Keep your carpets spotless with these robot vacuums

Who wants to vacuum their own floors when a robot vacuum can do it for you? If you have carpets in most of your home, it’s important to choose the best robot vacuum made for carpets, since some excel on hard floors but aren’t great at carpeting.

From battery life to wireless capabilities, there's plenty to consider before deciding on a robot vacuum. If you're looking for an advanced model, the iRobot Roomba j7+ Vacuum, which uses smart technology to clean every inch of your floors, is the top choice.

What to know before you buy a robot vacuum for carpet

What sort of debris will the vacuum encounter?

Consider the different types of dirt and debris that are already in your home when selecting a robotic vacuum. A more powerful motor is needed with carpets to handle any embedded dust and grime it may encounter. If you're a pet owner, the model you choose should be able to handle the demands of vacuuming your pet's fur. If allergens are a concern, selecting a model with a high-efficiency particulate air filter will keep allergens to a minimum.

Battery life

Rechargeable batteries power robot vacuums. However, the lifespan of those batteries can vary, which can impact how well the vacuum will function in your space. A large home requires a longer battery life. Most run for around 50 minutes to 2 hours before they need charging. Some vacuums take themselves to their charging dock when their battery is almost depleted and pick up where they left off once they've recharged.

The listed maximum run time is usually calculated on hard floors, where vacuums use less suction power. So, bear in mind it might not last quite as long when predominantly vacuuming carpets.

Mapping technology

Mapping technology allows the vacuum to navigate through your home. However, not all robot vacuums have this feature. If your home has complicated room layouts, you may want to consider a device with advanced artificial intelligence.

Robot vacuum for carpet features

Tangle-free brush roll

If you have pets or humans in your home with long locks, look for a vacuum with brushes that don't get hair wrapped around them.

Self-emptying

High-end options sometimes have self-emptying capabilities. When the dust container is full, it takes itself to its self-emptying base and unloads itself. This means you only have to empty the larger self-emptying base, on average, once every 60 days.

Wireless capabilities

Most robot vacuums on the market today let you check in remotely on your robot vacuum’s cleaning progress, you’ll need a model with wireless capabilities. This way you automatically schedule sessions without needing to be home.

Robot vacuum for carpet cost

Expect to pay anywhere from $100-$800 for a robot vacuum. If you are looking for advanced room-mapping technology and self-emptying features, you can expect to pay on the higher end. Less-expensive robot vacuum cleaners offer basic cleaning options but lack advanced features.

Robot vacuum for carpet FAQ

Can a robot vacuum clean spaces under furniture?

A. If the clearance on your furniture is high enough, the robot vacuum will clean under couches, tables, and other pieces with minimal issues.

How much maintenance is required for a robot vacuum?

A. You'll want to empty the dustbin each time you use the vacuum. The sensors will also need to be cleaned to ensure that the robotic vacuum can continue to navigate your home. To keep trapping allergens, you will need to change filters periodically.

How does a robot vacuum cleaner find its way around a room?

A. Mapping technology allows robot vacuums to navigate through the inside of your home. This technology includes sensors similar to the ones that alert you if the vacuum has encountered an obstacle. Newer models now use AI to help clean spaces.

Best robot vacuums for carpet

Best of the best robot vacuum for carpet

iRobot Roomba j7+ Vacuum: available at Amazon

Our take: Smart technology bumps this innovative model to the top of the list with its powerful cleaning ability.

What we like: It has advanced floor mapping technology to navigate its way around your home effortlessly and efficiently. It comes with a charging station and automatically unloads the dustbin when docked. The base only needs to be emptied roughly once every 60 days.

What we dislike: Although it's programmed to avoid pet mess, some users report it goes over puddles of urine.

Best bang for your buck robot vacuum for carpet

iRobot Roomba e5 5150 Vacuum: available at Amazon

Our take: This bargain pick is an excellent mid-range model that offers all the necessary features for successfully cleaning a home's carpeted surfaces.

What we like: The rubber brushes handle surfaces without damaging carpets and rugs. It traps 99% of pet allergens, dust and dander, which are commonly found in fabrics. It has adaptive navigation and Cliff Detect technology.

What we dislike: Although it offers adaptive navigation, it lacks mapping technology.

Honorable mention robot vacuum for carpet

Eufy by Anker BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Max: available at Amazon

Our take: This sleek, smart robot vacuum has powerful suction and is quieter than most.

What we like: The slim design allows this vacuum to move seamlessly under most furniture and picks up particles from carpets like dog hair, dust and dirt. Along with powerful suction as standard, it has a BoostIQ feature to automatically increase suction power when needed.

What we dislike: It does not offer mapping technology.

Best self-cleaning robot vacuum for carpet

Shark ION AV751 Robot Vacuum: available at Amazon

Our take: This no-fuss, no-muss model conveniently cleans and empties itself.

What we like: Hands-free operation allows for self-emptying of the large bin, which holds a month's worth of dust. It also self-cleans its brush roll and easily handles human and pet hair. It features voice controls, smart room navigation and Wi-Fi.

What we dislike: Boundary strips are needed to corral the vacuum.

Best multi-mapping robot vacuum for carpet

Proscenic M8 Robot Vacuum: available at Amazon

Our take: A powerful, multi-mapping option with power boost features make this vacuum a stand-out.

What we like: Offering advanced laser technology, the Proscenic creates real-time maps of your space and plans the best cleaning path. It offers the ability to switch between cleaning modes and save multi-floor mapping. It's a dual vacuum and mop, which is useful for any hard floors you have in your home, for instance, in the kitchen or bathroom.

What we dislike: The Proscenic app is not user-friendly. Customers have reported crashing issues with the software.

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Lauren Corona is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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