The Top Robot Vacuums for Hardwood Floors We've Tested

Best Overall

The Roborock S8+ is the perfect robot vacuum for those seeking an easy setup, straightforward controls, quiet operation, and consistent performance. It impressed us with its quick setup and intuitive remote. After a quick charge, it was off to cleaning in less than two minutes, effortlessly gliding through the room, avoiding obstacles, and never getting stuck. Its maneuverability was especially remarkable, seamlessly navigating under and around furniture without bumping into corners or legs.

While our focus was on testing for hardwood floors, this vacuum also performed excellently on carpets. During its operation, it remained quiet and unobtrusive, allowing us to continue with our daily activities without any disruption. Once it finished its cleaning task, it automatically emptied its dustbin into a larger collection container, which we found easy to empty when it reached full capacity. The only challenge it faced was in removing debris from tight corners, a common issue with many robotic vacuums.

After six months of use, we are still thoroughly impressed with this vacuum. The battery life is outstanding—it vacuums and mops on a single charge, and it retains its charge even after several months of regular use on the highest setting. It's powerful, effective against pet hair and dust, and the self-emptying feature has become even more valuable over time.

Dimensions: 13.9 x 13.8 x 3.8 inches | Weight: 10.1 pounds | Battery Life: Approximately 180 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 400 mL | HEPA Filter: Yes

Best Luxury Purchase

This upgraded version of the Roborock S8 excelled on a variety of surfaces, particularly hardwood floors, easily handling dust, food debris, and mopping tasks. It also offers a range of customizable cleaning modes, including a deep-cleaning option that provides extra power for tougher messes. While this setting can be a bit noisy, it might be worth the extra investment for those wanting a more thorough clean from their robot vacuum.

One of the standout features of this vacuum is its self-cleaning system, which automatically empties dust into a dust bag when the vacuum docks, saving us from having to do it manually. But the convenience doesn’t stop there. This vacuum can go up to seven weeks without requiring a change, it handles its own mopping by emptying, washing, and drying the mop function, and the dock even self-cleans. When it’s time to empty the dock reservoirs, a notification is sent via the app, so we don’t have to worry about keeping track!

Our main issue with this robot vacuum was connecting it to our Wi-Fi, which required several attempts and restarts before it was operational. However, six months later, we’re still using it at least twice a week. We appreciate how it makes allergy season easier by running daily to collect allergen-laden dust, and its minimal maintenance is a huge plus. Overall, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra saves us time and offers a highly convenient way to keep our home clean in between regular vacuuming sessions.

Dimensions: 13.8 x 3.8 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Battery Life: Up to 180 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 350 mL | HEPA Filter: Yes

Best Value for Money

Offering a more affordable price compared to many other robot vacuums, the iRobot Roomba 694 is a great deal. It eagerly picked up pet hair, human hair, food scraps, and even sand. The most impressive part was that no hair or debris got stuck in the brushes, so there was no hassle of cleaning them. It did an excellent job cleaning hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, gliding smoothly between rooms and around furniture.

Like most robot vacuums, this model had some difficulty cleaning debris from corners and edges, as well as transitioning between different floor types. It also wasn’t able to avoid certain messes, such as pudding and other sticky spills. However, it performed well in other areas and stood out from other budget models, earning our approval. Even after six months of regular use, we are still impressed by how much dirt and hair it collects.

For its affordable price, we didn’t expect many extra features, and it lacks some found in pricier models. However, it does offer Wi-Fi connectivity, app control, and voice commands. You can also set cleaning schedules, and its navigation system is dependable. Additionally, it automatically docks and recharges when the battery gets low or after completing a cleaning cycle.

Dimensions: 13.4 x 4 inches | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Battery Life: 90 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 350 mL | HEPA Filter: No

Ideal for Pet Hair Removal

The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is excellent at picking up cat hair, dog hair, and even human hair. It excels at tackling crumbs, dust, and other debris on both hardwood floors and carpets. With double the suction power of other robot vacuums, it automatically adjusts to higher cleaning modes when it detects extra debris.

This robot vacuum includes an app, mapping functionality, different cleaning modes, and smart scheduling. It also tracks dirt collection to help users identify areas that need attention. A major drawback, however, is its lack of object avoidance. It consistently picks up cat toys in our pet-friendly test area, requiring more time spent clearing small items to prevent them from slowing down the cleaning process.

Despite its lack of object avoidance, we appreciated the Dyson 360 Vis Nav's semi-oval shape with flat sides and squared-off front. This design allows it to reach tight corners and clean along walls, collecting crumbs, dust, and pet hair from baseboards and other difficult-to-reach areas that many robot vacuums miss. Additionally, it features an extending side duct to pull challenging debris into the suction path.

