Maintaining carpet can be a very tedious process, but with the right robot vacuum, tedious can be taken out of the equation.
We will be looking at the best robot vacuums for carpet in this guide that will eliminate the need for manual daily vacuuming.
The latest options have smart navigation that makes them more efficient than ever and some can even deep clean carpet to a degree.
Having a tool that cleans carpet for you will help a great deal in preventing dirt from piling up especially on areas that are hard to reach.
Prices of these machines can vary so we’ll look at different categories – Best Overall, Best Under $250, and Best Value.
What’s the Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet?
Roomba S9 +
If the price is not an issue, the
Not only is the S9 powerful, but it also is one of the smarter robots available.
The persistent maps (or Smart Imprint Mapping) combined with the clean base dock give it extended autonomy. You don’t have to babysit the robot for weeks if everything goes well.
It also has the “no go lines” feature where it’s possible to block areas that are off-limits – every home has those areas that will give a robot vacuum issues so it is a must-have in my opinion.
Best Under $200
Shark ION R85
For consumers who don’t mind not having all the bells and whistles that a
If your home has black carpets or rugs, I’m happy to report that the Shark ION R85 can go over these surfaces without any issues.
I don’t know what type of sensors Shark used to detect cliff points, but apparently black carpet won’t be an issue.
The bumper sensor is also great at detecting obstacles as this robot will slow down and not bump into objects hard.
Best Value for Money
Neato BotVac D3
Consumers who want a lot of value for their hard-earned money should have a look at the
It only has one power setting and a smaller battery so it will run for up to 60 minutes which isn’t as long as the D7. But the efficient navigation plus the recharge and resume feature makes up for the short battery life.
Another thing to note is the D3 does not have a side brush or the high-efficiency filter.
So it won’t clean edges as well as the more expensive BotVac options with a side brush. You can purchase a high-efficiency filter for subsequent uses so it shouldn’t be an issue long term.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- How to Choose?
- Our Pick:
Roomba S9 + - Best Under $250:
Shark ION R85 - Best Value for Money:
Neato D3 - Cheaper Alternative to the S9: Shark IQ IR101AE
- Roomba I7+
Roborock E35 Eufy 11s - FAQs about Robot Vacuums
- The Verdict
A quick overview of the Best Robot Vacuums for Carpet
Deep cleaning results are from an independent test done where 100 grams of sand were rubbed on the carpet. The dust cup is weighed before and after the cleaning test and the difference is the amount picked up.
BEST ROBOT VACUUM FOR CARPET
- Deep cleaning: 94.5%
- Airflow: up to 22 CFM
- Navigation: Smart mapping
- Battery life: 120 mins.
- Dirt Capacity: 550 ml
BEST UNDER $200
- Deep cleaning: 76%
- Airflow: up to 20 CFM
- Navigation: Standard
- Battery life: 88 mins.
- Dirt Capacity: 470 ml.
BEST VALUE
- Deep cleaning: 76%
- Airflow: up to 19 CFM
- Navigation: Smart mapping
- Battery life: 60 mins.
- Dirt Capacity: 590 ml.
CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE TO THE S9+
- Deep cleaning: 83%
- Airflow: up to 23 CFM
- Navigation: Smart mapping
- Battery life: 75 mins.
- Dirt Capacity: 0.17 dry quarts
- Deep cleaning: 79%
- Airflow: up to 17 CFM
- Navigation: Smart mapping
- Battery life: 75 mins.
- Dirt Capacity: 460 ml.
- Deep cleaning: 77%
- Airflow: up to 17 CFM
- Navigation: Smart mapping
- Battery life: 150 mins.
- Dirt Capacity: 640 ml.
- Deep cleaning: 68%
- Airflow: up to 15 CFM
- Navigation: Standard
- Battery life: 100 mins.
- Dirt Capacity: 600 ml.
How to choose the best robot vacuum for carpet?
With so many options to choose from, how do we ensure that the robot we’re getting is suitable for cleaning the carpet?
To help you make a decision, here are some of the features a robot must have to clean the carpet well:
- Excellent agitation: Brush roll design is an important feature to look at. Having strong agitation is a must-have for any vacuum to clean dirt that’s trapped under carpet strands. Some of the options you see here like the Roomba I7 and S9 have counter-rotating extractors that are proven in tests to work well at deep cleaning carpet.
- Strong airflow: Airflow is the measure of how much air flows through the suction port of a vacuum. Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t list this specification in their products. It is a must for any vacuum to have a decent amount of airflow to pick up dirt on carpets.
