Gadronics Best robot cleaners for carpet, hardwood, mopping on a budget and more
Robot vacuum cleaners have evolved from novelty gadgets to essential smart home tools. The market now offers everything from ultra-compact models perfect for studio apartments to flagship machines that can scrub, vacuum, and navigate obstacles with remarkable intelligence.
Choosing the right robot vacuum depends on your specific needs. Do you need mopping capabilities or just powerful vacuuming? Is your home filled with furniture that requires a slimmer profile? Do you have thick carpets or hardwood floors? We’ve tested robots at every price point to help answer these questions.
Our testing process involves living with each robot vacuum for weeks, evaluating navigation accuracy, cleaning performance on different surfaces, obstacle avoidance, app functionality, and maintenance requirements. We test on hardwood, tile, and carpet, with common obstacles like cables, pet toys, and furniture in the path. Every robot in this guide has been thoroughly assessed by our team.
How we test robot vacuum cleaners
We put each robot vacuum through comprehensive real-world testing in our homes. Every model runs multiple cleaning cycles across different floor types, including hardwood, tile, and various carpet depths. We assess suction power by spreading flour, cereal, pet hair, and other debris, then measuring pickup efficiency.
Navigation capabilities are evaluated by creating obstacle courses with shoes, cables, and furniture. We monitor how well each robot maps rooms, handles transitions between surfaces, and avoids getting stuck. Mopping performance is tested with dried stains, sticky messes, and everyday dirt.
App functionality receives scrutiny for mapping accuracy, scheduling options, and custom cleaning modes. We also assess maintenance requirements, noting how often bins need emptying, filters require cleaning, and mops need washing. Battery life is measured across different power settings to determine real-world runtime.
Anyway – enough of that, let’s get on with the main event. Here are The Ambient’s picks of the best robot vacuum cleaners that you can buy right now.
Best robot vacuum overall: Roborock Saros 10
- Score: 5/5
- Price: £1,399 / $1,599 RRP
- Max suction: 22,000Pa
- Pros: Excellent navigation, powerful suction, multi-function dock, super slip, and good deep-pile vacuuming, good mop
- Cons: Expensive
The Roborock Saros 10 represents the absolute pinnacle of robot vacuum technology. Its retractable LiDAR sensor drops into the body when low furniture is detected, shrinking the height to under 8cm. Combined with the highest suction power we’ve tested at 22,000Pa, this machine tackles deep-pile carpets and squeezes into spaces competitors cannot reach.
AdaptiLift is the breakthrough feature. The chassis can adjust at all four edges, lifting up to 10mm off the ground. This lets the Saros 10 climb over thresholds up to 4cm high, free itself when caught on furniture legs, and push its sonic mop down onto floors for deeper scrubbing.
Cleaning performance is extraordinary too. Carpets were cleaned to near-cordless-vacuum standards, and the sonic mopping pad with automatic stain detection removed most tough messes within two passes. Only the most stubborn dried-on spills needed four passes, which the robot handled automatically.
Navigation is flawless thanks to mature AI object recognition. Shoes, cables, and obstacles were skirted with ease. The RockDock Ultra 2.0 offers dynamic temperature washing (50°C for starch, 60°C for grease, 80°C for sterilisation) and self-cleans its base.
This is the robot to buy if you want the best of both worlds.
You can read our Roborock Saros 10 review here.
Best compact robot vacuum: SwitchBot K11+
- Score: 4.5/5
- Price: £399 / $399 RRP
- Max suction: 6,000Pa
- Pros: Compact dock and robot, big suction upgrade, works with Matter, quieter cleaning
- Cons: Mopping still poor, no AI obstacle avoidance, can get stuck on cables, clumsy around furniture
The SwitchBot K11+ delivers remarkable value in an ultra-compact package. Measuring just 24.8cm across and 9.2cm tall, it slips under furniture where larger robots fear to tread. The real star is the shrunken dock—at only 24 x 18 x 25cm, it’s the smallest self-empty station we’ve seen, yet still holds a 4L dust bag good for around 90 days.
SwitchBot doubled the suction from the K10+ Pro to 6,000Pa, making a noticeable difference on rugs and carpets. Hard floors were spotless after a single pass, and the improved navigation system with PSD sensors helps with obstacle detection, though without AI vision it will still bash into furniture it can’t fit under.
The mopping function remains token at best—you attach a disposable wipe that drags across the floor with no water tank or scrubbing action. But for small homes or anyone prioritizing vacuuming in tight spaces, the K11+ punches well above its weight class. Matter support via a SwitchBot Hub adds solid smart home integration too.
You can read our full SwitchBot K11+ review here.
