The 5 Best Robot Vacuums For Hardwood Floors - Summer 2023 Reviews

The Roborock S8+ is the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors we've tested. This high-end robot vacuum does a fantastic job clearing debris on hard, flat surfaces like hardwood or tile flooring. One of its headlining features is its ultrasonic mopping system, which uses vibrating mop pads to scrub away dried-on dirt and debris. Its other defining trait is its dual-sensor navigation system, which combines a LIDAR sensor to map out its coverage area with a pair of front-facing cameras to identify and react to things like slippers, power cords, pet waste, or any other obstacle that would fall beneath the view of its LIDAR sensor. It can also identify the type of room it's cleaning based on the furniture within and automatically suggest different mopping or suction modes. The + variant comes with a self-emptying dock that reduces hands-on maintenance requirements. Compared to its predecessor, the Roborock S7 MaxV, it has a redesigned twin-roller cleaning head that helps clear more debris on most surfaces.

If you don't need the S8's hazard detection capability, the older Roborock S7 is a solid alternative. It delivers superb overall performance on bare floors and has a similar ultrasonic mopping feature to scrub dirt and debris. However, it has a less powerful suction motor, so it struggles a little more with clearing away bulkier debris and pet hair.

If you intend to spend less, the Roborock Q5+ is among the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors that we've tested. Unlike the Roborock S8+/S8, it isn't capable of mopping floors and doesn't have a set of front-facing cameras that would allow it to avoid hazards in real-time. That said, it's often priced at a much lower price point than its pricier sibling and offers a pretty full suite of features, including an auto-empty docking station, which lowers hands-on maintenance requirements. It does a good job of maneuvering itself, and you can use the coverage map it generates to set up no-go zones the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for individual areas.

Performance on bare floors is superb, and it does a passable job of cleaning any carpets you might have lying around. Unfortunately, while it feels well-built, there are some gaps in its plastic construction through which fine allergens can spew out, most notably through its LIDAR sensor.

Check out the eufy RoboVac X8 if you're shopping for a robot vacuum at an upper mid-range price point. Unlike the Roborock Q5/Q5+, it isn't compatible with a self-emptying base station, so you must manually toss out any accumulated debris. That said, this robot vacuum isn't only cheaper, but it's just as effective as the Roborock when it comes to sucking up debris on flat surfaces like hardwood. Its Boost IQ function allows it to automatically ramp up its suction power when passing over carpeted surfaces, which is great if you have any rugs in your living room or hallway. Going for the X8 Hybrid model nets you a mopping attachment, which the Roborock doesn't have. However, this entirely passive system won't be as effective or efficient in dealing with stains as the Roborock S8+/S8's ultrasonic mopping feature, which actively scrubs down floors.

While this vacuum does have a LIDAR mapping sensor and a pretty comprehensive suite of automation features, like multi-floor mapping and support for virtually generated no-go zones, it doesn't maneuver itself around obstacles nearly as effectively as the Roborock, sometimes bumping into obstacles like couch or chair legs, coat racks, and even its own charging station.

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is a great choice if you don't mind missing out on the eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid's mopping feature. Its LIDAR mapping system offers a similar range of functionality to the more expensive eufy, not to mention better overall maneuverability. You can use the map it generates of your home to set up virtual boundary lines or schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms. The vacuum feels well-built and has an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, producing good allergen-sealing performance.

Unfortunately, while it does a fantastic job of cleaning bare floors, it has a challenging time with debris on carpet. It also has a small dirt compartment that needs emptying often, even by the standards of other robot vacuums.

If you're looking to spend as little as possible on a robot vacuum that still performs well on hardwood floors, the ILIFE A4s is the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors at a budget-friendly price that we've tested. Unlike the pricier Wyze Robot Vacuum, it doesn't have a LIDAR mapping sensor, instead relying on bump navigation to move around - it doesn't store a permanent map of your home and isn't especially time-efficient. Still, it'll achieve good coverage if you let it run for long enough. In terms of bare floor performance, it does a fantastic job of dealing with pet hair and solid debris on bare surfaces like hardwood, though its brushroll is somewhat tangle-prone.

As stated previously, this vacuum is pretty rudimentary regarding automation; there isn't even a smartphone app. Instead, it has a remote control that allows you to adjust its power mode, arrange a cleaning schedule time, and even input manual directional adjustments if it gets stuck. It also comes with an electronic wall barrier device that you can set up to prevent the vacuum from entering certain areas. Since it doesn't rely on an internet connection, it could be a good option if your home Wi-Fi coverage is spotty or unreliable.