- Navigation: Most cheap robot vacuums use a standard algorithm that just pinballs in a random direction. While it is thorough, it will not be able to clean a large area well. If you want a robot to be able to clean multiple rooms, get something with smart navigation that has a recharge and resume feature.
- Capable of cleaning embedded dirt: You’ll see in the list above that I’ve put in how well each option deep cleans the carpet. Take note that even the best robot vacuums cannot deep clean carpet as well as an upright, but opt for something that’s at least decent in this area (above 70%).
- Dust bin capacity: The larger the dirt capacity, the fewer times you need to empty it. This feature only applies to options without a self-emptying dock that automatically empties the robot’s bin as it recharges.
- No-go zones: “No-go zones” is an app feature that creates virtual barriers that block the robot from going into areas that are off-limits.
Our Pick: Roomba S9 +
What makes this a good option?
- Powerful suction: At 22 CFM, the
Roomba S9 has one of the highest airflow figures which translates to excellent debris pick up regardless of surface. - Efficient navigation: The VSLAM algorithm and the Imprint Smart Mapping feature help it navigate around different areas in the home with proficiency. The new bumper sensor gives it the ability to navigate around furniture better than the I7.
- Flexible scheduling: Another benefit of the upgraded navigation is the ability of the robot to clean specific areas at a scheduled time after it has created a map of your home.
- Best in class deep cleaning: In deep cleaning tests, the S9 scored an average 94.5% on two tests (that’s cleaning 100 grams of sand on medium-pile carpet). Granted these tests are done on a small control area, but the results are still impressive.
Potential issues
- Insanely expensive: The S9 is by far, the most expensive robot vacuum available right now. To put the price in perspective, it’s more expensive than three high-end Dyson upright vacuums combined.
When it comes to carpet cleaning performance, the king of the robot vacuums is the
It has one of the highest airflow ratings of all the options here with 22 CFM. Not only is it powerful, but the dual rubber extractors also do an excellent job at pick up embedded dirt on carpets.
The excellent cleaning dynamics make the
The strong suction and dual brushes enable the
It has one of the most feature-rich apps that give users a lot of options when it comes to scheduling and cleaning specific areas in your home.
For instance, you can schedule to clean the living room on Tuesdays or the dining room on Wednesdays on times when there’s no one around.
This feature is only accessible after the robot has saved a map of the house. You can then name the different areas or groups of areas and also define no-go zones on areas that are off-limits to the robot.
However, all this technology will come at a high cost. But for folks who are willing to spend for the convenience features, it is a good option.
Bottom line
Best Under $250: Shark ION R85
What makes this a good option?
- Outstanding airflow: The ION R85 has as much airflow as the more expensive Neato D7 with 20 CFM.
- Excellent at surface debris pick up: This high airflow shows up in cleaning tests where the R85 did exceptionally well when it comes to picking up surface dirt even on thicker pile carpet.
- Good cleaning dynamics: All the components that make up the R85 enable it to clean carpet without unnecessarily scattering dirt. The side brush spins strong enough to grab dirt and funnel it toward the main brush, and the exhaust doesn’t blow hard so it won’t scatter fluffy stuff such as pet hair.
- Decent at deep cleaning carpet: It has enough suction and agitation to be at least decent at cleaning embedded dirt. Tests reveal that the ION R85 will pick up 76% of embedded sand o medium-pile carpets.
- Will not scuff furniture: The bumper sensor does an excellent job at slowing down the robot when it detects obstacles so it will not bump into furniture hard.
- Works even on black carpets: It’s one of the few robot vacuums that can go over the black carpet.
Some issues
- Not so good run time: This robot will run for only 88 minutes. Decent but not great considering other robots such as the Roborock E25 will run for up to 150 minutes.
- Random navigation: It uses a standard algorithm that will bounce around in a random direction. But nearly all robots in this price range use a standard algorithm so it isn’t a big deal.
While the
If you are one of those consumers who don’t mind not having the convenience features, then the Shark ION R85 is an excellent alternative.
Shark is a relative newcomer to the robot vacuum niche, but their products have proven to be adept at cleaning carpet.
The ION R85 is Shark’s mid-level option, in between the entry-level R75 and the just-released Shark IQ R101AE which I’ll talk about later on.
It doesn’t have the predictable navigation pattern that the Roomba S9 or the Neato D7 has, but it makes up for it by being one of the least expensive options available.
The
Despite being priced under $200, it has lots of airflow at 20 CFM which is at par with robots that are several hundred dollars more expensive such as the Neato D7 and Roborock S5.