Best for roller mop cleaning: SwitchBot Floor Cleaning Robot S20
- Score: 4/5
- Price: £799 / $799 RRP
- Max suction: 10,000Pa
- Pros: Great value, impressive roller mop cleaning system, room-level app controls, broad smart home integrations including Matter
- Cons: Carpet cleaning could be better, bulky design, loud docking noises, AI obstacle detection hit or miss
The SwitchBot S20 brings roller mop technology to a mid-range price point. Unlike traditional pad systems, its rotating mop continuously receives clean water while a scraper bar removes dirt, which gets suctioned into the dirty water tank. It’s genuinely effective at lifting stuck-on mess without just smearing it around.
Hard floor performance is excellent – the S20 handles everything from dried mud to general kitchen grime without needing manual intervention afterward. Carpet cleaning is less impressive unless you crank suction to maximum, where it performs adequately but noisily.
The robot itself is somewhat dated in appearance at 11.5cm tall, making it bulkier than slimmer alternatives. The dock is noisy during emptying and refilling, though these are brief interruptions. AI obstacle detection exists but proved unreliable in testing, misidentifying objects and giving inconsistent results.
For homes that are predominantly hard floors with some area rugs, the S20 offers tremendous value. The roller mop system legitimately keeps floors fresh, and at under half the price of flagship models, it makes a compelling case for the mid-range market.
Read our full SwitchBot Floor Cleaning Robot S20 review for more information.
Best budget vacuum cleaner: Xiaomi X20 Pro
- Score: 4/5
- Price: £399 RRP
- Max suction: 5,000Pa
- Pros: Excellent value, cleans and sucks well, good navigation
- Cons: Can’t cope with tough spills, gets tangled with hair easily
The Xiaomi X20 Pro delivers features typically reserved for robots costing twice as much. A self-empty, self-clean docking station at this price is revelatory, complete with 4L clean water and 3.8L dirty water tanks. The 2L dust bag holds roughly 75 days of dirt.
Vacuuming performance on hard floors is excellent, easily handling daily messes. Carpets present more challenge: general debris is fine, but tougher spills require maximum suction or manual intervention. The 5,000Pa rating is about half that of mid-range competitors, and you notice the difference on thick pile.
Dual microfibre mopping pads do a commendable job on standard floor stains, though sticky messes like dried ketchup prove beyond their capability. Neither the main brush nor side brush feature anti-tangle design, so maintenance involves regular hair removal with the provided tool.
For small apartments or homes with primarily hard flooring, the X20 Pro is stunning value. It covers the fundamentals well and automates nearly everything at a price point where competitors make you empty bins and wash mops yourself.
Read more from our Xiaomi X20 Pro review here.
Best combination robot vacuum: Eufy Robot Vacuum E20 3-in-1
- Score: 4/5
- Price: £549 / $649 RRP
- Max suction: 8,000Pa / handheld 30,000Pa
- Pros: Compact design, quick conversion, great robot performance, multiple cleaning modes
- Cons: No wand or accessory storage, basic cordless performance, can’t attach tools to wand, no mopping
The Eufy E20 3-in-1 takes a different approach by integrating a cordless handheld vacuum into the robot itself. Pressing the large red button releases the handheld unit, which shares the bin and battery with the robot. The crevice tool stores neatly on top of the robot within easy reach.
Robot mode delivers solid hard floor cleaning and adequate carpet performance. The 8,000Pa suction handles daily messes well, though deep pile carpets slow it down somewhat. Handheld performance is decent but trails premium cordless vacuums, although it’s perfectly capable for spot cleaning and stairs.
The design has its quirks. There’s no storage for the wand or floor head, and oddly, the crevice and brush tools only attach directly to the handheld – not to the wand. This means cleaning high shelves or baseboards requires awkward bending.
For studio apartments or small homes where space is precious, the E20 cleverly combines two devices into one dock footprint. It won’t replace dedicated high-end cordless vacuums, but for properties under 100 square meters, it covers most bases admirably.
Read our full Eufy Robot Vacuum E20 3-in-1 review here.
Best robot vacuum for challenging layouts: Dreame X50 Ultra Complete
- Score: 4.5/5
- Price: £1,399 / $1,399 RRP
- Max suction: 20,000Pa
- Pros: Excellent performance, clever threshold climbing, fits under low furniture, deep mopping
- Cons: Expensive, too many water settings to choose from
The Dreame X50 Ultra Complete solves problems most robots cannot even attempt. ProLeap uses retractable robotic legs to lift the chassis over obstacles up to 4.2cm high, or multi-level steps like patio door rails up to 6cm. If your home has awkward thresholds between rooms, this is the robot vac for you.
VersaLift retracts the navigation sensor into the body when low furniture is detected, shrinking height to just 89mm. Unlike forward-facing sensor designs, the X50 maintains full 360-degree awareness most of the time, enabling superior navigation. It squeezed under our corner sofa where every other robot wedged itself stuck.
Cleaning prowess is exceptional. The 20,000Pa suction easily pulled dirt from carpets, and hard floors looked pristine after each pass. Dual microfibre mops with 80°C hot water washing and detergent support removed most stains in two passes. Our brutal dried ketchup test cleared after four passes with minimal residue.