Dimensions: 9.72 x 3.94 inches | Weight: 6.61 pounds | Battery Life: Up to 50 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 360 mL | HEPA Filter: Yes

Ideal Mop Combo

Like most robot vacuums, the Eufy Clean X9 Pro is easy to use, intuitive, and saves time. However, its standout mopping feature makes it a perfect choice for those looking for more than just a vacuum. The app interface and setup impressed us, making it quick and easy to get started. It also excelled at navigating around furniture and moving between different flooring types, rarely getting stuck even on floor transitions.

Robot vacuums with mopping functions are often unreliable, but this model truly stands out. The three adjustable water levels made it easy to customize cleaning, with the middle setting being perfect for thorough cleaning without leaving the floor overly wet. Additionally, the reusable mop pads self-clean and dry in the docking station, reducing waste, preventing the spread of dirt and germs, and always being ready to use at the touch of a button or scheduled activation.

The dustbin is generously sized, and we liked how the mop feature empties the dirty water into a holding tank for easy disposal later. One downside is that the clean water tank could be larger, as frequent mopping requires more refills. The corners were challenging to clean, and it had some trouble with larger debris, fluffier rugs, and rug tassels. However, it performed well on small and medium-sized debris on hard floors and low-pile carpets.

Dimensions: 13.8 x 4.02 inches | Weight: 9.9 pounds | Battery Life: Up to 180 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 400 mL | HEPA Filter: Yes

Final Review

Our number one choice is the Roborock S8 Plus, which efficiently vacuumed and mopped our hardwood floors. We were impressed by its easy setup, quiet operation, efficiency, and its ability to avoid getting stuck. It automatically empties its dustbin into the docking station, allowing for up to seven weeks of hands-free operation, and its maneuverability left us amazed.

For those who want the luxury of a robot vacuum without the hefty price tag, the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum is a great option. We appreciated its sleek design, the ability to schedule cleanings via the app or voice assistant, automatic cleaning adjustments, and adaptive navigation—all at a more affordable price than many high-end models.

Our Evaluation Process

To find the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors, we tested popular models in real-life home environments. We began by setting up the home base, charging each vacuum, and connecting them to WiFi to complete the setup, including mapping, creating no-go zones, and scheduling cleanings.

When available, we connected the vacuums to smart home devices such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa to test their voice control and smart speaker integration. After that, we ran a few monitored test sessions to assess the vacuums' ability to avoid obstacles. Once they were set up, we let them do their job.

After the vacuums completed their tasks, we evaluated their performance. We also tested additional features such as spot cleaning, scheduled cleaning, mopping, smart functions, and auto-emptying where applicable. Combining these results with their overall performance, battery life, and price, we selected the top-performing robot vacuums.

How to Shop for the Perfect Robot Vacuum for Hardwood Floors

Key Features

You might not need every possible feature, but you’ll likely prefer a robot vacuum equipped with advanced technologies that make cleaning faster, easier, and more effective. Here are some key features to consider: Smart Features

Smart home tech is revolutionizing convenience, and robot vacuums are joining the trend. Features like app control, voice commands, scheduling, zone cleaning, and compatibility with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant help streamline cleaning routines. Additionally, some models offer self-emptying vacuums, mopping, room-specific cleaning modes, self-cleaning brushes, and automatic brush adjustments for different types of flooring.

Obstacle Detection

Many robot vacuums are equipped with sensors and cameras that help them identify obstacles like furniture, cables, toys, and other objects. Higher-end models even have the ability to avoid messes like spilled liquids or pet accidents. If you're aiming for top-tier performance and have the budget, look for vacuums featuring advanced AI or laser-based technology for superior object avoidance.

“Most robot vacuums do a decent job of steering clear of objects,” says Landis. “However, it’s best to choose models that specifically highlight this capability. This way, you’re ensuring that the vacuum knows how to avoid running over things it shouldn’t.”

Despite this, he advises against relying too heavily on the technology. To prevent mishaps, he suggests clearing the area of any items you don’t want the vacuum to interact with. “Be sure to keep cords off the floor,” he adds. “They can easily get tangled in the brush rollers, which may damage the bearings and cause the brushes to malfunction.”

Mapping and Navigation

Mapping and navigation technology guides the vacuum’s movements, allowing it to target specific rooms and set virtual boundaries to protect delicate items or areas you don’t want cleaned. The latest systems often feature laser-guided mapping (also known as LiDAR) or camera-based mapping to create the most efficient cleaning paths, ensuring that every area gets a thorough cleaning.

These features allow robot vacuums to adapt and avoid obstacles more effectively. “In second- and third-tier models, the technology improves the more they operate in your home,” explains Landis. “As they learn your space, they become more efficient, bump into fewer objects, and clean faster.”