The high airflow allows the R85 to do well at cleaning carpets. It also does well at cleaning embedded sand on carpet scoring 76% in an industry-standard test.
Considering the low price and power, the ION R85 is one of the best options at its price range.
It is also compatible with Alexa and Google Play and has a smartphone app, so if you have any of these devices, it is an option you should consider.
Bottom line
Best Value for Money: Neato D3
What makes this a good option?
- Excellent on carpets: The D3 has great airflow and agitation that allows it to pick up dirt extremely well on carpet. This combination also enables it to deep clean carpets (76% score in deep cleaning tests).
- Highly efficiency navigation: Neato’s laser sensors are very accurate at pinpointing its location and make the BotVac series one of the most efficient and thorough when it comes to navigation. It is one of the least expensive robots that have the smart navigating system.
- Works even in dark environments: Another advantage of laser navigation is it does not require any light source to function. It will work fine even with the lights turned off.
Potential issues
- No side brush: The D3’s lack of a side brush hampers how it cleans edges and corners. It won’t do as well as a robot that has a side brush.
- Below-average battery life: This variant will run for just 60 minutes. However, it has the recharge and resume feature that makes up for the lack of run time.
While the D3 is entry-level when it comes to its pricing, there’s nothing entry-level about its carpet cleaning capability.
The D3 has the same amount of airflow as Neato’s most expensive option, the D7 but it lacks a side brush and has a smaller Li-ion battery to cut down on costs.
It also does not have a high-efficiency filter so it does not filter as well.
These downgrades don’t limit how the D3 performs. It has the same LIDAR sensor that makes it very efficient at navigating and is above average at deep cleaning carpet with a 76% score.
However, the smaller battery cuts down the run time to 60 minutes, so it’s more suited for small to medium size homes.
The lack of filtration can be addressed by purchasing a high-efficiency filter if the current one clogs up.
There’s no question that the Neato BotVac D3 is one of the most efficient navigating robots.
The wide brush roll enables it to pick up more dirt on a single pass versus robots that has a narrower brush.
It can pick up fine and large bits of dirt better than the
However, the lack of a side brush hampers how it will clean edges and corners.
Bottom line
Cheaper Alternative to the S9: Shark IQ IR101AE
What makes this a good option?
- Least expensive option with the auto-emptying dock: The IQ IR101AE is currently the cheapest option with the auto empty system that previously only the
Roomba S9 and I7 possess. - Smart navigation: This new robot from Shark now has camera-based navigation that uses a more efficient back and forth pattern that works well in larger areas. When the battery runs low, it will recharge and resume cleaning until it completes its task.
- Will clean embedded dirt: It also scores high in deep cleaning test with an 83% score.
- Resists tangles well: The IR101AE also has the anti-tangle feature that actively untangles hair from wrapping around the brush roll.
Some issues
- So-so run time: It will only run for 60-minutes which is below average. But the smart navigation and the ability to recharge and resume makes up for this limitation.
- Small dust cup: The dust cup capacity is below average at just 0.19 dry quarts. However, considering that this model has the auto empty bin, that won’t be an issue.
- Complaints about mapping issues: There were some complaints of this robot taking between 10 to 30 runs to create an accurate map. But there are already subsequent software updates so hopefully, this solves the issue.
The IQ IR101 is Shark’s latest robotic vacuum that comes with the upgraded navigation and the auto emptying feature that formerly only the
It is potentially game-changing because it costs three times less than the S9 and half that of the I7.
One big difference between the IR101AE and the
Which begs the question, does the IR101AE perform as well as the S9 and I7?
This variant is a big upgrade over the ION R85 with the camera-based navigation and the self-emptying dust cup.
It will traverse around obstacles with better efficiency and is improved around furniture with the upgraded software.
Navigation tests show that this robot is actually better than the S9 when it comes to coverage especially on areas near the dock.
The dual side brush system gives it above-average performance on the edges and corners.
It also does well when it comes to cleaning embedded dirt picking up 83% of sand on medium-pile carpet.
Bottom line
Roomba I7+
What makes this a good option?
- Less expensive than the S9: The Roomba I7 is cheaper than the S9 and an option if you still want a Roomba with the auto empty feature without spending as much.
- Efficient navigation: This variant is a big upgrade over the Roomba 980 and 960 thanks to the Imprint Smart Navigation that saves the map of your home through the cloud. This feature allows it to clean specific areas at designated times like the S9.
- Great at cleaning carpet: The dual extractors work great at picking up dirt on carpet and it also deep cleans well.