CleanGenius mode uses sensors to automatically detect and deep-clean stains, making it excellent for set-and-forget operation. The app offers staggering customization, though 30 levels of mop wetness seems excessive – five would suffice. For homes with complex layouts and varied flooring, the X50 Ultra Complete justifies its premium price.
Read more in our Dreame X50 Ultra Complete review.
Best for robot vacuum for pet hair: Eureka J15 Pro Ultra
- Score: 4/5
- Price: £999 / $999 RRP
- Max suction: 16,200Pa
- Pros: Great hair-detangling tech, AI-powered mopping, hot water plus hot air drying, great cleaning performance
- Cons: App is a bit sluggish, prone to some mapping issues, no detergent
The Eureka J15 Pro Ultra tackles one of robot vacuum ownership’s most annoying problems: tangled hair. FlexiRazor technology uses a blade in the dock to actively cut hair from the brush roll during emptying. After weeks of testing in a long-haired household, the main brush remained remarkably clear.
The 8-in-1 dock automates nearly everything, including self-cleaning the mop tray – a rare feature at this price. Hot water at up to 75°C washes the dual microfibre pads, with hot air drying afterward to prevent odours. The extendable side mop reaches edges effectively, delivering thorough wall-to-wall coverage.
Cleaning performance is strong across the board. Hard floors were spotless, and the 16,200Pa suction handled most carpet debris without issue. Mopping tackled standard stains well, though like most robots, it struggled with stubborn dried-on messes.
The app proved the weak link – sluggish response times and initial mapping failures frustrated setup. Once properly mapped, navigation was solid, though the AI occasionally misidentified obstacles. At under £/$1,000, the J15 Pro Ultra offers remarkable features for the money, especially for pet owners or anyone fed up with hair-clogged brushes.
Read our full Eureka J15 Pro Ultra review here.
Best robot vacuum for low clearance furniture: Roborock Qrevo Slim
- Score: 4.5/5
- Price: £1,299 / $1399 RRP
- Max suction: 11,000Pa
- Pros: Good suction rating, only 82mm tall. fantastic mopping, advanced navigation tech
- Cons: Expensive, AI-obstacle avoidance could be better.
The Roborock Qrevo Slim ditches the traditional LiDAR dome in favour of forward-facing Time of Flight sensors and a rear-mounted array. This shaves the height down to just 82mm, letting it squeeze under sofas and sideboards that trap competitors.
StarSight navigation uses 21,600 sensor points with a 38,400Hz sampling frequency, providing precise mapping and obstacle detection. While primarily forward-looking, rear sensors fill the coverage gaps, and in testing, the Slim navigated tricky furniture arrangements flawlessly, including escaping a low-clearance corner sofa that stumped every rival.
Suction tops out at 11,000Pa, among Roborock’s most powerful. Dual contra-rotating brushes agitate dirt while resisting hair tangles – even with long hair scattered throughout testing, the brushes remained clear. FlexiArm technology swings the side brush and mop pad out for genuine edge-to-edge cleaning.
Mopping performance is excellent for daily maintenance, with dual pads lifting 10mm to avoid most short-pile carpets. The Multifunctional Dock 3.0 washes pads with hot water and dries them with warm air, though it lacks detergent support found on pricier siblings.
Read our full Roborock Qrevo Slim review here.
Robot vacuum FAQs
Most modern robots with self-empty docks can go 60-90 days between bag changes, depending on home size and debris levels. Robots without auto-empty typically need manual emptying after each cleaning session or when the bin indicator lights up. For households with pets, expect to empty more frequently as fur fills bins faster than dust.
Yes, most current robot vacuums handle pet hair effectively, though some perform better than others. Look for models with anti-tangle brushes or hair-cutting technology like the Eureka J15 Pro Ultra. Dual rubber rollers (like on many Roborock models) resist tangles better than traditional bristle brushes. Self-empty docks are particularly valuable for pet owners as they reduce contact with allergens.
Performance varies significantly. Budget and mid-range models typically struggle with deep pile carpets. High-suction robots (11,000Pa+) like the Roborock Qrevo Slim and Saros 10 handle thick carpet well, while the Saros 10’s AdaptiLift can raise its chassis to maintain movement on very deep pile. If you have predominantly thick carpet throughout your home, prioritize models with 15,000Pa+ suction ratings.
For hard floors, yes – mopping robots maintain cleanliness between manual mopping sessions. They handle daily grime, light spills, and foot traffic marks effectively. However, they don’t replace deep cleaning for stubborn or dried-on stains. Roller mop systems (like the SwitchBot S20) and sonic scrubbing (Roborock Saros 10) outperform basic dragging pads. If your home is primarily carpet, mopping capability obviously adds little value and bumps up the price
Quality robot vacuums typically last 4-6 years with proper maintenance. Replace filters every 2-3 months, clean brushes weekly, and wash mop pads regularly. Batteries degrade over time- expect reduced runtime after 2-3 years, with replacement batteries available for most major brands. Keeping sensors clean and updating firmware extends lifespan.
