The 5 best robot vacuums for carpet are rug-cleaning champions

Why we picked this:

As the number and letter mashup in the title suggests, the Combo j9+ finally combines the best features of the older high-end Roombas: the small obstacle detection of the j7+, the retractable mop of the Roomba Combo j7+, and suction power of the Roomba s9+.

What's more groundbreaking than iRobot bringing those features together, however, is the fact that the Combo j9+ beats both of its predecessors at their own game. Suction power wise, the Combo j9+ is stronger — therefore tougher on thick carpet and pet hair — than the s9+. Mopping wise, the Combo j9+ attacks dried stains more persistently by scrubbing back and forth with force rather than staying stationary.

The new auto-empty dock is bigger than previous docks from iRobot, but that's because it's holding a separate water tank that automatically refills the smaller tank on the vac itself for 30 days at a time. Any maintenance can be done without opening the chic wood lid on top of the dock, so you've basically got a free new full-time side table.

Who it's for:

Not everyone in the market for a robot vacuum is willing to pay $1,000 or more just to take a chore or two off of their plate. Those who would be down for that investment want a deep clean that goes past casual daily upkeep, and they want it to happen without babysitting required on their end. The Combo j9+ would be particularly worthwhile in large homes with several pets that have an even mix of hard floors and carpeting or rugs.

Why we picked this:

Shark has been a player in the robot vacuum game forever, but didn't have a model that particularly stood out — until winter of 2022, that is. The latest Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 rocks improvements galore over several predecessors, adding a mop to its smartest model (plus automatic emptying, if you choose to grab the dock) without straying too far from the $300 to $600 range.

The new Matrix Clean system prompts the vac to take several passes to ensure that no spots are missed. During regular dry vacuuming, it delivers 30% better carpet cleaning (compared to the older RV Shark models) by digging deeper into carpet and cleaning in a crosshatch pattern to loosen and grab debris from multiple angles. When a corner is detected by "Matrix" also applies to the AI Ultra's mopping, which vibrates 100 times per minute to scrub stains.

Who it's for:

If you typically take the "and one for good measure" approach when it comes to cleaning, you'll appreciate the extra effort the newest Shark vacuum puts in on dirty spots, even if it has already gone over them once.

While the Shark Matrix 2-in-1 would be fine in rooms with fully-carpeted rooms, it's probably best for homes without a heavy rug situation, as the bot requires you to manually point out rugs or carpets in the app and can't vacuum while the water tank is attached.

Why we picked this:

Autonomous wet and dry cleaning plus auto-emptying plus room mapping is typically a pricey checklist, running you at least $600 if you're Roborock or Shark — or more if you're iRobot. Yeedi, a smaller brand that specializes in affordable robot vacuums, offers that iconic trio of robotic cleaning features in its Yeedi Vac Station for as low as $300 on sale.

3,000 Pa of suction is a bold claim that'd rival the most powerful Roomba, but this Yeedi really does put in more work than you'd expect at this price point. Its performance on flat to medium pile is satisfactory, including with long hairs — we just wouldn't trust it to make it over a fluffy rug alive.

Who it's for:

This packed budget model is a stellar find for folks who would like to stretch no more than $300 or $400 to cover the triple threat that is room mapping, mopping, and automatic emptying. With patience for the shaky navigation and the acceptance of clearing obstacles off the floor before starting a cleaning, the Yeedi Vac Station could be a game changer.

Why we picked this:

Until recently, we recommended the Roborock S7+ as one of the best robot vacuums for carpets, but after testing the newer model S8+, we're updating our top picks. Between strong suction, LiDAR, and mopping that doesn't soak carpets, the Roborock S8+ is the perfect choice for homes with multiple types of flooring. With its self-empty dock (a wise bundle for people with shedding pets), the S8+ is a triple threat with just one catch — the $1,000 price tag. Roborock often offers a $200 off coupon, but even at this discounted price, it's definitely an investment.

Because the S8+ detects floor types, you won't have to worry about getting your carpet or rugs wet. This bot will automatically lift the mop as it rolls onto carpets. Not only that, but the S8+ will increase suction as soon as it senses carpeting.

To test this vacuum's carpet-cleaning capabilities, we used a lint roller on carpets after a cleaning was completed. While the S8+ didn't remove 100% of hair and debris, it was more effective than other robot vacuums we've tested (and slightly less effective than high-end stick vacuums).

We should note that Roborock's obstacle recognition can't detect cords or pet poop. However, you shouldn't have to babysit it otherwise.

Who it's for:

We recommend the Roborock S8+ for people who'd prefer the water stains and footprints on their tile to be treated to a deeper clean than just the light wiping of a cloth. This hybrid robot vacuum actually does a good job of mopping your floors thanks to a vibrating mop pad.

While it's easily one of the best robot vacuums for carpet, it's our top pick for homes with a combination of floor types. So, whether your home has thick carpet, tile and carpet, carpet and hardwood, or all of the above, we can definitely recommend this versatile vacuum.