Some issues
- Side brush spins too fast: This is an issue with most Roomba products and the I7 is no exception where the side brush rotation is too strong and has a tendency to scatter dirt.
- Not as good cleaning hair: More hair will wrap around the I7’s dual brush compared to the S9.
- Still expensive: The S9 and I7 are two of the most expensive robot vacuums.
Before the
It’s iRobot’s first product that came with the self-emptying dock that empties the robot’s bin automatically.
This variant retains the round shape of the older 900 series robots so it uses the narrower rubber extractors that work well on carpet.
When it comes to cleaning surface dirt, the
One of the benefits of owning a Roomba is the availability of parts – both OEM and aftermarket.
Also, if a part breaks down, you can easily replace the parts by yourself.
So people who want a Roomba but don’t want to spend top dollar for the S9 can settle for the less expensive I7.
It has less power so it won’t do as well when it comes to cleaning embedded dirt on medium-pile carpets.
But it has the same hands free auto empty feature that makes it the more popular option at least in Amazon.
Bottom line
Roborock E35
What makes this a good option?
- Affordable smart navigating robot: The E35 is one of the cheaper robots that have the smart navigating system. Unlike the Roborock S6 that uses a laser sensor, this variant uses a gyroscope and an advanced algorithm.
- Excellent airflow: With 17 CFM on tap, the E35 will pick up surface and embedded dirt on carpets.
- Long run time: One thing that Roborock does better than other brands is using large cell Li-ion batteries that give their products an excellent range. The E35 is no exception with its 150-minute run time.
- Resists tangles: The brush roll design of the E35 resists pet hair tangles well.
- Large dust cup: It can hold up to 600 milliliters of dirt – more than the Roborock S5.
Some issues
- Basic mop: The mopping feature of the E35 won’t replace a traditional mop. It’s good for light dusting but struggles with mopping dried stains.
- It does not have the advanced app features: This model doesn’t have the app features that the Roborock S5 has such as the no-go zones and zone cleaning.
Right between the Roborock S6 and the E20 is the mid-priced
It is a slightly more expensive option than the E25 with more power which translates to better cleaning performance on carpet.
The E35 is one of the cheapest robots with a smart navigation system that has the recharge and resume feature.
One reason why it isn’t expensive is it uses a gyroscope system, an electric eye sensor, and an advanced algorithm that makes it very efficient. If you want an efficient robot below $300, it’s an excellent option.
While the E35 navigates the same way that a Roborock S5 does and has excellent collision avoidance sensors, it does not have the advanced app features.
You won’t be able to do zone cleaning and it does not have the no go zones feature that lets you set virtual barriers that block the robot’s path to areas it shouldn’t go to.
If you don’t mind these limitations then the
Just a heads up, Roborock has a new product in their E-Series line, the Roborock E4 which has more airflow than higher-end options like the S5 Max and S6 MaxV.
Bottom line
Eufy 11s
What makes this a good option?
- Above-average power: The
Eufy 11s has decent suction for its price – more than the Deebot N79S but less than theShark ION R85 that’s why I ranked it last. - Excellent at picking up surface dirt: The airflow and agitation are good enough to pick up nearly all of the surface dirt (regardless of size) on carpets and hard floors.
- Decent at cleaning embedded dirt: It also performed decently in deep cleaning tests where it picked up 68% of embedded sand on medium-pile carpet.
- Great edge cleaning: The two side brushes will do a good job at cleaning edges though it does scatter dirt because it spins at a rapid pace.
- Quite even on high power: It only produces 65 decibels on the high setting.
Potential issues
- Strong exhaust: It has a tendency to blow light, fluffy stuff like pet hair around because of the air blowing from the exhaust.
- Not great for cleaning pet hair: The brush of the
Eufy 11s isn’t as resistant to pet hair tangles as higher-end robots. - Limited scheduling feature: It won’t allow you to choose days to clean or choose a time for specific days. Once the schedule is set, it cleans on its own at the same time every day.
Another budget option in this list is the
The reason why I ranked the 11s below the ION R85 is that it doesn’t deep clean as well. This robot only picked up an average 68% of sand in two deep cleaning tests.
But when it comes to cleaning surface dirt, the 11S will do the job very well. This robot is pretty basic when it comes to features. It’s not compatible with Alexa or Google Play nor does it have an app so it’s lacking with modern features.
The scheduling feature is also limited – there’s no option for setting it to clean at specific days. Once the timer is set, the robot will clean at the same time for all seven days.
Lastly, one thing that holds it back is the price. The
The Roborock E25 which was my pick for the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors isn’t too far off when it comes to pricing and this option is much more efficient and cleans carpet better.
