective mopping performance, with inconsistent results and edges often left uncleaned
- Difficulty cleaning corners and edges due to design limitations
- The water tank not lasting long enough for larger areas, requiring frequent refills during use
- Dust bag issue, with the bin not fully emptying after use
Conclusion
There you have it. A list of the best robot vacuums for hardwood, carpets, and rugs to choose from. They are all great options and offer different features to suit your needs. Depending on the size of your home, budget, and cleaning preferences, you can pick the one that best fits your lifestyle. While there may be some drawbacks to consider with any robot vacuum, in the end, it comes down to finding the robot vacuum best fits your needs and budget. With so many models on the market, you can be sure sure to find one that works for you.