To prevent scratches on your hardwood floors, carefully examine the design of your robot vacuum’s brush. Pullins advises against vacuums with brush rolls made for carpets, as “these can cause damage to hardwood floors.” He suggests looking for models with either rubber brush rolls or none at all.

If you want to further lighten your workload, consider a robot vacuum that doubles as a mop. “Sweeping alone isn’t enough,” says Jones. “Your robot cleaner should mop as well.” Robotic vacuums with mopping functions feature sensors that adjust to floor types, keeping carpets dry while thoroughly cleaning hard floors. We were impressed with the ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo, which offers exceptional cleaning capabilities for both tasks.

Battery Life

Battery life indicators show how much area a robot vacuum can cover on a single charge. While lithium-ion batteries are commonly used and provide good durability, you can check the mAh (milliamp-hour) rating for more precise details. The higher the mAh, the better the battery performance.

Most users charge their devices only when necessary. According to Landis, "When they're done, they simply detach from the dock and resume cleaning. There's no need to worry about overcharging or battery wear because the device manages it on its own." He further notes that most models come with long-lasting batteries that can operate for years without the need for replacement.

The speed and cleaning mode a robot vacuum uses impact its battery life, but the key factor influencing its runtime is the size of the home. Larger homes demand longer battery life, and the vacuum may need to recharge in the middle of a cleaning session. Below is a general guide to how long robot vacuums take to clean different-sized homes:

• For small homes and apartments up to 1,000 square feet, a vacuum with 60 to 90 minutes of runtime is necessary.
• For medium-sized homes between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet, vacuums should offer at least 90 to 120 minutes of runtime.
• For large homes of 2,000 square feet and beyond, a vacuum with over 120 minutes of runtime and an auto-resume feature is ideal. This feature allows the vacuum to return to its charging station, recharge, and continue cleaning where it left off.

Cost

Prices vary widely depending on the brand and the features of the robot vacuum. Before purchasing, consider what you actually need, as you don't want to overpay for unnecessary features. As Landis points out, "Aside from features like mopping and mapping, cleaning power remains largely consistent across most models. The basic versions of most brands perform well, with the extra features driving up the price, and not everyone needs or desires them."

More Robot Vacuums Worth Considering for Hardwood Floors

ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner: This model impressed us with its quick setup, user-friendly remote control, and quiet performance. It was agile, successfully avoided obstacles, and rarely got stuck. We appreciated how simple it was to maintain. However, it struggled with cleaning corners and had fewer advanced features. If you’re looking for an app and more tech options, this might not be the right choice for you. That said, it was one of the most affordable models we tested and worked surprisingly well for the price.

Common Questions You Might Have

Do all robot vacuums work well on hardwood floors?

Yes, nearly every robot vacuum performs well on hardwood floors. In fact, most robot vacuums are more effective on hard flooring than on carpets. While this is generally true, not all robot vacuums are specifically designed with hardwood floors in mind.

That said, choose robot vacuums designed specifically for bare floors, as some models are better at picking up debris without spreading it around on slippery surfaces or scratching delicate floors. Features to look for include rubber wheels, soft brushes, or even vacuums that don't use rotating brush bars to prevent damage.

Can robot vacuums handle both hardwood and carpeted floors?

Most robot vacuums are capable of easily transitioning from hardwood to carpeted floors. Many come with sensors that detect floor type changes and automatically adjust the suction power for effective cleaning. However, thicker carpets or rugs may present challenges for some models.

If your home has thick carpets, plush rugs, or a mix of hardwood and deep-pile carpets, make sure to check the vacuum’s specifications before purchasing. You may need a robovac that offers powerful suction and adaptable brush rolls, which work better in homes with a variety of flooring types.

What is the lifespan of a robot vacuum?

On average, robot vacuums last anywhere from three to five years, though many can last even longer. "Proper maintenance is essential for prolonging their life," says Landis. "You can either bring them in for routine servicing or do it yourself since they’re relatively simple. We recommend disassembling them every eight months to a year and using an air compressor to clean them out."

Routine maintenance should involve cleaning the brushes, sensors, and dustbin. This simple upkeep can significantly extend the life of your robovac. "If you clean them annually, they can last up to 10 years," confirms Landis. "But if you neglect servicing, don’t change the filters, and run them until they break down, they will last only three to five years."

Trust Us on This

This article was authored by Lauren Bongard, a contributing appliances writer for Mytour. To determine the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors, we tested various models in real home environments, assessing each one based on factors such as setup time, performance, features, ease of emptying, and more. For expert advice, Lauren consulted Logan Landis, the sales manager at Midwest Vacuums.