Is a Robot Vacuum For Carpet Right For Your Home?

The most effective carpet cleaning robots did very well in our tests, even though robotic vacuums can't yet pick up dirt and other debris that have been incorporated into the carpet as well as manual vacuums. They come with brush roll systems as well as strong suction that can dig into carpet piles in order to collect large chunks of hair, debris and other debris.

1. Vacuuming

Robot vacuums are excellent for cleaning hard floors however, they tend to miss dirt that is embedded in carpets and rug. While their obstacle-avoidance tech has improved in the past few years, it's still not as powerful as a canister or upright vacuum. If you're considering using a robot to clean your carpets be sure to clear away cords, toys, and other items that could get tangled or caught by the roller brush. Think about rolling up plush rugs or tacking down tassles to keep them from sticking to the vacuum. Consider placing drinking and pet water bowls in the rooms in which you will be using the robot vacuum. You can also restrict the robot's access to rugs by dropping no-go barriers either physically or via the application (if available) -For instance, iRobot provides virtual barrier accessories that beam invisible infrared signals Roombas will not cross, and certain manufacturers offer magnetic tape and virtual wall accessories as well.

Robotic vacuums can be found that adjust automatically to different flooring types. They can be used on carpets as well as bare floors, but generally, they are more expensive. Because robots require manual charging and can take four hours to charge so you must consider the cost for electricity when deciding what to invest.

The best robot vacuum for carpets and pet hair robots for vacuuming carpets are those that combine mopping capabilities and intelligent navigation systems. They can handle a variety surfaces, including plush rug, low-pile natural fiber rug, and even plush area carpets. There are a few robots that can handle carpets. Even the most advanced models can be stymied or confused by the woven textures and threads.

For the most reliable results, select a model that can lift and separate its mopping pad in order to pass over a rug while it is vacuuming. Some premium robotic vacuums like the Ecovacs Deebot Omni come with this feature which lets it maintain its strong suction power as it moves over soft materials which could harm its brush roll or leave behind dusty residue. You can also control your robot by hand through an app that allows you to create cleaning schedules and no-go zones with ease and monitor progress while it is working.

2. Wet-mopping

If you have carpeting in your home, you'll require a machine that can vacuum as well as mop. Robots that excel at vacuuming can also be employed to mop hard floors. That means pet muddy pawprints and sticky staining, spilled milk, coffee, and even caked-on grime on hardwood and tile floors can be cleaned by these smart machines.

Some robots that can perform mopping and vacuuming have larger cleaning pads and reservoirs. They also have a navigation system that can understand the layout of your home. You might also be capable of programming your robot to only clean specific rooms, or choose from a range of cleaning options like Auto Spot, Edge and Spot which will send the robot hugging the walls of the room to ensure efficient cleaning.

For greater control over how your robot moves around your home, consider a model that has lidar sensors as well as a front-facing camera. These models, like our upgrade pick, Roborock S8+ can detect obstacles in real-time and avoid them while cleaning. This lets you stay away from the controls, and makes for a cleaner and safer robot.

The most efficient carpet vacuum cleaner can handle a wide range of pile heights, thanks to brush roll systems that dig deep into the carpet to pinch hair and larger chunks and inhale fine debris that a traditional robot vacuum may be unable to detect. Many also have automated suction adjustment based upon the type of flooring and include self-emptying docks that can reduce frequent trips to the trash bin.

Some people choose to keep an upright vacuum to clean areas that a robotic model isn't able to reach. Johnson says this is a perfectly acceptable option. "It really comes down to what your needs are, and if you're happy with a single machine for your whole house and you're happy with that, then it's fine for you."

But for people who have carpeting as well as hardfloors in their homes, the use of a robotic carpet vacuum can save you time, energy and hassle. Just be sure to select a model that's rated high for carpets and has a big enough dustbin to handle your carpets once they become dirty.

3. Spot-cleaning

The layout of your home and your needs will determine if a robot vacuum is worth the money. If you have lots of rugs that have tassels, which could be stuck in the robot's brush or high-pile carpet robot cleaner shag, it might be more beneficial to invest in a vacuum cleaner that is made for these kinds of materials.

Think about how often you'll use the machine and whether you are willing to keep an upright vacuum in your home to reach the hard-to -reach areas that robotic cleaners may miss. Many of our top picks are great at removing dirt and debris from hardwood flooring and tile, but lack the power to tackle deep-set carpet messes and pet hair.

For the best cordless vacuum for carpet and hard floors results from your carpet vacuum robot, choose one with a powerful suction motor designed to handle different floor surfaces. It should also have rotating brushes, powerful climbing capabilities and advanced mapping to find hard-to-reach debris in corners and near baseboards and doorjambs. You'll also want a vacuum that offers various cleaning modes, such as Auto which will move the vacuum from room-to-room; Spot, which allows you to select and navigate a specific area to clean; and Edge that sends it swooping across the walls of your home to clean the perimeter.

A few of the models we reviewed--including our top picks -- can seamlessly move between hardwood floors and carpet thanks to sensors that can recognize different flooring types and alter their cleaning strategies accordingly. They can also raise their mop pads to deal with thicker piles of carpet if required.

For a few of our top-rated robots, you can also turn on carpet mode within the app. These apps offer different schedules, so you can have them clean your carpets even if you are not home. Additionally, they come with an option to manually control the robot that allows you to control the robot using the remote that comes with it. Some users prefer this option as it gives them more control over which areas are cleaned and when.

4. Cleaning schedules

If you're occupied it can be difficult to keep up with your daily cleaning chores. It is possible to set a robot to clean your floors even when you're away. This is a huge benefit for those who have an active lifestyle or have trouble keeping up with regular deep cleaning.

In our tests, we observed that the top robot vacuum good for carpet vacuums performed well on both carpet and hard floors. They are great at picking up fine particles, like sand and baking soda, heavy debris, such as orzo pasta as well as nuts and screws made of steel and even fluffy things like pet hair. They aren't as effective as an upright vacuum when it comes to removing ground-in dirt or debris.

Consider the type of flooring and how often each room is utilized. For example, you might want to vacuum heavily frequented areas a few times every week, and mop uncarpeted spaces more frequently. You can then select an option that automatically switches between tasks to ensure each space is properly cleaned.

Robot vacuums are becoming more adept at handling carpets. Many robot vacuums now come with powerful obstacle detection capabilities that allow them to navigate the unique obstacles that could arise in a home with rugs or other floor surfaces. For example, a good robot vacuum for rugs will not become caught in the tassels of area rugs and will not be able to pass through or over furniture. Robotic mopping systems can be an excellent option for homes that have a mix of flooring types.

The battery life and size of the dust bin will determine the length of time between emptying the trash. It is also advisable to find an option with features that reduce the amount of charging sessions required to complete the cycle. If you're thinking about mopping with a robot as well, look for one that recognizes carpets and raise its mopping pad to prevent damage.