The 5 Best Robot Vacuums For Carpet - Spring 2023 Reviews

The Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI is the best robot vacuum for carpets we've tested. This high-end model has a dual-spectrum mapping system, with a LIDAR sensor for precise room mapping and a front-mounted camera that lets it see and avoid small obstacles like shoes or pet waste that would otherwise be missed by its LIDAR sensor. Its surface detection system enables it to automatically increase suction on carpets or avoid them when using its mopping functionality. It delivers okay performance on low-pile carpet and does a very good job of handling solid debris and pet hair on high-pile carpet. The vacuum packs an impressive array of automation capabilities too. You can schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms, set up virtual boundary lines and no-go zones, and even set specific cleaning settings for individual areas.

The vacuum can run for over two hours in its most potent suction mode, giving it more than enough time to clean large carpeted areas, though it takes quite a while to recharge. If that's a concern, the iRobot Roomba S9 is a great alternative and, within iRobot's product lineup, the best Roomba for carpet we've tested. It also has fewer parts that need cleaning and has a larger dustbin that won't need emptying as often. It lacks the Ecovacs' real-time hazard avoidance capability and isn't quite as effective at handling debris on high-pile carpet.

Check out the Roborock Q5 if you want a robot vacuum for cleaning carpeting at an upper mid-range price point. Compared to the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI, it doesn't have a secondary set of camera sensors to spot and identify obstacles in real-time. That said, provided you buy it without its self-emptying station, it's also considerably cheaper and still delivers relatively good performance on carpeted floors, though it still struggles with fine material embedded deep within rug fibers. While build quality feels pretty sturdy overall, it isn't the best option if you suffer from allergies, as fine particles can escape from panel gaps around its top cover.

Like most of Roborock's other robot vacuums, it has a LIDAR sensor that allows for quick and precise room mapping. It's capable of multi-floor mapping, and its 'Smart Recognition' feature lets it automatically determine which of its saved maps it's currently working in. You can use the Mi Home companion app to set up virtual boundary lines, label different areas, and schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms. You can also view its coverage map in 2D or 3D.

If you're looking for a slightly more affordable robot vacuum that performs well on carpets, the yeedi vac station is worth considering. While it has a less developed suite of in-app features than the Roborock Q5 and lacks the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI's dual sensor navigation and hazard-avoidance system, it has a few features that are rare for a vacuum in this price bracket. Most notable is its self-emptying function, which allows it to transfer debris from its internal dustbin into an external dustbin mounted to its charging dock, reducing hands-on maintenance requirements. While it doesn't have LIDAR mapping, its optical sensors still generate a permanent map of your home, so you can set up virtual boundary lines or direct the vacuum to clean specific rooms within your home.

Its surface detection system also allows it to automatically increase its suction power to its most powerful setting when it's on carpet. It can easily climb onto high-pile rugs and delivers good overall performance on carpeting.

Consider the Neato D8 if you're looking for a budget-friendly robot vacuum that's effective on carpets. This robot vacuum doesn't have the yeedi vac station's self-emptying capability. Thankfully, it's even cheaper, feels better built, and still does a good job of cleaning up debris on carpet. Unlike the yeedi, it also has a LIDAR mapping sensor that generates a precise map of its coverage area, so you can set up virtual boundary lines the vacuum won't cross using the vacuum's companion app. Unfortunately, it can occasionally get stuck around obstructions like rug tassels or electrical cords, in part due to its body's squared-off shape.

This vacuum can recharge in under 100 minutes, which is very fast for a robot vacuum. However, it can run out of charge in as little as 40 minutes when used in its most powerful 'Turbo' suction mode, which can be necessary for cleaning denser carpeting, so it won't be your first choice when cleaning extensive carpeted areas. Check out the Roborock E4 if you want an alternative with a longer runtime, but note that it has a less advanced navigation system that doesn't store a permanent map of its coverage area. You can't set up virtual boundary markers or direct it to clean specific rooms in your home.

If you're looking for a well-rounded robot vacuum that can handle debris on bare floors and carpets, the Roborock S7 MaxV is an excellent, if pricey, option. While it offers okay overall performance on carpets, it doesn't do as well as the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI. Thankfully, it's a fantastic option for cleaning surfaces like hardwood or tile. One of the main advantages it carries over the Ecovacs is its impressively effective ultrasonic mopping capability, which uses vibrating pads to scrub away dried-on debris instead of a purely passive system. Its other headlining feature is the combined LIDAR and optical navigation system, which functions like the Ecovacs and allows it to map out its coverage area with LIDAR and spot and avoid obstacles in real-time.

It's compatible with Roborock's Empty Wash Fill Dock, which empties its dustbin, washes its mop pads, and refills the onboard water tank. However, this base station is expensive and pushes this vacuum into an even higher price bracket. Although it has a high-efficiency E11 filter, it does a terrible job of sealing in fine allergens like pet dander while cleaning, which can be ejected straight out of its exhaust.