It’s not that the
Bottom line
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Robot Vacuums
The reality is buying a robot vacuum will entail spending a significant amount. So it makes sense that you educate yourself as much as possible about these products before taking the plunge.
Here are some questions that a lot of people have asked and the answers to help make an informed decision.
Why choose a robot vacuum?
The biggest advantage a robot vacuum has over something more traditional is its ability to do the task autonomously.
There’s no need to operate and manually push a vacuum around just to clean the home.
Since it is a machine, it will not get tired or complain about having to clean and it does it on schedule every day.
Some high-end models have the ability to clean a specific area on planned date and time.
Navigation technology and cleaning performance have improved to a point that robot vacuums are no longer just novelty products.
These machines are capable of keeping floors clean regardless if it’s a hard floor or carpet.
One area where robots excel at is cleaning under furniture. Imagine the amount of dust and allergens that accumulate under there.
Deep cleaning won’t be an issue as some robots at the $300 range can clean embedded dirt reasonably well (above 70%).
Another reason to opt for a robot is its ability to clean light area rugs where a full-sized upright would struggle.
Make sure to hide the tassels if there’s any.
There are instances where an upright vacuum can damage carpet fibers and this is where a robot comes into play.
Can a robot vacuum replace a regular vacuum?
The biggest difference between a regular upright cleaner and a robot is suction and airflow.
Robot vacuums need to be compact and this puts a cap on the power.
A robot will not match an upright when it comes to deep cleaning large areas. But it keeps dirt from piling up because of its autonomy.
The beauty of these machines is you can schedule it to clean the home while at work.
This will help keep the home environment clean.
I wouldn’t say to ditch the upright because it comes in handy for deep cleaning sessions prior to using a carpet cleaner.
However, regular use of a robot, if all goes well, will lessen the need to bring out a heavy corded vacuum.
What’s the best performing robot vacuum for low and high pile carpet?
The term “pile” refers to the thickness of carpet strands. Obviously, thicker pile carpets are harder to clean since there’s more depth.
To measure the effectiveness of a robot for cleaning embedded dirt, a deep cleaning test was done to measure how much sand (100 grams) it can pick up.
All these tests were done on a small patch of medium-pile carpet. The test was done to give a baseline on what to expect from each robot vacuum.
Here’s the ranking of all the robots in the list.
Roomba S9 +: 94.5%- Shark IQ IR101: 83%
- Roomba I7: 79%
Roborock E35 : 77%Neato D3 : 76%Shark ION R85 : 76%Eufy 11s : 68%
Based on the list, the Roomba S9+ and the Shark IQ IR101AE are two of the best options if you purely base it on cleaning embedded dirt.
These two also have the advantage of extended autonomy because of the second vacuum in the dock that empties the robot’s dust cup automatically on every recharge.
Shark is the cheaper option but isn’t as potent as the Roomba and there are reports of software issues with the robot requiring more than 10 runs to draw an accurate map.
While the Shark ION R85 is the least expensive option that scored the highest. However, it doesn’t have the smart navigation feature and will just bounce around.
Choosing between these options will boil down to what matters most to you if it’s low cost or efficient navigation and autonomy.
Which option can run the longest?
Run time is a critical feature to have for robots that don’t have the smart navigation system that has the recharge and resume feature.
Robots with such enable it to recharge and resume where it left off so the length of time it can run won’t be as important.
Here’s the ranking of the robots in the list with the longest run time.
Roborock E35 : 150 mins.Roomba S9 +: 120 mins.Eufy 11s : 100 mins.Shark ION R85 : 88mins.- Roomba I7: 75 mins.
- Shark IQ R101AE: 75 mins.
Neato D3 : 60 mins.
All Roborock products are known for their crazy long battery life. The Roborock E25, E35, S5, and S6 all will run for up to 150 mins.
If you combine that with the smart navigating feature, these products can cover a lot of ground efficiently.
The verdict
The best robot vacuums for carpet should have the right mix of power, navigation, and excellent cleaning dynamics to not just clean surface dirt, but also pick up embedded debris.
Based on tests, the Roomba S9+ is the best in terms of pure cleaning performance as it was able to pick up the most amount of embedded sand on carpets.
If the
The Roomba I7+ is also another decent option that’s more popular than the S9+ because of it’s lower cost. It won’t clean carpet as well but it offers the same autonomy as the more expensive S9+.
The Shark ION R85 is the best value for money as it offers the highest performance to price ratio of the seven options.
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